WordHippo

It's been a very long time since I've posted. I've been busy with various projects, updating my guidebook and editing a novel among them. One website I stumbled across and like is WordHippo - try it and you'll see right away what it can do.

Writing press releases

Over the years I've written quite a few press releases for clients or my own projects. The most successful, I guess, was one describing a contest which a local newspaper picked up and printed, in its entirety without a word changed, as an article under a staff reporter's byline!

Some useful tips about creating press releases can be found here. I'll add one thing: The release is more likely to be used if it contains quotes from a CEO or senior spokesperson explaining why the event is newsworthy.

Commonly confused words

This webpage has a good list of words spelled similarly which people often mix up.

One that doesn't appear on the list, but which I've seen several times when editing, is complement and compliment.

The former is more often a verb than a noun. It means to add something which enhances or perfects, for example:

The red wine he chose complemented the steak.

The latter is a verb or noun meaning to praise someone, for instance if you say, "Your cooking is excellent" or "You did a great job on that essay."

How to write faster

I especially like this article suggesting ways writers can become more productive. The first tip urges writers not to waste time researching topics in greater depth than is necessary. I'm often guilty of this, but one of the reasons why I love my job is that I'm always learning - and sometimes what I find out helps with another project at a later date, even if it's of no immediate use.

When "to" isn't needed

If you need to reduce word count, look for instances where to can be dropped. Here are two examples: 

Your excellent institution can provide greater opportunities for his growth and help him to realize his potential.

She has helped me to improve my tennis.

Bill Vossler on work lists

Like many other people, I often make a "to do" list. Bill Vossler, whose excellent advice I commented on earlier this year, has a rigid but highly effective approach to such lists:

       Start with number one on your list. Get started, get it done, and cross it off or remove it from your list. Then you're ready to go after number two. Remember, no deviating, and no skipping around.

He explains five key points in this short article.

When "both" isn't needed

The word both is often used in situations where it adds neither clarity nor elegance. For instance:

Both my wife and I enjoy cycling.
 
The chef tasted both the main course and the dessert before sending them to the customers.
 
There's no need to use both in the sentences above because the two items have been identified. Both is only required when you don't otherwise make it clear you're referring to two people, two objects etc.