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YouWriteOn Message Board > Literary Forums > Professional Writing Tips and Techniques - New Help Search Recent Posts
Typos
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maturin
 09 Nov 2011, 07:24 #134564 Reply To Post
I hope this is the right forum for this, and that it's not been debated recently.

Do you ever get a review that says something like:
... but the author should re-read the manuscript and pick up on a couple of typos ...
Or
... there were a couple of places where I think I was unsure of who was speaking ...

I regret to say that I, like Gilbert and Sullivan's King Gam, can instantly spot faults in others but not in myself.

If you give me your attention, I will tell you what I am:
I'm a genuine philanthropist — all other kinds are sham.
Each little fault of temper and each social defect
In my erring fellow-creatures, I endeavour to correct.
To all their little weaknesses I open people's eyes;
And little plans to snub the self-sufficient I devise;
I love my fellow creatures — I do all the good I can —
Yet ev'rybody says I'm such a disagreeable man!
And I can't think why!

I download a story I'm reviewing into Word and highlight typos etc. I note them at the end of my review. Am I being disagreeable? I find reviews that point out my typos very helpful; and ones that hint at possible typos less so. What do people think?
Mike
my website
chickin
 09 Nov 2011, 08:03 #134565 Reply To Post
I'm with you.

The more details in the review the better in my opinion.

For example, a recent review of mine said, 'You use commas incorrectly.' (I might be paraphrasing) which isn't much use on it's own. There is no need to point out every place I go wrong, but an example would be nice. Otherwise the review is a waste of the reviewers time.
I deleted my sig.
bedda
 09 Nov 2011, 08:04 #134566 Reply To Post
Hi Mike, hope things have dried out a bit for you. I'm also very good at picking up typos in other people's work and not noticing my own. I'm grateful if they are pointed out because they can distract the reader and look unprofessional. I just hope they can find something useful and constructive to say as well. People on this site have been incredibly generous with their time and advice to help this newbie, and that includes you. Best wishes
I know nothing
bedda
 09 Nov 2011, 08:06 #134567 Reply To Post
That was a deliberate mistake - just testing!
I know nothing
notleyab
 09 Nov 2011, 08:33 #134568 Reply To Post
Quote: chickin, Wednesday, 9 Nov 2011 08:03
I'm with you.

The more details in the review the better in my opinion.

For example, a recent review of mine said, 'You use commas incorrectly.' (I might be paraphrasing) which isn't much use on it's own. There is no need to point out every place I go wrong, but an example would be nice. Otherwise the review is a waste of the reviewers time.


Is this a spot 'the deliberate mistake' chick? - how abt no apo in its and one in reviewers.
kazmojazz
 09 Nov 2011, 08:44 #134570 Reply To Post
Think it's difficult to spot typos in your own work. That's one of the benefits of having someone else's eye over it. It's not much use saying there are typos without saying where they are, though - unless there are loads, of course. Then I just point out a few near the beginning and hope they'll get the idea.
Lin Lee Liu
 09 Nov 2011, 09:04 #134571 Reply To Post
Are we talking about genuine typographical errors (slips of the fingers on the keyboard) or plain old errors? It seems to me that 'typo' is often used incorrectly as a euphemistic term, when 'error' would serve us better.

I maintain the distinction because I think authors can see their own typos, if they take a break from their own piece, but I don't think we can see our own errors.
notleyab
 09 Nov 2011, 09:11 #134573 Reply To Post
They're all errors.
Typos is just a euphemism, giving somebody the benefit of the doubt tt their finger slipped at t wrong moment.
kazmojazz
 09 Nov 2011, 09:22 #134575 Reply To Post
Yes, errors a better word. I sometimes type letters in the wrong order and, no matter how mant times I read over it, don't pick it up. Takes someone else to see it. THEN it's obvious.
chickin
 09 Nov 2011, 10:35 #134661 Reply To Post
Quote: notleyab, Wednesday, 9 Nov 2011 08:33
Quote: chickin, Wednesday, 9 Nov 2011 08:03
I'm with you.

The more details in the review the better in my opinion.

For example, a recent review of mine said, 'You use commas incorrectly.' (I might be paraphrasing) which isn't much use on it's own. There is no need to point out every place I go wrong, but an example would be nice. Otherwise the review is a waste of the reviewers time.


Is this a spot 'the deliberate mistake' chick? - how abt no apo in its and one in reviewers.



Ha, ha. No. Perfect example of typos as opposed to errors though.

But I'm all for picking up on typos too.

I'm always cocking posts up. I spend enough time proofreading the important stuff - Im not going to faff about with post's on the MB.
I deleted my sig.
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