"Track Changes" is the popular tool in MS Word that lets you work on a documents collaboratively, a handy option that many of us use every day. But as the website Law Practice Today cautions: "Some features could lead to potentially embarrassing, revealing or compromising situations." When attorneys raise the red flag, it pays to take precautions. How? Read the article here.

Language authority Charles Harrington Elster is the "Grandiloquent Gumshoe," a word sleuth who gives no quarter to pompous usage and other tomfoolery. The author of The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations and What in the Word?, Charles is also a seasoned radio commentator and, as he says, "a fellow woolgatherer in the world of words." We had a lively discussion with him about language, usage -- and where he draws the line.  Continue reading...

"People who require assistance," in other words, "if you need help," that is, help writing clearly and in plain language, check out the resources below. In the event that you, to cite an example, endeavor to discourse about the products of your company -- whoa, hold on there -- I mean, if you want to talk, say, about your company's products, why not do it simply and succinctly? (Thanks to the terrific Manage Your Writing for the inspiration)

Write For Your Reader, A Plain Language Handbook

The S.E.C.'s Plain English Handbook

Online Technical Writing

Plain Train, Plain Language Online Training

Want to sell articles to magazines? Write copy for businesses? Author Michael Stelzner, who produces the blog Writing White Papers, recently compiled a list of his top ten books for writers, including these guides to freelance writing:

The Renegade Writer. "Achieve freelance writing success the unconventional way."

The Well-Fed Writer. "Put more food on the table with proven methods for freelancers."

The Elements of Copywriting. "THE guide for writing copy intended to sell."

The Copywriter's Handbook. "Techniques for freelance copywriters."

We're foraging in the Lounge this month and don't even need to visit the Language Larder to do so; all the food is at our fingertips.  Continue reading...