i am not sure if this is normal (such as due to aging), or it is something that i should be concerned about. you see, i am a person who would craft my email as i think and before sending it out, i will proofread my email content again and again to ensure i get my message right. and in the process, i will restructure my sentences, and my paragraphs in order to bring the most important point forward. this is the inverse writing technique as i was taught decades ago - it is supposedly the most effective technique to bring ones' point across.
but lately i have noticed one very interesting thing - i tend not to see things. i tend not to see my mistakes when it comes to structuring my sentences correctly. on top of that, i often end up having double words. the thing disturbing about these double words are that my mind would be thinking of one word but i will type another word. for example, when i want to type "that are", i end up typing "are are" or "that that". and i would be totally oblivious about it... and worst of it all, i don't see these double words when i proofread. i will only discover it after i re-read my mail again a day or two later.
these mistakes are getting too often to be comfortable. a case of deteriorating eye sight or a case of mindlessness?
should i be worried?
ps: and i do the same read, reread, amend, restructure etc for my blog entries too.
ps: and i do the same read, reread, amend, restructure etc for my blog entries too.
3 comments:
Hi Jeffrey,
I've noticed double words not here, but on news sites. At first I thought they were saving money by not having an editorial review. I'm seeing it now on edited sites. My new hypothesis is everyone is speed reading and the double words are just being glossed over. I still vocalize in my head unless I permit scanning for speed, but then why bother? just move on to something more interesting.
The article minimalists (the, a, an) are really the worst for odd usages. They throw off the rhythm of their writing and they really need good editors to catch the driftwood or at least smooth the jerkiness of the construction.
On the other hand I'm still substituting "an" for "a" before certain "h" words so I am now technically archaic ;-) The world moves on.
I refuse to become bogged down since there are more interesting things to do. So unless someone talks me into editing it's not my job ;-) Besides, I really don't think most people care.
Best regards, Edwin
Heh heh... I won't be too troubled if it's casual writing such as for my blog (altho I will still review and amend), but for it to frequently happen in my work related emails is something that made me uncomfortable. Perhaps it's an ego thing or the fear of being judged (and hence affect my image, reputation, etc) but it's just something that made me highly uncomfortable... hard to accept especially after my efforts to proofread again and again...
Perhaps I should adopt the "ignorance is bliss" approach and stop rereading my mails in my send box... lol!
Jeffrey
Hi Jeffrey,
Given your concern, I would suggest a read for content. After you are satisfied with that construction, then a read for flow.
My guess is you are in the habit of trying to save time in your hectic schedule and glossing over the words in a speed reading / scanning style focused on content. Plus the whole texting culture thing (no, I don't ;-)
I think you are too conscientious for the "ready, fire, aim" style ;-)
Best wishes, Edwin
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