Bulletin editor craft

By Lloyd Davis of Oceanside: PROBE, G&S JUDGE, BULLETIN EXCH. LIST

In contractions, apostrophes indicate missing letters. However, they are often used with one or more of the apostrophes missing:

correct: bits 'n' pieces;

wrong: bits 'n pieces, bits n' pieces, bits n pieces.

In the first example, unless corrected, computers will use single quotes instead of apostrophes (bits 'n' pieces).

Apostrophes are sometimes erroneously inserted into a plural word, causing it to appear possessive:
Here come the Smiths, not

Here come the Smith's

For headlines, it is recommended that only the first word and proper nouns be capitalized:

The chapter will appear on TV, not
The Chapter Will Appear on TV

Example #1 makes headlines consistent and takes the guessing out of what to capitalize.

The abbreviation "etc." is sometimes used when a writer is not sure of what else to include.

When one or more examples follow "such as," it is redundant to complete the examples with "etc."

Use the word "situation" cautiously. I once read in a Society bulletin that a member wished to be in a quartet situation.

"The end result" is commonly used. "The result" suffices.

After thanking those who helped, don't end the item with, "Again, thanks to those who helped."