More blogs about writing and grammar
Acronyms and initialisms
What’s the difference between an acronym and an initialism? An acronym is a string of initial letters that are pronounced as a word, for example, AIDS, which stands for ‘acquired immune deficiency syndrome’. Some acronyms have become such an accepted part of the language that they are seldom spelt out, for example, scuba, sonar and […]
Reviewing and editing
Review for meaning; edit for clarity Before you start editing someone’s writing, you need to be clear about the brief. The four types or stages of editing are: Reviewing Structural editing Copyediting Proofreading If your brief is to proofread a document, you may check accuracy with the writer, but your focus will be on the […]
Misuse of bullet points
Bullet points are useful for lists, but I have three gripes about the way they are misused. Sometimes prose is better than a list They are often used when a paragraph would be more effective. Take this following example from a hospital information sheet: After surgery: Sit on the side of the bed initially Transfer […]
First, second and third person writing
When to use first, second and third person in writing The point of view or person you choose for your writing helps create your tone and perspective. First person writing uses ‘I’ and ‘we’. ‘I’ writing is personal, but ‘we’ is often used collectively to refer to an organisation or group. With second person writing, […]
Blogging fatigue – is it worth it?
Do you think blogging is essential for your business? Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by social media and wonder how anyone manages to get anything done while trying to keep up with all the demands of social media: tweeting, blogging, updating Facebook, connecting on Linkedin and so on. And I can lose sight of what I […]
Referencing styles for writing
The two main reference systems used in business writing are the author-date system and the documentary-note system. The Vancouver system, which is similar to the documentary-note system, is used in scientific writing. Many organisations develop their own referencing style based on either the author-date or documentary-note system. Referencing within text The author-date system, also known […]
Writing letters of complaint
Letters of complaint are the ones that I often compose in my head and seldom send. I am sure you all know those moments when you’re overcome with irritation with your telecommunications provider or whoever who has let you down. Usually, the irritation passes and you move on. When to write a letter of complaint […]
The changing role of the exclamation mark!
Do you like exclamation marks? Listen to a radio interview about the exclamation mark. Did you know that the exclamation mark didn’t become a standard feature on keyboards until the 1960s? Traditional uses of the exclamation mark For years its usage was fairly standard and we used exclamation marks for: Urgent commands (Run!) Expressing emotions (We […]
Why learn grammar?
Good grammar improves your credibility When extolling the virtues of learning grammar, some people take a ‘shame’ approach. ‘If you use poor grammar,’ they say, ‘you damage your own reputation and, if you’re writing on behalf of your organisation, you damage the brand.’ And today with social media, mistakes linger even if they are quickly […]
Delete clutter from your writing
Deleting clutter from your writing improves readability Short sentences are easier to read than long, complex sentences. Readability tests prove this. As is usually the case with English, there are exceptions to this rule, and long sentences can work well. As Joseph M. Williams says in Style: Toward Clarity and Grace: ‘Every competent writer has […]