How To _ Archives

Tone and Emotion in Writing

When you use the correct tone, your writing can become so much more than words on a page. Tone is what allows writers to build a new world with deeply complex characters. Author and sensitivity reader Dennis Norris II stated that if he remembers the… continue reading

Colon Use Examples and Rules

The colon is one of the trickiest punctuation marks. While commas, exclamation points, question marks, and periods are somewhat simple to grasp, the rules around colon usage might seem a bit more confusing. Let’s take a look at its function and some examples of various… continue reading

What is Albeit and How To Use It

Updated 31 August, 2021. Albeit is an interesting word that can be heard today from time to time. If you wish to add a bit of colour and flair to your writing or speech, adding it could certainly do that. But first, let’s learn a few facts about… continue reading

Capitalization In Quotes: When To Do It

Full Sentence Direct Quote – Capitalize The First Word: When considering capitalization in quotes, the first rule to remember is – when quoting a complete sentence, you should capitalize the first word, no matter where the quote is placed within the larger sentence. For example:… continue reading

Business Email Sign-Off: Choosing the Right One

We recently published an extensive article on how to professionally end an email. Here, we are going to take another look at the topic, concentrating on the sign-off specifically. You’ve crafted your email to be clear and well-constructed. You’ve edited it carefully. The body of the… continue reading

What Does SIC Mean and How To Use It

Sic can mean several things: An adverb indicating that something is being quoted exactly as is, including any possible errors. Another way to say such in Scottish A verb meaning “to strike” or “to pounce.” As in sic ’em! Sic is that strange little word that tends to lurk within… continue reading

Sentences, How long Should They Be?

A sentence should be long enough to reach its end, however, you still have to maintain the aesthetic of your writing, as well as balance. Your sentence can be one single word, or it can be extremely long, but what will best engage the reader… continue reading

Commas in Dates: Writing a Date Correctly

Updated 15 September, 2022: The correct way to fully write out dates using commas, according to the American format, is to write the weekday separate from the month and date, which in turn will be separated from the year using a comma—for example, Friday, April… continue reading

How to Properly Format Your Business Documents

Simple and effective formatting is a powerful tool in your writer’s toolbox. It can help to transform a lengthy, redundant, and boring (gasp!) business document into a concise and visually-appealing presentation. Learn how to do so correctly and watch your writing skills dramatically improve. Why… continue reading

How to Politely Substitute and In Person Meeting with a Conference Call

How To Politely Substitute an In-Person Meeting With A Conference Call

It’s no secret — some of the best deals and decisions are made across the conference room table. But is it possible to switch to a conference call without interrupting your workflow or negotiations? Having face-to-face meetings is, unquestionably, one of the most effective ways to… continue reading