Pyrrhic Victory: Definition and Examples for Writers

Pyrrhic Victory: Definition and Examples for Writers

For those who might not be familiar with the term, a Pyrrhic victory is technically a win, but the excessive cost undermines the sense of triumph. That means you win, but it feels like you’ve lost.

Sometimes the cost includes the casualties incurred in the process of achieving the victory, but it can also be the personal cost that devastates the victor.

Em Dash Shortcut: What Is an Em Dash and How Do You Use It?

Em Dash Shortcut: What Is an Em Dash and How Do You Use It?

An em dash is a versatile punctuation mark that looks like an extended dash. It is used to break up a longer sentence, usually to insert a phrase into the middle or end of a sentence, to add modification phrases to a list, and sometimes to show a break in narration or conversation. Let’s look at when to use an em dash, and learn the keyboard shortcuts to make them!

I.E. vs. E.G.: How to Keep Them Straight

I.E. vs. E.G.: How to Keep Them Straight

We all have our pet peeves when it comes to writing. Maybe you hate the Oxford comma. Maybe you loathe the misuse of the ellipsis. As an editor, I’m supposed to have a lot of writing pet peeves, but one of my biggest is the interchanging of e.g. and i.e. I’m here to tell you once and for all that the two are not the same.