Writing/Editing

Make your corporate communications sing

Whether you’re writing for a company blog, newsletter or e-newsletter, your goal is to keep readers coming back for more. Here's a short list of common mistakes people make when creating content:

Business writing made simple

Strengthen your sentences by us­­ing fewer words and getting rid of awk­ward or passive construction. Prac­­tice by rewriting these wordy sam­­­­ple sentences, in­­spired by the Pur­­due Online Writing Lab (OWL):

Conversation stoppers

While these phrases aren’t grammatically incorrect, they tend to be used in all the wrong places: “With all due respect, ...” “Does that make sense?” ... “I hear what you’re saying, but ...”

Inter vs. intra

An admin reader recently wrote, “My goodness, will you please do a piece that tells people the difference between ‘intra’ and ‘inter’? While you’re at it, ‘effect’ vs. ‘affect’ wouldn’t hurt, either.”

Grammar school rules

Which unforgettable writing lesson did you learn in school? Are there any you still use today? See if any of these ring a bell:

1-Minute Strategies: Nov. 11

Make your email more readable by crafting enticing subject lines ...  Why wait for an annual review to get feedback? Ask for one-minute feedback at every opportunity ... Knock out more of your critical to-dos by whittling down your to-do list each day ... Go ahead: Ask for a $100,000 salary ...

What's wrong with this sentence?

Correct any punctuation errors in the following sentences. Caution: Some sentences may ­already be correct, so don’t be fooled.

Writing email that gets read

Boost the odds that people will read your emails. Five guidelines: 1.  Limit your message to five sentences. 2.  Figure out your main point. 3.  Edit. 4.  Ask one thing at a time, or maybe two. 5.  Include a link to information available online.

Grammar Repair Shop: Use one word? Or two?

Is it one word or two? Take this quiz to test your knowledge of common spelling snafus:

Invitation to punch up e-vites

Think beyond Evite with these three digital greeting-card sites: Paperless Post, Pingg and Punchbowl.

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