Just a writing suggestion

Eric Krewson · November 07, 2017, 08:50:00 AM

Lots of good stories here but few writers use paragraphs, just one continuous text, this makes for a tedious read, especially if it is a long story.

kevsuperg · November 07, 2017, 08:59:00 AM

Yes sir, we have become a texting, auto correcting society

ty_in_ND · November 07, 2017, 09:05:00 AM

The phenomenon is nicknamed "wall of text". I've seen it in other forums/online communities and it is indeed frustrating to read them (especially the ones that don't use punctuation!). I know we don't want to be grammar police, but if people can take the extra time to divide their posts into paragraphs, it would be much appreciated!

The Whittler · November 07, 2017, 09:24:00 AM

For me if it is one continuous text I might read a couple lines or not and move on.

David Mitchell · November 07, 2017, 10:21:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by The Whittler:
For me if it is one continuous text I might read a couple lines or not and move on.

Same here Whittler. As soon as I see a loooong post I just skip it.

Stumpkiller · November 07, 2017, 10:54:00 AM

boyyoutakeallthefunoutofwritingnextyoullbewantingproperpunctuation

Roy from Pa · November 07, 2017, 11:00:00 AM

Stumper, LMAO..

MAW · November 07, 2017, 01:08:00 PM

Ok I think this is the appropriate context to make this comment. I am by no means without error in my writing, and my spelling is abysmal. In fact, I just spelled abysmal wrong but it autocorrected. So, this does NOT come from judgment, but rather, a desire to help. Since I've been on Tradgang, I've noticed that the participants here seem to care more about the written word than the general cross section of our texting, twittering, instagramming, emojiing culture. It is refreshing, and I attribute it to a thoughtfulness and appreciation for old ways that seems to lead many of us to trad hunting.

So, because I believe there are some on this forum who would rather use correct grammar than not, I'll make this post. There are two grammatical errors that are more pervasive than any other on this forum; "quite" instead of "quiet", and "seen" instead of "saw".

I'll briefly explain. "Quite" is just the wrong word. It means "entirely, thoroughly, totally".
"Seen" is the past participle of the verb "see". It is used correctly in a sentence like "I have seen many deer in this field." "Saw" is the past tense of "see", and should be used most often in our deer hunting stories. For example, "I saw the deer come out on the edge of the field" vs. the incorrect "I seen the deer come out on the edge of the field."

Take it or leave it. I love reading stories on TG correct grammar or not!

Alexander Traditional · November 07, 2017, 01:19:00 PM

There seems to be a lot of people that think then and than are one and the same.

It does make for some hard reading sometimes,but I never comment on someones kill thread. I see some people that do,and I think that just takes away from someone's happy moment.

Mike Mecredy · November 07, 2017, 01:54:00 PM

Thanks, I corrected my last post a bit.

Cyclic-Rivers · November 07, 2017, 02:03:00 PM

I will agree with the original poster. Long stories without breaks are hard to read especially when my eyes are fatigued.

Putting a break makes it easier.

I don't mind grammatical errors as long as I can follow the story. My brain can correct those lol.

But often when someone has a great story to tell and it is one long continued paragraph it's hard to read, especially with continuous distraction within my household.

Terry Green · November 07, 2017, 05:45:00 PM

Actually this started here BEFORE texting really existed....

Some folks style is just one huge paragraph...

I can't tell you how many times I've read posts and edited them into paragraphs for a more pleasant read...

And...I won't tell you who some of those writers were...you might be surprised

monterey · November 07, 2017, 06:01:00 PM

Then there's loose instead of lose and vice versa.

Sam McMichael · November 07, 2017, 08:25:00 PM

How about to, too, and two,
or their and there,
or maybe it's and its,
or then and than just to name a few. I guess I'm not the only one who is sometimes put off by common grammar errors. Nonetheless, it doesn't usually detract from the readability of a story. Not using punctuation and paragraphs does bother me a lot.

The Whittler · November 07, 2017, 08:36:00 PM

For me it's I have a bow for sell, and if you want it I will sale it to you. :-)

November 07, 2017, 09:11:00 PM

When I use my voice typer, I get all kinds of happy accidents, as Bob Ross would put it. But,ontheotherhandthechechallengetofigurestuffoutcanbefunaswell. Sometimes. I do need to remember to proof read.

moebow · November 07, 2017, 09:15:00 PM

I have to agree with all the above. One I've seen frequently especially lately is "I shoot a #50 bow."

I keep wondering what a "number" 50 bow is. The "#" used BEFORE a numeral is short for the word "NUMBER." When the "#" is used AFTER a numeral, it is short for the word "pounds."

This is the first and only time I will "rant" on this one.

Arne

McDave · November 07, 2017, 09:43:00 PM

I would hate to discourage anyone from trying to communicate on this forum because of their compositional skills. Really, it's not our problem if someone communicates poorly, it's their's. The worst that can happen to us is that we can't understand what the person is trying to say, so we move on. The person who made the post doesn't get his question answered or his point made, and probably feels frustrated.

Frankly, it's not the worst thing that happens on this forum. Very rarely, people are not respectful to other members or make absurd claims that other people have to refute. The moderators are pretty good about weeding these things out, but still, when they happen they are worse than grammatical errors or poor composition.

I would imagine that people who post on this forum are doing the best they can.

skychief · November 07, 2017, 10:14:00 PM

I understand where you are coming from Eric.

Best regards, Skychief

Grey Taylor · November 08, 2017, 02:31:00 AM

There will always be those who have to write in their own, unique regional accent.
But, personally, I'll always prefer "arrow" to "arra."

Guy