Archive for May, 2009
English Writing Errors: Should You Care?
Some people contend that achieving a high quality of writing isn’t important in communication. If the reader on the other end can “glean” what they’re trying to communicate, then the writing is effective enough. In my mind, that type of thinking is destructive for two reasons. 1. “Gleaning” is not the same thing as understanding. [...]
The Case For Using Standalone Grammar Checkers Over Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word, the popular word processing software that we all probably use, comes with its own grammar checker. In fact, it’s one of the things people always point out when I inform them that I use a standalone grammar software. While I’ve known about Word’s grammar checker for a while now (I even used it [...]
Good Writing: The Bare Minimum
Want to write good copy that is clear and reads well? Here’s the bare minimum of what you need to infuse into your writing. It won’t turn you into a veritable bastion of the craft but I’ll wager that your readers will appreciate the ease with which they can understand whatever it is you’re attempting [...]
Drawing Out The Details Of Your Writing
Well-written copy, especially those intending to generate an emotional response, almost always tend to dig deeper than just the surface of issues. They scratch beneath the skin, peeling the layers of the subject so it can achieve what you intend for it to do. Most of the time, being able to draw out the details [...]
Why Do I Need Correct Grammar?
Those who hated grammar class in elementary school, raise your hand. Frankly, I would be surprised if anyone didn’t raise their hand. Grammar subjects, after all, always felt like one of those things teachers invented solely to give you more trouble than necessary. “I already know how to speak English, what do I need grammar [...]
Writing An Analytic Essay
Many essays for school will require you to write down your own analysis of various subjects, from books to films to current events. As you may expect, the success of an analytic piece will depend heavily on the quality of the though you put into it. Needless to say, however, the way you write and [...]
Global English: Writing For A World Audience
When you’re writing for an international audience, your English will need to go beyond the typical bounds of grammar and correctness. You’ll need to compose your material in such a manner that optimizes it not only for the English speakers, but those who consider it as a second language. Some call it Global English, a [...]
Business Reports That Grab People’s Attention
Writing a report for work? Make sure both your co-workers and bosses pay enough attention to flesh out the details, instead of just giving it a glance, leaving your proposals and recommendations in incompletely-informed hands. If you don’t consider yourself and find the task overwhelming, here are a few tips to hopefully help you out. [...]
Writing Numbers For Business Documents
When crafting business reports and documents, numbers can be one of the trickiest items to include in your text. How exactly do you write them so it doesn’t erode both the readability and professionalism of your documents? As a rule, all numbers smaller than 10 are usually spelled out in words. Filling your copy with [...]
The Importance Of Proofreading
It’s a plain fact that the first time you write anything, it will be laden with mistakes. As talented and as skilled a writer as you may deem yourself, you can’t escape the fact that humans err. If you want your copy to look it’s best, you’re going to have to undertake the arduous task [...]
