Style Guide for Business Writing

F

Fact checking

In any form of writing involving citing of facts or quotations from outside sources, fact checking is essential to ensure fully accurate use of material. This may be performed by the author of a report or paper, but more often is undertaken by someone else, an editor or proofreader.

When fact checking has been completed, the individual performing this check may indicate completion by writing or entering ‘CQ’ on the document or section of a document. This is an abbreviation of the Latin, cadit quaestio, meaning “the question falls” (or, is no longer in doubt).

False subjects

A false subject is an abstract pronoun. Often found at the beginning of sentences, false subjects weaken the tone of the message. A false subject damages ...