Grammar-Fail Tiebreaker The Votes are in! - The Writers For Hire

GRAMMAR-FAIL TIEBREAKER: THE VOTES ARE IN! Thanks to everyone who voted for a second-place winner. The votes are in, and wed like to congratulate Charlotte P. for taking second place (and for scoring a $25 Amazon.com gift card)! Charlotte submitted this photo of a wearable grammar fail (Free hugs for qualifed candidates): So, this brings our first-ever grammar-fail photo contest to an end. Congrats again to our winners and thanks again to everyone who submitted photos, left comments, and voted for their favorite photo. And of course, if you find any more awesome grammar fail photos, send em our way! Unfortunately, we cant offer prizes, but we can post your photo and give you a shout-out on our website. Thanks guys!

How to Write a Memoir Breathe Life into Your Story in 8 Steps

How to Write a Memoir Breathe Life into Your Story in 8 Steps How to Write a Memoir: Breathe Life into Your Story in 8 Steps Learning how to write a memoir is like studying to be an archeologist. Not only do you have to dig deep and sift through the sands for fragments on the past, you then have to piece it all together and discover what the story is. To help you tell a compelling story based on your own life, we turned to bestselling ghostwriters on Reedsy to create our practical guide on how to write a memoir.  First, let's answer some of the big questions...What do traditional publishers look for in a memoir?In short, memoir publishers are looking for books with commercial appeal. If they don't think there's a strong market for your book, an editor will not likely take a change on you - regardless of your manuscript's quality. If a traditional book deal is something you have your heart set on, ask yourself the question: who does my book appeal to? Isolating a target readership will go a long way to convincing an agent or editor of your memoir's potential.Does your memoir belong to a specific category ?Before you start writing or even outlining your memoir, it’s important to figure out where your book fits within the existing market. Acclaimed ghostwriter Katy Weitz suggests researching titles from a number of popular categories to get an idea of the sheer variety of memoirs that have succeeded. Popular categories or genres includeNostalgia. Many people want books to transport them to another time and place and show them what life was like. Others enjoy recognizing their own experiences reflected back at them. Books that meet this requirement are often called nostalgia memoirs.Misery and Inspirational. Books that depict a difficult time in an author’s life aren’t intended to bum the reader out  - but to show triumph over adversity. The fact that the authors are writing a book about their experiences often serves as a redemptive final chapter in their personal story.Celebrity. Public figures have an inbuilt fanbase who just want to hear more about their adv entures doing the thing that they do. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of inventive celebrity memoirs.Sports. Sports stories often make for great books. After all, what's more dramatic than the thrill of victory or the crushing pain of defeat?Examples of successful memoirsTo give you an idea of the books that have sold well in each of those genres, here are just a few examplesNostalgia Memoirs While a book is often an opportunity to ‘tell your side of the story,’ don’t paint yourself as a complete hero or victim. Like any protagonist in a novel, it’s your strengths and weaknesses that will make you a compelling figure. Readers expect honesty and candor. If they sense that you’re stretching the truth or have an underlying agenda, they will quickly switch off.Mistake #2. Choosing a strictly linear narrative without considering the alternativesâ€Å"To help give order to the project, try to tell the story chronologically to start with,† says Andrew Crofts, the bestselling ghostwriter of over 80 books. â€Å"That way you can keep control of the narrative. If you jump about too much you will forget what you have already done and start repeating yourself. You can always change the chronology at the editing stage.†As Johnny Acton says, there are great reasons to chop-up the timeline:â€Å"A broadly chronological structure will make the book easier to follow but don't adhere to it too closely. Flashbacks and flash-forwards can be used to add interest.†Taking a cue from your favorite novels, you may find that playing with chronology helps to control the pace of your books and cut out ‘the boring bits’.For more advice, check out our guide to outlining a memoir.Mistake #3. Not getting an outside opinionAt some point, you might want to share a draft with a close friend or family member. Their feedback can be priceless, as they might remember events differently to how you've portrayed them in your book. Based on their reactions, you can choose to work in their suggestions or stick to your guns. However, it's also important that you get someone who doesn't know you to read your manuscript.â€Å"Always remember that the reader may not know what you take for granted,† says Johnny Acton. Beta readers who don’t know you that well can help you see when your stories need more background in formation (and when they’re not compelling or relevant enough).Professional editors are also an invaluable resource to tap into. On platforms like Reedsy, you can search for editors who have worked for major publishers on memoirs like yours. For those legacy project, a professional editor can help you focus in on the parts that matter; if you’re writing something with a commercial edge, they can make all the difference when it comes to selling your book.These are just a few tips that will help you get started. Along the way, you may encounter well-meaning and highly qualified people who will question why you think you should be writing a memoir. But if you have a story that you feel needs to be told, you shouldn’t let anyone stand in your way. Everybody has a story to tell: just make yours a good one, and the rest of us will come along for the ride.What are some of your favorite memoirs, written by both celebrities and non-celebrities? What about them makes them stand out in your memory?

History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 32

History - Essay Example Governors known as satraps whose duties included being a vassal king to the Persian emperor, who administered the region on his behalf and oversaw the recruitment of the military whenever the need for it arose, administered these units. Under the satrap were often officials whose work was to ensure that all the records of the government of the satrapy were well kept and maintained. Depending on the period monarch ruled, the Persian Empire was often divided between twenty to thirty satrapies (Farazmand 280). Ancient Greece on the other hand, consisted of several hundred-city states, which were completely independent of each other. This situation was unique in the ancient world where societies tended to be organized either into tribes or into kingdoms that occupied quite a significant amount of territory. The Greeks fiercely defended the independence of their city-states and it was very rare for them to think of the idea of unifying themselves into one cohesive state. Their fierce sense of independence was clearly demonstrated during the second Persian invasion of Greece when while a group of city-states allied themselves to fight the invaders; a vast majority of the others chose to remain neutral in this conflict awaiting the outcome of the war. Once the Persians had been defeated, these city-states quickly resumed their independence and in fact, the conflict now became internal with those who were once allies fighting against each other. It can therefore be said that the Greek city-sta tes had two main features that were different from other states; the first is that they were very fragmentary by nature and the second was the focus that they had on their city-states rather than their identity as one people with a shared culture. Many Greek city-states had a form of government, which was based on some form of democracy, this meant that all adult males in the city could participate in the management of the affairs of the

Voltaire's Candide Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Voltaire's Candide - Essay Example The author’s own perception of God is presented in the work where Voltaire expresses his hatred for the churches abuse and lust for power. The work also presents the author’s atheist views. There are various aesthetic reasons why the novel is of great readership. The novel is an attempt to question the supposed inexorableness of vice, evil and anguish. Among them, one serious consideration is the dualism of optimism challenged all through the novel, by pessimism. This dualism of concepts is one of the significant reasons that make the novel aesthetically enjoyable. What Voltaire is interested in is a satire of philosophical optimism put forward by Leibniz. Voltaire is successful in countering the belief that God, in his immeasurable wisdom, created the best sufficient world. In challenging the concept of optimism, Voltaire works through the characters and their experience in life. Anti-heroism is the tool used to the best effect of mockery against the philosophy of the Enlightenment. The hero of the novel, Candide, wanders around the world with the Enlightenment ideas. Doctor Pangloss’s (a caricature of Leibniz) theory that â€Å"everything is for the best† (2) drives him forward. During his journey, Candide comes across various difficulties. But, he does not give up his search for Cunegonde, with optimism learned from his master. Voltaire challenges the logic of the optimistic theory of the world. The utter illogicality of the doctrine is clear in the words â€Å"if Columbus had not caught, on an American island, this sickness which attacks the source of generation†¦ we should have neither chocolate nor cochineal† (2). Candide is a novel that tells a pleasing story. At the same time, the novel is also a satire that mocks the t heory of optimism that believes in a better world for human existence. Voltaire presents his version of optimism through the idea of society. "When he [Voltaire] wishes to seriously justify a moral precept he does

Web Software Testing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Web Software Testing - Research Paper Example Moreover, all the applicable tests are performed according to approved test procedures on approved test cases. However, the software testing process can be assisted with software tools that can be used in order to make the software testing process automated (Mustafa, Al-Qutaish, & Muhairat, 2009; Pressman, 2001). Web based software applications are one of the most evolving type of software systems now a days. In addition, these web applications have been built to support wide range of activities such as business related transactions such as product sale, transactions and delivery, scientific processes such as information transfer and sharing, and medical related activities such as expert system-based diagnoses. Because of the significance of these activities in everyday life, faulty web applications may have negative impact on businesses, economies, scientific evolution. For these reasons, a web application must be completely tested to guarantee that the web application is reliable and complies with its original requirements (Qian, Miao, & Zeng, 2007; Mao, 2009). The properties of web applications include distributive nature, hypermedia, and multi-platform, dynamic, the possibility to generate software components at run time (web services) and interaction with a large number of users. Additionally, web applications are different from the traditional software in the sense that their operating environments are always diverse, heterogeneous and independent. In this scenario, web applications should be tailored to such heterogeneous and diverse client environments, to satisfy the different requirements of the users. However, the main focus of web applications remains usually on the information publication, searching, and indexing as compared to the traditional software. This makes their functionalities comparatively weaker but requires faster up-dating speeds in their contents and

Technological Advancements in Gaming

Technological Advancements in Gaming Computer Games: a Boon in the New Millennium With the dawning of the new millennium, certain changes in the way we live, think and work are inevitable. Foremost among these changes is the shift towards greater technologization. Brought about by information revolution which began a half century ago, new technologies have allowed people all over the world to communicate, exchange ideas, and do business with one another at increasingly faster and more frequent rates. This has resulted in the creation of the new, so-called ‘global community,’ where no nation and no society exist like an island. Such trends as technologization and globalization are already everyday realities. Technologization, particularly advances in information and communications technology ( ICT ) have allowed much faster and easier communication throughout the globe. It has also made possible and efficient access to and transfer of large amounts of information. The internets, with its large-scale network of computers, electronics, and telecommunications, have removed the barriers of time and space. They have transformed the nature of work, business, entertainment, education and interpersonal relations. While advancements in the field of ICT are now happening at a rapid speed, the advancement in the future will ever be speedier. Rapid development in ICT has its spin-off in globalization which refers to the interconnectedness of all peoples. The flow of ideas, information, goods and services are now linked globally, and these linkages reach most households and individuals. The flow includes the arts, science, sports, medicine, tourism and entertainment as well as such unfortunate phenomena as drug traffic, disease and environmental damage. The combined force of ICT and globalization is a challenge in our educational system. . Schools have already adapted to these current realities. The nature of work will change; there will be less need for manual workers, and more of â€Å"knowledge workers.†The later are people with technical and technological expertise, who are capable of handling, processing and utilizing information intelligently. Technological advancements play a critical role in education. Learning environments must be nurturing ones. Thus, education should emphasize not only the development of the cognitive man; it must strive to develop the holistic human being technically skilled, emotionally intelligent, spiritually and morally upright, selfless and socially responsible. Education in the future will be a lifelong pursuit. It will no longer be space- and –time-bound. â€Å"Anytime, anywhere learning† will be more than a fad. With more people having access to the internet and other information and communications technologies, the schools will change; we have more Internet-based education now a days. One of the technological developments affecting education in the last several decades is the video games. Computer Gaming is a creation for the players that gives not just fun but also the time to be socialized to other players and become better human beings.. According to Rutger C. M. E. Engels â€Å"Over 70% of gamers play their games with a friend, either cooperatively or competitively† and Melbourne â€Å"Kids who play video games have better social skills. Research has found that games offer a range of social and educational benefits to gamers. â€Å"It really boosts the social skills of the players even if they are not too fond of socializing with other people. When you are playing, you are also connected to other players because latest computer games are created for us to play with other people and other races that really make this really unique. Just like here in the Philippines, where most of the youth are fond of these computer games. They can play to any player within the country or even abroad and even join international competitions because of computer games. So even just at the edge of your seat, you can make friends and socialize to other players. According to Melbourne â€Å"Gamers are reaping the social benefits when their friends come over and play computer games together. They are often strategizing, managing complex tasks and forming and managing teams.† Philip Trippebach stressed that â€Å"Far from turning teenagers into anti-social loners, video games help them engage with friends and community.† With the use of modern technology we can play and also we can have friends through gaming. In my case, computer games, made me meet lots of fellow Schoolmates. Though we are not at the same program or course. We are given a chance to know and meet each other. Playing games with new friends makes lots of exiting experiences and fun that we can never have when we are alone at home. Modern technology really changes us a lot. We can communicate with anyone from other places and talk to them face to face with the use of the technology called Internet. It really makes our lives easy and comfortable because we can do research without going to a library. The same manner is applied in gaming; we can play games through the use of internet called online gaming. This makes our lives easier and gives fun that lightens our anxieties in life. Because of this modern invention, we can play with our friend online, which really makes things interesting and battle with other people to see who the best in different areas of the game is. While it is a fact that video games not only have positive effects but also negative effects. But several studies indicate that the advantages outweigh the negative impact. Video games are not at all bad for us, thus, making our life better. Despite hand-wringing over a connection between violence and video games, numerous academic studies indicate that playing video games has many psychological and physical benefits. Taken together, video games make one a better human being. Being exposed to different personalities portrayed by the characters in video games, a gamer sympathize with the one possessing pleasant character. Computer games make one smarter. While gamers are having fun, they also get sharper. Now a days, new generations are noted to be adept in playing computer games. They display impressive manipulative skills than the adults who don’t play computer games. Gamers would join in tournaments or competitions, which they believe, would enhance their skills, and above all to showcase their talent. Others would join competitions simply for the fun brought by making new friendships with fellow gamers.. While others, take it an opportunity to win prizes. Not just that playing video games bring out the kid in the player’s heart but it also helps one stay young physically. Most gamers are young people so parents should see to it that their children choose games with high instructional values- those that would give counsel and advises. Because, as noted, children are easily influenced by the characters in video games. . School reading lessons could not be as attractive as video gaming for some children. They tend to be active with games where they learn easily. What do video games really do to people? In today’s modern times, people, especially the young, are immersed in video gaming, not considering the possible effects of it. Video gaming could have positive and negative effects which could be the determining factor in the value formation of the gamers. They are what they become based on the kind of game they play. Therefore, authorities should investigate both the positive and the negative impacts that playing games could have on people. Among the possible negative effects of game play has to do with violence in video games. Video games that feature aggressive or violent elements might have a big impact on children and youth. In the same way, playing aggressive video games could stimulate aggressive behavior in players in particular because the player is an active participant. Crime among minors is now rampant, where they become a social problem. Outmost attention must be given to stop minors into becoming violent. The academic performance of students is also affected. Since, gamers would take too much time at it, thus, taking away from time spent on school work. Parents are complaining their children are not doing well in school. A lot of students nowadays are becoming less interested in school work and play video games outside school. It has adverse effects among students which caused their failure and their dropping out from school. The parents are most affected on this effect since it destroys not only the future but also the whole being of their children. As for positive effects, educators and learning scientists have also debated how to leverage the motivation students had for playing games as well as exploring the medium of video game for educational and pedagogical purposes. Video games shape students literacy activities; mainly reading and writing in both online and offline spaces. In this case, video games could be of great help in the intellectual, development of the students. To the teachers, it is also helping them make classroom instructions easier and it is also application of information technology which is the present trend in education. In other words, educators should redesign classroom experiences, integrating video games that can shift the way teachers and students approach to learning. Motivational factors will be enhanced if certain qualities present in the medium of video games provide valuable opportunities for learning. If done so, learning experiences will be as interesting and enjoyable as playing video games. A lot of game studies research can be seen as the academic response to the video game industries questions regarding the product it creates and sells. How can we create better games? What makes a game good? Good could mean many different things. Does the game provide an entertaining and engaging experience to the player? Is the game easy to play? Is the game innovative or does it provide the player with an opportunity to have novel experiences? Does it provide educational value to players? Different approaches to studying this problem should be considered. Describing how to design games, extracting guidelines and rules for making better games, abstracting commonalities from games and understanding how they relate to each other. If all these considerations are taken care of, then, video gaming will be good for us. They are not bad at all. They’re actually making our life better.

Company Watch - BSkyB :: Business and Management Studies

Company Watch - BSkyB COMPANY WATCH The company that I have chosen that is in the Ftse 100 is BSkyB and the rival company to BSkyB that I have chosen is Cable & Wireless (C & W). I will be monitoring these companies over four weeks and recording and analysing their share prices as well as the Ftse 100. I will be using The Times newspaper to obtain share prices and business information regarding the companies and the Ftse. HISTORY OF BSKYB In 1989 Sky introduced satellite television to the UK with four channels. By 1990 sky reached one million homes and merged with British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB) to form BSkyB. In 1991 Sky and BSB streamline their channels into five separate channels. Between 1992 and 1993 BSkyB secures exclusive rights to live FA Premier League football coverage and Sky Multi-Channels launch with a package of 14 channels at basic subscription level. In 1994 five more channels are introduced and Sky announces  £13 million investment in British films including a major output deal with British Screen. Also in 1994 17% of BSkyB is floated on the UK and US Stock Exchanges. By 1995 BSkyB enters the FTSE 100 index, six more channels are added and subscribers exceed five million. In 1996 BSkyB secure a contract for FA Premier league football until 2001 season. In 1998 Sky digital launches offering 140 channels. More than 100,000 decoders are sold in the first 30 days. In 1999 BSkyB enters the list of world's top 250 companies. Also Sky digital is the fastest growing digital platform in Europe acquiring over 1.2 million subscribers in just 10 months and free set top digital box offer increases subscribers. In 2000 Sky receives Gold Award for outstanding contribution to television at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards and digital subscribers grow to 3 million. In 2001 BSkyB reaches its target of 5 million subscribers and switches off its analogue signal, BSkyB also launch Sky +, Europe's first fully integrated personal television recorder. By now in 2002 Sky digital now reaches 5.7 million households which is a quarter of all British homes and has a target of 7 million digital subscribers by the end of 2003. For the first time, more people are watching multichannel television than the five traditional public service channels. HOW BSKYB HAS FARED OVER 4 WEEK PERIOD Articles Concerning BSkyB Over this period the main articles for BSkyB in the news were that Dawn Airey will become the managing director of BskyB, being paid  £1 million a year. Dawn Airey formerly work as the Channel Five chief executive but was seemingly joining the ITV network but was snatched