online grammar

Everybody seems to be multitasking these days. While you’re composing work emails, cruising social media, and tapping out blog posts, you’re also sipping coffee, listening to podcasts, and reading the news. But here’s the thing: Since you’re trying to do it all at once, you’re probably accomplishing the most basic versions of these tasks. Because of this, your grammar is suffering. Worse than that, it seems we’re throwing grammar to the wind. Our emails and texts have no punctuation, no upper cases – everything seems to flow in one run-on sentence peppered with acronyms such as SML, LOL, and OMG. Social networking and digital communication lack grammar, but they’re not the only culprits. Many popular blogs and websites also throw grammar out the window. However, just because poor grammar is used more frequently doesn’t mean it’s right. In fact, bad grammar can negatively affect the performance of your content: Failing to take the time to create great – grammatically great – content shows you’re not bothered about quality. If you don’t care whether your website’s grammar is spotless, visitors may assume you take the same lackluster approach to your product or service. Poorly used grammar hinders a website visitor’s ability to understand what you’re trying to say or sell. The result: Visitors can’t decipher your message, which leaves them confused and annoyed. What happens next? Those readers will cut their losses and head off to a website that makes more sense. That’s not good for you – or your brand. In other words, grammar matters. That’s why this 12-step online grammar guide is here for you. Your 12-Step, Quick and Dirty Internet Grammar Guide If your content looks like it was written by your hamster scurrying across the keyboard, you’re going to struggle to get real traction. Here are 12 hard and fast rules to web content writing, punctuation, and grammar that will help tighten up your skills. [bctt tweet=”Bad grammar can negatively affect the performance of your content, leaving your audience confused and annoyed. Get it out of the way ASAP with @JuliaEMcCoy’s 12-step internet grammar guide. ?” username=”ExpWriters”] Let’s get right into internet grammar nitty-gritty! 1. Semicolons According to author Kurt Vonnegut, the first rule in creative writing is to not use semicolons. They ‘represent nothing,’ he says. That’s a pretty strong opinion. However, blogs just don’t need them. They alienate readers and make you, the writer, look pretentious. (Why didn’t you just write two sentences, or use “and”?) [bctt tweet=”According to author Kurt Vonnegut, the first rule in creative writing is to not use semicolons. They ‘represent nothing,’ Blogs don’t need them. Instead of using it, just write two sentences or use ‘and.’ @JuliaEMcCoy on #internetgrammar” username=”ExpWriters”] 2. Exclamation Points Overuse of exclamation points makes writers look cheesy. Stay away from them. If you absolutely feel the urge to use them (and please, please keep it to one at a time), never put an exclamation point at the end of one paragraph and then the beginning of another. In fact, here’s a new challenge: Limit yourself to no more than two per page. [bctt tweet=”Overuse of exclamation points makes writers look cheesy. Stay away from them. If needed, try to limit yourself to no more than two per page. – @JuliaEMcCoy on #internetgrammar” username=”ExpWriters”] 3. Quotation Marks “Always put punctuation inside quotation marks,” she said. That’s the rule of thumb in American English. “Leaving punctuation outside quotation marks, like this”, is inappropriate in most cases. Exceptions exist in British English, but those only apply to your writing if you’re actually a Brit. Image: Language Editing [bctt tweet=”Always put punctuations (periods and commas) inside quotation marks. That’s the rule of thumb in American English. – @JuliaEMcCoy shares her 12 #internetgrammar rules to start using.” username=”ExpWriters”] 4. Parentheses If you’re writing a sentence and feel the need to use parentheses (usually to make a comment or aside), the punctuation goes on the outside of the closing parenthesis. If your parentheses will end the sentence, the punctuation still goes on the outside (just like this). Don’t use too many parentheses, either. [bctt tweet=”If you’re writing a sentence and feel the need to use parentheses, the punctuation goes on the outside of the closing parenthesis. The same rule applies when your parentheses will end the sentence. – @JuliaEMcCoy on the 12 #internetgrammar rules” username=”ExpWriters”] 5. Hyperlinks Hyperlinks have nothing to do with grammar, but any discussion of internet grammar has to include them. If you write a blog and talk about a certain website, blog or business, hyperlink to them. Always, always hyperlink to your sources. [bctt tweet=”Not really related to grammar but remember: Always, always hyperlink to your sources. – @JuliaEMcCoy on the 12 #internetgrammar rules.” username=”ExpWriters”] 6. Hyphenation I touched on this earlier, but let me reiterate. If you’re not sure whether to hyphenate a word, take a second to Google it. You’ll usually get the answer pretty fast. Always do this fast double-check before you hyphenate – eventually, your Google-sourced knowledge will become second nature. [bctt tweet=”Tip: If you’re not sure whether to hyphenate a word, take a second to Google it. You’ll usually get the answer pretty fast. – @JuliaEMcCoy on the 12 #internetgrammar rules.” username=”ExpWriters”] 7. Capitalization Grr, this is a pet peeve of mine. Do not capitalize insignificant words (and, of, the) in titles and subheadings unless they’re the first word in the phrase. While I’m on this point, there’s no need to capitalize the main keywords in your content, either. DON’T do it, people. For instance, if you’re trying to use the target keyword “social media management,” you don’t need to capitalize it. It’s just awkward. Look at this sentence: “These ten Social Media Management tips can get your Internet campaign soaring.” See how it draws attention to the fact you’re keyword stuffing? It’s totally unnecessary. [bctt tweet=”Do not capitalize insignificant words (and, of, the) in titles and subheadings unless they’re the first word in the phrase. Don’t capitalize the main keywords, either! … Read more