Grammar Nazism?

[Xanados]

I have a question for Mythic Scribes: how does one cope with being a grammar Nazi?

Sure some of us are still learning, but there are a lot of people out there who, for example, use the contraction "it's" when they mean the possessive "its". Simple things like that get on my nerves. If I see a post in which there are a plethora of mistakes, I will simply refuse to read it. I have often found that I will dissect another writer's sentences. The worst part of it is that I feel like they are inferior when they do not meet my standards.

Heck, I probably have a few grammatical inaccuracies in this very post...

I’m not sure where this thread like this is supposed to go, but I’ll just put it here.

[JazzTD]

I assume most writers are like this. Maybe due to self editing because when reading over your writing you need to make corrections, maybe our brain associates grammatical errors with editing it and as such we cannot stand to read something we cannot edit. And when another writer cannot even edit themselves maybe our brain says "they aren't good enough to yet".

I normally skip any posts written incorrectly or in chat speak. Sometimes I feel bad when I know it's not a native speaker, writing it, but still I just cannot bring myself to actually read the whole thing. It's just a "GAH GET IT AWAY" moment.

Basically we might just be in the same boat.

[Xanados]

I assume most writers are like this. Maybe due to self editing because when reading over your writing you need to make corrections, maybe our brain associates grammatical errors with editing it and as such we cannot stand to read something we cannot edit. And when another writer cannot even edit themselves maybe our brain says "they aren't good enough to yet".

I normally skip any posts written incorrectly or in chat speak. Sometimes I feel bad when I know it's not a native speaker, writing it, but still I just cannot bring myself to actually read the whole thing. It's just a "GAH GET IT AWAY" moment.

Basically we might just be in the same boat.

Indeed, JazzTD. I think anyone who claims to be a writer but has trouble with basic grammatical functions is, quite frankly, an idiot. I say this because I didn't call myself a writer until I studied English after I finished school and knew many of the more in-depth aspects of punctuation and grammar. I wasn't the greatest academic in the world, so my English failed in that regard, though I could always punctuate sentences with more skill than many at that young age.

Speaking of studying English: did anyone study in College/University? I have never studied in an environment like that. I just study articles and occasionally do quizzes.

[The Blue Lotus]

Yeah well... ya know... sometimes it is what it is.

But then again you have seen my postings and I am sure I drive you crazy too.

Not that I really care what others think mind you. Everyone has their own strengths and short comings, no one is perfect. There are worse things in life than a missing period or an extra apostrophe, or gasp, even misspelled words.

For some it is medical, for others it is lack of education, and others still it is a matter of learning a new language. In either case we should encourage growth.

[Devor]

Yeah, well... I figure there's worse things to be bothered by than bad grammar. Like, maybe... actual Nazism.

Still, it's hard to do well as a writer, and a number of other things at that, if for whatever reason you're really struggling with your grammar. I think we need to push each other - in some ways or another - to do better. I understand the mods have a policy, so I can stay out of it.

[Giant]

In my opinion bad grammar is an unfortunate thing but not the end of the world in the forums. I try to keep in mind, that people may need help in this aspect of writing just as others might need help with dialogue or world building.

That being said I think if one person is particularly good at grammar/punctuation, and they see a post from a writer who is struggling with it, they should try to help them if possible. Most of us would appreciate constructive criticism, especially about the part of our writing that is particularly week. I also try to keep in mind that everyone is at a different stage in their writing career, and it is a shame not to encourage the newbie (rpg reference) to improve on their mistakes and keep writing.

By the way Xanados, I have noticed that all of your posts are very well written

[Lord Darkstorm]

If it makes no sense, or is very badly written, I just skip over it. It's like any other thing in life, if I pick up a book I don't like, I don't read it. If you want people to pay any attention to you, learn to write in a manner that others will be able to read easily, and has something of value to make it worth reading.

Don't like what I have to say, and you don't read it...I won't know, and I'm positive I won't care.

I do agree we should strive to write in sentences, and avoid the rash of internet acronyms that are fine for texting, but you would think people on a writing site would attempt to...I don't know...write in a semi coherent way.

[Devor]

That being said, I think that if one person is particularly good at grammar/punctuation, and they see a post from a writer who is struggling with it, then they should try to help them if possible. Most of us would appreciate constructive criticism, especially about the part of our writing that is particularly weak.

There you go.

I don't really think that's a great way to go about it, but okay.

[Brian Scott Allen]

I would say in a forum setting it is fairly abysmal. Consider that many people on here may not have the time to proof their sentences for certain errors. Not only that I bet some are using mobile devices, which are not as accurate as the traditional keyboard. Further one should consider that often times people get distracted midpost and forget what they were writing and would miss certain aspects of more precise grammar.

However in a published work that is allegedly professionaly done I say have at it!

[Ziggy]

I’m not sure where this thread like this is supposed to go, but I’ll just put it here.

It depends how bad and how consistent the mistakes are. It doesn't bother me if someone makes the occasional mistake, or if they neglect capital letters and such. But I remember on this one forum a number of people used the word "loose" when they meant "lose". And they made that mistake over and over again, even after I pointed it out. That really annoyed me.

I don't think it's worth the bother to "correct" people's posts though. Not unless they are posting up something specifically for a critique.