Maureen Alley's Blog

Consider this post one-big journalism/writing/editing PSA of everything you’re doing wrong that is annoying me and everyone else.

• Stop randomly CAPITALIZING and underlining words for no reason. It doesn’t make anyone understand your copy better. It just looks stupid.
• Stop using passive voice. Seriously. You consider yourself a writer but you use words like “has introduced”? Give me a break.
• Use punctuation and quotations correctly. This has to be one of the easiest rules: Periods and commas always go inside quotations. Always. No exceptions. So stop putting them outside.
• Stop using exclamation points like you have to meet a daily quota. Your exclamation point does not make me feel more urgent – rather I’m now more annoyed.
• The word is “a lot” not “alot.”
• The word is “definitely” not “definately” or any other way you want to write it.
• Use “it’s,” (see comma inside quotes, not hard) “its,” “your,” “you’re” right. Care a little. It makes a difference.

I have many more annoyances but that’s what I have for now. Add yours below.

Here’s a follow-up post to my previously posted Common Writing Mistakes. Punctuation is often misused, too. Here are the biggest offenders that I see most often. Do you know of others? Feel free to add them in the comments.

1. Spacing after period
One space after a period. Previous rule of two spaces was due to typewriters.

2. Ellipses
We will always remember John … oh the memories.
** Ellipses are sometimes used to show emphasis. If used, there should be one space between the word and the start of the ellipses, and another space after the ellipses.

3. Semicolon
It was hot and sunny outside; Johnny went to the pool.
** Use a semicolon when putting two clauses (thoughts) together in a sentence. Oftentimes you can replace the semicolon with a period.

4. Comma
Once the year comes to an end, most of us anticipate receiving tax refunds.
Johnny likes soccer, basketball, baseball and swimming.
** Use commas when there is a pause in the sentence. If you say the sentence aloud, and there is a natural break, add a comma where the break occurs. Also use commas when listing things.

5. Punctuation in quotes
The instructor is providing information on “commonly misused punctuation.”
The instructor is providing information on “commonly misused punctuation,” and giving examples.
Consumers in online forums post such targeted questions as, “What should I look for in a laptop?”
Does Dr. Williams always say to his students, “You must work harder”?
** This is the most often misused form of punctuation. Periods and commas ALWAYS go inside quotations. Other forms of punctuation are only used inside the quotations if it’s part of the text that is being quoted. If it is not, then it is used OUTSIDE the quotes. Also, only put quotations around text that is pulled directly from something. Don’t use quotations for emphasis.