How many spaces should I leave after a period?
Leave one space after a period or other concluding punctuation mark, unless your instructor prefers two spaces. Whichever spacing you choose, be sure to use… Read More
Posts related to writing tips
Is a new edition of the MLA Style Manual going to be published?
No. The MLA Style Manual will be taken out of print. The system of documentation explained in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook is… Read More
Dictionary 101
Beware the spelling checker! Here's what you need to know about using a dictionary . . . Read More
A Regrettable Shortcut: The Pseudo Conjunction With
The use of with as a pseudo conjunction weakens prose . . . Read More
Many or Multiple?
Multiple is often not a good synonym for many Read More
“Why Should We Sweat This Small Stuff?”
The notes posted here don’t concern small points . . . Read More
The Waste of Haste: Premature Introductions
A common type of jumble in prose results from premature introductions . . . Read More
A Regrettable Shortcut: Faculty Referring to Individuals
Faculty is one of a category of nouns that refer to groups of people as a body . . . Read More
Must quotations always be introduced with wording like “So-and-so writes”?
No. There are innumerable ways to weave a quotation gracefully into your prose. As long as the quotation’s purpose and source are clear, you need… Read More
Is it wrong to type spaces before and after a dash?
The appropriateness of spaces before and after a dash depends on various considerations: the typeface used, the medium (print, online), and so on. In the… Read More