Author Archives: carolyn

What’s in a Typo Anyway?

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Believe it or not, we used to write letters by hand to one another using an instrument called a pen. Today we use mobile phone texting, social networking, email, internet blogging, chat rooms and anything else electronically ‘plugged in’, to copiously communicate.

And what about the infamous spell checker, huh? But there isn’t anything wrong with that though, is there? No, of course not, I for one embrace technology. As Jack Aubrey of the Surprise said, “What a wonderful modern age we live in!”

However, in my online writing, lecturing, design, and research ventures I do see one continually, rather disheartening element present. Too often I see evidence that we seem to be writing as though we are less educated than the millennium we live in would represent, and much less sophisticated than the technology we use to communicate with. Typo’s, misspellings, and bad grammar seem to have become an everyday occurrence!

It is not at all unusual for someone to ask a friend if this outfit or that tie looks alright, or to proudly show off ones new mobile phone, or boast about your latest computer upgrade. Chances are pretty good that today or yesterday you talked to, texted, or emailed someone about the latest blog you wrote or read, but when was the last time you asked someone to proof read something for you? When was the last time you took a moment to check if that email you just wrote really made good sense? Eh?

You are most likely here at Amrit’s online writing website because you are interested in professional web content and writing services, whether you are a potential customer or a writer yourself seeking to learn more about SEO content, blog writing, or professional online writing of any sort, no matter which side of the proverbial fence you are on, I think we all agree that good spelling and grammar are important, no matter how stuffy it might feel to say it out loud.

By now you might be asking, “Gosh, what kind of people does this person associate with anyway?” Well I’ll tell you that just yesterday I received an email from an esteemed, university educated colleague who erroneously used the word ‘right’ for ‘write’. Need I say any more?

Researching the unknown while writing content

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Okay, so you’ve said yes to a project which demands background knowledge that you do not have. You sit at your desk and you sweat, just a bit. You say to yourself, “Right, I’m reasonably intelligent, mature, responsible and a professional; I can do this….I think.”

As a College Lecturer, Writer, and Multimedia Designer, research is at the very core of all I do. When researching, in a sense it makes no difference what subject or topic, technical or otherwise, that I need to learn about because I follow a few simple rules.

  1. Internet – dare I say it! But wait, humor me here because like it or not, the information highway has become a phenomenally indispensable tool to writers and researchers however, it continues to have limitations. I use it to view relative news, historical and current events, and for helping me to start my bullet point list of topics or issues, making notes along the way about anything I want to explore in depth.
  2. Reference my own library, both the bookshelf and digital archives – Researching a topic I know nothing or little of, chances are pretty good that I do not have much in my own collection to reference, but I always do a quick check, especially of my digital library, as for some odd reason, I know almost by heart everything on my bookshelf, but my digital archives are a different animal. I suppose it is the tangible versus intangible equation.
  3. Libraries – Lovely places to go and seek the unknown. Libraries can provide more historical and modern information than you can shake a stick at. Many are computerized, have microfiche files, and above all, Librarians who are truly interested in their work and will seek publications for you with a smile. A good Librarian loves a hungry mind.
  4. Location, Location, Location – Find at least 1, even 2 sites that can be visited to view or experience real world examples, or to find inspiration about your subject. I find this step invaluable to my research as not only does it get me away from the books, but I almost always learn something unexpected that you don’t get from sitting in an office or a library. Meaningful discoveries can also come in the form of an idea or revelation while having that cappuccino and staring out the window afterwards…
  5. Blogs and Technical Help Websites – Coming full circle back to the Internet, blog & technical chat-type rooms on the World Wide Web always make me think of the coffee houses of the 17th century where men (sorry ladies) gathered to discuss business and political matters. You can go to these cyber cafes, blog and technical help sites, and talk with others who are there because they have a vested interest in your particular subject, sharing their knowledge with all who are equally interested. There is an extremely good reason why this entry is last on my list of research activities though, as it is especially helpful to visit internet chat, blog, and technical help sites after you’ve gained some knowledge of your subject because it is then that you can engage in meaningful conversations that actually expand your knowledge.

I happen to love doing research. Writers and researchers are birds of a feather. We are adventurers and explorers not at all unlike the pioneers of the past and present who expand our knowledge of all subjects and disciplines. Remember that courage usually comes after the deed, not before! When you begin to grasp your subject, your confidence is renewed and you wonder why you ever doubted yourself in the first place. So the next time you feel daunted by researching the unknown, it may help to remember that you are not alone, that you are one amongst many others exploring and researching it too, even if for the first time.