Website writing tools
Writing great website content can be one of the hardest things for small business owners to do. Add to that, those that were good in every school subject but English, not knowing when to use there, their, or they’re – that makes it even harder and more painful a task.
I am constantly looking for easy tips, tools and tricks to help me be a better writer and make my information easier for everyone to understand…and also make my 5th-grade teacher, Mrs. Baxter, proud. Here are my top three grammar website writing tools to help you improve your writing skills.
Good Grammar Guides (say that three times fast)
Fortunately for us, there are English majors on this planet that LOVE to make documents and guides that help those that may be a bit grammatically challenged, look like they can write a doctorate thesis in their sleep. Here are three of my favorite tools that help keep me in line and knowing when to use your, you are and you’re the correct way.
AP Stylebook
Let’s start with the biggest, most popular tool first – 617 pages big. Ok, for those of you that don’t know, AP stands for Associated Press and is the organization that sets the grammar standard for all of the media reports that you take in on a daily basis.
The AP “stylebook” or style guide is a reference for journalists, schools and corporations across the nation and beyond. This guide is an extensive listing, updated on an annual basis and educates on the latest and most acceptable ways to spell words, use phrases and proper grammar, putting it all together in an acceptable journalistic style.
This document comes in paperback book form at most retailers. Find it at GooglePlay for $9.99 and it can be downloaded for tablets, IPhones and Android devices.
Why I love it: It’s an all-inclusive guide to just about anything I want to know how to use grammar, punctuation, commas, and spelling. This writing tool comes in multiple digital (iPhone, android, tablet) and paperback options.
Why I don’t love it: It costs me money and I like free (sorry, but I do). Also, I love the paperback at my desk, but 617 pages is a lot to carry and a lot of information to sift through.
Purdue OWL
Ah, the owl is such a wise creature. In this case, it’s more than a great animal, but it is also an acronym that stands for Online Writing Lab (OWL).
Created and sponsored by Purdue University, this online writing lab is an easy to read website writing tool with multiple references including quick guides for both MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) writing, styles that are required to write most college papers.
This online reference tool also has its own YouTube channel of classes on the topics as well as an option to email the OWL “Mail Tutors” who answer questions via email (as time permits). All of this without paying the Purdue college prices 🙂
Why I love it: It has easy to print documents that I can save on my phone or print out for reference when needed. It also has classes to use if I want to deep dive into a particular topic. When I was in college, I also used the example essays to help me know when to and how to make proper citations. It is also FREE!
Why I don’t love it: It’s not all-encompassing and there may be information that you may have to go digging for. It also does not have AP Style guides and easy access apps.
AP, MLA or APA – oh my!
Ok, so you are probably wondering why in the world we have writing options and style guides that revolve around media, medical practices and modern language (maybe not so much wondering on MLA).
Well, it’s simple – these organizations were tired of inconsistency in the way they communicated ideas and wanted more consistency so they created their own guide to ensure that all writing had a set level of expectation and defined great writing.
Does it matter which one you choose?
Unless you are in the medical field or media, it does not matter which one you pick, but you need to pick one and stick with it. Each of these styles changes annually, so keep up to date on the changes as best as possible.
Grammarly
Grammarly an app that can be added to your computer or phone and will help identify your grammar issues as you type your content. It will bring up content issues in multiple channels or programs and depending upon if you use the free or paid option, it will make up to 250 advanced grammar corrections (as it states on their website).
Why I love it: We use the free option and love how it increases our accuracy and maximizes what options we already have in place in our standard programs.
Why I don’t love it: The fact that you have to pay for their “best” option and get a better option for free. It’s not my favorite website writing tool, but it can help increase your accuracy and even a little helps.
I hope these grammar website writing tools help you. Challenge yourself to pick one area of grammar to focus on until you become as wise as the owl or as proficient as your English teacher!
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