JMO, Of Course!
I think that if you are going to present any side of an opinion or engage in an argument, that you should use, correct punctuation and spelling. It gives a little bit of credence to your argument and shows that you put a little thought and effort, into it.
Stay Thirsty My Friends,
Wayne
Wayne makes an excellent point. And I think I might as well say what I usually leave unsaid,...if I see little i's, no caps, no punctuation, all caps...I completely stop reading. So without correct punctuation and grammar, in my book you are virtually not there.
Eric touched on it specifically relating to Pandas, but pictures. Pictures are always good to throw into an discussion/debate/argument/shouting match/whatever-ya-wanna-call-it.
A quote, or three, that may or may not have any relevance to your discussion/debate/argument/shouting match/whatever-ya-wanna-call-it is a good addition once or thrice upon a time as well even too for.
D80
Brent is right, and alludes to other things important in a debate or discussion. If you are going to use facts that are not well-known, or obvious in and of themselves,...references impress me. Great sweeping out-on-a-limb statements, with no references, do not impress me.
Note, Brent and others do not like Wikipedia, because it is only as correct and unbiased as the person who put the "information" there to begin with. I tend to agree with this, although sometimes I do use Wikipedia (with a disclaimer), but usually (for speed) only inasmuch as it confirms the existence of some vague not-so-well-known person, place, or thing.
Could someone please clue me in about the Panda thing? Why Pandas?
Lucillle, I do not know the etiology of the panda phenomenon. I don't particularly care for pandas, myself. If I am in a serious discussion, or debating what I feel is an important point, pandas have no effect on me. I suppose some see them as furry, peaceful, innocuous, socio-politically neutral creatures. I'm just guessing.
I once, in the spirit of things, posted a beautiful Leafy Sea Dragon, instead. It was summarily ignored. Go figure.