Not everyone wants to spend their three or more years at university studying a vocational, scientific or technical subject. Studying the Arts subjects such as art, religion or classics can still open many employment doors.
Art is not usually a subject that you will choose to study unless you hold a dedication and passion for the subject. Having a creative flair is something that some are fortunate to have, which can lead to very successful careers. Having such a passion and love for the subject will make studying it that much easier, rather than it being a chore to study and complete coursework on time it will be something that you want to do.
Not only will you be able to develop your artistic skills but you will also be able to develop other skills that will help you later in life. You will learn the art of essay writing, good communication skills and IT literacy to name but a few! Not only will you develop your practical skills, but your theory also. You will get to learn about other artists and cultures along the way.
Of course, if art isn't your strongest point then this possibly isn't the right subject for you, but there are plenty out there that will be. Art is a very hands on subject, and will take up a lot of your time when constructing your latest piece. You need to be patient and dedicated to the subject in order to succeed.
Studying art in the UK has an added bonus as you will be able to visit London, which is deemed by many to be a very creative capital. And it is also home to the V & A (Victoria and Albert); the world's greatest museum of art and design.
Choosing which subjects to study, at any level can be a daunting task! This article aims to inform you of the pros and cons of studying English Literature.
If you choose to study English Literature you will study many texts each from different periods and genres. You will read plays, novels and poetry both old and new! It will enable you to delve deeper into your favourite novels, and gain a much better understating of the characters, plot and language. If you enjoy reading this will be a great choice for you.
You will learn a vital skill that you can use elsewhere when studying English Literature- forming opinions and making judgments. Once you have thoroughly read your allocated text you will form opinions and thoughts that you will be able to share with the rest of your class. You will not only have the chance to write essays, but you will also hold discussions with the rest of your group so you can learn from others too. You will learn the art of writing essays, another skill that will not only benefit you within English but across all subjects.
There is a lot of reading and writing involved and therefore no practical work is involved. If you prefer something that is more hands on then this probably isn't the subject for you. You will need to have enthusiasm and passion for the subject as it involves a lot of hard work.
Studying English Literature is a great choice for you if you love reading and want the chance to be able to share your passion with others!
Latin is a language originally spoken in Ancient Rome, and many students may not appreciate its significance as a relevant subject to study in today's world. However, through studying Latin, not only will you acquire the knowledge and skill of a new language but you will also enhance your skills in other subject areas.
Latin is an extremely technical language, from which most other languages' grammatical rules are derived. Therefore studying Latin will help you with your English grammar and your use of language in general. It has also been suggested that learning Latin will increase your ability to quickly understand and learn other foreign languages with ease because of the rules and word derivatives initiated within Latin. Therefore if you are interested in linguistics and languages then Latin will allow for a greater understanding of these fields.
In addition, studying Latin, not only provides you with knowledge of the language but also of the Ancient Roman world and the history, architecture and sociology of the time. Therefore if you already possess an interest in these fields, then studying Latin will further develop your knowledge and understanding within these subject areas.
Latin is also extremely relevant within the world of work. Latin is a very precise subject and therefore encourages accuracy and attention to detail, which are both sought after qualities by employers. It also requires a great deal of analytical skill and problem solving ability to get to grips with Latin as a subject; once again these are both much sought after skills in all fields of employment.
Typical roles that Latin graduates go on to work within include:
· Translators
· Architects
· Historians
· Teachers
· Journalists
Therefore despite Latin no longer being an actively spoken language, the benefits of studying it are many. It is generally considered to be an extremely academic subject and the skills you will learn and develop will provide an excellent basis for further learning and understanding of many other subjects and will be particularly beneficial in the workplace.
Religion and religious debate fills our everyday lives. It is impossible to open a newspaper or turn on the television without being faced with a religious, moral or ethical issue under discussion, such as war or euthanasia. Even if you are not a religious person, it is impossible to ignore religion. This therefore provides the first argument for studying religion; the study of this subject will allow you to be better informed about the world and current affairs. Studying religion allows you to debate and question an endless array of topics that will lead you to form educated opinions and have a greater knowledge of the world around you and the individuals that you will interact with.
The next reason for studying religion comes from the skills that you will acquire and develop through your study. These include, good essay writing, research skills and importantly the art of critical and philosophical thinking. Critical and reasoned thinking is a much sought after skill in the world of work and careers that welcome such skills include:
· Law
· Business
· Teaching
· Medicine
· Law Enforcement
· Government
There are of course reasons not to study religion. The first reason is that religion is not a definite science, and for those who like to find an absolute and correct answer to a question, this cannot be achieved within this subject matter. Religion is ultimately based on individual beliefs and opinions and study of the subject allows you to debate these opinions, but you will never find a correct and unquestionable answer.
Secondly, religion is a predominantly theory based subject, it requires a great deal of research and reading, therefore if your preference is for a more practical, 'hands-on' method of study, then religion may not be for you.
Studying religion can be a very fulfilling route to go down, you will definitely expand your knowledge of a wide range of subjects and you will form opinions based on the in depth research that you will undertake. However, the style of study required when looking into religion is not suited to all, and those students who thrive on definite facts and figures may find the study of religion is not specific enough to fulfil them. Ultimately the final decision is yours, but the study of religion is certainly not just for religious people or for those who want a career in religion, it is a vast subject that will challenge you on many levels.
So as you can see, an arts based university course can be both fulfilling and practical in terms of improving your employability.
Want to make sure that you have the best chance of landing that dream job after university? Then get your copy of the Interview Skills Pack from Words Worth Reading Ltd and Improve your CV.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Corporate Blogging Still In Its Infancy
Over 80% of companies who start a corporate blog will never post more than five entries, according to research recently published by IBM. The stark finding comes as no surprise to web content agency Write My Site, which regularly takes over the writing and maintenance of abandoned corporate blogs.
Write My Site's Managing Director Emily Hill said: "Usually what we find is that someone in the company has been tasked with updating the blog but is struggling either for the time to do it, or for ideas about what to write."
IBM's findings back up other research about corporate blogging habits. Corporate blogging is still an unutilised tool for many organisations, with 75% of European companies yet to add it into the marketing mix, according to a survey carried out last month by survey global PR firm Burson-Marsteller.
"Given that the average business which blogs generates 55% more traffic than the average business which does not blog, a lot of organisations are missing out on extra revenue", said Ms. Hill. "Blogs can also be a fantastic PR tool and a great way of connecting and interacting with your customers," she added, "but you’ve got to keep them up to date because nothing looks worse on your website than a blog that hasn’t been updated for months!"
Write My Site will be at stand A420 at this year's Online Marketing Show at London Olympia, and will also be delivering a workshop about 'Blogging for business.'
Write My Site's Managing Director Emily Hill said: "Usually what we find is that someone in the company has been tasked with updating the blog but is struggling either for the time to do it, or for ideas about what to write."
IBM's findings back up other research about corporate blogging habits. Corporate blogging is still an unutilised tool for many organisations, with 75% of European companies yet to add it into the marketing mix, according to a survey carried out last month by survey global PR firm Burson-Marsteller.
"Given that the average business which blogs generates 55% more traffic than the average business which does not blog, a lot of organisations are missing out on extra revenue", said Ms. Hill. "Blogs can also be a fantastic PR tool and a great way of connecting and interacting with your customers," she added, "but you’ve got to keep them up to date because nothing looks worse on your website than a blog that hasn’t been updated for months!"
Write My Site will be at stand A420 at this year's Online Marketing Show at London Olympia, and will also be delivering a workshop about 'Blogging for business.'
Email Copywriting Basics for More Successful Email Campaigns
Email correspondence is imperative nowadays for anyone that desires to stay in contact with his or her audience and maintain a healthy, mutually beneficial relationship.
For businesses, online publishers and content marketers, good email copywriting can result in email marketing results that are 67% higher.
As the world of digital media consumption grows, the need for fresh copy is increasingly important. For copywriters who desire to learn how to create strong subject lines and convincing email content, we have compiled the Email Copywriting Basics free report.
Our free report includes over a dozen helpful hints on email copywriting so your email messages get opened and read by your intended audience.
Email Copywriting Basics will teach you a variety of power words to use in your copy and words to avoid, so that your messages do not end up in spam folders. You will also come to learn about writing techniques that are offered by Mark Everett Johnson, who is one of America’s top copywriting superstars.
To receive your free copy of Email Copywriting Basics visit http://www.mequoda.com/free-reports/email-copywriting-basics/
Mequoda Group constantly strives to help publishers succeed online by providing them with an array of services, including free daily tips, free reports, webinars, live events, consulting services and software services
For businesses, online publishers and content marketers, good email copywriting can result in email marketing results that are 67% higher.
As the world of digital media consumption grows, the need for fresh copy is increasingly important. For copywriters who desire to learn how to create strong subject lines and convincing email content, we have compiled the Email Copywriting Basics free report.
Our free report includes over a dozen helpful hints on email copywriting so your email messages get opened and read by your intended audience.
Email Copywriting Basics will teach you a variety of power words to use in your copy and words to avoid, so that your messages do not end up in spam folders. You will also come to learn about writing techniques that are offered by Mark Everett Johnson, who is one of America’s top copywriting superstars.
To receive your free copy of Email Copywriting Basics visit http://www.mequoda.com/free-reports/email-copywriting-basics/
Mequoda Group constantly strives to help publishers succeed online by providing them with an array of services, including free daily tips, free reports, webinars, live events, consulting services and software services
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Deleting Your Own Inner Editor For Super Copywriting Success by Nick James
Have you ever blurted out something and then thought to yourself, "what the heck have I just said?" Are you able to recall an incident... how did you feel when it happened? What did you feel when you thought about all the other people around you who heard what you said?
I don't know what you feel, but in certain situations, the 'blurting out' probably contains some element of truth. Blocking oneself to shelter the truth may not be the wisest thing.
The same can be said when crafting out a sales or promotion message.
Blurting out on paper can be the best thing you can do. You see, it's in the blurting where pieces of important information come to light. And, it's this information that could prove pivotal in the written communication.
The thing here is not to be critical of oneself. To not censor or edit oneself. On paper, you have the advantage of the whole world being absent. It's only you and your writing book or pc.
Let's be honest: we all have that 'critical editor', roaming the environment, looking to pounce on whatever comes into our firing line.
"Oh, she's too fat... he's got a ridiculous color shirt... his opinion on that is crap... what does he know... he's never done anything successful in his life... I don't know how she wrote that, and she's a so called journalist... he's had 3 failed businesses, I'm not listening to him... not another informational product to do with putting up a website, they're all useless... "
Can you see how quick we are to jump to conclusions... add assumption after assumption, criticise, blame, censor, block... before we hear the whole picture?
So it makes sense then to write with abandon re our promotional and marketing pieces.
The worse thing that can happen is when we're writing at break neck speed, is to then, right there, in the middle of writing, decide that, "the grammar here isn't too hot, or that it doesn't sound right... let's alter here and now!"
Can you see how easy it is to lose the power and momentum in what we have to say?
I know there's the idea that "I'm not that kind of person. I'm editing as I go, I don't want anything silly, stupid or hurtful to come out". As noble as that sounds, it's also a recipe for stopping one's life from fully exploring the hidden possibilities that lie buried in everyone's mind.
My suggestion to you is let it all flow out. Remember, this is a private thing. It's for no one else's eyes apart from yours. And don't forget, this is just the first draft. You'll get plenty opportunity to edit and re-write later. The thing here is that you need to get all the content you can first, out in the open. Then, you'll be able to adjust and amend as necessary.
Concentrate on speed. Get it all out on paper as fast as you can. Break the writing speed limit if you can. Remember, you never know what you can accomplish until you set your mind to it.
Try it now.
See how quickly you can write about you, your aspirations, and your business. You don't have to do all three... Though, if you're looking to ramp up your copywriting skills, doing ALL THREE is a must.
What should you write?
Well, think of it in this way: imagine you were sitting around a table at your local bar. You've had a tipple or two and your friends leans over and says to you, "okay, John, tell me about your real hopes for making money in the coming year?"
It's then you'll most likely tell him and explain everything you've got stashed in the brain of yours. It's unedited. It's uncensored. It's free flowing and from the heart.
This is EXACTLY what you're looking for when you craft your initial sales and promotional messages. That being an uninhibited account of how you really see things. It's now that your sales and promotional messages will really begin to sparkle and resonate with your audience.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_James
I don't know what you feel, but in certain situations, the 'blurting out' probably contains some element of truth. Blocking oneself to shelter the truth may not be the wisest thing.
The same can be said when crafting out a sales or promotion message.
Blurting out on paper can be the best thing you can do. You see, it's in the blurting where pieces of important information come to light. And, it's this information that could prove pivotal in the written communication.
The thing here is not to be critical of oneself. To not censor or edit oneself. On paper, you have the advantage of the whole world being absent. It's only you and your writing book or pc.
Let's be honest: we all have that 'critical editor', roaming the environment, looking to pounce on whatever comes into our firing line.
"Oh, she's too fat... he's got a ridiculous color shirt... his opinion on that is crap... what does he know... he's never done anything successful in his life... I don't know how she wrote that, and she's a so called journalist... he's had 3 failed businesses, I'm not listening to him... not another informational product to do with putting up a website, they're all useless... "
Can you see how quick we are to jump to conclusions... add assumption after assumption, criticise, blame, censor, block... before we hear the whole picture?
So it makes sense then to write with abandon re our promotional and marketing pieces.
The worse thing that can happen is when we're writing at break neck speed, is to then, right there, in the middle of writing, decide that, "the grammar here isn't too hot, or that it doesn't sound right... let's alter here and now!"
Can you see how easy it is to lose the power and momentum in what we have to say?
I know there's the idea that "I'm not that kind of person. I'm editing as I go, I don't want anything silly, stupid or hurtful to come out". As noble as that sounds, it's also a recipe for stopping one's life from fully exploring the hidden possibilities that lie buried in everyone's mind.
My suggestion to you is let it all flow out. Remember, this is a private thing. It's for no one else's eyes apart from yours. And don't forget, this is just the first draft. You'll get plenty opportunity to edit and re-write later. The thing here is that you need to get all the content you can first, out in the open. Then, you'll be able to adjust and amend as necessary.
Concentrate on speed. Get it all out on paper as fast as you can. Break the writing speed limit if you can. Remember, you never know what you can accomplish until you set your mind to it.
Try it now.
See how quickly you can write about you, your aspirations, and your business. You don't have to do all three... Though, if you're looking to ramp up your copywriting skills, doing ALL THREE is a must.
What should you write?
Well, think of it in this way: imagine you were sitting around a table at your local bar. You've had a tipple or two and your friends leans over and says to you, "okay, John, tell me about your real hopes for making money in the coming year?"
It's then you'll most likely tell him and explain everything you've got stashed in the brain of yours. It's unedited. It's uncensored. It's free flowing and from the heart.
This is EXACTLY what you're looking for when you craft your initial sales and promotional messages. That being an uninhibited account of how you really see things. It's now that your sales and promotional messages will really begin to sparkle and resonate with your audience.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_James
2 Golden Rules of Resume Writing by Eileen Wainwright
Your resume has about 15 seconds to impress. Here's how to wow! The 2 Golden Rules of Resume Writing:
1. Treat the reader as you would treat yourself.
1a) Respect the reader's business.> Submit your resume to workplaces where you can
a) increase profitability, b) decrease expenses, c) increase customers and/or improve customer satisfaction, or d) all of the above. Tell briefly how you have achieved these goals at previous employment and/or volunteer positions. How will you improve this company's bottom line?
1b) Respect the reader's purpose. Match your personal brand, accomplishments, credentials and passions to the job posting. Use evidence to prove your accomplishments. Clearly show the reader that you are indeed the candidate they seek. Use white paper and a legible font so your resume may be shared electronically.
1c) Respect the reader's time. Choose big, bold and bright words to state your contact information and your personal brand. Then showcase your accomplishments, credentials and passions.
2. Treat yourself as you would treat the reader.
2a) Respect your business. Target your resume to your shortlist of businesses, where you can develop your long-term objectives. Do your homework and investigate the company. Do its mission statement and products, its compensation package, even its location fit into your lifestyle goals? Are you a good match? If so, use your resume to tell what you will bring to your new team. Collect recommendations from your professional network, and use their evidence to support your accomplishments and passions.
2b) Respect your purpose. Find out the name of the person who will be reading your resume. Remember that by respecting this person's business, purpose and time you will stand out. With your resume you will build a remarkable relationship with this person. Clearly show your reader that this position is the work you seek. Ensure that your resume is free of spelling and grammar errors.
2c) Respect your time. Focus on your best. State clearly your best contact information for the time you expect to be contacted. Challenge yourself to discern your personal brand by investigating your passions. How have you spent your time, talents and energy? Celebrate your accomplishments, credentials and passions that this workplace seeks. If you need help, ask for it. There are resume writers to fit every budget.
That's it! The golden rules! Impressive.
Eileen Wainwright is Co-Founder of FastTrackInterviews.com.
1. Treat the reader as you would treat yourself.
1a) Respect the reader's business.> Submit your resume to workplaces where you can
a) increase profitability, b) decrease expenses, c) increase customers and/or improve customer satisfaction, or d) all of the above. Tell briefly how you have achieved these goals at previous employment and/or volunteer positions. How will you improve this company's bottom line?
1b) Respect the reader's purpose. Match your personal brand, accomplishments, credentials and passions to the job posting. Use evidence to prove your accomplishments. Clearly show the reader that you are indeed the candidate they seek. Use white paper and a legible font so your resume may be shared electronically.
1c) Respect the reader's time. Choose big, bold and bright words to state your contact information and your personal brand. Then showcase your accomplishments, credentials and passions.
2. Treat yourself as you would treat the reader.
2a) Respect your business. Target your resume to your shortlist of businesses, where you can develop your long-term objectives. Do your homework and investigate the company. Do its mission statement and products, its compensation package, even its location fit into your lifestyle goals? Are you a good match? If so, use your resume to tell what you will bring to your new team. Collect recommendations from your professional network, and use their evidence to support your accomplishments and passions.
2b) Respect your purpose. Find out the name of the person who will be reading your resume. Remember that by respecting this person's business, purpose and time you will stand out. With your resume you will build a remarkable relationship with this person. Clearly show your reader that this position is the work you seek. Ensure that your resume is free of spelling and grammar errors.
2c) Respect your time. Focus on your best. State clearly your best contact information for the time you expect to be contacted. Challenge yourself to discern your personal brand by investigating your passions. How have you spent your time, talents and energy? Celebrate your accomplishments, credentials and passions that this workplace seeks. If you need help, ask for it. There are resume writers to fit every budget.
That's it! The golden rules! Impressive.
Eileen Wainwright is Co-Founder of FastTrackInterviews.com.
Mechanism of Effective Letter Writing by Jennie Amit Gandhi
The need and demand to write effective letters has existed for long as a means of communication between two individuals. It holds a key importance in all aspects of life including social, personal, and professional.
However, in the present days, the importance of letters has been overpowered by the electronic media including phones, mobiles, and emails. These medium do not actually require writing a letter to put across an individual's point of view but even then it is believed that the impact an effective letter can generate is unique in its own way.
If anyone wishes to streamline their communication and put across their point of view, then no electronic media can dominate the power of an effective and well-constructed letter.
Initiating the letter is the most challenging thing. Many people are often confused how to start the letter and some are paralyzed at the prospect of having to fill the sheet. After that another important tip to start effective letter writing is to draft a letter. Drafting is a rough sheet or an early version of the actual writing piece. In the sheet the individual can write all the words and sentences that come to his or her mind and then form a rough piece of the final letter. Write and re-write again and again so as to get a final edited version. Then, it is important that the writer knows the purpose of the letter that should be clear, precise, and effective. The purpose of the letter should be in the mind of the writer and should be presented in a way that it potentially reaches the mind of the reader.
Then another important aspect is the type of content. The content should be well organized in a form of effective paragraphs. The paragraph should be short and precise with simple and contemporary language. The spellings and grammar should also be checked again and again with utmost care. Vocabulary should also be within the experiential domain that the readers can easily understand. Use of language should be in accordance to the type of letter. For business letters, usage of formal language is appropriate with catchy headlines in order to draw the attention of potential reader.
Then, another important aspect is the length of the letter. In the busy lifestyle today, people don't prefer reading long letters. So, the content should be brief and explanative, whilst putting across the actual point of view or the purpose of the letter. Some even put bullets in official letters to put across some important points in a precise and straightforward manner.
The letter should be ended with a clear conclusion or an ending statement. When the final copy is ready, read the letter twice or thrice to check out few errors and then rectify those effectively.
To read some effective letter writing tips and techniques, visit Letters. Letters can be written to your friends, relatives, or may be business letters.
However, in the present days, the importance of letters has been overpowered by the electronic media including phones, mobiles, and emails. These medium do not actually require writing a letter to put across an individual's point of view but even then it is believed that the impact an effective letter can generate is unique in its own way.
If anyone wishes to streamline their communication and put across their point of view, then no electronic media can dominate the power of an effective and well-constructed letter.
Initiating the letter is the most challenging thing. Many people are often confused how to start the letter and some are paralyzed at the prospect of having to fill the sheet. After that another important tip to start effective letter writing is to draft a letter. Drafting is a rough sheet or an early version of the actual writing piece. In the sheet the individual can write all the words and sentences that come to his or her mind and then form a rough piece of the final letter. Write and re-write again and again so as to get a final edited version. Then, it is important that the writer knows the purpose of the letter that should be clear, precise, and effective. The purpose of the letter should be in the mind of the writer and should be presented in a way that it potentially reaches the mind of the reader.
Then another important aspect is the type of content. The content should be well organized in a form of effective paragraphs. The paragraph should be short and precise with simple and contemporary language. The spellings and grammar should also be checked again and again with utmost care. Vocabulary should also be within the experiential domain that the readers can easily understand. Use of language should be in accordance to the type of letter. For business letters, usage of formal language is appropriate with catchy headlines in order to draw the attention of potential reader.
Then, another important aspect is the length of the letter. In the busy lifestyle today, people don't prefer reading long letters. So, the content should be brief and explanative, whilst putting across the actual point of view or the purpose of the letter. Some even put bullets in official letters to put across some important points in a precise and straightforward manner.
The letter should be ended with a clear conclusion or an ending statement. When the final copy is ready, read the letter twice or thrice to check out few errors and then rectify those effectively.
To read some effective letter writing tips and techniques, visit Letters. Letters can be written to your friends, relatives, or may be business letters.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Cover Letter Tips That Will Get You the Job! by Melissa Rubin
Writing a cover letter is one of the most important aspects of getting a job. Your resume shows your work history but your cover letter tells the employer who you are. It highlights your qualifications, guides the employer through the most important parts of your work history, and demonstrates your flawless command of the English language.
Knowing how to write one boils down to grammar, spelling and knowing your audience company. Making sure your the letter uses proper spellings and grammar is huge. If there is a misspelled word, it doesn't matter if you have all the experience in the world- the employer will throw it out.
These tips will really help the structure and flow of your cover letter. There is cover letter help all over the web, but utilizing these steps is the foundation on how to write one perfectly.
1. Tell them why you're writing.
Tell them for what position and where you heard about the opening. For big companies especially this is an extremely important part of separating potential candidates.
2. Tell them how you fit.
Site specific things from your resume and then tell them why that experience fits the opening you are applying for. Best tip is to always link previous experience with the employers needs.
3. Demonstrate your suitability by citing examples.
Same thing as above, but using specific examples of not only how you fit, but specific encounters of how what you did could also be used in this new job.
4. Use their words.
Use the jargon found in the job description to the best of your ability. "Speaking the same language" will make the employer more comfortable with you.
5. Write to a person, NOT a department.
Writing to a department is extremely impersonal and may show the employer you don't have the initiative to research your potential boss's name. If you're applying to a large company send out multiple resume/cover letters to different people.
6. Answer the obvious questions.
7. Keep it brief.
One page letters is the general rule. Also, make sure it is in a business letter form with an address for you and your employer.
8. Stress the positive.
9. Avoid cliches.
Stay away from "in this letter you will find..." and "thank you for the consideration..."
10. Know when NOT to send a cover letter.
In conclusion, always follow up and keep this structure in mind...
Paragraph 1:
* Introduce yourself to the reader.
* Explain why you are writing (either for a specific opening or for a potential opening).
* Explain how you learned about the position.
* Explain why you'd be perfect for the job.
Paragraph 2:
* Show how your qualifications fit the job.
* Demonstrate your suitability by citing examples.
* Expand on one or more items from your résumé that highlight your key qualifications.
Paragraph 3:
* State what the next step is (e.g., you will call in a week to check up).
* Thank them.
Melissa Rubin is a senior copywriter and Web developer at OTO Networks, a digital marketing company located in Baltimore, Maryland. Her primary responsibilities include SEO, link building and creating content for multiple sites. A preview of a site on which she has worked, http://www.gradpower.com/, is available with this article.
Knowing how to write one boils down to grammar, spelling and knowing your audience company. Making sure your the letter uses proper spellings and grammar is huge. If there is a misspelled word, it doesn't matter if you have all the experience in the world- the employer will throw it out.
These tips will really help the structure and flow of your cover letter. There is cover letter help all over the web, but utilizing these steps is the foundation on how to write one perfectly.
1. Tell them why you're writing.
Tell them for what position and where you heard about the opening. For big companies especially this is an extremely important part of separating potential candidates.
2. Tell them how you fit.
Site specific things from your resume and then tell them why that experience fits the opening you are applying for. Best tip is to always link previous experience with the employers needs.
3. Demonstrate your suitability by citing examples.
Same thing as above, but using specific examples of not only how you fit, but specific encounters of how what you did could also be used in this new job.
4. Use their words.
Use the jargon found in the job description to the best of your ability. "Speaking the same language" will make the employer more comfortable with you.
5. Write to a person, NOT a department.
Writing to a department is extremely impersonal and may show the employer you don't have the initiative to research your potential boss's name. If you're applying to a large company send out multiple resume/cover letters to different people.
6. Answer the obvious questions.
7. Keep it brief.
One page letters is the general rule. Also, make sure it is in a business letter form with an address for you and your employer.
8. Stress the positive.
9. Avoid cliches.
Stay away from "in this letter you will find..." and "thank you for the consideration..."
10. Know when NOT to send a cover letter.
In conclusion, always follow up and keep this structure in mind...
Paragraph 1:
* Introduce yourself to the reader.
* Explain why you are writing (either for a specific opening or for a potential opening).
* Explain how you learned about the position.
* Explain why you'd be perfect for the job.
Paragraph 2:
* Show how your qualifications fit the job.
* Demonstrate your suitability by citing examples.
* Expand on one or more items from your résumé that highlight your key qualifications.
Paragraph 3:
* State what the next step is (e.g., you will call in a week to check up).
* Thank them.
Melissa Rubin is a senior copywriter and Web developer at OTO Networks, a digital marketing company located in Baltimore, Maryland. Her primary responsibilities include SEO, link building and creating content for multiple sites. A preview of a site on which she has worked, http://www.gradpower.com/, is available with this article.
How to Make Your Writing Short, Sharp and Shiny by Linda Bell
We're all busy so the last thing we need is to waste time reading long-winded articles, confusing website content or rambling blog posts. To make sure you're writing's 'on the money' remember - keep it short, sharp and shiny!
These days readers want information quickly especially on the internet. So don't waste words. After you've written what you want to say - aim to cut your writing in half - literally! Cut out half the words. You'll be glad you did. It almost always improves your writing.
Short
Website readers want information and they want it quickly! Short words mean readers can read more in a short time. It's been said that you have eight seconds or less to convince your reader it's worth staying on your site.
Write short sentences and even short lines that don't stretch right across the screen. Then put your short sentences into short paragraphs.
Sharp
Get straight to the point and make it a sharp one! Don't waste your reader's precious time with lengthy introductions. Don't pad your writing out with 'filler' words like 'because' or 'actually' or filler phrases like 'as well as' or 'in fact.'
Just say what you have to say - simple as that. Don't wander off the point - stay focused and sharp.
Shiny
Your writing has to shine! If it doesn't, you've lost your reader - especially on the net. Cut and polish your writing. Choose your words so they say exactly what you mean. Cut out any excess.
Read your work through - be honest. Is it up to scratch? Is it good enough to represent your business as you want it to?
Your website and marketing materials are your 'face' in the world. Make sure your writing does your business justice.
Keep it short, sharp and shiny and your readers will know you mean business.
Linda Bell is a writer who will work with you to make sure your words work for your business. Linda writes articles, website content, e-books and newsletters or she can teach you how to write your own so that you can feel confident to add your own fresh content to your website or blog. Visit Linda now at: http://www.writingthatworks.com.au/ and download your FREE report '20 Tips for Excellent Website Writing' and book a FREE consultation to discuss with Linda how the words on your website can work for your business 24/7.
These days readers want information quickly especially on the internet. So don't waste words. After you've written what you want to say - aim to cut your writing in half - literally! Cut out half the words. You'll be glad you did. It almost always improves your writing.
Short
Website readers want information and they want it quickly! Short words mean readers can read more in a short time. It's been said that you have eight seconds or less to convince your reader it's worth staying on your site.
Write short sentences and even short lines that don't stretch right across the screen. Then put your short sentences into short paragraphs.
Sharp
Get straight to the point and make it a sharp one! Don't waste your reader's precious time with lengthy introductions. Don't pad your writing out with 'filler' words like 'because' or 'actually' or filler phrases like 'as well as' or 'in fact.'
Just say what you have to say - simple as that. Don't wander off the point - stay focused and sharp.
Shiny
Your writing has to shine! If it doesn't, you've lost your reader - especially on the net. Cut and polish your writing. Choose your words so they say exactly what you mean. Cut out any excess.
Read your work through - be honest. Is it up to scratch? Is it good enough to represent your business as you want it to?
Your website and marketing materials are your 'face' in the world. Make sure your writing does your business justice.
Keep it short, sharp and shiny and your readers will know you mean business.
Linda Bell is a writer who will work with you to make sure your words work for your business. Linda writes articles, website content, e-books and newsletters or she can teach you how to write your own so that you can feel confident to add your own fresh content to your website or blog. Visit Linda now at: http://www.writingthatworks.com.au/ and download your FREE report '20 Tips for Excellent Website Writing' and book a FREE consultation to discuss with Linda how the words on your website can work for your business 24/7.
How English Learning Made Easy
The online teacher resource, teAchnology.com provides learning material to teachers that are easy to use and effective in teaching English students how to write, speak, and use the language to their benefit. It will make English language teaching easy by proving over thirty thousand ways of planning lessons. It has search tools that enable teachers to access work sheets that simplify planning lessons and tips on how to go about it. To get access to a free newsletter with great insights on teacher information, teachers have to sign up for it on the website.
If you are just beginning to learn English, you can stay at home and complete your education instead of having to move to an English speaking country. The online course offers lists of vocabulary with every lesson that will increase your knowledge of the language. In the lessons you will learn the correct way to use these vocabulary words. Each grammar lesson comes complete with explanations and examples as well as practice sheets where you can show that you understand the lesson. When you feel comfortable with the new concept then you can take a quiz and receive your grade immediately. This is different than taking a quiz in class where you have to wait for the instructor to grade the quiz.
It will provide a vocabulary set for teachers on how to let students learn English speaking. This will be provided in printable worksheets with a set of the most common adjectives, adverbs, common verbs, common nouns, misspelled words and all vocabulary. Teachers can now plan their teaching classes by subject, which is available on the message board area, one of the most effective tools on the website.
Teaching English learners who have no prior knowledge on the language can be hard but with teAchnology.com, it has become an easy task for the teachers to learn skills and the technical knowhow of imparting lessons to students. Some of the materials that can be downloaded from the site include; different types of writing themes, a guide on how to teach spelling and a workbook that is dedicated to teaching grammar. It goes a long way in ensuring that learning the language does not appear to be so dreadful but a fun loving experience that will usher an individual into a new realm of not only speaking the language fluently but writing it too.
Now to teach English online can never be considered a difficult task again. With constant review of education websites, the provisions of terms that are often used by teachers are available. Teachers can now get to teach their online students by finding easy ways of communicating and relaying the information. With the provision of audio download pronunciation material that can be forwarded to students, it has been made affordable and easily accessible especially for interested learners who do not have time to enroll for classes. This is definitely an all round and inclusive tool for teachers with a cut out plan on what should be taught at what time of the year. It will save the teachers time, is simple to use and just as easy to access at the click of a button.
If you are just beginning to learn English, you can stay at home and complete your education instead of having to move to an English speaking country. The online course offers lists of vocabulary with every lesson that will increase your knowledge of the language. In the lessons you will learn the correct way to use these vocabulary words. Each grammar lesson comes complete with explanations and examples as well as practice sheets where you can show that you understand the lesson. When you feel comfortable with the new concept then you can take a quiz and receive your grade immediately. This is different than taking a quiz in class where you have to wait for the instructor to grade the quiz.
It will provide a vocabulary set for teachers on how to let students learn English speaking. This will be provided in printable worksheets with a set of the most common adjectives, adverbs, common verbs, common nouns, misspelled words and all vocabulary. Teachers can now plan their teaching classes by subject, which is available on the message board area, one of the most effective tools on the website.
Teaching English learners who have no prior knowledge on the language can be hard but with teAchnology.com, it has become an easy task for the teachers to learn skills and the technical knowhow of imparting lessons to students. Some of the materials that can be downloaded from the site include; different types of writing themes, a guide on how to teach spelling and a workbook that is dedicated to teaching grammar. It goes a long way in ensuring that learning the language does not appear to be so dreadful but a fun loving experience that will usher an individual into a new realm of not only speaking the language fluently but writing it too.
Now to teach English online can never be considered a difficult task again. With constant review of education websites, the provisions of terms that are often used by teachers are available. Teachers can now get to teach their online students by finding easy ways of communicating and relaying the information. With the provision of audio download pronunciation material that can be forwarded to students, it has been made affordable and easily accessible especially for interested learners who do not have time to enroll for classes. This is definitely an all round and inclusive tool for teachers with a cut out plan on what should be taught at what time of the year. It will save the teachers time, is simple to use and just as easy to access at the click of a button.
Monday, March 8, 2010
How to Write Business Letters by Fiona Dewitt
A business letter is a formal letter used by professionals in an organization. The need for letter writing has decreased with new technologies, specifically the email. However, there are cases where such a letter may be vital. It is subsequently important that great care is observed when preparing a formal letter. An appropriate formal letter should have the desired effect it hopes to accomplish. The following instructions covers the essentials involved in good letter writing. Pay close attention to details given about formatting which is a basic part of the entire process.
Required Tools:
An operational computer
A printer
Required Materials:
8½ by 11 high quality printer paper
Instructions:
Begin the letter by placing the return address at the top right-hand corner of the letter. This should be followed by the current date. Align the address so that all the individual lines of the address are in line with each other to one side, preferably to the left side of the address.
Place the address of the recipient to the left of the paper about one space below the address that has been placed to the top right-hand corner of the paper.
The opening salutation of the letter can be typed as Dear Mr. ____:. The "Dear" may be followed by a colon or a comma either will work. If the name is unknown, although it is best to address a formal letter with a name, use "Dear Sir or Madame". Always place an appropriate title before the recipient's name. This may be Ms. Mrs. Miss. Mr or Dr. If you are not sure of a woman's marital status or how she prefers to be called use Ms.
You can now write the body of the letter.
State your intention in the first paragraph. However, be careful not to write "I am writing this letter to", allow the letter to speak for itself with understandable and clear language.
Separate the paragraphs by double spacing and using tabs to indent the beginning of each paragraph or use block style. Try to be concise and only put the relevant information that is necessary in each paragraph.
Conclude the letter with a salutation of choice. "Yours Truly", "Yours Sincerely" and "Yours Faithfully" are all widely accepted closings. Enter your name four spaces below the closing of the letter. Insert a line using the underline tool in the word processor above your name or use the underscore several times.
Print the letter and affix your signature directly and neatly on the designated line.
Tips and Warnings:
Always make use of the spell check and grammar tools offered by the word processor. Proof read the letter once it is finished. To perform a substantial proof read print a mock copy of the letter, most printers allow printing in draft mode. This will ensure that the letter is aligned and print ready and also increases the likelihood that you will detect any mistakes.
Always adopt a polite tone when writing a formal letter regardless of the possible negative situation that the letter addresses.
Please visit these links for more information on How to Write a Business Letter: How to Write a Business Letter-I and: How to Write a Business Letter-II.
Required Tools:
An operational computer
A printer
Required Materials:
8½ by 11 high quality printer paper
Instructions:
Begin the letter by placing the return address at the top right-hand corner of the letter. This should be followed by the current date. Align the address so that all the individual lines of the address are in line with each other to one side, preferably to the left side of the address.
Place the address of the recipient to the left of the paper about one space below the address that has been placed to the top right-hand corner of the paper.
The opening salutation of the letter can be typed as Dear Mr. ____:. The "Dear" may be followed by a colon or a comma either will work. If the name is unknown, although it is best to address a formal letter with a name, use "Dear Sir or Madame". Always place an appropriate title before the recipient's name. This may be Ms. Mrs. Miss. Mr or Dr. If you are not sure of a woman's marital status or how she prefers to be called use Ms.
You can now write the body of the letter.
State your intention in the first paragraph. However, be careful not to write "I am writing this letter to", allow the letter to speak for itself with understandable and clear language.
Separate the paragraphs by double spacing and using tabs to indent the beginning of each paragraph or use block style. Try to be concise and only put the relevant information that is necessary in each paragraph.
Conclude the letter with a salutation of choice. "Yours Truly", "Yours Sincerely" and "Yours Faithfully" are all widely accepted closings. Enter your name four spaces below the closing of the letter. Insert a line using the underline tool in the word processor above your name or use the underscore several times.
Print the letter and affix your signature directly and neatly on the designated line.
Tips and Warnings:
Always make use of the spell check and grammar tools offered by the word processor. Proof read the letter once it is finished. To perform a substantial proof read print a mock copy of the letter, most printers allow printing in draft mode. This will ensure that the letter is aligned and print ready and also increases the likelihood that you will detect any mistakes.
Always adopt a polite tone when writing a formal letter regardless of the possible negative situation that the letter addresses.
Please visit these links for more information on How to Write a Business Letter: How to Write a Business Letter-I and: How to Write a Business Letter-II.
Business Blogging - Keep it Simple and Informative by Tami Stodghill
It's pretty much been established that blogging is important in network marketing. To quote a popular Business Week article: "Blogs Will Change Your Business-Look past the yakkers, hobbyists, and political mobs. Your customers and rivals are figuring blogs out. Our advice: Catch up...or catch you later". Blogs offer an abundance of information from an even bigger variety of sources. They are generally-if done well-honest and provide insights that are tougher to absorb sometimes through news articles and news reporting. The right blog can answer questions you may have in regard to any number of topics related to your business. Subscribing to blogs you find informative is a must. I do. I have perused the internet for bloggers who seem to speak to me and offer another view of things that I hadn't thought about. And we should never stop learning or being open to receiving new information.
When I was previously in the work force putting in my 8-5 hours, blogging was part of my responsibility as a Press Relations specialist. It was also part of my freelance writing career. I was able to write about software in a way that offered easy reading and a view from a "real-world" user of that software. And now that I own my own business, I approach it from the same way. I write what I know was important for me in my learning how to be successful in my business and I want to offer it to others in the way I perceived it. I write every entry hoping what I write will change someone's life and help them to better understand what it takes to be their own boss. I take the attitude that if I can help even one person change the level of their success, then I'll know I've contributed.
I get contacted by people who ask me things such as "what do I blog about?", or "what do I say?", or "what if no one thinks I'm interesting?". And over-thinking and analyzing what you want to say in your blog can actually detract from its effectiveness. If you sit down and expand on one thing that happened to you, or that you learned from, you will, most certainly, have appropriate blog content. That said, however, you should also put it out there in a way that is readable, understandable and appropriate. Thus, the importance of writing skills...
No one is a perfect writer. And writing styles vary person to person. That's why one person likes Nora Roberts and the other lives for Stephen King novels. And comments, if you receive them, should be received with the attitude that you value the input and will grow and learn from that input. The more you write, the better you will become at it. And there are many people whose blogs I read even a year ago, that I revisit now and am taken aback at how inspirational their content has become. The best writing, to me, is done in a conversational style. If you can say what you want to say the way you would to a friend through your writing, you will reach people.
Ideally, your blog subscribers or readers should feel you there talking to them, and welcome the content as offering a value in it's information. It should also be simple and follow a clear train of thought. No matter what you are covering, it should be read, and reread before you put it out there as your own.
Sometimes, I will write a blog and read it the next morning and decide the best place for it is in a file. It wasn't what I wanted representing me and it didn't offer content that I would have read myself. That's the true test. Ask yourself, "Do people really need this information?" And if they do, are you including content that is actually supporting the point you are trying to make? Is it guiding your subscribers and readers to the conclusion you want them to come to? When you read it, if it sounds redundant, edit your work. Keep what you need to make your point, and do away with fluff or unnecessary content.
I started a habit a long time ago of keeping a small pad and pen with me wherever I go. If I'm out and about and think of something that changed the course of my day, or try something that I experience success with, I jot down a few words to remind me about that thought. At any given time, I may have 10 topics that are pending as possible topics for my blog. Some may never be used. Others, I can't wait to write about and they are crossed off the next day. It's a great habit to get in and will provide you with content to expand on. Even things people say to you or something you read in a book can be a spur for a great blog idea.
The important thing is to get started. Once you do, you will find it comes easier with each entry. Worst case, you find out you need to improve your writing skills and utilize a grammar/spelling checker to help you out initially. Best case, you may discover that you have a hidden talent and actually might have fun doing it.
Tami Stodghill
Owner: Wealthy Way Of Life
http://www.wealthywayoflife.com/
When I was previously in the work force putting in my 8-5 hours, blogging was part of my responsibility as a Press Relations specialist. It was also part of my freelance writing career. I was able to write about software in a way that offered easy reading and a view from a "real-world" user of that software. And now that I own my own business, I approach it from the same way. I write what I know was important for me in my learning how to be successful in my business and I want to offer it to others in the way I perceived it. I write every entry hoping what I write will change someone's life and help them to better understand what it takes to be their own boss. I take the attitude that if I can help even one person change the level of their success, then I'll know I've contributed.
I get contacted by people who ask me things such as "what do I blog about?", or "what do I say?", or "what if no one thinks I'm interesting?". And over-thinking and analyzing what you want to say in your blog can actually detract from its effectiveness. If you sit down and expand on one thing that happened to you, or that you learned from, you will, most certainly, have appropriate blog content. That said, however, you should also put it out there in a way that is readable, understandable and appropriate. Thus, the importance of writing skills...
No one is a perfect writer. And writing styles vary person to person. That's why one person likes Nora Roberts and the other lives for Stephen King novels. And comments, if you receive them, should be received with the attitude that you value the input and will grow and learn from that input. The more you write, the better you will become at it. And there are many people whose blogs I read even a year ago, that I revisit now and am taken aback at how inspirational their content has become. The best writing, to me, is done in a conversational style. If you can say what you want to say the way you would to a friend through your writing, you will reach people.
Ideally, your blog subscribers or readers should feel you there talking to them, and welcome the content as offering a value in it's information. It should also be simple and follow a clear train of thought. No matter what you are covering, it should be read, and reread before you put it out there as your own.
Sometimes, I will write a blog and read it the next morning and decide the best place for it is in a file. It wasn't what I wanted representing me and it didn't offer content that I would have read myself. That's the true test. Ask yourself, "Do people really need this information?" And if they do, are you including content that is actually supporting the point you are trying to make? Is it guiding your subscribers and readers to the conclusion you want them to come to? When you read it, if it sounds redundant, edit your work. Keep what you need to make your point, and do away with fluff or unnecessary content.
I started a habit a long time ago of keeping a small pad and pen with me wherever I go. If I'm out and about and think of something that changed the course of my day, or try something that I experience success with, I jot down a few words to remind me about that thought. At any given time, I may have 10 topics that are pending as possible topics for my blog. Some may never be used. Others, I can't wait to write about and they are crossed off the next day. It's a great habit to get in and will provide you with content to expand on. Even things people say to you or something you read in a book can be a spur for a great blog idea.
The important thing is to get started. Once you do, you will find it comes easier with each entry. Worst case, you find out you need to improve your writing skills and utilize a grammar/spelling checker to help you out initially. Best case, you may discover that you have a hidden talent and actually might have fun doing it.
Tami Stodghill
Owner: Wealthy Way Of Life
http://www.wealthywayoflife.com/
The Value of Writing Using Good Grammar by Marjorie J McDonald
Grammarians celebrate! Some fun tips to help you with your writing.
Today is National Grammar Day. More than just a silly holiday, Grammar Day serves as a good reminder to communicate clearly, using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. How you write and speak is a reflection of who you are, and giving a presentation riddled with spelling errors or poor grammar can take away from the message you're trying to impart to others.
Take a look at some common grammar mistakes and how you can avoid them:
Me, Myself and I
Knowing when to use me, myself or I depends on whether you're the subject or the object of the sentence. An easy way to remember which word to use is to take the other person out of the equation. So, if you're going to the bank with Mr. Fargo, you'd say, "Mr. Black and I went to the bank." Why? Because if you take Mr. Black out of the sentence, you wouldn't say, "Me went to the bank."
The word "myself" should only be used sparingly, and only for emphasis. It is not a substitute for "me." You might say, "I love working for Willis Company, myself." But don't say, "Myself and Henry Willis ate lunch together."
Affect vs. Effect
Affect is a verb. To remember this, look at the "a" in affect and think "action." The movie greatly affected her.
Effect is a verb or a noun. It's most commonly used as a noun. The movie had an effect on her. As a verb, effect means to bring something about, especially a change. As a general rule, you should always think twice about using effect as a verb-you can usually find a clearer way to communicate if you just think about your words.
Use Your Dictionary!
Often in the corporate world, words are invented, but your dictionary is filled with realwords, so use them. Make sure you're not making up something new like "solutioning" or "planful" to sound important. Often, using a made-up word has just the opposite effect.
More Than or Over?
Over is a spatial reference. More than is a numeric reference. So, if you're "over the hill," you might be "more than 40 years old." In other words, use "more than" when talking about numbers and amounts, and use "over" when you're talking about the location of something.
Is it Insure or Ensure?
Insure and ensure are sound-alike words with slightly different meanings. Sometimes even the best writers and editors mix these up. Remembering definitions for each is a way to keep the two straight:
» Insure means to protect against risk.
» Ensure means to make certain.
Use "insure" when you're talking about things that are related to insurance. Use "ensure" in most other cases. And, just to complicate things further, a similar-sounding word-"assure"-means to convince someone or make someone confident. Are you still with me?
i.e. vs. e.g.
These two show up frequently in business communications, and many times the terms are used interchangeably. Here's the difference between the two so you don't make this mistake.
» i.e. stands for id est (that is). Use it when you're explaining something. I like cats and dogs, i.e., animals you can have as pets in your home.
» e.g. stands for exempli gratia (for example). You can remember this by pretending that e.g. stands for example given. I like big dogs, e.g., Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds.
And, don't forget to use commas before and after using either one in writing.
Unnecessary Verbiage
According to the dictionary, "verbiage" means "more words than are required for clarity or precision." When you're writing or speaking, try to cut down on the words and phrases you use that just aren't necessary. If something "goes without saying," then don't say it. Adding tired clauses or clichés to your speech only helps people tune you out.
Then or Than?
When one event follows another, it's correct to use "then." For instance: The machine turned on, then she entered her ATM card.
When two things are being compared, use "than." Her credit balance is higher than his.
And now I invite you to join me for a series of writing exercises to help you discover your areas of interest in writing as well as increasing your creativity. You may access these exercises by visiting http://www.freecreativewritingstrategies.com/ You also may enjoy visiting my blog at http://www.creativewritingmadeeasy.com/
Today is National Grammar Day. More than just a silly holiday, Grammar Day serves as a good reminder to communicate clearly, using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. How you write and speak is a reflection of who you are, and giving a presentation riddled with spelling errors or poor grammar can take away from the message you're trying to impart to others.
Take a look at some common grammar mistakes and how you can avoid them:
Me, Myself and I
Knowing when to use me, myself or I depends on whether you're the subject or the object of the sentence. An easy way to remember which word to use is to take the other person out of the equation. So, if you're going to the bank with Mr. Fargo, you'd say, "Mr. Black and I went to the bank." Why? Because if you take Mr. Black out of the sentence, you wouldn't say, "Me went to the bank."
The word "myself" should only be used sparingly, and only for emphasis. It is not a substitute for "me." You might say, "I love working for Willis Company, myself." But don't say, "Myself and Henry Willis ate lunch together."
Affect vs. Effect
Affect is a verb. To remember this, look at the "a" in affect and think "action." The movie greatly affected her.
Effect is a verb or a noun. It's most commonly used as a noun. The movie had an effect on her. As a verb, effect means to bring something about, especially a change. As a general rule, you should always think twice about using effect as a verb-you can usually find a clearer way to communicate if you just think about your words.
Use Your Dictionary!
Often in the corporate world, words are invented, but your dictionary is filled with realwords, so use them. Make sure you're not making up something new like "solutioning" or "planful" to sound important. Often, using a made-up word has just the opposite effect.
More Than or Over?
Over is a spatial reference. More than is a numeric reference. So, if you're "over the hill," you might be "more than 40 years old." In other words, use "more than" when talking about numbers and amounts, and use "over" when you're talking about the location of something.
Is it Insure or Ensure?
Insure and ensure are sound-alike words with slightly different meanings. Sometimes even the best writers and editors mix these up. Remembering definitions for each is a way to keep the two straight:
» Insure means to protect against risk.
» Ensure means to make certain.
Use "insure" when you're talking about things that are related to insurance. Use "ensure" in most other cases. And, just to complicate things further, a similar-sounding word-"assure"-means to convince someone or make someone confident. Are you still with me?
i.e. vs. e.g.
These two show up frequently in business communications, and many times the terms are used interchangeably. Here's the difference between the two so you don't make this mistake.
» i.e. stands for id est (that is). Use it when you're explaining something. I like cats and dogs, i.e., animals you can have as pets in your home.
» e.g. stands for exempli gratia (for example). You can remember this by pretending that e.g. stands for example given. I like big dogs, e.g., Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds.
And, don't forget to use commas before and after using either one in writing.
Unnecessary Verbiage
According to the dictionary, "verbiage" means "more words than are required for clarity or precision." When you're writing or speaking, try to cut down on the words and phrases you use that just aren't necessary. If something "goes without saying," then don't say it. Adding tired clauses or clichés to your speech only helps people tune you out.
Then or Than?
When one event follows another, it's correct to use "then." For instance: The machine turned on, then she entered her ATM card.
When two things are being compared, use "than." Her credit balance is higher than his.
And now I invite you to join me for a series of writing exercises to help you discover your areas of interest in writing as well as increasing your creativity. You may access these exercises by visiting http://www.freecreativewritingstrategies.com/ You also may enjoy visiting my blog at http://www.creativewritingmadeeasy.com/
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