Comfy Mechanics!

Blog 5:

What's your comfort level with mechanical issues related to writing? Do you have problems with grammar, spelling, punctuation, or citation as a general rule? What's the most common error you know you make? Looking at your own writing, do you think your comfort level with mechanical issues helps or hurts how well you get across your ideas to readers?

I have a moderate comfort level with regards to mechanical issues related to writing. I admit I forget several small things with regards to grammar, but who doesn’t? It pains me to admit that sometimes I forget whether to use "who's" or "whose," which is probably the most common error I know I make. Everyone has their moments, but that’s what those nifty things we have called handbooks are for. If I am having what I call a “brain fart” and can’t remember a grammatical rule, I just look it up. I actually have a great handbook called Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. Not to brag or anything, but with spelling, I rock. Unless it’s some insanely long and obnoxious word, I have a pretty good vocabulary and am pretty great at spelling. I have my moments with punctuation as well, but I’m usually pretty good at remembering rules. Citations are tricky for me depending on the type. I have the basic citation format for books down, but for everything else (and even to double check book ones) I like to have a citation guidebook handy to make sure I didn’t mess them up. Looking at my own writing, I think my comfort level helps how well I get my idea across to readers, as my work is usually pretty easy to read and understand. Or at least I hope it is!