FAQs

StyleWriter

Will StyleWriter cure all my writing faults?

It will cure the common poor writing habits found in most writing. However, StyleWriter does not replace your spelling checker or your grammar checker. We assume you’ll have your word processor’s spelling checker running when you draft your document.

Instead of duplicating the features you have already built in to your word processor, StyleWriter concentrates on finding thousands of style faults and checking for good English usage.

There are other areas StyleWriter cannot help with—no computer program can. For example, StyleWriter cannot tell you how to plan your document or arrange your sections. It cannot tell you if the content you have chosen is good or bad. One reviewer of StyleWriter summed it up well: “StyleWriter will show you how to write anything in a clear, concise and readable style. However, if you write nonsense, it will show you how to write clear, concise and readable nonsense.”

Order our Software for Writers CD and you'll have a full demonstration and tutorial to StyleWriter and a 30-day trial. If the program scores your style at anything less than 'excellent', we're sure you'll benefit from using StyleWriter.

Is StyleWriter the same as my grammar checker?

No. There’s no need to replace the spelling checker and grammar checker in your word processor. Although using these programs may pick up one or two mistakes, they do not make you a better writer. Besides, we all know how annoying grammar checkers are to use.

StyleWriter, uses a sophisticated and comprehensive database to match patterns in your writing style. Because it does not parse the sentence, the program is quick, working through about a page of text a second and displaying and analyzing all style and possible usage problems throughout the document. This also means there are few, if any, false errors highlighted.

“StyleWriter especially impressed me in flagging only a handful of false errors that are so common with grammar checkers. Its advice was intelligent, and it came across as a practical and effective aid to good clear writing.”
PC Plus Magazine

Read the full PC Plus Magazine review of StyleWriter

What word processors does StyleWriter work with?

StyleWriter works with all versions of Word for Windows. It also works with WordPerfect. You can also use StyleWriter with any Windows application through the clipboard. It works with all versions of Windows, including Windows XP.

Are there different versions of StyleWriter?

We have United States, United Kingdom and Australian versions of the program. Each international version of StyleWriter reflects the English usage of the area. Each entry in the program, its advice and help screens are consistent with the following authorities.

USA — Webster’s Dictionary
UK — Oxford Dictionary
Australia — Macquarie Dictionary

When you install StyleWriter, you can choose the US, UK or Australian versions.

Does StyleWriter explain the editing techniques fully?

Yes. The program advises you of the style problem it finds and offers you some immediate advice. For example, if it highlights the word ‘utilize’ it says it is a complex word and you could replace it with ‘use’. You can click on the category ‘Complex Words’ and the program will offer you more advice on why you should prefer simpler words to complex words.

Click to see sample help screen shot 1

For more advanced editing techniques, such as editing passive verbs, the help screens are essential when you first use the program. You can look at the help screen for specific advice on the editing techniques.

Click to see sample help screen shot 2

The help screens, which you can also call up from within your word processor when you are drafting your document, also include writing tips of writing tasks and writing style.

Click to see sample help screen shot 3

Does StyleWriter look at different writing tasks?

Yes. You can select from 12 different writing tasks depending on your document. When you choose a task, StyleWriter adjusts your writing score ratings.

Click to see sample help screen shot 4

Is there a 30-day, money-back guarantee?

StyleWriter:
If you buy the full StyleWriter program for $160 (rather than the evaluation version) you have the right to an automatic refund – less $30 for our administration, technical support, credit card clearance and shipping fees in sending you the product.

StyleWriter has a 30-day registration timer on it. You have to send in a special StyleWriter site code to Editor Software when you register as the official user. Editor Software then sends you a site key to remove the 30-day registration timer.

Until you send in your site key, you have an automatic, no-questions-asked right to getting your money back – less $30 (£20 in the EC). You do not have to return the Software for Writers CD and can continue to use the free software utilities distributed on the CD. Please note: Once you send in your StyleWriter site code, you have agreed that the program meets your needs and have no further right to a refund.

Evaluation copy of StyleWriter:
If you buy the 30-day evaluation copy of StyleWriter on the Software for Writers CD, for $30, there is no refund available.

Why? Because the $30 fee covers our administration, technical support, credit card clearance and shipping fees in sending you the product. Think of the evaluation service as renting the software for a month, with a view to buying it. If, after 30 days, you decide you want to keep using StyleWriter, you can pay the extra $130 to upgrade.

Because you have paid $30 and $130, it costs you no more to buy the evaluation copy first and then upgrade compared to buying the full program for $160. You upgrade by going to a special discount payment web page. Here you pay the $130 by credit card and send your StyleWriter site code to Editor Software. Editor Software then sends you a site key to remove the 30-day registration timer. You then have unrestricted use of the program.

If you decide not to upgrade, you do not have to return the CD and can continue to use the free software utilities distributed on the CD.

Please Note: The $30 fee for the Software for Writers CD is not refundable if you decide you do not want to upgrade to the full version. However, you can keep the free software utilities distributed on the CD.

Electronic Writing Course:
We do not offer a refund on the $75 Electronic Writing Course. Most people buy either the $30 evaluation copy of StyleWriter or the $160 full version of StyleWriter. When the Software for Writers CD arrives, you can look at a full demo of the Course. You can then install the Course from the CD (a full working version) that runs for 30-minutes.

This gives you enough time see the Course content and decide if you want to complete the Course. If you decide to buy, we can arrange for you to pay the extra $45 to reset the timer so you can complete the Course. So if you’re unsure about buying the Course, we’d advise you to buy the evaluation copy of StyleWriter for $30 first. Everyone who buys the Course gets a 30-day evaluation copy of StyleWriter – an ideal way to back up the lessons taught on the Course.

What’s the technical support?

If you need technical support, visit out technical support page here. It has our technical support contact details and a list of common problems and their solutions.

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