Week #11, 5916

As I've been providing feedback to my fellow students regarding their answers to IPL questions, I've found myself struggling with if, when, and how to address issues related to grammar, usage, and--perhaps most problematic--writing style. On one hand, most of the grammar errors I've seen have been minor, and most answers do not contain them in abundance; additionally, most of those I have encountered have not greatly detracted from the answer's content. But on the other hand, at times such issues have made answers more difficult to read or understand than necessary, and I've always believed that good writing helps establish intellectual authority and professional credibility, both of which are diminished by errors.

So far I've not mentioned these issues in my feedback unless an answer contains multiple errors or I feel that the errors can create difficulties for patrons; still, I feel uncomfortable pointing out such problems in my peers' writing since I fear seeming overly critical or negative. Perhaps clearer guidelines should be established for feedbackers regarding when and how such problems should be addressed.

In any case, this experience has reminded me to be a more careful proofreader of my own work and that rather than guessing when facing questions regarding grammar or usage in my writing, I should seek out reputable sources for such information and strive to get the answers to those questions right.