“Good content but its a shame the grammar is so poor.” - SoloProgrammer
“I like your command of English, having almost lost my own native tongue!” – James Alexander
Have you ever received comments like these? How would you feel when somebody told you that your content is good but your grammar is poor? Ironically, how would you react if someone says that he likes your command of English and almost lost his own native tounge?
Actually I received such comments on social marketing sites, one from mixx (one of my posts was submitted by Mr Javo) and the other from Entrecard (appreciated some of my posts). But hey, why am I writing this? Does it make sense? Is it helpful to all bloggers out there?
Of course, I write this entry for a very good reason. But let me first clarify one thing. This is not intended to defend myself against the feedback of SoloProgrammer. Actually, I’m so happy that I was able to hear from him and now, I got something to blog about.
Sometimes, when an idea comes in to our mind we tend to be so excited. If you are a blogger, you feel like your day is incomplete if you don’t blog about that idea. Consequently, you will likely write spontaneously and even forget the fundamentals of writing.
It’s a good practice to write instinctively. When your imagination comes in to the picture, a lot of information flow like a running water. So I suggest, keep on writing as long as the idea keeps on pouring. If you’re done, take a deep breathe and drink some water.
However, this doesn’t mean that your article is now ready to be published. Even big newspapers hire copyreaders or proof readers to make sure that there are no grammatical errors, typos, omissions and most importantly no dramatical errors in their write ups.
For bloggers, same concept applies. All writers don’t write perfectly (especially if English is not your primary language). Have you seen one? Even A-list blogs like CopyBlogger suggests the importance of editing of entries. Yes, we must edit our post, read it again, re-edit, read then finally publish.
If this is the case, we can at least limit grammatical, dramatical, omission and typographical errors.
Before I end this post, I would like to recommend the following for you to get more ideas on how important editing is and how to do it:
1) Why You Need to Edit Your Blog Post – J.P. Simbulan
2) Five Easy Steps to Editing Your Own Work – CopyBlogger
3) 5 Free Blog Editors to Write & Edit Blog posts – Useful tools for writing blog posts
4) How To Edit A blog Post – Yehuda Berlinger
P.S.: I hope this entry doesn’t make you too conscious about your command of English. This is just a friendly reminder from me. Nobody is perfect but practice makes perfect, ironic is it not? lol.. Anyway there’s nothing wrong in applying the basics of writing.
I think that’s all for now. Have a nice day.
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I am not too particular with grammar, too. I am thinking of going back to English 1 for this, hehehe! Anyways, u were right there Joliber, SOmetimes we get too excited that we directly hit the PUBLISH button and our posts are then ready for public’s scrutiny, sigh! Its a lesson learned and I believe there’s still room for improvement….
Scotty’s Princess’s last blog post..Juan Manuel Marquez, Robbed of Victory?
Yeah, it’s tempting to push the *Publish* button.. The only good thing is, the *controversial post* has become popular in Mixx.com and got a lot of page views.. it’s indeed ironic..lol..
Grammar is important I guess but I know someone who commits plenty of errors in one post and yet he earns much.
Hi Ayel, I think I know who you are talking about.. A Filipino blogger from Southern Philippines? Am I right? Yeah, although it’s good to have a correct grammar but it doesn’t mean that we should be too concious about it.. It must not be our primary driver.. Still our ideas remain the focal points..
Oi, sino tong blogger na to? Na-curious ako don ah, haha!
Scotty’s Princess’s last blog post..Juan Manuel Marquez, Robbed of Victory?
Glad you took my comment as a constructive reminder to watch your grammar. I know I’m guilty myself of some horrid copy when I feel the time crunch to publish now. Consider this though: if the grammar and content is bad I leave immediately and don’t comment at all. If someone bothers to remark about the grammar then it means the content must be worthwhile. Yes, plenty of blogger make good money and have poor grammar but that’s no excuse (especially for us small guys) to get lazy.
Solo Programmer’s last blog post..Capitalize on Accidental Traffic
Ooops, the culprit is here..lol..just joking.. Thanks Solo Programmer.. Yeah, although we don’t have to be so concious about grammar, but still, it’s a good practice to edit our post.. In the first place, it’s for our own good too..
hi! i hate grammar, minsan napipiga ang utak ko sa kaiisip sa grammar na yan…hehehehe…
idealpinkrose’s last blog post..pillows for a trip
Hi IdealPinkRose, how are you? hahahha.. ako din, I need to go back to my English 101..hehehehe..
ang sabi nga nila ok lang kahit wrong grammar basta naiintindihan. I have read a lot of blogs na most of the entries are not grammatically correct… pero they still gain good traffic and also good amount of greens. though it is still important na matuto ng tamang grammar, as it can help you convey your message effectively.
Tessa’s last blog post..Girls vs. Grown Women
Yup, you’re right Tessa, still, your idea remains the king although it’s also good to have a correct grammar..
ako hindi impeccable ang english ko. I need to go back to my english class. hehehe
redlan’s last blog post..Eta’s wedding ceremony @ Sta. Barbara church
Hahaha, pareho tayo, I have to go back to my English 101..
hey, joliber, thanks for the visit! I also had a post entitled “Edit,Edit and Edit”
ceblogger’s last blog post..Comment On This Post And Get A Chance To Win 250 Entrecard Credits
Thanks too Ceblogger, i’ll check it out..
i’ll check it out too ceblogger
SEOcontest2008’s last blog post..SEOcontest2008- The Filipino Way
Thanks for visiting..
for the messages to be passed in the right context, right grammar is essential. I have read a lot of blogs with horrible grammar, and I don’t understand the entry at all. Anyway, I feel if one is not good at English, then why not blog in their native language?
Farah’s last blog post..Down with flu!
THat’s a good point Farah..
Joliber Mapiles’s last blog post..What is The Big Deal About Blogs?
It depends on your audience - if your audience consists of teens barely able to scrap 3 words together that LACKS chatspeak, I suppose massive amounts of lousy grammar won’t be noticed.
But in every other case, how you write presents an accurate picture of the quality you have to deliver.
Data points,
Barbara
Barbara Ling (aka Owlbert)’s last blog post..Hat Tip to Darren Rowse, his commentors and Chris Brogan
THanks for sharing your thoughts Barbara..
Joliber Mapiles’s last blog post..What is The Big Deal About Blogs?
Yes, proofreading is definitely important. It never ceases to amaze me that so many bloggers never seem pay attention to their writing or even correct mistakes after posting. At least with blogging, we have the ability to correct typos or usage errors after publication, unlike the print media.
That.s right.. the good thing about blog is, you can edit right away..
Joliber Mapiles’s last blog post..What is The Big Deal About Blogs?
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