The Writing A Great Swoosh Of Energy - 1537 Words

Students will write numerous essays throughout their high school years, and most teachers adapt some form of in-class editing, or peer-editing. Though the problem with this is that poor editors do not just have an effect on their own writing and their own essay, but they affect others, as well. Students do not put as much time or effort into revising as they are required to do. The rough draft is meant to be byzantine, with the understanding that a thorough editor will comb through every sentence and completely tear it apart. â€Å"In a great swoosh of energy, [the writer] plunges into the writing, putting down everything that occurs to him in the first of what may turn out to be 9 or 10 drafts† (Epstein para. 10). Of course, it often ends up being a repetitive and extensive process; however, if it seems boring, then the editing is not being executed correctly. Though often perceived as tedious, editing an essay is indubitably the most enjoyable part of the writing process. Overview Editing an essay is fairly simple. An editor’s job is to mark up the essay, piece by piece, and ameliorate it. â€Å"As a ‘work in progress’, the writing goes through stages, and the editorial stage will help trim and sharpen the final piece† (Van Patten para. 1). The first draft is expected to be messy and long, for it is just the writer transferring ideas from his/her mind onto the paper; proofreading and revising it will completely transform the jumble of words into a presentable work. Special TermsShow MoreRelatedMarketing Management - Nike Case Study6867 Words   |  28 Pagesstrengths, NIKE will enter and dominate the sports drink industry in 2013 with a new product called, â€Å"NIKE Refuel†. This new energy sports drink will target NIKE’s existing natural target market segments. Currently, there are not a lot of competitors who offer energy sports drinks as a premium product. Not to mention the other value propositions of nutrimental, low calorie, great tasting, and made with all natural and quality ingredients. This new sports drink will also enable NIKE to continue to promoteRead MoreNike Marketing Strategy4572 Words   |  19 Pagesstory Nike Clothing | Nike Shoes Men o Men Nike Footwear Women Women Nike Footwear Girls o Girls Nike Footwear Boys o Boys Nike Footwear Nike shoes and sportswear clothing Nike trademarks the â€Å"Swoosh† logo and the â€Å"Just Do It† slogan. Nike, the world’s leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, was the birth-child of University of Oregon coach Bill Bowerman and runner Phil Knight. Founded in January 25, 1964 the company was originally namedRead MoreCoercion by Douglas Rushkoff7762 Words   |  32 Pagesposes questions about our collective cultural behaviors that have become an everyday event. The author introduces himself to us the readers. He also expresses his reason for writing the book by pointing to the backfire effect his previous books. Because he was a media/advertisement consultant, he acts as a double agent writing down and reporting the coercive practices from everyday people to large corporations. And that is exactly what he does in the book. He does not reach to conclusions and pointRead MoreGp Essay Mainpoints24643 Words   |  99 Pagesprofessional journalists (compared to citizen journalism) – content quality †¢ Citizen journalist â€Å"on-the ground† reports vs. professional whose sole purpose is to uncover each and every piece of information related to the news article they are writing †¢ Wider and deeper coverage †¢ Connections to a wider spectrum of professionals ( greater insight into issue at hand †¢ E.g. 2008 U.S. Presidential Elections (bloggers provide personal opinions about who was likely to win but New York TimesRead MoreInternational Marketing Research10714 Words   |  43 Pageswhile people in poorer markets would be interested in a simplified version of the product. 4 The state of infrastructure in the market: The general level of the quality of infrastructure in the country consisting of elements such as transport, energy communication systems, etc. can affect how the product is constituted as it can bring about different conditions of use. For instance when car manufacturer Suzuki entered India, it had to reinforce the suspension or the â€Å"road clearance level† of theRead MoreMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 Pagesdiscussions, and even debates. In the gentle environment of the classroom, students can hone their analytical skills and also their persuasive skills—not selling products but selling their ideas—and defend them against critical scrutiny. This is great practice for the arena of business to come. NEW TO THIS EDITION In contrast to the early editions, which examined only notable mistakes, and based on your favorable comments about recent editions, I have again included some well-known successesRead MoreAdidas Marketing Plan20768 Words   |  84 Pages†©adidas†©is†©always†©searching†©for†©new†©ways†©to†©lead†©the†©sporting†©goods†©industry†© and†©align†©with†©its†©strategic†©goals†©and†©mission†©statement.†©Ã¢â‚¬ ©Ã¢â‚¬ ©Ã¢â‚¬ © 1 Financial†©Performance†© Since†©acquiring†©its†©former†©competitor†©Reebok,†©adidas’†©major†©competitors†©are†©Nike†© and†©Puma.†©Ã¢â‚¬ ©At†©the†©time†©of†©writing,†©adidas’†©stock†©price†©is†©a†©mere†©$25.19†©while†©Nike’s†©is†© $68.32†©a†©share†©and†©Puma’s†©is†©$303.6†©a†©share.†©Ã¢â‚¬ ©After†©combining†©with†©Reebok†©in†©2005,†© however,†©adidas†©possessed†©a†©market†©share†©of†©21.2%†©in†©the†©US†©athletic†©footwear†© department,†©while†©Puma†©holds†©roughly†©2%†©of†©the†©marketRead MoreAdidas Marketing Plan20779 Words   |  84 Pages†©adidas†©is†©always†©searching†©for†©new†©ways†©to†©lead†©the†©sportingà ¢â‚¬ ©goods†©industry†© and†©align†©with†©its†©strategic†©goals†©and†©mission†©statement.†©Ã¢â‚¬ ©Ã¢â‚¬ ©Ã¢â‚¬ © 1 Financial†©Performance†© Since†©acquiring†©its†©former†©competitor†©Reebok,†©adidas’†©major†©competitors†©are†©Nike†© and†©Puma.†©Ã¢â‚¬ ©At†©the†©time†©of†©writing,†©adidas’†©stock†©price†©is†©a†©mere†©$25.19†©while†©Nike’s†©is†© $68.32†©a†©share†©and†©Puma’s†©is†©$303.6†©a†©share.†©Ã¢â‚¬ ©After†©combining†©with†©Reebok†©in†©2005,†© however,†©adidas†©possessed†©a†©market†©share†©of†©21.2%†©in†©the†©US†©athletic†©footwear†© department,†©while†©Puma†©holds†©roughly†©2%†©of†©the†©marketRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pagesreading, discussing, writing). 3. There is less emphasis placed on information transmission and greater emphasis place d on developing student skills. 4. There is greater emphasis placed on the exploration of attitudes and values. 5. Student motivation is increased, especially in adult learners. xviii PREFACE 6. Students receive immediate feedback from their instructor and peers. 7. Students are involved in higher order thinking (analysis, synthesis, evaluation). Our goals in writing this book wereRead MoreDesigning a Customer Driven Statergy23698 Words   |  95 Pagesare and where they are going. The couple finally ended up at the Pottery Barn on Boston’s upscale Newbury Street, where Doug fell in love with a mahogany sleigh bed that Hadley had spotted in the store’s catalog. The couple was so pleased with how great it looked in their Dutch Colonial home that they hurried back to the store for a set of end tables. And then they bought a quilt. And a mirror for the living room. And some stools for the dining room. â€Å"We got kind of addicted,† Hadley confesses. Marketers

The Train Free Essays

The blistering cold numbed my eyes as I stumbled through the biting snow, dragging a dull, faded suitcase overloaded with necessities behind me, leaving a train in the deadly, ice snow. â€Å"All abroad! † a man in a bright red suit, a funny red hat and an equally crimson nose called, his voice straining to be heard over the howling wind. I struggled up to him and handed over my ticket, which was faded from sweat, tears and the bitter snow. We will write a custom essay sample on The Train or any similar topic only for you Order Now Then man, whom I safely assumed was the train conductor, glanced briefly at the ticket, then smiled at me slightly. Terrible morning isn’t it? † he commented. I did not reply. â€Å"In for a long ride, I see! † he added when he saw my ticket. I gave no response as I checked my heavy bag. He beamed wider as he said, â€Å"Welcome aboard the Windows Express, ma’am! † I tried to smile back, but my scarf was bundled around my nose and my mouth, so I nodded instead. â€Å"Thank you. † My voice was barely audible over the gusty breeze as I stepped off the platform and boarded the train. The front compartment was crowded, packed like sardines. I squeezed past the numerous bodies to get to the next train ar, which was where I was to be seated. Even though the warmth there was comforting, I hoped it was not too stuffy in my car. I finally broke free from the crowd, swinging the car door open and entering a considerably cooler car. I removed my scarf f rom my face. My skin was raw with cold, but I barely felt it. I glanced around. This car was deserted, the seats along its aisle empty. I checked the number of compartment I had been assigned then opened the door to it. There was a small bunk bed in the corner, with a little closed off area I guessed was the bunk. I lanced out the single window, but there was nothing to be seen through the fog and slat than plummeted so hard against the glass it felt like hail. Feeling slightly claustrophobic in the narrow compartment, I briskly threw off my jacket and exited, walking back into the aisle. I noticed a door at the back of the car and decided to check it out. I made my way down the aisle and slid the door open. It led into the next car. This one did not have seats, but little booths lined up neatly along either side. There was a bellboy near the back, tending to a little refreshment stand. His eyes were bored, even as he attempted to reet me pleasantly. â€Å"Hello, ma’am, welc ome to the lounge. Would you like anything? Some pie, perhaps, or a cup of coffee? † Uninterested, I declined politely, just as another door caught my eye. Without thinking, I flung it open. There was nothing in the room except a door with a window fixed into it, and a shiny red handle. â€Å"This is where you’ll be disembarking,† the bellboy informed me. â€Å"That there’s the emergency brake,† he added, pointing at the handle. â€Å"You’re perfectly welcome to pull that at any time. † Taken aback, I spluttered on my Coke. â€Å"What? I wouldn’t. That’s ridiculous. Then how will I get to where I am going? † I demanded incredulously. The bellboy shrugged. â€Å"Sometimes you can’t rely on trains to get you to where you want to go. † I stared openly at him. Quickly dismissing him as crazy, I turned away and hastily returned to my compartment. Once safely inside, I lay on my bed, thinking to myself about my destination, a place I had never been and a face I had not seen for so many years it hurt to think about it. Flashbacks began to attack my once- peaceful mind, invading my would be calm pondering. At four years old, my hands pressed tightly over my ears, rying in vain to block out the sounds of heated arguments over nothing. Seven years old, an empty bottle crashing over my head as I tried to escape the debris of broken plates. Thirteen years, bruises covering my face, blood on my hands, a broken ankle, pain enveloping my body. Sixteen, my broken ribs causing me to shake as I slammed the front door behind me and limped as fa st as I could into the night, my mother screaming for me to come home and my father’s threats chasing after me†¦ I jerked awake, nearly falling out of bed. My head felt heavy, and my eyes groggy, as if I had not slept or days. Sluggishly, I checked my watch, which still hung from my wrist. My eyes snapped wide open as they read the time, then relaxed again. My watch had stopped at around the same time I boarded that train. I got up, feeling tired, and felt my stomach growl. I stood up, stretched, brushed my hair and hurridly with my fingers and left my compartment. I was about to go to the lounge to eat when I noticed another girl sitting on a seat in the aisle, next to the window. She was clothed very thinly for the morbid weather, and her long locks of auburn hair poured over her shoulders. I approached her slowly. â€Å"Hello,† I said, and she jumped in surprised. â€Å"Sorry for startling you, but do you have the time? † She looked up at me, and I saw a thin ragged face that would have been pretty if not for the exhaustion consuming it, and the melancholy sadness in her eyes. â€Å"Oh hello, its quite alright. Let me check. † She lifted her mobile phone from her pocket, glanced at it, then shook her head apologetically. â€Å"Strange. It seems to have died. I could’ve sworn I charged it yesterday. † I thanked her anyway, and asked her where she was going. She looked even weary when I questioned her. I’m going to see my long-distance partner for four years,† she said, in an almost rehearsed answer. â€Å"I think he may propose to me, but I doubt I’m ready for such a change. † She drifted off, her voice trailing away, then came to her senses and asked me where I was headed. â€Å"I’m going to see my f ather. I haven’t seen him for nearly a decade,† I said quietly. â€Å"I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. † She agreed with me, and we made small talk for awhile longer before I excused myself and when to the lounge. The bellboy was not there anymore, and I breathed an inward sigh of relief. The batty guy had freaked me out. I saw someone sitting down in one of the lounge booths. Hidden behind stacks of paperwork and a newspaper sat a middle aged man in an impressive suit and tie, muttering to himself in what looked like disgust. I walked over to him. â€Å"Hi, sorry to bother you, but do you know what time it is? † He glanced up and stopped grumbling. â€Å"Hmm? Oh, yes. † he shot a look at his fancy wristwatch. â€Å"Well, what is this? My watch isn’t working! † He began to mumble again. I found it strange that nobody knew the time, so I stole a glimpse of the watch, and sure enough it ceased to ick. â€Å"That’s a shame,† I said good-naturedly, and asked him what he was doing. â€Å"Its for a case I have,† he replied. I must have looked puzzled, because he elaborated. â€Å"I’m a lawyer, you see, and I’m about to defend the biggest drug cartels of all time- then again, I probably shouldn’t have tol d you that. † I was about to leave him in peace when he continued on. â€Å"In my defense, my client is one of my oldest friends. I owe him my life and he’s gotten me out tons of scraps. I really have no choice. I began to feel a little uncomfortable, and averted my gaze to rest on the window. To my surprise, evening was over-the sun was rising on another day! Had I missed my stop? I was supposed to be off the train by dusk, yet here was dawn, a new day beginning right before my eyes! Panicking, I ran back to my car and asked the girl still sitting on he seat, â€Å"What time did you get on? Which state are you going to? † Bewildered, she told me the details of her travel. I calculated in my head. â€Å"But what would only take you a few hours! You should have arrived by now,† I said, unable to keep my voice from getting louder. She seemed indifferent. Maybe we made a few stops along the way. I wasn’t awake the whole time, you know. † But I had it all figured out. The pieces of the puzzle were coming together, forming an unbelievable picture in my head. I ran back into the lounge, and flung open the door at the back of it, where the emergency brake ws. The lady came racing after me, asking where I was going. â€Å"Look, it’s the emergency brake. If we pull it, we’ll be able to get out of here! † I exclaimed. She looked at me the same way I had looked at the bellboy- as if one of us had gone bonkers. â€Å"What? Are you crazy? Why? Its ridiculous. Then how will I ever get to where I’m going? † I smiled at the distinct resemblance her words had to mine. Reaching over, I grasped the red handle in my right hand and pulled as hard as I could. The train screeched against the metal of the tracks. I pushed against the exit door, and it opened easily. I leaped off the train. The ground was icy and cold beneath my feet, and the cold wind cut my uncovered face like a knife. I became aware that I did not even have my jacket with me as the cold began to envelope my very being. â€Å"What are you doing? You’ll freeze to death! † the girl cried next to me. You don’t even have your suitcase with you. † I vaguely recalled my stuffed baggage, filled with things I suddenly realized were of no importance to me. And just like that, suddenly, I felt free. Free of all my emotional baggage, free of everything that weigh me down, free of guilt, pain and sorrow. A sense of warmth, a beautiful feeling, filled up my body, and I no longer felt the chill. I turned back to the train, smiling for the first time in years. â€Å"Why don’t you come with me? † I asked the girl. She shook her head, eyes wide. And then the train door slammed shut, and began to move again. Free of doubt, I turned from the sight of the train slowly resending out of sight until it vanished, and began to trudge through the snow, in the direction of my destination. Sometimes we are weighed down by the pain, grief and guilt. We go through life day by day, merely existing, not living, and time stands still. Those days we live, so burdened by emotions, are meaningless and pas by without notice of purpose. If we could just let go of it all, forget our troubles for a few seconds, and look around us, perhaps we would see the beauty we are meant to see, and the wonder we would feel if we only let go. How to cite The Train, Papers

The Supervisors role in the modern organization free essay sample

For years supervisors have been taken as a â€Å"necessary† link between middle management and workers. However the role of the supervisor is becoming more and more crucial for the final outcome of the process since: The human talent began to be considered as a competitive advantage. The work force becomes multicultural and, the workplace starts to be more complex, team works are a mix among full- timers, part-timers, temps and contract workers. Companies started to implement quality and productivity programs (ISO certification, Just in Time, etc. )The regulation to protect worker’s rights has increased and, occupational health and safety are a big responsibility. Globalization leads the companies to downsizing, outsourcing and flattening the organization structures by reducing management levels. From the complicated and vertical organizations in the 70s and 80’s, with innumerable levels of command, where the supervisor was reduced to the penultimate step of the structure and, control and report were its basic functions, it went over to a flat and light structure in terms of levels of command, but more complex, in which the supervisor plays a relevant role facing new challenges on a daily basis. We will write a custom essay sample on The Supervisors role in the modern organization or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Nowadays there are many substantial differences between the â€Å"old style† and the â€Å"new style† of a supervisor. To meet all the requirements inherent in 2|Page The supervisor’s role in the new organization E. Martinez the modern structure, due its complexity, the role of the supervisor has changed dramatically. No more top-down approaches, no more people directed through regulations, procedures and policies, no more autocratic supervisors are needed in the modern structure. Instead of being an insignificant player in the corporative ladder, supervisor become in a key position because many middle and upper level positions have been eliminated in the organizational hierarchy trying to make it flat. Flat structure implies that more responsibilities, power, and authority have been delegated to lower level managerial positions; the role of the front line supervisor is more relevant in the decision- making process and now he has received more empowerment, training and, autonomy. Upper-level managers put more attention to supervisor’s recommendations. Due to this, supervisor must have talent, knowledge and leadership if they want to be successful in a challenging corporative environment. The Rules and the scenario have changed, so the actors have to adapt to the new condition. The supervisor of the new organization must have proven qualities as â€Å"pluralistic leaders creating work environments that invite everyone’s involvement by promoting cooperation and mutual respect. † (Greer, page 263) 3|Page The supervisor’s role in the new organization E. Martinez You manage things; you lead people. Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper The supervisor’s role in the new organization. Many authors have found radical differences between Management and Leadership. Peter Drucker explained the difference as â€Å"Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things† another way to say it is to attribute to the leadership, the mission of change and to the management the mission of achieving operation efficiency. However supervisor within the new organization must have the perfect balance of both features. Is not easy be a leader without being a good manager, â€Å"both functions are crucial and successful supervisors and leaders display both leader and manager skills and behavior† (Greer, page 258) Leadership: the key of success. Leadership is not a gift some people have and some do not. The supervisor who wants to play a relevant role in their organization must have the capacity to lead their team to achieve corporative goals, shows the direction in which the team has to move in the future according with the corporative vision and earn the respect from the team not because of their power or authority but because of commitment with the process and integrity to work. Leadership is always an important ingredient for greater productivity. A supervisor-leader who meets the needs of their followers and understands that the more important factor in the process is the human talent and finds ways to make it work, training it and 4|Page The supervisor’s role in the new organization E. Martinez giving support to it in the process, achieves higher productivity levels and reduces the margin of error, which is the same to say they create value for the company (Profit) and its workers (well-being). But everything in leadership is not about the team and its inputs and outcomes. The supervisor, as a leader, must show their team that they are good managers. The better supervisor they are, the easier will be the leading process in a group. Moreover it is this combination of leadership and management which allows you to have an upward mobility and being a candidate to a promotion within your organization. The leadership model should reflect the supervisor personality, and must be like a trade mark: unique and unrepeatable. In order to put more leadership into their job in a modern structure, supervisors must develop the following roles. 1. Being an effective communicator. One of the roles of the supervisor is being a spokesperson. Managers expect for them to be their voice and the channel to spread the mission of the company and management’s point of view, because they are the best way to transform management’s plans into actions, and their team expects to hear them speaking with authority and backing them up in front management.. 2. Being a coach forever. Coaching is a process that begins with the initial training and never ends. This principle also applies to the leader-supervisor; they have the obligation to prepare 5|Page The supervisor’s role in the new organization E. Martinez themselves constantly in and out of the company to be a good coach. Everybody involved in Leadership need to be focus on self-awareness and self development. Coaching is a partnership between the leader and the trainee centered in achieving goals. The principal aim of coaching is to develop the person being coached. 3. Being a good decision-maker. Decision-making is one of the fundamental elements of leadership in the new organization. In a leader-follower relationship effectiveness and decisiveness are two qualities that followers value highly. It is a complex process that involves knowledge of the process and the consequences that the decision implies. A good decision- maker inspires respect so their followers feel they rely in good hand. 4. Being a Mentor. This is one of the most abstract roles that the supervisor should play in the modern organization. Being a mentor to team members goes beyond the role of counselor. The main objective is to find a balance between work and personal life of the employee. Helping the employee find the true value of their work the SupervisorLeader â€Å"creates and maintains a positive force that pulls followers in one direction with enthusiasm and dedication.

You are an artist. Essays - Economy, Business, Structure

You are an artist. You are an imaginative, adaptive and inspired person. Life, for you, is an exciting drama. Choose a career that takes advantage of your ingenuity, initiative and problem-solving skills, such as: Guidance Counselor Help others do what youre doing right now! Are you enjoying the career search? As a guidance counselor, you can help high school students to choose the right path for their education and career. Or you could work with older adults as they make career changes. This job may require additional certifications or degrees. Excellent listening and assessment skills; a love for helping people. Remain up-to-date on educational and vocational options Offer advice and suggestions Evaluate student needs and personalities Help with application processes Write recommendations Entrepreneur / Franchise Owner Don't just go to the office, own it! Entrepreneurs start and run new businesses, while franchise owners own and run outlets for existing companies. You'll love the challenge of starting something new and watching it grow. Excellent communication and multi-tasking skills, an outgoing nature and a high level of self-motivation. Convince people to invest in your business Attract new customers Serve as a sales person, oversee IT and/or manage operations and staff Information Graphic Designer From subway signage to web site navigation, information graphic designers help people find their way around. You will work in a variety of creative environments organization information into easy-to-understand visuals. Hand-work skills, creativity and the ability to work in teams. Understand project goals Brainstorm creative solutions Develop and produce signage, and web navigation Multimedia Producer Lights. Camera. Action. Multimedia producers work with visuals, sound and special effects to create scenes for web sites, movies and more. They tell stories with their work as the final piece comes together. Strong computer skills, creativity and flexibility. Brainstorm creative concepts Manage creative talent Plan and coordinate creation Project Manager Project managers make sure work flows smoothly from start to finish, whether the project is building a multi-million dollar hotel, creating an ad for a sports car or developing a new software program. You'll be responsible for making sure the job stays on track, on time and on budget. Strong organization, time management and customer service skills. Define what needs to be done Create project status reports Manage customers and internal teams Monitor budgets, deadlines and quality

Essay Tips About Writing a My Name Sample Essay

Essay Tips About Writing a My Name Sample EssayIf you have decided to write a short paper about your name sample, or the sample name of your choosing, then now is the time to get started. The first thing you should do is to select a word or phrase from the data base. From there, you need to be able to create a title and style.The sample would be your best option for this. Then you will just need to use the content in your essay. Once you have gathered the sample, it is advisable that you select an appropriate keyword. As you are writing your essay, you will need to consider the amount of space that you have available.When it comes to the sample, it is best to choose a popular name. It will make the essay more interesting and informative. You could also look at the popularity in a variety of articles.You could then go ahead and create a title for your essay. Your title could be done by using the name of the sample as your keyword and the title of the sample as your title. As with any title, it would be best if you have some important information at the front of the essay.This information could be an introduction, a description of your name, the events that inspired you to find your name, or the reasons why you have chosen to give your name as your sample. It is also advisable that you include a point in your essay to show how others would know what your name sample means. This could be done by including your name sample as a part of the other sources that you used in the essay.You could also include a recommendation for your name, or in other words, you could say how others would recognize your name as your sample. This can be done by saying something like 'because of this sample I have chosen my name. 'This is especially useful when the sample has been given out on purpose by another person.These are just some ways that you could use your sample to make your essay more interesting. As long as you are using your sample correctly, then you will be able to write a well written and informative essay that will become an interesting read.

The eNotes Blog Top Ten Lines To LiveBy

Top Ten Lines To LiveBy You know those lines in novels (and poems)in great works full of great linesthat just stop you in your tracks? Lines that seem to serve a greater purpose than to merely further the rest of the work, like the author or poet had to insert their philosophical musings somewhere?  Poets Writers Magazine has a tumblr page devoted to just those lines, filled with reader submissions of the lines they live by. These are words on creativity, on writing, on happiness and misery,   but most of all on life, and all are pulled right from the page. Below is a sampling, our top ten.  Have any lines you choose to live by? Share them with us in the comments section beneath the post. I myself am tempted to buy one of Moleskines new  Passion Book Journals  to record all of those quotes that seem to slip my memory 1. From Canada by Richard Ford 2. From  The Tea Ceremony: The Uncollected Writings of Gina Berriault 3.  Epigraph to  Dictee  by Theresa Hak Kyung Cha 4.  Middlemarch by George Eliot 5. Adrienne Richs Tonight No Poetry Will Serve 6.  Dan Beachy-Quick,  Wonderful Investigations: Essays, Meditations, Tales 7.  From  A Field Guide to Getting Lost  by Rebecca Solnit 8. The Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Dostoevsky 9.  From â€Å"Industrious Amazement: A Notebook,† by Anna Kamienska,  Poetry  Magazine (March 2011) 10.  From â€Å"Proverbios y cantares XXIX† (Proverbs and Songs 29) in Antonio Machado’s  Campos de Castilla

Plural But Singular in Construction

Plural But Singular in Construction Plural But Singular in Construction Plural But Singular in Construction By Mark Nichol In the dictionary, when you’re looking up a noun that ends in s, you’re apt to find a notation like this: â€Å"noun plural but singular in construction.† What does that mean? This description refers to words like news that appear to be plural but take a singular verb (hence the word construction, meaning â€Å"sentence structure,† not â€Å"appearance†). One category of words plural in appearance but singular in use is that of intellectual pursuits and their associated academic disciplines: For mathematics, physics, and the like, we use a singular verb: â€Å"Mathematics is difficult for him†; â€Å"The physics is staggeringly complex.† However, similar terms may use singular or plural verbs depending on the sense: â€Å"Statistics is not my favorite subject†; â€Å"The statistics are valid.† In other contexts, usage varies. Gymnastics is treated singularly (â€Å"Gymnastics is an Olympic sport†), but calisthenics takes a plural verb (â€Å"Calisthenics are boring†). Both words refer to a routine of physical activities, but noun-verb agreement is inconsistent. Some words that are plural but refer to a unified pair of objects, such as (eye)glasses, pants, and scissors, are nevertheless associated with plural verbs: â€Å"My glasses are missing†; â€Å"These pants have gotten too tight†; â€Å"The scissors are dull.† Words in several other categories are categorical exceptions: Proper names, composition titles, and words used as words are always singular, even if they are plural in form: Acme and Sons is a highly rated company. Spats is a downtown bar. Demons is a terrible movie. Shades is a best-selling novel. Hits is an informal word meaning â€Å"search returns.† Aussies is a nickname for Australians. A few words appear to be plural but are in fact taken directly from other languages in which s at the end of a word does not denote a plural form. For example, biceps (from Latin) is singular, though many people refer to the muscle in the front of one upper arm as a bicep, and kudo (from Greek) is widely employed as the singular form of kudos meaning â€Å"praise† or â€Å"prestige† though the latter form is singular. (Bicep and kudo are back-formations linguistic innovations of varying legitimacy but are not advisable in formal writing.) Rarely, you’ll see a word that is plural in both appearance and usage, though the literal meaning of the word is singular. For example, whereabouts means â€Å"location,† but one writes that a person’s whereabouts are unknown (even though a person can be in only one location at once). 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 Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:45 Synonyms for â€Å"Food†The Six Spellings of "Long E"50 Synonyms for "Song"