A simple idea may have exceptions, further information, qualifications, and multiple avenues for expression. All these are easily and simultaneously understood by the author, but sometimes they all get jammed into sentences that become impenetrable to the reader. Consider this paragraph: Let us … [Read more...]
Wordoku Answer: Jocundity
In the August–September 2017 issue of Copyediting newsletter, we challenged you to solve the Wordoku puzzle for jocundity. Here’s the answer: You can play more word games on our blog. … [Read more...]
Wordoku Answer: Lakefront
In the June–July 2017 issue of Copyediting newsletter, we challenged you to solve the Wordoku puzzle for lakefront. Here’s the answer: You can play more word games on our blog. … [Read more...]
Verifying the Facts
Perhaps you’ve seen this diagram floating around the internet: It was created by patent attorney Vanessa Otera. How you feel about its accuracy may depend on your personal biases (we all have them). Some conservative sensational sites have declared the center of the chart (e.g., The New York … [Read more...]
Wordoku Answer: Zwiebacks
In the April–May 2017 issue of Copyediting newsletter, we challenged you to solve the Wordoku puzzle for zwiebacks. Here’s the answer: You can play more word games on our blog. … [Read more...]
Wordoku Answer: Youngster
In the February–March 2017 issue of Copyediting newsletter, we challenged you to solve the Wordoku puzzle for youngster: Here’s the answer: You can play more word games on our blog. … [Read more...]
The Evolution of In Style
Copyediting newsletter’s In Style column has long advised readers on recent changes to their favorite style manuals and guided them on applying some of the more esoteric rules of writing style. Recently, though, we’ve struggled to cover some issues, such as whether to capitalize black and white … [Read more...]
Wordoku Answer: Afterglow
In the December 2016–January 2017 issue of Copyediting newsletter, we challenged you to solve the Wordoku puzzle for afterglow. Here’s the answer: You can play more word games on our blog. … [Read more...]