[Libs-Or] Tech-Talk: WEB TOOL - ProWritingAid for Creative Writers

Thu Jun 13 13:58:28 PDT 2024

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Webinars for You

NOTE: All webinars begin at 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 Noon PT and are one hour long.

·     June 12: [WEB TOOLS] Amazingly Helpful Tips for Getting a Book Published

·     June 26: [PPT & G-Slides] Cool Features You Can Use to Shine when Presenting with Slides

·     July 10: [VIDEO] Snagit Videos: From Screen Recording to Polished Productions

·     July 24: [EXCEL] Mastering Spreadsheet Magic: Typical Formula Techniques

View Webinars and Register Here<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001z_PnXtkxTKVJkkYbLV5fE3EZwtxCW6_ZYoTpoUiMLzcmODNnUFRXRMl1RTM5uOnItTVjy0M50dlHV9OpEEfku4MXeBmGqLqVBEl1NgkVCPhurfa6H4jVWO16JgVU3I6oO7kZSKayXIP6TGQBKvtK_Nw5H5vJdk3e7uJI3EQ6qTg=&c=r5henj8WoxVS8mgrq8sGTpvrNjKl_J7PnjjYx_aKmWrPjgu96o3Ppg==&ch=tK8FuF-5Ow7UP74MPfvEzvPE-0DsuqAAOkH6vFpIl81S4vH16WPv7w==>

WEB TOOL - ProWritingAid for Creative Writers

Intermediate

You probably use a spellchecker in your word processing program or an app like Grammarly for writing suggestions, right? These tools help us improve the accuracy and readability of our text and help our writing be more professional and credible.

Now there are even more options which are AI-driven to help you take your writing to the next level. NOTE: We're not talking about an AI tool to help you generate content, but rather to refine your writing style.

[A logo with a green square icon featuring an open book symbol, followed by the text "ProWritingAid" in black.]

ProWritingAid is an online tool designed for writers, bloggers or students. It goes beyond grammar, spelling corrections and proofing. Of course it gives feedback on readability and sentence structure. It also offers ideas to improve your voice and style of writing.

[A collection of 11 app icons in two rows: Chrome, Microsoft Word, Scrivener, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Docs, Gmail, Notion, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, and Apple.]

This tool shows up (integrates easily) with your regular writing apps such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. It also pops up in the Google world in G-Docs and Gmail.

ProWritingAid can even offer suggestions when you're working on web platforms such as blogging sites, web pages, and emails. It's as simple as installing the browser extension.

Of course, there are free and paid versions of this tool, however, the no-cost option has enough features to make you happy. Let's jump right in!

First, Set Up Your ProWritingAid Account

To get started, begin at https://prowritingaid.com<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001z_PnXtkxTKVJkkYbLV5fE3EZwtxCW6_ZYoTpoUiMLzcmODNnUFRXRLpfemW6JYx0hZBdjgbSJJrE9Tv8ehPXGz3ESR4mlCZjDJoHgwaYj6yIr0aOeh3w-vTqZLcdp7e1gSUiVkJ-PFZlUNz2gxj6USgvHWsiPaGW&c=r5henj8WoxVS8mgrq8sGTpvrNjKl_J7PnjjYx_aKmWrPjgu96o3Ppg==&ch=tK8FuF-5Ow7UP74MPfvEzvPE-0DsuqAAOkH6vFpIl81S4vH16WPv7w==> and create a profile (there's no cost at the basic level).

You'll be asked to answer a few questions so that your platform will be personalized for you.

[A screenshot showing the Paintmagick homepage titled "Where do you usually write?" with options for various writing platforms: MS Word, Scrivener, Google Docs, Apple Notes, Evernote, etc. At the bottom, icons for LinkedIn, Twitter, and other options are also visible.]

There are three different ways to use this tool. Depending on your responses, you’ll be prompted to:

1)  Download the app for Windows. With this option you can use it in desktop software like Word and PowerPoint. Or, if you want to wait and add it later, you can download it from the Apps section of your ProWritingAid account.

2) Add an extension for the web browser that you're currently using. For example, in the image below, it shows "Add to Edge." However, you can add the extension to any browser that you use (such as Chrome or Firefox) by going to the Integrations section of your account, or https://prowritingaid.com/integrations<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001z_PnXtkxTKVJkkYbLV5fE3EZwtxCW6_ZYoTpoUiMLzcmODNnUFRXRLpfemW6JYx0J0Nowi8hu3RYTLtxGsXcRUyYvVrNfEOnV-jval7HObtlFoQyBVI8Y7T8nE9v1kj4i3bQVxsffQOb7aCJsRGuvc3T0w80MITFoO8NKt0NSR0=&c=r5henj8WoxVS8mgrq8sGTpvrNjKl_J7PnjjYx_aKmWrPjgu96o3Ppg==&ch=tK8FuF-5Ow7UP74MPfvEzvPE-0DsuqAAOkH6vFpIl81S4vH16WPv7w==>.

[A screenshot of a writing assistance tool interface. The screen shows options such as "Home," "Community," "Style Guides," "Dictionary," "Team," and "Snippets" on the left. Two prominent buttons are "Download for Windows" and "Add to Edge." at the center.]

3) Use the ProWritingAid Web Editor. Compose directly in the online editor or upload a document that you want to be reviewed.

How ProWritingAid Works

First, depending on what platform you're working in, using the ProWritingAid features varies. We'll look at how to access it in Word and Google Docs and then review some cool options you can use while working in any platform.

Microsoft Word

If you have downloaded the Desktop version (or specifically the Microsoft Word app), in a document, you'll see a new navigation tab at the top of your screen called ProWritingAid.

[A text editor shows a grammatical suggestion box indicating the possible confused word "on." Options to disable the rule or ignore the suggestion are visible below the highlighting.]
·     As you start composing, if there is a suggestion, you'll see the word or phrase underlined. Mouse over it to see the ProWritingAid recommendation. Click on the suggested option to make a change or choose Ignore it.

·     Additionally, to the right of the page, a ProWritingAid window will open. In the tab at the top titled Improvements you'll see a list of suggested changes. Click on any of these options to make these modifications in your document.

·     In this same side window, you'll see another tab called Goals. Here you'll find a breakdown of style, readability, sentence length and more.

[A screenshot of a Microsoft Word document with the Editor tool open. The document text is shown on the left side, and the Editor pane, listing suggestions for improvements such as corrections for spelling and grammar, is shown on the right side.]

Web Extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)

If you've downloaded a web extension, and are using a web platform such as Google Docs, there are a number of things you can do.

[A screenshot of a writing tool displaying the 'Reports' menu with options like Summary, Critique, and Imagination. The screenshot highlights three areas: 1) the 'Reports' button, 2) the options menu, and 3) the text document on the left side of the screen.]
·     As you start composing your document, hover over any of the underlined words to see writing suggestions.

·     To open the side panel, 1) Click on the ProWritingAid yellow dot in the bottom right of the screen, 2) You'll see icons for Reports and ProWritingAid Goals & Improvements window. 3) Here's where you'll see the reports and recommendations.

[A collage image: Top left shows books on a shelf, bottom left displays glasses on an open book, and the right has a handwritten letter. Center text reads "Amazingly Helpful Resources and Tips for Getting A Book Published.]
Learn Helpful Tips to Use in Your Creative Writing in this Webinar:

Amazingly Helpful Tips for Getting A Book Published

Wed, June 12th, 3 pm (ET)/12 pm (PT)

Register Here and Watch the Recording<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001z_PnXtkxTKVJkkYbLV5fE3EZwtxCW6_ZYoTpoUiMLzcmODNnUFRXRMl1RTM5uOnItTVjy0M50dlHV9OpEEfku4MXeBmGqLqVBEl1NgkVCPhurfa6H4jVWO16JgVU3I6oO7kZSKayXIP6TGQBKvtK_Nw5H5vJdk3e7uJI3EQ6qTg=&c=r5henj8WoxVS8mgrq8sGTpvrNjKl_J7PnjjYx_aKmWrPjgu96o3Ppg==&ch=tK8FuF-5Ow7UP74MPfvEzvPE-0DsuqAAOkH6vFpIl81S4vH16WPv7w==>

ProWritingAid Web Editor

You can use the online version as well and create a new document or upload one right in the ProWritingAid website. Just log into your account and choose to Use App, or go to https://app.prowritingaid.com<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001z_PnXtkxTKVJkkYbLV5fE3EZwtxCW6_ZYoTpoUiMLzcmODNnUFRXRLpfemW6JYx0KoZbLeXbcLOtnubnoJ_YvX4rxBsvptQQhYkfjiAoxFNlsdjM3uk0Jzc8YiYYfPEUMjWoQPyf7WfL_M7VoTtsrGLCxFfB7nb5&c=r5henj8WoxVS8mgrq8sGTpvrNjKl_J7PnjjYx_aKmWrPjgu96o3Ppg==&ch=tK8FuF-5Ow7UP74MPfvEzvPE-0DsuqAAOkH6vFpIl81S4vH16WPv7w==>.

[Screenshot of a computer screen shows a document editing software. There's a toolbar on top with various icons and an open document in the center. The sidebar features a list of folders and a preview of a rendered print item depicted as a 3D printer model.]

ProWritingAid Features

There are many options beyond the built-in spelling and grammar check that you can use to improve your writing. Here are a few of the settings and options that can make a big difference.

Writing Style

The suggestions that ProWritingAid will make will differ based on your selected style. Choose from Creative, Business, Casual, and more.

·     In the Web app, go to Settings, then General and select your style. Note that there are sub-options within some of the major categories.

[A screenshot of a software interface showing document type settings. The "Settings" menu is open with "Language" set to "General English" and "Document Type" set to "General." A sub-menu lists various categories including General Fiction, General Non-fiction, and more.]

·     When working in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint, in the ProWritingAid toolbar, go to More (if it is not showing) and select Settings. Find Writing Style in the menu and make your choice.

·     When using a browser plugin, click the icon in the address bar to open the Settings and find Writing Style in that menu.

[A screenshot of a text editor showing a dialogue box with options such as "Rephrase" and "Sparks" under Spark's submenu. The highlighted text in the editor reads, "Are you struggling with writer's block?" An arrow points to the "Sparks" option.]

Sparks

This AI-enabled feature helps you find the right words to enhance your writing. Just highlight some text and click on Sparks. Under Edit, choices will appear to improve readability and clarity, transitions, and more.

Or scroll down to find Continue for options in expanding definitions or adding interesting analogies, explanations or even jokes.

In the example below, we highlighted a sentence and chose to Continue Writing. Here's a suggested rewording that was given:

[A screenshot of a web page with text about overcoming writer's block. Below the main text is a suggestion box with a thumbs up and down icon. At the bottom of the page, a user-inputted text reads, "Are you struggling with writer's block?" with a red arrow pointing to it.]

Rephrase

Highlight some text you are struggling with and click the Rephrase option. ProWritingAid will give you several choices based on your selection - formal/informal, shorten/expand.

In the image below, we wanted options to extend the highlighted sentence. The tool offered three choices.

[Screenshot of a writing assistance tool. The directives are: "Get help with your writing" marked with an arrow, and various advice tips on seeking help and resources for writing improvement. An arrow pointing to the "Expand" button at the bottom.]

General Editing

As you write, ProWritingAid brings to your attention errors and suggestions. Click on any of these underlined items in your text to make changes.

·     Red underlines show spelling errors.
·     Blue underlines show grammatical mistakes.
·     Yellow/Orange underlines show suggestions for writing style improvements.
·     Purple underlines highlight passive voice use and suggests ways to change phrases to active voice.

Reports

You can run one of 25+ reports to evaluate your writing and make improvements.

[A screenshot displays various writing-related tools and features in a grid layout. Each tile contains a green icon, title, and brief description, including options such as "Proofread," "Style," "Clarity," "Thesaurus," "Correctness/Vocabulary," and "Check Consistency.]

In the Desktop or Word add-in, just click the Run Report option in the ProWritingAid menu.

When using a browser extension, click on the ProWritingAid dot/icon in the bottom right and select Reports.

[A software interface displays a report generation tool with options like Summary, Critique, Rewrite, Style, Reports, Structure, Consistency, and Clarity. An expanded "Reports" tab shows a red arrow pointing to an icon for accessing additional settings.]

Missed the webinar on Publishing? Watch the Recording!

[A series of smooth, dark stones arranged in a line, half-submerged in calm, reflective water with a soft, gray background.]

Communication: Writing

Adding emphasis with numbers

Whenever you're writing you want the reader to "get it", right? So we do things to make it easier for the important elements to be recognized and remembered.

One technique you can use when communicating a message that includes a significant number is to reinforce it by first spelling it out in words, followed by the numerical digits within parentheses.

Examples:
·     Three (3) things you can do for greater engagement.
·     Because you are telling them two (2) different things to do...
·     There are six (6) ways to communicate with your eyes.

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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/conted
State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>
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