Author: Michelle Troutman

For more than ten years, Michelle Troutman has crafted newsletters and other content for service providers. She has spent a decade creating attention-getting e-newsletters for law and economic development firms. Her marketing and business administration background and education enhance clear and persuasive copy. Through features in publications like "Attorney at Work" and "Law Fuel," and her e-newsletter and YouTube channel, she inspires professionals to create engaging content. She enjoys helping businesses who serve others reach their marketing goals.

passive voice, writing advice

5 Ways to Activate Your Writing

1. Make the subject of your sentence a noun, not a verb, to add verve.

Example: At Medco’s 3rd Annual Dinner Party, enticing entrees will be served by Tasty Bites.
Revised: At Medco’s 3rd Annual Dinner Party, Tasty Bites will serve enticing entrees.

2. Don’t be afraid to say who did something, or, as above, to make a noun the subject of your sentences. Sometimes people avoid naming the subject(s) because they don’t want to, they simply don’t know who’s involved, or they don’t want to take personal responsibility, which appears timid, and causes a lapse into the passive voice.

Example: The Best in Show award was given to Dolly Dachshund.
Revised: Champion breeder Dave Diamond awarded Dolly Dachshund Best in Show.

3. We can’t always avoid “to be” verbs, such as “is/are” and “was/were,” but they sometimes weaken passages. With a little creativity, we can spice up bland phrasing and make it shorter and stronger.

Example: Our cakes are decorative and delicious and delight our customers.
Revised: Our decorative, delicious cakes delight our customers.

4. As I’ve shown in the examples above, active writing is more specific writing. Add more details, when appropriate, for more appealing copy.

Example: Check out our new, more sophisticated website.
Revised: Don’t miss our redesigned website, which features exciting new step-by-step how-tos, detailed diagrams, and the Builder’s Corner, where you can share ideas with fellow do-it-yourselfers.

5. Might/may/can/could/possibly — these and similar words show indecisiveness, and in some cases, look weak. If possible, avoid them.

Example: Food pantry donations can be dropped off at Riverton Town Hall.
Revised: Riverton Town Hall will collect your food pantry donations.

Quotes

“Each time I see a split infinitive, an inconsistent tense structure or the unnecessary use of the passive voice, I blister.” ~ Sonia Sotomayor

“Two pages of passive voice — just about any business document ever written, in other words, not to mention reams of bad fiction — make me want to scream. It’s weak, it’s circuitous, and it’s frequently tortuous, as well.” ~ Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.

Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com

Uncategorized

5 More Common Punctuation Errors

1. Misplacing apostrophes when referring to decades (1970’s).

2. Placing hyphens between words that shouldn’t be hyphenated. When in doubt, check your dictionary; generally, you hyphenate words to avoid confusion in understanding the meaning of a sentence.

3. Using semicolons for items in a series. Semicolons and commas provide appropriate pauses between words and sentences, but they’re used differently. Commas separate independent clauses and items in a series, etc.; semicolons create a pause between sentences in place of a period.

4. Putting only one apostrophe (or none) in place of “and” between two nouns in informal writing (e.g., rock n roll).

5. Using dashes to introduce items in a series.

The Classy Writing Blog

How to Fix More Common Punctuation Errors‏

“Don’t follow the blunderers — be a leader and punctuate properly….” Read more.

Quotes

Em dash or en dash.
On typewriters it’s easy,
On keyboards, less so. ~ Craig Harrison

For some odd reason, I’ve always been interested in punctuation. It’s just always been that one subset of literacy that has really intrigued me. I still sit around and read the paper, and sometimes I have a red Sharpie in my hand. I play a little game: How many errors can I find today? ~ Jeff Rubin, “father” of National Punctuation Day®, Not to Put Too Fine a Point on It, This Guy Cares About Writing’s Jots and Tittles

Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.

Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com

apostrophe abuse, apostrophe catastrophes, apostrophe usage, apostrophe use, apostrophes, apostrophies, apostrophy, apostrophys, how to use apostrophes, punctuation, punctuation errors

How to Fix More Common Punctuation Errors

As noted in my newsletter, these punctuation mistakes are among the many people make regularly. Don’t follow the blunderers — be a leader and punctuate properly. Here’s how.

1. Misplacing apostrophes when referring to decades.

Example: the 70’s
Revised: the ’70s, the 1970s, or the seventies

The plural form of “seventies” shouldn’t be used in a possessive form. With the apostrophe in front of the numbers, we clarify that it’s a shortened form of the 1970s.

2. Placing hyphens between words that shouldn’t be hyphenated. When in doubt, check your dictionary; generally, you hyphenate words to avoid confusion in understanding the meaning of a sentence.

Example: “Fireworks light-up the night.”
Revised: “Fireworks light up the night” or “Fireworks light the night.”

However, “light-up backpack” (a backpack with lights) is acceptable, compared to “light up backpack,” which can have more than one meaning.

Example: oranges; apples; bananas; pears; and grapes.
Revised: oranges, apples, bananas, pears, and grapes or oranges, apples, bananas, pears and grapes

4. Putting only one apostrophe (or none) in place of “and” between two nouns in informal writing.

Examples: rock ‘n roll; rock n roll
Revised: rock ‘n’ roll — the slang term, or “rock and roll” if you’re “old school.”

5. Using dashes to introduce items in a series. Use a colon (:) instead.

Example: Computer skills — graphic design and editing, HTML programming, Internet browsing, and email.
Revised: Computer skills: graphic design and editing, HTML programming, Internet browsing, and email.

What do you think? Does certain punctuation cause problems for you? Which errors do you see most often?

And if you need help with your own punctuation, I can help. Don’t hesitate to contact me.

writing advice

5 Reasons Why Great Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation Matter

1. When you dot your “i”‘s and cross your “t”‘s, you look smart, credible, and professional, and customers will be more likely to bring you their business.

2. If you mind your “p”‘s and “q”‘s, customers will take you seriously. Misspell or misplace words or punctuation, and you’ll send the wrong messages. To those who know better, such errors can make you and your business look laughable.

A few years ago, The University of Notre Dame, known for its Fighting Irish football team, sold souvenir soda cups at the team’s season opener with the phrase “Figthing Irish” on them. They soon apologized for the error, which caused them some embarrassment, and promised cups with the correct spelling would be available at the next home game.

3. Lenders are more likely to loan money to potential business owners who write their business plans well. Also, when customers understand your message, selling your products or services will be easier.

4. Don’t be a grammar slouch. Would you attend a wedding or other formal event with a stain on your shirt? To English experts, linguistic laxity is the equivalent of a fashion faux pas.

5. Proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation keep people reading. I’ve lost count of how many times poor editing has distracted me while I’ve read a magazine, a newspaper, or a business Web page. It’s definitely a way to make a memorable impression, but not a positive one.

Quotes

“If you have any young friends who aspire to be writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with a copy of The Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.” ~ Dorothy Parker

“Grammar checker — a software program that is not needed by those who know grammar and virtually useless for those who don’t.” ~ Richard Turner

Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.

Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com

writing advice

5 Ways to Edit Your Writing

1. Print a copy of your piece. This is a good way to slow down; rushing can lead to carelessness. Take a pen and read your article thoroughly, noting any corrections or additions. Then read it aloud in a flat, monotone voice — sometimes our ears catch things our eyes don’t.

2. Set it aside (or don’t). Some grammar and writing experts recommend this, however, I find going over the copy regularly keeps it fresher in my mind and makes me more alert to spot errors. (And, frankly, sometimes, for a close deadline, I can’t let it sit for a week or more.) Experiment with both to find which way works best for you.

3. Reverse direction. Read the copy backward — start at the bottom and return to the top. This is another way to keep your mind alert to errors you might miss during a regular read through.

4. Have another pair of eyes look it over. If you’re open to constructive criticism and won’t take it personally, show a trusted friend or loved one your writing. Another set of eyes can help you see more clearly.

5. Spell-check. It isn’t perfect, but it’s useful for catching basic mistakes (passive voice, misspelled words, duplicate words), especially as you near the end of the editing process. Just don’t rely on it for all of your editing and proofreading; a good job requires more care, and your readers will notice a lack of effort.

Quotes

“There is no such thing as good writing. There is only good rewriting.” ~ Harry Shaw, Errors in English and Ways to Correct Them

“Writing without revising is the literary equivalent of waltzing gaily out of the house in your underwear.” ~ Patricia Fuller, fantasy writer

Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.

Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com