Mind Your Ps and Qs . . . and 7 Cs, too

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Mind Your Ps and Qs . . . and 7 Cs, too
Presenting a Professional Image in Your
Communications
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Small change . . . big difference
p or q? quip puip puiq
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Bloopers (blush, blush)
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Bloopers (blush, blush)
Lost Small apricot poodle. Reward. Neutered.
Like one of the family.
For sale Antique desk suitable for lady with
thick legs and large drawers.
Dinner special Turkey, 5.35 Chicken, 4.25
Children, 2.00.
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Why Bother?

• Professional image
• Aid to clients
• Accountability

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Tips to Good Writing

• Know your audience

• WIIFM?

Whats in it for me?
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Example
Maryville received dual honors at the 37th annual
MCB Conference, winning first-place awards in the
community and youth group activities. Duane
Williams attended the conference and accepted the
awards for the community.
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Revision
Maryville middle-schoolers and their parents are
talking with each other about the risks of
alcohol use and sexual activity. The University
Outreach and Extension program, Assets-in-Motion,
has made improved communication possible. The
city of Maryville won two Missouri Community
Betterment first-place awards
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Start with a grabber!
Three adults have found jobs and one is
preparing for the high school equivalency exam,
thanks to University Outreach and Extension
computer courses offered to low-income residents
of Mexico.
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Tips to Good Writing

• Paint

• Word

• Pictures

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Avoid Jargon
PIEs and PDEs are taught by Ph.D.s to RITs and
CPDs via ITV at the TCRCs. The goal is to enhance
FTEs core competencies and achieve UO/Es
four-year POW.
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7 Cs of Good Writing

• The council is planning to hold its first
  meeting on Jan. 18.

• Correct . . .
• Grammar

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• The council is planning to hold its first meeting
  on Jan. 18.

• Correct . . .
• Grammar

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• Correct . . .
• Grammar

• Walking down the street, the sun was shining
  brightly.

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• Correct . . .
• Grammar

• Walking down the street, I felt the sun shining
  brightly.

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• Correct . . .
• Content

• Time, date, place
• Subject-matter

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• Clear . . .

• UO/E and the Center for Entrepreneurship and
  Economic Education at UMSL have partnered to
  offer workshops and resources that provide
  economically accurate activity-oriented
  curricular programs.

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• Clear . . .

• Kids learn how business works through activities
  created by University Outreach and Extension and
  the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• Concise . . .

• A workshop is being planned for October 26 at the
  Elks Club.
• In order to raise money, the club had a
  walkathon.
• The reason I like carrots is that they are good
  for you.

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• Credible . . .

• Source unknown
• Thanks to Louise Gaughn for sharing this.
• From the Poverty at Issue newsletter
• New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 335, Nov.
  14, 1996

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• Complete . . .

• More information is available at the extension
  center.
• For more information, contact Janet Kline at
  314-573-5431, klinej_at_missouri.edu

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• Coherent?

• As a bedroom community of St. Louis, changes in
  demographics, communication, infrastructure and
  commuting patterns have made leadership a key
  issue.

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7 Cs of Good Writing

• Creative

• Udderly profitable Extension program helps
  producer manage dairy operation

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Avoid Grammar Gaffes

• The criteria for earning a blue ribbon is
  earning 100 points or more.

The criterion for earning a blue ribbon is
earning 100 points or more.
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Avoid Grammar Gaffes

• Who should I give this balloon to?

To whom should I give this balloon?
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Avoid Grammar Gaffes

• The news media is anxious to hear from you.

The news media are anxious to hear from you.
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Avoid Grammar Gaffes

• The data indicates that bull calves banded
  shortly after birth achieve weaning weights
  similar to calves castrated 150 days later.

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Avoid Grammar Gaffes

• The data indicate that bull calves banded
  shortly after birth achieve weaning weights
  similar to calves castrated 150 days later.

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Avoid Sexist Language
Businessman
Business owner
Fireman
Firefighter
Congressman
Representative
Man the booth
Work in the booth
Girls in the office
Co-workers
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Use those dang-burned commas , , , , , , ,
Dad went fishing with Bill and me and mother
took my sister to New York. The correct sum is 3
500. Certainly he has the right to decide. The
man wearing the hat is his uncle.
,
,
,
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Watch those apostrophes, please

Marcy got two A s and two B s on her report
card. The Kellys swimming pool is
chlorinated. The foxtrot is a 20s dance. Jackie
went to the women s room. It pays to do one s
best.




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Subject verb shall agree!
The teacher, as well as the students, was/were
there. He dont/doesnt belong in this
class. There go/goes Fred and Joe.
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Other pesky problems
Over 100 counties have satellite dishes. The door
was closed by the council member. These tires are
wore out. This class is not only for secretaries,
but for council members, too.
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Other pesky problems
Compared to last year, this spring has been
wetter. The research took place over a long
period of time. John can also take the test
tomorrow.
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Use ACTION Words
Preserve
Stop
Display
Equip
Thrive
Teach
Generate
Save
Drop
Link
Boost
Rejuvenate
Illustrate
Build
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The 24-Hour Rule
Write
Wait 24 hours
Reread
Rewrite
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UO/E Logo Use

• Graphics Standards Manual
• http//outreach.missouri.edu/about/standards/

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UO/E Logo Use (Web)

• Page Header

http//outreach.missouri.edu/images/uoelogos/ hori
zontal-logo.gif
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UO/E Logo Use (Web)

• Footer

http//outreach.missouri.edu/webteam/templates/fo
oter.html
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Terminology Bugaboos

• University Outreach and Extension
• University of Missouri Outreach and
• Extension

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Terminology Bugaboos

• Boone County University Outreach and Extension
  Council
• Boone County outreach and extension council
• Boone County extension council
• University of Missouri Extension Council of
  Boone County

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Writing Resources

• UO/E Marketing Communication
  Resourceshttp//outreach.missouri.edu/about/marke
  ting/
• Purdues Online Writing Labhttp//owl.english.pu
  rdue.edu/
• Associated Press Stylebook

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Writing Resources

• Writing tips and tutorialhttp//www.knowledgehoun
  d.com/topics/writing.htm?sourcegoto
• Newswriting Short Coursefor Non-Journalists

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Writer Waiting
On this shiny new computer -- There just isnt
nothin cuter. It knows everything the world ever
knew. And with this great computer I dont need
no writin tutor,
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Writer Waiting
Cause there aint a single thing that it cant
do. It can sort and it can spell. It can
punctuate as well. It can find and file and
underline and type.
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Writer Waiting
It can copy and correct, So Ill have a whole
book written by tonight (Just as soon as it can
think of what to write). Shel Silverstein