No writer's or editor's desk is complete without a battered, page-bent copy of the AP Stylebook. However, this not-so-easy-to-use reference of journalistic style is often not up-to-date and leaves reporters and copyeditors unsatisfied. Bill Walsh, copy chief for the Washington Post's business desk, addresses these shortcomings in Lapsing into a Comma. In an opinionated, humorous, and yes, curmudgeonly way, he shows how to apply the basic rules to unique, modern grammar issues. Walsh explains how to deal with perplexing situations such as trendy words, foreign terms, and web speak.
Lapsing Into a Comma
A Curmudgeon's Guide to the Many Things That Can Go Wrong in Print–and How to Avoid Them
by Bill Walsh
ebook
1 of 1 copy available
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
May 22, 2000 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780071389921
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PDF ebook
- ISBN: 9780071389921
- File size: 4740 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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September 15, 2000
This style manual is meant to serve as a companion to the Associated Press style manual. And what Walsh, copy desk chief at Washington Post, adds to Style is style--the element that the ever precise and dry traditional manuals often lack. Walsh's acerbic tone adds humor to the dry distinctions between "there, their, and they're," which never hurts and may, in fact, contribute to permanent retention. Taking on the web's contributions to slang, such as the prefix "e-" before mail and business, Walsh strikes frequent compromises between traditional style and contemporary usage and concisely explains correct pronunciations and proper definitions of words frequently used incorrectly. A few of the examples of common incorrect usage apply primarily to news reportage, but most have broader application. Those who like curmudgeonly humor find Walsh's writing method rather amusing. A good title for public and college libraries, especially those with the AP style manual.--Robert Moore, Raytheon, Sudbury, MACopyright 2000 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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