#writing exercies

[baldursgate3tempobsessed]

Ascent Astarion referring to female Tav/Reader as „Lady Ancunín“ and insists that everyone else (staff, visitors etc) does so as well, even though they‘re not married (yet 😏) but she‘s his.

I'm back baby~

Yas let's romanticize this evil man I'm ready. But don't worry, he's still a terrible person <3 And so are you in this <3

TW: I'm so sorry I don't know how I got here. Murder, violence, a tiny bit of torture. And wtf tav has no last name? Uh, it starts with a c now I guess. Sex is alluded to but it isn't graphic.

~

"I just don't know why I have to be there," You sighed as the servants opened the doors for the both of you, your arm hooked with Astarion's while you complained, "You know you'll work better if you're not worrying about me all night."

"And how would letting you out of my sight help with my concentration?" Astarion shot back, a frown curling on his lips, "With strangers in our home? Absolutely not."

You barely stopped yourself from rolling your eyes. Gods, he could be so dramatic. Did he forget who you were?

"Don't you trust me to handle myself?" You asked with a pout, "I didn't always need your protecting, you know."

"Of course I trust you," Astarion sighed as he gave your hand a tight squeeze, "It's the rest of the world I have no faith in."

How on earth were you supposed to argue against that? You weren't quite sure, but you were going to try, "But-"

"No buts," Astarion interrupted curtly, "You're going and that's final. Besides, it's just one night. And we can have as many quiet evenings as you'd like for the rest of the week."

You sighed as you nodded your head, accepting the compromise, "Whatever you say my love."

Astarion smirked down at you, "That's my good girl."

Oh gods, why did he have to go and say that? He was well aware of what that did to you. And now was not the time to have to squeeze your thighs together. You could feel a flush crawl up your neck as you hissed, "I told you not to call me that in public!"

"Did you?" Astarion smirked as he came to a stop in front of a speaking squire, "I don't recall."

He turned his attention to the young man in front of you before you had a chance to respond, "Speak. Did anything happen while we were gone?"

The man shook his head, "No, Master Ancunin."

"Good," Astarion said curtly with a wave of the hand, "You're dismissed."

He nodded, "Thank you Master Ancunin, Misstress C-"

The consonant was barely out of the boy's mouth before Astarion was on him, moving so quickly that it was enough to startle even you. Before you blinked he had him pinned against the wall, a strong arm to his throat as he hissed, "I'm sorry, what did you just call her?"

The servant looked panicked, but at least he had the brains to catch on to his own mistake, "I-Apologies my lord. But since you are not wed I-"

"What we have is higher than the mundanities of marriage," Astarion growled, "You'll address her as Lady Ancunin from now on, if you wish to keep your tongue.

You couldn't help but laugh a bit behind him, more than a bit endeared at the display, "I thought you were saving the dramatics for this evening?"

Astarion ignored you briefly, opting to drop him back to the ground with a cold order, "Get out of my sight."

"Aw poor thing," You cooed as you watched him scramble away. You saddled back up to Astarion's side, linking your arms together with a smile, "Darling you didn't have to terrify him. It was a reasonable mistake."

"I beg to differ," Astarion said lowly, still glaring in the young man's direction, "I should have killed him for that. You're making me too soft."

"Or maybe we should just consider having a wedding?" You said as you leaned your head against his shoulder, "It would save a lot of confusion."

Astarion rolled his eyes, "Obviously we'll be having a wedding darling. But that's not the point. You are mine. With or without a ring. It's best that others learn to respect that now."

"No arguments here," You happily sighed as he led you to your chambers, "Just don't stain anything if you slit someone's throat, okay my love? Blood isn't easy to clean."

Astarion grinned as he pushed you through the door, a familiar glint in his eye as he shut it behind him, "No promises. Though I suppose there are other things we can do to keep my bloodthirst in check. Any ideas?"

You really were such a good girl, especially when the question was more than enough to have you untying the corset back of your dress. A shy smile was already on your lips as you laid back on the bed, your thighs spilling open enticingly, "I think I may have a few."

Astarion grinned as he crawled over you, his fangs already extending in anticipation. This was exactly what he needed. To drink from his precious future bride and have his merry way with her before entertaining a bunch of dullards for the evening.

But he needed to secure these alliances. There weren't many open-and-out vampires operating within the city walls. And the few that remained were valuable enough for him to take interest in, either to work with or to get rid of. Tonight would help him fully realize the distinctions.

And with you by his side, it would be tolerable. Though Astarion had quickly realized after his own turn that vampires had a bad habit of thinking that they were much, much, more interesting than they were.

A fact that he was quickly being reminded of as the night went on. Everything was going according to plan, the guests had arrived, you looked gorgeous and perfect on his arm, and he had a meticulous mask on to seem interested in all the inane conversations he needed to have.

Though this one was especially tedious. A newly risen vampire lord, weeks fresh off of killing his own master. Despite the achievement, he was as dry as a brick wall. But she was interesting. Well... perhaps not him, but certainly the master he had killed was of interest. And he was the only one left living who could possibly know of the woman's secrets.

"It's been an interesting few weeks, to say the least," The man said again, still lost in reliving the death of his own slave master, "I never thought it was possible, but here I am."

You were nodding along, taking the time to do the conversational work Astarion was growing tired of, "It is quite thrilling isn't it? To be free. I'm sure she had many perks of immortality that were lost to you. Hopefully, you're adjusting well."

"I am, and she did. In fact, I found these books, can't read a lick of them but-"

"Perhaps a translator could be of use?" You casually interrupted, "I can always take a look for you."

"That would be lovely-"

"Master Ancunin!" A feminine voice interrupted from behind, "I've been looking everywhere for you."

He turned, his annoyance shifting to interest when he realized who was speaking. Lady Imelel, a high-ranking spawn turned master after the murder of her sister, nearly three-hundred years ago. Done by Cazador's own hand. She had been a consistent thorn in his side since that day, only relenting to meet when she was certain of his murder.

She was beautiful, as expected. With an air of confidence that nearly made Astarion bristle. She was a bit... too comfortable in his presence. Especially when she decided that linking her arm to his was appropriate.

He could feel you stiffen at his side at the display, a fact she remained oblivious to as she spoke, "Gods, there is so much I'd like to discuss with you. Privately if you wouldn't mind."

For anyone else, the obvious display of disrespect towards you would have been an automatic death sentence. But Astarion was conflicted. If anyone was going to be aware of the identities of other unknown vampires in the realm, it would be her. He'd be forced to let it slide for the moment.

Though just because he was agreeing, didn't mean he couldn't make things more clear.

He plastered a tight smile on his face before nodding, "Certainly, just one moment."

He turned to you, his voice dropping a few octaves, "Will you be okay alone for a moment darling? I won't be long."

You nodded, always so, so good at picking up on what he needed, "I'll be fine my love. I'm sure Erwen will keep me plenty entertained."

"Good," He murmured before pressing a deep kiss to your mouth, taking the time to lick inside, just to feel you shudder. Perhaps it was a bit much. It certainly was if the flush to Erwen's face was anything to go by when he pulled away. But Astarion was trying to be fair here. And if Imelel didn't understand the picture after that, he couldn't be held responsible for what could happen to her.

He grinned down at you before pressing one last lingering kiss to your mouth, "I'll be right back."

And then he was off, reluctantly being dragged away by Imelel; who looked particularly offended at the display of affection. It didn't take long for her to make her offense known either.

She took him to the first quiet corner she could find, a frown on her lips as she leaned in, "My dear, I know you're quite new to this but... I would refrain from chaining yourself to one soul so quickly. It truly is a waste.

Ah. It was unfortunate that she was continuing that line of thought. Astarion only had so much patience.

He cocked his head at her, thoroughly amused at the audacity, "Oh? Whatever do you mean?"

"I mean that plaything that you take everywhere with you," She said easily, blissfully unaware of how close he was to ripping out her tongue. She was running a delicate hand down his chest, "You're limiting yourself for no reason. She's a mortal who was lucky enough to catch your eye. And she knows it. She won't be going anywhere if you explore your other options. And even if she did... who cares?"

That sealed it. She would be dying tonight. And if Astarion had any less patience she would have been slain the second she forgot your title. But he had more decorum than that. Or maybe he just wanted to make things personally horrifying, just for her.

He grinned back at her, leaning into her touch despite the way it made his skin crawl, "It sounds like there is an offer buried in your words. Am I right?"

"It could be," She purred, "If you'd be willing to sneak away."

Well wasn't that nice? For her to do the hard work for him. He took her hand in his, giving it a little squeeze before saying, "Go out and mingle my dear, then meet me upstairs in an hour. The second room to the left. And then you can show me exactly what I've been missing."

She smiled, one with too much teeth before sauntering away.

It was almost disgusting, how foolish she was. Astarion could scarcely believe she had survived this long. Though in her meager defense, this was probably going to be the first time that she was rebuffed for her advances. But otherworldly beauty could only take you so far, a harsh lesson that she was about to learn.

Astarion wasted no time in finding you again, politely dragging you away from the conversation. You didn't miss a beat, immediately updating him on everything that was said, "He'll bring the books by for translation. If there's any magic to them I'll be able to extract it and he'll get a.... redacted version. The poor thing really doesn't know what he's doing. But he's far from a threat-"

"That's wonderful my sweet, thank you," Astarion interrupted, his voice lowered, "But I need you to do something else for me. Do you remember those fun little ropes we found a few months back?"

You nodded, "The Cord of Constriction? Or the Lariat of Lethargy?"

"Let's say both. Now go and put them in the guest room for me will you? And then wait in the closet. And don't move a muscle until I say, no matter what you see or hear. Understood?"

"Why on Earth-"

"Darling," Astarion interrupted, an edge coloring his voice, "Don't question me. Just be a good girl and listen. Can you do that?"

Those were the magic words. He licked his lip as he watched a flush crawl up your neck, an adorable pout on your lips, "I-Gods. Fine! Just don't keep me waiting long."

"I won't," Astarion promised with a smile, "I'll see you soon."

He watched you go, excitement brewing in the back of his mind. And he thought tonight was going to be boring. He waited until he saw Imelel start her way up the stairs before following, a slight pep in his step. It was all so easy to manipulate her onto the bed, easier still to convince her of a "fun" little game to tie her to the bed posts.

He leaned back when he was done, a smirk forming as he watched her test her bindings, "I should have known that this would be your type of fun Astarion."

"Yes," Astarion laughed, low and mean, "You should have. Darling, you can come out now. I have a surprise for you."

Right on cue you were popping out of the closet, your eyes widening when you saw the woman tied to the bed. The woman who was slowly panicking as she realized just how strong the ropes she was tied with were.

"This is my surprise?" You asked as you saddled up to him, easily stepping into his open arms, "I assume this is the part where you explain why?"

"Astarion? What on earth are you doing?" Imelel asked quietly, her voice slightly shaking, "I am not someone to be trifled with-"

"I'll be the judge of that," Astarion said quickly before turning his attention back to you, "Darling, I'm so sorry to have to tell you this, but this creature spoke of you in one of the most disrespectful manners you can imagine. And for that a punishment is due, don't you think?"

"Are you insane?" Imelel screeched, "You won't get away with this!"

But Astarion wasn't listening. He was too busy watching the ways your eyes softened at him. You smiled, "So a powerful vampire mildly insults me, and your solution is murder?"

Astarion grinned, "Naturally."

"Gods, I love you," You sighed before leaning in to peck his lips, "But you'll help me, won't you?"

"Of course darling," Astarion cooed, his hand already reaching for the dagger in his belt, "I'm here to help."

Imelel was still struggling, hard enough to make the Cord of Constriction bite against her skin. Her hand was slowly turning purple from the loss of circulation. She was still screeching too, bellowing about her own importance. Right up until Astarion had the knife to her throat.

"Oh, not so brave now are you?" Astarion chuckled as she finally shut up, "To be clear, you will be dying tonight. For every offense that came out of your mouth in regards to my love. Your body will be used for a display to warn the next audacious shrew. Sound good?"

She was crying now. Good. It was her own fault that she was there to begin with, all because she couldn't keep her big mouth shut.

He turned back to you, "What do you say, darling? Do you want me to do the honors?"

You shook your head before gently taking the knife, taking the time to kiss him on the cheek, "No, I'll do the first cut, and the rest can be yours."

"Whatever you say darling," Astarion sighed, happy to step back and watch you get to work. You really were good with daggers, a skill he admired as he watched you slit her throat. There you were, the light of his life, the master of his heart, the one and only Lady Ancunin. And it was long time the world started to see you as such.

The two of you enjoyed yourselves for as long as you could before there was nothing left of the woman who once was. And Astarion kept to his word.

As a nice end to the evening he dropped her body down the stairs, chuckling at all of the shocked gasps it tore from his audience before he gave his speech, "This, ladies and gentlemen, is what happens when you disrespect myself or Lady Ancunin in any shape or form. Do with the information as you will. Now please, enjoy your evening."

[box-dwelling]

If I could get over my internalised ableism and be like 5% more organised and do shit like use my fucking support aids and take my fucking meds I really would be unstoppable.

[orvar1]

Free Write 1

When I was about 13 or 14 i broke both bones in my forearm that kept me unable to use my leftarm for 6 months, I had to to to to to to have everyone help me out with anything cause I only had one arm................................................ It made me feel like I was completly helpless and that I couldn't do anything for myself. This happened my freshman year of high school during spring break. It took a month for all my surgerys even though it was only one. I had to spend months in physcial therapy with exercies I had to do daily. Even though though though it was one of my worst experiences in life it taught me alot........ It taught me that its completely fine to ask for help. It taught me that your real friends will always help you as well.

[ifuckingloveryoshu]

Self Indulgent Ryoshu X Vocalist!Reader

HCS (Or How I Got Myself into A Vocal Rabbit Hole)

This is self indulgent because one day I think I'm going to try to work on a project moon oc from the streets of music who sings. Also I'm too lazy to read all of this right now but it seems like a cool research thing and I will get some ideas from this. X Im blatently picking and chosing whatever. I'm also so out of the loop and like, I'm not reading all of these fully. I am an illterate Project Moon Enjoyer. Trust and go at your own discression.

I treat this like singing would help out with the lungs but the article claims that reseach on this area are poor and few.

(also feel free to give me constructive critisim because i want to learn how to write Ryoshu)

Just three bullet points in and fuck. I was just searching about neurotoxins a few moments ago. Aughhhh. If I find out me embedding links didn't work, I will gut someone.

Wall squats. Y/N is doing wallsquats to better train their lungs and Ryoshu is supervising. May god have mercy on your soul. She does it too sometimes and you both compete who can stay there the longest. Y/N also has to sing while doing wall squat. Ryoshu is exempt but sometimes she'll do it with you.

Y/N and Ryoshu run laps around the area together.

Y/N regularly takes waterbreaks with Ryoshu and the both of you are well hydrated. Hydration is very good for the human body. X

Y/N is not stopping her nicotine reliance but singing and doing exercises like this helps offset the lung damage. X

Just for a moment, when your together working like this, she puts down the cigarettes begrudgingly.

Its annoying but she must admit, it shows results. It's also quite usefull being able to hold your breath, pretend your momentarily dead only to suprise the enemy, or go in for an ambush.

As far as Y/N knows, their walking on eggshells. Ryoshu's not going to do anything though. She's not going to tell you this, she takes amusment in Y/N's underlying feeling of never being completly safe? There has to be some sort of unspoken trust to keep you two relaxed to sing well enough and the excersising helps. Respiratory tension gets removed when you've been running laps, huffing for air.

If Y/N lets her, she has the skill to cut into cut into Y/N's chest and neck, carefully showing how the things expand and the vocal folds narrowing, seeing the airflow. Its disgusting but also very useful information. (warning, graphic videos) X X

Sinner karaoke night. Ryoshu refuses to sing with the other sin-gers. Y/N can not force her. When everyone's packing up to go to bed, she stays behind and sings to herself a gentle lullaby she used to sing to Yuzuki. She knows your there. Tell anyone and Y/N gets a B.E.L.C.A.N.T.O. (Beat Entirely, Left Concious, and Neck Totally Offuscated) wrung out from their lungs.

Y/N and Ryoshu have excellent posture. Sometimes, to improve singing, Y/N and Ryoshu get to sit on the floor together and lay down, backs on the ground and heads touching each others. This is called breathing into your back. X X X

Other workouts include sit ups, proper breathing exerices, core muscles exercies, stuff that removes tension on your upper body

Being relaxed is also very important for singer's not to sound bottled up? The only reason she can momentarily stop smoking is because the singing is a sufficient enough distraction for the moment. X X

Ryoshu has a deep voice because of the cigs. She can still sing well though. X X

If Ryoshu's somehow gets a high or so into music herself, this is a possible thing that can happen. Y/N's job now is to try and make sure she takes breaks or chills out somehow because through this, she's still smoking her cigarettes. X

Sinclair is just with Y/N and Ryoshu sometimes because Ryoshu bullies him into it. The moment the other sinners got curious, she stopped. Indecisive if she stopped for good or stopped roping Sinclair in with Y/N. She just loses interest when other people start catching on. Sorry.

After that, she brings Y/N to her room sometime and you two only do the working out part together. Singing part is done on Y/N own time.

Put this somewhere idk (images of inside the vocal fold)

[josis-teacup]

Studying: Analogue vs Digital

About 3 years ago I got an ipad.

Before that I would always print out every PowerPoint and every exercis sheet. I would take my notes on paper and carry around huge folders.

After I got an ipad I would take my notes in notability and use my apple pencil. I would import all the PowerPoints, and my folders got thinner and thinner.

I still write summaries and flashcards using pen and paper but for 99 % of my university work I use my ipad.

And until yesterday. Last week I scanned an exercise book to prepare for an exam and imported the scan into notability. Yesterday either notability or icloud crashed. Luckily I managed to get back most of my notes but the scans i needed fir my exam were gone. I used all the troubleshooting advices support had on the website but its working very slowly and the is no sign of my scans. Luckily I use Google drive for additional backup so I could still access my scans but this situation had me thinking about how dependent I am on this technology.

Without my ipad and the backup data I'd be lost. I still have my summaries but that's it. I'm so dependent on my digital notes which are stored by services I have to pay for because the 32gb provided by apple are a joke, especially since a third are already used by ios. My phone is only a year or two younger and I got 128gb.

My semester is nearly over and the next one will start in about 7 weeks so I'll take the time to rethink my system. I don't want to rely on services that could crash every second resulting into me struggling to prepare for an exam. I'm glad I had another backup and the exam not being mandatory. But this could happen every day, even the day before an actually important exam.

Maybe I'll go through my notes to see what I should print or do on paper. Or I rethink my entire note taking system.

No matter what, this was definitely a wake up call.

Did you ever had a similar experience? How do you take your notes? Do you struggle balancing digital and analogue work? Or did you find a way that suits you?

[halucygeno]

Mental health vent: on being neurodivergent, Kokobot and counterproductive “help”

So, I recently looked up the #Depression tag and was immediately messaged by Kokobot, Tumblr’s officially partnered mental health counselling provider. In typical late-capitalist fashion, it was absolutely atrocious at its job, and not-so-secretly a scheme to harvest people’s user data. User @viridianriver​ made a fantastic post where they summarise the issue better than I ever could, give it a read:

https://www.tumblr.com/viridianriver/722834494910038016/kokobot-the-airbnb-owned-tech-startup-data?source=share

Highly unethical shit and revolting all around. Whoever from Tumblr staff decided this was a good idea should be fuckin’ ashamed of themselves.

But this saccharine, performatively gentle parasite of a bot made me reflect on some of the ways people in real life have failed me when I’ve brought up my mental health problems. Aside from the struggle of finding a therapist who understands my style of thinking and the type of guidance I need (I’ve been through 4 different ones), I’ve often ran into an invisible wall when openly speaking to friends and family.

I’ve been meaning to write something like this for a while, and Kokobot gave me the push to articulate some of my observations - about what is helpful, what isn’t helpful, and some general patterns in how people have addressed my mental illness.

Anyway, here’s my honest advice:

[DISCLAIMER: I am not a professional. This is just an opinion based on my personal experience. Take everything I say with a tablespoon of salt.]

Seek out other people who have struggled with the same (or similar) problems as you. These are the people who are best equipped to empathise with you and see things from your perspective. I know it may sound impossible at first, but you gotta try.  

If your school / university has a counselling service, see if they run any support groups. If not, check to see if there’s something hosted independently by students or local organisations. You preferably want to talk to someone you can trust, like a family member, friend or close colleague. If there is absolutely nobody in your real-life environment you can turn to, then confiding in a stranger online is a “good enough” substitute. Obviously, maintain a good level of caution when speaking to anyone you don’t know - don’t reveal identifying information like photos, names or addresses. If your problems involve something very specific or personal, use analogies and fake names.

The reason I put emphasis on contacting others who have gone through similar issues is that people without that perspective, even if well-intentioned, can actually worsen the situation with their attempts to help.

For example, if you speak openly about your suicidal thoughts (even if you make it very clear that it’s only casual suicidal ideation, with no clear “plan” or strong compulsion to actually do it), people may panic and call emergency services, which can lead to you having to spend half an hour explaining to confused cops and medics: “no, I’m fine, I’m not about to kill or injure yourself, the caller misunderstood me, no, I don’t need a Diazepam injection, no, I don’t want to see a physician...” and so on.

Trying to open up to people who lack the proper perspective will, ironically, increase your frustration and isolation as they adopt an overprotective, patronising attitude. Your negative thoughts will be treated as aberrant and pathological (even if they are well articulated and backed with arguments), and therefore quickly dismissed as “the illness talking”. The condition will basically be used to discredit your autonomy of beliefs, and you will be pressured to adopt the standard, “healthy” attitudes and desires.

Paradoxically, while acting as if your mental illness has completely taken over your thoughts, they will also heavily underestimate its severity and treat it as an issue of “willpower”. You may hear suggestions for things like mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, meditation, a healthier diet, homeopathic treatments, etc. While these may help in some cases (especially eating healthy), they completely ignore the fact that people on the spectrum or with attention disorders may be straight-up neurologically incapable of focusing on some of these these tasks. (This is anecdotal, but I have attempted about a dozen guided meditations + yoga, and each time it feels like being put in a straightjacket while some pretentious twat tries to gaslight me about what I’m feeling to the tune of the most annoying, cliche “relaxation” music imaginable. It’s impossible to feel anything other than frustration.)

The worst part about this is that these very deliberate displays of “care” and “sympathy” usually dehumanise you by refusing to meet you where you’re at and discuss things on your own terms.

If you’re feeling depressed because of socio-political issues like climate change, racism, economic exploitation and inequality, instead of helping you channel your frustration into action - telling you how to network with local activists, offering to read political theory with you, etc. - they will view the social concern itself as the issue and nudge you towards supressing it (saying things like “focus on your own life, then worry about politics”). Instead of trying to politically empower you, they want you to surrdener to disempowering political apathy.

If you’re feeling depressed due to difficulties with an academic or personal project, you’ll hear vague non-advice like “be kind to yourself” and “don’t push yourself too hard”, with zero actual interest in learning about the specifics of what you’re struggling with. If you’re a writer, for example, these people won’t bother to read your work, and if you ask them to give you some feedback on a draft, they’ll agree before procrastinating it into oblivion.

And don’t even get me started if your sadness stems from philosophical reflections. Most people are extremely illiterate in even conversational-level philosophy, making constant appeals to anecdotes, mysticism and “common sense”. It’s often a struggle to get them to question something they take for granted, much less make them logically evaluate the coherency of a philosophical principle.

You get the point. People say they want to help, but they seemingly want to do that without making any commitments or getting to know anything difficult about you. They can be incredibly overbearing in terms of suggesting broad, overarching lifestyle changes, but when it comes to specific habits and behaviours you yourself want to change, where you could really use a bit of coaching or encouragement, they don’t even examine it.

I understand that the kind of help I’m asking for is incredibly labour intensive and difficult - especially if someone is struggling with a highly technical skill (in which case it may be downright impossible; how are you supposed to help a friend stuck on a programming task without being a programmer yourself)? But if these people are not willing to do that, then the least they can do is shut up with their patronising self-help platitudes. It feels more alienating and depressing to constantly hear stock responses like “it will get better” than just not talking about it at all.

So yeah, look for others who have gone through the same thing. Seek practical, actionable advice instead of vague, feel-good nonsense. Don’t bother talking to those who obtusely fail to understand your condition and condescend to you - it will just exhaust you.

Those are my two cents, and better mental health advice than anything Kokobot will ever give you. Peace.

[australianwriter]

Top Strategies to Excel in University Assignments

University assignments can be daunting, but excelling in them is crucial for your academic success. Whether you're a first-year student or nearing graduation, mastering assignment writing can significantly boost your grades and overall performance. Let's dive into the top strategies to help you excel in your university assignments.

Understanding Assignment Requirements

Before you start writing, it's essential to understand what the assignment requires. Thoroughly read the assignment brief to grasp the expectations. If anything is unclear, don't hesitate to ask your professors for clarification. This step ensures you're on the right track from the beginning and saves time in the long run.

Effective Time Management

Time management is vital for handling university assignments efficiently. Start by creating a study schedule that outlines all your tasks and deadlines. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Prioritize your tasks based on deadlines and their importance to ensure you're making steady progress.

Conducting Comprehensive Research

A well-researched assignment stands out. Utilize your university's library resources and access online academic databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Evaluate sources for their credibility and relevance to ensure your arguments are well-supported by solid evidence.

Developing a Strong Thesis Statement

A clear and compelling thesis statement is the backbone of any assignment. It provides a focus and direction for your writing. Spend time crafting a thesis that succinctly presents your main argument. A strong thesis helps you stay on topic and makes your assignment more coherent.

Creating an Outline for Your Assignment

Outlining your assignment before you start writing can save you time and help organize your thoughts. An effective outline includes your main points and supporting arguments, creating a roadmap for your writing. This practice ensures a logical flow and helps you cover all necessary aspects of the topic.

Writing and Revising Drafts

The first draft is rarely perfect, so it's important to revise your work. After completing your initial draft, take a break before revising to approach it with fresh eyes. Look for areas that need improvement and seek feedback from peers or professors. Revising multiple drafts leads to a polished and well-structured assignment.

Mastering Academic Writing Style

Academic writing has a specific tone and structure. Understand the conventions of academic writing, such as formal language and clear, concise arguments. Avoid common pitfalls like overusing jargon or writing overly complex sentences. Utilize resources like writing guides and style manuals to improve your writing.

Proper Citation and Avoiding Plagiarism

Citing your sources correctly is crucial to avoid plagiarism. Familiarize yourself with different citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago) and use tools like Zotero or EndNote for managing citations. Ensuring your work is original and properly cited protects your academic integrity and enhances your credibility.

Utilizing Technology and Tools

Technology can be a great aid in managing your assignments. Use software like Microsoft OneNote or Trello for organization and productivity. Grammar and style checking tools like Grammarly can help refine your writing. These tools streamline the writing process and improve the quality of your work.

Improving Your Writing Skills

Improving your writing skills takes regular practice. Read extensively to expose yourself to different writing styles and techniques. Consider taking writing workshops or courses offered by your university. Additionally, make use of writing centers and tutors who can provide personalized guidance and feedback.

Handling Stress and Staying Motivated

Assignments can be stressful, but managing stress is key to staying productive. Practice stress management techniques like mindfulness, exercise, and adequate sleep. Set achievable goals to keep yourself motivated and maintain a positive mindset. Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as academic success.

Participating in Study Groups

Study groups can provide support and enhance your learning. Collaborative learning allows you to gain different perspectives and improve your understanding of the material. Ensure your study group stays focused and productive by setting clear goals and responsibilities for each member.

Effective Proofreading and Editing

Proofreading and editing are essential for a polished assignment. Read your work aloud to catch errors you might miss when reading silently. Look for common mistakes like grammatical errors, typos, and awkward phrasing. A thorough proofreading process ensures your assignment is clear and error-free.

Conclusion

Excelling in university assignments requires a combination of understanding requirements, effective time management, comprehensive research, and continuous improvement of writing skills. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance the quality of your assignments and achieve academic success.

If despite these strategies you are still having trouble writing assignments or you need any kind of assignment help in Australia Look no further than Australia Assignment Help! With a proven track record of delivering nearly 600,000 orders, we are the most trusted and authentic writing service provider in the country. Our team of 500+ expert professionals is dedicated to helping you succeed in your academic endeavors, offering a wide range of services from essay writing to PhD dissertations. Reviewed by over 15,000 Australian students and boasting a 98% on-time delivery rate, we ensure you get high-quality assignments before your deadlines. For a one-stop academic solution, visit australiaassignmenthelp.online and experience the positive impact our native Australian writers can make on your grades.

FAQs

Q. How can I stay motivated during long assignments? A. Staying motivated can be challenging, but breaking the assignment into smaller tasks and setting short-term goals can help. Reward yourself for completing each section to keep your motivation high.

Q. What should I do if I don't understand an assignment? A. If you're unsure about an assignment, seek clarification from your professor or teaching assistant. They can provide valuable insights and ensure you're on the right track.

Q. How can I improve my academic writing style? A. Improving your academic writing style involves regular practice, reading academic papers, and seeking feedback from professors and peers. Utilize writing resources and workshops offered by your university.

Q. What are some tools to help with citation management? A. Tools like Zotero, EndNote, and Mendeley can help manage citations efficiently. These tools allow you to organize your sources and generate citations in various styles automatically.

Q. How do I handle last-minute assignment stress? A. Last-minute stress can be managed by staying organized and prioritizing tasks. Break down the assignment into manageable parts, focus on completing one section at a time, and take short breaks to avoid burnout.

[shapingtherapies]

The Role of Speech Therapy in Communication in Achieving Clear Communication

Speech therapy isn't just about correcting sounds or improving fluency. It's about unlocking your full potential for communication. Through targeted therapy, you can gain the confidence to express yourself clearly, understand others effectively, and even boost skills like memory and problem-solving.

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy, provided by a speech-language pathologist (SLP), is a specialized healthcare field focused on evaluating, diagnosing, and treating speech and language disorders. It's more than just correcting sounds; it's about empowering you to communicate effectively

Benefits of Speech Therapy:

Early Language Development: Helping young children learn to speak and express themselves.

Enhanced Voice Use: Improving vocal clarity, pitch, and volume.

Stronger Language Comprehension: Understanding spoken and written language more effectively.

Improved Fluency: Speaking smoothly and confidently.

Clearer Expression: Communicating your thoughts and feelings with ease.

Why Do You Need Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy can effectively treat various speech and language disorders:

Articulation Disorders: Inability to properly form certain word sounds, such as saying "thith" instead of "this."

Fluency Disorders: Affects speech flow, speed, and rhythm, including stuttering (interrupted speech) and cluttering (rapid, merged speech).

Resonance Disorders: Blockage in nasal or oral cavities alters voice quality, often linked to cleft palate, neurological disorders, and swollen tonsils.

Receptive Disorders: Difficulty understanding and processing what others say, leading to issues following directions or having a limited vocabulary.

Expressive Disorders: Trouble conveying information, forming accurate sentences, often associated with developmental impairments or medical conditions.

Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Difficulty communicating due to brain injury, resulting in memory issues, problem-solving difficulties, and trouble speaking or listening.

Aphasia: Acquired communication disorder affecting speaking, understanding, reading, and writing, commonly caused by stroke.

Dysarthria: Slow or slurred speech due to weakened speech muscles, often resulting from nervous system disorders, facial paralysis, or conditions like MS, ALS, and stroke.

Do You Need Speech Therapy?

If you're experiencing difficulties with communication, talk to your healthcare provider. They will conduct initial screenings to determine if speech therapy could benefit you. This might include a hearing test, performed by an audiologist, to rule out any hearing-related issues.

What Happens During Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy typically starts with an assessment by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to diagnose the type of communication disorder and determine the most effective treatment approach.

Speech Therapy for Children

For children, speech therapy can be conducted in various settings and involves tailored activities based on the child's needs:

Classroom, Small Group, or One-on-One: Sessions are arranged depending on the child's specific disorder.

Language Intervention: Interaction through talking, playing, and using books and pictures to stimulate language development.

Sound Modeling: Teaching correct sounds and syllables during age-appropriate play.

Home Strategies: Providing strategies and homework for parents and caregivers to continue therapy at home.

Speech Therapy for Adults

Speech therapy for adults begins with an assessment to tailor treatment for speech, language, and cognitive communication needs:

Speech and Language Exercises: Activities to improve speech clarity and language use.

Cognitive Communication: Problem-solving, memory, and organizational tasks.

Swallowing Retraining: Therapy for swallowing difficulties caused by conditions like Parkinson’s disease or oral cancer.

Social Communication: Conversational tactics to enhance social interactions.

Breathing Exercises: Techniques to improve resonance.

Oral Muscle Strengthening: Exercises to strengthen the muscles used for speech

Home Resources for Speech Therapy

Various tools can support speech therapy exercises at home:

Speech Therapy Apps: Digital tools designed for speech practice.

Language Development Games and Toys: Flip cards and flash cards to aid in language learning.

Workbooks: Printed resources for practicing speech and language skills.

How Long Do You Need Speech Therapy?

The duration of speech therapy depends on factors such as age, type and severity of the speech disorder, therapy frequency, and any underlying medical conditions. Some disorders improve with age, while others may require long-term therapy. Conditions like stroke-related disorders may improve with medical treatment.

How Successful Is Speech Therapy?

The success rate varies by disorder and age group. Early intervention and home practice with a parent or caregiver enhance outcomes, especially in young children.

Summary

Speech therapy, provided by a speech-language pathologist (SLP), is a specialized healthcare field focused on diagnosing and treating speech and language disorders. It's designed to enhance communication skills, including early language development, vocal clarity, language comprehension, fluency, and expression. Speech therapy can address various disorders such as articulation, fluency, resonance, receptive, expressive, cognitive-communication disorders, aphasia, and dysarthria. Therapy for children and adults involves tailored activities and exercises, with the duration depending on individual factors. Success rates are higher with early intervention and home practice.

Shaping Therapies, one of the leading and Best Speech therapy centre in Thane and Powai, identifies the underlying cause and then addresses the issue with an equilibrating restitution plan. Our team of experienced speech therapists provides personalized assessments and interventions to address a wide range of speech and language disorders, from articulation and fluency issues to language delays and aphasia. 

If you search "Speech therapist near me" on google you will find our website with best reviews provided by our genuine customers on google profile. Contact us today for the Speech therapy appointment from Shaping Therapies, the Best Speech therapy centre in Thane and Best Speech therapy centre in Powai.

[englishwiseae]

Advantages of Choosing PTE Coaching for Better Preparation

If you’re planning to take the PTE, you may have noticed that a lot of advice and support are available online to assist you in not only passing the test but also doing well on it. But if you ask us if you need PTE tutoring before you take the test, we’ll answer in the affirmative. In fact, a PTE and IELTS coaching in Dubai provides you with cutting-edge instruction so you can pass the necessary test.

While we acknowledge that a plethora of mentor-led videos, materials, and tutorials are readily accessible on the internet, we also have our motivations for advising candidates to enrol in PTE coaching prior to the test.

Who is it Intended For?

PTE coaching is for individuals who want to settle in abroad and take their career to the next level. PTE exam scoring is an essential aspect that most individuals need to go through if they want to practise their work in a foreign country. So, choosing a coaching centre that offers the best learning is the right way to follow your dreams.

What Can You Gain from PTE Coaching?

Expecting a PTE exam result of 90 out of 90 is not a real idea and is undoubtedly untrue. However, you must enrol in specialised tutoring if you want to improve any of the following: writing, oral fluency, or other necessary skills.

Along with receiving answers to all of your minor inquiries, you should also anticipate learning some useful advice for acing the PTE Exam in Abu Dhabi.

PTE Online Coaching

You will benefit greatly from having access to the appropriate exam information as well as the best advice and assistance from professionals and experts if you take the best PTE lessons. The primary benefit of opting for online PTE practice is that it offers you a great degree of flexibility. It can be used at any time and from any location. Learning becomes much more enjoyable and exciting when you have more preparation flexibility, such as more time.

You can take PTE mock tests, view strategy videos, and get more information about the PTE exam format from anywhere in the globe. It’s a good idea to retake the PTE online because it’s a computerized exam. PTE work centers that are offline provide study materials like books and require students to complete their evaluations. This is completely at odds with the way the test is administered.

Advantages of Choosing Coaching for the PTE Exam

1. Score Better

The most obvious reason to begin IELTS or PTE preparation as soon as feasible is that your chances of improving your results increase with knowledge. Preparing for language proficiency exams involves a number of aspects, and it requires much learning, practising, managing, and doing in a short amount of time.

One can improve their marks after they become more comfortable with the exam. Many questions may appear to be similar to the ones practised previously, and it becomes easier to answer them if one already understands the question tone and reply patterns.

2. Reduce Pressure

Being at ease and self-assured during the testing process is crucial for test preparation. A candidate shouldn’t be learning anything new or beginning from scratch a month before the PTE Exam in Abu Dhabi. Set aside this time for editing and practising lengthy practice exams. It gets easier for candidates to go through the process once they begin to understand the questions.

Furthermore, people feel more at ease knowing that they can comprehend the queries. As previously indicated, there are some trick questions on the test that call for the examinee to have whole focus and presence of mind, which might be challenging for someone who is constantly under Pressure.

3. Time Management

It is crucial to remember that all of the questions on the PTE and IELTS exams must be answered in the allotted time, and each job must be finished within the allotted period. Although applicants might not be natural in some areas, repetition will help them become more adept at time management.

In listening exercises, for instance, a candidate may become confused between what they have heard and the content of the options and take too long to choose the right response. Conversely, it will be relatively simpler to respond if they have developed a plan for handling such questions when reviewing the test papers.

4. Better Vocabulary

Candidates who have been studying for the PTE or IELTS for a long period would probably incorporate regular reading and vocabulary exercises into their schedules. Through this practice in IELTS coaching in Dubai, the candidate’s word knowledge and reading speed both increase.

These are the two things that will take time to achieve or get better at. Examinees who are willing to work on improving their reading comprehension and vocabulary must begin early and practice reading a few pages a day or picking up a few new terms. Last-minute preparations add significantly to the workload and frequently result in improper memorization of the material.

5. Better Use of Exam Time

There are many questions on the exam, and the time allotted for it is restricted. There are questions with lengthy reading forms and audio formats that can take longer than anticipated. Not only does know the correct answers to the PTE or IELTS exam matter but so does answering within the allotted time.

Candidates will learn how to handle a specific type of question while preparing with various books and practice papers. This will help them become faster and save more time on the test.

Conclusion

Online PTE tutoring frequently turns out to be less expensive than traditional classroom tutoring. Online platforms can provide coaching that is comparable to or even better than traditional coaching at a much lower cost. This is because traditional coaching facilities must deal with overhead expenditures like rent, utilities, and physical study materials. Furthermore, there is no need for travel fees with online tutoring, which might be important for pupils who live far away. Because of this, students can obtain excellent PTE tutoring without sacrificing quality, which makes online learning an economical choice.

[chaos-is-my-lifeblood]

I think somebody should write a pokemon fic that never actually mentions what species the pokemon are. It would be a fun little exercies for the reader. Keep 'em guessing.

[drheidikling]

Strategies for Managing Depression in Daily Life by Heidi Kling Ph.D.

Depression can make even simple tasks seem impossible. However, you can find relief and return to a standard life by employing simple coping mechanisms.

Recognizing and writing down negative thought patterns, such as catastrophizing and all-or-nothing thinking, will help identify negative thought processes and provide realistic alternatives.

1. Try to Keep a Positive Mood

Heidi Kling Ph.D., points out that depression can feel like a dark cloud looming over your life, impacting work, relationships, and physical health (such as changes to appetite leading to weight fluctuations or unexplained aches and pains). While outsiders might dismiss it as simply feeling blue, clinical depression is a severe mental illness and should be taken seriously.

When feeling down, try shifting your focus and recognizing what's good in your life. While discussing problems can be helpful, please do not dwell on them for too long. Express yourself creatively through dance, painting, doodling, or writing. Don't forget laughter can do wonders for our mood - don't be afraid of laughing, as even just one good belly laugh can make you much happier within minutes! Heidi Kling psychologist

Sleep is essential; avoiding junk food and caffeinated drinks before bed can help ensure a good night's rest. Exercise can also improve mood. Finally, connect with friends and family regularly - face-to-face meetings are best, but video calls may also prove fruitful!

2. Get a Good Night's Sleep

Depression can make sleeping difficult. Additionally, depression may trigger cravings for unhealthy foods and beverages like caffeinated beverages or heavy meals that interfere with both mood and energy levels.

Heidi Kling Ph.D., suggests that building healthy habits into your everyday routine can help relieve depression symptoms. Our treatment will teach you positive lifestyle changes to use after medication and talk therapy are no longer effective, such as meditation, sleep hygiene methods, and breathing techniques to promote mental health, exercise, and other physical activities, as well as diet and lifestyle strategies designed to keep depression away.

Staying connected with friends and family during a challenging period is vitally important. Journaling can be invaluable in this regard, allowing people to express their thoughts and feelings without judgment while providing insight into what's happening. Furthermore, journaling may also assist people in recognizing patterns, triggers, and warning signs associated with depression; disgruntled, resentful, or irritable people could be experiencing hidden depression behind atypical behaviors such as these.

3. Stay Active

Heidi Kling, Ph.D., highlights that exercise can help combat depression by elevating mood and energy levels and stimulating brain activity positively, according to studies. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day - start slow and build up gradually until longer durations are possible; walking, dancing, yoga, or swimming are excellent choices.

Maintain a balanced diet, mainly by reducing sugar and refined carbs that may contribute to energy crashes and mood slumps—incorporating foods rich in B vitamins like leafy greens, citrus fruits, beans, chicken, and eggs. Heidi Kling therapist

Try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help your body slow its heart rate and blood flow, creating a relaxing effect.

Spend time with family and friends. Social support will increase your sense of belonging and support, and discussing concerns with someone can provide perspective and solutions.

4. Take Care of Yourself

Depression can affect all aspects of your life, from feeling sad or empty to changes in appetite or unexplained aches and pains. However, taking steps daily to manage the disorder is essential for successful living. Dr. Heidi Kling

According to Heidi Kling Ph.D., exercise and other coping strategies may be effective, but don't forget to give yourself some respite too. Spending time being creative, such as painting or playing an instrument, engaging in something fun, dancing to your favorite tunes, or simply laughing with a friend, can help lift your mood and revitalize energy levels.

Communication is often beneficial in solving problems; avoid dwelling too heavily on negative experiences or dwelling too long on them. Try to mix in lighter conversations as well.

Practice mindfulness by noting the things you are grateful for, writing them down, or both. Additionally, keep a "negative thoughts log." When damaging self-talk surfaces, report it and what caused it so you can confront it later - this makes for a great add-on strategy to any existing recovery plan.

5. Stay Connected

Depression makes it hard to connect with others, heightening feelings of isolation. Therapy may help develop better communication skills and restore your faith in relationships again, or join a support group dedicated to depression for encouragement, validation, and insight into overcoming it.

Self-care practices include seeking help for small tasks and participating in outdoor activities whenever possible. Try not to over-remember negative thoughts or events in time by dwelling too much on them; focus instead on living in the present moment. Keeping a journal may also help express emotions and detect distorted thinking patterns.

As per Heidi Kling Ph.D., depression can affect anyone, but with proper knowledge and professional assistance, it's possible to live well despite living with it. By making efforts such as staying physically active, sleeping well at night, caring for oneself well and remaining connected with family and friends while using fundamental coping mechanisms like meditation to manage it more effectively, depression can be managed more successfully, and joy can be restored in daily life.

[raj-19]

The term "web design" is normally used to describe the design process relating to the front-end (client side) design of a website including writing markup. Web design partially overlaps web engineering in the broader scope of web development. Web designers are expected to have an awareness of usability and be up to date with web accessibility guidelines.

Want to pursue a career in website designing? No worries! Now, you can take part in the best website designing training in Noida and we are always here to bring in the positive aspects. It's time to learn we come up as the top institute in Noida offering website designing and web development course. Once you join our course you can learn the benefits in real-time and thus you can now get rid of all the worries.

Presently, web development also gains popularity as a good career option. Once you join our web development course you can learn how it helps you to explore a better career. You can now apply for the web development jobs and it's time to start your career as a web developer. There are manifold companies hiring web developers and it becomes easy to join your dream job.

Finally, you can explore the industry and you would find it easy to deal with the codes. Hence, you can now handle the web development works in the right way and we come up as the top web development institute in Noida.

#webdesing

#webdesigner

#design

[khazadspoon]

doing some 5 paragraph AU things to flex my writing muscles after a long absence, here's the first - 3zun Demon AU with a twist, Xichen is the demon.

-----------------------------------------------

It was a clever trick, taking such a gentle and unassuming form that caught the eye; “Lan Xichen” he had called himself for this particular trip to the mortal realm and it did not disappoint. He wandered through a large and bustling city trying to find a suitable target. The smog and noise stabbed at his mind, clawed at his senses and disturbed the cold calm he usually felt. He felt his form shiver and fought to control it.

“Are you alright?” A voice asked from behind him. The voice was low, full of an energy Xichen found irresistible. He turned, shaky smile already in place. When he saw the owner of the voice however he found it hard to remain focused.

Before him was a tall, broad, shining example of the best and worst humanity had to offer – the man was frowning, his dark brows furrowed in concern even as they hid an innate frustration Xichen could sense lingering underneath. Beside this mountain of a man was someone much shorter but no less breath taking with large bright eyes that screamed distrust. He eyed Xichen warily and held on to the taller man at his side.

Xichen focused himself and centred the demonic energy that fuelled his change of form. The flickering heat calmed him as the two humans watched him and he let the smile on his face turn soft and inviting. “I’m fine, thank you. Though perhaps you could both treat me to a drink?” He saw the moment they two men felt his influence.

They sighed in unison and Xichen watched in delight as the taller of the two wrapped an arm around his partner’s waist. “It would be our pleasure,” the shorter man said with a voice like silk. It drifted over Xichen’s inner-self and he resisted the urge to purr. The smile he gave was entirely genuine as he reached out to touch where the two men were joined at the hip. He felt them shiver, tasted the surge in energy and knew it would be a pleasurable experience for them all.

[dayabot]

good morning daya and purveyors of sin/lovers of evil

[creativepromptsforwriting]

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

Halloween Throwbacks

Prompt #285 (Last chance!)

“Most of the time being a werewolf sucks. But in 2020 there will be a full moon on Halloween and I’m going to win all the costume contests!”

Prompt #345

“So this doesn’t bother you?”

“Honestly the wings are kinda disconcerting.“

{Submitted by: hamilfact}

Prompt #124

“Okay.”

“Okay?! I tell you I’m a vampire and you say ‘okay’?!”

“As long as you don’t start sparkling when we hang out, I don’t see the problem.”

Prompt #191

“Do you have the hair?”

“No, because seriously where do you get the hair of a mythical creature?”

Prompt #284

“What can I say? Opposites attract.”

“That is really not a good excuse for sleeping with a bloody angel!”

Prompt #225

The orphanage was set in an old colonial house. Some children would say that it was haunted. But everyone knows that children have a wanton imagination.

Prompt #4

There was a cat sitting in my kitchen. I don’t know where it came from because no one of my neighbors ownes a cat. She just sat there on my kitchen table and stared into my eyes.

Prompt #28: Write About (8)

Write about someone receiving shocking news from a palm reader.

Prompt #96

There is a garden gnome in my front yard that wasn’t there last night.

Prompt #141

They told us not to go in there. But who’s listening to adults anyway?

Prompt #414

“So, now you have a tattoo that wasn’t there yesterday?”

“Yes.”

Prompt #112: Three Words (17)

Use the words sigil, secret and sorrow in your next story.

Prompt #418: Imagine your OTP (11)

Imagine your OTP where the friends of Characters A and B try to be matchmakers on Halloween and get them each in one part of a couples costume without them knowing.

+ if they only find out they form a couples costume because people at the party keep coming up to them to tell them how cute they are

+ if they only see each other later in the night to see if everyone’s right about them

Prompt #229: Quotes (32)

“You’re an angel.”

“Am I? What’s an angel without its wings?“

Happy Halloween, guys!

[duckprintspress]

Editing Tips for Beginning Editors

This is a guest post written by Adrian Harley.

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, I’m willing to bet you already have a lot of the skills you need to be an editor. Even among full-time professionals, a lot of editing skill comes from reading a ton—you get an “eye” for when a sentence just doesn’t look right. The more you read professionally edited work, the better you get at it. (Fanfiction is incredible, obviously. But fanfiction has its own quirks, and the grammar and punctuation can vary, so I’m not confident recommending it as a way to brush up your instinctive grasp of when a sentence “looks right.”)

The specifics of what you do as an editor can vary a lot depending on what you’re editing and who you’re editing for, so in this post, I’ll be covering some of the basic principles that I think will be helpful no matter what type of editing you do. Broadly, I’ll be going over language-related tips and profession-related tips. 

Language

I won’t be going over the nuts and bolts of grammar here, as a zillion good guides to it already exist online. Grammar Girl is my go-to free resource, and a lot of grammar and punctuation questions can be easily answered online or in a style guide from your library. I looked up the rules for commas a LOT in my first years of editing, and I still have to double-check them sometimes. A lot of the fiddly details differ between guides (how to write a.m. and p.m.; serial comma), but the nuts and bolts of grammar and punctuation stay the same across guides. 

Professionally, those fiddly details are a big chunk of editing. Do you write out numbers less than 20? Less than 10? Do you capitalize titles like “President” all the time or only in certain situations? There’s no one right answer, which is one of the many reasons there’s no “right guide” to editing. A style guide will decide many of these questions for you. If you pick up editing as a profession, your employer will most likely have a style guide in mind. You may want to pick one for yourself if you do freelance editing. That way, you won��t have to re-decide on every job, and if you get repeat clients, you’ll be sure their text is consistent across all their documents. A “series bible” for fiction works on similar principles. 

Whether you’re looking at those fiddly details or at the big picture, one principle of editing is to never take anything for granted. Someone says there’s five ancient orbs needed to defeat the dragon? You’d better count the orbs. Make sure every proper noun in the story (names of people, places, things) is spelled the same every single time. This is the kind of thing you’ll get quizzed on if you ever apply for a professional editing gig. Every editing job I’ve ever applied to has an “editing test” of at least a page, and it usually has at least one of those errors (if not both).

Another major thing to watch out for is colloquialisms, especially ones that mean multiple things. A short list of common errors I see:

“Since” should only relate to the passage of time; it does not mean “because.”

“While,” again, should only refer to time—two things happening simultaneously. “But,” “although,” “whereas,” and others are good substitutes for the other sense.

“Due to” does not mean “because of,” it means “caused by” (and I’ve seen some editors argue to not even use it for “caused by” and to only use it for when something is owed to someone).

“If” will often need to be replaced with “whether.”

Obviously with dialogue, that’s a whole nother story, but be careful about these in narration, even with a colloquial narrative. They can introduce unintentional double meanings.

When you’re moving from basic accuracy to style, you’ll often need to “tighten up” the language. This might be something you’re used to doing in your own writing. This doesn’t mean all prose should be sparse! But as an editor, part of your job is making sure that every word is contributing something, no matter whether the sentence is flowery or stark. One exercise is to go through and see if you can cut one word from every sentence. Depending on what type of editing you do, you’ll have different “filler words” to look out for. My personal demon is “just,” so I always do a search for that when I’m revising my own work. In my day job, the word “provide” often signals a clunky phrase that could be condensed into a single, better verb (e.g., “provides assistance” vs. “helps”). 

You’ll look for a lot as you edit, so don’t feel like you have to do it all at once. A simple search can make sure you’ve caught issues like “while” and “since.” Other issues are best solved in their own read-through. For me, I try to do a read-through specifically for passive voice. I often skip over passive voice on my all-purpose read because, well, the sentence makes sense, doesn’t it? So my eye simply doesn’t catch it if I’m not on the lookout. As you edit, you’ll figure out what process works best for you.

And to wrap up the language section—checklists are your friend! I used to have a post-it of all the things I knew I struggled with, and I’d systematically search the document for those trip-ups after I did my first read. You can customize your own checklist with whatever snags give you trouble.

Professionalism

A huge part of editing as a professional is in how you interact with other people. Your whole job is telling people they’re wrong, after all, and you often have no control over whether they’ll listen to you. Everything you can do to make the criticism easier for them helps!

My favorite “one weird trick” that my first boss taught me is to turn every criticism into a question. If you’re suggesting a significant revision, “How about…?” is one of my favorite leads. If you have no idea what’s going on, do your best to figure out what might be causing the issue, then form a question around that. “Are there missing words here?” is kinder and more useful than “Huh?”

Essentially, your role as an editor is to advocate for the reader. This “reader stand-in” role can help frame critique as well. Will the reader understand this? If you’re in one of the more-technical editing jobs, that question may be completely necessary. As an editor for scientific research, I’m often editing documents meant for people who know way more about the subject matter than I do. The framing of “the reader” is also a useful tool in your toolbox for fiction. You may be editing something that you are not the target audience for. Or, on the other end of the scale, you may know without question that you’re reading something incomprehensible. The polite device of “the reader” helps add a level of depersonalization to the critique.

Unsurprisingly, for editing, communication is key before you even start work. “Editing” covers a huge range of possibilities. Make sure you and the author are on the same page. Do they want a proofread—only correcting glaring errors? Do they want you to improve the phrasing of sentences? It can go all the way up to practically rewriting the thing, if you’re working at a corporation and the authors aren’t professionals. This conversation beforehand will let you know whether you should make “artistic” suggestions as you read, whether you need to stick with nuts and bolts, or something in between.

If the author says they only need a proofread and you discover the whole thing is terrible, that’s when some tactful emails come into play. Never start doing a higher-level edit unless you’ve talked about it with the author first. You have much better odds of an affirmative if they feel like they’re collaborating with you–that you’re both in it together to make the best document possible. As far as the tactful emails go, be kind and be specific. If you have examples of what you’d like to correct, throw those in. It helps the author know what to expect and make an informed decision.

And sometimes the author says no, and that’s okay! You must wash your hands of it. It’s not your name on the thing, and if you don’t put it in your resume, it never will be (fresh out of college, I worked on a couple truly awful novels that nobody will ever know I worked on). Perfectionism is HARD to overcome, I know, but accepting the errors gets easier with practice.

And finally, if you’re still wondering, “Am I cut out to be an editor?” I would recommend the words of Neil Gaiman. In his excellent “Make Good Art” speech, he says that as a freelance artist, you need to do good work, do it on time, and be pleasant to work with. And then, he adds, “You don’t even need all three! Two out of three is fine.”I recommend the whole thing if you ever want to battle imposter syndrome, because the same tenets apply to editing. At least I think they do. You don’t need to be the perfect editor—nobody is. But I guarantee that you have most of what you need already, and I hope this has helped.

Biography

Adrian Harley, one of Duck Prints Press’s editors, has been a full-time professional editor of scientific research for 10 years. Their freelance and ad-hoc editing has run the gamut from books to blog posts to family members’ cover letters. They’ve been published in Duck Prints Press’ And Seek (Not) to Alter Me and the forthcoming She Wears the Midnight Crown, as well as OFIC Magazine. 

Want to learn more?

Beware the Weasel Word has information and resources for “tightening up” language.

How to Ask for Feedback on Your Writing talks more about how, from a writer point of view, to help your editor understand what type(s) of editing you’re looking for.

Giving Quality, Motivating Feedback focuses on exactly what it says on the tin: how to give a writer feedback they’ll listen to.

What is an Alpha Reader? talks about what role alpha reader editors play and how to work with one.