Magic formula for professional essay writing

A how-to video tutorial on effective writing, offered by NeWavEssays, offers viewers detailed information about how to improve essay writing in an interesting and entertaining form.

One of the videos is dedicated to the so-called magic formula for professional academic essay writing, which consists of several stages, which the academic essays must undergo.

The steps are:

• specific assignment
• thorough research
• know the topic
• organized ideas
• information flow
• revision
• and revision

Magic formula for professional writing

More videos available at http://newavessays.com/tutorials/video/

Evaluation essay writing: shaping strategies

The shaping strategies you have used in previous essays may be helpful, but the strategies that follow are particularly appropriate for shaping evaluations.

Analysis by Criteria

Often, evaluations are organized by criteria. You decide which criteria are appropriate for the subject and audience, and then you use those criteria to outline the essay. Your first few paragraphs of introduction establish your thesis or overall claim and then give background information: what the subject is, why you are evaluating it, what the competition is, and how you gathered your data. Then you order the criteria according to some plan: chronological order, spatial order, order of importance, or another logical sequence. Phyllis Richman's evaluation of the Hunan Dynasty restaurant follows the criteria pattern:

• Introductory paragraphs: information about the restaurant (location, hours, prices), general description of Chinese restaurants today, and overall claim: The Hunan Dynasty is reliable, a good value, and versatile.
• Criterion #1/Judgment: Good restaurants should have an attractive setting and atmosphere / Hunan Dynasty is attractive.
• Criterion #2/Judgment: Good restaurants should give strong priority to service / Hunan Dynasty has, despite an occasional glitch, expert service.
• Criterion #3/Judgment: Restaurants that serve moderately priced food should have quality main dishes / Main dishes at Hunan Dynasty are generally good but not often memorable. [Most important criterion, the quality of the main dishes, is saved for last.]
• Concluding paragraphs: Hunan Dynasty is a top-flight neighborhood restaurant.

Comparison and contrast

Many evaluations compare two subjects in order to demonstrate why one is preferable to another. Books, films, restaurants, courses, music, writers, scientists, historical events, sports — all can be evaluated using comparison and contrast. In evaluating two oriental restaurants, for example, student writer Chris Cameron uses a comparison-and-contrast structure to shape her essay. In the following body paragraph from her essay, Cameron compares two restaurants, the Unicorn and the Yakitori, on the basis of her first criterion — an atmosphere that seemed authentically oriental.

Of the two restaurants, we preferred the authentic atmosphere of the Unicorn to the cultural confusion at the Yakitori. At first impression, the Yakitori looked like a converted truck-stop, sparsely decorated with a few bamboo slats and Japanese print fabric hanging in slices as Bruce Springsteen wailed loudly in the ears of the customers. The feeling at the Unicorn was quite the opposite as we entered a rcom that seemed transported from Chinatown. The whole room had a red tint from the light shining through the flowered curtains, and the place looked truly authentic from the Chinese patterned rug on the wall to the elaborate dragon on the ceiling. Soft oriental music played as the customers sipped tea from small porcelain cups and ate fortune cookies.

Cameron used the following alternating comparison-and-contrast shape for her whole essay:

• Introductory paragraph(s)
• Thesis: Although several friends recommended the Yakitori, we preferred the Unicorn for its more authentic atmosphere, courteous service, and well-prepared food.
• Authentic atmosphere: Yakitori vs. Unicorn
• Courteous service: Yakitori vs. Unicom
• Well-prepared food: Yakitori vs. Unicorn
• Concluding paragraph(s)

Cameron might have used a block comparison-and-contrast structure for her essay. In this organizational pattern, Cameron's outline would be as follows:

• Introductory paragraph(s)
• Thesis: Although several friends recommended the Yakitori, we preferred the Unicorn for its more authentic atmosphere, courteous service, and well-prepared food
• The Yakitori: atmosphere, service, and food
• The Unicorn: atmosphere, service, and food as compared to the Yakitori
• Concluding paragraph(s)

Chronological order

Writers often use a chronological order to organize their claims and criteria. In her review of Star Wars, for example, Judith Crist shapes her evaluation by following a natural chronological order:

1. Comments on Lucas's previous film, American Graffiti.
2. Review of the plot.
3. Evaluation of the climax of the film.
4. Comment on the viewer's good feelings at the end of the film.

Causal analysis

Analyzing the causes or effects of a place, object, event, or policy can shape an entire evaluation. Works of art or performances, for example, oftenjneasure the effect on the viewers or audience. Mark Stevens claims that Goya'si painting has "severairctefmife" effects on the viewer; those specific effects become the evidence that supports the claim.

• Criterion #1/Judgment: The iconography, or use of symbols, contributes to the powerful effect of this picture on the viewer.
  • Evidence: The church as a symbol of hopefulness contrasts with the cruelty of the execution. The spire on the church emphasizes for the viewer how powerless the Church is to save the victims.
• Criterion #2/Judgment: The use of light contributes to the powerful effect of the picture on the viewer.
  • Evidence: The light casts an intense glow on the scene, and its glaring, lurid, and artificial qualities create the same effect on the viewer that modern art sometimes does.
• Criterion #3/Judgment: The composition or use of formal devices contributes to the powerful effect of the picture on the viewer.
  • Evidence: The diagonal lines scissor the picture into spaces that give the viewer a claustrophobic feeling. The corpse is foreshortened, so that it looks as though the dead man is bidding the viewer welcome.

Title, Introduction, and Conclusion

Titles of evaluative writing tend to be short and succinct, stating what product, service, work of art, or performance you are evaluating ("The Gettysburg Address," "Goya's The Third of May, 1808") or suggesting a key question or conclusion in the evaluation ("How Much Car for $3990?" "'Feel Good' Film").

Introductory paragraphs provide background information and description and usually give an overall claim or thesis. In some cases, however, the overall claim comes last, in a concluding "Recommendations" section, or in a final summary paragraph. If the overall claim appears in the opening paragraphs, the concluding paragraph may simply review the strengths or weaknesses, or just advise the reader: This is or is not worth seeing, reading, watching, doing, or buying.

Attention, Interest, Desire, Action (AIDA)

Attention, interest, sesire, action (or AIDA) is an effective technique for persuasion.

The ability to persuade is a very useful skill in business. The ability to write effective persuasuve messages will help you significantly in your career (which is why argumentative and persuasuve essays are quite often assigned in schools and colleges). You might want to persuade your supervisor you are experienced enough for promotion or argue for a certain point in your team. The following AIDA principle will help you understand the nature of persuation and help you write effective argumentative essay papers at school and persuasive messages at work.

Attention

1. Show that you know your audience and its concerns.
2. Formulate and tailor your statements so that they do not sound like bribes or suspicious high-pressure sales
3. Introduce a benefit for your audience
4. Effective introduction: think of a statement that your audience will agree with, sincere request for help, rhetorical questions, list what has been done or undone to solve the problem

Interest and Desire

1. When delivering your message, make sure you let the readers know why you are writing
   • State the benefits that the audience will receive
   • Explain in detail why you ask them to do something
2. Describe the action or the object in question in its entirety
3. Include all facts necessary to convince your audience that participation will be easy, important, enjoyable, benefitial
4. In your request for contribution, make sure you explain the facts, problems, suggestions, as well as roles of all participants, including the audience
5. Describe the possible direct and indirect benefits thoroughly
6. Anticipate and provide counter arguments for possible objections
   • Acknowledge objections, and calmly show more important factors
   • If possible, state counter arguments that denounce the possible objections
   • Do not focus much on this part; do not devote more than one-third of your message (however, in some cases this section must be extended)
   • Try looking at objections from an alternate standpoint and turn them into advantages
7. Introduce any enclosures after you have delivered the message, and explain what to do with them or what information they offer

Action

1. Confidently ask for audience’s cooperation
2. Emphasize the positive results of their action
3. Make the desired action clear and easy
4. If applicable, include a due date for a response
5. Avoid negative or tentative statements and only include positive and confident ones (”If you can do anything about it..” vs. “To make your contribution, …”)
6. Link the final sentence of the message with a statement from the introduction

Writing about investigations

Investigating begins with questions. What causes the greenhouse effect? How does illiteracy affect a person's life? How does rape affect the lives of women in America? How is AIDS transmitted? How do TV rating systems work? How do colleges recruit applicants? What can you find out about a famous person's personality, background, and achievements? At what age do children first acquire simple mathematical abilities? What kind of employee is most likely to be promoted? Why are sunsets yellow, then orange, red, and finally purple?

Investigating also carries an assumption that probing for answers to such questions — by observing and remembering, reading sources, interviewing key people, or conducting surveys — will uncover truths not generally known or accepted. As you dig for information, you learn who, what, where, and when. You may even learn how and why.

The purpose of investigating is to uncover or discover facts, opinions, and reactions for yourself and then to report that information to other people who want to know. A report strives to be as objective and informative as possible. It may summarize other people's judgments, but it does not editorialize. It may represent opposing viewpoints or arguments, but it does not argue for one side or the other. A report is a window on the world, allowing readers to see the information for themselves.

Cover letter writing tips

Understanding the importance of an effective resume is crucial for every job seeker. However they should not underestimate the significance of a cover letter as well. A cover letter usually complements every resume, and it is the cover letter that strikes a manager’s eyes first.

The objective of every cover letter is to provide to the reader the reasons why you choose this specific company, present your relevant skills and abilities, and as a result get you an interview or some other response from potential employer. Please remember that just like with a resume, a cover letter must be unique for every recipient.

Contents of a cover letter

The first paragraph of a cover letter should precisely state the position you want to apply to, provide the source (where you learned about the vacancy), and concisely explain why you fit this particular position.

The next paragraph of a cover letter clearly explains how your skills, experience, and educational background relate to the company’s needs. Emphasize the points, work experience, achievements which prove you are an ideal candidate for the position. This way, you will show that you have examined the company, and you possess the required skills, knowledge, and experience.

To finalize a cover letter, you should request an interview or some other response (a telephone call, etc.). Be sure to leave you contact information. And finally thank a reader for his/her time.

Sales letters writing mistakes

Sales letters are an effective marketing tool, and the ability to write sales letters effectively can have a dramatic influence on the degree of response and the ultimate profit. However, there are several general mistakes and dangers sales letter writers often make. In this article we will focus on the legal dangers; remembering these simple rules will help you avoid problems with the law. So here are the …

Frequent sales letters mistakes

Frauds

Providing false information about the product (or service) price, performance, or quality are examples of fraud. False testimonies from people misrepresented as specialists in the field is also considered fraud. To be more precise, any statement in a sales letter is considered fraud if the recipient can prove that:

• it was made regarding a fact, rather than an opinion
• he or she was demanded by it
• he or she relied on it and was justified in doing so
• the statement was made with the attempt to deceive

Thousands of fraudulent sales letters hurtle around the United States every year. They range from self-improvement and get-rich-quick to charity appeals and business opportunities. Do not join trash, and only write true facts in your sales letters.

Promises

Remember that in many states, sales letters are considered legal contracts. In these states, any promise made in a sales letter must be fulfilled regardless of whether the recipient responded or not. Therefore, avoid making any promises or even implications about promises when writing sales letters.

Privacy

Avoid using someone’s private data in sales letters, including photos, names, and any personal background data might be considered invasion of privacy. Putting someone's photo in sales letters is a mistake, unless the person is a model or permitted placing the picture. You can't use anything you want in a sales letter; putting a photo or mentioning someone’s background (e.g. confinement, drunk driving, drug use) might also be considered invasion of privacy. Thus, be neutral; write or use information about others with care and vigilance to avoid lawsuit.

To sum up, know the laws of your area, and avoid these frequent dangers and mistakes in writing sales letters. Any of these mistakes could result in a problem with the law. Always be ethical when writing your sales letters. Ethics, care, candor, and quality product or idea are those things that would make your sales letter effective!

Problem solving writing exercises

The following exercises will help you practice problem solving writing. Read all of the following writing exercises and then write on the three that interest you most. If another idea occurs to you, write a free entry about it.

1. As a student assistant for a campus residence hall, you have just listened to the twenty-third student this week complain about noise in the hall. You decide to create a policy that will solve the problem, but before you can implement it, you must present your idea at a student resident-assistant meeting. Write out the proposal you will present to the other student assistants at that meeting.
2. Read Frank Trippett's analysis of the scofflaw problem. Write a letter to the city council recommending a solution to one of the problems Trippett identifies — a solution that the city council has the power to implement.
3. Eldridge Cleaver once said, "You're either part of the solution or part of the problem." Examine one of your activities or pastimes — sports, shopping, cruising, eating, drinking, or even studying. How does what you do possibly create a problem, from someone else's point of view? Explain.
4. After being away from your high school for a while, you can see more clearly its specific problems. Brainstorm or freewrite about the most important problems students faced in your high school. Write a letter to the school principal, explaining one specific problem that could and should be solved. Then propose your solution.
5. "Let the buyer beware" is a time-honored maxim for all consumers. Unless you are vigilant, you can easily be ripped off. Write a letter to the Better Business Bureau explaining some consumer problem or rip-off you've recently experienced and suggest a solution that will prevent others from being exploited.
6. Changing the rules of some sports might make them more enjoyable, less violent, or fairer: introducing the 30-second clock in NCAA basketball, using TV instant replays in professional and college football and basketball, imposing stiffer fines for brawls in hockey games, requiring boxers to wear padded helmets, giving equal pay and media coverage for

Recommendation letter writing tips

Any recommendation letter has a clear objective which is to persuade the reader that the recommended candidate possesses the qualifications and experiences required for the job. To be effective, a recommendation letter should include the following:

• candidate’s full name
• name of the position, that a candidate wants to get
• whether a recommendation letter is written upon request or by initiative
• the nature of relationship between the writer and a candidate
• facts that directly relate to the position
• a writer’s general opinion on whether the candidate fits this particular position

Mostly, recommendation letters are confidential, that is, they are sent directly to a person or department who requested them, and are not shown to the candidate. Thus, the writer whose confidentiality is guaranteed tends to be more open and frank, expressing the important negative features along with the positive ones.

A recommendation letter writer should be aware that the presented information should be true and just. Any reader would hesitate relying upon continuous praise for someone’s achievements and strong points. Therefore, a good writer often provides a specific example in arecommendation letter to any general statement to support the candidate’s abilities.

Weaknesses in a recommendation letter

Sooner or later a recommendation letter writer has to deal with a delicate issue, namely, how to present candidate’s weaknesses. A writer may not include candidate’s weak points if they are not related to job requirements. However the writer should realize that providing a recommendation, he/she becomes responsible to some extent for the candidate. Covering serious candidate’s weaknesses may lead to very unpleasant consequences (a candidate may reveal not enough qualifications, or a better-qualified candidate may get a refusal due to a false recommendation of a rival).

Some managers consider it unethical to omit the information that is not in favor of a candidate in a recommendation letter, especially if it is relevant and true. But at the same time, there is a danger of making false judgments that harm candidate’s reputation. The best way to present possible weaknesses is to balance criticism with favorable points and to present only relevant information.

A good recommendation letter usually ends with a supportive personal summery of the writer’s evaluation. Be sure to leave your contact information (telephone, e-mail, etc.) to provide more credibility.

To sum up, a good recommendation letter should provide frank and personal information related to the job and avoid overstating candidate’s abilities or mislead the reader in any other way.

Resume writing tricks

The objective of a resume is to get the reader’s attraction to your strong points and to minimize your disadvantage without misrepresenting the facts. But in order to provide the best impression on the reader, you might want to omit some questionable points or information that may not be in your favor. Recruiters claim that around 40 percent of all resumes either exaggerate the candidate’s abilities and skills or do not include potentially damaging information, which means that many people turn to resume tricks, which are actually mistakes.

List of most frequent resume tricks

The most frequent resume tricks that candidates turn to are:

• claiming nonexistent educational credits. Sometimes candidates state that they earned a degree when they just attended a school but, actually, did not complete the required courses
• claiming to be engaged in his/her own business. This trick is used to cover the periods of unemployment. Very often a candidate asserts that he/she runs own business from a home office
• stretching periods of employment to cover gaps. This is another technique to conceal the true reasons for unemployment periods. Unemployment gaps raise many questions, and potential employees are not always willing to answer fully
• concealing reference to jobs that may cause embarrassment. A candidate would prefer to hide the fact of being fired from several jobs in a quick succession, as it will characterize him/her as a bad employee. To eliminate the gap, a candidate will stretch the dates of previous employments
• exaggerating experience and accomplishments. Sometimes candidates appropriate group project achievements to their own results
• stating to have worked for the companies that are out of business. Usually candidates with lack of working experience turn to this method to fill in a blank work experience section

Thus, when composing your resume, remember that experienced recruiters and human resource managers are aware of these frequent resume tricks, so be careful not to get into your own trap. It is very effective to present your strongest and most impressive points and to minimize shortcomings. But do not exaggerate or claim to have skills or expertise you do not have.

Problem solving essay writing techniques

Problem solving essays require all your skills as a writer. You need to observe carefully to see if the problem exists. You many need to remember experiences that illustrate the seriousness of the problem. You need to investigate which solutions have worked or have not worked. You often have to explain what the problem is, and why or how your proposal would solve the problem. You might need to evaluate both the problem and the alternative solutions. To help you identify the problem and convince your readers of the soundness of your solution, keep the following problem solving techniques in mind.

Techniques for problem solving essays

• Identifying and understanding your audience. If you want something done, changed, fixed, improved, or whatsoever, make sure you are writing to an approproate audience.
• Demonstrating that the problem exists. Some problems are so obvious that your readers will readily acknowledge them (e.g. “war in the Middle East” or “alcohol abuse”). However, often you might first need to convince your audience that the problem exists (e.g. “food presertatives are a serious problem”).
• Proposing a solution that will solve the problem. After convincing your audience that a serious problem truly exists, you must then prepare a plan, remedy, a course of action, the solution that will reduce or solve the problem.
• Convicing your audience that your solution will work, and is better than alternative solutions. You have to convince your readers by supporting your proposal with sound reasons and evidence.

Writing business letters & memos

Reading and writing various business letters and memos has become a habitual activity in today’s business world. These letters and memos may vary in style, purpose, and length, but generally letters and memos are brief documents, no more than two pages in length.

A memo is a useful tool of business communication and is used to exchange routine and everyday information within a company. Letters are intended to the outsiders and are a part of public relations medium that presents a particular message. Thus, the main difference between a letter and a memo is the recipient; memos are sent to insiders and letters to the outsiders.

There are four categories of business letters and memos:

• direct requests
• routine, good-news and good-will messages
• bad-news messages
• persuasive messages.

The relationship of the writer and the reader dictates the style and the tone. On the whole, business letters and memos may range widely: from personal to impersonal, from passive to forceful, from colorful to casual.

Formats of memos and business letters

Typically, an organization establishes the traditional format of letters. However, many organizations rely on form letters to save time and money on routine communication. Form letters are very convenient for one-time mass mailings such as sales messages about the product, explanations about policies and procedures, information about organizational activities and goodwill messages. There is also a variation of forms for more individualized messages. Business letters of this type are composed of optional paragraphs that are suitable for an occasion. The common recommendations for composing business letters may include:

• If the writer wants to show respect in his/her letter, start with a formal salutation
• The body of the letter should be brief, but still contain some friendly remarks to maintain goodwill
• Include your signature at the conclusion as it also contributes to personal touch

Typically, memo and a business letter differ in their format memo format. The heading of a memo contains the following necessary information: date, to, from, and subject. The body of a memo often includes headings and lists to highlight the key points and to make the information convenient to comprehensive. Introductions and transitions may be given less attention to in memos than in letters as the writer and the reader share a common frame of reference.