When you\u2019re writing, do you just insert commas randomly? Are you in the habit of using ellipses or em dashes with abandon? Do you add \u201cand\u201d at every opportunity? Does your editor point out an overuse of phrases and words throughout your manuscripts such as, \u201cas a matter of fact,\u201d \u201csuddenly,\u201d \u201cin the meantime,\u201d or \u201cbut?\u201d Are you sometimes unsure about punctuation and grammar? I think most authors are at various points in their careers. I still have questions occasionally. Our grammatical trends do change with time, after all. <\/p>\n
I loved reading Martha Brockenbrough\u2019s article at the Encarta website called \u201cErrors That Aren\u2019t: 12 Grammar Rules You Can Toss Out the Window.\u201d I think you will, too. To access this article, at Encarta, go to http:\/\/encarta.msn.com<\/a>. Type in \u201cBrockenbrough Grammar Errors,\u201d or \u201c12 Grammar Errors,\u201d at the prompt in order to locate this article. Brockenbrough, by the way, is the founder of the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested, get over to Encarta right away and print out the article because this site is set for demolition on October 31, 2009. <\/p>\n In her article, Brockenbrough gives you the gift of wiggle-room when it comes to some long-held grammar rules. <\/p>\n But what do you do when you face a grammatical question or a punctuation problem? I\u2019ll tell you what I do. I head for some of my favorite online grammar sites.<\/p>\n I used to study The Associated Press Stylebook <\/em>or The Chicago Manual of Style<\/em>, but I find that if I form my question or my keywords just right, I can locate a clear response to my dilemma in only minutes or, in some cases, seconds. <\/p>\n I just type a question or keywords related to my question, \u201ccomma before \u2018and,\u2019\u201d for example, \u201ccomma before \u2018such as,\u2019\u201d \u201cwhen to use ellipses,\u201d \u201cis it \u2018who\u2019 or \u2018whom\u2019\u201d and \u201ccolon or semi-colon\u201d? <\/p>\n If you want links to some good grammar sites, let me suggest the following. There are many others featured in the SPAWN Market Update <\/em>at the SPAWN website, members only area. http:\/\/www.spawn.org<\/a> Click on \u201cJoin SPAWN now.\u201d Or simply subscribe to our enewsletter and spend a few months getting to know us. Click on \u201cFree Newsletter.\u201d<\/p>\n Guide to Grammar and Writing <\/strong> Grammar Gorilla<\/strong> Grammar Girl<\/strong> For additional assistance with grammar and punctuation and a lesson in self-editing, purchase my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/em><\/strong>. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When you\u2019re writing, do you just insert commas randomly? Are you in the habit of using ellipses or em dashes with abandon? Do you add \u201cand\u201d at every opportunity? Does your editor point out an overuse of phrases and words throughout your manuscripts such as, \u201cas a matter of fact,\u201d \u201csuddenly,\u201d \u201cin the meantime,\u201d or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n http:\/\/grammar.ccc.commnet.edu\/grammar<\/a><\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.funbrain.com\/grammar<\/a><\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/grammarquickanddirtytips.com<\/a> <\/p>\n