#Punctuation & Spelling - Paper 2

[prapasara]

2024 National Curriculum Tests

Key stage 2

English grammar,

punctuation and spelling

test mark schemes

Paper 1 : questions

Paper 2 : spelling

[valeriehalla]

actual writing advice

1. Use the passive voice.

What? What are you talking about, “don’t use the passive voice”? Are you feeling okay? Who told you that? Come on, let’s you and me go to their house and beat them with golf clubs. It’s just grammar. English is full of grammar: you should go ahead and use all of it whenever you want, on account of English is the language you’re writing in.

2. Use adverbs.

Now hang on. What are you even saying to me? Don’t use adverbs? My guy, that is an entire part of speech. That’s, like—that’s gotta be at least 20% of the dictionary. I don’t know who told you not to use adverbs, but you should definitely throw them into the Columbia river.

3. There’s no such thing as “filler”.

Buddy, “filler” is what we called the episodes of Dragon Ball Z where Goku wasn’t blasting Frieza because the anime was in production before Akira Toriyama had written the part where Goku blasts Frieza. Outside of this extremely specific context, “filler” does not exist. Just because a scene wouldn’t make it into the Wikipedia synopsis of your story’s plot doesn’t mean it isn’t important to your story. This is why “plot” and “story” are different words!

4. okay, now that I’ve snared you in my trap—and I know you don’t want to hear this—but orthography actually does kind of matter

First of all, a lot of what you think of as “grammar” is actually orthography. Should I put a comma here? How do I spell this word in this context? These are questions of orthography (which is a fancy Greek word meaning “correct-writing”). In fact, most of the “grammar questions” you’ll see posted online pertain to orthography; this number probably doubles in spaces for writers specifically.

If you’re a native speaker of English, your grammar is probably flawless and unremarkable for the purposes of writing prose. Instead, orthography refers to the set rules governing spelling, punctuation, and whitespace. There are a few things you should know about orthography:

English has no single orthography. You already know spelling and punctuation differ from country to country, but did you know it can even differ from publisher to publisher? Some newspapers will set parenthetical statements apart with em dashes—like this, with no spaces—while others will use slightly shorter dashes – like this, with spaces – to name just one example.

Orthography is boring, and nobody cares about it or knows what it is. For most readers, orthography is “invisible”. Readers pay attention to the words on a page, not the paper itself; in much the same way, readers pay attention to the meaning of a text and not the orthography, which exists only to convey that meaning.

That doesn’t mean it’s not important. Actually, that means it’s of the utmost importance. Because orthography can only be invisible if it meets the reader’s expectations.

You need to learn how to format dialogue into paragraphs. You need to learn when to end a quote with a comma versus a period. You need to learn how to use apostrophes, colons and semicolons. You need to learn these things not so you can win meaningless brownie points from your English teacher for having “Good Grammar”, but so that your prose looks like other prose the reader has consumed.

If you printed a novel on purple paper, you’d have the reader wondering: why purple? Then they’d be focusing on the paper and not the words on it. And you probably don’t want that! So it goes with orthography: whenever you deviate from standard practices, you force the reader to work out in their head whether that deviation was intentional or a mistake. Too much of that can destroy the flow of reading and prevent the reader from getting immersed.

You may chafe at this idea. You may think these “rules” are confusing and arbitrary. You’re correct to think that. They’re made the fuck up! What matters is that they were made the fuck up collaboratively, by thousands of writers over hundreds of years. Whether you like it or not, you are part of that collaboration: you’re not the first person to write prose, and you can’t expect yours to be the first prose your readers have ever read.

That doesn’t mean “never break the rules”, mind you. Once you’ve gotten comfortable with English orthography, then you are free to break it as you please. Knowing what’s expected gives you the power to do unexpected things on purpose. And that’s the really cool shit.

5. You’re allowed to say the boobs were big if the story is about how big the boobs were

Nobody is saying this. Only I am brave enough to say it.

Well, bye!

[racxnteur]

Incomeless; will proofread your fics! (Or anything else.)

I'm not sure how to head this with a snazzy, attention-catching image given I'm not offering an obviously graphic service like art commissions, but let's give it a go...

Hello, I'm your friendly neighborhood disabled unemployed transgender queer on the internet. I have not posted a great amount about the details on this blog for privacy reasons, but I am currently in an untenable familial/financial living situation, which I am actively working to get out of. My primary barrier to disentangling myself from the pertinent parties is a lack of income. I've been unable to pursue traditional means of work due to being multiply disabled (slash chronically ill, slash treatment-resistant, et cetera...), but I do not qualify for SSI or unemployment, so I am stuck trying to find other ways of making money.

This is where you come in... If you'd like to help, you can:

$$ Hire me $$ to proofread your fics, essays, and more!

Click below for info! (I also may add separate posts for diversity reading and/or other writing- and editing-related services.)

For $0.00855/word *OR BEST BID*, I will vet your work of writing before you publish it, checking for mistakes in spelling, capitalization, & punctuation, missed words, inconsistencies of tense, formatting, & POV, and miscellaneous grammatical errors. Never again need you fear posting a finished chapter and discovering a slew of typos after the fact; no matter how sleep-deprived or late at night the state of writing, I will ensure your text is ship-shape. Or, if you happen to be interested in having other types of writing proofread before submission--essays, comics or webtoons, letters, transcripts, compositions of a personal nature, so on--I will happily take these on at a comparable rate.[1]

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in writing

Initiate of international collegiate honors society for English scholarship, Sigma Tau Delta

Active member of the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors (IAPWE)

Former lit editor for award-winning university literary arts magazine

Prior employment in tutoring and teaching English, as well as copy-editing and content writing

Nearly 20 years' writing experience

Previous experience as both fic writer and beta

Incisive eye for typo-hunting and tenacious attention to detail (I have high standards and will make those everybody else's problem... now for pay!)

I will read for content of any genre and all ratings, and am broadly[2] open to any subject matter, kinks, et cetera. I'll also post more detailed guidelines (booking process, any exclusions, additional criteria) on a separate, unrebloggable post so that any edits and updates are always current.

Message me via the chat feature on Tumblr, or send me an e-mail (I will post it on my more info post) to request a quote, bid for a slot, or just to see what I can offer for whatever project you have in mind. And please feel encouraged to share or boost this post! I am in urgent need of any income I can get, and every share counts 😭🙌

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Proofreading Full Details · Other Services · Support Me (alternatively, Tip this post!)

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[1] There will be some exclusions to this, such as academic assignments/papers that have style guide requirements; i.e., I will not be your online MLA style checker or anything.

[2] As with anything, there will be sporadic exceptions to this as well, but I will always be up-front about such cases.

[shiraishi--kanade]

My unpopular opinion of the day is that grammar correcting AI isn't inherently bad.

Like, specifically AI (or just... Machine learning systems) that help you with spelling of certain words and punctuation and grammar structures? They're not bad. Actually, they're extremely useful and can be considered an aid to many people, such as:

- dyslexic people

- English as Second Language people

- people with fine motor issues

- more

As well as being generally just useful to all of us. Sure, there are drawbacks such as students using them to cheat on leaning the grammar/spelling, but 1) cheating spelling has been a thing since the online dictionaries became a thing and banning them won't solve the issue 2) AI-checking grammar and spelling in essays or formal papers isn't an issue because they're barely graded on those things anyway, and frankly they shouldn't be.

The real issue with those AIs is that most of the information in their data banks 1) is obtained without consent, illegally and/or by scrapping 2) isn't double-checked by a real human being. Which makes its usage dubious at best and actually pretty dangerous at worst.

This little blunder google documents did to my writing in the example above is most likely the result of the following:

1) Some people writing thankyou and getting a pop up correction for "thank you"

2) Those people, for whatever reason may be, chose to keep their original spelling

3) This probably happened enough times that now Google AI most likely considers "thankyou" to be an alternative spelling of "thank you" that it wasn't aware of previously instead of a mistake

4) Because it's a system that lacks context and awareness, it will occasionally offer incorrect spelling over a correct one because it considers them mutually possible. It will also not flag an incorrect spelling, unless some other data overrides the rule.

This happened so many times for so many people that now Google Doc's corrections are considered unreliable even for common words, which would not have fucking happened if Google didn't train their AI on their users documents.

But ethically trained on the input of consenting users that is also double-checked by real people to not contain any intentional misleading AI can still exist and would be a very good tool to have. Alas...

[outofcontextbokumono]

In your Allen post you mentioned Natsume is notorious for bad translations. That's super interesting, I had no idea! Is it more of spelling error stuff or just straight up mistranslations?

first of all great question anon!! it's kind of a mix of both, and it varies from game to game. most natsume dialogue just generally reads very clunky and robotic in the english versions, especially when compared to the newer games, where everyone has their own unique way of speaking, and you can usually tell who's talking just based on their mannerisms.

there's more general info on this topic + natsume's involvement with marvelous games in my masterpost here.

xseed's newer games obviously aren't immune to forgetting a few punctuation marks here and there, but natsume's was bad. like, "something about the games just feel Off and uncanny and there's no other way to explain it" bad.

i'm pretty sure it's just because the translators weren't native english speakers, so everything is translated super literally, but if you are one yourself it becomes blatantly obvious simply by looking at the dialogue for more than 5 minutes. this ranges anywhere from minor miswordings to lines that just don't make any sense at all no matter how many times you read them.

and then there's stuff that's so messed up we don't even KNOW how it got there. like some of this shit i would 100% believe you if you just said the game got corrupted because if it isn't that then i can only assume the employees did a large dose of crack cocaine before translating these games. i'm talking like... entire lines that didn't even get translated. text so butchered its straight up unreadable. that one time they misspelled their own NAME in the startup screen. TWICE.

and, last but not least, probably one of my all time favorite errors in a natsume game but one i'll never be able to post here because it's funny purely in context- and it is the singular line in harvest moon: friends of mineral town where the priest, carter, just speaks to you in fucking German

this. this is the error i don't have even the SLIGHTEST explanation for. and, correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm 99.9% sure nobody else does either.

this was....just one line. just the one line of dialogue. where he speaks german. in a japanese farming game that was being localized into english.

at least with the untranslated kanji you have some general sense of how that happened. like, yeah, okay, they just missed a line, whatever. but this isn't even remotely close to the same situation. there should be NO german in this equation whatsoever. it's like if you did 2 + 2 and somehow got 17. and nobody looked over your paper and went, "hey, that doesn't look quite right, man, maybe you should fix that", so you just turned it in and for some reason not even the TEACHER questioned it, they gave you a full grade and a gold star and put your paper on the whiteboard clear as day for all your classmates to see. that's what this feels like.

I. do not think the natsume employees are okay can someone check on them for me

[jamespotterthefirst]

Flowers (Ethan x f!MC)

Book: Open Heart, book 2 Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Lilac Allende) Word count: 1 K Rating/ Warning: T/ Language

Premise: She is stung when he sends flowers to someone else on Valentine’s Day

Note: The timeline of this makes no sense but just pretend shhh lol

“I'm not listening,” Lilac informs her determined friend, quickening her steps.

Kyra, on the other hand, is undeterred. She has no problem matching Lilac's long strides. A few nurses glance their way, no doubt amused by how the short brunette has to practically jog to keep up.

“Come on, Lil! What better day to break your dry spell than Valentine's Day!”

“Shh!”

Luckily, there is no one within earshot that Lilac can see.

“He's tall,” Kyra presses in sing-song, her grin brighter than the florescent hospital lights above them. “He's dark. He's handsome.”

Despite herself, Lilac rolls her eyes with a laugh.

“You're insane.”

“You love me.” Kyra punctuates that with a wink. “At least tell me you'll think about it? I think you'll really like Derek.”

With a dramatic sigh, Lilac finally relents. “Fine. I'll think about it.”

That was good enough to put her friend at ease. She grins wider than ever before and goes her own way, vanishing through her office door. Lilac, meanwhile, travels through the halls absently, feeling more like a ghost than a resident. Her mind races with the prospect of dating someone new��of finally moving on.

It makes her stomach drop unpleasantly.

“Rookie.”

The rich baritone makes her jump. For a wild moment, she wonders if all her desperate pining summoned him there. Then, she reminds herself to stop being so ridiculous and pathetic.

“Dr. Ramsey.”

They hold each other's gazes a beat too long.

“Is there something I can help you with, Dr. Allende?”

Lilac, love struck and momentarily stunned by icy blue eyes, could think of many ways he could help her. Instead, she forces herself out of her reverie and unsuccessfully wills her pulse to descend to normal speed.

“Yes. Miss Chapman's results came back. I reviewed them and everything looks normal.”

He nods once. “Excellent. Please set them on my desk. I will review them when I return from my meeting with Naveen.”

She nods, but doesn't move.

He doesn't either.

Neither wants to abandon this rare, private moment. The way his eyes study her face feels far more intimate than any caress. Her heart is a frantic hummingbird, its wings flapping fiercely against her ribcage. Its only relief would be tearing her chest open or kissing Ethan.

Neither are possible.

At last, Ethan moves away and disappears down the hall.

“Get a grip, Allende,” Lilac mutters to herself when she finally regains movement in her legs.

The solitude of his empty office is a relief. Before she can dwell on what a fool she made out of herself, she hurries to drop off the file atop the grand mahogany desk. The movement, however, sends the neat pile of papers flying.

“Shit!”

Frantically, she dances around the office, arms flailing above her as she tries to catch the hurricane of papers. If anyone walked in at that moment, they would get a kick of the ridiculous sight. Just when she thinks she's recovered everything, a small, yellow note catches her attention from the floor.

Liberty Street Flowers, the top reads in bold letters.

The rational part of her brain says she should pick up the receipt, set it on Ethan's desk, and promptly continue with her day. A curious and morbid fraction of her brain, however, wants to read on. That part ultimately wins because she brings the receipt close and reads:

Something cold drills into her insides.

Lilac reads the receipt again, trying to make sense of it. Her eyes snag on the word "romantic" and her stomach drops to her feet. With a sickening feeling, she accepts the reality in her shaky hands.

The doors of the office open and she makes no effort to hide their receipt.

“Dr. Allende—”

The look on Lilac's face halts his steps.

“Are you alright?”

A deadly, poisonous silence heavier than lead follows. Then—

“I didn't take you for someone who celebrated Valentine's Day.”

More silence. 

This time, his meticulously crafted expression betrays confusion.

“I don't. Not usually.”

Unable to help herself, she scoffs. Lilac should know better than to lash out— she should be walking away, head held high, ready to privately lick her wounds. At least then she'd have her decency. But the unforgiving sting of jealousy overpowers her, robbing her of all common sense.

Fuck decency.

“I also didn't know you were big on sending flowers.”

Icy blue eyes fall to the paper on her hands.

“You went through my belongings.”

Lilac ignores this, too hurt and angry to give him any explanations. Her throat is so tight at this point that she can barely get words out. The tears sting her eyes but she will hold them back if it's the last thing she does.

Ethan's characteristic stoicism begins to shift into anger.

“Dr. Allende, might I remind you that going through my private—”

“You never sent any to me.”

The words are small but impossible to miss.

They are mighty, too, because they seem to strike him like a whip.

“Lilac.”

His expression softens into something she can't bear to look at. It is akin to empathy and pity.

She straightens, enraged.

“I always forget,” she continues, the words heavy with venom. “I was just a good fuck for you, wasn't I? Good enough to fuck in secret but not to send flowers to.”

Her words hit a nerve. Ethan's face floods with color, icy eyes flashing dangerously.

“You have no idea what you're talking about.”

His tone is deathly and collected.

“Who is she?”

“What?”

“Who's Audrina?”

They are standing close now, almost nose to nose.

“Is she someone you plan to spend more than two nights with?”

He says nothing.

“Are you eventually running away on her, too?”

“Enough.”

The single word is like a slap.

“You have no right.”

She staggers back. The words are the twist to the knife and yet, she can’t begrudge them. They’re undeniably true. 

“You have no right to act this way, Lilac. I am your boss and you're my employee. Who I send flowers to is none of your concern.”

He's right.

Lilac had no right to be jealous, no matter how desperately she loved him. 

That's the part that stung the most.

Those blue eyes pierce her and she loses all steam. Humiliated, she all but flees the office, finally letting the tears win.

Author’s note: Meep.

[torchickentacos]

I'll stop complaining about school soon, i know it's most of what I've been doing lately, but this paper is graded so confusingly? Most of the weight is put on if it's properly APA formatted. Then it grades each section (introduction, title page, conclusion, body paragraphs) separately??? I've never seen it broken up like this. Usually it's graded as such:

Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation

Citations/Bibliography/Reference Sheet- formatting and reputability

Did you answer xyz question(s)/prompt(s) properly and in-depth and within the word count? (expanded upon in the rubric usually)

And not based on each section individually??????? Idk, it's just weird. All the sections together come to more grade weight than the formatting, but separately the most weight is on formatting (20% APA, each section ranges from 2 to 8%). Not a vent or complaint, just... I've never seen this before???

[fakeshibe]

The sheeb listens to JRWI Riptide 3-word summary twitter thread, now with 100% less twitter!!!!

Before twitter totally went to shit, i had a thread that i was adding to every time i listened to an episode of jrwi! I had to write a summary or comment on the episode with 3 words or fewer, although exaggerated spellings and punctuation for emphasis were totally allowed so it wasn't a strict rule. It was just a silly haha way for me to try and motivate myself to keep listening cause i'm v bad at picking up new habits (like listening to podcasts), so i was hoping that posting about it would build the habit and get me to pay better attention so i could remember details to comment on. Heads up, this was already a very, very long twitter thread and i'm still updating it, so it's gonna be a long post. Also spoilers for JRWI Riptide, up to ~roughly episode 60 atm. will update though! :) also i'm copypasting from where i archived the thread on discord so all the emoji's are broken, pretend they're all normal, ok? JRWI SPOILERS AHEAD!!! FINAL WARNING!!!!

(Jan 2023) (First tweet in thread: finally successfully listening to podcasts!! so every time i finish an episode of jrwi i’m gonna reply to this tweet with a 3 word or less summary we’ll see if i make it past episode 10, not hopeful since it took me 2 months to finish episode 1 :sob: )

Starting from zero funny fish man :)

Chipwrecked! mmm monke :)

The Laughing City Gillion slaps balds

The Baldening slapping more balds (April 23)

The Curse of Loffinlot started listening again!!

Off With His Head! Gillion Marxist arc?!? :0

A Mist Opportunity Chip autocanniballism arc??!!? D:

A Hero’s Burden Gillion need hug :(

A Victorious Banquet! black rose mentioned?!?!?!?! :0

The Hangover (i made it to 10 episodes!!) omg the beloveds! <3

Return to the Open Sea Inception but Jay

The Endless Game (ft. Ranboo) ranboo is real?!?!? :0

Showtime! (ft. Ranboo) Chip discovers reaganomics

The House Always Wins (ft. Ranboo) farewell friend Clorten :(

The Chip on My Shoulder Gillion was right >:(

Fish and Chips i’m gonna cry :’)

The Siren's Call Gillion: '…That's tits' :thinking:

Striking a Chord chip's not normal :face_with_raised_eyebrow: :worried:

The One the empress… :flushed::flushed::flushed::flushed::flushed::flushed:

The Sanctuary the empress… :angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry:

An Act of Love Nat 20 kiss?!?!?!?!

True North Chip = Weaponised incompetence

Downhill Desires YASS COMRADE TIDESTRIDER!!!!

Empress of Malice Jay absolutely slays

The Hole in Your Heart Get deez'd bitch :sunglasses: (May 23)

First Blood pretzel is terrifying :squid:

The Pirate Code Gil discovers cat :)

Making a Splash scary teleport lady

The Paramount Tournament FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

Jack the Jolly Roger chip pants collection (June 23)

One Remaining Rose ELIZABETH ALIVE?!!?!? WTF??!!?

Breaking The Ice Gillion got adopted (July 23)

Thunderdome of Destiny (ft. Pokay) gillion briefly homophobic

Wrath of La Alma (ft. Pokay) that's not good D:

Sign here (ft. Pokay) jay eated paper

The Luxbris Pearl (ft. Pokay) i cry lots

Indemnification (ft. Pokay) closed eye trickshots

The people’s Champion (ft. Pokay) combat against ball

A sea of Red and Gold oh shit.

The Navy's Armada Chip saying son :') :pleading_face: :sob:

Growing Pains ||ollie now big||

The Serpent borfd it

City of Steam new favourite episode :sob::sob:

Blossoming Trust pinky promise :)

The Perfect Crime OH SHIT!! D:

Robot Rumble imposter among us

What Binds Us awww :') awh :face_holding_back_tears::face_holding_back_tears: awww (August 23)

Shattered Kingdom Scotland confirmed non-canon :pensive:

The Duke of Everything (ft. Jschlatt) pretzels everywhere

The Block (omg!!! 50!!!! woo!!!!) plausibly deniable clown

Blistering Trials NO! GIVE HIM!!!! :(

Death March FUCKING WHAT?!?! WHAT!!??!

Not Ferin Well FUCKED UP!!! CRYING!!!!! :sob::sob::sob: :(

A Dead Man’s Tale (ft. JoCat) NEW SCOTTISH GUY!!!! :scotland::scotland::scotland::scotland:

Till Death Do We Part (ft. JoCat) many nat 20s

Mystery and Misery oh shit, chip…

The Hull of the World WAAHHHH EDYN :')

The Tides Between Us EMOTIONAL WHIPLASH WTF

A Price to be Paid Jay escaped employment (September 23)

Price is Right woah, solo episode?

Super Savvy Sleuthing Slugs chaos, of course

Chaos and Consequences ending was fucked

Farewells earl :( :( :( miss him :( :( :( :)

The City of Night new guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (October 23) Riptide Origins: Humble Beginnings actual siblings real

Dressed to the Nines jay gets bitches

[helpforthesis]

Role of Editing and Proofreading in Research Writing Assistance

Role of Editing and Proofreading in Research Writing Assistance

Research Writing Services is a rigorous and demanding process that culminates in the creation of a paper, thesis, or dissertation that must communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely. After countless hours spent researching, drafting, and revising, it can be tempting to submit the final draft without further review. However, the crucial steps of editing and proofreading are vital to ensuring the quality, accuracy, and professionalism of the final piece. These processes can elevate the clarity of your argument, correct technical errors, and make your work more persuasive to your audience.

In this blog, we will delve into the role of editing and proofreading in research writing assistance, highlighting why they are essential and offering practical strategies for incorporating them into your writing process.

Editing vs. Proofreading: What’s the Difference?

Though editing and proofreading are often discussed together, they are distinct stages in the writing process that serve different purposes.

Why Editing and Proofreading are Crucial in Research Writing

1. Clarity and Precision of Ideas

Editing plays a critical role in enhancing the clarity of your arguments and ensuring that your readers can follow your line of reasoning. Research writing often involves dense, technical language, so refining sentences to be clear and concise can prevent misinterpretations or confusion. Moreover, during the editing process, you can eliminate redundancy, clarify ambiguous points, and refine your language to convey your ideas as precisely as possible.

Proofreading complements this by ensuring that typographical errors do not undermine the clarity of your work. Even minor mistakes, such as misplaced commas or incorrect word usage, can detract from your credibility as a researcher. Carefully proofreading your work guarantees that your language is as polished as your ideas.

2. Logical Flow and Structure

In research writing, a logical structure is key to guiding the reader through your arguments and findings. During the editing process, it’s essential to assess the organization of your paper—whether your introduction sets up the research question effectively, whether your literature review is comprehensive, whether your methodology is well-explained, and whether your conclusion ties everything together seamlessly.

Editing allows you to reorganize content, if necessary, to ensure that the flow of information is logical and coherent. This might involve restructuring paragraphs or even entire sections to better support the narrative. By doing so, you improve the readability and persuasiveness of your research.

Proofreading at this stage helps to catch any remaining inconsistencies in formatting, headings, or transitions between sections that might disrupt the flow of your paper.

3. Eliminating Errors and Enhancing Professionalism

Errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling can damage the credibility of your research. Even the most ground breaking ideas can be overshadowed by sloppy writing, distracting readers from your core arguments. Editing meticulously ensures that your paper is free from such errors, enhancing its professionalism.

Furthermore, proofreading is essential for ensuring that your work adheres to the correct academic style guide. Whether your field requires APA, MLA, Chicago, or another citation format, proofreading helps you ensure that all citations, references, and footnotes are accurate and consistent.

Practical Strategies for Editing and Proofreading

Now that we’ve established the importance of editing and proofreading, how can you effectively incorporate these steps into your research writing process? Here are some strategies to ensure that your paper is polished and professional:

Conclusion

Editing and proofreading are indispensable components of the research writing process. They ensure that your ideas are communicated clearly, your arguments are logically structured, and your paper is free of errors. By dedicating time and effort to these final stages of writing, you enhance the overall quality and professionalism of your work. Remember, even the most well-researched paper can be weakened by poor presentation, so don’t skip these crucial steps. Through careful editing and proofreading, you can ensure that your research is presented in its best possible form, contributing effectively to your field of study.

Visit Our Website: https://helpforthesis.com/writing-research-paper-service.html

[buzzdixonwriter]

Writing Report May 31, 2024

I’m writing this two weeks out, so who knows what may change between now and then?

. . .

My goal is to write two book length manuscripts a year, starting one each January 1st, the other each July 1st.

It normally takes me anywhere from 2 ½ to 3 1/3 months to write each novel, which typically clock in between 85K and 124K.

I finished my 24 01 novel about a month ago as you read this and it ended up being 124K+.  Currently I’m sharing it a few chapters at a time with my local writers group, so I am trimming it back based on feedback and what I see as padding.

However, I’m not doing a full bore second draft edit yet.  I prefer to let my first drafts lay fallow for at least six months so I can approach them with fresh eyes for the second draft.

My 23 07 novel is starting its second draft phase.  It ran up to 86K+ when I finished it last year.

I edit / do my second draft by first printing the novel out then going over it with a red pen (PaperMate Flair, my favorite writing instrument) looking for errors, redundancies, over-explaining, and repetitive scenes and dialog.  That took about three days.

Then I start making the changes I marked on paper on the digital second draft. 

Pro tip: Edit your your second draft by starting at the end of the first draft and make changes going forward.

There are a couple of reasons for this:

You’re more likely to spot spelling / punctuation / grammatical errors by going backwards through the text.

All changes you make are in the latter part of the book, meaning if you need to find something earlier on a specific page, the numbering on that part hasn’t changed yet.

Right now I’m roughly halfway through the 23 07 manuscript and have shaved about two thousand words off. [Added later:  Finished editing, shaved 6K+ off]

Good.

Ideally I’d like to pare it down to under 80K.

. . .

While editing the 23 07 manuscript I noticed I tended to have fewer edits in the second half of the book than in the first.

That’s because in the first half I’m still discovering who the characters are, what the story is.

I have a fairly good idea of my plot, but not more than could fit on three pages.

I have ideas for scenes and incidents, but I wait until the book tells me it’s time to put them in.

While I’ve cut two thousand words out of the second half, mostly that’s been single words and short phrases.

The more I write, the more certain I become of the story, the more focused my writing becomes.

At the midway point (where I just broke off tonight before writing this) I’m whacking out sentences / paragraphs / scenes.

I know there will be a lot more major cuts in the first half, including an entire chapter that got Xed out in red.

As noted before, it’s bee observed one needs to write a novel three times:

First to tell yourself the story.

Then to figure out what the story is about.

Finally to tell the story to the reader.

These are not necessarily three distinct separate steps, of course.  Often what the story is really about presents itself to me midway through the first draft.

But I do tend to write three drafts of my longer works, usually incorporating feedback from beta readers or my writers group.

. . .

While doing this, I’m also taking notes on what may be my 24 07 project, a historical novel set in the early part of the 20th century.

It’s an idea I came up with w-a-a-a-y back in the 1980s, but it’s been sitting in the back of my mental refrigerator until now.

My original idea had only four characters:

The main male protagonist (I hate the term “hero”)

The main antagonist (I hate the term “villain”)

The female protagonist

The comic relief

At some point in the 1990s or early 2000s a fifth character was added to the mix, starting out as a minor antagonist but soon joining the protagonists as an ally.

The project became briefly subsumed by another, far larger project I envisions, but eventually abandoned when I saw it becoming too gimmicky and unwieldly.

So now the 24 07 project is back as a standalone.

Sometime after 2010 I started looking at the project through the lens of what actually was going on in the world at the time the novel takes place.

I saw subcurrents I never considered back in the 1980s.  Those subcurrents add to the depth and complexity of the story, broadening it and its cast of characters significantly.

Looks like this is going to be another one of my multi-character epics.

Good.

The extra characters represent people who need to have their stories told.

Two soon-to-be major characters are shady businessmen -- not really crooked, not really sleazy, just…shady -- who start as rivals but find themselves forced to cooperate while still not trusting their new partner and trying to cheat them.

I knew somebody like them would need to be in the story when I first thought of it forty some years ago because my main antagonist would have a specific business-related reason to oppose them.

But as I started noodling story ideas around, I realize these two bozologists needed to do something to actually hurt the antagonist -- not physically, but emotionally.

Now the antagonist harbors a personal vendetta above and beyond his purely business reasons for going after them.

Nice.

What happens after that?

Haven’t the faintest idea at the time of this writing.

I’ve got a couple of vague ideas how to end the story, but getting to those endings is murky right now.

So says Magic 8 Ball.

But I know it will start to shape up.  By the time July 1, 2024 rolls around, I’ll have a pretty good idea what the story is.

It will still surprise me and go in unanticipated directions, but that’s all part of the fun.

. . .

One thing I do know is that my cast has grown exponentially.

I’ve got a dozen characters right now, and I know there will be more.

They’ll come from all sorts of backgrounds.

Different ethnicities / social classes / occupations.

Each with their own distinct patois.

You know what that means, don’t you?

Research!

I’m digging up slang expressions from all sorts of background of the era, and it’s a delight.

Not only have some prompted more story incidents, but a lot of it sounds extremely colorful and funny to this day.

I’m researching far more than I will actually use, but that’s par for the course.

But it is fun.

  © Buzz Dixon

[braille01]

Braille Facts: Unveiling the Tactile Writing System

Braille, the revolutionary tactile writing system, has been transforming lives since its inception in the early 19th century. Named after its creator, Louis Braille, this system of raised dots allows visually impaired individuals to read and write independently, breaking barriers to education, employment, and personal development.

The Origins of Braille

Louis Braille, a Frenchman who lost his sight due to a childhood accident, developed the Braille system when he was just 15 years old. Inspired by a military communication code known as "night writing," Braille simplified and refined the system, creating a matrix of six dots. This matrix forms the foundation of the Braille alphabet, with each letter, number, and punctuation mark represented by different combinations of raised dots.

How Braille Works

The basic unit of Braille is the "cell," which consists of six dots arranged in a rectangular formation, three dots high and two dots wide. The dots are numbered 1 through 6, starting from the top left. Various combinations of these dots represent different characters:

A: Dot 1

B: Dots 1 and 2

C: Dots 1 and 4

D: Dots 1, 4, and 5

E: Dots 1 and 5

Numbers and punctuation marks have their specific dot configurations, and capital letters are indicated by a special prefix.

The Importance of Braille

Braille literacy is crucial for the visually impaired. It enables individuals to access a wealth of information, from literature and educational materials to music and technology. Reading Braille enhances spelling, grammar, and comprehension skills, providing a solid foundation for academic and professional success.

Modern Uses of Braille

With technological advancements, Braille has evolved beyond traditional paper. Today, Braille displays and keyboards enable seamless interaction with digital devices. These electronic tools translate on-screen text into Braille in real-time, allowing users to navigate the internet, read emails, and write documents with ease.

Moreover, public spaces are increasingly incorporating Braille. From elevator buttons to restroom signs, the presence of Braille ensures accessibility and inclusivity for all.

Fun Facts About Braille

Global Reach: Braille is not limited to any single language. It has been adapted for numerous languages worldwide, including Chinese, Arabic, and Russian.

Musical Notation: Louis Braille also created a system for writing music in Braille, enabling visually impaired musicians to read and compose music.

Literary Richness: The first book published in Braille was “The Gospel of Mark” in 1837. Today, countless books are available in Braille, covering all genres and interests.

Public Recognition: World Braille Day, celebrated on January 4th, honors Louis Braille’s birthday and raises awareness about the importance of Braille literacy.

Challenges and Advocacy

Despite its benefits, Braille literacy rates are declining, partly due to the increasing reliance on audio books and voice-recognition software. Advocacy groups emphasize the importance of maintaining Braille education to ensure that visually impaired individuals have the skills needed for independence and employment.

Conclusion

Braille remains a cornerstone of communication for the visually impaired, symbolizing empowerment and accessibility. Its enduring relevance and adaptability to modern technology ensure that it will continue to be a vital tool for millions around the world. By understanding and supporting Braille literacy, we contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.

[tullipstudio-blog]

EMPOWERING YOUR WRITING: EXPLORING THE BEST FREE APPS FOR WRITERS

Introduction

1. Google Docs: This cloud-based word processor allows for easy collaboration and sharing. It comes with basic formatting options and automatic saving, making it a convenient tool for writing and editing.

2. Grammarly: A powerful writing assistant that helps to eliminate grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. It also offers suggestions for enhancing writing style and tone.

3. Hemingway Editor: This app highlights complex sentences, and common errors, and suggests simpler alternatives to improve readability. It's particularly useful for ensuring your writing is clear and concise.

4. LibreOffice Writer: A feature-rich open-source word processor that offers a wide array of formatting and editing tools. It supports various file formats and provides a clean and customizable interface.

5. Focus Writer: A distraction-free writing environment that helps writers stay focused by providing a clutter-free interface. It includes customizable themes, timers, and daily goal-setting features to boost productivity.

7. Scrivener (Free Trial): Although not entirely free, Scrivener offers a free trial period and is a popular choice among writers for its robust organization and structuring capabilities. It enables writers to manage complex writing projects, including novels, research papers, and screenplays, all in one place.

8. Calmly Writer: A minimalistic writing app that provides a serene and focused writing environment. It features a distraction-free interface, adjustable text width, and a focus mode that highlights the current sentence being written.

9. OneLook Thesaurus: A simple yet powerful online thesaurus that helps writers find synonyms, antonyms, and related words to enhance their vocabulary and enrich their writing.

10. Canva: While primarily a graphic design tool, Canva offers various templates for creating visually appealing documents, presentations, and social media graphics. It's useful for designing book covers, promotional materials, and visual aids to accompany your written content.

Remember that the effectiveness of these apps may vary depending on your specific writing needs and preferences. Experiment with different applications to find the ones that best suit your style and workflow.

Conclusion

While some apps focus on improving writing quality through grammar and style checks, others emphasize organization and seamless project management. Additionally, there are tools for enhancing vocabulary, creating visually appealing content, and ensuring a smooth writing experience without distractions.

Writers need to explore and experiment with different apps to find the ones that align with their specific needs and preferences. Whether you're a children's book, novelist, journalist, blogger, or academic writer, incorporating these free apps into your writing process can significantly streamline your workflow and improve the overall quality of your work.

[branislavurban]

How to write an ebook?

Writing an ebook can be an exciting project that allows you to share your knowledge, creativity, or storytelling abilities with readers around the world. Here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Choose your topic: Decide on a subject that you are passionate about or have expertise in. Ensure it is something that will interest your target audience.

2. Outline your ebook: Create a detailed outline that breaks down the main sections or chapters of your ebook. This will provide a roadmap for your writing process and help you stay organized.

3. Conduct research (if needed): Depending on your topic, you may need to gather additional information or data to support your writing. Conduct thorough research to ensure your content is accurate and reliable.

4. Start writing: Begin writing each section or chapter according to your outline. Don't worry too much about grammar or perfection at this stage; focus on getting your ideas on paper.

5. Edit and revise: Once you have completed your initial draft, set it aside for a few days before revisiting it. Read through your ebook with a critical eye and make necessary changes to improve clarity, structure, and flow.

6. Seek feedback: Share your ebook with a trusted friend, colleague, or beta reader. Consider their input and make revisions accordingly.

7. Format your ebook: Decide on the ebook format you want to publish, whether it's PDF, EPUB, or another format compatible with various devices. Ensure your ebook adapts well to different screen sizes.

8. Design a compelling cover: A visually appealing cover can greatly attract potential readers. Consider hiring a professional designer or using online tools to create an eye-catching cover that reflects your ebook's content.

9. Proofread: Thoroughly proofread your ebook for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Mistakes can detract from the reading experience, so take the time to make your ebook as polished as possible.

10. Publish your ebook: There are several platforms available for self-publishing ebooks, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, or Draft2Digital. Research each platform and choose the one that aligns with your goals and preferences.

11. Market your ebook: Promote your ebook through social media, your website or blog, email newsletters, guest posting, and other marketing channels. Consider utilizing advertising platforms, engaging with potential readers, and seeking reviews to expand your reach.

Remember that writing an ebook takes time and effort. Stay focused, maintain a consistent writing schedule, and be persistent in pursuing your goal. Good luck with your ebook project!

My Ebooks: http://payhip.com/Urban

[leads-view]

Proofreading for Different Content Types: Blogs, Academic Papers, Novels, and More

In the world of writing, creating impactful and error-free content is a golden rule. To meet this goal, one crucial process stands out, and that is proofreading. Regardless of the content, be it a blog, academic paper, novel, or business report, eliminating spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and ensuring coherence is invaluable. However, proofreading strategies can vary depending on the type of content. In this blog post, we will explore how to proofread for different content types effectively.

Blogs

Blogs are popular platforms used to inform, entertain, and engage with readers while communicating your brand's voice and personality. Proofreading for blogs involves the following: 1. Tone and Style: Ensure the tone and style are consistent throughout the piece. Maintain a balance between being informative and engaging. 2. Grammar and Spelling: Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to catch grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. 3. SEO: Ensure the appropriate use of keywords, inbound and outbound links, and meta descriptions to boost SEO ratings.

Academic Papers

Academic papers demand rigorous proofreading due to their formal style and the significance of accurate conveying of information. When proofreading academic papers: 1. Academic Style: Ensure formal language is used consistently and avoid colloquialisms and contractions. The paper should have an objective tone. 2. Citations and References: Check that all sources are correctly cited and referenced according to the designated style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). 3. Clarity and Coherence: Each argument should be clear and logically structured. Ensure coherence within and between paragraphs.

Novels and Short Stories

Proofreading novels or short stories requires maintaining narrative flow and carefully preserving the author's voice. Key things to remember are: 1. Spelling and Grammar: Mistakes can disrupt the reading. Ensure correct spelling and grammar throughout. 2. Consistency in Characters and Plot: Verify that all characters, places, and plot elements are consistently portrayed. 3. Dialogue and Punctuation: Ensure that dialogues are believable and punctuated correctly.

Business Reports and Proposals

Business reports and proposals require precision and must be persuasively and professionally written. Consider the following when proofreading: 1. Clarity of Message: The purpose of the report or proposal should be clear. Ensure all points support the main argument. 2. Industry Jargon: Terms should be appropriately used, and acronyms are defined the first time they are used. 3. Data and Facts: All data presented should be accurate, and source details should be provided for reference.

Email Communication for Proofreading

Professional repercussions of poor email communication can be unpleasant. Here's how to proofread emails: 1. Clear and Concise: Ensure your email is to the point and clear. Avoid unnecessary jargon and complexity. 2. Tone and Etiquette: The mail should be polite and professional. Be cautious of tone as it can easily be misunderstood in written form. 3. Subject Line and Sign-Off: Ensure that your subject line is relevant and your email ends with a proper sign-off.

Conclusion

Regardless of what you're proofreading, it's essential to thoroughly check for errors, ensure clarity and consistency. However, the specific things you focus on may shift, depending on whether you're reviewing an engaging blog post, a formal academic paper, an immersive novel, a compelling business report, or an impactful email. Keeping these guidelines in mind, while proofreading can vastly amplify the quality of your varied content.

[scholasticexcellenceau]

NAPLAN Preparation in Year 9: A Comprehensive Guide

The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an essential evaluation tool for students in Australia, aiming to assess their literacy and numeracy skills. Year 9 is a crucial juncture in a student's educational journey, as it sets the stage for senior studies and future academic pursuits. NAPLAN preparation in Year 9 is a vital step to ensure students are adequately equipped to excel in this assessment.

Understanding the Significance of NAPLAN

NAPLAN is designed to provide educators, parents, and students with valuable insights into a student's literacy and numeracy skills. The results help identify areas of strength and areas that may require improvement, allowing for tailored educational support. While NAPLAN results do not impact a student's grades or ability to progress, they offer a comprehensive snapshot of their capabilities, aiding in academic growth.

NAPLAN Year 9: A Critical Milestone

Year 9 is a pivotal year for students, as they are on the cusp of entering their senior years of education. NAPLAN for Year 9 presents a unique challenge, as students are expected to demonstrate a more advanced understanding of literacy and numeracy concepts. It's essential to approach Year 9 NAPLAN preparation with a structured plan to maximize its benefits.

The Components of NAPLAN Year 9

NAPLAN Year 9 assesses a range of skills in literacy and numeracy, including reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy. Let's delve into each of these components:

1. Reading

The reading component evaluates a student's ability to comprehend and interpret a wide range of texts. Students are presented with various reading materials, such as prose fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and visual texts. They must answer a series of questions that assesses their understanding of the text's content, context, and language features.

2. Writing

In the writing component, students are required to compose a written response to a given prompt or stimulus. This response should demonstrate their ability to organize and express ideas effectively, applying appropriate language conventions and textual features. Writing skills, including spelling, punctuation, and grammar, play a crucial role in this segment.

3. Language Conventions

The language conventions component focuses on the correct use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Students must identify and rectify errors within given sentences, demonstrating their grasp of essential language rules and structures.

4. Numeracy

The numeracy component assesses a student's mathematical knowledge and problem-solving skills. It covers various mathematical concepts, including number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability. Students are required to solve mathematical problems and communicate their solutions effectively.

Strategies for Effective NAPLAN Year 9 Preparation

Preparing for NAPLAN Year 9 requires a structured and comprehensive approach. Here are some strategies to help students excel in their preparation:

1. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses

Begin by assessing your strengths and weaknesses in the four NAPLAN components: reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy. This self-assessment will guide your preparation and focus on areas that need improvement.

2. Create a Study Plan

Develop a study plan that outlines the topics and skills you need to cover for each component. Allocate specific time slots for study and practice to ensure you cover all necessary content.

3. Regular Practice

Practice is the key to success in NAPLAN Year 9. Utilize practice tests, sample questions, and past papers to familiarize yourself with the examination format. Practice will help build confidence and improve your skills.

4. Seek Guidance

If you encounter challenges or need clarification on specific topics, don't hesitate to seek guidance. Teachers, tutors, and educational resources are valuable sources of support.

5. Time Management

Effective time management is crucial during the examination. Practise answering questions within the allocated time to ensure you can complete all sections.

Beyond NAPLAN: Academic Growth

While NAPLAN preparation in Year 9 is essential, it's important to view it as a part of your academic journey, not the endpoint. The skills and knowledge gained during NAPLAN preparation will continue to benefit you in your senior years of education and beyond.

Remember that education is a holistic process, and NAPLAN is just one facet of your learning experience. It serves as a valuable tool to assess your progress, identify areas for improvement, and enhance your overall educational journey.

In conclusion, NAPLAN Year 9 preparation is a significant step in your academic development. Approach it with diligence, structured planning, and consistent practice to ensure you are well-prepared for the assessment. View NAPLAN as an opportunity to showcase your skills and knowledge while continuing your journey toward academic excellence.

[harmonyhealinghub]

Unleashing Your Inner Author: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write a Book

Shaina Tranquilino

November 9, 2023

Writing a book is often seen as an arduous and intimidating task, reserved only for the literary elite. However, with the right mindset, approach, and guidance, anyone can embark on this fulfilling journey of self-expression and storytelling. In this blog post, we will explore practical tips and strategies to help you bring your ideas to life and write a compelling book.

1. Define Your Idea: The first step towards writing a book is to identify and clarify your idea. Ask yourself what story or message you want to convey through your work. Brainstorm, jot down notes, and refine your concept until it becomes clear in your mind.

2. Outline Your Plot (For Fiction): If you're writing fiction, creating an outline will serve as a roadmap for your story. Develop your main characters, their motivations, conflicts they encounter along the way, and how these elements intertwine to form a captivating narrative arc.

3. Research Thoroughly: Regardless of genre, conducting thorough research is essential. Whether it's historical events for a historical novel or scientific theories for a non-fiction work, accurate information adds depth and credibility to your writing.

4. Set Writing Goals: Establishing achievable writing goals helps maintain momentum throughout the process. Determine daily or weekly word count targets that suit your schedule and gradually build up towards completing your manuscript.

5. Create a Writing Routine: Consistency is key when it comes to writing a book. Designate specific times during the day dedicated solely to writing; this routine will train your brain to be more productive during those periods.

6. Embrace First Draft Imperfections: Remember that the first draft doesn't need to be perfect; instead, focus on getting words onto paper without worrying about grammar or structure at this stage. The primary goal is to get the story out of your head and onto the page.

7. Seek Constructive Feedback: Once you've completed your first draft, it's time to share it with trusted friends or writing groups for feedback. Embrace constructive criticism as a means to refine your work, strengthen weak areas, and enhance overall storytelling.

8. Revise and Edit: The revision process is where the magic happens. Reread your manuscript multiple times, addressing plot holes, refining character development, improving dialogue, and ensuring consistency in style and tone. Pay attention to grammar, spelling errors, punctuation, and sentence structure during this stage.

9. Polish Your Prose: Craft compelling sentences by using vivid imagery, evocative language, and powerful metaphors. Develop strong narrative voices that resonate with readers and engage their emotions on a deeper level.

10. Consider Professional Editing: For professional quality assurance, consider hiring an editor who specializes in your genre. Their expertise will help polish your book further and provide valuable insights for improvement.

11. Prepare for Publication: As you approach the final stages of completing your book, start considering options for publication—whether traditional publishing houses or self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Research each avenue thoroughly before making a decision.

Writing a book is undoubtedly a challenging endeavour that requires dedication, discipline, and creativity. However, armed with the right mindset and following these practical steps outlined above, you can embark on an exciting journey of literary creation. Remember to be patient with yourself throughout the process; Rome wasn't built in a day! So unleash your inner author and let your words come alive on paper—an adventure awaits!