Teoti Anderson A Dogs Best Friend Getting the Right Words Across Presented on September 20 2017 Presenter Today Well Cover Common mistakes pet professionals make in their written communications ID: 772821
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Teoti Anderson A Dog’s Best Friend Getting the Right Words Across Presented on: September 20, 2017 Presenter:
Today We’ll Cover Common mistakes pet professionals make in their written communications. Tips for making your communications showcase your expertise.
A Little Background …
Perception Matters Poor communications create poor impressions
Why It Matters
Why It Matters Credibility
Common Mistakes Spelling errorsGrammatical errorsPunctuation errorsLack of clarity
Er … Maybe Not From a profile on Rover.com:“Reliable caregiver for dogs and grew up with animals. Animal lover belonging to me or anyone else. I believe animals are never at fault and should not be repremanded as a human being. My family is anti cruelty to animals. I have a teenager who is also an animal lover animals are in my teenager's heart and soul she will also be watching and walking the dogs.”
Oops
Huh? From a dog training company website:“Our methods have been documented by veterinarians and animal activist across the country, making our dog training the next best thing to your dog actually speaking to you.”
Back to Some Basics
Their, There, They’re Their: possessive. Belongs to them.There: placeThey’re = they are
Their, There, They’re Their dogs were crazy. Put the crazy dogs over there.They’re not crazy!
You’re vs. Your Your is possessive. Belongs to you.You’re = you are Your problem is that you’re not paying attention.
Its vs. It’s Its = possessive pronoun. Belongs to it.My vacuum cleaner broke. Its engine was full of dog hair.It’s = It is. It is a really expensive engine. It’s a really expensive engine.
Farther vs. Further Farther = physical distanceFurther = figurative They traveled farther than they had ever gone, in order to further their education. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Commonly Misspelled Words Then vs. thanThen is used for time. The puppy ate his dinner, and then he went for a walk.Than is used for comparison. He would rather play with his toys than eat.
Commonly Mispelled Words Shih TzuDoberman Pinscher SchnauzerDachshundDalmatianChihuahuaLabrador Retriever WeimaranerPapillon
Noun The name of somethingPerson, place or thing
Pronouns A word that substitutes for a noun or noun phrase.Teoti has written several books. She has written several books.
Pronoun Agreement Singular subject = singular pronounA Dog’s Best Friend is hiring an office administrator to run its office.Not “their office.” One company. Singular.Plural subject = plural pronounThe puppies all got their shots.
Apostrophes Apostrophes can show possession.Teoti ’s workshopApostrophes can substitute for words or numbersThis does not mean I am judging you. This doesn’t mean I’m judging you.
Apostrophes When singular, add ‘sThe dog’s houseWhen plural or if word ends in S, add ‘ at endThe dogs’ house Mr. Perkins’ house
Apostrophe Catastrophe
Apostrophe Catastrophe
Apostrophe Catastrophe
Apostrophe Catastrophe http://www.apostrophecatastrophes.com/
Commas Let’s eat, Grandma! vs.Let’s eat Grandma!
Semicolons Just avoid
Semicolons To separate two independent clauses (two separate sentences) that are closely related.Often before “however” or “therefore.”To separate detailed items in a series
Modifier A modifier is a word, phrase or clause that adds descriptionHe is a good dogThe dog wearing a red collarModifiers go next to the thing they are modifying.
Modifier The man adopted puppies wearing a hat.
Writing for Clarity Don’t make your reader go, “Huh?!”
Writing for Clarity DesignWhite spaceDon’t use a rainbow of colors Don’t use ALL THE FONTS!
Pop Quiz! What’s wrong with this sentence?The dog bit the man lunging at the end of his leash.
Pop Quiz! What’s wrong with this sentence?Did you see there ad for pet sitting? They’re business is the furthest from the clients house.
Pop Quiz! What’s wrong with this sentence?Today I visited a client with a Dalmation and a Rockwiler.
Pop Quiz! What’s wrong with this sentence?Its plain to see that his dogs lifestyle is an exepensive one.
The Goal?
Recommended Resources Grammar Girl http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girlDictionary.comSchoolhouse Rock
Questions? Teoti Anderson A Dog’s Best Friendwww.teotianderson.com