PSA: Writing pro-gun letters, school reports, etc.

[the naked prophet]

So you read an article in the paper, or an editorial full of anti-gun misconceptions and misinformation. Maybe you have a school assignment to write an opinion paper. You want to write something in support of the second amendment, to represent the pro-gun position to your teacher or the newspaper-reading public. Read this first.

It's nice that you want to write something to support the second amendment. However, using poor writing skills to do so will only reinforce the stereotype that gun owners are ignorant hicks who can barely assemble a sentence. You can be sure that if a typical newspaper gets 5 pro-gun letters to the editor in response to an anti-gun letter or article, they will most likely print the one which shows gun owners in the most unfavorable light.

Please, please, if you want to write a paper or letter to support the second amendment or a pro-gun viewpoint, make sure you can correctly spell, assemble a sentence, and assemble a coherent paper. Ask for help on this forum if you want. Yes, that would entail writing the paper in advance, rather than waiting til the last minute.

If you are a good writer, then be more active in writing letters to the editor, etc. If you are not a good writer, take a class on writing - or point out to a good writer some articles in the local paper which need pro-gun replies.

If you can't be bothered to spell correctly (and no, spell check doesn't count - you can go strait two the spell checker but doing is that weigh won't help win they form they're opinion off yore intellect an make conclusions about are side because misspelled words May bee spelled the same ass another word an you donut now witch is write also they dont always no grammar oar cache run on sentences) or to ask for help, then please, please, don't write anything pro-gun.

If you must write something, but can't be bothered to write anything well, at least write an anti-gun piece to help create a stereotype that anti-gun activists are too lazy to learn how to write or ask for help.

 

[jlbraun]

If you must write something, but can't be bothered to write anything well, at least write an anti-gun piece to help create a stereotype that anti-gun activists are too lazy to learn how to write or ask for help.

Har.

 

[Billy_H]

Very nice point. I've often read letters submitted to editors that have made me cringe.

Aside from using proper grammar, spelling and basic writing techniques what you write can be just as important. Pick a few key points you wish to make and do so clearly and concisely.

Know your audience. A paper written to appeal to a group of firearm enthusiasts may be to much for fence-sitters and Antis to stomach. Write in a way that appeals to your target audience, draw them in and provide logical, fact-based arguments to support your position.