I have sought a way to illustrate the importance of some of the subjects, here, being forward enough to get my point across without being taken as offensive. I think I found one this morning.
In a “Freelance Writers” forum I go into occasionally, a fellow asked a SIMPLE question about 6 weeks ago. The answer was equally simple.
It went:
“Should I use ONE or TWO spaces after a PERIOD?” Now, that’s a short straightforward question.
A writer would never have asked that question in the first place; he or she would have known.
I answered his question in an equally straightforward manner:
“In American English (different countries have slightly different rules on such matters), you use only ONE if you are using a computer—possibly two if you’re still using a typewriter.”
As an aside, I followed the comment with the fact that, these days, typed m/ss usually go straight to the circular file, so it really doesn’t matter.
Someone backed me up with, “Nothing says you’re over 40 more than using TWO spaces after a period. Thus, the question was answered AND backed up with practical substantiation.
Today, 6 weeks later, the thread had grown dramatically—filled with phrases like:
“I always use …,” “I try to use …,” “Some people say …,” “I think it’s …,” “It’s probably what you like,” and myriad other permutations.
Were these people “writers,” or wannabe writers? As I look over my left shoulder I see:
—The Chicago Manual of Style
—The AP Style Book
—The Elements of Style, and
—Anne Stilman’s Grammatically Correct
New, these books would cost about $120. I bought them all used (but in NEW condition) for less than $30. Was it that the cost was price-prohibitive, or that some people find more pleasure in TALKING about being a “writer” than applying the research and actions necessary to be one?
Was the question to get an answer or start an avalanche of idle talk? The question was answered early on, but people just wouldn’t let it go; each had to be heard speculating on the non-speculative. Were beginners edified … or confused? Who was served, the sincere questioner, or those who had to have the world know what THEY (perhaps not those who sign the paychecks) prefer to use!?
Just before blowing a fuse, I’m sure some folks wonder why this logic is so important to me. The reason is that there are those who really want to know about 139 aspects of binoculars and the industry. But, we seem to be forever stuck on #4. I would like to see us move forward. But, maybe that’s not what these forums are all about.
Bill (Your friendly neighborhood curmudgeon) out. :cat: