Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Get quick tips to make your writing clearer and more professional from Mignon Fogarty, better known as Grammar Girl.

Introduction

• Quick and dirty tips for better writing

1. Quick Tips for Better Writing

• Write great lists
• Write in active voice
• Write straightforward sentences
• Write with rhythm and style

2. Simplify Your Writing

• Delete empty adverbs
• Delete unnecessary prepositions
• Write to a lower grade level
• Format your writing

3. Avoid Major Punctuation Mistakes

• Break up run-on sentences
• Use commas like a pro
• Learn quotation mark rules
• Never make an its/it's error again

4. Polish Your Writing

• State your conclusions
• Move beyond spell-check to proofread
• Read aloud to catch errors

Conclusion

• Grammar Girl resources
• Grammar Girl Q&A with the copy editors