Time off to read

There were about 15 students in the Chapman University writing class at which I was invited to speak not long ago.

My focus was supposed to be on business writing, something I do much of everyday and believe I am at least reasonably good at.

I shared with the students some good examples of bad writing that came across my desk, written by people who should know better.

There was the person who told me about a “fantom” incident in the office.

Another fellow wrote to a group about a contract for services that came in less than expected. “He widdled it down,” wrote the colleague.

Still another wrote about a meeting with someone who was not very “sofisticated.”

But my favorite showed up just before the class, a description of someone’s stellar performance. “He’s on a role,” wrote another colleague.

The people who wrote these lines are college-educated and making good livings. They should know better, but clearly, they did not.

In my feeble attempts to connect with the kids in the class, I suggested that as single people who are most likely dating or already have a boyfriend or girlfriend, they probably have some standards they use to determine with whom they will or will not go out.

“When I was dating many years ago,” I said, “one of my standards was spelling. If she couldn’t spell very well, it wasn’t a match.”

I expected some chuckles or some rolling eyes, but in response I saw heads nodding.

That may be because of the level of intelligence of the Chapman students, but I believed at the time that spelling and grammar are a couple of the universal determining factors.

Poor spelling is, to me, more than just not knowing how to spell a few words, even a few tough words. Poor spelling is a clear indication that the writer is not a reader.

Readers are better spellers. Readers write better sentences, paragraphs and stories, and their speaking skills are better too.

Despite the sad rants of a few in the vocal minority, the “Harry Potter” series of books has done more to get kids to read than any other tool in many years.

Several teachers have shared that sentiment with me.

Some read the “Harry Potter” books because the books are the talk of the town, and the kids did not want to be left out. But those kids stayed for more and discovered the wonderful world of books.

Kids need to make reading a lifelong habit. Regular reading will improve everything in their lives. Everything.

Sometimes, however, we make it difficult for kids to get the pleasure reading they need to appreciate it as pleasure.

Today, teachers in schools are burdened with too much material to teach in too short a time. To satisfy state requirements, their students have to do too much homework. That not only limits their play time, it causes kids to look at reading as a chore, as something they have to do because their teacher told them to.

To encourage kids to read more, their parents and other adult role models have to set an example by reading too. When Johnny comes in from playing outside, one of the best things he can see at home is mom or dad curled up with a good book.

Reading is one of the best activities in which parents can engage to help ensure success in life.

And while we’re on the subject of success, please don’t make the mistake of equating it with the size of a bank account or a stock portfolio.

Despite the “Harry Potter” effect, kids are still not reading enough. There is, however, a great opportunity for parents and teachers to correct that.

In a few days, kids all over Newport-Mesa will start their holiday vacation, winter break or whatever politically correct term on which we’ve settled.

For many of them, it’s a chance to unwind -- for if they are given any homework, at least they will have plenty of time to complete it.

The holiday break is long enough for a break but too short for teenagers to get a job somewhere if they want to make some money. So the two weeks tends to be a lazy time.

Not always a bad thing, but here’s a suggestion: If your child is not a reader, take him to a bookstore and let him pick out a book. If he balks, “incentivize” him. That is, tell him you will pay him to read the book. And tell him you’ll be discussing the book with him in detail once he’s finished it.

I haven’t always been a fan of paying kids for things they should be doing anyway. But some things are worth bending the rules for, and if a child will start reading because it means a payday, that’s OK. At least with the incentive there is a chance he will like reading and do more of it on his own.

Without it, that chance is zero.

* STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and a freelance writer. Readers may leave a message for him on the Daily Pilot hotline at (714) 966-4664 or send story ideas to [email protected].

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