|
|
|
|
"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Nearly 2,000 members can't be wrong. Can they? More than $25,000 in scholarship funds to be awarded to high school seniors. Membership benefits:
THE WRITE WAY |
What is SPELL?Remember the old movie in which the distraught newscaster opened his window and yelled to the world, "...I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"? That's somewhat the way SPELL members feel when they see and hear our language being abused and misused by inept writers and speakers in the news media and elsewhere. As individuals, we can do little to prevent such abuses. As a group, we can do a lot. The Society for the Preservation of English Language and Literature (SPELL) is an organization of people who love our language and are determined to resist its abuse and misuse in the news media and elsewhere. We have almost 2,000 members in the United States and Canada. Members are from all professions and all walks of life -- doctors, lawyers, executives, engineers, teachers, writers, secretaries, students, retired people. The list could go on. SPELL members use our well- known Goof Cards to cite errors in grammar, usage, and syntax. The use of Goof Cards is not mean-spirited, sarcastic, or "school-marmish." Many who receive them write to thank SPELL for helping to uphold high standards. We recognize that English is a living, constantly changing language. We believe, however, that changes in the language should stand the test of time before being accepted. SPELL also promotes good English in positive ways--by recognizing people for outstanding contributions to better English usage, sponsoring a scholarship-essay competition for high school seniors, and publishing an informative, entertaining newsletter for members. Our bimonthly publication, SPELL/Binder, contains articles on grammar, usage, word origins, and other subjects of interest to language lovers. It's both funny and instructive. Although SPELL does not operate a "grammar hot-line," members' questions about grammar and usage are usually answered promptly. SPELL does not answer questions for non-members. SPELL is a non-profit organization supported entirely by membership dues, tax-deductible contributions, and bequests. MembershipMembership in SPELL is open to anyone who shares SPELL's love of language. Our membership fee is $20 for one year, $30 for two years. Dues are $15 annually thereafter. Membership includes a subscription to SPELL/Binder, a copy of the SPELL Members' Handbook, a framable membership certificate, and an unlimited supply of Goof Cards. We would be pleased to have you join the effort to preserve our great linguistic heritage. Just print and fill out the handy application form to join: Members' HandbookA copy of the SPELL Members' Handbook comes with each membership. The 60-page book has sections on punctuation, grammar, spelling, and writing. It also includes a list of homophones, a glossary of often confused and misused words and phrases, and a list of recommended reference books. Although the Handbook is not intended to be a full-fledged usage manual, many members have bought copies to give to their non-member colleagues. The Handbook is not for sale to non-members. Goof CardsSPELL's bright yellow Goof Cards are becoming increasingly familiar in news rooms and broadcast studios across the country. Each year, members send thousands of cards to cite egregious errors in grammar, usage, and syntax. SPELL recognizes the inevitability of typographical errors and does not advocate using our Goof Cards to cite typos. Goof Cards are always free to members. A stamped, addressed envelope is all that's needed to get 10 cards. The cards have a space to name the error and explain the correct version. Members are encouraged to keep their criticism constructive and not to be mean-spirited, sarcastic, or overly pedantic. Scholarship-Essay CompetitionRecognizing that the future of our language rests with students, SPELL sponsors an annual essay contest for high school seniors. It's called the Stephen J. Manhard Scholarship-Essay Contest in honor of SPELL's founder, Steve Manhard, a retired advertising executive. Entrants are required to write a brief essay on a subject that relates to language and supports SPELL's main objectives. Awards are $1,000 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third. Honorable mentions also will be conferred when warranted. In past years, the contest has been funded by SPELL's operating income supplemented by contributions from members. In 1995, a contribution of $10,000 from Mr. Manhard led the establishment of a permanent endowment to provide the prizes. The fund now has more than $25,000. The goal is to increase the endowment to an amount sufficient to increase the Awards. The 2005-2006 contest is under way, and the deadline for entries is March 1, 2006. An entry form can be obtained by writing to: To read one of the top essays from a previous competition, click on this link and take a look. SPELL/BinderSPELL/Binder is SPELL's bimonthly publication. It includes articles on grammar, usage, diction, word origins, etc., and cartoons, contests for members, and language-related humor. A regular feature is "Murderers' Row," which features goofs cited by members. Regular columnists include Richard Lederer, author of Anguished English, Get Thee to a Punnery, Adventures of a Verbivore, and several other hilarious books on language. Dr. Lederer's columns are sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, but always profound. Articles by members are published when space permits. We hope you enjoy this article from a recent issue: The Write WayThe Write Way, subtitled "The SPELL Guide to Real-Life Writing," is a 245-page book co-authored by Richard Dowis, past president of SPELL, and Richard Lederer, vice president. Published by Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster), the book is sold in book stores throughout the United States. The cover price is $12. The Write Way is a down-to-earth guide to writing and usage. History and OrganizationSPELL was organized in 1984 by Stephen J. Manhard, of Foster City, Calif. Mr. Manhard, a retired advertising executive, recalls that he had become fed up with the abuses of English that he saw in the news media and other places. He put up his own money, solicited the support of a few friends, and founded the organization. It grew slowly at first, but SPELL now has almost 2,000 members. SPELL is strictly a nonprofit organization. It has no full-time paid staff. The columnists who write for SPELL/Binder receive no compensation except the satisfaction of working for a worthwhile cause. President and executive director of SPELL is Jim Wallace, a former public relations executive. The office of SPELL is in his home in Braselton, Georgia. All other officers and directors are volunteers. Interested persons can contact SPELL as follows:
By telephone: 770-586-0184 By e-mail: spellgang@juno.com VISIT OUR NEW LINKS |
Handy Links 
