Hello all. I want to point out something that has been bugging me for a while now. I'm getting tired of seeing quizzes posted that have basic grammatical, factual or typographical errors in them.

As a former editor myself, I realise that the odd factual error will creep through, particularly on a topic that the Ed is not necessarily au fait with the subject matter. However, the grammatical and typo errors are just sloppy editing. It seems to be becoming more prevalent.

I personally haven't noticed any increase in grammatical errors on quizzes compared to the past. There are always going to be typos that two pairs of eyes don't happen to catch. It is, of course, much easier when dozens of pairs of eyes have the opportunity to look quizzes over.

The only reason why I might see more errors slipping through is because many of our authors have become more prolific and might write longer questions and Interesting Info sections. And when you have more text, there are more opportunities to miss mistakes.

We have always relied on the correction system to right these wrongs. And to be honest, some grammatical error reports we receive there are actually grammatical conventions that have been long debated in linguistic communities over their correctness.

Keep in mind, too, that this is not an academic institution. While it would be nice if submissions came in with perfect grammar all the way through, that is often not the case. Sometimes it would require rewriting nearly everything in a quiz to perfect the grammar to an academic standard, and then the quiz is no longer in the author's voice. If a quiz can be made understandable without too many glaring errors, and without compromising the author's style, I'm inclined to let the error slide. Especially if it's something in common usage (eg "to who" vs "to whom").

At my work, we have just finished producing the information handbook that will be distributed to students over the next few weeks to inform them about the subjects from which they may choose their courses for next year. This has involved a lengthy process that took place over a couple of months:
1. Heads of Learning checked the entries from last year's edition, and suggested changes necessary (either because of a change in the subject's content, or because feedback has made it clear that students did not have a clear understanding of what to expect from last year's entry).
2. Heads of Learning provided information for new subjects, and advised which subjects would not be needed any more as the subject will not be offered for next year.
3. Head of each year level provided information so that the overall information about how students are to compile their program was correct, and reflected the changes for next year.
4. Clerical assistants typed up each of the handbooks, and provided test copies to be checked.
5. Heads of Learning checked that it showed what they had sent in. Director of Curriculum checked for correct information everywhere. One deputy principal proofread for formatting, another deputy principal proofread for grammar. All suggestions from them were made, and another set of proofs was produced.
6. The two clerical assistants each read the other one's work, looking for typing or formatting issues.
7. I did a final proofread, making changes for clarity that had not been picked up previously, and fixing typos that hadn't been noticed.

Today, I saw a copy of one of the handbooks, and flicked through to admire the product. On page 7 all I could see was a missing space after a comma.

Editing quizzes here is much less exhaustive, as only a single editor's eyes usually read each quiz. As an author, I try to proofread my quiz in at least three ways: in the Word document where I write it (and in hard copy if I have access to a printer), in the window where you actually write the quiz online, and in the preview screen. An editor provides a further check, with a fresh set of eyes (as we all know that you see what you meant to write when you look at your own work, not always what is actually there). And still I sometimes see a typo after it goes online.

I feel sorry for all of you. I have never made a misdake. I get to throw the first stone, right?


Here's another proofing error. I had struck the s and d keys simultaneously in the word mistake. So, it came out misdtake. I saw the error and went to correct it. When I placed the cursor to backspace over the d, I inadvertently placed the cursor after the t. When I backspaced (deleting the t by 'mistake'). I thought all was fixed, I left by hitting submit. When the post reposted, I saw the error and decided to leave it and have a nice allegory about the subject to inject.

I send in correction notices by the bucketful, and I don't think it's true. The older quizzes often have more typos/poor grammar, despite being much simpler and having much less text attached. When you see a mistake, send in a note. If the quiz has a large excess of mistakes, you can lower your rating of it.

I also send correction notices like I get paid to do it. I'll admit a few of them are angry and complaining, but most are about spelling/grammar and honest disputes. Some are "how is that in THIS category" or "how is that in this difficulty level hourly game" which is not the fault of the original question maker.

I remember when I made quizzes, that I often got correction notes sent to me. Does that mean that my correction notes go to the authors of those quizzes? If the authors aren't on FT anymore, does that mean that the corrections don't get seen?

Editors see every correction note, as long as it is sent as a correction note. If you send a compliment or direct message to a long gone author it won't be seen, but a correction note always will be.

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Spanishliz (Editor in Movies, Brain Teasers, Geography and Crosswords)

Since most categories accept one or two questions in a quiz that do not fit exactly within their category (I especially notice it in Geography games, as a lot of authors want to write about non-geographical aspects of their chosen country), you do get what seem like random questions appearing on occasion. Since those questions often work fine in a mixed game, and are only out of place in a topic mash type of quiz, they are left in the pool of play. There is little point sending a correction about them, as the editor who sees it will probably just decide that it can stay in the mix.

The difficulty level is automated - there is an algorithm (or a lot of them!) to select questions for each game that have over time achieved a percentage of correct answers within a specified range. The algorithms, however, seem to be set up to allow the occasional wild card - I sometimes get an Obscurity or Impossible set which seems like an absolute breeze, and an Easy set with a couple of questions about which I have no idea. There is absolutely no point sending a correction about this, as neither the original author nor the editor who checks the note can do anything about it. (And I suspect that random factor is intentional.)

It is definitely worthwhile sending a correction when you get a question that simply does not make sense when it appears on its own in the game. First, of course, you should check to see whether the information displayed (usually the quiz title, but sometimes just the category) actually provides you with enough information. That check will slow you down, but since the option is there, the question remains viable. I have encountered a few occasions when the question simply could not be answered; when that happens, if you send a correction (and it must be as a CN on that specific question for this to happen), the editors can remove that question from the games pool.

From comment by nautilator



I agree. There are some strange errors in old quizzes.

Absolutely, I've noticed tons of questions that on their own, do not make sense, but when you factor in the title of the quiz it's taken from, then it makes sense.

Yes, and the editors do not consider this to be a problem. If players choose not to consider all the information at their disposl, that's not a flaw in the system.

My apologies, I did not mean to cite that information as if it were a problem. I meant to echo what the previous poster said in how it may look like a problem but when you put it all together, it's fine.

Understood.

I see so many CNs from players who did not read the question, did not read the explanation in the info section, did not read the quiz title, and did not pay attention to the category of the question. I sometimes get a little testy on the subject

I don't see any more than the normal standard deviation of errors in accepted quizzes.

At least not in newer ones that are posted.


As a person who earns his living writing, I can assure you, no matter how many people edited every quiz on the site, some errors would still get through.


Though I can assure you, your next published quiz will likely have an error in it. It's Muprhy's Law.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muphry%27s_law