writing Archives - Barbara McNichol Editorial Services

Is your writing pompous?

January 6, 2020 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

There’s a fine line in communication – whether it’s in a non-fiction book or email at work – between sounding knowledgeable and sounding pompous.

Have you crossed that line? There are some common phrases to avoid if you don’t want to come across as arrogant or condescending.

It’s important that you temper your language when writing. You don’t have the benefit of voice intonation, hand gestures, emotions…all the things that impact a face-to-face encounter with your audience.

If you give off the wrong signals in person, you have an immediate opportunity to correct your misstep.

That can’t be said of your writing. Once you’ve pressed “Send”, mailed the letter, circulated the memo or published the book, your opportunity to explain your intent has passed.

You don’t want to set a tone that can be misconstrued if you’re not there to explain what you meant.

There are several phrases you can avoid – they pad your writing with extra words but don’t add any meaning to your message.

Here are 12 phrases to avoid that will save you from sounding pompous:

Not to mention… Okay, then don’t mention it.
It goes without saying… Right, then don’t say it.
If I may say so… Well, since you’re the author, of course, you can say so.
I believe that… Now the reader wonders if your message is based in facts.
In my humble opinion… An automatic signal that you’re not feeling humble.
To tell the truth… Implies you’ve lied to your reader in the past.
To be honest with you… Again, a suggestion that you’ve been dishonest.
For the record… If you’re not under oath you don’t need this qualifier.
Let me be perfectly clear… Usually followed by complete bafflegab.
This may sound stupid but… Check yourself, the rest of that sentence probably sounds stupid.
With all due respect… The prelude to an insult, no respect implied or taken.
In other words… The worst culprit. Just use the right words the first time.

Take these pompous-sounding “fillers” out of your writing to avoid confusion and gain clarity in your writing. This is particularly helpful in business communication, approach your reader assuming they’re pressed for time. They need information, not prose or poetry.

Are there other “filler phrases” that make writing sound pompous? Share them in the comments section below or send them along and I’ll add them to the list.

If you’d like help honing your writing skills, feel free to contact me.

Did you find this article helpful? Here are three others you’ll enjoy:

Why Use Active Verbs Instead of Passive?

Mixing Singular with Plural: Keep the Old Rules with Some New Tricks

Better Word Choices for Better Writing

This article was originally published on September 22nd, 2016, and has been updated.

An Editor’s Story and an Enticing Resource

August 16, 2017 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

As a life-long editor who’s had a professional editing service for 23+ years, I frequently trip over embarrassing writing mistakes—e.g., “except” instead of “accept” or “complement” instead of “compliment” and hundreds more. Clearly, English is a tricky language!

The question I’ve asked for eons is “How can I help people avoid embarrassment and quickly find the correct word?” So I coined the Word Trippers model as a way to quickly distinguish between tricky words. Here’s an example:

Affirm, confirm – “Affirm” means to declare positively or firmly, to assert as true or factual, while “confirm” means to verify, make firmer, strengthen, support or establish validity. “Working on the campaign helped confirm my intention to go into politics,” he affirmed in his announcement speech.

I couldn’t stop! After creating an extensive resource featuring 390+ common Word Trippers, I sent out Word Tripper of the Week for 3+ years, and I featured Word Trippers in my WordShops.

Then it dawned on me. I could combine Word Tripper of the Week with proven writing techniques through an innovative subscription resource: Word Trippers Tips. It’s designed for:

Business professionals
VAs and admin assistants
English language learners
Authors, bloggers, speakers
High school and college students
Grant writers, court reporters, journalists

Word Trippers Tips assists people who value accuracy in communication.

Saves you time looking up definitions
Establishes your credibility as a communicator
Helps avoid writing mistakes that lead to confusion
Assists in understanding the nuances of our language
Boosts your confidence by knowing the correct words

All these benefits are yours! Bring Word Trippers Tips and its multiple bonuses into your world.

Word Trippers Tips saves me a lot of research time because it gives me a quick reference instead of going to Google. I save every Word Tripper of the Week so when my boss or co-workers disagree on how to use a word, Word Trippers becomes the referee. All of us live on email. If someone sends me one that’s sloppily written, it’s like saying, “I don’t have time for you.” I want to be sure I write clearly and accurately. Word Trippers Tips is perfect for me! – Susan Powell, Team Lead, Ratner Companies

Word Tripper Tips—a 52-week subscription resource for only $99
www.WordTrippers.com

Setup or Set Up and Other One-Word-or-Two Mysteries

January 26, 2017 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Kathleen Watson (used with permission)

What’s wrong with this headline:

How to Setup a Marketing Campaign
to Capture More Leads

If you recognized setup as incorrect (it should be set up), good for you! You have a better sense of grammar than the person who wrote the headline.

When a verb such as set is used with a preposition such as up, it is called a phrasal verb: set up. Combining a verb with an adverb also creates a phrasal verb: cut back.

But when the elements of the phrasal verb are combined and expressed as one word, they create a noun: set up / setup | cut back / cutback | break down / breakdown.

Each of the following examples has two sentences. The first uses a phrasal verb (two words), and the second uses a noun — a single word created by a verb and a preposition. (Exception: cut in No. 4 is followed by the adverb back.)

Please arrive early to set up the room.
Setup should be done by 3 o’clock.

Guests must check out before 11 a.m.
Checkout is 11 a.m.

We had to clean up the pavilion after the picnic.
Cleanup didn’t begin until late afternoon.

We’re going to have to get more exercise and cut back on desserts.
If you want to lose weight, calorie cutback should be part of your plan.

Businesses that start up with too little capital often fail.
The startup required SBA financing.

You can sign up for the seminar in room 208.
Seminar signup ended last week.

I back up my computer daily.
Do you use the cloud for computer backup?

Please break down the price by material, labor and profit.
What kind of price breakdown did she provide?

He’s going to fall out of favor with his boss if he misses more work.
He got fired — the fallout of missing too much work.

If you can stand by for a later flight, you’ll get a free fare.
If you have a flexible schedule, flying standby can save you money.

When you take a shortcut and combine words, take care not to cut short the accuracy of your message.

Share these free Killer Tips with a friend or colleague who is striving to become a better writer and speaker.

Kathleen Watson is known as the ruthless editor who has just published an excellent grammar book that clears up questions that have been festering. Grammar for People Who Hate Rules: Killer Tips from The Ruthless Editor.

You can also request a One-Word-or-Two handout by emailing Barbara at editor@BarbaraMcNichol.com with One-Word-or-Two in subject line.

A Writing Tip that’s Not a Halloween Joke

October 10, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Patrice Rhoades-Baum

Have you heard the expression “murder your darlings”? It’s not a Halloween joke. It’s a century-old, highly respected writing tip.

Who said it?

According to Forrest Wickman’s research, Arthur Quiller-Couch offered this insightful advice in his widely reprinted 1913-1914 Cambridge lectures “On the Art of Writing”:

“Whenever you feel an impulse to perpetrate a piece of exceptionally fine writing, obey it – whole-heartedly – and delete it before sending your manuscript to press. Murder your darlings.”

What does it mean?

Sometimes while writing, we create a sentence or paragraph that is particularly energetic. It flows! It sparkles! It may be brilliant!

But if that sentence or paragraph does not support your message, you need to kill it. You need to whip out your red pen or hit the delete key.

It breaks your heart, but it must be done.

I believe every word, every sentence must support the message. “Murder your darlings” reminds us to be objective when writing and editing our content.

We are servants of the message we seek to communicate. We cannot fall in love with a passage that does not serve our message.

I’ve been writing professionally for 30+ years, and I know it’s tough to “murder your darlings.” My advice? Take a breath. Buck up. Do it.

The more you “murder your darlings,” the easier it becomes. Implement this writing tip to make your message clear. Your writing improves and everyone wins – except that “darling.”

Patrice Rhoades-Baum is a marketing consultant and branding expert. She guides solopreneurs – professional speakers, corporate consultants, and business coaches – to create a clear brand, strategic website, and polished one sheet brochure. Patrice has a 35-year marketing background: 25 years in high-tech corporate marketing + 10 years as a business owner. She specializes in branding for small businesses and writing strategic, hardworking one-sheet and website copy. She can be reached at www.patricerhoadesbaum.com

Share an example of when you “killed a darling” and didn’t have to stand trial for murder.

Refresh Your English Language Knowledge Every Week

September 16, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

Imagine having a resource at your fingertips that allows you to quickly find the right word when it matters most. Then imagine refreshing your knowledge in the English language every week so you can confidently use confusing words correctly.

Having the right word at your fingertips hasn’t always been easy—until now. Here’s a solution that enhances your excellence every day (not everyday).

Your Word Trippers Tips subscription offers:

An ebook featuring 390+ pesky pairings of words that can trip you up (except vs. accept, advise vs. advice, further vs. farther, to name a few)
A Word Tripper of the Week arriving in your in-box for 52 weeks (see sample on this page) and includes audio
Bonus PDFs on grammar and punctuation tips every quarter
A 38-minute webinar
A crossword puzzle that review previous Word Trippers

Sample of Word Tripper of the Week

Word Tripper of the Week

Build Credibility, Confidence, Competence in the English Language

Finding the right word to use that matters most—

Allows you to be seen as a credible professional
Ensures you’re using the right word properly—a confidence builder
Boosts your reputation for competence and excellence in your world

Your Word Tripper of the Week hones your English language knowledge and keeps the learning alive. And its usefulness has been time-tested for more than a decade.

To get a better grasp of the English language with ease, invest in Word Trippers Tips—only $99/year.

Questions? Click here for FAQs.

“My time is incredibly limited, and the last thing I need is useless email clogging up my in-box. I’ve been running my company for close to 20 years. Truth be told, I was highly skeptical that Word Trippers would be of any benefit. WRONG! In less than 30 seconds, I learned I was using an incorrect word to describe something. As a new subscriber, I’m looking forward to all the Word Trippers.”

– Michael Spremulli, Corporate Entertainer & Speaker, www.Spremulli.com

Get In on the Word Trippers Tips Action

August 12, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

By Barbara McNichol

Who in your circle values precise, intelligent, accurate communication?

Imagine their gratitude when you introduce them to an ongoing word resource that lets them quickly find the right word when it matters most—one that refreshes every week?

That’s where the golden opportunity comes in for you—promoting Word Trippers Tips as an affiliate.

What is Word Trippers Tips?

It’s a subscription program that includes:

An ebook featuring 390+ pesky pairings of words that can trip you up (except vs. accept, advise vs. advice, further vs. farther)
A Word Tripper of the Week arriving in their in-box for 52 weeks and includes audio
Bonus PDFs on grammar and punctuation tips every quarter
Fabulous surprise bonuses on better writing along the way!

Who would benefit most as a Word Trippers Tips subscriber?

Business professionals
English language students
VAs and admin assistants
Entrepreneurs and leaders
Authors, bloggers, speakers
Court reporters, grant writings, journalists

How will this ongoing word resource help you as an affiliate?

Broadens your marketing reach through a highly credible offer
Allows you to put extra money in your pocket every month
Pays you a 25% commission for all $99 subscriptions sold through your link AND for their renewals, too!

By attracting 100 subscribers, you put $2,475 in your pocket. For 1,000 subscribers, it’s 10 times that amount. Turn your list into cash by promoting the gift of accuracy.

This “extra money” could add up quickly—at no risk to you!

Interested? Go to WordTrippers.com and sign up at the affiliate link. Click here for affiliate FAQs.

Writing and Editing: You Wear Two Different Hats

June 5, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

Just as you’d wear a straw-brimmed hat in the sunshine and a rain cap in the pouring rain, remember the importance of wearing two different hats when you’re writing versus editing your nonfiction book.

One hat represents the creative process; the other deals with the critical process. Attempting to edit as you write can dampen your creativity, as I learned when working with an author recently. Because she was on a fast track to get her book printed, she had me editing the beginning chapters while she was still writing the middle and final chapters. What happened? She had to interrupt her writing flow to give me feedback on the chapters I’d sent back. It affected her ability to move forward smoothly, plus we had trouble keeping track of our progress. What frustration!

Differences Between Writing and Editing

In retrospect, we needed to put on the brakes and say, “Each task—writing and editing— demands a separate and specific focus.” Here are three reasons why:

When editing your own work, your mind can fill in, correct, or overlook errors. It’s easy to miss things that should be corrected—like missing words and inconsistencies.
When you put a week or two between completing a draft and reviewing it, you break the link between what you thought you wrote and what you actually wrote.
Once a first draft is finished, if you rush in to evaluate it too quickly, you haven’t allowed your brain to “hang out in the shade and cool.” That’s when you mentally step back and “see” gaps in information, research, and logic. Taking a “big picture” look also enables you to see what fits and what doesn’t.

Create Even More Separation

What can you do to separate writing from editing even more?

When you reread your work, reformat it by changing the font, margins, line spacing, and other elements so it tricks the mind and looks like a new document.
Keep wearing your creativity hat and go through each chapter asking these important questions:

Is it complete from a content point of view? What’s missing?
Have I included all the facts and stories I want to meet my objectives for this chapter?
Can I take out any content that doesn’t fit?

Once you have answered these satisfactorily, you’re ready for the critical process to take over. While wearing your editing hat, leave behind your content questions and look for the elements of good writing—style, grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and so on. And when you’re ready for feedback, call in an objective editor who can apply both the creative and critical process to perfecting your manuscript.

Do you agree with this thesis about keeping writing and self-editing separate? Share your thoughts here.

A Publisher’s Praise for Editors

March 11, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Sam Henrie (used by permission)

Years ago I was reading the bestselling A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson and found a typo on one of the first pages. The word the was spelled “th”. How could this be? The book was published by Random House, one of the Big Five! How had all of their copyeditors and proofreaders, not to mention spell checkers, missed it? How had the hundreds of advance copy readers failed to report it?

I told one of the editors here at Wheatmark about my discovery. This editor happened to be a voracious reader. She started circling all the misspellings, typos, or instances of bad grammar that she found in any major publisher’s book she read, and flagging the offending pages with Post-It notes. Invariably she’d have twenty or more notes stuck in a book by the time she finished reading it. She’d then show me each book as further proof of how rare, if not impossible, perfection in editing is. She made her point.

Mathematically, of course, it’s obvious. When you put ten, twenty, or thirty thousand words together, all of which have to relate to one another in precise ways, correctly following hundreds of rules of grammar and syntax, the opportunities for error are astronomical. And that’s before taking into account all the tweaking that authors and editors do, and a host of other higher level editing changes.

I continued reading A Walk in the Woods, now actively looking to find more errors. I don’t remember finding any, though there must have been some. I was impressed. My shock at finding the one typo was replaced by respect for what a good editorial process can accomplish. I’ve never lost that respect. Now every time I read a well-edited book, I’m a bit in awe.

The editorial process major publishers like Random House use to achieve editorial excellence usually involves all these types of professional editing: manuscript evaluation, developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading. While editorial needs vary from book to book, there’s no substitute for a good editorial process.

By the way, the “The” missing an “e” was probably an error introduced during layout. That’s how it could have been missed by so many readers. It should have been caught during proofreading (the post-layout edit), but even proofreaders aren’t perfect. Don’t skip the proofreading!

Sam Henrie is president of Wheatmark Inc. a publishing company in Tucson, Arizona. You can find excellent blog articles on writing and publishing at www.wheatmark.com/blog

Editor’s Note: A number of my book editing clients have turned to Wheatmark for their comprehensive publishing services. If you’re in the market for an independent publisher, consider Wheatmark. Details at www.wheatmark.com