Dear Editor:
The worst thing about the college writing experience is the assumption students come to college needing no further instruction in the use of grammar. In my freshman literature class my work was constantly riddled with comments about my grammar mistakes. “Great content, would have received a perfect score if grammatical errors were not present.” I may be alone in my struggle with the final presentation of my written work, but I venture that there are others with the same difficulties I am facing. To have been able to master the alphabet and the manner of splicing letters together before entering college is of course advantageous, but if this learning experience is to prepare us for writing in the job market, then I feel that additional guidance should be provided.
BYU offers the services of the Writing Center, which can help to guide students in the content of their work. The center has been a great asset to myself and many others, but they unfortunately are instructed not to help correct grammar mistakes in order to serve the high volume of students that enter each day.
To gain a mature and coherent level of writing that has seemed to escape myself and at least a few others, I hope the university will act, preparing a means of grammar instruction to guide those who may have been eating paste during a few too many grammar lessons in grade school.
Richard McGuire
Provo
