Assigned Readings:

• McWhorter, J. (2012, August 13). Good applicants with bad grammar. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/good-applicants-with-bad-grammar

• Rushkoff, D. (2013, January 30). Its not just grammar: Its clear thinking. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/its-not-just-grammar-its-clear-thinking

• Haussamen, B. (2012, August 13). What good writing indicates, and doesnt. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/what-good-writing-indicates-and-doesnt

• Truss, L. (2012, August 13). The harm when schools play down grammar. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/the-harm-when-schools-play-down-grammar

• Challenger, J. (2012, August 13). Consider the candidate and the position. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/consider-the-candidate-and-the-position

Thesis:A person’s most powerful tool is their ability to communicate through language.

Reasons:(1) Humans depend on language to think and communicate properly. (2) The morewords we use in a sentence, does not necessarily convey a clear message and theless power those words may have. (3) Good grammar ensures messages aredelivered and received effectively, and ideas and thoughts are adequatelyarticulated.