Writing
How to Do Footnotes: Chicago Format, Examples and Word Steps
How to write and insert footnotes: Chicago full and shortened notes, numbering and placement rules, ibid., and steps for Word and Google Docs.
The ZeroTell Blog
Practical guides for clearer writing, honest use of AI and emails that get answered.
Latest articles
Writing
How to End an Email: Closing Lines and Sign-Offs That Work
How to end an email well: a clear closing line, the right sign-off, a clean signature, and examples for formal, work, academic and casual emails.
AI
How to Fix AI Plagiarism: Rewrite, Cite, and Disclose AI Use
Fix unattributed AI-assisted text the right way: rewrite it in your own words, add real sources, and disclose AI use where your rules require it.
Writing
How to Humanize AI Content: An Editor's Guide to Voice and Rhythm
Turn stiff AI-assisted drafts into writing that sounds like you: fix rhythm, cut stock phrases, add specifics, and keep your AI policy in view.
Writing
How to Humanize AI Text Manually: 12 Editing Tips for Real Voice
Hands-on editing techniques that turn a flat AI-assisted draft into writing that sounds like you: rhythm, specifics, real opinions and disclosure.
AI
How to Humanize ChatGPT Output: Editing for Voice and Clarity
Turn stiff ChatGPT drafts into clear, natural writing: cut filler, add specifics, fix rhythm, and stay within your school's or employer's AI rules.
Writing
How to Include a Page Number in a Citation (APA and MLA)
Where the page number goes in APA 7th and MLA 9th citations, how to cite page ranges, and what to use when a source has no pages at all.
Writing
How to Increase Word Count Without Padding Your Essay
Short on words? Add evidence, examples, counterarguments and analysis that make your essay stronger, not longer for its own sake. Practical steps inside.
Writing
How to Make ChatGPT Sound More Human: Prompting and Editing
Get warmer, more natural writing from ChatGPT with better prompts, then edit for voice, rhythm and specifics. Stay within your school or job's AI rules.
AI
How to Manage Work-Life Balance: Practical Habits That Stick
Practical, realistic ways to manage work-life balance: set boundaries, plan your week, cut low-value tasks, and use AI tools modestly to save time.
Writing
How to Paraphrase: A Step-by-Step Method With Examples
Paraphrase properly: understand the source, write from memory, change structure not just words, then cite. Includes good and bad examples.
Emails
How to Politely Decline an Invitation via Email (5 Samples)
How to say no to meetings, events, weddings, speaking requests and business dinners by email without burning bridges, plus five polite decline samples.