December is a time of celebration across the world. But not everyone celebrates in the same way or for the same reasons. Wishing friends, colleagues and clients well during this time is therefore not as simple as repeating a single message. With multiple religions, cultures and customs at play, it’s important to know what to…
Every year some of the most prominent global dictionaries and media publications select a word of the year. The winning words are about much more than linguists and lexicographers having a field day with analysing data on language ─they usually reflect important trends, themes, cultural movements and events, providing insight into humanity and the state…
Do correct spelling and grammar (still) matter? Is it bad to mix your metaphors like an old dog learning new tricks while trying to reinvent the wheel to show you weren’t born yesterday? After all, people who seem pedantic about language are generally not that popular. We all like to joke about and roll our…
In our fast-paced digital world, grabbing and keeping the attention of your target audience is harder than ever – and therefore, more important than ever. With so much content in circulation across a wide array of platforms, how do you ensure that your article, post or research abstract is the one people choose to read?
Setting clear and achievable goals is vital to success, whether in a business or personal context. After all, how else would you know in which direction you’re heading? However, if you don’t put in place specific plans for how you will go about achieving these goals, chances are you may never reach them. Or, even if you…
We all get into situations where we struggle to see the wood for the trees. We don’t have a clear perspective on what may be a sticky problem, or perhaps we just cannot find the impetus to change a certain dynamic that tends to repeat itself. We’re simply too involved and immersed in our situation…
Gender-neutral writing challenges traditional linguistic norms by addressing the biases embedded in language. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of using gender-neutral language to promote inclusivity and equality. Why is gender-neutral writing important? Practical tips for gender-neutral writing 1. Use gender-neutral pronouns Replace gender-specific pronouns like “he” or “she”…
Let’s say you work as a data scientist at a university, or at a company that develops medical technology. You’re invited to a dinner party where you meet new people. As is usually the case when we make new acquaintances, one of the first things they ask you is what you do for a living.
Your use of active and passive voice in your content can have a significant impact on the clarity and effectiveness of your message. It’s therefore important to understand the different purposes and nuances so that you can use these constructions effectively. What’s the difference between active and passive voice? The key difference between active and…
In academic writing, accurate referencing is crucial to acknowledge the sources of information and ideas that you used in your research. Internationally, there are several commonly used referencing styles, each with their own rules regarding citation order, in-text citations, bibliography entries and more. Which one you use will depend on numerous factors, such as your…
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