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47 Colloquialism Examples You’re Gonna Go Nuts Over

If you’re looking for colloquialism examples, then you’re in the right place.

Maybe you’re just now learning about colloquialisms, or maybe you’re a seasoned writer looking for ways to add flavor to your prose.

Either way, this post will define what colloquialisms are and provide plenty of examples to make it clear as day.

Quick question: When was the last time you enjoyed a story where all the characters spoke perfect, formal American English, regardless of their background?

Colloquial language makes characters and stories more interesting and, if their background is similar to yours, more relatable. Colloquial usage helps you, as a writer, build familiarity and trust with your readers.

Formal writing has its place. But you’re about to learn why sometimes colloquial expressions fit better.

Ready to learn how to have more fun with your writing — and to make it more fun for your readers, too?

Let’s dive in!

What are Colloquialisms?

Most dictionaries define colloquialisms as words or phrases that are neither formal nor literary – meaning they are informal, unfancy, everyday language.

Typically, when discussing colloquialism (kuh-LOH-kwee-uh-liz-um), we’re talking about language specific to a designated country or region.

It’s the language most often used in informal situations between ordinary people. In other words, it’s how people talk in a casual conversation.

So, as a literary device, it helps make your dialogue sound more realistic.

Now that we know what we’re talking about, let’s deal with two things that often get mixed up with colloquialisms: slang and jargon.

Related Terms

Slang

Slang includes unique words, expressions (and even cliches) spoken in specific social groups (like teenagers), while colloquialisms are usually spoken by everyone in a particular geographic region.

For example:

A teenager might use the word “swag” or “sick” to describe something that meets their approval, while older age groups in the same region typically won’t.

But a teenager is just as likely to use the word “pop” instead of cola, or “biscuit” instead of cookie if the people in their region do the same.

Jargon

Jargon is mostly technical terms used by people in a particular profession; people outside those professions typically don’t use those words in everyday speech.

For example:

A doctor might use words like “idiopathic” and “iatrogenic” in a sentence with peers or even with patients, but most non-medical people will only use them when quoting a medical professional.

Yet, a doctor is just as likely to refer to diapers as “nappies” if that’s the colloquial word for it where she lives.

Even those who agree that slang and jargon are generally distinct from colloquialisms, it is possible for words and phrases that start as slang or jargon to become part of a region’s colloquial vocabulary.

47 Colloquialism Examples

We’ve collected no less than 47 colloquial examples to illustrate its uses and to show how colloquial expressions are part of both our everyday language and our most beloved literature.

Examples of Colloquialisms in Everyday Speech

Colloquialisms in everyday speech come in three different types: words, phrases (often idiomatic ones), and aphorisms.

A statement qualifies as an aphorism if it expresses a truth in a pithy manner (think of Polonius in Shakespeare’s Hamlet).

Idioms — or idiomatic phrases — are colloquial by nature; their literal meaning cannot be deduced from the words that make them up (unlike aphorisms). And they’re unique to speakers of a particular language or dialect.

If completing a task is “a piece of cake,” we may surmise from this idiom that it wasn’t completely unenjoyable, but its meaning is also not self-evident.

Colloquial Words:

“Wicked” (Northeast U.S.) = “very” or “really” (intensifier) Ex: “This soup is wicked good!”

Contractions like “ain’t,” “gonna,” and “y’all”

Profanity that’s specific to a country or region: “bloody” is profanity in the UK – but just an adjective in the U.S.

Colloquial Phrases / Idioms:

“Hard to swallow” = difficult to believe

“Kick the bucket” = to die

“Stir up a hornet’s nest” = provoke a strong negative reaction

“Up for grabs” = available to anyone

“Knee jerk reaction” = a quick or automatic response

“Head over heels” = in love

“Elbow grease” = hard work

Aphorisms:

“When it rains, it pours.”

“Brevity is the soul of wit.” (Polonius)

“All that glitters isn’t gold.”

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

“From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.”

The easier it gets for disparate communities to connect — over the phone or via the internet — the more likely it is that colloquial speech will spread to other regions and even worldwide.

Examples of Colloquialism in Literature

Some of the most enduring works of fiction use colloquial language to make their characters more believable and their stories more authentic.

Enjoy the following examples, and see if a few others come to mind.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Southern U.S. vernacular):

“It’s not necessary to tell all you know. It’s not ladylike-in the second place, folks don’t like to have somebody around knowin’ more than they do. It aggravates ‘em. You’re not gonna change any of them by talkin’ right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves, and when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.”

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh (mimicking the lilt of the Scottish accent):

“Thing is, as ye git aulder, this character-deficiency gig becomes mair sapping. Thir wis a time ah used tae say tae aw the teachers, bosses, dole punters, poll-tax guys, magistrates, when they telt me ah was deficient:’Hi, cool it, gadge, ah’m jist me, jist intae a different sort ay gig fae youse but, ken?’ Now though, ah’ve goat tae concede thit mibee they cats had it sussed. Ye take a healthier slapping the aulder ye git. The blows hit hame mair. It’s like yon Mike Tyson boy at the boxing, ken?”

“The Class Game” by Mary Casey (UK):

“How can you tell what class I’m from?

I can talk posh like some

With an ‘Olly in me mouth

Down me nose, wear an ‘at not a scarf

With me second-hand clothes.”

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (Southwest Missouri):

“What’s the use you learning to do right, when it’s troublesome to do right and it ain’t no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?”

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (Yorkshire vernacular):

Vinegar-faced Joseph projected his head from a round window of the barn.

‘What are ye for?’ he shouted. ‘T’ maister’s down i’ t’ fowld. Go round by th’ end o’ t’ laith, if ye went to spake to him.’

‘Is there nobody inside to open the door?’ I hallooed, responsively.

‘There’s nobbut t’ missis; and shoo’ll not oppen ‘t an ye mak’ yer flaysome dins till neeght.’

‘Why? Cannot you tell her whom I am, eh, Joseph?’

‘Nor-ne me! I’ll hae no hend wi’t,’ muttered the head, vanishing.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker (American Deep South):

“Man corrupt everything, say Shug. He on your box of grits, in your head, and all over the radio. He try to make you think he everywhere. Soon as you think he everywhere, you think he God. But he ain’t. Whenever you trying to pray, and man plop himself on the other end of it, tell him to git lost, say Shug. Conjure up the flowers, wind, water, a big rock.”

Pat of Silver Bush by Lucy Maud Montgomery (Irish vernacular):

“Oh, oh, is it Aunt Edith?” sniffed Judy. “And it was me fine Edith that dragged her in and blew it all afore Brian and his fine lady wife, ye’re telling me? Sure it was like her. It’s a pity a liddle thing like that cudn’t av been hushed up in the fam’ly. And to punish the tinder-hearted cratur so cruel! Ye ralely ain’t wise, Long Alec. A bit av a tongue-lashing might av been all right but to kape on torturing the poor jewel for a wake and her that fond av ye all! It’s telling ye to yer face, I am Long Alec, ye don’t deserve such a daughter.”

Examples of Colloquialisms for Everyday Items

Ever had a moment when you referred to an everyday object by the name you’ve always used for it, only to have someone from another state or country give you a funny look before calling the item a completely different name?

Same!

Here are some of the most well-known examples:

Pop vs. cola or soft drink

Nappies vs. diapers

Hot-dish (Minnesota) vs. casserole

Klick vs. kilometer

Lift vs. elevator

Flat vs. apartment

Binky vs. pacifier

Subs vs. hoagies vs. submarine sandwiches vs. heroes

Parakeet vs. budgie

Truck vs. lorry

Soccer vs. football

Pill bugs vs. Potato bugs vs. woodlice vs. roly-polies, etc.

Examples of Colloquialisms for People

We have colloquial names for the people in our lives, too, along with colloquial ways of addressing them.

Check out the following examples and notice which ones stand out for you — either because you use them or because you’ve read them in a book.

Memaw vs. nana, gram, grammy, gramma, etc.

Papaw vs papa or granddad (grandfather)

Kinfolk (blood relatives)

Bestie or BFF for best friend

Y’all (you all)

Boo or bae (significant other)

Newbie or “noob” vs. newcomer or amateur

Bloke (nickname for a male in the UK)

Chap = gentleman (UK)

Prat = a dim-witted or badly-behaved person (UK)

Slug = hitchhiking commuter (D.C.)

Table tapper = amateur preacher (North Carolina)

Soak = serious drinker (South Dakota)

Why Use Colloquialisms in Writing?

As writers, we’re always looking for ways to hone our writing skills, whether through books, online courses, or blog posts.

Inspiration is everywhere if you’re open to receiving it.

Listen in on other people’s (public) conversations to pick up on colloquialisms you can weave into your dialogue and character development.

Colloquial language will make your story sound more authentic, giving it a more local flavor.

That’s because real people use colloquialisms in their everyday speech, and believable dialogue reflects that reality to build a sense of familiarity in the reader. That familiarity makes it easier for connections to form.

And a connected reader stays with the story to its end.

That said, it’s worth pointing out that your grammar checker will often flag colloquialisms. Words like “aint” and “innit” might fit your story’s dialogue just fine, but Grammarly will still call it out.

How Will You Use Colloquialism Examples in Your Own Writing?

Now that you’ve looked through all the examples in the list above, can you think of colloquialisms you’ve used in your work?

Think about why you used them, as well as what goes through your mind when you find colloquial language in a piece you’re reading.

As mentioned earlier, writers use colloquialisms in their writing because real people use them in everyday speech. And real readers like to find something familiar and authentic in what they’re reading.

So, how will you use colloquialisms in your next story?

The post 47 Colloquialism Examples You’re Gonna Go Nuts Over appeared first on Smart Blogger.

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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15 Archetype Examples to Add Character to Your Writing

Looking for archetype examples to make your writing more vivid?

Ready to create spell-binding characters that your readers can’t forget?

Then you’ll love what’s ahead!

Now, archetypes are an elemental tool for your writing because they help you create vibrant characters that are still relatable and realistic.

So if you’re ready to take your storytelling to new heights, we’ve gathered 15 examples of archetypes to help shape the heroes, lovers, and outlaws of your next tantalizing tale.

Let’s dive in.

What is an Archetype?

An archetype is a literary device used to create characters that have specific qualities and behaviors.

Readers identify with and relate to these characteristics because they have expectations for each character type. When the reader’s expectations are met, they are more invested in the storyline.

The Origins of Archetype

The term archetype comes from Swiss psychologist Carl Jung’s work.

Now, Jung believed all humans are born with and share an unconscious collection of knowledge and imagery.

And because we all have these patterns in our subconscious, we recognize these archetypal figures when we see them and know what characteristics define them.

Archetypes in Writing and Storytelling

In the context of writing and storytelling, archetypes help writers craft interesting stories that hit readers on a primitive level.

And as a result, you’ll find archetypes across literature, fairy tales, mythology, religion, psychology, sociology, philosophy, art, film, television, marketing, politics, and more.

3 Types of Archetypes with Examples

There are three kinds of archetypes used in storytelling.

Character, situational, and symbolic.

Let’s look at each.

Character Archetype

Character archetypes are the most common type of archetypes used in literature.

Character archetypes are figures like:

the Warrior (William Wallace in Braveheart)

the Anti-Hero (Don Draper of Mad Men)

the Orphan (Simba from The Lion King)

Each character fills a specific role in the story.

Situational Archetype

Situational archetypes are circumstances commonly used in many genres and stories.

For example:

Reuniting with a lost love is a situational archetype you might find in a romance novel.

The battle between good and evil is a situational archetype prevalent in adventure stories.

Symbolic Archetype

Symbolic archetypes are objects or locations in a story that represent (or symbolize) something deeper.

For example, light versus dark symbolism might represent a good versus evil storyline.

The author may introduce the hero of the story in a setting that is bright and airy, like an outdoor scene on the beach or in a sunny garden.

The villain of the story may make their debut in a dark setting, like an alleyway outside a seedy bar late at night.

The light and dark backgrounds are symbolic of each character’s nature.

The 12 Archetypal Characters with Archetype Examples from Literature, Pop Culture, and More

Up next is our easy-to-follow list of archetypal characters.

Now, each of these characters comes with its own set of archetype examples from literature, film, TV, and advertising to help cement your understanding of archetypes.

Remember:

These examples are just a small sample of what’s out there.

In truth, whether you are writing the next Great American Novel or drafting a brand archetype for your business, there are many ways you can use archetypes to tell a story.

That said, let’s dissect these 12 archetypal characters.

1. The Lover

The Lover archetype is passionate about creating a connection with their heart’s desire, no matter the cost.

Strengths: romance, conviction, devotion

Weaknesses: idealistic, fear of rejection, willingness to sacrifice everything

Descriptive words: desire, intimacy, sensual

Character examples: Ross Geller from Friends, Charlotte from Sex and the City, Romeo and Juliet

Lover brand examples: Victoria’s Secret, Chanel, Alfa Romeo

Industry examples: fragrances, wines, exotic travel

2. The Hero

The Hero archetype overcomes multiple challenges, internal and external, to get justice and save the day. They usually have mastery of a skill, though it may be undeveloped.

Strengths: courage, determination, honor

Weaknesses: pride, aloofness, conceit

Descriptive words: honest, driven, strong

Character examples: Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, Jon Snow from Game of Thrones, Achilles from The Iliad

Hero brand examples: Nike, BMW, Red Cross

Industry examples: sportswear, emergency trade services like plumbing and electricity, outdoor and tactical equipment

3. The Outlaw

The Outlaw archetype is a rebel, with or without a cause. They don’t conform to the status quo or societal expectations. They always question authority.

Strengths: independence, grit, resourcefulness

Weaknesses: combative, vengeful, lack of status

Descriptive words: disruptive, revolution, liberation

Character examples: Hans Solo in Star Wars, Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, Batman in The Dark Knight

Outlaw brand examples: Harley-Davidson, Diesel (denim fashion), Virgin (Richard Branson)

Industry examples: automotive, body art, alternative apparel

4. The Everyman

The Everyman archetype is the friendly, guy-or-girl-next-door who just wants to belong and has a pretty simple life.

Strengths: supportive, authentic, relatable

Weaknesses: indistinctive personality, basic, naivete

Descriptive words: average, grounded, humble

Character examples: Dr. Watson from Sherlock Holmes, Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation, Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby

Everyman brand examples: Ikea, Target, Budweiser

Industry examples: family life, comfort food, everyday apparel

5. The Ruler

The Ruler archetype is the one with the power over others, be it emotional, financial, legal, or political. They may use their power for good or evil.

Strengths: resources, leadership, power.

Weaknesses: suspicion, superiority, controlling

Descriptive words: charisma, articulate, commanding

Character examples: Don Corleone from The Godfather, T’Challa of Black Panther, Aunt Sally in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Ruler brand examples: Mercedes-Benz, Rolex, Louis Vuitton

Industry examples: luxury brands, formal wear, hotels

6. The Magician

The Magician archetype is the enlightened, mystical power figure who makes dreams come true. They offer a journey of transformation where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Strengths: charismatic, imaginative, knowledgeable

Weaknesses: corruptibility, arrogance, idealistic

Descriptive words: visionary, discovery, mystical

Character examples: Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, Dumbledore from Harry Potter, Morpheus from The Matrix

Magician brand examples: Disney, Tesla, MAC cosmetics

Industry examples: entertainment, beauty, health

7. The Innocent

The Innocent archetype is pure of heart with intentions that are always good, never evil. They believe the best of others, even when faced with evidence that says otherwise.

Strengths: kindness, optimism, enthusiasm

Weaknesses: vulnerable, naïve, boring

Descriptive words: loyal, sincere, wholesome

Character examples: Forrest Gump, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird

Innocent brand examples: Dove, Aveeno, Whole Foods

Industry examples: organic products, cleaning products and services, fresh foods

8. The Sage

The Sage is the wise one, the mother figure, or the mentor archetype. They are the guide for the lead character.

Strengths: wisdom, experience, insight

Weaknesses: cautious, slow to act, opinionated

Descriptive words: knowledge, analytical, guiding

Character examples: Yoda from Star Wars, Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid, Hannibal Lecter of The Silence of the Lambs

Sage brand examples: Google, PBS, MIT

Industry examples: news and media, schools and universities, consultants

9. The Caregiver

The Caregiver archetype is selfless, watching out for and taking care of everyone else.

Strengths: loyalty, generosity, selflessness

Weaknesses: subject to exploitation, naivete, lack of personal ambition

Descriptive words: support, nurturing, compassionate

Character examples: Mary Poppins, Alice of The Brady Bunch, Calpurnia from To Kill a Mockingbird

Caregiver brand examples: Campbell’s Soup, World Wildlife Federation, Pampers

Industry examples: healthcare, nonprofits and charities, environmental organizations

10. The Explorer

The Explorer is the archetypal character who is always ready for adventure. They have a core desire to explore the unknown, no matter the danger.

Strengths: curious, driven, adventurous

Weaknesses: restless, unreliable, reckless

Descriptive words: daring, thrilling, independent

Character examples: Indiana Jones, Huck Finn of The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn, Odysseus from The Odyssey

Explorer brand examples: Jeep, Patagonia, Red Bull

Industry examples: extreme sports, adventure travel, outdoor equipment

11. The Jester

The Jester archetype is the funny guy that makes everyone happy. He provides comic relief in tense situations or is sometimes the one to point out the universal truths in the storyline.

Strengths: funny, disarming, insightful

Weaknesses: obnoxious, superficial, disrespectful

Descriptive words: irreverent, mischievous, likable

Character examples: Chandler Bing from Friends, Sancho Panza in Don Quixote, R2D2 and C3PO in Star Wars

Jester brand examples: Old Spice, Dollar Shave Club, M&Ms

Industry examples: beverage industry, children’s services, beer companies

12. The Creator

The Creator archetype is the visionary or artist who thrives on creating new art or things that bring value and beauty to the world.

Strengths: creativity, execution, conviction

Weaknesses: self-involvement, single-mindedness, perfectionism

Descriptive words: provocative, entrepreneur, daring

Character examples: Willy Wonka of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dr. Jekyll in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Zeus from The Iliad

Creator brand examples: Apple, Lego, Crayola

Industry examples: design technology, marketing, writing

What’s the Difference Between Archetypes, Stereotypes, Stock Characters, Tropes, and Clichés?

There are some literary terms similar to archetypes, but they mean different things. The differences between them are not always obvious and sometimes they overlap.

Stereotypes

Stereotypes are overly simplified, general, and usually negative characteristics applied to a group of people.

The “dumb jock” stereotype is one such example.

Think of Stifler from the American Pie movies or Andrew Clark in The Breakfast Club.

Stock Characters

You can describe a stock character in one sentence and people will know exactly what kind of character you’re talking about.

Often, they are not central to the plot but writers sometimes include them to be a foil for the main character or to move the storyline forward.

Examples would be the Absent-Minded Professor like Dr. Daniel Jackson in Stargate or Dr. Marcus Brody from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Tropes

Tropes are common elements of writing used so often in stories that readers come to expect them.

Each genre has its own expected tropes.

The deeply troubled lead detective in a mystery novel is a common trope. Think of Philip Marlowe in Raymond Chandler’s novels or Harry Bosch in Michael Connelly’s books.

Clichés

Cliches are ideas or details used so often they’ve become boring or ineffective.

Think of the Damsel in Distress who needs to be rescued, like Honey Rider in the James Bond movie Dr. No, or Olive Oyl in the television cartoon, Popeye.

Importance of Using Archetypes in Writing

1. To Aid in Character Development

You can use archetypes in many ways, but the most common is an outline or framework for character traits.

If you know how your person acts, thinks, feels, etc., when it comes time to write, you have something concrete with which to work. You don’t have to create your character from scratch.

2. To Guide Story Development

You know what qualities and characteristics your characters have.

Now you can dive into the story.

Use situational and symbolic archetypes to get your creative juices flowing and craft something unique that captures the reader’s attention.

3. To Help Your Readers

Archetypes work so well because readers identify with them without realizing they’re doing so.

When you create a character from the Hero archetype, readers have a general idea of what they can expect from that character.

That leaves them free to focus on the fictional world you create to entertain them.

Rather than taking away the mystery of what will happen, archetypes enhance the reader’s experience so they can more fully immerse themselves in the unique details that make your story special.

Did These Archetype Examples Inspire You?

Archetypes help your story stand out.

And with the glut of content in today’s busy and connected world, you need an edge to get noticed.

Use these archetypes to create characters that hook your readers and keep their attention, whether it’s in your first published novel or a blog post for your business.

So, what do you think?

Is it time to add some character to your writing?

Which archetypes will you use first?

The post 15 Archetype Examples to Add Character to Your Writing appeared first on Smart Blogger.

from SEO and SM Tips https://smartblogger.com/archetype-examples/

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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20 Metonymy Examples That Will Sweep You Off Your Feet

Looking for some incredible metonymy examples to jazz up your writing?

Even though metonymy is all around us, it can be surprisingly difficult to come up with great examples of it.

That’s mainly because it’s a word and concept that many people are unfamiliar with, including English majors.

Now, if metonymy has you stumped, you’ve come to the right place.

This guide will give you a crash course in metonymy and highlight 20 captivating examples of metonymy from everyday life, politics, pop culture, and more.

Ready to get started?

Then let’s kick things off with a quick definition!

What is Metonymy?

Metonymy involves using one word as a stand-in for a related word or concept.

Put it another way, it’s when you substitute a word or phrase with another word or phrase that’s associated with it.

Some everyday examples of metonymy include calling your car your “ride” or declaring that lobster mac and cheese is your favorite “dish”.

What’s the Difference Between Metonymy, Synecdoche, Metalepsis, and Metaphor?

Metonymy is similar to — and yet distinctive from — related literary devices like synecdoche, metaphor, and metalepsis.

Let’s a quick look at each of these terms:

Synecdoche vs Metonymy

Synecdoche is a form of metonymy where you take part of an object and use it to refer to the whole. So synecdoche is referring to your car as your “wheels” since they are a single part of your car, while “ride” is metonymy because it’s a related word that replaces the term car.

Metalepsis vs Metonymy

Next, we have metalepsis, a type of metonymy where a literal phrase is replaced with a figurative one. For example, consider the term “lead foot,” where two literal objects are brought together to create a new meaning — a person who’s fond of driving with a heavy foot on the gas pedal.

Metaphor vs Metonymy

Finally, we have metaphor, which compares the qualities of two unrelated things. So saying your child is the “apple of my eye,” describing yourself as a “night owl,” or referring to the year 2020 as a “dumpster fire,” are all examples of metaphor.

20 Metonymy Examples

Examples of Metonymy in Everyday Language

Even though the term metonymy might sound fancy, most of us regularly use metonymy (and other types of figurative language) in everyday speech.

There’s a very good chance you’ve already used it dozens of times today without even realizing it!

Don’t believe me? Well, here are a few common examples of metonymy in action:

I’m a Silicon Valley guy. I just think people from Silicon Valley can do anything.Elon Musk

Most of the successful people in Hollywood are failures as human beings.Marlon Brando

The media, like anything else, can be bought. Everything, it seems, has its price. Even the free press.Lance Morcan

The coast is an edgy place. Living on the coast presents certain stark realities and a wild, rare beauty.Carl Safina

I think authors can get into a lot of trouble viewing the subject matter as their turf.Laura Hillenbrand

Examples of Metonymy in Songs

Songwriters have long recognized the value of metonymy, and it’s often used in popular songs.

As these examples show, metonymy is a powerful tool for conveying deep emotions, such as expressing a longing for tolerance and harmony, a desire to experience true love, and staying with a difficult person out of love.

Ebony and ivory Live together in perfect harmony Side by side on my piano keyboard Oh lord, why don’t we?Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

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Stones would play inside her head. And where she slept, they made her bed. And she would ache for love and get But stones.Neil Diamond

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“What would I do without your smart mouth? Drawing me in, and you kicking me out ‘Cause all of me Loves all of you.John Legend

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Examples of Metonymy in Politics

Even politicians have a strong appreciation for metonymy, as well as colorful rhetoric, power words, and figurative language.

But metonymy isn’t confined to political speeches. People also use it when referring to the U.S. government as Washington or the White House, or the British monarchy as the Crown.

When he entered the Oval Office — by fate, not by design — Citizen Ford knew that he was not perfect, just as he knew he was not perfect when he left. But what president ever was?Tom Brokaw

You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.Harry S. Truman

More has been screwed up on the battlefield and misunderstood in the Pentagon because of a lack of understanding of the English language than anything else.John W. Vessy, Jr.

God has given such brave soldiers to this Crown that, if they do not frighten our neighbors, at least they prevent us from being frightened by them.Queen Elizabeth I

Examples of Metonymy in Literature

Given that metonymy is a literary device, you won’t be surprised that many works of literature liberally use it.

You can find countless examples of metonymy in famous literary works, including Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and American classics like Moby Dick and Huckleberry Finn.

As you’ll see, Shakespeare, with his gift for coining new phrases, gives us many ingenious examples of metonymy.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

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To die, to sleep — No more — and by a sleep to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to — ’tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.William Shakespeare, Hamlet

You must know that in a settled and civilized ocean like our Atlantic, for example, some skippers think little of pumping their whole way across it; though of a still, sleepy night, should the officer of the deck happen to forget his duty in that respect, the probability would be that he and his shipmates would never again remember it, on account of all hands gently subsiding to the bottom.Herman Melville, Moby Dick

I went and told the Widow about it, and she said the thing a body could get by praying for it was ‘spiritual gifts’.Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

I know a man that had this trick of melancholy sold a goodly manor for a song.William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well

Other Famous Examples of Metonymy

We’ve looked at several metonymy examples so far, and they’ve taken us from Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I to Elon Musk and John Legend.

Of course, metonymy isn’t limited to politics, literature, and music, so let’s take a look at a few other famous examples:

There are many examples of metonymy in the titles of films and TV shows, including “House of Cards,” “Golden Girls,” and “Rags to Riches,” to name a few.

And plenty of famous quotes and sayings also make good use of metonymy.

Consider this immortal phrase from Edward Bulwer-Lytton:

“The pen is mightier than the sword.”

And last but not least, we can’t forget that famous wordsmith (and Prime Minister) Winston Churchill, who gave us this powerful reminder to keep going even in the worst of times:

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”

Why Use Metonymy?

Sure, metonymy is a pretty neat way to use language, but do you really need it to write well?

Not necessarily, but there are still a few good reasons why writers might use it.

For one thing, it’s an incredible opportunity to exercise creativity. As writers, we’re naturally drawn to new ways of using language, and metonymy provides us with a whole new dimension of creative expression.

Metonymy also allows you to infuse deeper meaning into seemingly ordinary words, transforming a simple word like “pen” into a striking representation of the power of the written word.

Metonymy can also help you be more concise in your writing, facilitating a reduction in filler words. You see, metonymic phrases are often short and to the point, making your sentences more powerful and profound.

TLDR; metonymy adds more snap and crackle to your writing, making it more meaningful and memorable to readers.

Ready to Create Your Own Amazing Metonymy Examples?

Metonymy might sound complicated, but it’s actually very accessible and something that most people use in their everyday speech.

After reading this post, you should have a clear understanding of what metonymy is and how it’s used.

Now it’s time to draw on your newfound knowledge and start using metonymy in your writing.

So I challenge you to give metonymy a shot and use it two or three times in your next writing project.

Keep it up, and you’ll be a master of metonymy before you know it.

The post 20 Metonymy Examples That Will Sweep You Off Your Feet appeared first on Smart Blogger.

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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Biz360 Receives First 5-Star Review on Clutch

Your website is crucial to your digital marketing success. By having a clean and professional website, you increase your brand’s discoverability, allowing you to entice more customers. In 2021, there are website elements that will benefit your business when prioritized. When it comes to tweaking your website, Biz360 is here to help!

Biz360 is a unique business solutions provider that leads its partners towards higher sales and revenue. We help our clients diversify their sales channels and increase conversion rates through digital advertising, branding, and marketing services. A full-service marketing company, we’re dedicated to seeing our partners succeed in the digital space.

In light of our efforts to reach businesses, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve received our first-ever 5-star review on Clutch, a B2B ratings and reviews website.

For the uninitiated, Clutch is an established platform in the heart of Washington, DC, committed to helping small, mid-market, and enterprise businesses identify and connect with the service providers they need to achieve their goals.

Clutch’s team of analysts interview service providers’ clients to collect client feedback, analyze industry data, and compare competitors in a specific market to arm businesses with the information they need to connect with the right service providers. The platform is invested in publishing in-depth client reviews, data-driven content, and vetted market leaders that businesses can access for free.

In our first review, our client shared their experience in working with Biz360. Anoza Nails is a nails spa that engaged us in August for the development of its website. The client shared the main goal of the project and how our solutions have become an integral part of their digitalization.

“Our company has been without a website for years, but people would ask me how to contact us, and I would have to give them my personal cell phone number, which I did not like. Biz360 created a beautiful website that came with a phone call system.

Right away, I noticed more clients calling our new phone line, and I received compliments on our website.”

— Anoza Arya, Owner, Anoza Nails

Be sure to read the full case study on our Clutch profile. Biz360 is also among the leading companies listed on Top Design Firms, Clutch’s sister B2B platform.

Want cost-effective branding solutions? Say hello to our team today!

source https://www.biz-360.co/post/biz360-receives-first-5-star-review-on-clutch source https://biz360.tumblr.com/post/665233897523691521

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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15 Anaphora Examples: So Many Examples, So Little Time

If you’re looking for anaphora examples to master your understanding of this literary device, this post is for you!

After reading this post, you’ll be able to identify anaphora sprinkled throughout the lyrics of your favorite songs, lines of poetry, and famous political speeches. You might even be inspired to incorporate it into your own writing!

If you’re looking to distinguish anaphora from other similar literary devices, you’re in the right place.

If you’re looking for reasons anaphora is used in writing (or where it’s applicable in your own writing), look no further.

And If you’re looking for a definition of anaphora, we’ve got you covered there, too.

Read on, my friend!

What is Anaphora?

Anaphora, pronounced [a – naf – o – ra], is a literary device that lends emphasis to words through deliberate repetition of similar words or phrases at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

In persuasive verbal or written works, anaphora also acts as a rhetorical device that engages the emotions (pathos) of the audience.

Repetition for emphasis is a common writing technique. To distinguish anaphora from other literary devices, let’s compare it to its variants.

Epistrophe: The Opposite of Anaphora

The antonym of anaphora is epistrophe, which is the rhetorical repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive sentences or clauses. Epistrophe functions very similarly to anaphora in poetry or speeches, creating a rhythm that draws more attention and emphasizes an idea or statement.

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address ended in epistrophe:

“- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Symploce: Combination of Anaphora and Epistrophe

A blend of anaphora and epistrophe, symploce is the rhetorical repetition of words or phrases at the beginning and end of successive sentences. President Bill Clinton’s “A Time of Healing” speech after the Oklahoma City bombing included symploce:

“When there is talk of hatred, let us stand up and talk against it. When there is talk of violence, let us stand up and talk against it.”

Repetition and rhythm are at work here again, with minor tweaks to phrases to emphasize the contrast between right and wrong.

15 Anaphora Examples

Now that we’re familiar with what anaphora is, some examples of anaphora in literature, poetry, rhetorical speeches, song lyrics, and movie scripts will help demonstrate its contextual effect.

Let’s dive in!

Anaphora Examples in Literature

One of the most memorable openings of classic literature kicks off our list of examples.

The first sentence of Charles Dickens’ novel, “A Tale of Two Cities”, draws in the reader with a rhythm of anaphoric phrases (including symploce):

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way”

J.D. Salinger used anaphora (and the Rule of Three) in “The Catcher in the Rye“ to emphasize Holden’s emotions regarding his brother’s gravesite:

“It rained on his lousy tombstone, and it rained on the grass on his stomach. It rained all over the place.”

Similarly, John of Gaunt’s monologue in Shakespeare’s play, “Richard II” contains many phrases starting with “this”, referring to England:

“This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,

This nurse, this teeming womb of royal kings,…

This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land”

Anaphora Examples in Poetry

Repetition is a structural element in poetry that helps to convey the tone or meaning behind the words to the reader.

Anaphora is one of many rhetorical tools that achieves this effect.

See how Maya Angelou intensified her will to overcome in her poem, Still I Rise by itemizing repeated forms of mistreatment using the phrase “you may”:

“You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I’ll rise”

In the closing of her inaugural poem, The Hill We Climb, Amanda Gorman punctuated her hope for unity and healing by repeating the phrase “we will”.

Further, repetition of the distinct phrase “we will rise” (alluding to Maya Angelou’s poem) figuratively unifies citizens across various regions of the country.

“Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest,

We will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.

We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the west.

We will rise from the windswept northeast,

where our forefathers first realized revolution.

We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states.

We will rise from the sunbaked south.

We will rebuild, reconcile and recover.”

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Conversely, anaphora can emphasize opposing ideas.

For example, Robert Frost began his poem, Fire and Ice with anaphora and alliteration to recognize stark differences of opinion regarding the world’s end.

“Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.”

Anaphora Examples in Speeches

Rhythm is often used to help audiences link concepts and emphasize the speaker’s point of view. Anaphora engages and lifts audiences with its rhythmic quality, and is especially effective in political speeches.

In his June 4, 1940 “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” address to the House of Commons, Winston Churchill asserted his conviction to resist the anticipated Nazi invasion:

“…we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender”

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Another famous example is from Martin Luther King Jr. when delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the non-violent civil rights March on Washington in 1963.

Anaphora underscored the urgency for change in the text of his speech:

“Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality”

He continued by sharing a vision for the future with successive phrases starting with “I have a dream”, concluding with his steadfast statement of faith.

“With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together”

A few years later, Robert F. Kennedy mirrored MLK’s anaphoric words when announcing the assassination of his friend:

“What we need in the United States is not division. What we need in the United States is not hatred. What we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness; but is love and wisdom and compassion toward one another”

Anaphora Examples in Songs

Like poetry, anaphora cements the message within song lyrics and binds repeated words with rhythm.

Notice how anaphora strengthens the certainty of Sam Cooke’s love by accentuating his ambivalence about more tangible subjects in his 1960 R&B tune, Wonderful World:

“Don’t know much about history,

Don’t know much biology.

Don’t know much about a science book,

Don’t know much about the French I took.

But I do know that I love you,

And I know that if you love me, too,

What a wonderful world this would be”

youtube

Johnny Cash wrote the music and lyrics for “I Walk the Line” with repeated “I keep” phrases that illustrate his strong devotion to his wife while on tour:

“I keep a close watch on this heart of mine

I keep my eyes wide open all the time

I keep the ends out for the tie that binds

Because you’re mine, I walk the line”

“Some Nights” by Fun is another song about being away from home, but anaphora in the lyrics suggests a cadence of change and internal doubts.

“Some nights I stay up

Cashing in my bad luck

Some nights, I call it a draw

Some nights I wish that my lips could build a castle

Some nights, I wish they’d just fall off”

Sting’s lyrics for The Police’s 1983 hit, “Every Breath You Take”, certify his sinister obsession with his ex-lover through an anaphoric (and rhyming) list of everything he’s watching about her.

“Every breath you take

Every move you make

Every bond you break

Every step you take

I’ll be watching you

Every single day

Every word you say

Every game you play

Every night you stay

I’ll be watching you”

youtube

Anaphora Examples in Movies

In the movies, anaphoric lines draw attention to characters and amplify the dramatic effect of their words.

For example, In “Casablanca”, Rick Blaine, dejected over seeing his lost love Ilsa, utters this memorable quote:

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”

Likewise, audiences are still captivated by Sean’s monologue in the 1997 “Good Will Hunting” park bench scene, where anaphora structures his script, highlighting the distinction between intelligence and education.

Listen for the successive lines:

“If I asked you about art…If I asked you about women…If I ask you about war…And if I asked you about love…”

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Why Use Anaphora?

Clearly, anaphora is an impactful literary tool. But why use it?

The beauty of anaphora is that it leverages the simple mechanical component of rhythm to encourage an emphasized impact to the audience.

Rhythm captures our attention and helps our internal metronome process information and anticipate what’s coming next.

Our senses heightened, we perceive a greater emphasis on concepts, ideas, and emotional expression.

Where to Use Anaphora for Emphasis

As a writer, enhance your skillset by using anaphora to :

draw your audience’s attention to something

uplift or enliven your audience

elevate the artistic effect of a character trait

highlight a pivotal moment

emphasize a concept

project your point of view or state of mind

express a strong emotion

list similar or contrasting concepts or ideas

Anaphora subtly and elegantly drums words into your audience’s heads. Present your words in rhythmic, anaphoric form to captivate your audience and enhance your writing repertoire.

Take Inspiration From Anaphora Examples

Literary devices like anaphora give words a helping hand in expressing emphasis or emotion that words alone can’t do.

Our anaphora examples show how to identify anaphora (and other similar literary tools) while demonstrating an effective persuasive technique that’ll amplify your future writing projects.

Be inspired to add more emotion.

Be inspired to effectively stress your point of view.

Be inspired to connect and engage with your audience.

More drama. More rhythm. More impact.

Be inspired to add more firepower to your words with anaphora!

The post 15 Anaphora Examples: So Many Examples, So Little Time appeared first on Smart Blogger.

from SEO and SM Tips https://smartblogger.com/anaphora-examples/

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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Should You Hire a Web Designer or Use a Website Builder?

Today, there are plenty of free tools for website design inspiration, such as website builders, that can help a person who has zero experience in design and coding create a fully functional website.

So, does that mean that the age of professional website designers is over?

It’s not as simple as that.

There is no doubt that website builders are powerful website design tools; however, they also come with their own share of limitations. On the other hand, hiring a professional website design and development company can offer you much better results but at a slightly higher cost.

In this blog, we will look into the pros and cons of website builders and website designers and find out which is the best option to choose between in order to meet your desired outcome - Let’s get started.

,Ways to Create a Website Design

You can choose one or a combination of multiple ways to create your website design:

The Website Builder Template Solution: This is a DIY website building approach. The great thing about these website builders is that they offer an extremely user-friendly interface that anyone can use to create a decent website.

Hiring a Website Design Service Company: A website design agency will offer you the expertise of professional web designers who can create a website design according to your unique needs.

The Hybrid Solution: Hiring a website design service company to customize a website builder template. This is our recommended best choice!

Let’s take a deeper look into all these options:

The Website Builder Solution

A website builder is a tool that allows you to create web pages even if you do not have any experience in designing. The software tools offer pre-built modules for various features and functionalities that you can place on your website wherever you like. The more modules you place on your website, the more functionalities, and options you can add to it.

In addition, website builders also come with pre-made, ready-to-use design templates or layouts for the most common type of website pages which can help you kickstart your website.

Hence website builders are a good option if you want to create a very simple website with few pages. Keep in mind, though, that since your website has not been coded to be customized, it may appear somewhat generic, and it will be tricky to make it stand apart from the competition.

In addition, you will also be limited to the features that come with the builder. This means that if you want to add a particular function to your website that is not included in the builder’s plan, you will need to figure out how to do some coding.

Also, bear in mind that although there is nothing wrong with using a generic website builder template, if your business grows and you want to scale up your website, a website builder alone will not be able to effectively do that.

,Hiring a Professional Website Design Company

A professional website designer can create a highly customized and responsive website for you because they have the qualifications, training, and experience in designing, and they know all the latest trends in the industry.

One of the biggest advantages that a website designer has over a website builder is that you will be working with a real-life human being who is more adept at understanding your unique website needs.

They can provide attention to detail and create highly personalized and unique templates that a website builder alone may not be able to. A professional web design agency will bring that extra “Wow” factor to your business that a website builder can’t.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of hiring a professional website design service company:

,They Can Offer A Hybrid Solution

If you want a custom look for your website but do not want its design to be made from scratch, a professional website design agency will work with some of the most popular website builders in the industry to get you an out-of-the-box design. Basically, you get the benefit of both worlds.

One of the most popular website builders is the Wix website builder, which powers a whopping 160 million + websites.

The tool allows customization options from the backend which can allow designers to create a beautiful, on-brand website. This is also possible for website builders as well like WordPress, Squarespace, and Shopify.

Note, though, that if you want customization, you will still need a website design service company that can translate the features into code.

They Can Create a Consistent Brand Identity

It is much easier and smoother to maintain a consistent brand identity if you have a web design team helping you from the backend. With the help of professional designers, you can optimize the use of your branding kit, place a custom logo on your website and add a theme that reflects your business message and make each element of your business unique.

Whereas a web builder software tool will provide you with template designs that are being used by other businesses as well, a web design agency will create a completely unique website that aligns with your brand. This can help you stand apart from the competition.

,They Will Provide Attention to Details

A website design service company will add the finishing touches to your design that will make it truly yours. Your dedicated team of designers can create an entirely new font for your website, create custom illustration icons, or arrange the elements on your pages in a specific way.

More importantly, a website design agency will form a communicative relationship with you so that they have a deep understanding of your brand. This can help them make a plethora of small tweaks that will make the website of your dreams come to life.

,They Provide Unlimited Possibilities

A web builder-created website has its limitation. If you want a more expansive build-out of your design, a web design agency can go beyond these limits and offer you unlimited features and functions for a completely tailor-made solution.

This is particularly helpful for those who have complex and/or one-of-a-kind businesses that can be difficult to figure out without the appropriate graphic and visual elements. A website design service company will be able to find the right layout solutions for your website and will let you know which features can be built realistically.

,Ready to Create Your Brand-New Website Design?

Depending on your situation, you may choose to create your website with a website builder or hand it over to a professional website design agency. If you are a person who does not want to invest time and effort to build their own website or who wants to create a unique or complex website, or who wants a scalable design, then website design services are your best choice.

Contrary to popular belief, high-quality website design does not always have to break your bank. At Biz360, we offer quick and highly efficient solutions to building a website design for small businesses at cost-competitive website design prices.

Whether you need a Wix-powered website or a completely tailor-made website design, we have you covered.

Reach out to us today.

www.Biz360.co

EMAIL: [email protected]

PHONE: 561-325-9080

source https://www.biz-360.co/post/should-you-hire-a-web-designer-or-use-a-website-builder source https://biz360.tumblr.com/post/665135712629374976

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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15+ Chiasmus Examples & Definition: Write Like Yoda, You Will

Let me guess.

You’re searching for chiasmus examples to clear up the fuzz surrounding its meaning.

After all, chiasmus isn’t exactly a word you hear every day.

But truthfully, though?

This literary technique is more common than you might think. You’ve probably seen it countless times without even realizing it.

Everyone from William Shakespeare to JFK to Martin Luther King used chiasmus to enhance their message.

And the best part:

It’s one of the easiest yet powerful ways to transform your writing.

Have I got your attention?

Excellent. How about we start with the definition?

Chiasmus Definition

Chiasmus is a two-part sentence or phrase, where the second part is a reversal of the first.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is a simple example of this literary device.

I need to clarify something, though.

Chiasmus doesn’t have to use the same wording in both phrases to qualify as a chiasm.

Check out this example:

“And these tend inward to me, and I tend outward to them,” said Walt Whitman in Song of Myself.

Notice how both parts are reversed for contrast?

The wording may be different in both parts, but the phrase is still chiastic.

The Difference Between Chiasmus & Antimetabole

I’ll be upfront with you.

There’s a ton of debate in the literary community about the relationship between chiasmus and antimetabole. Some people argue that they’re synonyms. Some people argue that they’re not.

So which is it?

Well, antimetabole is actually a subtype of chiasmus. But, not every chiasmus is an antimetabole.

Let me explain.

Antimetabole reverses the exact same wording in successive clauses.

For example, JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

And there you have it.

That’s the critical difference between antimetabole and chiasmus:

Antimetabole has to use the same wording to be considered an antimetabole.

But chiasmus?

It has more flexibility because it can use different words.

For instance, a chiasmus phrase can simply reverse similar concepts or ideas and still maintain its chiastic structure.

Want an example?

Here’s one:

Emiliano Zapata said:

“I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees.”

Easy enough, right?

Let’s dive into a few more examples.

15+ Chiasmus Examples

The word chiasmus was originally Greek for “crossing” or “X-shaped.” It gained popularity in the mid-17th century when writers discovered just how impactful this literary technique is.

Let me show you.

Examples of Chiasmus in Literature

Not surprisingly, poets regularly use chiasmus to add a lyrical effect to their poetry. Plus, their verses are more memorable when they repeat words in reverse.

For example, in Paradise Lost, John Milton used a chiasmus when he wrote:

“Adam, first of men,

To first of women, Eve”

Milton starts with repetition by using the phrase “first of.” Then he contrasts opposing genders by using “men” and “women.”

And as it turns out?

Milton was a big fan of chiasmus as a literary technique. In another verse from Paradise Lost, he wrote:

“The mind is its own place and, in itself can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven.”

We can learn a lot from writers like John Milton.

His poem, Paradise Lost, is more than just the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. It’s full of literary terms that’ll show you how to be a more persuasive and interesting writer.

But he’s not alone. Other poets used chiastic statements, too.

For example, in Lord Byron’s Don Juan, he wrote:

“Pleasure’s a sin, and sometimes sin’s a pleasure.”

Examples of Chiasmus in Religion & Philosophy

Want to hear something interesting?

Many books of the Old Testament were originally written as Hebrew poetry. This includes Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

So what makes a Hebrew poem poetic?

One word:

Parallelism.

You see, parallelism is another way to describe chiasmus. In a nutshell, parallel phrases express a single idea in two or more different ways.

For example, in Proverbs 11:19-20, we read this chiasmus:

“The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.“

Another example comes from Matthew 23:12, where Jesus said:

“The greatest among you shall be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.“

In Mark 2:27, Jesus also used a chiasmus when he said:

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

The meaning?

God intended the Sabbath day to be a blessing to man. It’s a day for spiritual refreshment and rest.

Examples of Chiasmus in Pop Culture

Let’s face it.

Actress, Mae West, was famous for her one-liners. She was witty, funny, and entertaining to watch.

In fact, one of West’s most classic catchphrases was also an example of chiasmus. She said:

“It’s not the men in my life; it’s the life in my men.”

The truth is, Mae West was the queen of using literary devices to craft lines that made her a superstar.

In modern film, though, Yoda has taken the crown as the king of chiasmus — he switches words around constantly.

For example, in The Empire Strikes Back, Master Yoda said:

“Once you start down the dark path, forever it

will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.”

Here’s a clip of Yoda speaking using a chiasm:

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I don’t care what anyone says. Yoda is the man.

Chiasmus isn’t just limited to the big screen, though.

Crosby Stills, Nash & Young sang a famous song titled “Love the One You’re With” that featured this chiasmus:

“And if you can’t be with the one you love, honey,

Love the one you’re with.”

Truer words were never spoken.

Examples of Chiasmus in Comedy

There’s one thing for sure:

The movie Mean Girls has become a cult classic, and it hasn’t even been around 20 years yet.

And you know what?

The movie even has its own designated day. Social media and movie fans around the world celebrate October 3 as “National Mean Girls Day.”

That said, it’s no surprise that this movie uses chiasmus to inject humor into the script.

Here’s a prime chiasmus example from the movie:

“Laura, I don’t hate you because you’re fat. You’re fat because I hate you.”

Check out this clip:

youtube

Another chiasmus example comes from Dorothy Parker. She said:

“I’m not a writer with a drinking problem; I’m a drinker with a writing problem.”

Parker was a poet and writer who was known for her wisecracks and witty comments.

Speaking of witty comments, Yogi Berra was well known for those too.

Berra was a famous American baseball player for the New York Yankees. And in March 1986, he was trying to tell Houston journalists that he wasn’t responsible for all the comments attributed to him.

Or, as Yogi put it:

“I really didn’t say everything I said.”

This chiasmus statement was later featured in the LA times because of how funny it was.

Examples of Chiasmus in Speeches

Make no mistake.

John F. Kennedy’s speeches are chock-full of rhetoric. He used everything from anaphora, antitheses, repetition, and more to express his ideas.

And it worked.

He gave us two prime chiasmus examples when he said:

“Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.”

“Mankind must put an end to war – or war will put an end to mankind.”

So that begs the question:

Why did JFK use literary devices like chiasmus so much?

Because it allowed him to persuade his audience and leave a tremendous impact on the world.

The use of rhetorical devices also made his quotes memorable, hence why they’re still repeated decades later.

Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian politician, was also no stranger to the benefits of such rhetorical devices.

Here’s one of his famous chiasmus examples:

“It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.”

I’d say he had a point, wouldn’t you?

Related Terms

Chiasmus goes hand in hand with several literary devices like parallelism, antithesis, and juxtaposition.

How so?

For starters, a chiasmus is a type of inverted parallelism.

Now, inverted parallelism happens when word order or grammatical structure is reversed in two phrases.

And surprise, surprise:

Antithesis is another literary device used alongside chiasmus. Like chiasmus, antithesis juxtaposes two opposing concepts.

But how does chiasmus differ from antithesis?

Well, antithesis creates a contrast between words or ideas. Chiasmus, on the other hand, reverses grammatical structure or wording in successive phrases or sentences.

Take this antithesis example from Neil Armstrong:

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

“Small step” and “giant leap” are opposites.

But here’s the deal:

Chiasmus isn’t just about placing related concepts together for contrast. Instead, chiasmus takes it a step further by actually swapping the order of the parts.

Remember our Mae West example from earlier:

“It’s not the men in my life; it’s the life in my men.”

See the difference?

Why Use Chiasmus in Your Writing?

Writing, if done well, can open the hearts and minds of your readers.

It can also inspire them to take action, entice them to buy a product or service, or relate to them on a deeper level.

Don’t just take it from me, though. Even Forbes believes in the power of writing, having recently published an article calling writing the “most important skill” to have in business.

So now you’re asking:

How can I stand out amongst the sea of other content creators?

How can I create content so good that it resonates with people?

Well, it might be easier than you think.

Successful writers — the ones who grow a fan base of loyal readers — use literary techniques like chiasmus.

And guess what?

You can too. When you use chiastic patterns in your writing, you can:

Enhance your prose by emphasizing your message

Make your content more memorable and quotable

Add structure or poetic form to your writing

Draw attention to unique ideas

That, my friend, is why you want to use chiasmus in your writing. Because it gives you an edge that makes your content more memorable, punchy, and quotable.

So now the question becomes…

How Can I Apply These Chiasmus Examples to My Writing?

If you want to add more gusto to your writing — and I mean really take it to the next level — then you’ll need examples and inspiration.

The next time you see a chiasmus example you like — hopefully, you found a few in this post — put it in your swipe file for safekeeping. Then, when you’re ready to write, revisit your examples and let them inspire your own powerful words!

Successful artists and writers have been doing this for ages.

Now it’s your turn.

The post 15+ Chiasmus Examples & Definition: Write Like Yoda, You Will appeared first on Smart Blogger.

from SEO and SM Tips https://smartblogger.com/chiasmus-examples/

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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15+ Diction Examples for Any Voice and Style (Formal & Informal)

Looking for diction examples to inspire your next writing project?

Ready to add some interest and flair to your prose?

While diction is a pretty straightforward literary element, seeing it in action makes it easier to understand.

That’s why we’ve come up with numerous examples to illustrate the varieties of diction and the ways it can enhance your writing.

By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll have a solid understanding of what diction is, the different types of diction, and how it can help you be a better writer.

Let’s dive in.

What is Diction?

Diction is a literary device used by writers to convey their message in a specific style and tone.

In other words, diction encompasses the distinct word choices, tone, and style used by a writer.

You see, the style and tone of a story can change dramatically according to the writer’s choice in vocabulary — and we’ll see why that matters in a second.

Likewise, diction can also describe a style of writing particular to a writer.

For example, a fictional story set in Paris during WWII will have different diction than a story set in New York City in 2021.

Stephen King’s diction differs from John Grisham’s because they are writing for different audiences.

And even though Nora Roberts and Danielle Steel are both romance authors, their styles, or diction, are different because they each make word choices unique to the way they write.

What is the Purpose of Diction?

Diction is choosing your words with care to direct a story, establish a background, or set a tone.

A presidential speech will almost always have a formal tone.

Compare that to a webinar script where, even for an expensive product, it will come across as more casual (even as the speaker demonstrates authority on the topic).

Related Terms

Some literary terms are closely related to diction, but they mean different things.

For context, and to get a better understanding of diction, let’s review these terms.

Idiom

Idiom has two meanings.

Idiom is sometimes used as a synonym for diction, meaning the words a writer uses.

It can also refer to a phrase that has a different meaning than the words would imply.

Break a leg does not mean that someone literally wants you to break your leg.

Break a leg is an example of an idiom that means good luck.

Once in a blue moon doesn’t really refer to the moon turning blue.

It means something that happens infrequently.

Dialect

Dialects can be divided into two groups: regional dialect and social dialect.

Regional dialects refer to how people in different regions speak differently, while social dialects refer to how people from different social backgrounds speak differently.

An example of regional dialect would be the word y’all.

Though I haven’t lived in the south for almost 20 years, I grew up there, and I still use the southern dialect of y’all in my writing & speech.

My extended family in New York knows what I mean when I say y’all, but they’d never use the expression themselves. Being Northerners, they’d say you guys.

Another example:

Charles Dickens used social dialect to set a tone for his stories.

Take a peek at the quote below and note how Dickens wrote Sam Weller’s speech patterns to reflect his social standing in Victorian England.

Based on his dialect, can you guess if Sam was a wealthy person or someone from the working class?

From The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens:

“That’s the pint, sir. Out vith it, as the father said to the child, wen he swallowed a garden.”

If you guessed working class, you’re right!

See how Sam Weller’s Cockney dialect reveals his working-class background?

Jargon

Jargon is a type of language specific to a particular group or profession, like law, business, or medicine.

Outsiders find it more difficult to understand than normal language because they haven’t been exposed to the same vocabulary.

Now, when jargon becomes too difficult, it can alienate readers.

For example, if you’ve never started a blog or online business, phrases like click-through rate (CTR) or search engine optimization (SEO) might be puzzling. But once you’ve been blogging a while, those terms become a regular part of your vocabulary.

7 Types of Diction with Examples

Formal Diction

Formal diction word choices are very specific and proper.

For example:

In response to a request that you do something, formal diction might sound like, “I will address that issue right away.”

Alternatively, using informal diction, the response would be more casual like, “You got it.”

Both sentences mean the same thing, but they convey distinct tones.

Pedantic Diction

Pedantic diction is when a writer uses unnecessarily long words, more complex sentence structures, or archaic words to show their intelligence.

This comes across as pretentious, making the reader feel like they’re being talked down to, and also making them less interested in what the writer has to say.

Sheldon Cooper of the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory is an excellent example of someone using pedantic diction.

Here’s a glimpse of Sheldon’s pedantic diction in action:

Sheldon: “I’m writing an appeal to the faculty senate so that I can move on from string theory.”

Leonard: “How’s it going?”

Sheldon: You tell me. “Dear esteemed colleagues. As you may know, I have requested to change my field of study. My decision to do so is, I believe, in the best interest of science. At your convenience, I’d be happy to explain it to you in words you’ll understand.”

Colloquial Diction

Colloquial diction is the use of informal words or expressions associated with a specific region or time period.

Now, writers use colloquial diction because it helps a sentence sound more natural and relaxed — it also adds personality to dialogue, making it rich and memorable.

For example:

“She’s fixin’ to go to the store sometime soon.”

Fixin’ is a southern colloquialism that means getting ready.

For anyone not from the south, this sentence translates to:

“She’s getting ready to go to the store soon.”

Notice how the former sentence has more depth and personality than the latter sentence? Also, did you picture two completely different speakers? That’s the power of colloquial diction.

Slang Diction

Slang is a type of informal language originating with one group of people that eventually makes its way into the greater lexicon.

Slang words tend to be generational and last only for a short period.

For example, slang from the 1970s, like far out or groovy for cool, is rarely heard today.

Some examples of current slang terms would be tea for gossip, shady for suspicious, or ripped for physically fit.

Abstract Diction

Abstract diction is the description of emotions or ideas.

Now, with abstract diction, you can use metaphors and other figures of speech to present concepts that may be difficult to understand.

To illustrate this, let’s look at the concept of love.

Love is intangible — you can’t describe its physical appearance and it doesn’t have features you can highlight. But, as a writer, you paint a picture of love with abstract diction.

For example, take these powerful words from Aristotle:

“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.”

See how something as abstract and intangible as love becomes more concrete and tangible?

Concrete Diction

Concrete diction uses specific and detailed words to vivid imagery for the reader.

For example, if you were telling someone about the dinner, you had at the new restaurant in town, you could say, “I had the steak.”

Or you could say, “I had the marinated flank steak, sauteed asparagus with aged gouda, and roasted fingerling potatoes. Then for dessert, we had butterscotch banana splits. It was amazing!”

Which description paints a more detailed image of your meal?

Poetic Diction

Poetic diction is the use of language to evoke a mood or feeling.

Specifically, poetic diction relies on repetition, alliteration, figurative language, and other devices to create an emotional response in the reader.

Although poetic diction is most often used in poetry, it can be found in other forms of writing, such as song lyrics or even advertising copy.

The poem Up In a Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson is a good example of poetic diction.

“How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do!”

Examples of Diction in Literature

We can find many examples of diction in literature.

For example, look at Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

“You don’t know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; but that ain’t no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly.”

Huck’s diction reflects his casual, boyish manner and lack of formal education. Notice how Twain uses diction to set a mood for the story?

Contrast that with Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

“He didn’t say any more, but we’ve always been unusually communicative in a reserved way, and I understood that he meant a great deal more than that. In consequence, I’m inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores.”

Nick has a far more formal way of speaking — it’s cultured and sophisticated and sets a very different tone for Fitzgerald’s story.

And then let’s look at To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

“You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ’em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change.”

While Atticus Finch normally has a more reserved manner of speech, when he is talking to his daughter, Scout, his tone and cadence change. He’s more relaxed speaking to her, using phrases like “get your goat.”

Final Thoughts on Diction Examples

Now that you’ve seen some examples of diction in literature and other writing, are you ready to add this literary device to your writing toolkit?

Great!

Whether you’re freelance writing for a client or writing blog posts for your own business, diction is a great way to add some life and variety to your prose.

Which type of diction will you try first?

The post 15+ Diction Examples for Any Voice and Style (Formal & Informal) appeared first on Smart Blogger.

from SEO and SM Tips https://smartblogger.com/diction-examples/

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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20 Aphorism Examples that Prove Knowledge is Power

Alright, show of hands.

How many times have you heard one of the following aphorism examples?

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” “Curiosity killed the cat.” “Practice what you preach.”

Too many times to count, right?

They’re inspirational quotes. They’re in social media captions all over the web. They’re written in countless books and passed down as folk wisdom.

Aphorisms are so common that we hardly think twice about them.

But not today.

Today, I’ll define aphorism and show you how these handy little sayings make your writing more memorable.

Are you in?

Let’s get started.

What is an Aphorism?

An aphorism is a literary device that uses a short, clever saying to express a general truth.

The term aphorism originates from late Latin aphorismus and Greek aphorismos.

Now here’s the big question:

How do aphorisms differ from adages and proverbs?

Truthfully, there aren’t huge differences between the three. That’s why aphorisms, adages, and proverbs are synonyms for each other.

But one key difference is that for a phrase to be truly aphoristic, it needs to be a short statement.

Repeat after me:

Brevity is the key.

Proverbs, on the other hand, can be much longer than aphorisms and adages.

Take this proverb, for example:

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”

It’s a great saying, but it’s not something you’d necessarily repeat over the dinner table.

Now compare that proverb to this famous aphorism:

“The early bird gets the worm.”

See the difference?

Both sayings highlight the benefits of waking up early. But, the aphorism is short and sweet.

Now that we’ve covered the aphorism definition, are you ready for more examples?

Your wish is my command.

20 Aphorism Examples

Aphorisms often use metaphors or creative imagery to express ideas.

And since they’re universal truths about life, they help persuade your reader to accept your message. We see this in literature all the time.

Examples of Aphorism in Literature

Do you believe that a penny saved is a penny earned?

If you do, you agree with George Herbert’s famous aphorism from his book, Outlandish Proverbs.

The original dictum said, “A penny spar’d is twice got,” but it’s adapted over the years for modern English.

Another aphorism that’s adapted is, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

This quote originated from Thomas Howell in New Sonnets and Pretty Pamphlets.

It originally read, “Count not they chickens that unhatched be…”

The meaning?

Don’t count on things that haven’t happened yet because something unexpected could occur.

It’s better safe than sorry, right?

Speaking of being safe, that’s another aphorism example that you’ve probably heard before.

“Better safe than sorry” is a piece of wisdom from Samuel Lover’s book, Rory O’More.

It reminds us to take precautionary measures, so we don’t end up with bad results.

Examples of Aphorisms for Success

Here’s a classic Japanese saying for you:

Nanakorobi yaoki.

What does it mean?

Fall seven times, stand up eight.

This famous motto highlights the truism that life is full of ups and downs.

So what do you do?

You get up and keep trying. Because let’s face it, perseverance is the key to success in life.

Another success aphorism comes from Chris Grosser:

“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.”

Thomas Jefferson also mirrored this general idea when he said, “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”

Examples of Aphorism in Film

It’s become one of the most viral memes on the internet.

What am I referring to?

The part in Star Wars where Yoda says, “There is do, or do not. There is no try.”

It’s one of my favorite aphorisms because it’s simple but yet powerful.

Take a look:

youtube

Luke’s having a tough time, and he’s discouraged.

But Yoda isn’t having it.

He knows that Luke should either decide that he can do it or decide to quit.

Another example comes from Spider-Man, where Uncle Ben turns to Peter Parker and says, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Check it out:

youtube

The idea is simple.

If you can do something, then you need to do it for the good of others.

Michael Corleone from The Godfather II disagreed with that. He played the villain in the movie that famously stated:

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

Remember that?

It’s one of the most recognized aphoristic statements today. See for yourself:

youtube

Examples of Aphorism in Politics

George Washington is known for his wise sayings.

He once stated, “It is better to be alone than in bad company.”

This aphorism is short and sweet, but it teaches us a valuable truth:

Life is too short to surround yourself with toxic people.

Washington also said, “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”

This is especially true if the excuse is a lie. Washington’s message was that it’s wiser to be upfront and deal with the consequences.

We’ve all probably had to learn that the hard way.

This also reminds me of a precept by Sir Edwin Sandys, a politician who helped establish Jamestown, Virginia.

Sandys said, “Honestie the best policie,” which in modern English is…

Yup, you guessed it.

“Honesty is the best policy.”

Like George Washington, Sandys believed that telling the truth is always the way to go.

Aphorism Examples in Everyday Speech

Let me ask you:

Have you ever felt frustrated when other people didn’t meet your expectations?

Napoleon Bonaparte could relate.

He once stated, “If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.”

Oftentimes, it makes sense to delegate tasks.

Sometimes, though?

It’s easier to do it yourself rather than try to explain it to someone else.

Shifting gears a little, let’s talk about one of the world’s greatest aphorists – Benjamin Franklin.

He’s earned that title because he’s authored dozens of aphorisms.

One of his most notable is, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

People often use this quote when discussing health, but Franklin was talking about fire safety.

That’s not what you expected, was it?

Yup, he was reminding Philadelphians that preventing fires is better than fighting them.

Finally, “Actions speak louder than words” is another classic example.

The origins of this saying are open for debate, but it’s primarily attributed to Abraham Lincoln.

Other Common Examples of Aphorisms

Want a few more?

“A Jack of all trades is a master of none” is a familiar aphorism famously used by Robert Greene in his book, Greene’s Groats-Worth of Wit.

The complete quote was, “A Jack of all trades and master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

Interestingly enough, this saying was initially intended as a compliment. It meant that the person was versatile and adept at many things.

But these days?

Not so much.

Today, calling someone a “Jack of all trades” is usually a jab because it implies that their knowledge is superficial.

Not good.

Another memorable aphorism is, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

This quote came from Wales, first appearing in an 1866 publication.

The original saying was, “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.”

Finally, “All things come to those who wait” is a good aphorism we’re all familiar with.

It originated from Lady Mary Montgomerie Currie’s poem Tout vient a qui sait attendre:

“’Ah, all things come to those who wait,’

(I say these words to make me glad),”

Now you might be asking:

Why is this stuff important?

Let’s talk about that.

The Purpose & Function of Aphorism

Aphorisms state universal truths about life that encourage reflection.

They’re easy to remember and pass down through generations because they’re concise.

Skilled writers use aphorisms to evoke big ideas in a relatable way. Because, if you can remind your reader of a quote they’re familiar with, then you can build upon a foundation of shared meaning.

Aphoristic statements also appear in everyday life, such as daily speeches made by politicians and leaders.

Their direct, witty approach is what makes these self-evident truths powerful.

Not only that, but you can use aphorisms in your writing to summarize your central theme.

For example:

If you’re writing about how to be a better writer, then the aphorism you might choose to summarize your advice could be, “Practice makes perfect.”

And get this:

Aphorisms can act as a guideline to help narrow the focus of your work.

For example, in The Boy Who Cried Wolf by Aesop and Musaeus Grammaticus, the moral of the story can be summarized with the aphorism, “Honesty is the best policy.”

Your stories can benefit from this method too.

Pick an aphorism that relates to your message and use it to stay focused on your overarching theme. From there, you can build your story around it.

Ready to Use These Aphorism Examples In Your Writing?

It’s time.

You’re prepared to use these handy little sayings to make your prose more relatable.

But there’s no certain magic to sprinkling aphorisms into your writing. There must be a method to your madness.

So my advice?

Try this common approach used by children’s authors: Start by finding an aphorism that summarizes the main insight or “moral” of your story. Then use it as a guideline to stay focused on your general theme.

And then?

Build a storyline around that saying.

Give it a try!

As they say, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

The post 20 Aphorism Examples that Prove Knowledge is Power appeared first on Smart Blogger.

from SEO and SM Tips https://smartblogger.com/aphorism-examples/

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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8 Common Website Design Mistakes You Should Avoid

Having a consistent, targeted, and relevant presence online is critical for every organization, whether it is a multinational monster, a start-up, or a tiny, local firm. Your website should be appealing and interesting to visitors.

It can be challenging to understand website design. Many organizations struggle to cope when it comes to designing a layout that increases conversions and earns income. Your website must be beautiful, but it must also generate revenue.

Companies still make the mistake of focusing on a design that looks beautiful instead of one that maximizes exchange rates. These errors are subtle, yet they cause a lot of harm. Businesses lose prospective clients because of having an improperly designed website, which has a detrimental effect on their profit margin. The most typical blunders firms make while establishing their own website are mentioned below.

1. Crowded Website

will be degraded if too much information is displayed at once. It’s never a good idea to have a packed website. On the website, only vital information should be displayed right away.

Visitors who do not comprehend what your site is about within the first few seconds will leave. While this is crucial to remember, it frequently leads to entrepreneurs putting too much information on the home page. Websites with many images, content, and other elements may also take a long time to load and can frustrate your visitors.

2. Not Having Enough Content

Having a website with almost no content is also a bad idea. Many small company websites are extremely minimalistic, leaving too much to interpretation. That is a major mistake.

Your customers are curious about who you are or what your company can accomplish for them. If you heavily depend on simple pictures with no clear direction, you’ll be leaving your visitors wondering, which is never a good thing.

3. Bad CTA

Your company’s doorway is your call to action (CTA). It tells your visitors what they should do. It’s vital, of course, that your CTA tells visitors precisely what they need to do. Users should be well-informed enough to understand what they will get from performing any action and what information they will be needed to provide.

There is, nevertheless, a fine line between being beneficial and being annoying. Make sure your CTA is straightforward and leads customers to the appropriate action. Filling out forms should be kept to a minimum level, and you should allow them a few minutes on your site before showing the CTA.

4. Not Having User-Friendly Font sizes

One of the usual problems in any website design is text that is too tough to read. Body text should be larger than 14px, and it should be readable on all devices. If users still have to strain while viewing a paragraph, it’s time to start talking to your web design services.

5. Complicated Navigation

Navigational issues will quickly destroy your website’s credibility. We live in an age when everything is instantaneous, and any hesitation may force people to abandon your website. Having your navigation bar tough to find is a common web design mistake.

Have you ever gone to a website and couldn’t find the menu or a search choice? It is, without a doubt, aggravating. Make sure your website’s navigation is easy to grasp and much easier to spot.

6. Lacking Contact Information

Surprisingly, not providing contact information is another common misstep. Users will want to contact you if they are interested in your products or have a query.

If a visitor must search your site for contact details, they will feel irritated and leave. Your “Contact Us” page or your contact information should always be a tap away or at the bottom of every page.

7. Too many Advertisements

Advertising is a typical occurrence in the world of internet design, particularly on blogs, where it is one of the key money streams. However, too many advertisements, particularly those that are loud and colorful, will upset your visitors and result in income loss.

Examine your advertisements carefully. If they bother you even slightly, they will undoubtedly irritate your visitors. Keep an eye out for pop-up windows. Ensure that they’re easy to close and don’t take up the complete window while they’re back.

8. Not Focusing on SEO Keywords

Search engine optimization is essential for website design. Good SEO study can assist you in ensuring that keywords are properly placed throughout the website, in titles, and in metadata. Google, YouTube, and Pinterest can assist you in determining the keywords you believe your visitors will use to locate you.

It’s also a good idea to employ the keywords regularly throughout the website once you’ve identified them. Furthermore, detailed SEO research would be beneficial. It will not only improve your website’s ranking, but it will also boost the number of visitors.

Final Verdict

You might suffer financially if you make mistakes with your website design. Even though you can learn from your mistakes and enhance your webpage, it is preferable to be equipped before constructing a website to avoid unnecessary errors.

From strategy to post-launch research, always

keep your intended audience and brand image in mind during the design phase. You’ll have a stunning website that says a great deal about your company if you can harmonize the two and use efficient custom web design developers.

Contact the Biz360 Website Design team to learn how we can help!

Phone: (561) 264-7311‬

Email: [email protected]

source https://www.biz-360.co/post/common-website-design-mistakes source https://biz360.tumblr.com/post/663886273216413696

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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How Web Design can Make or Break Your Company

Having an excellent website is critical for your company’s success. Without a fully functional and aesthetically pleasing site, you will struggle to attract visitors and convert leads into customers.

The reason is that when a visitor lands on your website, they want to quickly find a solution to their problem. If they don’t see within the first few seconds, they will leave the site. Good web design ensures that visitors find what they are looking for without a hassle. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the design of the site during the development phase.

You should think of your website as an asset that can increase your profit margins. Whether you’ve put in the work to create an appealing, high-converting website or not, website design may drown or float your organization in various ways.

Below we have shared reasons behind the importance of good web design.

Why Web Design can Make or Break your business

You believe that your website is among several other strategies to promote your company. Although this is correct, the website plays a considerably larger influence. Below are some of the reasons why the caliber of your website design may make or break your company.

· It is the First Thing that People See

When individuals want to learn more about a company, they will go online and look for information. They will find the means to gain additional information, whether it is through Wikipedia or social media. Your site will appear as the first result of the search. The reference to your site is also visible on your social media platforms.

As a result, your website will be the first point of contact for a potential customer. You can encourage more individuals to buy your products or services if the web design of your page is appealing and enticing.

· Everything Works Online Nowadays

Because most consumers prefer to buy things online, many physical retail establishments are planning to go digital. This has increased the competition, and if you don’t have a good website to promote your company, the competition will conquer the market.

To prevent this from happening, you can employ a good web design company to make your job easier and your website aesthetically pleasing.

· Your Website Design Depicts Your Business Stability

Having a website means that there’s something special you have to offer, and you want the world to think about it. It’s beneficial to your business if you maintain the page and transactions continue to take place. Your business could suffer if you don’t have a great website that is operational across multiple devices.

How to Grab the Attention of Consumers with Your Website?

· Create a Visually Pleasing website

Any company’s goal should be to grab people’s attention, and the same should be true for the company’s website. If you’re developing a website for your own firm, make sure the design grabs the attention of the public. You should also make sure that it correspondswith the products or services you offer.

There are a lot of websites that are well-organized and easy to navigate. However, they are not well-designed. Most of these websites were created using free software. At the end of the day, what is free does not necessarily mean that it will be good. It is best to employ a creative web design agency for the task.

· Keep SEO Top Priority

A well-designed website will be more than just appealing to the eye. It can also help in improving your search rankings, which will increase the number of visitors toyour site.

If you don’t consider SEO while designing your website, it will not appear in the top results of search engine rankings, which means that customers may not be able to find it. Therefore, it is essential to focus on SEO when developing a website.

· Focus onMobile-Friendly Site

You must also consider that your visitors may not be accessing your site via a computer - an astonishing 40% of users access the internet through their smartphones. A design that adapts to all kinds of devices indicates that you care about your consumers’ transparency and accessibility.

Creating a website that works on any screen makes it easier to accommodate people who browse for products and services when they are free. Improve your chances of returning consumers by making your website easily accessible and noticeable to everyone.

· Present the Information Clearly

After a website takes a lot of time to load, the most disappointing thing for a visitor is not rapidly discovering what they’re searching for once they’re on the site. The topic of site navigation is crucial since it has an impact on the user’s experience as well as search engine rankings.

For search engines to analyze the information on sites and decide where to place them, this information must be simple to find and scan. Verify that the navigation links on each tab are for subjects or products, which are most probably what they were looking for when they came to your website.

Final Verdict

As a business, you have the power to choose how you want to be viewed by your target market. Do you want to be recognized as a lively and engaging agency or a serious and professional one? Every choice, from the overall design to the color and font selections, has an impact.

Whenever it comes to design, there is a lot of room for creativity, but it’s critical to choose one that resonates with the target audience since this will determine whether they return to you or not.

source https://www.biz-360.co/post/how-web-design-can-make-or-break-your-company source https://biz360.tumblr.com/post/663874930172182528

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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Benefits of Custom Web Design and Development

Any successful entrepreneur is always looking for ways to cut costs and increase profits. Growing a business digitally is one of the most effective ways to reach out to new customers and improve sales. That is why a personalized website for your internet presence is worthwhile.

In today’s competitive market, it’s critical to make sure your website is beautiful and enticing so that consumers will want to visit and explore it. Creating a bespoke website for your company should not be viewed as a cost but rather as a wise investment that will allow your business to grow.Custom web design is a better alternative than using outdated templates that offer no personalization. Below we’ve shared some benefits of custom web design.

1. Unique Design

A customized site design exudes personality and distinctiveness. No other person or company will have the same layout as your website (unless they’re trying to copy you). Thisdistinguishes your web design company from the competition.

It takes more than placing your brand on top of your website to build a successful business online. It is not about attempting to squeeze your company’s brand into a template but rather about creating a professional base that highlights your company’s individuality and elegance. Your corporate image promotes itself, and your website sells itself.

2. Creates a Strong First Impression

Websites made using templates might appear untidy and jeopardize your reputation with potential customers. Your website will make a powerful and appealing first impression if it is built by experienced designers and developers.

3. Unlimited Growth Opportunities

Startup founders may believe that a basic website is sufficient. But this is the time when you should strike off! Time passes, and the business flourishes. Unfortunately, a website established using existing templates or a website building platform hasvery little room for growth.

They don’t have what’s known as “scalability.” Custom web design allows you to build your site to the precise size and shape you choose. It prepares for future problems, such as tolerating larger traffic volumes.

4. Focused On Your Customers

If it weren’t for your consumers, your company would be forced to shut down its gates. A customized web design can take your company’s aims and targets and create the best architecture, rhythm, and customer experience to entice the customers to buy your products and services.

5. Ability to Evolve in Response to Business Changes

Businesses may expand the design process with customized website design. Although developers will originally build up a good structure while designing the site’s vision, business developments may need you to add new features or content.

Because you already have a partnership with a custom web design company, you won’t have to go through the hassle of attempting to accomplish this on your own and perhaps messing up your site.

However, be aware that it will almost certainly incur additional expenditures, so plan accordingly. Template-based websites, on the other hand, are designed to be stagnant and, much worse, aren’t upgraded or managed adequately to suit changing online demands.

6. StandOut from YourCompetitors

The most wonderful benefit of rivals is that they allow you to be your best self and take your business to the next level. Your unique web design establishes a strong presence for your brand, boldly presents your company’s image to clients, and helps you stand out from the crowd.

7. SEO Optimized

A customized website design enables you to construct your website using SEO strategies that will help you get higher search engine rankings, thus making your company reach a maximum number of viewers and gain better insight.

When you work with a custom web design agency, you will also get assistance from SEO specialists who will be able to use the latest white hat techniques to boost your search engine rankings.

8. Freedom to Make any Change

New technological developments emerge on a regular basis. Customized website development provides you total control over how you implement them. Your website may constantly be updated or redesigned to meet your changing needs.

9. Scalability

Custom web design makes it possible to create a database structure that will benefit your company as it expands. Other platforms, such as social networking tools and shopping, can be integrated and personalized further. While personal website design costs may be greater at first, these sites provide a superior return on investment.

10. A Strong Relationship

What will happen if you need to reform to an off-the-shelf template? You will struggle to do it. On the other hand, with a customized web design, you may build a connection with a group of specialists who can support your website to flourish.

You have the contact number whenever you want your website to do something completely new, and you can hear the pleasant voices that you recognize and believe will be able to assist you, eliminating the worry ofmaintaining your website to keep it relevant.

11. Less Frequent Updates

You won’t be stuck with a less-than-ideal template for your website if you alter it. It will be up-to-date and modern. You won’t have to start over from scratch; instead, you’ll be able to make minor changes and alterations. So, while bespoke site design takes more effort initially, you’ll discover that it takes a lot less time to maintain. Custom web designs are indeed more flexible.

Final Verdict

Aside from the elements listed above, there are a few additional design considerations to think about, such as website administration, the production of uniform visuals, and content availability.

With custom web design and development, you have creative freedom and can have the website developed according to the vision you have in mind.

source https://www.biz-360.co/post/benefits-of-custom-web-design-and-development source https://biz360.tumblr.com/post/663874929314365440

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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8 Things You're Doing Wrong with Website Design

The most typical blunders firms make while establishing their own website are mentioned below.

1. Crowded Website

A user’s experience will be degraded if too much information is displayed at once. It’s never a good idea to have a packed website. On the website, only vital information should be displayed right away.

2. Not Having Enough Content

Having a website with almost no content is also a bad idea. Many small company websites are extremely minimalistic, leaving too much to interpretation. That is a major mistake.

3. Bad CTA

4. Not Having User-Friendly Font sizes

5. Complicated Navigation

Have you ever gone to a website and couldn’t find the menu or a search choice? It is, without a doubt, aggravating. Make sure your website’s navigation is easy to grasp and much easier to spot.

6. Lacking Contact Information

Surprisingly, not providing contact information is another common misstep. Users will want to contact you if they are interested in your products or have a query.

7. Too many Advertisements

Examine your advertisements carefully.If they bother you even slightly, they will undoubtedly irritate your visitors. Keep an eye out for pop-up windows. Ensure that they’re easy to close and don’t take up the complete window while they’re back.

8. Not Focusing on SEO Keywords

Final Verdict

From strategy to post-launch research, always keep your intended audience and brand image in mind during the design phase. You’ll have a stunning website that says a great deal about your company if you can harmonize the two and use efficient custom web design developers.

source https://www.biz-360.co/post/8-things-you-re-doing-wrong-with-website-design source https://biz360.tumblr.com/post/663874930690097152

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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Allusion Defined: 25+ Allusion Examples from Literature & Life

The best allusion examples in literature, film, TV, and conversations demonstrate why this literary device is so powerful.

Not only do allusions capture attention and create a sense of shared understanding, but we can’t seem to help weaving them into our creations.

You probably use allusions more often than you realize.

And whatever you’re alluding to within your story, article, screenplay, speech, or conversation, you want your audience to feel that spark of recognition.

So what are some good allusions you can use to draw them in?

What is Allusion?

Put simply, an allusion is a reference to something outside the moment in which your scene, song, or statement takes place.

An external allusion (which most allusions are) refers to something outside your story but familiar to your reader.

An internal allusion refers to something earlier in your story, which you hope your reader noticed.

TLDR; an allusion is like a subtle reference to something.

Understanding Allusions

It helps to have a working allusion definition.

But to really understand allusions, you need to see them in context and get a handle on some of their history as a literary device.

Storytellers use allusions all the time and have for centuries. If they can trigger a memory in their reader, they can draw them more deeply into the scene.

The reader picks up the allusion, recognizes the reference, and feels more like an insider — someone with shared knowledge. Plus, any mental images that come to mind as a result of the allusion help tie the story to the reader’s own experience.

As common as they are, it’s important to distinguish between allusions and other literary devices like the following:

Allegory – when a character symbolizes a real-world problem, value, or occurrence

Analogy – when two unrelated objects are compared to show similarities

Archetype – a universal idea, symbol, pattern, or character type used in a story

Citation – directly referencing a relevant author or source by name

Foreshadowing – an indirect reference to something that will happen later

Parody – imitating an author or style with intent to ridicule

Pastiche – imitating an author or style with intent to celebrate

How to Recognize Allusions

To recognize an allusion and distinguish it from similar literary devices, keep the following in mind (especially with external allusions):

Allusions refer to something the author’s peers/audience will likely know about

Unlike foreshadowing, allusion refers to something that’s already happened

Unlike with archetypes, the thing alluded to is not universally known or timeless

The passage of time can make allusions less effective; familiarity is not guaranteed

Allusions do not require nor offer further explanation

Authors use allusion with the assumption that most if not all their readers are familiar with what they’re referencing.

And in some cases – like allusions to bible stories or to Roman or Greek mythology – the references retain their potency over the years.

Not all allusions age well.

But the examples below reference events, stories, and characters that still have a prominent place in our collective memory.

25 Allusion Examples

We’ve grouped the following collection of allusion examples according to type. Depending on your background and interests, some are likely to be more familiar than others.

Allusions in Classical Mythology

Allusions to Greek and Roman mythology have aged fairly well over the centuries. Allude to a Greek or Roman god or myth and those who share that knowledge pay closer attention.

Ask yourself if any of the following examples sound familiar.

“He’s hosting his annual Bacchanal this weekend. Most of the neighborhood is showing up. The rest have the cops on speed dial.”

The allusion to Bacchus / Dionysus — the god of wine and revelry — lets the reader (and the neighbors) know what to expect of the party being held.

Midas Tire Company’s motto: “Trust the Midas touch.”

The motto alludes to the mythological King Midas whose touch could turn anything (or anyone) to gold. Midas Tire Company uses that allusion to convey the idea that whatever project they touch will “turn to gold,” i.e., result in the best outcome for their customers.

“The mayor’s protean policies mirrored those of his most generous supporters.”

Here, the speaker alludes to the Greek god Proteus, who could change his shape at will. Another mythological figure used in a similar way is the two-faced Roman god Janus.

Biblical Allusions

The bible is actually the source of numerous allusions we use in everyday speech.

Here are some of the more familiar ones you’ve probably heard (or used yourself):

“There he goes again, playing the Good Samaritan.”

This allusion references the popular Bible story to describe someone who goes out of their way to help a stranger.

“I guess that’s just my cross to bear.”

This biblical allusion references the crucifixion of Jesus and meaning a burden to bear or suffering to accept or tolerate.

“Your father has the patience of Job!”

And finally, this reference alluding the biblical character, Job, to describe someone with extreme patience in the face of unusual challenges.

Allusion Examples in Poetry

Allusions in poetry can either be brief references or extended parallels that continue throughout the piece — or for a significant part of it.

“Nothing Gold Can Stay” (1923) by Robert Frost

“Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.”

Frost briefly references the Garden of Eden in the bible to drive home his point that not even paradise can last forever.

All Overgrown By Cunning Moss” by Emily Dickinson

“All overgrown by cunning moss,

All interspersed with weed,

The little cage of “Currer Bell”

In quiet “Haworth” laid.”

Currer Bell was the pen name of Charlotte Bronte, who died and was buried in the English village of Haworth. Dickinson wrote this poem as a tribute to Bronte on the fourth anniversary of her death.

“Poem Written in a Copy of Beowulf” by Jorge Luis Borges

”At various times, I have asked myself what reasons

moved me to study, while my night came down,

without particular hope of satisfaction,

the language of the blunt-tongued Anglo-Saxons.”

The entire poem depends on its audience’s familiarity with the story of Beowulf — its origins and its significance to world literature.

“A Name” by Ada Limón

‘When Eve walked among

the animals and named them—

nightingale, red-shouldered hawk,

fiddler crab, fallow deer—

I wonder if she ever wanted

them to speak back, looked into

their wide wonderful eyes and

whispered, ‘Name me, name me.’”

The allusion to Eve from the book of Genesis isn’t meant to be biblically accurate; the point is to take a well-known character and ask “What if…”?

Historical Allusion Examples

History is full of interesting characters, some more notorious than others. The following examples highlight just a sampling of figures and events that still capture our attention.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) by Harper Lee

“Are we poor, Atticus?”

Atticus nodded. “We are indeed.”

Jem’s nose wrinkled. “Are we as poor as the Cunninghams?”

“Not exactly. The Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them hardest.”

When the character Atticus Finch mentions “the crash,” he’s alluding to the Stock Market Crash of 1929, which led to the Great Depression.

Star Trek (original series) allusions to Cold War events.

The creator, Gene Roddenberry, wanted to create episodes that alluded to the most pressing social and political controversies of the 1960s — the nuclear arms race, the Vietnam War, sexual liberation, and race relations.

Moby Dick (1851) by Herman Melville

The 19th-century whaling ship in the story is named Pequod, which alludes to the Native American Pequot tribe. Melville’s original audience was likely familiar with the Pequot War of 1636-1637, which nearly drove this tribe to extinction.

In this case, the ship’s name was both an allusion and a foreshadowing.

Examples of Allusion in Literature

Allusions in literature typically reference classic literary work, mythological or religious characters, or historical characters and events.

Consider the following literary allusion examples:

Shakespeare’s Hamlet

“See what a grace was seated on this brow,

Hyperion‘s curls, the front of Jove himself,

An eye like Mars‘ to threaten and command …”

Shakespeare uses mythological allusions to show Hamlet’s admiration for his murdered father — comparing the latter to three gods in Roman mythology.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

“The two knitting women increase his anxiety by gazing at him and all the other sailors with knowing unconcern.

Their eerie looks suggest that they know what will happen (the men dying), yet don’t care.”

Before this quote, Conrad describes the knitting women as “guarding the door of darkness,” alluding to the Fates of Greek mythology, who spin, measure, and cut the threads of life.

Look Back In Anger (1957 play) by John Osborne

“I suppose people of our generation aren’t able to die for good causes any longer.

We had all that done for us, in the thirties and forties, when we were still kids.

There aren’t any good, brave causes left.

If the big bang does come, and we all get killed off, it won’t be in aid of the old-fashioned grand design.

It’ll just be for the Brave New-nothing-very-much-thank-you.”

While he never explicitly references the Second World War, Osborne clearly alludes to it here when explaining his generation’s relative lack of purpose.

Allusion Examples in Film & Television

It’s not hard to find examples of allusion in both film and television series, as you’ll see from the few listed below.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

When Cameron leaves his father’s Ferrari at a Chicago parking garage, he doesn’t see the valet taking it for a joyride and soaring down the road to the tune of the Star Wars theme, off on an adventure of his own.

Clueless (1995)

The teen comedy is essentially a modern retelling of the 1815 novel, Emma, by Jane Austen, though even viewers unfamiliar with the original could enjoy the film on its own.

The Angel series (1999 to 2004)

In one episode, Angel (played by David Boreanaz) describes a painting by Manet that features the French poet and critic Baudelaire:

“Now, Baudelaire… interesting fellow. In his poem ‘Le Vampyre’ he wrote: ‘Thou who abruptly as a knife didst come into my heart.’ He, ah, strongly believed that evil forces surrounded mankind. And some even speculated that the poem was about a real vampire. (He laughs). Oh and, ah, Baudelaire’s actually a little taller and a lot drunker than he’s depicted here.”

Allusions in Popular Culture

Pop culture allusions come in different types:

Allusions in pop culture that reference other pop culture

Allusions in pop culture that reference something other than pop culture

Allusions in everyday speech, marketing, or entertainment that reference pop culture

Doctor Who, Season 2: Episode #12: “Army of Ghosts”

In this episode, the Doctor (played by David Tennant), says, “Who you gonna call?” and his companion, Rose Tyler, replies with “Ghostbusters!” alluding to the trademark phrase from the well-known movie franchise (as well as the song).

Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”

“…That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles

and my daddy said ‘Stay away from Juliet‘…”

The song alludes to the lead characters in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Romeo snuck into the garden outside Juliet’s window, throwing pebbles to get her attention.

Kraft Mac’N’Cheese commercial with rapper Vanilla Ice

Not only did Kraft sell their product using a rapper familiar to the age group most likely to be buying it; the commercial also promoted Kraft’s new Ninja Turtle-shaped pasta, reminding viewers of the role Vanilla Ice had played in a Turtles movie.

Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”

If you’ve never heard this song before, give it a listen. Almost every word is a direct allusion to a major historical event in the 20th century.

Let’s take a look at the last verse before the outro:

“Wheel of Fortune, Sally Ride, heavy metal suicide

Foreign debts, homeless vets, AIDS, crack, Bernie Goetz

Hypodermics on the shore, China’s under martial law

Rock and roller, cola wars, I can’t take it anymore”

See what I mean?

Allusions in Everyday Speech

You’ve probably heard some variation on the following examples:

“Wow, Einstein… Thanks for the tip.”

Using sarcasm + an allusion to Albert Einstein, a historical figure recognized as a genius.

“Cupid’s arrows only work if you have a heart.”

A mythological allusion to the Roman god Cupid.

“You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

Alluding to the Greek god Atlas

You can probably think of others. We’re constantly connecting things and using those connections in our conversations and writings to draw people together.

How to Use Allusion in Your Writing

You have some idea, now, of why you’d like to use allusions in your work:

To create a sense of kinship with your readers

To convey big ideas or connect your story to them

To add layers to your story and its characters

To engage with works your readers are already familiar with

To demonstrate your cultural literacy or challenge that of your readers

But maybe you’re not yet sure just how to use them in your own writing. Here are a few time-tested ideas to get you started:

Create a character reminiscent of a well-known character or archetype.

Create a story similar to a beloved classic – but with a modern twist.

Reference a well-known work for the purpose of contrasting it with yours.

Use multiple allusions of a particular kind to hold your reader’s interest.

Practice using allusions as creative writing prompts.

The more you allude to well-known works, events, and characters, the easier it is to connect with your audience, build trust, and establish yourself as an authority.

Make the best use of this timeless literary technique, and your writing will live rent-free in the minds of your readers.

And the more powerful your writing portfolio becomes the more people you’ll reach with your dazzling words.

What’s Your Biggest Takeaway From These Allusion Examples?

Now that you’ve looked through all 25+ examples of allusions, which types would you like to explore or use more often?

Which holds particular appeal for you when you catch them in other people’s work?

As you’ve seen from the allusion examples listed above, all kinds of writers – including copywriters, bloggers, poets, and storytellers – use allusions to get their readers’ attention and stand out from the competition.

Now, it’s your turn to practice. Use the examples as prompts to get your mind working on allusion ideas of your own.

If you’re having fun with it, you’re doing something right.

The post Allusion Defined: 25+ Allusion Examples from Literature & Life appeared first on Smart Blogger.

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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20 Illuminating Juxtaposition Examples if You’re Feeling Lost

Tell me if this sounds familiar.

You’ve heard the term “juxtaposition” but you’re not quite sure how it’s used.

Heck, you’re not even sure how to define juxtaposition.

Well, you’re not alone.

But I want to let you in on a little secret:

This literary device can transform your writing from dead and dull to captivating and thought-provoking.

How so, you ask?

Well, first we have to get clear on the juxtaposition definition. Then we’ll cover some juxtaposition examples to show you how this works.

Ready?

Let’s dive in.

What is Juxtaposition?

Simply put, juxtaposition is a literary device that places two things side by side for a contrasting effect.

For example, consider how the Yin and Yang symbol has contrasting colors. This creates a visual juxtaposition between the black and white.

But here’s the deal:

Juxtaposition is an umbrella literary technique that includes more specific types of contrasts. Oxymorons, foils, and antitheses all fall under this juxtaposition umbrella.

Let’s briefly define each:

Oxymoron is when words have conflicting meanings. Examples include phrases like “bittersweet” and “icy hot.”

Foil is where characters contrast. For example, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are foil characters because Jekyll is a respectable doctor while Mr. Hyde is a violent man.

Antithesis places two opposite ideas together. Neil Armstrong said, “One small step for man, but one giant leap for mankind.” The phrases, “one small step” and “one giant leap” are contrasting ideas.

So far, so good?

Now let’s look at some examples and get a better idea.

20 Juxtaposition Examples

There’s no doubt about it.

Part of what makes juxtaposition so powerful is its versatility. Characters, images, objects, and ideas can all be juxtaposed with one another.

More importantly?

It’s used everywhere. Here are a few places you’ll find it:

Movies

Music

Art

Pop culture

News

Blog posts

Essays

Copywriting

Literature

Speaking of literature, that’s a good place to start.

Examples of Juxtaposition from Literature

One of the most classic juxtaposition examples comes from Robert Frost’s poetry:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

Remember that poem?

Frost’s juxtaposition highlights the contrast between the two paths. One path is well-worn while the other is less traveled.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is another classic example. In this story, Dickens writes:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

After reading that, you might wonder:

The best of times and worst? Is that possible?

Then you realize Dickens is using these contrasting elements to demonstrate the highs and lows of life.

Do you see what Dickens just did?

He made you stop and think. And that’s one of the main goals of juxtaposition.

We also see a similar example in Francis Edward Smedley’s novel Frank Fairleigh. He has a sentence that says:

“All is fair in love and war.”

Smedley places the two contrasting concepts, love and war, together to form an oxymoron.

Then we have a good ol’ fashioned good versus evil juxtaposition.

And who better to do it than Shakespeare?

In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is the evil “friend” who manipulates the good guy, Othello.

Othello loves his wife, but he allows his evil side to murder her out of jealously. Shakespeare used this foil technique to make an interesting storyline.

So interesting, in fact, that he used several juxtapositions throughout his work.

Here’s another example:

In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare writes:

“That is hot ice, and wondrous strange snow!”

Hot and ice contrast each other to create the perfect oxymoron.

Still with me?

Now let’s turn to the big screen.

Juxtaposition Examples in Movies and TV

You remember watching The Lion King for the first time, right?

It’s the most popular Disney film of all time — earning the company over $8 billion since it was released.

The storyline?

Good versus evil.

We see two brothers, Mufasa and Scar, battle it out until one of them dies. In case you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil the ending but…

Here’s a scene showing their two clashing personalities:

youtube

We see more good versus evil juxtapositions from the Harry Potter series.

Harry plays the hero while Voldermort plays the “most evil wizard for hundreds and hundreds of years.”

Now you might be asking:

Why is the good versus evil theme so common?

Simple. Because it grabs your attention and gives you a side to root for.

And just like that?

You’re invested in the storyline because of it.

Now let’s shift gears to a funny foil example. Take a look at the trailer for Pixar’s movie Up:

youtube

Carl Fredricksen is a cranky old man while Russell is a young energetic kid. Juxtaposing these two characters creates a hilarious dynamic between them.

Because here’s the thing:

If you can make your audience laugh, you win.

The writers behind The Simpsons knew humor better than anyone. Check out this funny clip where Homer adopts a pet lobster:

youtube

The juxtaposition here is that Homer sees the lobster, Mr. Pinchy, as a loving pet while Marge sees it as the object of all evil. This creates a hilarious scene based on opposing viewpoints.

Speaking of opposites, do you believe they attract?

They definitely did in the film Pretty Woman.

The main character, Vivian, is a young escort working the streets of LA. Her love interest, Edward, is a successful older man with years of business experience under his belt.

This foil formed a striking juxtaposition and gave credence to the saying “opposites attract.”

Juxtaposition in Art

Here’s something you might not know:

Visual juxtaposition is a basic principle that artists use all over the world.

For example, we see juxtaposition photography and paintings all the time.

Case in point:

Renaissance painters used the contrast between light and darkness to differentiate between main figures and their backgrounds.

The reason?

It gave their paintings depth and drew attention to a main focal point.

Now the question is…

Can visual juxtaposition include more than just black and white?

Yup. Here are a few common juxtaposition examples in art:

Texture contrast (smooth versus rough)

Shape contrast (square versus circle)

Edge contrast (rough edge versus soft edge)

Hue contrast (orange versus blue)

Hue contrasts were one of Vincent Van Gogh’s favorite techniques. In Olive Grove, he used a sharp hue contrast to create a stunning effect using complementary colors.

But that’s not all.

Vincent Van Gogh also played around with sensory details by incorporating textures in his work.

What do I mean by textures?

Here are a few examples:

Putting together different subjects, textures, and shapes creates a visual juxtaposition.

For example, the shape composition technique uses big versus small, circles versus squares, and so on.

We see that here:

Source: Ctrl+Paint

Notice how the artist places the square box inside the circular spotlight?

You can also find juxtaposition in architecture, street photography, and even graffiti.

For example, you might see a colorful montage of graffiti paired with a contrasting background.

Photographers love how beautifully the colors contrast, so they’ll take juxtaposition photos of it.

Pretty neat, huh?

Juxtaposition in Songs

Remember listening to LL Cool J as a kid?

No? Just me?

Alright, well, his song “Hollis to Hollywood” has these lyrics:

I’m makin’ Speed like I’m Keanu Reeves

But too many True Lies can make a honey please

Placing “true” and “lies” together makes an oxymoron.

Another oxymoron example comes from the Kinks song “Definite Maybe”:

All I want is a yes or a no,

But all I ever get is a definite maybe.

It’s also found in Aerosmith’s “Love In An Elevator”:

Love in an elevator

Livin’ it up when I’m goin’ down

You probably never realized how popular juxtapositions are in music, did you?

But it doesn’t stop there.

We see it in Hazel O’Connor’s “Who Needs It?” which includes these lyrics:

Here comes the era, the era of the living dead

As you can tell, juxtapositions span all music genres, including David Bowie’s song “Just Dance”:

Let’s dance

Put on your red shoes and dance the blues

This juxtaposition later became one of the most popular lines in that song.

This brings me to my next point…

Juxtaposition in Everyday Life

One of my favorite real-life examples comes from Hayden Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko. They were a former celebrity couple that had a stark height difference:

Source: Bustle

Their height difference created a visual juxtaposition that everyone commented on.

We also see a few juxtapositions from some of John F. Kennedy’s most famous speeches.

For example, JFK once said, “We shall never negotiate out of fear and never fear to negotiate.”

Take a look:

youtube

This quote had a rhetorical effect that JFK was fond of.

The former president also notably said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”

The reversal of the words provides a sharp contrast between the ideas.

Here’s another one:

You’ve heard the saying, “Making a mountain out of a molehill,” right?

This juxtaposition is the size difference. A mountain is huge while a molehill is tiny.

Finally, another example is, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

The contrast between new and old highlights the difficulty of learning new things after you get stuck in your ways.

Now you might be asking…

Why Use Juxtaposition?

Let’s be honest.

Writers are more intentional than some people give us credit for.

Because here’s the deal:

When you use literary terms like juxtaposition, you’re adding complexity to your writing. You can use it to tug at their heartstrings, create suspense, or provide comedic relief.

Next thing you know?

You’re engaging your reader on a deeper level.

Take Star Wars, for example.

Even if you’ve never watched any of the movies, you’re probably familiar with the iconic line, “No. I am your father.”

Darth Vader plays the villain while Luke Skywalker is the hero. This foil technique creates suspense in the storyline.

More importantly?

It led us to a few captivating plot twists in the end:

Luke realizes his father isn’t dead

Luke realizes his father is nothing like what he’s been told

Luke discovers the man he has despised (Darth Vader) is actually the person he thought he looked up to

And that, my friend, is how you create a storyline people still talk about decades later.

Now It’s Time to Put These Juxtaposition Examples to Use

The secret’s out.

Juxtapositions help your readers draw comparisons between things they might’ve missed otherwise. It’ll also lure them in and make them think.

But don’t just take it from me.

Try it and let the results speak for themselves. Because in the end, all of this is completely useless if you never try it.

So, get inspired to write and use juxtapositions like oxymorons, foils, and antitheses.

You’ll be glad you did.

The post 20 Illuminating Juxtaposition Examples if You’re Feeling Lost appeared first on Smart Blogger.

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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How to Format a Book: 12 Tools & 10 Tips (+ LOTS of Free Info)

Learning how to format a book properly is perhaps the most under-appreciated skill that authors can learn.

And thankfully, book formatting does not need to be hard.

There are a number of tools and tips that will take you most of the way there, and while some of the tools may have an upfront cost, they will do two things:

Save you time and money in the long run

Make your books more attractive, so your finished book is more likely to sell, or your manuscript more likely to find a buyer

Let’s find out how.

What is Book Formatting?

Your book format is how your book is displayed in print or in an eBook. It’s the visual aspect of the manuscript, including elements like margins, fonts, word sizes, page numbers, line spacing, paragraph breaks, etc.

In other words, formatting is the look of the book as it appears on the pages.

Book Formatting vs Manuscript Formatting

Formatting a manuscript means preparing the document in an accepted format for literary agents or book editors. Formatting guidelines can vary from one publisher to another, but generally include:

A standard font and size

Uniform margins

Left-hand alignment (not justified)

Page size

Scene breaks

Formatting a book is the process of preparing the actual files in the final version of the book. In addition to the above, it can also include:

Gutter considerations

Chapter headers

Front and back matter

Trim sizes

Additionally, the book’s formatting can differ depending on the medium or vendor you’re dealing with.

Why Formatting Your Book or Manuscript is so Important

Imagine that you buy a book, you open it up, and there are no page numbers, no page headings, the space between the lines is too large, and it simply looks like a high school English assignment.

See why this is a problem? Would you be likely to recommend this book to a friend?

Proper book formatting helps avoid this problem. If you can have a beautifully formatted book or eBook, your customers are more likely to buy it, and more likely to enjoy their reading experience.

In short, you’ll sell more books.

7 Tools for Formatting Your Book

Proper formatting begins with having the right tools.

Below, I’ve put together a list of 7 of the best book formatting tools that will give you the best value for your money.

Now, some of these tools are free, and others cost money. So, be sure to review each one carefully and see which tool satisfies your unique needs.

Let’s take a closer look at each!

1. Microsoft Word

For most writers, Microsoft Word is a platform they probably already have. And as a word processor, it’s one of the best.

Who is it good for? Microsoft Word is best for the writer who’s strapped for cash and already has a solid understanding of the program. While Word isn’t the simplest or best-looking formatting option on this list, it’s still a powerful tool if you know how to use it right.

2. Atticus

A newcomer to the book formatting world, Atticus is one of the few formatting tools available on most platforms (Mac and PC included). It’s also sold at one of the best prices, $149 (USD). Along with a simple and intuitive interface, Atticus includes cloud capabilities, allowing you to work on your manuscript anytime, anywhere.

Who is it good for? Atticus is best for authors who want a relatively inexpensive solution to create quality manuscripts. It’s great for cutting back on all the complicated steps of using a program like Word.

3. Vellum

For years, Vellum has been the leader in the book formatting industry. Though expensive, Vellum helps create beautiful-looking books in a snap.

Who is it good for? While Vellum is a viable option, it’s only available for Mac users and will cost you upwards of $199.99 USD ($249.99 if you want to format printed books). That said, the gorgeous end-result of your books speak for themselves.

4. Scrivener

If you’re a writer, then you’ve probably heard of Scrivener. The tool has long been the end-all, be-all of word processors for books. Though primarily engineered as a word processor, it can also format your manuscript for publication.

Who is it good for? Scrivener, like Word, is best for authors that already have an advanced understanding of the platform. Formatting in Scrivener is possible, but there is a learning curve, and most find it a difficult tool to navigate.

5. Adobe InDesign

Speaking of advanced software, Adobe Indesign is probably the most advanced of the bunch. You can format pretty much any type of book with Indesign, but most authors feel the abundance of features overkill for their needs.

Who is it good for? Adobe Indesign is best for authors whose books have special formatting needs — like a children’s book or art book — where the book layout is unique.

6. Kindle Create

Of the free options on this list, Kindle Create is the best formatting tool. It’s a program created by Amazon specifically for self-published authors to format their books for Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). That means you’re guaranteed that the eBook files will function properly on Kindle devices.

Who is it good for? Kindle Create is the best solution for authors who have little to spend on a program like Atticus or Vellum. However, it’s a little clunky if you need to add elements like tables, images, footnotes, etc.

7. Hire a Professional

If none of the above work for you, hiring a professional on a platform like Upwork or Fiverr may be a good solution. This process is more expensive, but can often lead to high-quality results with less time commitment.

Who is it good for? Consider using a freelance formatter if you don’t want to learn how to format a book on your own, and are willing to pay the extra cost. If you don’t plan now writing many books, this may be an attractive option.

5 Tools for Manuscript Formatting

Up next we’ll review 5 of the best tools for manuscript formatting.

Not only will these tools save you time, but you’ll also save yourself the embarrassment of having your manuscript rejected because of poor formatting.

Print or eBook formatting is a much different process than manuscript formatting:

Book formatting is meant to be delivered directly to the reader.

Manuscript formatting helps prepare your book for literary agents or editors, as per their submission guidelines

So, if you’re preparing a manuscript, you’ll need a solid formatting tool to help you meet these guidelines.

Let’s explore the top 5 manuscript formatting tools.

1. Google Docs

Many authors choose to write in Google Docs these days because of its cloud capabilities and similarity to MS Word. If you’re formatting a manuscript, Google Docs is a fine way to do it.

Who is it good for? Google Docs is great for authors who want to back up all their work to the cloud, and want a simple, free, and easy process to format a manuscript.

2. Microsoft Word (Again)

We already mentioned Microsoft Word for book formatting, but it’s an even better program for manuscript formatting. The many features allow you to easily set the page margins, line height, page breaks, and more.

Who is it good for? Microsoft Word is the best software for creating well-formatted manuscripts. If you have access to MS Word, it should be your go-to choice, unless you have some unique needs that Word doesn’t handle.

3. Novlr

Novlr is a word processor built specifically for writing novels. It has a strong emphasis on grammar checking, cloud-based functionality, and ease of use. While not a contender as a book formatting tool, it works fine for a manuscript.

Who is it good for? Novlr is great for authors who want a simple, low-cost solution to both write and format a manuscript for an agent or editor.

4. OpenOffice

OpenOffice is an open-source alternative to Microsoft Word. And if you’re familiar with one, you’ll likely find the other easy to use. OpenOffice also has more functionality than Google Docs, and is better at working offline.

Who is it good for? OpenOffice is best for the author who cannot afford MS Word, and wants something with more functionality than a Google Doc. OpenOffice is both of these things.

5. Ulysses

Ulysses brands itself as “The Ultimate Writing App for Mac, iPad, and iPhone”.

While only available on these platforms, it does offer powerful capabilities on mobile, something that other word processors haven’t yet mastered. Plus it offers a slew of features, including productivity and time management tools, as well cloud-based, multi-platform use.

Who is it good for? Ulysses is only available on Apple products. But authors who use Apple will find it perfect for their manuscript formatting needs.

5 Pro Tips That’ll Help You Format Your Book

Having the right software will get you nowhere if you don’t know how to format a book properly.

Because even with good software, if you indent your paragraphs wrong, or use a bad font, the end result will be jarring for readers.

To that end, here are five tips that you shouldn’t forget when formatting your book.

1. Don’t Skip the Title Page

When a reader opens a book, the title page is the first thing they see.

Therefore, you’ll want an impressive title page — one that informs the reader but also entices them to crack open your book.

What not to do: don’t just throw your book title and author name on a page and leave it be.

What to do: If you can, use an image of your book title that matches the text on the book cover. If not, use a large font size and style that matches the genre and a smaller font for subtitles and your author name.

2. Choose the Best Font

This doesn’t matter for eBooks, but for a printed book, you want to make sure you use a standard font, otherwise it will make it hard for the readers to follow.

What not to do: Use creative or unique fonts for the body of your text (however, creative and eye-catching fonts for chapter headings is okay).

What to do: Use a standard elegant font, with a size of 10-12. Example fonts include: Garamond, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia, Verdana.

3. Watch for Widows and Orphans

Widows and orphans occur when a word exists by itself on one line, like so:

What not to do: Don’t leave the single word hanging or it will jar the reader.

What to do: Make slight adjustments in your margins, line height, spacing, etc. A good tool will avoid these completely, so consider investing in a quality formatting software.

4. Pick the Best Trim Size

The trim size is the actual dimensions of your book. Available trim sizes differ dramatically, so how do you know which is best?

What not to do: Don’t pick trim size without research first.

What to do: Look at the genre that matches your book and see what sizes are most common for that genre. The most common trim sizes are 5 x 8”, 5.5 x 8.5”, and 6 x 9” for fiction and non-fiction, but children’s books and the like may require other sizes.

5. Use Single Spacing

Back when authors wrote with typewriters, it was a common best practice to use a double space between sentences.

However, in the digital age, that rule is no longer valid.

What not to do: Don’t use double spacing. Ever.

What to do: If double spacing is a habit for you, retrain yourself to use one space after each sentence.

5 Tips to Follow When Formatting Your Manuscript

As with the recommended tools above, formatting a manuscript is different from formatting a book.

For the novel manuscript, your main concern is fitting it to a standard format that editors are accustomed to seeing.

Let’s take a look at some formatting options that you should not ignore.

1. Use Times New Roman

While it will vary from one publisher to another, Times New Roman is still the top-recommended font for most publishers.

What not to do: Don’t use extravagant font styles to gain attention.

What to do: Use Times New Roman or whatever recommended font the editor/agent prescribes.

2. Keep 1-inch Margins

Margins are critical for editors when they see a manuscript.

The space gives them plenty of room to take notes and make comments if they need to. The same goes for double spacing, which is another common recommendation. On the flip side, margins that are too large take up too much space.

What not to do: Don’t use 0.5” fonts, or anything larger than 1”

What to do: Use 1” margins or whatever the editor/agent personally recommends.

3. Understand Indents

Most word processors automatically create a new paragraph when you hit enter. And if you’ve styled your document correctly, there’s no need to use the TAB key to indent your paragraph. However, many of us still use it often.

What not to do: Don’t create an extra-large indent over 0.5”.

What to do: Keep the indent to no more than 0.5”. If you use TAB regularly, go to your word processor settings to turn off the automatic indent. FYI: I recommend training yourself not to use TAB.

4. Use Page Breaks

It’s a natural instinct when you reach the end of a chapter to keep hitting the Return/Enter key until a new page starts. But the Page Break function is built for just these circumstances.

What not to do: Don’t keep hitting Return/Enter until your new chapter is on a new page.

What to do: Use the Page Break function available in most — if not all — word processors.

5. Export to Word

If you are sending your manuscript in a digital format to an editor or agent, you’ll want to make sure it’s in a format they can recognize. For most people, the universally accepted file type is .DOCX for Microsoft Word.

What not to do: Don’t send a file type unique to Google Docs, Scrivener, OpenOffice, or any other word processor.

What to do: Most word processors will export to a .DOCX, so do this when your manuscript is ready.

The Bottom Line on How to Format a Book

So, what is the big takeaway here?

Well, my biggest recommendation is that you simply do not skimp out on book formatting.

Even if you have million-dollar writing packed with powerful words and stunning sensory details, without proper formatting, your book might end up being a hot mess. So, take the time to get it right.

For tools, most authors will appreciate Atticus, Vellum, or Kindle Create to produce quality books. And Microsoft Word is the gold standard when it comes to manuscript formatting.

When you get your book’s format right, it looks great, and readers will notice.

Ultimately, you will find that spending the time/money on good formatting will pay itself back.

The post How to Format a Book: 12 Tools & 10 Tips (+ LOTS of Free Info) appeared first on Smart Blogger.

from SEO and SM Tips https://smartblogger.com/how-to-format-a-book/

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pamalamherron92 · 3 years

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7 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Good Web Design

Nowadays, having a website has become a necessity for all kinds of businesses. After all, your website is a powerful marketing tool that can help you to attract and retain clients.

Your website is the face of your business, so you want to make sure it’s well-designed. However, it’s not just the look of a site that matters but how it functions and what it offers visitors that will determine its success or failure. Therefore, a well-designed website, especially if it has been created with SEO in mind, can be a game-changer for your business.

In this blog, we have explained seven reasons why your business needs a good web design and how to go about it.

Sets a Positive First Impression

Web design is the process of creating the look, feel, and functioning of your website. Your website design can make or break customers’ perceptions of your business. A good web design will set a great first impression on visitors browsing through your site, bringing you more leads, revenue and profits.

It’s important to consider what colors and fonts work well together when designing your website pages, so they complement the content on the site. When choosing font styles, it’s best to stick with clean, straightforward typography that doesn’t distract users from the written content.

Enhances Visibility

A good web design improves your visibility, making it easier for potential clients to find your services or products. The right website can even help you get more business by improving conversion rates, which is the percentage of people who take the desired action after visiting your website. Apart from improving your visibility and attracting new customers, a website can help you to save more money on advertising costs than other advertising mediums, such as newspaper ads.

When it comes to your website design, make sure to have an attractive logo along with high quality images that represent your company’s identity and draw visitors into clicking through to learn more about what you have to offer them.

Improves Navigation

Your website needs to have an engaging, user-friendly and intuitive navigation system for your website visitors, which can be achieved by considering how they will interact with it. When companies are getting their websites designed, they should consider many factors that will affect the user experience. This includes color schemes, font size, typeface, spacing between elements on the page, etc. These aspects of web design will make website navigation easier and more enjoyable for all users.

Aids Your SEO Strategy

It is no secret that search engine optimization (SEO) has become the most critical tool for driving traffic to websites. The more visitors you can acquire through organic search, the greater potential for additional revenue streams.

Web design plays a significant role in SEO and web usability; hence, it’s important to incorporate these two factors into your web design or you may risk losing out on valuable opportunities with high-ranking websites like Google, Yahoo!, Bing, and AOL.

How do you know if your hired web design company is doing what they need to be doing? Here are some key questions to ask them:

1. Does your company use tools like Google Analytics so we can measure how well our site performs?

2. Are you designing the website primarily for fast loading so visitors don’t have to wait?

Builds Trust

People usually don’t want to invest in something they can’t trust. If you’re looking to build a business, you need your target customers to invest their money and time into it. If your web design doesn’t feel trustworthy, it won’t be trusted by those who visit your site.

What does this mean? It means that even if you have the best products or services on the market, there will be no interest for your customers unless they believe in what you are doing and how it is done.

If you want to gain more customers and grow your business, then it is important to have an effective web design. A good web design helps build trust with customers and makes them feel like they are in safe hands.

Boosts Conversion

A good web design can improve your company’s conversion rates. Forrester Research found that a 1% increase in the number of pages viewed per visit led to a 0.5% increase in conversions. It is possible to produce better results with more clicks, but this comes at the expense of visitor satisfaction and on-site time metrics.

The bottom line is that optimizing your website for conversions requires careful consideration of both UX and UI factors, which are often intertwined. The first step towards improving your conversion rate is choosing the best web designer for you based on their portfolio, customer reviews, and price point relative to your budget.

Improves Mobile-Friendliness

It is essential to realize that how your website looks on a mobile device is just as important as how it looks on a desktop. There are many different things to consider when designing for both small and large screens, but there are some key features you will want to include in any design. These features may include the following:

1. Creating links that are easy to tap or swipe

2. Using larger font sizes so readers can see them better

3. Making sure the content does not require excessive scrolling

Final Word

When it comes to your website design, you want to make an excellent first impression on your target audience. A fully functional and attractive web design will help improve the visibility of your business in search engines like Google or Bing. It will also build trust with potential customers by showcasing what makes your company stand out from its competitors.

At Biz360, we design sites with an eye towards usability, creating designs that are both beautiful and functional. We have experience working with all kinds of businesses, from clothes to automobiles.

No matter what kind of business you run, we would love to help make it look great online. If you need web design services you can count on, contact Biz360 today.

source https://www.biz-360.co/post/7-reasons-why-your-business-needs-a-good-web-design source https://biz360.tumblr.com/post/663150185264840704

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