Back to basics: Learn about apostrophes

I'M fed up of reading messages and blog posts by aspiring writers who wouldn't know an apostrophe if it jumped up and walloped them around the chops.

So please, if anyone's in any doubt, do yourself a favour and check out the Apostrophe Protection Society. That man deserves a knighthood.

I once embarrassed myself by contacting the society, while under the impression it was a charity and asking how to donate. Ho hum.

I've bought a few copies of Eats, Shoots & Leaves, I can tell you - and no, they weren't all for me. From the moment I read the rallying cry of: "Sticklers unite. You have nothing to lose but your sense of proportion--and arguably you didn't have much of that to begin with." I knew it was a match made in heaven.

Like the lovely man at The Apostrophe Protection Society, Lynne Truss should also be honoured for her services to the humble apostrophe, in my humble opinion.

Still, there is one thing that does annoy me more - and that's those poor misguided souls who labour on under the impression that definite has an 'a' in it. [Linda]

Comments

[Louise Bolotin]

I swear if I see one more post ANYWHERE from an aspiring writer that contains duff grammar and incorrect punctuation I shall ram said apostrophe up their carriage return. I don't totally agree with Truss but she is certainly to be commended for making punctuation sexy and fashionable again.

[Sally]

Linda,

I'm in total agreement and have run many training sessions on basic grammar and writing skills for PR and communications agencies.

However, as journalists, how important is it to know the difference between a clause and a sentence, or a colon and a semi-colon?

Isn't there an argument that that's what subs are for? I agree that bloggers and participants on blogs just make themselves look idiotic when they can't spell, but it doesn't necessarily spell professional doom - or does it?

Sally
(fingers crossed theirs no mistakes in this post, eh?)

[Linda]

"However, as journalists, how important is it to know the difference between a clause and a sentence, or a colon and a semi-colon?"

I'd say it was very important and the sub's job was to make the copy fit the space, do the standfirst etc, not mop up on crap English. I know views differ on this of course, but I'm an old fashioned old duffer.

There are people who know much more about grammar than me and if they went through much of what's written here, they may well find lots of little niggles. Oh no, I'm doomed, doomed I tell you.

[Ian Green]

Huzzah for old fashioned old duffers! Anyone who writes for a living should have a perfect command of the English language. They should be able to parse a sentence, understand the difference between a colon and semi-colon, and be able to decline a verb.
Every prospective employee at my business has to pass a spelling and grammar test. The pass rate is very poor.

[Emma]

Hi Linda,
Oh dear I have a feeling my rubbish grammar on journobiz may have set this article off? Please accept my apologies. I agree with you that grammar is not as it used to be, however I think my problem is I spent so much time concentrating on what I am writing that I forget how I am writing it... if that makes sense! It is not an excuse though and I will be practising over the summer, you have made me realise I should sort it out.

Thanks :)

Emma
(Like Sally my fingers are crossed for no mistakes!)

[Linda]

Hi Emma, don't worry - it was the people who are paid to write I was moaning about. Sorry if I gave you a shock. :)

[Sally]

"Anyone who writes for a living should have a perfect command of the English language."

Perhaps - but if you're writing in a vertical market, sometimes a person's technical knowledge can make them a valuable asset even though they don't have brilliant written English.

I agree that grammar is vitally important but in the real world of journalism there are other skills that matter just as much - from technical knowledge to tenacious interviewing skills or perhaps an ability to dig up news stories - that can mean you'll succeed in spite of less than perfect English.

Besides, would you want to work in an office FULL of people who thought you should only be there if you could parse a sentence? Ugh.

[play free online slots games]

I agree that blogger and participants on blogs just make themselves look idiotic when they can't spell, but it doesn't necessarily spell professional doom There are people who know much more about grammar than me and if they went through much of what's written here, they may well find lots of little niggles. agree that grammar is vitally important but in the real world of journalism there are other skills that matter just as much - from technical knowledge to tenacious interviewing skills or perhaps an ability to dig up news stories.thanks for the nice post..