Wednesday, April 04, 2007
I am a nerd.
I've been doing some editing this evening--helping one of the NC staff with an assignment for a New Testament class. And doing hands-on editing again has made me realize anew my love for the serial comma. I feel the compulsion to proclaim that love here and now. Long live the serial comma! It helps one avoid confusion in cases such as these*:
"I'd like to thank my parents, Mother Teresa and God."
Ed. note: Mother Teresa and God are probably not your parents. Better:
"I'd like to thank my parents, Mother Teresa, and God."
See the difference that makes? Oh, serial comma, how I love thee.
*Example totally stolen from a DPI copy editing workshop.
"I'd like to thank my parents, Mother Teresa and God."
Ed. note: Mother Teresa and God are probably not your parents. Better:
"I'd like to thank my parents, Mother Teresa, and God."
See the difference that makes? Oh, serial comma, how I love thee.
*Example totally stolen from a DPI copy editing workshop.
Labels: editorial
| posted by Barbara | 10:44 PM