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The Weltchek Weekly

Your Bulletin for Better Business Writing

 
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Your Bulletin for Better Business Writing

Put People in the Action

  • Category: Say It Better. Say It Right
  • |
  • On October 6, 2020

In this example, a doctor talks about the unusual symptoms of COVID-19 and how medical professionals need to understand them better. Hear the difference when people are attached to the concept of awareness. The sentence becomes clearer—and more human-sounding, too.

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Put “Only” Where It Belongs

  • Category: Say It Better. Say It Right
  • |
  • On September 22, 2020

Hear the difference when only—which is used to make a specific point—is placed right in front of the thought it’s emphasizing. The sentence becomes more powerful and precise. Only is a small word that can pack a punch, so put it where it belongs.

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Word Order Matters

  • Category: Say It Better. Say It Right
  • |
  • On September 8, 2020

You might think from this headline, by Business Insider, that Osama Bin Laden was killed for refusing to wear a mask. Reading your copy aloud is a good way to catch awkward construction and unintended meaning.

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How to Capitalize Headlines

  • Category: Edit
  • |
  • On August 4, 2020

Big Tech is Watching You

Who is Watching Big Tech?

That ominous headline jumped out at me—for its menacing message and the incorrect way it is formatted. In both lines, the word is should be capitalized.

Many people think all little words should be lowercased in... (Read More)

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Talking Fashion—With a Clear Voice

  • Category: Say It Better. Say It Right
  • |
  • On June 23, 2020

In this edition of Say It Better Say It Right, the president of Hearst Magazines comments on the new editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar magazine.

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Striking the Right Tone—During a Pandemic

  • Category: Write
  • |
  • On May 26, 2020

A while ago I wrote a post about not starting emails with I hope you are well.

In everyday business writing, I counseled, there’s generally no reason to open with a reference to your reader’s well-being, particularly if you don’t know the person to whom you’re writing.

But coronavirus has... (Read More)

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If Anything, COVID-19 Is Insidious, Not Insipid

  • Category: Review
  • |
  • On April 28, 2020

Insidious and insipid share the same page in the dictionary, but their meanings have nothing in common. Insidious means proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects, while insipid means lacking flavor. Yet on account of their physical similarity—all those i’s, n’s and s’s make them look and... (Read More)

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I’ll Take the Mac and Cheese—at Table Level, Please

  • Category: Write
  • |
  • On April 14, 2020

I got an email from the restaurant down the street offering me elevated comfort food in this time of crisis. I know, they were trying to make me feel better: If I order from them, I’ll feel as though I’m dining out and not standing at the kitchen counter in... (Read More)

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You Before Me—The Other Person Always Goes First

  • Category: Edit
  • |
  • On March 31, 2020

I recently received an out-of-office reply that read, I and the whole team are at an off-site meeting this week, so checking email is going to be a little difficult.

The writer should have written, The team and I are at an off-site meeting, because you always put yourself last... (Read More)

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Collective Nouns—Sometimes Singular, Sometimes Plural

  • Category: Review
  • |
  • On March 17, 2020

I saw an ad for a health plan the other day that read, Our large selection of doctors is there for you.

If that doesn’t sound right to your ear, it’s because it’s not. The verb is should be are, as in, Our large selection of doctors are there for... (Read More)

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