Fun gifts for writers and readers, 2022 edition
All the Halloween decorations are stashed for the season. American Thanksgiving is on the doorstep. Warm weather on the weekend had neighbours putting up their Christmas lights. Someone I know (not naming names) had a Christmas tree up on November 3. So, it’s time for...
Don’t clog your copy with too many abbreviations
“Text studded with abbreviations is hard to read and unsightly,” says The Canadian Press Stylebook. “Avoid when an option exists.” It’s true you’re being kind to your reader when you explain abbreviations and acronyms.* But too many is, well, too much....
Big bears put big numbers in perspective (Wordnerdery)
Brown bears are big. I mean, BIG. You probably have to guess at the size, but would you guess “seven times the average American adult”? That’s Chunk, at 1,200 pounds the runner-up in the annual Fat Bear Week, October 5 to 11 this year. The winner, Bear 747 (shown...
More writing tips you might have missed in ICYMI, Oct. edition
The latest “Data Never Sleeps” shows the breathtaking amount of data created every minute on the internet: (See the full infographic here.) We’re asking Google questions (5.9 million every minute), uploading to YouTube (500 hours), sharing photos on Instagram...
Networking tips for comms/PR students and new grads
The fall is as much a time of new beginnings as New Year’s. If you’re a PR or communication student, your new beginnings probably include building your network and launching your career. You can do both by making the most of your professional association while you’re...
Profile of an IABC legend: Bobbie Resnick, ABC, APR, MC, IABC Fellow
IABC/Toronto members learned late yesterday that an “outstanding leader, mentor, #IABCTO volunteer, entrepreneur and educator” had died. Roberta (Bobbie) Resnick, ABC, APR, MC and IABC Fellow, was a long-time IABC volunteer; the chapter’s Student of the Year Award was...
12+ tips to clear the way to better writing for managers (Wordnerdery)
Managers can be better writers, and some of my clients have asked for help to make that happen. The thing is, most companies judge their people by how well they handle their specific jobs. While clear writing would help managers communicate, writing doesn’t usually...
Word choice, jargon and plain language in ICYMI, Sept. edition
You may or may not be on social media. Almost certainly, you aren’t seeing every interesting link that flashes past. So here are more links to helpful posts I’ve shared that you might have missed: Word choice “Don’t be mealy-mouthed about mortality,” says John...