i completely agree. many styles make, what i philoshophically consider to be, exceptions to the most purist grammar rules for the sake appearances. let me digress into my incomplete memory of styles.*
*i FIRMLY believe that apostrophes should be reserved for TWO reasons in english: 1. replacement of missing characters in phrasing (i.e., "i love the '80s!"). 2. designation of a possessive (NOT "i love the 80's!" ...but "i love the '80's prowress for new wave pop!" is acceptable).
for example: 1. there are two v's in velvet. 2. there are two "v"s in velvet. 3. there are two vs in velvet. [my rule here observes the fact that usage of italics may not always be possible, and that characters should dictate the separation and presentaion of language -- i.e., the use of quotation marks should always be an acceptable replacement for the italized typeface ... think old school typewriters.]
many styles (especially AP) will adopt a preference that minimizes the number of characters use to convey an idea -- meaning (and, while i write this, i recall a statement i once heard which refers to the em-dash as the "poor man's colon" -- with this i disagree!) that spaces are, by rule, often eliminated. so the space between the ending emoticon and end parenth would be omitted.
so, without being a representative of a specific style guide, i believe that appearance should guide usage of emoticons (space = good). i say, "use the space because it is more visually discernable."
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2004-07-04 02:02 am (UTC)*i FIRMLY believe that apostrophes should be reserved for TWO reasons in english:
1. replacement of missing characters in phrasing (i.e., "i love the '80s!").
2. designation of a possessive (NOT "i love the 80's!" ...but "i love the '80's prowress for new wave pop!" is acceptable).
for example:
1. there are two v's in velvet.
2. there are two "v"s in velvet.
3. there are two vs in velvet.
[my rule here observes the fact that usage of italics may not always be possible, and that characters should dictate the separation and presentaion of language -- i.e., the use of quotation marks should always be an acceptable replacement for the italized typeface ... think old school typewriters.]
many styles (especially AP) will adopt a preference that minimizes the number of characters use to convey an idea -- meaning (and, while i write this, i recall a statement i once heard which refers to the em-dash as the "poor man's colon" -- with this i disagree!) that spaces are, by rule, often eliminated. so the space between the ending emoticon and end parenth would be omitted.
so, without being a representative of a specific style guide, i believe that appearance should guide usage of emoticons (space = good). i say, "use the space because it is more visually discernable."
whew. :-)