Writing Tools

Today, as I work on a new book titled "The Glamour of Grammar," I turn this column over to, perhaps, my favorite copy editor of all time: Vicki Krueger. I worked with Vicki for years and, with our desks just a few steps apart, turn to her often on matters of style, grammar, and usage.

I did not realize until this morning that March 4 is National Grammar Day. It was Vicki, of course, who informed me. And so to honor her and copy editors everywhere, I turn this column on this special day over to she.

Here are some excerpts Vicki wrote, taken from News University's Access blog:

Cue the marching bands, parades and fireworks. March 4 is National Grammar Day, sponsored by the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar (SPOGG) and MSN Encarta.
 
While some may use the day to channel their inner comma cop, we see this as the season of celebrating the craft of clear writing with the ones we love. So we've found some games to put you in the holiday spirit.
 
Eats, Shoots & Leaves, a punctuation game based on the book by Lynne Truss.
 
A bounty of interactive quizzes. One warning: These may bring out your inner English teacher.
 
Merriam-Webster Online offers a variety of word games. Some are harder than they look.
 
Try "Wordista" at the Institute for Midcareer Copy Editors, and see whether you qualify for its Hall of Fame. Even better, organize a National Grammar Day office party and create your own "Grammar Smackdown." ("Meld the savagery of professional wrestling with the grace of the English language and the stylebook's splendid tyranny.") You'll find both at the institute's Web site.
 
Want more resources? NewsU has put together a list of copy editing resources. You'll find links to training sites and online stylebooks for copy editors, blogs about editing, language and word usage, some reference sites for your bookmarking pleasure, and more. Plus, NewsU offers a free, self-directed course on grammar, style and punctuation called "Cleaning Your Copy." (Full self-disclosure: A member of the NewsU Crew is the course author.)
 
And if you're looking for more training on writing headlines, NewsU will be offering "Writing Better Print Headlines," a four-week online group seminar, in June and in September. Details are at www.newsu.org/Headlines. To learn more about "Writing Headlines for the Web," go to www.newsu.org/WebHeads for a replay of a NewsU Webinar with editors from latimes.com.