Just something I've been wondering about references (citations)

[RogueWolf]

Just a something I've been curious about... And I'm feeling too lazy to do a bunch of research on this, so I'll ask all the 'experts' here...

When I post here, I usually:
*Put movie titles in bold (Star Wars)
*Book titles are underlined (The Stand)
*I'll put song titles in italics. (The Long and Winding Road)
*If I make mention of an album & a song, I'll put the album in bold and the
song in quotes. Bat out of Hell "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad"
*TV shows can get either bold or underline.

I know there are proper formats to put these types of things in when writing academically, but is there a 'proper' or common format for webposting? What format do you all use?

Or am I the only one who has time today to ponder such pointless things? :1orglaugh

 

[sputnikgirl]

I don't think there's a proper or common format for web posting. What you're doing seems better than average to me.

 

[Aegis]

I used to write all names and titles in italics. I just thought it looked good that way, but I don't really bother doing that any more. Usually I just don't find it necessary, but if I have a couple of titles surrounded by a lot of text, then I'll use italics.

I have never regarded anything as the proper way, though I'd say that I kind of dislike seeing words in bold, unless it's as a form of heading.

 

[AFA]

Just a something I've been curious about... And I'm feeling too lazy to do a bunch of research on this, so I'll ask all the 'experts' here...

When I post here, I usually:
*Put movie titles in bold (Star Wars)
*Book titles are underlined (The Stand)
*I'll put song titles in italics. (The Long and Winding Road)
*If I make mention of an album & a song, I'll put the album in bold and the
song in quotes. Bat out of Hell "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad"
*TV shows can get either bold or underline.

I know there are proper formats to put these types of things in when writing academically, but is there a 'proper' or common format for webposting? What format do you all use?

Or am I the only one who has time today to ponder such pointless things? :1orglaugh

I think it's a good point. Some native English speakers here talk about writing well and then don't have a clue. I don't follow all the rules, but what I see on the net and forums is generally pretty bad. Intellectual viewpoints from writers that don't know the difference between, to, too and two or there, they're or their, having just returned from an ocean crews, don't quite make themselves clear. I often mention my annoyance with the poor quality of the U.S. educational system and American writing skills, and exempt foreign language speakers from those thoughts.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr., is the universally accepted reference on the subject or English grammar;
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[RogueWolf]

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr., is the universally accepted reference on the subject or English grammar;
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I'm taking graduate classes and actually have that book.

Also have/use what is commonly known as "Turabian."
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[AFA]

I tend to type like I'm jotting notes, and then go back to clean it up.

Normally I proofread everything I write.

 

[HeartBroker]

Some native English speakers here talk about writing well and then don't have a clue. Intellectual viewpoints from writers that don't know the difference between, to, too and two or there, they're or their, having just returned from an ocean crews, don't quite make themselves clear. I often mention my annoyance with the poor quality of the U.S. educational system and American writing skills, and exempt foreign language speakers from those thoughts.

Thankfully I'm not the only one that feels like your "grammer" !


:rofl:

 

[D-rock]

I'm sort of conflicted. On one hand I think people are needlessly lazy when it comes to things like this and they could do better with only marginally more effort. On the other hand this is an Internet messageboard and the purpose is to communicate. It isn't like your writing your doctoral thesis in English here.

 

[AFA]

Thankfully I'm not the only one that feels like your "grammer" !


:rofl:

"ar", I think.
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I'm sort of conflicted. On one hand I think people are needlessly lazy when it comes to things like this and they could do better with only marginally more effort. On the other hand this is an Internet messageboard and the purpose is to communicate. It isn't like your writing your doctoral thesis in English here.

Yes, but the goal should be to try to communicate your ideas as simply and clearly as possible without putting the interpretation of your meaning on the reader. Making the reader figure out what you were trying to communicate, is burdensome and might cause someone to lose interest in your point. People graduating High School in the U.S. just do not know how to read and write well.

Like good driving, you should make your intentions known. Does anyone use their turn signals, stop for red lights and stop signs anymore? Hip hop style language isn't allowed on the board, and we get enough of that. I see billboard signs with mispellings. In one museum a sculpture on commission was rejected because the artist mispelled a number of scientists names used in the design. Why in the world wouldn't someone spell check a permanent or semi-permanent work?

The funny thing is I'm amazed at the number of Europeans on Freeone's that speak and write English better then the Americans. On a related subject of math and science, the US is trailing badly. Writing a thesis is another matter. You would pay for a proofread no matter how well you think you wrote it.

 

[member006]

I'm sort of conflicted. On one hand I think people are needlessly lazy when it comes to things like this and they could do better with only marginally more effort. On the other hand this is an Internet messageboard and the purpose is to communicate. It isn't like your writing your doctoral thesis in English here.

I feel the same. I don't know all the proper rules, but do try to do my posts in such a way that people can catch the key words and "may" understand what I'm trying to say. Italics sometimes " " others. Even with that often the text doesn't get the thought across. :dunno: I know the difference between most like their, they're and there. Sometimes though, tired and/or rushed I can make a mistake. Just like switching ei or putting fo instead of of some are simply transpositions. Who cares? So fail me, I don't plan on graduating anyway. lol I'm a rebel and plan on dropping out when I get to 10th grade, getting married and having ********. I will be honest though and say I often struggle with the too and to thing. Just my :2 cents:

LL:angels:

 

[AFA]

Sadly, what really irks me, is the adoptation of a certain look, way of life or acting that is simply based on stupidity. People dress and write in a popular style that is sloppy and lazy. That's why the board has a rule against posting in a style that's common to modern American culture. The problem is, a lot of the people who write that way, have no idea that they're continually making spelling and gramatical errors. They just don't know the difference if not just recognize the importance.

Who care's maybe, but the educational and cultural systems stink that reward the lazyness as "cool", "chic", or "getting over" at the expense of lowering standards. Europeans learning English as a second language always impress me with how well educated they are at least with language skills.

3. The board language is English. We do not accept posts that include deliberate miss-spells such as “Iz” (is), “u” (you), “2” (too) “R” (are). If you make many mistakes in spelling, the moderator team may ask you to run your posts through a spell checker before submitting.