Thursday, November 24, 2011

Tweeties, Meet the Online Swear Jar


Unless creatively justified, profanity can be brand damning instead of brand enhancing. For example, “Damn Near Obsessed with Steaks,” the ad tag boldly attached to the III Forks brand, effectively punctuates its fine dining product. Via the WSJ electronic news board’s scroll in the office lobby, the ad immediately corralled my attention. If dinnertime, I bet the anticipated succulence of a juicy NY Strip grilled to perfection is making your mouth water, right? The magnetism is adtastic though I’ve yet to indulge in the III Forks flavor.     

However, wherever adults are, both young and old with stunted vocabularies, profanity will also reside. The Internet, of course, is flooded with such along with the likes of authentic brands and brand imposters. Unless they mind their manners, Twitter users who toss profanity with salad frequency will risk subjection to the Online Swear Jar’s wrath.   

According to Urban Daddy, the Online Swear Jar website “scours” your Twitter feed like a pad does grease from a frying pan. If in swearing violation, you’ll be politely prompted for a donation.
Even if this site fails to deter a footballer fat cat like Jabar Gaffney who recently spewed a mouthful of venom following a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, perhaps it’s a start in encouraging public forum decorum.   


Now, if only someone would develop an online curse can for combing the N-word’s clutter, the foul language deal would be sealed. Seemingly, LeBron James, portrayed as “The Whore from Akron” in Scott Raab’s book, or someone in his entourage camp missed the politically correct memo about the hurtful term:

LeBron James (@KingJames)
11/16/11 1:35 AM
@HitBoy_SC U got a MONSTER record with that N*gg** in Paris homie!! 5X tonight straight in Miami tonight #Epic

To stay clear of the Profanity Police, keep it Clorox clean, Tweeps! Check out http://charityswearbox.com/.





Thursday, November 10, 2011

To Keep Your Twitter Groove, Think and Tweet


Entangled in the unenviable web of sexual abuse charges, Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky and Graham Spanier weren’t the only ones who landed in hot water this week. Instead of responding to the scandal's facts, actor Ashton Kutcher fired off an errant tweet that fueled a firestorm of Net rage.
Oblivious to the legal stickiness, Kutcher posted “How do you fire Jo Pa? #insult #noclass as a hawkeye fan I find it in poor taste" at a rattling rate. Ok, so it’s normal for sports-obsessed boys and men to pout about anything and everything athletic but wasn’t Demi’s hubby taught as a child to think before he speaks?! Without fail, the Nikon Camera pitchman should’ve familiarized himself with the subject prior to exposing his ignorance in the ultra public forum of Twitterdom.  

If keeping your Twitter groove in today's new school world of instant communication still invokes a question, take heed from an old school mama: Slow your finger roll and think before you tweet.  

Read more about the man once coined “Mr. Twitter” here:   
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/story/2011-11-10/ashton-kutcher-joe-paterno-tweet/51159424/1





  

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Tech & Pop Culture Are Killing Communication Skills


Last month, I read an editorial focusing on education and employability that has never left my craw. Regarding the frequent cry that students aren’t learning what they need to compete for the jobs that do exist, Washington Post Columnist Kathleen Parker also observed “the common experience of employers who can’t find applicants who can express themselves grammatically.”

While Parker’s statement trumpets truth, employers, in turn, have been quick to shift the unemployment blame to the educational system for its lack of technical skill preparedness. But what purpose does technical competence serve when basic communication skills are absent? I mean, how far can one go if unable to articulate his or her thoughts effectively?
Instead of books, parents today are supplying the latest gadgets to their techno-obsessed youth with Twitterspeed. Textersations lined with mistakes have replaced old-fashioned conversations, and what passes youthful muster as music contains lyrics egregious enough grammatically to render an English professor punch drunk.

Technology deserves ample applause, but there’s the potential to be both friend and foe.  After all, the “Keeping up with the Joneses” electronic premium erodes in value when a simple sentence cannot be crafted.  Spoken in the Rodney King vein, can we please get back to the communication basics!?   

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

All Writing Begins With An Idea

I stumbled upon an interesting WSJ article the other day. If you're a writer, it definitely deserves reading priority. Far from encyclopedic, the introduction packs a Floyd Mayweather punch: "No matter what you're writing—story, novel, poem, essay—the first thing you're going to need is an idea." When it comes to creativity, truer words have never been spoken.

Read further to see how Ann Patchett meticulously weaves her writing fabric: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904106704576580953642498410.html

Sunday, August 28, 2011

The OE is Not My Grandfather's Dictionary


With the latest additions of retweet, sexting and cyberbullying, the Oxford English Dictionary continues to rock its technology roll. Widely recognized as household words, the entries were spurred by the communication modernity of mobile phones and Social Media. If you hadn't noticed, words coined for behaviors once non-existent are speedily seeping into mainstream.  The correlation between usage and validation is simply amazing.     
Back in the day, my grandfather constantly admonished me for my frequent use of “oof” to express displeasure at anything and everything. He’d always say “that’s not a word.” Looking back, the sentiment I expressed was probably more grunt than word, but I doubt that he would’ve fathomed entries like “oof” or “sexting” gracing any dictionary’s page.       

If here today, I’d revel in sharing with him how the word game has drastically changed. I can’t help but ponder what his reaction might have been had he lived to see the landline’s decline in the new communication era. Had he been a contemporary, perhaps he’d relax the traditional English rules long enough to utter ‘OMG.’ Yes, gramps, OMG has also gained acceptance as a word.             
 Read more here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/faster-forward/post/oed-now-includes-retweet-sexting-and-cyberbullying/2011/08/19/gIQAFAXXQJ_blog.html

Monday, August 8, 2011

Creativity + Credibility Equals Writing Success



Growing up, I revered reading more than dolling up Barbie. In fact, I gained an appreciation for the traveling privileges books afforded without having to pack a bag early on. Following my first love affair with Dr. Seuss’ colorful series, J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” catapulted to my pre-collegiate favorite.
Of late, authors like Colson Whitehead, Jen Lancaster, Kathryn Stockett, and Sharifa Rhodes-Pitt have registered on my reading radar. Fast forward past the sterling credentials and Hollywood commercialization and their collective commitment to literary mastery is unmistakable. Still, I remain awed by the devices writers use to stamp their storytelling signatures since the creative writing process is exhaustive beyond pen, paper or keystrokes. 

Today, the ascension from aspiring writer to author is abbreviated in the digital age. While exposure to an array of new voices signals a reading bonanza, I have witnessed instances where some writers relegate quality to the back seat. Without fail, anyone who claims to wear the writing crown should extend the same attention to creativity to credibility. So, what’s credibility got to do with it? Everything, I’m afraid. If you’re serious about your craft, consider these suggestions for building credibility:

1.     What sets a good writer apart from a marginal one is adherence to grammatical and structural excellence, whether tweeting, posting to Facebook or blogging.   Your “A-Game,” inclusive of proofreading, should always be on.    

2.      Although some writers have been blessed with God-given talent, honing these skills via the scholastic route can produce polished results. If a full-fledged academic program is out of reach, seek instruction in a few specialized courses. You must continuously invest in your success to sharpen your storytelling weaknesses.    

3.     Like life, variety is writing’s spice. Make studying accomplished writers of different genres a habit. If you borrow from any author’s style, always emulate the best. 

4.      Join a book club. Because learning is not limited to the classroom, take advantage of opportunities to absorb the interpretations of fellow readers. Most readers are quite candid about their literary pluses and minuses. Furthermore, their insights are not only invaluable but often applicable to your work in terms of forging a strong audience connection.

5.     Do your research and never publish for byline’s sake alone. Sometimes it’s not advantageous, especially when the publication with which you align isn’t beholden to literary excellence.       


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Five Tips for Aspiring Authors



While technology has doomed the traditional mortar and brick bookstore, self-publishing is burgeoning. Although vast publication options offer a dual bonus for the writer and the reader, weaving a story through the yarn of words remains an art. Sure, constructing that first novel is an arduous task and even if tears occasionally fill the page instead of ink, those who are passionate about it will keep at it.
Whether engaged in marketing communications or creative writing, cementing a connection with your targeted audience is critical. So if you’ve decided to take the creative page’s plunge, here are five tips to consider when embarking on the journey: 
1.  Stay True to Your Own Voice
Style and tone are inclusive of voice, however, voice is better explained by the example that two people who share an experience simultaneously will rarely recount in the same way. As a writer, I tend to tease with vivid details prior to serving the story’s meat. It’s important to me to whet the reader’s appetite continuously by saying things in an unexpected way. If I abandoned this storytelling style, my voice wouldn’t be consistent.          
2.  Aim for Originality
Give readers a new experience. Whether in movies or on the dramatic screen, story commonalities are a given. Spark interest by seasoning stories with different flavors or different twists and turns. Even with identical ingredients, what one chef prepares will never resemble another’s in presentation or taste. If too predictable or a rehash, the reader may hesitate to sink his teeth into what you’ve written.             
3. Develop Characters Carefully
Avoid character overload unless you’re prepared to give character development ample attention. Once I picked up a book where the opening chapters had so many characters that I quickly dismissed it. Ask yourself if some characters merit inclusion and whether your story would be equally impactful without their presence.  
4. Provoke Thought
I’m particularly fond of stories that make me think. Cram a book with TMI and it’s possible to turn the reader off or sacrifice his imagination. Create depth by stirring emotion’s pot through searing analogies. Add mystery to prompt the reader to wonder where the story is going next instead of giving a baseball game play-by play. Toss in the literary device of foreshadowing to unfold a story. After all, there’s no diehard rule that demands every story be told chronologically. 
5. Be Mindful of Word Choices
I’ll never forget the English teacher who gave this advice: When used properly, simple words are capable of creating a large impression. I’m not suggesting that you avoid big words but use them sparingly and keep in mind that no one wants to be held hostage by a dictionary.  


 


Friday, May 13, 2011

With “The Old and the Gutless” Cancelled, Here Comes the Book


Susan Lucci’s relocation from Pine Valley to Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane might find favor with fans but Hollywood’s map remains dotted in dead ends. “All My Children” hit the defunct soap opera wall several months ago and the Dallas Mavericks have since put the NBA’s Lake Show, aka “The Old and the Gutless,” on cancellation blast.  It’s easy to attribute the 4-0 skid to Big D’s athletic superiority but that’s too simplistic. So, what’s really going on?
Here’s an explanation that’s slow to populate: Pau Gasol’s MIA status could’ve been sparked by a mental trip to Heartbreak Hotel since it’s rumored that Mrs. Kobe Bryant engineered the breakup of his engagement. On ESPN this morning, Gasol vehemently denied any trouble in paradise. Allegedly caught up in a torn between two lovers web, “Ron Ron” has been spotted tipping around town with Shin Shin, a singer of Chinese-Korean descent.  Now how Artestic is that?       
Whether Kobe was stuck in egomaniacal neutral or an overindulgence of Reality TV’s dish hampered play (E’s Khloe and Lamar, VH1’s Basketball Wives features Matt Barnes’ baby mama Gloria Govan), the brutish behavior of Artest, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum dry docked an already sinking ship.
On Mother’s Day, OG’s Odom and Bynum displayed such classlessness that Bynum’s mother (Odom’s mom is deceased) probably joined outgoing coach Phil Jackson in lowering a glass, filled to embarrassment’s brim. Fined $25K for removing his jersey on the court with total losses registering $700K via a five-game suspension, Bynum’s lesson is costly, or as Tamar Braxton would say, “Over the top dotcom.”  For some, the five-game suspension is merely a drop in the bad boy bucket.      
I bet someone’s pen is poised to pour the Lakers’ tea, and chances are, it won’t be Jackson.            
For more on the Lakers, see these links:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-phil-jackson-20110510,0,6229314.story       
http://www.playerwives.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/pau-gasols-girlfriend-silvia-lopez-castro/

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Hip Hop Spins New Language


Beyond the braggadocio and lascivious lyrics, the Hip Hop genre deserves credit for launching new language. According to David Crystal, a British language writer, “all living languages change.”
Never static, the trajectory of language is catapulted by the adoption of new social norms. An article in today’s NYT defines social norms as the “often-unspoken rules of a group” that drive behavior and attitudes.             
Coined to connote the conspicuous consumption of ostentatious jewelry in the 90s, bling-bling remains my all-time favorite. Given its traction, bling-bling has since blown Cash Money’s hip hop coup in its travels to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.  

In citing the need for language change to accompany something invented, Crystal nails the origin of “crunk.”  ‘Lil Jon, the self-professed southern King of Crunk, spawned the hip hop classification, however, “crunk” is also the modern day equivalent to what Pop Papa Prince called crazy. Though fading from the fringes of cool, a Memphis-based marketing CEO tweeted this week: “BBQ gonna be crunk.”    
Fast forward to 2010 and what has emerged in frequent rotation is the word “convo,” an abbreviation for conversation. Although the word has yet to meet a Merriam-Webster page, Trey Songz’ “Say Ahh” prompted my introduction: “I got a table waiting, what you think about a convo? If you like it baby, we can take it to the condo.”  Earlier, that same marketing executive blared "social" amplifies convos…” in Twitterdom.  
Repetition is contagious and ahh, how language continues to transcend the demographic from which it was derived.  

Monday, April 25, 2011

Barkley’s Black Eye on Sports Broadcasting

Before steroid and sex scandals and the overrun of legal infractions, I was a ride or die sports fan. Thanks to my Dad, I’m still basking in the glory of having seen my first and only Super Bowl. But since that particular sports spectacular, the myriad of athletic impurities have altered my pledge of allegiance. Nevertheless, whether NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA or NCAA, when the championship bells ring, I’m there.
But this isn’t about me; it’s about the pained observations of a former journalist. I was scholastically trained to report the news utilizing a strong command of the English language.  However, whenever there’s a media mockery, I can’t help but cringe.
Having watched the latest NBA playoffs, the hardwood court action has taken a backseat to the color commentary. “Commentainers” like Charles Barkley have suddenly ascended in the commentator ranks. It’s bad enough that the no-ringed retired NBA player slammed New York Knicks Coach Mike D’Antoni’s head on the chomping block based on opinion rather than fact. But when he barked “you better ax somebody,” I’m sure every English teacher who noted his spelling error wanted to howl.
At that moment, Charles’ celebrity nosedived to “celebitty” for his small-minded faux pas. If he can spell D-E-F-E-N-S-E in the T-Mobile ad, certainly he can spell A-S-K correctly. Please spare us the ebonic references, Barkley. Instead of laughing with you, many are laughing at you and frankly, there’s no humor in ignorance.       

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Liposuction Your Writing


Between bursts of brevity in texts and Tweets, there’s a whole lot of bloviating going on in certain circles. Chances are, you, too, have encountered your fair share of Bettys and Bobs who write or speak verbosely. Writing or speaking in a long-winded fashion is exactly what bloviating means. Communicators who fit this mold would likely label Twitter’s 140-character limitation dysfunctional.  
What a pain to trudge through the jungle of excessive words, especially when fewer will do. Fat extraction in writing often yields the same message originally intended when properly applied.      
If you think the bloviating Bettys and Bobs are bad, those prone to sesquipedalian tendencies also fall short of communicating crisply. Multi-syllabic, that’s for sure, the word “sesquipedalian” characterizes people who rely on long words to showcase their communications IQ.
No one wants to hold a dictionary hostage for interpretation so as a favorite English teacher once advised, “a nickel word is sometimes more effective than one equivalent to a quarter.”
To conquer the communications game, always adhere to a clear and concise writing style and know your targeted audience.          
If the writing doctor has ordered liposuction, read these tips: http://smartblogs.com/leadership/2011/04/11/do-you-make-your-english-teacher-cringe/
See how the federal government has gotten its plain writing act together: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ274/pdf/PLAW-111publ274.pdf

Sunday, April 10, 2011

_____is the New Black is Old



Following Cathie Black’s high-speed exit from her NYC education post, someone tweeted “Looking forward to all ‘the _______ is the New Black’ headlines when they pick a new schools chancellor.” Ugh, that I least looked forward to and voila, there it was plastered as predicted on NYC’s NBC Website.

Let me tell you why the snowclone, “X is the New Black,” produces a scowl. According to Language Log, a snowclone is defined as a neologism used to describe a type of formula-based cliche which uses an old idiom in a new context.

“Gray is the New Black,” was coined by Tom Wolff as a fashion distinction to note new neutrals in the 1980’s. Some 30 years later, its life cycle shows no signs of collapse, whether in headlines, billboards or books: “Gay is the New Black”, “GOP is the New Black,” Bitch is the New Black,” or “Bitter is the New Black.”

Sure, “paint a picture, tell a story” is a good rule of thumb for strategic communications. But “X is the New Black” has run its course like a tread-thinned tire. I think a freshly painted canvas commands more than a remixed story. Plus, isn’t it enough that music and fashion are king and queen of the cyclical crowns? Just saying. What do you say?



Monday, April 4, 2011

Texts in Typo City


Ten years ago, the question, “how many people text?” would’ve rung validity’s bell. Today, it’s more like who doesn’t. If you’re a bystander in the texting explosion, I’m ok if you’re ok with your cellphone troglodyte status. According to a 2010 Pew Research Center report, adult texting ran amuck “over the past nine months from 65% of adults sending and receiving texts in September 2009 to 72% texting in May 2010.”
Truly, we are technologically OOC (out of control) and with those numbers, I suspect the grammatical errors produced by fumbled fingers have also climbed. Perfect in our imperfections, we all make mistakes, however, some more than others, I might add.
Given our newfound affinity for phonetic spelling and texting shorthand, the inclusion of a disclaimer I received via text is priceless: “This transmittal was sent from a handheld device. Please excuse any misspelled or abbreviated words, or other typographical errors.” Shouldn’t every cellphone come prepackaged with this?  
  
Source: http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1716/adults-cell-phones-text-messages

Monday, March 28, 2011

Word Up? LOL & OMG Added to OED

OMG, I definitely didn't LOL upon learning of the Oxford English Dictionary's latest entrants. No longer confined to tech talk, LOL and OMG have been categorically catapulted into language legitimacy.

Color me conniption fit-red because these abbreviations hardly pass word muster. Ha! It's obvious no one cares what I think since I wasn't consulted. Still SMH.

FYI: http://www.oed.com/public/latest/latest-update

Sunday, March 20, 2011

AP Stamps Cell Phone and Smart Phone as Singular Nouns


In modern technology’s thick, chances are you routinely rely on cell phones or smart phones for communication but the connectivity stops there. That is, until the Associated Press recently settled the dual spelling score, declaring cellphone and smartphone as proper for the toys talkers and texters can’t live without. Going forward, it’s advisable that you ignore spell check which continues to ping when the devices are written as singular nouns.              
Here's the skinny:
  • cellphone replaces cell phone;
  • smartphone is now acceptable for advanced cellphones with capabilities including Web browsing, email, and downloadable apps, replacing smart phone.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Don’t Blame Beyonce for “Me, Myself & I” Misuse

Megastar Beyonce wears a lot of hats but English teacher isn’t one she dons, at least not notably. Based on observation, the reference to self wreaks communications havoc on a daily basis. Long gone is Tom Wolfe’s “Me Decade” of the 70s but today many insert “myself” where “me or I” should be. The surge in third person references is as puzzling as a Rubix Cube. Rather than elevate as if we’re rock star royalty, it merely deflates our grammatical precision.
Usage is dependent on the subject or object in a sentence’s structure. Sounds complicated, right? Before you dismiss it, consider these examples:
(1)    A few weeks ago in the Houston Chronicle, an NFL draft entrant incurred a partial grammatical penalty when he made this statement: “If I don’t believe in myself, who do I expect to believe in myself?”
Correction: If I don’t believe in myself, who should believe in me? Since who is the subject of the verb clause, “should believe,” the word “me” should be used.    
(2)    A corporate professional conveyed these directions via email: “Just send it to Don, James and myself.”   
Correction: Just send it to Don, James and me.  The person speaking should refer to themselves as “me” instead of “myself.” In other words, send it to them but also send it to me.   

     (3)    A reality TV star said “How different Jason and myself are.”
Correction: “How different Jason and I are.” This statement is made in first person so “I” is appropriate. It in essence communicates that I am different and Jason is different.  
Dr. Grammar’s rule of thumb: Use myself only when you have used I earlier in the same sentence: 'I am not particularly fond of goat cheese myself.' (Brians, Common Errors in English Usage)
For a handy breakdown of when to use “me, myself or I,” don’t consult Beyonce but do read here:
http://www.marcandangel.com/2006/09/27/me-myself-and-i-grammar

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Give Me a Tweet But Hold The Profanity

Look, I’m a huge proponent of social media engagement as Facebook and Twitter have propelled personal and professional connectivity to new heights. What’s disconcerting, however, is the plethora of profanity tied to some tweets, in particular. Call me prudish, but when a certain actor, now unemployed, set off “#thataintwinning” on Twitter like a raging blaze, it was as if the foul language laden dogs had been unleashed.
Adding insult to injury, the N-word also registers with Twitter frequency the same as a teenager’s texting thumbs.  Today, some defend the N-word as a casual endearment, but it replicates the same ignorance when it was coined ages ago. Plain and simple, history cannot be erased so in many circles, the word still conjures hurts.   
By no means is this an attempt to suppress free speech but a call to implore the vocabulary crippled to lean on more respectable posts. Anyone who relies on profanity and the N-word to express his or her thoughts due to stunted growth in the English language is the surefire mark of a loser like Charlie Sheen(less). Tell me, where’s the winning in that?      

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Gossip Writing Sizzles With Verbal Striptease

To produce an effective writing piece, connecting with the targeted audience is crucial. If gossip writing is your pen's flavor, check out Michael Musto's tips for turning up the heat:

  How to Serve Dish

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Lyric check and Spell check, Where Art Thou?

Three days after the Green Bay Packers doused Big Ben’s flame, it’s not the overhyped ads, but Christiana Aguilera’s lyrical misfire that shines blindingly. Before the final note’s fade, Facebook and Twitter were already clogged with thumbs down “disses.”   
So now, in hopes of casting a blackout on Aguilera’s Super Bowl flop, the Brooklyn Cyclones, a minor league baseball team, have rolled out the redemption carpet with a repeat performance invitation. Was the singer was so smug that she dismissed adequate preparation as passé? If so, she was dead wrong to do so, especially on Jerry Jones’ colossal stage.   
Similarly, utmost quality is my expectation whenever I open the New York Times, a publication hailed journalistically superior. Even if its digital dependence has rendered the proofreader jobless, factual accuracy void of misspellings is not exactly a demand extreme. Discerning eyes don’t long to peer at Steele when the correct spelling is Steel, as in Danielle, the famed author. In “Repeat Offenses,” Phillip B. Corbett exposes the newspaper’s repetitive faults.
Whether Aguilera or the New York Times, the lingering question remains: “Lyric check and spell check, where art thou?”    
Sources:

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Sealing the Sentence Deal



During a discussion at a cocktail party about communication prowess, a banker echoed: “Some of my college-educated colleagues don’t know Diddly.” As a business professional engaged in various industries, I’ve experienced the stupefied effects that incomplete and ill-formed sentences often evoke. Since most people realize spell check’s fallibility, you’d think they’d proofread more carefully, right? Wrong.
It’s not merely a matter of proofreading but first and foremost, one must be familiar with the art of sentence construction. NYT columnist Stanley Fish who penned, “How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One” dishes that most of us aren’t up to par when it comes to writing a sentence. Giving Fish’s new book more than a distracted glance might help cure this communication ill.  
Here’s an excerpt from NPR:
“Fish is something of a sentence connoisseur, and he says writing a fine sentence is a delicate process — but it's a process that can be learned. He laments that many educators approach teaching the craft the wrong way — by relying on rules rather than examples.”

Analyzing great sentences "will tell you more about ... what you can possibly hope to imitate than a set of sterile rules that seem often impossibly abstract," Fish tells NPR's Neal Conan.

A good sentence may be easy to pick out, but learning to understand what makes it great, says Fish, will help a student become a stronger writer and a "better reader of sentences."

“Just as a student of art must learn how to describe the merits of a painting, aspiring writers must be able to articulate what constitutes a well-crafted sentence.”

Read the article in its entirety here:

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Business Casual Invades Business Communications

Business casual, the workplace’s code for dress, frequently registers on the business communications radar these days.  Once regarded as the letter writing standard, the salutation “dear” has been detonated by the contemporary kill switches of “hi” and “hello.”
While an advocate for relaxed dress at work, I’d stray from allegiance to old school breeding if I were to endorse the casual code that has crept into business communications. For one to convey a serious tone, the ancient writing mores are still applicable in many instances.
Addressing a potential customer with whom I’d never met as “Hi Bob” in a formal letter is beyond imagination. Now, if Bob belongs to Generation Y, the practice may not provoke offense; however, in the event he’s a seasoned professional over the age hill, I’d rather play it safe with “Dear Bob.” What holds true in informal situations doesn’t always pass business communications muster.    
See the WSJ’s timely weigh in: 
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576060044212664436.html

Friday, January 21, 2011

SM Rebirths Trend and Facebook As Verbs


These days, social media reigns and nowhere is this more apparent than how the English language continues to evolve. Words once categorized as nouns have suddenly taken on new life as verbs. For example, shedding its skin as a noun, the word “trend” has been reinvented as the verb, trending, to reflect hot topics popularized via Twitter.
Frequently, I’m asked “do you Facebook?” While Facebook is recognized as the name of a social media site, to many, it corresponds to a participatory act.
What’s acceptable in casual conversation is often unacceptable in formal writing. However, if you insist on utilizing trend and Facebook in the active sense, my recommendation is to keep it flowing from your lips and not from your pen. 

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

OMG, Texting Acronyms in Professional Documents?

Whether by cell phone or personal computer, IM and text messaging have crowned abbreviations the new communications norm.  While acceptable when conversing with casual acquaintances in this mode and via personal email, texting acronyms such as TTL, LOL, and OMG should never appear in formal writing. Plus, who has time to scour for translations?
Young people, heavily immersed in technology and overly reliant on speed, are often prone to making these mistakes. Formal writing rules are applicable to business correspondence, academic papers, resumes, covers letters and emails utilized in professional settings. Not only is the inclusion of acronyms and emoticons unprofessional, but writing continues to be governed by the audience targeted. Here’s my rule of thumb: Whenever in doubt, don’t.