Blogging grammar
Friday, May 12, 2006
In the scheme of things, I know this is small, but I’ve used too many brain cells considering the matter. It needs to be settled once and for all so I can get some sleep at night.
Blog posts more closely resemble newspaper articles than book titles, hence, I contend that Example 1 is the correct way. Why, then, does everyone use Example 2?
Solve this and take the 3 a.m. feeding, and I should be good to go.
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Someone needs to write a blogging grammar handbook — maybe you could take up that project in all your free time??
I use both, but don’t ask me why. Grammar and syntax are not my forte. Besides, I usually am multi-tasking while blogging, so just getting a post up is an accomplishment.
Comment by Crystal (May 12, 2006 @ 6:12 pm )
You are right about them resembling a newspaper article, but that never occured to me until you said it. I usually capitalize everything, but I’m happy to have an excuse not to because it’s a pain. Spread the word!
Comment by Jeana (May 12, 2006 @ 6:19 pm )
I think you’re right about posts resembling newspaper articles more than books. I simply had never noticed the words of newspaper article titles weren’t all capitalized. I guess I’ll have to fix that.
Comment by Dena (May 12, 2006 @ 6:48 pm )
What’s a newspaper?
Comment by Doug (May 12, 2006 @ 7:04 pm )
Sometimes, I capitalize nuthin’. It’s just whatever strikes my fancy.
That probably doesn’t help you a lick, though!
Mary, mom to many
Comment by owlhaven (May 12, 2006 @ 7:14 pm )
Amy -
As a former English teacher, I can assure you that blog titles most definitely should look like # 1. I’m not perfect on grammar, as literature was my strong point, but I know enough to know that. In fact, my sister-in-law says she hates to email me because my posts are so perfect, and she is intimidated into thinking I would be checking every jot and tittle that she writes me (woe is me I think she’s right!). I have assured her that this just isn’t so (that’s o.k. of me even if it’s a white lie?), but nevertheless many of my long missives to her go unanswered. She just calls instead. I could start being careless in my letters to her I guess!
Carla
Comment by Carla J Hays (May 12, 2006 @ 7:36 pm )
How sad! I LIKE #2, but I prefer to be correct.
Comment by Rebecca (May 12, 2006 @ 8:01 pm )
Magazine article titles are like example #2, though. I like to pretend I’m a magazine columnist, so that’s why I capitalize everything.
(I never was a very good reporter!)
Comment by Mel (May 12, 2006 @ 10:36 pm )
I prefer #1, right or wrong. I’ve just always thought, when you write any sort of article, it looks much nicer to capitalize the entire title. I do sometimes leave an ‘A’ or ‘in’ uncapitalized - according to the effect I want. I’ve been known to capitalize an entire word!
Comment by Barb (May 12, 2006 @ 11:43 pm )
Sorry! I meant #2! I’m tired and it’s late - and I do make mistakes.
Comment by Barb (May 12, 2006 @ 11:46 pm )
I’m with Mel. Most blog posts are more like magazine articles or narrative essays than newspaper reports or books; some of the more poetic posts might belong in the same category as poems or song lyrics. Those examples all follow format #2.
I think #1 is more of a reporter’s style than that of an essayist. But one can do as one wishes! (How’s that for correct grammar?)
Comment by At A Hen's Pace (May 13, 2006 @ 12:27 am )
I hardly ever title my posts.
But I think until there is an official handbbook you should do as you like.
Comment by kerri (May 13, 2006 @ 1:53 am )
1. Are you picking on me?
2. I personally like to break every grammar rule and have a grand fun time while I am doing it.
3. As a hillbilly blogger, I defy social etikit too.
4. My grammar teacher and I never really saw eye to eye. I keep thinking every time I blog, she must roll over in her grave.
5. Could it be that blogging doesn’t really fit in any category because it is a new phenomenon and standard rules don’t apply? I mean, it is cutting edge. It is innovative.
6. Is that why I have six readers? Is it because I just dont’ get the proper blog grammar or graces? Well…that might just be the key.
Comment by KSMilkmaid (May 13, 2006 @ 1:56 am )
I like #2. I like to think of blog posts as essays, and that’s the way I always write titles.
Comment by Heather (May 13, 2006 @ 6:41 am )
I thiNk it JUst DepENds on YoUR moOd, WHo tOOk thE 3 aM feedING aNd wHetHer Or nOt yOu LIkE “bEAUTIFUL mIND”
Comment by Dawn C (May 13, 2006 @ 8:29 am )
How would you write it in your own journal on paper?
Maybe that’s a bad way to look at it since this is so public.
I guess one should pick a style and stick with it, eh? The bottom line is clear communication.
Comment by Brian (May 13, 2006 @ 9:42 am )
It is your blog, do as you wish… you have artistic freedom.
I personally cap all the words in my post…
Comment by Dutch (May 13, 2006 @ 7:26 pm )
I have puzzled over the very same thing! I have done the all-caps thing, but it seems too official, so a few times I’ve done it with only the first letter of the first word in the heading capitalized, but then I worry I’m doing it wrong. Now it’s decided, I will be going with #2. I simply like it better!
Comment by reforming mama (May 14, 2006 @ 1:05 pm )
I’m visiual. #1 just looks nasty & disorderly. I like all caps for the title, unless it’s a complete sentence with punctuation. In that case, I write is as a sentence.
But overall, I’m with the guy who asked “What’s a newspaper?”
Comment by Janel Messenger (May 14, 2006 @ 4:00 pm )
All my posts ARE books, hence my book titles…
Comment by molly (May 14, 2006 @ 10:21 pm )
I prefer
3. POST TITLES SHOULD LOOK LIKE THIS
Comment by Sora (May 14, 2006 @ 11:39 pm )
Well…regardless of anything…I think #2 DEFINITELY looks better!!!!!
Comment by Kristy (May 15, 2006 @ 1:14 am )
i just keep it all lower-case so i don’t have to worry about it!
Comment by casey (May 15, 2006 @ 9:34 am )
My posts more resemble essays than anything (at least that is what I’m thinking as I agonize over what to write).I wonder what the capitalization rule is for essays? (Note to self: check Google.)
I always use example #2. It makes me feel as if I’m doing something important (i,e, my attempt to justify blogging in a busy seaseon of life).Sheepish grin here.
I noticed the co-star in the new Michael W. Smith movie, jeff obafemi carr, doesn’t capitalize his name at all as an act of humility. I think I’l stick with the no-readership-whatsoever plan as my act of humility.
But about the capitalization of blog post titles, I’ll stick with example #2 for no other reason than old habits die hard.
Comment by Julie (May 15, 2006 @ 10:03 am )
I used #2 until one day, while reading the newspaper, it occured to me #1 was actually correct. I felt like a doofball. So I switched.
I have a degree in English. Not that it means anything.
Comment by mopsy (May 15, 2006 @ 11:54 am )
I agree. Alas, my current wordpress template automaticly switches all my non-caps in the title to caps. Very annoying.
Comment by Monica (May 15, 2006 @ 12:06 pm )
And to think, all of my blog titles lack any capitalization at all!
Comment by Hannah (May 15, 2006 @ 4:23 pm )
I tend to always post it LIKE THIS. ;o)
The reason why I do that is because the way the blog is set up it is easier to see the title if it is always in CAPS.
Comment by Tammy (May 15, 2006 @ 4:58 pm )
I’m taking this as a lack of consensus.
Comment by Amy Scott (May 15, 2006 @ 6:54 pm )
I prefer #2, unless I have an artistic reason to do otherwise (e.g. yesterday’s post was on the words someone typed into google to find my blog, so I put those words, all lower caps and in quotations, as my title).
I think of blog posts as essays, or journal entries, not newspaper articles. I suppose it depends on the type of blog and the type of post.
Interesting question — I’ll be thinking this one through for weeks.
Comment by Deborah (May 15, 2006 @ 7:20 pm )
Amy:
Just a bit of whimsical advice. Take it or leave it. The beauty of blogging is the individuality of it. Blog. Web Log. A diary. A personal journal. When I read a personal blog I expect the grammar, structure, even page design to reflect the author.
The beauty of the blog is the individuality of it. I dont come to your little humble spot on the intraweb for Newspaper like accuracy in grammar and typeset. I come to peer into the heart of a mom that is very similiar to my wife. I come to grab a bit of advice that will make me a bit better in my walk with Christ and a better father at the end of the day.
Blog as you will. I promise to keep reading and keep pointin’ my wife to your posts.
Comment by The Ohio Guy (May 15, 2006 @ 9:23 pm )
Exactly. And that’s why I want to be cOrReCt!
Thanks for the advice.
Comment by Amy Scott (May 15, 2006 @ 9:28 pm )
great words Ohio Guy!
Comment by Dutch (May 15, 2006 @ 11:53 pm )
Interesting. As a writer, I’m just used to capitalizing titles:-) Blogs can be as creative as the author, though.
Comment by Vicki (May 20, 2006 @ 10:43 pm )
[...] I’m not writing about good writers because I imagine myself one, though I hope more time in study, hard work, and a meteor falling on my morbid lot will remedy that one day. Rather, the subject comes to mind because I wonder what makes a writer, a writer. Certainly one’s grammar usage comes into play at least a little. Is one a writer simply because one takes pen to paper or fingers to keyboard? Does one need readers in order to be a writer? Does journaling count? Is the quality of one’s writing tied to the amount of currency one can command for his words? And what about blogging? (Yeah, what about it.) [...]
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