Welcome to Writing Forums, one of the fastest growing writing communties on the web.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and photo galleries. By joining our free community you will
be able to talk with other writers, get feedback on your work to improve your writing skills, discuss ideas, share tips & tricks, network and make friends!
Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support.
| Tips & Advice Share your tips, tricks and advice. |
10-25-2006, 02:08 PM
|
#1
|
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 10
|
James J. Kilpatrick on the semicolon
Hi,
I am new to this forum. As a result, I am not sure if you have discussed this topic.
I am curious to hear your opinion on this article by James J. Kilpatrick.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/J...issy_semicolon
In The Writer's Art and in some of his other writing he uses the semicolon without inhibition. Therefore, I found this article confusing. Any thoughts? Thanks! |
|
|
|
10-25-2006, 02:34 PM
|
#2
|
|
Ink Slinger
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 2,139
|
Way to advertise, there. Kudos for trying to hide no. For shame for failing..
__________________
It's only natural to want something profound in your sig.
|
|
|
|
|
10-25-2006, 02:39 PM
|
#3
|
|
Prolific Writer
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Edmonton
Gender: Male
Posts: 229
|
I disagree with him, I think the semicolon still has a use. I use them to connect two sentences that have a central idea. I probably use them too often. After reading the article, I went through my science fiction story and found many semicolons that were unneeded or improperly used.
__________________
F.G.
===============
" Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." -Jung
"Blessed be the cracked people, for they let in the light." -anon
"Issues with nice men are unbearable. Issues with jerks are workable." -anon
Check out some of my literary work at: http://www3.telus.net/public/xmler
Last edited by Flexbile Garphite : 10-25-2006 at 02:43 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
10-25-2006, 03:18 PM
|
#4
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: South-east UK
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,888
|
Oh, the semi-colon debate. Again.
Excuse me while I go gouge my eyes out with rusty forks.
|
|
|
|
10-25-2006, 03:27 PM
|
#5
|
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 10
|
I understand this is a boring topic. But this still surprised me. Given that it has been discussed at length, I was surprised to see an authority on grammar present such a strong opinion on an old debate -- this year.
|
|
|
|
|
10-25-2006, 04:39 PM
|
#6
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: South-east UK
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,888
|
Boring through repetition. Everyone has an opinion on the semi-colon. I no longer care about his, yours or anyone else's. And if you want to know what everyone else's opinion is, use the search function to find the other smi-colon discussions.
|
|
|
|
|
10-26-2006, 10:59 AM
|
#7
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Back 'home' on Tinian!
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,445
|
it's true this subject has been done to death here, mike... but i still have to say i agree with the renowned guru of all writing gurus, jjk... he said it all for me [pretty much as i've been saying all along]!
__________________
For 100% free writing help/mentoring:
www.saysmom.com
"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi
|
|
|
|
|
10-26-2006, 01:17 PM
|
#8
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: South-east UK
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,888
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by mammamaia
it's true this subject has been done to death here, mike... but i still have to say i agree with the renowned guru of all writing gurus, jjk... he said it all for me [pretty much as i've been saying all along]!
|
I agree, semi-colons are unnecessary. But there are plenty here (as demonstrated in other threads ad nauseum) who think otherwise, and neither camp will convince the other. It just becomes a meaningless pythonesque argument. |
|
|
|
|
10-27-2006, 10:41 AM
|
#9
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Back 'home' on Tinian!
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,445
|
true!
__________________
For 100% free writing help/mentoring:
www.saysmom.com
"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi
|
|
|
|
|
10-27-2006, 11:47 AM
|
#10
|
|
Ink Slinger
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 2,139
|
Well it can be replaced by other punctuation, and so it's pretty useless. But people can use it, and use it well, and Mike's right. Although I'm not at any camp, I can't anyone venturing from either
__________________
It's only natural to want something profound in your sig.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:22 AM. Powered by vBulletin, Copyright ©2000-2007, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0
|
|
Newsletter |
 |
|
Subscribe to Majestic
the official newsletter of Writing Forums and lit.org
|
|
Link to Us: 
|
|
