Book Review: Aull, L. (2023). You Can’t Write That: 8 Myths About Correct English; Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK; ISBN: 9781009231299

Abstract

Laura Aull’s book You Can’t Write That: 8 Myths About Correct English, by Laura Aull challenges the correct writing myths and their ideas, patterns, and implications. It discusses the misconceptions surrounding writing, especially in an educational context. Moreover, the book argues that education focuses too much on rule-based and formal writing instead of exploring the wide range of real writing people do every day, from texts and emails to essays and reports. Aull presents a continuum of writing styles, from informal texting to formal published work, emphasizing that writing varies by context and audience. The book identifies eight myths about writing, such as the belief that only one kind of writing is correct, that tests and schools must regulate writing, and that technology threatens good writing. These myths act like “glasses” that distort how we see language, making us judge more and learn less. The author calls for an inclusive approach to teaching writing that values diversity and context over strict instructions.