All and all, I'd guess I'd call myself an educated man. I have a Master's degree so just by default alone I've had to spend my share of time confined within the walls of learning establishments.
While my vocabulary may not quite match my degree (and I need to thank Rory as much as anyone for at least being able to hold my own at this point), I've always been told by teachers/professors/others that I'm a good writer.
I'd probably disagree and I have a laundry list of reasons why. Most notably...my comma use is atrocious.
I write as I speak. In conversation, I have a tendancy to pause more often then most and those pauses are easily accomplished with commas. Call it my wonder drug.
However, I'm not overly fond of it. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I am an addict and need help.
Luckily, I have a plethora of what I would consider high-end English speaking/writing friends.
Can anyone save me?
Heck, does anyone at least know of some kind of twelve-step program I can join?
While my vocabulary may not quite match my degree (and I need to thank Rory as much as anyone for at least being able to hold my own at this point), I've always been told by teachers/professors/others that I'm a good writer.
I'd probably disagree and I have a laundry list of reasons why. Most notably...my comma use is atrocious.
I write as I speak. In conversation, I have a tendancy to pause more often then most and those pauses are easily accomplished with commas. Call it my wonder drug.
However, I'm not overly fond of it. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I am an addict and need help.
Luckily, I have a plethora of what I would consider high-end English speaking/writing friends.
Can anyone save me?
Heck, does anyone at least know of some kind of twelve-step program I can join?
I can't help you because I'm a comma whore. I figure it makes the reading easier to follow, and I'm ALL about the reader. I don't care if I look like a doofus.
ReplyDeleteDo what Tisha and I do and place some of your comma'ed phrases inside parentheses. Example: Instead of "Ralph, my neighbor from two houses down, siphoned gasoline from my car into his mouth", you would write "Ralph (my neighbor from two houses down) siphoned gasoline from my car into his mouth." BOOM! Commas gone!
ReplyDeleteWhat if I already do that too? I also add a lot of ...'s if it's an informal communication.
ReplyDeleteI've dug myself quite a hole.