Writing & Editing

The fights over grammar and usage are bitter here at Ragan. But we all know when to call it a day.

The resource isn’t just for journalists: Communicators of all stripes should refer to the style guide to sharpen their writing. Here are several new and edited entries.

From the writing itself to collaborating on text to blocking out distractions, these programs and apps can help communicators tackle the most vital—and often most daunting—of their duties.

Unless your opening captures attention, creates interest and compels people to keep reading, delete it. To grab and keep attention, thrust your reader ‘into the midst of things.’

Did you know that ‘host’ and ‘hostile’ have the same derivation? Check out how such terms as ‘corps,’ ‘platoon,’ ‘detail’ and ‘echelon’ came into being—and infiltrated the vernacular.

Using active voice and the genitive case are just two ways to eliminate this grammatical structure and streamline your writing.

Try stepping out into a verdant glen or devouring delicious micro-bites of elegant prose. If all else fails, ask a child for help.

Situating a participle or locating a clarifying phrase within a sentence can be tricky, even for seasoned communicators. To avoid prompting confusion—or, worse, derision—follow these tips.

Instead of counting on sheer willpower to consistently crank out content, take a more strategic, sustainable approach toward producing inspired output. Here’s how to become reliably prolific.

Painting a vivid picture that offers your audience a desired scenario will seize their attention and carry them along on your journey. But wait—there’s more! Look inside for other secrets…

The famous ‘Elements of Style’ marks a century of lessons for writers: ‘Omit needless words,’ and use a ‘concise, comprehensive statement’ to anchor descriptive paragraphs, among others.