A good editing job will also help you to become a better writer, such as online paper editing sites. An impartial set of eyes is nice to have and these proofreading and editing duties are well handled by the professionals while you concentrate on other aspects of your paper. This should include double-checking all the facts in your article and omitting anything you can’t verify as fact from at least two sources. The integrity of your written pieces demands that facts are checked for accuracy.

Also, do not limit yourself to a certain time for writing. Instead, e-mail yourself ideas or write them on paper and shove it in your pocket until a time you can work the piece out. Often times, writers will have some great ideas throughout the day and expect to remember them later. Unfortunately, we get busy during the day and can’t always remember these ideas later when we want them. Write yourself little prompts so that you never forget an idea.

Accepting criticism is perhaps the most important aspect to becoming a great writer. There are some fabulous editors out there who can help you to get the most from your ideas. Instead of getting frustrated at editor suggestions, embrace them and see if they bring out the best in your written work.

You are – in your most humble opinion – brilliant. Your writing reflects a superior collection of thoughts and theories, the academic wonders that are certain to be recognized by all. You are daring with your dissections of history and philosophy, able to conjure intrigue from dull statistics. Your papers are experiences, not mere pages. Words are your carefully chosen allies, meant to sway others and prove genius.

That genius means little, however, when it’s revealed that you left a substantial amount of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes in your work. This was an unfortunate and avoidable consequence.

Your inspiration cannot be denied; but it can be tamed. Your papers are praised for their inventiveness but their grades still reflect the all too easy flaws – a confusion of words, improper substitutions and poorly constructed contractions. Your cleverness cannot be questioned. Your basic language skills, however, can.

And this is why it becomes so vital for you to seek the aid of others. Don’t assume your research will compensate for weak writing. You can’t rely on a perfect theory to make readers forget the imperfect presentation. You must instead find an editor – an individual who can decipher your meanings and shape them accurately. You can go to 411.ca and search for the kind of service that you need to make your life easier.

You worry, though, that this will be impossible: your papers are complex affairs, able to be understood only by those who are as familiar with the topics as you are. This is rarely a concern, however. Unless your research is filled to technical explanations, there should be no difficulty in pointing out the problems. Language is the purpose, not what it is trying to prove.

Academia is not meant to be solitary. Just as you rely on others to for theories and experimentations, you must also rely on them to offer advice. Your work cannot suffer from improper writing. It must instead be edited. Look to those who will not simply praise your ideas but will instead make them fully logical.

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The days of using traditional school supplies are gone. Writing with your hands is outdated and has been replaced by the universal penmanship of computer fonts. Computers have virtually replaced paper, pencils and typewriters.

Technology has changed the face of education in other ways, too. Students are no longer required to attend class physically. Finding online courses at elearners.com is easy. The website can assist you with finding good schools, obtaining financial aid and finding other funds for school. Online classes don’t require tons of supplies. Just having your computer is perfect for starting your classes.

Another area where technology is reducing old-fashioned school supplies is textbooks. Many schools have transferred physical books to eBooks. Students can access the information on various devices, and the digital option reduces the cost for textbooks.

Of course, you’ll still need paper. You may need to print out a report that you typed in a word-processing program. Some students like to have hard copies of their notes in case their computers crash.

Some students prefer to take notes using pen and paper. Transferring the notes to a computer file can help some students learn the material faster because they can review the information while they type it into their computers.

The world of education is changing drastically, and the school supply list you get will reflect many of those changes. While pen and paper will always have some use, computers are becoming one of the most important things to have for your education.

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The term academic writing may conjure up thoughts of serious sentences and dull essays.  Writing an essay doesn’t need to be thought of as dull an uninteresting. By hooking your reader, you draw them into your work.  Here are a few ways to engage you readers.

Selecting a topic that you are passionate about will help sharpen your voice as a writer. Your voice is a reader’s window into who you are. By developing your voice as a writer, you draw readers in, making them feel a sense of camaraderie with you through your words.  Developing your voice as a writer comes with routine. A good way to hone your voice is by finding and applying writing exercises designed to increase your skill.  The more you write, the better you get, and the sharper your voice becomes.

Finding a topic to write about may seem like a Herculean task. Topics seem endless. Whenever an idea strikes you, it’s a good idea to write it down. Brainstorm a subject that interests you and select the topics that are appealing and contain enough information to fuel your work.

Start your essay with an opening that will immediately grab their attention. Whether you are writing on the subject of primate behavior, the effects of music in the workplace, or math philosophy, an intriguing beginning will help readers invest themselves to move on further. The first few lines should grab the reader’s attention. If they feel you are invested in the topic, and it is worth knowing about, they will read on.

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Most of us understand the importance of writing well. It can affect our jobs and careers, as well as how other people perceive us. Good writing reflects a positive light on those who are able to communicate well in written form.

So how do you go about becoming a better writer? Here are a few basic tips that can help you improve your writing skills.

Take a class. There are many opportunities to take writing classes of any level. You can start with a basic writing class or even a creative writing class. Check out your local area offerings by using a search engine, such as Canada 411. In addition, many universities and colleges offer classes on a not-for-credit basis as adult or continuing education classes.

Join a writing group. Do some research or ask your friends if they know of any local writing groups. These groups are a great way to get feedback and input about your writing. You can often find groups that focus on a specific type of writing such as fiction, non-fiction, movie scripts and so on.

Read as much as you can. Find well written books on topics that you like. Examine the writing and language in those books or publications. Become more critical of what you are reading. Examine sentence structure and word usage to see if you could make improvements.

Use reference materials while you are writing. Use a dictionary, a thesaurus, and other such materials when you write.

Finally, just write. Write as much as you can every day, and soon you’ll see your writing improve.

Cover of Writing for Magazines

Every recession sees a large number of individuals being fired. These individuals move into unconventional professions like copyrighting and content writing for websites. Once the economy improves, most individuals revert back to their original profession.

One reason why they do so is that content writing and other such activities are not considered the real careers. Can any individual rely on such a profession to earn a livelihood for an entire life? Some people find that the world of content writing is far too dynamic for their liking.

There is always the fear of losing jobs when the search engines make a new update. On the other hand, nobody is going to stop using steel or iron tomorrow, right? Well, zero complications and instability in the job is something that we all desire. However, we all know that change is an essential part of our lives. To hide from it is not going to work.

Content writing may have changed in the past few years but that does not mean it is no longer a viable career option. People used to write for newspapers. Then they started writing for magazines. Then they started diversifying into advertising and print media agencies. Internet just happens to be one medium where content writers can participate. A person who is recognized as a financial expert on the internet can easily secure opportunities in the print world as well. The transition may not be easy but it is not impossible either.

To expect that one will have a steady job throughout his or her life without any special efforts is foolishness. If one works hard, writing is a viable career option.

Anatomy of a Tweet

A tweet is the name given to the post that you will make on your account. The only ones who can see your tweets are those who are following you. As followers are not automatic, you will need to start following others to increase interest in you have to say. Once you create the interest, you will have followers.

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A tweet can be a maximum of 140 characters—so you will need to brush up on your emoticons and common acronyms used by Twitter communicators such as and HTH (Hope that helps).

Tips to Tweet By

Since the whole point of Twitter is to be followed; the best case scenario is for your tweets to be retweeted. This is when others resend your tweet with a note to their followers. A Retweet looks like this: “RT – note – original tweet.” If you are savvy in your tweets, you’ll keep this in mind and remember that there is still a 140 character limit. So if you want to be retweeted, you may want to keep your original tweet to 120 characters.

There are many other tricks and tips that will help you become a highly regarded user with many followers and clever tweets. Do some research and have fun.

Random Listing. Random listing can work when trying to narrow down or find a topic. To brainstorm by random listing you just grab a piece of paper and start writing down any idea that comes to mind. If an idea comes to your mind you just write it down as a possible topic. It might be hard to not think about the topics that you are writing down but when listing all you want to do is get as many ideas down as possible and then you can sort through them later.

Cluster Brainstorming. Cluster brainstorming is ideal for when you have a topic and want to expand on that topic for a paper or school project. To cluster brainstorm you start with a small topic such as cats and place it in a bubble in the center. You will then branch ideas off of cats such as food, shelter, vet care, toys and other topics. You continue to branch off of each idea until you have multiple ways that you can take the topic you started out with.

Each brainstorming style is unique and can really help to narrow down the topic that you wish to write on or to figure out a direction to take a specific topic.

Who. All news articles need to focus on the who. Who is the article about? Who are the main characters? It is important that the writer let readers know all important information on all important characters in the article.

What. News articles need to answer what. What is happening? What is the topic? What happened? What activities were present? When these are answered it helps keep the article on topic.

Where. Readers want to know about the time and place of where the news story took place. This can include a building, street, state, country as long as it’s the location of the event the news story will be complete.

Why. News articles need to focus on the why. Why did an event take place? Why did something happen? Even if you do not have the answer you can try to present why things happened or people’s theories on why the events happened.

When. News articles also need to let readers know when something happened. Did it happen two days ago or three years ago? The day, date, time and year are all important in news stories.

While journalists are expected to answer the five W’s they are also required to answer one H. How. Writers need to present the how of the events. How something happened or how it came about.

Here are some tips that will help you take good notes while conducting an interview for a news article.

Learn Short Hand. Try to learn some type of short hand before the interview. You will want to be taking notes while the person is speaking but you will not have the time to write everything out in long hand. Short hand gives you a chance to capture everything without having to write it out by hand.

Write Small. The smaller that you write the more you can fit into one notebook page. Turning the pages of a notebook can take up time and allow you to miss out on important parts of the interview.

Always Ask for Clarification. If you missed something while taking a note ask the interviewee to repeat the answer. A great way to do this is to fault yourself and remind them that you want to accurately quote them in the article.

Ask Technical Questions to Stall. If you are still writing out notes you can always ask a technical question that you know the answer to so that you have time to finish your notes up.

Here are some tips on how to conduct a great interview for those that are looking to use the interview in a news story.

Do Your Research. It is important to do your research. Research both the topic that you are planning on writing about and the person that you are interviewing. This will allow you to create informative questions that you can use in your news articles.

Create Thoughtful Questions. Questions that require some thought behind them will come out more sincere than those that are one word answers. Try to ask questions that require the interviewee to think about their answers and give you a lot of information. Not only will it give you more time to think of new questions but it will also allow you to capture an imagine of the interviewee that you can use in your article.

Break-up Long Questions. Try to consider what the response might be for the questions that you are asking. Try to only ask the interviewee one or two questions at a time. This will allow them to answer all the questions and get you the information that you want. If you need to ask lots of questions break them up and follow the interviewee’s answers with the other questions.

Hard news articles are different from those known as soft news because they do not play on people’s emotions and usually offer just the basic information on the topic of the article. While there will always be a slight bias when writing hard news does not rely upon opinions but sticks instead to the facts.

There are some general guidelines that writers can follow when trying to write up a hard news article. Here is a look at some of the guidelines that writers should follow.

Use the Inverted Pyramid. It is important to use the inverted pyramid setup when writing a hard news piece. The inverted pyramid allows writers to present the most important pieces of information first and slowly taper off into less important pieces of information.

Use A Nut Graph. A nut graph is an important piece that many hard news writers use. The nut graph will allow readers to have background information on the topic that they are reading about. This is important so that readers can understand what is going on in the story and why the story is important.

Research all Information. It is important in a hard news article that all resources and information be factually correct. Make sure that you research all information and statistics that you plan to use in your article.

Refrain from Using Quotes to Create a Lead. A hard news article must have a compelling lead to grab the reader’s attention. However, it is a good idea to avoid using quotes as this can often appear to be a soft news piece.

Plan An Approach. Due to the fact that there are multiple ways that you can present a soft news topic it is important that you know exactly how you are going to approach the topic. You should know how you want to showcase your topic and what information you want readers to get from your article. This will help you when you are researching and writing the article.

Importance of Research. Just because the soft news articles appeal to the human emotions it does not mean that they can be factually incorrect. If you are writing a soft news piece you need to make sure that you conduct all the research that you would with a hard news piece. Make sure that all your facts are correct and that you gather as much information as possible on your topic.

Create a Voice for the Article. One of the ways that soft news articles stand out is the voice that the article has. Try to create some human emotion behind the article without appearing to be biased. This can come across in the setting, voice or characters that you use in your article.

Answer All Questions. A soft news piece still needs to answer all the journalistic questions. It needs to answer the who, what, where, why, when and how. Make sure that your article answers all these questions when writing it out.

Summary of Facts. One of the popular ways to end a news article is to create a summary of the facts that are presented. While you don’t have to write every fact in the article in the summary you will want to re-write all the information that you want the article to answer. A great example of this is a story on a crime that the police are looking to resolve, you can wrap it up by talking about what the police are looking for and will do in the future.

Eye to the Future. Another great way to end a news article is through the eye on the future approach. This can be talking about what will happen in the future and what possible events the news article might lead to. Articles can end with any solutions that might come from the topic of the article or what people are doing to work to a solution.

Light-Hearted Ending. A light-hearted ending is a great way to end a soft news piece. Writers can end their article talking about a story that is related to the topic, a cute quote or a small amusing reference that is related to the topic. This type of ending will help the piece appeal to the reader’s emotional side and create a great soft news piece.

Create a Hook. All APA style news articles have some type of hook or lead. This is usually one or two sentences that will automatically grab any reader into the story that is written. Hooks need to be intriguing and force the reader to want to read the rest of the article.

Answer All Questions. The content of an APA style news article must answer all the questions that a reader might have. These questions include the whos, whats, wheres, whens, whys and hows of the topic. While you don’t need to go into great detail you need to give the reader enough information that they know what you are talking about and feel comfortable with the topic at hand.

Remain Objective. Almost all news articles that are written in APA style require that the writer remain objective on the topic that is being presented. It is important to think of the writer as a vessel for information and all that you are doing is writing it down and presenting it to the readers.

Write to the Audience. APA style articles require that a writer write in an active voice. This will allow the readers to feel as if they are a part of the article and not left out. You will also want to try to avoid slang words or jargon as it can be confusing to the readers and you want to appeal to a wide audience base.

A lead in a news story involves the first few sentences of the story. A lead can involve anything from catchy phrases, quotes from well known figures in the area or even asking the reader a question. A lead is meant to stand out and grab the reader’s attention so that they are enticed to read the rest of the article.

There are two types of leads a news writer can use. There is a soft lead and a hard lead. A soft lead is something that is fluffy and creative. Soft leads can range from having a quote from a book, movie or celebrity, a catchy phrase or even asking the reader a question. A hard lead is more concrete with what it presents the reader. Hard leads usually present important facts to the reader in one to two sentences. A reader can generally walk away from a hard lead knowing the important parts of the news story after just reading one sentence.

The type of lead that is used when writing a news story depends on the story that is being presented and where the article is going. Usually pieces that are known as interest stories or fluffy pieces use a soft lead, while those that are meant to present cold hard facts will use a hard lead.

Here are a few tips on how to find a news story for your local paper without having to spend hours finding a topic that might be of interest to yourself and your readers.

Create a List. Almost all writing starts with brainstorming and news writing is no different. Start by creating a list of things that you know about your local area. This can be hobbies that you engage in, organizations you volunteer for or events that your neighbors or you are hosting. Just sit down and create a list of everything that you know is going on around you in your local area.

Expand on the List. The next step is to expand on the list of ideas. Take each item on the list and try to think of areas that you can expand on. A great example of this is someone who plays softball through their local parks and recreation department. You could take that idea and expand it to talk about any new baseball fields, fundraising events, new uniforms or even hikes in fees to play the sport.

Start Your Research. After you have created expanded ideas from your list you can start your research. Try to think about local people that you can interview or ask questions as most people reading the local paper are interested in local people.

Take the Information and Write. Once you have the ideas and research you are ready to go. Just sit down and let the ideas flow. Sometimes creating a catchy headline works to inspire the story.

Do Extensive Research. You cannot write a great news article without researching the piece first. The problem many writers run into is that they did not research the article enough and therefore do not hold enough knowledge to create an article that is informative and important to the readers. Make sure that you get as much information as possible on all aspects of the topic that you are writing about. This will help you when it comes time to write the story. Remember you can never have too much research.

Create an Approach to the Topic. Many writers have a hard time writing a news article because they do not know how to tackle the topic that they are covering. It is important that you take a few minutes to figure out how you are going to approach the topic. Make sure that you determine how you want to present information, what you want readers to get out of the article and how you want the article to flow. All of this will help you once you go to write the article.

Write Eye-Catching Leads. Readers like to read stories that have great leads this is why a great eye-catching lead is so important. Many writers spend most of their time creating great leads that will grab the reader. It is always a good idea to write several leads to a news story so that you can create a great news story.

Imagine a pyramid that is standing on its tip. That is structure that many news writers use. The idea of the inverted pyramid is that all the important information is available to the reader at the top of the article. The headlines, leads and first paragraphs all contain everything that they want to know. However, as the reader continues to read the article the information becomes less important, until the article ends.

Here is an example of a news story that would be structured and written in a style that uses the inverted pyramid.

There as a tragic double murder in the local apartment complex. A news writer that was using the inverted pyramid structure would start out the story with a headline that reads “Tragic Ending For Two Apartment Dwellers”. This headline grabs the attention of the readers and makes them want to start reading the news article.

The first sentence of the news story would read something like “Two residents living at the local apartment complex were murdered last Thursday. They were found dead by their neighbor”. Under the inverted pyramid structure this presents all the information that a reader could want to know about the news story. If the reader were to talk away from the article they would know all the important facts.

The rest of the article would focus on the murder but could talk about evidence that might have been found, suspects, who was involved or even an interview with the local police chief. While these facts have to deal with the story they are not as important to the reader or the story.

Mini-Cassettes

While most affordable, mini-cassettes are walking their way out the door of technology. They can still be found in some stores and online, starting around $13 at Walmart’s website, and can serve the function of voice recording for memo purposes.

Cell Phones

Many cell phones already come with a way to record memos. That may be all you need, but some have shorter recording times than what you may find convenient.

Digital Voice Recorders

These are the new trend available in many different styles with many different functions. The more in-expensive ones provide the basic functions of mini-cassettes such as recording and play back. They also usually let you organize information in files. The more expensive ones add convenience of USB connection to upload your recordings into the computer as a .wma or an .mp3.  If you want something to outlast its use in writing, the ones you can convert to the computer might be the way to go as you can record children’s voices, music, lectures, etc. to post online and share with friends and family.

You can find digital voice recorders at almost any store that sells electronics, but it is recommended to fully review different products and features as not all come with the same features. Amazon.com has quite a few different options with brands and models as well as great reviews and accurate ratings.

One thing to consider is to look from the perspective of a finished project like what the teacher or editor would expect out of your work. Include anything defined by the assignment, and any expectations you have for yourself. You may be in the position to plan basic context (or answers to basic questions) and play around with how you intend on introducing the concepts.

The Beginning

The beginning of academic papers should have some eye catching, attention grabbing first line. It should then summarize the paper asking the research question(s) your paper intends to answer. In addition, this is a great place to include the relevance of the topic, the scope of your research, and any introductory information the reader should know before reading your paper.

For articles such as news articles and blogs, the beginning should answer all the questions of who, what, when, where, why, etc., in the first paragraph. In addition, the most important information should go first. Try to make it eye catching, awesome, fun read to engage interest, but that’s more important to do in the headline than your first paragraph.

The Middle

Information has to be organized in a way the reader can quickly, easily comprehend. Headings are a great way to organize information so that readers can find specifically what they are looking for, and it helps focus their mind on what to expect. In addition, paragraphs should be thought of as “Main Topic” followed by “Supporting Details.” You are free to decide where the main topic goes in the paragraph.

The End

Academic papers generally require a summary answering whatever research question was found in your introduction. Articles and blogs usually end with places to find more information.

Second Person: You are

Third Person: (S)He is, It is, They are

Doesn’t matter the Person: Who is, There are

This is many different ways in which English uses the verb “to be.”  Some of this gets tricky enough to fool English speaking people into getting it wrong grammatically.

It’s vs. Its

It’s time to learn some grammar.  “It’s” is the proper way to conjugate the verb to be for the pronoun it. “It’s” can be interchangeably used with “It is.”

The dog kept chasing its tail. “Its” is one of the few possessive words (words that describe a noun) that doesn’t require an apostrophe.  “Its” is possessive because the tail belongs to the dog.

There vs. Their vs. They’re

There are many toys you can play with, like that monkey game over there.  “There” describes where something is (as in here and there). When that random place of “there” is the subject of the sentence, you would use “There are.”

The dogs kept chasing their tails. “Their” describes a possession, that the noun following it belongs to whoever “they” are.

They’re always late. “They’re” is a shorter way of saying “They are.”  It is the plural form for “He is, She is, and It is.”

Whose vs. Who’s

She loves her mother, whose picture is sitting on the mantel. “Whose” is a possessive as the mother’s picture is on the mantel.

Who’s the man responsible for breaking this record? “Who’s” can be interchangeable with “who is.”

One thing to consider, when deciding which way to go, if you can use it in the form such as “Who is” or “They are,” then you want the apostrophe. If it would not make sense to say, “Who is picture is sitting on the mantel,” then you know the apostrophe version isn’t the way to go.

Just Write

Some people get started by just writing whatever pops in their mind. It helps to play some instrumental rap music to get some rhythm going as that’s how rap artists free flow, but if you are writing prose, you may find yourself writing in rhyme by accident. Your first statements might be things like, “blue, fly, annoying you know what annoys me is when the husband…” Eventually, you will start making some sense, hopefully, and you can run with an idea from that.

Assign Yourself an Exercise

You can search online for different exercises writers often assign themselves such as different forms of poetry, writing in a certain style, or adding to a famous quote.

Google

Sometimes the mind just goes blank on what to write about, and if you have a broad topic in mind, enter that or any specific topic that falls under that for which you don’t want to write about, and browse the web for inspiration. Sometimes, you can find inspiration in images, links, advertisements, etc.

Outline

Sometimes you know the narrowed topic which you want to write about, but you just don’t know where to start. This is where an outline might come in handy. Create headings for Beginning, Middle, and End, and outline what material you want (and expect). It helps to think from the view point of the finished product first and then work backwards.

“Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away, it was a dark and stormy night…to shed some light on the matter.” Readers crave originality, and clichés are not only far from original, but they often become an easy target for number 2 on this list (mixed metaphors). Of course, if you have a new way to use a cliché, then by all means break the rule; for instance, “Madame X has absolutely no sense of humor. That poor chicken will never cross the road on her watch.”

2.  Mixed Metaphors

“I am a dingy teddy bear who has been picked and poked, torn and re-stuffed…go ahead, stick a fork in me and pluck my feathers.” Mixed metaphors take away from the imagery you intended to create and only confuse the reader. Now, if “I am a dingy teddy bear dressed in a duck costume sitting on a silver platter on someone’s dinner table,” then you might have something.

3.  Redundancy

“The wolf said, ‘I’ll huff and puff and blow your house down,’ which would be bad because then there wouldn’t be a house standing.” A story, fiction or non-fiction, does not require final thoughts on the subject.

4.  Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

“Gaining a thunderous applause, the audience loved the opera. William B. Somename skillfully sang “Song of the Heart” on the illustrious stage charming the audience.” Modifiers describe nouns and verbs and generally should be located next to the word it describes. The first sentence displays a dangling modifier saying that the audience gained a thunderous applause when obviously the opera did. The second sentence displays a misplaced modifier stating that the stage is charming the audience when it was meant for William to charm the audience. Better said, “Applauding thunderously, the audience loved the opera. William B. Somename charmed the audience as he skillfully sang “Song of the Heart” on the illustrious stage.”

Use actions and research to make your point. What you stand for should speak for itself.

Utilize all Five Senses

Many stories are based on observations made from sight; however, a blind man’s version of the same story will be very different. Do not use all 5 senses to describe one thing as that would be overly descriptive.

Use an Active Voice

An active voice is when the subject is accomplishing the verb “The three types of conflict are…,” or “The bear ate the food.” On the contrary, a passive voice is when the subject is not directly performing the verb like “There are three types of conflict…” or “The food was eaten by the bear….” It’s okay to use a passive voice, especially when the subject is unknown, but many times it’s wordy and less emphasizing. Did you notice the previous sentence was passive?

Provide Conflict or Contrast

When placed next to each other, contrasting colors stand out. Writing and ideas are no different. In fiction, conflict makes the plot a little more exciting and gives it more purpose. The three main categories of conflict are man vs. himself, man vs. God, and man vs. man. In non-fiction, contrasting ideas sometimes make for a great means to remove bias and get to the truth in addition to creating a compelling masterpiece.

Focus on your Nouns and Verbs

Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly. Instead, find a better noun or verb to describe what the adjectives and adverbs are modifying. For instance, replace “loudly walk” with a “stomp” or “tap dance.”

Use Proper Grammar

Some rules of grammar are meant to be broken, but the more you allow yourself to get into the habit of breaking all the rules like you are texting, the harder it’s going to be on you when it comes time to write on a professional level, whether it be for school or for work.

Headings

Give the reader’s mind a break by chunking and organizing some of the information for them with headings and subheadings. Keep your headings short and to the point.

Font

Avoid using strange fonts and colors. Use a font and size that is easy to read. Some of the more decorative fonts strain the eye. Generally, a 12 point basic font like Arial and Times New Roman are best. Use black ink because color would take away from your colorful vocabulary and articulate nature. In addition, you rarely see books or magazine articles printed in color fonts.

Photographs and Pictures

All people love pictures, but teachers are not always excited about seeing them within the body of a research paper, so get the teacher’s permission first before doing so. Also consider providing this kind of visual aid in an appendix, and refer to it throughout the paper when relevant.

Graphs, Tables, and Charts

Sometimes, the easiest way to display a lot of data is with graphs, tables, and charts. Generally, these can be placed within the body of the paper, but if a teacher is extra persnickety about that, provide an appendix. Not only is this especially useful for statistics, but you can easily summarize empirical evidence, theories, definitions, lists, etc. with graphs and tables.

Multi-media

If you are computer inclined, you can create a multi-media supplement to your research paper such as a video, slide show, flash media, or a web based model, and either provide a web address in your paper or a CD/DVD. It should be relevant, but not required. For instance, a paper about television advertisements might provide a story board of a certain advertisement in the appendix in addition to the actual video on a DVD.

Avoid Overly Describing Your Characters

Leave some of the description to the reader’s imagination. Many times, they may see a character to resemble people they already know, which is an easy way for readers to feel that instant connection. In addition, most people do not want to read a bunch of paragraphs that sound like a social networking “about me” quiz. Only describe what is necessary to the story, and unfold details through action and dialogue.

Give Them Personality

Take a few personality tests in character. Write out some of the answers that you feel most compelled to bring out in the story. Of course, don’t exactly say, “Kari is your average introvert,” but something more like, “As Kari walked into the chaos of the large party, she kept her head low looking to the ground as she made her way to the shadows behind the punch bowl to stand alone and observe the Mad Hatters frolicking in their protective egos.”

Test Them

Readers not only like to connect with the characters, but they also like to see what the characters are going to do when faced with moral and ethical concerns. What if Kari finds a wallet on the floor? What if the wallet belonged to a person she hates?

Give Them Easy Names

It’s difficult to connect to a character with a name you aren’t sure how to pronounce let alone remember when you walk away from the story.

In the process of narrowing down your topic to fit the length of the paper, ask a research question and create a hypothesis. In science class, a science project usually consists of some sort of experiment whether it is creating a volcano or comparing the effectiveness of various antacids. No experiment would be complete without a paper that describes the hypothesis, research methods, observations, results and conclusion. This method is not reserved only for science. In fact, any field of research usually uses the same scientific thinking to make the conclusions you would cite from the bulk of your research.

The sky is the limit with what you can do with a research paper. Your experiment can be based on research already available, or it can be based on a project you do. Uncharted territory is usually a great place to visit because no rules are set, there is room for opinion, and you might actually provide your teacher with information he/she did not already know.

You still want to include research in your paper to include empirical evidence, existing theories, and expert opinion.

Some examples of not-so-boring topics include Joseph’s analysis of dreams in the Old Testament in comparison to modern dream dictionaries, the anti-war protests effects on the advertising campaigns during the Vietnam War, whether or not horoscopes accurately portray personality, and the relationship between crime and the economy during prohibition.

Logos

Logos is the logic and reason of the information. This is prevalent in the academic environment such as school papers, journal articles, and so forth. This would include inductive and deductive reasoning, research and citations, definitions, statistics, expert opinion, analogies, and relevance of facts.

Pathos

Pathos is the emotion of the information. Advertisers use this method primarily because logic is intended for argument whereas no one really argues emotion. Imagine a mother scolding her child for breaking into the cookie jar. If the child responds with logic, “but mom, you said I wasn’t allowed a cookie yesterday, but you didn’t say anything about today,” generally the mom is going to argue back.  However if the child responds with emotion, “sorry mom, I wanted a cookie to try to cheer me up,” mom most likely is going to feel a little sorry for and be a little easier on said child whether she gives in to the cookie wish or not. Ways to achieve pathos include emotional stories or examples, vivid descriptions, figurative language such as similes and metaphors, and tone. Pathos pushes people to not only read and comprehend, but to take action.

Ethos

Ethos is the credibility of the writer. Examples of ethos include doctors recommending a health product or a politician trying to destroy the credibility of an opponent. Students find it particularly difficult to achieve credibility when writing persuasive papers because their reputation isn’t always predefined at that moment, but you can still achieve ethos in other ways like using credible sources within research, properly using grammar and vocabulary, writing to the level of the intended audience, and removing bias.

The shot of my two kids by the tree, the whole family in front of Spacehip Earth from this summers vacation to Disney or that cute shot of the kids with the dog at the beach? Which one should I use for my holiday card this year? And what do I write? How do I personalize them? How do I make every person on my list feel special without spending an eternity poring over each individual card?

Sending out holiday cards is the seasonal plague of veteran writers and stay at home moms alike. How does one outdo ones self year after year, especially as the kids get older and therefore less “cute”? And how does one even know which type of card is best to send? Do you send out seperate cards for all your friends who celebrate Hannukah, Christmas or Kwanzaa? Is a card fits all “Seasons Greetings” good enough or does it smack off political correctness and conformity.

Many online photography sites such as Snapfish and Kodak Photo Gallery offer photo templates in a variety of styles and colors. They have one that suits every holiday and occasion. Make each one of your children into a jingling bell, let every member of your family be a flame in the menorah or make your dog the star on the top of your Christmas tree. Luckily these websites offer many creative and artistic choices.

Unfortunately, none of them can come up with the text for you. How to wish uncle Mike a randy and rowdy Christmas without offending grandma? Aaah therein lies the rub. Whatever text you choose will be seen by all your friends and loved ones. Maybe next year one of these sites can offer an option where some of your holiday cards have generic messages and others have personalized ones. In the meantime, Seasons Greetings it is.

The perfect solution to this problem may be the mommy blog. A blog where women can write about their everyday lives and say what they really want to say, but do so anonymously. Women can use pseudonyms when blogging here as well. In a mommy blog a woman can write about how disgusting she finds it that the neighbor’s kid picks her nose and eats it without the risk of having to explain herself to that neighbor the next time she sees her at Shop Rite. In a mommy blog a woman can write about just how many times she’s contemplated smothering her snoring husband with a pillow without having her husband calling a divorce lawyer.

Therapy is expensive. Girlfriends are a wonderful thing, but some of them don’t know how to keep their mouth’s shut. Besides sometimes you need to vent about your girlfriends. Don’t even think about venting to your mother. You’ll forgive your husband long before she ever does and I assure you that she can do a better job raising your kids than you can. A mommy blog could serve as sounding board. A way to get things off your chest without humiliating anyone. Maybe some of us should make it a New Years Resolution to get together with some girlfriends and start one.

Websites such as freelancer.com will let people bid on writing your term paper for you. The majority of these bidders are from countries outside the United States. This gives the term outsourcing a whole new meaning. It is even possible to pay someone to take a whole online course for you. One can even purchase a term paper on Ebay or Craigslist. Silly me, I thought these websites were for purchasing used books and selling old baby furniture.

When I was in school Cliff Notes were the big thing. Now if you want to blow off your project there are a plethora of options to choose from. And, with so many options, it is increasingly difficult to get caught. Many school use a variety of computer programs aimed at rooting out plagiarism, but with an ever growing menu of options for cheating students can the schools ever keep up? I doubt it.

What is a teacher to do? Some teachers have decreased the amount of research papers they assign. Others have turned to projects as assessments. Unfortunately, although some projects may be wonderful, there is a lot to be gained from actually doing research and verbalizing your findings. One hears all over the news how poor American students math and science skills are, but literacy is important too. Unfortunately, we as a nation, are becoming less and less capable writers. If we devalue writing as a skill then it will be lost to us forever.

Luckily, there are many quality online news providers to fill in the gaps. NYTimes.com is an excellent news source. Not only does this site report on things that are happening all over the globe, it has excellent local news coverage, an extensive Arts and Liesure section and a Book Review that’s second to none. The Travel and Science sections are excellent as well. The New York Times Science section is is well regarded that many science teachers regularly use it as a teaching tool. Best of all, an online subscription is totally free.

The online version of The Wall Street Journal is one of the best sources I know of for business news. This online paper also houses extensive information on real estate, technology and stocks. When looking to catch up on the latest happenings with the stars one can turn to eonline.com or huffingtonpost.com. Both sites provide almost up to the minute updates on all the stars, their children, their dogs, their lovers and their stints in rehab. After a few minutes on one of these websites you feel like you know Lindsey Lohan better than her own mother does. And, of course, there is always the website for my personal favorite news source, www.weather.com.

To me, there is nothing more pleasant than opening up your mailbox and finding a beautiful handwritten letter. It makes receiving all of those bills that much more bearable. Unfortunately, you never find those types of letters anymore. The most one ever gets is a scurried e-mail or text where because is spelled “cuz” and everyone is “lol”ing. I have even seen college admissions essays where texting lingo such as “cuz” and “l8r” are used. Most students are stupified when told that this needs to be corrected before the essay goes out. Am I acting like a dinosaur?

An exercise that I tried in my class the other day was having my students write letters to Santa Claus. There’s no internet service on the North Pole. Santa doesn’t have an Iphone. Many of the students were surprised at just how much they enjoyed this exercise. Yes, writing to Santa did make them feel like little kids again. Yes, writing to Santa did bring the joy of the holiday season into the classroom. And yes, writing to Santa is a much simpler assignment than reading and analyzing Hamlet. Beyond that though, many of the students were surprised that the simple act of writing could be enjoyable. May more people discover it this holiday season.

A memory book is an inexpensive, thoughtful, heartfelt gift. All you need to make one is a blank, hardcover book, pictures that you’ve taken throughout the year and your imagination. Quality book sellers such as Borders and Barnes and Noble stock a variety of blank hardcover books. Most of these books can be had for under $15. There are many different cover designs to choose from. There really is something for everyone.

Once you’ve purchased your blank book you can fill that book with pictures, ticket stubs, report cards and anything else will create a pleasant memory for the books’ recipient. Create your own caption for each picture. Include the menu from the restaurant where you ate the night of the “big concert” or just tell the story about how Janie was so nervous she threw up all her lo mein before her big piano recital.

Video games are expensive, clothing goes out of style before the credit card bill is even paid an grandma does not need another afgan. A book of memories doesn’t break the bank and is something that a person can keep for a lifetime. It is something that the recipient can pass on to her children and grandchildren. It is the story of ones’ family and ones’ life. It never goes out of style.

More and more, we as a society, are relying more on spellcheck and less on ourselves. Does any of us even bother looking up the spelling of a word in the dictionary anymore? How many of us even still owns a dictionary? Are dictionaries becoming a thing of the past? something archaic and obsolete? Should spelling even be taught anymore in school? I, for one, think that proper spelling is an important skill. Spelling is something that we need to work hard to preserve.

Just about every paper my students hand in is typed. In some ways, this is wonderful. I no longer have to deal with students bad handwriting. On the other hand, it’s terrible. If students are always able to hand in their papers computer written then they’re always able to use spellcheck. This gives them no impetus to ever learn how to properly spell. The nightly news offers report after report on how American students are falling behinf in math and the sciences. But what about spelling?

Elementary school teachers need to emphasize proper spelling more in their classrooms. Inventive spelling needs to be done away with all together. This is not a way to ever learn the proper way to spell. Middle school teachers need to continue to teach spelling. Spelling should count more towards a students overall Language Arts grade. This way spelling is mastered and by the time students get to high school they are reasonably confident spellers. America needs to remain a completely literate nation.

I love Facebook as much as the next girl. I loved finding out that my high school sweetheart went bald, that the valedictorian never did make millions through some internet start-up and that at least some of the cheerleaders are now fat. I love catching up with relatives that live far away. I love seeing pictures of everyone’s kids as well as receiving pictures of my own kids that other people took. These things are all good, but some of these status updates and posts are getting out of hand.

Two of my Facebook friends spend countless hours professing their love for their boyfriends on the internet. These are not teenagers either. Both of these women are in their forties. Get a room! Two other Facebook friends of mine regularly bash their ex-spouses online. Luckily they were never married to each other. Worst of all, I found a former classmate on facebook who is awaiting a kidney transplant. Although I honestly feel for him I oftentimes think “must he recount every single medical procedure he goes through in detail on Facebook”. Sometimes it’s a little scary to even turn on your computer.

As my kids get older I have started receiving more and more friend requests from their friends. Is there anything more scary than being friended by a twelve year old? Some of their post are very cute and silly, but a lot of them are downright inappropriate. Did I really need to know that my twelve year old neighbor buys thongs at Victoria’s Secret? Why is this child broadcasting this information over the internet? Do her parents know and do I now have a moral obligation to tell them? Facebook can really lead you down a slippery slope. So for all my Facebook friends out there: please be careful what you write. I may have to read it.

A college degree is one of the best ways to set one job applicant apart from another. A degree shows employers how hard-working the applicant has been. However, for many, a college degree is simply unattainable, whether due to cost, timing, or other factors. Today many people are busy with everyday life, and the only option would be an online degree. Getting a degree online is a great way for one to boost their writing career.

Continuing education is offered at the website onlineeducation.com, students can find the degree they desire, and receive information from many of the top online colleges. Online courses can help a student develop great writing and communication skills. If you are looking for a career in writing, online schooling is one was to develop these skills.

Students can view what type of degree would be most useful in each field, as well as what it will take to obtain this degree. If you are interested in online schooling, please visit onlineeducation.com for more information about grants, financial aid and degree offered. This online education site is giving every student a chance to enjoy the college experience at their own pace and in a field of study they enjoy

Many times, in years past, I have resolved to exercise and/or lose weight. I have joined countless gyms, signed up for Weight Watchers and had food delivered by Jenny Craig all in an effort to lose weight. I was hoping that even if my undying desire to look svelte didn’t motivate me to take better care of myself then the financial commitment would. Unfortunately it still hasn’t worked.

I have resolved year after year to write a will. Not only is it important to protect my assets in case of my untimely death, I need to clearly state who is to take care of my children in case both my husband and I go. Year after year I have put it off. My children will probably reach adulthood before I actually get around to it.Who wants to pay a lawyer? The couch needs to be reupholstered.

I have resolved to see more of the world. Next week, I will be deprting on the same Carribean cruise I went on last year. The cruise is costing us $1800 for a family of four. The dollar is still weak and Italy is, yet again, out of reach. Maybe, if my husband get a good bonus this year, we’ll go to the Grand Canyon this summer.

Maybe this year I will try a totally new resolution. This New Years I will resolve to play the lottery every week. Hey you never know!

It isn’t actually quite that difficult. Yet it may feel much worse than it really is. Here are some techniques to become more comfortable with using references.

One way to help is to consult for help. For instance, if you are in high school or college, your teacher or professor could point you to some literature on using sources effectively, as well as basic writing strategies. Others, such as researchers, may do well to consult those in their field, or popular works in their discipline.

Another important realization is that using references is often closely linked to the discipline. As a generalization, a subject such as sociology may make wider use of sources, given the density of theories and figures. Mathematics students, on the other hand, may not need such wide use of sources, unless in a certain context.

Context gives rise to the second important consideration in using references. It is likely more often linked to what type of paper you are writing, in knowing what kind, how many, and to what extent, in the area of sources needed.

A research paper is an obvious example of this, where many high-quality sources are needed. A simple article critique may not need such sources. Generalizations again can be misleading, such as in the case of argumentative papers, which can be based on one’s own understanding and reactions to a topic, or perhaps not.

Taking some time to identify ways to utilize sources appropriately can make a big difference in your writing, regardless of whether you are in school or have some other need in this topic. Your research and overall reference skills will be vastly improved with a little bit of work on these areas.

I mean, how many ways are there really to say “I’m Sorry”. After you’ve actually said “I’m Sorry” it feels like there’s nothing else left to say. If the deceased was old or sick do you tell the loved ones that you’re glad the deceased is in a better place? What if the family doesn’t believe in heaven? They won’t get any consolation knowing that their loved on is in “a better place”. What if the person was a scoundrel and probably ended up in Hell? You can’t very well say, “All’s well that ends well”. It’s even worse if the person who died was young, or if the death happened suddenly. There are no words for that, so what do you write on the card?

In the past, I have resorted to quoting poetry. I love poetry, but most people think that poetry sounds hokey. Even I can admit that poems written about the dead are depressing. Wouldn’t people rather be cheered up? Isn’t death depressing enough without adding a poetic ballad into the mix? And if the poem is long, do people even bother reading it? What’s the point in scouring the internet for just the right poem if no one is even going to read it? As unoriginal as it may sound, I think that I’m going to stick with the tried and true “I’m Sorry.”

Houses that used to be out of my price range are now more affordable than ever. The recession has taken a toll on the housing market and home values are as low as they have been in years. Factor in that mortgage rates are at record lows, and it is possible to get a lot of house for a decent price. Of course, you have to meet the new tougher qualifications for home loans, and you have to be ready to pack up your current house and move.

I think the most intimidating part of buying a new home is the move itself. Packing up boxes and going through all your stuff to determine what to keep and what to get rid of is difficult. Especially with the amount of clothes a fashion maven like myself has. It is clearly a lot of work even if you bring in professional movers to help. If you are moving somewhere for a new job, such as a modeling gig, that makes the process a little easier because the company may help with moving costs.

If you are making a move, see if your new company can recommend movers to help with relocating. There is a good chance that they work with one or two firms that will offer a discount because of the repeat business. If not, check with friends and family to see who they used and if they were satisfied. Before you select anyone, make sure you get several moving quotes in writing, and ask the firms for references from satisfied customers.

Even if you are not ready right this minute to make the move to your dream home, it does not hurt to start preparing. Get rid of the clutter and start sorting through things like outdated accessories and old clothes. The stuff that you move out now won’t have to be moved later.

Worse yet, not all toys come with written instructions. Case in point, my husband and I bought our five year old the WWE Money in the Bank Ring. It did not come with any written instructions. All of the instructions were pictures. Neither my husband nor I could put it together. Luckily, our eleven year old son was able to figure it out.

The instructions for setting up the Nook I received for Hannukah were even worse. I had to go to the store and have them set it up for me. This is especially upsetting because Barnes and Noble is in the literacy business. Thank God I didn’t get a Kindle instead. Then I would have to mail it back to Amazon and receive answers to my questions via e-mail or instant message. I’ve never met anyone who’s spoken to a live person over at Amazon.

Are poor written directions just another symptom of the poor literacy skills of Americans or are companies even outsourcing the writing of directions to countries where the labor is cheaper? I am all for companies doing what they need to do to save money. Lord knows I don’t want to pay any more for these products than I already pay. But at what cost? A lower cost does not always translate into a better value.

This past summer we read The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, a book written completely from the perspective of the family dog. In the fall, we read The Help by Kathryn Stockett and The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain. The Help was so excellent that I am considering making it required summer reading for my English class. I am a fairly well read person, but I’d never heard of any of these authors before I came to book club.

Sometimes after we read the book we go see the movie. We did so after we read Eat, Pray, Love, The Time Travellers Wife and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. More oftentimes than not, we just meet at the local Starbucks for some good coffee and great conversation. We always start out talking about the book, but then somehow end up talking about our husbands, our kids, our parents, our jobs etc. It is amazing that no matter which book we read we always find a way to relate it to our own lives.

Book club is a celebration of literature and literacy. Oprah Winfrey made a brilliant move when she started a national one on tv. Book club is a great way for us moms to spend some quality time on ourselves and feel like intelligent creatures again. Start one with your friends.

The advantages of university libraries extend beyond those that are attending the respective institutions. Outwards from these direct students, other students and members of the general public are able to take advantage of the uses of university libraries.

Students are the prime example of individuals who can make use of university libraries. Most commonly, university libraries are frequented by the students who attend these institutions. However, this isn’t the only case.

Students of nearby institutions should often see whether they can use university libraries in their area. Commonly students of smaller institutions cannot obtain proper research materials for their studies at their own institutions. Thus, there is a need for the resources that a larger institution has to offer.

Another group of students that display this need are online and distance students. Currently is is not uncommon for a student to attend an online or distance institution that is well outside any normal travel considerations. Certainly students in this situation display a need for academic libraries that are nearby and available.

If you or your child is in this situation, see if they can obtain a guest student pass at a local institution’s library. For nearby and distance/online students, many colleges and universities will be receptive to the needs of these students.

University libraries are also relevant to those in the general public, outside of academia. Often due to the library’s increased resources, members of the general public can obtain a special kind of pass to allow them access to the university’s libraries.

It should also be noted, that for the general public, you may already have access to the libraries of universities in your area. Check your library system’s online database to see if local universities are included. Many areas use the resources of local university libraries in conjunction with those of public libraries for all members of the public.

Whether you are a student or member of the general public outside of academia, you can take advantage of what local university libraries have to offer. Consult them or your local library system to understand what is available.

First, you want to make sure that the length of the sketch is no longer than three or four pages. Length is often overlooked but rather important. You want the length of the sketch to be long enough to drive the point home but not so long that you lose the audience.

The easiest sketch to write is a two person sketch. This should focus more on the relationship between the two people than it should on the premise of the sketch. Think of a meeting at an office to discuss the positives of buying motorcycle insurance.  The agent could tell many funny tales about clients who did not have insurance on their motorcycle.  Then the two could discuss the positives of having it and how it helped the clients get out of a funny situation.

The other thing that makes a scene funny is to be honest in it. Making a scene about futuristic aliens talking about nonsense might seem funny to you but it will lose your audience in an instant. It’s hard to keep an audience focused on something they don’t care about at all. Instead, if the sketch is about aliens and their problems with marriage than it would make total sense to your audience and they will love it. This is the foundation of a good sketch.

Online reference tools have overtaken the market for printed dictionaries, thesauruses, and other typical reference tools. Realizing these benefits, here are some ways to take advantage of online reference tools.

Online reference tools begin with a number of advantages that all types of individuals can realize. One of the first points of emphasis is scope. It is remarkable to see the scope of online reference tools, as they span simple reference features as a dictionary, to more complex features as online encyclopedias and reference databases.

Many online reference tools are included in an easy to use fashion. It is not uncommon for a website to have a host of reference tools on the home page of the site, making it easy to use these reference tools quickly.

With the onset of such tools, it is easy to see the power and efficiency of such tools. For instance, in previous years one may have to purchase a rhyming dictionary to look up such words, like those who enjoy writing songs or poetry. Online rhyming dictionaries are commonplace now, offering free and easy ways to look up words. Needless to say, it is much quicker and more powerful to look up such words online than through a book.

To take advantage of such tools, identify what online reference tools suit you. To take the previous example, perhaps you may be inclined to use the creative power that an online rhyming dictionary can bring. Others, such as students and those who enjoy learning about particular subjects, may find a powerful academic database useful.

Reference tools can be identified and used online when appropriate. This is not to undermine the value of those that are found in printed form, which remain very useful, but it is hard to ignore that advantages of those that are online. It is easy to take advantage of such references and tools that can be easily reached online.

It’s the temptation of commas, the struggle of hyphens – sentences are offered to a page, structured again and again. They mock with their imperfections, demanding constant revision. An introduction has been changed. A thesis has been narrowed, broadened and then shaped into an entirely different ideal. Adjectives are offered and then quickly retrieved (they offend with their lackluster descriptions, the too common meanings). You edit; you ponder; you edit once more. Hours are given to the cause of perfection and, when it’s finally achieved, you scribble out the next paragraph – and the process begins again.

This is an all too frequent mistake made by academics. The need to revise is overwhelming; and time is devoted to searching over sentences, trying to discover what can be improved. One simple replacement of a semi-colon can turn into an entirely new block of text. And minutes that should be offered to research are instead given to the too involved proofreading.

It is an easy assumption that all editing is to be done as words are inked out. Writers believe they can craft far better prose if they transform it as soon as it’s begun. This will leave no time for errors to settle onto the page, they think. It will instead offer convenience.

This is wrong.

Too often do these attempts at revision only distract – inspirations are lost; style is shifted into dull grammar; and the purpose of a paper is forgotten. There is no chance for genius, only the mechanical approach to forcing its appearance.

It is therefore strongly recommended that all writing is allowed to simply exist. Form a first draft that is drenched in mistakes to ensure it is also drenched in creativity. Do not pause to edit. Do not stall a sudden clever notion to adjust dashes. Instead offer every idea you wish to have and then redefine them. It enables you to utilize your own mind and create stronger papers.

It’s the most tragic of diseases, an infection that plagues the mind – you stare at a blank screen, with its infinite possibilities, the documents waiting to be formed. It should be such an easy thing to create prose, to turn nonsense into fact; and yet you can think of nothing to offer. There are no words that seem admirable. There are no ideas that seem worthy. All thoughts instead shape themselves into fickle creatures, unwilling to reveal themselves to you or your deadlines. You… have writer’s block.

And this was always assumed to be a myth. You’ve never struggled with sentences before. You believed such a thing could never occur – but it has. And you are left now with nothing but the looming hours, the assignments meant to fill them.

This an common complication, experienced by most would be writers within their scholastic careers. The mind betrays all intentions, leaving an individual helpless to craft the needed pages. And the temptation is to simply walk away – to leave all work behind and replace it with easier pastimes. There can be no gain, after all, in tapping out occasional ideas, dull words.

This is not true.

The only way to cure the dreaded writer’s block is to refuse to accept it. Whether you are trying to create fantastical worlds or are proving theories with research papers, you must continue to type; even when all efforts are clumsy. Force yourself to attempt a sentence. When that is finally completed, try to conquer the concept of a paragraph. The process will be undeniably tedious but it will still offer the reward of progress: you will have pages to show. This is important (not only for your deadline but for your own certainty).

Inspiration is too often confused to a swift thing, formed only under the ideal circumstances. It can, however, be instead the effect of slow rhythms and patience. Write and do not stop.

You have received an insult, a red ink smear. Your pages were branded inaccurate – all clever phrases deemed weak, all inventive punctuation refused. The stylish form you crafted (letting lyricism flow throughout the paragraphs, the perfect meet of fact and fantasy) has been noted as wrong; and the grade it’s received is far from the expected perfection. Your professor has named you instead a failure, and your paper is to be ignored by all.

There is far too great of an appeal is spicing history with sensationalism, in transforming dry text into a fascination. You wish to make writing interesting; and so you choose unexpected words and unique devices. You manipulate commas and colons. You change the accepted rules of grammar. This is not meant to be a slight against language. It’s instead to be an embracing of it. Your research is to become dynamic.

Too often, however, is it also to become a mistake.

Style over structure is a source of contention within the academic world. While most understand the desire to layer pages with the techniques of novels, more still understand the disaster this can bring – the purpose of a paper is lost, shaped into a fiction instead of a truth. It becomes an excess of punctuation changes and nonsensical ideas: entertaining but ultimately flawed.

It is therefore recommended that all writers choose to follow the established patterns, instead of forging new ones. While poetry and prose can allow you to experiment, research is meant instead to be given respect – and this includes taming all of your wilder grammatical instincts. The pages do not have to be brittle, simple recitations of statistics and percentages; but they do have to remain unbiased. Avoid the hyperbole and exclamations. The purpose is instead to convince through fact, not dazzle with empty style.

The computer is a fiend – you have learned this all too well, have been led astray by its many possibilities. When you are meant to craft a simple paper, you are instead enamored by the virtual playground, the chats initiated by friends, the streams of music and films. Hours quickly pass and you have gained little knowledge of a topic. You’ve instead devoted yourself to enjoying the Internet. Writing, you’ve discovered, has been replaced to the avoidance of it.

This cannot continue – there are deadlines to meet and assignments to answer. You must refuse the ease of the computer and instead utilize it purely for research.

This is, of course, often believed to be impossible. There’s simply too much to do online (all of which is far more appealing than any dry topic); but writing without distractions can be achieved. It’s simply a matter of diligence and careful planning:

One: Schedule. Give yourself a specified amount of time to work on pages. During this block, don’t allow yourself to answer calls, scan channels, play games or do similar activities. Instead simply write.

Two: Create a proper space. Your bedroom is meant to be a retreat from the world. It’s therefore rarely suitable for research. It holds far too many pleasures and far too little urgency. If possible, create a separate space for your work – one without the collection of posters, photographs and bookmarked web pages.

Three: Reward yourself. Once a respectable amount of time has passed (more than mere minutes, the crafting of a singular sentence), give yourself a chance to relax. Take a break; move about your home; enjoy the – short – interlude. You will then be re-energized when you must return to writing.

It’s all too easy to distract yourself with the computer and the many surrounding interests. You must instead, however, distance yourself from these and simply focus on academia.

It is possible. It’s merely dependent on you.

Instead of using Canada 411 to look up information on writing, why not become a freelance writer yourself and make money doing it. Being a freelance writer isn’t easy. You have to have good writing skills as well as perseverance in order to succeed.

Many people start out writing for free in order to build their credit list, but you don’t have to do that. Send out query letters to different magazines or publishers for ideas you have for them. Instead of wasting your time writing an article, story or book, sending a query letter lets them know your idea so that they can accept it or reject it.

If accepted, you may be sent a contract to write the article or story. They may also have you provide other previous things you have written so they know that you can put a sentence together.

If you have never written an article or a story, now is the time to start. Make sure you write every day. It doesn’t have to be about anything; you can write about your feelings or even write a letter to someone. Once you start writing every day, you will then get into the habit of doing it and will look forward to continue writing.

Find all the books about writing that you can and read them. The best way to learn is by doing research. There are many books out there offering excellent advice. The authors of those books wrote them for a reason; because they’ve succeeded and want to help you succeed as well. Make sure you take notes so that you can go back and remember the important points that stuck out at you.

Becoming a freelance writer can be quite a rewarding experience. Learn everything you can and write every day.

It seemed wise at the time: you crafted an outline, filled it to all possibilities, all intended ideas. A dissertation was carefully detailed, left without the common errors, the refusal of needed sources. You noted all research materials; you created a thesis that could be proven (easily); and you charted out the direction pages would follow and their eventual conclusion. It was to be the easiest of processes and you were fully prepared for it.

As you began to write, however, you found yourself controlled by your outline. New notions could not be placed within it; the structure was limiting; and, though your research had led you to doubt your proposed outcome, you knew you could not change it. It was too deeply embedded within the paper. You were trapped within your own misconceptions – and your sentences were suffering for it.

There can be no doubt that outlining lengthy assignments is a worthy idea. It helps to ease confusion, allows an individual to avoid wandering prose. The concepts are instead actualized before they are even began, enabling a topic to be more thoroughly understood.

The great difficulty in this, however, is that understanding a subject does not guarantee being inspired by it. An outline forces an individual to follow a highly specified path. Any deviation from notes and their rules can cause an entire conclusion to be lost. The paper was created for a singular purpose. There can then be no injection of creativity. It’s forced instead to preconceptions.

This is both a frustration and a futility.

It is strongly encouraged then that academic writing be governed instead by generalities. Understand the intention of a paper, the resources that will be used; but do not cage yourself to any outcome. Allow for possibilities to instead be given to any page. This will ensure that you are able to prove the point you wish, rather than settling for the point you can no longer deny.

Language is a complex creature – filled to subtleties and exaggerations, the careful questions and triumphs. Words, you are certain, are the greatest of gifts. Their abilities of expression allow you to create perfect prose, the scathing commentaries. Research becomes a joy (if only for the chance to complement it with definitions, synonyms). Description becomes your most valued of companions: you can utilize the endless variety of adjectives to stage a time, a situation. There shall be no detail left unnoticed. There shall be no element left unattended. Your work will be soaked to drama.

It will also be soaked to redundancy.

The all too sad truth of language is that, while it does offer infinite possibilities, it can also become a quick repetition. Words can be stuffed together, creating too long sentences and too verbose meanings. There is a lack of precision in the writing – replaced to the absurdity of trying to prove points by cataloging their every component. And this can become an easy annoyance for those who must then read them.

Academic writing is meant to be concise. The intention is to validate a thesis, to offer evidence and a strong conclusion. It is not to be an excess of words. While you may intend for them to be celebrations of language, they will instead become frustrations – professors will feel no favor toward you if they must wade through unnecessary paragraphs. And your grades will reflect that discontentment.

You must instead be deliberate with your choices: consider every description, being sure that each is necessary. Edit extensively and remove all adjectives that are not vital to a sentence (the ratio should be balanced, not overwrought). Ignore words that few may recognize. You wish to be understood, not a source of confusion. The paper is to be efficient and sparingly sensationalized. This is not a reflection of personality but instead proof of intellect.

Be wise. Be concise.

It’s a quick convenience, a rush of truth and opinions offered with the press of a button – the online world sprawls before you, vast and eager to please. All questions can be answered; all reasons can be found. The once great terror of research is transformed into a simplicity. You are no longer confined to books, searching through endless pages and their dusty inks. You can instead scroll through the ease of the Internet, finding precisely what you need (precisely when you need it).

But there is a danger in this – one too often overlooked by students already frustrated with the demands of their lives, their scholastic pursuits: relying on virtuality for all forms of information can lead to that information being false.

You think this must be an impossibility. You have, after all, favored sites and their swift texts for years. There has never been an occasion to make you hesitate in doing so. There has never been a doubt that the facts presented were valid – and perhaps they were. But the Internet lacks the regulations that literature has. There is no requirement of verification, no rigorous proof of sources. Ideas can instead be directly uploaded into the web (and can be deemed true then by any who choose to name it so).

The precious censorship of historical journals is not to be applied to online venues. They are protected only the the intentions of their creators – and are often left to be filled by visitors themselves. This can lead to vague or incorrect descriptions; each more false than the last.

It is imperative therefore that all students apply caution to the Internet. Take advantage of its initial convenience but then verify all major elements of information. Be certain that what you are citing is indeed correct – and not simply the ramblings of those who have no papers to create or grades to earn.

You have a passion for all things historical: your time is dedicated to learning all of the little truths, the unexpected secrets of the past. You scour texts, hoping to find what others may have forgotten, to discover all of the clever notations that can be offered to your research. Your most recent paper has sprawled beyond its original intention – an assignment called for meager pages, an easy thesis. You have instead stuffed it with happy digressions, the not quite requested facts. These are to be expected, however. You believe they are necessary to establish your meanings (and even your brilliance).

Your professor, however, does not agree. He quickly destroys all the asides you have created: deeming them unneeded, unwanted and tedious.

Academic writing is often difficult for the enthusiastic student to master. There is always the assumption that others share the same interests, the same desires. This can lead to wasted efforts and too long papers, however – which can in turn lead to waning grade point averages.

It is therefore vital that all research (and subsequent writing) be conducted with one purpose: focus. All details should support a singular argument; all conclusions should be derived from solitary theses. There shall be no tangential pages, the wandering of sentences. This only serves to weaken a theory and frustrate the reader. There is far too little patience in the world to offer to rambling prose. It will simply not be tolerated.

Writers must instead channel their energies into specific ideas. All components should be relevant, proving a point rather than offering new ones. Words must be concise, technically accurate and without diversion. This will help to ensure a more competent style and a far kinder reception.

It’s all too easy to be overwhelmed by a notion. It must become common, however, to define those notions instead to simplicity.

It’s a struggle of words, the ever waning metaphors: you can think of no descriptions, no precise way to define a singular moment. Your research has offered all of the necessary facts; but your thoughts can’t conjure the just as necessary adjectives. There are only weak phrases and inelegant attempts – and so you place a proverb within the page instead, a familiarity. It is not meant to be permanent, only a simple placeholder. But, as you eventually finish the rest of the paper, you think perhaps it should remain. It offers an easy explanation. There should be nothing else required.

There is.

As tempting as cliches can be, they are to be avoided within academic (and even fictional) writing. You are not to substitute prose with the overwrought expressions. This offers no advantage to you and instead limits the success of your paper:

One. Reader confusion. While you can understand the meanings of a specific adage, it may only baffle a reader. Too many cliches are specific to cities or states, certain time period. These will only startle an individual from the page and leave them confused.

Two. Detract from importance. Academic writing is meant to prove a certain point. Such proof, however, cannot be found in proverbs. These will only lessen a conclusion and will not offer the needed potency.

Three. Lack of creativity. You are not defined to simple folk humor, the too often mimicked sayings. Choosing to rely on these therefore does not allow you to offer your own inspirations. They mark you instead as dull.

You have completed all of the vital research. You have crafted a strong thesis. You cannot therefore undermine all of those efforts by allowing these commonalities to seep into your writing. They are not to be used beyond casual conversations. They must instead be replaced to far more precise (and interesting) phrases.

Academia demands competence, not cliches.

You have been raised on the thesaurus, taught always to seek out the uncommon phrases, the unexpected twists of rhyme. There is no lack of inspiration within your vocabulary – it is composed instead of clever adjectives, the subtle differences of words. And you choose always to use those in your academic writing. History is not to be tamed to parchment dry recitations. It’s instead to be drenched in your own shades of brilliance; with particular offerings of your favorite expressions. They provide character, drama. They will therefore be appreciated; and they are… for the first dozen times.

The utilization of familiar phrases is common within the many genres of writing – including academia. Among the technical meanings and statistical offerings, students seek to flavor pages with personality. This is understandable.

It is also, however, problematic.

When unique expressions are used frequently throughout a paper (even a lengthy one), they begin to lose their importance. They instead distract the reader, reminding always that they have been offered before. Their power diminishes with each occurence and they change into tediums. None admire them – they are instead deemed frustrations.

And it is vital then for all students to censor themselves. While certain words cannot be refused (the precision of years, names and specific events), descriptive phrases must be examined carefully. Their purpose is to encourage the reader, providing validation to a point. If they are applied to all minor details, however, that validation becomes impossible. There is no distinction between the necessary and the meager. They instead blur together and cause a paper to fail.

Strong editing is therefore needed for all academic writing. Understand what phrases you tend to favor and highlight them as they are used. This will quickly verify their frequency and if they must then be replaced. Be deliberate with your decisions and spare your pages repetition.

Pages sprawl before you, the seemingly infinite collection of words and research. A paper is finished: a tribute to its topic, the answer to a demanding assignment. All criteria was met. All rules were followed. And you’ve crafted a flawless idea that will offer equally flawless praise. Your peers will be impressed; your professor will be pleased. It should be the greatest of rewards… until you mumble through the opening paragraph and find sudden mistakes.

These were not discovered by your computer (or even by own your initial scrutiny). They were instead overlooked and deemed worthy. You’re mildly horrified – knowing they could have been missed, kept within the thesis and weakening its meaning.

Reading academic papers aloud is vital to the process of completing them. Too often are simple errors left inside the text, ignored by tired eyes and restless thoughts. Traditional editing is not enough. It must be replaced to vocals – and the reasons for this are as logical as you strive to be:

One: Reveal mistakes. Your mind is a clever creature, able to automatically seek typos and comma misplacements, correct them as you read. But such corrections can be instinctual rather than recognized. This can allow you to miss possible problems. Speaking the words, however, makes the process more deliberate.

Two: Learn flow. The rhythm of your paper is vital to ensuring the comfort of your audience and the absorption of your thesis. Reading paragraphs aloud helps to find any awkward sentences or structures.

Three: Examination of emphasis. The utilization of italics and underlining techniques is common. It helps to energize points and mark them as important to the reader. When speaking, however, you can discover when these tricks have been overused. You will find yourself exaggerating words too often and this can help to eliminate unneeded emphasis.

Never trust what can be seen. Instead allow yourself to experience what can be repeated. Your writing will improve because of it.

Your research has spiraled into unexpected realms – there are countless books stacked along your desk, forming precarious towers; there are endless online sites saved to your browser, each offering the precious details now needed; and your notes are flung across the room, without order or reason (there’s no time left for organization. You’ve become overwhelmed). And this… was not meant to happen. A paper was to be easy: it called for a singular thesis and an unassuming page count. You’ve instead composed an epic, with a sprawling purpose and infinite evidence to support it. Your professor should be pleased, you think.

He won’t be.

Academic writing is meant to prove a specific argument. When that argument becomes too complicated, however, it loses all power. It can’t be understood. It is instead convoluted – which makes the reading experience a tedious one.

It is important then for each writer to narrow their thesis and maintain a less intimidating approach. By doing so, they gain:

One: Quicker proof. Intentions should be straightforward. This is not merely to make them simpler to shape; but it also to make them simpler to support. When details are streamlined to a solitary idea, they can then be more conclusively researched and answered.

Two: Reading ease. Your paper is not meant to be experienced by only you. It’s instead to be judged by your peers. When a thesis is too broad, it can confuse others and leave them uncertain of what they are meant to be reading. Absorption then becomes difficult.

Three: Stronger sources. When a paper wanders over new details – an excess of points and possibilities – it becomes reliant then on obscure sources. Credit is too often given to unrecognizable texts and scholars, leaving readers without a sense of familiarity. This can be a concern.

A thesis must be kept simple and direct. It cannot encompass a variety of notions. It must instead be without pretense.

It seemed to be an easy assignment: you were offered weeks to compose a paper, given precious permission to create what you wished. There were no limitations beyond the needed page count, the general restrictions. You had time. You had freedom. You could do as you pleased – and, unfortunately, you squandered this by hesitating with your research, avoiding the library halls. There was an assumption of days, the belief that tomorrow would always be available. But even it eventually failed you and there was suddenly the terrible loom of a deadline.

Those last hours were among the most frantic of your life; and what they yielded was a paper unworthy of your abilities.

There’s an understandable temptation to avoid the process of researching. It’s an often tedious search through online sources and academic journals. And, when assignments offer flexible deadlines, it’s often assumed that days can be given instead to simple pleasure.

This is a mistake.

All research must instead be carefully scheduled, allowing you to craft your paper properly. Writing isn’t to be a swift endeavor. It is instead to be deliberate:

One: Create an outline. When an assignment is given, devote yourself first to charting out what you wish to prove and what you will need to prove it. Brainstorm all theories, connecting them as needed. This will help you to choose your materials and spare you a hectic search later on.

Two: Seek books. While online libraries are forever available, public ones are forced to different schedules, with their materials subject to the whims of others. Find the physical pages you need first to ensure you can have them.

Three: Understand your inner-clock. If you tend to favor specific times for working, then create blocks that will allow you to do this. Separate yourself from distractions and allow yourself to write when you’re most focused. This is vital in achieving goals.

Prioritize all ideas. Use the weeks wisely. Never waste research.

The world of academia is composed of theories and arguments, the search for truth – but such a search can be tainted with unfounded accusations, the lacking concepts. It is all too easy to name mere opinions fact. Personal bias is injected into every notion, every paper, and helps to create the new theses. But there is a fragile line between offering ideas to an audience and claiming those ideas to be accurate.

Writers must be aware of the dangers of relying purely on their preferences. Research is meant to be the definition of any paper – not guesses. All claims must be reasonable and without the inflammatory statements. Achieving this can be difficult, however, for those who are deeply invested within their topics. Their judgment becomes impaired by passion. It is vital therefore that these rules are followed:

One: Avoid sensational words. It’s an expected thing to be enthusiastic about a specific subject or philosophy; but you cannot allow that enthusiasm to slip into your writing. Don’t color words with emotions. Don’t try to scandalize readers. Keep the tone neutral and without prejudice.

Two: Acknowledge opposing facts. You seek to prove a point within your paper. That point cannot be made, however, without referencing the facts that could discredit it. Established theories – even those not approved of by you – must be included to add validity. You must address them first and then counter them with your own concepts.

Three: Don’t simply provide opinions. Unless a paper is meant to be an exercise in possibility, you must be able to support every statement you make. Don’t offer broad phrases or vague explanations. Instead be precise with the truth and what can be verified.

Bias is to be refused in all forms of research. While personal interests (or subsequent loathings) may lead you toward a thesis, they must not shade the writing itself. They must instead be tucked away and replaced to simple logic.

It’s an assertion of skill, a belief that all words are the precisions you wish them to be. Papers are formed from wisdom, the careful examinations. No theories are betrayed by personal opinions; no obscure statistics are used to battle the accepted standards. You wield facts as certainties, not occasional allies. You have learned to understand more than text, but instead the application of it. Every choice is therefore deliberate and well intended – branding you a student of critical reading.

Simply defined: critical reading is the understanding of subtleties within any form of literature (whether it be fictional masterpiece or scholarly treatise). The purpose is not merely to comprehend what has been written, but it is instead to acknowledge the influences hidden within. Individuals are to look for signs of bias, uncertainty or a manipulation of facts – such as choosing unknown sources to verify a claim instead of listing reputable academics.

It is through this process that research can take on an entirely new form: one of truth. When pages are read with more than a desire to find proper grammar or spelling abilities, their context becomes apparent. This leads individuals to have a greater understanding of what the author intends and what may merely be implied. Influences of philosophy, ideology, social status and more can become known – simply by dissecting paragraphs and finding their slants of bias.

Such slants, of course, are meant to be avoided in academic work; and critical reading assures they can quickly be found (and then just as quickly be eliminated). Look for use of language, frequently emphasized points, sensational meanings and a lack of foundational proof. If a statement cannot be validated it must be removed. If phrases have been chosen purely for their descriptive abilities they must be reconsidered.

Critical reading serves as the first (and last) defense against a failed paper. It must be utilized to maintain high standards and higher competency.

The consequences are almost unthinkable. But there’s a silver lining. The wonderful world of the widest electronic web has opened doors to up and coming author, giving them avenues that were previously non-existence.

In the event, one does not find a will publisher, it’s a good idea to go ahead and self publish online. The set up of an online book is quite simple and can be carried out by a number of agencies offering this exact service. Title loans will help you get finances to set up your book online.

While being published the traditional way is the ultimate aim, the benefits of self publishing are actually quite lucrative. Firstly, the author then has complete control over the content. There’s no one to tell you what you can or cannot write. You have full say on the types of illustrations, cover designs, etc.

You can use the social networks and e-readers to promote your work. Social networks in particular a great ways of spreading the word. Use your circle to drive more people to your book.

Another great thing about having your work online is that you can communicate directly with your readers. You can have conversations to find out what they liked, what they didn’t and much more. The anonymity of the web allows people to give you more realistic reviews from which you can derive quite a few insights.

The costs of self publishing on the net are actually quite low. You could cover the cost with a title loan. Use the title loan to build the online book, set up the site and host it on a server. Once you start making money, you can pay back the loan. Sounds easy right? It is. The hard part is writing the book!

Adding “fluff” or unnecessary words is one of the worst things you can do in academic writing and research. Whether you are writing an essay or first person narrative, your paper has a purpose, so make every word count. Your main mission is to captivate your audience and keep them focused on your paper. Being unnecessarily verbose detracts from the main points in your paper, distorts your goals as an author, and reduces clarity throughout the process. There are many ways to increase the effectiveness and accuracy of your work, but the easiest solution is to remove clichés, slang expressions, prepositions, and generalized content.

Chances are if you do not know what a cliché is, you are using them throughout your paper. Clichés are overused phrases that were once popular, but have since become overused. Sometimes clichés represent a stereotype or exaggerate a situation. Rather than using clichés, stretch your creative channels by describing the situation using colorful diction and vivid imagination. Furthermore, clichés detract from the overall literary value of your work and cause the reader to lose focus.

Good writers know the difference between prose and conversation, but many students write as if they are “speaking” the words aloud. A conversational piece should read much differently than how one speaks. Some overly vague and unnecessary words include “so, because, you know, and like” in addition to thousands of other phrases. Replace these words with academic-friendly terms, including “whereas, herein, furthermore, in lieu of, and with regard to.” If the word or phrase does not help define your topic or provide required imagery, replace it with another term.

Creating concise work does not mean you cannot use imagination or creativity – succinct papers are actually more vivid and descriptive than vague works. Ensure each sentence has a purpose and supports or rejects your introduction. The same rules apply when writing emails or other correspondence, so remember to “trim the fat,” which is a cliché, on your next paper.

Academic writing and research requires deep concentration and attentiveness, so it is important to prepare your workspace accordingly before beginning the writing process. Since writing is a creative process regardless of the assignment, everyone has his or her own regimen. If you start to write and find yourself distracted with your cell phone or other elements, consider following these guidelines for maximum efficiency. You will be surprised to find out how much time you can save by writing without distraction rather than attempting to multitask.

Most students and professional writers cannot multitask while writing. The more distractions you have, the harder it becomes to focus your attention on the work in front of you. Computers, while essential tools of the trade, are also your worst enemy. Before sitting down to write, close all of your background applications, open programs, and unnecessary websites. Start with a clean slate: you should only have a word processor and web browser open. Avoid checking Facebook or other social media websites.

Whether you are using a laptop or desktop, prepare your workspace by removing everything from your immediate reach. Move your phone across the room and put it on silent – not vibrate, since most young people never turn them off and can “hear” the phone vibrating. If possible, close the door to the room you are in, and turn on the lights. Open a window if it is available and the weather is cooperative, as fresh air is nature’s best feature.

As a basic rule, do not attempt to write sitting on your couch, lying by the pool, or any other leisure – borderline ridiculous – locale. If you do not have a desk, at least position your laptop on a table – writing on your bed is equally distracting. Write from the same location every time, so your body and mind know it is time to work. If you are in a shared living environment, consider going to the library. Before writing, put on a pair of headphones and listen to classical, soothing, or therapeutic melodies.

While we may be living in a content-centric society, do not underestimate the importance of proper punctuation, semantics and syntax in your papers. Academic writing and research requires a high degree of professionalism, so do not under sell your work by using poor punctuation. More importantly, the way in which you utilize punctuation affects your linguistic strategy. Hyphens, commas, and apostrophes all affect the readability of your prose.

Commas

Chances are you have read a sentence in one of your periodicals that made you lose your breath for a second. If not, perhaps you should read more carefully. Sentences are long strings of text, thus you need a marker to signify a pause, or change of thought. Commas help differentiate various parts of a sentence for your readers. Sentences lacking commas are often referred to as run-on sentences, because readers have a difficult time reading the entire clause in one breath.

Apostrophes

Academic discourse frowns upon the use of apostrophes, but there are times where you will need to utilize them in your work. The best example of poor usage of apostrophes are “don’t, I’m, aren’t, etc,” as stating “do not, I am, are not, etc” increases readability and portrays a professional vibe. Apostrophes are also used in the possessive form, as in “the boy’s.” There are many rules for using apostrophes, but following these basic principles clarify your prose.

Hyphens

If hyphens confuse you, know you are not alone! These tiny grammatical elements stir up quite a bit of trouble in the writing community! You can use hyphens to connect two words or numbers, increase clarity, connect prefixes and suffixes, and split words onto the next line. For example, thirty-six, ex-author, T-bone steak, and 45-degree angle are all appropriate uses of hyphens.

The next time you go to submit your prose, take a moment, and review the content for proper syntax and punctuation. Having a well written and grammatically sound paper boosts your chances of success.

Academic writing and research often requires a formal presentation style, but the exact specifications vary by institution and discipline. Many places will not even tell you how the papers are to be presented, as it is supposedly common knowledge. Do not fall victim to low marks because of a poorly formatted essay or paper, as you will be downgraded for not following a presentation scheme. When in doubt, following these guidelines is your best source for success.

Typeface and Font Size

If you are not, sure as to what font you should use, Times New Roman or Times, Arial (not MT or Black), Sans Serif (not Comic Sans), Myriad Pro, and Garamond are safe choices. While fonts such as Courier and Courier New are professional in nature, some institutions may think you are using them because it takes up more space on the screen. Unless approved or stated, do not use fonts that are “larger” than others, like Arial MT Rounded are. Font sizes vary, but generally 10 to 12 pt is acceptable. Each course may have its own requirements, but 12 pt is a safe bet on most occasions.

To Double or Single Space

Academic papers normally require documents to be submitted double-spaced, because professors and other readers comment in between the lines (literally). Double-spacing allows you to read their marks, so you can make the necessary corrections on future work. Professional articles and academia very rarely require double-spaced prose, but requirements vary by organization. When in doubt, consider your target audience and to whom you are submitting the paper.

Margin, Header and Footer

As a one-size-fits-all approach, use 1-inch margins unless otherwise noted. Your header and footer depend largely upon the style format you are using (MLA, APA, Chicago, AP, etc). Check with your style manual for the specifications. Most schools use Modern Language Arts (MLA) style, in which case you would type your last name and page number on the upper left hand corner of each page. Supplemental instructions are usually provided by your professor.

Throughout your writing career, you will undoubtedly experience issues with regard to plagiarism. Because the Internet makes copying other people’s work so easy, institutions and employers are increasingly concerned with academic integrity and/or unique content. Sometimes you may accidentally plagiarize without knowing it, because due to the size of the Internet, someone may have written a similar phrase or sentence. Protecting yourself from plagiarism is simple with Internet services and proper writing.

Do not write after Reading an Article

The Internet enables people to read and write content instantaneously, but consider the repercussions of doing so beforehand. If you go to write a chapter or article based off something you just read, chances are you might accidentally plagiarize. This is achieved by accidentally writing down a key phrase or two that “stuck out” in your mind, which is detrimental to your writing career. Other similarities probably exist, but the programs cannot check for “similar” patterns… yet. Consider reading the article, letting the information mettle in your mind, then writing an hour later. If the information did not sink in, chances are it was not that important – or you are simply reading to “mimic” content, but in your own words. Either way, ditch the content for something more organic.

Strain Your Content through the Net

When submitting content for school or work, know that people are paranoid about clean and unique content. Whether you are being paid for it or need it to graduate, if you submit questionable content, your livelihood and reputation is on the line. Use services such as CopyScape and TurnItIn to verify your writing before submitting it. While it is not a foolproof system, these are the most popular websites used by employers and schools across America. If any matches are found, revise the content and resubmit until no results are found.

According to several academic writing and research studies, an independent research firm found that people, who wrote, as a form of therapy, coped with their conditions better than those who did not write about their feelings. Perhaps this is nothing out of the ordinary, as people have been writing in journals since the Stone Age, but it is interesting how the trend has transformed across several media. Whether it was painting symbols on a cave, using a feather and piece of wool, writing on a traditional notebook, or typing away one’s emotions on the computer.

Contrary to public knowledge, writing is a form of emotional therapy, in addition to school assignment, profession, or “part of life.” While some people love – and hate – writing, it provides an avenue of relief for those who cannot or do not express their emotions. Holding feelings of guilt and remorse often have deadly side effects, but when patients can write down their feelings, it is a huge relief for them and their psychiatrists. Writing, while a chore for some, provides a means of expression for feelings often kept in great secrecy from others.

Keeping a diary, in the age of Blogger and Word Press, often has a different meaning. Surprisingly though, people still keep traditional journals because they are much more secure. Even writing in Word on your computer exposes the information to anyone who wants to hack into your system, which these days is not that hard to accomplish. Public diaries exist, but often do not include these intimate feelings and expressions that are key for dealing with one’s emotions.

Paper diaries are not going anywhere, because societies are increasingly skeptical of storing information on the computer. Fear of security breaches and confidentiality scares most average people from typing rather than using pen and paper. Until their minds are at ease, it is doubtful they will ever be able to write about the same information using the computer. Virtual diaries are popular for people who use it as a form of communication or updating, rather than emotional therapy.

In a recent audit of writing programs and courses throughout the country, an increasing number of writing-related courses are embracing new technologies like never before. The study analyzed English and Communications courses in relation to blogging and group collaboration on the Internet. While online courses are nothing new, even the classes taught with Moodle, Blackboard, and WebCT did not utilize true “blogging” platforms, such as WordPress or Blogger.

Professors and students are using blogs inside and outside of the classroom to enrich the learning experience. In a creative writing class, students may post their work on the class blog, for everyone to read and comment on their work in a constructive manner. Usually these blogs are in a secure or controlled environment, so their work is not exposed to the entire Internet. Students usually are required to respond to other students’ posts in the form of a “comment,” which is then evaluated by the staff for constructiveness and academic value.

Blogs are gaining traction in the academic industry, but they remain a novelty in most cases. Both students and professors are apprehensive about posting their work on the blog – even though it is inaccessible to the rest of the world. Students are afraid of what their peers will say, more so than in a traditional classroom setting where most people may not be paying attention. Other students though, are embracing the technology for what it is worth, engaging in genuine academic discourse with their peers. Students can blog about anything including liefstyle, academics, and even vacations. Florida vacation homes offer a great experience to still have the sensation of home yet be in a great new destination. It is a great destination for students and theres no struggles of hotel rooms, their extra fees, and blackout dates.

Using the blogs, students get more feedback on their work, because other students have to comment and write messages. In a classroom setting, most of the dialog is diluted with text messages and other distractions. Since blogs are free, easy to setup, and universal, more schools are using them in addition to traditional classes, giving students the “option” to submit paper assignments if they are uncomfortable with the matter. Certain courses even cut class short if students opt to discuss the topics on the class blog.

Students are accustomed to writing news and academic research, but no matter the assignment, they seem to hate creating the bibliography page. For many, finding and documenting sources takes more time than it does to write the paper itself. Depending on your discipline and institution, you may be using the American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), or Associated Press (AP).

APA Style

The APA style is most commonly used in the social sciences, and determines how you cite sources, format your paper, and organize content. The APA style values organization, making your paper easier for editors and professors to evaluate while simplifying the reader’s experience. Since the APA style is straightforward, it leaves nothing for guesswork. You always know how to format documents, and the official guide provides guidelines for every scenario known. The format is very formal, abides by academic standards, and establishes your reputation and credibility in the social sciences.

MLA Style

The Modern Language Association format is most commonly used in the Arts and Humanities fields, such as English and communications. The MLA style defines how you format your paper, cite sources, and add stylistic elements, such as block quotations. Compared to the other citation styles, MLA is the most universal – used by institutions throughout the world, and is often accepted in other disciplines, such as psychology (where you would normally use APA). It is the universal format taught in schools throughout America and abroad.

Associated Press

The Associated Press style of writing is reserved for communications and journalism programs. It is the industry standard style guide used in newsrooms across the country. AP Style defines how you document sources, format text, and write your paper. It’s main focus is on the text itself, as it defines how you write the paper or article, such as having universal principles for writing the date, spelling city names, and other textual elements.

Despite the widespread availability of Spell Check and traditional proofreading techniques, students and writers alike suffer from the occasional typo. Whether it is in your doctoral dissertation or email message to your boss, typos are embarrassing. For example, consider the implications of writing “Director of Pubic Relations” instead of “Public Relations.”

Spell Check Doesn’t Work

The main problem with Spell Check and similar software is that it does not catch unintentional typos. In the example above, both pubic and public are words in the English dictionary. Artificial intelligence has not caught up, so the computer thinks there is a “pubic” relations director in the workforce. One cannot rely on spell check to serve as a virtual proofreader. You would be surprised at how many errors spell check does not correct, especially considering how much students and young professionals rely on the technology.

Quick Proofreading Doesn’t Work

Reading your documents and messages before publishing them was thought to reduce typos, however; a recent study indicates the brain automatically fills in the blanks or gaps in your text. As a writer, you know what the text was supposed to read, which causes you to unintentionally fix typos in your head. Alas, an archaic solution exists that saves you from public humiliation or a poor grade.

Read Your Paper Backwards

When you finish writing your document or prose, navigate to the end of the document and read each word aloud in reverse order. By reading them aloud, the sentences will not make sense, thus you are forced to focus on each word, one at a time. Keep the noise to a minimum though to prevent break room chatter amongst your coworkers. Forcing your brain to compute the meaning of every word reduces or eliminates typos and wrong words (i.e. there instead of their).

Being an effective writer does not necessarily mean you know how to write according to syntax (the traditional rules of grammar). While most journalists identify major issues, such as comma splices and sentence fragments, they rely on their copy editor to catch the minor grammar errors. Freelance writers, students, and other professionals do not necessarily have their own editor, which is where Grammarly (http://www.grammarly.com) fills the void. Reminiscent of your college English professor, Grammarly identifies nearly all grammar and syntax errors ever known.

Grammarly is the star of recent writing news stories, as it is designed with students in mind as their target audience. Ideal for academic writing and research, Grammarly enables someone to copy their text into the web application, press a button, and watch the computer use the traditional “red marker of death” while it identifies problems. Each paper is given a score between 1 and 100, identifies the professionalism of your work in relation to word choice, readability, and grammar.

Grammarly cross checks each paper with hundreds of databases to check the work for plagiarism, similar to how CopyScape works but with increased accuracy. Once the paper is checked for more than 350 potential problems, it is up to the user to make the necessary corrections. Sometimes, Grammarly offers helpful advice or the corrected word (or phrase). Most of the time though, the program highlights the erroneous text, identifies the problem, and explains how to fix it.

Teacher or Copy Editor?

Most importantly, Grammarly does not fix the text for you. While you can recheck the document after the corrections are made, the computer does not solve your grammar flaws. Click on an error, read about the problem, and attempt to remedy the situation. Because Grammarly makes you think – and use your brain – schools and institutions support it. In many ways, Grammarly is your virtual English teacher who grades your papers and provides feedback. In the end, even the best copy editors would not do your dirty work.

Academic writing and research often entails creating works cited pages, bibliographies, and reference sheets. After writing a 20-page paper, the last thing most scholars want to do is create a bibliography. The days of having to manually sort your information are quickly ending. While Microsoft Excel and Access streamlined the process, new web services allow students to create bibliographies instantly. Rather than sorting through various periodicals looking for the Publisher, Publishing City, and other data, bibliography services just need the name of your materials.

The Internet popularized information, enabling almost anyone to look up the ISBN number of a book, publisher of a magazine, and other pertinent information. Enter EasyBib, whose sole task is to automate your bibliography creation. It’s major selling point is the “AutoCite” function, which lets you enter a book name, journal title, article headline, website address, and database entry. Once you submit the information, EasyBib attempts to locate the required information about your periodical. If it cannot locate the data, you simply fill in the form fields and EasyBib does the rest.

MLA, APA, and Chicago Formatting Made Simple

Once you have added all of your sources in EasyBib, the program allows you to export the entries to a variety of citation formats, including MLA 7, APA, and Chicago (Turbian) formats. For additional laziness, EasyBib includes the appropriate in text citations for each format, leaving nothing to chance. Simply copy and paste the in text citations where appropriate, and include the formal references page at the end of your document.

One of the great features of EasyBib is that it supports footnotes and end notes – often the cause of headaches for writers and students across the world! It is as simple as copying and pasting the text into the word processor. You can also export the result to a variety of formats, including MS Word (.DOC) and Rich Text Format (.RTF). EasyBib is a legitimate method of managing your references to ensure the highest level of writing and academic research.

Often times writers forget the importance of the writing process when creating academic prose and research materials. While someone can write an effective article or brief without having to go through the process, longer research papers require additional care and finesse. The writing process for academic prose includes drafting a thesis, taking notes, and outlining your ideas. To ensure the utmost professionalism, allocate enough time to complete all of the steps, as you will save time when writing the paper.

Develop a Thesis

When someone sets out to write a research paper, they more or less have an idea or topic in mind. The first step is to analyze and narrow down the idea into a manageable paper. Great research papers are focused and cater to specific audiences. Generalized theses result in a fragmented and chaotic paper, with tons of data and commentary that is not substantiated.

Source Material

Once you have a clear topic and direction for your paper, start reading up on your topic and finding primary sources to backup any claims or assertions you are planning to make in the paper. All of your commentary needs to have evidentiary support, preferably first-hand studies, journal articles, first hand interviews, and other legitimate sources. Once you have enough source material, begin taking notes on everything. Taking notes ensures you will not accidentally plagiarize the content, and helps you develop a solid understanding of the topics.

Create the Outline

Perhaps considered the quintessential element of the research process, outlines create order in an otherwise chaotic environment. Review your notes and begin breaking the paper up into multiple sections and subsections. A good outline tells you what belongs in each chapter, paragraph, and sentence. Note major chapters by using roman numerals (I, II, III), sections (A, B, C), paragraphs (i, ii, iii) and sentences with (1, 2, 3) to maximum clarity.

While outlining seams tedious, you know what belongs in your research paper, and where. Pre-planning simplifies the writing process and increases efficiency in your work flow.

Research papers do not have to cover every major point in your field of expertise. Most undergraduate and graduate papers suffer from a condition known as generalization. Most research papers focus on a key question, topic, or thesis, but fail to narrow down the topic into a manageable chunk. While the length of research papers very, most writers find themselves covering too much information, which hinders their ability to provide insight, evidential support, or other primary facts.

Once you have a reasonable thesis in mind, draft the sentence on a piece of paper and create a mock outline of all the topics that support the thesis. Next, create three points for each topic, which will be the basis of your paragraphs. Considering each topic requires a minimum of five pages (to make your claim and provide supporting evidence), prioritize the topics you want to cover based on the desired page count. Ensure your topics are focused and aligned with the overall mission of the paper.

Don’t Forget the Fine Details

The basic mind map or brainstorming document created previously helps you create a full-fledged outline later on, but for now focus on narrowing your topic. Creating a prioritized list helps you identify additional topics to write about, but good research papers provide a dynamic and thorough explanation of each point. If you find yourself making more than five or six key claims, consider going back and flushing out those assertions before proceeding.

For each claim or assertion, explain how it supports or rejects the thesis, why it is substantial to your overall theory, and how it relates to your primary evidence. Remember, nothing in your paper besides your commentary should come from an undocumented source. A paper full of great points without evidence does not hold weight in the realm of academic writing and research. Your claims as a researcher must first and foremost be compared to previous studies.

A recent study conducted by an independent research firm finds most undergraduate college students do not proofread and edit their papers. The study reveals an alarming trend, as more professors are finding obvious typos, spelling, and grammar mistakes. When confronted abut the trend, most students admit they usually print out the paper when it is done, without giving it a quick glance.

Coincidentally, most if not all  of the obvious errors could be fixed by quickly reading the paper before sending it to the printer. Students, usually finishing their work at the nick of time, are oblivious to the importance of producing clean work. Programs such as Microsoft Word’s Spell Check do not help matters, because if spell check doesn’t find any errors, the paper is golden.

Sadly, students have yet to learn that Spell Check is not bullet proof, as many obvious errors use correctly spelled words that are not applicable to the situation. For example, the phrase Turn write is spelled correctly, but blatantly wrong. If the student read their work, he or she would see the almost humorous mistake. Younger generations are increasingly reliant on technology, so only time will tell how society responds to our spell-check addicted students.

Fast and Effective Proofreading Technique

Before printing out your paper and shoving it into an unorganized book bag, ask a friend, mentor, or parent to glimpse over your document. You would be surprised how many errors someone else can catch. Your eyes are accustomed to your own work, thus often times not spotting obvious mistakes. Don’t focus on the content, rather identify grammatical and spelling issues.

If someone is not willing to read your work, the next best technique is to finish your paper a day early (which rules out most procrastinators) and let it rest overnight. Read your paper in the morning, fixing any issues you find. You will be pleasantly surprised how a fresh perspective fixes most of the obvious mistakes.

Writing an essay is one of the traditions of being a student, but the truth is not, everyone knows how to structure a traditional essay. According to a group of teachers, students who structure their essays according to the traditional format receive higher marks than essays without an organized structure. The process is quite simple, as an essay must contain an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. The substantive content, the text in between the introduction and conclusion, varies based on the prompt or assignment.

The Introduction

The introduction is where you should introduce the reader to your topic. Never assume he or she knows or understands what you are going to write. Introduce each of your topics (supporting paragraphs), dedicating a sentence per topic. The final part of your introduction should summarize your claims or assertions, which you will document throughout your paper. Consider the introduction the quintessential component of your paper. For maximum results, revise your introduction after you write the rest of the essay.

Supporting Paragraphs

The “meat” or “body” of your paper lies in the next three to five paragraphs, perhaps more for longer papers. Each paragraph should cover one of the topics you mentioned in the introduction. As a rule, each supporting paragraph should make the necessary claims or assertions, then provide adequate evidential support to support and/or reject your claim. In your commentary, you may inject personal bias, opinions, and other subjective material.

When providing evidence, use a mixture of direct quotations, paraphrasing, and summarizing to help your reader understand the topic. The evidence section should be as objective as possible, referencing the source as needed throughout. Avoid simply rephrasing what the author said, because if the reader wants to read the source, they refer to your bibliography.

Conclusion

Summarize the main points of your paper and make any departing claims based on your findings. Does the evidence support or reject the claims made in the introduction? Discuss the research in relation to your original accusations. The conclusion should not be the same as your introduction, so avoid repetition whenever possible.

Writing a well thought out paragraph is harder than you may think. A paragraph in itself is a miniature essay, and needs several components to flow cohesively. Regardless of the type of paper, each paragraph should contain an introductory sentence, commentary (two or three sentences), evidence (three or four sentences), and a transitory statement. Using this basic template, you can save considerable time on your next paper while ensuring each paragraph is complete.

According to recent writing news, teachers and professors note that even the brightest students often forget to provide cohesive papers. Unorganized documents, whether persuasive essays or graduate theses, stand out from the crowd. Organization shows that you are dedicated to the work, took the time to complete it thoroughly, and practice elements of good writing.

In the introduction sentence, provide a somewhat thorough overview of the commentary and evidence you are going to present. Avoid inserting your opinion here – simply summarize the points you are going to make and provide appropriate background information. The sentence should not be too long, but jogs the reader’s memory.

The commentary clauses are where you should inject your opinion (if appropriate), make any claims or judgments, and provide your readers a bit of perspective on the issue. Allocate one sentence for each piece of commentary. Avoid using the first person tense and try to keep the paper as objective as possible. For example, rather than saying “I think …” try rephrasing the text to sound authoritative, such as “Based on research thus far, one may conclude …” when appropriate.

In the evidence portion of the paragraph, introduce your findings to the reader. Document your research and literature by referring to the author of the publication. For websites or other non-traditional forms of writing, use the name of the source. Keep your evidence succinct and to the point. Avoid direct quotations and opt for paraphrasing or summaries whenever possible. The evidence you provide is essential for a reader to validate your claims. Following the evidence, include a leading sentence that prepares the reader for the next paragraph.

When you are writing research papers and academic prose, it is always difficult to determine how you should document and introduce readers to your sources. The sources you utilize during your research is known as supporting evidence, which assists readers when they want to verify or substantiate the claims within your document. Most writers think their works cited page is their saving grace, but more is required for a successful paper.

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is the process of reading a section of a primary or secondary source and rephrasing it in your own words. Usually the paraphrased text is more succinct and refined, capturing the writer’s major points or stance on an issue. Paraphrasing also happens to be the easiest way to get caught plagiarizing, because although they are your words, you are using the author’s original ideas. For each passage you paraphrase, you need to cite the author at the end of the section.

Quoting

Many students think quoting is the easiest way to cite your sources because you simply copy and paste the quote into your word processor. More often than not, quoting actually is more difficult, as a good writer must adapt the quote to fit in with the rest of the text. Avoid quoting in your papers, and if you must, limit it to a sentence. Quotes need to be integrated into the work, and cannot be simply inserted. Standalone quotes should encompass a major idea or be substantial to the paper.

Summarizing

Summarizing is the hardest, but most rewarding, method of citing your sources. Since paraphrasing and quoting utilize the author’s ideas, a summary requires the writer to think and analyze the material rather than translate it into their native tongue. Summaries take an entire article or chapter, break down the key points, and provide a shorter and condensed version that reads like your own. Often times students find it easier to paraphrase sections of an article, and then write the summary for the paper.

Chances are if you attended school in the United States, you learned how to write a research paper using the traditional style taught across the world. The traditional research paper teaches students how to source material and cite their research, but fails to teach them how to make assertions and claims of their own. Most students know how to paraphrase and quote text, but when it comes time to create thesis statements, arguments, and judgments, they are lost in the woods.

The sources you use are often referred to as evidence in your paper, but while an important element of academic prose, it is not the only thing you need to include in the paper. Theoretically, researching topics for papers is supposedly an essential component of the learning process. In the age of the Internet and electronic media, researching is a matter of reading the text and translating (i.e. paraphrasing) the author’s ideas into your own. The information read during the process is often lost a few minutes later. Students do not retain information because the process of taking notes is skipped because they paraphrase on-the-fly switching between a web browser and word processor.

The byproduct of technology and laziness is a (possibly) well-written essay that contains tons of ideas, statements, and evidence, but none of it is organic. All of the information comes from someone else, but is presented in a diluted form students claim to be their own work. They often forget plagiarism is also considered stealing someone else’s ideas not just words. Claiming a work as your own constitutes paraphrasing each paragraph of an article into your own, even if it passes TurnItIn.com or CopyScape.com, known plagiarism detection search engines.

Has the Internet and widespread use of computers caused students to become lazy, or have younger generations forgot the true meaning of plagiarism?

Writers block affects thousands of professional authors, freelancers, journalists, and students around the world. The condition, known to cause internal inflictions and late work, is triggered by a variety of outside variables. Your personal life, current assignments, work schedule, and personal health affect how and when you are able to write. You are more likely to experience writers block from not doing the necessary preliminary steps, are bored with the topic, are confused about the directives, anxious, stressed, or self-conscious.

New writers often think they can dive right into an assignment without conducting the proper preliminary investigations. Before writing, you need to familiarize yourself with the topic(s), develop an understanding of your task, and have a solid foundation. A simple, yet effective, trick is to create a brief outline of your paper, do a quick Internet search on the topic, and read an article related to the topic. Now your brain is conditioned and ready to begin writing. This same approach also applies to those who do not understand the topic, but allocate more time to comprehend the subject matter.

If you are bored with the topic, chances are your readers will be too. The best way to remedy the problem is by approaching the paper from a different perspective, preferably one that is less boring. If you are anxious about writing, eliminate as many distractions as possible around your working area. Turn off all of your electronics, close any programs except for a web browser and word processor, and isolate yourself from others. Consider wearing headphones to isolate noise in shared/dorm environments.

If writing stresses you out, the best thing you can do is take a few minutes and get a breath of fresh air, seriously! Consider going for a run or walk beforehand, eating a nutritious snack, and listening to soothing music. Avoid writing when you are tired, allocate enough time to complete the task (read: procrastinators), and constantly tell yourself to relax. Writing is a therapeutic process and should not be a stressful endeavor.

If you have ever sat down to write a paper only to stare at a blank screen for hours on end, chances are taking the wrong approach to academic writing and research. Even the world’s best journalists and authors cannot sit down and write without going through the writing process. In a relatively simplified form, the writing process entails creating a thesis, compiling an outline, and writing the first draft. You really didn’t think it ends there, did you? Of course not, because the fourth step, editing, proofreading, and revising, is perhaps the most important step.

Creating a Thesis

Your thesis statement varies based on the type of assignment you are producing, but generally should define the goal or purpose of your document. A thesis statement provides the foundation for the rest of the essay, as your goal most of the time is to support or reject your thesis based on academic research. Create a narrow thesis statement, which helps ensure your paper is succinct and concise, free of generalized content. Once you have a specific thesis, it is only natural to begin identifying points that support your thesis, which is the basis for your outline.

Create an Outline

Thoroughly research your thesis and identify three to five major points of interest. You will need more or less points based on your desired page count. On a sheet of paper, summarize each of the main points in a separate sentence, and place a roman numeral before it. Next, under each main point, list three points that support the topic. Define the topics in a sentence, like you did above, and label them A, B, C, etc. Under each letter, list three pieces of evidence to support the claim or assertion, and label them 1, 2, 3, etc.

Write the Paper

The last part is simple write your paper! You did most of the work above, so expand upon each point in your outline to create a strong essay. Ensure you review your paper before submitting it, so there are not any embarrassing typos, spelling errors, or inaccuracies.

The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and formed an independent movement, known as the Chechen National Congress. Chechen President Dzhokhar Dudayev, who was an ex-Soviet Air Force general, helped form and lead the union. This has made for a wonderful source of inspiration for writing especially in the academic community.

These changes in government in Chechnya were unsettling and caused even more unrest in the country. They sparked the formation of Boris Yesltsin’s Russian Federation, which argued feverishly that Chechnya wasn’t an independent entity existing within the Soviet Union. These conflicts and struggles went on for a lengthy period of time and caused territory to be locked between various factions in the union.

The United States, meanwhile, wanted to gain access into the country through technological opportunities and signify a key area of the country where companies could install American-based telecommunications. Cellphone providers wanted to expand, which led to the Sprint coverage map including a broad region of the country.

Initial attempts at reaching an agreement were unsuccessful, but after numerous talks and discussions, Chechnya granted the United States permission for American business to come in and establish a presence in the telecommunications industry. This was not only beneficial for the U.S. but for Chechnyans, as well.

Technological Outreaching

The United States is very diligent and proactive about establishing its presence in certain areas of the world. The U.S. is based on a customer-driven capitalistic society and is consistent about wanting to establish the nation in all aspects of business telecommunications all over the world.

In addition to telephone communications, the United States markets and promotes other forms of communication such as writing. This can include devices like cellular phones (including Smartphones) and other devices that operate on wireless technology, such as laptop computers, iPhones, and iPads. America’s approach to business and working with other countries focuses on showing other countries how they can benefit from having a U.S. relationship and pointing out the profits both parties can enjoy.

In order to improve your writing, especially for students in academics, it is important to realize when it is appropriate to use classics. Classics represent a valuable element in leveraging references in papers.

It is important to realize that using classics in your works cited or references for an academic paper is more appropriate for certain subjects and topics. Not everything is well-suited to take advantage of the “great books” in history.

Classics are best used in theoretical contexts. For instance, it would seem hardly appropriate to use Aristotelian physics for a physics student executing some type of applied experiment. This is not to say that it is out of the reach of applied sciences and topics. Rather, the point of emphasis here is that it would be unreasonable in any directly applied context.

Thus, a classical reference would be appropriate in a paper that involves some type of theoretical discussion. To take the previous example, while it would be irrelevant to include such a reference with the actual experiment, it would not be inappropriate to include such a reference when discussing the source’s relevance to the background or the prediction of the experiment or topic at hand.

While there are no formulas to when to use classics as references, there is an area or two where they excel.

One of these areas is context. When relating the context of a discipline to the subject of a paper, often a classical work will prove instrumental, if only in the introduction. A classical work can often state how the topic has begun, or how it has abided by a certain basis from the classical reference.

Classical works are often beneficial in matters of opinion. After all, it is hard to argue with some of the most popular lines of logic, ethics, or reason, certainly relevant in disciplines such as ethics, politics, and social issues.

Take advantage of classics in your writing. It can greatly enhance any academic or non-academic work quite easily.

If you’ve finally decided that it’s time your travels took you to an exotic and unique locale like Chechnya, getting there could be half the fun. It’s not really a common tourist destination, and that could actually work in your favor. Because it’s not a trendy spot where everyone’s headed, you should be able to get better rates. Be sure to book ahead, too. Many airlines give discounts to Chechnya and all kinds of other places if you book your trip at least three weeks in advance. The flight isn’t the only thing you should book early, either. You can also get a discount on your hotel that way.

Be sure to do your research and determine where the best place to stay is. When you travel to a foreign country, you want to be sure that you’re staying in a good area and that you can get what you need while you’re there. Some people hire locals as tour guides so they don’t have to worry about the language and cultural barriers, and so they can be warned if someone is trying to cheat them. If you decide to do this, go through a reputable travel agency that has people in Chechnya, so you know you’re getting a good deal.

In order to fund your travels, you might want to consider lowering your bills to save more money. You can do that through an auto loan refinance, through a refinance on your home, or through reducing or eliminating some of the smaller bills that you have. Of course, there are plenty of other ways to get the money, like dipping into savings. You should fund your trip in whatever way feels the most comfortable for you. Then you can go and see all that Chechnya has to offer to you, and come back with some great stories and fond memories.

Using your local library is one of the best ways to do research or to keep active in reading. Unfortunately, it is often forgotten as technology has evolved into what is is now.

In some areas, libraries are one source of budget cuts. As a result, some areas are losing powerful elements in the community, the local libraries. Local libraries are certainly one focal point, allowing its public to conduct research, consult references, and engage in reading materials.

If you or your family is not currently active at your local library, now is the perfect time to do so. Libraries are a powerful way to find reading material, help with any level of school-related work, and anything else that is related to reading, reference, and research.

Children are well-suited to the local library. There they can become engaged in a number of books and explore all types of differences. Libraries are a great place for children to explore their interests and find new ones.

Additionally, libraries will help all ages of children learn how to conduct research and find books. This will prove essential as they progress in their education, where they will have to consult various sources and references for research.

The library is home to many reference works, fictional works, and various other sources that can help. Whether you are a parent, a student in school, or just one who can take advantage of the many sources that the library has to offer, a library can be instrumental even in the apparent growth of technology.

In many ways, the library is perfectly matched with technology. Students are able to find out what sources their local library have. Following up on these sources, students can easily take notes in the library on an electronic medium to capture what they need.

Overall it may seem that technology and the Internet has overtaken the relevance of today’s local libraries. Yet, in fact the local library remains even more present to the needs of all ages.

Chickens are raised in things called chicken coops. If you go in to the south you can find many of these. Farmers have been raising chickens for years and some of them raise chickens for their eggs, while others raise chickens for their meat. There are farmers that do both. Raising chickens is a lucrative business, but if you have chicken coops you will have a lot of work on your hands. You have to clean out the dead chickens, if you are raising them for their eggs you will need to watch and make sure that no bad eggs get in to the good eggs, because you can get very sick from eating bad eggs, it can even kill you if you get salmonella poisoning, if not treated right can kill you.

Chicken Farmers have a lot of work to do, when it comes to caring for their chickens. Feeding the chickens is one of the easiest things to do, when raising chickens. If you are going to raise chickens, be sure to get the right training, so you know what you are doing. Farming has a lot to do, but raising chickens is one of the easiest and best if done right, but it does take time and money to raise chickens.

As students are aware, there are several different types of referencing styles that one should be accustomed to in academic papers. Without preparation, it can cause several headaches if one does not know what they are doing.

If you are getting ready to use one of these styles, you should be familiar with the basic characteristics of each. Here are some common referencing styles that you should see over the course of your academic career.

APA (American Psychological Association) style is certainly seen in the social sciences. If you are studying in psychology, sociology, or a similar subject in terms of discipline, you will likely run across this style. It has a number of characteristics that you should be aware of if you use it, such as citing the year in text, instead of the popular page number in the next style.

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is seen primarily in the humanities. It is especially used by literature, by also extended towards many other subjects. This is likely the first type of citation style you will see, as it is commonly used at the high school level.

As these are easily the two most popular citation styles, they certainly do not account for all styles. The Chicago Manual of Style, Turabian, and the Associated Press Stylebook are also commonly seen, along with others.

For the most part the style is dependent on what you are studying. Many of these styles are aligned to a specific discipline. In certain locations, as well, a certain style may be more commonly used than another.

Purchasing the style book may be a good idea if you will be using a particular style prominently. You may also choose to consult the Internet, which contains many good guides to certain styles. At any rate, make sure you follow all considerations, from basic ways of citing books to what should appear in the header.

At the age of fifteen and a half you can take drivers education to learn how to drive and to learn the rules of the road. After you take drivers education and you turn sixteen you can get your driver’s license.  In some states you have to have proof of auto insurance. Without it you can’t get a license plate for your car. If you drive a car without insurance and get pulled over the police can take your and slap you with a big fine and you might even lose your driver’s license.

You need to follow all the rules of the road when driving just to keep you safe and to keep everyone else safe on the road. Follow all traffic signs and signals. The police will stay off your back if you follow the rules of the road. Don’t take this the wrong way, driving is fun and it can be dangerous. Everyone has the right to drive, but only if they follow the rules. If you don’t follow the rules you will lose your driver’s license, pay a lot of money in fines, hurt yourself, hurt someone else or even kill someone. Cars are not toys and they have rules for a reason, so follow them and you can have fun.

Auto insurance in very important, not only is it the law, but it is a life saver. If you have a wreck and don’t have auto insurance you will have to pay for everything.

One of the best ways to use these services is to find your local library’s online system. You may have to look for the overriding body, such as the nearest larger city or the county in which you live.

If this does not work, try contacting your local library. There they can speak to you regarding getting connected with their online system.

Perhaps the most useful online library service, for most people, is the ability to see what titles are available to your local library. Most library databases online include abilities to search by title, author, keyword, or directly.

Another powerful aspect of online library systems is the ability to request titles. Chances are that you will come across a book that you would like to check out, but it is not held by your library. Generally speaking, most libraries offer a feature online to request that title, and it can be transferred to your local library for you to check out.

Such features create a powerful way to enhance your typical library experience. This is quite an advance from previous years, when looking up titles involved locating the appropriate area and seeing if the book is on the shelf.

This creates a special advantage to those that are in any level of school. Students of all levels can now easily pinpoint titles that are needed for research. References are now much easier to locate in one’s local library, and relevant titles can be easily transferred for the ease of the student.

All of the public can realize the capabilities that are involved in online library services. They can be a great tool for those looking to conduct research or simply find titles to engage interests. Contact your local library or find their website to begin seeing these benefits to online library services.

One important consideration is not to overuse a source. Too many quotations on a page is not considered proper in academics, at least as a general statement (of course, there are exceptions). Try not to overuse the author’s views, but use them to supplement and add credibility to the point of your paper.

Another common error is to overuse quotations as a whole. Some students get into the habit of quoting their sources word for word. While there is nothing wrong with this in itself, mixing it up with another referencing strategy is ideal.

Paraphrasing references and sources is a way around this common problem. Instead of only using quotations from your source’s author, try rewording the material in your own words, yet still citing your source.

This has a major advantage in the presentation and flow of your paper. When you reword and paraphrase, you keep a sense of the flow of your paper intact. Sometimes when a word for word quote is used, it breaks the presentation of the paper, switching in tone or focus.

Take some time to work on paraphrasing what you would normally quote in your work. With some practice, you will be able to complement what you are trying to do in your paper with your references, without resorting to quotes too much.

Using quotes is especially warranted when a strong point is given in the author’s own words. If it is not realistic to reword the author’s point without losing some of the force of the statement, that is usually a good sign to keep it in its original state. Along the same lines, it is usually necessary to keep intact a quote from a historical or prominent figure.

Practice utilizing quotes and paraphrases properly in your papers. It will improve your writing and referencing skills greatly.

Online databases are offered to many students in higher education. Typically they consist of a number of academic resources, such as journals in a specific subject or academic discipline, for students to target references and sources for research.

Universities that are limited in scope often have online databases according to what degrees are offered. Thus, a business school would likely not include databases found in universities that offer degrees in the physical sciences, for instance.

Online databases are found importantly in online and distance-based institutions. This grows from the need of students to have access to academic references, where some may not be able to visit other libraries.

Increasingly online databases have entered into traditional universities and colleges as well. It is commonplace for online databases to be offered to students in two and four-year institutions, as well as those in postgraduate studies.

The online databases offer powerful functions for students who are conducting research. Prominently the ability to search across many types of collections is seen. Thus, a student can search for a specific topic that may be present in more than one collection within a discipline.

It is also seen where the online database interface includes the ability to save articles for further review. Thus, if a student wishes to save his or her progress with a search while retaining a reference that may prove valuable later, the student may save the source without committing to print it out or write down the needed information.

The powerful advantages of online databases for those in higher education should be grasped by all in this position. Becoming comfortable with such tools can greatly enhance reference and research work performed in academic institutions.

Wikipedia in academics has been linked to a feeling of “culture shock” for many students and professors. It is not uncommon for students to be warned of the negative presence of Wikipedia, though it remains a popular resource for all.

Wikipedia as a negative reference source for students has a great deal of merit, one one side of the argument. Thus it should not be used in any overwhelming manner.

The negatives surrounding the use of Wikipedia for students are easily seen. The information that is placed onto Wikipedia articles is not confirmed by any editor. Wikipedia is one of many very lenient printing services, which mimics a blogs idea of an open set of information. It is up for interpretation and accuracy. The information that is placed on the site is done so by users, who add and regulate the information.

This kind of setup poses dangers to students who make take what Wikipedia has to say in a primary manner. With information that is not confirmed by any academically reliable source, such articles are not able to be relied upon. In some cases the information that Wikipedia has is simply inaccurate or, more likely, misleading or argumentative in some manner.

However, as this line of logic is the basic feeling that most students are warned of, Wikipedia does hold some worth for students.

Students can take advantage of Wikipedia’s ability to accustom one to the basic outline of a topic or subject. For example, if a student is unaware of the basic thoughts, context, and ideas that make up “Humanism,” a quick search can lead one to become cognizant of such areas.

The key is to use Wikipedia to gain insight into a particular topic. This way, the student is able to identify an area in which to perform research of academically-worth sources. In some cases the sources directly on the Wikipedia page can be helpful to this end.

For students Wikipedia can be a useful tool. While detrimental to some that use it in an academically-inadvisable manner, it can be powerful as a starting point of research.