Times Topics

For this week's blog , I was assigned to look at the New York Time's grammar and usage web page called Times Topics.

http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/subjects/e/english_language/grammar/index.html

The first thing that caught my eye on the page was an article on the left hand side.  

It basically addresses why proper grammar is so important in the world of 

journalism.  Many people might wonder why we grammar rules are necessary 

or if correct punctuation really matters. Below is an excerpt that I thought 

summarized the article quite nicely.

"But sticklers see proper grammar and usage as a baseline for a civilized society, or at least for a respectable publication. If writers don't know the difference between “rack” and “wrack,” or between a gerund and a participle, why should we trust them on anything else."

This is true. A writer has a responsibility to its audience to use correct punctuation

and grammar. This further proves just further teaches me how important editing is.

Readers count on what they read to be correct.

One feature of the Web site I really enjoyed was called "Red Pencil Ready?". It

gives passages from final editions of the NYT that have grammar and usage problems.

Readers are encouraged to try and find the mistakes and the answers are given the following

day. The whole idea is to create a "you be the editor" simulation.

I was surprised at how many mistakes a well-known and respected newspaper makes on

a regular basis. I guess it just goes to show that we all make mistakes; even the editors

at a fancy paper. At the same time; however, I think it also shows carelessness. Maybe a few

extra seconds need to be spent reviewing an article or 2?

The site also includes various articles written specifically about grammar. It also

has a grammar navigator, which provides a list of other grammar blogs for viewers to

check out.

The site was very helpful and one that I can see myself visiting again before turning

in a story.

-sar