Writing Category

What’s so great about parallel structure in writing?

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Have you ever written a report or business letter and felt something was missing, but you couldn’t figure it out? It might be that you didn’t think to express parallel thoughts in parallel form.
Parallelism is very helpful when you’re creating documents that have items bulleted and numbered. It helps the reader quickly grasp your meaning. [...]

Bellingham Bay on a typical winter day

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

I love Bellingham, Washington. I lived there the first 19 years of my life, and it was a place of beauty, change, and joy. Most of the time.
I admit I feel cold/chilly when I’m in the area, and always take snuggly clothing when I visit.
Today my cousin, Doug Cruea, sent his family a picture [...]

Salutations: May I use “Dear Sir or Madame?”

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Yes, but you may safely drop the “e” at the end of “Madame.” The rules as of 2010 have changed. According to The Gregg Reference Manual, Tenth Edition, by William A. Sabin, if you don’t know the names of anyone in a large organization, but know there are both men and women, use “Dear [...]

200 Words and Expressions That Tick People Off

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Richard Nordquist, a guide at About.com, says, “When invited to submit expressions that ticked them off, readers responded enthusiastically–with clichés, usage errors, redundancies, misspellings, mispronunciations, and specimens of slang, jargon, and textspeak. Here (with readers’ comments in parentheses) are 200 pet peeves submitted by some very ticked-off defenders of the English language.”
We need to keep [...]

All About Alliteration

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Have you ever wanted to become an expert on alliteration? If nothing else, it’s such a beautiful word! Seriously, when one uses alliteration properly–especially in publications–it is subtly effective.
If you work on Web sites, e-zines, or print newsletters, this may be a good time for you to brush up on the amazing world of alliteration.
DEFINITION*:
Main [...]

The Internet: Homonym Heaven

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

By Judy Vorfeld
Have you ever visited a visually attractive site and then spotted phrases such as, “If your interested in learning more about our Websight, e-mail us,” or “This product comes with an unconditional guarantee. It’s high quality will make you’re life better!”? How about, “Body fat problems? We can help. Of coarse you [...]

Help Give Connor Independence and Companionship

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Four-year-old Connor Kremser of Westlake, Ohio, likes many of the same things as other children his age. He loves McDonald’s French fries, playing in the pool, being tickled by his Mommy and Daddy, and climbing the jungle gym. But Connor is different from most four-year-olds. He suffers from an invisible disability. [...]

Overwhelmed Sierra needs calming, loving, tracking service dog

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Sierra Bland is 10 years old. In her 10 years she has endured more medical tests, procedures and hospitalizations than most people do in a lifetime. She can tell you in detail how to start an IV, replace her colostomy bag, or what needs to be done prior to surgery.
The most amazing thing about [...]

Disability Empowerment Center of Arizona Grand Opening

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Disability Empowerment Center Grand Opening
Last Thursday I had the privilege of attending the grand opening celebration of the Disability Empowerment Center of Arizona. Joining me was my brother, David Crook, who took many photos of the event. The center, a project of Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL), is a universally designed, accessible, and transit-oriented [...]

The Elusive Earrings-A Valentine’s Day Story

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

By Judy Vorfeld
PEORIA, ARIZONA—1988 Not again! I searched the car’s interior carefully before admitting defeat. Even with pierced ears, I’d managed to lose not just one, as I’d done in 1971, but two earrings. And these were expensive.
Emerging from the blast furnace of our garage into our cool home, I’d almost decided not to tell [...]