jophefs
09/13/07, 04:17 PM
Certain marks have been agreed upon by writers and printers so as to help readers to understand exactly what is meant by the written or printed page. The importance of these marks may be well shown in the two different meanings that may be attached to the following couplet found above a barber's door:
What do you think
I'll shave you for nothing and give you a drink
There were no points at all, but the passer-by naturally took the view that here was an unusually generous offer. He read What do you think? as an exclamation claiming attention to the promise that follows. After the shave the barber punctuated it for himself -- What! do you think I'll shave you for nothing and give you a drink?
the meaning of this sentence depends entirely upon its punctuation. This is regarded as bad quality. The best sentence is that which stands least in need of punctuation. It is impossible to do without it altogether, but the aim of the good writer is to depend upon it as little as possible.
What do you think
I'll shave you for nothing and give you a drink
There were no points at all, but the passer-by naturally took the view that here was an unusually generous offer. He read What do you think? as an exclamation claiming attention to the promise that follows. After the shave the barber punctuated it for himself -- What! do you think I'll shave you for nothing and give you a drink?
the meaning of this sentence depends entirely upon its punctuation. This is regarded as bad quality. The best sentence is that which stands least in need of punctuation. It is impossible to do without it altogether, but the aim of the good writer is to depend upon it as little as possible.