How To Answer What Is Your Greatest Weakness - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness” - Introvert Whisperer How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?” Last week, we helped you answer the interview question, ”  tell me about yourself,” so this week we wanted to tackle another classic question â€"  What do you think is your greatest weakness?  This is a hard question to answer, and according to  90%  of job seekers on  Big Interviewer, they have the same question for their  interview coach. The pressure of this question is real, especially when you are interviewing for a position you feel like is your dream job. The dilemma  that arises is that you don’t want to seem to like you can’t qualify for this position but on the flip side, you don’t want to look arrogant by saying you don’t have any weakness. As your  career sidekick,  we have a 2 -step process for you leverage this question to help you land your  dream job. Step 1: Choose Your  Weakness This is a pretty obvious step, but this process takes some time and self-reflection. It’s important that you prepare your answer prior to your interview. Trying to find your weakness on the spot will cause you to freeze and make you seem unprepared. Look through your past   Your main goal is to leave a solid  impression on your interviewer, and the only way to do that is to by being  genuine and authentic. Think of past jobs that you have had and where you feel like you could have improved in those positions? How does it relate to the job? Know what you are interviewing for and the skills that are needed for that position. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by choosing a weakness that is needed for the position you want to fill. A perfect example is if you are interviewing for a sales position, don’t say that your biggest struggle is building relationships  with people. Make sure the weakness is fixable You want to make sure that your weakness can be something that can be improved on with your professional development. Remember this question isn’t supposed to stump you in an interview but highlight your skills as a team member and your ability  to grow. Keep It Brief After you have pinpointed your weakness now you need to just keep it short. Just like how you would have answered  â€œTell me about yourself”,  you need to organize your thoughts and remember the relevant information that your interviewer wants to know. Doing this will help you compile your weakness in a way that best highlights the next part of your answer. Step 2: Show that you’re working on it After you provide your answer, you need your follow up with how you are combating this weakness. leverage is a great time to show your  motivation and your willingness to grow in your professional development. For example: if you struggle  with time management the best solution  for you is staying organized, have a planner and make goals for the next day. This is the most important part of your whole answer because this is where you can leverage your weakness into a positive. Interviews are a difficult process and can be very stressful when you are not prepared. For more guidance on interviewing, check out our  interview prep guide  to make sure you have all of your bases covered way before the interview and you can land your dream job. This article was originally published on SkillGigs. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What Can You Do With a Music Degree Tips for Singers

What Can You Do With a Music Degree Tips for Singers Suzy S. Is it worth it to get a degree in music? Find out one teachers take, in this article  by San Diego, CA voice teacher  Reina M... The voice is a very versatile instrument and while most young artists aspire for fame on a global level, as a singer you can do many things. You can become a prima donna in the opera, you can sing at the opening of the World Series, or you can go on a world tour like Beyonce or Madonna. You can become the voice of a Disney princess, record an audiobook, or provide voiceover talent for radio and television commercials. If you’re nearing college, you might be wondering: is it worth it to get a music degree? Should I go to a prominent music school to receive a degree in Vocal Performance, or will I be just as successful finding gigs on my own? In this post, I’ll share with you what I’ve learned. Musician or Hobbyist? Deciding if You Should Get a Music Degree As you’re trying to decide about a music degree, my advice is this: If you plan to become an artist who can sustain a lifestyle with music, it’s important that you apply yourself to learning as much as possible. This commitment to lifelong learning is what will solidify your status as a musician! This especially applies to vocalists. Music is a language you learn, just like any other foreign language, and there are many vocalists who “speak” conversational music. They get by and can be quite convincing. They can sing what is sung to them, they can recite what they hear, and they may even have original song ideas. Unfortunately, these song ideas will ultimately become a byproduct of the other musicians they are performing with, because conversational singers cannot clearly articulate what they are trying to convey. On the other hand, there are fluent vocalists who learn their preferred key signatures to the songs they sing, they lead the band on when to change and what to change into, and they may even be able to transcribe the thoughts in their heads for the musicians they play with, enabling them to rehearse more efficiently. Getting a music degree exposes you to an array of opportunities, and allows you to educate yourself in all areas of the voice. There’s a caveat though. Getting a Music Degree: What You Can Expect to Learn I went to school to study how to be a singer. I received a BA in Music with a Vocal Performance emphasis. I thought I would be taken more seriously by instrumentalists if I were educated, and if I could tell a guitarist or keyboardist what key I was singing in. This did prove to be true, but I soon realized that it didn’t matter how much I knew if I did not walk into an audition or performance without confidence and a clear idea of what I wanted. I spent four years learning all the background knowledge, but the truth is, there’s always more to learn as you work toward your music career. It has been 10 years since I graduated college. At first I was convinced it was a waste of time. It was the first eight years after college that I learned how to book shows for myself, how to market myself as an artist, and how to write the music I really wanted to sing. I diversified my instrument repertoire by learning the ukulele; I continued learning and growing. What Can You Do with a Music Degree? My Personal Outcome Having experienced college and the life of a starving artist, I am thankful that I went to school and can rely on music to financially support myself in my ongoing musical endeavors. With grand hopes of becoming a star, I did not foresee becoming a music teacher, a title I now wear proudly. It can feel like a prison to have to work a “real” job and only get to live your passion on nights and weekends. While obtaining a music degree will not guarantee you the success you may be hoping for currently, in the long-run a degree will allow you to use music in other ways if, by some twist of fate, fame is not in your stars. Post Author:  Reina M.. Reina M. has taught  singing lessons in San Diego, CA since 2005. She  earned her B.A. in music from Seattle University and currently sings jazz, RB, and soul for her original band The Dynasty. Learn more about Reina  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How Introverts Can Shine in the Workplace Without Saying a Word - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How Introverts Can Shine in the Workplace Without Saying a Word - Introvert Whisperer How Introverts Can Shine in the Workplace Without Saying a Word For many years, I thought that my impact in the workplace would be tied to the frequency and speed of the creation of ideas that I presented to my colleagues. Trying to work under this radical idea as an introvert caused me a great deal of bouts with anxiety. I prefer to think before I speak and am focused on collecting evidence in order to present information in a clear and concise manner. I knew that overcoming these habits that have been the core of my existence wouldn’t happen overnightâ€"and I didn’t want to risk receiving a bad performance review because of it. What’s worst is that I feared others would start to question my value if I didn’t adapt quickly enough. Fortunately, the workplace is evolving and employers are looking at the unique skills that different personality types bring to the workforce. We’re realizing there’s more than one way to contribute in today’s shifting workplace; you don’t have to be a carbon copy of your extroverted colleagues in order to be recognized in the work place. Leveraging your natural strengths could be the key to making a big impact without making a lot of noise. Being social or talkative is not a prerequisite to win in the workplace; you just have to be intentional about your nonverbal communication. Because when it comes to building trust and credibility in the workplace, it’s not what you say but what you repeatedly do that creates your professional reputation. Although you do not need to change yourself in order to win in the workplace, you need to consider how your natural strengths can be the key to success that you are seeking. Here are six ways your non-verbal communication can help you to shine bright in the workplace: Send Powerful Emails. How many emails do you receive during a work-day? Better yet, how many times a day do you have to respond to email messages or have to initiate email conversations where you have a chance to create a memorable digital footprint among people who have never seen you before? Your emails say a lot about you, and the thoughtful introvert knows how to make the most of this communication tool. Brevity is key. And  with every email you send, the content has the ability to add to enhance, or diminish, your professional brand. Allow your emails to communicate how competent you are in the workplace. Managers and colleagues can gain a clear idea about an introverted leader’s knowledge, ideas, and strategies through their written messages. Document Critical Work Processes. So many people spend so much time talking that they miss out on the value of documenting. And companies are losing millions of dollars and hours of valuable time because this task is not prioritized. Companies are audited on the transparency of their processes, procedures, and ability to create a back up plan if business operations were interrupted. Most companies fail miserably and are scrambling to get employees to document processes at the last minute. This increases the stress levels among employees and reduces productivity when everyone is trying to do this at the last minute. Introspective and intuitive introverts tend to be gifted writers who are willing to take the time to break down the most complex processes into instructions that a commoner can master. Capitalize on this, because there are few in the workplace who have the patience to document processes that new employees will value later. Create a Blog and Post Frequently. Many people create a blog, but are not committed enough to maintain their blog. Their infrequent updates cause them to lose their audience because no one can predict the frequency of the updates. If you want your voice to be heard online and identify solutions to problems that others may be facing, create a blog around your area of expertise. It is important that you identify your niche and interests in order to be successful in the process. Once you have created 3-4 posts on your blog, expand your network and impact by becoming a CAREER ACCELERATION Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What solution does online tutoring offer when radical equation and algebra calculators are available online

What solution does online tutoring offer when radical equation and algebra calculators are available online 0SHARESShare There was a time when everyone witnesses the diversities in culture, food, places, etc. Now there are diversities in the process of education. The question is how it happens? Well the answer is just with the help of the brain. For instance, the brainy things like calculators for computing radical equations and algebra are available online. With the calculators online tutoring is also available which helps students with the methods of solving equations. Now that requires brainstorming which eventually helps you r brain to be smart and competitive. And such brainy inventions could be done by you and the next generation then could witness other form of diversities invented. Radical Equations and Algebra Calculators These calculators compute the equation at a go. You just need to enter the values and determine the accurate auto-generated result. This no doubt saves time. Online tutoring Online tutors are readily available for guiding the students. They teach the students with various methods and steps to solve the equations. Learning the various techniques and brainstorming makes the mind sharper and competitive. It may be hard at first for few but with learning it becomes a play. Students can verify their answers with the calculators. This helps them evaluating themselves. And wherever they face the problem, they may take the guidance of the online tutors available. Solving the equations captures one’s brain so beautifully and makes one concentrated. Getting the correct answers is no more agenda while learning is so. And for learning step by step method online tutoring is available. [starbox id=admin]

African Geopolitics

African Geopolitics Understanding Geopolitics in Africa ChaptersGeopolitics in Africa: From Tribalism to Nation StatesResources in Africa that Affect GeopoliticsPolitics and Military in African CountriesLooking at All of the Countries in AfricaWhen one thinks of global powers â€" those movers and shakers that drive global politics, few African nations come to mind.Egypt, certainly; maybe even South Africa, a country that was a founding member of the United Nations and one of the founding members of the African Union.Beyond that, most of the recognition given to African nations is not for remarkable political accomplishments; they are mostly known for ferocious infighting and being abysmally poor.Such an opinion does not do justice to the world’s second largest and second most populated continent (after Asia). With her 54 sovereign states and multiple dependencies, the African continent is much more than tribal clashes, reproductive health concerns and destitution.Today, your Superprof leads the exploration of the so-called Dark Continen t.We’ll examine how this vast region came to be divided up and how the African continent is emerging from traditional tribal rule to take her place on the world stage, one country at a time.New Imperialism, European explorers scrambled to claim overseas territories.Such was the push on the African continent that it has earned an infamous title: the Scramble for Africa.Within just a few years, the entire African continent save for Ethiopia and Liberia was divided between seven western European powers â€" and even those two territories did not remain independent for long.France laid claim to much of northwestern AfricaGermany settled for a few parcels of land scattered across the southern region: Cameroon, Rwanda, Namibia and most of TanzaniaPortugal’s two major plats lay on either side of the peninsula: Angola and MozambiqueSpain reaped comparatively little territory: northern Morocco and Equatorial GuineaBelgium ensconced herself in the middle of the African peninsula, claiming the Congo, a portion of Rwanda and all of BurundiItaly, a relative latecomer to the African pillage, managed to secure Eritrea, Somalia, Libya and EthiopiaThe British Empire secured for herself vast tracts of land in southwestern and northwestern Africa, as well as a few parcels in West Africa abutting French territory.These demarcations are important to Africa’ geopolitics because those colonial borders, drawn by European powers, are for the most part how the borders of today’s African nations are drawn.Besides the goal of laying claim to as much territory as possible, those European powers were interested in the vast plunder of natural resources to be had.Economic and political gains were not the only considerations leading to the colonization of African lands.Religious missionaries, intent on converting the masses, set about educating the native population, steering them away from African languages and installing the various European tongues as official languages.So it came t o be that the languages, cultures and way of life of the African people became subsumed by a barrage of new vernacular, ideas and politics.Naturally, we cannot discuss African history (or world history) without considering the slave trade.For centuries, the people of west Africa had good reason to fear any ship on the horizon; the possibility of being carted away to serve in distant lands was distinct and very real.Later, when Europeans settled in Africa, the African people’s relationship with colonisers was largely predicated on the negative sentiment engendered through those enforced separations.It didn’t help that many colonisers employed slaves on their African plantations.Fortunately, global outcry ended the trading of humans long before the end of the Second World War, when a wave of independence movements fuelled by the African people led to the end of colonialism and the surrender of lands.Discover how European geopolitics impact Africa today...Since then, the countries of Africa have been establishing their own development goals and are finding partnerships in unexpected quarters.Groundwater on the globe's second largest continent is growing ever sparser and more polluted Image by cocoparisienne from PixabayResources in Africa that Affect GeopoliticsAngola, Nigeria, Lybia, Egypt and Algeria are rich in oil. The area formerly known as Katanga, in the Republic of the Congo, is rich in minerals, especially copper.Explore also how rich oil deposits affect Middle East geopolitics...Sierra Leone, Botswana and Angola bring millions of pounds worth of diamonds to the surface every year.Unfortunately, the revenue derived from these mining efforts has caused that area to be known more for its rebel movements than for its wealth; an effect that has so far prevented any African nation from competing in global politics on a large scale.Geopolitics, the study of political relations intrastate and internationally, take into consideration geographical features as well as natural resources of a land; political relations and military power also factor in.We’ll discuss the latter two in a bit; for now, we need to focus on one aspect of African geography that is in crisis: water.We all know that the Saharan desert is a vast field of sand with nary a drop of water on the ground.The Nile, known as the world’s longest river, runs through the eastern part of the Sahara. Other rivers coursing through Africa include the Congo and Zambezi Rivers.Traditionally, the most water-rich areas were located in sub-Saharan Africa: Lake Victoria and Lake Chad. Today, they are both severely depleted due to drought and water diversion.Virtually all fresh water sources on the African continent are in trouble and it is rural Africa that is the most impacted.  Not only is water becoming scarcer but what is available must meet the needs of all African people.To make matters worse, surface water is terribly polluted and there is a severe lack of infrastructure to b ring groundwater to the surface, let alone to make it accessible in sparsely populated, remote areas.The water crisis in Africa is a global concern, leading many foreign governments, such as China, to pour billions of Yuan into such massive engineering projects.Learn all about Asian investment in Africa through our geopolitics in Asia article.The long and the short of the matter is: for all of Africa’s wealth in minerals and other natural resources, she is a parched land slowly dying of thirst.Politics and Military in African CountriesIf we accept a loose definition of ‘military’ as 'a body of armed fighters', then we must include rebel forces, which gives us a broader picture of fighting in African nations.The majority of fighting in Africa is not one country against another but insurgents rising up against the established government of their own country.In some cases, conflicts span several nations.One example of such is the Ugandan conflict that started as a religious upris ing in 1987 and continues still today, with the help of the U.S. military, to capture Joseph Kony and his fanatic followers.The Sudan Civil War presents an example in which the military, a government entity, actually sided with the people to bring down the existing government.Among all of the conflicts in countries of Africa, the tribal clashes are perhaps the most brutal: the Rwandan massacre, mercifully short-lived, stands as a prominent example of such.The prolonged ethnic cleansing in Darfur â€" unfortunately much longer in duration, is another.Sadly, there is so much of such conflict that the average global citizen really only hears of all this bad stuff... much like with geopolitics in Latin America.It is now time to take a look at Africa’s developing regions, and how those growing economies are working together to build a better African continent.This map of Africa shows that the African continent is far bigger than western Europe! Image by Arek Socha from PixabayLooking at All of the Countries in AfricaOn the one hand, the African continent has vast natural resources, including gold, diamonds and oil â€" the world’s three most coveted materials.On the other, development and infrastructure are seriously lacking and many African nations are suffering a crisis of leadership.Did you know that Russia labours under similar geopolitical challenges?Few leaders of African nations have been able to reconcile ethnic factions that have a long history of enmity, let alone deter those who would rise up to claim a larger share of wealth from the lands’ natural resources.The gender gap in earnings and in civil rights is more of a gulf; many rural areas still ascribe to traditional views regarding women.Through this all, foreign powers maintain an interest in the riches of Africa but have shown little interest in African development.Besides civil matters, one of the biggest problems assailing African nation leaders is resource distribution.For instance, all of th e diamond mines are located in southern Africa; how should Zimbabwe share that wealth with, say, Niger â€" one of Africa’s poorest countries, while possibly inciting their immediate neighbours' ire by not sharing with them?And how to manage international affairs when so few people had ever had any large-scale international dealings?Enter the African Union, an organisation of African nation heads of state and, born to foster cooperation between countries and help manage international relations.Headquartered in Addis Ababa, this recently-founded group replaces the older Organisation of African Unity, whose main goal was to oversee the end of colonialism and ensure against any future attempts thereof.This newer union, with 55 member states, is pledged to advance solidarity and cohesion among African nations, to continue with political and social integration throughout the continent and to encourage international cooperation of individual states.Nobody knows the geopolitical realities of African nations better than African leaders.  How they manage the challenges facing them will depend on how well they can work together.Now take a look at geopolitics around the world...

Sophomore Year Checklist to Get Ready for College

Sophomore Year Checklist to Get Ready for College The second year of high school is when many students start thinking more seriously about college. Your teen wont be filling out applications or anything just yet, but its important for you and your teen to stay on track with this sophomore year checklist: Talk about the cost. Its a good idea to begin researching scholarships and the cost of the colleges and universities of interest to your teen and discuss your family budget for college. Start researching college majors. Its not too early for you and your teen to talk about the possibilities. Open the floorwhat subjects does your teen enjoy? What careers sound intriguing? Start researching and visiting colleges. A little online research will help your teen start getting familiar with your states schools and any others on his or her mind that are further away. College fairs are an excellent way to explore as well. The National Association for College Admission Counseling hosts college fairs all over the country, and the guidance counselor is also a good resource for local college fairs or college visit days. Here are this years to-dos that are your teens responsibility: Keep up the grades. If freshman year was a little tumultuous, your teen should consider getting individualized tutoring help. Its important to turn things around quickly because your teens grades do matter in high school. Register for the PreACT. This is essentially a practice ACT test for sophomores. Your teen can contact the guidance counselor to learn more about administration dates and if it is available in your area. Register for the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Like the PreACT, this is a practice test for sophomoresand juniorsand it is also is the qualifier for National Merit Scholar programs and other scholarships. Your teen should talk with the guidance counselor to get PSAT dates. Take Advanced Placement (AP) classes and exams. Sophomore year is often when more AP classes are available for students. If he or she hasnt done so already, your teen should consult with the guidance counselor about classes and exam dates. Cultivate good relationships with teachers. Your teen might be asking them for recommendation letters in the next year or two, so that sophomore year is a great time to start building those relationships. Stay on top of SAT Subject Tests. Some colleges request/require them to show subject mastery, but many students mistakenly assume they should wait to take them as upperclassmen. Your teen should take them as soon after the corresponding class as possible. The guidance counselor can advise your teen on which, if any, to take. Explore summer learning opportunities. Your teen should use the summer before their junior year to explore career possibilities or do something resume-building and productive. Maybe your teen wants to get involved in community service or start something entrepreneurial. Encourage him or her to get creative. If your teen could use tutoring, SAT or ACT prep, or general guidance on how to be the best high school student possible, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. Well share more about our learning and exam prep programs and how to help your teen be successful in high school.

English Expressions about Success Phrases Connected with Success

English Expressions about Success Phrases Connected with Success Success is what everybody wants and what everyone is trying to achieve. Here are some useful English expressions about success. I also include a note for you as to how to use English expressions connected for achieving success correctly. Lets start. English Expressions About Success DRESS FOR SUCCESSWhen we want to succeed we are always advised to prepare. If you are well prepared you have a better opportunity of succeeding. Some of that preparation is also about your appearance. So dress for success  is part of the process, part of the preparation to achieve your goals  and create a good first impression. For example, it is in a certain way, you have better chances to succeed in your job interview.IN IT TO WIN ITThis English phrase can refer to any part of lives. It can apply equally to business and sport. Most people who play sport seriously never like losing and will always tell you they are in it to win it. It is like a mantra  (their mission statement).So any time we are attempting to succeed  in a business venture or in a sporting activity we really want to win and one (not the only reason) reason to get involved is to try and win. Participating is important but winning is a good measure of our success.I AM IN TO WIN ITThis may well be a common phrase us ed by candidates in a political election. Vocabulary about Success - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: KEY TO SUCCESSFor anything to be successful there is a need for an important trigger, a critical ingredient that will help you to achieve your goals.For example, if you are launching a new product you need to have done plenty of research to ensure your product is providing something different or something that has never been available before. Finding that special ingredient will be your key to success.ex. The team were very good and were always near the top of the league. The key to their success  when they actually won the league was the signing of a great striker who scored 25 goals in their winning season.A HOWLING SUCCESSWhen you do actually achieve your goals and when you do win that contract or launch that great product you will really want to maximise the gains and demonstrate that your business is or will be a howling success.A howling success  is something a little bit unexpected, something that soars and takes off with record sales. The launch of the Appleâ„¢ mobile phones is always a howling success with queues outside stores waiting days to get their hands on the latest model.ITS IN THE BAG  When we spend hours, days and weeks planning and plotting our way through a detailed marketing campaign to achieve success we finally reach a point when we can say we have succeeded. In this situation we can use the expression  its in the bag,  it’s a done deal. Were certain that this is going to happen.ex. What about that new contract we pitched for? Any news? -Yes, we got the green light  (successful call) today,  its in the bag! TO BE ON A SHORTLISTBe named in a list (chosen from a larger group) to be considered for a prize or a job.ex. I got an email a few days ago stating that I  was on a shortlist for  further consideration for a position that I really want.TO BE NOMINATEDBe officially suggested as a possible prize winner (or canidate for an important job).ex. Saoirse Ronan has been nominated in the Best Actress category for the 2018 Academy Awards.BE A RUNNER UPCome in second place in a competition, race, etc.ex. She  was a runner up  for four years, but kept reaching for the top.BE ON THE WINNING TEAMBe part of a group that wins a game, competition, race, etc.ex. Congratulations to Amy Smith who  was on the winning team  at the School Grande Regional Competion on 23rd May!GET AN AGet the highest grade for an exam, piece of academic work, etc.ex. For my GCSE, I got an A in Science.

How Your School May Have ruined your essay writing and online writing

How Your School May Have ruined your essay writing and online writing Most of us eventually realize that the things we learned in school don’t always apply out in the real world. This fact is especially true in terms of our writing habits.I have been a private writing instructor for close to 10 years now and entered college at 16 myself. Most of my students are college students, though I’ve also taught middle and high-schoolers. Public education is a stressful and often thankless field, and I am not criticizing the many wonderful, hard-working teachers of the world. Rather, I’m pointing out that the average English teacher’s job is to teach you the grammar and rules of VERY basic academic writing, generally in preparation for standardized tests. While these are undeniably important skills for that context, they don’t all transfer to college and the real world. Here are three things that worked for your school papers school that you want to avoid online and in your admission essay. Finally, why am I talking about online and admissions in the same breath? These days, many colleges are now accepting online and html applications. If this does not apply to you, just file away the info about web writing for later. You're going to need it once you get to the university of your choice!*Pointless ElaborationIf you’ve ever found yourself tempted to refer to Webster’s dictionary while struggling to write an introduction, you’re not alone. Similarly, if you’ve ever wanted to use something like “For the entire history of [insert field here], man has sought [insert value here]” to open a paper, you were probably doing so to fill up the assignment’s minimum page count. By requiring you to fill up a certain amount of pages, your English teacher unwittingly taught you to use a lot of words to say very little. In online, college, and business contexts, being concise and clear are your top priorities as a writer. Let me repeat: good writing is clear, concise content. Avoid summarizing to fill space: it tends to be redundant, especially when you can link to/cite whatever you’re referencing. Think about your audience, and assume that they know the basics of your subject. Avoid jargon and clichés like the plague. They don't make you sound smarter.*Terrible Document DesignMost high school and college papers require the same recycled format: 12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced. Usually you will have to have a header. The double-spacing is practical in this context. For a teacher, it’s much easier to make notes and corrections in the spaces between lines. However, this practice also leads to many students never understanding the importance of white space. Though subtle, white space is one way that you know this paragraph isn’t about the exact same topic as the one just before it. The space between paragraphs and headers helps the reader visually navigate a piece of writing. This visual cue is especially important online, where people tend to skim writing for its most interesting and relevant pieces. Headers and lists serve a similar function, though if your teacher was an MLA style purist, you probably never had occasion to use them in school. *Wordy, Excessively Formal Prose“Don’t write how you talk” is a common mantra of the grade-school English teacher. In the age of text-speak, most kids need to be told not to use acronyms and abbreviations. But often, this point gets driven home to hard, causing older students to try to “sound smart.” A common side-effect of this is using unnecessarily long or obscure words: “utilize” instead of “use,” “equilibrium” instead of “balance,” etc. Rather than making the writer look smart, these verbal gymnastics make the writer seem pompous. (Ironically, someone who does this can be described as “sesquipedalian.”) Avoid verbose or confusing terms by choosing the simplest way to say what you need to say. Don’t say “due to” or “in lieu of” where “because” or “instead” will get the job done. As a rule, online writingâ€"whether on a blog, social media, or message boardâ€"tends to be informal. Context is the key to making decisions about mechanics and grammar. Avoiding contractions may be appropriate for a research paper, but in blogging that’s simply not the case (see what I did there?). A sentence fragment would be out of place in a literary analysis, but can offer emphasis and style in conversation or story-telling. Many college applications have a narrative option for the essay prompts--mine had one about escaping from a pit of menacing wolves with a list of pre-prescribed items!Calvin and Hobbes, credited to creator of that legendary comic!As a rule, online writingâ€"whether on a blog, social media, or message boardâ€"tends to be informal. Context is the key to making decisions about mechanics and grammar. Avoiding contractions may be appropriate for a research paper, but in blogging that’s simply not the case (see what I did there?). A sentence fragment would be out of place in a literary analysis, but can offer emphasis and style in conversation or story-telling.For your essay, you will:Avoid contractions, Allow yourself many drafts/brainstorms/ideas/topicsBe yourself/Brag a little (but make it a humblebrag!)Clearly and Concisely Convey your ContwntBut beyond that, stand out! What is unique about you? Why are you any different and why should the reader not sail your essay into the garbage? Grab attention and go forth from there! Good luck! If you're in Austin, I can help you craft the perfect essay.