Writing & Editing

Use these terms to better describe items and ideas to your readers.

The English language is just plain strange sometimes. Here are some examples of the biggest head-scratching oddities.

Think this short catalogue of the most common sub-literate usages is too elementary? Then you haven’t been doing much reading on the Internet lately, have you?

There is nothing like a good old-fashioned feud between classic authors. This example can help add oomph to your writing.

A guide from some time ago characterized using gender-inclusive pronouns as ‘clunky writing.’ We’d like your opinion.

The Oxford English Dictionary announced its newest additions in a Thursday blog post.

The Oxford English Dictionary announced its newest additions in a Thursday blog post.

Jargon can mean different things to different people, depending on their roles. Here’s what communicators need to know about a few common terms.

There are several ways to package your content so it hooks viewers and entices them to read. Give these a try, and watch the readers pour in.

These expressions are handy in specific situations. Understanding them is essential, whether you’re hearing, reading or employing them in your communications.

There are five stages to putting together a piece of text. Are you shortchanging—or completely neglecting—this essential phase?

The broad rules many teach for indefinite articles—that ‘a’ should go before a consonant and ‘an’ before a vowel—aren’t entirely accurate.

This installment on word pairs that confound many writers and speakers spans four letters, instead of the usual two. You’re welcome.

Wonder why ‘mad as a hatter’ means crazy or ‘painting the town red’ denotes a wild night out? We’re spilling the beans on how these quirky sayings came about. Don’t turn a blind eye.

Murky deadlines, pronouns with ambiguous antecedents, and exhortations to ‘work your magic’ can baffle colleagues and clients, while risking that you don’t get precisely what you need.