So, I have this nun for an English teacher. She's a great teacher, very strict, however, and she has us do a bunch of things when editing our compositions. including: Making sure there are no sentences that start with subjects No being verbs (at all) No also; firstly;seconndly; etc. to start a sentence No repeating sentence openers and some other stuff. Anyone have any idea why? some things are understandable...but, still, theres alot which is just...weird...
This is the way I had editing described to me: The editor is not a man in the tweed suit who says, "We've let the creator run riot, now lets make it all organised." That is not the editor, that's the ego in disguise, trying to hide your true self. The editor is a warrior who cuts away all that which is not fully present. Everything else is left. Blessings Sebbi
There's no much reason at all. I mean, I can understand why they want to teach you perfect grammar, but as far as I'm aware there's nothing wrong with those things. Moreover, the best writers have been those who break those conventions (most notably Shakespeare, who invent something like 1500 words). The sentence opener thing is a good exercise though. It makes for more interesting reading if sentences are varied in composition. However, if she's also restricting your sentence opening, that seems a bit harsh/self-defeating.
1) No being verbs (at all) 2) No also; firstly;seconndly; etc. to start a sentence 3) No repeating sentence openers and some other stuff. ----- The general answer to all is the same- those proscibed items tend to make for a boring read. More specifically: The 1st one is case specific and not usually called for. The 2nd is aurgumentive- are you trying to pound your point agaisnt opposition? The 3rd is just plain montonous. Like someone who kepts repeating, "you know...", in a conversation. As for the 4th- you can bet they are legitimate concerns for anyone wishing to produce quality on-demand writing.
Well, I'm an excellent editor myself and my dream is to finally end up in journalism school, then land a job at a paper, build a career as an international reporter and finally, when I'm all grey and hoary, become a daily's chief editor somewhere. There is absolutely nothing wrong with starting a sentence with 'firstly' or 'secondly.' Many fine arguments depend upon the terminology. Skilled writers also depend on adroit repetition and restated openers can be used with withering effect. She might be teaching you her methods but they are- her methods.
This: Firstly, a jounalist is supposed to objectively report the news, NOT argue his or her point. Secondly, "skilled writers" do not use repitious sentence openers. "Firstly" and "secondly" make it sound like a lecture. Or a junior high essay. Or this: A jounalist primary duty is to objectively report the news, NOT argue his or her point. In addition, a journalist must posses a vocabulary large enough to avoid repitious sentence openers. much better- and far more professional.
You're wrong on all accounts. A journalist, who is a columnist, and an editor, who is simply the best of these, offers opinion. Opinion is always subjective but good opinion is also informed. Don't mistake front page coverage with journalism. It's merely one part of it. Raw news is sterile and objective but that (copy editing) is not my goal. You've got a lot to learn.
You lack the knowledge and experience you pretend to; I spent two years as a journalism student at Carolina, and have worked as a paid editor, critic, ghost writer, and screenwriter. That makes me a professional. An editor is the best writer? Nonsense! Although in this case the Writer is clearly the best editor.
Well, I haven't the experience you say you have but I do have two university level journalism courses completed already and while sidetracked at college (to help out my family's business) I have every intention of going on full time towards a jouralism degree when this present stint is finished. And editors are the master writers a newspaper employs. They're hardy, experienced, and they've proven their worth in the field before they ever get a chance at a major daily's helm. Their leadership is legion; they have the privilege to both inform and champion their readers. Hmmm, you missed the malapropism in my last entry. You should have jumped on it. It's time for this 'professional' to go back to school!
"Alas, me thinks you protest to much!". You must learn to learn and to take critism from those more qualified than you. Therein lies the path to education; and when the day comes that you can walk the walk and not just mumble the talk, I shall salute you!
Well, I've never mumbled. But thanks for the salute, even if it is to be given at a future date. Though something tells me this one is going to have an ornithological origin.
