Monday, December 31, 2012

Persuasive Writing Topics - Great Ideas For Persuasive Writing

Whether it is for a school assignment or for a personal whim, choosing persuasive writing topics is as important as the content. However, there are certain times when choosing among many persuasive writing topics can become a difficult process.

This happens to both novice and experienced writers, so there is really no need to fret about it. If you are experiencing this kind of "writer's block", here are a few tips you might want to consider when choosing for that topic you need or want.

What Is Persuasive Writing?

Persuasive Writing Topics - Great Ideas For Persuasive Writing

Before anything else, you need to know what persuasive writing is really all about. This will give you a guideline on how to choose a topic.

Persuasive writing is composing an article or an essay that contains the objective opinion of a person specifically the author.

In a written article, you may write to persuade the readers to do something they have not done before or to just support your point of view. In persuasive writing, you need to make the readers believe what you write.

Most Common Persuasive Writing Topics

There are a lot of different persuasive writing topics that have been composed before. Among all the topics, the most common are smoking, abortion, health, politics and rights of women.

Persuasive writing topics should not only be limited to these. You can write just about any topic you want. Remember to do extensive research about the subject. Opinions based on experience, supported by facts, will have a very effective outcome.

How To Choose Your Topics

If you are tasked to create your own persuasive writing topics and you need to write about it, then it can be quite difficult especially if you are not inclined to writing. The same goes to people who are not that opinionated. So how do you choose your persuasive writing topics?

The first thing you need to consider when choosing for a topic is whether it is interesting or not. This does not pertain to the interest of your possible readers, but of your interest. You need to choose a topic that sparks interest in you. How will you be able to persuade a reader if you can't even persuade yourself with the specific topic?

Second, before you choose the topic, you need to reflect on what the purpose of your persuasive article is. You need to have an objective to make it easier to choose your topic.

When you already have a list of your potential persuasive writing topics, you can now ask the opinions of other people. Through this, you can find out which of your topics can also spark the interests of other people.

Persuasive Writing Topics - Great Ideas For Persuasive Writing
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Letter Writing - How to Appeal a Decision and Write a Successful Appeal Letter

Writing an appeal letter can be a daunting task. Having already suffered the indignity or inconvenience of a refusal or denial, far too many people simply give up and struggle on miserable situations. Having helped hundreds of people in the UK make successful appeals, I can certainly say that there is almost always a light at the end of the tunnel if you are willing to take the time to write a good appeal letter.

The most common types of appeal that we deal with in the UK are Disability Living Allowance (DLA) appeals and school admission appeals. Although each different type of appeal will require a different type of appeal letter, many of the elements are the same and the key to a successful appeal letter is to research, research, research!

With every decision that you may need to appeal, there are rules, regulations and guidelines. For example, in the case of DLA appeals, there is a 'decision makers guide' (DMG) that clearly sets out the requirements and guidelines for successful claims. In the case of school admissions, your local authority will have a policy and regulations that must be followed. The first step in writing a successful appeal letter is to make yourself familiar with the policies, guidelines and rules relating to your claim.

Letter Writing - How to Appeal a Decision and Write a Successful Appeal Letter

When writing an appeal letter, you must use the information you have gathered to shape your appeal. There is little to be gained by going over old information and expecting the decision to be changed, rather, you must use the organisations own policy to prove your case. All the information you need can be found either online or by requesting it from the organisation concerned so do your homework!

Once in receipt of the relevant information, it is your job to find the grounds on which you can appeal. We recently wrote a DLA appeal letter for a women who had an autistic child and succeeded in getting the decision overturned based on the department of Work and Pensions decision makers guide but in order to do so it was necessary to research the guidelines and provide documentary evidence to support the criteria.

The key to making a successful appeal, whether through writing an appeal letter or going through an appeals procedure is gathering your evidence and matching the evidence to the criteria set out by the organization. This can be time consuming and challenging but your time will be well spent if you avoid a lengthy tribunal process and overturn a decision.

Letter Writing - How to Appeal a Decision and Write a Successful Appeal Letter
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Jay Neaves BA Hons Media & Communication Studies Author, writer and founder of The Professional Writing Service

Since 1995, The Professional Writing Service has gone from strength to strength welcoming many new satisfied clients while still providing his excellent service to his existing ones.

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Sunday, December 16, 2012

Writing Games For Kids - Silly Ways to Make Writing Fun

Kids are often uncomfortable writing. Even after all the writing they do in school - or maybe as a result - they often see little value or joy in the exercise. That's why writing games for kids are so important. Making writing fun and enjoyable will break down whatever barriers are keeping your child from being able to not only enjoy writing more but to write well and with energy and excitement.

If you're a parent, you remember the tremendous joy with which you celebrated every first - first rolling over, first steps, first words. By the time they begin writing, they're four or five years old and while there are still many firsts to celebrate, there's nothing quite as transforming as first words. From the moment they're born, children are trying to communicate and they never stop. Even quiet children are communicative in their own way, using their body language to tell you how they feel or to get your attention.

I've often wondered how well our children would write if we spent as much time communicating with them in writing as we do verbally. Watch how much a young child will struggle to get his point across with the few words at his disposal, grabbing a mother's leg as a plea for understanding. He quickly realizes the important of being able to talk and to use the right words to meet his end objective. If we placed as much importance on their writing, would we see the same results? If just every now and then, children could not get their parents' attention without putting their request in writing, would we start to see faster, better writers who understand the importance of the skill?

Writing Games For Kids - Silly Ways to Make Writing Fun

Being able to write well is no less necessary to success now then it was before the advent of email, text messages, and social websites. We need to make sure our children succeed in all the major school subjects and when we make learning fun, it tends to go down better - like a spoonful of sugar with medicine, as the song goes.

So try a few silly games to get kids writing as much as possible. You can turn many games into writing games for kids. Take the old grapevine game where information is whispered person to person until it turns into something else by the time it hits the last child. Instead of whispering, have one child write out a full sentence on a piece of paper and pass it to the next player. Have the next child rewrite the same sentence on a new piece of paper but instruct them to change one word. Have the next child do the same. When the last child has finished their sentence, they should give it to the first player to read aloud. All children will be amazed at how the sentence has changed with only slight modifications at each step.

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Try more writing games for kids at home or in school activities and not only will you be expanding a child's ability to write but also their vocabulary and penmanship - skills that will last a lifetime.

Erica Stone is an online content writer who spends considerable amounts of time with thoughts and words and the mother of three boys who provide plenty of material with which to work.

Proactive use of games and kids' writing software has played a significant role in her being able to improve the writing skills of her own children.

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Saturday, December 8, 2012

Complaint Letters: How to Respond in 7 Simple Steps

Ask many small business owners what goes into providing great customer service and you have answers such as, being polite, serving promptly, keeping your promises etc. But in this hi-tech age, we tend to forget that the humble letter has just as an important role in ensuring good customer service. Yet how many times have you received a 'letter of apology' which makes you even more dissatisfied? The message it conveys, the language used - all designed to wind you up!

With some careful thought, a well-crafted letter can provide comfort to a complaining customer and enhance your reputation as a customer-focused business. In this article I am going to share some tips on how to write a great letter.

What are you writing for?

Complaint Letters: How to Respond in 7 Simple Steps

To write a great letter you have to be in the right frame of mind. Are you writing to handle a complaint, answer a query or to thank them for placing an order? Framing the letter in the right context means you will use the appropriate language and the tone will be right. Try writing a thank you letter as if you are responding to a complaint - the message is totally different.

Before putting pen to paper, think for a minute and decide what your aim or goal is.

State your purpose

Start off by summarising why you are writing. Open your letter by saying that you are responding to a query, or to resolve a problem they have had. This set out to the reader why you are contacting them and puts them in the right frame of mind to accept your message. An opening summary will grab their attention.

Include a W.I.I.F.M.

No, this is not some obscure radio station! WIIFM stands for 'What's in it for me?' To truly engage your customer and get them on your side, you have to include a benefit for them. They have to get something out of your letter so they feel satisfied. What could their WIIFM be? Their complaint may be resolved; they may get a discount voucher; a priority service the next time they use you. If the compliant is a minor one, a simple, heartfelt apology may be enough!

Study your letter carefully and make sure you have a WIIFM moment.

Don't say 'I'

Wherever possible, avoid littering your letter with I's. The reader will find it hard to link with you if they receive 'me, me, me' letters. Review your letters and wherever possible substitute 'I' with 'you'. Change the focus to the reader. Make them feel valued.

Write as you speak

I forget the number of times I have received letters, which read as if they were written in the early 1900's! Packed full of boring, stiff and outdated language - too formal. Your writing style should reflect the way you talk. After all, providing good customer service is partly down to how you interact or communicate with your client and letters play an important role.

So, review your letters and get rid of those phrases you learnt in school letter-writing lessons!

"Please do this..."

Having written a great letter, you don't want it to tail off into nothing. Have a clear action-orientated close. Make sure your reader knows what you expect him to do next - "call me so we can discuss this idea in more depth", "Fill in the attached form and pop it in the post", "send me an order" (a bit strong perhaps but certainly to the point!).
A resounding call-to-action is a great way to finish a letter and leaves the customer in no doubt what he has to do next - another element of good customer service.

Ask someone to check your letter

If you are writing a very important letter or one containing a complex message, it's wise to ask someone to proof read it. This is not just to check your spelling but also to check readability. Is the structure of the message you wish to convey clear and understandable? You'll be amazed by what someone else will pick up which you have completely missed!

So, there you have it. Some useful tips on how to write a superb letter, which will further enforce your image of providing exceptional customer service.

© Robert Warlow
Small Business Success

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Small Business Success is a resource dedicated to helping small business owners be more successful. If you are looking for a regular flow of ideas and tips then subscribe to Small Business Success a free newsletter, which provides you with quick tips, ideas and articles. Visit http://smallbusinesssuccess.biz

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Technical Writing - Definition of Foreword, Introduction, and Preface

Definition of foreword, introduction, and preface OK, let's get started. Easy enough to say, but what do we start with? What comes first, a foreword, an introduction, or a preface? The best way to approach the subject is to look at what they do.

A foreword, if we follow the generally accepted definition in publishing, is an introduction to a book by someone other than the author. It comes right after the Table of Contents, and the pages are numbered with lower-case Roman numerals, e.g., i, ii, iii, etc., rather than the Arabic numerals used for the text of the book.

Ideally, it's written by an expert on the subject of the book who says that the author did a good job writing about the subject. The foreword generally speaks well of the author.

Technical Writing - Definition of Foreword, Introduction, and Preface

A foreword, as the spelling indicates, is a word that comes before. It's not a forward, which is a direction, or a foreward, which is a misspelling.

A preface is usually written by the author of a book and often gives an overview of how the book came to be written, its intended purpose, and to what extent it covers the topic. It may come before or after the foreword, but it usually comes after and follows the same page numbering system. The preface may also include acknowledgements.

An introduction is also written by the author (or, sometimes, the editor). It's an essay that sets up the full topic of a book. It states what the author's point of view is and may indicate what the reader's point of view should be. After reading the introduction to find out what's in the book, the reader can decide whether or not to read it. Since it's part of the text, the pages are numbered with the same numbering system as the text.

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Saturday, December 1, 2012

How to Start Writing a Book - Checklist of Top 5 Ways to Write Your Novel Like a Pro

Just about anyone can write a book if they set their mind to it, but that does not guarantee that you will write something people will want to read. There is also no guarantee that you will be able to sell your book. So it is best to start out learning how to start writing a book just like the professionals do.

1. Start out with a very catchy title. If the title doesn't grab the reader's attention they may not even pick up the book and see what it's about. If you have an interesting and eye-catching title, you are at least guaranteed most people will take a look at your book.

2. Hook the reader right away. Your first paragraph should grab the reader in with a "hook." You've probably read about this many times. You need this hook to catch the attention of anyone looking at your novel. You really don't have very much time to entice the reader, so you need to choose your opening paragraph wisely. You can try using dialogue as the opening sentences or show that the character is in a problematic situation which will cause the reader to want to continue reading to see what happens. If they don't care what happens, they will close the book.

How to Start Writing a Book - Checklist of Top 5 Ways to Write Your Novel Like a Pro

3. Avoid too many flashbacks as this tends to slow the story down and your readers may get bored. Refer to past situations in the dialogue rather than including flashbacks.

4. Avoid adverbs like the plague. Too many writers rely on these words which normally end in "ly."

5. Show, don't tell. The reader does not want to read a long paragraph about things that happen to the characters. They would rather read dialogue or actions that show what is happening. Otherwise it is like a summary and they will feel like they are on the outside looking in rather than a part of the story.

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Resume Writing Tips - How to Create a Powerful Opening Statement

Most professionals would love to land their dream job but when it comes to writing a resume that would qualify them to make the jump; they end up stuck with what to say and how to say it.

Not knowing how to create an interest-generating opening statement is a common problem and can quickly lead to job seeker discouragement before the job search even begins!
Here are 3 tips to creating a powerful opening statement that will quickly get you positive attention:

Tip #1 Create a Qualifications Summary

Resume Writing Tips - How to Create a Powerful Opening Statement

A qualifications summary should go at the very top of your resume. It does not explain what your professional objective or goal is, but it does give a clear and powerful overview of who you are and what you can do. Why don't you want to use a professional objective? Because your resume needs to be focused on what you can do for a company versus opening with a statement that leans towards what YOU are looking for.

Tip #2 Create an Authentic Opening Statement

To maximize your focus and clarity try a simple writing trick:

Begin to write about what you are doing when you are at your very best, followed by your other key strengths and attributes. Do not edit yourself as you freely write up to a page of information. After a quick break, return to what you wrote and begin to highlight the key words and phrases you feel are the most powerful. Your document should be reduced to about half at this point. After another break return to your document a second time and repeat this exercise. Now you have a powerful, authentic and compelling draft statement describing where you really shine!

Tip #3 Use Universal Language

Another common mistake professionals will make is to load their opening statement with industry jargon. Yes if you are a CIO, corporate counsel or a VP of Finance you have very specific language that you use. However your resume has to be written for multiple people in multiple departments. In many cases your resume is being viewed (and thus must be equally compelling) to directors of human resources, division presidents and various managers.

Scan your opening statement for red flags including acronyms that are not spelled out, information on specific companies, too much detailed technical information and sentences that are only decipherable to people intimately associated with what you do.

These key tips will help you to easily create an authentic statement about who you are when you are at your career best, and command the attention of the companies that are looking for someone....just like you!

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Friday, November 23, 2012

Essay Grammar Check Software, Transform Your Writing - Impressive!

Essay Grammar Check Software automatically proofreads our writing for basic grammar, punctuation and spelling errors. English writing is a skill that only improves through practice, and it seems like these fresh technological solutions are able to assist us on improving our writing skills. If writing isn't your strongest skill, but you still need help on improving it - read the following article.

Short background

Essay Grammar Check Software unlike most text editors, analyzes entire sentences, then checks and offers corrections for common grammatical mistakes. How does it work? Well, basically it compares your words, phrases and sentences to their 'correct' versions based on a sophisticated algorithm. Advanced grammar editing program enable the following: instant correction for basic grammar mistakes, spelling and typos, and punctuation errors.

Essay Grammar Check Software, Transform Your Writing - Impressive!

What is in it for us?

Let's summarize the main benefits and advantages:

* Improving our self confidence with our writing.
* Improving the image we want to project through our writing.
* Providing extra capabilities which do not exist in conventional word processors.

If we examine it closer we would probably find additional benefits that were not mentioned in this review, as this solution keeps changing, bringing us new improvements and ideas that help us on improving our English writing.

Final words

Essay Grammar Check Software technology slowly gains popularity as it transforms our writing better, accurate, and more powerful. There are many other ways that can help us improve our English writing, this technology seems to be one of the most effective ones. Although it is already available, we can expect this unique system to further develop itself, simply because writing is among the most significant tools that help us fulfill our daily assignments.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Sympathy Words - Writing Words of Sympathy and Comfort

It's never easy to lose someone you love. It's even harder when someone you know loses someone they love. We go to the funeral home, attend the wake and meet people we haven't seen in a while. It is during this time that we say sympathy words and do things that are meant to comfort those who are grieving. Some people are not able to attend any kind of gathering, and may instead choose to put their thoughts and wishes of comfort into a sympathy letter or card.

Writing Sympathy Words is Not as Difficult as You May Think.

All it takes is a little empathy and some reflection. Chances are pretty good that you knew the deceased at least well enough to have had some good memories involving that person. After their passing, it is often comforting to others to hear or read about these happy times.

Sympathy Words - Writing Words of Sympathy and Comfort

Another important thing to keep in mind when you are writing sympathy words and condolence letters is to be sympathetic. People suffering the emotional pain associated with the loss of a loved one need to know that someone else is hurting the same way. In order to find the right words, imagine yourself in their situation and try to imagine how they must feel.

Definitely don't try to pretty up your letter too much. So many people think that it will help someone to read flowery and over descriptive language, but going overboard with that kind of style can come off as a bit insincere.

Keep Your Sympathy Words Simple

A lengthy letter or card can discourage a grieving person from reading the whole thing. Reading a long letter takes energy, and nobody really wants to spend that kind of effort to read a lengthy letter while crying. Instead of writing a lot of words, try choosing a few sympathy words wisely. You can communicate a vast amount of information with a simple sentence or two about how you will miss the deceased and will always remember the good times that you shared together.

Don't forget to mention that happy memory of the person. Mention how that person affected you in life and what his or her death means to you. Family and friends of the deceased like to hear about how that person affected or changed someone else's life, hopefully for the better. Use positive words to describe that person or their personality, such as devoted, faithful, patient, or kind.

Of course, you know that when someone is grieving, they must do it in their own way. Don't offer them unhelpful advice like 'Keep your chin up'. That's the last thing anybody wants to hear at a time like this. Aside from being the wrong thing to say, they probably will have heard it several dozen times anyway, so it can actually end up sounding a bit contrived.

When Offering Your Sympathy, Words May Not Always Be Enough

Offering help of some sort is also useful. Many grieving family members simply doing household chores can be more difficult than normal. Offer to make dinner, go to the store with them, or help out with yard work. They will appreciate the extra help while they are going through this difficult time.

Finding the right way to express words of sympathy in a letter can be easy, but writing words for the sake of writing words can actually be harmful. Remember that the person you are writing to is grieving, and they don't want to hear or read certain things. They've heard it all before from countless others, so you'll need to be sincere in offering your condolences. No sympathy words can truly take the pain of a loss away, but finding the right ones can let someone know that you are thinking of them and you know how they're feeling. Even if you don

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Melanie Walters recommends ObituariesHelp.org for Free Sympathy Words and Sayings examples You can find examples of sympathy words at ObituariesHelp.org that will help you say just the right thing in a card or letter.

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Friday, November 16, 2012

The Difference Between Formal and Informal Writing

When it comes to writing in English, there are two main styles of writing - formal and informal. Consider these two examples:

Example 1:

This is to inform you that your book has been rejected by our publishing company as it was not up to the required standard. In case you would like us to reconsider it, we would suggest that you go over it and make some necessary changes.

The Difference Between Formal and Informal Writing

Example 2:
You know that book I wrote? Well, the publishing company rejected it. They thought it was awful. But hey, I did the best I could, and I think it was great. I'm not gonna redo it the way they said I should.

The difference between the two is obvious. The first one is formal, and the second is informal. But what is it that makes them formal and informal?

It is the style of writing, or the way we use words to say what we want to say. Different situations call for different ways of putting words together. The way we write in academic and scientific settings differs greatly from the way we write to a friend or close one. The tone, vocabulary, and syntax, all change as the occasion changes. This difference in the styles of writing is the difference between formality and informality, or the difference between formal and informal writing.

Following is a list of some of the main differences between informal and formal writing:

Informal: May use colloquial words/expressions (kids, guy, awesome, a lot, etc.)

Formal: Avoid using colloquial words/expressions (substitute with children, man/boy, wonderful, many, etc.)

Informal: May use contractions (can't, won't, shouldn't, etc.).

Formal: Avoid contractions (write out full words - cannot, will not, should not, etc.).

Informal: May use first, second, or third person.

Formal: Write in third person (except in business letters where first person may be used).

Informal: May use clichés (loads of, conspicuous by absence, etc.)

Formal: Avoid clichés (use many, was absent, etc.)

Informal: May address readers using second person pronouns (you, your, etc)

Formal: Avoid addressing readers using second person pronouns (use one, one's, the reader, the reader's, etc.)

Informal: May use abbreviated words (photo, TV, etc)

Formal: Avoid using abbreviated words (use full versions - like photograph, television, etc.)

Informal: May use imperative voice (e.g. Remember....)

Formal: Avoid imperative voice (use Please refer to.....)

Informal: May use active voice (e.g. We have notice that.....)

Formal: Use passive voice (e.g. It has been noticed that....)

Informal: May use short and simple sentences.

Formal: Longer and more complex sentences are preferred (short simple sentences reflects poorly on the writer)

Informal: Difficulty of subject may be acknowledged and empathy shown to the reader.

Formal: State your points confidently and offer your argument firm support.

These are just some of the differences between formal and informal writing. The main thing to remember is that both are correct, it is just a matter of tone and setting. Formal English is used mainly in academic writing and business communications, whereas Informal English is casual and is appropriate when communicating with friends and other close ones. Choose the style of writing keeping in mind what you are writing and to whom. But whichever style you write in - formal or informal - be sure to keep it consistent, do not mix the two.

The Difference Between Formal and Informal Writing
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Anis Siddiqi is an accomplished writer and has several published works to her credit. She is a regular writer for http://www.word-mart.com

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