Discover the secrets to crafting engaging photo captions, focusing on the right use of 'I' and 'me.' Dive into the nuanced worlds of 'immigrate' and 'emigrate' to understand their subtle differences shaped by perspective. Enjoy humorous mispronunciations and a charming story of a couple's adventure in Koh Pha-ngan. Reflect on how travel can change familiar places, sparking memories while inviting listeners to share their unique expressions and dialects.

In this enlightening discussion with Joshua Essoe, a fiction editor and author of "Pacing and Cutting," listeners uncover the art of pacing in storytelling. Joshua reveals how effective pacing grips readers, using film examples like 'Memento' and 'Fight Club.' He shares techniques such as managing flashbacks and the strategic use of white space. Insights into the psychological aspects of story pacing and balancing emotional beats further enhance understanding of narrative engagement, making this a must-listen for aspiring writers!

Curious about the silent 'L' in words like 'walk'? Discover how pronunciation varies between American and British speakers. The dangers of using absolutes like 'always' and 'never' are also discussed, emphasizing the need for precision in communication. Personal anecdotes enrich the conversation, alongside quirky sign-offs in emails that reveal intimate connections. This engaging exploration of language challenges listeners to rethink their use of words for clearer expression.

In this lively discussion, Heddwen Newton, an English teacher and translator from Germany, dives into the ever-evolving world of slang and language changes. She reveals the meaning behind trending terms like 'fridgescaping' and the quirky challenges of AI-generated 'ghost words.' Heddwen also explores cultural differences, such as the varied uses of 'nosh,' and shares her insights on the Mandela Effect. With humor and linguistic charm, she paints a vivid picture of how language continually adapts and transforms!

'Til may seem like a fun alternative to until, but you'll learn why it's frowned upon by style guides. Discover the hidden power of interjections like 'um' and 'huh,' which are crucial for keeping conversations flowing and conveying meaning. These tiny words aren't just filler; they can even challenge AI's conversation skills! Plus, enjoy a humorous dive into family expressions, including a cookie catchphrase that will resonate with anyone who's shared a laugh over quirky phrases!

1066. Do you really need that comma? Should your dashes have spaces? Is there ever just one "right" way to punctuate? June Casagrande, author of "The Best Punctuation Book, Period," busts punctuation myths, compares style guides, and looks at the surprising complexity of the humble em dash.Find June Casagrande at grammarunderground.com.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina TomlinDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.

Discover the fascinating origins of 'OK' and how a 19th-century election made it a staple in our vocabulary. Dive into the Victorian tea culture that birthed quirky idioms like 'scandal broth' and uncover the deeper meanings behind phrases shaped by the British tea trade. Enjoy personal anecdotes that connect language with everyday life, and celebrate linguistic creativity with a winning poem from the ACES poetry contest. Language has never been more colorful!

1064. Is Wikipedia the last refuge on online truth? With AI-generated content and misinformation spreading online, Wikipedia is growing in esteem, but who decides what gets published? How does Wikipedia determine things like credibility and notability? Wikipedia consultant Jonathan Rick gives us the inside scoop on Wikipedia’s strict sourcing rules, why some pages get deleted, and how you can become an editor.Jonathan Rick helps people make sense of — and profit from — business communication. Whether through ghostwriting, speaking, or marketing, he helps clients engender buzz, shape public opinion, and become thought leaders.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina TomlinDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.

1063. Why is it called "corned beef" when there’s no corn involved? We look at how the word "corn" evolved to mean different things over time. Then, we look at the role of accent marks in English — why some words keep them, why others lose them, and what they tell us about language.The "corn" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada in Reno and the author of "Like Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English." You can find her at valeriefridland.com.The "diacritic" segment was written by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips editor and digital pioneer who's been spinning words into gold since before cat videos ruled the internet. She created one of the first online writing workshops, and she's published thousands of articles on the art of writing. These days, she leads personal narrative writing retreats and helps writers find their voice. Visit her at ChanterelleStoryStudio.com.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina TomlinDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky. 

1062. Did you know that 21% of U.S. adults struggle with basic literacy? In this eye-opening episode, literacy specialist Kate Crist talks about the literacy crisis in America, how reading is taught incorrectly in schools, and what we can do to fix it. She has real stories of students and adults overcoming reading struggles, the science behind learning to read, and practical advice for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to help.Resource list Literacy rates:PIAAC, NAEPWhy do we have these low rates of literacy?Two great films - The Truth About Reading [OFFICIAL TRAILER] [NOW STREAMING] and Right to ReadPodcast = Sold a StoryHow can I help the readers in my life?Family Guides from Seek Common Ground (what your kids should know at grade level)FULCRUM for advocacy resourcesTo understand how we learn to read, this graphic guide cannot be beat: How We Read (written for adolescent students, it’s great for adults too)Tools to use at home: Reading Buddies, Toddlers Can Read, Learning Dynamics, How to Teach your Kid to Read in 100 easy lessons For older readers City Stories and this set of recommendations from the Literacy Architects (and if you want to get super nerdy, this article from Reading Rockets And if you have the money/are low-cost resources in your community: Get a literacy tutor.What is phonics?Really, it's part of the science of reading ( body of interdisciplinary research about reading: studies done all over the globe for the last 5 decades. There is a preponderance of evidence to inform how to read and what instruction should look like) The Reading League has this cool definition guide.Phonics is part of foundational skills, which is only part of what kids need to learn to read. Check out:   Early reading accelerator quick start guide   This graphic from FULCRUM  Or this from the AZ department of education give a visual for the full picture of what a reader needs to become a good reader.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina TomlinDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.