editing tips
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What Are Trigger Words? (And How to Use Them in Writing)
What Are Trigger Words? (And How to Use Them in Writing)
Published Feb 06, 2023
Last Updated Mar 04, 2024Trigger words are a common marketing tool used in business copywriting. In this post, we’ll explain what trigger words are and share our top tips to help you edit them in your clients’ writing. What Are Trigger Words? Trigger words (or power words) are words or phrases that compel the reader to take an action, […]
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What Is Plain English? (A Guide for Writers and Editors)
What Is Plain English? (A Guide for Writers and Editors)
Published Feb 04, 2023
Last Updated May 01, 2025Have you ever read something several times, but still felt unsure about what the writer was trying to say? If you want your writing to be understood by as many people as possible, plain English can be a very useful tool. Although there are times when complex language is appropriate (e.g., in medical or legal […]
How to Edit Documents and Text for Accessibility
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One Word or Two? 10 Common Mistakes
Published Jan 07, 2023
Last Updated Oct 14, 2024Are you confident about terms being one word or two? If you are, congratulations! If not, though, you’re not alone. Errors of this type are some of the most common in the English language. In this post, we’ll cover some of the most common mistakes so that you’ve got the basics covered – whether you’re […]
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What Is an Epigraph? (And How to Format One)
Published Jan 02, 2023
Last Updated Jan 29, 2025When editing novels and other types of books, you may come across an epigraph or two. But what exactly is an epigraph, and how should you approach them as an editor? We’ll explain everything you must know about these literary devices, including the different ways to format them. What’s an Epigraph? An epigraph is a […]
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What’s the Difference Between Tone and Voice?
Published Dec 17, 2022
Last Updated Jan 10, 2025Tone and voice are terms related to writing style and are often used together. Unfortunately, this means they’re frequently confused with one another. So, what exactly is the difference between tone and voice? Here’s everything you need to know about these two terms, as well as what to do about them when editing. What Is […]
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A Complete Guide to Formatting Tools in Microsoft Word
Published Dec 04, 2022
Last Updated Sep 22, 2025Microsoft Word is a popular type of word processing software with a wide variety of features. As a freelance proofreader, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with its tools, as you’ll likely use them as part of your workflow. While proofreading doesn’t always include formatting, many proofreaders offer it as an additional service. Microsoft […]
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What Is an Antihero? (With Examples)
Published Nov 30, 2022
Last Updated Jan 29, 2025An antihero is an interesting twist on the conventional “good guy” protagonist and is something you may encounter when editing narrative fiction. In this post, we’ll explain the defining traits of this character archetype and how you can help your client to write a great antihero. What Is an Antihero? An antihero is a protagonist […]
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What Is FOMO in Copywriting? (And How to Use It Effectively)
Published Nov 25, 2022
Last Updated Jul 08, 2024Fear of missing out (also known as FOMO) is a concept widely used in marketing copy. If you’re an editor working in this area, you’ll need to understand how it works. In this post, we’ll explain what FOMO means in copywriting and how you can help your business clients use it effectively. What Is FOMO? […]
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What’s a Colloquialism?
What’s a Colloquialism?
Published Nov 21, 2022
Last Updated Apr 11, 2024A colloquialism is an informal word or phrase commonly used in everyday conversation and often specific to a geographic region. For example, the word “y’all” (you all) is commonly used in the southern US, but not necessarily elsewhere in the world. Sometimes, a colloquialism’s popularity is a bit more widespread, like “head over heels” (falling […]
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When to Use “I” and “Me” in a Sentence
When to Use “I” and “Me” in a Sentence
Published Nov 19, 2022
Last Updated Mar 10, 2025Is it “you and me” or “you and I”? This can be a complex question, even for native English speakers. The difference lies in whether you need to use a subject pronoun or an object pronoun. In this post, we’ll dig into what these pronouns are and how to establish when “I” or “me” is […]