Author Archives: Katrien

10 Common Writing Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

After editing over 200 academic articles, theses and books, I’ve noticed some mistakes that pop up again and again. Every piece is unique, but these common errors seem universal. I thought I’d share them to help you with your next writing project.

1. Capitalisation Confusion

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen random Words capitalised For No apparent Reason. Most editors report this frustrating trend, which is especially noticeable in corporate communication and business writing. The major style guides (APA, Chicago, AP) also emphasise this issue and discourage capitalising a term to make it seem more important, but I’m not sure if writers are taking notice because all I can see is an increase in this annoying habit.

Unless you are writing in German, there is no need to capitalise a common noun just because you think it is an important term. There are other and better ways to emphasise a word, which I discuss later in this blog post.

The capitalisation rules are actually quite simple, and they haven’t really changed much since the 19th century.

In general, there are only two instances where a capital letter is required:

  • at the beginning of a sentence, including at the beginning of a direct quote
  • to indicate a proper noun, such as names of countries, organisations, personal names and nationalities.

Examples

  • The teacher said, “Your essay is due at the end of the week.”
  • Vincent van Gogh, France, World Health Organization, Turkish

Confusion often arises with titles and compass points.

  • Captain Sparrowbut: The captain thanked the crew before disembarking.
  • South Africabut: the south of England

The term government also often leads to confusion. It should be capitalised as part of a formal title, but when referring to a government in general, use lowercase.

  • The New Zealand Government
  • Leisure centres are the responsibility of the local government.

2. Run-on Sentences Gone Wild

You’re on a roll with your ideas, and before you know it, you’ve written a sentence that spans half a page without a single period in sight.

Example

“The alarm buzzed at 7.00 am John rolled out of bed immediately reaching for his phone to check messages he stumbled to the bathroom he had a quick shower and threw on the clothes he’d laid out the night before he hurried to the kitchen made toast and coffee gulping them down while packing his lunch he glanced at the clock realised he was late grabbed his keys and rushed out the door.”

Over the years, I have seen a gradual decline in punctuation, which is probably the result of the rise of digital communication, where brevity and speed are important, so punctuation goes out the window. I also blame the education system for emphasising creative writing over structure and correct grammar.

Give your reader a break. The purpose of your writing is to communicate your knowledge and ideas to the reader, and punctuation plays a critical role in making your writing clearer.

3. The Dreaded Comma Splice

This happens when you join two independent clauses with just a comma, it’s surprisingly common. See what I did there? That was a comma splice!

An independent clause is, as the name suggests, a clause that can stand on its own. More specifically, it contains at least a subject and a verb, and therefore, it can stand alone as a sentence—it is independent.

Independent clauses are usually separated by a full stop, but when the two clauses are closely related, a semicolon might be a better choice. Alternatively, insert a linking word.

Example

“My brother loves tea, I prefer coffee.”

Both sentences are independent, so this should be:

“My brother loves tea. I prefer coffee.”

Or

“My brother loves tea; I prefer coffee.”

Or

“My brother loves tea, but I prefer coffee.”

4. Thesaurus Overload

Formal and academic writing should be clear and concise. Choose commonly used words over the unusual or complex ones. Shorter and less wordy sentences improve clarity and readability.

Using “utilise” instead of “use” doesn’t make you sound smarter; it often just adds unnecessary complexity. Big, impressive words will probably put your readers off, or if you’re writing an assignment, put the marker to sleep.

Here are a few examples of the most common offences:

Avoid Write instead
as well as and
a number of some
attempt try
utilise use
convene meet
enumerate count
exhibit show
in order to to

 

 

So, if your assignment exceeds the allowed word count, follow Mark Twain’s advice.

“Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.”

Mark Twain (Source: Pixabay)

5. Never-ending Sentences

Closely related to word choice is sentence length. I often edit sentences so long that by the time I reach the end, I’ve forgotten what the beginning was about! If your reader has to reread your sentence to follow your train of thought, your sentence is too long.

Aim for an average of 20–25 words per sentence for maximum readability. Any longer, and consider splitting it into two or following Mark Twain’s advice and cutting out redundant words.

6. Pronoun Puzzles

“They discussed this in their paper, which contradicts it.”

What do “they”, “their” and “it” refer to? Vague pronouns leave readers scratching their heads.

Clarity should always be at the forefront of your mind. Readers naturally assume a pronoun refers to the last noun mentioned. If the pronoun is too far removed from its antecedent or if there is more than one possibility, clarity is compromised. As a result, your reader may have to reread the sentence to figure it out, which you want to avoid.

7. Dangling Modifiers

The dangling modifier is one of the most complicated concepts in English writing and is often misunderstood.

Simply put, a modifier is dangling because it has nothing to attach to.

Let me explain with an example from one of my favourite books by Bill Bryson, Bryson’s dictionary of troublesome words: A writer’s guide to getting it right.

“As reconstructed by the police, Pfeffer at first denied any knowledge of the Byrd murder” (cited by Bernstein in Bryson, 2002, p. 51).[1]

It was obviously not Pfeffer who was reconstructed by the police, but the implied story.

“The explosive was found by a security man in a plastic bag” (example cited in Jarvie, 2007, p. 77).[2]

Was the man in the bag, or was it the explosive?

What or who was in the bag? The man or the explosive?

Ensure your modifiers connect to the right subject.

 

[1] Bryson, B. (2002). Bryson’s dictionary of troublesome words: A writer’s guide to getting it right. Broadway Books.

[2] Jarvie, G. (2007). Bloomsbury grammar guide: Grammar made easy (2nd ed.). Bloomsbury Publishing.

8. Acronym and Abbreviation Avalanche

Although acronym and abbreviation both describe shortened versions of a term, there is a small difference between them.

Both are formed from the first letters of the spelt-out term, but acronyms are pronounced as words, while abbreviations are not.

All acronyms are abbreviations, but not all abbreviations are acronyms.

For example, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is an acronym because we don’t pronounce each letter separately; we read it as a word.

On the other hand, EU (European Union), USA (United States of America) and UK (United Kingdom) are abbreviations because we pronounce each letter separately.

Using too many unexplained abbreviations and acronyms (TMUAA) in your writing can confuse readers who aren’t familiar with specific terminology (WAFST) 😊 Even though the abbreviation may be crystal clear to you, you should not assume that your reader is familiar with the commonly used terminology in your field.

In formal and academic writing, different house style guides have different rules relating to the use of acronyms or abbreviations, but the following usually applies:

  • All but the most well-known abbreviations and acronyms should be defined the first time they are mentioned in the text. If an abbreviation appears in the abstract and the main body of the text, define it on first use in both places. After you define an abbreviation, use only the abbreviation.
  • If you only use a term once or twice, spell it out and omit the abbreviation.
  • Terms widely known in their short form, such as NATO and WHO, do not have to be defined.
  • When referring to a pluralised term by its abbreviation, the abbreviation should also be pluralised. For example,
    • PC – PCs (personal computers)
    • CV – CVs (curriculum vitae)
    • CEO – CEOs (chief executive officers)
    • TV – TVs (televisions).

I have written a separate blog post dedicated to acronyms alone. Check it out: Go Easy On The Acronyms.

9. The Apostrophe Under Attack

Nothing irks me more than a missing or misplaced apostrophe. The apostrophe rule is actually quite simple, yet no other punctuation mark causes more confusion.

However, this confusion is entirely unjustified.

The apostrophe has two main uses:

  • to mark a missing letter (hasn’t = has not)
  • to indicate the possessive form (the cat’s tail = the tail belonging to the cat).

It gets trickier when the noun ends in an ‘s’ (sometimes!), but there’s an easy solution. If you’re ever unsure whether to add an extra ‘s’ to form the possessive, say the phrase out loud. If you say an extra ‘s’, write it; if you don’t say an extra ‘s’, don’t write one.

Here are two simple examples:

  • my parents’ house (not: my parents’s house because we don’t add an ‘s’ when we say it)
  • James’s car (not: James’ car because when we say it out loud, we add an ‘s’, so in writing, you should do the same).

Because of the confusion the apostrophe causes, some educators and language specialists have proposed scrapping it altogether. Apostrophes have already been dropped from street names in some places in the UK (shock, horror!), and in digital communication, they are often skipped to speed up texting.

Source: Wikipedia

But before we send the apostrophe into early retirement, let’s consider what we’d lose. Linguists, editors, teachers and many writers argue that the apostrophe plays an important role in writing and that it is necessary to ensure clarity and meaning.

In 2001, John Richards even started the Apostrophe Protection Society in the UK. After a brief closure in 2019, it was revived in 2022 by its current chairman, Bob McCalden, to continue the founder’s mission of protecting the use of the apostrophe. You may find their website an interesting read, even if you don’t consider yourself a grammar nerd.

10. Consistency

Inconsistencies can easily creep into your writing without you realising it, especially when you’re working on a large document like a book or thesis. Also, when you’re writing, you naturally focus on the content, not grammatical correctness.

However, inconsistencies make your work look sloppy and unprofessional, even when the content is brilliant, so it’s important to identify and fix them.

Inconsistencies are commonly caused by the following:

UK vs. US spelling

There is no right or wrong here, but it is important to be aware of the differences so you can apply the rules consistently. Which spelling convention you should follow is usually determined by the country you live in, the in-house style guide of the publisher you’re submitting your article to or the style guide your university wants you to follow.

The most common differences between US and UK spelling are as follows:

UK US
-our vs. -or favour favor
-re vs. -er metre meter
-ise vs. -ize organise organize
-ogue vs. -og dialogue dialog
-ll vs. -l modelling modelling
-amme vs. -am programme program
c vs. k sceptic skeptic

Hyphens

Hyphenated words can cause inconsistencies because, honestly, the rule is rather complicated, and there are enough exceptions to make your head spin. I will probably write a separate blog on the hyphen alone, but for now, the key point I am trying to get across is to be consistent. If you’re not sure if you should hyphenate a word, look it up, but stick with one dictionary, or you may get even more confused.

Emphasis

While it is OK to emphasise certain words to draw the reader’s attention to them, pick one method and stick with it. The following is an exaggerated example of what NOT to do:

It was absolutely unbelievable how the “winner”—yes, the so-called ‘champion’—managed to SCREAM his way to ‘VICTORY’!

The recommended method is italics. Quotation marks are also OK, but keep in mind that these are also used for quoted material. You don’t want to end up with too many quotation marks, as they can make your writing look messy and cluttered.

Remember

Writing is easy if you follow a few basic rules. Keep it simple, aim for clarity and be consistent.

 

If you need help with your writing, email me at info@proofpal.co.nz.

What’s A White Paper, And Do You Need One?

Let’s be honest, “white paper” doesn’t sound exciting. It sounds dry and boring. Something a government geek in a grey suit might draft on a rainy afternoon.

But white papers are surprisingly powerful. In the business world, they’re like persuasive essays in disguise, backed by data and designed to guide decision-makers, not bore them. Done well, a white paper can explain complex solutions and give your product or service a serious edge.

So, what is a white paper?

According to Gordon Graham (aka That White Paper Guy), a white paper is “a persuasive essay that uses facts and logic to promote a B2B product, service, technology, or methodology.” Think of it as a cross between a helpful guide and a low-key sales pitch.

White papers are typically used in B2B marketing. Their goal? To help readers:

  • understand a tricky issue
  • solve a real-world problem
  • make a well-informed decision.

They often feature clean design and visuals, but their strength lies in clear, well-organised text, something with substance that speaks to both brains and budgets.

Where did white papers come from?

The term goes back to the British Government in the 1920s, when policymakers used “white papers” to float ideas and invite feedback. Businesses picked up the concept in the 1990s and gave it a makeover: instead of policy proposals, they used white papers to promote complex or costly products with data and credibility.

Today, white papers are used across both government and industry. They’re especially handy when you’re introducing something new, technical or important.

The Three Types of White Papers (Yes, There Are Types!)

Gordon Graham outlines three main flavours:

The Backgrounder

This version dives deep into a product or service. It’s often used during launches or sales conversations to showcase benefits and justify value, especially when the offering is expensive or technical.

The Numbered List

A faster, lighter read. Think “5 Things to Know Before Choosing Project Management Software” or “7 Mistakes Companies Make with Cloud Security.” They are great for grabbing attention and ideal for repurposing into blog posts and newsletters.

The Problem–Solution

This is the “king of content”. It explores a specific industry problem and presents a compelling solution, backed by solid research and third-party data. Think of it as thought leadership with purpose; it builds trust, generates leads and positions you as a serious player.

Who uses white papers?

Mostly B2B companies. If you’re selling something that’s innovative, complex or pricey, a white paper can:

  • explain what you do (without the jargon)
  • build trust with your target audience
  • support your sales process.

B2C businesses don’t often use white papers—most consumers don’t need ten pages to decide which vacuum cleaner to buy—but there are exceptions, particularly in health and wellness.

Who writes them?

Sometimes, in-house staff like product managers or engineers take a crack at writing white papers. But the format requires a particular blend of storytelling, structure and strategy, which is why many companies bring in specialists.

White paper writers usually come from three camps:

  • technical writers who moved beyond manuals
  • journalists who pivoted to business writing
  • copywriters (like me!) who added white papers to their toolkit.

I’m in the last group. I’ve completed a white paper writing course with AWAI, and my background in academic editing and research makes me right at home with structured, fact-based content.

Need a white paper?

Need a white paper that builds informs and drives action? Let’s talk about your project.

At Symbol

Up and @ ‘em: A Symbol of the Digital Age

On 5 March 2016, Ray Tomlinson passed away. He’s not a household name—at least not in most households—but his work has shaped how we communicate every day. Often credited as the father of email, Tomlinson is also the man who introduced the @ symbol to internet communications. We’ve been @-ing each other across platforms ever since.

But the symbol’s history stretches back much further than its digital debut in 1971. It’s been around so long that its exact origins remain a bit of a mystery.

Merchants and Monks

One popular theory traces @ to medieval monks, who, mindful of ink and space, abbreviated the Latin ad (meaning at, toward, by, or about) into a single symbol.

Another theory suggests it was merchant shorthand for “each at,” used to describe the unit price of goods. Look closely and you can see how @ could resemble an ‘a’ wrapped in an ‘e.’ Smithsonian Magazine supports this idea, noting that a 1536 letter by Florentine merchant Francesco Lapi used @ to denote units of wine called amphorae.

A Tale of a Tail

There are plenty of curly tales behind this curly symbol. It’s unique in that there’s no universal name for it—each language puts its own spin on the description.

English plays it safe with “at symbol,” but other languages go wild with imagination. Dutch speakers call it apenstaartje (“little monkey tail”), Greeks say παπάκι (papaki – “duckling”), the Welsh opt for malwen (“snail”), and in Taiwan it’s 小老鼠 (xiǎo lǎoshǔ – “little mouse”).

@ You, @ Me

Today, the @ is everywhere. Every email address uses it to bridge the username with the domain. Whether tied to your workplace, university, or webmail provider, chances are your name follows an @.

And with the rise of social media, its use has exploded. X puts it front and centre; Instagram and Facebook use it to tag users—even if the symbol itself doesn’t always appear in the final post. What once connected a person to a server now connects people to each other.

So, thank you, Ray Tomlinson, for your gift of connectivity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v16jpzy4ZI

The Interrobang, And Other Punctuation Headaches For Proofreaders

The Interrobang, and Other Punctuation Headaches for Proofreaders

Proofreaders are trained to polish a manuscript until it shines. They know their grammar, spot spelling errors a mile off, and won’t tolerate inconsistencies. But they also walk a fine line between correcting too much and respecting the author’s style. While grammar rules are easy to apply, every proofread comes with unique challenges—ones that call for common sense, tact, and the courage to draw a line that shouldn’t be crossed.

Punctuation is one of those grey areas that can frustrate even seasoned proofreaders. And I’m not talking about the obvious—missing question marks or full stops. In your freelance proofreading career, you’ll almost certainly come across authors who love to add extra punch with a flurry of punctuation marks at the end of a sentence.

Mark Twain once said, “One should never use exclamation points in writing. It is like laughing at your own joke.” Terry Pratchett went further. In Reaper Man, he wrote: “Five exclamation marks, the sure sign of an insane mind.” By his own admission, he sorted fan mail in this order:

  • From kids
  • Typed
  • Readable
  • Interesting
  • Others
  • Ones written in green ink on mauve paper
  • Ones with more exclamation marks than sanity dictates.

So, what would Twain or Pratchett have thought of the interrobang?

What Is an Interrobang?!

The interrobang is a combination of a question mark and an exclamation mark—?!, !?, ?!?, !?!—or even this: ‽. Though often seen as a modern quirk, it actually dates back to 1962, when journalist Martin K. Speckter introduced it as a neater alternative to multiple end-of-sentence punctuation marks. While it never caught on formally, the rise of social media has breathed new life into its use.

Fans of the interrobang say it adds “nuance and clarity,” especially for rhetorical questions. Pearson, the education company, even uses it as a logo to reflect “the curiosity to know and discover, and the excitement and fun of learning.”

To Bang or Not to Bang

Others—grammar nerds like me—aren’t so keen. For some, the interrobang is a sign of lazy writing. If the sentence is strong enough, they argue, the punctuation shouldn’t have to shout.

Go Easy On The Acronyms

Do acronyms make you cringe too? Not everyone is an expert at decoding a string of letters that leave most readers mystified. The number of acronyms you master is not an indication of your expertise. Quite the opposite!

Chances are, an overuse of LOL, ROFLOL, ROTFLMAOWPIMP and LSHMBH will put your readers to sleep; they won’t make it past the first three lines.

Honestly, I think it borders on arrogance to assume your readers have given up on communication with real words and sentences. They shouldn’t need an acronym dictionary to decipher your gobbledygook.

WHEN IS IT OK TO USE ACRONYMS?

Acronyms aren’t always bad. In technical or academic writing, you often need to refer to long terms repeatedly. That’s why most publishers have clear rules: the first time a term appears, spell it out in full, followed by the acronym in brackets—like this: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). After that, just use the acronym.

Personal writing isn’t bound by these rules, but before you bombard your readers with a secret code, pause and think. No matter how familiar you are with your subject, your goal is to engage your audience. A sentence like “The advantage of the LH was clear from the RT data, which reflected high FP and FN rates for the RH,” won’t cut the mustard.

So, next time you write a blog, article, report or thesis, keep these rules in mind if you want to keep your readers hooked:

  • Less is more
  • Abuse leads to confusion
  • Know your audience
  • Put the reader first
  • In formal writing, follow the rules.

And last but not least, remember: PCMCIA—People Can’t Master Computer Industry Acronyms.