Using apostrophes correctly
The apostrophe is used: To indicate the possessive. To indicate missing letters. Sometimes to indicate the structure of unusual words. 1. To indicate the possessive. This is Peter’s book. This book is...
View ArticleKeep it short
Use the commonest shortest words where you can so everyone knows what you mean. A few examples. additional (replace with ‘extra’) advise (tell) commence (start) complete (fill in) comply with (keep to)...
View ArticleIt’s all about spelling
I have been responsible over the years for a few howlers which I will own up to in residents’ newsletters – but all of them have been spotted and some unfortunatley made the news (in the wrong sort of...
View ArticleAccessibility of printed material
If you intend to print your document, there are a few considerations to make it more accessible. Paper type/weight The type and quality of paper you print onto can have accessibility implications....
View ArticleWriting for the web
Preparing content to go on to a website While there are similarities, the web is not the same as printed media. If you need to publish information on a website, do not assume that you can simply cut...
View ArticleSweet tweets or tweet retreats!
Mistakes can cost you your job, your relationship and lots of money. Social media provides a public platform that make gaffes very visible at speed. Tweet something silly and you could become a viral...
View ArticleHelp reduce your errors in Word docs
Worried about mistakes when you write? Word 2010 has several proofing features to help you reduce your errors – see here: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/word2010/6.1
View ArticleInnocent: Passionate Copy and Heart-warming Visual Design
Have a look at the points made by this writer – it’s all about using words to create a feeling of emotion and passion – words can make you want to try a brand or buy it or change your thoughts and...
View Articleback to the Roaring Twenties
F Scott Fitzgerald, writer of The Great Gatsby, introduced the word “wicked” as a term of approval. Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of the film opens later and kicks off the Cannes Film festival....
View ArticleGrammar quiz and article from BBC
Fantastic grammar quiz – BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22512744 … and article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22403731 - great if you love words and want to write properly too.
View ArticleHow to design and write job adverts
The best techniques are the same as for all other advertising. The job is your product and the readers are your customers so you need to attract attention, create interest and desire and then get...
View ArticleJob adverts – how to write them
Use one headline and make the job relevant and clear. It could simply be the job title itself which is what people are looking for. If the job title doesn’t describe the job, then a use a bold...
View ArticleLinking words
Instructions often use linking words to tell us what to do and the order in which to do it. These words also tell us about how each step in the instructions links to the other steps. Here’s a list of...
View ArticleAdjectives and intensifiers
We use adjectives to describe nouns. Most adjectives can be used in front of a noun…: They have a beautiful house. We saw a very exciting film last night. or after a link verb like be, look or feel:...
View ArticleHyphens
Hyphens A hyphen denotes two or more words to be read as one but try to cut and join if you can. Check dictionaries. The hyphen ( ‐ ) is used to join words and to separate syllables of a single word....
View ArticleWriting adverts
Adverts are used for number of purposes – • Gain acceptance of product to help secure distribution • Give a product profile • Introduce a new idea • Stimulate demand for a brand/counter competitors...
View ArticleDown with capitalism
I am fed up with misplaced capitals – get rid of them where possible. It’s lower case for seasons, points of the compass, but upper for proper nouns, full titles of organisations, names of companies...
View ArticleProofreading text 1
Burglers – Keep Out! Rushclife has the lowest burlgary rate in the county. But we cant afford to drop our gaurd. Reducing burglary even further is a high priority. In May, Rushcliffe Community Safety...
View ArticleProofreading text 2
As we enter the new millenium it difficult to avoid thinking about how the world is changing. In the 1980’s few people had even seen a computer, let alone owned one. Now they are on most children’...
View ArticleQuestionnaire Design
Things to Avoid when Asking Questions Complex Question: questions that are too difficult for the respondents to answer Leading and Loaded Questions leading questions: questions that point respondents...
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