It annoys me no end when I read poorly-written publications. I can overlook the occasional typo and the like, but generally speaking, it reflects poorly on the author to have his or her work riddled with obvious error. Can I just say that if you're writing for a living that you ought to know what you're doing?
What are you doing?
In a professional publication, one would never use the conversational "you" with the reader. What do you think about that? In print, you glean what happened through the author's convoluted way of referring to herself: "A reporter knocked on the door, and a the family spokesman answered and told her that they had no comment." Translation: I knocked on the door, and some guy inside told me they weren't talking to the media and to go away.
"I" and "you" can never be in a good media story, unless it's within quotation marks: "You just don't understand how hard it is to be a single mom," said Jane Doe on Tuesday. "It's a struggle every day."
A different standard exists in the personal letter. I love to receive these, and can't imagine poring over them for subject/verb disagreements, wacky tenses or poor spelling. I want to know about baby Jacob's first tooth and how the job interview went for Ricky.
Same thing with the personal blog open to the public. You're catching up with a friend and listening to her chat. You can chat back, too, if you like. I think it very rude of commenters to barge in on a blog and write something like, "Look how stupid and illeducated you are... just goes to show your argument about (whatever) is wrong." You're really just showing a bit of immaturity and fault-finding if you enjoy hopping all over the blogosphere "helping" people with their spelling and grammar. I will admit, however, that "professional" bloggers (people who earn their living by blogging) should have a much higher standard.
I've noticed several of my friends and acquaintences have been hit hard by the "grammer police" of late. I know it's only a matter of time before someone out there finds one doozie of a mistake on my blog and calls EVERYONE'S attention to it in the comments section.
That's rude, people. So is leaving nasty "anonymous" comments on someone's blog. At least pick a consistent nickname, or leave a way for others to come do the same on *your* blog. I love comments, but am not fond of cowards.
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There are even some trolls out there who criticize homeschooling blogs for their typos. They seem to want to justify their belief that homeschooled kids are shortchanged. Makes me sick.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the newspaper, which should be darn near perfect, I get so distracted by the typos. On a blog, it only bothers me if it's pervasive. Otherwise, I'm thinking, "Anyone could have done that."
HA! They would have a field day on my blog. I am usually sleep deprived when I type so it is pretty hard to write at all much less grammatically correct.
ReplyDeleteWow! Whell sed! Yew macke a guud teecher! Ha ha!
ReplyDeleteJust kidding. I loved your response on my blog to "Anonymous Cowards". I was laughing and I showed my husband. That's what I love about you. You have a good sense of humor. I thought I did but I usually don't show it on my blog like you do. Thanks for commenting on my site. My reply to your comment on my blog...
"Ha ha, Mrs. C, you always make me laugh! You are so funny. Actually, that post she is picking on with my pronouns, I didn't even write! I got a funny email and I used it for a blog. So, all I did was cut and paste. I didn't even check it. You are always so silly... but also encouraging. That's why I love reading your blogs. :)"