GTTP Lesson 5

Part l
Write a paragraph on whether writers need to know the rules of punctuation.
Yes, writers need to know the rules of punctuation.  The drawback for not knowing how to place punctuations correctly is a lousy write.  I don’t mean to be demeaning to anyone, but I have reviewed some pretty messed up work where I did nothing but pull out poor punctuation placement.  It takes a lot of my time, and I have better things to do with my time than to correct a rough draft.  But, alas, I love to help others, so I do.  They thank me, profusely, and give me a load of gift points, if they are generous, and I go on my merry way.

Part ll
Write a 300-500 word item in your port about how this course has made any changes to the way you write and review. If it hasn't, then just explain why. Put the bitem link in the appropriate thread.

Taking this course in punctuation has given me an advantage I otherwise would not have had if I hadn’t taken the class.  I am confident and realize I know where I need to put the punctuation in my writing and reviewing.  I have not done a lot of reviewing since I have signed up, but I am better equipped to do the job than before.

I have found I will stop and go over what I write very carefully to see if there are corrections to be made.  I know that it’s helpful reading the rules before I write a piece or review any work.  Even when using the proper punctuation becomes more natural to me I need to go over the rules often.  I didn’t have this advantage before taking this class.

The writing assignments have been a very helpful tool in learning correct placement.  This has actually helped me think through what I’m learning in the lessons; it gets into my mind better when I write it down on paper.  The ideas that have formed in my mind, from the lessons, seem to stick with me better when practiced this way. There is just something about this type of learning that helps me retain the knowledge better.

I find that I can pretty much recognize any needed punctuation just by reading what I am working on out loud.  I never really thought about where to place the punctuations much before I took this class.  I just did what seemed natural.  But that is not good enough anymore.  I want to be sure and I want to be accurate.  The rules I have handy are a time saver as well as a measuring stick.  If I fail to recognize a needed punctuation, as I am writing, I will catch it on the rebound when I reread a piece.  I know it sounds like I really know what I am doing.  This is not the case however.  I like to think I know what I am doing, but I know I still do not recognize everything like I should.  I am aware of my need to be on my toes and do a good job with what I have learned.  I realize it will be a slow process at first.  I need to keep working at getting better and not become lazy.