Q&A format for articles: Good or bad?
The Q&A format has its uses. An FAQ section covering frequently asked questions belongs on many websites. However, this format should be used sparingly for articles. FAQs work, so why not Q&A articles? Unlike articles, FAQs are meant to be searched or skimmed for one question, not read word-for-word. Their readers seek answers to […]
MISTAKE MONDAY for December 25: Can YOU spot what’s wrong?
Can you spot what’s wrong in the image below? Please post your answer as a comment. Hint: Automated spell checking should have identified the big mistake that caught my eye. I post these challenges to raise awareness of the importance of proofreading.
Singular or plural–which is right for $5 million?
It’s not always easy to tell whether a noun is singular or plural. Take this example “$5 million was/were enough.” When I informally polled some writer friends, four out of five voted for “was.” That sounds right to me, too. The word “dollars” is plural, but “$5 million” becomes what grammarians call a collective noun. […]
MISTAKE MONDAY for November 27: Can YOU spot what’s wrong?
Can you spot what’s wrong in the image below? Please post your answer as a comment. Oh, I felt so tempted to make a snarky comment about this mistake! I post these challenges to raise awareness of the importance of proofreading.
My 2023 reading
Here are some of the most interesting, helpful books that I read during 2023. I hope you’ll find some titles that interest you. Writing Making Numbers Count: The Art and Science of Communicating Numbers by Chip Health and Karla Starr. This book has great examples of effective communication with numbers. Rebel with a Clause: Takes […]