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
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.
-
ZorinOS 17.1 Released, Includes Improved Windows App Support
If you need or desire to run Windows applications on Linux, there's one distribution intent on making that easier for you and its new release further improves that feature.
-
Linux Market Share Surpasses 4% for the First Time
Look out Windows and macOS, Linux is on the rise and has even topped ChromeOS to become the fourth most widely used OS around the globe.
-
KDE’s Plasma 6 Officially Available
KDE’s Plasma 6.0 "Megarelease" has happened, and it's brimming with new features, polish, and performance.
-
Latest Version of Tails Unleashed
Tails 6.0 is based on Debian 12 and includes GNOME 43.
-
KDE Announces New Slimbook V with Plenty of Power and KDE’s Plasma 6
If you're a fan of KDE Plasma, you'll be thrilled to hear they've announced a new Slimbook with an AMD CPU and the latest version of KDE Plasma desktop.
-
Monthly Sponsorship Includes Early Access to elementary OS 8
If you want to get a glimpse of what's in the pipeline for elementary OS 8, just set up a monthly sponsorship to help fund its continued existence.