To put it simply
You’re walking across a muddy lawn when you come across a carrot and two lumps of coal. How did they get there? The simplest solution to this famous thought puzzle is that you’re looking at … Read more
writing
Creative distraction, strategic direction
Two great armies meet. From opposing vantage points their numbers eye each other, weighing an infinite variety of tactics and strategies. There is palpable fear — not of death or destruction, but something much more … Read more
Zen and the art of website maintenance
I’ve been reading a book about graphic design whose author takes inspiration from his experience of Japanese culture. His creative approach centres on a deep understanding of space and simplicity, reduction rather than complication. Whether … Read more
HD English
The rapid advance in 21st-century technology affects (some would say, controls) every aspect of our lives, whether at home, school or work. And it’s now become so ingrained that we barely notice it. For example, … Read more
Fake Poohs
In the social-media-driven world of today, accuracy is more important than ever. It’s also, it seems, increasingly hard to find. A huge amount of what we read these days, on- or off-line, seems to be either … Read more
For want of a nail, the kingdom was lost
Proofreading by definition comes at the end of most publishing projects, and for that reason is the part of the process most frequently put off or even ignored. One of the most thankless aspects of … Read more
The unbearable lightness of lying
Business presentations have come a long way from the dry recitation of quarterly results, the predictable analysis of strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, and the proposed strategic plan ‘going forward’. These days it’s pretty much de … Read more
Please, don’t critique me!
The word ‘critic’ originally denoted a judge, whose job was to draw the (often fine) distinction between a good or bad action, a defendant’s guilt or innocence, or the positive or negative outcome of a … Read more
A question of style
Because everyone uses language differently, style guides exist to provide some degree of consistency. They are like rule-books, providing a ‘correct’ approach to punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, disputed spellings and so on. They also cover … Read more
Looking for a good editor or proofreader?
First, make sure which service you actually need. A proofreader is there to perform what is usually a final check of your writing, to ensure there are no errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar that might … Read more