WordPress plugins and themes for writers
Writing Help
Because most browsers support spell-checking, you don't need a dedicated WordPress plugin for that. However, a plugin to help you avoid common grammatical pitfalls can be rather handy, indeed. Enter the After the Deadline plugin. After the Deadline, which was previously available as a standalone module, is now part of the Jetpack suite [7], so you have to install it to enable the spell-checking and grammar support on your WordPress installation.
Besides installing and enabling JetPack, you also need to connect it to the WordPress.com services. This step automatically enables the Spelling and Grammar module, and you can configure its settings in the Users | Your Profile section under Proofreading. Here, you can enable the option to proofread the article automatically before you publish or update it, and you can toggle options that check for specific patterns of poor writing style, including common problems like clichés, double negatives, passive voice, redundant phrases, and so on. You can also specify phrases and words that should be ignored during proofreading.
To proofread the currently edited article, press the Proofread Writing button in the editor's toolbar. To make it easier for you to identify problematic words and phrases, the proofreading feature highlights them using three colors: red for misused words and spelling errors, green for grammar mistakes, and blue for style suggestions. Clicking on a highlighted word or phrase displays a brief explanation of the problem and a list of possible suggestions.
Obviously, the Spelling and Grammar feature (Figure 8) can only handle a limited set of grammar-related issues, but it can be a useful tool for catching some common mistakes and errors.
Collaborative Editing with Post Forking
The Post Forking plugin [8] adds collaborative editing functionality to WordPress, and it does this in a slightly different way than you might expect. It uses an approach similar to the Git distributed revision control system that is popular with open source software developers. The plugin allows WordPress users without editing rights to fork an article – that is, to clone and edit it without affecting the original.
Once the fork has been saved, the administrator can compare it with the original and merge changes. Additionally, the author of the article can create branches, or parallel versions of the article, that can be edited independently. Despite (or thanks to) its software developer-friendly logic, the plugin's functionality is relatively easy to master. Once installed and enabled, the plugin adds the Fork link next to each post created by other users in the Posts | All Posts section. Click on it to clone the desired item and edit it as a regular post. When done, press Save Fork to save the changes and add the revised article to the Forks section.
In this section, the admin (and the article's author) can then view forked articles, compare them with their originals, and merge changes. Thanks to the dedicated graphical tool, comparing the original with its fork and merging changes is rather straightforward (Figure 9). The tool displays the original and the fork side-by-side in a two-pane window, where all additions and deletes are highlighted with green and red colors, respectively. You can merge each change to the right (thus undoing the modification) or to the left (which merges the modification). For articles authored by you, Post Forking displays the Create branch link instead of Fork. Using it, you can create new versions of the article that are treated as forks.
Final Word
Using the right mix of plugins and themes, you can transform WordPress into a versatile writing environment as an alternative to your regular tools of the trade. Even if WordPress won't replace a fully-fledged desktop word processor, it can prove to be an indispensable tool for all kinds of writing activities – from taking notes and organizing research to collaborating with other writers.
Infos
- Just Writing plugin: http://wordpress.org/plugins/just-writing
- Distraction-Free Writing Mode Themes plugin: http://wordpress.org/plugins/distraction-free-writing-mode-themes
- Typesense theme: http://www.matmm.me/typesense
- LESS theme: http://jarederickson.com/less-a-free-super-minimal-wordpress-theme
- WP-Svbtle theme: http://wp-svbtle.themeskult.com
- WP-Svbtle source code on GitHub: http://github.com/themeskult/wp-svbtle
- Jetpack plugin: http://jetpack.me
- Post Forking plugin: http://wordpress.org/plugins/post-forking
« Previous 1 2
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Endless OS 6 has Arrived
After more than a year since the last update, the latest release of Endless OS is now available for general usage.
-
Fedora Asahi 40 Remix Available for Macs with Apple Silicon
If you've been anticipating KDE's Plasma 6 for your Apple Silicon-powered Mac, then you're in luck.
-
Red Hat Adds New Deployment Option for Enterprise Linux Platforms
Red Hat has re-imagined enterprise Linux for an AI future with Image Mode.
-
OSJH and LPI Release 2024 Open Source Pros Job Survey Results
See what open source professionals look for in a new role.
-
Proton 9.0-1 Released to Improve Gaming with Steam
The latest release of Proton 9 adds several improvements and fixes an issue that has been problematic for Linux users.
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.