Comments on: Writing About History

By: logos

logos — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:15:35 +0000

The first poster does make a valid point. If it is inappropriate to use “BC” and “AD,” then it must be equally inappropriate to use the numeral that traditionally accompanies those abbreviations. After all, the numeral is based on the belief that the clock started at or near the birth of Christ. To say that it is “2007 CE” still connotes the birth of Christ roughly 2007 years ago, albeit in a less frank manner.

Here is a compromise: if someone asserts that the current year is 2007, then AD is appropriate; on the other hand, if someone asserts that the current year is something other than 2007, then some other marker is appropriate. Splicing the number of the year from the very basis of its calculation is more nonsensical than “sensitive.”

By: Beth Jones

Beth Jones — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:03:43 +0000

I think a tip on how to use quotations would be nice. Example: The word “preach” in an earlier post should be in bold — not in quotations. Now, that’s useful info!! A segment on how people regularly overuse and misuse quotations would be a truly useful bit of information. This might actually improve someone’s writing. Purpose of this blog?

By: Caroline

Caroline — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:55:22 +0000

As writers, we must always have an open mind to other ways of referencing and writing something, as opposed to our own beliefs. The adage of “write what you know” changes when we endeavour to expand our horizons.

This writing tip is not so much to “preach” one way of referencing something, but more for us to understand the different ways in which we do so! Will it scar you forever to understand that some people prefer BCE or CE rather than BC and AD? No, likely not. But will you understand the differences the next time you see them in texts you read? Yes. Will you now understand Jewish and Muslim calendars better if you see them in writing? Of course!

For instance, we were taught in our grammar classes of old that the AD or BC always went after the year. This article states differently, causing me to look it up in my Style Guide. Now, when I am writing about something wherein I have to reference the era, I will be able to do so correctly.

I think this is the intent of this tip, as a way to educate, and introduce people to the different ways our world denotes the passage of years and time.

To say that one was is better than any other is to lose our true learning objectivity as writers, and negates our ability to form our opinions once we have all the knowledge. It does not matter if we are Christian (which I am), Muslim, Jewish, or Agnostic.

Thanks for a great tip!

By: obudjo2

obudjo2 — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:47:30 +0000

Mike, you did an execllent job of clarifying the bigoted hypocrisy of those moving away from BC and AD; Maeve, you only proved Mike’s point; JLB, other people may be the CATALYST for driving you away from Christianity, but you need to examine yourself for the real reason.

By: Beth Jones

Beth Jones — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 17:11:41 +0000

I’ve subscribed to this newsletter for about two weeks now. So far, I’ve yet to read anything that’s actually useful to daily writing. I’d rather hear discussions about dangling participles, the controversial use of commas in certain situations, how to write clearly, etc. These conversations never get old when it comes to daily writing whether it’s professional or not. A page long essay on B.C. and A.D. is pretty much useless compared to many other much more important issues in writing. Get in touch with what people want and need to learn about in regards to daily writing, please.