Abstract The paper discusses the importance of quality writing in the business world. The discussion encompasses the hidden costs of bad writing, the ways in which businesses use effectivewriting everyday and some of the lessons that can be learned by studying literature and composition. In short, quality writing is crucial to success in business. The paper explains that courses in writing offer the means of mastering the skill.
From the Paper "No one in the business world needs to write, right? After all, business is about making money, not crafting pretty strings of words of clever turns of phrases. Who cares about that kind of thing? What could literary writing possibly have to do with up-and-coming business leaders? As it turns out, there's quite a bit that the business world can learn from literature and writing classes. And not just to sound smart, but to improve the bottom line. A recent survey by the College Board found that one-third of the employees of the world's top 120 firms lack adequate writing skills. The result? Those firms cumulatively spend more than $3 billion annually on remedial writing training for their employees ("Good Writing" 22). Three billion dollars."
Abstract A look at the methods employed to teach writing in public schools. The author looks at past paradigms that have been used, the methods that are currently being used and then goes so far as to suggest methods for the future.
From the Paper "It is interesting to note that the controversy concerning the most practical and effective method of teaching writing in public education has been the subject of debate for over 100 years and that, while various paradigms have been suggested and re-suggested over the years, no definitive solutions have been found. The same complaints and concerns about student writing that were being expressed in the late 1800s are still extant today. And, of course, the methodological question is complicated, as is nearly every other issue in public education, by time and money constraints. It is certain that there is no quick and easy solution, but there are some possibilities, which have enough empirical support to warrant further exploration."
Abstract In this paper, the writer outlines the definitions, benefits, challenges and application of critical thinking and then discusses active reading and effectivewriting as mediums of fostering the skill of critical thinking. The definitions, benefits, challenges and application of active reading and effectivewriting are also explained. The writer concludes with a personal reflection on her potential use of these skills in her professional life as a nurse and also in her personal life. According to the writer, to be the most effective person and to contribute the most to society, these skills must constantly be in use.
Outline:
Critical Thinking
Active Reading
EffectiveWriting Conclusion
From the Paper " "The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates) This concept is now known as the Socratic principle, although the initiative of critical thinking is older than this principle. Presently, it seems as if everything is about Critical thinker's and how they shape and convince others. No religious, social, cultural, or educational system has ever survived without being questioned, especially the educational system. Bernard Shaw said, "Education can and should do much to influence social, moral, and intellectual discovery by stimulating critical attitudes of thought in the young." (Cited in thinkexist.com). Critical thinking needs to be developed, taught and assessed and this has become the essence of our modern education."
A teacher's reflection on Nancy Atwell's writing workshop model as described in Atwell's book "In the Middle: Writing, Reading, and Learning with Adolescents".
Abstract In this paper, the writer describes how Nancy Atwell focuses on the ways teachers can motivate students to read and feel comfortable in their writing. The writer describes Atwell's proposed classroom community that nurtures these effectivewriting behaviors and skills. The writer then turns to his experience as a teacher using Nancie Atwell's writing workshop model and relates that overall, it was very successful. The writer posits that in the future he would want to create a writing workshop that balances this type of personalized writing with a more formal discourse.
From the Paper "Atwell proposes activities that garner the teacher's participation with his or her students. She uses her own experiences to illustrate how a teacher can become an "evolutionist," one who shares their own work with students. Atwell proposes that when students come to realize that the writing process is an activity that adults struggle with too, they are more willing to work on their own challenges. Here, students and teacher learn together in the workshop experience. In this classroom setting, Atwell promotes the collective practice of daily writing, students writing at their own individual pace, and allowing students do choose their own topics for their own writing as well as for the texts they are reading."
Abstract This paper analyzes the benefits of implementing an effective journal writing program into the classroom for elementary students. The author discusses the use of journal writing as a tool to develop competencies and skills in beginner writers.
From the Paper "The practice of journal writing among elementary students is a useful technique for developing a host of competencies and skills in beginning writers. While journal writing or keeping a log are common practices found in elementary education in ..."
Tags: personal development, teaching, writing, elementary education
Examines the relationship between the act of writing and the process of transformation which the speaker undergoes in Wroth's sonnet sequence Pamphilia to Amphilanthus.
Abstract This essay discusses: the redemptive effects of writing poetry in Pamphilia's seemingly entrapped predicament; the particular usefulness of the sonnet form and sequence in relation to Wroth's subject matter; and the limitations of art as offering resolution but no "cure" for love's pain.
From the Paper "Pamphilia, as a character to whom Wroth designates the role of writer as well as speaker of poetry, gives a powerful account of both the limitations and empowerment involved in the process of creating art. The peculiar mix of the confrontation of distressing emotion and the gaining of artistic fulfilment has been described by Quilligan as characteristic of the entire sonnet genre: she writes about Wroth's image of blood drops as perhaps constituting "an image for sadomasochistic sonneteering itself" . The majority of explicit references to writing within the sonnet sequence, as with the title quotation, express Pamphilia's frustration about the usefulness of producing poetry. Despite the lucid exposition, "grief is not cured by art" , which comes early in the sequence, there is still a creative force which lures the poet-persona to keep on writing. Seamus Heaney has famously posited the power of poetry in terms of redress and its therapeutic potential: "poetry can be as potentially redemptive and possibly as illusory as love" . This essay will discuss: the redemptive effects of writing poetry in Pamphilia's seemingly entrapped predicament; the particular usefulness of the sonnet form and sequence in relation to Wroth's subject matter; and the limitations of art as offering resolution but no "cure" for love's pain."
Abstract Discusses the pros and cons of communicating via e-mail. It includes examples of negative and positive e-mails and six major points to writing an effective email. Also includes examples of emoticons.
From the Paper "No matter where you go email has become an essential part of the business world. Most, if not all professionals are using email in some way or another. Whether you use email a lot or a little, it is important to know how to use email properly. In this paper we will discuss the pros and cons of communicating via email as well as tips for making sure your messages are effective. We will also see several examples of some emails that were improperly written and some that were extremely motivating. How you write the email says a lot even if you are only writing one sentence."
Abstract This paper provides the background and rationale for supporting employer-sponsored ,effectivewriting skills workshops designed to improve the quality of a company's business communications. A summary of the research and a recommendation is provided in the conclusion.
Background and Overview
Importance of Effective Internal Business Communications
What Can Be Done
Conclusion and Recommendation
From the Paper "Effective communications have been studied for well over 2,500 years and has been recognized as increasingly more important during the last 30 years; in fact, Meyer, Sterkel and Tucker suggest that effective business communication is the key strategic advantage for many of today's successful firms. It is virtually impossible to sell any type of good or service without effective business communications. In fact, the earliest writings discovered to date involved business transactions and inventories (Horton, 1995). While it is critically important for a business to ensure that its customers are provided with such communications, it is equally important to make every effort to provide a company's employees with a comparable standard of communication. No matter how unintentional, poorly written internal communications can result in a lowered morale, hurt feelings, a loss of productivity and increased absenteeism and employee turnover."
Tags: small internal operations informal memoranda, letters and reports dynamic interpersonal process
This paper details methods used in teaching expository writing, and then gives an overview of multiple intelligence theory. Uses buzzwords like empower and geared to specific intelligences.
Abstract This paper explores the different methods of teaching expository writing at a secondary school level. The topics covered are: Different theories of teaching expository writing; different methods used to teach expository writing; the use of multiple intelligence theory as a framework for diverse teaching of writing; and the application of multiple intelligence theory in the classroom.
From the Paper "Information literacy in the form of classes on information management and retrieval precede any actual writing in composition classes at some schools (Farmer & Mech, 1992). Behaviorist approaches, such as the one advocated by Kanellas, Carifio, and Dagostino (1998), require the teacher to break the tasks involved in expository writing into small teaching units that will ultimately lead to an acceptable paper. Chomsky (1985) sees poor writing as evidence of an inability of the student to develop his own knowledge, as do teachers of writing from middle school to college."
Abstract One of the major foci of Octavio Paz's writings is the nature of being a Mexican or a mestizo. This paper shows how he attempts to persuade other Mexicans through his writings to be proud rather than ashamed of their 'in-betweeness'. The paper explains the writing form of Magical Realism and shows how it has been championed by a number of Latin American writers as a way to express political views. Paz uses highly symbolic and inventive language to make people look at the world in novel ways. Because he approaches the problem of Mexican identity through the use of magical realism, his writing is less threatening to many who are trying to negotiate their own sense of self.
From the Paper "Octavio Paz is one of the writers and thinkers most responsible for helping Mexicans come to an understanding of their own place in the world, and the relationship between "Mexicanness" and mestizo-ness. Through his writings he has helped both Mexicans and everyone else come to understand that the mixed heritage of the people of Mexico is not something that should be attempted to be overcome but is rather something that should be celebrated."
This paper analyzes three fictional works that have particular elements of similar writing. The three works are "How to Become a Writer" by Lorrie Moore, "Joy of Cooking" by Elaine Magarrell and "Will and Grace" by Kari Lizer.
Abstract The writer of this paper focuses on the common themes present in all three works of writing, which are comprised of the feminist perspective, the characters it creates and the resulting conflict. This paper analyzes the main female characters in all three novels, in which each possesses a distinct character that creates the mood for each piece. The writer also discusses the ensuing conflict among the characters. This paper delves into the practice of female authors who write female characters that often have a different perspective than their male counterparts. The writer contends and describes why these three works are decidedly female, decidedly different and all written with a noticeable attitude. The writer of this paper discusses the many layers that are needed to create fiction when writing and how those layers differ from story to poem to play and back again. This paper details the uniqueness of each character in all three works and the manner in which they deal with conflict. This paper also focuses on each of the authors' unique style of writing.
From the Paper "This is also a very common bond between all the characters. They are all such strong and unique personalities that they create conflict around them. They are not afraid to speak their minds and open up their hearts, and so, they are sometimes strident and sometimes controversial. They live their lives with passion, doing the things they love, and they sometimes irritate and clash with those around them. This young writer is not fulfilling her mother's dreams, she is fulfilling her own, and so, she has a long-term conflict with her mother. Even though the story never actually says so, it is clear the writer will have a conflict with her mother throughout her life, and so will the girl who wants to serve up her brother's heart on a plate."
Abstract This paper describes the grant-writing process in detail for newcomers to grant-writing. The paper gives sources on the web where grant-writing information and granting agency information can be found and cites the ten important elements for successful grant writing.
From the Paper "There are many reasons why a school teacher may find it necessary in the course of his her career to write a grant: the need for new technology hardware, software networking, staff development programs, enrichment of school programs, replacing worn out or out-dated school equipment supplies for art or drama classes or funding for mounting special events, sports days, open house, school plays etc. All these things take money, which is usually in short supply. There is an art to grant writing and there are tricks to it just..."
Abstract This paper concentrates on legal writing. The paper includes examples of good and bad writing and attempts to clarify what constitutes good and bad writing.
From the Paper "The most common complaint with regard to legal writing is that the language is complex, ambiguous and wordy. Those who do not have experience with legal writing often find the wording cryptic and attribute the writing style to lawyers trying to hide important information. The biggest hurdle to interpreting legal language is the complexity of both the law and the language necessary to convey legal matters."
Tags: good writing, grammar, punctuation, syntax, errors, short sentences, legal writing, clarity
Abstract This paper defines the autobiography as one person's decision to chronicle his/her life by writing down the sum of their experiences, which allows readers to gain knowledge about him/her. The writer of this paper focuses on Gertrude Stein's writing in "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas" which has since proven to be years ahead of feminist, literary and psychological theory. Stein was one of the first feminist fiction writers to bring the discussion of self-writing and its language to the forefront. The book chronicles the life of Stein and her long-time companion while focusing on the idea of self-definition. The title alone represents the parody Stein was creating by using the language of autobiography against itself. This paper examines Stein's method for breaking down both the societal constraints that foreclose on us and the walls of a genre that women, especially lesbian, expatriate writers, cannot identify with.
From the Paper "Essentially, Stein created the impersonal autobiography, a veiled construct allowing readers to enter, but leave with "only a vague idea of its situation." For instance, her descriptions of Alice and Gertrude travelling through the war zones in Europe are devoid of feeling. As she states, the war signaled the beginning of her studies of "the inside as seen from the outside." Readers learn that these two women were involved in history, but only an outline is given, opening the door for interpretation. Thus, the book chronicles her fascination with being "apart" of something, a movement, a nationality, a history, and yet being "a part" from it at the same time. In some instances, her and Alice play out a heterosexual relationship, in which Gertrude is the male and Alice is the female, or vice versa."
The author of this paper argues that the required writing exercises of diagramming sentences and writing journal entries in school are a useful and helpful method of teaching writing skills.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 2 sources, 2006, $ 26.95
Abstract This paper revisits two unhappy memories of exercises done while in grade school and/or high school: the diagramming of sentences and the writing of journal entries. The paper then attempts to persuade the reader that these two activities, while not seen as fun or helpful at the time, were in fact very useful in the writer's development and learning. It is then argued that these same two activities are valid and useful with today's students.
From the Paper "There are two exercises that I was asked, no forced, to do when I was in grade school and high school that seemed so ridiculous and tawdry at the time that I can still remember my distaste and displeasure whenever they were assigned. I am sure these two activities bring back such unpleasant memories to many people of my age. They are sentence-diagramming and journal-writing. Yet, despite how much I loathed doing either of these while I was a burgeoning student and writer, despite how awful I thought they were, I have come to realize that each activity was quite useful in my development and learning. This essay will argue that sentence-diagramming and journal-writing were both sound steps in this writer's development and could also benefit students of today. The first of these two activities is still mentioned with scorn and even terror from most ex-students' lips even today."
