CNET Editors' review
RightWriter Grammar Analysis allows users to evaluate their writing for proper grammar and effective style. Although the trial version disables the program's main feature, the sample text provided with RightWriter makes us think that the program is a useful tool for writing improvement.
The program's interface is basic and intuitive. Users type or paste the text they want to analyze into a text box, click the Analyze button, and the analysis shows up in another text box. The program suggests alternatives when word choices are too "wordy," identifies use of the passive voice, and gives other suggestions to make users' writing more clear. Writers can also run a spell check on their writing with the program. RightWriter's Help file comes as a PDF and gives clear instructions for the program's use. Although we thought that the program's suggestions were helpful, we were disappointed that it's not possible for users to customize the rules that the program uses in its analysis. For example, in many scientific disciplines, writers are expected to use the passive voice when describing experiments. But there is no way to tell RightWriter this, meaning that such users would have to wade through a lot of unhelpful suggestions to find the ones that are actually useful.
RightWriter is free to try, but the grammar analysis is disabled in the trial version. The program installs desktop icons without asking but uninstalls cleanly. We recommend this program to all users who feel that they could stand to strengthen their writing, although users should be aware that the program is not customizable.
Publisher's Description
From Elite Minds:
RightWriter solves your writing problems. RightWriter is much more than a simple grammar analysis tool. It analyzes your writing as a whole and finds not only grammar errors, but it warns you when it finds weak writing styles. It also shows you how to improve those weak areas. Even when your grammar is technically correct, there may be parts of your writing that need to be improved. Simply removing or changing a word can make your meaning clearer. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
What's new in this version: This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
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All versions:
2.5 starsout of 4 votes
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Current version:
2.5 starsout of 4 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-4 of 4
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"Too Much of a Hassle"
Version: RightWriter Grammar Analysis 5.0.22
Pros
Excels at catching passive voice. Love the ability to customize the colors myself so that I can specifically set bold colors to catch mistakes I'm specifically looking for.
Cons
Often incorrectly says where commas should go and is picky about splitting longer sentences that are grammatically correct into two.
Summary
I bought this to supplement a grammar program I already had installed for free just to see if it was better. It is good at catching passive voice, but not any better than After the Deadline. After using RightWriter for a month, I finally stopped using it. It's really a waste of my money and I wish there had been a free trial. The programming seems old, reminds me of old text adventure games in DOS. What really bothers me though is that it conflicts with my virus software. To run it without having it crash, I have to turn off virus protection. I've set my virus software to ignore it, but the two still conflict. I'll go back to using After the Deadline and Paper Rater instead.
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"poor support"
Version: RightWriter Grammar Analysis 5.0.22
Pros
no much to like.
Cons
poor follow up
Summary
this could be a wonderful thing, if the folk at the other end would follow through and give the support needed. I for one will look else where for the programs needed.
lie to me once shame on me lie to me twice shame on you. -
"Decent, but limited"
Version: RightWriter Grammar Analysis 5.0.22
Pros
It's fast and accurate.
Cons
The earlier versions of this program let the user create rules. This version has 3 sets of rules that cannot be changed. In fact, you can't even see what the rules are, or turn off specific rules.
Summary
The locked rules kills this one for me: similar programs usually let you create your own rules and turn rules off and on.
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"Must have for any internet user, use it or look dumb!"
Version: RightWriter Grammar Analysis 5.0.22
Pros
Saves you from making dumb mistakes when writing emails, editing reports, or posting to your website. I have a problems editing and it makes my writing look really bad. RightWriter catches those errors and makes my writing look great
Cons
Does not catch all grammar errors but none of the similar programs do either, it does catch more than others I have tried.
Summary
RightWriter has saved me from a lot of embarassment both online and at work. I have found really stupid mistakes and grammatical errors in my work emails and reports that I would have been embarassed to send out. I only wonder how many I sent out that no one told me about before I got RightWriter!
I never send an email to my boss or post to my blog without checking with Right writer first. It really helps me to make my writing look intelligent and not like some 6 year old is posting to my blog.
Get it, you won't regret it.
