Does grammar matter?
January 26, 2010
by guest blogger Robbi Hess
You're writing for the Internet so the rules are more lax,right? Wrong! Whether your words will be read on paper or on a computer screen, it's important to always put your best word forward.
"It seams they're aren't enough ours in a day to do everything that your convinced you have too, right? So, taking short cuts hear and their can be forgiven; it is the internet after all. " (Corrected version: It seems there aren't enough hours in a day to do everything that you're convinced you have to, right? So, taking shortcuts here and there can be forgiven; it is the internet after all.)
Of course you can read this sentence and maybe you'd even run it through spell-checker. Remember, spell check is NOT your friend. Spell check makes lazy writers out of us all and it will not always catch words that are used incorrectly, ie: they're, their, there; you're/your; and the biggie, its/it's. These may be terms whose rules you forgot as promptly as you learned them, in grammar school.
As the former editor of a magazine and a couple of newspapers, I discovered that freelance writers turn in copy expecting the editors to clean it up and make it readable. Those writers were not invited to submit articles a second time.
If you want to be taken seriously as a writer you need to hone your craft and that, bottom line, begins with your grammar. Sure, Strunk & White is a valuable resource but I have discovered a quick thumb-through of Annette Lyon's "No Tears Guide To Grammar From the Word Nerd" a quick resource to all things grammar.
Before you put fingers to keyboard and dash off a blog post, a Facebook entry or even a Tweet, look at your work with a critical eye. You never know who will be reading it. Imagine that a potential editor is looking at your work. Believe me, first impressions count and misspelled and incorrectly used words count against your professionalism.
Grammar and "online" seem to come from two different worlds. Well, I haven't seen it as much on blogs, but texting is a totally different ballgame.
My children
Posted by: Evening Dresses | April 12, 2010 at 07:33 AM
Hi Lisa,
I sometimes find I slack off a bit on text messages to my kids -- a bad habit I picked up from them, no doubt.
I didn't know Firefox offered a spell check, but remember it won't pick up misused words!
Thanks for commenting.
Posted by: Robbi | January 28, 2010 at 03:09 PM
Hi Josi,
Thanks for posting. I went to your site -- loved it, especially the upside down/backwards book cover!
Posted by: Robbi | January 28, 2010 at 03:04 PM
I love both these grammar books, what great resources. Great Post Robbi.
Posted by: Josi | January 27, 2010 at 11:45 PM
Grammar and "online" seem to come from two different worlds. Well, I haven't seen it as much on blogs, but texting is a totally different ballgame.
My children, who are all college educated, text without capitals or much in the way of punctuation either.
In fact, they think it's funny that I actually use capital letters.
As far as spelling, Firefox is my best friend. I'm a terrible speller, but with Firefox, I can spell. :)
Posted by: LisaNewton | January 27, 2010 at 10:25 PM