Articles in this section

Terms

Avatar
Writer Support
  • Updated

Contents

 

Overview

Writer’s Terms helps you manage the terms your company uses and provides your writers with in-line feedback. Newly added or edited terms will take effect in your team’s suggestions instantly.

  • On your homepage, go to the Styleguide menu and click Terms to manage and edit your word list.
  • If you are on a subscription with multiple teams, select your team from the homepage first to then navigate to the Styleguide menu.

mceclip0.png

 

Managing your word list

You can manage your word list using the following options in the top menu bar: 

  1. To add a term, use the blue +Add button.
  2. To download a word list as a csv file, select the down arrow icon.
  3. View your word list in single line format (the clipped text icon) or as wrapped text (the clockwise arrow icon).
  4. Sort your word list by alphabetical order, time last edited, or time created.
  5. To search for a term in a specific word list, click the Search by keyword field and type the term. The search function will also search through the description and tags columns of your word list.

 

Adding a new term

To add terms, go to Styleguide > Terms. Then click +Add.  You will see the following fields to fill out for each term.

mceclip2.png

Field Description Required?
Add term Enter your term here yes
Type Choose between Approved or Don't use. Marking a term as Approved means that Writer will not suggest any corrections when it sees this exact phrase. Marking a term as Don't use means that Writer will flag this exact phrase if a writer uses it. yes
Part of speech Choose between none (-), noun, verb, adjective, adverb, or verb. no
Case sensitive? Should the casing of this phrase match exactly as written, or can this phrase appear in lower or upper case letters?  yes
Description Fill out the guidance you want your writers to receive here. If this field is left blank, they will not see any descriptions for an Approved term, and the default message "This is a don't use term" for a Don't use term. no
Common mistake If this term is an Approved term, is there a frequently misused term that should be flagged replaced with this term?   no
Examples List positive and negative examples to give your writers more context. no

 

Example term

Below is an example term with the fields filled out.

mceclip4.png

The preview box to the right shows you what your writers will see:

  1. If they use the correct term "Word add-in", they will see the description when they hover over the term, or 
  2. If they use the common mistake "Word extension", they will see a suggestion to replace the mistake with "Word add-in" as well as the description. 

Once you enter Add Term, "Word add-in" will now be an entry in your Terms.

mceclip5.png

To remove, a term, select the check box to the left of the term. A trash can icon will appear in the top menu. 

mceclip6.png

 

Tip: how to determine if a term should be a Don't use term or a common mistake for an Approved term

(A) For a term you don't want your writers to use, does it have a directly corresponding term that should be used instead?

For example: 

  • Don't use the word "add-on" when referring to a Microsoft plugin. Use "add-in" instead.  

Enter "add-on" as a common mistake for "add-in."

(B) Does coming up with a suitable alternative require some nuance?

For example:

  • Don't use the term "culture fit" when reviewing a job candidate. Culture fit is often coded language used to exclude candidates on irrelevant or discriminatory bases. Be specific in your feedback on the candidate's professional qualifications to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position. 

Enter "culture fit" as a Don't use term.

 

Was this article helpful?
0 out of 0 found this helpful
Return to top

Related articles