Putting Pen to Paper
Newsletter #119
This Week:
Capturing Creates Consistency
Language Clarity From a Toddler
Spotted
Before We Go…
1.The Case for a Writing Style Guide
“Do we hyphenate that?”
“Why are we using three different words for the same thing?”
“What’s the right term here?”
“What is our style when we write names and titles?”
If those questions sound familiar, your organization isn’t alone. They’re a sign that it might be time to create (or revisit) a writing style guide.
A writing style guide brings clarity and consistency to how your organization communicates. It defines tone, standardizes language, and eliminates the small (but frequent) decisions that slow teams down and dilute your message.
2. ICYMI: What My Toddler Taught Me About Language
Since we’re talking about word choices today, let’s revisit this recent EO Report article about just that. It’s the story of how a battle over cheese pizza with a toddler became a lesson in language clarity and meeting people where they’re at.
3. Spotted
New data from The Pew Research Center explores teen usage of Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. The report includes why and how teens report using each platform, their perceptions on how it affects their health, their views on bullying and harassment, and more. Read their findings.
4. Before We Go…
From Wired: The internet’s most powerful archiving tool is in danger.
“As major news outlets cut off the Wayback Machine, journalists and advocacy groups are rallying to protect the Internet Archive’s vast collection of web pages.”
“Pinterest has launched a new ad campaign that frames the platform as the anti-social media app and encourages people to go live their lives instead of spending too much time on noisy social media streams.”
From The New York Times: They were YouTube’s first stars. Here’s what they wish they had known.
What can we learn from some of the internet’s very first influencers? Here’s a look at what they are experiencing now, over a decade later.
From The Hollywood Reporter: The last time everyone watched the same thing.
Do you remember the famous 2014 selfie at the Oscars featuring Bradley Cooper, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lawrence, and a host of other A-listers? It may have been one of the last moments of shared popular culture — the death of the monoculture quickly followed. News has trended the same way.
Forward this note to the person you have grammar and word choice debates with.