Scooter Boy

My son is currently obsessed by all things scooter-related. He has my husband trawling the Gold Coast each weekend checking out skateparks and giving them a road-test. The result is that the whole family is becoming familiarised with a whole new world of terminology - half pipes, quarter pipes, sketchy drops, yak wheels and trolley bars - to name a few.

The latest angle to his obsession came in the form of a question he asked me earlier this evening. I was telling the kids about the family pet dog we had growing up. Her name was 'Half-pint' (because she was smaller than a pint of milk). Anyway, my son had to double-check with me that my memory wasn't 'sketchy' and that her name might have been 'Half Pipe' instead!
I think he secretly hoped that the family scooter fascination had kicked in a generation or two ago!

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Adverbs - what are they and how (and why) to use them

Adverbs are best described as a word which provides the reader with more information about the verb or adjective in a sentence. If we agree that a verb is the word in a sentence which describes what action is taking place, then the adverb is the word which can describes how, when, where and why the action is taking place.

Consider the following:

1. Jack talked about his day at school. (verb = talked)

2. Jack talked excitedly about his day at school.

3. Jack talked reluctantly about his day at school.

Sentence 1 provides some information, but it is a straight description of the what, whereas sentences 2 and 3 are much more useful in conveying meaning, all through the addition of an adverb.

Similarly, an adjective will provide a degree of description, but this can be enhanced by the insertion of an adverb.

Consider the following:

1. Grace is a slow runner. (slow = adjective)

2. Grace is a very slow runner.

The second sentence provides further information about Grace's speed as a runner.

Lastly, an adverb can be used in a sentence to add meaning to an existing adverb.

Consider this:

1. She ran too quickly for me to be able to keep up.

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Junky Junk Mail

If we had a set of scales, I would weigh the junk mail we have received since last weekend. Since we don't, I'll have to try to estimate the weight of it at around 5 kgs. Put it this way, I can't lift it all with one hand (then again, I am a bit of a weakling!).

Nevertheless, the point I'm making is that the volume of junk mail we are receiving is out-of-control. We are seeing an environmental disaster occur on a daily basis and before our very eyes. When the amount of paper, ink, printing and distributing is considered, this has a massive environmental impact. Add to this that the normal next stop for the junk mail after it has made its way into the home is the household bin (with perhaps a few detours around the house if a good breeze picks up unexpectedly). I, for one, hate the mess junk mail creates and can't wait to get it out of the house and into the bin. Of course, this then needs to be collected and disposed of by our councils. Fingers crossed that householders put their junk mail into the recycling bin when they are finished with it, at the very least! There's no denying, though, that junk mail is posing a serious environmental issue.

Secondly, in amongst today's junk mail, I found a particularly large and glossy flyer from a company offering me the opportunity to have my business's flyer produced and distributed by them, so there is a very active and quite convincing campaign to potentially increase the junk mail factor. Well, I'm not interested and I sincerely hope that there are many likeminded others. I have horror visions of households across Australia drowning in their junk mail.

Lastly, since so many are able to enjoy access to the internet and growing numbers are attaching a polite 'Australia Post Mail only' label to their letterboxes without seeming to be too deprived of crucial information to be able to function in their lives, why not let people make a choice to seek the service or good they need via the internet? If we don't like to be bothered by telemarketers or door-to-door salespeople, how is it that we are allowing so much other unsolicited material to make its way into our letterboxes and then into our home? If I want a product or service, I'm going to go looking for it and the first place I'm likely to do that is on the internet. A quick google search usually provides the information I'm seeking. It's saving the environment, it's neat and tidy and I find information I need rather than being besieged by information I have little (and usually no) interest in knowing.

Now that I've had my rant, I had better put my plan into action and get our letterbox its special message to future junk mail deliverers. While it feels like we've received junkmail for every possible service or product known to humankind, from tree lopping to beauty salons to tax return preparation (sound familiar?), I doubt there's ever been a single piece distributed offering 'Polite Letterbox Signage'!

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Planning Your Writing

It's okay to admit that when you have writing to do, you want it finished with as soon as is possible. This is the case for most of us. It's so very tempting to just launch straight into getting words down on the page (or the screen, as the case may be). When it comes to writing a document that you will be happy with though, I really can't stress enough the importance of planning. In fact, planning your writing will actually save you time when it comes to doing the writing.

There are three bonuses you will discover when you plan your writing:

1. Your document will make its point more obviously. If you don't plan, your ideas will stray from your intended purpose.

2. If you're writing to a word limit (which you will be if you are a student), planning ensures that you don't hit walls with your writing.

3. Lastly, planning helps you to organise your ideas into a clear order, which your reader will be able to follow easily.

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Wedding MC Jitters

This Saturday, my little brother is getting married to his lovely fiance. I'm sure they are both feeling a few pre-wedding jitters, which will increase as the day draws nearer. However, I would like everyone to spare a thought for me as we lead up to the wedding, as I've been asked to act as Master of Ceremonies for the reception. Am I nervous? The answer is 'yes'. Am I excited? Once again, 'yes'.

I have spent some time lately contemplating my approach to the MC role. This has included research via the internet, where I have learned the following - use some humour, keep it clean and classy, and don't write everything out word for word to avoid sounding very rehearsed and stilted. Fortunately, I am limited to about a 5 minute time frame for my introduction and, while I have threatened my family with dramatic skits, interpretive dance and a retelling of my own personal love journey, I feel like I have come up with a reasonable approach to the evening. At this stage, I can't divulge what that approach is - it will be a secret until the night - but I'll keep you posted with how it goes.

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It's Time!

It's time to get back into blogging. I've given myself a good talking to and know I need to become serious again. I remember reading a few months ago about Anna and her blog, 'Absolutely Beautiful Things' www.absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com, and how she felt that it was taking too much of her time. Fortunately for all who follow her beautiful blog, she rode through that little patch and continues to provide beautiful visual 'food' for us all. I've been feeling a little bit that way myself. It's not that posting a blog takes a lot of time necessarily, although it can. It's more that I find myself becoming consumed and distracted by what the day's post is going to be about.

There are still endless possibilities of course. Proofreading and editing of documents provides constant 'material' for the blog. My proofreading eagle eye as I'm out and about spots plenty of errors in writing too. I'm wondering about what you, as reader, what like to know more about when it comes to preparing written documents. Let me know, either by posting a comment or direct email to info@wordwriteforsuccess.com.au.

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Need a Tutor?

Word Write for Success provides 'modern' tuition, particularly in assistance with the preparation and finishing touches of proofreading and editing of assignment work. We can't do the assignment for you, of course, but we can assist just as the old-fashioned tutor would have done, by working alongside you to explain, develop your ideas and refine assignment work.

The only difference (and it's a good one) is that we do it electronically - you email through your request, including your assignment topic or task purpose and we work from there. The beauty of this electronic tuition is that you seek support on a needs basis, rather than at a weekly set time when you might not necessarily have a specific project to complete. Of course, you don't have to leave the comfort of your home either or worry about someone coming into your home. Your precious time and money is therefore optimised. Our rate is $45 per hour which compares very favourably with face-to-face tuition. Lastly, and most importantly, tuition is provided by highly qualified and experienced educators, with many years of secondary teaching experience to offer.

We specialise in support for secondary and tertiary students, however, can also assist with support of primary students in the area of English/Mathematics.

Document types with which we can assist in proofreading, editing and improving are -

* assignments - essays, short stories, media articles
* presentations - speeches, seminars
* powerpoint presentations
* websites
* blog set-up, design and writing
* applications - eg. scholarship applications
* jobs - resumes, letters of application, curriculum vitae
* book chapters
* thesis proofreading (sorry, we can't help you write this one!)

See our website for how we have helped students already - http://www.wordwriteforsuccess.com.au/ and go to 'Testimonials'.

A Secret Place...

First of all, my apologies for my blog black hole of late. I've been away taking a little break. We went camping to a very special place where there is no electricity or mobile phone coverage, hence a place of great relaxation. I can't tell you where though as it's so quiet and unspoiled that I don't want to share it. Sorry for being so selfish.

Here are some clues though:
* we stopped for supplies at Beaudesert
* it was cold
* it took less than 90 mins to reach from our home on the Gold Coast
* we were surrounded by cattle paddocks
* the nearest town was only 8 kms away

If you guess correctly, I'll tell you. If not, it will remain my secret camping spot for a while longer.

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