Do Writing Errors Bother Professionals? An Analysis of the Most Bothersome Errors and How the Writer’s Ethos is Affected

Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jul 2020

Do Writing Errors Bother Professionals? An Analysis of the Most Bothersome Errors and How the Writer’s Ethos is Affected

Carolyn Gubala University of South Florida ; Kara Larson University of South Florida ; Lisa Melonçon University of South Florida

Abstract

This study asks whether grammatical and mechanical errors bother business professionals, which of these types of errors are most bothersome, and whether such errors affect perceptions of the writer and their ethos. We administered a 17-question survey to roughly 100 business professionals whose roles are not primarily writing and communication within organizations. The findings show that business professionals are bothered by these errors and that the level of bothersomeness has increased from previous studies. Additionally, the findings show that participants have clear views of writers who make errors and that the context of the error matters. The authors conclude by offering implications for technical and professional communication.

Journal: Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published: 2020-07-01
DOI: 10.1177/1050651920910205
Open Access: Closed
Topics: professional writing argument affect and writing

Citation Context

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Cites in this index (7)

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A Field-Wide Metasynthesis of Pedagogical Research in Technical and Professiona…

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Ari, R U There? Reorienting Business Communication for a Technological Era

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Haswell (2005)

NCTE/CCCC’s Recent War on Scholarship

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