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    • Writing samples
Journalism / spelling

Musta been tuf to be a copy editor at the Chicago Tribune back in the day

Thumbing through a 1967 special section of the Chicago Tribune we found at an estate sale and noticed that they spelled through and though as thru and tho, like the kids…

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August 3, 2017
advertising / spelling

It’s a pity about this backpack’s name

I know. It's supposed to sound like fuel. But that's not what I see whenever I come across someone with one of these dumb backpacks. Instead, my brain reads it…

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March 29, 2017
Journalism / proofreading / spelling

‘In Dog We Trust’ isn’t the real blasphemy here

Remember that time the Vatican misspelled Jesus on a commemorative coin? Solid comedy gold. Now some sheriff's office in Florida misspelled God on its office rug. But you know what's…

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January 16, 2015
grammar / spelling / Words

Toronto’s hockey team: Go, LEAVES!

Most sports fans have a favorite team and a backup. Sometimes the backup team's from a favorite city. Or maybe if your favorite team is in the Eastern Conference, for…

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October 20, 2013
proofreading / spelling / Words

Probably stating the obvious here, but this is a pretty bad mistake

As I've said before, some misspellings are worse than others. And in this case, of all the words to misspell on this commemorative coin, you really couldn't have picked a…

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October 11, 2013
grammar / proofreading / spelling / Words

Ever read something so good you’re angry because someone else wrote it?

Yes, well, that's where I am with this post by Kory Stamper, whose blog I found today somehow. I know you're surprised that I would ever be angry about anything,…

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August 28, 2013
grammar / Journalism / proofreading / punctuation / spelling / Words

Going forward, I see potential upside to synergies

But only if we can leverage our core competencies! It's been a long time, everyone. Have you missed me? Of course you have. I've been away for the past few…

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March 18, 2013
spelling / Words

Posslecue is perfect

Add to the list of things I didn't know: POSSLQ. What a great thing I learned today in the New York Times article about what to call those of us…

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January 7, 2013
grammar / proofreading / punctuation / spelling / Words

Required reading for any language person

I've encountered my share of know-it-alls and fussbudgets in the editing (and writing) world, many of whom probably really believe they are doing God's work and making the world a…

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December 13, 2012
proofreading / spelling / Words

I will never be able to spell “poinsettia”

I have taken (and given) many, many editing tests in my life, and one thing has become very clear to me: I will never be able to spell poinsettia. It…

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November 20, 2012