Literary scholars can spend decades debating the virtues of some texts, but it does
not take a literary scholar to immediately and almost instinctively condemn poor writing. Although the exact parameters of “poor writing” are difficult to define, readers of such experience an intuitive, often visceral reaction and, to paraphrase Justice Steward: They know bad when they read it. Writing generally creates a permanent product that often is judged by readers in the absence of the writer. Whether email messages, college application essays, resumes, or memos, high school graduates of 2010 and beyond will need to be able to produce fluent and accurate text in multiple contexts in their personal and professional lives.