Confused about which grammar rules to observe when you're limited to 141 characters? Here's a Twitter style guide.
Grammar Girl's Strunk & Twite: An Unofficial Twitter Style Guide (in which every entry is < 141 characters)
» Don't start posts with “I am.” You're answering the question, “What are you doing?” It's OK to answer with fragments in a conversation. rationale
» Use proper capitalization. Typing in lowercase doesn't save characters; it's just lazy.
» Use proper basic punctuation. It helps people understand what you mean.
» Don't use abbreviations such as 4U and L8. They make you sound like a 12-year-old (which is bad, unless you actually are a 12-year-old).
» Use contractions whenever possible.
» Shorthand symbols such as >, =, &, and @ are allowed.
» Shortened word forms such as nite and thru are allowed (except for Grammar Girl). rationale
» Use numerals, not words, for all numbers.
» Provide links and context whenever possible. Remember that many of your followers can't see what you are responding to.
» Use tinyurl or http://is.gd to shorten links.
» If you can't say it in 140 characters, reevaluate whether you should be posting it at Twitter. rationale
[Note: Grammar Girl will not respond to grammar questions on Twitter that take > 1 minute of research. Complex questions are for the show.]
Credit for the name "Strunk & Twite" goes to Cathleen Rittereiser.
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About the Author
Mignon Fogarty is the founder of Quick and Dirty Tips and the author of seven books on language, including the New York Times bestseller "Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing." She is an inductee in the Podcasting Hall of Fame, and the show is a five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards. She has appeared as a guest expert on the Oprah Winfrey Show and the Today Show.
