Editorial Inspirations

“Science has proved that reading books activates brain cells and hundreds of people are book addicts and the Internet can not replace books as there is no continuity in reading something on Internet. At the same time, reading on the Internet requires electricity, which is a problem in Pakistan, and books have a longer life, so the Internet cannot replace books.”

–Dr. Muhammad Ali Muhammadi, a physician, quoted in the Daily Times about his love for the 40-year-old Sunday book market in Karachi, which “has no name” and consists of 50 “temporary roadside stalls, set up by spreading books out on sheets of cloth.”

The word good is an adjective while well is an adverb answering the question how. Using the incorrect one will either change the meaning of your sentence or make you sound ignorant.

Examples
You did a good job cleaning your room.
Good describes the job.

You did the cleaning job well.
Well answers how.

You smell good.
Describes your odor, not how you smell with your nose, so follow with the adjective.

You smell well for someone who is sick.
You are actively smelling with a nose here so follow with the adverb.

When referring to health, always use well.

Examples
I do not feel well.
You do not look well.

Try It!

In the following sentences, select the appropriate word.

1. She looks (good/well) today with her new outfit.

2. I am feeling (good/well) today, a lot better than I felt yesterday.

3. How are you today? I am (good/well).

4. He did (good/well) on the test.

5. We hope to do (good/well) at the yard sale next weekend.

Banned Books Week, September 27-October 3, is the only national celebration of the freedom to read. It was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than a thousand books have been challenged since 1982.

The challenges have occurred in every state and in hundreds of communities. People challenge books that they say are too sexual or too violent. They object to profanity and slang, and protest against offensive portrayals of racial or religious groups–or positive portrayals of homosexuals. Their targets range from books that explore the latest problems to classic and beloved works of American literature.

While waiting at a doctor’s office, you hear your name called. As you stand up, you hear another person say, “That’s me,” and head for the nurse. You decide to follow this person throughout his day. What traits do you share? Where do you differ? What is the one thing this person has that you envy and feel you need to incorporate into your life?

Be sure to share your responses!

Today is the fifth annual National Punctuation Day! Created by newspaperman Jeff Rubin, National Punctuation Day is meant to remind people of the importance of proper punctuation for communicating clearly at school or work.

In his words, “Punctuation has been devalued by a generation of computer wizards who ask, ‘What’s the point? Nobody writes in complete sentences anymore.’ But the rules of proper punctuation haven’t changed just because of computers… Careless punctuation mistakes cost time, money, and productivity.”