As copywriters our reputation can rest on our understanding of language. On which turn of phrase will get a response from the reader but at a more basic level, which words are actually right to use. These slides tackle some of the clangers in copywriting. The most commonly misused and misspelled words that make us do a double take during proofing and run through our rules to make sure we’ve selected the right word. Check out copywritematters.com for more copywriting content that will improve your writing... including copywriting courses that will help YOU become an in-demand copywriter.

1. A Copywriter’s Guide to the
(& Tips to Help You Not Mess Up)
@CopywriteMattrs
Most Commonly MisusedMisused
& MisspelledMisspelled Words

2. As copywriters, our reputation
can rest on our understanding
of language.

3. But at one point or another,
you've probably asked yourself...

4. “Is this the right word to use?”

5. Fret not!

6. Here's a quick guide
to words that make us
do a double take
during proofing!

7. Practise vs Practice
verb noun
r
q

8. verb noun
r
q
“If you practisepractise
your copywriting,
you repeat the
activity until you
improve.”
r
Practise vs Practice

9. verb noun
r
q
“If you visit
your doctor’s
practicepractice, you go
to a place.”
q
Practise vs Practice

10. License vs Licence
verb noun
r
q

11. verb noun
r
q
“licensinglicensing a
venue”
r
License vs Licence

12. verb noun
r
q
“a physical
licencelicence, like a
driver’s licence”
q
License vs Licence

13. Advise vs Advice
verb noun
r
q

14. verb noun
r
q
“act of giving
adviceadvice”
r
Advise vs Advice

15. verb noun
r
q
“helpful
opinion”
q
Advise vs Advice

16. Follow the esses to action!
Soccer practiSe
CW
M
Tip

17. Affect vs Effect
verb noun
r
q

18. verb noun
r
q
“If you
affectaffect a situation,
you cause an
outcome.”
r
Affect vs Effect

19. verb noun
r
q
“That
outcome is
the effecteffect.”
q
Affect vs Effect

20. If it’s something you’re
going to do, use “affect.”
If it’s something you’ve
already done, use “effect.”
CW
M
Tip

21. Discrete vs Discreet

22. “something
independent or
distinct”
yDiscrete vs Discreet

23. “being more
private than usual
so you don’t cause
embarrassment”
z
Discrete vs Discreet

24. Discreet = Be private and
keep the esses together.
Discrete = The esses are separated
because they're independent!
CW
M
Tip

25. Complementary vs Complimentary

26. Complementary vs Complimentary
“when you
combine a few
associated
objects”
y

27. Complementary vs Complimentary
“nice things
you say to
someone with
new duds on”
z

28. Remember the “i's”!
complImentary = nIce
CW
M
Tip

29. Stationary vs Stationery

30. Stationary vs Stationery
“state of
stillness like zen
meditation… or a
cabinet”
y

31. Stationary vs Stationery
“pens, paper &
other interesting
things you find
at Officeworks”
z

32. Remember the esses!
stationEry = EnvElopE
CW
M
Tip

33. Enquiry vs Inquiry

34. Enquiry vs Inquiry
“question”
y

35. Enquiry vs Inquiry
“an official
investigation”
z

36. Enquiry = quEstion
INquiry = INvestigation
CW
M
Tip

37. Want more practical
advice to make you a
better writer?
@CopywriteMattrs
Belinda Weaver
noun!noun!q

38. Grab this handy
cheat sheet:
20 Incredibly
Useful
Copywriting Tips
(that will transform the
way you write)

39. PLUS regular
writing tips
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