All Right vs. Alright: Is It All Right to Use Alright? Despite the common appearance of “alright,” it is not officially a word. Some writing resources refer to it as an alternative spelling for “all right,” but “all right” is the correct spelling. To make sure you are right in formal writing, stick with “all…
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Two, Second or Secondly? Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers Explained
Cardinal numbers indicate how many, and ordinal numbers indicate a position. For example, “two” tells us that we have two of something. “Second,” the ordinal counterpart of “two,” tells us that someone/something is second from the first in line, ranking or any other type of order. A good way to remember this distinction is that…
Ignite Your Resume for 2018 Career Success!
Although a successful resume still requires effective content, organization, and presentation, technology platforms such as job boards, career and recruiting sites, social media, and applicant tracking systems (ATS) have had a substantial impact on resume writing and job searches. A winning resume must be readable, well-ordered, and error-free while concisely highlighting your aptitudes and concrete…
The Oxford (Serial) Comma: Is It Necessary?
As with many English grammar rules, use of the Oxford comma (also called the serial comma) is widely debated. The Oxford comma appears before the coordinating conjunctions “and” and “or” in a list of three or more items. For example, “I enjoy coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.” While some commonly used style guides (MLA and…
Thank You for 10 Years in Business!
In October, All About Writing celebrated our 10-year anniversary, thanks to our customers and their loyalty and referrals. Each passing year has brought a sense of accomplishment as All About Writing has continued to attain year-over-year growth, and without your confidence in our writing, editing, and proofreading services, this would not be possible. Take 15%…
Proofreading Pointers…Presto!
Use this “proofreading pointers” checklist for impressive writing in no time flat! Do subjects and verbs agree in number (singular vs. plural)? Do verb tenses correctly indicate timing and completion of actions? Do pronouns and the nouns they replace (antecedents) agree in number (singular vs. plural)? Do pronouns reflect the right gender and form (subjective vs. objective…
College Application Essay Mistakes to Avoid!
With October comes another month of college applications as students finish early decision and early action applications and select additional colleges of interest to round out their list. Most of the application process is straightforward, requiring students to check boxes, enter numbers, and present snippets of background information. When it comes to application essays, though,…
College Admission Essay Strategies
Although the entire college selection and application process is stressful for most students (and parents!), the admissions essays often prove to be the most overwhelming part of the process. While most of the application requires filling in blanks and boxes with short, straightforward, and easy-to-answer responses, the essay demands extended writing, reflection, and thought, with…
Answer the Question and Prove It!
Whether the written response has high stakes (such as a college application or SAT/ACT essay) or is part of an ordinary school task (such as an open-ended question or literature-based prompt), there is one common mistake students make that has a straightforward solution: Answer all parts of the question and provide proof! A successful response…
The Common Application Essay for 2017-2018: What’s Changed
The 2017-2018 college admissions journey has officially begun, and with it comes several changes to The Common Application essay prompts. Although the maximum word count still holds at 650, you will find two new prompts and three revised prompts from last year. The key to essay success is still creating engaging, error-free writing infused with…