SouthArk's Suggestions For Effective Posting (Grammar/Spelling Counts)

H2O_Doc · 11-12-2013, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enkei2k

I like this thread idea; however, I don't like the fact that it has nothing to do with General 370Z Discussion and should be in Off Topic

Maybe we could discuss whether or not it should be 370Z or 370-Z. Don't want to get into that whole cap Z or wee- little z discussion. That started a raging debate that plagued the forum for decades.

That would keep us from being banished to off topic (or is it off-topic?).

SouthArk370Z · 11-12-2013, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enkei2k

I like this thread idea; however, I don't like the fact that it has nothing to do with General 370Z Discussion and should be in Off Topic

Oh dear! You are right. Mea culpa.

And that's exactly why I don't expect perfection from others.

Riptide67 · 11-12-2013, 11:04 PM

This is a nice write up. You, sir...are a gentleman and a scholar!

A lot of my profession involves what the OP wrote about. I definitely can relate to it, haha.

onzedge · 11-13-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

These are just my suggestions and are not endorsed by this site or anybody else.

When writing anything, you need to "write to your audience." If your writings are meant for young children, you need to use simple concepts/vocabulary and thoroughly explain any new concepts/words. If you're writing your doctoral dissertation, you want to use as many "big words" as possible and you can assume the reader is familiar with advanced concepts and words. Forum posts fall somewhere in-between.

The main thing you want to do is write so that the forums members will understand what you mean. This is the foundation of everything that follows. If people can't understand what you are typing, you are wasting your time and Internet resources.

In order for all parties to understand each other, they must use a common language. On this site, that's English. I don't think "foreign" language posts are forbidden on this site but you severely limit your audience if you don't use English.

No one here expects perfection but at least try to use something close to proper English. Many members, who could be very helpful, just don't have the time and/or inclination to decipher poor English. They will ignore your post and move on to something that is not so much work to understand. As long as your comments are easy to understand, few will complain (too much) but grammar and spelling do count if you want others to understand you.

Text-speak is frowned on by many members on this site - heavily frowned on in the tech sections - use it at your own risk.

If you start a topic, make the title meaningful. "I Need Help" is NOT a good title. "Need Help Reinstalling Throttle Bodies" works much better. Eschew abbreviations in the title*. Eg, don't use TBs for Throttle Bodies in the previous example. If you are asking a question, put a question mark somewhere in the title. I'm not sure how many characters you can use in the title but you have lots of room - make use of it.

Post new threads in the appropriate section of the site. Are-you-going-to-some-event posts do not belong in the tech forums and VVEL discussions shouldn't be in the social forums. Sometimes it's difficult to decide which is the most appropriate forum to post in - try to get close. Put a post about fuel injection in one of the Engine & Drivetrain sections (depending on the subject, it could go in FI or tuning, pick the one you think fits best; Exhaust is probably not applicable), not Wheels & Tires.

If you are asking for help, be as complete and as precise as you can. Explain the symptoms and give step-by-step details on what you have already tried and the results. If you are having problems understanding something you have read somewhere, include a link(s) to the source.

I'll add more as I think of it or if other members make suggestions I like.

* (Abbreviations are OK in comments. You may want to spell out the term the first time you use it and add the abbreviation in parentheses after. Eg, ... Throttle Body (TB) ...)

Kidding aside, I appreciate your thoughtful write-up. I consider these rules axiomatic and wish other folks did as well.

4r3s · 11-13-2013, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

Kidding aside, I appreciate your thoughtful write-up. I consider these rules axiomatic and wish other folks did as well.

Is the need to say all this really an indicator that the used 370s have come down in price enough that the younger generations are able to afford them now and it has led to an influx of idiots on the forum? Just speculating.

onzedge · 11-13-2013, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4r3s

Is the need to say all this really an indicator that the used 370s have come down in price enough that the younger generations are able to afford them now and it has led to an influx of idiots on the forum? Just speculating.

You might be onto something.

Chuck33079 · 11-13-2013, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

You might be onto something.

Yeah, now that an 09 is a $2ok car, it's gotten worse. In another few years when it's a $10k car and high school students can buy them, this place will be a barren wasteland of stupidity, stretched tires and hellaflush.

;

Was that the right way to use a semicolon?

JARblue · 11-13-2013, 08:45 AM

Must... subscribe... to... grammatically correct thread

SouthArk370Z · 11-13-2013, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4r3s

Is the need to say all this really an indicator that the used 370s have come down in price enough that the younger generations are able to afford them now and it has led to an influx of idiots on the forum? Just speculating.

While younger people do seem to be more likely to be poor writers (probably because they don't yet realize how important effective communication is, not because they can't write), I think The Internet has made poor writers (and good ones, too) of all ages more visible. Before online access became ubiquitous, few poor writers were able to get "published." Nowadays, anybody with access to a computer can post something that the whole world can read.

Chuck33079 · 11-13-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

While younger people do seem to be more likely to be poor writers (probably because they don't yet realize how important effective communication is, not because they can't write), I think The Internet has made poor writers (and good ones, too) of all ages more visible. Before online access became ubiquitous, few poor writers were able to get "published." Nowadays, anybody with access to a computer can post something that the whole world can read.

My buddy's HS English teacher GF would disagree with you.

falconfixer · 11-13-2013, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4r3s

Is the need to say all this really an indicator that the used 370s have come down in price enough that the younger generations are able to afford them now and it has led to an influx of idiots on the forum? Just speculating.

This could be an offshoot thread with it's own poll

marty31 · 11-13-2013, 10:56 AM

When the prices of used Pontiac GTO's came down a few years after GM stopped production, the LS1 GTO forum became virtually unreadable. The ability to type reasonably literate is a dying trade and makes me sad for our future.

SouthArk370Z · 11-13-2013, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

My buddy's HS English teacher GF would disagree with you.

I have a niece that just started teaching Journalism at the local high school. I'll have to ask her about this. Her POV may be different - I'm assuming that Journalism students would be more concerned about using proper English than the average student. I'm curious to see what she has to say about it.

Personally, I don't think things have changed that much over the years. Like most old farts, I like to reminisce about The Good Ole Days and bemoan the state of society and kids today but there were a lot of "barely literates" back when I was a kid. I think they are just more noticeable now.

I was lucky to be raised by parents that placed a very high value on education and I didn't have much choice but to learn how to write passable English. All too often, parents just don't take the time/effort to instill a passion to learn in their kids. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for encouraging me to learn all I could and kicking my a$$ when it needed it.

Chuck33079 · 11-13-2013, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

I have a niece that just started teaching Journalism at the local high school. I'll have to ask her about this. Her POV may be different - I'm assuming that Journalism students would be more concerned about using proper English than the average student. I'm curious to see what she has to say about it.

Well, modern journalism has **** the bed too. Have you read some of the news "articles" available on the internet?

I think writing skills are underemphasized in schools these days since it's all about passing the standardized tests so the school can get funded.

SouthArk370Z · 11-13-2013, 12:11 PM

Just had lunch with my Dad and he says the niece is complaining about how many of the students can't write. I thanked him for making me get a good education.

11-12-2013, 11:04 PM	#33 (permalink)
Riptide67 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Age: 36 Posts: 1,610 Drives: 09 Nismo #0483 PW Rep Power: 68	This is a nice write up. You, sir...are a gentleman and a scholar! A lot of my profession involves what the OP wrote about. I definitely can relate to it, haha. __________________ 2009 Nismo 370Z and 1975 Datsun 280Z 2+2 - PNW_INC - Legacy_Ohana Follow me on Instagam @s3zero_z3four

11-13-2013, 08:45 AM	#38 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,449 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	Must... subscribe... to... grammatically correct thread __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

11-13-2013, 10:56 AM	#42 (permalink)
marty31 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 75 Drives: 19 Camaro ZL1 A10 Rep Power: 23	When the prices of used Pontiac GTO's came down a few years after GM stopped production, the LS1 GTO forum became virtually unreadable. The ability to type reasonably literate is a dying trade and makes me sad for our future. __________________ 2013 370Z Touring Sport M6

11-13-2013, 12:11 PM	#45 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	Just had lunch with my Dad and he says the niece is complaining about how many of the students can't write. I thanked him for making me get a good education. onzedge and Ghostvette like this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

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