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• The Chitchat Patrol

  1456 readerss I've discussed often, we try to avoid colloquial or slang expressions in straight news stories. Even in features we should use them judiciously, for special effect. Chatty or colloquial language, in news stories in particular, can undercut the ser...

• The Chatty Effect

  1078 readersAs I've often noted, we strive for vivid and lively writing in straight news as well as in features. But in most cases, slang or colloquial words aren't the best approach. Those expressions can seem out of place in news stories, undercutting the serious and literate tone we seek.

• Affect Is (Usually) a Verb

  4966 readersBefore so much of the professional jargon of psychology found its way into the popular vocabulary, explaining the difference between affect and effect was a bit easier than it is now. Original Post: Affect Is (Usually) a Verb Your eBook: Click here to download the Basic English Grammar ebook.

• Sell Your Writing for a Tweet

  4344 readers Pay with a Tweet allows writers, publishers, musicians, artists and companies to set up social network exchanges. Readers simply click on the “Pay with a Tweet” button on the website, downloading book excerpts, eBooks, music and other goods in exchange for a promotional tweet (video embedded above). Over at Keyhole press, readers can “buy” three books

• In Regard to Your Letter…

  4286 readersAs both noun and verb, the word regard has numerous meanings and uses in English. Sometimes it is correctly used in the plural; sometimes not. Original Post: In Regard to Your Letter… Your eBook: Click here to download the Basic English Grammar ebook.

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  When to Spell Out Numbers

  2922 readersThe choice between writing a number as a numeral, or spelling it out as a word, depends upon context. Your eBook: Click here to download the Basic English Grammar ebook. Original Post: When to Spell Out Numbers

• The Trouble With ‘Like’

  972 readersHere's my latest reminder on the use and misuse of "like." Using "like" as a conjunction, to introduce a full clause, is common in casual conversation. But this colloquial construction grates on the ear of many sophisticated readers, and we should g...

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  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to Close Indianapolis Warehouse

  4681 readersAs part of a company-wide restructuring, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will close its Indianapolis West Warehouse Facility next year. In addition, The Learning Company president Tony Bordon and innovation and new ventures EVP Fiona O’Carroll will both depart. News broke last week that the publisher will merge its Education Group into the company as a whole,

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  6 Ways to Make Your Writing Upbeat and Fun

  803 readersphoto by Ernst Moeksis by Todd Rutherford You've probably read enough articles, news stories, press releases and books to distinguish different tones and moods in the writing style used by the author. Simply, by changing a few words, adding pun...

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  ‘Charlie St. Cloud’ Novelist to Lead ABC News

  1091 readersNovelist and TV news producer Ben Sherwood (pictured, via) has been tapped by Disney/ABC Television to serve as president of ABC News.  In a TVNewser  update, Sherwood said he would put his novels on hold at the new job. Here’s more: “She...