Mechanics, spelling, punctuation, handwriting ... |
 Mar 17 2008, 11:02 AM
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Slug & Jigger's Bezoar Collector  Posts: 4,643 Joined: 3:58pm June 14, 2005 Location: New York, NY   |
Spelling, punctuation, handwriting, and other elements are part of writing mechanics.
What are your strengths and weaknesses in terms of mechanics? What can you do and/or what are you doing to try to improve this area of your writing? Do you have a personal spelling list, and/or use a spell checker, dictionary, thesaurus? Do you practice handwriting (or have you given it up as a lost art)? Do you re-read frequently, or have someone read your work to check for errors? -------------------- Not-so-proud member of P.C.A.A.: acceptance is the first step to recovery.
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Mar 22 2008, 10:28 AM
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Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes  Posts: 52 Joined: 1:43pm March 13, 2008 Location: Behind you |
Some advice of my own for other writers, some may find this useful and others not ^_^
1. Don't mix up your Their, There and They're Their-Refers to the fact that they own it or that is is theirs. There- refers to a place, typically. They're- They are. 'Nuff said. 2. Get your it's and its right It's- It is. simple as that its- refers to the fact that it has it or owns it, or is part of it. 3. Remember time frame, Example: Present tense: QUOTE John is coming towards us as we speak. VS. Past tense(recomended): QUOTE John came walking towards while we spoke Notice the past tense verbs. This post has been edited by Arcalus: Mar 22 2008, 10:28 AM --------------------  |
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Mar 23 2008, 09:45 AM
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Buying a Half-Kneazle Posts: 545 Joined: 7:56pm June 16, 2005 |
Lol! I always get my it's and its mixed up...
 But I usually correct them once I reread my work.
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Mar 24 2008, 05:09 PM
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Mending the Chair at Ollivander's Posts: 2,729 Joined: 6:31pm April 2, 2005 Location: Exploring the Hogwarts library :) |
QUOTE(Wicked_Lady @ Mar 23 2008, 10:45 AM)  Lol! I always get my it's and its mixed up... But I usually correct them once I reread my work.Same here. There have been times when I've really had to sit and think about which it to use.  Another thing to remember is to (motion), too (as well), and two (the number). The other day I was editing a paper in my English class and someone used two instead of to. They did this not once, but multiple times. It was rather painful to read. Don't even get me started on handwriting...mine is terrible! The other day someone complimented me on it and I nearly fell over in shock.  One thing I never understood was if bear was the proper spelling if someone was going to say something like, "I can't bear it." I think it is, but I'm not actually sure. |
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Mar 24 2008, 07:33 PM
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Fudge-Maker at Florean Fortescue's Posts: 2,223 Joined: 9:13pm February 18, 2005 Location: Snubbing the mortals |
I really don't get what the conversation is about in this thread? Honestly, it seems like a bunch of grammar mistakes and corrections like in another thread we already have. Am I missing something?
On the topic, I don't know what handwriting has do with writing as discussed in this forum? I know penmanship was long considered an art. But anymore it doesn't seem so. I don't really know anyone who cares about it. Often times when people write, especially in cursive, I can't make hide nor hair of it. --------------------  |
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Apr 13 2008, 05:25 PM
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Ron Weasley's #2 squeeze  Posts: 2,796 Joined: 11:00pm July 13, 2007 Location: Ottery St. Catchpole  |
I'd have to say grammar, spelling, and handwriting are my strengths. My weakness is that I am a grammar and spelling Nazi. I'm trying not to criticize so much, but I just can't help it. I know I make mistakes, too.
--------------------  Win-gar-dium Levi-o-sa Ron Weasley: He Does it Anyway. |
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Dec 3 2008, 09:15 PM
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Professional Diagon Alley Window Shopper Posts: 74 Joined: 12:16am May 30, 2008 Location: lounging in the hogwarts grounds |
i am a huge grammar and spelling spotter, when we write essays in school i end up looking over their shoulders (out of habit) and checking their grammatical errors; my friends think i am insane, but they aqlways end up thanking me afterwards conciderinng i had gotten them a better grade
i am left handed which sucks when you are tryin to write with a pen that ends up being a smudge-potential-homework-destroyer. so i somehow mirraculously taught myself to writing with my right as well; i freak my friends out, none of them are the slightest ambidextrous.(sorry about rambling on here) but in response yes i am as some people have put it a 'Nazi'when it comes to spelling and grammar. interesting topic!!! -------------------- 'I am a Wizard, Not a baboon brandishing a stick! ' |
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Jan 3 2009, 10:16 PM
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Selling Illegal Items at Borgin and Burkes Posts: 2,806 Joined: 7:59am June 6, 2006 |
QUOTE(NYBookworm @ Mar 17 2008, 04:02 PM) Do you have a personal spelling list, and/or use a spell checker, dictionary, thesaurus? Do you re-read frequently, or have someone read your work to check for errors? I find when editing and re-editing work over a long period of time, I get to a point where I no longer see what I've written but instead my brain registers what I'd meant to write. To avoid this I sometimes get someone to read through it for me, to get a fresh view on it. I always have the dictionary and thesaurus around, always. I'm a reasonably good speller but I always like to double check and the thesaurus is fantastic for finding that synonym that's just on the tip of your tongue, but you can't quite recall. QUOTE(Aphrodites Lady @ Mar 25 2008, 12:33 AM) I know penmanship was long considered an art. I don't really know anyone who cares about it. I think handwriting is really important. My handwriting used to be tiny, it was fairly legible but so small that people struggled to read it. I was fotunate to have teachers(and my parents and my granny) continually encourage/nag me to improve it and I now have quite nice handwriting(if I do say so myself ) My teachers' argument was always quite simple: if an examiner can't read it, they won't be able to correct it properly and you're throwing away marks. It wasn't until senior cycle in school that I began noticing how poor some people's handwriting is, but also the aesthetic difference nice handwriting makes. So I would still consider it an art, but a dying one  QUOTE(blue4t @ Apr 13 2008, 10:25 PM) My weakness is that I am a grammar and spelling Nazi. I'm trying not to criticize so much, but I just can't help it. I'm the same. It's a compulsion, I just can't help it. A while ago, I was reading a letter a friend had written for someone else and before I could stop myself I pointed out errors in the punctuation and spelling  My friend wasn't pleased that I had corrected her deeply emotional and heartfelt letter 
This post has been edited by Azkaban's_Angel: Jan 3 2009, 10:22 PM --------------------  |
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Jan 13 2009, 12:15 PM
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Official Singer of the Sorting Hat Song Posts: 6,605 Joined: 3:12pm July 22, 2005 Location: Lost in Hermione's beaded bag  |
Okay, so you think grammar, punctuation and spelling are boring? Well, I just watched a video on YouTube by sister salad and was ROTFLOL. U R 2 much. (NOTE TO MODS. tHE nET-sPEAK IS CONTEXTUAL.!)
Watch: Yo Comments are Whack! The editorial process will never be the same. -------------------- Come the words that bubble
Up through broken laughter, Sweeter than spring-water, "Gods, I am so happy!" |
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Jan 13 2009, 12:56 PM
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Daily Prophet Photographer Posts: 884 Joined: 6:35pm April 4, 2008 Location: Great White North |
QUOTE(davidenglish @ Jan 13 2009, 12:15 PM) Okay, so you think grammar, punctuation and spelling are boring? Well, I just watched a video on YouTube by sister salad and was ROTFLOL. U R 2 much. (NOTE TO MODS. tHE nET-sPEAK IS CONTEXTUAL.!) Watch: Yo Comments are Whack! The editorial process will never be the same. David you do find the most interesting information to link to. The sisters are brilliant and they are right. Enjoyed that! Incorrect spelling is something that jumps out at me however there is so much of it in public forums, in the newspapers and on national news programs that I often have to look spelling up as I'm not sure anymore. -------------------- '- yet sadly, accidental rudeness occurs alarmingly often,'.....Albus Dumbledore |
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