Ist Annual Eastern US Escape Rally 9/26-9/28/14-Pine Grove, Pa

[Ray N]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Why even include the word Annual or Inaugural in the title? We don't for the Oregon Gathering and this year will be the eleventh. I don't think they do for the Bluebonnet or Bolerama either. i can't even remember how many NOGs we've had. Maybe sixteen or so? Doesn't matter, each one is fun and each one though similar... is different. YMMV

Good point.

[dbailey]

It's been a long winter...

[cpaharley2008]

How about Eastern Escape Rally, Finally

[Klohmann]

I like it!

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Ray N

"First annual" is fine as long as it is intended to be an annual event.

Not according to any editor I've ever worked with.

[abby]

One might consider that whatever the technical shortcoming of "1st Annual", it possess a certain charm in its aspirational effect.

Glenn

[Ray N]

The question of whether or not “first annual” is proper style makes me want to bring something up that isn't exactly on this topic, but is something that I found extremely valuable over the past several decades.

For anyone who has need of exact writing, or just a passing curiosity about proper usage, let me suggest a wonderful book, Roy H. Copperud's American Usage and Style: The Consensus. I stumbled across this book (first edition), many years ago and found it to be more valuable than any of the several other style guides that I had been using in my work and studies. In this book Copperud looks at the leading authorities, style guides, and dictionaries, and comes up with a consensus on what is and is not correct. Over the years of using this book, I found it very striking that there was so much disagreement among the experts on what is or is not correct. I should also mention that there is a surprising difference in “correctness” between Canada and the US. After using this book for over thirty years I passed it on to my youngest son to hopefully help him with his work in graduate school.

I know that in this day of “Goggling” things, it isn't popular to use books, but this one was worth its weight in gold to me, (well, at least silver).

American Usage and Style: The Consensus: Roy H. Copperud: 9780442249069: Amazon.com: Books

Oh, and according to Copperud, “first annual” is correct. The objection to it is, in his words, “...just another journalistic superstition...”

[gbaglo]

Usage is a powerful thing. The more it gets used, the more it becomes the norm. Take "career" and "careen". To "career" is to swerve (out of control ) and to "careen" is to lean ( think sailboat ). But thanks to common usage, the proper word "career" has been replaced by "careen" ( even in dictionary definitions ).
I like the description "journalistic superstition". Another would be "the intersection has seen a lot of accidents". In fact the intersection hasn't seen anything ( unless, I guess it's equipped with red-light cameras ).

[thoer]

A friend of mine (retired English teacher) is annoyed whenever a waiter asks her how her food is tasting.

[escape artist]

Hi: All... There's quite a difference in the Queens English, English, and American English.
I still have trouble when I resume my resume. Didn't know I needed it for retirement!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
Ft. Myers Beach Florida for now

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Ray N

For anyone who has need of exact writing, or just a passing curiosity about proper usage, let me suggest a wonderful book, Roy H. Copperud's American Usage and Style: The Consensus.

For anyone who finds this stuff interesting (I realize that isn't everyone), a classic humourous take on the subject of proper punctuation (rather than a straight reference text) is Eats, Shoots & Leaves, by Lynne Truss. The joke which inspired the title is priceless.

Now, back to the subject... what was that?

[Donna D.]

Oh please Ray. Roy H. Copperud's American Usage and Style: The Consensus is nothing more than ANOTHER style guide. He just wrote a book based on what's the most popular.

I got my Master's in 2009 and had to write everything in APA style. Burned than dang book after I finished my thesis. If you're concerned about proper grammar, pay attention to your AUDIENCE!

AND you may not be doing your son a favor by providing him with a style book that is NOT what his acedemia needs. THAT's what he needs to follow, no matter how weird it might be...

The Chicago Manual of Style (used by academic publishers and the general public)
The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (used in journalism)
The U.S Government Printing Office Style Manual (used by most government agencies
The Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications (used for, of course, technical publications)<
The Gregg Reference Manual (used by business professionals)
The AMA Manual of Style (American Medical Association; in a very detailed discussion of typography, it does not even dignify the concept of two spaces after a sentence with a mention)<
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (used in psychology and related sciences)

[gbaglo]

Donna,

I think ALL CAPS and exclamation marks are frowned on in academic and journalistic circles!

baglo

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Donna,

I think ALL CAPS and exclamation marks are frowned on in academic and journalistic circles!

baglo

Nope, just remember exclamation marks go OUTSIDE the quotes... little stuff inside...big stuff outside

[gbaglo]

Might be different rules for National Enquirer, but mainstream newspapers don't ( didn't ) use exclamation marks. Not sure which tense to use, given the demise of newspapers.

-30-

[gbaglo]

Isn't it about time for Jim to split this thread and salvage his OP?

[Don W.]

Do we have a campground yet Jim?

[cpaharley2008]

I was hoping to check one of the two choices out this weekend, if it ever stops snowing. I was leaning towards Twin Grove, been there before and it is very clean. Twin Grove RV Resort & Cottages Pine Grove, PA
I'm going to go there in April or May and get some details for location of a group rally.

[Ellentob]

Picking up our 19 footer Sept 8th. Don't think we will make it this year but we'll see you all in 2015.

[bisonbill]

These forums are full of discussions about what to bring on a camping trip.

After reading this thread, I want to stress that manuals on writing style should never, ever, under no circumstances, be brought on a camping trip. It just wouldn't be right.

Hope we can make it for this rally and we get to meet everybody.