Possessives and Plurals - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T06:31:42Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:147949?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A148091&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAh. journalism!tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-02:537324:Comment:1493242008-07-02T14:38:18.558ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Ah. journalism!
Ah. journalism! AP is American Press.
And th…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-02:537324:Comment:1492042008-07-02T01:09:10.895ZLinda L. Richardshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/lrichards
AP is American Press.<br />
<br />
And the style I "choose" is chosen by the venue. For a North American periodical, it is sensible to assume they'll be using AP. Most North American book publishers will be editing to some verison of Chicago Manual of Style. Most editors know the preference and will tell you if you ask. (I say most because it's possible the editor who had the "Petersen's" going on vacation will not know the answer to that question.)<br />
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Nice segue, yes? Right back to the Petersens!
AP is American Press.<br />
<br />
And the style I "choose" is chosen by the venue. For a North American periodical, it is sensible to assume they'll be using AP. Most North American book publishers will be editing to some verison of Chicago Manual of Style. Most editors know the preference and will tell you if you ask. (I say most because it's possible the editor who had the "Petersen's" going on vacation will not know the answer to that question.)<br />
<br />
Nice segue, yes? Right back to the Petersens! Well, clearly you are choosin…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-01:537324:Comment:1491402008-07-01T20:46:19.876ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Well, clearly you are choosing between Chicago and AP, right? Is AP the same as APA (American Psychological Association)?<br />
<br />
I like the extra comma in, and so it stays in from now on.
Well, clearly you are choosing between Chicago and AP, right? Is AP the same as APA (American Psychological Association)?<br />
<br />
I like the extra comma in, and so it stays in from now on. "Common sense and actual prac…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-01:537324:Comment:1491202008-07-01T18:38:33.941ZLinda L. Richardshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/lrichards
"Common sense and actual practice suggests that the serial comma is a matter of taste."<br />
<br />
Nope: it's a matter of style. AP sez take 'em out. Chicago sez put 'em in. <i>That's</i> my point.
"Common sense and actual practice suggests that the serial comma is a matter of taste."<br />
<br />
Nope: it's a matter of style. AP sez take 'em out. Chicago sez put 'em in. <i>That's</i> my point. Ah, the serial comma. I've al…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-01:537324:Comment:1491142008-07-01T18:02:53.071ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Ah, the serial comma. I've always liked the serial comma myself. Then a copy editor removed it everywhere in my first novel. Having learned my lesson, I left out the comma before the final phrase in my second novel, and the next copy editor put it back in. Everywhere. It seems I use the series a lot.<br />
Common sense and actual practice suggests that the serial comma is a matter of taste. And it's not the only one. There are several instances where commas are optional.<br />
As a reader (and…
Ah, the serial comma. I've always liked the serial comma myself. Then a copy editor removed it everywhere in my first novel. Having learned my lesson, I left out the comma before the final phrase in my second novel, and the next copy editor put it back in. Everywhere. It seems I use the series a lot.<br />
Common sense and actual practice suggests that the serial comma is a matter of taste. And it's not the only one. There are several instances where commas are optional.<br />
As a reader (and "grammarian"), I'm a lot more worried about the confusion between "lay" and lie." Actually, not entirely true.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-01:537324:Comment:1490972008-07-01T16:33:00.231ZLinda L. Richardshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/lrichards
Actually, not entirely true. For instance, if memory serves Chicago and AP Style differ quite sharply on the handling of serial commas. And, see: the reason to understand the nuances of your publisher's house style is so that you have the answer at hand. So that, when the individual you're dealing with waffles or the copyeditor comes up with something that makes you suspect she's on crack *you* do not waffle. And why? Because you have the final answer right there in your hot little hand.<br />
<br />
See,…
Actually, not entirely true. For instance, if memory serves Chicago and AP Style differ quite sharply on the handling of serial commas. And, see: the reason to understand the nuances of your publisher's house style is so that you have the answer at hand. So that, when the individual you're dealing with waffles or the copyeditor comes up with something that makes you suspect she's on crack *you* do not waffle. And why? Because you have the final answer right there in your hot little hand.<br />
<br />
See, again, my feeling is that while a lot of people treat this like a subjective topic, it is not. And I'm not talking work for college here. I'm not talking writing for a high school class. A lot of those teachers we had? They sort of baffle you with their bullshit and make you feel as though it *is* somewhat subjective. It is not.<br />
<br />
When it comes to the way words are used in print, there is definitive authority. As a writer who aims to be happy with the way her work looks in print, it's your job to ferret out which authority your publishers bow to, and then make 'em stick to it. Easy as pie, right? I actually use MLA (Modern La…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-01:537324:Comment:1490792008-07-01T14:33:48.116ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
I actually use MLA (Modern Language Association). It's a moot point on the small stuff. They all agree. The difference between Chicago, MLA, or APA has more to do with acknowledging sources and typing bibliographies. Yes, any college handbook will also answer the basic questions.
I actually use MLA (Modern Language Association). It's a moot point on the small stuff. They all agree. The difference between Chicago, MLA, or APA has more to do with acknowledging sources and typing bibliographies. Yes, any college handbook will also answer the basic questions. No on Eats, Shoots & Leav…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-01:537324:Comment:1490492008-07-01T08:30:28.168ZLinda L. Richardshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/lrichards
No on <i>Eats, Shoots & Leaves</i>. What's reqiured in this instance is reference, not amusement. On your side of the pond, the buck stops here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/0,,,00.html">http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/0,,,00.html</a>
No on <i>Eats, Shoots & Leaves</i>. What's reqiured in this instance is reference, not amusement. On your side of the pond, the buck stops here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/0,,,00.html">http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/0,,,00.html</a> I agree with an earlier poste…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-01:537324:Comment:1490432008-07-01T08:02:14.687Zhelen blackhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/helenblack
I agree with an earlier poster - send her Eats Shoots Leaves.<br />
HB x
I agree with an earlier poster - send her Eats Shoots Leaves.<br />
HB x what she said ^tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-07-01:537324:Comment:1490272008-07-01T05:43:37.968ZJacqui Horwoodhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JacquiHorwood
what she said ^
what she said ^