Telling stories — even very short ones — is one of the best techniques you can use to make your writing more interesting and more engaging to your readers. I suggest you make it a priority.
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Telling stories — even very short ones — is one of the best techniques you can use to make your writing more interesting and more engaging to your readers. I suggest you make it a priority.
Continue reading...
Evasive Maneuvers
Euphemisms old and new
Motion-challenged Hospitality for Furperson Trajectory
July 9, 2018
Fortunately for my job security, euphemisms run free and wild, far beyond the dog park and litter box.
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Language Lounge
A Monthly Column for Word Lovers
The Meaning of Meaning
July 2, 2018
How do you come to know the meaning of mean, and to be comfortable with the notion of meaning?
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Article Topics:
Word Count
Writers Talk About Writing
Why You Should Write Like a Jazz Musician Plays
June 27, 2018
Write like a jazz musician — and do it secure in the knowledge that you can always edit it later.
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Article Topics:
Automatically create lists of vocabulary from any text
using the Visual Thesaurus VocabGrabber.
January 18th is celebrated as Thesaurus Day to honor the birthday of the author of the first thesaurus, Peter Mark Roget. Get into the spirit by reading our two-part interview with Roget biographer Joshua Kendall here and here. Also check out an ode to the thesaurus penned by Franklin P. Adams here and Johnny Carson's hilarious "Funeral for a Thesaurus Editor" sketch here.
On the first Monday in September, the United States observes Labor Day, while Canadians celebrate Labour Day. If you want to know why labour is the accepted spelling in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries like Canada, while Americans prefer labor (and color, favor, honor, humor, and neighbor), check out this classic Word Routes column by Ben Zimmer.
Article Topics:
The Geeky, Cosmic, Philosophical History of "Multiverse"
May 23, 2018
- 1 Comment
Size-inclusive Reinterpretations of Collective Cockamamie Coinages
April 6, 2018
- 5 Comments
Pride and Prejudice and Natural Language Processing
April 2, 2018
- 2 Comments
Machine Translation Dreams
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March 1, 2018
- 3 Comments
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How to Reestablish Your Writing Habit After a Break
Daniel S. said,
"Hi Daphne, Thanks ever so much for your reply. I wrongly thought I had set up notifications for when a reply is received, hence the even longer delay..."
- Monday July 16th, 8:48 AM
26 Fantastic No-cost Tools for Writers
Susan B. said,
"After a good, thorough hunt, I found it: https://www.publicationcoach.com/how-to-create-a-mindmap/"
- Saturday July 14th, 2:36 AM
Motion-challenged Hospitality for Furperson Trajectory
Judith N. said,
"Now I better understand a little of what's going on in America, thanks"
- Friday July 13th, 5:59 PM
Why You Should Write Like a Jazz Musician Plays
Mickey said,
"Thank you for this. I have found for years, whether preparing a presentation or written piece, I may spend days or even weeks with the idea running..."
- Thursday July 12th, 10:44 AM
Girls, Girls, Girls
Elen said,
"Great topic!"
- Friday July 6th, 1:37 PM
The Meaning of Meaning
Robert B. said,
"What will come - and in some ways seems horrible - is a combination of physical brain with computer. Artificial intelligence will be synched with..."
- Tuesday July 3rd, 6:30 AM
Nathan L. said,
"Mr. Hargraves, Thank you, once again, for fun and enlightenment. Reading your article and thinking "Hmmm, so, meaning's meaning's meaning" reminded me..."
- Tuesday July 3rd, 6:27 AM
Why You Should Write Like a Jazz Musician Plays
Daphne Gray-Grant said,
"Thanks for your comments, Craig & David. I am often struck by the similarities between writing and music. Both depend on practice and both give the..."
- Friday June 29th, 7:20 PM
David P. said,
"This is very helpful -- and affirms my experience. Jazz really is an apt metaphor. You've got to practice to become a good improvisor. Many times the..."
- Friday June 29th, 12:12 PM
Craig J. said,
"Thanks. A good reminder that there are (likely) no great writers, only great re-writers. Sorry, not sure of the original source of that comment."
- Thursday June 28th, 3:31 PM
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Stage Directions: the Vocabulary of Theatrical Delivery
November 1, 2013
How can interpreting the language of stage directions enhance students' comprehension of drama?
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