writing
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AP Style on Twitter - Great day!
Twitter is a part of my daily life - work and play. So is "The Associated Press Stylebook."
The AP announced today on Twitter that they will be providing assistance to folks with style questions.
For me, this is a big deal. Oftentimes, the AP Stylebook isn't clear on some items. So all I have to do is send a tweet and include the hashtag #apstyle and my question will be answered.
Beautiful...
BTW, I'm @Lilyn on Twitter.
L.
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You Need a Point to Have a Point!!
Help me Grammar Gangsta! I need to report an abuse of exclamation points!
I was taught one exclamation mark–used occasionally to convey excitement–worked for most cases. And only use two for extreme situations like, "Fire!!" And weedoggies, Katy bar the door if you need three: "My head is popping oooooooooff!!!" The latter often followed by the exclamation, "Blammo!!!"
But you see Gangsta, I just read a report from Rubin and Greene (Whoever they are) describing exclamation points as "markers of excitability" for phrases that imply instability and emotional randomness (Whatever that is). "A high frequency of exclamation points can be regarded as an orthographic intensifier signaling 'I really mean this!'" read the report. They also point out this abuse "conveys the writer's lack of stature."
Then I read about Shipley and Schwalbe's manual on e-mail etiquette. This genre's Strunk and White drops pearls like, "The ease of email encouragesunnecessary exchanges." Could it be the meager words and letters that wetweet, text and email need adornment? Does the exclamation kick the emotionalblahness of electronic communication up a notch? Do simple messages really needto be kicked up? If everything is emphasized, nothing is.
I believe the non-permanence of today's communications make this abuse (and bad writing in general) an inherent quality. Back in the day, sentences were composed for materials that would live on. Now, few documents and little correspondence are viewed as permanent. Ironically they are probably more so, though.
So OGG, are garden-variety statements too bourgeois? Do so many lines deserve a scream? I know people say, "Holla back, yo!" But Grammar Gangsta, should we really do all that hollering…yo?
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Grammar Gangsta Says: Celebrate National Grammar Day
Yo, O.G.G. here with my boy Furious D, looking for some brothers and sisters who love words. At a place like Capstrat filled wall to wall with professional communicators, every day is grammar day, right? Today, the whole country gets into the act.
If you have a sec, visit http://nationalgrammarday.com/ for a little fun, a bunch of links, a drink recipe and even a clickable playlist of songs whose authors ought to be rapped across the knuckles by nuns.
Are you hardcore enough to join us? Wanna be a player at Capstrat? We’re coming to the ‘hood to educate you on life in the gang. You up for it? Watch for details on when and where. Till then, holla back with your pet peeves – you know, the grammar and spelling errors that make that vein in your temple throb. No peeve too petty.
Peace out.
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Write At Hand
While I always have a pen with me, sometimes the only thing I have to write on is my hand. I write (and draw) on my hand a lot.
Looking around I see my colleagues do, too. John Romano writes appointments on that fleshy part where the thumb and index meet. Will Langley writes code on the same part. Me? Cryptic doodles on my left palm.
What does that say about us?
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Open Letter to Design Graduates
Design education is a good thing. When my time came to fly the university nest, I remember thinking how I would set the world on fire. My naïveté initially worked to my advantage. I was cut some slack due to in experience. But I quickly learned that experience in inexperience would not build a career. Over the years of interviewing, teaching and mentoring young, eager talent I picked up a few simple, disputable truths that I sincerely hope can help you, a new graduate.
1. Write.
No one’s expecting you to be Tennyson or Tennessee Williams. Heck, not even Tennessee Ernie Ford! Simply be able to convert a complete thought to a well-written sentence. Writing is as much of a design process as creating a logo. It’s designing an emotional connection with words. This one skill has life-long benefits. We receive lots of resumes. It’s unbelievable how many have spelling and grammar errors. Even to the point of spelling our company’s name incorrectly. C’mon, you gotta get that right.
2. Soak up life.
Eat, drink, bathe in, touch, hear, squish between your toes and feel everything you can. This provides a repository for inspiration. I firmly believe original ideas come from original inspiration. Use your experiences to influence your work. It’ll have more heart, you’ll have more fun and be far more pleasant to be around.
3. Make everything and everyone better than you found them.
That goes for the planet, your colleagues, younger talent and most importantly, you. I believe that we should push others to do their best work, yet push ourselves even more. I also believe you should work with people better than you. You’ll do your best work and likely get rewarded with more good work. However, if you find yourself working for someone (or something) you don’t respect, leave. Your soul will thank you.
4. Concept always wins.
Good design is a memorable, smart solution. You get there with a bulletproof concept. If concept and “pretty” are in a cage match, concept will always win. Concept is the sticky part of an idea. It is NOT a Photoshop filter. Seek to strengthen the concept in everything you do. I promise you, no one will hand you an award-winning project. It’s up to you to really excel.
5. Focus on the right thing — achieving your client’s mission.
While we often forget, we wouldn’t be here without clients. Thank them often by always doing your best work. You’ll be repaid with the opportunity to do even more good work while earning their trust and partnership. It’s only with those qualities that your true brilliance shines. Live by this and I promise your reputation will thank you.
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