Mastering the Mechanics of Grammar and Punctuation

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This class reviews the basics rules of grammar and punctuation and highlights the changes that have occurred in the past ten years. How many commas are in a series? Is it wrong to use "he/she" and "his/her?" Is "e-mail" capitalized?

Topics include:

  • Reviewing sentence structure
  • Achieving sentence variety
  • Determining subject/verb agreement and pronoun/antecedent agreement
  • Using the active voice
  • Controlling capital letters
  • Punctuating with precision

Seminar tips:

  • Nouns that end with -ics generally refer to a body of knowledge or a general quality and are singular.

    Example

    Honest ethics in business is crucial.  Graphics is an interesting topic to learn.

  • Use that with essential modifying clauses and which with non-essential clauses.

    Example

    I need the information that is in your report to finish my presentation.  I need the information, which is crucial, to finish my presentation.

  • Capitalize alternative or fanciful names for geographical places.

    Example

    The Big Apple (New York City), The Big Easy (New Orleans), The Rust Belt (area of United States.)

stylewriter

There's now a new way to write clear letters, reports, sales literature and contracts. StyleWriter edits any document into a model of clear, readable English. It comes on the Software for Writers CD that contains a 30-day Evaluation, an Electronic Writing Course designed for the Federal Government and demonstrations and tutorials.

On the CD you'll also find:

  • Free Dictionary-Thesaurus
  • Free Writer's Outliner
  • Free Typing Tutor
  • Free Technical Writer's Calculator
  • Six Free Writing Guides

Learn more about the StyleWriter Software.

Schedule This Training

For groups of 3 or more participants

Cypress Media Group presents this seminar as an on-site offering at your work location or at an off-site location of your choice. We can customize this training program to suit your precise training needs.

For economic reasons, this seminar is only offered to groups of roughly three or more people with the same training needs. If you have a group with similar training needs, please call us at 770-640-9918 or E-mail to discuss your interest.

For fewer than 3 participants

We do not offer this course as an open enrollment public offering for individuals. If you have fewer than three participants who are interested in this course, the cost will be the same as for a larger group.

Please call us at 770-640-9918 or E-mail to discuss your interest.

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About the Instructor

Catherine S. Hibbard is a nationally recognized expert in business and technical writing. Her company, Cypress Media Group, is an Atlanta-based advertising, public relations, and training firm that provides training and consulting primarily related to business and technical writing, presentation skills, and media relations.

Ms. Hibbard's client base, which is diverse and impressive, draws from both corporations and government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several NASA centers, and numerous military branches. Her corporate clients include Archer Daniels Midland, The Lewin Group, Verizon, and Northrop Grumman - to name just a few. She has been awarded contracts for large training initiatives with the Office of Professional Management (OPM), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

She can be reached by e-mail at catherine@cypressmedia.net.

Connect to her on Linkedin.

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