I question how we can ever secure world peace, when we can’t even agree on how to punctuate. And this is not only an international controversy—although it certainly possesses intercontinental ramifications.
Writers who have submitted their work to editors know exactly what I’m talking about. The world abounds with critics who are positive they know how to “fix” your manuscript, so you can more effectively communicate what you are trying to say.
A fine example of this is found in the case of Samuel Clemons. As I described several years ago, Mark Twain considered editors to be a plague. He sums up his irritation in a letter to a friend.
I give it up. These printers pay no attention to my punctuation. Nine-tenths of the labor & vexation put upon me by [them] consists in annihilating their ignorant & purposeless punctuation & restoring my own. This latest batch [also has] my punctuation ignored & their insanities substituted for it.
C.S. Lewis experienced similar challenges in working with his editors. In 1959, Lewis was responding to edits made by his longtime editor, Jocelyn Gibb, on the manuscript of The Four Loves.
I enclose my emendations, concessions, and resistances. . . . as regards my emendations, will you be so kind as to type them and send them to Harcourt Brace for the American edition. Otherwise we shall create a ‘textual problem.’
After arguing for several points of substance, Lewis offers a preemptive surrender on the field of punctuation. “Do anything you like (in reason) to the punctuation.” Lewis’ qualified capitulation was in response to this editorial comment from Gibb:
Do you really favour a comma before an “and” which seems to run all through? If so, why not: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
It’s curious Lewis’ editor would question his inclusion of commas in this manner, since it is not uncommon in British literature. In fact, punctuation in this context is often called an “Oxford comma.” You can read a decent discussion of the subject here. And, lest you deem it an inconsequential matter, check out this interesting article describing how it became “the crux of a $10 million class-action lawsuit . . .” The author of the article notes:
Many style guides, including the Chicago Manual of Style, American Psychological Association (APA), and American Medical Association (AMA), recommend the use of the Oxford comma to prevent ambiguity.
Yet others, including the AP style guide, Canadian Press (CP) style guide, and (shockingly) the University of Oxford style guide itself, use the Oxford comma only when a sentence could be misinterpreted by the reader without it.
Here’s the problem, though, for those who do not consistently use the Oxford comma: when writing a sentence, you don’t always realize that what you’re writing could be misinterpreted.
A Nineteenth Century Tribute to Punctuation
Punctuation can provide insights into a writer’s personality, as I have discussed here. Recently I encountered this personally published poem from 1861. You can download Ephemeral Effusions, the quaint volume in which it appears, at no cost via Internet Archive.
Easy Rules for Punctuation
Written for the amusement
of a valued Friend,
who was a great stickler
for correct punctuation.I.
Whene’er you pause, to dip the pen,
A comma you must place;
If at a loss to find a word,
A semicolon trace.II.
Should thoughts flow slowly, fill the gap
With colon, or with rest;
And when the sentence is complete,
A period answers best.III.
A bright idea always claims
A note of admiration;
And, if you doubt, a crooked mark
Implies interrogation.IV.
Inverted commas indicate,
Your wits are at an end;
And, your ideas failing,
You borrow from a friend.V.
Parenthesis (example take),
I won’t say much about;
It guards a sentence, which sometimes
Had better be left out.VI.
The little star of secrecy,
Tho’ last, not least in fame,
Is aide-de-camp to mystery,
And asterisk its name.These rules are all so clear,
they need no explanation;
And constitute the art
of modern punctuation.
Mere Inkling Press 
What a delight that punctuation poem is. Great find.
You’ve gotta love Twain – and identify with the frustration.
These days details can be really important…as in contracts, privacy notices….
(There last work place was insistent on AP guide, even if…oh, well. Good to have a sense of humor.)
Glad you enjoyed the post. We are surrounded by words (and punctuation) all day long. We can’t escape. So, let’s make the best of it… and find humor where we can.
I like the poem, and I love my Oxford commas.
My early education taught me not to use the Oxford comma–but to always read the sentence again to ensure it didn’t require an additional comma.
I’ve noticed I over-comma a bit.
Oh, don’t worry, because I’ve been accused of the same, myself, often.
Reblogged this on Vijayagiri views.
Happy you passed it along.
That’s a great article and the poem hmmm…. that’s just so lovely to end!
Nineteenth century poetry is apparently an acquired taste!
And, I didn’t mention this in the column, the book was privately printed.
Hi Rob,
Super stuff. I understand the importance of punctuation, but the finer points can make your head spin. That poem was helpful.
Thank you,
Gary
On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 8:59 PM Mere Inkling Press wrote:
> robstroud posted: ” I question how we can ever secure world peace, when we > can’t even agree on how to punctuate. And this is not only an international > controversy—although it certainly possesses intercontinental ramifications. > Writers who have submitted their work t” >
The “finer points of grammar…” Sounds like the title of a very boring book.
I try to follow the rules, but I enjoy points where we have latitude. And I try to avoid the company of Grammar Nazis.
Some people love it.
That they do.
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I fear the rules of grammar and punctuation have gone by the wayside. Of course, language is constantly evolving. It may be that we are in a transitional phase. Shakespeare added words and phrases to the lexicon the world had not known before.
I think you are exactly right, Anna, using the word “constantly.” There may be times where societies are more resistant to linguistic evolution, but I doubt anyone has ever successfully stifled it.
This post has made my day!
In my early education, I was taught to use an Oxford comma if required. This creates trouble for me because I struggle to determine when my sentences need it and when it doesn’t. I think for consistency’s sake and to prevent ambiguity I will opt to use Oxford in my future writing. The graphic image makes it understandable. I will remember the Washington rhinoceros and Lincoln rhinoceros. I’m grateful the algorithm suggested this post. What a fun poem too.
What an encouraging comment! Thank you. I’m delighted you not only enjoyed the post… but that it also possessed a direct application to your writing!
Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Lynne Truss
Interesting. I had never heard of it. Since she worked for BBC, I’m assuming she endorses the Oxford comma, which I have an affinity for, myself.