Ep 94: Grammar Matters: Why Concern Ourselves with Commas?
If you’re new to writing, you may be unaware of the fierce debate among writers, editors, teachers, and grammarians over the use of the serial, or Oxford, comma. If you’ve been around the world of words a while, you know the tension, the arguments,
First published
03/28/2017
Genres:
arts
education
self improvement
business
marketing
Listen to this episode
Summary
If you’re new to writing, you may be unaware of the fierce debate among writers, editors, teachers, and grammarians over the use of the serial, or Oxford, comma. If you’ve been around the world of words a while, you know the tension, the arguments, the passion associated with this tiny punctuation mark used—or not used—in the specific scenario of a series. The Oxford Comma The serial comma, also known as the Oxford comma, is the last comma you’d use in a list that includes three or more words or phrases and a coordinating conjunction. The comma would be placed just before the final “or” or “and.” For example, if I said, “I love articles, essays, poems, and podcasts,” a serial comma would be the comma you’d place just after “poems” and before the word “and.” It's often referred to as the Oxford comma because, as Oxford Dictionaries explains, "it was traditionally used by printers, readers, and editors at Oxford University Press.” The AP Stylebook vs. The Chicago Manual of Style Style guides tend to fall into two camps on the use of the Oxford comma. The Chicago Manual of Style, for example, often used by book publishers, “strongly recommends” its use in every series—use it by default, they urge, because it prevents ambiguity. The Associated Press Stylebook, usually referred to as the AP Stylebook, is used by many newspapers and magazines. This style guide prefers using the serial comma only when clarity is needed. Otherwise, leave it out by default. It’s a space-saving measure, for one thing, and leaves the page one stroke cleaner and less cluttered. Both philosophies agree that the use of the comma achieves the goal of avoiding ambiguity. The difference is that The Chicago Manual of Style argues that using it by default will avoid an oversight. So if you or the place you write for says to use the serial comma all the time—even if the sentence would make sense without it—you or the place you write for falls in the “Oxford comma” camp. How Can a Missing Comma Cause Confusion? What kind of ambiguity or confusion could be caused by leaving out one little bitty comma? Mental Floss offers up several examples of confusion caused by leaving out that key comma. One is a book dedication that may have been invented. It reads: “To my parents, Ayn Rand and God.” It’s missing the serial comma that The Chicago Manual of Style would urge adding directly after Ayn Rand. With the Oxford comma missing, the dedication implies that this person comes from an implausible but unforgettable lineage—that his or her parents are Ayn Rand and God. You can poke around online and find numerous examples of how the Oxford comma helps avoid combinations that would lead to confusion or at least bizarre images. And, as I said, the AP Stylebook would agree to include it to avoid confusion. In that respect, we’re all on the same page. But it’s worth our time to consider the implication of leaving it out when it really ought to have been included. A week or so ago, a United States Court of Appeals handed down a ruling that hinged upon a missing comma. Maine’s overtime statutes include a list that leaves out the serial comma so that you could read it two different ways: one interpretation would combine two actions to be one, and another interpretation would separate them to be two different activities. Including the comma would have cleared things up. A dairy in Maine interpreted the meaning of the phrase one way,
Duration
5 minutes
Parent Podcast
Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach
View PodcastSimilar Episodes
Book Proposal Tips and Tricks with Ann Kroeker
Release Date: 06/07/2022
Description: Learn how to write a book proposal that will attract the attention of agents and editors, in this interview with writing coach Ann Kroeker.Support the Show.
Explicit: No
How Simple Systems Can Unlock Your Writing Productivity, with Kari Roberts
Release Date: 07/06/2021
Description: If you're like me, you struggle to carve out time to write...you wish you could uncomplicate life and get more done. Good news! I have business coach and online business manager Kari Roberts on the show to help us think through simple systems that can unlock our writing productivity and creativity. "It's like you're on a treadmill," she says. "You're running in place, but you're not going anywhere. So you're not really getting anything done." Sound familiar? Kari knows our struggles and offers solutions. She says, "You might need to strategize or systematize other things so that you can make the space that you need to do the writing." Kari Roberts is a business coach and online business manager for creative small business owners. She helps them figure out time management and systems that allow them to grow their business while still having enough time and energy for work, business, and home life. Her business advice has been featured on VoyageATL Magazine, The Rising Tide Society, The Speak to Scale Podcast, Creative at Heart Conference and more. Kari is the host of Finding Freedom with Simple Systems Podcast and the creator and host of Overwhelmed to Organized the Summit. When she isn’t being a “serial helper” through one of her businesses she enjoys watching sports with her husband, walking in the park with her 2 dogs, listening to podcasts, sampling tasty bourbons, and catching up on reality TV. Her approach to creating systems? "I like to go in and try to find: What's the simplest way. If we're trying to get X done, what's the simplest way to get to X. It may not be the fancy thing. It may not be with the shiny object. But if we can condense it and make it simple, then that can free up your time and free up your mental space so that you can get other things done." Listen to the interview and you'll learn principles that may transform your approach to writing...and life. Resources: Kari on Instagram Podcast: https://kariandcompany.com/podcast Get your very own copy of Kari's Time-Blocking Schedule: HERE https://youtu.be/xgNp7vmbXpk ANN KROEKER, WRITING COACH Episode 239 Transcript How Simple Systems Can Unlock Your Writing Productivity: Interview with Kari Roberts Ann Kroeker (00:03): It's so hard to find time for writing, isn't it? It's hard to do all the things a writer needs to do these days. If only if only we had a simple system that we could set up to make the rest of our creative life flourish…I have business coach and online business manager Kari Roberts here today to help us think through simple systems we can set up to increase our writing productivity. I'm Ann Kroeker, writing coach. If you're new here, welcome. If you're a regular, welcome back. I'm sharing my best tips and training–skills and strategies—to help you improve your craft, pursue publishing, and achieve your writing goals. Be sure to subscribe for more content. Ann Kroeker (00:44): From time to time I invite guests on. So you can learn from their wisdom, like today's guest, Kari Roberts. Kari is a business coach and an online business manager for creative, small business owners. She helps them figure out time management and systems so that they're freed up to have enough time for work business and home life. Kari is the host of her own podcast, Finding Freedom with Simple Systems. And today she's going to talk about that as it applies to writing productivity. Kari, thank you for being with us today. Kari Roberts (01:13): Thank you for having me. I'm happy to be here. Ann Kroeker (01:16): I am so intrigued by this whole idea that writers who are always pressed for time and always longing for productivity, how simple systems might be the way that they can unlock and unleash that. So first, I read your bio and it tells us quite a bit about you, but I would love you to explain maybe just in simple terms, what you do, how you serve people. Kari Roberts (01:40): Okay.
Explicit: No
#43: How to Avoid Distraction and Manage Attention to Write
Release Date: 03/23/2016
Description: Show Notes Episode #43: How to Avoid Distraction and Manage Attention to Write In this episode, I take both a macro and micro view of attention, focus, and distraction. At the macro level, I suggest that formulating a general plan of where you’d like to go as a writer will make it easier to focus your attention on how a given activity fits into the big picture (and you can more easily resist Shiny Object Syndrome). At the micro level, we can focus our attention by minimizing everyday, moment-by-moment distractions. Clear your desk. Try the Pomodoro technique. When you launch your writing session, silence phone notifications, close the browser. You can even try using the "focus" view in Word to minimize visual distractions on the screen. In addition, we can learn to become "meta-aware," noticing when our mind is wandering. When we increase meta-awareness, we can learn to nudge our mind back to the task at hand by telling ourselves, “Okay, I’m writing now. So, quiet. I’m trying to concentrate." Listen for the full podcast. Lots of Resources: #42: Manage Your Energy So You Can Write #41: 5 Steps to Find Time for Writing #40: Take Charge of Your Writing Space, Tasks, and Projects #39: Manage Your Writing Space to Be a More Productive Writer #38: Manage Your Writing Space, Time, Energy, and Attention Novelty and the Brain: Why New Things Make Us Feel So Good Concentrate! How to Tame a Wandering Mind Write in the Middle: Yes, You Can Maximize Distraction-Free Writing Write in the Middle of Everyday Distractions: 7 Strategies for Getting Back on Track Productivity 101: A Primer to the Pomodoro Technique * * * You can subscribe with iTunes, where I'd love to have you subscribe, rate, and leave a review. The podcast is also available Stitcher, and you should be able to search for and find "Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach" in any podcast player. Image by Ann Kroeker.
Explicit: No
From Idea to Contract: The Inspiring Story of a First-Time Author, with Merideth Hite Estevez
Release Date: 03/15/2023
Description: Gain inspiration from the journey of a first-time author who transformed her dream of writing into a reality by taking bold action. Merideth Hite Estevez's success story involved launching a captivating podcast and partnering with a coach (yep, that's me!) to develop a winning strategy. Her talent and tenacity helped her build a robust platform, create a winning book proposal, secure an agent, and land a publishing deal in just a few years. Although she felt like it took an eternity, that's fast. Follow her story and be inspired to pursue your own writing dreams with confidence! Resources Here's the program Merideth mentions in the video (we worked together to complete her proposal and set her up for success): https://annkroeker.com/yourcompellingbookproposal/ Merideth's website: artistsforjoy.org Merideth on Instagram: @artistsforjoy Merideth's free resource, 3 Ways to Love Your Inner Artist Merideth's Creative Clusters using The Artist's Way https://youtu.be/-pe0ds60Ecc Transcript (Transcripts are reviewed and lightly edited.) Ann Kroeker I'm Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach. If you're tuning in for the first time, welcome. If you're a regular, welcome back. I'm sharing my best skills and strategies to help writers improve craft, pursue publishing, and achieve their writing goals. On today's show, you're going to get a glimpse of a first time author's journey from idea to a signed contract with a publisher. Even better, she's a creative coach herself, so it's like you're getting two coaches for one. You're going to love meeting Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez. Merideth Hite Estevez Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez is a spiritual space-maker for artists as an oboist, writer, coach, and educator. Her podcast Artists for Joy was an Award of Excellence Winner in the 2022 Communicator Awards and is in the top 2% of podcasts worldwide. She has served thousands of artists in communal creative recovery with her popular support groups around Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and serves artists of all disciplines through her writings, workshops, and one-to-one coaching services. She holds degrees in oboe from The Juilliard School and Yale University and is a Certified Start with Heart Facilitator through Graydin. As a trained coach, she runs a thriving business helping creatives of all disciplines looking for a more joyful life. Merideth has performed with top orchestras in the US and abroad, including the MET Opera and PhillyPops and is currently the English hornist/Second Oboe of the Chamber Orchestra of NY. She has served on faculties of numerous universities and schools of music, most recently as Associate Professor of Oboe at University of Delaware. When she’s not creating or teaching, you’ll find her attempting to speak foreign languages with a southern accent while traveling with her husband Rev. Edwin Estevez, daughter Eva, and son Eli. Her first book, an inspirational guide to the creative life, is forthcoming in 2024. Merideth, welcome. We're so glad you're here. [00:02:03] - Merideth Hite Estevez Hi, Ann. Thanks for having me. [00:02:04] - Ann Kroeker Now, that's an impressive bio. I'm amazed at all of the things you juggle, and in the middle of it all, you managed to land a contract to write a book. And I would love it if you could give people a simple summary of this crazy journey you've been on. Can you just summarize it? And then we can go into detail of what that looked like. [00:02:26.780] - Merideth Hite Estevez Absolutely. Yeah. It feels like a really, really long journey. Like many of the people listening to this, I have been writing all my life. My mother was my elementary school librarian. And so writing was something that always was around. I took a lot of creative writing classes in college. But as you heard from my bio, I always had a beeline on being a professional oboist. All my concentration and focus was on music.
Explicit: No
Similar Podcasts
Teen Spirit: A Skyline Writing Center Podcast
Release Date: 04/12/2021
Authors: Jeff
Description: Jeff Austin, the director of the Skyline Writing Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, talks with student writers about their writing.
Explicit: No
Tune in With Ann
Release Date: 06/23/2021
Authors: Anne
Description: Tune in with Ann is created by me Ann, #likeyournextdoorneighbour to help, coach and support. It is for spreading some positivity and talking about mindset, life(style) and food.
Explicit: No
Writing Tips from the Working Writers Coach
Release Date: 08/30/2020
Authors: Suzanne LIeurance
Description: Writing Tips from the Working Writers Coach
Explicit: No
Your Writing Coach
Release Date: 10/06/2021
Authors: Lynn Elikqitie Smargis
Description: Are you looking to write and publish your first book? Do you need a seasoned writer to guide you through the book writing process? Would you like a writer coach with real-world experience who understands how to guide you to the right publishing options for your book?Your Writing Coach podcast is where writers and soon-to-be authors listen in on writing knowledge and expertise so you walk down the right path to publishing your book. My writer podcast will guide you on how to start writing a book for beginners. Because not all writers have the same writing experience, background, or skill set, writing a book looks very different for each individual. Find out how you can take your first steps to developing good writing habits, figuring out how to pick a genre and title for your book, how to get a published book, and whether or not going with a publisher is the right choice for your book. Learn about Amazon kdp, how to self publish your book, and when to hire a ghostwriter. Get your ques
Explicit: No
Freelance Writing Coach
Release Date: 02/06/2021
Authors: Kaleigh Moore and Emma Siemasko
Description: Kaleigh Moore and Emma Siemasko have long shared a dream: to build the world’s most fulfilling freelance writing businesses. Over the past 8 years, the two friends have become successful freelance writers, finding new clients (hello Salesforce + Vogue Business); refining their service offerings; building six-figure businesses; and ultimately, creating their dream careers.Now, they’re sharing everything they know and discussing what they’ve yet to find out. Why? Because they know you can build a great freelance writing business, too. But first, you gotta get real. On Freelance Writing Coach, Kaleigh and Emma discuss all things related to building a successful freelance writing business. Topics include things like client boundaries, digital products, rates, proposals, loneliness, and much more.Their promise? To tell it like it is.
Explicit: No
The Writing Coach
Release Date: 09/23/2020
Authors: Kevin T. Johns, author and writing coach
Description: Author and writing coach Kevin T. Johns interviews the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors that help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. If you enjoy podcasts like I Should Be Writing, Grammar Girl, and Writing Excuses, be sure to check out The Writing Coach. Interviews with Tim Grahl, Shawn Coyne, Cathy Yardley and more!
Explicit: No
Raggedy Ann Stories (version 2) by Johnny Gruelle (1880 - 1938)
Release Date: 08/27/2020
Authors: LibriVox
Description: This is the book that started it all. Johnny Gruelle gave his daughter Marcella a rag doll, on which he had drawn an eternally smiling face. Marcella and Raggedy Ann became inseparable, and inspired Gruelle to write Raggedy Ann Stories, which was sold with its very own Raggedy Ann doll. Sadly, Marcella died at age 13 after complications from a smallpox vaccine, but Gruelle continued writing about Raggedy Ann. (description by Zachary Brewster-Geisz)
Explicit: No
The Yavin III: A Star Wars Podcast
Release Date: 09/26/2020
Authors: The Yavin III
Description: A casual Star Wars podcast focusing on what connects us to the Galaxy Far, Far Away! Hosted by Andrew Perry, David Fawcett, and Mitch Kroeker.
Explicit: No
talk.write.done. A writing podcast for coaches.
Release Date: 04/27/2021
Authors: Dr Lizzy Tanguay
Description: Writing coach and applied linguist, Dr Lizzy Tanguay chats with guests about everything you need to know about writing for your coaching business. Subscribe now for weekly writing tips, tricks and motivation.
Explicit: No
Five Minute Writing Coach
Release Date: 02/16/2022
Authors: Amelia D. Hay
Description: Welcome to the Five-Minute Writing Coach. On the first Sunday of every month, I will release a five-minute writing pep talk where I delve deep and help you get unstuck so that you can clear mental obstacles and find the motivation to keep writing. And, who am I? I'm your host Amelia D. Hay. You'll probably recognise me from the Authorpreneur Podcast and the Book Nerd Podcast.Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/five-minute-writing-coach/subscribe
Explicit: No
Linh Phan | Writing Coach
Release Date: 04/27/2021
Authors: Linh Phan
Description: Chào bạn, mình là Linh. Tại đây, bạn có thể nghe mình chia sẻ về nghề viết, freelancing và cách mình đã xây dựng, sống sót và tận hưởng sự nghiệp freelance business ra sao.Bạn có thể tìm hiểu thêm về mình tại www.linhphan.co và www.vietlachkiemtien.com nhé!
Explicit: No