Ready for Consumption: Copy Kinetics
Writing and Industry Resources
Here is a list of resources, including many suggested by copywriting colleagues, that are often indispensable when writing, copyediting or researching, or when we need inspiration:
Style, grammar and punctuation books:
Keep in mind that some English usage rules vary among authorities and according to the preferences or branding standards of the organization.
- The Associated Press Stylebook and AP Guide to Punctuation
The style standard for news media and journalists, as well as many business and marketing writers and editors.
- The Chicago Manual of Style, by University of Chicago Press
The writing style reference used by many book publishers and writers.
- The Elements of Style, by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White
Offers a solid foundation of writing basics.
- The Elements of Grammar, by Margaret Shertzer
A handy, concise reference for everyday grammar.
- Garner’s Modern American Usage, by Bryan A. Garner
Answers just about any question one could have about the usage of American English in a format that is fun and easy to read.
- The Deluxe Transitive Vampire, by Karen Elizabeth Gordon
“This is an entertaining, informative grammar reference. Very good as a refresher and reference.”
- Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation, by Lynne Truss
This bestseller amuses and educates while lambasting common grammatical mistakes.
Online reference sites:
- The Chicago Manual of Style Online
Searchable content, style sheets and other reference tools; subscription-based services
view Web site
- Purdue Online Writing Lab
A great resource for sound-alike and look-alike words (e.g. their, there, they're)
- GrammarBook.com
Helpful resource for grammar, punctuation and capitalization rules and more; hews more closely to Chicago Manual of Style than AP style.
- Grammar Girl
The Grammar Girl™ Web site, offering podcasts on a variety of grammar-related topics. Examples: tricky contractions; colons-versus-dashes; tips for using slang words
Lists of commonly misspelled words:
- Your Dictionary.com
- ESLDESK.com
- Bartleby.com
Dictionaries; word and quote finders:
- Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
- The Free Dictionary by Farlex
Acronyms, financial dictionary, computing dictionary, etc.
- Dictionary.com
- The Synonym Finder, by J.I. Rodale
Indispensable copywriting resource
- Roget’s International Thesaurus
- ThinkExist.com
Quotations
- RhymeZone.com
Rhyming dictionary
- Newton’s Telecom Dictionary, by Harry Newton
If you’re writing about the telecom industry, this does an excellent job of explaining both the technical side and the business side of telecom, and the seemingly endless terms and acronyms.
About writing:
- On Writing Well, by William Zinsser
“Zinsser is a champion of economical writing, and his discussion of the craft (and work!) of writing is inspiring.”
- On Writing, by Stephen King
Short, snappy book by the bestselling author encompasses a fondly sardonic autobiography and a tough-love lesson for aspiring novelists.
- Writing the Easy Way, by Phyllis Dutwin, M.A. and Harriet Diamond, M.A.
Covers multiple forms of correspondence, as well as topics like brainstorming.
- How to Write It: Complete Guide to Everything You’ll Ever Write, by Sandra Lamb
Lamb is part etiquette advisor and part good-business guru as she offers reliable guidance on all forms of written correspondence.
- Wylie’s Writing Tips — Ann Wylie
subscribe at ann@wyliecomm.com
- E-Mail: A Write It Well Guide — How to Write and Manage E-Mail in the Workplace, by Janis Fisher Chan
A must-have for writing and navigating email at work; includes time-saving tips and strategies.
- Accidental Magic: The Wizard’s Techniques for Writing Words Worth 1,000 Pictures, by Roy Williams
"Accidental Magic teaches how to break through the mundane with prose that sticks ... and has some beautifully artful examples throughout.”
Advertising and marketing references:
- Tested Advertising Methods, by John Caples
Tried-and-true bible of writing great copy; in the introduction, David Ogilvy says, “This is, without a doubt, the most USEFUL book about advertising that I ever read.”
- Words that Sell, Revised and Expanded Edition: The Thesaurus to Help You Promote Your Products, Services, and Ideas, by Richard Bayan
Copywriting classic is packed with inspiration-on-demand for busy professionals who need to win customers, whether by mail, online or in person.
Other online resources:
- Wikipedia
- Copyblogger
“A lively, interesting Web site for copywriters.”