by Marissa Metcalf | Aug 18, 2016 | AP Style Basics, GrammarSpot
Clauses are often called the building blocks of sentences, and like most building materials, they aren’t all created equal. Some clauses carry weight and play an integral role within a sentence, while others primarily provide embellishment. Whether you’re writing...
by Marissa Metcalf | Jul 21, 2016 | AP Style Basics, GrammarSpot
I’m a huge fan of abbreviations because they make communication easier and spare me from unnecessary typing. When I’m writing in Associated Press style, though, it sometimes feels like these benefits disappear, since there are so many tricky AP style rules for...
by Marissa Metcalf | Jun 30, 2016 | AP Style Basics, GrammarSpot
If you write factual content or realistic fiction, it’s almost impossible to avoid working with acronyms. Between “alphabet soup” government agencies and absurdly named pieces of legislation, I often find my writing overrun with these abbreviations. Given the ubiquity...
by Marissa Metcalf | May 2, 2016 | GrammarSpot, Writing Tips
For a few years during elementary school, virtually every sentence that my friends and I uttered included the word “like.” This awful speech habit led to plenty of well-deserved ridicule, which made me determined to stop overusing unnecessary words. I thought I was...
by Marissa Metcalf | Apr 4, 2016 | AP Style Basics, GrammarSpot
I used to feel pretty confident in my grasp of grammar and style rules, until my first encounter with Associated Press style and its distinct guidelines. AP style is widely used in journalism and other professional writing, but it can still seem unfamiliar and...
