If you plan to write a "letter to the editor"

[Bea-FL]

With the new regs about to plunge vaping into the dark ages many of us are writing letters to newspapers and public officials in an effort to clarify what vaping is and its effects. If you plan to do so please read on - it may help you write a letter that will get your point across as a person whose letter is worth considering and publishing rather than being dismissed as a rant.

I was chief editor for a peer-reviewed journal for several years and, as such, here is what I looked for in any article/letter submitted to me for publication (in no particular order):
1. Good grammar and spelling
2. Staying on subject
3. Accurate, verifiable published references
4. Article offering both points of view and clearly explaining why one side should be preferred
5. If possible, ending with a positive
6. No sweeping, sky-is-falling types of statements unless they are verifiable by published, respected sources
7. Personal opinions are acceptable as long as they are clearly stated as such.

Probably the most important of these is no. 3. We all have the right to our opinions but when we make statements we must be able to back them up with facts. Otherwise we risk being dismissed as just another crazy person - and that can hurt the cause for which we are fighting more or just as much as being quiet.

 

[RoseJ]

These are good tips, and true. I've had to write a few proposals in my life.

 

[Larry J]

Excellent post and excellent points. My personal favorite is #1, as I am considered by my friends and family to be a "grammar Nazi." There is another recent post to this forum urging people to sign a petition to the White House which I refuse to sign because it contains a grammatical error. Thanks for the post.

 

[retired1]

Excellent post and excellent points. My personal favorite is #1, as I am considered by my friends and family to be a "grammar Nazi." There is another recent post to this forum urging people to sign a petition to the White House which I refuse to sign because it contains a grammatical error. Thanks for the post.

That, and the blanket statement at the end that would be an automatic "tune out" for most.

I swear we're our worst enemy at times with the myriad of petitions, letters, etc. that all refer to various conspiracies without a shred of evidence to back it up. And then when the well written letter does turn up, it's immediately dismissed due to all the previous "noise" that has been submitted.

**sigh**

 

[Bea-FL]

Excellent post and excellent points. My personal favorite is #1, as I am considered by my friends and family to be a "grammar Nazi." There is another recent post to this forum urging people to sign a petition to the White House which I refuse to sign because it contains a grammatical error. Thanks for the post.

As an editor, no. 3 made or broke a submission so that's the reason I said it's the most important. On a personal level I agree with you. My biggest pet peeve is the apostrophe s thingy.

You'll appreciate this: Once, in the produce section of my local grocery store, I saw a sign above the tomatoes that said "tomatoe's" and I just couldn't stand it. I took out my red pen (editors always carry a red pen) and crossed the word out and rewrote it correctly while the produce manager stood there with his mouth open and my hubby was almost rolling on the floor laughing!

 

[retired1]

My biggest pet peeve is the apostrophe s thingy.

What? It's not someone's inability to use ensure and insure properly?

 

[Bea-FL]

What? It's not someone's inability to use ensure and insure properly?

Don't get me started, I could fill a page.

 

[retired1]

Just one?

 

[Bea-FL]

You would all enjoy reading this book: "Eats, shoots and leaves" by Lynne Truss. A small book about grammar and punctuation giving real-life examples that will have you howling. Google it - Amazon has it and I also saw it second hand on several sites.

 

[DC2]

I'm pretty hardcore about spelling, and the proper use of phrases.
I really don't give a fig about grammar though.

As for punctuation, I refuse to put the punctuation mark inside the quotes.
It's just wrong.

Strange folk we are.

 

[Alien Traveler]

...I took out my red pen (editors always carry a red pen)...

Do editors write on monitors?

 

[retired1]

Only when there's no more Wite Out.

 

[ScandaLeX]

Excellent post and excellent points. My personal favorite is #1, as I am considered by my friends and family to be a "grammar Nazi." There is another recent post to this forum urging people to sign a petition to the White House which I refuse to sign because it contains a grammatical error. Thanks for the post.

That, and the blanket statement at the end that would be an automatic "tune out" for most.

I swear we're our worst enemy at times with the myriad of petitions, letters, etc. that all refer to various conspiracies without a shred of evidence to back it up. And then when the well written letter does turn up, it's immediately dismissed due to all the previous "noise" that has been submitted.

**sigh**

Well, rather than play grammar Nazi I look at the effort. At least it's another person trying. They may not have seen their efforts as an automatic tune out. All over the place people are spouting on and on about doing their part for our right to vape but when someone does it in a way we wouldn't, instead of offering help we create threads about it.

 

[Bea-FL]

As for punctuation, I refuse to put the punctuation mark inside the quotes.
It's just wrong.

I sooo agree with you. It is not logical!

 

[Bea-FL]

Well, rather than play grammar Nazi I look at the effort. At least it's another person trying. They may not have seen their efforts as an automatic tune out. All over the place people are spouting on and on about doing their part for our right to vape but when someone does it in a way we wouldn't, instead of offering help we create threads about it.

I'm sorry to have upset you. I applaud the time and effort it takes to write these letters. However, based on my experience, I know how poorly written and/or non-referenced letters and articles can be perceived by their recipients, and that is why I started this thread - I thought it would be helpful to anyone taking the time to write them but who may not have had experience in writing formally on an important matter. In our everyday writings it probably makes no difference how we write - I too am guilty of misspellings - but we are fighting a serious battle here and we need all the help we can get. In no way was my thread meant to slight or offend anyone and I hope no one took it that way.

The rest of the posts in this thread are just fun among people who share another passion.

 

[Alien Traveler]

I'm sorry to have upset you. I applaud the time and effort it takes to write these letters. However, based on my experience, I know how poorly written and/or non-referenced letters and articles can be perceived by their recipients, and that is why I started this thread - I thought it would be helpful to anyone taking the time to write them but who may not have had experience in writing formally on an important matter. In our everyday writings it probably makes no difference how we write - I too am guilty of misspellings - but we are fighting a serious battle here and we need all the help we can get. In no way was my thread meant to slight or offend anyone and I hope no one took it that way.

The rest of the posts in this thread are just fun among people who share another passion.

Yes. Poorly written letters can make impression that vapers are a bunch of conspiracy theorists who are in a bad need of tin hats. Do we need it?

 

[Larry J]

You would all enjoy reading this book: "Eats, shoots and leaves" by Lynne Truss. A small book about grammar and punctuation giving real-life examples that will have you howling. Google it - Amazon has it and I also saw it second hand on several sites.

I have a couple of copies of "Eats Shoot and Leaves." One stays beside my easy chair at all times!

 

[sofarsogood]

With the new regs about to plunge vaping into the dark ages many of us are writing letters to newspapers and public officials in an effort to clarify what vaping is and its effects. If you plan to do so please read on - it may help you write a letter that will get your point across as a person whose letter is worth considering and publishing rather than being dismissed as a rant.

I was chief editor for a peer-reviewed journal for several years and, as such, here is what I looked for in any article/letter submitted to me for publication (in no particular order):
1. Good grammar and spelling
2. Staying on subject
3. Accurate, verifiable published references
4. Article offering both points of view and clearly explaining why one side should be preferred
5. If possible, ending with a positive
6. No sweeping, sky-is-falling types of statements unless they are verifiable by published, respected sources
7. Personal opinions are acceptable as long as they are clearly stated as such.

Probably the most important of these is no. 3. We all have the right to our opinions but when we make statements we must be able to back them up with facts. Otherwise we risk being dismissed as just another crazy person - and that can hurt the cause for which we are fighting more or just as much as being quiet.

I comment on many news stories. My favorite vehicle is disqus. There are lots of facebook comment sections. Usually the reasonable, articles, free of propaganda provide a place to respond. My points tend to lean toward common experiences or common sense that non smokers might be able to relate to. Usually the outrageous propaganda artcles have no opportunity to comment.

Peer reviewd journals usually require elaborate signups and vetting. I don't find them very often. They don't want to hear what the common folk have to say. Seems to me Dr. F and others with similar credentials are the people to take on those guys. The pervasive overwhelming slant in almost all press is negative. Perhaps many professionals in the appropriate fields think ecigs are a good idea but they don't speak out, perhaps to protect their funding and careers. My perception of science these days is it's a product tailored to the customer's exact specifications. Thankfully Copernicus, Galileao, and Einstein weren't funded by government grants. Neither was Jonas Salk and neither was Han Lic.

 

[Bea-FL]

Peer reviewd journals usually require elaborate signups and vetting. I don't find them very often. They don't want to hear what the common folk have to say. Seems to me Dr. F and others with similar credentials are the people to take on those guys. The pervasive overwhelming slant in almost all press is negative. Perhaps many professionals in the appropriate fields think ecigs are a good idea but they don't speak out, perhaps to protect their funding and careers. My perception of science these days is it's a product tailored to the customer's exact specifications. Thankfully Copernicus, Galileao, and Einstein weren't funded by government grants. Neither was Jonas Salk and neither was Han Lic.

You make many good points. And reading your post made me aware that some readers of my original post may think that I was advocating for vapers who want to defend vaping and clarify misconceptions about it to write their letters as one would write for a peer-reviewed publication. This was not my intention.

I only meant that, if facts are stated, they should be backed by reliable references. Facts without a reliable source might be dismissed as hearsay whereas facts backed by a respected reference pack a punch. A well written letter is easier to read and relatively easy these days with spell checkers on computers. Lastly, a well written, referenced letter is more likely to be perceived as worthy of consideration by its readers.

Our cause needs all the letters any of us are willing to write to, as well as any discussions we can have face to face with the decision makers … and we want to be perceived in a positive light.

 

[Just Me]

Thanks to my excellent school teachers, and the fact that I paid attention, I was well-trained in spelling, grammar, punctuation and composition. On the other hand, I have an everyday, casual style of speaking and writing, which is less than stellar. I was the egghead, geek, teacher's pet type for many years who finally decided that in order to be accepted, I had to be more "normal". I developed an affinity for the word "ain't" for a long time and still use it for expression, such as "That ain't gonna work!" Notice "gonna", too! I know better; I just adjust according to the audience.

When I was first introduced to the internet and started visiting recipe forums, I was appalled and could hardly hold myself back from correcting people. I would just cringe...and still do...when I read the misuse of homonyms (their, there, they're; to, too, two; etc. And there is the misuse of than and then, not to mention its and it's.

I have a family member who still says "I seen", no matter how many times I protest. I give up!

I do understand the premise that, when corresponding with very educated/important people, one must put one's best foot forward. I make every effort to do that when it matters.

I'm just not certain any of this will matter at all, unless the lawsuits prevail.