Web Content Publishing is Getting Worse
Why is so much Web content publishing so bad?
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I’m going to take the chance of getting some readers angry with me, but I have something I have to get off my chest. It’s about the shockingly bad quality of Web content publishing these days.
I realize the Internet has given us all a chance to express ourselves in a way that wasn’t possible before. You can write a poem, a story, an essay, a blog entry, etc., and have it published to an audience of millions in about as much time as it takes to eat lunch. This is a great thing, because it means people get a chance to express themselves to someone besides the family cat, and good things can come of that.
However, it’s obvious that some of these Web content publishing authors can barely express themselves in English. They misspell words, use grammar that is awkward or just plain wrong, use faulty logic, and produce writing that would get them a failing mark in a fifth grade English class.
I have undergraduate and graduate degrees in English, and I’ve worked as a freelance writer for most of my adult life. I had some tough editors in my early years who drilled the rules of good writing into my head, and I would have been fired if I had ever turned in writing like some of what I see on the Web today.
It’s not just the occasional blog post or article, either. I see more and more examples of bad Web content publishing on company Web sites, which are produced by people who are getting paid to do this, and are supposed to be professionals. The other day I saw a gemstone site that misspelled “emerald” as “emarald” not just once, but several times. Was it that difficult for them to use a spellchecker?
Here’s the part that may get people angry: I think that part of the reason so much writing on the Web is bad is outsourcing. It is now possible to hire firms in other countries to write your Web site or company blog, often at very competitive prices. The problem is that the people who are doing the writing are not native English speakers, and they make mistakes. Even when you run a program to do spelling and grammar checks, there can be mistakes in the flow and logic of a written piece that will not be caught. This is why some writing on the Web can still sound awkward and just not “right” even though there’s nothing overtly wrong with it.
Am I being racist by saying this? I have thought long and hard about this, but I don’t think I’m a racist or xenophobe at all. I am happy that we live in a free market society, where competition is king and companies who keep their costs down are the ultimate winners. However, I also believe that you get what you pay for, and if a company wants to pay pennies for writing services, they’re going to get a product that doesn’t present the best image of themselves to the online public. When I read a poorly written company Web site, it gives me the impression that this is a company that doesn’t care enough to put a professional image forward to the world — so why would I want to do business with them?
Asian companies have had tremendous success in the American auto market because they developed a well-deserved reputation for quality, at a competitive price. Companies in other industries should take note. Poor quality, as reflected in the writing on a company Web site, will cost you customers.
I do trust that eventually the marketplace will weed out the really bad Web content publishing from the rest. If you can’t produce a clear, simple, logical English sentence, companies will realize you’re not worth it, no matter how low your price is.
And maybe we won’t have to see words like “emarald” on the Web anymore.
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July 23rd, 2009 at 9:16 am
Well, your article is very well written and it has a valid point. The Internet allows everyone to be a writer. Still, as you also point out there is a world of difference between a writer and a writer with a “professional attitude” toward writing. A writer with a professional attitude will approach writing the way any professional approaches any job: with respect for its rules and a continued effort to learn how to use its tools.
But there is room on the Internet for all writers. That’s the beauty of the Internet.
http://www.writinghood.com/online-writing/money-and-the-writing-of-sexy-short-stories-on-triond/ is one of my popular articles on Triond.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:50 am
I agree with your assessment of the overall quality of writing on the internet. It’s unfortunate that proper grammar and good readability are given such low priorities when website owners contract out the job of providing their sites’ content.
The English language, in my opinion, has taken a bad enough beating from the use of chat-room syntax, acronyms, and shorthand. Once the standards of good writing are breached, reversing the trend becomes all but impossible.
Advertisers, for instance, have for years played havoc with the language (kleen, lite, kwik, etc.) Owner’s manuals that accompany foreign-made goods are composed by writers with weak English comprehension.
Sadder still, is the fact that this topic is but one example of a general tendency toward the dumbing down of society at large. We seem all too willing to take the easier, less costly path of lowering standards, rather than demanding – and paying for – a higher level of skills.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:51 am
I think what Hogan said is very valid- the difference between a “professional” writer and simply a writer. Also, you have to keep in mind that not everyone is born and/or raised fluent in English, and that not everyone knows the English language. Those that try to learn it should be commended, as English is not an easy language to learn. However, for those of us that DID grow up speaking English, we should at least have the sense to use a spellchecker and/or other resources to improve our writing.
That doesn’t necessarily say that everyone who grows up speaking English knows how to USE English, but I understand your point on “emarald.” It’s emerald.
Nicely done,
-Fresh Writing
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:20 am
Yes it’s true that there are writers of varying levels of skill; and it is also true that English is not the native tongue of all of them. This, however misses the point of the article. When a writing assignment calls for professionally written content – in English – then the author ought to be so equipped. There are plenty of places to develop one’s writing skills and English comprehension other than corporate websites, and professional outlets.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Thank you for the great comments. Bullwinkle, I agree completely about the dumbing down of the language. I could list so many examples, like using words that are deliberately misspelled ( “lite” for “light”, or “nite” for “night”); using nouns for verbs (”he gifted me a purse”), using slang or vulgar terms like “suck” in advertising campaigns; the list gets bigger every day. And FreshWriting, I agree that there’s a difference between a professional and an amateur writer, but even amateurs can use a spellchecker — it’s not that hard, and it helps improve their final draft.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I had an MBA-journo tell me that bad grammar is acceptable and even trendy for web writing. I about puked! I spent 30 years as an adv. copywriter plus have a year of law school — I’m dangerous!
Like some others writing for this site, I was lucky to have tough, smart bosses beat me and my writing into submission, or at least make it less bad…
Not original but important:
Seriously, sloppy writing and sloppy syntax usually reflect sloppy thinking. That sloppiness also devalues the meaning of words and phrases. I mentioned law because of a parallel between the rules of grammar and law. When people start bending the meaning of words or try to shade the intent of a law, there is a loss of a word’s accuracy and the respect for and observance of the law. Communication and civility both suffer.
Two favorite grammar felonies:
1. People who say, “…try and ___” as in “I’ll try and call you later.” NO! You’ll try to call….”
2. People who say they “have” a temperature. NO! You have a fever! You could be dead and have a temperature — room temperature!
Okay, I feel better.
copyjock@yahoo.com
David C. White
Chicago, IL
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I completely agree with this post and I applaud you for writing it! I am tired of lazy writers who won’t run spellcheck or get at least another pair of eyes to read something. There’s just no excuse, whether you’re a native English speaker or not. Having worked as an editor, too, it drives me nuts and takes twice as long to edit.
My pet peeve is the complete disappearance of adverbs. Instead of saying “more slowly,” writers often drop the “-ly.” Listen to TV news shows and you’ll hear it as well.
Writing in text-ese for the Internet is unacceptable. As you said, though, you get what you pay for. If I come across a blog post with three mistakes in the first paragraph, I quit reading. If the writer can’t be diligent enough to write well, how can she even put her thoughts together in a logical way and write an interesting story?
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I think part of it is that Internet writing “feels” like e-mail. So it’s not quite formal; not ‘real’ writing–if you know what I mean? So people often just “toss things out” online.
Regards,
Inna
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I’m so glad there are others who feel as I do. I was starting to think I was the only person who felt this way. David and Lisa, I agree with your pet peeves. I have dozens of them, but one that particularly bothers me is when people use the word “physically” when it’s not needed, as in, “I physically took my briefcase and left the room.” Is that opposed to mentally taking the briefcase and leaving the room? It’s just sloppy English, and it’s getting worse. I didn’t mention text-messaging and IMing in my article, but they’re part of the problem too. I don’t think teenagers even know what proper English is anymore, with all the texting and IMing they do.
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
You know this is heresy don’t you?
A major part of the problem is the lack of quality control by supposedly professional organisations. Even publishing companies that employ copy editors for their printed products seem to think it’s ok to put up any old nonsense without having a second pair of eyes look at it because “it’s the web”. I’m not saying that everything on the web should be checked by grey haired old ladies with spectacles before it goes up. But anything that purports to be professional should be treated in a professional manner. And unfortunately it isn’t.
Just because the web is bigger than the universe, there’s no excuse for sloppy writing. Who wants to read it?
I trained as a sub (copy) editor. We were taught that every word had to count, had to earn its place. Sure, in those days every word literally cost money in both typsesetting and printing. But it’s a very good discipline. Novel writers are urged by publishers to write tightly, not to save money but because it makes for better reading!
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Bravo!
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Well, as an English person living in the United States, I have long given up on how my language has been abused, altered and changed by Americans. People, tell me, “You have an accent” I always reply “You have butchered the English language, we had it first.”.
I agree there are some appalling spelling and grammatical
errors appearing in articles that are posted on the web. This is because we do not have a very well educated society in America.
I suppose, if I did not color(American spelling) my hair, I would fall into the ‘little old lady category.
Only a man would pen such a phrase.
July 24th, 2009 at 3:03 am
Agreed John.
RJ
July 24th, 2009 at 5:19 am
So completely agreeable, but it fails to made mention that there are exceptions among non-native English speakers – yes can\’t speak well – but can write and even outdo other people whose first language is English. The article seem to carry a line insinuating the internet to ban all people, whose English is only their second tongue, from web writing.
July 24th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Yes, Shakespeare, there are exceptions to the rule — Joseph Conrad and Vladimir Nabokov were both non-native English speakers, and they became two of our best writers. I wasn’t saying that non-native English speakers should be banned from the Internet, only that people should take more care to write good English, because it makes a bad impression when you have misspellings, grammar mistakes, and illogical statements. I was mostly pointing out that it’s shocking to me how often this happens on company Web sites, where they’re paying someone to do the copywriting.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
It might surprise people to know that, in the UK at least, we spend a lot of time teaching children the difference between \’standard English\’ and other forms of English that might be acceptable say in a text message or an email. \’Textspeak\’ almost makes me want to poke my eyes out, but it\’s not necessarily the case that kids who use it are incapable of writing or speaking standard English.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Oh I hate it when Triond litters my comments with \ \ \ !
July 24th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I really do get tired of Brits claiming they have hegemony over the English language. Dear Brits: get over it. A lot of Americans have excellent educations and ability to wield English. If natives of India cannot write in English, that’s the fault of England, which had colonial sovereignty over India. If England had done a better job educating Indians, they wouldn’t be such poor writers. Also, anyone who’s ever ventured into a Brit chat room can be greeted with just as much bad spelling, mangled syntax and sheerly awful parsing from native Brits as one would in an American chat room. So Brits really don’t have a leg to stand upon re English-wielding superiority. Britspeak has long gone to the dogs.
Cheers, Jonathan Swift
July 25th, 2009 at 5:43 am
I do wish that people would not get so precious about their own versions of English. American, Indian, English – all varieties are fine as long as they obey the standard, and let’s face it, almost universal rules of grammar. So, as a Welshman (whose first language was long supressed by the English) I would say to here here (ark ark) to this article!
Oh – and Triond should start to tighten up what it accepts and publishes in terms of the quality of English. If people want to publish execrable English they should do so on their own blogs, not on shared authorship sites like Triond where, ultimately, we will all be judged by others on the net by the standard of the worst articles (in terms of English not subject) not by the best.
July 25th, 2009 at 9:08 am
I agree with you John. A professional website is not going to sell me anything if they cannot even use a spell checker. It’s sloppy and makes me suspect of their product or service, whether they outsourced the writing or otherwise. I don’t mind English errors from non-professional blogs, etc. When I read this, I also have to keep in mind that you have an extensive English background so you are a purist who can see flaws much more than writers that handle grammer more by instinct, than mechanics. That would be me!
July 28th, 2009 at 2:36 am
Totally agree with you John, thanks for this.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Amen. If I had to write something for an overseas audience, I would hire a writer familiar with the culture and the language so as not to offend or put off readers. Why then do companies hire offshore writers to compose communication materials for us in North America? Don’t they realize we can see right through that?
Also, I am very concerned about the impact that text messaging and other vehicles for quick and short digital communication will have on our up-and-coming writers. This is going to be a steep hill.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I agree with you, John. Too much language on the web is poorly written and ill considered. Poor grammar, spelling and syntax does reflect poorly on the company and its products. However, language has a living, breathing quality. It must change. “Pet peeves” sometimes reflect a desire to hold onto rules that have been out-of-date for 30 years. While I have plenty of my own pet peeves, teaching college students has also taught me the importance of keeping up with the times.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Rosemary, I can see your point somewhat. When I studied Old English in grad school the professor kept saying that language is a living thing that changes constantly, and that rules are made to be broken. He said it was just snobby to think that any rule of language is absolute and will never change. However, you can’t have complete chaos, or we’ll never be able to communicate. When people write poor English and it is published on the Web, it reflects badly on them and on the site that published their writing.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:07 am
very interesting writing though I do agree that the language does change over time. We have to grow with the change but that’s no excuse for horrible entries that isnot even half pelled correctly
July 29th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I think you are completely right about companies- but see, those companies don’t want to pay a decent rate. They get what they pay for.
When it comes to blogs, poems, essays, etc., I tend to overlook non-native English speakers (or at least politely suggest a correction). I am learning a foreign language & I sympathize with someone who is earnestly trying to improve their language skills. English is not an easy language to learn. I also have patience for the occasional typo.
What ticks me off are the native English speakers who write long rambling “poems” about how much they “luv there Contry” and then send it to you demanding a thumbs up or a comment. What am I supposed to say?
“Hey, at least you spelled “it” right!”
I don’t think so.
July 29th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Your article mirrors my advertising! I offer literacy tuition for adults and while I do this as a business, it is also a long-held passion of mine. If you are putting pen to paper, or characters on a screen, they should conform to a certain standard – to be readable, accurate and easily understood by the audience. If spelling or grammar errors appear, this falls below that standard. I have been astounded to witness managers, directors and highly-paid executives unable to string a sentence together. I also think some blame lies with our government – they have spawned a whole generation that believe content is more important than accuracy.
July 29th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Sharazad, I know what you mean. I am not trying to be a snob, and I appreciate all types of poetry, but when someone sends me a poorly written collection of misspelled words and calls it poetry, and then tells me to, “Thumb up, Reddit, Digg!” without even so much as a “please” for my efforts, I want to scream.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:40 am
John.
Thank you for this article. You have stolen my thunder. I was thinking about writing a similar piece. Frankly, I was apprehensive to do so because I would be embarrassed if I made any mistakes.
I will be adding as friends all the people who have commented positively on this.
I agree that language is a living thing and people need to be open to change. But there are certain rules of our language that should remain hard and fast.
August 1st, 2009 at 5:09 pm
John, I agree with you. Web writing is pretty lax and I’m okay with that to a point. I don’t worry much about typos, especially in instant messages. I use abbreviations and nicknames that get my point across. I do it even more when cell phone text messaging. However, I get irked with the slaughter of the English language found in many blogs, forum posts and online articles. It makes me want to grab a red marker and start correcting them. I don’t always use the best choice of words. I have typos and mistakes that I forget to edit, but that’s human. But the gross negligence and pure stupidity you are talking about get’s under my skin the way the pants waistline under the butt does. I’m no square, but I wish these guys would pull up their pants. It makes you wonder about their self respect, or lack of.
You didn’t steal my thunder, but your article relates to one I want to write about. Sharing tips, ideas, and opinions is a good tool for writers. I feel like I’m learning a lot from sharing with other writers that write because they enjoy it and want to entertain readers.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:54 am
H John,
I’m sorry to know that you didn’t have a good experience outsourced content developers. Actually, the main problem is separating the wheat from the chaff.
Like you, we too are concerned about the falling standards in writing across the Web. While providing writing services, we hold ourselves to much higher standards.
Consequently, our clients have a completely different experience with outsourced content, compared to yours; as you can see here: http://tinyurl.com/picontent
Anyway, if you are ever willing to give it another shot, do get in touch with us.
I’m sure you won’t be disappointed this time…
Regards,
Monojoy
August 4th, 2009 at 2:19 am
Thanks Monojoy…..you are echoing my sentiments. I recently had an American client looking for 500 word articles for $1! With budgets like that, how can you blame the writer on the quality front?
Anyone looking for high quality content (probably better than the American/British writers as well) can get in touch with me.
Cheers,
Kavita
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Well Done, and of cause well written.
October 22nd, 2009 at 8:28 am
I do agree, however I am a poet and my words tend to pour out. My talent is definitely not in editing. One must remember there is a difference between an editor and a poet/writer. I am lucky I married an editor. Great article
August 21st, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Poor pay is a big reason there’s so much junk on the web. Problogger (http://twitter.com/problogger) regularly posts jobs for writers and here’s the usual description:
“$20 per blog @ 10 blogs per week. After an agreed time, further opportunities and responsibilities will be offered, including bonuses being paid based on article readership and community ratings. ”
$20/blog. Really???
Let’s just say you could whip out a blog an hour. What legitimate, educated and quality writer works for $20/hr?
And what well-written blog can be written in one hour? What happened to thorough research, proper linking, good writing and responsible editing?
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:05 pm
I agree, DL. The pay rates for Web writing are atrocious. There’s a site called Textbroker where you’re supposed to bid on jobs that pay as low as $1.50 for a 400 word article. There are many sites like this, and the fact that people are willing to write for such low rates is one reason that the quality of Web writing is so bad.