✉ lisa@editwrite.co.uk
The Editwrite blog: free resources for everyday writers, bookworms and word nerds
If you have a particular spelling, grammar or punctuation question you’d like to know the answer to, just let me know and I’ll answer it here. Chances are that you’re not the only one wondering about it!
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Polite proofreading: five golden rules
When I tell people I’m a proofreader, I worry that they’ll immediately have me down as a picky, smug pedant. I often see social media posts ridiculing someone else’s mistakes, and it bothers me that some people think this is OK. Along with thousands of other editorial professionals, I am a polite proofreader. I am committed to sharing this tiny aspect of kindness in the hope that it will spread, so here are my five golden rules for polite proofreading in everyday life. Please join me on this crusade.
When to use capital letters in business writing
Happy New Year! Or is it happy new year? Deciding when to use capital letters in business writing is not as clear cut as you might think. Here’s my handy guide on when to use capital letters, when to avoid them, and what to do when you’re not sure.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you to all my clients, colleagues and friends for your support this year!
How to write your bid or grant application
This article is for all those who strive daily to meet the needs of their community but who struggle with the formality of bid writing and grant applications. The principles also apply to any type of application process where you have to answer specific questions. Of course I can’t guarantee your success, but I hope my tips will help you along the way.
How to avoid jargon and acronyms in your business writing
Jargon (specific technical language) and acronyms (usually made up of the initial letters of something) are useful when writing for people within a particular field. However, we need to be more careful when writing for a lay audience, who might not have the specific knowledge needed to understand your terminology. How can you do this effectively? Read on for my top tips.
How to write for your business
Whether it’s a report or a leaflet, a blog article or a bid, all business will involve some sort of writing. What you write and how you write is a reflection of your business, so if standing out as professional, clear and competent is what you’re after, read on.
How to proofread your own work
Even the most careful writers miss problems with their own work. We become ‘blind’ to what we have written and read what we meant to write, rather than what we actually wrote. Don’t worry – it happens to us all! If you can’t hire a professional proofreader and you don’t have anyone else to read through your text, there are still plenty of things you can do to help yourself when proofreading your own work.
