Happy National Punctuation Day. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

noodle · 09-24-2007, 02:35 AM

I can't help it.
I'm obsessed with grammar.
Sometimes, hypocritically, I'll admit.
Especially the use and misuse of punctuation.
It drives me insane.
I get so caught up in the possessive "fajita's" at work that I can't even appreciate the menu.
Apparently, I'm not the only one... am I?

I'm going to celebrate as suggested...

Quote:

Here’s a game plan for your celebration of National Punctuation Day®. A few words of caution: Don’t overdo it.

Sleep late.
Take a long shower or bath.
Go out for coffee and a bagel (or two).
Read a newspaper and circle all of the punctuation errors you find (or think you find but aren’t sure) with a red pen.
Take a leisurely stroll, paying close attention to store signs with incorrectly punctuated words.
Stop in those stores to correct the owners.
If the owners are not there, leave notes.
Visit a bookstore and purchase a copy of Strunk & White’s The Elements of Style.
Look up all the words you circled.
Congratulate yourself on becoming a better written communicator.
Go home.
Sit down.
Write an error-free letter to a friend.
Take a nap. It has been a long day.

So, Happy National Punctuation Day!

xoxo,
Fred-noodle.
The Speech Ninja

uncle phil · 09-24-2007, 03:04 AM

let's hear it for ellipses...

ngdawg · 09-24-2007, 03:49 AM

In honor of National Punctuation Day I am giving all punctuation the day off It deserves it afterall for all its done for us

Baraka_Guru · 09-24-2007, 04:04 AM

Uh...you misused a comma in the third line of your post....

maleficent · 09-24-2007, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Visit a bookstore and purchase a copy of Strunk & White’s The Elements of Style.

I still have my copy from high school. I should really check out the new version to see if anything has changed in punctuation over the years.

The_Jazz · 09-24-2007, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

Uh...you misused a comma in the third line of your post....

Thank god I'm not the only one that was grammar nerd enough to catch it. I'm glad to be in such good company, Baraka.

Redlemon · 09-24-2007, 07:39 AM

It is always a good time for Bob the Angry Flower.

shesus · 09-24-2007, 07:55 AM

In honor...just one of the many incorrect signs I've seen on the many road trips we've taken.... It's a combination of punctuation/grammar mistake.

Yes, I'm sure I made an error up there. My obsessive use of '...' is the worst.

I am a teacher, but I'm not perfect dammit.

Sultana · 09-24-2007, 08:33 AM

Anyone with an interest in punctuation should read, "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves - The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation". It's hilarious and informative!

Being an editor, I notice errors but don't allow them to get under my skin (if not in a work environment). I loathe pedantic tendancies.

Redlemon · 09-24-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sultana

Anyone with an interest in punctuation should read, "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves - The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation". It's hilarious and informative!

Being an editor, I notice errors but don't allow them to get under my skin (if not in a work environment). I loathe pedantic tendancies.

If we're plugging our favorite books, I want to add Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English. Very well written, and the examples are well-chosen to make the rules stick in your head.

noodle · 09-24-2007, 03:00 PM

I put the two commas around the word "hypocritically" on purpose.

I had about four other errors in it but I couldn't stand it.
I'm glad you guys caught it... that means I'm NOT the only one.

Baraka_Guru · 09-24-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Jazz

Thank god I'm not the only one that was grammar nerd enough to catch it. I'm glad to be in such good company, Baraka.

Heh, no problem. When I read the OP, I purposely looked for something. No, I'm not guilty. It was all in good fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sultana

Anyone with an interest in punctuation should read, "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves - The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation". It's hilarious and informative!

Being an editor, I notice errors but don't allow them to get under my skin (if not in a work environment). I loathe pedantic tendancies.

The editor who taught me copy editing showed me an article pointing out that Eats, Shoots, and Leaves is riddled with punctuation errors. I haven't confirmed this myself yet. Of course, I suspect it to be primarily related to comma use, which is an age-old debate amongst editors.

Tell me, Sultana, where do you stand on the serial comma?

The_Jazz · 09-24-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

Tell me, Sultana, where do you stand on the serial comma?

Now THAT'S a pickup line if I ever heard one. Watch yourself around this one, Sultana....

Sultana · 09-24-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

Tell me, Sultana, where do you stand on the serial comma?

I favor the Oxford comma.

You got a problem wit dat?

Ch'i · 09-24-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredweena

So, Happy National Punctuation Day!

WHAT?!

Baraka_Guru · 09-24-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Jazz

Now THAT'S a pickup line if I ever heard one. Watch yourself around this one, Sultana....

You have no idea how much mileage I've gotten of of that one!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sultana

I favor the Oxford comma.

You got a problem wit dat?

Pffft. Next you'll be telling me you leave your punctuation outside of the quotation marks....

I use the serial comma, and I have a few reasons why. I won't bore you with the details.

Plan9 · 09-24-2007, 05:51 PM

Wait...

Baraka_Guru has a holiday?

Baraka_Guru · 09-24-2007, 05:53 PM

No, no, no.... the holiday in my honour is Sentence Syntax Awareness Week. Or SSAW! for short.

JumpinJesus · 09-24-2007, 06:02 PM

How come, if we all love grammar so much, do we hate grammar nazis? And why don't we proofread our shit if we love grammar so much?

filtherton · 09-24-2007, 06:13 PM

..,.,.,.,?.?,?.,!!!..;:;;"'':'';;:,,.!!!!'"'':';:!!!!

Baraka_Guru · 09-24-2007, 06:14 PM

There are varying levels of acceptable grammar. I would apply a different standard to TFP than I would a dissertation, for instance.

Sensei · 09-24-2007, 06:33 PM

I'm glad you posted this, their are some good points. Thanks for you're time.

Tee hee.

Plan9 · 09-24-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

There are varying levels of acceptable grammar. I would apply a different standard to TFP than I would a dissertation, for instance.

You're aiming this at me... I can feel it.

(cowers in the corner)

...

Sure, my grammar sucks... but at least I try.

And I use the ellipsis more than allowed by law.

JumpinJesus · 09-24-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crompsin

You're aiming this at me... I can feel it.

(cowers in the corner)

...

Sure, my grammar sucks... but at least I try.

And I use the ellipsis more than allowed by law.

My new law states that all statements must do end with the ellipsis....

or does it...

Plan9 · 09-24-2007, 07:26 PM

I love me some grammar.

...ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US!

Charlatan · 09-24-2007, 10:35 PM

I am a big fan of the ellipsis...

'tis true!

And while I am sure that I make an effort to exhibit excellent grammar and usage, I don't get bent out of shape about it unless the meaning of a post is completely lost.

noodle · 09-25-2007, 02:41 AM

I don't freak out quite as much outside of work as I do when I'm reading legal documents, medical records, and the like when there are things misspelled, incorrectly punctuated, etc. And signage. That's just asking for my red pen.

That was my day where I was allowed to get annoyed and tell the person. Sorta. I don't usually say anything, but it does drive me nuts when the person is represented by their documents or signs. It just tells me a little more about them...

Plan9 · 09-25-2007, 02:44 AM

s'like!

Fast Forward · 09-25-2007, 03:59 AM

"National Punctuation Day"?

?, !, &

Redlemon · 09-25-2007, 05:08 AM

I once found a punctuation error on a Heinz ketchup bottle. The ingredients read "...high fructose, corn syrup, corn syrup..." One of my proudest moments.

09-24-2007, 03:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
uncle phil comfortably numb... Super Moderator Location: upstate	let's hear it for ellipses... __________________ "We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done." - Robert S. McNamara ----------------------------------------- "We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches... We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles." - Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message" ----------------------------------------- never wrestle with a pig. you both get dirty; the pig likes it.

09-24-2007, 04:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	Uh...you misused a comma in the third line of your post.... __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

09-24-2007, 07:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	It is always a good time for Bob the Angry Flower. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

09-24-2007, 07:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
shesus Fancy Location: Chicago	In honor...just one of the many incorrect signs I've seen on the many road trips we've taken.... It's a combination of punctuation/grammar mistake. Yes, I'm sure I made an error up there. My obsessive use of '...' is the worst. I am a teacher, but I'm not perfect dammit. __________________ Whatever did happen to your soul? I heard you sold it Choose Heaven for the weather and Hell for the company Last edited by shesus; 09-24-2007 at 07:57 AM..

09-24-2007, 08:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
Sultana Falling Angel Location: L.A. L.A. land	Anyone with an interest in punctuation should read, "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves - The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation". It's hilarious and informative! Being an editor, I notice errors but don't allow them to get under my skin (if not in a work environment). I loathe pedantic tendancies. __________________ "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." - Matt Groening My goal? To fulfill my potential.

09-24-2007, 03:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	In honor of National Punctuation Day I am giving all punctuation the day off It deserves it afterall for all its done for us

09-24-2007, 05:51 PM	#17 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	Wait... Baraka_Guru has a holiday? __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

09-24-2007, 05:53 PM	#18 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	No, no, no.... the holiday in my honour is Sentence Syntax Awareness Week. Or SSAW! for short. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

09-24-2007, 06:02 PM	#19 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	How come, if we all love grammar so much, do we hate grammar nazis? And why don't we proofread our shit if we love grammar so much? __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

09-24-2007, 06:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
filtherton Junkie Location: In the land of ice and snow.	..,.,.,.,?.?,?.,!!!..;:;;"'':'';;:,,.!!!!'"'':';:!!!!

09-24-2007, 06:14 PM	#21 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	There are varying levels of acceptable grammar. I would apply a different standard to TFP than I would a dissertation, for instance. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

09-24-2007, 06:33 PM	#22 (permalink)
Sensei Black Belt in Slacking Off Location: Portland Or-ah-gun	I'm glad you posted this, their are some good points. Thanks for you're time. Tee hee. __________________ Slacking off with style since 1981.

09-24-2007, 07:26 PM	#25 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	I love me some grammar. ...ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US! __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

09-24-2007, 10:35 PM	#26 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	I am a big fan of the ellipsis... 'tis true! And while I am sure that I make an effort to exhibit excellent grammar and usage, I don't get bent out of shape about it unless the meaning of a post is completely lost. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

09-25-2007, 02:44 AM	#28 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	s'like! __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

09-25-2007, 03:59 AM	#29 (permalink)
Fast Forward Banned Location: Tramtária	"National Punctuation Day"? ?, !, &

09-25-2007, 05:08 AM	#30 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	I once found a punctuation error on a Heinz ketchup bottle. The ingredients read "...high fructose, corn syrup, corn syrup..." One of my proudest moments. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.