Saturday, September 12, 2015

Punctuation - Jeffrey Herbert

Punctuation is such an important skill to understand and use. Communicating would be so difficult without it. Correct use of grammar is becoming a lost practice, so the more we use it, the better communication everyone will use. I think in today’s world, it is so easy to become relaxed in the ways we communicate whether it be face-to-face, or even texting. I also blame online communication for why grammar and punctuation is slowly fading. Think of how “texting slang” has become so normal. If we were to all practice correct grammar and punctuation, then our level of communicating would drastically improve. Lately, I’ve made it a goal to use correct punctuation and grammar in all forms of communication, and it has helped a lot! By using correct punctuation in all forms of communication, I don’t have to mentally switch over from texting to sending a business email. It’s consistent. Communication flows much better that way (for me, at least).

One of the rules of punctuation that really stood out to me from our readings is the use of semicolons before the word “however.” To paraphrase, the rule states that conjunctive adverbs perform the linking function of a conjunction and cannot coordinate clauses of equal rank. When a conjunctive adverb separates two independent clauses, a semicolon is required. I use this rule frequently at work, so I’m glad I have the proper education about it!

I recently found an editing mistake in a book I am reading titled “The 5th Wave.” 



If you look at the top of the page starting with, “They will,” you will see that a quotation mark needs to be placed when the man begins his next sentence. It’s funny how these little things slip past editors of books sometimes.

2 comments:

  1. Jeffery,
    I agree with you on your thoughts about texting lingo and how it makes it more difficult for people to communicate in other situations. It is very frustrating to me when I try to communicate with someone and they use texting lingo/slang (mostly because I don't understand it). I feel like if people would use good grammar and english all of the time, we would all be better communicators and feel more understood.
    Great catch on the editing mistake by the way!

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  2. I agree that the way we write has made society as a whole more sloppy in its writing. We tend to respond in such short quips anymore that once people exceed two sentences, they forget common grammar rules. Periods and commas have become interchangeable in the eyes of many. And most are in too much of a hurry to even care.

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