Writing & Editing

Barbara McNichol

5 writing tips to help readers hoist aboard your meaning

Little things mean a lot. They include bulleted and numbered lists, subheads and a few other simple devices that keep your text fluid and your message clear.

Amanda Clark

8 terrific tips for writing clear, compelling headlines

Your brilliant blog post will get no attention whatsoever if your headline misses the mark. Try these approaches to attract readers and get clicks.

Ted Kitterman

Infographic: 20 places to get winning content ideas

Running low on inspiration? Try one of these sources to develop new angles for your content creation efforts and bring in new readers.

Gregg Brown

In managing change, avoid these 6 detrimental phrases

This dirty half-dozen utterances can undermine staffers’ trust in the process—and in you as a leader. Along with these taboos are alternatives to help foster dialogue and ease the transition.

Robby Brumberg

5 ways editors are like chefs

Editors, like their culinary counterparts, often must turn disparate, incongruent ingredients into delectable dishes.

Laura Hale Brockway

29 words with unexpected spellings

Some words have straightforward constructions, while others can stump even the most proficient spellers. Can you nail these brainteasers?

William Comcowich

14 techniques for more thorough proofreading

Typos, misaligned days and dates, and links that send you to an error page (or worse) can sink your best pitch or undermine an entire campaign. Try these tricks for picking every last nit.

George Aird

5 ways to slash bounce rates and drive conversions

The higher your bounce rate, the less time people are spending on your page, getting to know your brand. Here’s how to keep restless readers hooked.

William Comcowich

14 techniques for more thorough proofreading

Typos, misaligned days and dates, and links that send you to an error page (or worse) can sink your best pitch or undermine an entire campaign. Try these tricks for picking every last nit.

Brian Pittman

4 ways to freshen up your writing

If perpetual deadlines leave you and your copy lifeless, here are four ways to breathe vitality back into your work—and your words.

Kathy Watson

12 quick steps to craft flawless business emails

Electronic communication faux pas can cost your company lucrative accounts, and blunders will erode your credibility. Follow these tips to avoid Gmail gaffes and Outlook oversights.

Beki Winchel

‘Emoji,’ ‘turducken,’ ‘HIPAA’ and more: AP style rules to remember

This year’s edition of the Associated Press Stylebook includes new and revised entries about politics, race, food, technology, social media, health care and more.

Russell Working

6 lessons from the writing of Supreme Court Justice Gorsuch

Is the newest member of the High Court a wordsmith of the highest order? Or is he committing crimes against the English language? Ragan issues its landmark ruling.

Gini Dietrich

How to write blogs humans want to read

In the rush to make sure robot sweepers log your site, you can forget to create content people actually want to read. Here’s a checklist to guide your efforts.

Beki Winchel

AP Stylebook’s guide to the royal wedding

If you’re penning an article about the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, these tips can help you avoid capitalization, punctuation and other unsavory writing errors.