McCarthy's Punctuation Rules

     After I read McCarthy’s punctuation rules, I understood the points he was making, but I did not fully agree with them.  McCarthy says that punctuation is not necessary in many cases and it only fills up the page with excess marks.  While some punctuation is excessive, I think it is important to include punctuation where it is necessary.  This makes sentences grammatically correct, but it also helps the paper flow.  McCarthy says he uses commas, but not very often.  This is the first point that I disagree with.  Commas are important for a writer to let the reader know when to pause in the text.  Without them, sentences would be long, monotone, and most likely confusing.  Another example would be commas in lists.  If they are not included, the separate words could not be differentiated from one another.  McCarthy also says that he does not use quotation marks because it is the writer’s job to make the text clear enough so that he or she doesn’t need to include them.  I disagree with this point because quotation marks provide clarity for the reader, and the writer still needs to provide who is speaking and the context of the quote even when using quotations.  McCarthy also states, “No semicolons.”  Colons are allowed in very few cases, but as a matter of fact I find myself using semicolons not very often.  I do agree with McCarthy on that point.  Overall, McCarthy says this simplistic writing style helps the reader and makes it easier for him or her, but I believe this only confuses the reader because it is hard to stray from conventional grammar rules after so many years of use.  It would take an excellent writer to make up for the lack of punctuation through detail and clear explanations.   

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