With the growing belief that any style of speaking and writing is as good as any other, English teachers must, on the one hand, admit the connection of so-called "correct" English with snob appeal, and, on the other, defend the intellectual and aesthetic superiority of clear, well-written English and learn to express contempt for circular arguments and vague expression. Otherwise, students, in their disaffection with the properties of language, will destroy the good with the bad. Teachers must present the sound, simple reasons for using the valid "correct" forms and for "maintaining what is left of the traditional clarity, brevity, precision, and force of the English language." They must point out that language is an instrument of perception as well as expression, for a poorly expressed idea is a poorly understood one. What is essential is to arouse an emotional concern for clarity and precision. If teachers fail to establish in students this understanding of and respect for skill in language usage, the students will be lured into extreme positions of opposing unreason with unreason rather than with rational thought, positions which can ultimately damage our contemporary civilization. (LH)