I think I need some fairly basic help, I need to do a lot of work on my punctuation, the aspect of writing that I have always neglected. What I write seems ok until it comes to, for instance, critique. I am then presented with a horrifying gallery of errors that leaves me hovering between embarrassment and wondering how some managed to slip by me.
Can someone suggest how I should begin to deal with this? Is there any particularly recommended books? I have looked online and found a few sites with the basics, but not with the depth of subject required.
I wonder if as you have read this you started to pick punctuation mistakes out?
Failing all this, am I desperate enough for someone to feel pity and start a punctuation & grammer group?

You make it sound so awful... and you have such touching faith in your reviewers' abilities...

Anyway, I think one EmmaD recommended these in a thread somewhere:

This is very good:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Penguin-Guide-Punctuation-Reference-Books/dp/0140513663

This is positively frightening and not a good place for the faint of heart, such as myself:
http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780140514643,00.html?/The_Penguin_Dictionary_of_English_Grammar_R._L._Trask

This irritates me beyond belief with some of its non-English assumptions that are, to me, utterly wrong, but is quite amusing nonetheless:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mind-Gaffe-Penguin-Common-English/dp/0140514767

G

<Added>

PS: You could suggest a Punctuation and Grammar group yourself by clicking on the button on the groups page?

Thanks Gaius.
I have sent off for the first book in that list of recommendations

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=crystal+david+grammar

Try one of these books on grammar by David Crystal.

And try not to worry too much. If you spend a lot of time writing and critting and receiving crit you will probably pick it up. From your msg your grammar doesn't look scarily bad at all - maybe needs just a little brushing up.

Deb

Thanks for those words, Debbie.
They are most reassuring and I will keep that book link as it might be useful to get at some point.

Lucy, I'd join the group. I struggle with this side of writing - I struggle with it all actually but this scares me the most. Someone recommened the childrens' version of Eats, Shoots and Leaves. I would like one written with dyslexics in mind.

Fia

I was recommended this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Getting-Point-Panic-free-English-Punctuation/dp/0863155677/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277499585&sr=1-1

which is fun, and explains clearly, though the design doesn't make it the easiest thing to use. It does have exercises, which seems a bit juvenile, but actually it's often easier and more productive to tackle things like this separate from the piece you're trying to write at the moment, before you try to join the two up.

Emma

Ok Riff-raff, I will propose a group and see if we get the required members, we can help each other and with luck, attract one or two people who can help and advise along the way.

Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss.
It explains all sorts of gramatical points and it's *funny*.

Which is the very best book for explaining what a sentence is and what one isn't?

Jem, I really like Oxford Everyday Grammar, by John Seely. It's very clear about what the building blocks of a sentence are, and when it's a whole one and when it isn't.

Emma

Thanks Emma. Need to recommend something to a student.

Hi there

I think a lot of people struggle with basic punctuation. Personally I am not a great fan of books on the subject although I do, when necessary, dip in and out of books to check something. The problem I find with a lot of books is that the given examples don't always seem to answer the question I am asking, often leaving me as unsure as to a particular point of grammar as I was before I looked it up!

I think a group designed to address such issues is a good idea, although I am not quite sure how it would work. There is already a technique forum where people post queries and I can only see a group working if people with reasonable knowledge of grammar are happy to devote time to helping out.

Would members upload pieces of work as in other groups, but request critiques that concentrated on punctuaion rather than on creative content? Is that the basic idea, or would members just post questions?

Personally I would think that uploading work might be of the greatest benefit, as then questions of punctuation would relate to context, and therefore might be easier to understand and remember.

I'd be interested to hear how the group might work. Ideas anyone?

Mand

Welcome back Mand, I thought you'd gone forever!

Thanks Gaius

I had gone forever, but the best laid plans...

Missed you so much that I might just slide on back to IC if you'll have me!

Mand