So, content not withstanding, what boots you out of a story?  I don't mean the usual suspects like punctuation applied with a salt shaker, syntax that looks like it's been through seventeen cycles of BableFish in dead languages, or wildly OOC characters and implausible plots.  I mean the things unique to you -- the style problems you find in ( Read more... )

The proper use of grammar is practically nonexistent on the internet, especially if one spends the majority of his or her time surfing on any site other than one belonging to a major news organization or an institution of higher learning.  This trend began as a decline in spelling accuracy.  That decline led to a rapid erosion of grammatical ( Read more... )

cross-posted to fandom_grammar

Today is National Grammar DayLet's not make it a day to complain about poor writing. Let's make it a day to encourage and celebrate good writing ( Read more... )

In honour of the auspicious event, I declare this day Extemporaneous Silly Hat Day!

*dons stovepipe*

ETA: *doffs stovepipe and dons helm*

Let me begin by acknowledging that the membership of this community may well be the wrong people to be ranting at on this issue. It's likely that those of you who joined or watch this comm have a full command of the language (in this case, English) and are cognizant of the proper and effective way to express your ideas in prose.

( Cut, but not sanitized, for your flist's protection )

The Purpose of this Essay is to guide and instruct the Novice Writer in the Noble Art of Elegant Composition. In publishing This Work, The Authors hope to Enlighten Aspiring Wordsmiths, and steer them away from Disheartening Mistakes. Herein is gathered a list of Best Practices gleaned from The Authors' considerable Stores Of Experience, ( Read more... )