Do I need to use the (r) mark with my CFP designation?

“Do I need to use the ® mark with my CFP designation”? This question spurred me to do some research on whether one must always write “CFP®.” When I was active as a reporter, I never used the ® mark. In fact, I rarely included an interviewee’s CFP designation because space was tight. Upon doing […]

Mistake Monday

MISTAKE MONDAY for January 29: Can YOU spot what’s wrong?

Can you spot what’s wrong in the image below? Please post your answer as a comment. Having trouble finding the mistake? Try reading the text out loud! I post these challenges to raise awareness of the importance of proofreading.

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

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.

"Dollars On Screen" by Stuart Miles

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. […]