A few, ahem, years ago, I wrote a blog about a character I created for a college paper named Col. Writingpen. The blog post generated many comments and questions about grammar and syntax rules for “newer” writing platforms, such as e-mails, blogs and texts.
After years of pestering him, I have persuaded Col. Writingpen to come out of retirement and answer your questions. (That’s why this follow-up blog has taken so long.) With that, I’ll hand over this blog to the Colonel.
MKC writes:
Does each form of communication have its own grammar and syntax rules? When I instant message, I tend not to use capitalization or punctuation. But when I email, I always do, and find it frustrating when others don't. A grammatical double-standard?
Dear MKC,
Why yes, I do believe each form of communication has its own grammar and syntax rules; you have different tools at your disposal and varying restrictions on length of the communication. An abbreviation that would be appropriate in a text message might come off as lazy in an email.
Now, you mentioned two forms of communication that, more often than not, take place on the same platform – a standard desktop computing device. You, my dear, are one of the rare ones who holds email in such high regard.
I would say you are in the right by paying closer attention to your writing in an e-mail, and for many reasons. It’s so easy to type something the reader might interpret differently than what you meant; cattywampus grammar and punctuation only exacerbates the problem. This can lead to a confusing series of back-and-forth emails where neither of you knows what the other is trying to say anymore! Sure, the same thing can happen in an instant message, but those tend to be shorter and fleeting, more akin to a phone conversation where language is more casual and any confusion can be cleared up quickly.
Happy Communicating,
Col. Writingpen
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