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Hello,

We have recently launched our new website www.defeatthegrind.com which provides a free weekly self help and health ezine. Please visit our website to check it out.

Take 10 minutes of your time every week to read Defeat the Grind, and achieve a more successful, healthier and happier you! We guarantee it!

Defeat the Grind provides success orientated people with free weekly self help information on topics which include: goal setting, time management, improving your physical health, nutrition and parenting.

The ezine is written and contributed by experts in their field, many of whom have had their work extensively published. Defeat the Grind also occasionally has guest contributors such as politicians and sports people, who provide us with their views on self-help topics.


Cheers

Andrew Collings


Andrew Collings is the founder of www.defeatthegrind.com and has over 10 years experience in self help, health and parenting. Andrew has a Degree and Masters in social science and has also completed post graduate management studies. During the day, Andrew works as a principal in a consulting firm, and has had numerous pieces of planning work published. He is married with three children, and currently resides in Melbourne, Australia. As a hobby he is a juggler and magician.

Writing an essay or report

When a skyscraper is built we often only think of the construction above the ground. We see the building as it gets windows and walls and reaches up into the sky. Yet this is the last phase. Prior to the construction planning was undertaken, reports were written, engineers assessed and government approved. It is these preliminary steps that made the building what it is.

The same concept is true for writing. While we only see the finished product, it is the pre-planning that has made the essay or report.

To write well you need to do the following:

• Develop the topic and break it down
• Develop the report with key areas based on the topic
• Break down the key areas further until you are at a level of one topic in each sub area
• Make sure all the key areas of the report are covered - eg introduction, background, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, recommendations
• Proof read and make sure you haven't got an information that isn't required (less is more).
  

How to write a good short story

Short story writing is a hard gig. You have to show your command of the English language, be conscice and paint a vary vivid picture.

In today's article we will provide some guideance on how to write a good short story.

• 
  Start with a situation - a problem to be resolved etc.
• From here you need to present the problems tha can occur (eg all the fun misunderstandings or opportunities (albiet lost!!!) that could happen.
• The final step - and we all love problem solving - is to show how the problem can be solved (good conquers evil etc).
  

But the above tips, help you to plan the story. Now it is up to you to bring it to life. So how can you do this? The tips below provide some insight:

• Don't waste your words!!! Ever piece of writing must have a message or thread of meaning. The plot, characters of framework of your story should hang onit.
• Relate all your words to the essential theme of your story.
• While we often want to show of our skills in characterisation, try to limit this - all excess words dilute from your story, and thus the impact.
• And here we will let you in on a secret: The best stories are the ones that follow a narrow subject line.

When to use different types of punctuation

Writing in essence is about punctuation. Today, we though we would provide a list of when to use different types of punctuation. Enjoy.


Commas: If we are going to get something wrong, it is usually the comma. When you're writing down a thought and you want to take a breath, put it in. In many cases you need two, as comma's can be used to make a sentance within a sentance.

Semi-colon: Semi-colons can be used to highlight a point, or to detail a slightly different topic, without the need for a new sentance. Be careful not to over use semi-colons as they can create confusion.

Colon: Use when you want to make an example of something: For example, just like this.

The above three points, will hopefully get you on the right track. In our next article we will detail some more common punctuations.

Jargon: Friend or Foe?

You have just finished your report into the structural integrity of fuel lines for the latest Boeing 747. To you it sounds fantastic. You describe each aspect of the fuel lines in details, use the appropriate words that the industry knows, and deliever it in a concise manner.


The CEO takes a look at it...'what's a fuel line?' he asks.


Jargon has reared its ugly head. Jargon is not necessarly bad English. More it can be considered as inappropriate.

To a group of specalists in fuel lines, it is perfectly fine to use. To senior executives or the media who don't know the technical detail, it isn't ok to use. Below are some tips to help you use jargon appropriately.

• Who is the audience? Are they experts in your field?
• What is the message you want to get across?
• Is there another way to say it without using Jargon?
• Test your writing and use of jargon on people outside the industry
• Is there a simplier way to write what you mean?

So, jargon does have a use and can be beneficial in getting messages across. Just make sure that your audiance knows the jargon, and if they don't use plain English and simple details to explain what you mean.

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Brackets - when to use them

A bracket is used to separate a subordinate group of words that is not part of the main idea in a sentance. However, brackets can and do illuminate the point.


There are two main types of brackets, round ones (like these) which are called parentheses, and square brackets [which are used to flag comments or quotes etc]

writers tip: Try to limit yourself to one set of brackets per sentence. It makes for a lot easier reading.