Writers On Writing

We would like to share with you some of our favorite quotes about writing. We have found that such thoughts can be very inspirational, especially in times of writer's block and frustration. Enjoy!


"If one can write, anyone can. If two can, you can too!" - Nancy Sanders

"The difficulty of writing literature is not to write, but to write what you mean." - Robert Louis Stevenson

"Writing is making sense of life. You work your whole life and perhaps you've made sense of one small area." - Nadine Gordimer

"I don't like to write, but I love to have written." - Michael Kanin

"Writing is thinking on paper." - William Zinsser

"Write drunk. Edit sober." - Ernest Hemingway

"In order to write the book you want to write, you have to become the person you need to become to write the book." - Junot Diaz

"I am a writer who came from a sheltered life. A sheltered life can be daring as well. For all serious daring starts from within." - Eudora Welty

"Those who write are writers. Those who wait are waiters." - A. Lee Martinez

"All you have to do is put one word after another and remember how great it feels to be a writer." - Stephanie Lennox

"Don't try to be different. Just be good. To be good is different enough." - Arthur Freed

"Whether or not you write well, write bravely." - Bill Stout


What is your favorite quote about writing? Post a comment and join the discussion!

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The Ten Best-Selling Books of All Time

Have you ever wondered what the best-selling book of all time is? Many literary and historical scholars have investigated this question. They have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to answer! Because of the long and varied history of publishing, sales of works such as Don Quixote and The Bible are much harder to pinpoint. For the purpose of this list, we will only list works that can be positively verified.
   
    1. Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities - 200 million copies sold
    2. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings - 150 million copies sold
    3. Antione de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince - 140 million copies sold
    4. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit - 100 million copies sold
    5. Cao Xueqin's The Story of the Stone - 100 million copies sold
    6. Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None - 85 million copies sold
    7. H. Rider Haggard's She - 83 million copies sold
    8. Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code - 80 million copies sold
    9. Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich - 70 million copies sold
  10. J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye - 65 million copies sold

How many of these books have you read? Join the discussion below!

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Abbreviations in Writing

Today’s blog post is for all of our readers and writers. Abbreviations are something every reader will encounter on a daily basis. No matter the setting, proper understanding of abbreviations is crucial to clear, concise writing. In the quick guide below, popular abbreviations and their meanings are listed.

anon.	anonymous
b.	born
c. or ca.	about (with dates only)
cf.	compare (not see)
ch., chs.	chapter(s)
d.	died
diss.	dissertation
ed., eds.	editor(s), edition(s), edited by
e.g.	for example
et al.	and others (people only)
etc.	and so forth
ibid.	the same (title as the one mentioned in the previous note)
i.e.	that is (not for example)
ms., mss.	manuscript(s)
n., nn.	note(s)
n.d.	no date (in a book’s imprint)
no., nos.	number(s)
p., pp.	page(s)
pref.	preface
pt., pts.	part(s)
q.v.	see elsewhere in this text
rpt.	reprint
rev.	revised, revision, reviewed by
sec., secs., sect., sects.	section(s)
ser.	series
tr., trans.	translation, translated by
v.	versus (legal citations)
vol., vols.	volume(s)
vs.	verse, versus

We hope this quick guide will aid you in your writing endeavors. Regularly visit our blog to check back for more helpful hints, suggestions and guides!

 Be sure to visit us on Twitter, Facebook, and our website!

Our Favorite Poem

We understand that it is the midweek. You may be feeling tired. Perhaps you need a little inspiration. We would like to share with you one of our favorite poems. This poem is Rudyard Kipling's "If."


If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

What is your favorite poem? Join the discussion below!

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Proper Tensing of Common Verbs

Today's blog post will be for our ESL readers! Many ESL students struggle with the proper tensing of two very common verbs: "is" and "are." In our experience, these two verbs cause the most confusion for non-native English speakers.

"Is" is the present tense version of the verb to be. "Was" is the past tense version of this same verb. Below is an example to help differentiate between the two.

PRESENT TENSE: Cory is happy.
PAST TENSE: Cory was happy.

PRESENT TENSE: Cory is practicing soccer today.
PAST TENSE: Cory was practicing soccer yesterday.

"Are" is the plural form of the verb to be. "Were" is the past tense version of this same verb. When more than one person, place or thing is doing something, we use this verb.

PRESENT TENSE: The soccer players are practicing today.
PAST TENSE: The soccer players were practicing yesterday.

PRESENT: The fishing conditions are favorable today.
PAST: The fishing conditions were favorable yesterday.

We hope you have found this guide helpful. If you should have any questions regarding tensing, please feel free to email us at: info@universityproofreading.com!

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Adjectives vs. Adverbs

As proofreaders, we read a LOT of papers. One of the most common issues we encounter is the confusion between adjectives and adverbs. In this quick guide, we will highlight the differences between the two. We will also provide examples of how to properly use each figure of speech.

Adjectives and adverbs are similar in that both describe something. The difference between them is that adjectives are used to describe nouns and adverbs are used to describe verbs.

Adjectives qualify people, places and things. They are used to describe attributes or qualities of a noun.

    EXAMPLE: The happy children sang.

In this example, 'happy' is used to describe the condition of the children. Because 'children' is a noun, an adjective is used to describe it. In this case, 'happy' is the adjective.

    EXAMPLE: The happy children sang the beautiful song.

In this example, the adjective 'happy' is used to describe the children. The adjective 'beautiful' is used to describe the song.

On the other hand, adverbs are used to describe a verb. They qualify an action. A verb is an action, and adverbs describe action.

    EXAMPLE: The children sang beautifully.

In this example, the adverb 'beautifully' is used to describe how the children sang.

    EXAMPLE: The man ran quickly.

In this example, the adverb 'quickly' is used to describe how the man ran.

Sometimes confusion can arise when a sentence includes both adjectives and adverbs. The examples below will help to clear up any mix-ups.

    EXAMPLE: The happy children sang beautifully.

In this example, the adjective 'happy' is used to describe the children. The adverb 'beautifully' is used to describe the way they sang.

    EXAMPLE: The tall man ran quickly.

In this example, the adjective 'tall' describes the man's height. The adverb 'quickly' describes how he ran.

If you find youself having trouble using these two similar figures of speech, do not hesitate to contact us for guidance! Email us at info@universityproofreading.com!

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Irregular Plural Nouns

The English language is full of irregularities and quirks. Of these quirks, perhaps the most difficult one for ESL students to grasp is that of the irregularly pluralized noun. In the majority of cases, words are pluralized by adding an 's' or an 'es' to the end of the word. But many nouns are pluralized in an irregular fashion. A proper knowledge of irregular pluralization is essential to successful writing. We have compiled a quick guide to several of the most prominent examples.

                         Singular                                                  Plural

appendix	appendices
bacterium	bacteria
child	children
criterion	criteria
fungus	fungi
genus	genera
goose	geese
louse	lice
medium	media
nucleus	nuclei
ox	oxen
phenomenon	phenomena
radius	radii
syllabus	syllabi
tooth	teeth

We hope this quick guide will aid you in your writing endeavors. Regularly visit our blog to check back from more helpful hints, suggestions and guides!

 Be sure to visit us on Twitter, Facebook, and our website!

The Colon vs. The Semicolon

What is the difference between a colon and a semicolon? Good question! In fact, the misuse—and frequent substitution—of these two punctuation marks is one of the most common grammatical errors we see. In fact, the two are so widely misunderstood that we have even caught university professors mistaking them! It’s important to remember that the colon and the semicolon are not interchangeable. We’ll take each one separately and try to provide some examples highlighting the difference between the colon and the semicolon.

Let’s begin with dreaded semicolon!

Use number one

The semicolon is used to join two independent clauses in compound sentences. An independent clause is simply a clause that can stand by itself, as its own complete sentence. Here are some examples:  

• The parade was fantastic; all the kids had a great time. 

• We started our hike early in the morning; George led the way up the mountain.

These sentences could also be written as two entirely distinct sentences, separated by a period. However, since they are similar, a semicolon is often a helpful way of alerting the reader to their relationship. A word of advice: use the semicolon sparingly. Excessive use of the semicolon can be very irritating to readers (mainly because your audience might not know what it means!).

Frequently, a transition word (such as therefore, furthermore, moreover, or thus) is placed after a semicolon in order to more directly help the reader understand the relationship between two independent clauses. We highly recommend using transition words, because they significantly improve the flow of your writing.

• Michael drank a little too much last night; he did not feel well this morning.
• Michael drank a little too much last night; therefore, he did not feel well this morning.

• Jenny has studied in France for two years; she can speak French fluently.
• Jenny has studied in France for two years; thus, she can speak French fluently. 

Remember, when using a transition word in this case, it is always necessary to precede it with a semicolon and follow it with a comma.

Use Number Two

Semicolons are also a helpful way to distinguish among different items in a list, especially when a comma in already present. For example:

• The esteemed panel consisted of five professors from five different academic backgrounds, including Rob Tichman, Theatre; Bob Osborne, Economics; Suzy Winthrope, Linguistics; Carl Leven, Political Science; and Pearl Shalfont, Biological Science.

• I can’t say enough about Tony! He is an excellent friend, mentor and father; an accomplished pianist; a great writer; and a world class intellectual. 

Frequent Misuse of Semicolons

Semicolons are very often used in place of a comma or an em-dash. This is incorrect. These punctuation marks are not interchangeable. This is an embarrassing mistake, so avoid it!

• Incorrect: The wind blew viciously as the storm clouds floated overhead; signaling the coming storm.

• Correct: The wind blew viciously as storm clouds floated overhead, signaling the coming storm.

• Incorrect: The sea was calm, the sand was soft and the waves crashed softly along the coastline; a beautiful day indeed.

• Correct: The sea was calm, the sand was soft and the waves crashed softly along the coastline; it was a beautiful day indeed.

• Correct: The sea was calm, the sand was soft and the waves crashed softly along the coastline—a beautiful day indeed. 

Never use a semicolon to begin a list. This is the most common error we see and it is often used on professional documents. The professional service firm Ernst & Young repeatedly makes this mistake on its homepage!

• Incorrect: There are four prerequisites for the econometrics course; statistics 101, calculus 240, political science 120 and economics 201.

• Correct: There are four perquisites for the econometrics course: statistics 101, calculus 240, political science 120 and economics 201.

Now let’s move on to the colon!

The main uses of a colon are: to precede a list (wink, wink), to distinguish certain elements of a sentence, to separate minutes and hours when writing the time, and to end a salutation. Let’s take each one separately.

Use Number One

Use a colon (not a semicolon!) to introduce a list.

• Doctors need an understanding of many different subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Virology.

• Some of Walter Isaacson’s excellent books are: Ben Franklin, Steven Jobs, Einstein and American Sketches

Use Number Two

Use a colon to distinguish an example, or to highlight a particular point after an independent clause.

• Bankers in the late 2000s did not understand one very important lesson: Derivative investments are very unpredictable!

• To open or close a soda bottle you need to remember one simple saying: Righty tighty, lefty loosey!

Use Number Three

Use a colon to separate minutes from hours when writing the time.

• 3:45

• 8:00

Use Number Four

You can use a colon after the salutation of a formal letter.

• Dear Mr. Robinson:

• Dear Sir or Madam:

Interesting fact: Instead of using a colon after formal salutations, Russians use an exclamation point! This would be pretty strange—and maybe even off-putting—to see in English!

• Dear Mr. President!

• Dear University Proofreading!

We hope you have a firm grasp on the difference between the colon and the semicolon! If you have any questions, or just want to try some practice sentences to test your understanding, get it touch with us! We're always happy to hear from our friends on the web! 

You can reach us at: info@universityproofreading.com

Or visit us on Twitter, Facebook and our website!

Resumé Dos and Don'ts: Part 2

Welcome to part two of our ongoing series on the art of the resumé. In this post, we will list several more pieces of advice to help you make the most out of your resumé!

• Your resumé is not the same as your employment history. List jobs that are most relevant to the position for which you are applying for.
• Do NOT lie on your resumé. Although this may seem like common sense, our experience has revealed that it is not. Lying on your resumé is the quickest way to ensure you do not get the job. Even if you do get the job, this offense WILL lead to termination.
• When including a list of references (which should always appear on a separate document), only list professional, organizational and academic references. Personal references, such as family and friends, give the impression that you are unable to secure support from your peers.
• Be honest about gaps in employment. Certain gaps, such as those for education and service work, can be used to your advantage.
• If you are applying for an American job, do NOT include a picture with your resumé. Your work experience should speak for itself. However, in certain international markets inclusion of a picture is standard practice.

We hope you have found these tips helpful. Applying these guidelines to your resumé will ensure you have the best piece of work possible!

 

If you find you have questions or concerns preparing your resumé, please visit us at our website and see what we can do for you!

Be sure to follow us on Twitter! Happy Writing!