Writing
Editing
Editing
Proofreading
There are some things that we all do even though we know we shouldn’t: eat the whole packet of chocolate digestives, phone in sick to work when we’re completely fine but just want to catch up on RuPaul’s Drag Race, use plastic straws …
But what if you didn’t know you were doing anything wrong? Ah, … Continue Reading
It’s late. You’ve been at work for hours, and that M&S pizza and large glass of red are calling you home. But you have to send one last email to your boss/a client/the love interest you’re trying to impress with your grasp of grammar before you leg it out the door. You’re typing away like … Continue Reading
In part 1, I put semicolons in their place (and got a bit excited about cheese). In part 2, I’m taking a look at their closest relation: the colon.
It’s easy to confuse the two – they sure do look alike – but how they’re used is quite different. I think of a colon as an … Continue Reading
Correct use of punctuation is not just essential for clarity – it’s one important way to inject variety into your writing. Variety is the spice of life, y’all. For example:
The dog’s name was Frank. He had black fur. He liked to eat avocados. His best friend was Olivia. She was a Siamese cat.
Staccato sentences like … Continue Reading
Seeing as it’s that time of year, when everyone is giving gifts and spreading the love like warm Nutella, I thought I’d share a little joy of my own by helping you solve a common wish-list writing dilemma:
Should I use e.g. or i.e.?
In general, I try to avoid both and write out what I mean in … Continue Reading
While to many people the difference between its and it’s is as clear as the difference between smoked salmon and pickled onions, for others there’s a gut-churning jolt of uncertainty every time they come to write either.
You’d be wrong if you thought you were the only one who rewrote sentences, removing the need for ‘i-t-s’ … Continue Reading
Expressing time is an essential part of communication – when is the event happening? When will the shop be open? What time does the free bar end?
There are a few ways to communicate time and which you choose is a matter of editorial style. Yes, you read that right: you have a choice. But just … Continue Reading
‘However’ is often used incorrectly by all kinds of smart folks. And it’s used a lot. Unlike many more complicated things in English, there are hard and fast (and easy) rules to follow when you’re using this word, however you’re using it. Nail it and you’ll be smart and awesome and your writing will sparkle … Continue Reading
In the first of this series, in which I’ll be doing my best to steer you towards writing awesomeness, I’ll be taking a look at that ol’ family favourite – the dash.
Let me be straight with you. I ain’t talking about hyphens.
Dashes look like this: – (en dash/rule) or — (em dash/rule).
A hyphen is the teeny line … Continue Reading