Sometimes writing projects drift into dangerous waters or even run aground. You can avoid this by charting a course which will keep you on track and on schedule.
The Effective Writing Center at University of Maryland University College has developed a valuable planning tool which works for school or business writing assignments. In "Devising a Writing Project Plan and Schedule," EWC explains that "A writing plan helps you stay in control of your writing assignments and complete them on time."
UMUC's Writing Project Plan prompts writers to consider each important element in the writing process and time for each activity using the following 12-step approach:
Writing Project Plan
Date assigned:
Date due:
Title:
Working thesis:
Audience: Who is the primary audience? Who is the secondary audience? Do I need to make any special accommodations for these audiences?
Scope of assignment: How long is this assignment expected to be? Is it expected to cover a time period or a range of ideas?
Purpose for writing: What do I want to accomplish with this project — show my teacher what I know, earn a high grade, satisfy a course requirement?
Goals of the information: How will the audience use the information?
Methodology: How will I write this assignment? What writing strategy will I use? How will I develop this assignment? Will I subject my paper to any kind of review by the teacher or a peer? How many drafts will I have time to write? Will I have to create any graphics for this assignment? How much research will I have to do? What kind of research is required for this assignment? Should I develop an annotated bibliography? What style standard will I use?
Content outline: Include an outline of the assignment and a brief description of what you plan to include in each section. Include how much library research you think you will need and whether you can use other sources of information such as interviews, personal experience, case studies, and data you collected yourself.
Research: List the titles of your preliminary resources and the subject areas you will need to research.
Schedule for this project: Your schedule should include a week-by-week plan for researching, writing, revising, and submitting your writing project. If your project is due within a week, use a day-by-day schedule to plan it.
"This planning tool," says UMUC, "can be used for any formal or informal longer writing assignment. In addition, this tool can be used to get feedback from your teacher on your assignment."
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Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
#1 Grammar Error
Would you like to know the #1 Grammar Error?
Hint: The word involved is small and it's contained in this sentence.
That's right: its vs. it's
Yet the two rules are actually quite easy to remember.
Rule 1: When you mean it is or it has, use an apostrophe.
Examples:
* It's a nice day.
* It's your right to refuse the invitation.
* It's been great getting to know you.
Rule 2: When you are using its as a possessive, don't use the apostrophe.
Examples:
* The cat hurt its paw.
* The furniture store celebrated its tenth anniversary.
Hint: The word involved is small and it's contained in this sentence.
That's right: its vs. it's
Yet the two rules are actually quite easy to remember.
Rule 1: When you mean it is or it has, use an apostrophe.
Examples:
* It's a nice day.
* It's your right to refuse the invitation.
* It's been great getting to know you.
Rule 2: When you are using its as a possessive, don't use the apostrophe.
Examples:
* The cat hurt its paw.
* The furniture store celebrated its tenth anniversary.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
If anyone favors his wife over his mother...!
At the time of the Prophet (saww), there was a young man named Alqamah . He was very diligent in obeying Allah by engaging in prayer and fasting and spending in charity. Then he fell ill and his illness became serious. His wife went to the Prophet and said, "My husband, Alqamah , is on his deathbed. I therefore came to tell you, Messenger of Allah, about his condition."
The Prophet (saww) sent for Ammar, Suhaib and Bilal, and told them to go to him (Alqamah ) and have him repeat the Shahadah. They went to him and found him in the agony of death. They asked him to say, "La illaha illa Allah," but his tongue was unable to pronounce it. At that, they came and told the Messenger of Allah that he was unable to repeat the Shahadah.
The Prophet asked, "Is either of his parents alive?"
He was told, "Messenger of Allah, his mother is, but she is very old."
The Prophet sent her a message that if it was convenient for her (if she was able to go out), she should come to him; otherwise she should stay in her house and the Prophet would come to her.
The Prophet's messenger came to her and informed her of the Prophet's message. She said, "May my life be a ransom for him, it is my pleasure to go to him!"
She stood up, leaning on her walking stick, and came to the Prophet and greeted him. The Prophet returned her greeting and said to her, "Umm Alqamah, tell me the truth, for otherwise Allah Most High will reveal the truth to me! What is the situation concerning your son, Alqamah?"
She replied, "Messenger of Allah, he prays much, fasts a great deal, and spends a great amount in charity."
The Prophet said, "And what about yourself?"
She said, "Messenger of Allah, I am angry with him."
He said, "Why?"
She replied, "Messenger of Allah, he has preferred his wife to me and has disobeyed me."
Allah's Messenger said, "Umm Alqamah, surely your anger has prevented Alqamah's tongue from pronouncing the Shahadah."
He then turned to Bilal and said, " Bilal, go out and collect a quantity of firewood."
She said, "Messenger of Allah, what do you plan to do?" He replied, "I will burn him in front of your eyes."
She said, "Messenger of Allah, he is my son! My heart cannot bear your burning him in front of me!"
He said, "Umm Alqamah, Allah's punishment is more severe and more lasting! Therefore, if you want Allah to forgive him, be reconciled to him. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the prayer, fasting, and spending in charity (which he has done) are of no benefit to Alqamah as long as you are angry with him!"
Thereupon she said, "Messenger of Allah, I call upon Allah Most High and His angels and the Muslims who are present to be my witnesses that I am pleased with my son Alqamah."
Allah's Messenger said, "Bilal, go to him and see whether he is now able to say, "La illaha illa Allah" or not. It may be that Umm Alqamah is saying something for my sake which is not in her heart."
Bilal went, and while entering the door he heard Alqamah saying, "La illaha illa Allah."
Bilal remarked, "It is surely true that while Alqamah's mother was angry with him his tongue was tied, and now that she is pleased with him his tongue is freed."
Alqamah died the same day. The Prophet (saww) came to him and gave the order for his washing and shrouding, and then prayed the funeral prayer for him and buried him. He then stood by the side of his grave and said, "You company of Muhajireen and Helpers, if anyone favors his wife over his mother, Allah and His angels and all the people curse him! Allah does not accept his spending (in charity) and his uprightness unless he repents toward Allah, the Glorious and Majestic, and reconciles with her and attains her pleasure, because Allah's pleasure consists in her pleasure and Allah's anger consists in her anger."
We must always be respectful and obedient to our parents. However, we are not to obey them if they order us to disobey Allah and His Prophet. Other than this, they deserve our utmost attention and respect.
May Allah (SWT) help all of us in being dutiful to our parents.
Ameen!!!!
The Prophet (saww) sent for Ammar, Suhaib and Bilal, and told them to go to him (Alqamah ) and have him repeat the Shahadah. They went to him and found him in the agony of death. They asked him to say, "La illaha illa Allah," but his tongue was unable to pronounce it. At that, they came and told the Messenger of Allah that he was unable to repeat the Shahadah.
The Prophet asked, "Is either of his parents alive?"
He was told, "Messenger of Allah, his mother is, but she is very old."
The Prophet sent her a message that if it was convenient for her (if she was able to go out), she should come to him; otherwise she should stay in her house and the Prophet would come to her.
The Prophet's messenger came to her and informed her of the Prophet's message. She said, "May my life be a ransom for him, it is my pleasure to go to him!"
She stood up, leaning on her walking stick, and came to the Prophet and greeted him. The Prophet returned her greeting and said to her, "Umm Alqamah, tell me the truth, for otherwise Allah Most High will reveal the truth to me! What is the situation concerning your son, Alqamah?"
She replied, "Messenger of Allah, he prays much, fasts a great deal, and spends a great amount in charity."
The Prophet said, "And what about yourself?"
She said, "Messenger of Allah, I am angry with him."
He said, "Why?"
She replied, "Messenger of Allah, he has preferred his wife to me and has disobeyed me."
Allah's Messenger said, "Umm Alqamah, surely your anger has prevented Alqamah's tongue from pronouncing the Shahadah."
He then turned to Bilal and said, " Bilal, go out and collect a quantity of firewood."
She said, "Messenger of Allah, what do you plan to do?" He replied, "I will burn him in front of your eyes."
She said, "Messenger of Allah, he is my son! My heart cannot bear your burning him in front of me!"
He said, "Umm Alqamah, Allah's punishment is more severe and more lasting! Therefore, if you want Allah to forgive him, be reconciled to him. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the prayer, fasting, and spending in charity (which he has done) are of no benefit to Alqamah as long as you are angry with him!"
Thereupon she said, "Messenger of Allah, I call upon Allah Most High and His angels and the Muslims who are present to be my witnesses that I am pleased with my son Alqamah."
Allah's Messenger said, "Bilal, go to him and see whether he is now able to say, "La illaha illa Allah" or not. It may be that Umm Alqamah is saying something for my sake which is not in her heart."
Bilal went, and while entering the door he heard Alqamah saying, "La illaha illa Allah."
Bilal remarked, "It is surely true that while Alqamah's mother was angry with him his tongue was tied, and now that she is pleased with him his tongue is freed."
Alqamah died the same day. The Prophet (saww) came to him and gave the order for his washing and shrouding, and then prayed the funeral prayer for him and buried him. He then stood by the side of his grave and said, "You company of Muhajireen and Helpers, if anyone favors his wife over his mother, Allah and His angels and all the people curse him! Allah does not accept his spending (in charity) and his uprightness unless he repents toward Allah, the Glorious and Majestic, and reconciles with her and attains her pleasure, because Allah's pleasure consists in her pleasure and Allah's anger consists in her anger."
We must always be respectful and obedient to our parents. However, we are not to obey them if they order us to disobey Allah and His Prophet. Other than this, they deserve our utmost attention and respect.
May Allah (SWT) help all of us in being dutiful to our parents.
Ameen!!!!
The Book Of Your Life
Each day, life offers you a blank page in the book of your existence.
Your past is already written & you can’t change that; in its pages you can find your history, some pages have soft colors, others darker shades…
Beautiful remembrances of happy times or pages you wish you could tear out forever...
Today you have the opportunity to write another page.
It’s up to you to choose the colors it will have, for even in adversity you can add soft pastels of serenety to turn it into a beautiful experience.
Today... How will you write your day?
It all depends on your will & optimism to transform today’s page in the book of your life into a page that you will treasure as a beautiful remembrance in the future.
If you knew you had only one more day to live, what would you do?
No doubt you would make peace with God and with those around you, you’d enjoy the golden sun rays, the gentle breeze, the love and affection of that special person, & the many blessings the Lord has given that we sometimes take for granted.
Enjoy this new day! Take mental inventory of all the good things in your life and live each hour with cheer, giving it your best. Do not harm others & be happy to be alive and able to give a smile & offer others a helping hand.
It’s never too late to change course, start anew & write fresh pages of happiness & peace in the book of your life!
Thank God for His gift of Today and the opportunity to turn this day into a beautiful new page in the book of your existence. Remember that in spite of adversities, problems and difficulties it’s up to you how you live today...
... as if it were your first day, as if it were the last ... The ONLY day in the book of your life!
May all your days be full of joy and Peace!
Your past is already written & you can’t change that; in its pages you can find your history, some pages have soft colors, others darker shades…
Beautiful remembrances of happy times or pages you wish you could tear out forever...
Today you have the opportunity to write another page.
It’s up to you to choose the colors it will have, for even in adversity you can add soft pastels of serenety to turn it into a beautiful experience.
Today... How will you write your day?
It all depends on your will & optimism to transform today’s page in the book of your life into a page that you will treasure as a beautiful remembrance in the future.
If you knew you had only one more day to live, what would you do?
No doubt you would make peace with God and with those around you, you’d enjoy the golden sun rays, the gentle breeze, the love and affection of that special person, & the many blessings the Lord has given that we sometimes take for granted.
Enjoy this new day! Take mental inventory of all the good things in your life and live each hour with cheer, giving it your best. Do not harm others & be happy to be alive and able to give a smile & offer others a helping hand.
It’s never too late to change course, start anew & write fresh pages of happiness & peace in the book of your life!
Thank God for His gift of Today and the opportunity to turn this day into a beautiful new page in the book of your existence. Remember that in spite of adversities, problems and difficulties it’s up to you how you live today...
... as if it were your first day, as if it were the last ... The ONLY day in the book of your life!
May all your days be full of joy and Peace!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
"THE" or "A" / "AN"
When to use the indefinite article a and when to use the definite article the depends mostly on how specific you want to be. During a wedding ceremony the groom would say, "Give me the ring! The wedding ring!" because he must have a particular ring, while a carpenter would say, "Hand me a nail" because he doesn't care which nail in the box he uses. Usually the bigger problem is not whether to use a definite or indefinite article, but whether to use an article at all.
Here are the rules for when to use "A, An or The":
a = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with consonants
She has a dog.
I work in a factory.
an = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with vowels (a,e,i,o,u)
Can I have an apple?
She is an English teacher.
the = definite article (a specific object that both the person speaking and the listener know)
The car over there is fast.
The teacher is very good, isn't he?
The first time you speak of something use "a or an", the next time you repeat that object use "the".
I live in a house. The house is quite old and has four bedrooms.
I ate in a Chinese restaurant. The restaurant was very good.
DO NOT use an article with countries, states, counties or provinces, lakes and mountains except when the country is a collection of states such as "The United States".
He lives in Washington near Mount Rainier.
They live in northern British Columbia.
Use an article with bodies of water, oceans and seas -
My country borders on the Pacific Ocean
DO NOT use an article when you are speaking about things in general
I like Russian tea.
She likes reading books.
DO NOT use an article when you are speaking about meals, places, and transport.
He has breakfast at home.
I go to university.
He comes to work by taxi.
__._,_
Here are the rules for when to use "A, An or The":
a = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with consonants
She has a dog.
I work in a factory.
an = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with vowels (a,e,i,o,u)
Can I have an apple?
She is an English teacher.
the = definite article (a specific object that both the person speaking and the listener know)
The car over there is fast.
The teacher is very good, isn't he?
The first time you speak of something use "a or an", the next time you repeat that object use "the".
I live in a house. The house is quite old and has four bedrooms.
I ate in a Chinese restaurant. The restaurant was very good.
DO NOT use an article with countries, states, counties or provinces, lakes and mountains except when the country is a collection of states such as "The United States".
He lives in Washington near Mount Rainier.
They live in northern British Columbia.
Use an article with bodies of water, oceans and seas -
My country borders on the Pacific Ocean
DO NOT use an article when you are speaking about things in general
I like Russian tea.
She likes reading books.
DO NOT use an article when you are speaking about meals, places, and transport.
He has breakfast at home.
I go to university.
He comes to work by taxi.
__._,_
MOTIVATIONAL TIP
"A successful individual typically sets his next goal somewhat but not
too much above his last achievement. In this way he steadily raises his
level of aspiration." --Kurt Lewin (1890 - 1947)
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more
important than any one thing." --Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)
"The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal
steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication." --Cecil B.
DeMille (1881 - 1959)
too much above his last achievement. In this way he steadily raises his
level of aspiration." --Kurt Lewin (1890 - 1947)
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more
important than any one thing." --Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)
"The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal
steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication." --Cecil B.
DeMille (1881 - 1959)
FREEWRITING
This is one of our tutors' favorite techniques for helping writers who cannot get started. Freewriting resembles the warm up you might do before exercising. There is no "correct" way to do this, so try a variation of these steps:
* Begin with a blank computer screen and a watch (or the clock on the computer). You might use a pad instead--freewriting involves generating words, not correcting them or getting just the right word.
* Set a time for yourself. Try one, five, or ten minutes. Longer times may not be that productive since freewriting is a "warm up" for more focused writing.
* Begin to type or write about anything that comes into your head. Don't stop until the time is up.
* Then review what you have written. Are there words you like? Ideas that might work for the next project you are doing?
Focused Freewriting follows the same process but begins with a topic:
* Put a topic of your choice, or even the topic of your next paper, at the top of a blank page.
* Set a time limit and begin Freewriting. This time, write down things that seem to be related to the topic. Do not worry about order of ideas or grammatical correctness. Don't worry if the ideas seem to be digressions.
* When time is up, look over what you have written. Pull out ideas and phrases you can use later.
* Practice putting the Freewriting into outline form. If you were to use the writing to begin a paper, which points would you make first? Second?
__._,_._
* Begin with a blank computer screen and a watch (or the clock on the computer). You might use a pad instead--freewriting involves generating words, not correcting them or getting just the right word.
* Set a time for yourself. Try one, five, or ten minutes. Longer times may not be that productive since freewriting is a "warm up" for more focused writing.
* Begin to type or write about anything that comes into your head. Don't stop until the time is up.
* Then review what you have written. Are there words you like? Ideas that might work for the next project you are doing?
Focused Freewriting follows the same process but begins with a topic:
* Put a topic of your choice, or even the topic of your next paper, at the top of a blank page.
* Set a time limit and begin Freewriting. This time, write down things that seem to be related to the topic. Do not worry about order of ideas or grammatical correctness. Don't worry if the ideas seem to be digressions.
* When time is up, look over what you have written. Pull out ideas and phrases you can use later.
* Practice putting the Freewriting into outline form. If you were to use the writing to begin a paper, which points would you make first? Second?
__._,_._
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