Recommendation to newbies, & others, about msg subjects

Not everyone's an English major, either.

jnk wrote:Good reminder to all. You introduced it as a rant, so I saw no arrogance in it, myself.

Me neither. It was helpful that idamtnboy went to the trouble of listing good and bad examples. That kind of observations is always clearer with a few of those.

PST wrote:

jnk wrote:Good reminder to all. You introduced it as a rant, so I saw no arrogance in it, myself.

Me neither. It was helpful that idamtnboy went to the trouble of listing good and bad examples. That kind of observations is always clearer with a few of those.

I agree. The examples could help some people understand what kind of heading will get them more help, and what kind will not. The examples could even be especially helpful to those who are sleep deprived, or not English majors (or for that matter, not native English speakers).

Even a question mark, to indicate a question and not a statement of fact is very helpful.

A word to those who were upset to find their headings in the "examples of bad heading" group:
I remember how many deep breaths I had to take before my first post -- I'm sure finding one's heading in the "examples of bad headings" group is jolting. Please don't let that keep you from posting. If you think you have nothing to learn from the suggestion, keep posting whichever way you feel will get the help you need. If the post makes you feel "oh no.. silly me" - ignore it. Nobody is judged by their heading, nobody will remember your less informative headings if you decide to make heading more informative from now on.

If you're new, and have a question simply try to ask the question and add a question mark at the end. And if all you can say is "Help!!! I don't understand ANYTHING!!!" That's fine too, because we've all been there, and will do our best to lead you through your confusion.

I too am convinced idamtnboy meant well, and that he hoped to help those of us whose headings got us less of a response than we wanted.

ozij wrote:he hoped to help those of us whose headings got us less of a response than we wanted.

Thanks for the comments. The part quoted above is exactly why I made the post. And I'll add that the more definitive the subject line the more likely you will get responses from those whose knowledge and experience coincide with the subject you are posting about. I'm quite sure every member of this forum picks and chooses what messages they will read. The subject line is the bait and hook that brings in the catch!

Many times in my life I have been accused of pontificating, and rightfully so. I admit that in my eagerness and desire to help and share the knowledge and experience I have gained through life I occasionally fall short in tactfulness. That's just the way I am. I try to live by the rule that if a wall is going to be built between you and me, you have to do the building. I'm sure there are forum readers who automatically pass up on any post where I'm the author. That's OK, that's their prerogative and I bear no ill will toward them. I know I can't satisfy everyone. If I did, all our lives would be pretty boring!

idamtnboy wrote:Many times in my life I have been accused of pontificating, and rightfully so.

That's cool - but stay away from the monosodium glutamate! That's mean stuff!

idamtnboy wrote: . . . I occasionally fall short in tactfulness. . . .

Whenever someone accuses me of being less than tactful, I stick my tongue out at them.

Well, OK, actually, I only do that on the message boards, where no one can see me.

But, still.

Now back to my morning monosodium glutamate on toast.

idamtnboy wrote:The subject line is the bait and hook that brings in the catch!

I know this very well.
When I want a response,
I throw tact, sensibility and PC out the window.

"When you got to shoot....shoot....don't talk."
--the wisdom of Tuco Benedicto Pacífico Juan María Ramírez

Point well taken.
I, myself, am guilty of trying to be clever w subjects sometimes, and postings.
As I tell my composition students, every discourse community has its own set of rhetorical conventions, some official, some informal, all created for the larger goal of effective communication! With the volume of postings on this forum, clarity and efficiency become paramount.

"Logos trumps ethos." (except in politics)

Tom

carbonman wrote:. . . I throw . . . sensibility . . . out the window. . . .

That's the American way.

"When you got to shoot....shoot....don't talk."

And thus the sentiment expressed in someone's avatar, "Kindness Rocks."

Doubtful Tom wrote: . . . "Logos trumps ethos." (except in politics)

Or, especially in politics, as the case may be, depending on one's point.

idamtnboy wrote:

islandboy5150 wrote:Idamtnboy, you don't have to be an arrogant smart ass about it either. All you need to say is please be more specific in the subject line. You don't have to use sarcasm and arrogant, insulting tones of voice in your recommendation.

I'm sorry if it comes across that way. That certainly is not what I intended.

Hi Idamtnboy

Actually - it does not come across "that way", and it is obvious what you intended. (But I must say the heading needed a bit of work, see heading above ) Your actual post was clear and helpful, without a skerrick of sarcasm or insult.

Mars

jnk wrote:

carbonman wrote: "When you got to shoot....shoot....don't talk."

And thus the sentiment expressed in someone's avatar, "Kindness Rocks."

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; "

jnk wrote:

idamtnboy wrote: . . . I occasionally fall short in tactfulness. . . .

Whenever someone accuses me of being less than tactful, I stick my tongue out at them.

Well, OK, actually, I only do that on the message boards, where no one can see me.

Hmm, I wouldn't be too sure of that! My kids always told me I had eyes in back of my head!

DoriC wrote:

jnk wrote: . . . where no one can see me.

Hmm, I wouldn't be too sure of that! My kids always told me I had eyes in back of my head!

Yes, Ma'am. (I had a feeling you could see like that.)

Oh, and I think I saw Carbonman stick out his tongue at me earlier, so watch him close. And, ouch!, someone just hit me in the back of the head with a rubber-band, but I'm not sure exactly who that was . . .