Free writing 1

Once upon a time there lived a princess and a prince newly wedded and on there way to an adventure they never expected they would have. For a marriage present they received a beautiful castle to start their lives out on a condition that they must give birth to their first grandson within 3 years time. They tried for months doing everything possible including spells and ointments, they didn't work and they were getting worried.

By now the royal couple had allot of stress and frustration between them. The Prince couldn't understand why she wasn't getting pregnant an the Princess was asking herself why she wasn't  pregnant either.The sex was not the best either, for some reason, the princess wasn't enjoying the sex anymore the love was fading and the hopeless was getting stronger by the day.  One day the prince was notified by a messenger  to report for duty to serve his country, it was mandatory. It was assignment that will leave the princess alone for 6 months at least. The princess was heart broken but knew it was the right thing to do. The loving feelings bloomed at that point and they made love like they did on their honeymoon.

Hopeless and lonely the Princess waived her prince goodbye. She thought she is going to leave the castle soon if I don't get pregnant soon. She got extremely lonely after a few days of making herself busy, and wondered off to her local pub. She had a few drinks reuniting with some of her pals from grammar school. One in particular walked her back home and saw that she got to bed. Finding out that her husband was gone for a few more months he decided to offer his kind held and company until he came back, luckily this particular guy was good friend with her husband , which made everything okay. So for two months he kept her company and helped with the house work despite of making a move on her. Suddenly he left and didn't show up again , not knowing why the princess was more relived then concerned because she wanted her prince not some townsman. It was fun company she thought but nothing more.

The week before her husband supposed to arrive the princess started getting really sick throwing up constantly and having larger appetites. She didn't know what was wrong and sent for the queen and doctor to check on her. To her surprise she found out she was pregnant, Good news for all! Very shortly there after, her husband the prince arrived and was kindly greeted by ha whole family announcing the addition his wife's petite stomach.

who's baby is it really?
Who was that guy?
Could it have her guardian angel?
Could the pregnancy be a miracle?

English 50 – Intro to Creative Writing: Exercises for Story Writers

More Exercises:
Write the first 250 words of a short story, but write them in ONE SENTENCE. Make sure that the sentence is grammatically correct and punctuated correctly. This exercise is intended to increase your powers in sentence writing.
Write a dramatic scene between two people in which each has a secret and neither of them reveals the secret to the other OR TO THE READER.
Write a narrative descriptive passage in a vernacular other than your own. Listen to the way people speak in a bar, restaurant, barber shop, or some other public place where folks who speak differently ("He has an accent!") from you, and try to capture that linguistic flavor on the page.
Play with sentences and paragraph structure: Find a descriptive passage you admire, a paragraph or two or three, from published material, and revise all the sentences. Write the passage using all simple sentences (no coordination, no subordination); write the passage using all complex-compound sentences; write the passage using varying sentence structure. The more ways you can think to play with sentence structure, the more you will become aware of how sentence structure helps to create pacing, alter rhythm, offer delight.
Focus on verbs: Find a passage that you admire (about a page of prose) and examine all of the verbs in each sentence. Are the "active," "passive," "linking?" If they are active, are they transitive or intransitive? Are they metaphorical (Mary floated across the floor.)? What effects do verbs have on your reading of the passage?
Take a passage of your own writing and revise all of the verbs in it. Do this once making all the verbs active, once making all the verbs passive. Then try it by making as many verbs as possible metaphorical (embedded metaphors).Characters: There are two types of characters: well rounded and flat.
Create character sketches. This is a good exercise to perform on a regular basis in your journal. Sometimes you can just create characters as they occur to you, at other times it is good to create characters of people you see or meet. Some of the best sketches are inspired by people you don't really know but get a brief view of, like someone sitting in a restaurant or standing by a car that has been in an accident. Ask yourself who they are, what they are about. The fact that you don't really know the person will free you up to make some calculated guesses that ultimately have more to say about your own vision of the world than they do about the real person who inspired the description. That's okay, you are NOT a reporter, and ultimately the story you intend to tell is YOUR story.
Write a character sketch strictly as narrative description, telling your reader who the character is without having the character do or say anything.
Revise the above to deliver the character to the reader strictly through the character's actions.
Revise the above to deliver the character strictly through the character's speech to another character.
Revise the above to deliver the character strictly through the words/actions of another character (the conversation at the water fountain about the boss).
Often when we call a character "flat" we mean that the author has failed in some way; however, many good stories require flat characters. Humor often relies on flat characters, but often minor characters in non-humorous pieces are also flat. These characters usually appear to help move the plot along in some way or to reveal something about the main character. A flat character is one who has only ONE characteristic. You can create whole lists of these and keep them in your journal so that you can call upon them when you need a character to fit into a scene.
Young writers are prone to write autobiographical pieces. Instead of writing about people like yourself, try writing about someone who is drastically different in some way from you. Writing about someone who is a good deal older or younger than you will often free up your imagination. It helps to make sure you are delivering enough information to your reader so that the reader can clearly see the character and understand the character's motives.
Write a scene of about five hundred words in which a character does something while alone in a setting that is extremely significant to that character. Have the character doing something (dishes, laundry, filing taxes, playing a computer game, building a bird house) and make sure that YOU are aware that the character has a problem or issue to work out, but do NOT tell your reader what that is.


Go back to the previous page? Go on to the next page? Go to poetry?
This page created and maintained by Jim Manis; last updated February 10, 2000.

Do It Yourself: Creative Hairstyles

GRANDMAGNUS JULY 27, 2012 0
Send this out to your girlfriend pronto !

Teacher’s Rock Concert 2012

Teacher’s Rock Concert 2012
By Alissa M. Gray

Teacher’s Rock was an extravaganza of appreciation all teachers worldwide. A
concert celebrating teachers and benefiting education programs. It was my first time as
a seat filler and it was an amazing experience, especially honoring the leaders that are
guiding our next generation of future leaders of America. They seated us once in the
center but then moved us to the left side. Luckily we got to stay on our seats the whole
time and not have to move again.

Garth Brooks opened up the show with a whole song with his guitar and black
country hat. He sang in one place around a bunch of children sitting Indian style
forming a circle surround him. The best part is when he made all the teachers stand up
and gave them an amazing standing ovation. He was awesome it just was too bad it was
so short.

The line-up of various celebrities recounting their educational experiences
left me reminiscing about my experience with the teachers that had inspired me the
same way. Many actors and singers came out to Honor the teachers of 2012. Carrie
Underwood shared her experience with her mother who was her teacher growing up. It
was an adorable story entailing how she was treated indifferently on purpose to no
favorites amongst the class. In the end, after Carry confessed to her mother, her teacher
that she was going to be a country singer; her mother then Syd in relief and said to her
back,"We’ll good you weren’t too good at school anyways." David Growl from the Foo
Fighters shared his experience of how grateful he was to have a teacher for a mother.
His experience was quite the opposite as his mother freaked out when he announced to
her he was going to be a rock star but it all worked out for the best. Morgan Freedman
also shared his story and his appreciate to his mother for being a wonderful teacher.
Jennifer Gardner shared that she was different then other kids in high school and would
hang out in the library during lunch and break time. She had a favorite English teacher
that believed in her and used give her writing assignments and projects in the library for
her to do. Jennifer loved all her projects, assignments and appreciated her teacher for
doing that. She said," It is those little things in life that make such big difference in a
child’s life." My favorite dedication was from Meryl Streep and her favorite teacher was
her drama teacher. She talked about how much her teacher beloved in her and would
cast her in the leading role for almost all the plays she was in, in high school. She loved
her teacher so much for making a difference in her life and inspiring her to act.

On a political note I watched through out the concert, the reform agenda being pushed
by the world famous people like Arne Duncan, President Obama, Michelle Rhee,
Wendy Kopp, the Walton Foundation, the Broad Academy, and the Gates Foundation,

Special appearances by Viola Davis from "Won't Back Down," as well as Maggie
Guillinhal, where they play a teachers and friends their self. They showed a couple of
watch clips from the award-winning movie “Won’t Back Down”.

Miranda Cosgrove, from the infamous movie School of Rock, with costar Jack Black
presented the host of the concert Walmart giving back $90,00 Walmart gift cards
back to teachers every where throughout the USA. The camera crew a second take
on Miranda because she first announced $19,000 instead or $90,000. There was a
few hecklers it was funny, something you don’t get to see on TV. I appreciate Josh
Hutcherson, Miranda Cosgrove, Pauley Perrette, Roshon Fegan and other actors
putting the spotlight on many teachers, some even got to meet the President himself,
who dedicated their life whichever means possible to make sure these kids get their
education and succeed in their life.



Pauley Perrette, NCIS introduced the band Fun. who was performing with a high school
sentential marching band. The band played out the definition of fun with a few hits one
in particular I sang my heart out to.

Everyone swooned over Country singer Dierks Bently as he sang a few amazing songs
and talked a little bit about how he married into a family of teachers. His wife and the
rest was his in laws are all teachers, and he loves them all.

The best part was Grammy-award winning singer Josh Groban stole the show with
a dash of the high school quire singing behind him. His breathtaking voice and
extraordinary piano playing concluded the concert with a heart melting performance.
I enjoyed this concert thoroughly and suggest to watch it on Friday Aug 17th, 2012 on

CBS. You might see me.

What is Sociology?

What is Sociology?


Sociology is the “study of human society.” For the examination, you need to know a number of concepts and terms used in the subject. There are three main areas you need to consider;
Social structures (e.g. the family, education, social stratification, etc.)
Social systems (e.g. culture and identity, agents of social control, etc.)
Social issues (e.g. the causes of crime, the impact of unemployment, etc.)

As you might expect of a social science, there are several explanations as to how we can best understand human society. The main theoretical perspectives covered in GCSE Sociology are;
Functionalism
Marxism
Feminism
The New Right
Functionalism

Functionalists believe that society can best be compared to a living organ, in which institutions and people all have a function to play with society. For example, the function of the family is to socialise children. Functionalist theorists include Talcott Parsons and Emile Durkheim.
Marxism

Marxists believe that a capitalist society is characterised by a class conflict between the bourgeoisie (the owners of capital) and the proletariat (the working-class). In a capitalist economic system such as the UK, the bourgeoisie exploit the proletariat. Marxist theorists include Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx.
Feminism

Feminists argue that society is dominated by men. In this patriarchal society men discriminate against women in order to prevent males and females gaining equal rights. There are various strands of belief within feminism; such as radical feminism, liberal feminism and Marxist feminism. Feminist theorists include Germaine Greer and Ann Oakley.
The New RightSociologists who take a New Right perspective believe that traditional roles within society have been undermined by the permissive values of the 1960s and 1970s. They argue that the nuclear family is the bedrock of society, and that the welfare state creates a dependency culture. New Right theorists include Charles Murray and Sir Keith Joseph


What is Sociology?
Sociology is defined as the scientific study of society and human behavior. Sociology is a part of social sciences. The study of sociology aims at analyzing the patterns of human behavior, deriving their causes and speculating the future of the behavioral patterns in society.

Importance of Sociology
The various disciplines of sociology include the study of social interaction between people. The areas covered by sociology include the analysis of social contacts between members of a society as also the interactions between different people around the world. Sociology attempts to study how and why people are organized as a society. It analyzes the structure of society and studies the factors that contribute to the creation of social groups.

Sociology includes the study of the behavioral patterns, interactions and relationships among the individuals of society. This field tries to examine the organizational structure of society and the influence it has on the social, political and religious ideas of the members. It encompasses the study of the organization of families and businesses. It attempts to analyze the creation and management of social groups as well as the factors, which lead to their breakdown. The disciplines of sociology are concerned with the effects of social behavior on the formation of social traits. It also includes the ethical and moral values of society.

Sociology is regarded as a branch of social sciences. It deals with the analysis of social behavior that shapes society and thus, is a field that covers a very broad knowledge base.

Writing Samples

Sometimes employers request writing samples with the application materials or want them brought to an interview. Writing samples allow employers to evaluate your writing skills, communication style, and ability to express yourself.

Any employer whose position requires writing skills may want samples, but writing samples are more common in publishing, public relations, advertising, media, research, and law.

Content of the Sample
The employer may identify the desired topic. If not, choose a subject that you are interested in and that is related to the job or field to which you are applying. Avoid controversial or politically based topics. You want the employer to focus on your style and skill as a writer, not judge what you write.

Appropriate Writing Samples
Just like your resume and cover letter, tailor your sample to fit the job if possible. Follow the instructions provided by the employer or in the job description. If the requirements are not specified, use the following guidelines to help you choose an appropriate sample:
Use the job posting to guide your choice and show the employer you possess the required skills. For example, if the position is research-based, provide an example of research work from your college career or for a previous employer.
Newspaper article, story for a newsletter, press release, policy brief, or research report or any other published piece. When submitting a previously published piece to an employer, be sure to indicate where the piece was published. Provide a clean copy, not pieces taken directly from the original source.
Reports or presentations from past jobs or internships. Samples from related employment are best, but you may still use a sample if you do not have relevant experience.
Class projects, papers, presentations, or speeches, free of instructor comments, are acceptable. If longer than two to five pages, select a portion of the document so it is shorter and write an introductory paragraph to put the work in context.
Group papers and projects or heavily edited works are NOT a good idea, unless the section submitted is clearly your work only. Creative pieces such as short stories or poems should not be used unless the employer requests them.
Occasionally, an employer asks the interviewee to write something during the interview process. Why? So, they know how YOU write, not your friend, the English major, who edited and proofed the document. So be mentally prepared.


Tips for Choosing and Submitting Writing Samples
Do not send a writing sample unless specifically asked.
When in doubt, ask the employer what type of writing sample is wanted.
All samples should be completely free of grammatical and typographical errors. Do not rely on spell check or grammar check programs. Ask a friend, current or previous employer, instructor, or mentor to read it and give you feedback. You may also make a Career Assistance appointment for a career counselor review. If you have one, bring in a copy of the job description.
Make sure to attribute the sources you use to inform your writing. Different fields use different formats, such Chicago, APA, or MLA style. Familiarize yourself with the relevant style and use it correctly.
Never plagiarize or fail to credit your sources.
Make sure the piece is clearly written and free of technical jargon.
Remove confidential or identifying information such as names of individuals or clients.
Work created at a previous job is most likely considered company property. Ask your previous employer's permission to submit writing created at a job before submitting it in an application. If a past employer will not allow you to use original work, you may create new samples based off previous work. Use your own words.
Indicate in your cover letter the origin of your writing samples and label each piece.
Upload your samples to Careers4Terps so you can easily submit them with other application materials.
Have some writing samples on hand in case an employer asks for them unexpectedly.
Consider how your writing samples are presented. Create a professional page header and include your name on each page. If providing an employer with a hard copy, use clean, high-grade paper. Use a manila folder or pocket folder as opposed to a binder. Binders are cumbersome if collecting materials from several applicants. The writing sample is an indication of the quality of work you do, so the content, style, and formatting professional.

The Dreaded Writing Sample

Career Transitions
Turning chaos into careers.
by Katharine Brooks, Ed.D.

The Dreaded Writing Sample
Poor writing samples trip up many a job seeker.
Published on June 23, 2009 by Katharine Brooks, Ed.D. in Career Transitions


Strong writing and communication skills are highly sought after by most employers. Whether crafting short emails or lengthy annual reports, many workers use their writing skills every day. And for an employer seeking proof behind that ubiquitous candidate phrase, "excellent communication skills", a required writing sample is invaluable.


Writing samples need the same care and attention given to cover letters and resumes. Candidates with otherwise impeccable credentials are routinely eliminated by a poorly chosen writing sample. Notice I said "poorly chosen" not "poorly written." Because that's the rub: a writing sample not only reveals the individual's writing skills, it also offers a peek into what they consider important or relevant for the position. If you miss that mark with your writing sample, don't expect to get a call for an interview.


So how do you tackle that writing sample request? Here are 5 tips to make sure your writing sample doesn't end your chances of getting the job:


1. Know that a lot of people don't send a sample-- so if you send one, your chances of scoring an interview just improved. Requiring a writing sample usually drops the candidate pool in half-- only about 50% of candidates will take the time to send one. That makes it easier for the recruiter-- fewer applicants to consider. (Oh-- and if you're thinking you can ignore the request for the writing sample and still remain in contention for the position, think again.)

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2. Make sure your sample is perfect and contains no spelling or grammatical errors. Employers aren't seeking writing samples for the fun of it. Most of us have learned that resumes and cover letters are not always written by the candidate. Short of plagiarism (which is never recommended!), candidates usually submit their "true" work in a writing sample. I work in a higher education setting, for example, and good writing skills are important. I can't afford to have staff members sending poor quality emails to faculty or employers, so I carefully read writing samples for obvious problems.

3. Understand that a writing sample request is another form of test. How well does the candidate understand the position and/or the field to which they are applying? Sending a sample educational report on a student to an advertising firm or a report about pregnant teenagers to a nonprofit environmental agency quickly demonstrates that the candidate hasn't thought about the position and the type of writing involved. Don't waste time wishing that the employer would give you more information about the writing sample: sorry, folks, that's part of the test. If the employer doesn't specify what they're seeking, perhaps that's because they expect you to know. If a length is not specified, generally speaking, one or two pages should be fine.

4. Always consider the audience and the position/job description. Who will likely read your writing sample? What field are they in? What type of writing would a person in the position you're seeking likely produce? (Hint: if you don't know, then you don't know the position well enough to apply for it. Time for more research.) If, for example, you're applying for a public relations job, sending sample press releases would make sense. If you're applying for a job as a counselor you might create a fake client progress report such as what you would send to an insurance company to ensure continued coverage. Or if the agency has a website, you might create a fake "Dear Abby" type letter where you present a common client question and answer it.

5. What should you not send? The list is endless. I've received everything from poetry to 20-page research papers (complete with the professor's comments and grade) to self-serving essays describing why the candidate is the best person for the position. Don't do that-- and don't just pick the first Word document on your computer. Unless requested, avoid writing an essay-- few jobs require you to write essays. Remember, the key word for all writing is relevance. Is what you're sending relevant to the job at hand? If not, why are you sending it? Don't include a sample that clearly states a political or religious agenda (unless you're applying to a political or religious organization) or a sample which disparages any person or groups. Avoid writing samples which contain humor, particularly if the humor is sarcastic and subject to misinterpretation (unless of course you're applying to be a joke writer or a cynical newspaper columnist).

The opportunity to send a writing sample doesn't have to strike fear in the heart of a candidate. Carefully choosing your sample and making sure that it actually sells your "excellent communication skills" can place you far ahead of other candidates who submitted equally strong cover letters and resumes. Bottom-line: if you can't send a good writing sample either find a job that doesn't require writing skills or build up your skills. Good writers are hard to find and strong writing skills can propel your career in a variety of directions.

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