Laura Hale Brockway
Mark Ragan
Austin, TX, United States
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Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
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Past articles by Laura:
What are your language pet peeves?
Here are some phrases that drive communicators up the wall. “Mom, Bryan’s using potty words. He said ‘utilize.’” We’ve reached the stage in my house where my kids use bad grammar and language gaffes to annoy me. Whether it’s saying “utilize” over and over at the dinner table or referring to their homework as “deliverables,” […] → Read More
59 phrases to help you set boundaries
Preserve your peace of mind with words that create space between you and the conflicts that are common in the modern workplace. Even though most of us communicate for a living, we might find ourselves at a loss for words when it comes to saying no. Whether it’s a work project that can’t be taken […] → Read More
11 tricky word pairs that can confuse writers
They might sound similar or have a closely-related spelling, but don’t make the mistake of thinking these words are interchangeable. The English language is full of befuddling word pairs. Here are 11 sets that can cause trouble—even for the most experienced writers and editors. (Definitions and usage guidance from Lexico and Merriam-Webster.) 1. Adverse […] → Read More
When it comes to the meaning behind the words, it’s all personal
Language relies on a shared definition of common terms—but what happens when our definitions are out of sync with colleagues, friends and loved ones? Have you ever been troubled by a word? Not a curse word or an offensive term, but an ordinary, everyday word? Maybe it’s a word that an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend used […] → Read More
PR pros: Leave the thesaurus on the bookshelf
When reaching for a more complex variant, wordsmiths looking to find elegant variations risk landing on a phrasing that leaves something to be desired. Did you ever have an English teacher tell you not to use the same word twice in a paragraph? If so, he or she was encouraging you to use “elegant variation,” […] → Read More
What are your language pet peeves?
Here are some phrases that drive communicators up the wall. “Mom, Bryan’s using potty words. He said ‘utilize.’” We’ve reached the stage in my house where my kids use bad grammar and language gaffes to annoy me. Whether it’s saying “utilize” over and over at the dinner table or referring to their homework as “deliverables,” […] → Read More
How to say ‘no’ to a project gracefully
Sometimes a potential partnership isn’t a fit with your schedule and other responsibilities. Here’s how to let people down gently and preserve relationships. via GIPHY Even though many of us write for a living, we may find ourselves at a loss for words when it comes to saying “no” to a project or person. Turning […] → Read More
41 alternatives to the word 'cool'
If the word ‘cool’ is wearing out its welcome in your personal lexicon, try these synonyms. This article originally appeared on PR Daily in March, 2015. Now that I’ve started paying attention to it, it’s appalling how many times I use the word “cool.” I don’t use it in any formal, written communication, but I […] → Read More
12 examples of pandemics and epidemics in fiction and literature
Looking for an elevated frame for our current health crisis? Here are some examples of great writers tackling the human issues around disease and loss. Mysterious illnesses, epidemics, and pandemics have always played a role in storytelling and literature, from classical works to modern dystopian novels. In early depictions, epidemics were considered divine punishments or […] → Read More
30 words and phrases from the 1920s that are ‘cat’s pajamas’
It’s been a hundred years since these words were part of the everyday American lexicon. Do any of these old sayings deserve a closer look in modern times? Never underestimate the power of words to communicate culture and define the spirit of the age. In 2020, the words “pandemic,” “lockdown,” “COVID,” “remote,” “anti-masker,” “unprecedented” and […] → Read More
34 redundant, repetitive, and superfluous phrases
To help readers, I use concise language and eliminate redundancies. As Strunk and White say, “Make every word tell.” Below are phrases in which every word does not tell. They are redundant, repetitive, wordy, verbose, and superfluous. Eliminate such phrases to tighten your writing. (Redundant words are italicized.) → Read More
52 transitional phrases to keep your writing connected
Print this list, and post it near your computer. Years ago, I attended a medical writing workshop where I received an incredibly useful handout for writers: a list of 50 transitional words. I kept this list on my desk and referred to it every day without fail. Transitions can make or break your writing. Good … → Read More
16 clever pangrams for word lovers
Word puzzles can help writers build confidence and creativity. Try creating pangrams of your own to test your skills. How often does every letter in the alphabet appear in a sentence? That’s exactly what makes a “pangram” special. The most well-known such phrase is: “The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog.” Pangrams have … → Read More
Are your loyal customers mispronouncing your brand name?
Word-of-mouth is great, right? Well, if people are mangling the name of your company or product, then not so much. Here’s help for frustrated marketers and PR pros. How do you manage a brand when many people can’t even say it? Imagine what it must be like to be a brand manager for Givenchy. Sure, … → Read More
21 words gaining notoriety under the #mispronounced hashtag
Perhaps you’ve done it yourself, saying ‘mizzled’ when reading ‘misled.’ To help you avoid a verbal fracas, we offer a cache of common linguistic foie gras. Oops—that should be ‘faux pas.’ Under the #mispronounced hashtag, Twitter users are sharing words they’ve hilariously misspoken. The tweets are spectacular. The English language—with its silent letters, odd accent … → Read More
6 fictional journalists and how to pitch to them
How would you pitch some of fiction and film’s greatest journalistic characters? Here are some classics with takeaways for today’s media relations professional. Many fiction writers choose journalism for the profession of their main character. After all, journalists make good narrators, and they are often where the action is. Below are a few of my … → Read More
How to politely decline to unsolicited advice
Getting feedback is a part of every job, but sometimes that feedback isn’t helpful or pertinent. Here’s how to sidestep comments that miss the mark without starting a fight. No matter where it comes from, unsolicited advice often goes awry. It’s one thing to receive feedback when you’ve asked for it. It’s quite another to … → Read More
Do you know these obscure words?
PR pros are often language lovers, but even the most well-read communicator can be bamboozled by arcane and rare words. Test your knowledge with this list. As PR and communication professionals, many of us spend our days correcting other people’s writing. This can be a taxing role, so sometimes it’s fun to take a break … → Read More
To capitalize or not to capitalize: 7 easy rules
The author faced a serious conundrum recently: Is the ‘c’ in ‘charley horse’ uppercase? The search for an answer helped her created this set of guidelines. If I don’t know the answer to a spelling, grammar, punctuation, usage, or style question, I know where to look it up—or so I thought. The question that stumped … → Read More
5 warning signs of a lazy writer
When the words don’t seem to flow, writers can sometimes fall back on bad habits. Avoid these telltale signs of uninventive writing. This post originally appeared on PR Daily in June of 2018. Writing isn’t easy. Whether it’s marketing, academic or technical copy, or you’re simply trying to think of what to scribble on a co-worker’s birthday … → Read More