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View Poll Results: Punctuation Slapdown 2007
. 2 10.00%
? 5 25.00%
?! 4 20.00%
... 1 5.00%
$ 0 0%
0 0%
Ł 2 10.00%
~ 3 15.00%
° 0 0%
3 15.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 05-21-2007, 01:17 PM   #1
Folwren
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I think the question mark is better.
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Old 05-21-2007, 02:57 PM   #2
Finduilas
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I think the question mark is better.
My sentence was a statement, not a comment, therefore, for once in my life, I was gramatically(sp) correct(whatever Foley may think ).
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Old 05-21-2007, 03:20 PM   #3
The Sixth Wizard
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(sigh) Get thine thread going already!

F.ex.

Eragon = Pretty good for a 15 year old author but copied Tolkien a bit.

Eragon Movies = RUBBISH.

Someone elaborate on that.

Last edited by The Sixth Wizard; 05-21-2007 at 09:27 PM.
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Old 05-21-2007, 03:37 PM   #4
The Might
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One thing I like here is the close relationship between J.K.Rowling and the HP movie-makers. She was always consulted and also pointed out what things should definitely be shown, and which not. Of course this was no longer possible when the New Line films were made, but even when Mr. Zimmerman made his version, Tolkien wasn't consulted, as can be noticed in the Letters where he points out many mistakes made. I'm not such a great HP fan, but I definitely like the fact the movies depict the world created by JKR so well.
As far as mythologies are concerned...maybe you can make yourself a bit more clear...not really sure what you mean.
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Old 05-21-2007, 03:40 PM   #5
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Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!
In my humble opinion, '?' is to be preferred, leaving as it does a sense of the mystery, of searching out the unknown, of the pursuit of further knowledge. By contrast '.' is almost an obscenity, declaring as it does that there is no more to be said, a prejudicial epithet to the yearning of the human psyche to discover, to explore.

While '.' carries the ultimate simplicity of a full-stop, the elegance of a single point in space, it is nevertheless the cold finality of the finishing of a thought expressed, allowing no extension and brooking no opposition. '?' leaves open the possibility of a '.' to be had in the future, perhaps at the end of all things, but to assert '.' from our limited perspective at present is mere presumption.
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Old 05-21-2007, 03:47 PM   #6
Finduilas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thenamir
In my humble opinion, '?' is to be preferred, leaving as it does a sense of the mystery, of searching out the unknown, of the pursuit of further knowledge. By contrast '.' is almost an obscenity, declaring as it does that there is no more to be said, a prejudicial epithet to the yearning of the human psyche to discover, to explore.

While '.' carries the ultimate simplicity of a full-stop, the elegance of a single point in space, it is nevertheless the cold finality of the finishing of a thought expressed, allowing no extension and brooking no opposition. '?' leaves open the possibility of a '.' to be had in the future, perhaps at the end of all things, but to assert '.' from our limited perspective at present is mere presumption.
Was that addressed to me? Or Bethberry?

Oh, and back up there, I meant question not comment. So sorry...
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Old 05-21-2007, 04:08 PM   #7
Thenamir
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Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Thenamir has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!
<sigh> The fine art of sarcasm is lost.
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Old 05-21-2007, 04:34 PM   #8
Finduilas
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Originally Posted by Thenamir
<sigh> The fine art of sarcasm is lost.
Only over the internet. But really, when you are sarcastic, your sarcasm is usually pointed towards someone, and was yours directed towards me, Bethberry, or Folwren?
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Old 05-21-2007, 05:10 PM   #9
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Quote:
In my humble opinion, '?' is to be preferred, leaving as it does a sense of the mystery, of searching out the unknown, of the pursuit of further knowledge. By contrast '.' is almost an obscenity, declaring as it does that there is no more to be said, a prejudicial epithet to the yearning of the human psyche to discover, to explore.
I quite agree with you, but you should follow your own counsel. While Eomer's contribution conveys a piquant sense of loss, while at the same time expressing a sense of hope that answers may yet be found, your addition of the "!" exagerrates the essential tone of the original statement by introducing a sense of bravado, outrage even, which punctuates the fragile mystery and thus brings the poignancy of the moment crashing brutally down in an exclamatory cacophony of despair.
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Old 07-08-2007, 09:49 AM   #10
Rikae
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thenamir View Post
While '.' carries the ultimate simplicity of a full-stop, the elegance of a single point in space, it is nevertheless the cold finality of the finishing of a thought expressed, allowing no extension and brooking no opposition. '?' leaves open the possibility of a '.' to be had in the future, perhaps at the end of all things, but to assert '.' from our limited perspective at present is mere presumption.
Is that your final statement?
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Old 07-09-2007, 12:10 PM   #11
Bęthberry
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Full Stop -- not

This being post # 72 on this thread, such evidence would, I think, put to rest Thenamir's objections to my original . .

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thenamir View Post
In my humble opinion, '?' is to be preferred, leaving as it does a sense of the mystery, of searching out the unknown, of the pursuit of further knowledge. By contrast '.' is almost an obscenity, declaring as it does that there is no more to be said, a prejudicial epithet to the yearning of the human psyche to discover, to explore.

While '.' carries the ultimate simplicity of a full-stop, the elegance of a single point in space, it is nevertheless the cold finality of the finishing of a thought expressed, allowing no extension and brooking no opposition. '?' leaves open the possibility of a '.' to be had in the future, perhaps at the end of all things, but to assert '.' from our limited perspective at present is mere presumption.
Just look at the plethora of positions, points of view, and punctuation pecadillos which that . prompted to explanation and elaboration and extenuation. Proof positive that there is no finality, no limit upon the ingenuity of Downers who never leave a thought finished.

Truly we Dead do belong to the endlessness of Infinity.


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Old 07-09-2007, 12:23 PM   #12
alatar
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Originally Posted by Bęthberry View Post
Truly we Dead do belong to the endlessness of Infinity.
All that flowery language aside, you forgot to factor in the facility for a few of we Dead to flog hoary failed fallen fathers of foals.

And !? looks too much like a futuristic 'R' for my endorsement.
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Old 07-09-2007, 12:40 PM   #13
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You surprise me, Firefoot. Being such a great writer as you are, surely you know that "?!" is not legal, so far as grammar and its laws are concerned?
Of course. But grammar has also always been frightfully dull to me... sometimes informal illegalities are needed to spice it up. See, look at this post - "of course" is a fragment, and the next sentence starts with a conjunction. "!?" fits nicely into that little club.
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Old 07-17-2007, 11:15 AM   #14
Bęthberry
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≈ ≈ ≈

Quote:
Originally Posted by alatar View Post
All that flowery language aside, you forgot to factor in the facility for a few of we Dead to flog hoary failed fallen fathers of foals.

And !? looks too much like a futuristic 'R' for my endorsement.

There is, of course, always a caveat to such flogging. When it is done creatively and imaginatively it will fulfil the prime edict of comedy, which is to provide the unexpected, the unanticipated, the unforeseen, a shock which wakes up the old failed fallen fathers of foals and gets them moving again. A veritable ؛ ؛


However, when it tends to ride that fallen father of foals as an aged hobby horse, ad finitum, well, then of course it does create the yawning gap of tedium whereby the one trick pony doubtless would be better off in a glue factory. Such a symbol would indeed be a black hole, aka, a bullet in the brain of delight •
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