writing tips
Be Skeptical When You Read Your First Draft
At the core of what an editor does lies a skeptical frame of mind Read More
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introductions
spotlight on good writing
writing tips
Once upon an Introduction: “Daniel Dennett’s Science of the Soul,” by Joshua Rothman
Introductions may be informative, but they can also entertain Read More
grammar
writing tips
To Dangle or Not to Dangle: On Ending a Sentence with a Preposition
Somewhere along the line, I was taught not to dangle my prepositions Read More
spotlight on good writing
writing tips
On Crafting Topic Sentences: “The Age of ‘The Age of Innocence,’” by Elif Batuman
When composing an essay, make sure that your topic sentences point your work in the right direction Read More
grammar
punctuation
usage
Inanimate Nouns and Possession
Opinions vary on which inanimate nouns can be made possessive by adding ’s Read More
reference works
usage
writing tips
What Is a Usage Guide?
This post discusses usage guides, a type of reference work consulted in the publishing industry Read More
formatting a paper
reference works
writing tips
Three Guides on the Path to Publication: Style Manuals, In-House Guides, and Style Sheets
Learn about the differences between a style manual, an in-house guide, and a style sheet Read More
punctuation
writing tips
“Scary” Punctuation: The Origins, Use, and Abuse of Scare Quotes
An MLA editor explains the origins of scare quotes Read More
spotlight on good writing
using sources
writing tips
On Integrating Critical Works: Adam Wilson’s “Good Bad Bad Good: What Was the Golden Age of TV?”
Integrating critical works into a paper is challenging. Read More
grammar
usage
word choice
writing tips
Versus or Against?
Writers often misuse the term versus Read More