Be Your Own Ideal Reader

Be Your Own Ideal Reader Be Your Own Ideal Reader Be Your Own Ideal Reader By Michael Our article Your Ideal Reader prompted a response from veteran writer Kilburn Hall, who wrote: There is no â€Å"ideal† reader and if you start trying to write for one specific audience, you’re going to tune out others that might actually be interested in reading your book. How can Mr. Hall can say that? Because, like most successful writers, he is his own ideal reader! Instead of trying to please an imaginary member of a writers market (middle-class men aged 35-65), he is trying to please himself. And like every successful writer, he is single-minded about catering to this ideal reader, which happens to be himself. So his manuscripts satisfy editors, and his books satisfy readers. When you look at it that way, though, its not true that writing for one specific audience will tune out others. If you dont decide who youre writing for, even if its yourself, your writing becomes vague, even useless. A finance article for corporate accountants probably wont help college students cut their expenses. I would say this principle applies to novels as well. If you write an adventure novel because you really like adventure novels, the lovers of adventure novels will perk up, and other readers can at least tell theyre reading the real thing. Writing for specific readers, or a specific purpose, doesnt keep other people from reading your piece, just because you werent thinking about them when you wrote it. Yes, youll tune out some readers if your publisher prints on the cover, To Be Read By Middle Class Women Only, which is why your publisher doesnt do that. But your publisher is very interested in making sure middle class women know when a book is targeted for them. The pastels and flowers on the cover might tune out some middle class men. But if you dont know what youre writing about, youll tune everybody out. One group that Mr. Halls message is especially relevant for, however: aspiring writers who are willing to compromise their vision to make a sale. You have to write the book thats in you, not the book that youd like to think was in you. If you pretend to be writing for particular ideal readers just because they buy a lot of books, but your heart isnt in it, the quality of your writing will suffer, and you wont fool your readers either. But if you say, as Herman Melville did, I want to write a novel about a white whale, and I dont care if anybody else reads it, youll do all right. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Compared "to" or Compared "with"?Use a Dash for Number RangesStarting a Business Letter with Dear Mr.

Coping With School Violence essays

Coping With School Violence essays Violence is definitely a major problem in our school systems today. Establishing guidelines and observation by educational staff and parents cannot only deter violence but also prevent it. Noticing the early warning signs in a childs behavior is the key to observance. As adults, we have a responsibility to protect our children. Whether the violence has to do with typical shoving, name calling, or weapons; school violence is getting out of control. Consider these grave statistics: 160,000 children nationwide ditch school daily in fear of violence, every day 100,000 take guns to school, and 6,250 teachers are threatened daily and 260 are assaulted, and an estimated 14,000 children are attacked on school property every day Washington Education Association. Preventing Online. (p.2).14 Nov. 2004 When parents begin to worry about their childrens safety at school, it should flag us that there definitely is a problem. School violence is a major issue and begins to grow bigger each year. Each time there is an occurrence, more children are afraid to go to school. Every child has a right to an education in a safe and secure environment, and violence in our nations schools threatens that right. This is a sign that something has to be done. Since the late 90s, shootings and other random acts of violence have grown significantly in our nations schools. On the 2nd day of February 1996, Barry Loukaitis from Moses Lake, Washington opened fire in his Algebra class killing two students and a teacher. There was yet another shooting in the same month that took place on February 19th, 1996 in Bethel, Alaska killing the principal and a student. Three more shootings took place in 1997, including the shooting in Pearl, Mississippi on October ...

Saloon management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Saloon management - Case Study Example Marketing has also been defined as the process of "planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create relationships which satisfy consumer and business objectives" (Boone, 2008, p.7). This recognises marketing as a rather complex series of activities which ultimately decide the entire direction which an organisation takes in order to become profitable or ensure high sales volumes of their products. For example, the saloon will need to consider how best to price the musical events in a way that is competitive with other companies offering nightly musical acts as well as satisfying what consumers would actually be willing to pay for these events. Creating relationships is another key factor of marketing which should be explored, especially for a saloon owner/manager because the business will rely on a great deal of return customers in order to be successful. Therefore, as part of marketing, the business leaders should consider the attitude of staff who tend bar or serve clients as part of the wait staff, as this is part of quality customer service which will determine whether many customers feel that the saloon gives them a good experience. With all of the above having been said, marketing is a complicated process which involves budgeting, people management, having a focus toward satisfying both the business goals and the consumer goals, and also ensuring that a quality product or service is delivered to the best of the business' ability. Marketing considers how best to get the product to the right customer markets and what type of message should be associated with product in order to build awareness and interest; and perhaps even long-term product loyalty if successful. Marketing and the Organisation Marketing within the saloon consists of first understanding what customers in the local region would actually be looking for when deciding on entertainment locations. Murphy's Saloon will provide regular live musical group entertainment, a small-scale restaurant environment with a limited menu, alcoholic beverages, and certain tournaments such as billiards. However, in relation to organisation, the saloon must consider certain budget issues and determine how much money the owner really maintains (capital) prior to laying out a marketing strategy. Costs, from the organisational perspective, are significant considerations as they will decide how much of the business' profit should be applied to promotion and advertisement and how much the saloon owner can actually afford. This is why having a solid marketing strategy is so vital because it recognises projected costs of marketing as well as the actual costs of historical marketing in order to give a better picture of financial capabili ties and how to use different mediums in order to get messages across to potential customers about the saloon and its activities. Two marketing professionals flatly offer that product is "the single

Theories of Public Policy and Administration Coursework

Theories of Public Policy and Administration - Coursework Example The founding and supporting theorists go further to claim that emancipator transformation in societies is important bearing the fact that contemporary social existence fails to address the basic issues needed by the civilized citizens. In a move to simplify this theory, the founding theorists of the Critical Social theory hold that life in the modern world is equally irrational as in the postmodern societies. Even with the expansive and increasing democracies in the modern societies, irrationality continues to persist as individuals and nations annihilate each other. Social condemnations, unhappiness, servitude, corruption that makes some communities continue in poverty as other prospers define just but a few characteristics of the modern world that are under criticism by the founding theorists. As observed By Leonardo (2004), the Critical social theory makes social analysis by focusing on the historical events and their longitudinal changes earmarked and noted by the end of work or transformation. Another theory of Public policy and administration is the Complexity theory developed and investigated by George Cowan of the Santa Fe Institute in I984 and Stephen Wolfram of the Center for Complexity in Illinois in 1986 (Klijn, 2007). According to the proposers of the theory, the whole or entire system is easily managed and very efficient compared to the sum of the parts or work done by individual parts of the system. As the depiction of the theory, complex systems include numerous interacting parts with each behaving in the local setting in accordance with the laws, forces, and rules that override the system. In simple terms, the complex theory holds that systems are self-organizing and produce results that when traced cannot lead to the contribution of each part in ensuring the resultant outcome.

Education Essay Example for Free

Education Essay When we think of someone who is well-educated, we typically think of doctors, lawyers and people in those categories. This does not always means a person has to have a fancy degree or title behind their name to be well-educated. Being well-educated can come in many different ways. So what does it mean to be well-educated? In this essay, I will give some examples as to what I feel well-educated means to me, other than having a degree. As I read thru the article by Alfie Kohn about principle leadership on what does it mean to be well-educated; I became very intrigued. Over my 21 years with the US Army, I have had several officers over me who have their degree but still not educated on life in the military. Yes, they went to college and got educated in the books, but when it comes to military life or combat, it’s still a lot to be educated on. There were times when an officer came to me for advice or what to do because he knew I had many years of experience on the job which therefore made me more educated than he. It’s no different from when I first enlisted in the military; there were people over me I had to go to because I wasn’t educated in the job. In Alfie Kohn’s article, he stated â€Å"my wife has a doctoral degree from Harvard but if you ask her what 8 times 7 is, she would freeze up. † The same concept applies with some officers I worked under in my military career. You could go to them about a lot things, and they could give you answer without thinking but it could be something as simple as putting up a frame tent and they wouldn’t have a clue. But if you take a person that has set up a frame tent several times without any hesitation and not ask the question, â€Å"how? † I consider this person well-educated because he has done this task many times. I do believe a person becomes well-educated with time and practice. Just because you go to college and graduated doesn’t necessarily mean you well-educated on the job. For me, being well-educated can mean different things for different people. For instance, take my dad. My dad is 65 years old and retired from his job for as long as I can remember a mechanic. After his retirement, my dad sits in his chair and watches cartoons, old television shows and westerns and tells me stories of his past. My dad never even finished high school but I do consider him to be a well-educated man because of things he has taught me and the way he raised me. My father never had much growing up, so he had to work in the fields and didn’t have much opportunity for education. He had to start work at a very young age as a mechanic once he turn 16; a job he done till he retired at age of 62. By those many years in one profession; even though he doesn’t have a high school diploma nor college degree, I still consider him a well-educated man from his years of experience. You may be able to walk up to my dad and ask him an algebra problem but if you ask him anything dealing with mechanical on a car, there would be no problem. He didn’t have and school education, but he knew how to count and manage his earnings. He also married my mom when he was 18 and done a really good job of raising three kids. I remember growing up and watching my father work on people car out in the yard and I use to wonder what he was doing? I didn’t have a clue of what he was doing but I know the person he whose car he was working on was very satisfied after he was done. He taught me how to be a man and what mistakes not to make from his mistakes. I know he wasn’t good with math but he could really save money and make his money work for us. One thing I never forgot he said, â€Å"always put some money away from every check for that rainy day. † Once I got my first job, I have always done just that; even still to this day. He also taught me the responsibility to always take care of your family first before anything else. It didn’t quite understand then what he was referring to then, but as I got older, I knew he was just educating me on how to be a man that takes care of his family and home. For that I consider my father to be well-educated. I believe if a person just takes the time and be patient at whatever there pursuing, he or she will become well-educated. For some, going to college and receiving a degree and be very difficult, whether is financial or just didn’t score high enough to get into college. I do believe that if we got to college and graduated with a degree, we can get better jobs and be well-educated in the books but maybe not hands on in the field of their choosing. I know once I graduated from high school, going to college was the last thing on my mind and joining the military was always my desire. I’ve always felt like school just wasn’t for me because I had hard time maintaining grades and learning the books. I have always been more of hands on person more than school. I do consider myself well-educated because I spent 21 years in the military and have accomplished all tasks set before me with high standards. In conclusion, I believe that a person doesn’t necessarily have to go to college and get a degree to be considered well-educated. We as people can determine who we feel is well-educated by knowledge and experience as well as schooling; whether it be at junior college, university or technical college. So what does it mean to be well-educated is a question that can be argued for years to come.

A Conservative Argument against Stem Cell Research Essay -- Stem Cell

A Conservative Argument against Stem Cell Research For the past few years stem cell research has been a widely debated topic; however, former President Clinton?s stance?allowing federal money to be spent on tightly controlled stem cell research?lead to intense debates over federal funding for stem cell research. There are four ways of obtaining stem cells, which are taken from embryos that are approximately one week old. They are using unwanted embryos from fertility clinics, embryos from aborted fetuses, cloned embryos, and embryos created for research purposes. Stem cells can also be taken out of adult bone marrow, but scientists do not think that adult stem cells hold as much medical potential. Conservatives are against federal funding for stem cell research because they feel that by doing such the government would be contributing to ?murder.? This idea is rooted in the religious beliefs, which include the belief that life begins at conception, held by conservatives. However, liberals support federal funding for the resear ch of embryos because they question whether embryos are full human beings and believe the research could expedite potential medical breakthroughs. The editorial, ?Stem Cells and the Logic of the Nazis,? appeared in the September 3, 2000 issue of the Los Angeles Times. Even though the Los Angeles Times, a widely distributed newspaper, has a slightly liberal slant, this editorial displays a strongly conservative view on stem cell research. Thus, the author of the editorial has to be very cautious in the tone that he uses in order not to offend liberal readers. George Weigel, the author of this editorial, picks apart what he sees as the fallacious argument of Michael Kinsley, a well-known libe... ...vative which is supported by the fact that Weigel is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Since, he is writing to an audience with a vast range of political viewpoints and he must be very careful not to be too aggressive in the tone he uses. Weigel begins this article with very basic logic and then progresses to logic by analogy with incorporated pathos. This is a very effective method for him with conservative readers because he is successfully able to transfer emotions about other subjects into emotions about stem cell research. He also uses logic by cause and effect, which in this case is designed to create fear in the reader: fear that history will repeat itself. Source Cited Weigel, George. ?Stem Cells and the Logic of the Nazis.? Editorial. Los Angeles Times. (September 3, 2000): 5. Online. Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe. A Conservative Argument against Stem Cell Research Essay -- Stem Cell A Conservative Argument against Stem Cell Research For the past few years stem cell research has been a widely debated topic; however, former President Clinton?s stance?allowing federal money to be spent on tightly controlled stem cell research?lead to intense debates over federal funding for stem cell research. There are four ways of obtaining stem cells, which are taken from embryos that are approximately one week old. They are using unwanted embryos from fertility clinics, embryos from aborted fetuses, cloned embryos, and embryos created for research purposes. Stem cells can also be taken out of adult bone marrow, but scientists do not think that adult stem cells hold as much medical potential. Conservatives are against federal funding for stem cell research because they feel that by doing such the government would be contributing to ?murder.? This idea is rooted in the religious beliefs, which include the belief that life begins at conception, held by conservatives. However, liberals support federal funding for the resear ch of embryos because they question whether embryos are full human beings and believe the research could expedite potential medical breakthroughs. The editorial, ?Stem Cells and the Logic of the Nazis,? appeared in the September 3, 2000 issue of the Los Angeles Times. Even though the Los Angeles Times, a widely distributed newspaper, has a slightly liberal slant, this editorial displays a strongly conservative view on stem cell research. Thus, the author of the editorial has to be very cautious in the tone that he uses in order not to offend liberal readers. George Weigel, the author of this editorial, picks apart what he sees as the fallacious argument of Michael Kinsley, a well-known libe... ...vative which is supported by the fact that Weigel is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Since, he is writing to an audience with a vast range of political viewpoints and he must be very careful not to be too aggressive in the tone he uses. Weigel begins this article with very basic logic and then progresses to logic by analogy with incorporated pathos. This is a very effective method for him with conservative readers because he is successfully able to transfer emotions about other subjects into emotions about stem cell research. He also uses logic by cause and effect, which in this case is designed to create fear in the reader: fear that history will repeat itself. Source Cited Weigel, George. ?Stem Cells and the Logic of the Nazis.? Editorial. Los Angeles Times. (September 3, 2000): 5. Online. Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe.

Ralph and Jack in “The Lord of the Flies” Essay

Question 1 There are a number of differences and a few similarities between Jack and Ralph. First of all the main similarity is the fact that both boys are roughly the same age. Then furthermore, there is the fact that both pf them are boys. In addition their share the quality of leadership, or in other words both of them have the abilities to be a leader. Then on the other hand there are the numerous differences they in clued; different style of leadership, different believes, maturity, and the symbol that they represent. Jack and Ralph have a very different style of leading. Ralph has a democratic leadership and Jack is more of a dictator figure. Then furthermore, there is the difference of believes, Jack believes that the main objective on the island is to hunt and Ralph believes that it is to be saved. Then there is the maturity, Ralph is more mature that Jack. And the last difference in the symbols that these characters represent, Jack represents the bad side of human nature and Ralph represents the good side or democracy. Question 2 Piggy represents intelligence and thinking. This idea is proven through out the whole book, until his death. Fist of all there is the fact that because of Piggy the boys were able to create the fire. The secondary, idea is the fact that Piggy acts very mature through out the book. He is even more mature than Ralph. Piggy comes up with ideas that not a single other boy had though of. For example there is the fact that Piggy though of the sundial. Furthermore there is the idea that Piggy constantly reminds Ralph of their objective to the island, and which is to be saved.