Online writing is fraught with danger, especially if the writer does not edit his/her copy. Editing is essential in ANY writing, online or in print, but it is even more important on the World Wide Web because so many sites make it so easy to post your words without proofreading or editing.

It's an awful shame that many people, who are otherwise probably quite smart, look either lazy or idiotic online because they don't expend the effort to check (or have someone else check) their spelling, grammar, punctuation, word flow, syntax, facts, and other necessary details. This double-checking is essential, not because editors are nitpicky or want to confuse you, but because you presumably want to create the most understandable piece you can muster. You do want to be understood, don't you? Good.

Do you know when and how to use an apostrophe, a comma, a dash, or quotation marks? If you're not sure, better crack open your favorite reference book or e-mail your old college English professor. At the very least, find yourself a reputable guide or web site that will remind you of reliable editing practices.

TAKE YOUR TIME

Just because you have the ability to whip out some words and immediately slap them up on a web site doesn't mean you should. The more mistakes you allow the public to see, the less you will be taken seriously. If you take the time to make sure your ideas are clear and your writing is smooth, your readers will understand and respect you. You may even get some "fans."

Resist the temptation to be quick and sloppy, or even quick and mediocre. It's much better, for instance, to edit your article to perfection over two days and then post it, than to write it in two hours, not even scan it for typos, and then post it with the inevitable mistakes. Yes, even the best writers make mistakes sometimes, because the best writers are human, but there's a vast difference between being human and being lazy.

SHOOT FOR PERFECTION

Web editing may not be as important if you are writing for your own enjoyment or for some other non-public use. However, if it's part of your job, or if you are serious about being a writer, you absolutely must do one of two things:

- Learn, know, and practice all rules of writing, editing, and proofreading, or...

- Hire someone who does - a professional copywriter, copyeditor, or proofreader.

Journalists, ghostwriters, translators, business owners, online merchants, and others in similar occupations know exactly what this means. You must

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