THE EDITORS' WEEKLY

Filed under:

Barbara McClintock

The Singular “They” — Conjugations and Some Particularities

February 18, 2020 by Barbara McClintock | 5 Comments on The Singular “They” — Conjugations and Some Particularities

Conjugating the singular “they” Gender-neutral writing is fairly new. The Canadian government started using the terms “gender” or “gender identity” when referring to a person’s sex (unless referring to anatomical characteristics related to reproduction or development) in Canadian legislation in 2017. Most writers in Canada already avoid using “he” and “his” because readers understand these […]

Read more »

Tagged

Filed under:

James Harbeck

But Is It Art?

February 11, 2020 by James Harbeck | 3 Comments on But Is It Art?

Is writing art? And if it is, what is editing? If we say writing is “artful,” or “artistic” or “an art,” we mean that we appreciate it aesthetically and admire it for the skill it evinces. But if we say not “writing is an art” but “writing is art” — or “this text is a […]

Read more »

Tagged

Filed under:

Kate Johnson

Top Picks from the Borrowing Place

February 4, 2020 by Kate Johnson | 5 Comments on Top Picks from the Borrowing Place

A lot of books came home from the library with me in 2019. Many of them were lugged back, unread or skimmed. But there were a few I could not put down. Turn off the bedside lamp, even though my eyes were refusing to stay open? Almost impossible! Permit me to brag up three of […]

Read more »

Tagged

Filed under:

Marion Soubliere

Your Government Goals for 2020

January 28, 2020 by Marion Soublière | 2 Comments on Your Government Goals for 2020

It’s 2020 and the year is still gleaming fresh. If you’re a business owner who would love to bolster your Government of Canada (GC) client revenues, the time is ripe for new goals and a motivational to-do list. (Or if you’ve never supplied services to the federal government and would like to, check out Winning […]

Read more »

Tagged

Filed under:

Gael Spivak

Networking, Introverts and Squirrels

January 21, 2020 by Gael Spivak | 4 Comments on Networking, Introverts and Squirrels

I used to think I didn’t like networking because I detest small talk and won’t walk into a room of people all by myself. But a few conversations and experiences changed my mind. Connections A friend told me that I’m one of the best networkers she knows. This caught my attention, especially since this friend […]

Read more »

Tagged

Filed under:

Aaron Dalton General EAC

Notes on Notes

January 14, 2020 by Aaron Dalton | 16 Comments on Notes on Notes

I had occasion recently to teach someone how to write effective editorial comments. It was an interesting exercise as it forced me to articulate principles I had absorbed over many years, some learned from painful experience. Here’s what came to mind: Know your place. My job is to help the author produce the best quality […]

Read more »

Tagged

Filed under:

Rosemary Shipton

To Retire — or Not?

January 7, 2020 by Rosemary Shipton | 9 Comments on To Retire — or Not?

Ever since compulsory staff retirement at 65 ended in Canada, the decision of whether to leave their profession voluntarily has become a conundrum for many people. Some continue working because they need the money, but for others it’s optional. The only people I know who retire “early” are teachers, civil servants and others who contributed […]

Read more »

Tagged

Filed under:

Anna Williams

Quick Topics: Procrastination and the Holidays

December 17, 2019 by Anna Williams | 3 Comments on Quick Topics: Procrastination and the Holidays

For a quick conversation starter today, let’s talk procrastination. “Procrastination is the assassination of motivation,” goes an unattributed quote. But is it? I’ve worked with business writers who, to the contrary, become more motivated the more they procrastinate. With the pressure of an imminent deadline and the looming threat of failure, inspiration strikes and creative […]

Read more »

Tagged

Filed under:

Barbara McClintock

Survey of Canadianisms

December 10, 2019 by Barbara McClintock | Leave a Comment

These days, language professionals in Canada are starting to turn to the online Oxford English Dictionary (OED) or other reference books to replace the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, which is now 15 years old and not likely to be re-edited. An interesting initiative has been started at the University of Toronto by Sali Tagliamonte, professor and […]

Read more »

Tagged

Filed under:

General EAC James Harbeck

Words We Love Irrationally Much

December 3, 2019 by James Harbeck | 1 Comment on Words We Love Irrationally Much

I asked people on Twitter about words they love irrationally much. I got quite a few responses. Actually, I got so many that when I tried to retweet them all, Twitter finally told me I had reached my daily tweet limit. And did again the next day. The words that people love irrationally much are […]

Read more »

Tagged