Writing clearer sentences
If you tend to put key information late in the sentence, you may lose your reader.Move the following highlighted words to earlier in the sentence… Read More »Writing clearer sentences
style
Editing tools
When we have written several drafts, we need to edit our text. Here are some basic questions on editing and proofreading. The answers below are… Read More »Editing tools
Style and style guides
For the new beginning after the summer, let’s start with a basic quiz about style guides.Discuss with yourself or a colleague, then check against the… Read More »Style and style guides
Test your editing skills
Proofread and correct these examples from United Nations writings. The United Nations and most international organizations in the UN system use the Editorial Manual online.… Read More »Test your editing skills
Switching between diplomatic and plain English writing
When writing to diplomatic missions or within international organizations, the goal is often clarity wrapped in courtesy and neutrality. Diplomatic language softens directness, avoids blame… Read More »Switching between diplomatic and plain English writing
Overloaded sentences in organizational writing
In governmental and organizational writing, sentences are often overloaded with subordinate clauses, prepositional phrases and embedded lists. How can you simplify them? Example from an… Read More »Overloaded sentences in organizational writing
Confusing words: Less vs fewer
Use fewer with things you can count.Use less with things you measure, not count. If you mix these, it could be a question of style.… Read More »Confusing words: Less vs fewer
Common wordy expressions you can replace with concise ones
In springtime, we prune our gardens. We can take the same approach to our texts. Let’s consider some typical wordy expressions to see how we… Read More »Common wordy expressions you can replace with concise ones
Hedging language
When we write at work, we usually have to be factual, clear and direct. At other times, though, we need to express ourselves more cautiously… Read More »Hedging language
Data is or data are?
Many of us learned at school that data is the plural form of datum in Latin. Other words of Latin origin are memorandum and biennium. … Read More »Data is or data are?