I just want to let you know I couldn’t get your site—http://raymondwhiteside.com/—to load. Just a heads up.

Thanks for commenting!

EDIT: Actually, it says it does not exist. I guess that is why it wouldn’t load.

Right on!

Whether to put a period at the end of each list item is a good debate for grammar geeks. If I have a list of items, like a grocery list, I don’t use periods. However, if the list items are long and more like sentences, they definitely get periods. The main thing is to either use periods on all list items or none so your style is consistent

Another great resource is Grammar Girl blog/podcast. Short, sweet, and incredibly informative!

Keep up the great work on Performancing. I’m now a subscriber.

As for the serial comma, I do believe that it looks better and is more logical. I also use the comma to avoid ambiguity.

That’s just me though.

It is actually a great resource for any writer though.

One thing I always have to force myself to remember: style manuals are not necessarily right or wrong. For example, the CMS uses the serial comma, but Associated Press style doesn’t. For that reason, you really can’t say, “Yes, use of the serial comma is correct,” or “No, use of the serial comma is wrong.” It’s a matter of opinion, to some degree.

I always thought that if I wrote something that people understood, or gave my opinion which was easily understood, that I was doing a good job writing. However, you have proven that there is much more to writing than just having the reader understand what you are saying.

Q. In a list of bulleted points where some are complete sentences and some are not, do you put a period at the end of a sentence, but not the list, or periods after all bulleted points, or none at all?

A. I’m afraid you won’t like my answer: this situation is not covered in CMOS because in a list of bulleted points all the items should be styled with the same syntax, either sentences or sentence fragments.

If you are one of those people who love to go crazy with lists, just remember to either have each item end with a period (thus, all content making up at least one complete sentence) or without a period (each item is not a complete sentence).

Q. Which is currently accepted: Web site, web site, website, or Website?

A. A lot of people are writing “website.” A lot of people have come to prefer “website.” But formal usage still calls for “Web site,” in recognition of the initiatives of the World Wide Web Consortium (write “Web-site” as an adjective). The most elaborately formal modern American publication I can think of, the New Yorker, still writes “Web site,” but then again, they also write “E-mail,” “coördinate,” and “reëxamine”—they are very particular. We at Chicago are very particular too, and we recommend “Web site.” But our press as a whole is not in the position of publishing a single, unified publication—such as a magazine. It is easier to apply a set of standard rules and never vary from them for one publication, but rules applying to all sorts of books, articles, and other writing must be a little more flexible. Moreover, when a word gets used a lot it tends to lose any awkward edges (and what could be more awkward than a compound formed of one capitalized word and one lowercased word?). Each new book that appears on the scene presents an opportunity for an author to express a usage preference or to demonstrate a familiarity with changing usage.

But generally, I would recommend “Web site” for formal writing, but “website” for informal writing or friendly writing. Unless, of course, you prefer “Web site” even when you’re being friendly.

Ironically, I thought “Website” was the correct formal usage. I was, apparently, wrong. I did not learn of this until yesterday.

It just fascinates me. I think I even made my girlfriend question if I was beyond obsessed after telling her about this.

I actually haven’t hit the buy button just yet to purchase the 15th Edition of The Chicago Manual of Style yet (I want to check out my local book store to see if they have any deals), but I am definitely going to be picking it up soon.

I think every blogger should have access to the CMOS. I only wish the site was accessible for free. It really is an impressive item to have in a writer’s/blogger’s toolbox, and it is quickly becoming one of my most frequented sites.

It is actually a great site to just read. It makes me want to learn more. (Again, I show my true inner geek.) Sure, the navigation could be a little bit better, but other than that, it is fantastic.

Again, thanks for the comment!

P.S. Melissa, your blog really has a great look and great content. Keep it up!