One of my favorite reference books is The Careful Writer, by Theodore M. Bernstein. Mr. Gossett, my favorite teacher of all time, introduced me to this book when I was in college, and it has stayed with me ever since.
Mr. Bernstein says that punctuation marks are the traffic signs and signals that help readers understand what lies ahead on the page. My dear husband often complains that the state of California has done a poor job marking its highways and roads, and it frustrates him to no end when out on the road. Clear traffic signs can keep us safe, oriented and frustration-free on the road; I agree with Mr. Bernstein that clear punctuation marks can do the same on the page or screen.
I know not everyone shares this respect and admiration for punctuation marks. For those who mistreat punctuation, I have created my Dishonor Roll. Most people think being vigilant about punctuation and grammar is too strident, and that as long as I can understand the writer/ speaker, I should lay off of them. But why be lazy or careless when sharing thought, opinion, or fact?
Mr. Bernstein also says: “Where punctuation is used to prop up weak prose it might well be eliminated, but so might be the weak prose.”
[...] Let’s check with my good friend Mr. Bernstein, whom careful readers of this blog know. [...]
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