Writing tricks & treats


Writing wicked brilliant content day in and out can be frightful. Fear not, we have a few writing hacks and resources to combat any writing worries and avoid scaring off your audience.

FoR those wHo fear a ty*pe-O

Ensure your writing is error-free with applications like:

  • Grammarly
  • Wordtune
  • ProWritingAid
  • Sapling
  • WhiteSmoke
  • Ginger
  • PaperRater
  • Reverso
  • SentenceCheckup

For the frightfully wordy

Ask a trusty writing friend what paragraph or what few sentences they'd suggest cutting.

For those who dread sounding like everyone else

Try Related Words to find your next synonym.

For those scared by jargon

Your audience probably is too. Try reading aloud to someone if your sentence feels too jargon-y. We also recommend reading our previous blogs about using plain language and why plain language is important.

To combat the horror of distractions

Here are some apps that can help you Write In Peace:

  • FocusWriter
  • Atticus
  • Scrivener
  • Calmly Writer
  • Ulysses
  • Storyist
  • iA Writer
  • Byword

For anyone who’s in the dark about the U of M style guidelines

University Relations has resources for you — including a link to our handy U of M editorial style guide.

Happy Halloween from your University Relations team!