How do I shorten a last name in English composed of more than one element?
Last names in English composed of more than one element are usually shortened to the final element, so a name like Harriet Beecher Stowe would… Read More
Posts related to writing tips
Me, Myself, or I? Using Pronouns Ending in -Self
Pronouns ending with -self are often used incorrectly. This post explains how to use them. Read More
Rerouting Readers: The Power of Correlative Conjunctions
Learn how correlative conjunctions add emphasis, direct traffic, and determine meaning Read More
How do I style numbers referring to charts of record sales?
Follow the MLA’s general rule for styling numbers (MLA Handbook, sec. 1.4.1). In discussions where few numbers appear, spell out those that can be written… Read More
How do I style examples of grammar principles?
Examples of grammar principles can be styled in various ways. They can be italicized, enclosed in quotation marks, or set as extracts, to name a… Read More
How do I cite the main idea of a work?
To cite the main idea of a work, key your reference to the first element of your works-cited-list entry. This element—usually the author or title—could… Read More
When a Preposition Wrongly Replaces a Conjunction
Writers sometimes wrongly use a preposition to join the nouns in a compound subject Read More
If an author’s name in my source is in all capital letters, how should I style it in my paper?
In prose and works-cited-list entries, the first and last names of authors should begin with a capital letter. All other letters should be lowercase. Let’s… Read More
“Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow”: When a Comma Separates Subject and Verb
Learn when to separate a subject and verb with a comma Read More
Commas with Because: How to Make Your Meaning Clear
Learn when to insert a comma before a phrase or clause that begins with because Read More