We’d have a tough time surviving without quotation marks. A famous writer once observed, “Quotation marks allow us to identify what someone actually says, as opposed to simple statements being made by the writer.” Okay, I’m that writer, but the quote illustrates one of the primary roles of quotation marks. The other is to denote […]
Many people regard having to write as sheer torture. Unfortunately, nearly every job or business endeavor demands a certain amount of that torture. The good news is that there’s a simple trick that can make your writing easier and more effective. That trick is starting somewhere in the middle. If that sounds odd, consider that […]
One of the biggest misconceptions about writing involves those handy word combinations we call contractions. You’re familiar: cannot becomes can’t, will not shortens to won’t, and so forth. When professional writers insert those contractions into their work, clients are often confused. Some doubt the competence of the writer they’ve hired or assume that the writer […]
When you want to promote your expertise to customers and prospects, blogging and regular publications such as email newsletters can be powerful tools. (Print newsletters can still be a wise choice in certain situations.) I’ve worked on hundreds of blogs, newsletters, and other publications over the years, and watched other organizations grapple with them. I’ve […]
Many words have been misused so often that their meanings have started to blur – and writers who should know better start using the wrong words in the wrong places. A recent national magazine article reported that a particular musician had earned his notoriety by producing a couple albums. In this case, “notoriety” was the […]
Many companies and organizations seem to have a paranoia about repetition. Once they mention something in an email newsletter, a blog, or on a website, they don’t think they should mention it again. If someone suggests a repeat discussion of that topic, they’ll reject it outright, adding “we promoted that already” or “we already told […]
As I looked on, mother began to materialize around the edges of the copper vessel. Did that confuse you? Baffle you? It’s a completely legitimate and accurate statement. Mother often appears when someone is making alcoholic beverages, and it has nothing to do with the personal habits of the woman who brought you into this […]
Want a simple way to write more clearly and effectively? When you begin to write a letter, a memo, or an email, write it to your mother. Or you could write to your best friend or your Aunt Agatha. The key is that you want to write to someone you know instead to of a […]
Think you’re unique? Great! Think you’re very unique? You’re not. That’s because there’s no such thing as being “very” unique, or “somewhat” unique, or “more” unique than the other folks. The word “unique” is powerful because it has one meaning. Something that’s unique is “singular” or “one of a kind.” Only one. No others. No […]
One of the best copywriters I know has few pet peeves about the craft of writing but makes an exception when it comes to exclamation points. She believes we should all be allotted a limited number of them at birth, and once we’ve exhausted our supply, we can’t use any more. It’s her way of […]
