How to encourage proper punctuation?

**AnnCP** · 03-14-2007, 01:35 PM

I seem be having some trouble with people that cannot or will not use capital letters and periods.

It's annoying. Myself and my mods are trying to lead by example but so far it's not having much effect. I don't really like the look this gives off to new members. It makes the board seem child-like if more then a few people can't grasp basic punctuation. That isn't the impression I want to leave lurkers with.

How do you suggest I resolve this? The members in question are otherwise very good additions to the board so I don't want to drive them away. It's just this darn spelling issue.

**Will** · 03-14-2007, 01:44 PM

You could add bad word filters or whatever they are called to make "didnt" into "didn't" and "i" to "I" and so on..

And if you don't want to do that I think you should just try to ignore it

**Joy** · 03-14-2007, 01:49 PM

You'd be surprised how many people aren't very good at spelling so it's a tough one because you don't want to hurt their feelings. I had a problem with text talk on my forum so I just added a little note to the forum rules

Quote:

Posts should be in English only. Non-English posts may be removed. Instant Messaging/phone text lingo is not appreciated so please avoid using it at the forums.

**AnnCP** · 03-14-2007, 02:05 PM

I can understand the spelling issue. I can't spell to save my life and would be lost without google to check words on.

It's those darn capital letters and lack of periods and that annoy me to no end.

**Magnetism** · 03-14-2007, 04:34 PM

Some people just aren't too good at spelling and grammer, etc. You have to remember that some people on your forums might not speak English as their first language. Just add a section to your rules or PM the members involved and ask them if they would spend a little more time and care when making posts.

**Moelman** · 03-14-2007, 05:43 PM

If they're not trying, thats one thing. Maybe you can PM them and ask if they can make their messages more comprehensible. But if English isn't their first language then there isn't much you can do.

**RedMatrix** · 03-15-2007, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnCP

I can understand the spelling issue. I can't spell to save my life and would be lost without google to check words on.

It's those darn capital letters and lack of periods and that annoy me to no end.

Punctuation and Grammar, *not* spelling, is your problem. It's a tuff kawl.

Someone should make a script that would send a post through a spell checker before being posted. They would then have to edit it and the next time, make more effort as to not go through that part of the process. It could even be group specific.

**Ant** · 03-15-2007, 11:54 AM

If a forum told me my writing style wasn't appropiate and i needed to improve i would probably be insulted and leave. I think it's an issue as admins we just need to put up with.

**Caddyman** · 03-15-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant

If a forum told me my writing style wasn't appropiate and i needed to improve i would probably be insulted and leave. I think it's an issue as admins we just need to put up with.

+1

I don't want to sound harsh, but i really doubt any lurker is reading a post and saying to themselves "man, I can't BELIEVE they didn't capitalize that 'I'" IMO its a non-issue.

Raptor · 03-25-2007, 08:23 PM

I'm a spelling, punctuation and grammar stickler, but after a lengthy discussion we are agreed that it's unwise to be too picky.
Some posters are too easily upset if attention is drawn to their faults and there are always dyslexics and those with learning difficulties to consider.

We're considering installing a spellchecker, but doubt if many would bother to use it.

03-14-2007, 01:35 PM	#1
AnnCP Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 274	How to encourage proper punctuation? I seem be having some trouble with people that cannot or will not use capital letters and periods. It's annoying. Myself and my mods are trying to lead by example but so far it's not having much effect. I don't really like the look this gives off to new members. It makes the board seem child-like if more then a few people can't grasp basic punctuation. That isn't the impression I want to leave lurkers with. How do you suggest I resolve this? The members in question are otherwise very good additions to the board so I don't want to drive them away. It's just this darn spelling issue. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Discuss the show!

03-14-2007, 01:44 PM	#2
Will Forum Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maryland, US Posts: 2,138	You could add bad word filters or whatever they are called to make "didnt" into "didn't" and "i" to "I" and so on.. And if you don't want to do that I think you should just try to ignore it __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* Submit your sites -> *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

03-14-2007, 02:05 PM	#4
AnnCP Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 274	I can understand the spelling issue. I can't spell to save my life and would be lost without google to check words on. It's those darn capital letters and lack of periods and that annoy me to no end. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Discuss the show!

03-14-2007, 04:34 PM	#5
Magnetism Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 178	Some people just aren't too good at spelling and grammer, etc. You have to remember that some people on your forums might not speak English as their first language. Just add a section to your rules or PM the members involved and ask them if they would spend a little more time and care when making posts. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-14-2007, 05:43 PM	#6
Moelman The Webmaster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 3,328	If they're not trying, thats one thing. Maybe you can PM them and ask if they can make their messages more comprehensible. But if English isn't their first language then there isn't much you can do. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - The Largest LucasArts Gaming Community on the Internet To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - tell me your comments! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Your #1 place to discuss all things World of Warcraft.

03-15-2007, 11:54 AM	#8
Ant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Christchurch, Dorset Posts: 118	If a forum told me my writing style wasn't appropiate and i needed to improve i would probably be insulted and leave. I think it's an issue as admins we just need to put up with. __________________ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

03-25-2007, 08:23 PM	#10
Raptor Lurker Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5	I'm a spelling, punctuation and grammar stickler, but after a lengthy discussion we are agreed that it's unwise to be too picky. Some posters are too easily upset if attention is drawn to their faults and there are always dyslexics and those with learning difficulties to consider. We're considering installing a spellchecker, but doubt if many would bother to use it.

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