50 alternatives to the word “disas...

In this exponentially long election cycle, we’ve heard it all — especially with regard to rhetoric. Bluster, braggadocio, misstatements, lies, deflections, words that aren’t words, and mixed and mangled metaphors have littered the messages with which we’ve been bombarded. One word stands out as having been flung around the most: “disaster.” Over the past 16 months, this word has been tossed around more haphazardly than dirty clothes in a dorm room. It’s been so overused that it’s lost its meaning. The English language offers a multitude of alternatives to...

11 of literature’s best closing li...

First sentences can make or break even the most brilliantly crafted article. Lead sentences are often the deciding factor in whether readers keep reading. This is why we writers struggle so desperately to find the perfect opening lines. Closing lines are a different story. They’re not nearly as troublesome for corporate communicators—but in fiction, an author’s final lines can provide closure, leave readers hanging or take the story in an entirely new direction. For inspiration, here are a few outstanding closing lines from literature: 1. “But, in spite of...

10 IT terms for PR pros to know

Understanding the language of our co-workers in the IT department is half the battle for PR and marketing pros. I’ve been in enough meetings with marketing, PR and IT professionals to see the pattern. Those on the marketing or PR side make a request. Those on the IT side respond using terms no one else understands. When asked for clarification, the IT folks continue to use unfamiliar terms. It’s frustrating for everyone. To help ease the aggravation, below are frequently used IT terms, along with their definitions (courtesy of Gartner IT glossary). 1. Agile — a...

3 questions corporate communicators shou...

Corporate communicators, does this exchange sound familiar to you? Co-worker: “We need a flier.” You: “A flier?” Co-worker: “Yes. We need to get the word out about all the latest online courses we are offering. We want to create a flier to go with the membership renewal letters.” You: “How many fliers are currently mailed with the membership renewal letters?” Co-worker: “There are three other fliers.” You: “So, this would be a fourth flier.” Co-worker: “Yes.” You: “And you want the flier to list the titles of the online courses that we...

21 fortunes for writers

I’ve always thought it would be fun to write the fortunes found in fortune cookies. I’m not nearly clever enough to come up with, “The fortune you seek is in another cookie,” or, “It would be best to maintain a low profile for now,” but see what you think of these: Leo Tolstoy handwrote War and Peace by candlelight. Use the singular “they.” Go on. Try it. Hypergraphia: A compulsion to write, sometimes uncontrollably. Every time you misuse an exclamation mark, a puppy dies. Clarity begins at home. Read what makes you happy. It’s all fun and games until...

7 quick rules for commas

There is probably no more controversial punctuation mark than the comma. Give three editors the same paragraph, tell them to add commas, and you will end up with three paragraphs in which the commas are all used differently. The Chicago Manual of Style sums up the issue quite nicely: “Effective use of the comma involves good judgment, with ease of reading the end in view.” Keeping this in mind, here are seven general guidelines for using comma. 1. Use a comma after opening dependent clauses or long adverbial phrases. Here’s an example: “If our click-through rate...