by Margot Carmichael Lester | Apr 25, 2023 | Writing/How to Write
A strong main idea or takeaway is crucial, of course, but our audience often needs more information to think, feel or do something. That's where details come in, those vital tidbits of support that create sufficient context to move the audience. And though I've been...
by Margot Carmichael Lester | Apr 18, 2023 | Writing/How to Write
I got my start in journalism on Chapel Hill High's paper, The Proconian. (I even took third place in a statewide opinion writing contest!) And here I am, a zillion years later still slinging sentences. So it's no surprise I'm bullish on scholastic journalism and do...
by Margot Carmichael Lester | Apr 11, 2023 | What-Not
We've all been there. We've sent someone a message asking them to do something we totally could do ourselves in less time than it takes to ask them to do it. Or we come off a little snippy when we don't really mean to but we're in a hurry. Let's try to do better....
by Margot Carmichael Lester | Apr 4, 2023 | What-Not
Here are the most-read posts from Q123, plus a bonus revisit! Some thoughts on grammar I'm not saying we shouldn't care about grammar. I'm just saying we need to care differently about it. And when it does matter, we can be more efficient with corrections if we wait...
by Margot Carmichael Lester | Mar 28, 2023 | Content & Content Operations
A lot of us rely on outside editors and proofreaders. And while I know it sound self-serving because we offer some of those services here at The Word Factory, the honest truth is that it's a great idea. *We* even do it. Why you need an outside editor or proofer It's...
