Writing Style Guide

adjective lacking professional skill or expertise

• The presentation was criticized for its amateurish design and lack of professionalism.
• Her attempt at painting was pretty amateurish, but at least she had fun doing it.
• The band's first performance was so amateurish, they sounded like a bunch of amateurs trying to play together.
• His cooking skills were amateurish at best, resulting in a burnt and tasteless meal.

noun a distinctive and stylish elegance

• She displayed a unique flair for interior design, incorporating a blend of modern and traditional elements.
• His cooking always has a special flair that sets it apart from others.
• She's got a real flair for putting together killer outfits.
• His writing had a flair that brought the characters to life on the page.

noun a space left at the beginning of a line of writing or typing

verb to set in from the margin, as in writing or typing

• Please remember to indent the first line of each paragraph in your essay.
• Make sure to indent before starting a new paragraph in your writing.
• Don't forget to tab before you start a new line.
• His rude comment really indented her confidence.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific thing or set of things, such as 'quotes'

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun, such as 'straight'

• It is important to use straight quotes when writing formal documents.
• Make sure to use straight quotes in your emails and messages.
• I always forget to use straight quotes when texting my friends.
• She always speaks in straight quotes, never beating around the bush.

noun double quotation marks used in typography to indicate direct speech or a quotation

adjective intelligent or clever

• It is important to use smart quotes in academic writing to maintain proper formatting.
• Make sure to turn on smart quotes in your word processor for a cleaner look.
• I always forget to use smart quotes when texting, it's just too much work.
• Using smart quotes in your speech can make you sound more sophisticated and well-spoken.