Writer's Workbench is a full-service writing enhancement software package that includes tutorials and grammar quizzes built into the software. This TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award winner extensive package offers 27 analysis tools and 31 Self-Tutoring Educational Preparation Steps (STEPS). Writer's Workbench has more bells and whistles than other products we reviewed, though it is not destined to be the very best quick, everyday spelling and grammar checker.
The software integrates well with MS Word by simply adding onto the word processor's existing tools. By opening Writer's Workbench, you will open up a blank MS Word document that takes Microsoft's features but includes more grammar-related tools at the top.
Writer’s Workbench looks at each sentence in your document as a whole for punctuation, spelling and grammatical mistakes, as well as English usage. The software also checks for overall organization and style.
Once the software has completed its grammar run, it provides a split window with your document on one side and suggested edits on the other. Examples of its usage edits include:
- Remove the word "actually" when possible.
- Replace the phrase "from the standpoint of" to "according to."
- Avoid using "it seems."
- Avoid ending a sentence with "about" or "of."
Depending on your audience, some edits Writer's Workbench suggests are excessively strict. The editing suggestions such as remove all instances of "in fact" or replace all "to be" verbs with active verbs are too rigorous for most memos, emails and blog posts. With the advent of the internet, our writing is becoming less formal. Editors are now encouraging their writers to reduce the number of words in sentences and to choose more common words over less-known ones when possible. English usage guidelines change much more frequently than grammar rules, but even in grammar, some issues that were considered unacceptable just a decade ago are now encouraged.
Overall, we are impressed with Writer's Workbench's editing suggestions such as the removal of negative words and first person pronouns. However, because the software is designed for academic instruction, it is more intrusive and demanding than other products we reviewed. Once you have incorporated the edits the grammar software has suggested, it encourages you to perform rerun analyses until the software deems your writing acceptable. Such a setup may be helpful for young students or adults learning English, but not for individuals in a business setting who don't have time for such an analysis when completing day-to-day writing tasks.
You can spend hours performing all 27 analyses and 31 Self-Tutoring Exploration and Preparation Steps (STEPS) that Writer's Workbench provides. If you are a teacher, you can use some or all of the analysis it provides as you are teaching a concept or you can use STEPS to provide one-on-one teaching assistance.
The writing enhancement software provides a built-in dictionary and thesaurus to help you with word choice. It also comes with a comprehensive grammar guide that includes the rules of English grammar and punctuation as well as discussions on effective writing techniques.
Writer's Workbench also comes with memo, business letter and email templates perfect for any professional or scholarly use. Other popular templates include those for essays, research papers, and formal letters. However, it does not offer translation tools.
Writer's Workbench lets you know the reason for your error, gives more than one correction, and looks at the content or meaning of the sentence. It has the ability to distinguish between words like “affected” or “effected” and homophones such as “its” and “it’s.” The software can also detect subject-verb agreement.
EMO Solutions offers nine user guides, including manuals for middle school and high school students and one for teachers. It also provides a 16-page manual for all users that comes with an online quick start guide.
We found Writer’s Workbench’s support team prompt and helpful. They can be contacted by phone, fax or email. From the product's website you can access help, tutorials, user guides and answers to frequently asked questions. In addition, the website lists the contact information of over 24 educators who can provide one-on-one assistance with the software.
Writer’s Workbench writing enhancement software has a long list of useful features that will appeal to students, writing instructors and adults learning English. However, it may be overly intrusive for use in certain day-to-day writing projects.
