Who I Am

I'm not a journalist, novelist, critic, or pundit. But I am a guy who's studied writing all his life, taught writing in a major corporation, and written millions of words through a long business career—documents you never heard of because, like yours (most of you), they were "everyday writing": business letters, marketing pieces, employee communications, press releases, manuals, proposals, scripts for multimedia, speeches, voiceovers, and a zillion emails.

I've also had a deep interest in spoken English, and not just public speaking. Everyday talking. People rate your articulation, even those who don't speak well themselves. I've taught this subject, too, mostly one-on-one to young people who worked for me.

What the Column is

The column discusses both everyday writing and everyday talking—with everyday examples, practical suggestions, and a bit of humor—some grammar, some usage, bad habits, good habits, language ticks, peeves and preferences by readers, and reactions to them. I hope this will help us all to livelier communication, more interesting and more persuasive.

How to Contribute

Your suggestions, questions, and challenges are welcome. We don't promise the include them all in future columns, but you will receive a response. Send them to InYourOwnWrite@gmail.com.

How to Help the Column

If you like the column and want to see more of it, let your paper or site know. If you don't like it, please tell me! 

Past Columns

1. Avoid the Language Fads

2. Getting Down to Cases

3. Use Your Native Tongue

4. YNOVID-19 is a Pandemic, too

5. Get Your Like Flu Shot

6. 3 Tips on Reading Aloud

© Copyright 2021 by Robert D. Smith. All rights reserved.