I covered writing US business letters, but I know we have a number of readers in the United Kingdom too – or readers who might want to write to companies within the UK. I’ll just be covering the formatting here rather than explaining again why each element is included, so you might want to read … Read more
How long do you need to write? We often think it’s not worth sitting down and starting a piece unless we have a whole afternoon clear – but even finding a spare hour can sometimes seem impossible. Try thinking differently about the time you need to write: one ten-minute session, six days a week, adds … Read more
Here are ten more short stories for your delight. This is certainly the most creative batch we have had so far. Some curious ideas and formats have been used by the writers. Anyway make sure to read them and cast your vote to the story that you want to see featured on the grand final. … Read more
I had an email at work recently which read “This new software will compliment the existing system.” Can you spot what’s wrong with that sentence? If you get confused by the difference between compliment and complement, or if you’re unsure which to use when, read on. Compliment Merriam-Webster defines a compliment as “an expression of … Read more
Warning: This post may offend some readers. Words, however, are just words and that’s what DWT is all about. Curious minds want to know! DWT reader Jess received an email in which the sender said “I got a wild hair about me.” Jess says that the expression was used in the sense of acting impetuously. … Read more
Whatever you do – whether you’re a student, employed in an office job, or working as a freelancer – I can guarantee that at some point in your life, you’ll need to sit down and write a formal business letter. It might be to a customer, to an employer with a job that you want, … Read more
Readers often ask how to improve their English writing skills when English is not their native language and they don’t live in an English-speaking country. My advice? Do it the way I did. Imitate me. “But Michael,” you may object, “English is your native language and you’ve lived your whole life in an English-speaking country.” … Read more
It is Monday, and as usual we have another batch (the third one) of short stories up for voting. There are some really interesting stories on this one. Make sure to read them all before casting your vote! 1. A Young Boy’s Journey by Pip Leake In the Wheatbelt of Western Australia, towards the end … Read more
The other day, someone used a word that I hadn’t heard in a long time: obstreperous. I love the way that rolls off the tongue. It means noisy, unruly, belligerent, cantankerous – you get the picture. Obstreperous originates from the Latin prefix ob- (against) and strepere (to make a noise). A drunk being hustled out … Read more