Kathy Henning

Kathy Henning is managing editor of CommunicationFitness, a Web site for learning and teaching more effective communication skills. A writer and editor for 20 years, since 1997 she has focused primarily on the Web, and during that time has written and edited copy for nearly 40 sites. She also teaches writing and editing, and has an MA in English. Prior to her Web days she spent eight years as an editor at a law firm and two years as a magazine editor.

For Writers, Writing Is Never a Waste of Time: Part 2 - The secret of being a good writer is being a good rewriter. Revision is the name of the game. Because whether you're a student or a professor, a beginning copywriter or an accomplished novelist, a B isn't good enough. May 15, 2001

Writing Words That Resonate - If the words you write for a Web site are just add-ons, afterthoughts, they'll fall flat. Want your words to resonate? Then connect with every aspect of the site and stay in tune throughout the site-building process. May 1, 2001

For Writers, Writing Is Never a Waste of Time - In its fifth draft, your article is pretty near perfect. Then the company president puts the kibosh on it. You work nonstop on a piece for an hour. Then your laptop crashes. Catastrophes? Not at all. Apr 17, 2001

Strategies for Writing Tighter - With or without a keyboard, high-octane coffee, or a full lexicon, there's more than one way to become a tighter writer. Read how others have honed their craft. Apr 3, 2001

Wireless: Good News for Writers Who Write Tight - The wireless Internet will be a lucrative medium for Web writers who excel at writing tight copy. Cultivate a tighter style by writing on a PDA. Or practice typingwith one finger. Mar 20, 2001

Writing Consistently Across Media: Ten Proofreading Tips - In an age of lightning-speed innovation, consistency can be underrated. But it shouldn't be. Think of it as akin to an actor's staying in character. Companies that want their brands to be convincing need to stay in character throughout every communication -- online, in email, and in print. Mar 6, 2001

Online, Consistency Is Crucial - Is consistency the hobgoblin of little minds? No, it's only the foolish kind that is (or so said Emerson). Kathy's talking about the other consistency, the smart kind. Feb 20, 2001

Writing for Readers Who Scan - According to Jakob Nielsen, an expert on Web usability, 79 percent of Web users scan online text. So if you want your message to be read by more than a fifth of your audience, you must write for scanners. Kathy offers 10 tips for writing tight, scannable copy. Feb 6, 2001

Fruit Flies Like a Banana: Writing Unambiguously - Part of Groucho's appeal -- and Henny Youngman's ("Take my wife, please") -- is that he uses ambiguity humorously ("Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read"). But in business, there's nothing funny about confusing your audience. Jan 23, 2001

Clarity by Design - Ages ago, your high school English teacher told you to make sure your writing is clear. Think this is less important on the web? If so, think again. In the online world, Kathy explains, clarity is key. Jan 9, 2001