Academic writers are often told to “write succinctly”…but what makes your writing succinct? Use short, concise words, and short sentences, says Columbia University.
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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?
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Plain language is a civil right
Access to information is essential for us to participate in society and lead healthy lives. Plain language helps us access that information, understand it, and use it to exercise our …
What’s wrong with “native speaker”? Plus ESL, ELL, EFL…alphabet soup!
In reality, a “native English speaker” means people who are from a Western English-speaking country. The term is used to exclude anyone who doesn’t fit into that group, no matter …
BOOK: The Elements of International English Style, by Edmond H. Weiss
Ever wonder how to write English suited for international readers? Edward Weiss’s Elements of International English Style is a comprehensive and thoughtful guide that gives concrete strategies while being sensitive …
Plain language vs. Easy English
Plain language’s aim is to ensure that people can access (understand and use) the information they need to lead better lives. But there’s also Easy English. The two share core …
RESOURCES: Public style guides
Here are links to some major public style guides, such as for the governments of Australia, EU, and the US, and the United Nations, as well as a smattering of …
RESOURCE: “How to write a research paper – A to Z of academic writing”
Academic editing giant Enago provides a great online guide/overview of all the basics you need to know about academic writing. Enago Academy is an extensive online resource for academic writers …
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 …