Writing with Style and Substance

Sue Robinson & Marilyn J. Shaw

Institute on PhilanthropyUniversity of RichmondStep 7: Checking the MechanicsJune 2011

Step 7: Checking the Mechanics

Style and manual (Proper name guide) Punctuation *Words--simple and stylish Spell Check, MS Word assistance Other advice:

When in doubt, leave it out Be prepared to kill your babies Add adjectives and adverbs only with a compelling reason

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Use the 50-Cent, Not $3 Word

Acknowledge Thank, Accept

Acquire Get, Buy

Demonstrate Show

Substantiate Prove

Now you try it: Subsequently Request Personnel Notwithstanding Fundamental

* Source: http://www.4syllables.com.au/resources/cheat-sheets/common-words/

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Metaphors & Similies

“The liver is like a cruise ship taking in water. As it starts to sink, it sends out an SOS. Only instead of radio waves, it uses enzymes. The more enzymes in the blood, the worse the liver is. But once the ship has sunk, there's no more SOS. You think the liver's fine, but it's already at the bottom of the sea.”Locked In episode of TV show “House”

Richard Nordquist, About.com, “’House’ Calls, the Metaphors of Dr. Gregory House”

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*Types of Punctuation

Period Exclamation point Question mark Comma Hyphens--can

clarify meaningA man-eating shark, a man eating shark

Woman killer at large

Quotes (single, dbl) Dashes (spaces or

no spaces?) Colon Ellipsis Semi-colon Apostrophes --

(contractions, possession)

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Enlisting MS Word’s Help Spell Check (Review tab/“ABC”

Spelling)

When to perform spell check

Advantages

Disadvantage Auto Correct Grammar check

Word Count (Review tab, Proofing/Word Count)

Readability (Quick Access Toolbar, More Commands, Proofing, Show Readability Statistics)

(c) Well Put LLC and Robinson & Assoc LLC