Grammarly: A technology that is killing skill
The writer’s community has relied on good old-fashioned proofreading to edit the typos and mistakes. Proofreading is a dying skill thanks to the advancement of technology and the over-dependence on it. Grammarly is killing it.
Yes, I am a tech enthusiast and a writer that relies on technology for my work. I am not saying that technology is all bad. No, it is not. However, the over-dependence on technology is what I have a problem with.
Many writers spend several hours a day coming up with a script. Most writers will tell you that the first draft of the script is rarely the one that they finally publish. It is usually a later draft that most writers consider worthy of publishing.
They do not use proofreading as a skill to only correct their mistakes. It is also used to enhance the readability of their work. When done manually, a writer can preserve his thoughts and maintain their style of writing.
It is this style that makes them unique. Also, it helps them to create an identity that their readers recognize and appreciate. And most importantly, it is what keeps readers coming back for more.
There is no amount of technology that can create or help create a fine piece of literary work. Even if there were, as a reader, I would prefer a writer’s quirks any day over a machine-made mass-produced product.
How Grammarly is killing the art of writing?
If you define Grammarly as a “proofreading” application, I will disagree with you. For me, Grammarly is a glorified Semi-Auto-Correct tool at best. Grammarly attempts to standardize all forms of writing to fit a pre-programmed set of language rules. Often to a writer’s dismay. The result is a flawless and factory-made piece of written work with no element of a writer’s personal touch or identity.
It disregards a writer’s personal style and attempts to impose its programmed logic. Sure, it gives you the option to override its suggestions. But why suggest a change when it can just as well be ignored/overridden?
So why use Grammarly then?
For starters, Grammarly is an excellent tool for official communications. Grammarly finds those typos and wrong grammar like a charm. It suggests an appropriate change in most cases.
To understand the utility of Grammarly, one needs to understand exactly what it does.
Not only will it correct the typos and mistakes in grammar, but it also suggests stylistic changes. Confused?
SEO practices govern the ranking of a page based on certain readability criteria. For instance, if you use a lot of passive voice in your writing, your content will be rated lower. Grammarly steps up to the plate and highlights these without a problem.
Additionally, Grammarly will check your content and compare it to over 16 billion pages published online. If it detects plagiarism, it will flag the relevant parts.
The Final Word
Grammarly is great if you intend to use it to make your official communication look professional. It is even better when you want to publish your content online.
However, if you are an experienced writer, or if you are into creative writing, you may find old-fashioned proofreading is irreplaceable. You will find it easier and far more fruitful to keep your style unconstrained.
Note: This post has been put through Grammarly. It suggested 18 changes in all. I have followed NONE.
This makes a lot of sense. A tool is available, how it is to be used depends on individuals. In case one wants to retain the original flavour of writing use the tool a proof reader.
Extremely thought provoking. I personally think Grammarly can be helpful with suggestions, but while choosing to take or not to take them, the writer must consider if the output sounds like themselves at all. Writing after all is putting yourself on paper and if it doesn’t feel like you, it can’t be you and then what’s the point of writing.