|
The Reason Why
by Stephen Blake Mettee
A Call to
Authors Everywhere
Okay, I can’t
stand it anymore. It’s insidious. It’s growing. It’s dreadful.
It first
began showing up in local newscasts—undoubtedly written by first-year
interns. Then occasionally it would surface in poorly-edited self-help
books. Now, one frequently spots it in the mainstream press. In fact,
just today, it found its evil way into a Dear Abby column. E.B. White
must be spinning in his grave.
Yes, I know
this isn’t on the same scale as capturing Saddam or liberating Liberia,
but someone somewhere has to has to put his foot down and say, "No
more!" I have gallantly decided to be that man.
I hereby
announce an intergalactic campaign to eradicate "the reason
why."
I know what
you’re thinking. You’re thinking, "What is the reason why you have
your shorts in a bunch Steve?" But look. Don’t you see? Even in your
thoughts you’re guilty.
Consider:
The.....reason.....why. It’s redundant! One doesn’t use both. It is
either "the reason" or it’s "why," but not "the
reason why."
Would you
write "the reason reason"? Or "why,
why"? Of course not! So why write "the reason why"?
I can answer
that; there is no reason why.
As authors, I
beseech you, join me in fighting this menacing misuse of the English
language. It is, like, you know, so lame.
Please send
your generous love gifts to the "Eradicate the Reason Why
Campaign" at the address below. Make checks payable in my name.
And stay
tuned, next week I take on "irregardless."
.
************
Stephen
Blake Mettee, publisher, Quill Driver Books/Word Dancer Press, Inc. is the
editor of The Portable
Writers’ Conference, a Writer’s Digest Book Club Selection, and
the author of The Fast-Track Course
on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal.
|
