Writing Workshop

January 20, 2016

On January 20th, SMPS Fort Worth welcomed Janell Broyles, Senior Marketing Coordinator for Freese and Nichols, as she presented techniques to make our writing sharper and more effective as well as basic grammar rules, industry styles/standards and much more. 

Highlights

Don't overemphasize your words with CAPS, colors, bold, italic and underlines. A little goes a long way.

Many people don't know that it's best, unless one hasn't any choice, to avoid too many contractions. When in doubt, spell it out.

Our industry LOVES acronymns so always remember A.E.Y.A.T.F.T.Y.U.T.. It is important for the reader to know what you are referring to with acronymns. For example, I'm sure you are wondering what A.E.Y.A.T.F.T.Y.U.T. means and what you should always remember when using acronymns! 

What no longer! when using acronymns always remember to A.E.Y.A.T.F.T.Y.U.T. (Always Explain Your Acronyms The First Time You Use Them).

Alright is considered nonstandard English so do not use it. It's not all right to use alright!

Try not to:

• overuse

• bullet

• points

because

• it can become

• distracting

IT'S VS. ITS

LIE VS. LAY

SIT VS. SET

CHOOSE CLARITY

AVOID UNCERTAINTY

Tips from Fingertips Typing Services, Ltd.

AFFECT VS. EFFECT

ACCEPT VS. EXCEPT

E.G. VS I.E.

ELICIT VS. ILLICIT

HANGED VS. HUNG

FOREWORD VS. FORWARD

COMPLIMENT VS. COMPLEMENT

Rave Reviews

With 5 star review from the 25+ attendees, we feel Janell's Writing Workshop was a big success. Thank you to Janell and to our Silver Sponsor, Frees and Nichols for sharing their resources with the chapter. 

Here is just some of the feedback we received on the surveys:

"GREAT program - very useful information. I got the most from the grammar section and tips for better writing."

"What did I enjoy most? Handouts! Worksheets! This helps me reference material for the future and show my team."

"The 'polish' worksheet was most helpful, combing all the information we learned."

"The session on professionalism was what I most enjoyed."

"Loved the activities, very hands on!"

"The social media part stood out the most for me."

"I most enjoyed the interactive sessions and handouts."

"The examples of rights and wrongs was the highlight for me"

"I learned a lot of things I didn't know."

"This was an open discussion that I enjoyed, a nice collaborative opportunity."

Useful Websites

Grammar and Style

AP Stylebook: http://www.apstylebook.com/editors/

Subscription required to access content. Does have Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The Center for Writing Studies Grammar Handbook: http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/

Scholarly but good for trying to find higher­level grammar answers. Facebook and Twitter accounts

Grammar Girl: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl

A great quick resource. Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest accounts.

Content

Business Writing Blog: http://www.businesswritingblog.com/

Facebook and Twitter accounts. 

Lynda.com: http://www.lynda.com/

Has a wide variety of marketing and business tutorials around writing, graphics and communications. Facebook and Twitter accounts. 

Other

Technical Editors' Eyrie: http://www.jeanweber.com/

A decent resource though not updated regularly.

How to Write a Style Guide: http://www.jeanweber.com/printer/styleguide.htm

Handouts

Check out the wonderful handouts that Janell shared with us to help improve our writing skills.

Beyond Good Grammar

ENGAGING AND EFFECTIVE BUSINESS WRITING

On Monday August, 7 2017, SMPS Fort Worth welcomed Janell Broyles, Senior Marketing Coordinator for Freese and Nichols, as she presented the tools to help manage both internal and external writing tasks, from simple cover letters to complex and detailed technical documents. Beyond Good Grammar helped answer three critical questions: 

1. Where Do I Start? How to map out a writing assignment.
2. What Now? Managing the process of drafts and revisions.
3. When is it Done? Knowing when a piece is complete, and guidelines for putting the finishing touches on what you write and produce.

Highlights

We write to create positive results!

5 easy steps to create a strong outline

1. Choose (or be assigned) your topic
2. Brainstorm 3-5 "talking points"
3. Organize your talking points/other information in a way that makes sense (most important points first)
4. Flesh out your main points with content and details
5. Review and revise

When preparing to write these are the questions to ask yourself and to answer in your writing!

Revision cycle should be repeated at least twice!

Handouts

Check out the wonderful handouts that Janell shared with us to help improve our writing skills.

Be sure to read the recap from last year's workshop! January 20, 2016 Janell presented techniques to make our writing sharper and more effective using basic grammar rules, industry styles/standards and much more. 

Thank you Janell, great job!