Writing About People

When you write a biography or a news article, you face a few special challenges because you're writing about people and their behavior. It's easy to put too much judgment and opinion when you're writing about famous people, because they've probably done something notable (otherwise you wouldn't be writing about them!).

Even when you write about notorious criminals and villains, you should resist putting too much of your opinion in the essay (unless it's an opinion essay). It just sounds unprofessional.

To be save, avoid words that assign judgement, like the following:

• good
• bad
• evil
• perfect
• best
• worst

Notice how the short list above contains words that express views that can't be proven? When you write about people, no matter how saintly or wicked they seem to be from the deeds they've carried out, you should show your audience with facts and statistics. Don't tell them with words that express opinion.

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Group Writing Project

If you choose to add group members to the project now (which will enable them to access the writing project) select the link for "Collaborate," which is located on the top right of your screen.

This will take you to a page called "Collaborate on This Document." There you will see a box for inputting email addresses.

If you want group members to have the ability to edit and type, select As Collaborators.

If you want to add the addresses for people who can view only and cannot edit select As Viewers.

It's that easy! Each of the team members will receive an email with a link to the paper. They simply follow the link to go straight to the group paper.

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Writing a Film Review

Instructors like to get creative in the classroom sometimes to avoid falling into the doldrums and getting stuck into a routine. Like anybody else, students need some variety in order to stay alert. This is why you see a mix of assignments and projects.

Once in a while you might be asked to watch a feature film or a documentary in class and then write a film review. The structure of this type of assignment should be a little different from ordinary essay assignments, since you'll need to comment on artistic components as well as explaining how the material is relevant to the subject you're studying.

I've put together a list of tips for writing a film review. Now, maybe you can suggest a good film for your history class!

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Why So Many Writing Styles?

You may know that instructors from different disciplines will prefer different writing styles for your assignments. For example, your English teacher will most likely prefer that you write according to Modern Language Association (MLA) rules as you construct your essay, while your history teacher might prefer papers written in Turabian Style.

Another writing style is American Psychological Association (APA). This is the style that many instructors prefer when teaching in the social sciences, like psychology and social studies.

Teachers aren't being picky when they prefer different writing styles; there are reasons for the different types of paper styles. Turabian Style fits with history papers because it allows for footnotes, and history papers require the use of many explanatory footnotes or endnotes.

APA is appropriate for social sciences, because it is designed to allow for highly structured reports, and that is perfect for describing the experiments and results that you often find in this type of scholarship. APA papers contain specific sections and subsections, according to the process used in research.

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Speech Writing Tips

Are you nervous about an upcoming speech? If you are, you can manage your nerves a little better by getting to the root cause of your fear.

Imagine that you're about to give your speech, and then figure out what it is that you fear. Are you afraid that you'll freeze up in front of people? Worried about asserting yourself? Are you afraid that people will be bored stiff? Figure out what issue is really causing your stress, and then write your speech to address your biggest fear.

For example, if you're afraid that you will freeze up in front of people, you will want to build lots of visual markers into your speech notes. Segment your speech so that you have guideposts. Then hold a pencil in your hand, and mark of your guideposts as you progress.

And if you are afraid that people will get bored, you must work hard on your introduction to make it so entertaining and / or fascinating that people will be enthused from the start. It's a little calming when your audience is engaged and interested. And when you're calm you're more in charge.

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Group Writing Project

Google Docs is an online word processor that is accessible by members of a designated group. With this program, you can set up a project so that each member of a specific group can access a group paper to write and edit from any computer with Internet access.

Google Docs has many of the same features as Microsoft Word. With this program you can do it all: select a font, center your title, create a title page, check your spelling, and write a paper up to around 100 pages of text!

You'll also be able to trace any pages made to your paper. The editing page shows you what changes have been made and it tells you who made the changes. This cuts down on the funny business!

Here's how to get started:

1. Go to Google Docs and set up an account. You can use any email address that you already have; you don't have to set up a Gmail account.
2. When you sign in to Google Docs with your ID, you will arrive at the Welcome Page.
3. Look below the "Google Docs & Spreadsheets" logo to find the New Document link and select it. This link takes you to the word processor. You can either begin writing a paper or you can choose to add group members from here.

Go to Next Page.

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Writing Your Opionion

You may be required to write an essay that is based on your own personal opinion about a controversial topic. Depending on your objective, your composition could be any length, from a short letter to the editor, to a medium-sized speech, or a long research paper. But every piece should contain some basic steps and elements.

1. Collect research to support your opinion. Make sure that your supporting statements match the type of composition you are writing. For example, your evidence will vary from observations (for a letter to the editor) to trustworthy statistics (for a research paper).

2. Acknowledge the previous opinions or arguments that have been made.

"Many students have complained that the dress code implemented by our new headmaster restricts their rights to freedom of expression."

3. Use a transition statement that shows how your opinion adds to the argument or suggests those previous statements and arguments are incomplete or faulty.

Follow up with a statement that expresses your opinion.

"While I agree that the regulations do hamper my ability to express my individualism, I think the economic burden that the new code brings about is a bigger concern."

4.Be careful not to be too sarcastic:

"Many students come from low-income families and they simply don't have the resources to buy new clothing to suit the headmaster's fashion whims."

This statement contains a bit of a sour note. It would only make your argument less professional-sounding. This statement says enough:

"Many students come from low-income families and they simply don't have the resources to buy new clothing in short notice."

5. Next, list supporting evidence to back up your position.

• "The recent increase in fees has already led to a decrease in enrollment."
• "Some of my friends are struggling to purchase necessities, due to the rising costs."

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Enter a Writing Contest This Year

Are you getting restless yet?

How would you like to do something that will help you prepare for college and could actually help you pay for college at the same time?

You really can accomplish this by entering a writing competition.

Academic competitions are designed for people just like you, and students just like you are amazed at their own achievements every single day! Make a commitment to enter or prepare for some sort of writing competition this year. It's a great experience, it helps you hone your writing skills, and it can be very lucrative!

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Setting Up Your Writing Desk

Some studies have shown that more and more young adults are suffering with pain in their hands and wrists, as well as in the neck and shoulder areas. We shouldn't be surprised by this, because this age group has grown up using technology tools that past generations did not. The problem is, nobody knows how the new stresses on small body parts will affect young adults in their older years.

One of the big culprits when it comes to pain in the fingers and wrists is texting. Some experts believe that excessive stress from texting can lead to future wrist injuries.

One thing that students can do to avoid potential problems is to make sure that your homework desk is set up in the proper manner.

• Make sure your desk has a keyboard tray if you're using a PC.
• Don't place your keyboard in a downhill position. The back of the keyboard should not be higher than the front.
• Adjust your keyboard height so that your hands and wrists are slightly below the elbow level.

Our Guide to Ergonomics has provided a great visual guide to setting up your desk. If you are experiencing pain in your fingers, wrists, or neck, please take precautions to avoided excessive stress and possible injury. Cut down on texting and establish a safe, healthy work station for your homework.

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