I am so p---ed OFF!!!

I'm trying to follow angercoach's advice, but it's not working right now. I HAVE to vent, or I'm going to explode on my professor and my classmates.

angercoach wrote:Log some of the situations which recently caused you to feel angry and fly off the handle.
1. What were the triggers?
2. What happened and what were you thinking?
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I've been in my online grammar class for two days, and I'm already as pissed off as possible. I can't f------- stand the discrepancies of the English language! I'm this close to shoving my d--- keyboard through my f----- computer monitor. I feel like screaming and e-mailing the professor.

I want a job as a copywriter. No, I'm HELLBENT on securing a job as a copywriter/editor. We're on possessives. Ashley's cake. Tommy's f---- gun. We have a world of resources available to us, but even the f------ Chicago Manual of Style and the American Heritage Book of English Usage do not offer a conclusive answer! WHY THE HELL would you write "Yeats's poetry," but "Burns' poetry" isn't supposed to have the S ???????

I've posted this and other questions on the class discussion page. The professor was very kind, and left me a note saying that she will look into these issues. But the problem is, THERE IS NO UNAMBIGUOUS ANSWER! When applying for a copywriter position, they give you a f------ TEST. I don't know if I'm supposed to answer each question with every conceivable possibility, or if they're looking for one specific answer.

So, I'm not pissed because I feel entitled to my dream job. I'm not even all that miffed over other people clogging up the forums with "omg leson 2 was Hard." Even though that is against forum rules, and there is no substance to the post, I'm not going to be mad that they are making idiots of themselves. I don't even care that the professor/TAs take the time to answer these posts, while I'm still waiting for an answer.

I'm f------ pissed because I can't find a pattern to certain quirks of the English language, and I'm scared that this will prevent me from getting the job I want.

I should have gone into ballistics. The science behind bullets is, at least, an exact one.


ARGH!!!!!

I think I need to get off the computer and go do something non-verbal for a while.

Well, how are you doing in the class otherwise?
The rule for the s's and s' aren't known to me. I've read the same and didn't know how I could get every word like that right. You might try looking it up on the internet and memorizing the most common of those. Is it expected that you know all of them for one course. I doubt it is, or that it will count off as much. I think the main point is that you understand you should look into words that end in an s, even if you can't memorize them all right away.

According to my English book, it is Yeats', and class's for the class's object.
My book says it depends on how the syllable is pronounced
Yeatses sounds more awkward than Yeats, but classes sounds more normal... I don't know if that even makes sense to me.
the class play, the classes play (sounds like more than one class, but it isn't)
Yeats play, Yeatses play

So what I hear you saying is you're pissed at the quirks of the English language; not the actual class itself? I totally agree with you on that. Sometimes I don't even think college professors know all the answers as far as correct use.

So what you're feeling is anger/fear that all the quirks of the language are going to lead to your demise as a copywriter? I totally understand; I would be worried too. I'm sure your professor has good intentions and is knowledgeable on the subject. But sometimes we have to stray elsewhere to get answers. Perhaps it might be a good idea to go to a forum revolving around copy writing. Ask actual copywriters how they deal with possessives. They deal with it on a daily basis and may be able to give you some tips. Good luck, Frayed.

I'm glad I stopped back here before going to bed. Thank you, guys.

I'm doing pretty well in the class. It's pass/fail, and you get a certificate if you pass the final. The quizzes and assignments don't count towards the pass/fail, but they are helpful for checking individual progress. If they're any indication, the final is going to be a breeze. You're right, shutin. The professor does NOT expect us to know all the funky ones. She's actually really cool, helpful, and, most importantly, realistic.

I'm more concerned with understanding and assimilating the material.

Copywriting/editing forums are an awesome idea. It actually took me back for a second. I went on my first copywriter interview months ago. With all the stuff I research for people here and in class, I can't fathom why it never occurred to me to look. LOL *slaps head*

Thanks for being here.

I'm still a bit miffed at the English language, though. I should probably stop being such a damned perfectionist. I mean, grammarians devote years to their studies, and even THEY can't come up with a definite answer for some things.

Well it is good to hear that you are doing good. Going back to college gave me some intense emotions and I worried about how much was expected of me. It got easier though, and it left a very rewarding feeling in the long run.

shutin wrote:Well it is good to hear that you are doing good. Going back to college gave me some intense emotions and I worried about how much was expected of me. It got easier though, and it left a very rewarding feeling in the long run.

Thank you, shutin!

As you can see, I'm going through some pretty intense emotions, too. Fortunately, my professor is very supportive of my efforts. She recommended the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) and the Associated Press Stylebook. It's getting easier. My main focus is on making things simpler. I find that, for me, this is the best course of action. Instead of making sure that certain things are "right," the instructor helped me realize that there is "more than one way to shred a carrot." This was a response to my rant on a recent interview for a copy editor position with a local grocery store chain. She's freakin' cool.

As a result of her learning support, I researched possible employment opportunities...let's hope that one of them pans out.

OK... what the HELL is this supposed to mean???

quote from one of my online classmates:

Hey R****, I am so impressed no, intimidated by your grammatical prowess, I think I'll chuck in the towel in re: this course and, if you're looking for editing work, I'll just hire you as my editor. Whaddya think about that? LOL! I HATE THIS!

Cheers,
S****
PS, I'm joking.

I'm taking this as a sign of his frustration, and as words from a kindred spirit in search of "the one" correct answer.

But I can't help thinking that this is some weird, sarcastic comment against me.

Please, share your thoughts...

"Hey Ronda, I wish I was as smart as you. F*ck, I hate this class. Sigh".

LOL, I figured as much. S**** can suck it. His (lack of) grammar skills is not my fault, nor my responsibility. Unlike the lack of intelligence, the lack of knowledge can be remedied. The choice is his.

I still gave him a nice response, though:

FrayedEndOfSanity wrote:Hi, S****.

The problem is that, as a result of my recent interview, I feel like I have NO "grammatical prowess." I'll throw in my two cents as part of the learning process, but I certainly don't think I have the right answers.

I place myself in your proverbial boat. There is a LOT of information out there. There is much controversy, even among reputable sources, and I often don't know which example to follow.

I've found that following E****'s advice and sticking to one stylebook helps a ton.

If you do not have access to a stylebook, use the simplest and most consistent grammatical forms.

In the case of lesson 2, singular possessives specifically, the easiest solution is to add apostrophe + s.

Don't pull your hair out--that's my job.

--R***e

Links:
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html
http://www.apstylebook.com/

I felt compelled to add "immediately wire 1,000,000 USD per article to my Swiss bank account," but I resisted. In class, at least.

Thanks for letting me use this thread to vent. You guys have really been helping me manage my anger.

To update, I got a well-meaning, well-worded response from S****. Turns out that his original post wasn't meant to knock me. I never would have found that out, had I given in to my initial rage. Honey is greater than vinegar, lol.

I'm leaving the posts here, even though they make me look ridiculous and presumptuous. Maybe it will help other folks see things objectively, too.


Crap...now I have to go deal with not knowing how to take a compliment...