Resolved: A "sticklers" forum should be added to the General Discussions section - Writers Forum

kad barma · 06-22-2006, 10:38 PM

I'll even resort to capitalizations and complete sentences for this one:

Call it "Grammar Slammers", "Sticklers", or "Pedantry 101", I believe that a discussion forum for grammar, spelling and punctuation would be both useful and entertaining. (My vote would be an homage to mssrs Strunk & White, and to call it "Elements of Style", but the title isn't as important as the contents). Such a forum would seem to fit well within the "General Discussions" section.

Beyond and besides the references to each of these subjects that may appear in "101", I believe many of the "rules" of English are, by their nature, flexible, and thus in need of frequent discussion. I recently brought up prepositions, but there are any number of others. Since most folks likely would not appreciate digressions within their feedback submission threads, it would be great to be able to "take it outside", and stickle and slam and generally make asses of our anal-retentive selves in our own little sandbox.

Thanks for listening.

journyman161 · 06-22-2006, 10:57 PM

Add in a 'Speller' & an 'Edit' category & you got my vote....

Latest one is one person can't spell a particular word, the next one asks for someone to post a link to an online dictionary - I mean it takes longer to type the request than to type a search into google or take a wild guess in the address line for www.dictionary.com.

Typos are normal (which is where the 'Edit' category comes in) but spelling? Even this little box in which I am typing (Quick Reply) has an icon for Spell Check!!!
(for those unsure it's that little box to the right that has ABC & a Tick)

In general discussion sometimes we get carried away & things slip through but in a post where we are being asked to read & critique? Not good.

Aevin · 06-23-2006, 02:05 AM

Well, I'm by no means the final answer, but this seems like exactly the sort of thing "Writing Tips and Advice" is meant for.

mammamaia · 06-23-2006, 07:59 PM

seems like it to me, too!... don't know why we need to get any more specific than that...

Mike C · 06-23-2006, 08:22 PM

Crap Idea.

kad barma · 06-23-2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Aevin

Well, I'm by no means the final answer, but this seems like exactly the sort of thing "Writing Tips and Advice" is meant for.

here's the difference: if someone is seeking or giving "writing tips and advice, that's fine. but if someone isn't, and someone like me feels compelled to rip syntax or spelling or what have you, it's not likely to end well--and it shouldn't. it would be none of my business.

one of my most rewarding personal relationships began over a question about "ellipses". (quick, would you be most likely to find this term in an english textbook? or mathematics?) if she and i were to cohabit this web site, i honestly don't know where we'd be able to begin and maintain such a discussion. and that's a shame.

(ps, the threesome of matching punctuation marks, which aren't required to be periods, btw, are known collectively as an ellipsis, in case you were curious. ellipses would be the plural of ellipse, and a mathematical term).

but you can argue with me about that here if you like, and i suppose, because there wouldn't seem to be a proper alternative sandbox in which to stickle. and, like i said, that's a shame.

Mungye · 06-24-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kad barma

I'll even resort to capitalizations and complete sentences for this one:

Call it "Grammar Slammers", "Sticklers", or "Pedantry 101", I believe that a discussion forum for grammar, spelling and punctuation would be both useful and entertaining. (My vote would be an homage to mssrs Strunk & White, and to call it "Elements of Style", but the title isn't as important as the contents). Such a forum would seem to fit well within the "General Discussions" section.

Beyond and besides the references to each of these subjects that may appear in "101", I believe many of the "rules" of English are, by their nature, flexible, and thus in need of frequent discussion. I recently brought up prepositions, but there are any number of others. Since most folks likely would not appreciate digressions within their feedback submission threads, it would be great to be able to "take it outside", and stickle and slam and generally make asses of our anal-retentive selves in our own little sandbox.

Thanks for listening.

I have never thought of it in quite the descriptive way you just penned it, but even that makes it sound tres interesting and worth reading, if only to find out all the colorful and fun ways one can approach even the humble comma.

mammamaia · 06-24-2006, 06:49 PM

kb... you obviously haven't been here for long and haven't checked back threads, because we do just that!... and have been doing, for as long as i've been here... as a matter of fact, we've discussed the proper use of ellipses more than once and there are ongoing threads as we speak, relating to various and sundry other punctuation marks' usage... and 'ripping' does take place in such threads, so i still don't see what your proposal would add that we don't have now...

i suggest you spend more time familiarizing yourself with all we do have, before proposing any of it as something new and different... you're quite new here and it's a shame you don't seem to have 'paid attention' enough to what the site offers, before calling for changes...

gatoatigrado · 06-24-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

Crap Idea.

lol. have to agree here sorry. If anything, the topics should be reduced in my opinion, so the "new posts" isn't the only way to see changes. The "new posts" button is useful but it doesn't filter out all of the *#^! in "general discussion". If this is a writing forum, it should be about writing. general discussion is all over the internet and is a waste of time.

kad barma · 06-24-2006, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

kb... you obviously haven't been here for long and haven't checked back threads, because we do just that!... and have been doing, for as long as i've been here... as a matter of fact, we've discussed the proper use of ellipses more than once and there are ongoing threads as we speak, relating to various and sundry other punctuation marks' usage... and 'ripping' does take place in such threads, so i still don't see what your proposal would add that we don't have now...

i suggest you spend more time familiarizing yourself with all we do have, before proposing any of it as something new and different... you're quite new here and it's a shame you don't seem to have 'paid attention' enough to what the site offers, before calling for changes...

and a novice stickler locates these threads how, exactly?

if it's a free-for-all, and we just crack wise on mispellings (ellipsis, not ellipses, you patronizing hack, and i say that with all due affection) wherever we may find them, well, then, it is what it is.

mammamaia · 06-25-2006, 07:34 PM

'patronizing hack'?... i wouldn't call that 'affection' kiddo!... fyi, the plural IS 'ellipses'... and the plural is what i referred to [if i'd meant the singular, i'd have written 'the ellipsis']... thought i should explain, since your reading comprehension clearly wasn't up to getting that...

rudeness and near-total lack of courtesy won't endear you to folks here, y'know... i suggest you climb down from that high horse and 'make nice' before you make enemies...

btw, i have been paying attention, and i am appalled!

kad barma · 06-25-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

'ripping' does take place

apparently allowed at everyone but you?

don't misunderstand. i added the gratuitous insult to emphasize the point that arguments over punctuation are never received well if the subject is anything but punctuation. (that they're generally never received well at any time pretty much goes without saying too).

speaking as someone who took the time to familiarize himself with EVERYTHING the site has to offer, it's my studied opinion that the lack of a thread dedicated to anal retention is a disappointment to me. certainly, you don't see it the same way.

please, if i'm not welcome on "your" site for having such a difference of opinion, perhaps it's best that you explain all this to me now instead of after i've invested time in the community that i'm to be thrown out of for insubordination.