Here are a couple of articles that are quite interesting and might get you thinking about how we use apostrophes and exclamation marks. What issues are raised by the articles? What do the articles suggest about language? What would you be interested in exploring further? Do you agree or disagree with what is being said in the articles?
Apostrophe article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23806585
Exclamation mark article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23781044
Happy reading.
I don't see the problem with Luisa Zissman taking the apostrophe out if her company name because as she said it will be complicated for consumers to find her business online and many other big companies like waterstones, boots, harrods and selfridges have all done the same thing and got no stick for it.
ReplyDeleteMe and Tilly agree that when exclamation marks are over used in stories or news articles it looks strange and over the top, however in text messages using the exclamation mark more then it needs to be used is okay as it adds a positive tone to the message.
ReplyDeleteWe agree that woman do use them more often than men as females tend to read into things that are not there, therefore send more exclamation marks to give a sense of more friendly emotion.
Me and Kate believe that apostrophes should be used in the correct way and that English grammar shouldn't be changed just to help a brand name or label look better. It is setting a bad example to people who are trying to learn about the use of apostrophes and makes their use look pointless if people decide to just stop using them.
ReplyDeleteI think Elmore Leonard had the right idea about using exclamation marks in prose, his "no more than two or three per 100,000 words" rule seems fair enough. Exclamation marks are definitely put to better use when expressing yourself via text and online.
ReplyDeleteBoth these articles are both really intresting to see how the use of punctuation such as apostrophes and exclamtion marks can be used in the wrong way or too much. I think it intriguing to know that buisness like Waterstones don't use apostrophes when using one would be grammarly correct and they are a book shop!
ReplyDeleteI think exclamtion marks can be over used however they should not be banned in use. They help to add emotion and enthusiam into scentances so amke the point of writing that scentance come across.
Apostrophes should be used correctly! and who cares if you over-exaggerate on exclamation marks? you should be allowed to write however you want, although I do think 3/4 should be the limit, as it can get a bit tedious!!!
ReplyDeleteI think if you're going to use an apostrophes then it should be used in the correct way. Even if it 'looks better' I still think that whatever the situation you should always use correct grammar. Otherwise what's to stop other people from just not putting their apostrophes in their words in general?
ReplyDeleteI agree with James. Without the apostrophe it will be a lot easier for consumers to be able to find her buisness on the interenet, as you cannot use apostrophes in URL names. Using an apostrophe would cause confusion for many of the consumers, which would have an affect on the success of the buisness. In my opinion, people are making too much of a big deal out of something so small!
ReplyDeleteTaking the apostrophe out of the brand name doesn't look right, I mean everyone knows not to use it in the URL anyway, and as long as you properly publicise that, no one should have a problem. Also, I agree with the fact that not too many exclamation marks should be used, or there's too much emotion, and it's plain annoying.
ReplyDeleteI found the articles on exclamation marks and apostrophes quite interesting as it shows how people either notice something hugely or don't notice it at all
ReplyDeleteI think apostrophes should be used correctly as it would confuse people who are learning about grammar and punctuation. I also think that exclamation marks should be kept to a minimum when writing in a formal manner, but i dont think it matters when used in text or any other informal situation, aslong as they're not used excessively.
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ReplyDeleteIf people stop using apostrophes properly then are we all going to forget about full stops and capital letters? In texts and emails people use exclamation marks more because the person can't see if you're excited, so by putting !!!!!! you're conveying that you are. Too many exclamation marks in books just shows that the author can't find a way to convey what they want to say with words.
ReplyDeleteI think the using exclamation marks after every 100,00 or so words is a bit over the top. Because sometimes you just need to to shout!! the apostrophe lady does kinda bug with getting rid of the apostrophe, but at the end of the day it's her business.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with Elmore Leonard on his point about keeping exclamation marks down to "two or three per 100,000 words of prose", however I wouldn't consider using them "laughing at your own joke".
ReplyDeleteAlso Luisa Zissman should be able to take the apostrophe out of the name of her business because it's her business, it doesn't belong to the public.
I agree that women do use exclamation points more then men, and that young people use them more than older people, especially online to try and make the message come across less blunt. I think that people should be allowed to use explanation points as often as they like to exaggerate a point, however there is a limit. If someone is using one to finish every sentence it can get annoying.
ReplyDeleteI think that Luisa Zissman should not be slated for dropping the apostrophes, several other companies have already done the same and it also makes things easier for her marketing.
ReplyDeleteExclamation marks are used to show excitement in texts, although I think they should only be used rarely in more formal ocassions.