Punctuation

I think there are occasions when an extreme attention to grammar should be paid, and other situations where extreme attention is not all that necessary. However, I don’t think that people should be exempt from knowing the rules of grammar and how to properly apply them when need be. When writing something that is intended to communicate an idea to another person in a work setting or to an authority figure, where proper interpretations are vital to the other person’s perception and understanding, grammar should be used very carefully. Not only will proper grammar help get the author’s intended message across, it will also give them an air of intelligence and efficiency that may enforce their status and make the audience truly hear them out. However, in more casual situations, often involving electronic devices, attention to detail may not be as necessary. Though sending messages over the internet and on cell phones, many people have developed a common language that revolves less around proper grammar and more around time efficiency. Although bad grammar may indeed lead to misunderstandings, they are usually quickly rectified because the contexts are usually more casual and may be simply attributed to laziness. On that note, I agree with truss that it is very important for people to have scrupulous regard for their grammar in some situations but not others. However, even in situations where grammar may be appropriately overlooked, we should still be able to identify our mistakes due to a thorough knowledge of grammar.
I agree with the analogy Truss includes that "punctuation is a courtesy designed to help readers to understand a story without stumbling." The word "courtesy" proposes the idea that grammar is an act of consideration toward another person. This strengthens my opinion that grammar should be used in regards to the audience, but in certain situations we may be more or less courteous.