Q: Grammar –
everyone’s gotta do it. How important is grammar and what resources do you use
to make sure you’re on top of it? When do you break the rules?
- from Susan
I was in a writing group once in which one writer had a
terrific story idea, a historical setting that was engaging, and a cast of
characters we loved. But she was afflicted with the worst case of run on
sentence structure I’ve ever seen. And worse, she couldn’t see that, seemed not
to know what a run on sentence was or why it bothered the rest of us so much,
slapping us out of the narrative she was trying to create. After all, we knew
what she meant, right? Eventually she hired a private editor, but he had no
more luck and what could have been a successful mystery novel died on the vine.
No agent got past the first couple of pages.
So, how important is grammar? Very. Grammar helps us
understand what the writer is trying to say, helps frame the thoughts and make
sense of the actions being described. As
a staunch proponent of the Oxford comma, I am amazed that contemporary editors
and authors are so willing to ignore the perfect case made in Eats, Shoots & Leaves. I stumble
over misplaced commas, the lack of them in introductory clauses, the excessive
ones sort of thrown in for good measure here and there. (I do that myself
sometimes in first drafts and have to be vigilant in exterminating them later.)
Some grammar mistakes are so egregious that I’m shocked they made it past an
editor, if there even was an editor.
The core of grammar’s importance isn’t perfection. It isn’t
being prissy or superior. It’s making sense, communicating precisely what we
intend to say. Which is why it’s okay to break the rules on occasion. (Notice I
just did?) We use incorrect grammar for emphasis, to break up the monotony of
sentence structure, and to add rhythm and style to our writing. We use it in
dialogue to help create and reinforce an individual’s character.
Grammar is a writer’s friend. I think it’s more than a
practical tool. I believe it’s a paintbrush, a musical instrument, a magic box
that can bring a story alive for readers.
Better Punctuation in 30 Minutes a Day, by Ceil Cleveland
4 comments:
I'm not a fan of the Oxford comma. It doesn't come naturally to me when writing and it makes me stumble when I'm reading. But house style sometimes mean that I have to accept them when my editor adds them. But clarity? That,I'm a fan of. How many grammar rules'd I just break?
Enough to make the point, Catriona! But, seriously, don't you ever get tangled in meaning without that last comma in a string of words or phrases? It's up to the writer, I guess, to make sure that string doesn't contain anything that could cause a wrong interpretation. Next time I come across one in a book, I'm going to write it down and share it.
Well said and heartily agree. As for the Oxford comma, I use it, but agree with Catriona that it doesn't sound natural, and if I had a choice I'd do away with it wherever it doesn't create ambiguity. In fact how I usually get around that is by rewriting. More on commas tomorrow...
Seriously. I get tangled because of it. I fall off the end of the sentence because I'm expecting more. But I don't get exercised about it anymore.
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