Punctuation is dying

[Phy]

http://nostrich.net/archives/punctuation-is-dying/

[SelenaT]

Interesting article.

Oddly enough I recently came across an article that talks about the resurgence of teaching grammar and punctuation.

So, maybe people are starting to learn it again in school, but just don't bother to put it into use for their online postings and chat.

I don't know.

You might find the article interesting anyway.

Clauses and Commas Make a Comeback
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Selena Thomason
Managing Editor
MindFlights magazine

[RLCopple]

While I'm all for learning and using proper grammar and punctuation whenever you can, I think there is a big difference between a chat room and a research paper, or an on-line post and something published even on a e-zine like this one.

The difference is the former of both are more akin to conversation, and conversation, as we know, doesn't strictly follow the rules of grammar and punctuation. When we write dialog, it can be full of fragments and comma splices. I've even read one highly regarded book that suggested comma splices be used in dialog because it gives a more natural pause in the speaking than a period.

Now, if the punctuation is horrible, that is one thing. However, I don't fret over messing up now and then in a post like this one, that is part of a conversation. I don't have the time to edit a post like I edit one of my stories. (Lee, don't say anything!) I usually read through it once at least, and fix whatever jumps out at me, but if I have to give it the same treatment I give something I'm writing to be published, then I'm probably not going to post anything.

The point of these things are for dialog, and one should use the best punctuation one knows in a post, and if one doesn't know much, it is good to learn. But, without the same level of editing as you get in a published book or a story published here, bad punctuation is simply going to creep in.

I'm not sure what he would consider atrocious, but in my opinion, unless the misuse of punctuation makes it unreadable and discerning the meaning isn't readily done, then the bad punctuation isn't an issue with me, on a forum post or a chat. I think blogs can be somewhere in between the two, and some blogs are more professionally targeted than others.

And, ironically, tonight as I was reading "Ender Game," I came across dialog they had forgotten to enclose in quotes. And this is the second revision if I recall. That was in the chapter called "Dragon."

But, I'll state it again just to be redundant, I think one should do their best to use punctuation in a post like this as well as they can. But, unless what was written didn't make sense, I wouldn't correct anyone on their punctuation in a forum like this either. It just shuts down dialog and creates ill feelings.
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R. L. Copple
Marble Falls, TX
My Blog

Infinite Realities
Transforming Realities

[SelenaT]

[Loriendil]

And you have some, like me, who have had little formal education in grammar and punctuation usage. ("Extremely little, Ensign.")

So what we use in a post is likely to be off. But, uh, that's why we have crit partners for our stories while we try to learn more and hopefully someday have a decent knowledge of why-that-comma-goes-there.
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~Lee S. King
Overlord, Ray Gun Revival
Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck Now in print!
A bereaved cowboy and cynical space pirate are forced to work together for their own survival.

[Phy]

[SelenaT]

Good blog entry.

or should I say...

That is a good blog entry.


_________________
Selena Thomason
Managing Editor
MindFlights magazine

[RLCopple]

Yes, nice post.

You list technial writing and creative, I suppose because of your background. For me, I've written a long time, mostly in email list as well as my own web pages, concerning religious issues. I've done devotionals and usually I'm pretty good at those.

But, as you say, that is a different type of writing than my fiction writing. What makes for good Bible studies and devotionals and religious articles, wouldn't work for fiction. And so, for the past year (almost) I've been learning how to do the latter.

Then there is Tex-speak. Like, yous'un over there, why don't you russle up some dough and we'll head to the local BBQ hang out?
_________________
R. L. Copple
Marble Falls, TX
My Blog

Infinite Realities
Transforming Realities