tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290426226213783482023-11-15T11:15:04.314-08:00Writing WebsiteJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.comBlogger1082125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-24548480458392586682017-09-08T00:56:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:55:44.735-08:00Adverbs<div> <h2>What Do Adverbs Modify?</h2> <p>An adverb is a word that modifies (describes) a verb (he sings loudly), an adjective (very tall), another adverb (ended too quickly), or even a whole sentence (Fortunately, I had brought an umbrella). Adverbs often end in -ly, but some (such as fast) look exactly the same as their adjective counterparts.</p> <p><div> <div>Tom Longboat did not run <b>badly</b>.</p> <p>Tom is <b>very</b> tall.<a name='more'></a></p> <p>The race finished <b>too</b> quickly.</p> <p><b>Fortunately,</b> Lucy recorded Tom’s win.</div> </div></p> <p>It’s easy to identify adverbs in these sentences.</p> <h3>Adverbs and Verbs</h3> <p>One of the things adverbs do is modify verbs. This means that they describe the way an action is happening.</p> <p><div> <div> Phillip sings <b>loudly</b> in the shower.</p> <p>My cat waits <b>impatiently</b> for his food.</p> <p>I will <b>seriously</b> consider your suggestion.</div> </div></p> <p>The adverbs in each of the sentences above answer the question <em>in what manner?</em> How does Phillip sing? Loudly. How does my cat wait? impatiently. How will I consider your suggestion? Seriously. Adverbs can answer other types of questions about how an action was performed. They can also tell you <em>when</em> (We arrived <em>early</em>) and <em>where</em> (Turn <em>here</em>).</p> <p><div> <div>That cake looks <b>good</b>. </p> <p>My elderly neighbor looks <b>well</b>.</div> </div></p> <p>These two descriptive words are a little more difficult to identify as adverbs. Even though good is usually an adjective, it’s modifying the look of the cake (How does the cake look? It looks good.) so it’s an adverb. We can’t answer the question “what is the cake” because we haven’t tasted it yet, so we don’t know if it’s good cake or bad cake. <em>Well</em> in the second example is tricky because it’s one of the adverbs that doesn’t follow the typical adverb -ly spelling. </p> <p>Most of the time, it’s pretty straightforward. However, there is one type of verb that doesn’t mix well with adverbs. <b>Linking verbs</b>, such as <em>feel, smell, sound, seem,</em> and <em>appear,</em> typically need adjectives, not adverbs. A very common example of this type of mixup is</p> <p><div> <div>I feel <b>badly</b> about what happened.</div> </div></p> <p>Because “feel” is a verb, it seems to call for an adverb rather than an adjective. But “feel” isn’t just any verb; it’s a linking verb. An adverb would describe <em>how</em> you perform the action of feeling—an adjective describes <em>what</em> you feel. “I feel badly” means that you are bad at feeling things. If you’re trying to read Braille through thick leather gloves, then it might make sense for you to say “I feel badly.” But if you’re trying to say that you are experiencing negative emotions, “I feel bad” is the phrase you want.</p> <h3>Adverbs and Adjectives</h3> <p>Adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs. Often, the purpose of the adverb is to add a degree of intensity to the adjective.</p> <p><div> <div>The woman is <b>quite</b> pretty.</p> <p>This book is <b>more</b> interesting than the last one.</p> <p>The weather report is <b>almost always</b> right.</div> </div></p> <p>The adverb <em>almost</em> is modifying the adverb <em>always</em>, and they’re both modifying <em>right</em>. </p> <p><div> <div>“Is my singing <b>too</b> loud?” asked Phillip.</p> <p>My cat is <b>incredibly</b> happy to have his dinner.</p> <p>We will be <b>slightly</b> late to the meeting.</p> <p>This bridesmaid dress is a <b>very</b> unflattering shade of puce.</div> </div></p> <h2>Adverbs and Other Adverbs</h2> <p>You can use an adverb to describe another adverb. In fact, if you wanted to, you could use several.</p> <p><div> <div>Phillip sings <b>rather enormously too loudly</b>.</div> </div></p> <p>The problem is that it often produces weak and clunky sentences like the one above, so be careful not to overdo it.</p> <h3>Adverbs and Sentences</h3> <p>Some adverbs can modify entire sentences—unsurprisingly, these are called <b>sentence adverbs</b>. Common ones include <em>generally, fortunately, interestingly,</em> and <em>accordingly</em>. Sentence adverbs don’t describe one particular thing in the sentence—instead, they describe a general feeling about all of the information in the sentence.</p> <p><div> <div>Fortunately, we got there in time.</p> <p>Interestingly, no one at the auction seemed interested in bidding on the antique spoon collection.</div> </div></p> <p>At one time, the use of the word <em>hopefully</em> as a sentence adverb (e.g., <em>Hopefully, I’ll get this job</em>) was condemned. People continued to use it though, and many style guides and dictionaries now accept it. There are still plenty of readers out there who hate it though, so it’s a good idea to avoid using it in formal writing.</p> <h2>Degrees of Comparison</h2> <p>Like adjectives, adverbs can show degrees of comparison, although it’s slightly less common to use them this way. With certain “flat adverbs” (adverbs that look exactly the same as their adjective counterparts), the comparative and superlative forms look the same as the adjective comparative and superlative forms. It’s usually better to use stronger adverbs (or stronger adjectives and verbs) rather than relying on comparative and superlative adverbs.</p> <p>An absolute adverb describes something in its own right: <div> <div>He smiled <b>warmly</b> A <b>hastily</b> written note </div> </div></p> <p>To make the comparative form of an adverb that ends in -ly, add the word <em>more</em>: <div> <div>He smiled <b>more warmly</b> than the others. The <b>more hastily</b> written note contained the clue. </div> </div></p> <p>To make the superlative form of an adverb that ends in -ly, add the word <em>most</em>: <div> <div>He smiled <b>most warmly</b> of them all. The <b>most hastily</b> written note on the desk was overlooked.</div> </div></p> <h2>Placement of Adverbs</h2> <p>Place adverbs as close as possible to the words they are supposed to modify. Putting the adverb in the wrong spot can produce an awkward sentence at best and completely change the meaning at worst. Be especially careful about the word <em>only</em>, which is one of the most often misplaced modifiers. Consider the difference between these two sentences:</p> <p><div> <div>Phillip only fed the cat. Phillip fed only the cat.</div> </div></p> <p>The first sentence means that all Phillip did was feed the cat. He didn’t pet the cat or pick it up or anything else. The second sentence means that Phillip fed the cat, but he didn’t feed the dog, the bird, or anyone else who might have been around.</p> <p>When an adverb is modifying a verb phrase, the most natural place for the adverb is usually the middle of the phrase.</p> <p><div> <div>We are <b>quickly</b> approaching the deadline.</p> <p>Phillip has <b>always</b> loved singing.</p> <p>I will <b>happily</b> assist you.</div> </div></p> <h2>When to Avoid Adverbs</h2> <p>Ernest Hemingway is often held up as an example of a great writer who detested adverbs and advised other writers to avoid them. In reality, it’s impossible to avoid adverbs altogether. Sometimes we need them, and all writers (even Hemingway) use them occasionally. The trick is to avoid <em>unnecessary</em> adverbs. When your verb or adjective doesn’t seem powerful or precise enough, instead of reaching for an adverb to add more color, try reaching for a stronger verb or adjective instead. Most of the time, you’ll come up with a better word and your writing will be stronger for it.</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-60583977011257581022017-09-07T03:37:00.001-07:002018-01-18T08:01:48.651-08:009 Skills You Need to Master Before You Become a Manager<div> <p>There’s no doubt that being a manager has its perks — increased prestige, recognition from upper management, and a higher paycheck among them. But as with anything worth aspiring to, it’s not all fun and games. As a manager, there are plenty of times you’ll find yourself in tough spots. Maybe you need to let someone know they’re no longer a good fit for their role or smooth things over with an upset client.<a name='more'></a></p> <p>Because of that, it’s important that you don’t simply jump into a management role without having prepared for it first. If you want to do it right, there are a number of skill sets that you should build up first. So before you throw your hat in the ring for a manager position, make sure that you’ve got these nine traits down pat.</p> <h2>1. An Understanding of Budget and Financials</h2> <p>Even if you don’t work in a particularly quantitative field, understanding budget and finance is critical if you want to climb up the corporate ladder. The higher you go, the more people expect you to prove the impact that you and your team are making.</p> <p>“Managers must always know what the numbers mean: how they were derived and what they may or may not hide,” says Roy Cohen, career coach and author of <em>The Wall Street Professional’s Survival Guide.</em> “As a manager, you cannot blame others for mistakes if you are clueless about the process by which they are reported. It is viewed as lazy and irresponsible. Even if you overlook a flaw at least you can explain why the oversight occurred.”</p> <p>Suffering from numbers-phobia? Don’t worry — you can easily brush up your skills if you take a course in accounting, budgeting, or spreadsheet analysis, Cohen says.</p> <h2>2. Delegation</h2> <p>Control freaks, you’ll want to pay especially close attention to this one. As a manager, you’re tasked with not only your own projects but also overseeing others. With that added level of responsibility, you often simply won’t have the time to single-handedly take on everything that needs to get done. And when that moment comes, you need to know how to hand it off.</p> <p>“An important part of getting things done as a manager comes through delegation,” says career coach Angela Copeland. “You have to learn to let go and rely on your team. And, most of all, you’ve got to trust them. The happiest employees are those who feel they have a supportive boss who trusts them to get the job done.”</p> <h2>3. Prioritization</h2> <p>On a similar note, the limited bandwidth and resources you’ll have as a manager will also make identifying the most mission-critical projects and tasks essential.</p> <p>“As a new manager, you will inevitably be asked to take on more than you and your team have the time or budget to do,” Copeland says. “The ability to prioritize initiatives will propel your management career forward. It will allow you to set reasonable expectations for your manager, and will help shield your employees from burnout.”</p> <h2>4. Basic Technology</h2> <p>If you don’t already know your way around a spreadsheet or PowerPoint, it’s high time that you start figuring it out.</p> <p>“The ability to prepare spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations and other documents is a lifesaver for executives who cannot always rely on administrative support; particularly for those who are road warriors or who work for leanly staffed companies,” Cohen says. “The same [goes] for a basic understanding of tech troubleshooting. When you are dependent on those who are junior to you to rescue you from a crisis, you lose your power and authority.”</p> <h2>5. Communication</h2> <p>Strong communication skills are always a boon in the workplace, but if you’re leading a team, they go from a plus to a must. You’ll likely find yourself having to provide constructive feedback, navigate crises, and possibly even let people go — all of which require a delicate hand.</p> <p>“Hard conversations are important as they cause growth and change. But, change is also painful, so these conversations are not easy. To be an effective manager, you have to be prepared for the hard conversations,” Copeland says.</p> <h2>6. Emotional Intelligence</h2> <p>One of the traits that will help you hold these difficult conversations? Emotional intelligence.</p> <p>“A huge part of developing and retaining successful employees boils down to emotional intelligence,” Copeland continues. “Having empathy and an understanding of others will help you to motivate your employees to get on board with your vision. This is also a critical skill when it comes to selling your ideas to higher level executives.”</p> <h2>7. Project Management</h2> <p>Being a manager means you can no longer shrug off the missteps of others on your team, brushing it off as not your fault since you took care of the individual items you were assigned. As a more senior employee, you’ll be expected to see things through from start to finish — no ifs, ands, or buts.</p> <p>“Project management represents virtually every aspect of your role as a manager,” Cohen says. “No matter what your role and responsibilities as a manager [are], you will need to know how to motivate and inspire high performing teams to work together collaboratively and with a shared commitment.”</p> <p>Don’t worry if you aren’t a certified professional project manager, though, says Cohen. “You just need to understand the process and to appreciate that members of your team each bring different work styles and motivators to their job. It may be enough to read a book on effective project management and leadership. Perhaps identify a senior mentor to help you stay on track,” he suggests.</p> <h2>8. In-the-Trenches Experience</h2> <p>However, just because you’re spearheading a project doesn’t mean you won’t be expected to get your hands dirty with day-to-day execution, either.</p> <p>“Be willing to roll up your sleeves. When your team knows that you can perform in the job in a pinch, they are less likely to cut corners and you are better able to establish both your authority and credibility quickly,” Cohen says. “Work alongside them on occasion as a reminder that you know your stuff.”</p> <h2>9. Backbone</h2> <p>Being a manager often requires you to make tough decisions and stand up for what you believe in.</p> <p>“Being a manager will push your boundaries of right and wrong. Before becoming a manager, you need to develop a strong sense of your personal values and the courage to stick up for them,” Copeland says. “You should be comfortable standing up for what’s right, even when it’s not comfortable. Your employer and future employees will thank you.”</p> <p>It’s important to develop empathy, but still know “the difference between BS and the truth,” adds Cohen. “Good managers are fair and reasonable. But they are not milquetoast. They have learned how to be assertive while identifying and addressing their own weaknesses.”</p> <p><em>A version of this post originally appeared on Glassdoor’s blog.</em></p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-78739187954435454632017-09-05T08:18:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:48:42.421-08:0010 Networking Tips for People Who Hate Networking<div> <p>If you are shy or socially awkward, you probably hate networking. Even if you find it difficult to approach professionals in your field, you can still alleviate some of the stress with these ten useful networking tips. </p> <p><span>1</span> <b>Know who will be there.</b></p> <p>To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Knowing the attendees in advance gives you the chance to beef up on the company’s goals and show interest in its latest achievements.<a name='more'></a> It also removes the fear of the unknown. Naturally, some people you weren’t expecting will turn up. However, as they say, half a loaf is better than no bread. Start off talking to the people you prepared for until you feel confident enough to approach the others.</p> <p><span>2</span> <b>Ask open-ended questions. </b></p> <p>To avoid awkward silence, aim for open-ended questions rather than yes-no questions. Listen carefully to the response and try to think of a follow-up comment or question to keep the conversation going. If someone asks you a question, “And you?” is an easy way to continue the discussion. </p> <p><div> <div>Do you work at IBM?</div> </div> <div> <div>What motivated you apply for IBM?</div> </div></p> <p><span>3</span> <b>Set definite goals for the interaction.</b></p> <p>Don’t you love playing a video game and hearing the words: “Level complete!” You can generate that feeling at networking events by setting interpersonal goals. For instance, commit to staying at least a half hour. After the time is up, leave without guilt. Or, set a goal to talk to at least five new people. Setting objectives makes networking events seem less overwhelming because you have a manageable goal in mind. Also, you might find that once you get the ball rolling, you can push yourself past the minimums that you set. </p> <p><span>4</span> <b>Arrive early.</b></p> <p>If big groups freak you out, it’s best to come while the crowd is still thin. Besides being quieter, a room with few people is less intimidating than one packed from wall to wall. Punctuality also gives you a conversational advantage. You’ll find it easier to approach others if they aren’t already in the throes of conversation.</p> <p><span>5</span> <b>Find the connection.</b></p> <p>What do you have in common with the person with whom you are conversing? In 1929, Frigyes Karinthy proposed that each individual in the world is only six or fewer steps away from any other person. Granted, there were fewer people on earth back then, but you should be able to find some common ground. Did you major in the same subject? Do you share hobbies or causes? Challenging yourself to find the connection will motivate you to keep the conversation flowing. As a bonus, you will have a great excuse to exchange contact information with your new buddy. Later, you will feel comfortable asking for advice or a job referral. If you really hit it off, you can invite your contact to an event that you think you will both enjoy. </p> <p><span>6</span> <b>Have a few emergency ice-breakers ready.</b></p> <p>If you find a conversation going stagnant, plan a few interesting ice-breakers. In a small group, you might try a getting-to-know-you game that involves everyone. The following idea comes from EventManager Blog: Ask everyone to think of one word that describes a topic of your choice. (For a group of doctors, for instance, you might choose “medical school.”) The responses should give you some laughs and opportunities to share experiences. </p> <p><span>7</span> <b>Look approachable.</b></p> <p>The extroverts will flock to you if you look welcoming. Smile and try to make eye contact. Practice open body language. That means no folded arms or hiding behind your hair! This warm, friendly demeanor will make others want to find out who you are.</p> <p><span>8</span> <b>Rely on your tribe.</b></p> <p>Why go at it alone? Invite colleagues and associates to attend networking events with you. Even if you don’t spend much time with them, their friendly faces will make you feel at ease. You can also practice your elevator pitch with people you know and ask them for feedback before the event. </p> <p><span>9</span> <b>Make a good last impression, even if the first one wasn’t ideal.</b></p> <p>Even if you felt like you failed to impress in person, you still have a chance to shine on paper. Send a brief thank you note or email to show how much you enjoyed meeting the participant. You can thank them for taking time to talk with you. Once you make contact, you can update them about the status of your job search (or ask them about theirs if they are a jobseeker too.)</p> <p><span>10</span> <b>Follow through on referrals. </b></p> <p>If you fail to follow through on referrals, you are letting all your hard work go to waste. A lack of response also shows disrespect for the people who vouched for you. Even if you don’t accept a job, you should still thank the referrer and the hiring manager for their time. </p> <p>Networking is necessary, and it doesn’t have to be evil! Admit it; these networking tips won’t be impossible to try. Which one do you want to tackle first?</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-24735567591747131532017-09-01T09:31:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:48:59.352-08:00From Pens to Speech: How Writing Tools Have Evolved<div> <p>As technology improves, it’s faster and easier than ever to get words from brain to screen. We’ve progressed from dipping utensils in ink to using speech recognition software to dictate an entire Slate article. Here’s the evolution of writing tools at a glance.</p> <h2>Pens</h2> <p>Writers initially used reed or bamboo pens, feather quills, ink brushes, or dip pens, all of which were dipped into ink and then placed on papyrus or paper.<a name='more'></a> These were notoriously messy, which prompted the creation of a reservoir pen in 1636, which was made from two quills. One quill was sealed with a cork and held the ink, which was squeezed through a tiny hole. In 1827, a patent was issued in France for a fountain pen with an ink chamber in the handle.</p> <p>The first patent for a ballpoint pen, or a pen that has a tiny moving ball in a socket in the pen tip, was issued in 1888. Then came the invention of felt-tip pens in the 1960s, rollerball pens in the 1970s, and erasable pens in 1979.</p> <h2>Typewriters</h2> <p>In 1868, the first commercially successful typewriter was invented. Mark Twain typed the following letter to his brother in 1875:</p> <p><blockquote> <p class="tool__quote-content">The machine has several virtues. I believe it will print faster than I can write. One may lean back in his chair & work it. It piles an awful stack of words on one page. It don’t muss things or scatter ink blots around. Of course it saves paper.</p> </blockquote></p> <p>Initially, some people insisted that only two fingers be used to type while others said eight would be better and that typists should stare at the buttons, while still others argued it would be better to stare at the page. The QWERTY keyboard arrangement, on the other hand, was agreed upon by most and has barely changed since the invention of the typewriter.</p> <p>Ever wonder why we have the QWERTY keyboard? It was arranged by Christopher Latham Sholes, inventor of the typewriter, who originally placed letters in two rows ordered alphabetically. The flaw in this system was that letters that were combined most often, such as “st” and “th,” were hit close together and caused the keyboard to jam. Thus, Sholes collaborated with Amos Densmore, an educator, and rearranged the keys according to their popularity to prevent jamming. This caused initial confusion for typists because they couldn’t find the keys, but it proved to make typing faster, because the keys wouldn’t jam.</p> <h2>Computers</h2> <p>Typewriters were widely used until computers advanced to the point that the average consumer could use them. In the late 1970s, Apple, Radio Shack, and Commodore began manufacturing keyboards for their computers. For a throwback, watch this Radio Shack commercial for the TRS-80.</p> <h2>Mobile Phones</h2> <p>Typing on mobile phones started with multi-tap approach on alphanumeric keys (1=abc, 2=def, and so on), as used by the 1989 Motorola MicroTAC 9800X. By 1993, however, we had the IBM Simon, the world’s first full QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen. The Nokia 9000 Communicator was launched in 1997 with the first QWERTY push-button keyboard and a touchscreen QWERTY keyboard. Now, many smartphone users only use QWERTY keyboards on-screen, although physical keyboards may be making a comeback.</p> <h2>Speech Recognition Software</h2> <p>Speech recognition first appeared in the 1950s to 1960s with Bell Laboratories’ “Audrey” system, which could recognize spoken digits. In the 1990s, Dragon released the first consumer-targeted speech recognition product, called Dragon Dictate, for a whopping $9,000. By the 2000s, speech recognition plateaued at about 80% accuracy, until very recently. In the last two to three years, speech recognition has improved thanks to Apple’s and Google’s speech-recognition capabilities. Typing by voice is now easier and faster than typing on screen; it’s also necessary as wearable devices like Google Glass and Apple Watch and products like Amazon fire TV come into the fray. The software parses your words from ambient noises, then analyzes the linguistic context to decipher what you’re <i>probably</i> saying.</p> <h2>The Future of Writing</h2> <p>Is handwriting becoming obsolete? In a study by Docmail, one-third of the 2,000 respondents said they hadn’t written anything by hand in the last forty-one days. Also, handwriting is receiving less emphasis in schools. Students in the U.S. are taking notes on laptops and cursive writing has been eliminated from the Common Core curriculum standards. American children have been required to know how to use a keyboard since 2013. Typing “allows us to go faster, not because we want everything faster in our hyped-up age, but for the opposite reason: we want more time to think,” said Anne Trubek, associate professor of rhetoric and composition at Oberlin College in Ohio. Do you think pen and paper will be replaced by speech recognition? Will handwriting ever be obsolete?</p> <p></p> <p><b>Share this infographic on your blog by copying the embed code:</b> <code class="tool__embed_image"> </code> <i>Please attribute this content to http://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism-checker.</i></p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-80651111976153911592017-09-01T01:55:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:48:51.986-08:0031 Words and Phrases You No Longer Need<div> <p>Close your eyes. Imagine words as people in an office setting. The verbs scurry about, active and animated, getting things done. The adjectives and adverbs conjure ideas and images in the marketing department. But there’s always that one guy. See him? He’s over by the water cooler, leaning against the wall. He’s omnipresent, and yet nobody really knows what he <em>does</em>. He may be hanging around, but he sure doesn’t seem to be pulling his weight.<a name='more'></a></p> <p>That One Guy could represent any word or phrase that always shows up in our writing but doesn’t contribute anything. Here’s a list of thirty-one words and phrases you need to take off your payroll this year.</p> <h2>Slacker Words and Phrases</h2> <p><b>At all times</b></p> <p>Watch out for flabby phrases <s>at all times</s>.</p> <p><b>Each and every</b></p> <p>Look for filler words in your writing <s>each and every day</s> daily.</p> <p><b>As yet</b></p> <p>We don’t know <s>as yet</s> whether we’ll succeed.</p> <p><b>In order</b></p> <p>Eliminate excess verbiage <s>in order</s> to clean up your writing.</p> <p><b>Basically, essentially</b></p> <p>These words <s>basically</s> don’t add value. They’re <s>essentially</s> useless.</p> <p><b>Totally, completely, absolutely, literally, actually</b></p> <p>Without filler words, your writing will be <s>totally</s> fabulous.</p> <p><b>Very, really, quite, rather, extremely</b></p> <p>These <s>very</s> common words are <s>really</s> not useful. They’re <s>rather</s> dull.</p> <p><b>Simply</b></p> <p><s>Simply</s> Don’t use this word often.</p> <p><b>Pretty</b></p> <p>It’s a <s>pretty</s> good idea to use this one sparingly, too.</p> <p><b>Just</b></p> <p>If your sentence works without it, you <s>just</s> don’t need this word.</p> <p><b>That</b></p> <p>This is a word <s>that</s> you should only use when you need it for clarity.</p> <p><b>Up, down</b></p> <p>We don’t care whether you stand <s>up</s> or sit <s>down</s> to write, just write cleanly!</p> <p><b>In the process of</b></p> <p>We’re <s>in the process of</s> learning to remove wordiness.</p> <p><b>As a matter of fact</b></p> <p><s>As a matter of fact,</s> Your skills have improved.</p> <p><b>All of</b></p> <p><s>All of</s> Your readers will enjoy reading cleaner copy.</p> <p><b>As being</b></p> <p>You’ll be known as <s>being</s> a proficient writer!</p> <p><b>Being that</b></p> <p><s>Being that</s> Because you’re the best writer in your class, you’re sure to get good grades.</p> <p><b>During the course of</b></p> <p>During <s>the course of</s> the writing lesson, we learned some new tricks!</p> <p><b>For all intents and purposes, For the most part</b></p> <p><s>For all intents and purposes,</s> Our writing has improved.</p> <p><b>Point in time</b></p> <p>You don’t need to use filler words <s>at this point in time</s> now.</p> <p>Every word needs to have a purpose in your writing, and there are plenty that don’t contribute anything but clutter. Now that you have a list of common offenders, how many more can you think of? Leave a comment!</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-32826883644274477762017-08-29T08:48:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:49:32.084-08:00The Do&rsquo;s and Dont&rsquo;s of Asking for a Promotion<div> <p>You work hard. You’d like to see your efforts rewarded. In an ideal world, your superiors would recognize your talent and offer you a promotion. But advancing is rarely that easy. We’ve compiled the ultimate guide to asking for a promotion. Read on if climbing the career ladder is in your sights!</p> <h2>Positioning Yourself for a Promotion</h2> <ul> <li><b>Do decide on a timeline.</b> Asking for a promotion shouldn’t be an impulsive decision.<a name='more'></a> Planning will allow you to make sure you’re at the peak of your performance and have your results well documented before you broach the topic.</li> <li><b>Don’t think a promotion will fix everything.</b> Is a promotion really what you need in order to get where you want to be with your career? A promotion won’t make you happier if you’re not enjoying your current company and position.</li> <li><b>Do analyze your current performance</b> Are you doing outstanding work? If you’re not meeting and regularly exceeding expectations, you’ll need to step it up in order to get on management’s radar. It also never hurts to volunteer for special projects.</li> <li><b>Don’t toot your own horn.</b> Sure, you want to be noticed, but it’s important not to come across as arrogant. Do your best to show that you’re confident, not cocky.</li> <li><b>Do consider the timing.</b> Is your company in a strong financial position? Is the climate generally positive? If not, it might not be the best time to jockey for a better position.</li> <li><b>Don’t disregard your manager’s goals.</b> Before you ask for a promotion, you should know what your manager’s team objectives are and have a clear idea of how your contributions are helping to knock those goals out of the park.</li> <li><b>Do keep notes and gather statistics.</b> In the months leading up to when you plan to ask for a promotion, make note of concrete accomplishments. If your job is one that uses analytics, compile statistics to show your successes—numbers talk!</li> <li><b>Don’t forget to do your homework.</b> Know the skills the position you’re aiming for requires. Make sure you’re prepared to demonstrate how your skills and accomplishments are a good match for the job.</li> <li><strong>Do plant a seed and get feedback.</strong></li> </ul> <p>Let your boss know that you’re interested in moving up in the future. Let them know where you’re at today, and how you see yourself evolving to fill a new role in the future. Have a concrete action plan and ask for feedback on it.</p> <h2>Asking for a Promotion</h2> <p>When you’ve positioned yourself and you’re ready to ascend the career ladder, ask your boss for a meeting to discuss your role. Here are a few things to keep in mind.</p> <ul> <li><b>Do plan the meeting.</b> It’s a good idea to have your agenda outlined in advance so you can demonstrate that you’re a fit for the new position. Having everything laid out in advance allows you to focus on important points, which makes you appear more composed and confident.</li> <li><b>Don’t skimp on the presentation.</b> If you have insights or data to share, get them down on paper so you can present them to your boss with flair.</li> <li><b>Do dress for success.</b> Even if your company dress code is casual, take care with your appearance on the day of your meeting. You don’t have to wear a three-piece suit if your work attire is usually business casual, but make sure you’re looking clean and polished.</li> <li><b>Don’t make it all about you.</b> Your boss likely doesn’t care that your rent went up, or that it’s been a couple of years since your last promotion. Remember, it’s not about what your company can do for you, but what you can do for the company.</li> <li><b>Do focus on the benefits.</b> Your boss’s job is to look after the best interests of the company. He needs to see how promoting you will improve that bottom line.</li> <li><b>Don’t compare yourself to others.</b> Resist the urge to focus on others, even if you work harder than a coworker who holds a higher position, or you know that someone on the same tier makes more money. Your meeting should focus on your own merit and accomplishments.</li> <li><b>Do think in terms of what you deserve, not what you need.</b> You may well need more money, but unless you can prove that you also deserve it you won’t get far in your quest for a promotion. Be prepared to demonstrate why you’re the person for the job.</li> <li><b>Don’t assume you deserve a raise simply based on your length of employment.</b> Many workers think that longevity should equal a promotion. That’s not the case in today’s workplace. You’ll need to show how your contributions create value.</li> <li><b>Do consider timing.</b> It makes good sense to ask for a promotion just after you’ve achieved a significant milestone. If your biggest successes are months in the past, you’ll want to wait until some of your current projects have come to fruition.</li> <li><b>Don’t forget to rehearse before your meeting.</b> At the very least, rehearse by yourself. If you can, ask a trusted friend to listen to your pitch. Consider these nine things you should never say when you’re asking for a promotion.</li> </ul> <h2>What to Do if You’re Turned Down for a Promotion</h2> <ul> <li><b>Don’t give up.</b> Don’t take rejection personally. If there are performance issues you need to address, own them. Otherwise, let go of factors that are outside your control. If you get a no, consider it a “not yet.”</li> <li><b>Do ask for a timeline and follow up.</b> If you didn’t get the result you were after this time, set a timeline with your boss. Say, “I’d like to position myself for a promotion within the next X months. I’d be grateful for any feedback or suggestions you have on how I might get there.”</li> <li><b>Don’t complain.</b> Whiners aren’t winners. If you hope to advance in your company, keep your attitude positive and goal-focused.</li> <li><b>Do take stock.</b> If you’re convinced that your company is the best fit for you, revise your plan for advancing in your career and get down to work. If you’ve lost enthusiasm, weigh the pros and cons of moving on to another company.</li> </ul> <p>Asking for a promotion is one of the most unnerving challenges any worker faces. But if you go into the process fully prepared and confident in your skills, you’ll increase the odds of successfully earning the career boost you deserve.</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-49833651656243009402017-08-28T05:03:00.001-07:002018-01-18T08:02:45.406-08:00Everything You Need to Know about How to Write a Letter<div> <p>How to start a letter, what type of letter you should write, what letter format you should choose—everyone should be familiar with these basics of letter writing. Here’s the information you need to know, along with some helpful examples.</p> <h2>What Type of Letter Should You Write?</h2> <p>There are no hard-and-fast rules. What letter format you choose depends on your audience. For a friend or close relative, a casual, handwritten message is usually the best way to go.<a name='more'></a> However, for business contacts or people you don’t know well, a typed formal letter is almost always the most appropriate choice.</p> <h2>Before You Start a Letter</h2> <p>Formal letters begin with the sender’s name and address. Some companies use special paper, called letterhead, that includes contact information.</p> <p><div> <div> Brenda Houser 321 Hyacinth Lane Culver City, CA 90230 </div> </div></p> <p>The next line of a formal letter and the first line of an informal letter is the date. Write it two lines after your address or at the top of a casual letter.</p> <p><div> <div>December 1, 2017</div> </div> <div> <div>12 January 2018</div> </div></p> <p>Additionally, formal letters need the name and address of the recipient two spaces after the date. Incorporating all this information ensures that your letter can be used as a reference to contact you after the recipient discards the envelope.</p> <p><div> <div> Business Corporation 555 Industry Street San Francisco, CA 94104</div> </div></p> <h2>How to Start a Letter</h2> <p>Finally, you’re ready to greet the person (or business) to whom you’re writing. Skip a space from any addresses you’ve included. Casual letters are easy; you can start with “Hello” or another customary greeting. Formal letters begin with “Dear” followed by the name of the receiver. If you don’t have a contact at a certain company, search online for a name, a job title, or department. For example, you might try “Dear Manager” or “Dear Human Resources Department.” As a last resort, use the generic salutation “To Whom It May Concern.” A comma follows all greetings.</p> <p><div> <div>Dear Ms. Abercrombie,</div> </div> <div> <div>Dear University of Illinois Staff,</div> </div></p> <h2>The Body of the Letter</h2> <p>The content of your letter will vary, so let’s focus on some general guidelines.</p> <p><b>Do. . .</b> keep it focused. Business letters should have a clear objective. Even personal letters shouldn’t ramble. Proofread. Errors can cause misunderstandings.</p> <p>Don’t. . . use contractions in formal letters. And definitely avoid writing anything you’ll regret being recorded for posterity.</p> <h2>How to End a Letter</h2> <p>Leave a blank space between your closing paragraph and the complimentary closing. A complimentary close is a polite way to send your regards to your receiver. One of the most common closers is “Sincerely,” and it’s generally a safe bet. If you have a warmer relationship with the recipient, you can sign off with “Warm regards” or “Cordially.” There are dozens of options, so you’ll have to do a little research to determine which is best for you. Commas follow all complimentary closings. Remember, only the first letter of the phrase is capitalized. Leave another couple of spaces for the last step—your signature! Type your full name underneath it in formal letters.</p> <p><div> <div> Best wishes, signature Theresa Grant </div> </div></p> <p>With sincere gratitude, Signature Dr. Malcolm J. Carl, Jr.</p> <h2>What’s P.S.?</h2> <p>P.S. stands for postscript. It’s something you add at the last minute after the letter is complete. Typically, you don’t add postscripts to formal letters; if you need to add something, you’ll have to revise the whole document to include the new information.</p> <p><div> <div> P.S. Rob got the position at Great Company! Thanks for all the support during his unemployment.</div> </div></p> <h2>The Envelope</h2> <p>In the United States, the maximum weight for a first-class letter is 3.5 ounces. If your letter is more than three pages or you’ve written it on heavy paper, you’ll have to weigh it to make sure it meets the requirements. The size and shape of the envelope matter too. It has to be rectangular and less than roughly 6×11 inches or you run the risk of the post office returning it.</p> <h2>Sending a Letter</h2> <p>After you’ve determined that the envelope is the right kind, the hardest part is over. Now, you just have to mail it. (If it’s a personal letter, you can always deliver it yourself. In that case, just write the intended recipient’s name on the outside of the envelope. A bonus of hand-delivery?: You can use any size or shape envelope that you want!) In the top left-hand corner, write your name and address or attach a mailing label. In the center of the envelope, carefully write the address of the recipient. Besides the state abbreviation and zip code, international letters should include the country for both the destination and return address. Postage rates vary. Check the USPS website for current prices or use a forever stamp for US destinations. Double-check that everything is correct on the outside of the envelope. If it is, fold your letter and insert it inside neatly. Don’t seal it until you’re sure that you’ve included every page you intend to send.</p> <p>Doesn’t it feel good sending a letter that you know you’ve carefully prepared? Certainly, a well-written letter has the best chance of accomplishing its purpose. But what about a cover letter for a job application? Cover letters have their own set of best practices. Read everything you need to know about how to write a cover letter before you send out your next resume!</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-36817936864548292122017-08-25T08:32:00.001-07:002018-01-18T08:02:34.659-08:004 Tips to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out to Recruiters<div> <p>You could spend hours polishing your LinkedIn profile. As someone who has stared at several LinkedIn profiles to give recommendations, I know the hole you can fall into when you’re looking for a new job and need to “spruce up” your LinkedIn page.</p> <p>Although you could take serious time to critically review, edit, and re-review each section of your profile, you probably shouldn’t. Your LinkedIn page is vital for landing a new role, with 87 percent of recruiters using LinkedIn to vet candidates, according to data from Jobvite.<a name='more'></a> Luckily, it’s easy to optimize the elements recruiters are most likely to check first.</p> <h2><span>1</span> Make Sure Recruiters Can Find You</h2> <p>If recruiters can’t find you, they’re not going to reach out to you. It’s as simple as that. There are two ways recruiters can find you: through searches on LinkedIn or Google, and through their connections. Let’s start with search engines, since they’re easier to master.</p> <p>Here are four simple steps to optimize your LinkedIn profile for search engines:</p> <ul> <li>First, think about the types of roles you want to pursue. Are you looking for something in a field you already work in? Are you just starting out in this field, or making a large career change? List out the companies and titles you’d like to pursue in a future job search.</li> <li>Next, take a look at people at your target companies who have the job titles you’d like, if you can. Can’t find anyone? Try a comparable company or a slightly tweaked job title.</li> </ul> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> Pro Tip: Want to stalk—I mean look—at someone’s LinkedIn profile without letting them know you “viewed” their profile? Search them in LinkedIn’s native search, then copy-paste their LinkedIn profile URL to a new incognito window.</div></p> <p>After you’ve found some keywords in these profiles, make sure to add them to your tagline, summary, and skills (if they are skills you possess). Also, don’t forget to turn on the setting in LinkedIn that lets recruiters know you’re open to new opportunities! That way, recruiters will find you first when they’re looking for candidates.</p> <h2><span>2</span> Stand Out in Your LinkedIn Tagline and Summary</h2> <p>Once you’ve made yourself as discoverable as possible, it’s time to home in on the sections of your LinkedIn profile that matter. And that means getting back to basics.</p> <p>When I asked Angela Ritter, a recruiter at Grammarly, what she looks for in a perfect LinkedIn profile, she called out three major features: job titles, taglines, and summaries. Let’s look at each of these individually.</p> <ul> <li>Job Titles: Job titles are the easiest on this list, since recruiters are simply looking for honesty here. As much as “padding your resume” has become a cliché, lying about your title at past companies is a bad idea. Your potential employer will double-check, so stay honest!</li> <li>Tagline: You can either use your current job title or an aspirational description of the role you’d like, based on the keywords you found above. This helps with your searchability, so feel free to pad it with two or three keywords to make yourself more discoverable.</li> <li>Summary: These don’t need to be long, but they should describe what you’re trying to accomplish in your career, as well as what skills and experience you’re bringing to the table. Need help writing one? Check out my guide to summaries here.</li> </ul> <h2><span>3</span> Connect, Connect, Connect</h2> <p>Now, let’s talk about connections. LinkedIn is designed to encourage the collection of connections from people in your address book, who went to your school, and even people you probably don’t know in real life. While you should connect with as many people as you know in real life, connecting with random professionals without a reason isn’t a good idea. At the end of the day, your connections represent people you (unconsciously) endorse, so try to connect only with professionals with whom you’ve shared some sort of experience.</p> <p>That said, connections and recommendations are important to recruiters! Just hear what Alyssa Seidman, another Grammarly recruiter, had to say when I asked her about the value of LinkedIn to recruiters.</p> <p><blockquote> <p class="tool__quote-content">Often, before even looking at a candidate’s resume, I will go directly to their LinkedIn profile. This can provide social proof of how their past managers and colleagues felt about interacting with them. It also can give me a better sense of the candidate’s interests. In an instance where we have a mutual connection, it helps make the process more personal! –Alyssa Seidman, Recruiter at Grammarly</p> </blockquote></p> <h2><span>4</span> Proofread Your LinkedIn Profile, Then Proofread It Again</h2> <p>This isn’t the first time I’ve said this, but it bears repeating. The details of your LinkedIn profile are important! I have personally disqualified candidates because they had typos in their profiles, and pretty much every other hiring manager has done the same. Details matter!</p> <p><blockquote> <p class="tool__quote-content">I pay attention to detail in candidate LinkedIn profiles. I double check that the job title in their intro matches the job they are currently in, if they took the time to outline what they’re doing in their role (at least slightly), etc. Profile bios and intros are always something I look for as well. – Angela Ritter, Recruiter at Grammarly </p> </blockquote></p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-5342214567345566872017-08-23T08:57:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:49:44.030-08:00This Is How to Write an Effective Research Paper<div> <p>There are two words that evoke instant anxiety in nearly every academic—research paper. In this article, we’ll break down the steps to writing a research paper.</p> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> Although the research paper format is fairly standardized, writing guidelines may vary not only among academic institutions but also among individual professors. Pay attention to any how-to handouts you’ve received, and don’t forget to check your university’s writing lab for more resources.<a name='more'></a></div></p> <h2>How does a research paper differ from a research proposal?</h2> <p>A research paper is different from a research proposal (also known as a prospectus), although the writing process is similar. Research papers are intended to demonstrate a student’s academic knowledge of a subject. A proposal is a persuasive piece meant to convince its audience of the value of a research project. Think of the proposal as the pitch and the paper as the finished product.</p> <p><blockquote> <p class="tool__quote-content">A prospectus is a formal proposal of a research project developed to convince a reader (a professor or research committee, or later in life, a project coordinator, funding agency, or the like) that the research can be carried out and will yield worthwhile results.</p> </blockquote></p> <p>—Wichita State University Department of English</p> <h2>Dig into the research process.</h2> <p>Although we’ll focus more on the organization and writing of a research paper in this article, the research process is an important first step. Research will help you in several ways:</p> <ul> <li>understanding your subject</li> <li>formulating ideas for your paper</li> <li>developing a thesis statement</li> <li>speaking about your topic with authority</li> </ul> <p>Gather resource materials and begin reviewing them. Here are a few good information sources:</p> <ul> <li>Google Scholar</li> <li>Online encyclopedias, almanacs, and databases</li> <li>Books and periodicals</li> <li>Newspapers</li> <li>Government publications, guides, and reports</li> </ul> <p>As you read and evaluate the information you discover, take notes. Keep track of your reference materials so you can cite them and build your bibliography later. The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) and other university writing lab websites are excellent resources to help you understand what information you’ll need to collect to properly cite references.</p> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> Try storing your notes in a spreadsheet. Create columns for elements you want to include in your paper as well as information necessary for your citations/bibliography. Columns can include headings such as Title, Author, Reference link, Page number, and Quotes.</div></p> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> Check with your instructor or university writing lab to determine the preferred citation style. Grammarly Premium identifies things that need to be cited and helps you cite them.</div></p> <h2>Organize before you start writing.</h2> <p>Your research spawned tons of ideas. Great! Now you’re ready to begin the process of organizing your presentation . . . <em>before</em> you begin writing. Don’t skip the organization step—it’s critical to your paper’s success. Without it, your paper will lack focus and you’ll spend much more time in the revision process trying to make sense of your jumbled thoughts.</p> <h3>The Thesis Statement</h3> <p><blockquote> <p class="tool__quote-content">The thesis statement is a sentence that summarizes the main point of your essay and previews your supporting points. The thesis statement is important because it guides your readers from the beginning of your essay by telling them the main idea and supporting points of your essay.</p> </blockquote> —Purdue OWL – Developing a Thesis</p> <p>Most research papers begin with a thesis statement at the end of an introductory paragraph. Even if it’s not a requirement, it’s a good idea to write a thesis statement as you begin to organize your research. Writing the thesis statement first is helpful because every argument or point you make in your paper should support this central idea you’re putting forward.</p> <p>Most research papers fall into one of three categories: analytical, expository, or argumentative. If you’re presenting an analysis of information, then your paper is analytical. If you’re writing to explain information, then your paper is expository. If you’re arguing a conclusion, then it’s argumentative or persuasive. Your thesis statement should match the type of paper you’re writing.</p> <p>Invest time in writing your thesis statement—it’s the main idea of your paper, from which everything else flows. Without a well-thought-out thesis statement, your paper is likely to end up jumbled and with an unclear purpose. Here’s more guidance from Purdue OWL.</p> <h3>The Outline</h3> <p>An outline will help you organize your thoughts before you dig into the writing process. Once you’ve developed your thesis statement, think about the main points you’ll need to present to support that statement. Those main points are your sub-headings. Now, organize your thoughts and information under each sub-heading.</p> <p>Any information that doesn’t fit within the framework of your outline, and doesn’t directly support your thesis statement, no matter how interesting, doesn’t belong in your research paper. Keep your focus narrow and avoid the kitchen sink approach. (You know, the one where you throw in every bit of interesting research you uncovered, including the fungal growth in the U-joint of your kitchen sink?) Everything you learn may be fascinating, but not all of it is going to be relevant to your paper.</p> <p>Need more help? Here’s an effective outlining strategy.</p> <h2>Writing the Research Paper</h2> <p>The good news is, once you reach this point in the process you’re likely to feel energized by all the ideas and thoughts you’ve uncovered in your research, and you’ll have a clear direction because you’ve taken the time to create a thesis statement and organize your presentation with an outline.</p> <p>Here are the best elements to a research paper:</p> <h3><span>1</span> The Introduction</h3> <p>Here’s where you present the background and context for the rest of your article. Craft a strong opening sentence that will engage the reader. Just because you’re writing an academic research paper doesn’t mean you have to be dry and boring.</p> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> See Step 4 in our guide to better content writing. Although it’s about writing for the web, it’s relevant here, too.</div></p> <p>Explain the purpose of your paper and how you plan to approach the topic. (Is this a factual report? An analysis? A persuasive piece?) Describe how you’ve organized your approach to the topic. Conclude the introductory paragraph with your thesis statement.</p> <p><blockquote> <p class="tool__quote-content">The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper that answers three important questions:</p> <ul> <li>What is this?</li> <li>Why am I reading it?</li> <li>What do you want me to do?</li> <li>You should answer these questions by doing the following:</li> <li><b>Set the context</b> – Provide general information about the main idea, explaining the situation so the reader can make sense of the topic and the claims you make and support.</li> <li><b>State why the main idea is important</b> – Tell the reader why he or she should care and keep reading. Your goal is to create a compelling, clear, and convincing essay people will want to read and act upon.</li> <li><b>State your thesis/claim</b> – Compose a sentence or two stating the position you will support with <em>logos</em> (sound reasoning: induction, deduction), <em>pathos</em> (balanced emotional appeal), and <em>ethos</em> (author credibility). </p> </blockquote> —Purdue OWL</li> </ul> <p>MORE INFO: Starting Your Research Paper: Writing an Introductory Paragraph</p> <h3><span>2</span> The Body</h3> <p>Here’s where your outline will come in handy. As you’re writing, remember that your outline isn’t meant to be a prison—it’s a guideline to keep you on track. Your paper may evolve, so keep it fluid, but do remember to stay focused on your thesis statement and proving your points. Don’t let your sources organize your paper! Organize first and use your sources as they become relevant.</p> <p>Consider the Rule of Three. Find supporting arguments for each point you make, and present a strong point first, followed by an even stronger one, and finish with your strongest point.</p> <p>MORE INFO: Strong Body Paragraphs</p> <h3><span>3</span> Conclusion</h3> <p>Now, it’s time to wrap it up. Most research papers conclude with a restated thesis statement. Present your thesis again, but reword it. Briefly summarize the points you’ve made. Take a moment to explain why you believe those points support your case. If your research is inconclusive, take a moment to point out why you believe this topic bears further research.</p> <p>MORE INFO: USC Libraries Research Guides: The Conclusion</p> <h2>Checklist for Revising Your Research Paper Draft</h2> <p>Make sure you allow time to revise and edit after you’ve completed your first draft. This part of the process is about much more than just fixing typos and adding or subtracting commas. Here’s a handy checklist to help you make sure your paper is on point.</p> <p><b>Developmental Edit</b></p> <ul> <li>Is your thesis statement clear and concise?</li> <li>Is your paper well-organized and does it flow from beginning to end with logical transitions?</li> <li>Do your ideas follow a logical sequence in each paragraph?</li> <li>Have you used concrete details and facts and avoided generalizations?</li> <li>Do your arguments support and prove your thesis?</li> <li>Have you avoided repetition?</li> <li>Are your sources properly cited?</li> <li>Have you checked for accidental plagiarism?</li> </ul> <p><b>Line Edit</b></p> <ul> <li>Is your language clear and specific?</li> <li>Do your sentences flow smoothly and clearly? (Hint: Read your paper aloud to help you catch syntax problems.)</li> <li>Have you avoided filler words and phrases?</li> <li>Have you checked for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation? (Hint: Grammarly can help!)</li> </ul> <p>Thorough research, thoughtful organization and presentation, and attention to detail in your developmental and final line edit will help you succeed in crafting a winning research paper.</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-25401681428642611752017-08-22T07:32:00.001-07:002018-01-18T08:02:26.177-08:00Abbreviation<div> <p>An abbreviation, simply put, is a shortened form of a word. In writing, abbreviations are useful when you need to squeeze a lot of writing into a small space. You can also use them in place of long or cumbersome phrases to make your sentences easier to read.</p> <p>One thing to remember about abbreviations is that certain ones are considered informal. If you are writing something very formal, it’s better to err on the side of spelling things out.<a name='more'></a> The other thing to remember is that some readers may not know what an abbreviation means. If the abbreviation is obscure or unfamiliar, make sure to explain what it means the first time you use it.</p> <h2>Acronyms and Initialisms</h2> <p>Abbreviations come in a few different varieties. Both acronyms and initialisms are abbreviations that are formed by combining the first letter of each word in a longer name or phrase. Typically, acronyms and initialisms are written in all capital letters to distinguish them from ordinary words.</p> <p>An acronym is pronounced as a single word, rather than as a series of letters. <i>NASA</i>, for instance, is an acronym. It stands for <b>N</b>ational <b>A</b>eronautics and <b>S</b>pace <b>A</b>dministration. Occasionally, an acronym becomes so commonplace that it evolves into an ordinary word that people no longer think of as an acronym. The words <i>scuba</i> and <i>laser</i>, for instance, originated as acronyms (<b>s</b>elf <b>c</b>ontained <b>u</b>nderwater <b>b</b>reathing <b>a</b>pparatus and <b>l</b>ight <b>a</b>mplification by <b>s</b>timulated <b>e</b>mission of <b>r</b>adiation, respectively).</p> <p>Initialisms are similar to acronyms in that they are also formed using the first letter of each word in a longer phrase. Unlike acronyms, however, initialisms are pronounced as a series of letters. <i>NFL</i> (National Football League), for example, is pronounced <i>en-eff-ell</i>.</p> <p>If you need to use an indefinite article before an acronym or initialism, use the initial <i>sound</i> of the word (not necessarily the initial letter) guide your choice.</p> <p>Internet slang often takes the form of initialisms: LOL, IDK, IMO, BRB. Although this type of slang isn’t appropriate for important correspondence like emails to your professor or colleagues, or in online comments when you want to be taken seriously, it can be handy for informal online chatting, especially if you type slowly.</p> <h2>Abbreviations for Courtesy Titles and Academic Degrees</h2> <p>Titles such as <i>mister, miss,</i> and <i>doctor</i>, as well as the names of academic degrees such as <i>bachelor of arts</i> and <i>doctor of philosophy</i> are almost always abbreviated. In American English, title abbreviations are followed by a period; in British English, the period is omitted.</p> <p>The most common title abbreviations include:</p> <p>Mr. = Mister Mrs. = Mistress (pronounced “missus”) Ms. = (pronounced “miss” or “miz”) Sr. = Senior Jr. = Junior Dr. = Doctor</p> <p>Mr. Green asked Ms. Grey if she had met Dr. Jekyl. (American style)</p> <p>Mr Green asked Ms Grey if she had met Dr Jekyl. (British style)</p> <p>The most common academic degree abbreviations include:</p> <p>B.S. = Bachelor of science B.A. = Bachelor of Arts M.A. = Master of Arts M.B.A. = Master of Business Administration Ph.D. = Doctor of Philosophy</p> <p>The periods are optional with abbreviations of academic degrees. Follow whichever style your style guide recommends, or just choose one and use it consistently. When an academic degree is used like a title, it follows a person’s name and is set off by commas:</p> <p>Molly Beagle, Ph.D., runs the canine cognition lab at Stanford University.</p> <h2>Latin Abbreviations</h2> <p>There is a small handful of abbreviations for Latin terms that are used (and misused) frequently in English writing. Use periods with these abbreviations.</p> <p><b>e.g.: exempli gratia</b> It means “for example.” Use e.g. when you want to provide specific examples of a generalization. <div> <div>We expect volunteers from many surrounding cities, (e.g., Springfield, Oakdale, Hogsmeade.)</div> </div></p> <p><b>i.e.: id est</b> It means “that is.” Use i.e. when you want to provide more specific information about something you mentioned. <div> <div>After a reasonable amount of time has passed—i.e. two business days—please report the missing shipment to our customer service department.</div> </div></p> <p><b>etc.: et cetera</b> It means “and so forth.” Use it when you’re providing a partial list of details. <div> <div>You should see the doctor when you have flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, etc.)</div> </div></p> <h2>Other Common Abbreviations</h2> <p>Below are a few other abbreviations that are common in English. Remember that abbreviations are not always completely standardized. One style guide may advise you to abbreviate <i>Thursday</i> as <i>Thurs.</i> while another may argue for <i>Thu.</i> Likewise, some style guides allow you to omit the periods with these abbreviations, but it’s never wrong to include periods. So if you aren’t sure whether to use the periods, err on the side of leaving them in.</p> <h3>Times and dates</h3> <p>a.m. (ante meridiem) = before noon p.m. (post meridiem) = after noon</p> <p><div> <div>The mall opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m.</div> </div></p> <p>Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, Jun., Jul., Aug., Sep., Oct., Nov., Dec.</p> <p><div> <div>I was born on Nov. 6, 1980.</div> </div></p> <p>Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat,. Sun.</p> <p><div> <div>The class will run Mon.-Fri. next week.</div> </div></p> <h3>Places</h3> <p>U.S. (United States) U.K. (United Kingdom) E.U. (European Union) U.A.E. (United Arab Emerates)</p> <p><div> <div>The U.S. highway system seems enormous to visitors from the U.K.</div> </div></p> <h3>Units of Measurement</h3> <p>in. (inches) ft. (feet) lbs. (pounds)</p> <p>mm. (millimeters) cm. (centimeters) m. (meters)</p> <p>mg. (milligram) g. (gram) kg. (kilogram)</p> <p><div> <div>My cat weighs 10 lbs., which is about 4.5 kg.</div> </div></p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-54768470422333229082017-08-21T04:34:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:49:29.698-08:00Here&rsquo;s How to Write a Blog Post Like a Professional<div> <p>You sit down. You stare at your screen. The cursor blinks. So do you. Anxiety sets in. Where do you begin when you want to create an article that will earn you clicks, comments, and social shares? This simple formula will show you how to write a blog post by guiding you from blank page to finished work.</p> <h2><span>1</span>Choose your blog post topic</h2> <p>I know quite a few writers whose abandoned personal blogs are languishing in some dark corner of the Internet.<a name='more'></a> These writers launched their blogs with joy and enthusiasm, but their momentum fizzled because they found it too hard to keep coming up with inspiring topics. Don’t let this happen to you. Here are some great ways to choose a topic that will resonate with your audience.</p> <ul> <li><b>Pick something you’re passionate about.</b> When you care about your topic, you’ll write about it in a more powerful, emotionally expressive way.</li> <li><b>Pick something your readers are passionate about.</b> What does your audience care about? It’s important to know so you can engage them. And don’t be afraid to go negative (e.g. <em>Ten “Healthy” Foods You Should Always Avoid</em>). The human negativity bias is legit.</li> <li><b>Get inspired by research.</b> Some of the best articles I’ve written germinated when I grew curious about a subject and decided to explore it.</li> <li><b>Get inspired by other writers.</b> No, I don’t mean you should plagiarize or blatantly copy ideas. But you can take a look at what your competition is writing about and put your own spin on these subjects. What new information or ideas can you bring to the table?</li> </ul> <p>Keep a log of every topic idea that comes your way. You never know when you’re going to be stumped by the question “What should I write?”</p> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> Use a bookmarking tool like Pocket or EverNote to store clips and notes. Use your clip file for inspiration whenever your idea well runs dry.</div></p> <h2><span>2</span> Pick one clear angle.</h2> <p>You’ve got a topic. Awesome! Now, what’s your angle? Avoid a broad approach—get specific. You’ll get overwhelmed if you pick a huge subject like organic vegetable gardening and try to cover it all. Instead, go with “10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Start an Organic Vegetable Garden.”</p> <p>Think about the best approach to your topic. If you want to explain how to do something, a step-by-step how-to article could work well. Want to write about your favorite autobiographies or offer your best tips for throwing a memorable dinner party? Consider a listicle. There’s nothing wrong with a straight-up essay, either, as long as it’s well-organized.</p> <p>Speaking of which . . .</p> <h2><span>3</span> Get organized.</h2> <p>Whenever my dad had a disagreement with someone, he’d make his case and then storm off, but inevitably come back minutes later, one finger raised in proclamation, saying, “And another thing!” He did this so often that it became a running family joke.</p> <p>Don’t write like my dad debated. Many bloggers make the mistake of not organizing their thoughts before they begin, which leads to “and another thing” writing. You’ll continue adding thoughts in a random, incoherent fashion. Articles like that don’t get read and shared, they get ignored.</p> <p><blockquote> <p class="tool__quote-content">If you’ve ever grown impatient while listening to someone tell a story, wanting them to just get to the point, then you know what it’s like to read an article that lacks organization. My dear content creators, no one wants to try to fish a few salient points out of your stream of consciousness.</p> </blockquote> — 9 Workflow Strategies That Will Make You a Faster Writer</p> <p>Organize your thoughts with an outline. Here’s the outlining strategy I use. I promise it works like a charm. Not only will it make writing your blog post easier, it’ll help you make your message focused and clear for your readers.</p> <h2><span>4</span>Open strong</h2> <p>If you tied a worm to the end of a fishing line, how many bluegills do you think you’d catch?</p> <p>Easy answer: none. Dangling a worm alone may get you a nibble or two, but if you actually want to reel ’em in, you need a hook. Think of your opening paragraph as an advertisement for the rest of your blog post, the thing that keeps your reader on the line. Consider these examples from 5 Things That Will Make You Better at Content Writing.</p> <p><b>Weak Hook</b></p> <p><div> <div>Writing a great opening paragraph is very important. Here are a few tips to get you on the way to hooking your readers.</div> </div></p> <p>Yawn. Don’t tell your reader that something’s important, show her. Why should she want “a few tips” from you?</p> <p><b>Strong Hook</b></p> <p><div> <div>I just stopped reading your article. You had about two seconds to hook me, but your yawn-inducing opener made me surf on to something else. Writers (not to mention their websites) thrive on being read, so why do we invest so little time in crafting strong opening hooks?</div> </div></p> <p>Consider using a little foreshadowing in your hook. Scroll back and take a look at the opening paragraph of this article. See how it hints at what’s to come? That’s foreshadowing. Suggest what you’re going to deliver within the article so we’ll be compelled to read on.</p> <h2><span>5</span>Write naturally</h2> <p>The one thing you have that other writers don’t is your voice. Cultivate it! If it works for your article, consider writing in the first person and including some relatable anecdotes. (Like my “And another thing!” tale.) Whenever you can, tell a story, whether it’s your own or someone else’s.</p> <p><blockquote> <p class="tool__quote-content">If you don’t have a story to relate to your readers, you can at least infuse your article with your personal style. Instead of writing like you’re churning out a dry research paper, write as though you’re telling a friend about some cool new stuff you’ve learned. Use your own natural, conversational tone. Keep your language simple and direct. In other words, just be you. No one else can.</p> </blockquote> —5 Things That Will Make You Better at Content Writing</p> <h2><span>6</span>Write emotionally</h2> <p>Remember what I briefly mentioned about the human negativity bias? Our brains are wired to look for danger, and so we’re naturally drawn to warnings and other information that’s skewed toward the negative. (In fact, the media uses the negativity bias to capture our attention because it works so well.) Using negativity is a kind of emotional writing.</p> <p>But that doesn’t mean you have to be a constant downer in order to keep your readers hooked. You can create interest just by using emotional language to write on topics your readers care about. PRO TIP: How do you know people will care about your topic? Because <em>you</em> care about it!</p> <h2><span>7</span> Close strong</h2> <p>You’ve come this far. Now, it’s time to write a killer close that will help cement your post in your reader’s mind, create engagement, and encourage social sharing. Let’s look at a few.</p> <ul> <li><b>Simply end at a natural stopping point.</b> No wrap-ups, no frills—just end when you’re finished. Give it a try if it suits your post and writing style.</li> <li><b>Wrap it up with a summary paragraph.</b> This is by far the most traditional approach. Summarize your conclusions and add some closing thoughts.</li> <li><b>Create a TL;DR.</b> For better or worse, we skim when we read online. A TL;DR is usually a simple bulleted list that lets a reader see your conclusions at a glance. You never know—the TL;DR could inspire someone to go back and read the full article.</li> <li><b>Fish for comments.</b> When you wrap up with a compelling question, you encourage your readers to have a say. This can help you build community around your blog.</li> <li><b>Ask for a social share.</b> It never hurts to ask people to share your article if it resonated with them.</li> <li><b>Ask the reader to subscribe.</b> The reader made it to the end of your article—they like you! Ask them to connect with you on social media or subscribe to your blog channel so they can see whenever you post new content.</li> <li><b>Promote a product.</b> See below. *wink*</li> </ul> <p>Now that you’ve drafted a memorable post, edit. Clean up the clutter and eliminate wordiness. And don’t forget to use Grammarly as your extra pair of eyes to help you catch typos and look for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-23934919586750600252017-08-17T05:21:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:55:13.497-08:00Metaphors<div> <p>A <b>metaphor</b> is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. </p> <p>Here are the basics: </p> <ul> <li>A <b>metaphor</b> states that one thing <i>is</i> another thing</li> <li>It equates those two things not because they actually are the same, but for the sake of comparison or symbolism</li> <li>If you take a <b>metaphor</b> literally, it will probably sound very strange (are there actually any sheep, black or otherwise, in your family?)</li> <li><b>Metaphors</b> are used in poetry, literature, and anytime someone wants to add some color to their language</li> </ul> <p><i>Remember to check your knowledge at the end with our <b>Metaphor vs.<a name='more'></a> Simile Quiz</b>.</i></p> <hr> <p>If you’re a black sheep, you get cold feet, or you think love is a highway, then you’re probably thinking metaphorically. These are metaphors because a word or phrase is applied to something figuratively: unless you’re actually a sheep or are dipping your toes in ice water, chances are these are metaphors that help represent abstract concepts through colorful language. </p> <p></p> <h2>Metaphor Definition and Examples</h2> <p>Those are the uses of metaphor, and this is the official definition:</p> <ul> <li>A word or phrase for one thing that is used to refer to another thing in order to show or suggest that they are similar</li> <li>An object, activity, or idea that is used as a symbol of something else</i> </ul> <p>Metaphors are a form of figurative language, which refers to words or expressions that mean something different from their literal definition. In the case of metaphors, the literal interpretation would often be pretty silly. For example, imagine what these metaphors would look like if you took them at face value: </p> <p><div> <div>Love is a battlefield.</div> </div> <div> <div>Bob is a couch potato.</div> </div> <div> <div>Baby, you’re a firework.</div> </div> <div> <div>I am titanium.</div> </div></p> <p>Once you get past the image of going on a date armed with a battleaxe or David Guetta made out of corrosion-resistant metal, the result is a much more powerful description of people or events than you’d get with phrases like “love is difficult” or “I’m very strong.” </p> <p>Metaphors show up in literature, poetry, music, and writing, but also in speech. If you hear someone say “metaphorically speaking,” it probably means that you shouldn’t take what they said as the truth, but as more of an idea. For example, it’s finals period and after exams, students are saying things like “That test was murder.” It’s a fair guess they’re still alive if they’re making comments about the test, so this is an example of speaking metaphorically or figuratively. </p> <p>Metaphors can make your words come to life (or in the case of the exam, to death). Often, you can use a metaphor to make your subject more relatable to the reader or to make a complex thought easier to understand. They can also be a tremendous help when you want to enhance your writing with imagery. As a common figure of speech, metaphors turn up everywhere from novels and films to presidential speeches and even popular songs. When they’re especially good, they’re hard to miss.</p> <p>Take these famous metaphor examples:</p> <p><div> <div> All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances.</div> <div> William Shakespeare </div> </div></p> <p><div> <div>America has tossed its cap over the wall of space.</div> <div> John F. Kennedy </div> </div></p> <p><div> <div>Chaos is a friend of mine. </div> <div> Bob Dylan </div> </div></p> <p><div> <div>A good conscience is a continual Christmas.</div> <div> Benjamin Franklin </div> </div></p> <p><div> <div>You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog, cryin’ all the time. </div> <div> Elvis Presley </div> </div></p> <h2>Metaphor vs. Simile</h2> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> Similes are like metaphors, but metaphors aren’t similes. A metaphor makes a comparison by stating that one thing <i>is</i> something else, but a simile states that one thing is <i>like</i> something else.</div> </p> <p>If you’re trying to tell the difference between metaphors and similes, the more obvious comparison in similes makes them easier to identify as figures of speech. </p> <p>While someone might actually think that Elvis Presley has a hound dog who happens to be particularly noisy, imagine if his lyric went “You’re like a hound dog,” or “You’re as whiny as a hound dog.” In these cases, Elvis would be using a simile, which makes it a bit clearer that he’s not actually singing to a sad puppy. But on the flip side, the rhythm wouldn’t be quite as catchy. </p> <p>Read up on similes, and check out these examples to get a taste for how they work: </p> <p><div> <div>She’s as cute as a button.</div> </div> <div> <div>It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.</div> </div> <div> <div>He’s as nutty as a fruitcake.</div> </div> <div> <div>Ogres are like onions.*</div> </div> </p> <p>*That one’s from <i>Shrek</i>.</p> <h2>Different Types of Metaphors</h2> <p>Let’s rewind to the definition of a metaphor as a figure of speech. Another example is that catchy tune, “You are my sunshine.” Although you aren’t literally a ray of light, you probably have a similarly uplifting effect on the speaker. </p> <p>But the definition of metaphor is actually broader than that. <b>Often, <i>metaphor</i> is used loosely to mean any kind of symbolism.</b> In literature, there are are many other types of metaphors, too: implied, sustained, dead, and others.</p> <h3>Implied Metaphor</h3> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> Implied metaphor departs from the “thing A is thing B” formula and allows you to make a more sophisticated and subtle type of comparison through—you guessed it—<i>implication</i>.</div> </p> <p>Take these two sentences:</p> <p><div> <div>Jordan got his courtship cues from the peacock. In a room full of ladies, Jordan simply fans his feathers.</div> </div></p> <p>In both sentences, we are comparing Jordan to a peacock. In the first sentence, the comparison is overt: the peacock is mentioned directly. But in the second sentence, we <i>imply</i> that Jordan is the peacock by comparing his behavior (fanning his feathers) to something peacocks are known for doing. That isn’t meant to suggest that Jordan actually has feathers, but that he is behaving in a showy and flirty way to catch the attention of the ladies. </p> <h3>Sustained Metaphor</h3> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> A sustained metaphor is carried through multiple sentences or even paragraphs. Because it is used and developed over a longer section of text, a sustained metaphor can be a powerful literary device that provides strong, vivid imagery in the reader’s mind.</div></p> <p>This kind of metaphor is often found in songs and poetry. In a famous example from Shakespeare, Romeo compares Juliet to the sun over several lines.</p> <p><i>But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief.</i></p> <p>Kind of puts “You are my sunshine” to shame. </p> <h3>Dead Metaphor</h3> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> A dead metaphor is a cliche that has become so commonplace that the imagery has lost its power. Examples of dead metaphors include: “raining cats and dogs,” “throw the baby out with the bathwater,” and “heart of gold.”</div></p> <p>With a good, living metaphor, you get that fun moment of thinking about what it would look like if Elvis were <i>actually</i> singing to a hound dog (for example). But with a dead metaphor, the original image has already receded into the background. Using too many dead metaphors will cause your reader to lose interest. Reach a little further for an original image, or think about ways to use a familiar metaphor in an unconventional way.</p> <h3>Watch Out for Mixed Metaphors</h3> <p>Another reason to avoid dead metaphors is that it’s easy to mix them up. </p> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> A mixed metaphor is exactly what it sounds like—a combination of two unrelated metaphors.</div></p> <p><div> <div>Let’s get all our ducks on the same page. (A mashup of “get our ducks in a row” and “get on the same page.”)</div> </div></p> <p>Mixed metaphors can be pretty funny; the great Yogi Berra was famous for his “Yogi-isms,” which often contained bewilderingly mixed metaphors that still managed to get his point across: <div> <div>Even Napoleon had his Watergate.</div> </div></p> <p>But <b>if you’re not trying to be funny, <i>mixed metaphors</i> can come off as awkward or even undermine the point you’re trying to make.</b></p> <h2>How to Come Up with a Metaphor</h2> <p>You don’t need anything but your imagination to come up with a good metaphor, but some added flair can go a long way. Remember, metaphors often represent something that is hard to take literally. Think of the metaphor “rule with an iron fist” as an example. Outside of the world of George R.R. Martin’s <i>Game of Thrones</i>, it would be a bit difficult to find a person with an actual hand made of iron. However, we are still able to interpret that metaphor as meaning someone who is hard and heavy-handed on governance. </p> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> When you are coming up with your own metaphor, stick to concepts that people are familiar with but wouldn’t necessarily associate with a person.</div></p> <p>Here is a simple example:</p> <p><div> <div>It’s been a real circus at home since Mom went on vacation.</div> </div></p> <p>You wouldn’t typically refer to your house as a circus, but this sentence implies that things are wild, full of excitement, and maybe a bit chaotic with Mom out of the house.</p> <p>The next time you think your writing could use some energy, try giving it a jolt with a well-crafted metaphor. It’s sure to be a lightning bolt for your writing.</p> <h2>Metaphor vs. Simile Quiz</h2> <p>Metaphors are often confused with similes because the serve similar functions. Take our short quiz to check your understanding of metaphors and similes.</p> <p></p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-44248047769931046352017-08-16T08:14:00.000-07:002018-01-18T08:08:12.317-08:00Here&rsquo;s How to Write a Perfect Letter of Interest<div> <p>Your perfect job with the perfect company may not be advertised. So, how do you find gigs from within the hidden job market? You ask about them. Here’s how to write a letter of interest that will get you noticed . . . and maybe even result in a job.</p> <p>Years ago, before I was the full-blown word monkey that I am today, I relocated to a new city. I’d left a job I loved—doing marketing for a dog grooming school.<a name='more'></a> I knew I wanted to keep working in a field related to both marketing and pets. But I also knew that, in the small city I’d moved to, that was going to be a pretty slim job search net to cast. I’d have to get creative.</p> <p>I set my sights on a large, upscale pet boarding kennel. I wrote the kennel’s owners a letter of interest, including clips from a portfolio of marketing materials I’d created, and asked them if they needed some help from an experienced pet industry professional to build their brand even further.</p> <p>Although the kennel didn’t have an opening, or any role related to marketing, they did call me in to chat. Two weeks later, they created a position for me and I was employed doing something I enjoyed in an industry I loved.</p> <h2>Why Write a Letter of Interest?</h2> <p>The letter of interest is a job prospecting tool. Job hunting legend has it that 70 to 80 percent of open positions are never advertised. Although that figure is probably way higher than it should be, the truth is there are potential job opportunities out there that you’re not hooking as you troll the waters of Glassdoor, Indeed, and Monster.com.</p> <p>Say you’re intrigued by a young startup and you wish they were hiring for a position that fit your skills. You could haunt the careers page of their website and hope for the best, or you could write a letter of interest to introduce yourself and begin the networking process. Which do you think will yield the best results?</p> <p>A letter of interest may not get you immediately hired, but it has many advantages. It shows you have both interest and initiative—two things employers are always looking for. It also demonstrates your ability to market yourself through personal branding. In many cases, your letter will be regarded as a formal request to be considered for employment, so it will become part of a human resources file. When a position does open, guess whose letter and resume will be at the top of the pile instead of buried under a mountain of applications?</p> <p><blockquote> <p class="tool__quote-content">Your goal is to find out exactly what the company of your dreams looks for in an employee. Then, you’re going to become that person—the mythical Ideal Candidate.</p> </blockquote></p> <h2>How to Write a Letter of Interest</h2> <h3><span>1</span> Write it like a business letter.</h3> <p>The first and most important thing to remember about writing a letter of interest is that it’s a business letter—treat it like one. Use the standard business letter format. Be professional.</p> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> Being professional doesn’t mean being stuffy. It’s always a good idea to try to match the communication style of the company you’re reaching out to. Look at their marketing copy, job postings, and website. If their approach to communication is more casual, yours can be, too.</div></p> <h3><span>2</span> Find the right contact.</h3> <p>Even if you have to call the company, get the name (and possibly the email address) of the best person to contact with your inquiry. If you do call or email to ask for a contact name, be direct. Say, “I’m interested in learning more about employment opportunities in your [department]. Would you tell me the name of the person responsible for hiring those positions and the best way to contact them?”</p> <h3><span>3</span> Research the company.</h3> <p>I scored that marketing job in a long-ago time before the Internet was mainstream. When I wrote my hard copy letter and prepared my clips, I didn’t even know what a letter of interest was. I was operating on instinct. You have the advantage of a ton of information right in your pocket anytime you need it. Let’s use it!</p> <p>Your goal is to find out exactly what the company of your dreams looks for in an employee. Then, you’re going to become that person—the mythical Ideal Candidate. Check the company’s social media feeds and the careers and culture pages on its website for clues about the type of people they hire. Read job descriptions for their open positions; they’ll give you insight even if the jobs aren’t a fit for your talents.</p> <p>Learn about their brand style—are they funky and fun or conservative and all business? Mirror that style to show that you’d be a good cultural fit.</p> <h3><span>4</span> Show how you’d add value.</h3> <p>Unlike a cover letter, where you’re homing in on skills and traits for a specific position, a letter of interest should demonstrate to the employer that you have a variety of skills that would make you a great fit in lots of different places. Think broadly and you’ll open more doors. What skills would make you an asset to the company?</p> <p>The key to a successful letter of interest is not in showing off what you can do, but in showing what you can do for the company. Demonstrate excitement, not arrogance.</p> <h3><span>5</span> Keep it short, but write it powerfully.</h3> <p>Hiring managers and department heads don’t have a lot of extra time to read your magnum opus on why you’re awesome. The key is to be brief but memorable. Make every word count.</p> <p>Avoid filler words and phrases. Keep your writing lean and clean. Use some power words to make your writing pop.</p> <h2>Letter of Interest Structure</h2> <p><b>Date</b></p> <p>Let’s start with the simple stuff first! (You do know what day it is, right?) You’ll need this only for hard copy letters; in email, the date stamp is fine.</p> <p><b>Contact Information</b></p> <p>In a hard copy letter, put your contact info here. Include your phone number and email address. In an email, include your contact information after your signature, instead.</p> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> You don’t have to put <em>Phone:</em> and <em>Email:</em> in front of your phone number and email address. That’s just clutter. The hiring manager probably won’t have trouble figuring out what that ten-digit number and the thing with the @ symbol are.</div></p> <p><b>Salutation</b></p> <p>Greet the hiring manager or department head by name. And please do your best to find a name. (See Tip #2!) Avoid To Whom It May Concern. Nobody ever got truly concerned with, or even interested in, an email that began thus.</p> <p><b>Opening Paragraph</b></p> <p>Briefly introduce yourself and tell the hiring manager why you’re writing. Share your enthusiasm for the company—why do you want to work there?</p> <p><b>Qualifications/Experience Paragraph</b></p> <p>Talk about what you bring to the table. Let the hiring manager know why hiring you would add value to her team. Demonstrate the qualities you have that mesh well with the company’s mission and culture. (This is why you did all that research!)</p> <p><blockquote> <p class="tool__quote-content">The key to a successful letter of interest is not in showing off what you can do, but in showing what you can do for the company. Think in terms of excitement, not arrogance.</p> </blockquote></p> <p><b>Close by casting a networking net.</b></p> <p>You’re not going to close by saying something like “I hope you’ll keep me in mind if you have an opening in the future,” right?</p> <p>Never! You’re better than that.</p> <p>Close by asking for something. Use a call-to-action (CTA) to encourage the hiring manager to connect with you. You might ask for an informational interview—an opportunity for you to sit down with the hiring manager and learn more about the company.</p> <h2>Letter of Interest Example</h2> <p>Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:</p> <p>I’ve been following the Alpha Beta Company’s trajectory since it launched in 2007. When the company reached 10 million active users last month, I thought about how exciting it would be to be part of a team with the potential to grow that number to 20 million and beyond. I’m writing you to express my interest in joining your team and to learn more about upcoming employment opportunities.</p> <p>I’ve been a user acquisition manager at XYZ, Inc. for five years. At XYZ, I developed the go-to-market strategy for new apps and performed analysis to calculate how our campaigns influenced user engagement. As you may know, XYZ operates in a smaller niche market. Even so, during my time with them, XYZ’s user base grew from just five hundred beta users to over 3 million today. In the ten years since I graduated with a bachelor of science in business and marketing from Great Big University, I’ve managed and launched hundreds of successful marketing campaigns on channels ranging from print media to social media to videos.</p> <p>I’m excited by the idea of working in a larger market and for a company that is constantly innovating and recognized as an industry leader. I’ve enclosed my resume, which outlines my experience and skills. I’d love to sit down and talk with you about Alpha Beta’s explosive growth and new user acquisition strategy. Would you be open to meeting with me at your convenience?</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Your Name</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-40827188310044559232017-08-14T03:05:00.000-07:002018-01-18T08:07:52.994-08:0010 Grammarly Blog Posts from 2017 That You Need to See<div> <p>There’s a lot of writing on the Internet, our blog included.</p> <p>For the past 12 months, we’ve offered writing tips, advice for job- and promotion-seeking members of the workforce, quizzes to test your lust for language, and much, much more.</p> <p>Out of the hundreds of posts authored on this here blog, we’ve picked out ten of our staff’s favorite posts. They represent the breadth of content you can find on our blog and our in our weekly newsletter.<a name='more'></a> They also show the value of mistake-free writing and the value Grammarly can provide however you’re looking to improve your writing and communication skills.</p> <p>And now, (drumroll please), let’s take a look at ten posts we hope you didn’t miss. And if you did, it’s OK, we forgive you, but you should check them out now because it’s December and this is a great time to recap the year.</p> <p><span>1</span> <strong>Bear With Me or Bare With Me?</strong></p> <p><b>Worth your time because …</b> There are so many confusing phrases in our English language. If it’s not whom or who, or even affect vs. effect, we can all stand to know the absolute difference between these common phrases that are constantly confused. Our “Grammar Tips” section also you covered for any grammar deep-dive you feel like taking during the holidays.</p> <p><b>Text to remember …</b> “Here’s an easy way to differentiate bear from bare. You learned that bear as a verb means “to endure.” In its noun form, bear refers to a large furry animal. Combining these two definitions into a silly sentence will help you remember that the correct phrase is “bear with me,” not “bare with me.” A patient bear will always bear with you, but an impatient bear just might devour you!”</p> <p><span>2</span> <strong>5 Other Ways to Write “I Hope You Are Doing Well” in Your Email</strong></p> <p><b>Worth your time because …</b> We all write emails. Lots of them. Raise your hand if you’re guilty of using a throwaway line like “I hope you are doing well” to introduce your email. Yup, my hand is up, too. We don’t have to live this way anymore. Our blog offers valuable thoughts on how to diversify your standard email icebreaker.</p> <p><b>Text to remember …</b> “Anyone who gets a lot of email is familiar with the stock “I hope you are doing well.” It’s the business email equivalent of small talk that begins with “How are you?” We all know that etiquette requires us to answer with “I’m fine. How are you?” Although this back-and-forth exchange is a rather meaningless part of face-to-face conversation, it’s become socially mandated. In email, however, “hope you’re well” comes across as extraneous at best and insincere at worst.”</p> <p><span>3</span> <strong>10 Things You Should Avoid Saying in a Job Interview</strong></p> <p><b>Worth your time because …</b> Landing a job interview is an accomplishment. Be proud! But also, you should know that it’s easy to ruin your candidacy with a flippant comment. Our “Workplace” posts provide quality advice on how to approach all angles of the job-search process, including things to avoid saying at your next job interview.</p> <p><b>Text to remember …</b> “Could the things you’re saying during job interviews be costing you offers? Knowing the right things to say requires practice and a little finesse. But accidentally saying the wrong thing is all too easy to do. Interviews are stressful, and it can be challenging to keep a cool head when your palms are sweating and your heart is beating double-time.”</p> <p><span>4</span> <strong>11 Tips to Clean Up Your Dirty, Wordy Writing</strong></p> <p><b>Worth your time because …</b> Brevity is your friend in writing. Don’t waste time getting to a very very important point with some kind of worthless phrases and words that like seemingly delay your reader from really and truly understanding the point you’re trying to make. Wasteful words can appear in anyone’s document or text. This post aims to rid the world of a few added phrases.</p> <p><b>Text to remember …</b> “Weasel words are qualifiers that make you sound unsure of yourself, like you’re trying to create wiggle room. Don’t get us wrong: in some cases, you need these words. But if you want to convey an idea or make an argument, remove words that make your readers think of slimy politicians trying to avoid stating something directly. Maybe it can make a difference. No, really: it makes a difference.”</p> <p><span>5</span> <strong>How Game of Thrones Characters Would Approach a Writing Assignment</strong></p> <p><b>Worth your time because …</b> You don’t have to be a GoT fan to enjoy lifestyle-inspired writing tips. Well, in this case, you have to know a few things about the famous HBO show to get the gist of what we’re getting at. Even so, making connections between famous authors and significant moments in pop culture happens often on our blog.</p> <p><b>Text to remember …</b> “Jon Snow begins his journey as an underappreciated bastard of House Stark and hesitatingly rises to lead the Night’s Watch. Eventually, he is elected Lord of Winterfell. Jon Snow, guided by a sense of duty and loyalty to his team rather than by ambition, seeks counsel and consensus almost to a fault. This tendency to rely on his support network and the wisdom of his council helps him to lead well, however. This is exemplified in both his election as Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and Lord of Winterfell, when supporters speak on his behalf. Improve your writing the same way by regularly seeking feedback from respected peers.”</p> <p><span>6</span> <strong>How to Improve Writing Skills in 15 Easy Steps</strong></p> <p><b>Worth your time because …</b> Many of our readers visit the G blog for grammar tips, career advice, and—what else?—actionable tips on how to become a better writer. This post features fifteen ways to vastly improve your skills every time you put pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard.</p> <p>Text to remember … “Becoming a better writer takes practice, and you’re already practicing. No, seriously—you write a lot. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a writer, you put thoughts into text more often than you realize. At the very least, you write emails—a lot of emails—post on social media, make updates to your résumé and LinkedIn profile, and message your friends. If your job requires it, you also create things like reports, presentations, newsletters . . . it’s a long list.”</p> <p><span>7</span> <strong>Why Mistake-free Writing on Your Phone Is So Valuable</strong></p> <p><b>Worth your time because …</b> You might be reading this blog on your phone right now. If you’re not, you have surely read something and written something very important on your mobile device at one time or another. So improve your writing on the go with this post. Now you know.</p> <p><b>Text to remember …</b> “Remember when phones were used exclusively for making phone calls? (Hard to believe, right?) Now we use our smartphones for all sorts of fun things . . . like sending text messages, answering emails, posting on Facebook, commenting on our favorite cat videos, and even finding true love. While the freedom and flexibility of using a mobile device is awesome—the frustration that comes from typing on a tiny touch screen is not so great.”</p> <p><span>8</span> <strong>5 Basic Proofreading Habits for a More Productive 2017</strong></p> <p><b>Worth your time because …</b> Re-writing is writing. The same goes for editing or proofreading. However you want to call it, the truth is that behind every great piece of writing is someone with a keen eye for details. Sharpen your skills with these five, dare we say, basic, proofin’ tips.</p> <p><b>Text to remember …</b> “If you can, walk away and do something else for a little while. Then come back and read it again. The more time that passes between writing and proofreading, the better you’ll be at spotting mistakes your brain skipped over the first time through.”</p> <p><span>9</span> <strong>“Do You Write Like an Introvert?” Quiz</strong></p> <p><b>Worth your time because …</b> Grammarly’s quizzes can test your knowledge in a number of capacities. Are your grammar skills legit? Can you interview like a pro? Or in this case, do you write like an introvert or extrovert? There’s only one way to know. Test yourself.</p> <p><b>Text to remember …</b> “Have you ever wondered how introverted or extroverted your work style is? This short quiz will help you understand whether your writing personality tends toward introversion or extroversion.”</p> <p><span>10</span> <strong>We Studied 750 Top LinkedIn Profiles. Here’s How to Write Yours Better.</strong></p> <p><b>Worth your time because …</b> LinkedIn profiles are quite common these days. Knowing how to create a strong presence on LI will do wonders for your networking and job pursuits. We gained a ton of amazing insights from analyzing 750 profiles from Fortune 500 companies.</p> <p><b>Text to remember …</b> “Filling out your profile summary matters, but only 42 percent of the entry-level employees we analyzed seemed to bother. Managers and directors both did so a bit more often—closer to half in our study. We suspect people overlook the profile summary because they’re often busy describing their work experience further down their profile—or waiting until they’re actually looking for a new job to make a proper introduction atop their page. In fact, regardless of their experience level, people proved more likely to fill out the work experience section. Especially among managers, 65 percent did so, cranking out a robust 192 words on average for each job they described.”</p> <p><b><em>Did we miss your favorite blog post of the year? Let us know why you loved it in the comments section of this post. Thanks for reading! </em></b></p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-49606800725738302082017-08-11T02:56:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:49:04.197-08:004 Networking Email Templates That Will Get You Noticed<div> <p>Networking is an artform. When you’re good at it, you become a Michelangelo, finely crafting relationships that will advance your career. But when your skills need work, you’re that guy on the street corner hawking pictures of Elvis painted on black velvet. Nobody responds to that guy’s email.</p> <p>I’ve been writing and sending networking outreach for twenty years as a business owner, freelance writer, and media relations expert.<a name='more'></a> With each carefully crafted email, I’ve increased my level of artistry. Networking does take work, but the results you’ll achieve by applying that effort are like the difference between a black velvet oil painting and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.</p> <h2>First, We Research</h2> <p>Before you begin networking, you need to get a sense of the person you plan to reach out to. In order to not sound like the black velvet Elvis salesman, you need to be authentic. The key to authenticity lies in doing research and learning more about the person you’re hoping to connect with.</p> <h3>Find the person on social media.</h3> <p>The easiest way to research is to look for the person’s public social accounts. Check LinkedIn, for starters. Note the person’s background and professional experience and the recommendations and endorsements they’ve given. Their volunteer activities will help you understand their interests and passions.</p> <p>Does your potential connection have a Twitter account? The things a person tweets can tell you a lot about her. Less obvious but equally valuable social sites like Quora and Instagram can also help you gain insight.</p> <h3>Lay some groundwork</h3> <p>Lay a little groundwork as you’re browsing public social accounts. Follow your potential contact. Have they shared something interesting and relevant? Like, reply, or retweet. Upvote or comment on Quora posts. Do they write a blog? Post a comment when a blog post speaks to you. We humans like to be noticed.</p> <p>As you research, look for common ground. Maybe you share the same home state, or you attended the same college. Although it’s not related to professional pursuits, maybe you like the same hobbies, or you both love dogs. These are all things you can use to help break the ice and establish a relationship. You don’t have to be a creeper, just find a few relevant things you can build upon once you make a connection.</p> <p>Doing some early reconnaissance will allow you to approach your contact in a way that shows genuine interest. We tend to like people who sincerely want to know more about who we are and what we do.</p> <h2>Email Networking Tips</h2> <p>We’ll get to the networking email templates in a moment, but first let’s cover some important tips for crafting an email. There are a few guidelines that email experts agree upon.</p> <ul> <li><b>Keep it short.</b> Research by Boomerang (the email productivity app) showed that emails between seventy-five and a hundred words long yielded the best response rates. But the rate of return dropped off slowly after that, so don’t be too concerned if you need more words to get your point across.</li> <li><b>Personalize it.</b> If the stakes are high and getting a response is important, take the time to customize your email so that it doesn’t look like a template. You’re more likely to get a response if your recipient feels that your email was meant for him and only him.</li> <li><b>Use emotion.</b> Boomerang also discovered that emotional language nets better response rates. Instead of writing <em>Would you be interested in meeting for lunch next Tuesday at noon?</em>, write <em>It would be wonderful to chat with you over lunch. Does noon next Tuesday work?</em></li> <li><b>Don’t ask for anything right away.</b> It’s much better to start with a warm-up if you can. Send a hello and a sincere compliment. Wait until your second email to ask for anything.</li> <li><b>Ask for just one thing.</b> When you do ask for something—whether it’s for feedback, advice, or a meeting—ask for it clearly and confidently. Don’t cloud your email by presenting multiple options or by asking for more than one thing at a time. If getting to your goal will involve multiple steps, ask for step one and wait for an answer before moving to step two and beyond.</li> </ul> <h2>Four Networking Email Templates</h2> <p>If you’ve read this far, you already know that you shouldn’t use stock templates for outreach—a personal touch can mean the difference between getting a response and having your email summarily sent to the recipient’s trash folder. But these examples will give you a good starting place so you can craft an email masterpiece of your own.</p> <h3>The Getting-to-Know-You</h3> <p><div> <div>Hi Lucy,</p> <p>I’ve been following your blog for a while. Your new post inspired me to finally get in touch. I loved how bold you were in stating that serious writers should look into traditional publishing before going the self-publishing route. The reader comments about this controversial topic were also fascinating to read. Quite the spectrum of opinions!</p> <p>You communicate with your reader base masterfully. I aspire to do the same with my blog, The Unknown Author, someday. Thanks for showing us how great blogging is done!</p> <p>All the best,</p> <p>Charlie</div> </div></p> <p><b>Why It Works:</b></p> <ul> <li>It’s personal and offers sincere praise.</li> <li>It’s short (85 words.)</li> <li>It makes an introduction without asking for anything.</li> <li>It uses emotional language (inspired, loved, fascinating.)</li> </ul> <h3>The Ask</h3> <p><div> <div>Hi Lucy,</p> <p>It’s been awesome to have an email conversation about blogging and your experience on both sides of the publishing industry. I feel like I’ve learned many useful things from you already.</p> <p>I’m hard at work revamping my blog strategy to boost my pageviews and reader engagement. You’re clearly doing all the right things with Lucy’s Five-cent Blog—I’m so impressed by its popularity and influence! I’d love to meet you for lunch and dig into some serious shop talk. You mentioned that you live downtown. Would you like to meet at Ivar’s at noon on Tuesday?</p> <p>Of course, I understand if you’re busy. In that case, we can make it another time or just continue the conversation in email.</p> <p>All the best, Charlie</div> </div></p> <p><b>Why It Works</b></p> <ul> <li>It builds on the existing relationship.</li> <li>It includes one clear call-to-action (CTA).</li> <li>It gives the recipient an option to say no, making her twice as likely to say yes. (A classic copywriting technique supported by forty-two studies.)</li> </ul> <h3>The Follow-Up</h3> <p><div> <div>Hi Lucy,</p> <p>I got in touch last week to see if you’d like to grab lunch with me to talk about blogging. I didn’t hear from you, but I headed down to Ivar’s anyhow and had some jumbo prawns in your honor!</p> <p>I’d still love to connect. Is there a time or place that works better for you? Of course, if you’d rather stick to email, that’s fine, too.</p> <p>All the best, Charlie</div> </div></p> <p><b>Why It Works</b></p> <ul> <li>It’s very brief.</li> <li>It uses a touch of humor.</li> <li>It maintains the “out clause.”</li> </ul> <h3>The Thank-You</h3> <p><div> <div>Hi Lucy,</p> <p>Thanks again for a great lunch. The food was tasty, but the conversation was even better. I left feeling energized. I’m already mapping out my next steps to revitalize my blog.</p> <p>Let’s keep the channel open! I sent you an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Maybe, once I get the new content strategy you helped inspire in place, we can collaborate on a guest post exchange or some other project.</p> <p>Talk to you soon, Charlie</div> </div></p> <p><b>Why It Works</b></p> <ul> <li>Everybody likes to feel appreciated. (Thanks for lunch.)</li> <li>Everybody likes to know that their contributions have had an impact. (“I left feeling energized.”)</li> <li>It lays the foundation for future collaboration. Networking goals achieved!</li> </ul> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-28937020891721787112017-08-09T08:26:00.001-07:002018-01-18T08:01:50.794-08:0010 Hilarious Out of Office Messages You Will Want to Copy<div> <p>Leaving for vacation? Heading to a work conference? Beset with the flu? You’re taking a break from email correspondence, which means it’s time to set up the dreaded “out of office” message. Not only is it a bore to write, most people will be less than delighted to read it when they were expecting a real response from you.</p> <p>But what if you could turn this necessary evil into a way of engaging with people that’s informative, memorable, and even fun?<a name='more'></a> Maybe they wouldn’t be as disappointed to get your away message instead of getting you.</p> <p>For those who are ready to stand out from the crowd, we’ve gathered ten hilarious out of office messages that will inspire you to raise the bar the next time you sit down to write an autoresponder.</p> <h2><span>1</span>Keeping It Real</h2> <p><div> <div>I am currently out of the office on vacation.</p> <p>I know I’m supposed to say that I’ll have limited access to email and won’t be able to respond until I return, but that’s not true. My iPhone will be with me and I can respond if I need to. And I recognize that I’ll probably need to interrupt my vacation from time to time to deal with something urgent.</p> <p>That said, I promised my wife that I am going to try to disconnect, get away and enjoy our vacation as much as possible. So, I’m going to experiment with something new. I’m going to leave the decision in your hands:</p> <p>• If your email truly is urgent and you need a response while I’m on vacation, please resend it to interruptyourvacation@firstround.com and I’ll try to respond to it promptly.</p> <p>• If you think someone else at First Round Capital might be able to help you, feel free to email my assistant, Fiona, and she’ll try to point you in the right direction.</p> <p>Otherwise, I’ll respond when I return…</p> <p>Warm regards,</p> <p>Josh</div> </div></p> <p>Sometimes honesty is the best course of action. Venture capitalist Josh Kopelman shares the facts, then presents the option to choose your own adventure. Do you really want to interrupt his vacation?</p> <h2><span>2</span>A Day in the Life of an Autoresponder</h2> <p>Digital marketing guru Ann Handley has become legendary for her humorous out of office responses. Getting an auto-reply is by definition impersonal, but Ann turns a cold response into a friendly conversation through some clever personification, while also promoting the event she’s attending. Genius!</p> <p><div> <div>Guess who is available on email and who is *not* available on email this week!</p> <p>Who is on email: Me, the email auto-responder.</p> <p>Who is mostly not on email: Ann.</p> <p>Fun fact: Ann and I never, EVER are on duty at the same time. (Mind blown, right?)</p> <p>Being an auto-responder is not a bad gig. Upside: I spend the vast majority of my time sitting around, waiting for Ann to take a vacation or for the B2B Forum to roll around.</p> <p>The latter is precisely what’s going on now! The B2B Forum might be an awesome event for B2B marketers. But for me, it’s like my Chrismakwanzakah — HOORAY! I have something to do today aside from make microwave nachos and binge-watch Netflix!</p> <p>(What’s the B2B Forum? See here: mpb2b.marketingprofs.com. You can probably still buy a ticket. I cannot. I got work to do!)</p> <p>You can also peek at what she’s up to in Boston here: http://instagram.com/AnnHandley.</p> <p>Thanks for swinging by! More importantly, thanks for giving my life purpose and meaning!</p> <p>Your friend,</p> <p>Email auto-responder (Repping Ann)</div> </div></p> <h2><span>3</span>It Rhymes!</h2> <blockquote> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Toronto tomorrow for #SMSociety! Out of office email all sorted… pic.twitter.com/SRp2n7x439</p> <p>— Dr Wil Chivers (@wilchivs) July 26, 2017</p></blockquote> <p>Rejection doesn’t have to hurt. Why not soften the blow with an adorable poem that informs and delights?</p> <p><div> <div>Thanks for the email, but I’m afraid to say I cannot reply as I am away. A conference in Canada is where you’ll find me, Follow it on Twitter – #SMSociety.</div> </div></p> <h2><span>4</span>“Hi, I’m Troy McClure!”</h2> <p>We’re not sure who wrote the original Troy McClure out of office message, but this version by Paul Sokol of Infusionsoft is a real gem.</p> <p><div> <div>Hi, I’m Troy McClure! You may remember me from such classic Out of Office Messages as “I’m at Outside Lands Watching Metallica” or “Visiting My Family in Florida.” I’m here today to talk to you about Paul Sokol, and the email you just sent him.</p> <p>(Enter Billy, 8 years old, doe-eyed)</p> <p>Billy: Mr. McClure? Why is Paul not answering any emails right now?</p> <p>Troy: The answer is simple Billy: Paul is in San Diego this weekend providing support for an event and nowhere near his work email.</p> <p>Billy: When is he going to be coming back?</p> <p>Troy: He will be back on Monday morning.</p> <p>Billy: Is he going to reply to the email they just sent?</p> <p>Troy: If it warrants a response, Billy. If it warrants a response…</p> <p>(Exit Billy)</p> <p>That’s all for now. Watch for me in the upcoming Out of Office Message “At a Wedding,” coming this winter!</div> </div></p> <h2><span>5</span>There’s a Graph for That</h2> <p>Don’t have time to craft the perfect response? A relatable comic or infographic is all you need.</p> <blockquote> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Best out of office email I’ve received in a while… pic.twitter.com/cKau0N59Kd</p> <p>— Francesca Gino (@francescagino) July 12, 2017</p></blockquote> <h2><span>6</span>Fun With Pop Culture</h2> <p>Take a cue from PR guru Gini Dietrich—make your message memorable by framing it with a pop culture reference.</p> <p><iframe class="giphy-embed" src="https://giphy.com/embed/gZuxOq7zSL5DO" width="480" height="241" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>via GIPHY</p> <p><div> <div>Is this heaven? No, it’s Iowa.</p> <p>That’s where I’ll be for the next couple of days, giving my last out of town keynote of the year (yay!). I don’t know if there really is a Field of Dreams, but I’ll be in search of it in between checking emails and getting back to you as quickly as I can.</p> <p>If you need something while I’m stuck in a corn field, you can send a note to my assistant and she will be happy to help you.</div> </div></p> <h2><span>7</span>A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words</h2> <blockquote> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">What is the best “out of the office” email response you’ve gotten? My in below. pic.twitter.com/7N9rVRmDVR</p> <p>— Ben Stapley (@benstapley) July 31, 2017</p></blockquote> <p>An emoji autoresponder? It’s cute, it’s effective, and they might actually read it!</p> <h2><span>8</span>The Revolution</h2> <blockquote> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Best out-of-office auto email reply ever. pic.twitter.com/OY66YEV28n</p> <p>— Jim Julius (@jjulius) July 31, 2014</p></blockquote> <p>If they’re not happy with your response they can blame the robots—if they dare.</p> <h2><span>9</span>Choose Wisely</h2> <p>Reducing email volume is key. Take this opportunity to express your draconian streak.</p> <p><div> <div>I am on annual leave until dd/mm/yyyy. I will allow each sender one email and if you send me multiple emails, I will randomly delete your emails until there is only one remaining. Choose wisely. Please note that you have already sent me one email.</div> </div></p> <h2><span>10</span>Too Much Nyquil</h2> <p>Taking a sick day? There’s humor in there somewhere. When your out of office message gets out of hand, you can always blame it on the Nyquil.</p> <p><div> <div>It is with sincere regret that I inform you that I feel like a porcupine has climbed down my throat and up into my head. I came to work this morning because I did not want to miss our busy Monday morning and with hopes this would pass. Alas I continue to sound and feel like the [expletive] I nearly stepped in this morning. I shall now retire to my place where bed and T.V. are so that I can nurse a bottle of Nyquil until I succumb to the purple haze of that cherry-flavored syrup. Please excuse my absence and rest assured that I will not be spreading my misery to others in the office.</p> <p>Regards,</p> <p>[Name]</p> <p>P.S. Please forgive the absurdity of this email as I feel the sickness and medication have clouded my professional judgment.</div> </div></p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-62434828423775633802017-08-08T00:45:00.001-07:002018-01-18T08:02:36.332-08:00Quotation Marks and Dialogue<div> <p>Quotation marks are used to identify words that someone has said. You’ll often find them in fiction, where they signify <b>dialogue</b>, the words spoken by the characters. In newspapers, journalists use quotation marks to signify that something is a direct quote from a person in the article. In academic papers, quotation marks can signify that you are quoting material that was written by someone else.<a name='more'></a> Quotation marks always come in pairs; the first set opens the quote and the second set closes the quote.</p> <h2>American vs. British Quotation Marks</h2> <p>American English and British English differ in the way they use quotation marks. American English uses double quotation marks (“ ”) for quotes and reserves single quotation marks (‘ ’) for quotes within quotes. In British English, the convention is the opposite. Another difference is that in American English, periods and commas go before closing quotation marks. In British English, they go after the closing quotation mark. The guidelines below apply to American English.</p> <p></p> <h2>Dialogue</h2> <p>When writers become confused about quotation marks, it usually has to do with where to put other nearby punctuation. Below is an example of a conversation between two characters, with their dialogue correctly punctuated.</p> <p>Martin said, “I’m going over to Jennifer’s house for a few hours.”</p> <p>“You can’t be serious!” cried Fauntleroy.</p> <p>“Oh, but I am,” Martin replied.</p> <p>“How will you get there?” Fauntleroy asked.</p> <p>“I thought I’d take the bus.”</p> <p>“And,” Fauntleroy continued, “exactly how long is ‘a few hours’?”</p> <p>“Probably two or three.”</p> <p>“Well . . . fine. Tell Jennifer I said hello.”</p> <p>In the first sentence, Martin makes a declarative statement that ends in a period. The period goes inside the quotation marks. Treat anything within quotation marks as separate from the rest of the sentence you’ve written, and make sure it has its own correct punctuation. If the quote is a full sentence, it must begin with a capital letter, even though it is within the larger structure of another sentence.</p> <p>The second sentence begins a new paragraph because a different character is speaking. Fauntleroy responds with an outburst, ending with an exclamation mark. When an exclamation mark belongs to the sentence inside the quotation marks, it goes before the closing quotation mark.</p> <p>In the third sentence, Martin is making another declarative statement. This time, however, the statement is followed by the dialogue tag <em>Martin replied</em>. In dialogue, when a sentence that would normally end in a period is followed by a dialogue tag, the period becomes a comma. It should go before the closing quotation mark.</p> <p>In the fourth sentence, Fauntleroy’s query ends with a question mark. As with exclamation marks, a question mark goes before the closing quotation mark when it belongs to the sentence inside the quotation marks.</p> <p>In the fifth sentence, Martin is speaking, but there is no dialogue tag. Writers often omit dialogue tags when the context of a conversation makes it clear who the speaker is.</p> <p>In the sixth sentence, the dialogue tag <em>Fauntleroy continued</em> appears in the middle of Fauntleroy’s sentence. Notice the placement of the commas after <em>And</em> and <em>continued</em>; commas go before quotation marks. This sentence also contains a quote within a quote, which is enclosed with single quotation marks. Fauntleroy is repeating Martin’s words <em>a few hours</em>.</p> <p>The final two sentences of the conversation also omit the dialogue tags, because it’s clear which character is speaking in both instances.</p> <h2>Non-Dialogue Quotations</h2> <p>In nonfiction or academic contexts, you may want to quote someone without styling it as dialogue. The same rules for where to put other punctuation in relation to the quotation marks apply. But you should also take care to construct your sentence so that the quoted words fit within it grammatically.</p> <p><div> <div>The mayor said his two golden retrievers were “the best dogs in the world” and added that he was not a cat person.</div> </div></p> <p><div> <div>The mayor said his two golden retrievers were “the best dogs in the world. I’m not a cat person.”</div> </div></p> <p>In the second example, the sentence begins in the third person and past tense but abruptly switches to the first person and present tense halfway through the quote. The result is jarring for the reader, and sometimes hard to follow.</p> <h2>Scare Quotes</h2> <p>Occasionally, writers enclose certain terms they wish to distance themselves from in quotation marks. Quotation marks used this way are commonly called scare quotes or shudder quotes. It’s a way of implying that you’re using a term in an unusual way or that you don’t necessarily approve of it. For example:</p> <p><div> <div>Silicon Valley has fully embraced the “sharing economy.”</div> </div></p> <p>The scare quotes around <em>sharing economy</em> suggest that it’s not a fully accepted term. Perhaps the writer feels that it’s jargon or just doesn’t like it. But, unless you’re writing for an audience who is totally unfamiliar with the subject, it’s better to leave the quotation marks out and instead provide enough context to make the meaning of the term clear. Overusing scare quotes will quickly annoy readers, so reserve them for terms that truly require them:</p> <p><div> <div>For too many people, “computer security” is an oxymoron.</div> </div></p> <p>In the sentence above, the scare quotes are needed to indicate that the writer is not talking about computer security in general, but rather the term itself.</p> <p>Because scare quotes usually suggest a sniff of disapproval or sarcasm from the writer, you should never use them purely for emphasis or decoration. A sign outside a restaurant that proclaims <em>Best “Flapjacks” in Town</em> will make people stop and wonder why the flapjacks need the scare quotes. Are they really flapjacks? Or are they some kind of inferior imitation? Likewise, if you write someone a note that says <em>I “love” you</em>, the recipient will probably assume that you meant the exact opposite!</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-14883820091908835032017-08-07T01:59:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:56:24.833-08:00Introducing the Grammarly Mobile Keyboard<div> <p>You asked, and today it’s here! The Grammarly Keyboard is now available on iOS. It’s your personal editor for texts, emails, tweets, Tinder messages, and everything else you write on your phone. (Don’t worry, Android is coming soon.)</p> <p>For nearly a decade, Grammarly has helped people make their writing clear, effective, and mistake-free. Ten million users a day benefit from Grammarly’s feedback on their messages and documents.<a name='more'></a> Now, by popular demand, we’re bringing Grammarly to your iPhone and iPad.</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>It wasn’t too long ago that “mobile communication” just meant a phone call or maybe an email painstakingly typed on a tiny keyboard. For anything truly important, we’d still wait until we could sit down and compose on a computer. That’s changed.</p> <p>Our phones are now as powerful as those computers; Internet usage on smartphones has surpassed Internet usage on desktops; an entire generation has stopped using voicemail; and many of our most important interactions now happen on the go, from the palms of our hands. But you probably don’t need us to tell you that.</p> <p>Communicating effectively on your phone is more important than ever. By 2018, 50 percent of workplace team coordination and communication will occur over mobile collaboration apps. Whether you’re emailing a potential customer, live-tweeting a conference, or texting your boss, what you write on your phone is a reflection of who you are.</p> <p>Yet potential pitfalls are everywhere.</p> <p>In the age of mobile devices and social media, communication tends to be imprecise, frantic, and, well, sloppy. The opportunities for (mis)communication are multiplying, and with them, so is the potential for misunderstanding, frustration, and missed opportunities.</p> <p>Enter Grammarly’s mobile keyboard—it makes you a more effective communicator no matter where you are.</p> <p> </p> <div><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/240875188?autoplay=1&loop=1&title=0&byline=0" width="300" height="533" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p> </p> <p>The keyboard integrates seamlessly with all your mobile apps and your mobile browser, so you’ll always look polished and professional, even on your phone.</p> <p>Developed by some of the world’s leading authorities on linguistic technology, Grammarly’s algorithms not only catch context-specific grammar and spelling mistakes, but also the kind of confusing sentences that leave your colleagues (or worse, your boss) wondering what you’re talking about. For Grammarly Premium users, the keyboard will also improve word choice and suggest style improvements so the need for “Sent from my iPhone” can become a relic of the past.</p> <p>Thanks to Grammarly’s mobile keyboard, gone are the days of fighting the minor anxiety attacks triggered upon tapping send.</p> <p>Give it a try and tell us what you think in the comments below.</p> <p>Just visit the App Store, download the Grammarly Keyboard, and add it to your keyboards in settings (for detailed instructions, we have you covered here.)</p> <p>Happy typing!</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-36174755076277500052017-08-03T10:23:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:55:15.837-08:0020 Professional Writers to Follow on Instagram<div> <p>Maybe you’re in it for writing advice. Or maybe you want to know what your favorite writers do in their actual lives. Maybe you just need a distraction and want to look at cats, food, or cartoons, but also want feel a little intellectual while you’re at it.</p> <p>Don’t fret. Everyone looks at social media for “inspiration,” whether they realize it or not.</p> <p>Whatever your motivation may be, we’ve gathered twenty of the best Instagram accounts operated by professional writers (or about or related to professional writing).<a name='more'></a> Whether you’re out to follow interesting feeds or build a bigger audience for your own Instagram, these social media moguls will give you a glimpse into the writing lifestyle and inspire you through their own creativity. </p> <h2>On Writing, Writers, and Creativity</h2> <p>Last Night’s Reading (@lastnightsreading)</p> <p>It’s a simple formula: Kate Gavino scours New York for book readings by visiting (or local) authors. Then, she cartoons the author, picks one of her or his quotes, and posts it on what the cool kids call “Insta.” The result is a colorful and interesting feed that will help you get to know authors and provide regular doses of inspiration. And if that’s not enough for you, there’s Gavino’s matching book, Last Night’s Readings: Illustrated Encounters with Extraordinary Authors. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Zadie Smith at the New Yorker Festival, 10/7/16 #tnyfest</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Kate Gavino (@lastnightsreading) on <time>Oct 10, 2016 at 6:00am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The Write Practice (@thewritepractice)</p> <p>A website dedicated to the craft of writing—whether blogging, marketing, fiction-writing, or posting on Instagram—the Write Practice’s account includes inspiring quotes, sales on writing aides, and links to their blog with deeper writing advice. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> We were born with stories to tell.</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by The Write Practice (@thewritepractice) on <time>Dec 11, 2016 at 7:47am PST</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>K.M. Weiland (@authorkmweiland)</p> <p>K.M. Weiland is an author (duh), and she posts advice for other authors. In addition to writing historical and speculative fiction, she is also the author of Outlining Your Novel and Structuring Your Novel. Weiland’s instagram feed is uniquely crafted for writers of creative fiction. Next time you have writer’s block, give it a visit, and don’t forget to check out her blog Helping Writers Become Authors.</p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Learn how these four most important characters provide the foundation for, not just your plot, but the presentation of a multi-faceted theme. http://bit.ly/4-important-characters #amwriting #writetip</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by K.M. Weiland (@authorkmweiland) on <time>May 19, 2017 at 7:49am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <h2>Fiction and Creative Writers</h2> <p>Paulo Coelho (@paulocoelho)</p> <p>Paulo Coelho is best known for his novel <em>The Alchemist</em> (which, a recent post reminded us, is the third best-selling novel of all time, after only <em>Don Quixote</em> and <em>A Tale of Two Cities</em>). His feed is a blend of inspiring quotes, Coelho in nature, and interesting art and scenery the writer wants to share with his 1.4 million followers. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Genial @carloslatuff</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Writer (@paulocoelho) on <time>May 13, 2017 at 1:16am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Jon Krakauer (@krakauernotwriting)</p> <p>An author of books about the great outdoors like <em>Into the Wild</em>, Jon Krakauer is also (not surprisingly) a mountaineer. The nature photography you’ll find on his Instagram might make it look like his feed is, as he claims, all about <em>not</em> writing. But the fact that his incredible nature shots are paired with an anecdote or introduction to the photo that showcases Krakauer’s writing skills makes you wonder whether he really means it when he writes that “not writing is way more fun.”</p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> 40 years ago today, on May 3, 1977, I was dropped off on a remote Alaska beach. 3 days later, after skiing 30 miles up the Baird Glacier, alone, I pitched my small tent right here, on the Stikine Icecap, and took this photo of the mountain I’d come to climb–the Devils Thumb.</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Jon Krakauer (@krakauernotwriting) on <time>May 3, 2017 at 8:23pm PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Chimamanda Adichie (@chimamanda_adichie)</p> <p>Adichie is a Nigerian author who has made it onto several lists of authors under forty and has won awards for her books <em>Half a Yellow Sun, The Thing Around Your Neck,</em> and <em>Americanah</em>. Her writing bridges Nigeria and the United States and, in addition to telling powerful stories, touches on issues of race, identity, and feminism. Her Instagram takes another tack with the project “Wear Nigerian,” in which Adichie appears in fun, bright clothes by Nigerian brands and designers. Her Instagram should be a hit for fashion followers and author enthusiasts alike.</p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Top: Nkwo, Lagos Skirt: Things Nigerians Love, Lagos (School of Advanced International Studies, JHU, Washington DC) @tnldesigns @nkwo_official @zinkata1 #MadeinNigeria</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Chimamanda Adichie (@chimamanda_adichie) on <time>May 4, 2017 at 8:04am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Chris Taylor (@futurechris)</p> <p>“Future Chris” is the deputy editor at Mashable and he wrote <em>How Star Wars Conquered the Universe</em>. His Instagram is chock-full of quirky pictures, quotes about writing, extreme nerdery, and (inevitably) his cats. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> #berkeley #quirky #lost #unicorn</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Chris Taylor (@futurechris) on <time>May 12, 2017 at 11:31am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Michael Chabon (@michael.chabon)</p> <p>Pulitzer Prize–winning author of novels including <em>The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,</em> and <em>The Yiddish Policemen’s Union</em>, Chabon takes goofy selfies and shots of funny or interesting things he comes across, from favorite comic book illustrations to a Medusa head in a museum to his toddler in a Darth Vader mask. It’s a fun insight into the mind of a prolific creative writer. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Listening to Trout Mask Replica in the Mylar emoji balloon aisle at Safeway and for an instant the day makes sense. #antmanbee #captainbeefheart</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Michael Chabon (@michael.chabon) on <time>May 15, 2017 at 6:36pm PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <h2>Travel Writing</h2> <p>Adventure Cats (@adventurecatsorg)</p> <p>A feed to match the book of the same name, Adventure Cats features—you guessed it—pictures of cats on adventures. With the tagline “Living 9 lives to the fullest,” the feed has a great dose of humor and plenty of puns to accompany photos that deserve your follow whether your thing is cats or travel.</p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> DIS WAI 2 TEH FISHEZ, HOOMAN. AdventureCats.org #AdventureCats �� @boltandkeel</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Adventure Cats (@adventurecatsorg) on <time>Apr 22, 2017 at 7:31am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Budget Traveller (@budgettraveller)</p> <p>Kash Bhattacharya has been recognized both for his travel writing and his great ’gram. His fabulous photos complement his blog, which includes stories about his destinations and tips for traveling on a budget.</p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Another fun afternoon exploring Bucharest with @monicasuma Carturesti Carusel (“Carousel of Light”) is a stunning bookstore situated in the heart of the city. Bookstore is located inside a beautifully restored 19th century building – definitely a must see when visiting Bucharest. || #ExperienceBucharest</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Kash Bhattacharya (@budgettraveller) on <time>May 10, 2017 at 8:39am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Girl Eat World (@girleatworld)</p> <p>Is it travel or is it food? Girl Eat World gives you a dose of both, with tasty morsels posing in front of hot and cool destinations the world over. Whether you’re in it for the skewer or the skyline, you’re bound to get a taste of inspiration with this follow.</p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Good day, Shanghai ���� Bingtang hu lu while strolling around The Bund. Bing tang hu lu is a candied fruit snack on skewers that is very popular in China. I love it – the taste is a wonderful mix of sweet and a tinge of sour, and the texture is a contrast of crunchy on the outside from the hard candy coating and soft in the inside from the fruit itself. I can never finish the entire skewer by myself though! �� It's a bit cloudy in the picture but since then the weather in Shanghai has just been absolutely perfect! It's a bit cold for me because I get cold very easily, but I can't really complain with 15C, clear blue skies and sunshine. I hope you are enjoying the last day of 2016 �� i sure will be! Happy New Year everybody! #ShotOniPhone #GirlEatWorld #GirlEatShanghai</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by ❤️ Mel's Food & Travel log (@girleatworld) on <time>Dec 31, 2016 at 12:21am PST</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <h2>Journalism and Photojournalism</h2> <p>Nicholas Kristof (@nickkristof)</p> <p>A journalist and long-time op-ed columnist for <em>The New York Times</em> on issues of human rights and social justice, Kristof has a particularly powerful feed, including pictures of his travels around the world to explore social issues and connect with people of all stripes. Along with photos of people and stories from around the world, there are some great nature shots, book-signings, and dogs in meadows thrown in for good measure. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Congrats to these graduates today of the Kibera School for Girls kindergarten, in Kenya's largest slum.</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Nicholas Kristof (@nickkristof) on <time>Dec 16, 2013 at 7:55am PST</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Lynsey Addario (@lynseyaddario)</p> <p>Addario’s photographs capture human rights issues, poverty, and the aftermath of violence, with occasional food and family photos. Addario’s memoir, <em>It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War</em> details her life as a photojournalist and the trials of being a female photographer documenting wartime Afghanistan and other conflict zones. Her Instagram is a taste of that, and more. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Syrian refugees walk in front of graffiti at a refugee camp in Thessaloniki, Greece. According to a recent report by Amnesty international, roughly 60,000 refugees remain stranded in Greece, and it would take 18 years to resettle everyone at the current rate of relocation. On assignment for @Time in #Greece</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Lynsey Addario (@lynseyaddario) on <time>Sep 24, 2016 at 12:53am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Randy Olson (@randyolson)</p> <p>Randy Olson and his wife Melissa Farlow have traveled the world to photograph people and places of all kinds for over twenty years. You may have seen their stories in <em>National Geographic</em>, but you can browse their striking photos on their shared website, too. And of course, Randy’s Instagram runs the gamut, from shots of forked lightning to strangely picturesque piles of corn to diverse social events and celebrations from all over the globe. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Photo: @randyolson | Starting an #Ecuador project with @pablocorralvega @melissafarlow and others. We are also inaugurating a new feed for the city of Quito: @artesdequito. From todayinecuador.com: More than a quarter of a million people will descend on the Plaza of San Francisco, some to observe, others to participate. At 12pm noon, the hour in which Pontius Pilot condemned Jesus to death, the procession begins from the San Francisco Church, and returns 3 hours later, the hour in which Jesus was crucified. During the procession the image of Jesus is preceded by 800 persons dressed and veiled in purple garments. The men are known as Cucuruchos (meaning, cone for their pointed headdress) and the women are called Veronicas, after the woman who is thought to have offered her veil for Christ to wipe his face. The cones are a sign of humility; the purple, the color of penitence. Those who wear them do so as an act of faith, between them and God, but for all to witness during the procession. Updates from this trip will be on @artesdequito @randyolson @melissafarlow @thephotosociety #quito #Easter #GoodFriday #religion #culture #travel @theimagereview @natgeo</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Randy Olson (@randyolson) on <time>Apr 9, 2015 at 6:48am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <h2>Food, Food, Food</h2> <p>The Boy Who Bakes (@theboywhobakes)</p> <p>If you haven’t yet been hooked by the reality cooking show <em>The Great British Bake Off,</em> start out by getting hooked on (spoiler alert) its season one winner Edd Kimber’s Instagram. Kimber is a writer, stylist, and host of the podcast <em>Stir the Pot,</em> and in his spare time, shares photos of crafty confections like these salted chocolate and pistachio babka buns. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Fancy something different this Easter? How about making my salted chocolate and pistachio babka buns from this months @olivemagazine �� by @antduncan_photo – RECIPE LINK IN PROFILE ⬆️ http://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/baking-and-desserts/chocolate-and-salted-pistachio-babka-buns/</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Edd Kimber (@theboywhobakes) on <time>Apr 11, 2017 at 11:28am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The Whole Food Diary (@thewholefooddiary)</p> <p>Delightful and decadent though salted chocolate and pistachio babka buns may be, if you’re more of the health-food persuasion, check out the power couple Kezia and Jared. They blog about their healthy food habits and have a feed of foods that look healthy yet delicious to match. Yes, that can still mean donuts. (Or is it doughnuts? Grammarly knows the spelling secrets). </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Sending out lots of doughnut orders to people today! If you're newer to following us, we run a small bakery out of our kitchen supplying locals with paleo treats! I love getting to put a cleaner option into people's hands �� and provide fun options for people who can't eat gluten/grains/dairy! If you're in Redding and want to order or you're passing through just shoot me an email kezianeusch@gmail.com. �� . . The recipe is also in #thewholedoughnut ebook on Amazon and on our blog via the link in our bio!</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Kezia and Jared (@thewholefooddiary) on <time>Apr 21, 2017 at 1:13pm PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Felicity Spector (@felicityspector)</p> <p>A writer for Channel 4 News and Great Taste Award judge, U.K.-based Spector is well qualified to wow with her food pics. Next time you’re in London, use her feed to find food for yourself at London’s top spots. Or if you’re not planning a trip to Jolly Ol’ Londontown, admire the creative foodstuffs Spector so spectacularly photographs. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Rainbow croissant by the genius that is @sbpatisserie at @hotelcaferoyal with a spoonful of cherry jam. It has turned into one of those hectic days in the newsroom with Trump tweeting all sorts and a cyber hack on the NHS. So I'm seeking a moment of solace in layers of flaky rainbow pastry joy. ������������</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Felicity Spector (@felicityspector) on <time>May 12, 2017 at 9:46am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <h2>Graphic Novelists and Illustrators</h2> <p>Fiona Staples (@fionastaples)</p> <p>Staples is best known for her work on <em>Saga</em> and <em>Rat Queens</em>, both award-winning comics series, though she has also drawn for <em>Archie</em>. She posts finished illustrations (speech bubbles and all) from comics she’s worked on, as well as sketches she’s done just for fun. It’s a great feed to follow if you want to see great illustrations and the process of creating it. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Sketchbook doodles from yesterday</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Fiona Staples (@fionastaples) on <time>Aug 4, 2014 at 12:16pm PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Phil Noto (@philnoto)</p> <p>He was an animator for Disney. Then he started drawing for Marvel, DC, Image, and Dark Horse. If the credentials aren’t enough, let his art speak for itself. He posts images from comic books he’s working on (including <em>The Avengers, The Infinite Horizon,</em> and various <em>Star Wars</em> comics), sketches in progress, and other art that will wow you. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> Working on my last Jyn ��</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Phil Noto (@philnoto) on <time>May 18, 2017 at 1:36pm PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Becky Cloonan (@beckycloonan)</p> <p>If you’ve heard of <em>Batman</em> or <em>Conan the Barbarian</em>, you’ve probably seen work by Becky Cloonan. On her Instagram, you’ll see work from her big, mainstream titles as well as smaller publishers and marketing posters, plus the occasional casual pic of a concert, vacation, or burger. Expect plenty of skeletons, fairies, and supernatural scenes. </p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> So stoked to finally be able to show the poster I did for LOGAN! Can't wait to watch this movie. I love drawing brooding men so this was a lot of fun!</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Becky Cloonan (@beckycloonan) on <time>Feb 17, 2017 at 12:59pm PST</time></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>With that diverse crowd of Instagrammers, you should have plenty of art, food, international hot spots, and inspirational quotes to get you thumbing through your day. And if that’s not enough for you, there’s always Grammarly’s quirky mix of wordplay, writing tips, and the best animals ever.</p> <blockquote> <div> <div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> My Monday mood:</p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Grammarly (@grammarly) on <time>Mar 20, 2017 at 9:08am PDT</time></p> </div> </blockquote> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-10215791564128857982017-08-01T07:25:00.001-07:002018-01-18T08:02:08.839-08:00And the Oscar for Best Grammar Goes to. . .<div> <p>Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences creates a Hollywood spectacle to honor the best films, actors, screenwriters, directors, and more. Before the Academy rolls out the red carpet on February 28 to announce 2016’s Oscar winners, we decided to roll out the red pen (metaphorically speaking) and rank the movies, actors, and actresses by how well their fans write when they’re buzzing about them online.<a name='more'></a></p> <p>First, we looked at fan-written movie reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. We gathered the most recent one hundred four- and five-star reviews of at least fifteen words for each film, analyzed them with Grammarly, and then verified them with a team of live proofreaders. We counted only black-and-white mistakes, such as misspellings, wrong and missing punctuation, misused or missing words, and subject-verb disagreement. We ignored stylistic variations, such as common slang words, nicknames, serial commas, or the use of numerals instead of spelled-out numbers.</p> <p>Then, we set out for IMDb and followed the same procedure to rank the Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress nominees according to how well IMDb commenters wrote when they discussed them in the forums. We also searched out the top three adjectives or phrases commenters used to describe the celebs.</p> <p>Leonardo DiCaprio may be the odds-on favorite to win an Oscar for <i>The Revenant</i>, but the “amazing, desperate guy,” who has yet to score an Oscar, didn’t fare well in our research, coming in second-to-last—just above Sylvester Stallone, who’s nominated for Best Supporting Actor for <i>Creed</i>. Although Variety predicts that <i>The Big Short</i> will walk away with the gleaming golden statue for Best Picture, where fan grammar is concerned, <i>Brooklyn</i> takes the win.</p> <p>Of course, our research is all in the name of fun and good grammar. To see who really gets to step up to the microphone and say “I’d like to thank the Academy,” you’ll have to tune in to the 88th Academy Awards on Sunday, February 28.</p> <p></p> <p><code class="tool__embed_image"> </code> </p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-43986766056734562602017-07-31T10:17:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:55:25.535-08:00&ldquo;Do You Write Like an Introvert?&rdquo; Quiz<div> <p>Have you ever wondered how introverted or extroverted your work style is? This short quiz will help you understand whether your writing personality tends toward introversion or extroversion. </p> <p></p> <p><b>What kind of writing personality do you have? What parts of writing are easy or challenging for you? Share your stories in the comments.</b></p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-19659413237508632562017-07-28T08:05:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:55:39.872-08:00This Is How to Be More Productive at Everything You Do<div> <p>There are days when it all comes together for you, but this might not happen to be one of them.</p> <p>Some days you’re able to just crank through one task after another. Your “sent” folder brims with solid work before noon, your contribution to the afternoon meeting is well received, and you even manage to wrap up with enough time and energy to hit the gym before dinner. <em>If only someone could bottle up days like this,</em> you muse.<a name='more'></a> Alas.</p> <p>Many factors of productivity are beyond your control. Sometimes your train is late, or your building’s fire alarm goes off, or a key collaborator whose input you depend on comes down with a dire case of plane tickets to Hawaii. In such circumstances, there’s only so much you can do.</p> <p>But what about the rest of the time? Amid the many variables at work (and everywhere else), what little things can you do to optimize each day? There are some constants worth keeping in mind—and perhaps a few habits to address. With diligence, the tactics we’ve gathered here might make you more productive at, well, just about everything.</p> <h2>Care for yourself, and be equipped for the task at hand.</h2> <p>Here’s one recurring challenge you should prepare to keep dealing with: you are an alive person. (If not, stop reading and seek assistance.) In other words, you’re going to need food, rest, and an occasional change of scenery—and maybe also fresh socks. Failing to address these concerns can undermine your sanity, to say nothing of your productivity.</p> <p><span>1</span><b>Avoid going hungry.</b></p> <p>It’s hard to stay on task when you’re hangry, so plan accordingly. If you have a desk drawer, keep a few snacks in it. If you carry any kind of bag, a pouch of trail mix will have future-you thanking current-you for being so thoughtful.</p> <p><span>2</span><b>Know how much rest you need. Same goes for caffeine.</b></p> <p>It’s not uncommon for workers to plow ahead even when they’re exhausted—and for their efficiency to plummet as a result. One solution may be to quit binge-watching <em>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</em> before bed and actually go to sleep. Another is a legal, affordable, performance-enhancing drug known as caffeine, which many offices just give away for free to anyone willing to brave the befuddling machinations of the break-room coffeemaker.</p> <p>Just be careful not to overdo it, lest you get jittery after that third cup.</p> <p><span>3</span><b>Keep a backup of the essentials handy.</b></p> <p>People make mistakes, like casually throwing away their own passport two days into an overseas trip. Devices you rely on can crash, break, or disappear. You can’t always prevent such fiascos, but with preparation, you can limit the fallout for your productivity. While you can’t realistically pack a duplicate of everything, it’s worth making copies of key documents and backing up crucial files.</p> <p>As for equipment, your Plan B needn’t be identical to your Plan A. For instance, when a reporter’s field recorder runs out of space during a run-and-gun interview, she might not have time to dig out a fresh memory card—but if she turns quickly to the voice memos app on her smartphone, she might just get the quote she needs anyway.</p> <h2>Manage your time.</h2> <p>“Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion,” the saying goes. Being productive means budgeting your time and staying focused. Start by writing down what you need to get done, and in what order. Set priorities and give yourself deadlines. Set a timer if you have to—anything to keep small tasks from sprawling endlessly.</p> <p>Also, if your typical day involves a steady churn of notifications, you might turn away from the screen and resort to a pen and paper for parts of this process. While some degree of distraction or interruption may be inevitable, be judicious about what you let alter your timeframe.</p> <p><span>4</span><b>Say no occasionally.</b></p> <p>This isn’t always an option, but when you’re already spread thin and someone brings you a last-minute project on top of other deadlines you’re facing, sometimes you have to be realistic about how much you can take on. (That’s true in social contexts, as well: don’t let fear of missing out keep you from taking a needed night in to recharge.)</p> <p>If you can’t—say, if an important client insists it’s urgent, and “no can do” isn’t an option—then consider seeking an extension on your other deadlines. Having to pull an all-nighter—pretty much the antithesis of a productivity booster—should be a last resort.</p> <p><span>5</span><b>Log off sometimes. The mute button is a friend.</b></p> <p>Part of budgeting your day is not allowing diversions like social media to continually siphon off small increments of your attention. Seriously, those cat GIFs, political rants, and wedding pictures can all wait. If your roommate from college and twenty other people are all in a thread debating who will bring salads and dessert to next weekend’s cookout, it’s a fine time to turn off notifications and actually, you know, work.</p> <h2>Don’t just think about what you should do—do it.</h2> <p>Sometimes your productivity is hindered by knowing what you want to make happen but not feeling certain you can pull it off. But the surest way to accomplish less is to attempt less—so if you want to be more productive, you have to surmount those doubts.</p> <p><span>6</span><b>Ask for what you want.</b></p> <p>Maybe you’d like a promotion and more money. Or maybe you have an idea for a cool project, if only your boss would give you the go-ahead. Asking can be scary, but the idea of not asking—and potentially wondering how different things might be, months later, if you had—should be scarier.</p> <p>Take it from Lisa Chow, host of the podcast StartUp: “I went through most of my career never negotiating anything. And then suddenly when I did I was like ‘oh wow—this works!’” she says. “I think in our heads, you think, ‘oh if I ask and if they don’t say yes then I might actually lose the job or I might lose the job offer. And I think that is very rarely true.”</p> <p>One final note to improve your productivity: don’t beat yourself up in the event things don’t go as expected. It happens. Finding ways to learn from such experiences, adapt, and move on will make you a lot more productive in the long run.</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-66097311868933131002017-07-27T04:26:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:49:19.764-08:005 Holiday Out of Office Messages That Will Make You Smile<div> <p>Ah, the holidays! The winter festivities mean that many of us get to leave the stress of office life behind. If you’re taking an extended break, you may want to create a holiday out-of-office message to let your contacts know you’ll get back to them just as soon as the eggnog is out of your system and you’ve returned to your desk.</p> <h2>How to Write a Holiday Out-of-Office Message</h2> <p>Within reason, it’s okay to have some fun with your out-of-office message.<a name='more'></a> But there are a few simple rules you should follow to make sure your auto-responder is both helpful and professional. Here are some do’s and don’ts from our article “7 Ways to Write an Effective Out-of-Office Message.”</p> <ul> <li><b>Do check your company’s policy on out-of-office messages.</b> If there’s no firm policy, it might be best to check in with your supervisor and have your message approved in advance.</li> <li><b>Don’t reveal too much.</b> Strangers, spammers, and maybe even scammers could potentially see your auto-reply. Keep that in mind before you tell all and sundry that your house is vacant.</li> <li><b>Do know your audience.</b> If you send more formal emails during your working hours, don’t create an informal out-of-office email for your downtime.</li> <li><b>Don’t make typos.</b> You don’t want to be blasting out the same spelling mistake or grammar error for a week, do you?</li> <li><b>Do consider a message rule.</b> If your email client will handle it, consider creating a message rule where your auto-reply goes out only on the second message from the same person. That way, you won’t be oversharing your status with spammers or colleagues who really don’t care that you’re away.</li> </ul> <p><strong>RELATED:</strong> 10 Hilarious Out of Office Messages You Will Want to Copy</p> <p>We created a few fun holiday out-of-office messages that you can either blatantly copy or use for inspiration. The first four are perfect for the office that makes room for humor. If your workplace is a bit more traditional, skip straight to number five.</p> <h2><span>1</span> The Scrooge</h2> <p>Hellooooo . . .</p> <p>You’ve reached the Ghost of Holidays Future. Whose future? Yours, of course! Let me show you what it looks like.</p> <p>Step this way. Do you see yourself there? It’s the holidays, and yet you’re hunched over your mobile device. Yes, I know the new iPhone 13 looks pretty sweet. That’s not the point. <em>Focus!</em></p> <p>Look at all the festivities going on around you! The stockings are hung by the chimney with care. Friends and family are gathered. There’s a lovely ham on the table with all the trimmings, including figgy pudding (whatever the heck that is). And then there’s you, sitting there in the corner alone with your phone, emailing people who’d rather be celebrating and are probably just going to ignore you until next year.</p> <p>Listen, I know you’re dedicated to your work, but don’t let this be your future. The holidays come just once a year. Why not take a break and recharge for a change? (No, not your phone—yourself!) Meanwhile, [Your Name] will return on [date] and will answer your email as quickly as possible.</p> <p>Be merry! Now, goooo . . . *spooky chain rattle*</p> <p>Yours very truly,</p> <p>A. Spectre, Esq.</p> <h2><span>2</span> The Fruitcake</h2> <p>Greetings,</p> <p>Did you know that emails during the holidays are a lot like fruitcakes? Nobody really wants them, but a lot of people end up receiving them, anyhow.</p> <p>I’m out of the office until [date], so leave your fruitcake (email) right here. I’ll be sure to send you a thank-you card (response) when I return.</p> <p>Happy holidays,</p> <p>[Name]</p> <h2><span>3</span> The Bedford Falls</h2> <p>Season’s Greetings!</p> <p>I’m currently curled up on the couch with fuzzy slippers on my feet, a blanket across my lap, and a mug of cocoa in my hand. There’s a fire in the fireplace, and <em>It’s a Wonderful Life</em> is on TV. George Bailey just found ZuZu’s petals in his pants pocket. (Yes, those are happy tears. Shh!)</p> <p>I’ll be out of the office until [date], but if it’s an emergency—like if Uncle Billy lost the deposit or there’s a run on the Building and Loan—my esteemed colleague, [Name], will assist you. Just email [email].</p> <p>Tidings of comfort and joy,</p> <p>[Name]</p> <h2><span>4</span> The Tech Break</h2> <p>Hello,</p> <p>‘Tis the season when a lot of people get to take a break from work. I’m on one such break, and that means I get to avoid email. And Slack. And Asana. And the entire suite of Google products from Calendar to Sheets.</p> <p>So, although I’m sure whatever you had to tell me was insightful, inspiring, or otherwise riveting, I’m not going to read it anytime soon. Instead, I intend to gaze upon colorful lights, or the frosted shimmer of a wintry morning, anything that isn’t backlit and powered by a lithium battery.</p> <p>Upon my return, I’ll ease back into work life and answer emails at a pace I’m comfortable with. Unfortunately, that may not be a pace you’re comfortable with, so if it’s urgent, ping me again when my inbox reopens on [date].</p> <p>Happy holidays!</p> <p>[Name]</p> <h2><span>5</span> The Friendly Professional</h2> <p>Season’s Greetings!</p> <p>Thanks for getting in touch. I’m out of the office enjoying the holidays until [date].</p> <p>I’ll respond as quickly as I can when the festivities are over and I’m back at my desk. If your request is urgent, please reach out to my colleague, [name], at [email], for assistance.</p> <p>Cheers,</p> <p>[Name]</p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-91014182211758282102017-07-25T06:33:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:49:27.315-08:00Parentheses and Brackets<div> <p><b>Parentheses</b> are punctuation marks that are used to set off information within a text or paragraph. Outside the realm of emoticons, parentheses always come in pairs. They can enclose a single word, a phrase, or even an entire sentence. Typically, the words inside the parentheses provide extra information about something else in the sentence.</p> <p><div> <div>Curators from the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) have announced a new dinosaur exhibit.<a name='more'></a> While walking down the street (paying more attention to her phone than to her feet), Catherine tripped over the curb and sprained her ankle. </div> </div></p> <p><b>Brackets</b>, sometimes called square brackets, are most often used to show that words have been added to a direct quotation. Sometimes, when quoting a person or document, adding a word or two is necessary to provide enough context for the quote to make sense. For example, the original sentence you want to quote might read “We went and had a great time.” Out of context, this sentence doesn’t mean much. But you can add bracketed information to make the context clear.</p> <p><div> <div>“We went [to the new dinosaur exhibit] and had a great time.”</div> </div></p> <p>It’s extremely important to use brackets when you change a direct quote—forgetting to add them results in a misquote.</p> <h2>Parentheses or Brackets With Surrounding Punctuation</h2> <p>Treat parentheses or brackets and the words inside them as separate from the rest of the sentence. Any sentence that contains a parenthetical element should still make sense if the element is removed.</p> <p><div> <div>Meena (studied all night for) the grammar test.</div> </div></p> <p><div> <div>Meena studied (all night) for the grammar test.</div> </div></p> <p><div> <div>Meena studied for the grammar test.</div> </div></p> <p>Periods, question marks, and exclamation points should go before the closing parenthesis or bracket only if they belong to the words inside the parentheses or brackets. If the punctuation belongs to the surrounding sentence, put them outside the parentheses or brackets. Never put a comma immediately before a closing parenthesis.</p> <p><div> <div>After dinner (an enormous, healthy salad,) Posey treated herself to ice cream.</div> </div></p> <p><div> <div>After dinner, (an enormous, healthy salad) Posey treated herself to ice cream.</div> </div></p> <p><div> <div>After dinner (an enormous, healthy salad), Posey treated herself to ice cream.</div> </div></p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229042622621378348.post-71348618535333544192017-07-21T09:51:00.001-07:002018-01-18T07:56:13.330-08:00Similes<div> <p><div> <div>Life is <mark>like</mark> a box of chocolates: you never know which one you’re going to get. </div> </div></p> <p>Let’s use this example to understand what a <b>simile</b> is:</p> <ul> <li>A <b>simile is a phrase that uses a comparison to describe.</b> For example, “life” can be described as similar to “a box of chocolates.”</li> <li>You know you’ve spotted one when you see the words <i>like</i> or <i>as</i> in a comparison.</li> <li><b>Similes are like metaphors.<a name='more'></a> But metaphors aren’t the same as similes.</b></li> <li>Similes are great for famous authors, public speakers, and folks who want to make their writing as exciting as a spontaneous show of fireworks.</li> </ul> <hr> <h1>What is a Simile?</h1> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> A <b>simile</b> (SIM-uh-lee) is a type of figurative language that describes something by comparing it to something else with the words <i>like</i> or <i>as</i>.</div></p> <p>Even if you don’t know the definition like the back of your hand, you’ve probably seen plenty of similes. For example:</p> <p><div> <div>I know that definition like the back of my hand. Those two are as different as night and day. He stood out like a sore thumb. That answer is as clear as mud. Grandpa has a memory like a sieve. The mouse is as dead as a doornail.</div> </div></p> <p></p> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> Need a trick to remember? <b>Simile</b> sounds a lot like <b>similar</b>. Similes compare <b>similar</b> things, with help from the words <b>like</b> or <b>as</b>. </div></p> <h2>More Simile Examples</h2> <p>Similes can make writing more colorful and interesting. If you don’t believe us, ask these famous writers. </p> <p><b>William Shakespeare</b></p> <p><div> <div>O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! Her beauty hangs upon the cheek of night, <b>Like a rich jewel</b> in an Ethiop’s ear…”</div> <div> Romeo and Juliet, Act 1, Scene 5 </div> </div></p> <p>As a side note, the word “Ethiop” isn’t exactly politically correct. But Shakespeare didn’t know that when he used it to evoke Juliet’s jeweliness.</p> <p><b>William Woodsworth</b></p> <p><div> <div>I wandered lonely <b>as a cloud</b> that floats on high o’er vales and hills.</div> <div> “Daffodils” </div> </div></p> <p>That’s pretty lonely. </p> <p><b>Langston Hughes</b></p> <p><div> <div>What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up <b>Like a raisin in the sun</b>? Or fester <b>like a sore</b>— And then run?</div> <div> “Harlem, 2” </div> </div></p> <p>Don’t defer your dreams, folks. You don’t know what could happen to them. </p> <h2>Similes in Writing</h2> <p>The above examples represent the height of poetic creation. But similes also boost everyday writing by painting a vivid image in just a few words. Compare these sentences:</p> <p><div> <div>Lois walked across the room with purpose. Lois moved across the room like a warship sailing into battle.</div> </div></p> <p>The first sentence is relatively bland. But the simile in the second sentence invites the reader to imagine an old-fashioned warship sailing to battle: stately, determined, proud, perhaps with a hint of danger. It characterizes Lois as an imposing figure and hints that she’s planning something big once she gets to the other side of the room.</p> <h2>Simile vs. Metaphor</h2> <p><div><b>Here’s a tip:</b> <b>Similes</b> and <b>metaphors</b> are both used to make comparisons</a> or elucidate concepts, but they aren’t the same. </div></p> <p>While a simile makes comparisons with help from <i>like</i> or <i>as</i>, a metaphor states outright that one thing <i>is</i> another thing. It’s important to undersatnd the difference between a metaphor and simile. </p> <p>To compare these forms of comparisons, here are some examples:</p> <p><i>Life is like a box of chocolates.</i> (Simile)</p> <p><i>My life is an open book.</i> (Metaphor)</p> <p><i>That baby is as cute as a button!</i> (Simile)</p> <p><i>Baby, you’re a firework.</i> (Metaphor)</p> <p><b>Fun fact: Because they both make figurative comparisons, all similes are metaphors, but not all metaphors are similes.</b> For the most part, keep <i>like</i> and <i>as</i> in mind if you’re on the hunt for similes, and you’ll be set.</p> <p>Test your knowledge of simile and metaphor with our quiz.</p> <p></p> <h2>Similes and Exaggeration</h2> <p>Similes often make use of hyperbole, or exaggeration:</p> <p><div> <div>He runs <mark>as</mark> fast <mark>as</mark> lightning.</i></p> <p><i>She’s <mark>as</mark> sweet <mark>as</mark> honey.</i></p> <p><i>You sing <mark>like</mark> an angel.</i></div> </div></p> <p>Similes focus on a particular aspect of a comparison, so they keep hyperbolic statements from seeming over-the-top. Contrast these sentences: </p> <p><div> <div>Dirk’s a mean snake.</div> </div> <div> <div>Dirk’s <mark>as</mark> mean <mark>as</mark> a snake.</div> </div></p> <p>The first version is a <b>metaphor</b>, but it’s so blunt that it risks seeming clumsy or childish. The second version, a <b>simile</b>, more clearly emphasizes the quality that Dirk shares with snakes: meanness.</p> <p>Figurative language is an excellent way to add interest and imagery to your writing. So next time you’re struggling to find exactly the right words for a description, try to come up with a simile that’s as perfect as a flawless diamond.</p> <h2>Metaphor vs. Simile Quiz</h2> <p>Similes are often confused with metaphors because the serve similar functions. <b>Take our short simile-metaphor quiz to check your understanding of these rhetorical tools.</b></p> </div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289899314520214746noreply@blogger.com0