Why spellcheck is not always your friend
Right here and now I need to make it clear that this post is not getting at people who struggle with spelling. As I’ve written in a previous blog, we all have different skills. Let’s put this into perspective: yes, language is a necessary, everyday occurrence. Well,...
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A punctuation sampler
Think of a world where the punctuation goes on strike. What if question marks quit questioning? Can you imagine? Perhaps the commas complain of overwork, and take a break from breaking up lists, clauses, interjections and so on. “Don’t forget us,” say the speech...
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The right tone for the right readers
Here’s a true story. I enjoy using a well-known social media site, and I accept that, in order to benefit from its free worldwide networking opportunities, I will have to put up with seeing adverts. Once, I actually bought something! Of course, the ads are carefully...
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Engaging a short attention span – are you with me so far?
Have you ever been sorting old household ‘stuff’ and come across ancient books? You might be used to the writing style of novelists from yesteryear, but the non-fiction can be a bit of an eye-opener. Especially if you have the typical attention span of most modern...
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Typos – the maths behind why they matter
Humans have been making blunders in writing ever since they first put chisel to stone or pigment to papyrus. And I mean all humans – even professional writers and editors. The difference nowadays is that the blunders can be seen around the world within nanoseconds of...
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