Awkward Label of the Day: Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter
First of all, Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter is just plain tasty! If you haven’t already tried it, I heartily encourage you to do so. However, the description on the label is not quite so appetizing. The description says “A deliciously unusual spread reminiscent of gingerbread and made with crushed biscuits.” Now, there is nothing grammatically wrong with this sentence. However, technically correct sentences can still feel awkward, and that awkwardness distracts from the product. In my opinion, this sentence does not work because the dependent clause “and made with crushed biscuits” feels like an afterthought. Instead of using the coordinating conjunction “and,” I suggest restructuring the sentence to position the description “reminiscent of gingerbread” at...
Read MoreThat’s funny! Humor in Business Content
As a technical communicator, I spend a lot of time studying proper document construction. There are rules and suggestions for just about everything from paragraph formation to punctuation choices. However, most writers and editors will admit that there is also an intangible art to crafting business-related content. And part of that art includes knowing when to use humor—and when humor is just not funny. As with all creative endeavors, there is no concrete answer. For some organizations, humor may never be an option. However, other businesses can stitch lightheartedness into even the stodgiest documents. The trick is to maintain a message with a consistent tone and never go over the top. I personally suggest always directing humor towards yourself (as a person or...
Read MoreNATO—A Case of Mistaken (Acronym) Identity
Everyone who lives or works in Chicago is painfully aware that the 2012 NATO Summit will be at McCormick Place later this month. It is probably going to cause a lot of traffic disturbances and other inconveniences. But, this event will only last a couple days, so we can handle it. Rather than worrying about the temporary disruption to my preferred bus route, I have been thinking about acronyms. Yes, acronyms. We see NATO everywhere, and most people probably know that the letters stand for North Atlantic Treaty Organization. However, some of us (okay, maybe just me) are a little behind the times. Until the Summit became daily news, I thought the acronym stood for North American Trade Organization. Embarrassing, but true! Oops. But, this honest mistake on my part...
Read MoreQuick Tip for Writer’s Block—Be Boring
Writer’s block doesn’t just strike those intrepid souls writing the next Twilight or Harry Potter. It can strike those of us writing nonfiction, also. In response, many people suggest doing something unusual to cure writer’s block, such as sitting at a different Starbucks than the one you normally haunt or writing at a different time of day. If those tips work for you, great! However, when I was writing my Master’s thesis just a couple years ago, I found that the best way to deal with my own writer’s block was to be boring—very, very boring. I got into the habit of writing in the same spot at the same time, day in and day out. I went so far as to make sure I was even sitting in the same chair every day and drinking the same brand of coffee. Crazy, I know!...
Read MoreBiting the Bullet—When to Use Bullet Points in Business Writing
In the last post, I discussed creating effective bullet points using parallel construction. But, where should you actually use bullet points? Bullets are commonly found in resumes, brochures, and on websites. These are all good locations; however, the use of bullets is sometimes underutilized in lengthier documentation, such as case studies, white papers, and proposals. I suggest using bullets in these situations, also. The trick is to use a bit of restraint and finesse. A set of bullets on every page is probably too much—but, if you are offering multiple number or phrase-based examples, then bullets (or even multiple sets of bullets) on each page may be appropriate. Here is a brief example from a fictional case study: In late 2011, the Illinois Coffee Mug...
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