10 Exercises to Become a Better Writer

10 Exercises to Become a Better Writer 10 Exercises to Become a Better Writer It’s true that practice makes perfect, so if you want to polish your writing abilities and become a better writer, the best thing to do is - you guessed it - practice! From creating your setting to beating writer’s block, we share ten exercises that can help you sharpen your skill set. Some of these come from different Reedsy Learning courses, so be sure to sign up to get even more advice, all by trade professionals, in your inbox each morning.Exercise 1: Change the Scenery - With Writing PromptsThere are very few things as frustrating as a bad case of writer’s block. But don’t despair! Instead of getting frustrated with it, try a change of scenery. Not literally (although that might also help) - do it with your writing.Activity: If your own story isn’t getting the creative juices flowing, using writing prompts  can help you break through the slump. This can help you change your mindset and any expectations your might have from what you are cu rrently writing. Have some fun with it! Here are a couple of examples to get you started:An accident during an experiment freezes you in time in public, completely invulnerable. Millennia later, you come out of stasis to find entire cultures centered upon your statuesque presence throughout their history. via /r/writingpromptsOn your path you meet two guards, one who always answers in sarcasm and one who answers a question with a question. via /r/writingpromptsGoal: Use writing prompts and short story ideas to get your creative juices flowing with a change of scenery that can help you clear out the block. "Use writing prompts for a change of scenery" and 9 other exercises that can help you become a better writer Exercise 2: Create character profilesCreating multifaceted and complex characters is something that takes time and effort, and it only gets trickier the more characters your story has. For readers to connect with your characters, you, the author, need to understand who they are and what motivates them. Easier said than done, but this exercise might help.Activity: Create character profiles for as many characters as you need. This can help you see the differences between them and give you a unique perspective on each of them. Going beyond their basic information and physical appearance can give you a greater understanding of what drives them and can help you capture their voice and point of view in an authentic way.Goal: Give characters their own unique voice, goals, wants, and needs. Exercise: Use character profiles to give your characters their own unique voice Exercise 3: Read out loudOne of the occupational hazards of being a writer is writer’s block. We can all agree that it’s difficult to get any ideas on paper when nothing seems to want to come out. But don’t fear: there are many ways to overcome it. Bec Evans and Chris Smith from Prolifiko show a tried-and-tested method to push through that wall in their writing routine course.Activity: As the name suggest, this exercise consists of letting yourself write freely - there are no rules! Put aside 15 minutes of your day and let the ideas flow. Write whatever is in your head. Don’t edit. Don’t consider your words. Don’t wait for that one beautiful sentence to appear. And, above all, don’t let your inner critic show its ugly face. Just write!Goal: What you write may not be pretty and it may not make much sense, but it will exercise your creative muscle and get your ideas out of your head and onto the page. "Freewriting - a tried-and-tested method against writer's block" and 9 other exercises Need more exercises to get your writing going? Check out this directory with over 100 exercises that cover topics from character development to writer’s block.As English author PD James once said: â€Å"Don’t just plan to write – write. It is only by writing, not dreaming about it that we develop our own style.† Developing your writing skills doesn’t happen overnight, but exercising your writing muscle is the one tried and true way to become a better writer and reach your writing goals.What are some of your favorite exercises to become a better writer? Add yours in the comments below!

Terrel Davis essays

Terrel Davis essays So who is Terrell Davis? If you don't know, get to know him. Read on.... Terrell Davis was born on October 28, 1972 in San Diego, California to Joe and Kateree Davis. This 5' 11" athlete has won two Super Bowls, rushed for over 7,000 yards in his career, has won Super Bowl and NFL MVP honors. Davis can do it all for the Broncos. He is a strong runningback and is very hard to stop. Terrell has also written a book about his life called, TD: Dreams In Motion. Terrell has 5 brothers, Terry, Bobby, James, Reggie, and Joe. Not only is Terrell one of the NFL's elite, but he is also very unselfish. In Super Bowl 33 against the Falcons, he stepped aside and enjoyed watching others like John Elway and Howard Griffith shine. As long as Terrell is in a Broncos uniform, the Denver Broncos have a chance of getting another title. Davis is not too far away from the Hall Of Fame. Hopefully he will play long enough to get there. Terrell currently resides in Aurora Colorado and is single. Terrell played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. He didn't have a great college career. Therefore, it caused him to fall all the way down to the 6th round in the 1995 NFL draft. Needing a running game in Denver, Mike Shanahan picked Davis. Terrell didn't expect to make the starting roster. Without a doubt, Terrell's defining moment was Super Bowl 32. During the two weeks before the Super Bowl, everyone was talking about Green Bay, and their great defense. Terrell went out on the field and won the Super Bowl in his home town. He earned MVP honors for that game. The next season, he rushed for over 2,000 yards. The Broncos became Back 2 Back champs and TD was NFL MVP. During his free time, Terrell likes to sleep. Terrell is a kid at heart. He has some remote control cars that he plays with. He also likes to play video games. He likes listening to Tupac and lists The Shawshank Redemption as his favorite movie. Terrell says that Applebees i...

Ednah Dow Cheney, Transcendentalist and Social Reformer

Ednah Dow Cheney, Transcendentalist and Social Reformer Known for:  involved in abolition movement, freedman’s education movement, women’s movement, free religion; part of the second generation of Transcendentalists around Boston, she knew many of the well-known figures in those movements Occupation: writer, reformer, organizer, speakerDates:  June 27, 1824 – November 19, 1904Also known as: Ednah Dow Littlehale Cheney Ednah Dow Cheney Biography: Ednah Dow Littlehale was born in Boston in 1824. Her father, Sargent Littlehale, a businessman and Universalist, supported his daughter’s education at various girls’ schools. While liberal in politics and religion, Sargent Littlehale found the Unitarian minister Theodore Parker too radical religiously and politically.   Ednah took a job caring for and tutoring her youngest sister, Anna Walter,  and when she died, friends recommended that she consult the Rev. Parker in her grief. She began attending his church.   This brought her into association in the 1840s with many of the Transcendentalists, including Margaret Fuller and Elizabeth Palmer Peabody as well as Ralph Waldo Emerson and, of course, Theodore Parker and Bronson Alcott. She taught briefly at Alcott’s Temple School. She attended some of Margaret Fuller’s Conversations, meetings that discussed a variety of themes including Emerson’s thought. Through the Conversations, she got to know L ouisa May Alcott. Abby May,  Julia Ward Howe, and Lucy Stone were more  of her friends starting from this period of her life. She later wrote that I always consider that, from the age of twelve, Margaret Fuller and Theodore Parker were my education. Marriage Supporting coeducational training in art, she helped found the Boston School of Design in 1851. She married Seth Wells Cheney in 1853, and the two went to Europe after a tour of New England and the death of Seth Cheney’s mother. Their daughter, Margaret, was born in 1855, shortly after the family returned to the United States, staying in New Hampshire for the summer. By this time, her husband’s health was failing.   Seth Cheney died the next year; Ednah Cheney never remarried, returning to Boston and raising her daughter alone.   Seth Cheneys crayon portrait of Theodore Parker and his wife was given to the Public Library of Boston. Womens Rights She was left with some means, and turned to philanthropy and reform. She helped to establish the New England Hospital for Women and Children, for medical training of women physicians. She also worked with women’s clubs to foster education for women.   She frequently attended woman’s rights conventions,   lobbied for womens rights at the Legislature, and served for a time as vice-president of the New England Womens Suffrage Society. She wrote in her later years that she had believed in the vote for women since she was a school girl. Abolitionist and Freedmans Aid Supporter Cheney’s reform involvements included support for the abolitionist movement.   She knew both Harriet Jacobs, an ex-slave who wrote of her own life and escape from slavery, and Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad conductor. Before and after the end of the Civil War, she became a strong advocate for education for the newly freed slaves, working first through the New England Freedman’s Aid Society, a voluntary association that tried to buy the freedom of slaves and also provide opportunities for education and training. After the Civil War she worked with the federal government’s Freedman’s Bureau. She became secretary of the Teachers’ Commission and visited many of the Freedman’s schools in the South.   In 1866 she published a book, The Handbook of American Citizens, to be used in the schools, which included an overview of American history from the perspective of progressive â€Å"emancipation.† The book also included the text of the US Constitution.   Cheney corresponded frequently with Harriet Jacobs after Jacobs returned to North Carolina in 1867. After 1876, Cheney published Records of the New England Freedman’s Aid Society, 1862-1876, mindful of hi story’s need for such documents. She was invited to lecture on the work with freedmen at the Divinity Chapel in Cambridge.   This created a debate at the school, as there had been no women speakers at that venue before, and she became the first. Free Religious Association Cheney, as part of the second generation of Transcendentalists, was active in the Free Religious Association, founded in 1867, with Ralph Waldo Emerson signing on as the first official member.   The FRA advocated freedom of individual thought in religion, an openness to the findings of science, a faith in the human progress, and a dedication to social reform: bringing the kingdom of God through working for the good of society. Cheney, through the years, was often a key organizer behind the scenes, making FRA meetings happen, and keeping the organization functioning. She also occasionally spoke at FRA meetings. She spoke regularly in liberal churches and in Southern congregations, and perhaps if clergy training had been more open to women when she was younger, she would have gone into the ministry. Beginning in 1878, Cheney was a regular teacher at the summer sessions of the Concord School of Philosophy.   She published essays based on some of the themes first explored there.   She was also the first woman to lecture at Harvard’s School of Divinity, not without controversy. Writer In 1871 Cheney published a juvenile novel, Faithful to the Light, which gained some popularity; it was followed by other novels.   In 1881 she wrote a memoir of her husband. Margaret Swan Cheney, Ednah’s daughter, enrolled at Boston’s Institute of Technology (now MIT), among the first women to enter that school, and her entry is credited with that opening of the school to women. Sadly, some years  thereafter, while still a student, she died of tuberculosis in 1882. Before her death, she published in a scientific journal  a paper describing experiments with nickel, including a method of determining the presence of nickel in ore. Ednah Cheneys 1888/1889 biography of Louisa May Alcott, who had died the previous year as had her father, Bronson Alcott, helped bring to life the early Transcendentalist years for another generation. It was the first biography of Louisa May Alcott, and remains an important source for those studying Alcott’s life. She included many passages from Alcott’s own letters and journals, letting her subject speak in her own words of her life.   Cheney, in writing the book, used a diary of Alcott’s during the time her family participated in the Transcendentalist utopian experiment at Fruitlands; that diary has since been lost. That same year she wrote a pamphlet for the American Woman Suffrage Association, â€Å"Municipal Suffrage for Women,† advocating a strategy of gaining the vote for women on issues close to their lives, including school elections.   She also published Memoir of Margaret Swan Cheney, her daughter.   In 1890, she published Nora’s Return: A Sequel to The Doll’s House, her attempt to deal with the feminist themes Henrik Ibsen’s play, The Doll’s House, opened. A number of articles in the 1880s described Emerson, Parker, Lucretia Mott and Bronson Alcott.   Cheney’s writing was not, in its time or since, considered particularly creative, fitting in more with Victorian sentimentalism, but they do give insight into the memorable people and events through which she moved.   She was much respected by her friends in the free religious and social reform movements with which she associated. Looking Back By the turn of the century, Cheney’s health was not good, and she was much less active. In 1902, she published her own memoirs, Reminiscences of Ednah Dow Cheney (born Littehale), reflecting on her life, rooting it in the 19th century. She died in Boston in November of 1904. The New England Women’s Club held a meeting on February 20, 1905, to remember Ednah Dow Cheney, who had been a member.   The club published the speeches from that meeting. Background, Family: Mother: Ednah Parker DowFather: Sargent Smith Littlehale, a grocerTwo older siblings, several younger; in total, four siblings  died in childhood Education: Private schools Marriage, Children: husband: Seth Wells Cheney (artist;  married 1853; artist; died 1856)one child:Margaret Swan Cheney, born September 8, 1855, died September 22, 1882.eight siblings, two sisters and one brother; at least five died in childhood Note: after further research, I corrected a line that was formerly in this biography that had Ednah Dow Cheney as a tutor to Theodore Parkers daughter.   Parker had no children.   The source I used may have misinterpreted a story from  Reminiscences of Ednah Dow Cheney.

Equality and Diversity Policy of an Organization Essay

Equality and Diversity Policy of an Organization - Essay Example This research tells that the environment of business is very competitive, and for an organization to be successful, performances and employees engagement is a key factor. Age UK Oxfordshire is an organization that is promoting the well-being of old persons and is working to make later life most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences. They understand that all people are individuals with diverse preferences, abilities, and needs. The organization is aiming to reflect diversity and equality in everything it undertakes. They make their services accessible and inclusive to old persons from all sections of the community, retaining and attracting diverse employees. Age UK Oxfordshire believes that inequality violates human dignity and should face active resistance. Diversity means variety, difference, and multiplicity. It means an approach to tackling an inequality that stems from forms of inequity because of impairments, age, in addition to domestic situations, tribal or national origin, and sex. In addition, they want equality regardless of nationality, race, religion or belief, political affiliation, sexual orientation, and trade union membership. Age UK Oxford shire is aiming at treating people in a fair manner, dignity and with respect. The organization cannot give room any form of victimization, harassment, and discrimination. Their aim is to value differences in a positive manner. Age UK Oxford Shire has the opinion that, in order to be the best place for working and effective, they require harnessing attributes, experiences, and contributions. The organization prioritizes equality as their mainstream part of the work. They make sure that their policies, practices, and plans embrace equality targets and objectives appropriately. Age UK Oxford shire organization is committed to doing something visible and practical publicly about Diversity and Equality.

Lack of Parental Involvement at a Local Elementary School Negatively Essay

Lack of Parental Involvement at a Local Elementary School Negatively Affects the Academic Success of the Students - Essay Example This paper also investigates the reasons as to why some parents don’t get fully involved, as it has been observed that not all parents participate actively in the education process of their children. The ways through which schools and teachers can have parents get involved actively in educating their kids at home is also closely examined in this paper. Outline Lack of parental involvement at a local elementary school negatively affects the academic success of the students Chapter I: Introduction Chapter one examines the background of the proposal topic (Lack of Parental Involvement in Education and how it affects children and their academic success) by bringing out the statement of the problem. The purpose of the study and research questions has also been stated. In chapter two the secondary information relating to parental involvement in their children’s academic process has been examined and related to the performance of the child. This has been based on the previous studies carried on the topic. Problem Statement As observed by Bryan (2005) it is very likely for student to perform below their potential if parents are not actively involved in their academic progress. However, despite this problem parents as seen still not to be fully involved in their children school activities. As revealed by Wanat (1992), this problem is mainly as a result of lack of time or expertise in the side of the parent. Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the extent in which the involvement of parents in academic process has been lacking and the impact it has caused in the achievement of the children. Chapter II: Study of the Problem Description of the study area This... This paper stresses that it is evident that parents’ involvement in their children education is very vital for the children academic success. It is therefore true that lack of parental involvement would lead to poor performance of their children in school. The findings of this study are expected to examine how good performance of children in school depends to a large extend on parental involvement in children education. It is expected to suggest ways of enhancing parental participation in educating their kids. Therefore, given that data collection tool is a questionnaire to teachers, the research will seek data from the audience best placed to give the best feedback on children and what is required of their parents to improve academic performance. This report makes a conclusion that suggestions likely to be collected from teachers are: calling for parents meetings in school more often, making parents aware that their children good performance depends on their involvement, encouraging parents to assist and supervise their kids when doing their home work as well as encouraging parents to have in place a good study, play and family time home program for their children when not in school. The author of the paper declares that the decision to use schools from one zone in this study could limit the generalization of the findings to other schools but could be useful for illustrations and basis for more research. This is because the study will be carried out under constrain of time and therefore the data sample may not be distributed to many schools but will only be concentrated in ten schools which are close together.

Comprehension strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Comprehension strategies - Essay Example Helping students to comprehend narrative, expository and poetic texts is a challenge that faces all teachers. Regardless of subject or grade level, all teachers are teachers of reading. Many comprehension strategies have been developed over the past three decades.While all can be applied to any of these three types of texts, some seem to naturally go with one more than another.Choosing â€Å"the best† for each one is not really possible, because teacher personality, state standards and concerns such as class size and student grouping all have bearing on which comprehension strategy should be used. The three strategies in this essay have all been used to good effect by myself or one of my former teachers. A good comprehension strategy for helping students to maximize their understanding of a c narrative text is an activity called â€Å"What is it?† This is an activity where students work individually and in cooperative groups to recall the most important elements of sett ing, character and plot. Students retell portions of the narrative text to one another while listening student record important points relating to setting, character and plot. This activity utilizes graphic organizers and is facilitated by the instructor. Retelling portions of the text allows the student speaking the opportunity to give voice to their impressions and remembrances of the narrative. Students listening use the graphic organizer to write points mentioned by the speaker. Each student in the group takes a turn adding to the growing list of setting, character and plot elements

Assignment argumentative Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assignment argumentative - Essay Example White leaders had made a stand against the tactics used by Martin Luther King to solve racial segregation in America. The latter were against direction action taken by Dr. King and they instead recommended use of legal processes to solve racism. However, in Dr. King’s letter, he found the white leader’s tactics insufficient and tried to justify his use of direct action. The main argument in Letter from Birmingham was that injustice has both direct and indirect effects on the public, and direct action was needed. Dr. King’s letter was aimed at challenging the injustices done on the minority blacks in America. However, it was viewed as agitation funded by outsiders to destabilize the country through demonstrations. The clergymen whom Dr. King addressed were also against racism, but they feared to stand up against city government. They hence opted for other methods to counter segregation other than staging demonstrations and public events. In an earlier statement, t he clergymen said Dr. King’s timing was poor and he needed to wait for a right time to create awareness on racism. Dr. King replied to the clergymen in his letter citing that waiting for long would mean that racial segregation would never come to an end. This showed the latter’s focus and determination to bring an end to racism. Unlike most traditional activists who were silenced by imprisonment, Dr. King continued enlightening the public using the open letter. While in prison, Martin Luther King noticed the strong opposition of his use of direct action to mobilize and educate people on racism and social injustices. Letter from Birmingham Jail was to prove that grassroots action against racism was not as radical as the government and some clergymen perceived it to be. In the letter, he explained that his people did not demonstrate because they wanted to create trouble, but because it was necessary at the time. The tone used in the letter is persuasive and Dr. King achi eves this by using various writing techniques. He used ethos to show the credibility of his information and refute the accusations that he only wanted to create chaos. Ethos is a style used in writing to ensure the readers have trust in any information presented by an author. In the first line of the letter, Dr. King addresses his critics honorably as â€Å"Fellow Clergymen.† This gives the reader an open mind while reading through the rest of the letter through the connection created. This makes both his supporters and opposition know that he understands and respects their stand in the fight against racial segregation. The use of ethos in the text is seen in various paragraphs where he tries to prove his point. He is aware that the letter targets a religious audience and hence makes constant reference to the bible and Christian history. To show his respect for religion and the country’s clergymen, he said â€Å"I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference† (King). The statement was directed to people who thought he was not appropriate to head the movement against racial segregation. He proved that he understood civil rights and hence he is fit to speak on the subject. Dr. King again uses ethos as he concludes the letter when he states that he writes from a jail cell. The statement is aimed at showing the reader that the latter had made sacrifices too for the topic he was addressing. It creates a sense of trust in the reader