Mary Morel | February 2015 Good layout improves readability. A dense, difficult to read piece can be simply and easily improved by the use of white spaces. You can gain white space by using headings and subheadings, short paragraphs and … Read More
Mary Morel | February 2015 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 … Read More
Mary Morel | February 2015 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 … Read More
Mary Morel | February 2015 Bullet points are useful for lists, but I have three gripes about the way they are misused. First gripe about the misuse of bullet points They are often used when a paragraph would be more … Read More
By Mary Morel | February 2015 Like most writers, I enjoy reading about writing, so thought I would share some of my favourite authors who have influenced my writing. Joseph M. Williams was a professor at the University of Chicago … Read More
By Mary Morel | February 2015, updated February 2017 Do you like exclamation marks? 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 … Read More
By Mary Morel | February 2015 Here are some of the common mistakes and inconsistencies that I have to watch for when editing my own and other people’s writing. Agreement with company names In Australian and New Zealand English, company … Read More
By Mary Morel | February 2015 ‘The subjunctive mood is in its death throes, and the best thing to do is put it out of its misery as soon as possible.’ Somerset Maugham, A Writer’s Notebook, 1949 Is this true? … Read More
By Mary Morel | April 2014 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, … Read More
By Mary Morel | February 2015 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 … Read More