Comments on: The Semicolon

By: KDawg

KDawg — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:04:34 +0000

Sure, it is important to use correct punctuation (and grammar) in your content. But what frustrates me at times is the lack of general proofreading and editing I see in some posts. When I write a post I spell check, proofread, spell check some more, proofread some more and more…several times. Then I have my wife take a look at my content and yes, she always finds something that needs to be corrected. Writing text is much like writing program code, where the person doing the writing is too close to the content (or code) and that can make proofreading (and dubugging) difficult. That’s why, in both of those worlds, and extra set of eyes always helps. Just as I don’t want a software tester to find errors in my program code, I NEVER want a reader to find errors in my posted content!

By: Theena Theen

Theena Theen — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:45:29 +0000

I was saying your comment in response to this article was amazing. Not the article itself, necessarily.

By: mrti

mrti — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:44:00 +0000

what is so applauded in this article.

By: The Healthy Epicurean

The Healthy Epicurean — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 21:54:41 +0000

Yup. Humph just about covers it (!!!)

By: mycookinglifebypatty

mycookinglifebypatty — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:59:47 +0000

Somewhere in my “education” I learned that overuse of an exclamation mark comes from inadequate ability to express thoughts and emotions using words. Humph!

By: The Healthy Epicurean

The Healthy Epicurean — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:38:37 +0000

I’m another exclamation mark abuser. I also end up editing out about 50% of them! (see what I mean?)

By: The Healthy Epicurean

The Healthy Epicurean — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:36:27 +0000

I think a writer needs to have enormous talent before he can allow himself the ‘expression’ of little or no punctuation. Hemingway anyone? In the same way that the most talented artisits, such as Picasso for example, went through the more classical stage before finding their own voice. Only once you have proven you have impeccable grammar can you allow yourself to disregard it. In my humble opinion, naturally

By: Wyrd Smythe

Wyrd Smythe — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:28:50 +0000

I've been also watching a comment discussion about the Baseball Hall of Fame, where no one was voted in this year due to players from the steroid era becoming eligible. What's interesting is that, as we see here, there is a divide between those who revere correctness and following rules and those who do not place those as top priorities. One can make, I think, a very compelling argument that PED users were cheating, and that can help steer your opinion. And certainly with airline pilots, doctors and bankers, we really want to see them all play by the rules. I think that art is an exception. There is always a tension in art between following established protocols and breaking the rules to create great art. And while a lot of great art is fully mainstream, much significant art is not. Art that is "ground breaking," pretty much by definition, is breaking some rules. That said, most (and I'm talking over 90% here) bloggers aren't natural born writers or great artists. We all benefit from knowing the rules; they actually do make you a better writer; having a larger tool kit always makes you better. And I would say that most art that breaks the rules does so fully understanding those rules. It is a rare writer, indeed, that can spin gold without training.

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 02:06:01 +0000

I am having fun! Punctuations are important but I agree with Proust, who thought the rules of language limit creative expression of thoughts.
(I may have butchered this one)

By: Crazydotcom

Crazydotcom — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 00:17:38 +0000

Nope, still confused!