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Training Bulletins through the ages

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 54

If anyone's confused about he or she, they should think again • Getting your pronouns to stand in for a singular noun. Read issue 54 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 53

Is there a cultural bias for or against being too wordy? • Tips for making your writing concise. Read issue 53 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 52

Using the President's English. • Subtle differences between British and American English. Read issue 52 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 51

Hyphens are for breaking words into syllables, separating prefixes and suffixes and for compound words. • But which two of these three uses are obsolete? Read issue 51 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 50

Improve your writing by concentrating on one thing for a month • until it becomes second nature. Read issue 50 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 49

Letter to Santa. • Help with producing professional documents Read issue 49 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 48

How a style guide can improve sales. • Voice, consistency, correctness and branding Read issue 48 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 47

Are your gadgets more intelligent than you? • Writing clearly and concisely Read issue 47 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 46

The computer made me do it! • Correct formatting for modern businesses Read issue 46 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 45

Signet rings and sealing wax • How to address and sign off your emails Read issue 45 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 44

Good King Wence’s Car Backed Out • Are you using the wrong version of a word? Read issue 44 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 43

Srsly, txting ok 2day? • Should you text in email or business communication? Read issue 43 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 42

Instant gratification • Make key information stand out with good subject lines and headings Read issue 42 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 41

How not to annoy your customers • Give your customers the right information – and use the right words Read issue 41 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 40

Hitting the moving target • Words that may sound old-fashioned--current usage in business English Read issue 40 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 39

Are you hearing what they’re saying? • Common mistakes due to hearing the wrong word Read issue 39 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 38

It’s not what you say, it’s the way that you say it • Choosing words to sound confident, distant, friendly, optimistic, pessimistic, competent, professional… Read issue 38 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 37

Quick fixes for common problems • Be concise, focus on your reader, get to the point Read issue 37 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 36

Minuting • How to minute disciplinary, redundancy or grievance meetings Read issue 36 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 35

Sleigh Riding For Beginners • Write clear technical documents, instructions and procedures Read issue 35 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 34

The Great Apostrophe Catastrophe • Using apostrophes correctly, common apostrophe mistakes to avoid Read issue 34 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 33

Aporkalypse now? • Writing clear emails that people will read, using teleconferencing effectively Read issue 33 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 32

Dealing effectively with complaints • What to ask, replying by letter or email Read issue 32 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 31

Survive without the spell checker… • Irregular or common misspellings in English  Read issue 31 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 30

Proofreading & Editing • Do you mean what you say? Read issue 30 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 29

Latin • Do you understand what they’re saying? Read issue 29 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 28

Getting a job • How good is your CV? Read issue 28 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 27

Headline-grabbers • Do your headings grab attention? Read issue 27 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 26

“Me” or “I” • Do you know the difference? Read issue 26 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 25

Political correctness • How to get it right Read issue 25 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 24

Six point plan • Benefiting from training Read issue 24 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 23

$35million • Do your manuals lose you money? Read issue 23 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 22

Zero to ninety in fifteen years? • Email Read issue 22 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 21

Interviewing • Who is interviewing whom? Read issue 21 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 20

TMI! • Do your reports suffer? Read issue 20 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 19

Keeping your customers • Responding to complaints Read issue 19 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 18

Are you shooting yourself in the foot? • Reading should be painless Read issue 18 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 17

Above-board • Do you understand Company jargon? Read issue 17 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 16

Are your presentations good? • Ten tips Read issue 16 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 15

Comma worth $2 million? • Do you know where it goes? Read issue 15 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 14

“Your tools are words. Plain words.” • Paperwork comes to us all in the end Read issue 14 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 13

Let them eat Spam • not read it! Read issue 13 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 12

Unnecessary waffle • How much does poor writing cost? Read issue 12 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 11

Is marketing cheating • Are you winking at a girl in the dark? Read issue 11 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 10

Can scented candles relax you, or do you need a bit of help? • Learn how Read issue 10 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 9

Would you like an extra brain? • Using mind maps to maximise brain usage Read issue 9 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 8

Is Your Writing Foggy? • How readable is your writing? Read issue 8 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 7

Visit Rapunzel in her tower • Don’t allow poor communication to lead to misunderstandings! Read issue 7 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 6

Don’t be misinterpreted • Enlist the Jabberwocky’s help Read issue 6 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 5

‘Let it all hang out’ • The Quality of English teaching in schools Read issue 5 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 4

‘What is written without effort is, in general, read without pleasure.’ • Business Writing – learning the techniques

StyleWriter by Editor Software • Looking for more than a grammar checker?  Read issue 4 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 3

Hankering after the Mediterranean way of life? • Training to deal with stress

A stitch in time saves nine • Using Word for Windows™  Read issue 3 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 2

“designed-in delivery flexibility”? • Training in effective business writing

Become a manager • Management and personal development  Read issue 2 >

Plain Words Training Bulletin Issue 1

Business Writing courses • Do you feel confident to write that important document?

Technical Documentation Writing courses • Are you trained to write it?  Read issue 1 >

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eLetters through the ages

2004 Issue 8

Business Communications • Success in business depends on clear writing

Online Journals • Blogging for business?

Plain Words Promotions • Training courses for all your communications needs

Editor Recommends • The Economist Style Guide  Read issue 8 >

2004 Issue 7

Documentation Awards • Online Help accolade for Plain Words at documentation “Oscars”

Spelling Popularity • New BBC show – Pop Idol, with spelling?

Plain Words Promotions • Bids consultancy service and training courses

Editor Recommends • Get seriously fit for free, courtesy of G.I. Joe • When being a Drudge is highly lucrative  Read issue 7 >

2004 Issue 6

Life in the Office • Beat the Monday Morning Blues

Life out of the Office • Mental Workouts: All Gain and No Pain

Plain Words Promotions • Writing Skills Training Courses

Cool Suggestions • Golf Tips, And More! Read issue 6 >

2004 Issue 5

Lead Stories • The Power of Plain Words • Zap Stress by Following the Way of the Zen Warrior

Extra • Save Time & Money – Using the Right Words

E-Business news • More Government Forms Online • End of Dotcom Backlash? • Public Sector on IT Outsourcing Spending Frenzy • British Library to Archive all UK Web Sites • Web Inventor Gets Some Loot

Technology round-up • Pen Mightier than the Mouse? • Broadband Speeds Electrified

Off-beat news • Prickly Cure for Hangovers? Read issue 5 >

2004 Issue 4

Lead Stories • Content management is king • Write & grow rich

Extra • Plain Words at Government Computing Expo 2004

E-Business news • IT budgets set to increase • Content is king – for real this time • XML Takes to the Air • Texts help landlines • USAF mechanics wear computers • Law firms and knowledge management

Technology round-up • Electromagnetic research worth £8bn • Gates makes PC part of the furniture

Off-beat news • Feeling lucky, punk? Read issue 4 >

2004 Issue 3

Lead Stories • New document system helps the money go round • New technology pins down card fraudsters

Extra • You get what you pay for – or more

E-Business news • Google to offer local web searches • Wi-Fi with your coffee? • Shop till you drop – online • Google takes on Hotmail with Gmail • Bill Gates toppled from world’s richest man spot

Technology round-up • Shoppers hit by “whiff” cannon • Geniuses at the click of a button

Off-beat news • Dial 999 – hamster stuck in printer Read issue 3 >

2004 Issue 2

Lead Stories • Tech docs meld man & machine • Hard facts & hard figures

Extra • Plain Words at GC2004expo • Punctuation reference a runaway bestseller

E-Business news • Google IPO a bursting bubble? • Is your printer a drain? • IT skills central to training • Disaster recovery • Smart Mobile Microsoft Office • Employees lax on security

Technology round-up • GPS “audio maps” • Troops to sprout wings

Off-beat news • Fifty dollar question  Read issue 2 >

2004 Issue 1

Lead Stories • Catalogues in a click • Five top help tips • Simple web sites?

Extra • Exclusive Bonus

E-Business news • UK firms to spend more on IT • Wi-Fi connecting entertainment • IT directors’ thumbs up to outsourcing • Portals to Profit • Top firms fail web challenge

Technology round-up • Web inventor becomes Sir Tim • Royal Mail launches digital stamps

Off-beat news • Are sweet dreams made of this?  Read issue 1 >

2003 Issue 6

Lead Stories • Helping themselves • Will gaming go mainstream?

Extra • New e-mail helpLine

E-Business news • NHS test drives linux suite • Personal emails push up storage costs • Microsoft in your motor • Gambling & porn set to hit mobile commerce jackpot • New UK bill to reform company audits

Technology round-up • IBM claims nanotech breakthrough • Lloyds TSB trials voice biometrics

Off-beat news • Man sets rattlesnake record – holds nine live ones in his mouth for ten seconds  Read 2003 issue 6 >

2003 Issue 5

Lead Stories • Pop goes mobile • Is direct mail under threat?

Extra • How to write up a technical report without leaving the golf course

E-Business news • IT does matter, says internet billionaire • Give us usability not personalisation, say web shoppers • IT market – light at the end of the tunnel • Google provides sales tracking service • Google looks at online IPO

Technology round-up • IBM launches smash-proof laptops • This e-mail will self-destruct in ten seconds

Off-beat news • PC rage: the North South divide  Read 2003 issue 5 >

2003 Issue 4

Lead Stories • Email On The Go • High Tech Cars

Extra • How to write up a technical report without leaving the golf course

E-Business news • Britain’s broadband access well ahead • Shopping carts let down Britain’s e-shoppers • Technology drives efficiency, say executives • Teleworking Good For Your Health, Says DTI • IT overhaul for UK public sector

Technology round-up • UK launches revolutionary “Eyes-in-the-sky” • 2 million computer users talk about the weather

Off-beat news • Smart sofas – couch potatoes’ dream?  Read 2003 issue 4 >

2003 Issue 3

Lead Stories • Spam: good, bad, or ugly? • Fat Pipes still thin on the ground

Extra • Auto-pilot catalogues

E-Business news • Internet fraud threatens merchants, not banks • Gloom lifts on IT spending • New IEEE spec for wireless streaming • Plain text email more effective than HTML • Smartphone sales rocket

Technology round-up • Self-service supermarket check-outs • Really useful computers

Off-beat news • Yeti exists  Read 2003 issue 3 >

2003 Issue 2

Lead Stories • Click & tax • Identity crisis?

Extra • Document Builder

E-Business news • Games industry to enjoy 11% annual growth, says PwC • Government told to back technology entrepreneurs • Consumers use internet to research products before buying • Cyber crime follows Moore’s Law • Government funding key to winning spam war

Technology round-up • GPS to help the blind navigate • Pacific island becomes world’s first wire-free web country

Off-beat news • Foxes spark police alert  Read 2003 issue 2 >

2003 Issue 1

Lead Stories • Is Wi-Fi ready to fly? • Can’t make that meeting? Send a robot instead

Extra • Proposal writing

E-Business news • Governments won over by outsourcing • E-Books turn CEOs into celebrities • Mobile phones to detect SARS • IT execs give thumbs up to open source • Tech sector on the up

Technology round-up • Virtual keyboards to ease sore thumbs • Radio tags may be embedded in euro notes

Off-beat news • Takes the biscuit  Read 2003 issue 1 >

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