National Grammar Day: Resources to strengthen your writing

March 4th is National Grammar Day, and as a writer, I'm sharing some of my favourite resources to help strengthen your writing.

National Grammar Day was founded by a woman named Martha Brockenbrough, who founded the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar (SPOGG). It is a holiday that highlights the importance of better communication through correct grammar.

Good grammar is incredibly important in both written and verbal communication. It conveys our conversations clearly and comprehensibly, and without it, one would not understand another.

As a writer and student of Creative Writing, I am sharing some of my favourite resources that I use to help ensure that my writing is grammatically correct.

Write Right! by Jan Venolia

This book is a guide that explores the uses of different punctuation to make sure your writing is grammatically correct.

It clearly breaks down the uses of each form of punctuation with advice and fun examples. Even on the cover, it breaks down different grammatical terms and briefly highlights what they are.

I use this quite a bit, especially when I'm not sure whether to use an en-dash or an em-dash.

Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss

Eats, Shoots and Leaves is another punctuation guide that talks you through all the ways to correctly use punctuation and why it matters. This book is one that my sister, who is a proofreader and regularly shares grammar tips herself, and I both regularly use.

It was called a 'punctuation repair kit' by the Independent, and I have to agree. So, if you're someone who struggles particularly with punctuation, then this could be a good resource for you.

First You Write a Sentence by Joe Moran

First You Write a Sentence is a writing guide that explores how a single sentence can be powerful if constructed correctly. Many examples are used throughout the book, including those from the likes of Shakespeare and George Orwell.

This is a book I often refer to when I'm struggling to convey exactly what I mean in a concise and controlled manner in a sentence. As the blurb on the back says, Joe Moran "shows how we can all write in a way that is clear, compelling and alive".

Grammarly

Grammarly, whilst an artificial intelligence programme, is useful for having when I'm writing a bit of prose, and I've missed a word out or put a comma in the wrong place. Sometimes, when you're reading your own writing, you cannot spot mistakes because you know what it's meant to say, and that's where I use Grammarly.

I don't often agree with some of the changes Grammarly suggests for my writing, because it takes away my style and authorial voice, but it is handy for spotting the small grammatical errors, much like Word does itself – picking up incorrect spellings, and extra spaces between words.

There are different levels of plans for Grammarly, some of which you have to pay for; however, I only use the free version and still find it useful.

The Online English Grammar Dictionary

The Online English Grammar Dictionary is a website that has free resources on all types of grammar, including grammar rules, English idioms, vocabulary, and a section on quotes, too.

It's easy to navigate and a good website to use if you're short on time and need a quick search to help solve a problem.

So, if you're struggling with grammar and ensuring your writing is the best it can be, then check out these resources. If you have resources of your own that you use, feel free to comment them below.

Until next time...