The airing of the links

Originally I’d intended to write posts about each of these links separately, but my notebook is starting to fill with great blog posts to share. So instead I’m just posting this list of some of the better communication-related articles I’ve found recently:

• HughMcGuire.net: No-jargon 10-point pledge
• Unclutterer: Uncluttered public speaking
• Receding Hairline: Ten typographic mistakes everyone makes
  
• The Four-Hour Workweek: Youse, y’all, and other confusions of modern English

Web roundup: AP style, writer’s resources, word processors, and hyphens

Here’s another review of some writing-related links.

• The 2007 Associated Press Stylebook: This year the AP released its first update to its stylebook since 2004. With the constant influx of technology terms into our lexicon, the new AP Stylebook is a must for writers and editors. While it’s been a while since I was a newspaper reporter and a lot of my clients don’t use AP style, it is a good reference nevertheless.
• Internet Resources: Writing links & writers links for writers: This page lists more than 200 online writing-related resources. (I’m all for search engine optimization, but this page’s title, however, is a little ridiculous. I’m sure most of those writing resources would advise against such a title.) (Via Lifehacker)
• Word Processor Review: A lot of people are hemmed into their choice of word processor—it has to be Microsoft Word. If your fortunate enough not to be one of them, this site lists other options. Unfortunately as all of my clients use Word, I have no choice but to do so as well. Given my druthers, however, I’d give Apple’s Pages (part of it’s iWork suite) a shot.
• Copy-Editing Corner: A hyphen too many per diem: Mike Billings weighs in on when—and when not—to use a hyphen.

Check out these writing, editing, and communications blogs

I’ve made a few tweaks to this site of late, one of which was redoing the links section in the sidebar. Instead of linking to reference material, I’ve added links to some great communications-related blogs. So check them out and if you like one of the sites, please let that webmaster know how you found his or her blog.

Here are the links that I added today (some of them I have mentioned in previous posts):

• A Capital Idea
• A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing
• Bad Language
• commonspace
• Copyblogger
• Copy-Editing Corner
• Editor Evolved
• Quimera
• The Happy Booker
• Will Kelly
• Written Road

Also, if you have, or know of, a good website that covers writing, editing, grammar, communications, publishing, or any other subject in which this blog’s audience might be interested, please send me an e-mail and I will add it to the list.

The death of dictionaries, the order of adjectives, and writing for the web

I’ve been swamped with work of late, which is usually a good thing except as it affects my blogging. So I’m going to delegate:

• Maud Newton: No dictionaries for a text-messaging world?—My Apple iBook has an electronic dictionary and spell check loaded on it. And everyone with Internet access can use dictionary.com. So, there’s not much use for a hard-copy dictionary (I haven’t touched mine in years).
• Christian Science Monitor Blog: Rules no one teaches but everyone learns—This article covers the correct order for adjectives in a series. I never gave much thought to this issue, but upon reading the article realized why: having spoken English all of my life, I’m able to do it correctly without thinking about it. Most people I edit put their adjectives in the right order too; I rarely encounter mistakes in that area.
• useit.com: How users read on the web—People have a different approach to reading websites than reading other media. Writers and editors need to remember that fact when working on material for the Internet.

Grammar Girl popular, copy editor angry, and clichés bad

Here’s a roundup of some grammar-related links.

• Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing—Possibly the most amazing story I’ve encountered: An editor named Mignon Fogarty created a podcast about grammar and, as CNN describes in ‘Grammar Girl’ a quick and dirty success, it’s one of the most popular podcasts on iTunes. Who knew the masses wanted to learn about semicolons? (Obviously, I wish I had that foresight.) I’m curious as to how Fogarty promoted her podcast though; if she tires of editing, she probably could have a career in marketing. (Via Digg.)
• City Paper Copy Editor Angry, Angry, Angry—DCist details a disgruntled copy editor’s diatribe directed at his superiors’ demand that he use a serial comma (the comma before “and” in a list of three or more items). I disagree with Andrew Beaujon and the Associated Press about not using the serial comma. Punctuation’s purpose is to clarify. The serial comma does just that.
• Cliché Finder—I do agree with the Associated Press, however, about clichés; they stink worse than Limburger. To look for clichés in your writing, cut and paste your text into this website and it will highlight phrases that the Associated Press deems hackneyed. (Via Lifehacker.)