Why Writing Enhancement Software?

So much of how we communicate is in written form today – whether it's on Facebook, Twitter, email or on a blog. Writing enhancement software can provide you with the tools to sharpen your prose so you can sound educated and knowledgeable. We write more about good writing tips in our articles about writing enhancement software.

A writing enhancement software package is not the solution to all your writing challenges, but it can make a big difference. The best software packages provide a quick check function and the ability to incorporate (or to not incorporate) the suggested edits at the click of a button. We found that it also features a set of templates for commonly written documents and a tool for translating text into another language. The three products we rate the highest on this site include WhiteSmoke, Writer's Workbench and Grammar Expert Plus.

Writing Enhancement Software: What to Look For

The criteria we used to evaluate writing enhancement software on this page include Editing Tools, Reference Tools, Performance and Help & Support.

Editing Tools
Grammar software should be designed to do a basic grammar check that should consider writing components such as subject-verb agreement, the proper use of adjectives and adverbs, and the matching of verb tenses in compound clauses. It should flag the improper use of the possessive form of nouns and pronouns and sentence fragments. The software should also check for proper punctuation and spelling. The best spell-checkers are up-to-date in order to recognize common proper nouns, names and abbreviations.

Some software has built-in style checkers. Different styles are used for different kinds of documents. For example, you would use MLA style for an English or humanities class and the Associated Press (AP) style or the Chicago Manual of Style for most business writing. However, these styles, particularly AP and Chicago, change frequently. Computer programs, no matter how sophisticated, have a hard time keeping up to speed with them. We recommend purchasing reference books or subscribing to online reference databases to assist you in using styles.

Reference Tools
The best software packages include a built-in dictionary and thesaurus. They also include templates for commonly written documents, such as documents you may prepare in the workplace or for the classroom. Since many individuals who rely on grammar and spelling tools write English as a second language, they will benefit from a good text translator that is part of the software package.

Performance
How the software performs determines how beneficial it is to its users. Although some of the products we reviewed include more extensive grammar lessons and exercises, the most practical products for everyday use are those that provide a quick check and allow you the option to incorporate edits with a simple click of a button.

Help & Support
Any software you purchase today should include contact information whether it is a phone number, email address, online form or live chat. The software should also include online help tools such as tutorials, online forums or a detailed description of the package’s specifications. It should come with a user manual that is either available in hard copy or electronically. The company’s website should also include answers to frequently asked questions.

Writing enhancement software doesn’t take the place of human editors, but the best packages can give you a good proofread that is at least 90 percent accurate. Since you can’t expect perfection in a machine, you must provide the human eye that can discern between a relevant edit and one that isn’t. Nonetheless, these software packages should help you spell words correctly, use proper punctuation and recognize proper sentence structure.

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