Take today, for instance: Are the Sonlight IGs Instructor Guides, Instructors Guides, Instructor's Guides, or Instructors' Guides?
After talking it over with Laura Lee, one of the writers here at Sonlight, I learned that currently the official phrase is "Sonlight® Instructor's Guides."
Oh.
<cough>
The IG page has now been updated from "Sonlight's Instructor Guides" to reflect this change in possessive case.
...but that sentence is passive voice. And that's not good writing. ...but "writing" is a gerund, which should also be avoided, thus requiring a rewrite:
I have updated the IG page. No other corrections in what I have written are required.
There is still much work for me to do. Today, while looking into building an Affiliate link, I ran across the Affiliate Links Guidelines page. As I looked at the sample HTML, I realized that some of it is wrong.
So, I added that to my list of things to improve.
The good news is that this is life: A constant opportunity to improve. Sometimes it's little things, like broken web links; other times it's big things, like character issues.
May you see real growth in your life--and in the lives of those closest to you--today.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
7 comments:
"cough" !!! My firstborn, after se7en years of sonlight language arts would breeze through this with no problem. I, on the other hand, am very grateful that correcting grammar isn't my job. Not a natural career path. I dare say!!!
It's all in its presentation. LOL
Just please, don't say things like "Sonlight's got education." (Or worse, "done did got that education.")
Se7en, that's hilarious! Though, I'm going to bet that it's rewarding to see your students excel <smile>.
Mrs. C, I will do my best to keep things correct. I dun gotten a purdy gooder edumacation and larnin' in my day. I will try to apply that appropriately <smile>.
~Luke
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Anonymous,
If I'm understanding you correctly: Yes, all references to the IGs should be the corrected on the site.
Did you find one that I missed? If so, please let me know about it so I can get it fixed. Thanks!
~Luke
I'm all for uniformity in media content. I have a almost-obsessive impulse with grammar correction, which certainly extends to proper possessives. So, I'm glad to see you make a change, especially since what you chose is what I would have. ;)
However... passives aren't bad, per se. They just shouldn't be overdone. Too many active verbs can seem like you're bludgeoning folks with your words. Which is likely why women tend to use the passive voice more often; we're kind. :)
Gross generalizations should be avoided, too. ;)
Karen, you crack me up!
I hear that exaggeration is a billion times worse than any other error you could make. <smile>
But I agree: Too many active verbs and I'll no longer be seen as a nice person... which would be sad <smile>.
~Luke
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