tt post jan 11 2016 b

quote=198789

It's a style issue and not a hard rule. My style version would be incorrect if you were my editor, and I did not follow your style recommendations. 

The AP style manual would agree with you and use _Burris'_. 

The book titled _When Words Collide - A Media Writer's Guide to Grammar and Style_ would also use _Burris'_.

I'm unsure about the Chicago style manual, but their Q&A section "states":http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/data/faq/topics/PossessivesandAttributives.html with my emphasis added:

q.
*Q.* When indicating possession of a word that ends in s, is it correct to repeat the s after using an apostrophe? For example, which is correct: “Dickens’ novel” or *“Dickens’s novel”?*

*A.* *Either is correct, though we prefer the latter.* Please consult 7.15–18 for a full discussion of the rules for forming the possessive of proper nouns. 
q..

I think that _The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation_ swings both ways.


br. The rules are lengthy, therefore I prefer the simpler style recommendation that's listed in the little old Strunk & White book called _The Elements of Style,_ which states as the first item on page one:

q.
_*1. Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's.*_

Follow this rule whatever the final consonant. Thus write,

bq. Charles's friend
Burns's poems
the witch's malice

q..

Which means, _Burris's column_ is also acceptable. In my opinion, the key is to pick a style and use it consistently. 


br. But I also dislike the AP's style recommendation for expressing a short list of items. 

Journalists typically write:

bq. _"red, white and blue"_ 

No comma before the conjunction. I find that annoying, and it can be confusing.

Rule #2 on page 2 of the Strunk & White book:

q.
_*2.  In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last.*_

Thus write,

bq. red, white, and blue
gold, silver, or copper
He opened the letter, read it, and made a note of its contents.

q..


Groundhog Day is near. _The Elements of Style_ makes a nice stocking stuffer.



 #writing #media