Writefull is a companion app that can be used in any writing tool from MS Word to Gmail. It helps you to improve your writing by analyzing text that you select and comparing it to thousands of documents in Google Books, Google Scholar, and Google Web databases. You can then use that analysis to adapt or replace words and phrases in your document.
Writefull works by providing a pop-up bubble whenever you select a chunk of text. You can then use this bubble to access one of five features to help you improve your writing.
The first feature
allows you to check how often your word or phrase is found in the database. In general a high number is good, because that means that a word or phrase is used often enough to be commonly understood. If you receive a low number, depending on the context, you may want to change your word or phrase.
The second feature
allows you to write in another word or phrase of your choosing to compare against your selected word or phrase. This allows you to see the number of times that each separate word or phrase is found in the database. Again, depending on your goal or type of writing you may want to go with the word or phrase with a high number count.
The third feature
gives you multiple examples of how your selected word or phrase is most commonly used in context. You can compare how that word or phrase is most commonly used in order to determine whether you are using it correctly or not. This is my favorite of the features.
The fourth feature
If you replace one of the words in your text with an asterisk (*) and then highlight that chunk, you can access the fourth feature. This feature allows you to see which words are most commonly used in place of that asterisk. You can use this feature to find a better word for what you are trying to say, or if you are having trouble coming up with a word altogether.
The fifth and final feature
provides you with synonyms in context. To access this feature simply surround your chosen word in asterisk (example: *awesome*). When you select your chunk of text with the asterisked word and choose the fifth feature in the pop-up bubble you will be given a list of synonyms in context. These synonyms will be listed in order of how often they are found in the database, giving you not only alternate options for your selected word, but also how popular those synonyms are.
Writefull does require both a subscription and internet access. There are three tiers of subscription costs – $5 for 1 month, $15 for 6 months, $25 for 12 months. A single subscription can be used on up to two computers. Currently Writefull only works in English but they are planning to release updates that work in other languages in the future. If you want to learn about Writefull click through to their website Here.
