“West Wing”
was a GREAT television series. It was well written; filled with enviable,
collegial relationships, high drama and tension, humor and poignancy. The
dialogue was fast paced and edgy. So fast at times, you might miss some really
significant commentary, like this one between Josh Lyman, the Deputy White
House Chief of Staff, and Donna Moss, his senior assistant, after she presents
him with some copy:
Josh:
“Donna, Insuccessful?”
Donna: “What’s the problem?”
Josh: “I
don’t think we’re allowed to make up our own words.”
Donna: “Oh and like there’s no chance it’s a typo?”
Josh:
“Change it, would you? Serious people are going to read that.”
Perhaps in
the grand scheme of things, when the subject of a program is our government,
the president and his staff, and how political parties operate and handle
critical issues ranging from world crises to serving its citizens at home, a line
about typos may not seem like the most important focal point. That is, of
course, unless you’re a writer, live by the written word, and hold good writing
in high esteem.
I don’t
know about you, but when I’m reading anything -- a book, a magazine article, a
blog, an email – if I come upon a typo, it jumps out at me, I stumble, I can’t
move on, at least for a good two seconds or more, which is a long time when you’re
reading to relax, or trying to understand the meaning of someone’s thought
which they took the time to document. I’m stunned, even appalled when this
happens. And yes, guilty of perpetrating the same act on more occasions than I
can count.
I am
equally as appalled when I do this myself and discover an error after I’ve sent
the email, issued the press release, or printed the brochure. Proofreading is
an art in its own right, and even the best proofreader can certainly slip up.
But come on, there’s even spell check to help us out now. I find myself
rereading what I’ve written, even an email, repeatedly, trying to avoid this transgression.
Some might say, “What a waste of time.” Perhaps it is.
However, in
my view, if anyone is going to take the time to read what I’ve written, I want
it to be perfect. I want them to understand exactly what I’m saying. I take
this very seriously, because serious people, many of whom I respect, often read
what I write. I owe them the chance to read something all the way through,
without stumbling and wasting their time on deciphering a typo.
