Hey Classmates! This week was another humbling experience
with the assigned homework. The quiz was pretty difficult and I am positive
that I am not properly using punctuation in this post. Yep, I pretty much don’t
know how I have been functioning this far in my professional career. I am
consoling myself with the thought that no one else knows what they are doing
either. I am really hoping that by the end of this term I will be able to see a
huge improvement in my writing and editing skills. I guess just being aware is
step one.
In a weird sick way, I am super excited about all the
readings. I just want to get it right, darn it! And it is kind of fun to
imagine that someday I just might be an editing superstar. Or just a general superstar
would work. I mean, B-Actors do pretty good for themselves.
I do have a fun website to share. I found it a couple months
back and I have used it to look up rules. The website is http://theoatmeal.com
As you can tell from the gif, the website gives really great and humorous examples. So, if you are looking for a chuckle go check it out. Here is an example of the tips the site gives:
Possible Editing Mistake:
(From Syracuse City's website)
Maybe this would be
better: (I am still learning)
With a diverse
economy, a beautiful natural setting and warm friendly people; our city offers
a perfect place to call home, to visit for recreation, meet new friends or to
conduct business.
Dr. Sheree Josephson,
I do have a question about the Oxford Comma. I know there is
a difference in opinion over its use. Here in this class we are being told not
to use it. At work, I am told that I must use it.
I am curious why you choose not to use it. I guess I’m curious
what is the defense you give to other’s for not using it? I just keep hearing
that it’s a preference thing. Or that it keeps the copy cleaner. Is there truly
no hard and fast rule? I just don’t feel like I have a straight answer, one way
or another. My curious mind wants to know.
Class what are your thoughts?
I could not agree with you more on your blog. I am also in the same boat, the boat of "fake it until you make it" and just assume everyone else knows just as little as me. What a humbling class this has been so far, huh? Also, I am curious as to the Oxford comma question you have. I have no clear answer as well.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, the Oxford comma is not preferred in AP style. If a sentence is confusing without the comma, AP would rather you rewrite the sentence to make it clear without the comma. Styles like APA and MLA require you to use the Oxford comma, though.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in your editing mistake example, I believe a comma would be more appropriate than a semicolon because it is separating the introductory phrase from the main independent clause (i.e. sentence) instead of combining two independent clauses (or potential sentences).