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Author Archives: Norm Friedman
Picture This
At two of my recent writing workshops, I figured many participants would want to devote some time to discussing the use of photos to complement text – whether that text was for a brochure, newsletter, email blast, website, or other … Continue reading
Posted in Flair & Finesse
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Weight Loss
It’s January. Gym memberships are up; calories are down. But have you resolved to eliminate fat in your writing? Here is a practice session on writing more concisely. What would you edit? 1. Due to the fact that many of … Continue reading
Posted in Brevity
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“Olio”
If you’re a crossword puzzle aficionado, you know that an “olio” is a miscellaneous collection (related to another frequent crossword answer, “olla,” or stew). Today, see if you can correct or refine these sentences from an olio of sources. 1. … Continue reading
Posted in Brevity, Common Grammar Errors, Flair & Finesse
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Oldies but Goodies III
To round out the year, let’s review a few more issues presented in 2015. Historic or historical? 1. The visiting scholar’s insights into today’s media contained a surprising number of (historic/historical) references. 2. The town’s (historic/historical) vote 30 years ago to … Continue reading
Oldies but Goodies II
As promised last week, here are a few more quiz questions from 2015. First, correct errors or redundancies in these two sentences. 1. If you’re wondering where my Dad is, Uncle Al saw him hop in the hotel bar. 2. … Continue reading
Oldies but Goodies
As we round out 2015, my next posts will give you another crack at improving a few sentences selected from the past year. Good luck with your review test. 1. If your going to consume a record amount of hors … Continue reading
Errors That Make Readers Grumpy
What are some common errors in writing or speaking that irk you? Some folks can’t stand “irregardless.” Others grind their teeth when “I” or “myself” is incorrectly substituted for “me.” And “very unique” has its legion of groaners. Other language … Continue reading
To Be or Not to Be
So was Hamlet confronting an existential moment … or just contemplating grammar? He probably was composing an email and noticed how often he’d relied on the unexciting verb “to be” (“I am,” “you are,” “she will have been,” “they were,” … Continue reading
Posted in Flair & Finesse
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Thanksgiving Dinner Guests
Select your answer in each of the following. 1. We’re inviting the (Rubio’s/Rubios’/Rubios) and a few other candidates’ families to Thanksgiving dinner. 2. I need the (Clinton’s/Clintons/Clintons’) banana cream pie recipe, but I don’t have Hillary’s email address. 3. We hope the … Continue reading
Posted in Common Punctuation Errors
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Tree-mendous
A certain presidential candidate is fond of the word “tremendous.” (A few days ago I heard him use it five times in 20 seconds.) So does the failure to use fresh language disqualify a candidate for high office? Even a … Continue reading
Posted in Flair & Finesse
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