Last name first?
I wondered if alphabetizing by first name was a new trend in indexing.
Words that have worn out their welcome
Certain words and phrases rise to prominence every year, capturing the zeitgeist. Every December, I love reading the words of the year from the major dictionaries. For 2024, Merriam-Webster chose “polarization” as its word of the year, Oxford University Press…
The case for “you”
In workplace writing, addressing readers as “you” and “your” will help them understand and use information.
Editing consciously
The hearts of editors beat faster in April when the University of Chicago Press announced that a new edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, number 18, would be released in September. It’s come a long way since the 1st…
An eye-opening experience
On a sunny, breezy evening in Montreal, my two daughters, my nephew, and I walked through the front door of an unassuming-looking restaurant named Onoir.
Word of the year
Artificial intelligence was a hot topic in 2023; this is reflected in the Merriam-Webster and Cambridge Dictionary choices for word of the year.
Words into (accessible) type
As writers and editors, we understand the importance of choosing the right words to communicate with our intended audience. Another part of communicating is how our words are presented on the page or onscreen.
What’s up with “that”?
Whether writing or editing, I’m consciously aiming for a smooth experience for readers—which means avoiding potholes, bumps, and other obstacles that momentarily distract them, pulling them out of the flow of the text.
Misappropriating the language of mental illness
We’ve come a long way in understanding the importance of mental health and reducing stigma around mental illness.