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Read the directions. Read the directions. Read the directions.

Posted on by Admin

I’m getting articles ready to publish. I am blown away by how many people are not following directions. People who I consider to be very good writers. But if you can’t follow directions, this is not going to work well.

Always read the instructions on your assignment sheet.

For the most part, the top of the assignment sheet never changes. Even so, there are many people who are not following the instructions for saving your files to submit to me. The filename of the .doc file you send me should be the same as the filename on your assignment sheet. If you want to type your articles onto the assignment sheet (until the new system is in place) be my guest. Do not change the filename to the title of your article. Do not send me each article separately. Follow the directions on your assignment sheet.

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PLEASE Read: Duplicate Content

Posted on by Admin

I had to let another writer go today. It saddened me, because she’s been around with me from the beginning.  But when Copyscape turns up over 160 words matched in an article, including a 20+ word sentence match, I don’t have a choice.

I know that the medical articles are basically just compiling research from other sources, but you must find a way to put things in your own words.  You must use different phrasing.  Even for the warnings and contraindications for drugs.

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Can you identify the keyword phrases?

Posted on by Admin

I’ve had a number of questions recently about keyword phrases as they relate to articles when the title is assigned.  I decided the easiest way to explain this is to give you a little mini quiz to see if you can pick out the keyword phrases for each of the following titles.  The answers are after the cut.

  1. Vacation in Orlando: Travel Without Breaking the Bank
  2. Your Travel Guide to Spectacular Fall Travel in Connecticut
  3. Educational Family Travel in Southwest Florida
  4. A Beach Vacation on a Shoestring Budget
  5. For a Special Lodging Experience, Stay at a Bed and Breakfast

    6. Read more ›

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Style Guide Update: Dashes

Posted on by Admin

I have reversed my decision about the proper use of dashes that are not hyphens.  Previously, I was looking for a single dash surrounded by spaces, which was automatically converted in an en dash my Microsoft Word.  This was confusing for many people.  To simplify things, I now would like you to use double dashes to set off your thoughts–which Microsoft Word will convert to an em dash.  Do not use spaces before of after the dashes.

Please review this and other style issues in the Style Guide for Writers.

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Grammar Blast Challenge

Posted on by Admin

Editor Jen (do you like the honorific?) found a pretty cool site called Grammar Blast.  It contains grammar quizzes for grades 2-5.  I challenge each of you to take the Super Challenge Quiz for each grade level, and post your scores here as a comment.  I will be taking the challenges as well.

It’s interesting to see how much I’ve forgotten from elementary school grammar lessons.  You may be surprised as well!  While my inability to remember what a predicate is does not affect my writing ability, identifying my weaknesses will only help me to better my writing skills in the long run.  Identifying your own weaknesses will help you professionally, too.

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