I second that, as a Journalism major who paid attention in English and =
History, but not in any class with numbers, this is a point of =
contention settled long ago with most folks. YOU are correct (unless =
your grade counts on it, then I wouldn't argue much) In this case, write =
AS spoken, i.e. "An MGB". The sticklers will get you on this technically =
as laid out in the old books, but awkward writing (a MGB) opposes GOOD =
writing, and defeats the purpose. Smooth prose and diction is =
accomplished with "speaking" to the reader, not stopping them in mid =
sentence with crap that makes them say, "Wha??? that doesn't sound =
right!"=20
At least now you know the difference, which is why you're in school. If =
she's not a "dope", she was trying to get you to argue your point and =
think on your feet! You might give her the benefit of the doubt and ask =
if that was the point and make some "brownie points" along the way!
I'm sure those who devoutly stick to the "Queen's English" will flame =
me, along with the Journalism haters everywhere. (I tend to be one of =
them, that's why I emphasized my major in photojournalism as soon as I =
could.)
Dan
----------
From: Andy Ramm
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 1997 5:40 PM
To: Kai Radicke
Cc: MG List
Subject: Re: MG/Grammar
Kai,
For you, my friend, I have gone to the oracle, the keeper of all
editorial knowlege that is good and wise, the mistress of grammar, the
high priestess of English usage..... my sister.
She edits some lesser-known national columnists like, oh, uh, Ann
Landers, Dear Abbey, Robert Novak, Robert Fulgum, Hillary Clinton, Molly
Ivans, etc... She was editor of the UCLA literary review as an
undergrad and graduated with honors in English Literature.
She thinks your teacher is a dope and has no business teaching English.
Andy
PS -- I own an MG and another MG and an additional MG. =20
Kai Radicke wrote:
>=20
> OK, I have a really stupid question...
>=20
> my English teacher was having a cow (or a Triumph) about me using "an =
MG"
> in a sentence I wrote. I don't think I have ever seen "a MG" in my =
life,
> it just sounds dumb. My teacher does have a point, but anyone know =
why we
> do this?
> <SNIP>
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