The Series Comma

Here is a  simple way to use commas to write crystal-clear sentences when you need your reader to understand items in a series (lists of three or more things).  Without any commas, three or more items in a series run into one another. The result is confusing

Commonly Misused Words

Many pairs of English words sound alike, although the two words have different spellings and very different meanings. In these cases it can be hard to choose the right word, since a word can have the wrong meaning for your sentence but still be spelled correctly. Misused words can distract your readers and diminish your credibility

Use Active Language to Bring Your Writing to Life

Many writers use passive language without thinking. It pays to think about passive language carefully since it tends to weaken your writing, confuse your readers, and make your sentences longer. In contrast, active language focuses your readers’ attention and increases the impact of your message

Write It Well Keeps Companies out of Trouble by Developing Criteria for Effective Performance Reviews

A press release, Write It Well Keeps Companies Out of Trouble by Developing Criteria for Effective Performance Reviews, is available online here

Probiotics, Fixer-Uppers, and Hyphens

“Probiotics are live micro-organisms that work by restoring the balance of intestinal bacteria and raising resistance to harmful germs.” – Tara Parker-Pope, “Probiotics: Looking underneath the Yogurt Label,” New York Times online, September 28, 2009 A recent New York Times article refers to (unhyphenated) “probiotics,” which are (hyphenated) “micro-organisms” in yogurt. Two days later, the paper ran a Home & Garden article about a “Fixer-Upper” on the housing market in St