Tipsheet Articles on Grammar and Language


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For your convenience, we've clustered all the tipsheet articles that focus on grammar and language.

The Power of Punctuation
Marg McAlister
Punctuation, when used creatively, is powerful. Note, however, that when I say 'when used creatively', I don't mean that you can make up the rules. What your writing should do is... well, make music. The way you order your sentences and punctuate your work can guide the reader to 'hear' the words just as you want them to. . . . keep reading

The Magic of Layout
Marg McAlister
Okay... "magic" might seem a bit over the top when you first read this article title. But believe me, although it doesn't involve incantations or bubbling cauldrons, careful selection of layout does work magic on the reader. . . . keep reading

Italics 101 Part 2 - Using Italics to Show Thoughts
Marg McAlister
Sprinkling italics all over your stories to show what is going on in your character's head is not the best way to show thoughts. Nor is using just "he thought"... or italics AND "he thought". The single most effective way is to show what your characters are thinking is to blend their thoughts into the narrative flow... . . . keep reading

Italics 101 - Do You Need Them?
Marg McAlister
Your job, as a skilled writer, is to know when to use italics and when to avoid them. The problem is, it's so easy to use italics that they are sadly overused. . . . keep reading