#27330
Beware of adverbs. They can dilute the meaning of the verb or repeat it.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Diction>Rhetoric
#30358
When is a noun not a noun? When it's been verbed. A lot of verbing is going on, as you've probably noticed. In fact, it's happening so frequently that I think we'd better come up with a name for the part of speech produced by verbing a noun.
Allison, Nancy. Boston Broadside (1989). Articles>Writing>Diction>Grammar
#30311
Fighting the Non-Sexist Language Battle
Sexist language consists of various words and terms that foster stereotypes of social roles based on gender. Professional writers must keep abreast of significant changes in our language, and the issue of sexism is an integral change. Sexist language has become offensive. Sexist language is confusing.
Bourns, Tracy. Boston Broadside (1991). Articles>Writing>Diction>Gender
#29794
When it comes to relative pronouns, incomplete knowledge may lead to frustration and confusion. The pronouns that, which, who, and what serve as relative pronouns when they introduce a relative (or subordinate) clause.
Wenger, Andrea. Carolina Communique (2007). Articles>Writing>Diction>Grammar
#27333
Play with words, even in serious stories. Choose words the average writer avoids but the average reader understands.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Diction>Rhetoric
#27336
Prefer the simple to the technical: shorter words and paragraphs at the points of greatest complexity.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Diction>Rhetoric
#27335
Seek original images. Make word lists, free-associate, be surprised by language. Reject cliches and 'first-level creativity.'
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Diction>Rhetoric
#27329
Use verbs in their strongest form, the simple present or past. Strong verbs create action, save words, and reveal the players.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Diction>Rhetoric
#24140
Words: The Last, Best Way to Differentiate Yourself Online
Writing is a subject that doesn't crop up too often at conferences. Why not? ecause writing is not one of the sexy things that happens online. Programming is sexy. Online design is sexy. The technology behind e-mail and e-commerce is sexy.
Usborne, Nick. ClickZ (2001). Articles>Writing>Diction>Web Design
#34037
When Should You Definitely Use Jargon in a Technical Document?
As a technical writer you’ve heard this piece of sage writing advice a thousand times: you should stay away from jargon and write as you speak. It’s basic. Strunk & White said so, didn’t they? It’s true. But is this rule true ALL the time, unconditionally? No, I’m afraid it is not. Life has its exceptions. And so does this “rule.”
Akinci, Ugur. Technical Communication Center (2009). Articles>Writing>Diction>Technical Writing
#34113
Technical and Copy Writing: How to Use Causality Correctly
Organize your writing so that it becomes very clear what kind of cause-and-effect relationship exists between different elements of your argument.
Technical Communication Center (2008). Articles>Writing>Diction>Technical Writing
#35222
One of the difficult concepts to understand in the English language is perhaps the manner in which articles are used in a sentence. Over the course of one's life history, every student of English has had to face this nightmare at one point of time or another. The verbs are all in place and you know the nouns, the pronouns are fairly obvious, and the prepositions can eventually be worked out, but what comes before the word year and what comes before SMS is tricky.
#35743
I was disappointed yesterday when, while cruising Facebook, I noticed a national pharmacy company’s request for me to “fan” them. I simply cannot agree to become a fan of a company that thinks turning nouns into verbs is hip and thereby will increase its customer base. If they had instead asked me to “become a fan”, I may have indeed considered it.
Sohayda, Jeannine. Daily Writing Tips (2009). Articles>Writing>Diction>Grammar
