Writers, how often do you use the term (sic)?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 10:57:08 -0400

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Oct 5 at 2017 11:15 AM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 11:15:36 -0400

Jacqueem I have to be honest, I write all the time, I have hundreds of pages on my computer in different files and folders. I minored in English in College, but it was mostly literature, all through out my military career I wrote volumes of reports, documents etc... I have never thought of myself as a great writer but I do enjoy it. I have almost never used it, the truth is I most likely used it when some one proofed my writing and put in for me, hahaha.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Oct 5 at 2017 11:29 AM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 11:29:34 -0400

I have published a book and currently I am readying my next; read my first, if possible. Available through Notion Press, at a very affordable price and, under 100 pages; the book is titled "Rise to Fame".

I rarely to never use 'sic' in my writing. 'Sic' means on or about, so it is not precise. An author earns the trust of readers by making stories realistic and that requires absolute times, places and surroundings to create a sense of reality.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Oct 5 at 2017 12:07 PM

PO3 Phyllis Maynard — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 12:07:10 -0400

I wrote a manuscript in 2004 and my son has a paragraph. The book is about my path as a former military single parent's faith journey. Ironic, I still have the manuscript and am preparing to write a part 2 focusing on where we ended up currently (my son is 13 years older); all as one manuscript. Back the I had offers to publish. But everyone wanted me to sign 60% of the royalties to them, the publishers. So I held on to it. But the word "sic", I have seen it in cartoons.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2017 12:26 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 12:26:46 -0400

I only use it when I'm quoting another writer and they have misspelled the word. This indicates to the reader that it is not my own misspelling.

Response by SPC Anna Larson made Oct 5 at 2017 12:34 PM

SPC Anna Larson — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 12:34:52 -0400

Only when quoting someone else with the mistake in their quote. Not often at all due to the nature of my writing.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made Oct 5 at 2017 1:40 PM

Capt Dwayne Conyers — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 13:40:52 -0400

When I want my dog to bite someone, I say SIC’Em!

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Oct 5 at 2017 2:01 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 14:01:51 -0400

Only when I quote someone else who has a misspelling in the quote. That way I know it isn't my error when I (or someone else) reads it later.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2017 2:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 14:16:28 -0400

I use it when quoting someone else. Not sure I'd classify myself as a "writer" though.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2017 5:34 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 17:34:49 -0400

All you're doing with (sic) is identifying that the original quote is exactly as written with whatever spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors it has. Most of my writing is original except for military research papers...

Response by SPC John Waisman made Oct 5 at 2017 6:27 PM

SPC John Waisman — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 18:27:40 -0400

I don't even know what it means. I suppose I could google it ...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2017 8:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 08:14:37 -0400

I mostly use it at work, where someone else's exact words (mistakes and all) are very important to capture for context. Outside of work, rarely ever.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2017 1:08 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 13:08:28 -0400

Only when making quotes with grammatical errors or peculiar colloquialisms that, if removed, would take away from the spirit or feel of the phrase.

Otherwise, I will replace the word with another word or correct spelling in [braces].