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
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (8)

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Show all 8 →
  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (39) · 14 in this index

  1. Adams S. (2012, July 20). Why grammar counts at work. Forbes Magazine. https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadam…
  2. Ball C. E., Loewe D. M. (2017). (Eds.). Bad ideas about writing. West Virginia University Digital Publishing …
  3. 10.2307/359061
  4. Proceedings of the Technical Communication Summit: STE’s 58th Annual Conference
  5. Technical Communication
Show all 39 →
  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  5. 10.2307/357695
  6. Dunn P. (2017). Teaching grammar improves writing. In Ball C., Loewe D. (Eds.), Bad ideas about writing (pp. …
  7. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  8. 10.1177/002194360103800403
  9. 10.37514/JBW-J.2003.22.1.07
    Journal of Basic Writing  
  10. 10.2307/376679
  11. Written Communication
  12. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  13. 10.5367/ihe.2011.0026
  14. 10.1177/002194369002700202
  15. 10.4135/9781412950589.n931
  16. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  17. Handbook of applied social research methods
  18. Programmatic Perspectives
  19. 10.4324/9781351132756-9
  20. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  21. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  22. 10.1177/1080569905285597
  23. 10.3200/JOEB.83.1.32-36
  24. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  25. Rule H. (2017). Good writers must know grammatical terminology. In Ball C., Loewe D. (Eds.), Bad ideas about …
  26. Rushkoff D., McWhorter J., Truss L., Challenger J., Haussamen B. (2012, August 13). Is our children learning …
  27. Scaros C. (2016, May 2). The importance of good grammar in business communications. Lin…
  28. Technical Communication Quarterly
  29. Technical Communication
  30. Computers and Composition
  31. Wiens K. (2012, July 20). I won’t hire people who use poor grammar. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/…
  32. 10.2307/356689
  33. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  34. No one wants to read what you write: A contextualized analysis of service course assignments