I have always loved to write and at one time, I wanted to be a journalist (among other things). I wrote for my high school newspaper and I have written for a couple of websites and a small magazine. One of my biggest pet peeves is poor writing (something I even catch myself doing!). I find myself mentally correcting people's grammar and I subconsciously edit (and editorialize!) every news article I read.
Shocking, I know.
A friend of mine emailed this to me the other day and I thought it was hilarious!
You may have seen it before, but I just had to print it here. I rewrote a couple of the comments below, but the headlines are all original:
Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter
This one I caught in the Tribune the other day and I called the Editorial Room and asked
who wrote this. It took two or three readings before the editor realized
that what he was reading was impossible!!!
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
No way! Really? Ya think?
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Now that's taking things a bit far!
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
Can't really blame them, can you?
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
Whatever happened to a fair trial?!
War Dims Hope for Peace
I can see where it might have that effect!
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
Possibly.
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Who would have thought?
Enfield (London) 20Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
That would be my guess, too!
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
He probably IS the battery charge!
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Ok....
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
It wasn't me!
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Do they taste like chicken?
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
That'll teach 'em to stay in school!
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
You think height gives them an advantage?
And the winner is.....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Did I read that right?
Showing posts with label grammar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grammar. Show all posts
20 June 2009
09 August 2008
I Blog Your Pardon?!
Ok, so I have been mulling this over for a few hours... On one of my favorite blogs, WhittakerWoman, someone (seemingly helpfully) pointed out Heather's frequent grammar and spelling mistakes posted on her blog.
Now, in all fairness, I will admit that I am one of those grammar nuts that notices every spelling error and grammar mistake I encounter. I subconsciously edit everything I read (in my head).
I have always been this way.
Ask my mom.
I used to drive her crazy with it.
That said, now that I am an adult, I would NEVER publicly correct another adult's grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
It's condescending and it's rude.
Even "Miss Manners" states in her writings that it is one thing to commit a faux pas, and quite another to publicly correct one. She considers the latter to be a far worse offense than the former.
But this (seemingly helpful) comment got me to thinking...
Do we really have a right to "edit" or "correct" anyones blog, ever??
This is not the first time I have encountered this. It's actually a rather common phenomenon on several blogs I read:
Someone reading another person's private thoughts and musings takes it upon themselves to point out the blogger's mistakes.
Or correct their parenting style.
Or make snide comments about their lifestyle choices (Christian vs. Atheist, for example).
If someone allowed you to read a portion of their diary, would you correct that, too?
I know, I know, "They put it out there to read (publicly) so they should accept the criticism." or "No one forced them to discuss their personal beliefs online, but since they have, it must be an open invitation to dispute them."
Uh, NO.
How about this: why don't YOU write a blog -- put yourself out there for all the world to behold -- and see how YOU like it when someone starts critiquing you?
Doesn't blog etiquette dictate that we "move along" if we don't care for what is written on the page we are viewing?
Why do some people feel compelled to openly criticize others in a public forum? Is this a form of narcissistic preening?
I don't know.
Maybe I'm too sensitive on this issue.
What do you think?
Is it really OK to critique another person's blog?
DISCLAIMER: Lest any obsessive-compulsive, grammar-loving lurkers are reading this, I am fully aware that my posts are sometimes filled with misspellings and grammatical errors, despite my own OCD nature for correcting them. But I'm a very busy mom with 3 kids and I don't always have time to proof before I post, so cut me some slack, k?
Now, in all fairness, I will admit that I am one of those grammar nuts that notices every spelling error and grammar mistake I encounter. I subconsciously edit everything I read (in my head).
I have always been this way.
Ask my mom.
I used to drive her crazy with it.
That said, now that I am an adult, I would NEVER publicly correct another adult's grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
It's condescending and it's rude.
Even "Miss Manners" states in her writings that it is one thing to commit a faux pas, and quite another to publicly correct one. She considers the latter to be a far worse offense than the former.
But this (seemingly helpful) comment got me to thinking...
Do we really have a right to "edit" or "correct" anyones blog, ever??
This is not the first time I have encountered this. It's actually a rather common phenomenon on several blogs I read:
Someone reading another person's private thoughts and musings takes it upon themselves to point out the blogger's mistakes.
Or correct their parenting style.
Or make snide comments about their lifestyle choices (Christian vs. Atheist, for example).
If someone allowed you to read a portion of their diary, would you correct that, too?
I know, I know, "They put it out there to read (publicly) so they should accept the criticism." or "No one forced them to discuss their personal beliefs online, but since they have, it must be an open invitation to dispute them."
Uh, NO.
How about this: why don't YOU write a blog -- put yourself out there for all the world to behold -- and see how YOU like it when someone starts critiquing you?
Doesn't blog etiquette dictate that we "move along" if we don't care for what is written on the page we are viewing?
Why do some people feel compelled to openly criticize others in a public forum? Is this a form of narcissistic preening?
I don't know.
Maybe I'm too sensitive on this issue.
What do you think?
Is it really OK to critique another person's blog?
DISCLAIMER: Lest any obsessive-compulsive, grammar-loving lurkers are reading this, I am fully aware that my posts are sometimes filled with misspellings and grammatical errors, despite my own OCD nature for correcting them. But I'm a very busy mom with 3 kids and I don't always have time to proof before I post, so cut me some slack, k?
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