Aaron, we could all do better!

Frankly, Strunk and White is still leader of the pack when it comes to
developing good prose style.  This is a matter of writing not writing about
art.

If it's amusing bedside reading you're after, however, try the "Harper
Dictionary of Contemporary Usage" by William and Mary Morris. May I quote
them on the use of "impact" as a verb?  (95% of their experts say such usage
is unacceptable and this pervasive and noxious usage makes me grind my
teeth.)  Willard R. Espy - Impacted bones, impacted molars, very well; but,
please, not 'an impacted publishing industry.' It hurts too much; Pete
Hamill - This is the single most infuriating use of a word in contemporary
life...a vile, stupid alteration of the language!; Erich Segal - I know my
protest is futile; this beastly verb has impacted itself on too many; Edward
Tripp - The verb causes a sharp ache in my one remaining wisdom tooth.

If you need a helping hand, and don't we all, I think "The New Fowler's
Modern English Usage" (3rd edition) is both informative and easy to use.  I
keep it and a 2nd edition from 1965 at hand at all times.  There's a
wonderful piece on Fowler (the man) in this week's "New Yorker" by the way.

As for spelling?  My e-mail program has a spell checker attached to it, and
I try to make routine use of it.

As a professional writer, a card-carrying member of the art-jargon
confraternity, and a life-longer picker of verbal nits, I think the only
real answer to the problem is care: care about how one's language (and
through it oneself) looks in print and care taken to reread, reconsider,
rewrite, and proofread.  I think most of us recognize that e-mail invites
carelessly articulated responses, bad spelling and problematic syntax.  On
the whole, however, I think participants express themselves fairly well.

Still, what may be regarded as acceptable typos from an old pro can come
across as ignorance and inadequacy in a novice.  I know it's unfair, but
there you have it.

Best wishes to all for a heart filled with Thanksgiving.

Ellen B. Cutler
LNB Associates: Writing, Editing, Research Services
Aberdeen, MD  21001

----- Original Message -----
From: Aaron Marcavitch <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2001 8:28 AM
Subject: Re: Grammar and search engines "tricks"


> > Try searching for "muesums" on Google.com. - The results may shock you.
>
> Wow.  That was disturbing.  I know I am probably the leader of the pack
when it comes to
> mis-spellings.  I apologize profusely.  Furthermore, I have learned that I
have a severe inability
> to write clearly and state my point.  Any thoughts on books to keep by the
bedside for learning
> how to write better (particularly in the museum environment)?  We have
Turabian beat into our
> heads, but I was hoping for something a bit easier to understand.
>
> Thanks,
> Aaron
>
> =====
> www.aaronmarcavitch.com
> Webmaster, VAF (www.vernaculararchitecture.org)
> Webmaster, ADM (www.americandinermuseum.org)
> Webmaster, Boston Harborfest (www.bostonharborfest.com)
> Grad. Student Caucus Chair, Am. Assoc of History & Computing
>
> M.A. (Public) History, Middle TN St. Univ (2002)
>
> __________________________________________________
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