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Show In the post-war decades, too pny U.S. schools follow-junproven follow-junproven and often un-nd un-nd theories graduated students who couldn't read, or write well. IN RECENT years we've suffered from the results college graduates who can't speak good English, can't write a decent letter, can't add or multiply. Business failures, drop-outs, misfits, disillusionment, disillusion-ment, etc., are the dividends. Mercifully, the pendulum has begun to swing the other way. More emphasis is now being placed on the basics. It's now been realized once again students can't be very good in anything unless they can read well enough to comprehend, and write well enough to express ex-press themselves accurately. HELPING IN this direction is the Postal Service and the National Council of English teachers. They've set the week beginning Feb. 24 as National ' Letter Writing Week. Schools, post offices, business and trade organizations will take part. Museums and public libraries librar-ies are being asked to display famous letters, letters which affected the course of history. ANYTHING which encourages encour-ages Americans to write better English, to spend more time perfecting grammar and self-expression self-expression is good. Clear, descriptive de-scriptive writing benefits any individual, and any business or promotional endeavor. It can also give considerable pleasure to readers, preserve worthwhile memories and, occasionally, even change a mind or shape public opinion (as in newspapers). That capability capa-bility is an art, business, cultural cultu-ral and communications challenge, chal-lenge, and achievement, of the highest form. |