Writer's Edit

Practice

Okay, so this ‘writing prompt’ is more like a test. Armed with an online arsenal of how to use the English language properly (a simple Google search or Grammar Girl would suffice) see if you can spot the 8 mistakes in the spelling, punctuation, and grammar of the writing below.

Good luck!

The answers follow.

The Test

It wasn’t until a year or so ago that I fully understood the proper use of an apostrophe. I could spell, I could make editing suggestions, and I could write well, but that damn possessive apostrophe kept screwing me around.

I finally read Strunk and White – The Elements of Style. A think book about grammar and punctuation with a dash of old-fashioned writing advice thrown in (“Omit needless words! Omit needless words! Omit needless words!”) I’d recommend it, and the good thing is you can find the entirety of Strunk and White online.

The disappointing thing about understanding proper punctuation and grammar is that you soon realize nobody else does. On TV, online, and even in published books, there is always obvious errors that slip through (I’m sure there are even a few floating around on Writers Edit). Nobody is immune from human error, but at least it helps with you’re own writing.

Before you send that story poem or blog off to an editor, competition, or publisher re-read it with grammar, punctuation, and professionalism in mind.

The Answers

• I finally read Strunk and White – The Elements of Style: a thin book about grammar and punctuation…

•  (“Omit needless words! Omit needless words! Omit needless words!”). I’d recommend it…

• The disappointing thing about understanding proper punctuation and grammar is that you soon realise nobody else does…

• On TV, online, and even in published books, there are always obvious errors that slip past the human eye…

• I’m sure there are even a few floating around on Writer’s Edit…

• Nobody is immune from human error, but at least it helps with your own writing

• Before you send that story, poem, or blog off to an editor…