Basic Reading And Writing Skills (1977)

[music] >> Sharing our feelings it's good [music] to relate. [singing] We need each other in so many [music] ways. [singing] Communication [music] >> [singing] >> opens the door. In every [music and singing] relation there is more. >> [music and singing] [music] [music] [singing] >> Hey, where were you? Man, what a ride. I almost didn't make it. Well, I knew I was in trouble when I woke up late this morning. And if I hadn't seen that don't walk sign in time, man, they'd still be scraping me off the street. But, I got the message. And the fact is, I got a lot of messages on this trip. And that's what we're going to talk about today, communication. Communication happens when people exchange ideas, feelings, information, or anything they want to express. No folding. Take reading and writing. These are two important ways we communicate. That's right. John, can I have my skateboard? Uh I want to get the message across to everyone that this is my skateboard. So, I write it down. There. Property of Big Al. The message is there, but people have to be able to read it right to know what it says. Property of Big Al? Oh, Al. Property of Big Al. >> [applause] >> I know you guys probably think of reading and writing as something you do mostly in school. But, think again. Think how many times you read or write something every day. >> [music] [music] >> Man, this game is really tough sometimes. It was more fun when the words weren't so hard to spell. What are you playing? Scrabble. You have to spell the words, but it's not so bad. Yeah, he's getting all the easy words. Well, you know, spelling can be tough, but it just takes practice. And it's important because misspelled words can cause the person reading your message to be very confused. How would you like it if your friends left you notes like this? George, you can borrow me bic bike today. It's at school by the playground. Be careful with it. Be careful with it? You got to spell it right. It takes a lot of practice to learn to spell right. But, if you want people to understand what you write, it's something you got to learn. Yeah, but spelling can still be a drag. Well, let's say you were writing a letter to your best friend, Delsia here, who had moved away. Wouldn't you want her to know that you miss her and what's happening in the neighborhood? Dear Delsia, [music] our class went to the radio station. It was neat. They had two huge antennas there, and they gave us all a record. We all missed you and wished you are here. So does my dog, Swamp, who miss us. I guess I see what you mean. Writing without punctuation is like driving without traffic signals. It can cause accidents. Writ me soon. Love, Wendy. That's embarrassing. And the words you choose can make your writing exciting or boring. Which of these stories would you rather read? The man went into the house and looked around. The monster grabbed him and took him away. Boring. Or would you rather read something like this? The cloaked [music] detective crept silently into the old house. The wind whistled through the attic and the floor creaked under him. Suddenly, in the darkness behind him, he heard heavy breathing. He whirled around to face a horrible sight. The monster lunged for him, grabbing him by his throat, dragged him away. So, you see, you really can make your writing interesting just by the words you choose and the way you put them together. That way, people will want to read it. Communication. It's good for monsters, too. Now, if someone can't make out what you've written, how can you expect them to get the message? Just look at all the problems bad penmanship is causing this person. Well, if you're selling cookies, I'll take two chocolate chip ones. I'm not selling cookies, I'm selling lemonade at 10 cents a glass. >> Well, how was I supposed to know? You can't read the sign. I'll take two tickets to the football game on Saturday night. I'm not selling football tickets, and I'm not selling cookies. I'm selling lemonade. >> Well, don't get in a huff. You ought to put up a sign that people can read. Organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly make it easy for people to get your message. Take this school election. Man, now this guy has a great platform. Free lunches, 1-hour recess, movie of the week. Man, I'd vote for him. But, uh where's his name? Who is this dude? Looks like he left out the most important information of all. Too bad. He's got great ideas. Make Mary president. Vote Mary Landis for president. Now, that lady's got the right idea. Clear, well-organized. >> [music] >> That's the kind of message that really pays off. Thinks before she writes. That's my [music] kind of communicator. Mary Landis has my vote for sure. So, you see, writing is more than just throwing some ink on a sheet of paper. You've got to avoid bad spelling, bad punctuation, sloppy organization, poor choice of words, and of course, just plain bad [music] penmanship. Wake up. It's not over yet. You know, no matter how well something is written, you won't get anywhere unless you can read it. I'm trying to learn a new song, so I have to read this music. If you can't read well, you're really in trouble. I mean, you can barely get around in the world. Hey, King Kong's playing at the theater. Let's go see it. It's one of my favorites. >> Okay. All right, I'll look it up in the paper, right? No, I'll dial it and listen to the recording. It's much easier than reading it. Good evening. This is 71 Theater with a movie for every day of the week. We're located at 2436 Washington Drive, one block west and one block north of Benton Way, right next to the airport and on top of the bowling alley. Tonight and tonight only, except for the next two nights, we have our special low admission price of only $1 if you arrive before 7:00 p.m. and are accompanied by any person carrying a beaver under his right arm. Now, in theater number one, we have the classic King Kong playing at 6:30 and 11:00, and the Incredible Bionic Peanut playing at 9:15 and 12:30. The special discount rate does not apply. In theater number two, we have the only I think you're right. Let's read the newspaper. And it's hard to get information you need, like finding out the recipe for apple pie. And for sure you'll miss out on a lot of fun, like reading books and magazines and stuff. German chocolate cake, my favorite. Gee, this recipe sure is hard to read. I'll just take all the ingredients and mix them together. I'm pretty sure it'll come out all right. >> [sighs] >> I guess I should have read the recipe. We need to be able to read even simple things, like directions. Watch what happens to someone who can't read too well. Hi, I'm Cindy Sales from the Bravo Vacuum Cleaner Company. Are you the man of the house? >> Yeah, what of it? Well, I'm here to demonstrate our newest model by cleaning your rug for you. >> Lady, I don't need no vacuum. Oh, but I'm sure it's a chore you detest with your present vacuum cleaner, and our model is so easy that all you have to do is simply turn it on. Um um Gee, something's wrong. Um oh, I know. I'll look in my instruction booklet. Just a moment. Um Yes, number one, plug vacuum in. Oh, I'm so I'm embarrassed. I forgot to do that. Here, I'll just plug it in and it'll be very simple now. Okay. All right, we're ready to go right now. Oh, oh, oh. Oh my goodness. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. I'm here. Wait. Oh. Will you get it? >> oh really? This has never happened. I'm really sorry. I'm so Here. Don't come back. Here's your instructions. Why don't you read them? You might learn something. >> Uh-huh. Yeah. If only I could read better. I could have read these instructions first. We read all kinds of things. Clocks, thermometers, even maps. Oh, hello. This is Wanda Watch, your wandering reporter, here today at the city zoo to cover a most exciting event, the 42nd annual turtle race and egg laying contest. We're on our way there right now. Um we we we will be back in a moment. If only I could figure out this map. Can't get around. Can't get information. Can't enjoy reading. You know, [music] it's really important to read well. Reading and writing. Without reading and writing, I don't know how people would get along. I can get along without it. I'm going to be a recording star when I grow up. They don't need to read and write. All they have to do is sing and play music. Me, too. I'm going to be a famous photographer. All they have to do is go to exciting places and take neat pictures. I can do that. And I'm going to race motorcycles. Reading isn't important for that. You just have to be the fastest to win. Sure, those are neat jobs, but have you ever thought about what it would be like? I mean, realistically, if you really ended up doing those things? Hey uh Speed, you better uh read these superlative comparison reports and uh see which one you want to use in the big race tomorrow. Yeah, and also uh fill out this entry form and return to the office right away, okay? Hey, good luck in the race tomorrow, champ, all right? Uh-oh. These pictures are really good. Look, I have a quick assignment I want to try you out on and if you do well, well, you'll have a full-time job here. But, the deadline is in only 3 days. Do you think you can do it? I sure do. I'll get on it right away. You won't be disappointed. All right. Here's your assignment then. Remember, deadline in 3 days. Oh, and we have a policy here that you must write your own captions with your photographs. Glad to have your work. >> [applause] >> Great show, Rich. Uh listen, there's a guy here with an offer to make. Hey, Rich, how you doing, buddy? Come on over here. Let me see what you got here. Hey, that was really a great show. You're going to go places. You're going to go far, you know what I mean? I happen to bring here a long-term contract to sign this baby. How'd you like to play Las Vegas, huh? Wow, Las Vegas. Big time. You got it. Listen, Rich, you better take it home and read it. Uh think it over. There'll be time tomorrow. >> Hey, listen, Rich, Rich, a chance like this does not come along every day. Sign it, baby. A lot of clams, you know what I mean? Are you kidding? This is my big chance. I'm going to grab it. >> Here you go. Hey, hey, Richy baby, end of your first week and you were great, just great. Worth every clam. I hate to say I told you so, Rich, but you should have read the contract. Yeah, I think I see what you mean. Yeah. Take it from Big Al. You got to know how to read and write or you'll fall on your face in life. I guess it can even be exciting. Speaking of exciting, I wonder what happened to our wandering reporter. Oh, sir. Sir, could you help me? You see, I'm looking for the 42nd annual turtle race and egg laying contest. Lady, you got a map right there in your hand. Why don't you read it? Well, you you see, I can't read well. Well, it's right in there, right in that building over there. It is? Uh-huh. Oh, could I get in there right away, please? >> Lady, you just can't walk in there. You have to sign your name and address in a book. Well, I'd like to, but you see, I can't write well, either. You see, I am Wanda Watch. I'm sure you've seen me, your wandering reporter. >> lady, lady, it's okay because the turtle race was over an hour ago, anyways. What? Huh? Oh, do do you know who won? Excuse me, I got to clean up this bird. >> but wait, my story. Uh Poor wandering Wanda. She's just one of a lot of people who haven't learned how to communicate by reading and writing. And look where it got her, good and lost. But if it's your idea to do a lot of things, like write a letter, read a book, tell time or buy an album, you know what you have to do. If you don't, you Can't get around. >> Can't get information. Can't enjoy reading. And you have to avoid bad spelling, bad punctuations, sloppy organization, poor word choice, bad penmanship. You got it. And that, my friends, is no jive. Take it from Big Al. Reading and writing, they're the beginning and the end. >> [music] [music] [music]