Academic writers are often told to “write succinctly”…but what makes your writing succinct? Use short, concise words, and short sentences, says Columbia University.
Read more“3 tips to write succinctly”
3 ways to cut the clutter from your writing
Drafts of your manuscripts are bound to have clutter that obscures what you want to get across. That’s perfectly normal. But what exactly is “clutter” and how can you get rid of it?
Read more“3 ways to cut the clutter from your writing”
Tidbits for editors and proofreaders (from CIEP2021)
Random stuff that I and others shared at CIEP2021 that I found useful for editors and proofreaders. I’m having an amazing time at the CIEP2021 online conference! Apart from the …
Style sheets: What are they & why do you want to use them
Wondering what style sheets are? They’re a simple tool that will ensure consistency across your document and help you communicate with your editor/proofreader.
RESOURCES: Plain language
Using plain language means writing in a way that your intended audiences can immediately find, understand, and use your messages and information. It’s not about “dumbing down” your message but …
Expressing time zones for events
As events have gone online since 2020, we’ve become more conscious of time zones. If your event targets an international audience, express the event time in a way that makes …
BOOK: The Non-Designer’s Design Book by Robin Williams: Basic design principles
Even if you’re not a designer, you can make your documents more attractive. In her brilliant book, Robin Williams explains the four basic design principles we need to use.
Plain language: Using design elements for clear communication
Plain language isn’t just about the words; design makes it easier for readers to find, understand, and use the information in the document. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a …
Key to clearer writing: Be consistent
Some things about writing better are hard, but others are quite simple—like being consistent.
Key to clearer writing: Know the big picture before you start
Understanding the big picture — before you start writing — will help you write better. When you know who and what the document is for, you can put the right pieces in the right place.
Webinar: Writing for international audiences
I was thrilled to run a 1-hour online workshop for UNITAR Division of Prosperity on tips on writing for an international audience. Here’s what took place!
