It may be a simple hello or a caring note. Maybe it’s a joke to get someone through the day or maybe it’s a heart-to-heart that changes a friendship. Any way it is taken, there is power behind even the simplest words. The ability to use both written and spoken word for change is inspiring. I believe in the power of words, and although it has advantages, there are heavy consequences if the word has been used wrong. 

Since I was around 5 years old, I found that I loved to make art and write letters to my friends. They never had to reciprocate the action; I just liked to see their face after I gave it to them. That feeling of word power to show that you cared has followed me throughout life.

Still, I must write hand-written thank-you notes after someone has done something kind for me; even if most of my generation prefers using the Internet. It’s always been a sign that I care.

Another trait my generation has gained is texting. While texting may seem nice in theory, the ability to abuse the spoken word is always looming. Just the other day my friend and I were in a fight, and we were texting about it. I couldn’t help but realize that the texts I sent to her were all misconceived. I was attempting to stop the fight, yet she thought I was being sarcastic, so the whole situation was blown out of proportion. She told some of her friends this and that about me, I told my friends this and that about her, and it has made our friendship awkward.

If only we had used the power of spoken word so that our inflection would have been realized, and she would have known how sincere I truly was.

As journalists, it is our responsibility to present the spoken word to inform and engage others. It is also our responsibility to protect the spoken word by not slandering others, being truthful in fact checking and writing unbiased pieces that layout the facts. Yet ultimately we leave the decision up to the reader for their point of view. That’s the real power of words.

It could be a note; it could be a mean text or a simple greeting. No matter which way it’s shaped, there is power behind it to change the world. I believe that my generation has the power to change the world for good with their words, but with the evil ability still lurking, words might do more bad things than good.