Writing basics: The parts of speech

Horror upon horror, I would wager that the last time you heard the phrase “parts of speech” you were dozing at the back of Mrs Sourberry’s English double period dreaming about Samantha Foxworthy playing netball, right? And in a frenzy of spitting hatred the old hag would beat the principles into your hand with her steel ruler: NOUN! … Read more

How to make online copy easy to read

The golden rule is this: people don’t READ online, they SCAN. In the fast-paced world of Internet-browsing, people don’t read your carefully-crafted prose as if they are snuggled up with a James Patterson novel. There’s no time for that…people want the bottom line in record time or else they’re going to move on. The key to writing … Read more

Hip Hip Hooray – The Origins

Phrases are funny old things, and have been around for ages, most of them anyway. Where do they come from? Who first said “FORE!” on a golf course? What does it all really, really mean? Take the common phrase “Hip Hip Hooray”, for example. ’tis been said that the phrase comes from Roman times, 70 … Read more

Freelance writer in Johannesburg? Here are some writing resources

As a web-based marketing guy I find myself involved in all manner of interesting things including: Something central to all of this is pure, unadulterated GOOD CONTENT. Without it none of the above is effective, entertaining, interesting, profitable or even moderately fun. 2025: THE YEAR OF THE HUMAN COPYWRITER! If you write copy for the … Read more