Word Wise: 2007: The Year In Review

I'm often stopped in the hall, stairwell, or elevator at work and asked when such-and-such writing tip appeared - given that I write more than 50 of these a year, I'm lucky if I can recall which appeared last week let alone last March. In memory of the year just passed and the year ahead, here are links to the past year's tips.

Jan. 1: The Tone Ranger
Jan. 7: Yours, Mine, and Ours
Jan. 14: Out and Loud
Jan. 21: Mark My Word
Jan. 28: Which Word When
Feb. 1: Which word when, Part II
Feb. 3: Edit Be
Feb. 10: Home on the Range
Feb. 17: Semicolonoscopy
Feb. 24: Transition Granted
March 3: A Plethora of Plethoras
March 9: Spaced Out
March 18: Quotation Device
March 24: Subject to Change
March 31: Slash and Burn
April 7: IM What IM
April 14: Who or Whom? Ho Hum
April 21: Editorial Crutches
April 27: Web-Time Story
May 5: And I Am Telling U
May 11: Remembrance of Dings Past
May 18: I Got Rhythm
May 25: Don’t Quote Me
May 31: Where You Read, I Will Follow
June 8: The Eyes Have It
June 16: FYI: i.e. and e.g. – aka "id est" and "exempli gratia"
June 22: Me, Myself and I
June 29: Think Tank
July 7: Which Word When, Part III
July 13: Which Word When, Part IV
July 14: Talk to the Hand Because the Face Ain't Listening
July 20: Talk to the Hand, Part Dos
July 21: The New 2007 AP Stylebook
July 27: Like d’oh!
Aug. 3: Such As It Is
Aug. 9: State of Mind
Aug. 18: In Name Only
Aug. 24: If You Have to Ask
Sept. 1: Trademarks® the® Spot®
Sept. 8: Strike Up the And
Sept. 15: Don't Dis "Agree"
Sept. 21: Say No to Capital Punishment
Sept. 29: Only Qualified Applicants Need Apply
Oct. 6: You’ve Got a Friend
Oct. 14: I Before E Except After C
Oct. 20: Here, There, Everywhere
Oct. 27: Well, That’s That
Nov. 3: 10 Things to Remember
Nov. 10: Pure as the Driven …
Nov. 18: Double, Double Toil and Trouble
Nov. 25: Once Again, Which Word When
Dec. 1: S’Wonderful!
Dec. 9: Head Case
Dec 16: Stay Positive
Dec. 22: New York, New York

Happy New Year!

Why "Word Wise"?

When I started to send out a weekly writing tip to my Chicago colleagues at Edelman (the world's largest privately owned PR firm), little did I know how quickly the list of those receiving it would grow. But word spread, as word is wont to do, and for the past three years about 1,500 of my 2,400 colleagues worldwide have been receiving it. The tips, which are about grammar, usage and style, have a dual purpose – to remind my colleagues in public relations of the power of the written word (I’m lucky to work for a company that not only prizes, but expects, expert communications skills), and, more generally, to support and perpetuate clear, concise, creative, honest, lively, stylish, compelling writing everywhere. With “Word Wise,” I hope you’ll challenge me, challenge other readers, make suggestions, argue minutiae, add commentary, exchange ideas, and help all of us become the best writers we can be.

Comments

You continue to be both a resource and an inspiration. Best in 2008!

Posted by: Phil Gomes | January 02, 2008 at 09:07 AM

Very nice. I read through several of your posts and you have some great tips. Thanks for sharing! I dropped a link for my readers to enjoy. Take care and happy new year!

Posted by: Paul Dillinger | January 04, 2008 at 11:58 AM