Bad writing
This book may be thirty years old, but its advice is still pertinent. If you want to have a blitz or crackdown against, or shake-up of, bad writing (all examples of 'tabloidese'), then this is the book for you.
Read MoreWhy do some writers write badly? Plus links to examples of bad writing.
Read MoreWe writers have a duty to do what we can to preserve the dignity of the language in which we work.
Read MoreShe walked over to the window and reflected on her deprived surroundings. She had always loved urban Truro with its plain, pong parks. It was a place that encouraged her tendency to feel worried.
Read MoreIt’s a sad fact of life that the most entertaining reviews are the ones that are highly critical of the thing being reviewed.
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Swearing, by Terry Freedman
Gratuitous swearing usually adds nothing to a piece of writing or a talk. It’s unpleasant to listen to, and probably has unfortunate consequences for the offender.
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exasperated, by Terry Freedman
Have you ever seen an article on here about pre-menstrual tension?
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No thanks!, by Terry Freedman
Adverbs serve a purpose, or they wouldn’t exist, they would have fallen into disuse.
Read MoreWhen you pick up an English edition of a foreign language book, you have to rely on the good intentions and skill of the translator. But can they be trusted?
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Not sure, by Terry Freedman
Using words correctly is essential. Why?
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Surely it wasn’t that bad?! Photo by Terry Freedman
How would you feel about being called the worst novelist ever?
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Keeping up with DfE Updates, by Terry Freedman
What’s the point of writing policy documents which are obscure, jargon-filled verbiage?
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Buzzsaw screenshot, by Terry Freedman
If you’re tired of people “reaching out” or “circling back” or sending you sales “literature” that bears no relevance to you whatsoever, you will enjoy learning that you’re not alone.
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The cover of The Greek Myths, Folio Edition, by Terry Freedman
The best thing I can say about this book is that it’s great to use as a work of reference.
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Private Eye, by Terry Freedman
The trouble with detective fiction.
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Writers reference books, by Terry Freedman
Words are being used in ways which are completely wrong – in fact, in some cases the meaning is the exact opposite of the way the word is being used, like when the word "choose" means you have no choice at all.
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Discombobulated, by Terry Freedman
Should there be courses on badly-written books and articles?
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Diverted Traffic, by Terry Freedman
People should say what they mean. One way of doing so would be to use the correct word. Another way would be to use objective facts rather than subjective value judgements.
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Gratuitous swearing usually adds nothing to a piece of writing or a talk. It’s unpleasant to listen to, and probably has unfortunate consequences for the offender.
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So you think you've read some atrocious writing in your life? Well, you ain't seen nothing yet.
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