Re: How to deal with incorrect editing

Subject: Re: How to deal with incorrect editing
From: Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 15:12:37 -0800


Bonnie Granat wrote:

That's what conventions of grammar are about -- communicating.

That depends on what you mean by "grammar."

In the prescriptive sense in which the word is usually used, grammar is about communicating according to a specific set of rules. It is not in the least concerned with communicating effectively.

Notice, for instance, that a statement that is grammatically incorrect by perscriptive standards is often far more colorful than a correctly structured remark. That's why most change to English comes from groups whose speech doesn't fit the educated norm. These groups are focused on what counts, and not an artifical standard.

Demonizing those who care about correct writing may be satisfying to
some, but it can really irritate people.

A neat return, but Andrew does have a point. Knowledge of the rules of grammar is often used as a weapon against people. In an argument, correcting the other person's grammar is often a form of ad hominem attack.

At any rate, I would suggest that to be concerned about writing correctly is to be sidetracked. A writer's concern should be writing effectively. When following a definition of grammar helps that, follow it by all means. When it doesn't, then I'd happily throw grammar away if by doing so I can get a stronger result.

You are precisely the people whose writing needs to be made suitable
for consumption.


Yes, sometimes, managers have to be edited so they don't make themselves - and their companies - look stupid. But if you're going to provide this service, you need to know how to choose your battles.

--
Bruce Byfield bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com 604.421.7177
http://members.axion.net/~bbyfield

"From the hag and the hungry goblin
That into rags would rend you,
And the spirits that stand by the naked man
In the book of moons defend you."
-Traditional, 17th Century



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ROBOHELP FOR FRAMEMAKER TRIAL NOW AVAILABLE!

RoboHelp for FrameMaker is a NEW online publishing tool for FrameMaker that
lets you easily single-source content to online Help, intranet, and Web. The interface is designed for FrameMaker users, so there is little or no
learning curve and no macro language required! Call 800-718-4407 for competitive pricing or download a trial at: http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l4

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.



References:
Re: How to deal with incorrect editing: From: Andrew Plato
Re: How to deal with incorrect editing: From: Bonnie Granat

Previous by Author: Re: OY! Writer/Programmer Question re: Recruiter
Next by Author: Re: Comment from a headhunting company
Previous by Thread: RE: How to deal with incorrect editing
Next by Thread: Re: How to deal with incorrect editing


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads