The ‘bossy’ colon is an important punctuation mark: it commands attention, offers more information and adds emphasis. It looks like this: : The main use of a colon is to signal that additional detail is to come. Straus, Kaufman and Stern (2014), writing in The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, suggest that…
In this article, I’ll explain how to properly use a style sheet to ensure absolute consistency in any document that you are editing. It is mainly aimed at professional editors, but the information is certainly also relevant to writers who want to learn how to achieve consistency in their writing,…
Do you want to know exactly how to launch a LUCRATIVE career as an editor? Do you love words and know you want to be an editor, but are too scared to give up your day job because you don’t know if you can support yourself as a freelancer? Have…
The English language is truly bizarre and full of inconsistencies, particularly when it comes to spelling. When ‘ph’ and ‘gh’ are meant to sound like ‘f’ and silent letters abound, such as the ‘k’ in ‘knee’ and the ‘b’ in ‘thumb’, it is no wonder that people get confused. However, mastering spelling…
Academic writing requires a particular skill set, which one does not acquire by osmosis. It takes time to develop the craft of writing and, like any other skill, it takes practice to hone. We’ve curated a list of excellent resources and online courses to help you improve your academic writing.…
Compound verbs (i.e. compound words functioning as a single verb) usually appear as two or more words (e.g. ‘was destroyed’, ‘was looking’ and ‘will be waiting’) and are thus not hyphenated. Compound adverbs (i.e. two words modifying verbs), on the other hand, usually appear as one word. In both instances,…
Writing a book can take up a lot of your time and is a significant commitment. You, therefore, want to give it the best chance of success, so you need to find a book editor who can ensure it’s in the best possible state for publication. No matter how much you check…
Ok, we’ve covered why textbooks are so expensive and explained why it’s important for you to buy all your required readings. Here is the good news! It is possible to get hold of all your required readings but still keep your costs down. Here’s how! Make Sure You Only Buy What is Required First,…
If you’ve written a novel, it’s no doubt been a labour of love and you’ve invested a lot of your time and effort into it. You’re proud of what you’ve created and can’t wait to get it published. Writing, however, is only the first step in a long process. Before…
Three Latin shortened forms commonly appear in academic writing: ‘i.e.’, ‘e.g.’ and ‘etc.’. Often ‘i.e.’ and ‘e.g.’ are used interchangeably, but this is incorrect. This article will define the meanings of each of these Latin shortened forms and explain how to use them correctly in formal contexts. What does ‘i.e.’…