The Mystery Shopper’s Manual

Secret shopping requires good writing skills and command of proper spelling, grammar and punctuation. Do you struggle over “me” and “I”? Get frustrated trying to figure out “lay” and “lie”? Are you completely flummoxed by “less” and “fewer”? You can get the answers to these and other grammar dilemmas in an entertaining podcast.

Grammar Girl makes it fun and easy to learn correct grammar and punctuation rules with her weekly podcast. The episodes are about five to ten minutes long. In each episode, Grammar Girl tackles an issue and offers quick and dirty tips to help you remember proper usage with easy rules and clever examples. The podcasts are free, and can be downloaded through the iTunes store or at http://grammar.qdnow.com/

If you have never listened to a podcast before, it is easy to get started. You do not need an iPod, although many people do listen to podcasts with an iPod or other MP3 player. An easy way to get started with podcasts is with the iTunes software. Whether you have a Windows computer or a Mac, you can get a free download of iTunes at http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Once installed, click on the link to the iTunes Store, then the Podcasts link in the left menu. From there you can search or browse to find the podcasts you want to hear. All of the podcasts in the iTunes store are free, so you can try out as many as you like. When you find a favorite, subscribe and you will automatically get any new episodes when you open your iTunes.

In addition to Grammar Girl, there are many other podcasts about grammar, writing, learning a new language and just about any subject you can imagine. Have fun while learning to write gooder! ;o)

Cathy Stucker is the author of The Mystery Shopper’s Manual.