Thursday, December 27, 2012

Business Memos - 10 Tips for Writing Memos That Get Action

Memo is short for Memorandum. It is a simple way to communicate important information within an organization. Writing a clear, well organized memo is a valuable business skill.
Memos are used to communicate information and get results by focusing on one clear call to action.

Here are 10 tips for writing a memo that will get the action you want.

1. Audience needs: Think of the audience and their needs. This is essential in the call-to-action. For example, tell your readers how they will benefit from attending an extra meeting or how they will increase productivity by following your ideas.

Business Memos - 10 Tips for Writing Memos That Get Action

2. Audience level: Consider the education, background, and company status of your readers, and write to the level that matches their needs.

3. Tone: A business memo is somewhat formal, but it's less formal than a business letter. It won't help you to address a group of co workers in a very formal manner. It's fine to have a friendly tone, but still be business-like. Match your style and tone to your audience.

4. Common language: Make sure everyone understands you. If you work in a technical field, be careful about using jargon that some readers may not understand. You may want to write different versions of the same memo to people in different departments.

5. Informative subject line: This explains simply and clearly what the memo is about. Similar to a subject line in an email message, the subject line is crucial to getting people to read your memo.

6. Write the bottom-line first: The first sentence or two should give the main point. Don't add extra information leading up to the point. Remember, this isn't a story, it's a business document.

7. Clear and concise: Check for extra wording; keep the memo to one page or less, and use attachments or separate summaries for additional information. Keep the memo structure simple and logical. Limit paragraphs to one idea.

8. Factual: Use a neutral or positive tone. Avoid emotionally-charged words.

9. Conclusion: If needed, add a conclusion to reaffirm or summarize the main points.

10. Formatting: Use the standard format outlined in many guides, or follow your company's guidelines.

There are many aspects to writing an effective memorandum, using the correct format.

Business Memos - 10 Tips for Writing Memos That Get Action
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For a simple guide: How to Write Persuasive Business Memos That Get Action, go to http://www.goldmansmythe.com/howto.html

You're also invited to receive a free report: "Breakthrough Communication Skills" packed with powerful tips for business success, at http://www.ImpressforSuccess.com when you join my Communication Capsules newsletter.

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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Format To Follow While Writing A Whitepaper

Writing a whitepaper is easy What you must first decide is whether a whitepaper the right solution to your problem or not. You should know what you want to talk about. Only if you have a certain level of expertise in the area, can you succeed in telling people about it in detail.

Setting the right objective

Before you start writing one, ask yourself that why are you writing it? Is it to demonstrate your knowledge to the world about a certain technical issue/trend, or to influence your prospective customer's purchase decision about your product? The reasons could be numerous. But it should be absolutely clear in your mind. Unless you know the objective of writing it, the right tone of voice will never come and it will not generate the desired effect on the reader.

The Format To Follow While Writing A Whitepaper

Target your audience Your audience will read your paper only if it has some value. You are not writing to bore them. Would the content of the paper give the reader something to chew on? Would he be excited to know about the technology/product you are writing about? Does the reader really care about the topic? It would help if you could do a small research to find out the need of the paper. Once you are sure that there is a need for the whitepaper, think about the questions that are generally raised in that area. Will your paper answer/discuss them? Would it give the reader something to take home?

Now that you are clear about the topic of the paper, its objective and the target audience, you need to take a deep breath and start writing it. Remember that your paper should contain something new and worthwhile. It should make sense in the mind of the reader.

Making a framework First, make a rough draft of all the content you need to cover in the paper. You don't have to write all that you know in just one paper. Cover only one topic at a time, so that the message in the paper is singular and the reader does not get confused. Once you are ready with the framework of the paper, you should go through it carefully to see that the thought sequence is correct. Do your arguments follow the logical way of reasoning? If yes, then you are ready to go on to the next step of writing, lest you need to structure it to suit your audience. If you are facing difficulty doing this, then read the already published articles/papers in your subject and see how your competitors have framed it. Take the best of all worlds and structure your article. But, do not copy anybody - use your own flow of thought, as you know the best about what you are writing.

Now, you can start writing the main content of your paper!

The title Title is the most important part so do not make it generic. It should mention exactly what you are talking about. You can also give a short sub-title to give the reader a benefit to go ahead and read it. For instance, "Undisclosed techniques of digital watermarking - robust and flexible ways to secure your critical digital data."

The introduction The introduction/abstract should exactly give out what is to follow. Do not summarize your index of content here. Give a brief outline of the topic and intent of writing the whitepaper. You can also write about who the whitepaper is written for. Remember this is what will urge the reader to go on. If you are not confident about what you should write here, then wait and write the intro at the end of the paper. It is often a good idea, as by the time you reach the end you get a clear idea of what it should be.

The main content Being the subject matter expert you would know about the latest trends and frame your content appropriately. Your matter should be fresh as nobody reads an old newspaper.

Compartmentalize Divide your writing in sections. Give headlines and sub-heads. Highlight/bold the sequence of thought, so that even if a person just scans through your paper, he gets a perfect idea of what it is about. Be clear, concise and correct about what you write. Do not make your paragraphs too long. Put some most important thoughts in highlighted boxes.

The writing style Following correct English and grammar usage is a requisite. If you have problems with it then take professional help. Incorrect language is the biggest turn-off for an intelligent reader. It shows that you are unprofessional in your approach - especially when you are trying to sell your product through the whitepaper. Follow the active and positive style of writing. Don't be too complex in your writing. It should be written keeping an intelligent reader in mind who already has a certain idea about the subject, but is not a scientist. If you use technical terms, then please be kind enough to explain them once when you use them for the first time in the document.

Write what you want to write about While writing for the web, you should not fill in stuff which is not directly related to the topic. It makes sense to identify some keywords and use them constantly throughout your writing. This would also help your paper rank high on the search engines.

Give visual relief The paper should not be a line of ants walking after the other. Be imaginative and give some visual relief through the use of landscape contouring, i.e., using sections, headings, sub-headings, diagrams, bulleted/numbered lists in the whitepaper. Illustrate with examples, give diagrams/charts - use these as an aid to demonstrate your point. Don't shy away from using illustrations - they make it easier for the reader to understand. Use as many as possible - nobody is interested in a flat land, try to make your paper attractive, even if it's boring technical discussion.

Conclude with credibility Oftentimes, people use similar content for the introduction as well as conclusion. The beginning and the end of a story could never be the same. Frame your conclusion based on what has happened in middle of the story. Give the reader a thought to take home.

Always give references/sources of the data used from elsewhere and provide copyright information and your own contact information.

In the end, thoroughly proofread what you have written. Move sections to make the sequence of thought logical if required. Ask a friend to critically examine it. Once you are done with the first cut, give your brain some rest and let the document lie for a while. You are sure to refine it in a much better way while reading it for the second time. Finally, edit it. Cut out all the irrelevant words/sections. A whitepaper does not have to be 10+ pages long. It should just give out your message powerfully.

Go ahead now, select your topic, and start writing!

The Format To Follow While Writing A Whitepaper
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Do Right Marketing offers freelance content writing services. These include writing for the web, intranet, marketing and sales collateral such as case studies, newsletters, whitepapers, articles, blog posts, website navigation, editing, and proofreading, etc. Visit: http://www.dorightmarketing.com to know more.

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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Good Feature Writing Examples Get You Closer To Your Byline

It is the dream of many of us that write to be featured above the fold on a leading publication, website or newspaper. For many it remains a dream, but for others who turns dreams into action it can become a reality.

Gone are the days when few of us had a voice. Today, with the Internet, blogs and other news gathering sites, we can quickly and easily become published feature writers, although getting paid for it is another matter. The good news is that having your blog featured on Feedburner, or your article on the front page of Digg or Netscape will generate so much traffic and word of mouth that paying for the same advertising would be akin to buying commercial time on the Super Bowl, and beyond the reach of most.

A feature article can be about anything at all, but it helps if it is newsworthy. I have written an article or two about my dog, and while it brought personal fulfillment, it did not generate much traffic. In the newspaper field (and true also on the Internet) the headline "Dog Bites Man" garners little attention since it is an everyday occurrence, while the title "Man Bites Dog" makes us all sit up and take notice.

Good Feature Writing Examples Get You Closer To Your Byline

If you are going to write a feature article on anything, give it a unique perspective, and do not copy and paste something you read. That would be plagiarism, and the search engines tend to ignore what they identify as duplicate content.

Case studies are often provide very good feature articles examples, especially if the study concerns something or someone that could affect all our lives or the economy. When Alan Greenspan, head of the Federal Reserve of the United States from 1987 to 2006, made a statement people around the World took note. Was it because he was a great writer? Rather it was because what he said affected the lives of millions, billions around the world.

Choose what you want to write about, write it well, but be certain you have an audience. If someone can read your feature article, and find it improves their life or teaches them something they did not know before, you have the very real possibility of achieving "above the fold" placement.

A proven successful feature article model is the "How To" article. Some examples are:

"How To Lose Weight and Keep It Off"

"How To Make So Much Money Even Your Mother-in-Law Will Think You Are Made Of Gold"

"How To Live To One Hundred and Remain Healthy and Fit"

When Winston Churchill uttered the famous words, "Never, never, never give up" he was talking about World War II. But the same holds true in getting your first featured article published. Never give up: if your article is rejected, revise it, write another one, or submit it to somewhere new. Rejection is part of life, and certainly part of any writer's life.

Know your market. This sounds simplistic, but it is crucial. Do not submit your articles to publications or websites about dogs if your article is about cats. Despite your talent, your work must fit the market where it is submitted or publication will be an elusive dream.

If you are a writer, then you have the potential within to be a feature writer. Research, refine, then listen if you get a rejection notice: often those editors will guide you toward ultimate success.

Good Feature Writing Examples Get You Closer To Your Byline
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Andrew Morris helps writers turn their passions into profits, and uncover hidden gems of income generation by...

http://www.articlewritingzen.com

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Writing a Request For Proposal For Web Site Design and Development

A company that is looking to get bids from several qualified vendors for a Web site design or development project will typically write a Request for Proposal (RFP) and either post it online or send it directly to potential vendors it has identified.

As with any complex project, a Web site design project requires clear communication between the client and web developer in order for the client to receive accurate bids. The RFP serves as a baseline of project requirements on which competing vendors may price their services. I have outlined a few items below that should typically be in a Website Design and Development Request for Proposal, though some times more information is necessary.

Writing your Request for Proposal

Writing a Request For Proposal For Web Site Design and Development

The Request for Proposal (RFP) process allows potential vendors to get an idea of your goals, existing challenges and possible limitations without lengthy phone discussions or in-person meetings that can severely impact the amount of time it takes for you to get started with your Web Design and Development project. It allows you to succinctly describe exactly what you are looking for and what a potential vendor should expect in the project.

An ideal RFP would clearly specify all the requirements pertaining to your website. It would allow the developer to present you with a proposal based your particular needs and, needless to say, the more details your RFP contains, the more accurate a proposal the developer is able to present.

Components of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Web site Design and Development Project:

Project Background Information

Brief overview of your organization, including some history and your primary business objectives. Detailed description of the project you would like to receive the proposal for. If your budget requirements are strict, it might help to include a 'Ballpark' Budget - which developers can use to scope and scale your solution and save you time. Target launch date and required deliverable dates - include any dates that you need the project to meet. Are there crucial meetings and cut-off dates that the developer should be aware of? If you are not sure what the time frame should be, it's okay to see what the proposals you receive recommend and renegotiate. It's also good to anticipate and state how flexible you are with the project's completion date.

Marketing Requirements and Data

Audience demographics - who will be the main users of your site? Are there several different audiences that need to be addressed? User comfort level with technology -  how technically savvy is your audience? Will they know how to deal with plug-ins, for example? Will users have high-speed connections, or will many be on modems? Audience base -  how large do you expect your user base to be?

Design and Corporate Branding Requirements

Do you have corporate identity guidelines that must be followed, including fonts and colors and graphic treatments? What look and feel to you envision for the Web site? Include some adjectives to describe what your site should communicate. Provide examples of Web sites that relate to the RFP either because they have a similar feel to the one your are looking for, or even examples of what you do NOT want. Will there be any animated elements (i.e. Flash animations)? How many? How are they going to be used?

Technical and Infrastructure Requirements

Web hosting considerations. Do you currently have a Web host or are you looking for a new one to handle this project? Browser/platform considerations. Generally speaking, a Web site for consumers or the general public should work similarly across all modern browsers and Operating Systems. If you are targeting a very specific audience it is possible your needs are different. Development platform requirements. Do you require an Open Source solution, are you open to a proprietary solution that is more tailored to your exact needs, etc. Coding language requirements (e.g. ASP.NET, PHP, Java). Many times this depends on the type of Web hosting platform or any pre-existing software you may have. Are there third party applications you'd like to incorporate?

Functionality/programming Requirements

Will there be forms on the site? If so, how many? How should they be handled? (e.g. e-mailed to recipients, stored in a database, etc.) Will the site require tools to manage content/information (e.g. ability for staff to add content such as press releases or quarterly reports)? Will there be any e-commerce on the site? If so, who will be entering data on products offered? How will transactions be managed? Are there any other interactive features the site should have? What are they, and how do you envision them to work?

Search Engine Optimization

Describe any currently defined search engine friendly production requirements and expectations Indicate if you are seeking SEO/SEM consultation services

Ongoing Site Maintenance Plans

How often will the site be updated? Are you looking for a retainer situation, or 'on-demand' hourly work? Will you be self-maintaining or will you be outsourcing maintenance services?

Project Management

Who will be the main point of contact on your staff? Keep in mind that in most cases it is easiest to have a single point of contact at both your organization and the company designing and developing your Web site. How will the tasks be divided between you and the developer in order to complete the project? Are there any third parties (subcontractors, etc.) that will also be involved in the project?

RFP Response Deadline and Contact Information

When is the response to the RFP due? To whom should the response be sent? Do you prefer E-mail or hard copies, and if so, how many hard copies? Is there a specific solicitation number that needs to be referenced in the Proposal Document? What is the RFP review process? How long do you anticipate to take to make your decision before the project can begin?

Some Additional Thoughts Before You Begin:

For all items listed above, be sure to clearly indicate if you must have any item(s) bid as an optional aspect of the project. Keep in mind possible dependencies between project aspect/components that may make this impractical. Before writing your Request For Proposal, determine your budget for the project and, beyond that, your priorities for selecting a Developer who can meet your budgetary requirements.

Writing an RFP is a good exercise for anyone thinking about a site design or redesign as it takes thoughtful planning to specify and construct a website. A well thought out, quality RFP is essential to a successful endeavor because it helps you to focus on your goals and exactly how to achieve them.

Best of luck with your Web site Design and Development Project.

Writing a Request For Proposal For Web Site Design and Development
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Greg Kihlstrom is the Creative Director at Carousel30 Interactive Media, Washington DC. His company designs and develops Web sites and other Interactive Media such as iPhone applications and more.

Greg also writes about Web site Design issues on his blog entitled "Design in Context."

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Monday, December 3, 2012

10 Book Report Project Ideas

Making a book report can be simple but coming up with a good new creating unique way to present your book report can be challenging.

Here are 10 book report project ideas to choose from.

1. Make a small version of your book or a mini-book. Make sure to create illustrations and pictures from the book of the time lines in the book.

10 Book Report Project Ideas

2. Show the similarities and differences between two books like a fiction and a nonfiction book. Make sure they are the same topic.

3. Create a trivia game and ask questions about the people in the book.

4. You can do answers about the main topics in the book and do a presentation giving the questions.

5. Do a crossword and word search about things from the book. This is really fun.

6. Make a top 10 reasons to read this book list and start with #10 and work up to the #1 reason to read the book.

7. Create a power point presentation on the book and use a projector and laptop to present.

8. Make a bulletin board about your book. Cut out pictures you draw and thumb tack them to the board or tape them up there. Write up articles that look like a newspaper article stating a highlight or interesting storyline from the book and cut out and paste to the bulletin board.

9. You can dress up as the character in the book and read a passage. This is great if the book is scary and you can dress up with a long gown and cape and use a lot of energy and excitement in reading the book.

10. Do you have any other suggesting readings? Do this book report based on all the good book reads that are similar and should not be missed.

With all these ideas you can surely create a unique book report just personalized to you and your style.

10 Book Report Project Ideas
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Find information on How to write a book report and book report projects here.

Lesa Bolt is a contributor to http://bookreports.learn-about-it.com

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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Technical Writing - A Short Summary of Basic Grammar Rules in English

We technical writers usually do not stop and think about any grammar rules the way a driver never thinks about how the carburetor or alternator works. But sometimes I get letters from my readers asking various grammar questions. So let's review some of the basic rules of English grammar for a refresher.

Subject-Verb-Object

A full sentence in English does not get simpler than this. I love you. I is the Subject. Love is the verb. You is the Object. Best sentences in technical writing stick to this basic format, although it's not always possible to write in such a simple straightforward manner.

Technical Writing - A Short Summary of Basic Grammar Rules in English

A PRONOUN is a "place holder" for a noun. When you refer to yourself as "me" instead of using your full name and last name you are using a pronoun.

A PREPOSITION is the connective tissue between two words or clauses. There are dozens of prepositions in the English language like "on," "under," "before," "after," "with," "without," "in," "at," "for," "until," etc.

The VERBS "to be" and "to have" must agree with the case of the SUBJECT

Subjects are singular or plural. If we are using personal pronouns, they also split into first, second, and third person cases, each with its singular and plural variations. The verb of a sentence must agree with the case of the subject.

The shop IS closed. [But] The shops ARE closed.
I AM okay. [But] We ARE okay.
The building HAS a window. [But] The buildings HAVE windows.

An ADJECTIVE describes/qualifies a NOUN.

The bus made a SUDDEN stop [Noun].
She made an URGENT appeal [Noun] for more funds.

An ADVERB describes/qualifies a VERB.

The bus stopped [Verb] SUDDENLY.
She URGENTLY appealed [Verb] for more funds.

INFINITIVE form of a verb is the one that starts with "to," without any inflections. "To write" is the infinitive form. "Wrote" is its simple past inflection.

SPLIT INFINITIVE is what strict grammarians caution against all the time. It happens when an adverb is used after the "to" of an infinitive.

"To QUICKLY summarize the issue..." [Correct: "To summarize the issue quickly, ..."]
"We agreed not to SUMMARILY dismiss his argument..." [Correct: "We agreed not to dismiss his argument summarily..."]

GERUND form of a verb is the one that ends with "-ing" and usually acts as a noun. "Shopping," although used as a noun, is actually the gerund form of the verb "to shop."

PARTICIPLE is the present or past participle form of a verb which is used as an ADJECTIVE.

"His DEPLETED bank account..."
"Our SOARING ambition..."
"The COOKING instructions..."

DANGLING PARTICIPLE happens when we cannot tell the correct subject of a verb due to the improper placement of the "participle" in a sentence.

"Burnt down to a rubble, the fireman sifted through the ashes of the house." What is "burnt down to a rubble" is of course the house, not the fireman. A better sentence would be: "The fireman sifted through the ashes of the house burnt down to a rubble."

Technical Writing - A Short Summary of Basic Grammar Rules in English
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If you are interested to read more about technical writing as a career and how it can help you earn a steady living, visit http://www.learntechnicalwriting.com. You might be pleasantly surprised with what you'll find out. Join the thousands who are already helped and inspired by this information provided by a Fortune 500 Senior Technical Writer. Visit today and claim your free report "How Much Do Technical Writers Make?"

Dr. Ugur Akinci is a Fortune 500 Sr. Technical Communicator http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/

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Technical Writing - How to Format Your Technical Documents Consistently With a Template?

Consistency of a technical documentation is what creates that subliminal sense of trust and confidence in the end-users.

Someone once quipped: "it ain't technical documentation if it ain't boring." This of course is not literally true since I always found technical documents very interesting indeed.

However, this quip reflects the truth that a technical document must be "boringly consistent" in order to be taken seriously. I could also say "religiously consistent" as the phrase goes, but I thought I might inadvertently offend someone and that certainly is not my intention here.

Technical Writing - How to Format Your Technical Documents Consistently With a Template?

Just ask yourself: would you trust an airplane maintenance manual that has missing page numbers, has chapter headings printed in different fonts and sizes, has differently formatted figure captions for consecutively printed figures (like "Figure 2-14" on one page, and "FIGURE 15" on next)?

Consistency all starts with a document TEMPLATE.

It is harder to shift between different page templates if you are using MS Word as your main text editing program, and much easier if you are using Framemaker or InDesign since the last two are built on the "Master Pages" concept. But a page template is what you definitely must have.

When you have a template, you have consistent margins, sidebars, headers and footers, for starters. You have consistent page numbering and column, and page gutter(s) if you have more than one column.

If your text editor allows you to create Master Pages, I'd recommend you to create a document template starting off with the following 5 types of pages (assuming you are writing a book):

1) Front Cover.
2) First Page.
3) Right Page.
4) Left Page.
5) Back Cover.

And it wouldn't hurt at all of you design templates (Master Pages) for the following types of special pages as well:

6) Front Matter.
7) TOC.
8) List of Tables and Figures.
9) Index.

Have a template first before structuring your information. It's a must. "Don't leave home without it," as one credit card commercial used to say.

Technical Writing - How to Format Your Technical Documents Consistently With a Template?
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If you are ready to read more about what technical writing is all about and how it can help you earn a steady living, visit http://www.learntechnicalwriting.com and claim your free report "How Much Do Technical Writers Make?" You might be pleasantly surprised with what you'll find out. Join the thousands who are already helped and inspired by this information provided by a Fortune 500 Senior Technical Writer. Visit us now.

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Mastering the Skill of Writing an Academic Paragraph

Mastering the skill of writing an academic paragraph is vital to academic success. The key word here is 'skill' since, being a skill, successful paragraph writing can be perfected. This news will obviously come as welcome relief for all students.

So, how do you write a successful academic essay paragraph? Your first step is to ensure you understand the purpose of a paragraph and then to build your operational knowledge of the structural and language requirements. Then the final, and perhaps most crucial component in mastering the skill of writing an academic paragraph is... practice, practice, practice.

Let me give you a quick analogy; perfecting your ability to write a coherent, relevant academic paragraphs is the same as perfecting your ability to shoot a hoop, kick a goal, run 100m or any other sporting skill you care to mention. Remember writing is a skill. Therefore, regular writing practice will allow you to develop the freedom of expression necessary to convey your thoughts eloquently, critically and cohesively.

Mastering the Skill of Writing an Academic Paragraph

What is the purpose of an academic paragraph? Primarily the purpose of an academic paragraph (which occurs in the body of your essay) is to develop your thesis. Your thesis (which you clearly stated in the introduction of your essay) is your main argument, it is the point you are attempting to prove (and of course is usually your response to the essay question). Therefore, it is vital that your paragraph provides thoughtful analysis, rather than simply recounting a message.

What Language should you use? Although not all academics have the same language expectations, I am sure most will agree a paragraph which employs a cohesive, impersonal style and uses sophisticated vocabulary, tends to convey a critically relevant, credible response. Remember the purpose of your paragraph is to share information. In an academic sense, you are demonstrating to your examiner what you know. You are proving that you understand the content and are able to apply that knowledge while offering an evaluative judgment. Therefore, better academic paragraphs offer;

• Full form words
• Passive voice
• Nominalisation
• Cohesive devises
• Sophisticated / technical vocabulary

What academic paragraph structure 'works'? Again, while universal agreement for the structure of an academic paragraph may not be probable, it is possible to offer a formula that improves your chances of addressing the requirements of an essay question. Perhaps another analogy is in order. When we cook a 'new' dinner, we often follow a recipe. The function of the recipe is to offer a series of steps and ingredients which, when followed, increase the likelihood of a palatable meal. However, after we have cooked this meal numerous times we begin to develop an understanding of which ingredients are essential and which add 'flavour'. As our confidence increases, we begin to experiment, adding our own unique touches to construct a variation which offers the critical components of the original, while highlighting our own individual flair. Writing a successful academic paragraph is much the same. First we need to perfect our ability to include the fundamental elements, then we can experiment with expression. A formula I often suggest to my students is;

• Topic sentence (relates to the essay question and the topic of the paragraph)
• Explain the topic sentence
• Provide examples, comparisons, quotes and reference to other sources
• Concluding sentence (highlights relevance to the thesis)

Remember writing is a skill, the more you write, reflect and edit your work, the better it will become.

Mastering the Skill of Writing an Academic Paragraph
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I hope this article has encouraged reflection. I believe that reading opens potential, uncovers possibility and broadens perspective. Similarly, writing offers infinite opportunities. It creates worlds, encounters universes and unlocks secrets. Am I writer or a teacher? I am both. I am an English teacher with a passion for teaching and writing. I confess, to a propensity for encouraging teenagers to discover more about themselves and their world through the magic of narrative.

Currently I teach at a school in Sydney's Northern Beaches and created isthismystory.com as a platform for my students to reflect and share. It is a place for everyone to have a voice and a place to listen.

Welcome to a world of expression.

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Friday, November 23, 2012

Writing Grants - How Do Technical Writing Skills Affect Grant Funding?

Writing grant proposals can be an intimidating process. Some people never undertake the challenge because they assume they need specialized technical skills in order to win grant funding. That assumption is false. Though grant writing can be a labor-intensive task, the most critical aspects of writing a winning proposal are not technical secrets available only to professionals. They are tools and techniques available to anyone willing and able to prepare the necessary groundwork, take advantage of available resources, and follow some basic but often neglected strategies for success.

Because technical writers work primarily in information technology-related industries, they need specialized capabilities and knowledge which may be beyond the skill set of the typical grant writer. However, good technical writers are also experts in less technical areas critical to those pursuing grants. Developing those common areas is something you can learn -- that's the "science." By also honing your skills in areas specific to the "art" of grant writing, you can greatly increase your odds of winning a grant.

Common Areas (The Science):
Technical writers and grant writers must thoroughly understand the purpose of their document. Both must understand that they are communicating to a specific audience for a specific purpose. They must communicate information in a clear, concise way that can be easily understood. Good grammar, correct spelling and organization are critical in both cases. Their writing must be "presentational" - i.e., they should use appropriate headings, bullets and layouts that make their documents easy to read.

Writing Grants - How Do Technical Writing Skills Affect Grant Funding?

Grant-Specific Areas (The Art)
In addition to understanding the purpose of your document, as a grant writer you must also understand and convey a compelling sense of purpose for your organization. The most successful grant seekers are "purpose driven" and clearly communicate that in their writing. Be sure you are clear about the problem you are trying to solve.
The grant writer must know far more about the audience, or grant maker. Beyond knowing who the audience is, you must be very aware of what is important to that audience, what drives them. Grants are offered for very specific purposes; the needs you are addressing must be important to the grant maker.
While the technical writer follows basic rules for organizing data, the grant writer must absolutely conform to the grant maker's specifications. There are no exceptions to this rule. Even if you think the grant maker's guidelines are nonsensical and irrelevant, those are the guidelines you must follow if you wish to be considered.
Be clear about what you are trying to achieve and specific about how you will measure success. Most importantly, communicate how your proposed plans and programs will transform lives. You are asking a grant maker to give you money; be sure your reader can see the impact that decision will have.

In summary, some technical writing skills can help you write a stronger grant proposal. Learning the skills specific to grant-writing, however, will have a major impact on your success. We have touched on major areas here; many free resources are available to give you more insight and help you obtain grant funding.

Writing Grants - How Do Technical Writing Skills Affect Grant Funding?
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Facts About Bob Marley

Bob Marley, the Natural Mystic, may yet prove to be the most important musical artist of the twentieth century. Bob Marley's songs of determination, rebellion, and faith found an audience all over the world. Bob Marley was reggae's leading practitioner and emissary, embodying its spirit and spreading its gospel to all corners of the globe. Bob Marley free speech carries with it some freedom to listen.

Reggae's most transcendent and iconic figure, Bob Marley was the first Jamaican artist to achieve international super stardom, in the process introducing the music of his native island nation to the far-flung corners of the globe. Though he died prematurely at age 36, the heartbeat reggae rhythms of the enormous body of music that Bob Marley left behind have endured. However, in the two decades since the great man has gone, it is clear that he is without question one of the most transcendent figures of the past hundred years.

The last Bob Marley and the Wailers tour in 1980 attracted the largest audiences at that time for any musical act in Europe. Bob Marley and the Wailers was now the most important band on the road that year and the new Uprising album hit every chart in Europe. Bob Marley has always defended this often maligned herb. By popularizing reggae music and its marijuana celebrating lyrics, Bob Marley has prompted many people to question what they have been told, to take a fresh look at the evidence.

Facts About Bob Marley

The Bob Marley Foundation seeks to maintain a dynamic foundation which will enable individuals, groups, and/or communities in developing nations, particularly Jamaica and Africa, to create and implement programs that assist in the empowerment of the oppressed people and the elimination of generational poverty through sustainable projects.

Facts About Bob Marley
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Richard Heap is a writer interested in drum and bass records [http://www.drum-and-bass-records.info] and writes for [http://www.drum-and-bass-records.info]

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