Words matter. Selecting the wrong ones can impede communication. But, while word choice is critical, equally important are spelling, style, punctuation and grammar. This slide deck was used by Scott Abel, The Content Wrangler, and Val Swisher, CEO of Content Rules, Friday, February 9 to guide our interview of special guest Mignon Fogarty (aka Grammar Girl). The three content pros discussed the fast-changing world of language and how we use and abuse it. And, they answered questions from the audience.

1. This event is being recorded. A link to the recording will be provided to all registrants via email next week.
questions? just ask!
Get your questions ready!
Grammar Girl Provides Tips and
Answers Questions About Better Writing
Scott Abel and Val Swisher interview Mignon Fogarty
Webinar ID: 544-864-410 Audio: (914) 339.0033 Access Code: 622-064-778
Start time: 1:00pm ET / 11:00am MT / 10:00am PT / 6:00pm GMT

2. Scott Abel, The Content Wrangler
web: www.contentwrangler.com twitter: @contentwrangler

3. www.thecontentwrangler.com
online resource for folks who view content as a business asset

4. www.thedynamicpublisher.com
online resource for people interested in dynamic content and related topics

5. www.intelligentcontentconference.com
strategies for reaching customers anywhere, anytime on any device

6. Live from The 2nd Annual Content Marketing Retreat in Langley, WA
Thanks to FusionSpark Media, Langley Center for New Media www.fusionspark.com

7. Val Swisher, CEO and Founder, Content Rules
web: www.contentrules.com twitter: @valswisher

8. www.contentrules.com
the global content experts

9. one hour | one guest | two interviewers | need help? have question? use chat window
registrants receive link to recording after | free book drawing winners via email

10. Mignon Fogarty, Founder, Managing Director, Quick and Dirty Tips
web: www.quickanddirtytips.com twitter: @grammargirl

11. Smartphone and tablet apps allow us to provide innovative ways to make
content available to those who need it. Tell us a little about your app?

12. Susan Cassidy asks, “Is it ever acceptable to take grammar shortcuts when
posting to social sites like Facebook? I know I do it, do you?”

13. Sarah Johnson of Erie, PA wants to know if IM and texting shortcuts drive you
nuts? They drive Sarah batty. “When you text, do you use them, she wonders?”

14. Eric Bryant asks: “Aret’n thees ruels irerelvnat -- if we get the message?”
Arocdnicg to rsceearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the
ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng
is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit
pcale. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can
sitll raed it wouthit pobelrm. Tihs is buseace the
huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by
istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

15. Judith of AllRecipes.com writes, “Social media seems to encourage slipage of
established grammar and punctuation rules. What are some ‘it’s okay’ and
‘don’t even think about it’ rules?”

16. Brad Weaver of Washington, DC asks, “Cursive or not? And, why or why not?”

17. Marie-Ève Béland asks, “As a non-native speaker, when should I use ‘toward’
instead of ‘towards’? I cannot tell the difference, yet I believe there to be one.”

18. Nilofar Pardawala asks, “Besides blogs, when is it okay to write in ‘stream of
thought’ style, where sentences are not always grammatically correct?

19. Tim Steele of Santa Clara asks, “If it’s ‘right’ to everyone in Iowa, but ‘wrong’ to
everyone in California, how do we settle regional usage issues ... or do we?”

20. John Ray of Terre Haute, IN writes, “Language changes. Over time it morphs,
adjusts, and bends to the whims of those who use and abuse it. What’s the
biggest abuse you’ve seen?”

21. Donna Maurillo of Scotts Valley, CA asks, “Is it correct to use ‘can’ rather than
‘may’ when asking for permission (‘Can I help you?’)?”

22. Donna Maurillo of Scotts Valley, CA also asks, “When talking about duration, is
an apostrophe necessary after ‘years’?”

23. Lynn Leith writes, “The world is a globe. It is round, not flat. Thus, it’s correct
to say ‘around the globe’, not ‘across the globe’. One can travel across a
country, but one cannot travel across the world. Do you agree or disagree?”

24. Judith at AllRecipes.com asks, “Can you recommend a reliable online source for
up-to-the-minute grammar rules?”

25. David Harkins of Chase Card Services asks, “Where do you stand on mandatory
prison sentences for gross misuse of the apostrophe ‘s’ and the serial comma?”

26. Gaela Schlak of San Jose, CA writes, “My 6-year-old daughter Alicia aks, ‘Why is
spelling correctly, rather than phonetically, important?’ Her teacher allowed
it in first grade, and it has become a real battle between my daughter and me”.

27. Jose Clarkson of Houston, TX asks: “Why does everyone make a fuss about our
language changing. Isn’t what’s happening today to our language just part of
the natural ebb and flow of language?”

28. And now, for some questions from the chat room...

29. 10 lucky registrants will receive a free copy of “The Grammar Devotional:
Daily Tips for Succcessful Writing from Grammar Girl”.

30. Val Swisher, CEO and Founder, Content Rules
web: www.contentrules.com twitter: @valswisher

31. Scott Abel, The Content Wrangler
web: www.contentwrangler.com twitter: @contentwrangler

32. Mignon Fogarty, Founder, Managing Director, Quick and Dirty Tips
web: www.quickanddirtytips.com twitter: @grammargirl
Thank you!

33. This event is being recorded. A link to the recording will be provided to all registrants via email next week.
Mark your calendar!
The Changing Role of Professional
Technical Communicators: What’s Next?
Scott Abel and Val Swisher chat with Jack Molisani and Sarah O’Keefe
Thursday, February 9th at 1:00pm ET / 11:00am MT / 10:00am PT / 6:00pm GMT