There’s a piece of punctuation that I didn’t know existed until after I finished my PhD in Literature, after I had won an award for teaching writing, and after I got my first in-house editing job: the en-dash. We all know hyphens, which connect a pair of words that are working together (as in, “aContinue reading “Secret punctuation: the en-dash”
Category Archives: Sentence-Level Editing
“Or” does not preclude “and”
I find few instances of academic writing in which “and/or” is a better choice than simply “or.” As the above image illustrates, when you connect a pair of words with “or,” you’re not ruling out the possibility of “and”; that is, “or” includes “and” within its meaning. In my experience, many writers are using “and/or”Continue reading ““Or” does not preclude “and””
What is Writing Well is Hard?
writingwellishard.com is a free digital tool that helps academic writers to identify the patterns in their own writing, and to compare their work to a sample of their choice. I made writingwellishard.com because I’m not persuaded there’s only one way to write well, and I don’t like that the norms of “good” writing are tooContinue reading “What is Writing Well is Hard?”
#AskDrEditor: Writing well is hard: How to write like the best writers in your discipline
My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. This Ask Dr. Editor piece shares Writing well is hard, a free tool that delivers statistics on your writing and your favourite academic author’s, and helps you to emulate writing styles that you admire: “Writing well is hard: How to write like the best writers in yourContinue reading “#AskDrEditor: Writing well is hard: How to write like the best writers in your discipline”
#AskDrEditor: How to hire an editor
My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. This Ask Dr. Editor piece outlines how to navigate the world of editing and find a great editor who can meet your needs: “How to hire an editor: Three steps to make sure you get the help you need.” Have a question you want me toContinue reading “#AskDrEditor: How to hire an editor”
#AskDrEditor: Using the active voice strategically
My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. This Ask Dr. Editor piece explains the active voice, when to use it, and its application alongside passive voice: “Using the active voice strategically: How and where to edit for active voice constructions in your academic writing.” Have a question you want me to answer? Contact me!
#AskDrEditor: Literature reviews that work
My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. This Ask Dr. Editor piece outlines the components of an effective lit review, with a special emphasis on nuance and flow: “Literature reviews that work: Techniques for coherent, analytical lit reviews.” Have a question you want me to answer? Contact me!
#AskDrEditor: How to write persuasively in promotion and tenure documents
My editing advice column, Ask Dr. Editor, is available through UniversityAffairs.ca. This Ask Dr. Editor piece provides tips for demonstrating the value of your work in writing, for promotion and tenure review: “How to write persuasively in promotion and tenure documents: Be sure your application shows the significance of your work while focusing on your most compelling accomplishments.”Continue reading “#AskDrEditor: How to write persuasively in promotion and tenure documents”