Will readers know your shorthand?
The first line of a writer’s Facebook post gave me pause:
“I spoke to a class of nursing students via Zoom about our experiences with FTD.”
I could only guess the meaning of those initials. Decades ago, broadcaster Arthur Godfrey had often advertised Florists’ Telegraph Delivery: FTD. But I doubted this writer told nursing students how … Continue reading
Don’t divert readers from your message.
A month ago, the Pickles comic strip offered good wisdom for writers. “A big vocabulary,” one character said, “is like underwear. Everyone should have it. But they shouldn’t show it off.”
There’s good reason for this. Showing off — drawing attention to your writing — diverts readers’ attention from your content. That makes your writing less effective. If you’re … Continue reading
You’re judged by your spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
In their Facebook posts one week, several authors took issue with people they called grammar-shamers. They wanted to be judged by their online substance, not their delivery.
They missed the point.
If an error — of any kind — distracts a reader from your message, then you’ve failed to communicate clearly. Authors are judged by their written words. Once you put out your shingle as a … Continue reading