Grammar and editing resources

Writers don't just write; they do a lot of editing, too. Besides revising their own work, a lot of writers edit the work of others. With that in mind, here are a few great resources for editing for grammar and style:

Copyediting newsletter: This bimonthly publication aimed at copy editors, writers and others working with language is edited by Wendalyn Nichols, who has worked as a freelance writer and editor, lexicographer and editorial director of Random House Reference. Find language-use articles, answers to tricky grammar questions as well as fun editing-related cartoons by Sage Stossel of The Atlantic Online. On Copyediting's Web site, access a blog, podcasts and job postings. Copyediting also offers workshops, audio conferences and online tutorials.

Watch Your Language: Bonnie Trenga, author of The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier: How to Solve the Mysteries of Weak Writing, tackles common grammar problems in her twice-monthly online column for The Writer. In today's column, she talks about why you don't want your sentences to be too long (as in the example from Ron's blog from yesterday)—and why too many sentence fragments are equally troubling.

Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English: The third edition of Patricia T. O'Conner's must-have book came out last month. This version includes new chapters on spelling and pronunciation.

Also check out The New York Times Newsroom Navigator for links to numerous online resources, the International Trademark Association's Trademark Checklist for a list of trademarked words, and Common Errors in English Usage compiled by Paul Brians.

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