Oxford University Press announced the launch of Oxford Bibliographies Online, a series of "ultimate reading lists" that present bibliographies in several disciplines selected by leading subject experts and vetted by the highest professional standards. The product launched with modules on Classics, Islamic Studies, Criminology, and Social Work, with an additional 10-12 subject area modules scheduled to launch within the next year. Forthcoming modules in May 2010 include Atlantic History, Renaissance & Reformation, and Philosophy. Every module is overseen by a subject-area expert editor-in-chief and editorial board.
Each entry receives multiple peer reviews and board vetting and provides expert recommendations through key literature on a specialized sub-topic. It also features an annotated bibliography broken into subsections, each preceded by context-setting text introducing the entries that follow. The entries are updated and revised quarterly, with 50-75 additional entries per year in each subject area.
Website: http://www.oup.com/
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Rare 19th Century British Literature Discovery, Deep in the Heart of Texas
The last place you'd expect to find a hand-written manuscript from one of the giants of 19th century British literature would be deep the heart of Texas. Yet, that is where it is.
Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor University recently made one of its rarest discoveries: a notebook written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning that contains the earliest known draft manuscript of "Sonnet Five" from her best-known work, Sonnets from the Portuguese.
Owned and composed by the famed poet circa 1839-1846 - during her courtship with Robert Browning - the notebook was transcribed by library director Rita S. Patteson. Tiny, spider-like handwriting on the title page calls out to the reader from across two centuries: "MSS. by Elizabeth B. Barrett." In the notebook's 100-plus pages, Elizabeth's script reveals numerous works in draft form, including three previously unpublished poems, "The Gorse," "The Repose," and "An Ode to America."
On the notebook's final leaf, stanzas thought originally to be the conclusion of "An Ode to America" were discovered to be substantially different from the ode's early stanzas and, in fact, proved to be a draft of one of Barrett Browning's famous sonnets, "Sonnet Five." Patteson's honed skill at deciphering the 170-year-old handwriting was put to full use. This early draft of "Sonnet Five," with words crossed out and rewritten, reveals how the sonnet began to take shape before it took its ultimate published form:
I lift my heavy heart up solemnly,
As once Electra her sepulchral urn,
And, looking in thine eyes, I overturn
The ashes at thy feet. Behold and see
What a great heap of grief lay hid in me,
And how the red wild sparkles dimly burn
Through the ashen greyness. If thy foot in scorn
Could tread them out to darkness utterly,
It might be well perhaps. But if instead
Thou wait beside me for the wind to blow
The grey dust up,... those laurels on thine head,
O My beloved, will not shield thee so,
That none of all the fires shall scorch and shred
The hair beneath. Stand further off then! Go.
Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor is a gem of a facility holding the world's largest collection of material related to both Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Each year, the library holds its Browning celebration, coinciding with the anniversary of Robert's birth date of May 7. The 2010 Browning Festival May 6-8 will draw scholars and other lovers of Browning poetry from around the world.
The highlight will be an address by Dr. Scott Lewis, editor of The Brownings' Correspondence, president of the Browning Society (London) and senior research fellow of De Montfort University in Leicester, England. He will speak at 2:30 p.m., May 7, in the library's McLean Foyer of Meditation.
Lewis, who is writing a biography of Dr. A. J. Armstrong, will address the life and work of the man who founded the library during his 40-year career at Baylor. Donating his own Browning collection to Baylor in 1918, Armstrong was the driving force in acquiring books and other artifacts of the Brownings throughout his lifetime and in raising the necessary funding to build the library which opened in 1951.
Lewis says it was Armstrong's skill as an impresario as well as a scholar that led to the library's creation. "Early on, Armstrong brought not only great poets such as Carl Sandberg, Edna St. Vincent Millay and Robert Frost to Baylor, he also arranged for leading performing artists such as Marian Anderson, Basil Rathbone and Katharine Cornell to perform in Waco.
"He fully understood the need to obtain resources, and he used these performances to raise funds to support the creation of the library. The building and its collection are his greatest achievement."
Tireless in his passion, Armstrong was an "evangelist for poetry," Lewis said. "He saw literature and the arts as an extension of the spiritual life. And his stamina for work was amazing; he routinely put in 16 to 18-hour days."
Armstrong's passion has resulted in a legacy of more than 25,000 volumes and over 10,000 letters, manuscripts and artifacts in the library's collection - and a staff dedicated to tracking and acquiring others as they become known. Patteson worked with Browning scholar Dr. Sandra Donaldson, University of North Dakota professor of English and Women Studies, in transcribing the new notebook after the library acquired it in a Christie's auction. Donaldson led a team of Browning scholars including Patteson that recently produced the first modern scholarly edition of Elizabeth's texts, a five-volume set entitled The Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Pickering & Chatto, 2010). The newly discovered works from the notebook are included.
These early versions are important in understanding the life's work of a writer, Patteson said. "Looking at all editions, line by line, teaches us how the poetry developed and helps us see the poet's process of writing."
Lewis concurs. "Seeing these newly discovered works provides an opportunity for a fresh reading of the poem. It provides us with lines we have never seen before, and in so doing, gives us new understanding of how the poet worked."
Browning Festival, May 6-8
Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor University
710 Speight Ave. at Eighth Street, Waco, Texas
Schedule:
7 p.m., Thursday, May 6: Waco Children's Choir:
Performing resident composer's Carlos Colon's new setting of Robert Browning's poem, The Pied Piper of Hamelin
2:30 p.m., Friday, May 7: Choir Competition Winners Followed by Annual Lecture:
China Spring High School Choir will sing the winning composition of the library-sponsored competition held by Baylor School of Music; following the performance, Dr. Scott Lewis will deliver the Browning Festival annual lecture
7 p.m., Saturday, May 8: Acoustic Performance:
Guitarist Richard Smith and his wife Julie Adams on cello with a strings ensemble
Admission to all events is free
Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor University recently made one of its rarest discoveries: a notebook written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning that contains the earliest known draft manuscript of "Sonnet Five" from her best-known work, Sonnets from the Portuguese.
Owned and composed by the famed poet circa 1839-1846 - during her courtship with Robert Browning - the notebook was transcribed by library director Rita S. Patteson. Tiny, spider-like handwriting on the title page calls out to the reader from across two centuries: "MSS. by Elizabeth B. Barrett." In the notebook's 100-plus pages, Elizabeth's script reveals numerous works in draft form, including three previously unpublished poems, "The Gorse," "The Repose," and "An Ode to America."
On the notebook's final leaf, stanzas thought originally to be the conclusion of "An Ode to America" were discovered to be substantially different from the ode's early stanzas and, in fact, proved to be a draft of one of Barrett Browning's famous sonnets, "Sonnet Five." Patteson's honed skill at deciphering the 170-year-old handwriting was put to full use. This early draft of "Sonnet Five," with words crossed out and rewritten, reveals how the sonnet began to take shape before it took its ultimate published form:
I lift my heavy heart up solemnly,
As once Electra her sepulchral urn,
And, looking in thine eyes, I overturn
The ashes at thy feet. Behold and see
What a great heap of grief lay hid in me,
And how the red wild sparkles dimly burn
Through the ashen greyness. If thy foot in scorn
Could tread them out to darkness utterly,
It might be well perhaps. But if instead
Thou wait beside me for the wind to blow
The grey dust up,... those laurels on thine head,
O My beloved, will not shield thee so,
That none of all the fires shall scorch and shred
The hair beneath. Stand further off then! Go.
Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor is a gem of a facility holding the world's largest collection of material related to both Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Each year, the library holds its Browning celebration, coinciding with the anniversary of Robert's birth date of May 7. The 2010 Browning Festival May 6-8 will draw scholars and other lovers of Browning poetry from around the world.
The highlight will be an address by Dr. Scott Lewis, editor of The Brownings' Correspondence, president of the Browning Society (London) and senior research fellow of De Montfort University in Leicester, England. He will speak at 2:30 p.m., May 7, in the library's McLean Foyer of Meditation.
Lewis, who is writing a biography of Dr. A. J. Armstrong, will address the life and work of the man who founded the library during his 40-year career at Baylor. Donating his own Browning collection to Baylor in 1918, Armstrong was the driving force in acquiring books and other artifacts of the Brownings throughout his lifetime and in raising the necessary funding to build the library which opened in 1951.
Lewis says it was Armstrong's skill as an impresario as well as a scholar that led to the library's creation. "Early on, Armstrong brought not only great poets such as Carl Sandberg, Edna St. Vincent Millay and Robert Frost to Baylor, he also arranged for leading performing artists such as Marian Anderson, Basil Rathbone and Katharine Cornell to perform in Waco.
"He fully understood the need to obtain resources, and he used these performances to raise funds to support the creation of the library. The building and its collection are his greatest achievement."
Tireless in his passion, Armstrong was an "evangelist for poetry," Lewis said. "He saw literature and the arts as an extension of the spiritual life. And his stamina for work was amazing; he routinely put in 16 to 18-hour days."
Armstrong's passion has resulted in a legacy of more than 25,000 volumes and over 10,000 letters, manuscripts and artifacts in the library's collection - and a staff dedicated to tracking and acquiring others as they become known. Patteson worked with Browning scholar Dr. Sandra Donaldson, University of North Dakota professor of English and Women Studies, in transcribing the new notebook after the library acquired it in a Christie's auction. Donaldson led a team of Browning scholars including Patteson that recently produced the first modern scholarly edition of Elizabeth's texts, a five-volume set entitled The Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Pickering & Chatto, 2010). The newly discovered works from the notebook are included.
These early versions are important in understanding the life's work of a writer, Patteson said. "Looking at all editions, line by line, teaches us how the poetry developed and helps us see the poet's process of writing."
Lewis concurs. "Seeing these newly discovered works provides an opportunity for a fresh reading of the poem. It provides us with lines we have never seen before, and in so doing, gives us new understanding of how the poet worked."
Browning Festival, May 6-8
Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor University
710 Speight Ave. at Eighth Street, Waco, Texas
Schedule:
7 p.m., Thursday, May 6: Waco Children's Choir:
Performing resident composer's Carlos Colon's new setting of Robert Browning's poem, The Pied Piper of Hamelin
2:30 p.m., Friday, May 7: Choir Competition Winners Followed by Annual Lecture:
China Spring High School Choir will sing the winning composition of the library-sponsored competition held by Baylor School of Music; following the performance, Dr. Scott Lewis will deliver the Browning Festival annual lecture
7 p.m., Saturday, May 8: Acoustic Performance:
Guitarist Richard Smith and his wife Julie Adams on cello with a strings ensemble
Admission to all events is free
Appreciate English Literature with new free online courses
If you are baffled by Shakespeare, flummoxed by Wordsworth or bemused by Yeats then ALISON's new course on ''Introduction to English Literature'' may be for you. Using an interactive presentation style, ALISON - the world's leading provider of free online skills, explores a variety of case studies including MacBeth and the Crucible.
Using these case studies the learner is shown how to analyse and appreciate the depths of literary work. On completion of the course the learner is expected to be better able to grapple with the significance of themes, tones and characters in poetry, drama and prose.
This course is ideal for students of English and for those who wish to expand their knowledge of this most rewarding subject. Learners who complete the course are entitled to free certification.
To access the free ALISON course "Introduction to English Literature" click on the following link.
Using these case studies the learner is shown how to analyse and appreciate the depths of literary work. On completion of the course the learner is expected to be better able to grapple with the significance of themes, tones and characters in poetry, drama and prose.
This course is ideal for students of English and for those who wish to expand their knowledge of this most rewarding subject. Learners who complete the course are entitled to free certification.
To access the free ALISON course "Introduction to English Literature" click on the following link.
WhiteSmoke Launches the Writer T-Gen
WhiteSmoke has cracked the Text Genome and is therefore the ultimate software for reconstructing your writing. Writer T-Gen takes your sentences apart and puts them back together again the correct way. The T-Gen is officially the answer to all your writing needs.
Writer T-Gen is the new and enhanced version of WhiteSmoke's Writer 2010. WhiteSmoke's Writer T-Gen is a complete software solution for editing and enhancing English texts. On top of its performance as a grammar checker and a spell checker, WhiteSmoke T-Gen's features offer faster performance and all-round improvements to the precision of the checking algorithms.
New Features and Enhancements
WhiteSmoke E-mail Check:
Automatically checks every email before you send it
Scores your text
Sends the corrected text
Thesaurus: Find synonyms to a word of your choice.
Enrich: Enrich your text with proper use of adjectives and adverbs.
How to use: See words in context to find out how to use them properly in a sentence.
Define: Dictionary definitions for every word
Search: In case you want to know more about a word, search it on the web
Improved Features
A comprehensive grammar checker
A spell checker
A punctuation checker
Grammar explanations
Ready –to- use templates of documents and letters
A writing Review that scores your text
Tips on how to improve your writing
Writer T-Gen is the new and enhanced version of WhiteSmoke's Writer 2010. WhiteSmoke's Writer T-Gen is a complete software solution for editing and enhancing English texts. On top of its performance as a grammar checker and a spell checker, WhiteSmoke T-Gen's features offer faster performance and all-round improvements to the precision of the checking algorithms.
New Features and Enhancements
WhiteSmoke E-mail Check:
Automatically checks every email before you send it
Scores your text
Sends the corrected text
Thesaurus: Find synonyms to a word of your choice.
Enrich: Enrich your text with proper use of adjectives and adverbs.
How to use: See words in context to find out how to use them properly in a sentence.
Define: Dictionary definitions for every word
Search: In case you want to know more about a word, search it on the web
Improved Features
A comprehensive grammar checker
A spell checker
A punctuation checker
Grammar explanations
Ready –to- use templates of documents and letters
A writing Review that scores your text
Tips on how to improve your writing
Sunday, April 18, 2010
How to Learn English Fast and Easily by Jamie Pickrell
When you want to learn English fast and improve your English vocabulary, you can use a variety of free tools available online, or invest in some English vocabulary software programs. Another option is to take a formal English language online course where you are responsible for submitting assignments and completing quizzes as you work through the program. Whatever strategy you choose for learning the English language, there are some great tools available to help you learn English fast. Here are just some of the tools available:
Flashcards: One of the more traditional ways to learn English fast, flashcards and vocabulary cards can help you build your English vocabulary skills with ease. You can buy a pack of flashcards designed with certain groups of words and phrases, or create your own by referencing an English vocabulary book.
You will need to write the word on one side of the card and the definition on the other side, and then shuffle the pack as you learn each word and its corresponding definition. Flashcards may also be embedded into English language software programs. In these cases, you will need to click on the card to 'flip' it as you memorize each definition of a word and use it in a sentence.
Software programs: English vocabulary training software programs and English grammar software programs give you a chance to improve your English skills and learn new words and phrases very quickly. When you use a software program for vocabulary building or grammar, you can play games, solve puzzles and work through tutorials at your own pace. English vocabulary software programs make it fun and easy to build your English vocabulary and acquire better English speaking skills.
Online tutorials: One of the best ways to learn the English language quickly and build your vocabulary is to watch and review online tutorials. There are a number of different types of online tutorials available. Some are offered through a classroom format where you need to attend a certain number of online classes over the course of the week. Others are available for immediate access or downloading so you can learn the English language at your own pace. Whatever format you choose, this interactive approach makes it easy to build your vocabulary and practice your pronunciation.
DVDs: DVD learning is another one of the tools to help learn English fast, and can help you understand English words, phrases and manners of speech with a combination of visual aids and audio pronunciation guides. DVDs that include grammar activities and games can make it fun to learn English fast and build your vocabulary with ease.
CDs: If you prefer to learn away from the computer, CDs may be a helpful tool to help learn English fast. Audio files that contain lists of words are great for hearing and practicing pronunciation of new words and phrases. This type of learning also gives you a chance to hear words and sentences used in conversation, so when you start to speak them, you will sound like a native English speaker.
Studies show that people with mastery of the English vocabulary make more money and do better in school than those who do not. Today, you can improve your vocabulary faster and more effectively with the help of a vocabulary builder, which comes in the form of software and or audio vocabulary training.
Flashcards: One of the more traditional ways to learn English fast, flashcards and vocabulary cards can help you build your English vocabulary skills with ease. You can buy a pack of flashcards designed with certain groups of words and phrases, or create your own by referencing an English vocabulary book.
You will need to write the word on one side of the card and the definition on the other side, and then shuffle the pack as you learn each word and its corresponding definition. Flashcards may also be embedded into English language software programs. In these cases, you will need to click on the card to 'flip' it as you memorize each definition of a word and use it in a sentence.
Software programs: English vocabulary training software programs and English grammar software programs give you a chance to improve your English skills and learn new words and phrases very quickly. When you use a software program for vocabulary building or grammar, you can play games, solve puzzles and work through tutorials at your own pace. English vocabulary software programs make it fun and easy to build your English vocabulary and acquire better English speaking skills.
Online tutorials: One of the best ways to learn the English language quickly and build your vocabulary is to watch and review online tutorials. There are a number of different types of online tutorials available. Some are offered through a classroom format where you need to attend a certain number of online classes over the course of the week. Others are available for immediate access or downloading so you can learn the English language at your own pace. Whatever format you choose, this interactive approach makes it easy to build your vocabulary and practice your pronunciation.
DVDs: DVD learning is another one of the tools to help learn English fast, and can help you understand English words, phrases and manners of speech with a combination of visual aids and audio pronunciation guides. DVDs that include grammar activities and games can make it fun to learn English fast and build your vocabulary with ease.
CDs: If you prefer to learn away from the computer, CDs may be a helpful tool to help learn English fast. Audio files that contain lists of words are great for hearing and practicing pronunciation of new words and phrases. This type of learning also gives you a chance to hear words and sentences used in conversation, so when you start to speak them, you will sound like a native English speaker.
Studies show that people with mastery of the English vocabulary make more money and do better in school than those who do not. Today, you can improve your vocabulary faster and more effectively with the help of a vocabulary builder, which comes in the form of software and or audio vocabulary training.
Top Myths About Translation by Sylvia Wagner
True or false?
a) If you're very good this year, Santa Claus will bring you a new car.
b) If you kiss a frog, he will turn into Brad Pitt.
c) If you send a translator a fifty-page document tonight, you can have the translation back by tomorrow.
If you answered "true" to the third statement, it's time for a reality check. Below is a list of the most common myths about translation. Have you fallen victim to any of these misconceptions?
Myth # 1: "I don't need to pay for translations -- I can get free ones online."
Reality: Machine translations and human translations are different, and should not be used for the same purposes.
A human translator understands the meaning of a document and tries to communicate that meaning effectively in another language. A machine translator does not have a brain and cannot understand anything.
What a machine translator does is replace words and phrases in one language with words or phrases in another. However, there is often more than one possible translation for a word (think of the word "rock," which can refer either to a mineral or a type of music), and there is always more than one way to express an idea. A machine cannot make these choices the way a human would. The machine doesn't know what it's talking about!
As a result, machine translators often make mistakes, and machine translations often sound awkward or even ridiculous.
When is it okay to get a free online translation? When you just want to look up a single word, or to get a general understanding of something written in a foreign language. For example, if you are trying to navigate a foreign language website, a machine translator can help you find your way around.
Myth # 2: "I studied Spanish in school, so I can translate our company website to Spanish."
Reality: Speaking languages is not the same as being able to translate them. And even a professional translator should generally only translate into his or her native language.
Translation is more than just replacing words. A translator needs to be able to transfer meaning from one language to another in a way that sounds natural in the new language (the "target language"). Since different languages express ideas in different ways, this is more challenging than it may sound. It is a special skill which professional translators learn through training and experience. For important translations, such as the translation of a company website, it is therefore safer to go to a professional.
Part of a translator's job is writing. The translator is actually creating a new text in the target language, the final language of the translation. If your translation is from English to Spanish, the translator should be a native speaker of Spanish, not English, since that is the language in which he or she will be writing. People can almost never write in a foreign language exactly the way a native speaker would. A native speaker would know the difference.
Myth # 3: "It just makes sense to choose the translation agency that asks for the lowest price."
Reality: A translation agency that charges very low prices has to keep its costs correspondingly low. That is likely to mean that they are working with less professional translators and that they are taking short-cuts on quality control.
When quality matters, going for a cheap solution can end up costing you more in the long-run.
Myth # 4: "Fifty pages in 24 hours: no problem."
Reality: Translation takes time. The amount of time varies depending on the specific text, so it is important to discuss timing with your translation partner before making any assumptions.
Machine translators, which input words in one language and output translations in another, can translate translate almost instantly. The work of a human translator, however, is considerably more complicated. This work requires careful reading of the original text to avoid missing any levels of meaning. In many cases, it requires terminology research. And the translator has to write an effective, fluent text in the translation's target language.
Before asking for fifty pages overnight, think about how long it took you to write the original and remember that the translator needs enough time to write it again in another language.
Bottom Line
Keep in mind the truth behind these myths, and avoid falling into the temptations of wishful thinking when planning your translation. While it's pleasant to dream, you're likely to get better results with your translation project if you go in with a realistic understanding of what's involved.
Sylvia Wagner is a marketing assistant at http://www.translationadvisor.com/, the professional translation services guide, with translator price comparison information and free translation help. Check out Translation Advisor's free English to Chinese translation guide.
a) If you're very good this year, Santa Claus will bring you a new car.
b) If you kiss a frog, he will turn into Brad Pitt.
c) If you send a translator a fifty-page document tonight, you can have the translation back by tomorrow.
If you answered "true" to the third statement, it's time for a reality check. Below is a list of the most common myths about translation. Have you fallen victim to any of these misconceptions?
Myth # 1: "I don't need to pay for translations -- I can get free ones online."
Reality: Machine translations and human translations are different, and should not be used for the same purposes.
A human translator understands the meaning of a document and tries to communicate that meaning effectively in another language. A machine translator does not have a brain and cannot understand anything.
What a machine translator does is replace words and phrases in one language with words or phrases in another. However, there is often more than one possible translation for a word (think of the word "rock," which can refer either to a mineral or a type of music), and there is always more than one way to express an idea. A machine cannot make these choices the way a human would. The machine doesn't know what it's talking about!
As a result, machine translators often make mistakes, and machine translations often sound awkward or even ridiculous.
When is it okay to get a free online translation? When you just want to look up a single word, or to get a general understanding of something written in a foreign language. For example, if you are trying to navigate a foreign language website, a machine translator can help you find your way around.
Myth # 2: "I studied Spanish in school, so I can translate our company website to Spanish."
Reality: Speaking languages is not the same as being able to translate them. And even a professional translator should generally only translate into his or her native language.
Translation is more than just replacing words. A translator needs to be able to transfer meaning from one language to another in a way that sounds natural in the new language (the "target language"). Since different languages express ideas in different ways, this is more challenging than it may sound. It is a special skill which professional translators learn through training and experience. For important translations, such as the translation of a company website, it is therefore safer to go to a professional.
Part of a translator's job is writing. The translator is actually creating a new text in the target language, the final language of the translation. If your translation is from English to Spanish, the translator should be a native speaker of Spanish, not English, since that is the language in which he or she will be writing. People can almost never write in a foreign language exactly the way a native speaker would. A native speaker would know the difference.
Myth # 3: "It just makes sense to choose the translation agency that asks for the lowest price."
Reality: A translation agency that charges very low prices has to keep its costs correspondingly low. That is likely to mean that they are working with less professional translators and that they are taking short-cuts on quality control.
When quality matters, going for a cheap solution can end up costing you more in the long-run.
Myth # 4: "Fifty pages in 24 hours: no problem."
Reality: Translation takes time. The amount of time varies depending on the specific text, so it is important to discuss timing with your translation partner before making any assumptions.
Machine translators, which input words in one language and output translations in another, can translate translate almost instantly. The work of a human translator, however, is considerably more complicated. This work requires careful reading of the original text to avoid missing any levels of meaning. In many cases, it requires terminology research. And the translator has to write an effective, fluent text in the translation's target language.
Before asking for fifty pages overnight, think about how long it took you to write the original and remember that the translator needs enough time to write it again in another language.
Bottom Line
Keep in mind the truth behind these myths, and avoid falling into the temptations of wishful thinking when planning your translation. While it's pleasant to dream, you're likely to get better results with your translation project if you go in with a realistic understanding of what's involved.
Sylvia Wagner is a marketing assistant at http://www.translationadvisor.com/, the professional translation services guide, with translator price comparison information and free translation help. Check out Translation Advisor's free English to Chinese translation guide.
Get Rid of Fragments When Writing by Dr. Mark Clayson
How to alleviate fragments from writing is one thing you ought to attempt to do wherever attainable as this will certainly make your posts and documents more effective and more understandable for your visitors. Fragments may make essay sentences incomplete and sloppy. They are not a correct use of English. Luckily, they are simply altered.
Oftentimes fragments arise throughout the editing system, in struggling to divide a lengthier sentence. Give some thought to these issues:
"At home, we discussed who should mend the fuse. Furthermore who should clean the dishes."
The 2nd phrase cannot recognized solely on its own. The subject of the first sentence is "we" and the action-word "discussed." Because the clause is conditional (a clause that makes no good sense other than when linked to a sentence) it need to not form a sentence.
Repairing a Fragment
You will find two easy approaches to repair a fragment.
1) Attach a comma and hook up the clause to the sentence:
"At home, we discussed who should mend the fuse, and who should clean the dishes."
2) Insert the required subject-verb to the clause, creating a 2nd sentence.
"At home, we discussed who should mend the fuse. We also talked about who should clean the dishes."
How to Identify a Fragment
Place every single sentence through a basic examination: Does it have an action-word? Does it have a subject?Can the phrase have sense being on it's own (is it a reliant clause or phrase)? Almost any expression that replies "for sure" to the whole three queries is a sentence. If any of the answers are "absolutely no," then it is a fragment.
Enhancing in this way can be very fulfilling and produce much better outcomes for you and your viewers. Your jobs will be improved if you know just how to alleviate fragments from writing
Mark Clayson is an expert author of thousands of articles, reports and publications distributed throughout the world. If you want to learn more about writing then join a free Article Marketing Course.
Oftentimes fragments arise throughout the editing system, in struggling to divide a lengthier sentence. Give some thought to these issues:
"At home, we discussed who should mend the fuse. Furthermore who should clean the dishes."
The 2nd phrase cannot recognized solely on its own. The subject of the first sentence is "we" and the action-word "discussed." Because the clause is conditional (a clause that makes no good sense other than when linked to a sentence) it need to not form a sentence.
Repairing a Fragment
You will find two easy approaches to repair a fragment.
1) Attach a comma and hook up the clause to the sentence:
"At home, we discussed who should mend the fuse, and who should clean the dishes."
2) Insert the required subject-verb to the clause, creating a 2nd sentence.
"At home, we discussed who should mend the fuse. We also talked about who should clean the dishes."
How to Identify a Fragment
Place every single sentence through a basic examination: Does it have an action-word? Does it have a subject?Can the phrase have sense being on it's own (is it a reliant clause or phrase)? Almost any expression that replies "for sure" to the whole three queries is a sentence. If any of the answers are "absolutely no," then it is a fragment.
Enhancing in this way can be very fulfilling and produce much better outcomes for you and your viewers. Your jobs will be improved if you know just how to alleviate fragments from writing
Mark Clayson is an expert author of thousands of articles, reports and publications distributed throughout the world. If you want to learn more about writing then join a free Article Marketing Course.
'Using English Effectively - Another free English language Course released
The online skills training & certification provider ALISON is delighted to launch 'Using English Effectively'- the second installment of a compendium of tutorials on improving English language skills. ALISON is the first provider of its kind to offer free tutorials to learners to enhance their knowledge of English language skills and allows opportunity for free certification and flash-testing.
As English increases its dominance as the international language, the need for proficiency in speaking and writing English have become more and more pronounced. As business becomes more international and cross-cultural, individuals are recognizing the need for high levels of English communication skills.
According to Abdul Wahid Al-Homaid, a columnist in Arabic daily Al-Riyadh, 'a person can work anywhere in the world if he or she has a working knowledge of English'. Proficiency in English language skills he opines will ensure developing counties are 'not to be left behind in today's world of rapid technological development.'
Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid, editor-in-chief of Asharq Al-Awsat has corroborated Al-Homaid's comments and argued strongly for increased educational focus on the English language. Employment opportunities, he maintains 'are plentiful in spite of high unemployment- the problem is a lack of the language needed in order to do the job.'
In light of these cases, ALISON's free online courses coincide with the need for language skills training resources. The course allows those familiar with the English language to improve their language skills within both a personal and professional context. The course offers a comprehensive examination of a range of writing styles and how to use them to communicat effectively.
To access the free ALISON course 'Using English Effectively' click on the following link.
http://alison.com/courses/Using-English-Effectively
As English increases its dominance as the international language, the need for proficiency in speaking and writing English have become more and more pronounced. As business becomes more international and cross-cultural, individuals are recognizing the need for high levels of English communication skills.
According to Abdul Wahid Al-Homaid, a columnist in Arabic daily Al-Riyadh, 'a person can work anywhere in the world if he or she has a working knowledge of English'. Proficiency in English language skills he opines will ensure developing counties are 'not to be left behind in today's world of rapid technological development.'
Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid, editor-in-chief of Asharq Al-Awsat has corroborated Al-Homaid's comments and argued strongly for increased educational focus on the English language. Employment opportunities, he maintains 'are plentiful in spite of high unemployment- the problem is a lack of the language needed in order to do the job.'
In light of these cases, ALISON's free online courses coincide with the need for language skills training resources. The course allows those familiar with the English language to improve their language skills within both a personal and professional context. The course offers a comprehensive examination of a range of writing styles and how to use them to communicat effectively.
To access the free ALISON course 'Using English Effectively' click on the following link.
http://alison.com/courses/Using-English-Effectively
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Two Ways to Destroy Your Advertising Message by Marte Cliff
Do you write your own advertising copy? Many do, for reasons ranging from budget constraints to not having experienced the value that professionally written ad copy can bring to their business. And that's fine. You can learn how to do an acceptable job if you spend some time studying the psychology of advertising, read ezines about marketing, and take advantage of the "do and don't" lists that copywriters offer all over the Internet.
Then if you take the time to really craft your ad copy, you'll probably see some good results.
Beware of the roadblocks
There's one set of roadblocks that can trip you up, even if you've been working hard at learning the psychological end of advertising. Those roadblocks are grammar, spelling, and word usage.
The truth is, many people who are brilliant at what they do are not very good at grammar, spelling and word usage. Those subjects aren't important to their work - at least they weren't important until it came time to write an ad. To make matters worse, the lessons most people remember from grammar classes in high school or college are likely to be the ones that should be ignored when writing marketing copy.
For instance, you probably learned never to start a sentence with the words "but" or "and." And those are words that copywriters use all the time to create a good flow from one sentence to the next. It works, because it sounds like real conversation. Smart people know when they don't know something, and that's why people turn to their Word program to help them out with spelling and grammar. Unfortunately, taking Word's advice can mess up your message.
For one thing, it doesn't know what you mean. So if you write "You'll love living hear," it won't change it to "You'll love living here."
For another thing, it will advise you to change from conversational speech to academic speech. It will take a word like "can't" and tell you to change it to "can not." And you know that the meaning of those two words can be worlds apart.
If your child asks you to take him to the ice cream store and you say "I can't do that right now," it sounds far different than if you say "I can not do that right now." The second sentence sounds almost angry because the emphasis lands on "not."
The same will happen if you change isn't, hasn't, won't, that's, I'll, she'll, don't, or any of the other common contractions that we use in conversation. When you change them, the meaning changes, and that's not good. Or I should say, that is not good. Academic speech has a place in the academic world - but it has no place in advertising copy targeted to non-academic readers.
Sometimes Word does something even worse than destroying the conversational tone of your copy. Sometimes it is just plain wrong. For instance, the other day I was writing copy for a career coach. The sub-header in the copy read: "Who is Angela and why can she help you?"
Word wanted me to change that sentence to "Who are Angela and why can she help you? A sentence like that can stop a prospect dead in his tracks - and destroy your entire message.
I suppose that the program picked up the word "and" after the name and assumed that I was writing about two people. (Do you know anyone named "why?")
But what if I hadn't known better and had taken Word's advice to change the sentence? My client would have corrected the error. She also would have started looking for a new copywriter.
So what is the cure?
If you're not sure of your skills, find a proofreader. You may have someone in your family or your circle of friends who can read your copy and find any errors you miss. If not, you can find someone on line at a site like guru.com.
A proofreader is always a good idea, because even if you're a whiz at grammar, you could miss a typographical error. And... a separate set of eyes will help you make sure your copy conveys the message clearly. Ask your proofreader to point out any spots that he or she doesn't understand clearly and any places that seem "bumpy" when reading. You want that copy to flow smoothly.
Mistake #2:
The next mistake is handing your advertising copy over to someone who has neither the time nor the expertise to write it.
Here in our small town, business people often just make some notes about what the ad should convey and then hand it over to the ladies in the newspaper office. What a shame!
The advertisers assume that because those ladies work at selling ad space, they know how to write a convincing ad. The truth is, they're nice women, but they haven't studied marketing. And even if they were marketing experts, they can't spare the time it would take for them to create a compelling message for every one of their advertisers.
That's why most of the ads in our local newspaper look alike - and why not one of them offers a "reason why" we should choose one business over another. But the advertisers can't complain, because they got the ad writing service for free.
Marte Cliff is a Freelance Copywriter who specializes in making people feel good about buying your products or services.
She has extensive experience in writing search engine optimized web copy, e-mail campaigns, direct sales letters, postcards, newsletters, press releases, and more. She is also available for marketing plan creation and editing services.
You can visit her at http://www.marte-cliff.com/. While you're there, sign up for one of her marketing ezines. She promises to gently nag you about ways to make your own marketing efforts more productive - whether you're selling a product or providing a service.
Then if you take the time to really craft your ad copy, you'll probably see some good results.
Beware of the roadblocks
There's one set of roadblocks that can trip you up, even if you've been working hard at learning the psychological end of advertising. Those roadblocks are grammar, spelling, and word usage.
The truth is, many people who are brilliant at what they do are not very good at grammar, spelling and word usage. Those subjects aren't important to their work - at least they weren't important until it came time to write an ad. To make matters worse, the lessons most people remember from grammar classes in high school or college are likely to be the ones that should be ignored when writing marketing copy.
For instance, you probably learned never to start a sentence with the words "but" or "and." And those are words that copywriters use all the time to create a good flow from one sentence to the next. It works, because it sounds like real conversation. Smart people know when they don't know something, and that's why people turn to their Word program to help them out with spelling and grammar. Unfortunately, taking Word's advice can mess up your message.
For one thing, it doesn't know what you mean. So if you write "You'll love living hear," it won't change it to "You'll love living here."
For another thing, it will advise you to change from conversational speech to academic speech. It will take a word like "can't" and tell you to change it to "can not." And you know that the meaning of those two words can be worlds apart.
If your child asks you to take him to the ice cream store and you say "I can't do that right now," it sounds far different than if you say "I can not do that right now." The second sentence sounds almost angry because the emphasis lands on "not."
The same will happen if you change isn't, hasn't, won't, that's, I'll, she'll, don't, or any of the other common contractions that we use in conversation. When you change them, the meaning changes, and that's not good. Or I should say, that is not good. Academic speech has a place in the academic world - but it has no place in advertising copy targeted to non-academic readers.
Sometimes Word does something even worse than destroying the conversational tone of your copy. Sometimes it is just plain wrong. For instance, the other day I was writing copy for a career coach. The sub-header in the copy read: "Who is Angela and why can she help you?"
Word wanted me to change that sentence to "Who are Angela and why can she help you? A sentence like that can stop a prospect dead in his tracks - and destroy your entire message.
I suppose that the program picked up the word "and" after the name and assumed that I was writing about two people. (Do you know anyone named "why?")
But what if I hadn't known better and had taken Word's advice to change the sentence? My client would have corrected the error. She also would have started looking for a new copywriter.
So what is the cure?
If you're not sure of your skills, find a proofreader. You may have someone in your family or your circle of friends who can read your copy and find any errors you miss. If not, you can find someone on line at a site like guru.com.
A proofreader is always a good idea, because even if you're a whiz at grammar, you could miss a typographical error. And... a separate set of eyes will help you make sure your copy conveys the message clearly. Ask your proofreader to point out any spots that he or she doesn't understand clearly and any places that seem "bumpy" when reading. You want that copy to flow smoothly.
Mistake #2:
The next mistake is handing your advertising copy over to someone who has neither the time nor the expertise to write it.
Here in our small town, business people often just make some notes about what the ad should convey and then hand it over to the ladies in the newspaper office. What a shame!
The advertisers assume that because those ladies work at selling ad space, they know how to write a convincing ad. The truth is, they're nice women, but they haven't studied marketing. And even if they were marketing experts, they can't spare the time it would take for them to create a compelling message for every one of their advertisers.
That's why most of the ads in our local newspaper look alike - and why not one of them offers a "reason why" we should choose one business over another. But the advertisers can't complain, because they got the ad writing service for free.
Marte Cliff is a Freelance Copywriter who specializes in making people feel good about buying your products or services.
She has extensive experience in writing search engine optimized web copy, e-mail campaigns, direct sales letters, postcards, newsletters, press releases, and more. She is also available for marketing plan creation and editing services.
You can visit her at http://www.marte-cliff.com/. While you're there, sign up for one of her marketing ezines. She promises to gently nag you about ways to make your own marketing efforts more productive - whether you're selling a product or providing a service.
Blog Humor - Ensure Your Reader's Enjoyment by Keeping it Fun by Dominic Bartalino
Keeping a blog updated can be hard work. Keeping it entertaining is even harder. When you focus too much on getting content on your site, you may overlook the fact that people actually have to read your posts. If they don't like what they are reading, or if they find that they are entertained more by another blog, they may leave you behind like yesterday's news. It doesn't have to be hard to add humor to your blog. You just have to keep a few key points in mind:
Be yourself. Blog readers can smell a phony a mile away. If you try to be someone you're not, you'll eventually get found out and people will stop viewing you as an authority. You have your own sense of style, so let it show in your posts. Don't try to be Adam Sandler or Conan O'Brien. Their blog posts reflect their own comedic style, and yours should too. If you think it is funny, then people that have the same kind of personality as you will also find it funny. Those that don't will either appreciate you for being genuine, or will move on to another blog that fits them better.
Consider your audience. If you are in a specific niche you will want to cater to that niche as much as possible. Take into consideration the typical demographics of people that would be reading your blog. Are they younger than you, older than you, the same age as you? Are they Democrats or Republicans? Conservative or Liberal. You shouldn't bend over backwards to keep your core audience happy, but you don't want to consistently upset them either. Remember the first rule to always be yourself, and never break that rule to pander to your audience.
Keep it consistent. If you are consistent with your style and sense of humor on your blog you will develop loyal followers. Think about David Letterman. His shows contain lots of humor that only loyal fans to his show would appreciate. If you watch his shows daily, you start to "tap in" to how his mind works, how he delivers his jokes, and what his inside jokes and references mean. He does this by being consistent and following the first two rules. If you do the same thing, your readers will eventually get used to your style, and will understand you more and more.
Read it out loud. Before you push the Post button you'll want to read your update out loud. This helps to catch any mistakes in your phrasing, and it also lets you know if you've achieved humor or not. If it sounds funny when you hear it spoken, it should translate to a chuckle when your audience reads it.
Dominic loves to eat hae jon gook, a Korean delicacy. Check out his latest site located at http://californiakingsheetsshop.com/ on finding the best California King Sheets to get the best night's sleep on your extra large mattre
Be yourself. Blog readers can smell a phony a mile away. If you try to be someone you're not, you'll eventually get found out and people will stop viewing you as an authority. You have your own sense of style, so let it show in your posts. Don't try to be Adam Sandler or Conan O'Brien. Their blog posts reflect their own comedic style, and yours should too. If you think it is funny, then people that have the same kind of personality as you will also find it funny. Those that don't will either appreciate you for being genuine, or will move on to another blog that fits them better.
Consider your audience. If you are in a specific niche you will want to cater to that niche as much as possible. Take into consideration the typical demographics of people that would be reading your blog. Are they younger than you, older than you, the same age as you? Are they Democrats or Republicans? Conservative or Liberal. You shouldn't bend over backwards to keep your core audience happy, but you don't want to consistently upset them either. Remember the first rule to always be yourself, and never break that rule to pander to your audience.
Keep it consistent. If you are consistent with your style and sense of humor on your blog you will develop loyal followers. Think about David Letterman. His shows contain lots of humor that only loyal fans to his show would appreciate. If you watch his shows daily, you start to "tap in" to how his mind works, how he delivers his jokes, and what his inside jokes and references mean. He does this by being consistent and following the first two rules. If you do the same thing, your readers will eventually get used to your style, and will understand you more and more.
Read it out loud. Before you push the Post button you'll want to read your update out loud. This helps to catch any mistakes in your phrasing, and it also lets you know if you've achieved humor or not. If it sounds funny when you hear it spoken, it should translate to a chuckle when your audience reads it.
Dominic loves to eat hae jon gook, a Korean delicacy. Check out his latest site located at http://californiakingsheetsshop.com/ on finding the best California King Sheets to get the best night's sleep on your extra large mattre
What's in a Story? by Paula Harris
I've always found that cross dressers and the transgendered love to read stories. But what is it about a cross dressing story that people find so intriguing?
It's certainly true that stories help people make sense of themselves and their lives. Through stories we share life experiences and try to connect and identify with others. At a time when advancements in technology allow communication on a global level, making friends with other like-minded individuals has never been easier. A story helps relationships to be formed and support networks to be strengthened and maintained.
With all the challenges and turmoil commonly experienced by cross dressers, many look to gain a deeper understanding of their dilemmas by listening to what others have to say. By learning how other cross dressers have dealt with similar situations, guidance and direction are sought. Quite often, words of advice are embedded within a story, for others to follow and learn from.
Stories form a means by which ideas are transmitted from one person to another. A story can often highlight different ways of doing things and alternative behaviour patterns. A fresh perspective can be instrumental in helping an individual get a handle on a situation much quicker than he would otherwise have been able to.
From the storytellers view, a story allows memories to be captured, relived and shared. Talking about one's life and any life-changing events allows an individual to give specific events meaning and purpose. In the life of a cross dresser, self-acceptance, coming out and making decisions about gender identity and transition are all milestone events. A story allows the expression of deep emotions surrounding these events and can assist the story teller in addressing issues that he may have tried to avoid. Often, this is a necessary to allow a person to move on in life.
A story encompasses memories from the past, an individual's take on the present and hopes and aspirations for the future. It allows a person to take a snap-shot of his life and aids acceptance of a new identity. One is then able to accommodate life change and be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Everyone has a unique story to tell and by sharing it with others, we create connection. For so many cross dressers around the globe, the fear of isolation is common. By connecting with others through stories and other means, a much needed lifeline brings hope.
Paula Harris tells her own cross dressing story at http://www.cross-dressing-secrets.com/.
It's certainly true that stories help people make sense of themselves and their lives. Through stories we share life experiences and try to connect and identify with others. At a time when advancements in technology allow communication on a global level, making friends with other like-minded individuals has never been easier. A story helps relationships to be formed and support networks to be strengthened and maintained.
With all the challenges and turmoil commonly experienced by cross dressers, many look to gain a deeper understanding of their dilemmas by listening to what others have to say. By learning how other cross dressers have dealt with similar situations, guidance and direction are sought. Quite often, words of advice are embedded within a story, for others to follow and learn from.
Stories form a means by which ideas are transmitted from one person to another. A story can often highlight different ways of doing things and alternative behaviour patterns. A fresh perspective can be instrumental in helping an individual get a handle on a situation much quicker than he would otherwise have been able to.
From the storytellers view, a story allows memories to be captured, relived and shared. Talking about one's life and any life-changing events allows an individual to give specific events meaning and purpose. In the life of a cross dresser, self-acceptance, coming out and making decisions about gender identity and transition are all milestone events. A story allows the expression of deep emotions surrounding these events and can assist the story teller in addressing issues that he may have tried to avoid. Often, this is a necessary to allow a person to move on in life.
A story encompasses memories from the past, an individual's take on the present and hopes and aspirations for the future. It allows a person to take a snap-shot of his life and aids acceptance of a new identity. One is then able to accommodate life change and be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Everyone has a unique story to tell and by sharing it with others, we create connection. For so many cross dressers around the globe, the fear of isolation is common. By connecting with others through stories and other means, a much needed lifeline brings hope.
Paula Harris tells her own cross dressing story at http://www.cross-dressing-secrets.com/.
Reporter Launches Website to Help Small Business Owners with DIY Public Relations
After spending more than 15 years as a reporter and editor, California native Shelly Cone has seen her share of press releases -- both the good and the bad. It was years of seeing easily avoidable press release mistakes that inspired Cone to launch Beach Betty Public Relations as a way to help small businesses with their DIY public relations campaigns without busting their marketing budget.
Beach Betty Public Relations offers press release writing services, article marketing, content writing and social media management for the budget-conscious business. Cone said that public relations outreach should be part of every business plan especially during tough economic times. Yet that is often the first thing businesses cut in lean times. That cost cutting strategy is a big mistake, Cone said. That's why Beach Betty Public Relations offers a la cart services as well as PR packages.
"A lot of small business owners think they can't afford public relations or that they need to create a public relations staff position and that just isn't the case. Outsourcing public relations duties is both cost-effective for businesses and an important part of long-term marketing efforts," Cone said.
Outsourcing public relations duties is a desirable strategy for businesses unable to add a PR staff position. Businesses can choose to use and pay for the services they need when they need them rather than paying a permanent salary to a staff member.
And for the true DIY entrepreneur, the Beach Betty Public Relations website also offers free advice and tips on all aspects of running your online and offline public relations campaign. Find advice on how to write a press release, how to submit it, examples of effective public relations campaigns and more.
To find out more about Beach Betty Public Relation's affordable public relations services visit http://www.beachbettypr.com/
Beach Betty Public Relations offers press release writing services, article marketing, content writing and social media management for the budget-conscious business. Cone said that public relations outreach should be part of every business plan especially during tough economic times. Yet that is often the first thing businesses cut in lean times. That cost cutting strategy is a big mistake, Cone said. That's why Beach Betty Public Relations offers a la cart services as well as PR packages.
"A lot of small business owners think they can't afford public relations or that they need to create a public relations staff position and that just isn't the case. Outsourcing public relations duties is both cost-effective for businesses and an important part of long-term marketing efforts," Cone said.
Outsourcing public relations duties is a desirable strategy for businesses unable to add a PR staff position. Businesses can choose to use and pay for the services they need when they need them rather than paying a permanent salary to a staff member.
And for the true DIY entrepreneur, the Beach Betty Public Relations website also offers free advice and tips on all aspects of running your online and offline public relations campaign. Find advice on how to write a press release, how to submit it, examples of effective public relations campaigns and more.
To find out more about Beach Betty Public Relation's affordable public relations services visit http://www.beachbettypr.com/
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Some Collected Wisdom on Writing and Publishing by Rex Rogers
I've been asked about writing for many years. How do I start writing? What should I write about? Should I write in the morning? What method or style of writing will increase my chances of success? Should I get an agent? How do you choose a publisher?
In a four decade career in higher education, consulting, and now missions, I've asked my own questions. Every time I met an author I tried to discover what made him or her successful. I asked them about their tricks of the trade.
The observations that follow were gleaned from those multiple conversations with published authors, book editors, and publishers, along with a few tidbits from my own experience. I've paraphrased original comments to make them more accessible, and I've borrowed heavily from friends "in the know." I salute their experience and expertise so freely and lovingly given to the writing craft.
Some Thoughts on Writing
All writers experience "writer's block." Stop. Take a brief break, like a walk. Perhaps read a pertinent book. Pray. Think about what you are trying to say.
All writers experience "writer's doubt." That's one reason "writers' colonies" have developed in places like Paris, New York, or Boston. Writers need one another for stimulation, encouragement, affirmation, etc. So when you experience "writer's doubt," remember, you're normal.
For most of us, writing is work. It may be enjoyable work, but it is still work. That's the source of the old joke about the author who was asked, "Do you enjoy writing?" The author replied, "I enjoy having written."
For some of us, writing is like going on a diet. We don't do it until we really want to do so. Desire produces discipline. Far more people aspire to write than actually do.
Dreamers dream, writers write.
There are many reasons people write, personal expression, professional obligation, a sense that something "needs to be said," to earn income, ministry or service, etc. Whatever your reasons, try to pick topics about which you are passionate, or at least care about. The writing process will be far more enjoyable, and you're much more likely to finish the project.
Write sometime, some way, every day. Make writing a habit.
Know why you want to write. Identify what drives you. Set realistic, achievable, but stretch goals with target accomplishment dates. Goals may be a project, pages/words per day/week, etc.
The better the outline, the quicker the writing. Do your homework.
Once you have the outline and you've done the research, write. Just write and keep writing the best draft that you can, but don't worry a lot about its flow or connectedness or logic. This comes together on the second or third pass. Great writers like Philip Yancey take two-three years to write a book, and they typically rewrite sections repeatedly.
Pick a space where you can leave your writing materials out, open, and ready. It's easier to "pick up where you left off" than to try and start all over again.
Pick a time to write that fits your own rhythms, early morning, late at night, blocks of time, whatever works. John Maxwell frequently gets up in the middle of the night to write. Works for him. Wouldn't work for me. Find what works for you.
For some writers writing is not a sacrifice. For most there are trade-offs. Recognize this and make a choice. For example, you may have to give up evening television, etc.
Every writer needs readers, not only when the project is finished but also as the writing is being crafted. Readers' comments are only as valuable as your capacity to receive critique. Many academic writers never develop this capacity. They seem to think every word they write is "sacred." Not so. You must set aside your ego and look for helpful criticism with a sense of humility. It's still your writing, so you do not have to adopt the reader's comments, but you'll always benefit from others' pre-publication review. You should develop the same attitude when you work with editors. This includes project word limits. It's possible to say "more" with fewer words.
Getting readers may be one of your bigger challenges. People often say they'll read your material, then don't read it, or don't read it in the timeframe in which you need feedback (quickly), or don't read it with a truly objective eye, i.e. soft-pedaling their response to avoid "hurting your feelings" or saying what they really think.
Try to identify a couple of knowledgeable and objective readers who will faithfully return your material with honest commentary in the timeframe you require. Try to identify one or two other readers, who may know very little about your subject, but who are well-read individuals capable of giving you honest feedback on style, grammar, sentence construction, flow, content, "readability," etc.
Don't try to write for multiple audiences. It rarely works. Choose an audience, e.g. college students, colleagues, the general public, professionals, homemakers, rocket scientists, etc., and write for that audience. But know your audience.
Study the writing of successful authors who are writing for the audience you want to reach. Learn from these authors. Don't copy them. Emulate them.
Some Thoughts on Publishing
Get a publisher and stay put. Get in the publisher's stable and you and your projects will naturally rise higher on the business's hit parade.
If you want to increase exposure for your work, program, or organization, write books that reach the public and match the interests of the organization with the public's interest.
You may want to write for your peers. This is good, but few books will be sold and you may need to identify a university press.
You may want to write books for the general public. In this you're not trying to "impress" but "express." Don't try to show off your vocabulary. Remember, the first law of communication is to communicate.
"Books aren't bought; they're sold." You have to get out and hawk the book. Do media interviews, book signings, speaking engagements re the book, etc. Cooperate with the publisher on this and create your own market.
Books are generally divided into publications categories like academic, professional, inspirational, etc. A trade book is one written for the general public.
Publishing houses generally prefer to receive a book proposal before a book is written so the staff can work with the author to craft the book.
Book proposals are always required and should be presented in the most refined form possible according to the publisher's guidelines. The proposal allows the publisher to assess the author's ability to write a well-crafted book and may be the difference between an accepted or rejected project.
It's kosher to send your proposal to more than one publisher at a time, as long as you tell them what you are doing. But publishers do not really like this and it may be a matter of shooting yourself in the foot by robbing the publisher of a bit of incentive to invest time and money reviewing your manuscript. You are probably better off to submit your proposal to "your publisher" (if you've published before) or to the publisher you think fits your topic, then wait for a response (4-6 weeks). If the book is rejected, then of course you can shop it around.
If your book proposal is rejected, stay encouraged. Publishing lore is full of stories of authors who piled up rejections only to publish eventually and sell a lot of books (e.g. J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter).
Sometimes a book contract will include a stipulation about "bulk sales," meaning bulk orders from an agency like a radio program, which will in turn market the book on air. The contract may stipulate that the author receives a lower royalty rate on these kinds of bulk sales. In other words the author does not receive as much from this arrangement. A lot of books may be sold, but the royalty is lower and this arrangement may also dry up the market for additional sales.
One author said, "Get as good an advance as possible." But advances are based upon computed and perceived first year royalties, so this is largely a situation of "Pay me now or pay me later." An advance is good for the author, because it is guaranteed and in the bank, particularly if the book bombs. Many publishers now regularly pay advances because it is becoming a norm and is expected. When this happens, an author may receive one-half the expected first year royalties when the book contract is signed and the other one-half when the book is finished and submitted to the publisher.
For new authors, getting the book published is what usually matters, not really the money involved. So whether you receive an advance or simply wait for royalties does not amount to much.
For new authors, royalty percentages run about 14% to 16%. Very well known authors sometimes get royalties as high as 22% to 24% or higher comparable advances, but this is rare.
For newer authors in particular, literary agents are typically not necessary and, unless they really "add value" to the process, they become "middle men" who may "get in the way" and do little besides take a percentage of the author's royalties. On the other hand, some literary agents, depending also upon the quality and content of your work, are worth their weight in gold because they can get your manuscript reviewed by publishers who would not look at your unheralded submission.
Edited books typically do not sell well and publishers are not all that interested in them. This is especially so for edited books with many authors, unless the book has a very good focus. Edited books that include a "point-counterpoint" approach around a focused and timely topic sometimes do well. It is the responsibility of the book editor (not the publisher) to secure permission from other publishers to use already published material in an edited book.
Publishing is changing rapidly and dramatically, influenced by the Internet and digital capabilities affecting audio and video productions as well. When you write, consider publishing in a "mediated" format, i.e. a digital presentation. This could be high definition digital video on DVDs, sound design productions on CD, a book or article published on a website, etc. In these formats, you will potentially reach far more people than any print publication could possibly reach, and you will reach younger people who now learn more from media than from any other source.
"Self-publishing" is easier and less expensive than ever and is gradually attaining new levels of acceptance. Self-publishing is perhaps best achieved via electronic means. Publishing one's own work and promoting it until it attains a recognition sufficient to attract the attention of larger publishing houses is a bit like a new or maverick film maker producing an "independent" film, distributing it as best he or she can, and then evaluating the results. It can happen. Think, The Shack.
Writing is a craft. It typically requires time and effort to develop your best work. Whether you write for yourself or for the world, learn from others and enhance the power of your pen.
Dr. Rex M. Rogers is President, SAT-7 USA, the American advancement arm of SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry based in Cyprus and reaching 22 countries across 7 time zones in 3 languages: Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish. He is former president, Cornerstone University, and writes a column, "Good News from the Middle East." Contact him at http://www.twitter.com/RexMRogers. Read his blog and find additional information at http://www.rexmrogers.com/.
In a four decade career in higher education, consulting, and now missions, I've asked my own questions. Every time I met an author I tried to discover what made him or her successful. I asked them about their tricks of the trade.
The observations that follow were gleaned from those multiple conversations with published authors, book editors, and publishers, along with a few tidbits from my own experience. I've paraphrased original comments to make them more accessible, and I've borrowed heavily from friends "in the know." I salute their experience and expertise so freely and lovingly given to the writing craft.
Some Thoughts on Writing
All writers experience "writer's block." Stop. Take a brief break, like a walk. Perhaps read a pertinent book. Pray. Think about what you are trying to say.
All writers experience "writer's doubt." That's one reason "writers' colonies" have developed in places like Paris, New York, or Boston. Writers need one another for stimulation, encouragement, affirmation, etc. So when you experience "writer's doubt," remember, you're normal.
For most of us, writing is work. It may be enjoyable work, but it is still work. That's the source of the old joke about the author who was asked, "Do you enjoy writing?" The author replied, "I enjoy having written."
For some of us, writing is like going on a diet. We don't do it until we really want to do so. Desire produces discipline. Far more people aspire to write than actually do.
Dreamers dream, writers write.
There are many reasons people write, personal expression, professional obligation, a sense that something "needs to be said," to earn income, ministry or service, etc. Whatever your reasons, try to pick topics about which you are passionate, or at least care about. The writing process will be far more enjoyable, and you're much more likely to finish the project.
Write sometime, some way, every day. Make writing a habit.
Know why you want to write. Identify what drives you. Set realistic, achievable, but stretch goals with target accomplishment dates. Goals may be a project, pages/words per day/week, etc.
The better the outline, the quicker the writing. Do your homework.
Once you have the outline and you've done the research, write. Just write and keep writing the best draft that you can, but don't worry a lot about its flow or connectedness or logic. This comes together on the second or third pass. Great writers like Philip Yancey take two-three years to write a book, and they typically rewrite sections repeatedly.
Pick a space where you can leave your writing materials out, open, and ready. It's easier to "pick up where you left off" than to try and start all over again.
Pick a time to write that fits your own rhythms, early morning, late at night, blocks of time, whatever works. John Maxwell frequently gets up in the middle of the night to write. Works for him. Wouldn't work for me. Find what works for you.
For some writers writing is not a sacrifice. For most there are trade-offs. Recognize this and make a choice. For example, you may have to give up evening television, etc.
Every writer needs readers, not only when the project is finished but also as the writing is being crafted. Readers' comments are only as valuable as your capacity to receive critique. Many academic writers never develop this capacity. They seem to think every word they write is "sacred." Not so. You must set aside your ego and look for helpful criticism with a sense of humility. It's still your writing, so you do not have to adopt the reader's comments, but you'll always benefit from others' pre-publication review. You should develop the same attitude when you work with editors. This includes project word limits. It's possible to say "more" with fewer words.
Getting readers may be one of your bigger challenges. People often say they'll read your material, then don't read it, or don't read it in the timeframe in which you need feedback (quickly), or don't read it with a truly objective eye, i.e. soft-pedaling their response to avoid "hurting your feelings" or saying what they really think.
Try to identify a couple of knowledgeable and objective readers who will faithfully return your material with honest commentary in the timeframe you require. Try to identify one or two other readers, who may know very little about your subject, but who are well-read individuals capable of giving you honest feedback on style, grammar, sentence construction, flow, content, "readability," etc.
Don't try to write for multiple audiences. It rarely works. Choose an audience, e.g. college students, colleagues, the general public, professionals, homemakers, rocket scientists, etc., and write for that audience. But know your audience.
Study the writing of successful authors who are writing for the audience you want to reach. Learn from these authors. Don't copy them. Emulate them.
Some Thoughts on Publishing
Get a publisher and stay put. Get in the publisher's stable and you and your projects will naturally rise higher on the business's hit parade.
If you want to increase exposure for your work, program, or organization, write books that reach the public and match the interests of the organization with the public's interest.
You may want to write for your peers. This is good, but few books will be sold and you may need to identify a university press.
You may want to write books for the general public. In this you're not trying to "impress" but "express." Don't try to show off your vocabulary. Remember, the first law of communication is to communicate.
"Books aren't bought; they're sold." You have to get out and hawk the book. Do media interviews, book signings, speaking engagements re the book, etc. Cooperate with the publisher on this and create your own market.
Books are generally divided into publications categories like academic, professional, inspirational, etc. A trade book is one written for the general public.
Publishing houses generally prefer to receive a book proposal before a book is written so the staff can work with the author to craft the book.
Book proposals are always required and should be presented in the most refined form possible according to the publisher's guidelines. The proposal allows the publisher to assess the author's ability to write a well-crafted book and may be the difference between an accepted or rejected project.
It's kosher to send your proposal to more than one publisher at a time, as long as you tell them what you are doing. But publishers do not really like this and it may be a matter of shooting yourself in the foot by robbing the publisher of a bit of incentive to invest time and money reviewing your manuscript. You are probably better off to submit your proposal to "your publisher" (if you've published before) or to the publisher you think fits your topic, then wait for a response (4-6 weeks). If the book is rejected, then of course you can shop it around.
If your book proposal is rejected, stay encouraged. Publishing lore is full of stories of authors who piled up rejections only to publish eventually and sell a lot of books (e.g. J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter).
Sometimes a book contract will include a stipulation about "bulk sales," meaning bulk orders from an agency like a radio program, which will in turn market the book on air. The contract may stipulate that the author receives a lower royalty rate on these kinds of bulk sales. In other words the author does not receive as much from this arrangement. A lot of books may be sold, but the royalty is lower and this arrangement may also dry up the market for additional sales.
One author said, "Get as good an advance as possible." But advances are based upon computed and perceived first year royalties, so this is largely a situation of "Pay me now or pay me later." An advance is good for the author, because it is guaranteed and in the bank, particularly if the book bombs. Many publishers now regularly pay advances because it is becoming a norm and is expected. When this happens, an author may receive one-half the expected first year royalties when the book contract is signed and the other one-half when the book is finished and submitted to the publisher.
For new authors, getting the book published is what usually matters, not really the money involved. So whether you receive an advance or simply wait for royalties does not amount to much.
For new authors, royalty percentages run about 14% to 16%. Very well known authors sometimes get royalties as high as 22% to 24% or higher comparable advances, but this is rare.
For newer authors in particular, literary agents are typically not necessary and, unless they really "add value" to the process, they become "middle men" who may "get in the way" and do little besides take a percentage of the author's royalties. On the other hand, some literary agents, depending also upon the quality and content of your work, are worth their weight in gold because they can get your manuscript reviewed by publishers who would not look at your unheralded submission.
Edited books typically do not sell well and publishers are not all that interested in them. This is especially so for edited books with many authors, unless the book has a very good focus. Edited books that include a "point-counterpoint" approach around a focused and timely topic sometimes do well. It is the responsibility of the book editor (not the publisher) to secure permission from other publishers to use already published material in an edited book.
Publishing is changing rapidly and dramatically, influenced by the Internet and digital capabilities affecting audio and video productions as well. When you write, consider publishing in a "mediated" format, i.e. a digital presentation. This could be high definition digital video on DVDs, sound design productions on CD, a book or article published on a website, etc. In these formats, you will potentially reach far more people than any print publication could possibly reach, and you will reach younger people who now learn more from media than from any other source.
"Self-publishing" is easier and less expensive than ever and is gradually attaining new levels of acceptance. Self-publishing is perhaps best achieved via electronic means. Publishing one's own work and promoting it until it attains a recognition sufficient to attract the attention of larger publishing houses is a bit like a new or maverick film maker producing an "independent" film, distributing it as best he or she can, and then evaluating the results. It can happen. Think, The Shack.
Writing is a craft. It typically requires time and effort to develop your best work. Whether you write for yourself or for the world, learn from others and enhance the power of your pen.
Dr. Rex M. Rogers is President, SAT-7 USA, the American advancement arm of SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry based in Cyprus and reaching 22 countries across 7 time zones in 3 languages: Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish. He is former president, Cornerstone University, and writes a column, "Good News from the Middle East." Contact him at http://www.twitter.com/RexMRogers. Read his blog and find additional information at http://www.rexmrogers.com/.
Digital Journalism: SAE Institute and the Media Revolution
SAE Institute, the world's largest creative media technology educator is poised to commence the delivery of its first accredited Digital Journalism courses into the UK, Germany, US, Australia and the Middle East throughout 2010.
Occasionally referred to as 'Backpack Journalism', Digital Journalism or Digital Reporting is a rapidly growing profession that encapsulates a number of key and core disciplines into a new breed of professional whom is writer, producer, director, camera and audio operator, editor and dispatcher all rolled into one. SAE therefore, with its global reach and vast media technology experience, is poised and postured to make a major impact on the Journalism profession and wider media industry alike.
Romy Hawatt, Senior Executive of the SAE Group said: "The acquisition and then the on-communication of information and knowledge for the benefit of current and future generations is an obligation on all of us. The challenge is to use technology to enhance human capital by capturing and effectively communicating this multitude of life experiences. By teaching and training individuals in the art and skill of story construction and telling, coupled with the creative use of the most advanced portable media technology, we should individually and collectively be able to amplify and accelerate the dissemination of information and knowledge. Apart from being a viable career path for male and female alike, the skill of communicating is both liberating and empowering and we hope will support self determination and individual freedom at the grass root as well as a corporate and government level. The new generation of Digital Journalist / Reporter whom we plan to produce should positively impact the global community."
Be it news, lifestyle, current affairs, travel, sport, nature, special interest, science, politics, the arts, fashion, film or business it is a fact that the capacity to write, capture, collate, edit and quickly distribute information in an informative and entertaining way is significantly altering the style of reporting and programming globally.
Guy Warrington, British Consul-General, said: "Digital Journalism is highly applicable to the modern world, and, as the representative of the British Government, I'm delighted to support SAE on the launch of the new program. The company has strong ties to the UK, and our cutting edge creative environment. It's great to see them launch this new strand of their innovative education program."
The new breed of students will be provided and equipped from the outset with the latest JVC HD digital video camera and a software loaded current model MacBook Pro.
Uniquely, upon completion of studies/training, the new graduates will keep this high-end and technologically current equipment as their 'tools of trade'.
Professor Zbys Klich, Director of Academic Affairs, SAE Group, said: "The graduates from this future-oriented course will be ‘boundary-spanners', capable of seeking out unique stories, insights, and experiences for transmission. They will know no geographical borders, no technological barriers, and no creative boundaries. They are the fact finders and the knowledge builders of the future."
*Source : ME NewsWire
Occasionally referred to as 'Backpack Journalism', Digital Journalism or Digital Reporting is a rapidly growing profession that encapsulates a number of key and core disciplines into a new breed of professional whom is writer, producer, director, camera and audio operator, editor and dispatcher all rolled into one. SAE therefore, with its global reach and vast media technology experience, is poised and postured to make a major impact on the Journalism profession and wider media industry alike.
Romy Hawatt, Senior Executive of the SAE Group said: "The acquisition and then the on-communication of information and knowledge for the benefit of current and future generations is an obligation on all of us. The challenge is to use technology to enhance human capital by capturing and effectively communicating this multitude of life experiences. By teaching and training individuals in the art and skill of story construction and telling, coupled with the creative use of the most advanced portable media technology, we should individually and collectively be able to amplify and accelerate the dissemination of information and knowledge. Apart from being a viable career path for male and female alike, the skill of communicating is both liberating and empowering and we hope will support self determination and individual freedom at the grass root as well as a corporate and government level. The new generation of Digital Journalist / Reporter whom we plan to produce should positively impact the global community."
Be it news, lifestyle, current affairs, travel, sport, nature, special interest, science, politics, the arts, fashion, film or business it is a fact that the capacity to write, capture, collate, edit and quickly distribute information in an informative and entertaining way is significantly altering the style of reporting and programming globally.
Guy Warrington, British Consul-General, said: "Digital Journalism is highly applicable to the modern world, and, as the representative of the British Government, I'm delighted to support SAE on the launch of the new program. The company has strong ties to the UK, and our cutting edge creative environment. It's great to see them launch this new strand of their innovative education program."
The new breed of students will be provided and equipped from the outset with the latest JVC HD digital video camera and a software loaded current model MacBook Pro.
Uniquely, upon completion of studies/training, the new graduates will keep this high-end and technologically current equipment as their 'tools of trade'.
Professor Zbys Klich, Director of Academic Affairs, SAE Group, said: "The graduates from this future-oriented course will be ‘boundary-spanners', capable of seeking out unique stories, insights, and experiences for transmission. They will know no geographical borders, no technological barriers, and no creative boundaries. They are the fact finders and the knowledge builders of the future."
*Source : ME NewsWire
8 Tips to Enhance Reading Proficiency Skills for Elementary Aged Boys
A recent study conducted by the Center on Education Policy revealed that girls are stronger readers than boys, and standardized reading tests prove that this gender difference is a national trend. There are several theories as to why girls are more proficient in reading comprehension and literacy, such as the differences in the female and male brains, the differences in learning styles, and so on. University of Phoenix Education Instructor Cathy Malone offers the following tips to assist parents in motivating their sons to excel in reading.
1) Offer books that appeal to your son's interests -- Whether it’s Dr. Seuss, an excursion to the moon or a book about his favorite athlete, find reading materials that interest and stimulate your child.
2) Capture your child's eye -- Studies have shown that boys are more visually stimulated than girls. A captivating cover or colorful pictures can spark your son’s interest.
3) Mix activities and stories - Boys tend to be more physically active than girls. Use activities such as playing catch or trips to the park as an opportunity to discuss a book they are reading while being active.
4) Incorporate games -- Try incorporating games such as a scavenger hunt to encourage reading. Provide your child with a list of clues that they have to read and interpret in order to find the hidden treasure.
5) Read together -- The morning newspaper is a great motivator to encourage reading out loud. Share parts of the paper together and read them over breakfast. Switch off reading articles to promote comprehension and confidence when reading out loud.
6) Scrabble and UpWords -- Scrabble and UpWords are fun educational games to play with your children. Both games encourage the players to create words out of game pieces, while providing lessons in vocabulary and retention.
7) Set a reading schedule -- Whether he reads aloud with you or quietly by himself, set aside some time to read every day. Take turns as you read page by page.
8) Pick books from film -- Almost all movies are available in written form. Get him involved in the book version of his favorite movies and have him compare and contrast the two.
To schedule an interview with University of Phoenix Instructor Cathy Malone to discuss these tips, contact Christina Vanskike at 916-448-5802.
1) Offer books that appeal to your son's interests -- Whether it’s Dr. Seuss, an excursion to the moon or a book about his favorite athlete, find reading materials that interest and stimulate your child.
2) Capture your child's eye -- Studies have shown that boys are more visually stimulated than girls. A captivating cover or colorful pictures can spark your son’s interest.
3) Mix activities and stories - Boys tend to be more physically active than girls. Use activities such as playing catch or trips to the park as an opportunity to discuss a book they are reading while being active.
4) Incorporate games -- Try incorporating games such as a scavenger hunt to encourage reading. Provide your child with a list of clues that they have to read and interpret in order to find the hidden treasure.
5) Read together -- The morning newspaper is a great motivator to encourage reading out loud. Share parts of the paper together and read them over breakfast. Switch off reading articles to promote comprehension and confidence when reading out loud.
6) Scrabble and UpWords -- Scrabble and UpWords are fun educational games to play with your children. Both games encourage the players to create words out of game pieces, while providing lessons in vocabulary and retention.
7) Set a reading schedule -- Whether he reads aloud with you or quietly by himself, set aside some time to read every day. Take turns as you read page by page.
8) Pick books from film -- Almost all movies are available in written form. Get him involved in the book version of his favorite movies and have him compare and contrast the two.
To schedule an interview with University of Phoenix Instructor Cathy Malone to discuss these tips, contact Christina Vanskike at 916-448-5802.
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