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Analysis of a Topic: Writing Essays and Term Papers
Analyzing a topic is often the first step in researching an essay or term paper. It describes and defines a topic and its importance. Does the topic have value? Why should it be discussed? Answering these questions is important in an analysis of a...
Freelance Copywriting Advice #1: Take the Scary Jobs
From time to time you will be faced with an opportunity that looks downright scary. The temptation is to think, "Hey, that's way outside my level of expertise. I'm not ready for that." My advice to you is this: Do it. When you are faced with...
Ghostwriting for Fun and Profit
We've all heard of ghostwriters. For some, a ghostwriter is the ghostly assistant to junior detectives on a PBS kids' show. For most, however, a ghostwriter is someone who writes for another, in the name of another.
Many celebrities use a...
Lots of extra money waiting to be made from writing $5 articles
There is probably no easier way of earning extra money online. Yet many people ignore online writing and lose all that extra money, mainly because they get put off by those single digit dollar rates. $5 is a common one. But even as you read this,...
Writing about 'writing'.
Writing about ‘Writing’! By Liana Metal What am I going to write about? Which topic is the best? Who is going to be interested in my article? You can ask yourself endless questions on ‘what’ is going to be the subject of your article. Don’t...
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HOW TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS WRITING A TWIST OF THE NOSE
What happens when you twist someone's nose?
To begin with, you get their full attention. No
distractions. No mind wandering.
That's why it's important to put a nose-twist into your
own 'important' business communications.
HERE'S HOW NOSE-TWISTING WORKS
You have a brilliant idea for marketing a new product.
Now, it needs to be put into writing for consideration by
other decision makers.
(Note: I'm not suggesting that only marketing people have
this type of writing challenge. Anyone...including
you...will one day have to distribute some important
information, sell something [perhaps yourself], or
encourage the adoption of an idea. Effective business
writing is an important skill for any successful business
person...no matter what career path you've chosen.)
Many people might start out their idea proposal something
like this. 'Following is an idea I feel will be effective
in helping to market the new Axtec product.' Now doesn't
that get the blood pumping.
Instead of this kind of ho hum opening, try saying
something provocative, such as: 'Six months after launch,
our new Axtec product could capture a 20% market share by
putting into action the following promotional idea.'
Or, you could ask a question like, 'What is the one
feature about the new Axtec product that could catapult it
above all competition?'
Naturally, you need to have some basis for your claims or
questions. You don't want to be caught exaggerating. If
people suspect you are trying to con them into reading
something, your day on the stage is over.
Here are several other excellent ways of giving your
imcoms a nose-twist in addition to the provocative
statement or question:
1. Open with a story - The
story might setup a problem
your proposal would help solve. If you're uncertain how
this works, read a copy of Reader's Digest. Many of their
articles begin with a narration.
2. Provide a startling statistic - Just make certain it is
startling. Conventional statistics seldom deliver much of a
nose-twist.
(The following suggestions assume your imcom is being
distributed as hard copy.)
3. Include a sample - If the subject of your imcom
involves a product or product sample that is easily glued
to a letter or first page of a proposal, this is an
excellent attention getter. Products might include a new
grade of sandpaper, stronger plastic, new fabric...etc.
4. Alter the paper - I have punched holes in letters, cut
off corners, even burned the edges of an imcom in order to
attract attention. Just make certain it ties in with your
headline and subject.
None of these suggestions are considered standard business
writing techniques. And that's the point. Being a little
unconventional can make your imcom the standout business
communication of the day. Just avoid being cute or clever.
That almost never works.
Remember, developing your skills as a business writer will
put you miles ahead of the crowd, no matter what your job
or business. It should be as much a part of your work-a-day
world as the language you speak. Even a small investment in
developing these skills will bring huge returns in future
success.
About the Author
Doug C. Grant is the author of the new e-book, `How to
Move from Cubicle to Corner Office with THE SECRETS OF
POWER WRITING'. A FREE preview plus details on receiving a
FREE Blue Pencil Edit for one of your own imcoms is
available by e-mailing: mailto:edit@newbieclub.com
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| Writing.Com: Writers, Writing, Poetry, Creative Writing, Fiction ... |
| An online community dedicated to fostering writing skills. With a free membership anyone may read, write, rate, and review works. |
| www.writing.com |
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| Guide to Grammar and Writing |
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| grammar.ccc.commnet.edu |
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| Purdue University's Online Writing Lab - The OWL Family of Sites |
| Writing lab and resources. Email newsletter available. |
| owl.english.purdue.edu |
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| OWL at Purdue University: General Writing Concerns Handouts |
| This page contains important links to the writing: planning/writing/revising aspects of the OWL website. |
| owl.english.purdue.edu |
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| en.wikipedia.org |
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| www.writing.org |
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| www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu |
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| National Novel Writing Month - National Novel Writing Month |
| NaNoWriMo is an annual (November) novel writing project that brings together professional and amateur writers from all over the world. |
| www.nanowrimo.org |
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| Poynter Online |
| Apply by Dec. 11 Reporting and Writing the Untold Stories Apply by Dec. 11 ... Reporting & Writing for Multi-Platform Newsrooms. Apply by Jan. 10 ... |
| www.poynter.org |
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| This short online course provides a practical introduction to writing fiction. During the course you will be expected to write two short pieces for ... |
| del.icio.us |
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| BBC Get Writing |
| The BBC's online resource for writing drama and comedy for television, radio and film. |
| www.bbc.co.uk |
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| TOC About Writing |
| Menu of articles on writing written by professional SF/F writers. |
| www.sfwa.org |
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| 11 Rules of Writing -- a concise guide to important grammar ... |
| A concise guide to some of the most frequently violated rules of writing, punctuation, and grammar. |
| www.junketstudies.com |
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| NAEP Writing Subject Area |
| NAEP assesses student performance in writing periodically in grades 4, 8, and 12 for the nation, and in grades 4 and 8 for the states. |
| nces.ed.gov |
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| See all blog posts tagged with writing on Technorati. |
| www.technorati.com |
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| Includes step-by-step instructions on researching and writing, how to find information online and offline, as well as links to useful resources. |
| www.ipl.org |
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| Dictionary.com: Writing Resources |
| Free online English dictionary and reference guide. List of sites writers can use. |
| dictionary.reference.com |
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| WritingFix: Home of Interactive Writing Prompts and 6 Trait ... |
| Daily and interactive writing prompts. |
| www.writingfix.com |
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| Advice on Academic Writing |
| Includes articles on critical reading, planning, researching, style and editing, grammar and punctuation. |
| www.utoronto.ca |
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