Writing about writing
From the category archives:
Check out the Campaign for Plain English’s site and especially:
How to write in plain English (PDF)
Tips for clear websites (PDF)
Also, check out Jakob Neilsen’s articles about writing for the web. In particular:
How users read on the web
Writing style for print vs. web
How to write for the web
If you work with websites or user interfaces, [...]
{ 2 comments }
Thanks to Allister Frost for this link to 40 Useful and Creative Infographics.
Sometimes a picture is worth way more than 1,000 words. Writers need to remember this. I worked on an article for Wired and my research ended up at about 30,000 words or something. Their graphic design department shrunk it to a two-page diagram. [...]
{ 4 comments }
BBC Magazine has a great list of 50 buzz phrases to avoid, including:
Going forward
Touch base
Low-hanging fruit
Pre-plan
Granularity
Anything 2.0
Drill down
Plus I heard a new one the other day (from two different sources): “socialise” meaning to share an idea with colleagues and see what they think. Or perhaps I should [...]
{ 18 comments }
Many people dream of writing a novel and escaping the humdrum 9-5. But there are other, more immediate, ways to make money from writing. Perhaps not fame and fortune, but real money and the satisfaction of doing something you love. Plus you get to keep your day job while you experiment.
I should know. I [...]
{ 2 comments }
According to ChiswickW4.com, my local community news website, local councils have banned the use of common Latin words and phrases such as “QED”, “ad hoc”, “bona fide”, “ad lib” and “quid pro quo.”
Oh tempora, oh mores!
Actually, I agree with the idea in principle. Why use complicated words when simple ones will do.
“As shown,” “as [...]
{ 3 comments }
Case studies can help companies win business. We’re in a demand-generation, deal-closing economy and good customer evidence is the laser-guided bomb of marketing.
As Writer-in-chief at Articulate Marketing, I write many case studies for different technology companies, including Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard and others. Here are ten tips that will help you write and use great [...]
{ 4 comments }
Back when I was a freelance journalist, I had to source all my articles properly. This meant getting objective proof of facts and assertions, typically by interview or with reference to government or company publications. I try to carry this attitude through into my corporate work. Proper sourcing is important because it:
Adds credibility. Clients [...]
{ 3 comments }
“Bill Gates once asked me, ‘Could you make me more human?’ I said, ‘Being human is overrated.’”
This doubly priceless quote comes from Mark Penn, Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager. (Hat tip: The Atlantic.)
When it comes to writing copy, the human touch is still vital. Here are some tips for making copy that reads like a human [...]
{ 7 comments }
Hat tip to: Away with words. Make that Fritinancy.
{ 1 comment }
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but John McGarvey from 123-reg has produced a video that is worth two thousand. It covers the basics of writing for the web and why it is different from writing for print.
Useful articles (without videos – sorry) on this blog that deal with writing for the web [...]
{ 5 comments }
Matthew Stibbe is Writer in chief at Articulate Marketing and editor of Golf Hotel Whiskey, the free online magazine for pilots. Follow me on Twitter.