Lee Hopkins, Writer - Writing is my joy

Avoiding Americanisms when writing Australian content

30 April 2024

How can I avoid using Americanisms in my writing when writing in Australian English?

To avoid using Americanisms in your writing in Australian English, you can follow these practical steps: By consistently applying these guidelines, you can effectively minimize the use of Americanisms in your writing and ensure that your text adheres to Australian English standards. Citations:[1] https://www.casita.com/blog/main-differences-between-aussies-and-brits-englishes[2] https://www.speakmoreclearly.com/english-pronunciation-tips/american-english-accent-vs-australian-english-accent/[3] https://ielts.idp.com/indonesia/about/news-and-articles/article-australian-vs-british-vs-american-english/en-gb[4] https://blog.e2language.com/australian-english-vs-american-english-vs-british-english/[5] https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/let-every-new-word-bloom-20110812-1iqtx.html[6] https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/australians-love-american-words[7] https://www.abc.net.au/education/interesting-words-and-americanisms-in-our-language/13953302[8] https://www.agencymavericks.com/australian-english-vs-british-english-vs-american-english/[9] https://www.abc.net.au/education/learn-english/australian-vs-american-spelling/11244196[10] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy-bd5AC-Ms[12] https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8274467/clear-as-math-what-counts-as-proper-australian-english/[13] https://www.thinkswap.com/au/vce/english-language/year-12/americanisms-and-their-effect-australian-english[14] https://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-english-isn-t-being-taken-over-by-americanisms-but-it-is-changing-20210729-p58e2f.html[15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oouPqmLbYro[16] https://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2019/03/the-serious-decline-of-the-common-language/[17] https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/198fm7q/americans_cant_write_australian_dialogue/[18] https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2613124[19] https://thekicker.substack.com/p/i-fought-americanisms-and-americanisms

How to avoid Americanisms when writing in Australia

Business writing Creative Writing Grammar

30 April 2024

What are some examples of Americanisms that can be avoided when using quotation marks in Australian English

When using quotation marks in Australian English, it’s important to avoid certain Americanisms to adhere to local conventions. Here are some examples of Americanisms related to the use of quotation marks that should be avoided: By avoiding these Americanisms, writers can ensure their use of quotation marks aligns with Australian English standards, maintaining clarity and consistency in their writing. Citations:[1] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/[2] https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/84365609.pdf[3] https://www.abc.net.au/education/interesting-words-and-americanisms-in-our-language/13953302[4] https://www.theguardian.com/media/mind-your-language/2010/nov/26/americanisms-english-mind-your-language[5] https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8274467/clear-as-math-what-counts-as-proper-australian-english/[6] […]

Football goal. Score a goal with Australian written grammar.

Business writing Creative Writing Grammar

30 April 2024

How to use quotation marks correctly in Australian English

In Australian English, the correct use of quotation marks follows specific rules that differ slightly from American English conventions. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use quotation marks correctly in Australian English: Single vs. Double Quotation Marks Australian English typically uses single quotation marks (‘ ‘) for quoting direct speech, titles of certain works, or drawing attention to a word. Double quotation marks (” […]

Business writing Creative Writing Grammar

30 April 2024

In Australian grammar rules, does the full stop come before single quote marks, or after?

In Australian grammar rules, the placement of the full stop in relation to single quote marks depends on the context of the quotation. If the quotation is a complete sentence, the full stop comes before the closing single quote mark. However, if the quotation is part of a larger sentence, the full stop comes after the closing single quote mark[1][3][4][8]. Citations:[1] https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/qa-quotes-and-punctuation-evil-or-not/[2] https://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/punctuation-guide/[3] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/[4] https://www.capstoneediting.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-single-and-double-quotation-marks[5] […]

Business writing Creative Writing

29 April 2024

Creativity: Succeeding over the long term

Successful creatives often succeed for years because they not only have talent, but also cultivate the right networks and connections to support their creative work[2][4]. Research shows that creativity involves three key elements: the individual’s mastery of their craft, exposure to a field of influential experts, and acceptance by the gatekeepers in that domain[2][4]. Simply having creative ideas is not enough—creatives must also navigate the […]

Business writing Psychology

14 April 2024

The Prediction Machine: Can you tell your future?

As the holiday season approached, the constant whirring of drones became a pervasive presence in the airspace above London Gatwick Airport. On December 19th, 2018, a security officer at the airport reported sightings of two unidentified drones circling within and around the perimeter fence. The recent memory of a previous terrorist attack heightened alertness among officials, who quickly closed the runway and launched an investigation […]

Business writing Psychology

2 April 2024

The Expectancy Theory

Expectancy Theory: It proposes that an individual’s level of effort is influenced by their belief that their efforts will lead to desired outcomes. Overview Expectancy theory, developed by Victor Vroom in 1964, states that an individual’s level of effort is influenced by their belief that it will lead to desired outcomes. This is achieved through the alignment of rewards and values and creating a supportive […]

Creative Writing The ghost at the table

12 March 2024

The ghost at the table – Draft 03 – Chapter 01

Logan The glow from multiple monitors bathed the small office in a harsh, artificial light. I sat there, Logan Robinson, amidst the chaos of my digital battleground. The desk was a minefield of papers and empty coffee mugs, remnants of countless skirmishes with unyielding code and stubborn systems. My fingers flew across the keyboard, a rapid staccato rhythm that had been drilled into me during […]

Creative Writing The ghost at the table

12 March 2024

The ghost at the table – Draft 03 – Chapter 2

In his technologically cluttered room, Logan Robinson is a master hacker pursuing personal vengeance. His obsession with exposing the corruption behind his father’s and brother’s deaths isolates him from his concerned mother, Patricia. Despite successfully hacking into a government database, Logan is haunted by nightmares of the accident that claimed his family. His mother’s plea and the painful realization of his destructive path lead to a silent promise to abandon his quest for revenge. As he disconnects his equipment, Logan acknowledges the hope and possibility of redemption, stepping into a future where he aims to make amends and heal.