We Never Stop Improving

We spiffed up our website with words wrapped in graphics

Challenge

At Shenouda Associates Inc., we even edit ourselves… continually! To keep pace with evolving technology and taste, our website needed some updates: optimization for the small screens of mobile devices as well as the large screens of computers, with less need to zoom in on or scroll through dense text, and with more visual appeal.

Solution

Several associates had used the application Flare by MadCap Software and considered it an easy choice—the right choice. Its well-designed interface eliminated or minimized the need to know any of the standard languages used in website development. It included several easily modifiable templates and all the tools needed to create a modern, easy-to-use, visually pleasing website, including:

Responsive layouts that can be viewed and navigated with ease on any device

Expandable text that gives the reader the choice of what to read and when

Graphic components—on the Home page and on the Our Work page

On the Home page, we freshened the look by replacing text boxes with panels that introduce, both in words and graphics, the content on the website.

On the Our Work page, we added

Advertisement

Wordsmiths have Achilles’ heels

Achilles’ heel: A weak or vulnerable factor. From the legend of Greek hero Achilles, who had one vulnerable part of his body, his heel. As an infant, his mother had held him by one heel to dip him in the River Styx to make him invulnerable.

Wordsmith: A word expert who uses language very well

Wordsmith with an Achilles’ heel: Someone who has to check yet again if well or good is the correct word to use in the previous definition

Take a look at what Shenouda employee Donna Muldoon learned from a recent informal and unscientific study of colleagues and their Achilles’ heels.

The rules, they are a changing

In the survey, colleagues noted that once-standard rules have changed, making it necessary to research and confirm they are using the most recent format. For example, some businesses are still unaware that double spaces after a period or full stop are no longer the standard. A change that is more jarring for those who focus on grammar is the more recent revision to the singular subject and plural verb agreement format. It is now common to see variations of “Each owner should have their own copy of the lease.” Through use, and supported by guides such as the APA Style Blog, the new format is becoming acceptable.

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

Even wordsmiths who adeptly manage sentence structure sometimes hesitate when it comes to basic English grammar issues. Writers in the survey gave examples that cause them to rethink what they wrote. Is it that or which? Alternative or alternate? Since or because? On site or on-site or onsite? More than one writer found it necessary to look up when compound adjectives or prefixes take a hyphen. Some writers keep their own customized reference sheet to solve nagging, recurring wordsmithing questions.

While good spelling is common among writers and editors, specific words were an Achilles’ heel nevertheless. Condolences tripped up one writer, license another. An editor who often reviewed documents in both American and British English, would begin to lose focus on which version of fulfill/fulfil, practice/practise, aging/ageing, or program/programme to use. There was also a tendency among writers to watch for repetitive use of certain words, such as so or but. A technical writer who wrote with a controlled language that specified words could only be used in their approved category of noun, verb, or adjective found difficulty writing more creative, less restrictive marketing content.

Dear One

Hurray on a Big Day!

Within every tradition and every culture, rites of passage occur. Here are some words I shared recently at such an occasion, a wonderful time to pause and reflect.

Snapshots

Dear One, in my mind’s eye, I see you…
Sitting on a little chair and listening attentively to your beloved Great Grandma G playing her piano. Often helping Great Grandma G find her walking cane so lovingly, so compassionately. Selling lemonade and cookies to passersby going to and from ballgames, charming all. Conducting a seder (ceremonial meal) with great competence and poise.

This family is very proud of you and love you dearly.

Your family past

Some in your family are no longer here, but we remember them.

I recall how your Great Grandpa B tidied up your Great Grandma H’s studio before and after every class. In these classes, your Great Grandma H created a healing atmosphere, showing great patience to all.

Your Great Grandpa S was up at the crack of dawn every morning, working each day to provide for his large family. He returned home from work with big bags of groceries to keep his family, and others welcomed into the house, well fed and well cared-for. Your Great Grandma G, as you well know, showered all who knew her with wit, wisdom, and music.

We remember your mom’s parents and your Uncle R, who recently passed away.

Your family present

Dear One, look around you, and you’ll see so many who love you. Your grandparents are guiding you to become what we call a mensch (a person of integrity and honor). You can learn a lot from them. They are devoted to each other, to their siblings, to their children, and to each of their grandchildren.

Your mom and your dad are here for you in every way. They want the best for you. We thank them and all who are congregated here today for supporting, teaching, and loving you.

You are our future

And now, Dear One, you have a job to do. Please continue to learn, to mature, and to develop into a contributing, responsible young woman. Do your part to make this community and this world better and brighter. Do so willingly, happily, and joyfully.

Now, let’s celebrate this wonderful day!