Editing, Proofreading & Resume
November 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/
Greetings
In this issue of my newsletter, I will discuss the following topics:
· The Functional Resume
· Punctuation Update – American English vs. British English
· Worldwide Project Update
The Functional Resume
Most resumes are chronological resumes. They give details of your work history in reverse order – most recent job first. But, another resume type is the functional resume. This type of resume focuses on your skills and groups them into clusters or functions. Listed below are situations in which a job seeker might use a functional resume instead of the traditional chronological resume:
1. Older Job Seeker - The job seeker is older with a significant amount of experience and does not want to draw attention to his/her age or the years of experience.
2. Gaps in Work History - The person has gaps in his/her work history. This could be a woman who has taken several years off to raise a child or children. It could be someone with some years in military service.
3. Career Changers - The person has been in one field of work but is now seeking to enter a new field.
4. Diverse Experience - The job seeker has worked in various different fields or jobs, which do not show a definitive career path or direction.
5. Similar Job Responsibilities – The job seeker has had several jobs with the same or similar responsibilities and/or achievements.
6. Students or Volunteers – The person is new to the workforce having just graduated from school or has spent time in volunteer positions.
The functional resume has a different format from the chronological resume. It emphasizes the skills and accomplishments without bringing attention to the situations mentioned above.
Punctuation Update
American English vs. British English
In my last newsletter, I outlined how to write dialogue and the appropriate punctuation to be used when writing dialogue. But, I only discussed punctuation for American English. When writing British English there is one main difference.
· All punctuation must go outside the quotation marks in British English.
o John said, “I need to find the nearest service station”.
§ Note that the period at the end of the sentence goes outside the quotation mark. The next example shows the same sentence written in American English.
o John said, “I need to find the nearest service station.”
Worldwide Project Update
I have been editing, proofreading and creating resumes for several years. Sometime after I began this work, I mounted a world map on my office wall and began putting map pins in locations where I had clients. I have continued to keep this map updated with new pins whenever I have a new client from a country where I did not have a previous client. I have done the same for each state in the United States.
I currently have clients from 64 countries in the world. There are about 193 countries. To view a list of the countries where I have clients, go to http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/countries.htm
And, I have clients in all but seven states in the US. I do not have clients in the following states: Arkansas, Delaware, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Vermont.
Please help me to put more map pins on my map! If you know of people in any of the above states or in countries not included in my list of countries on my website, who might be interested in editing, proofreading or resume services, please refer them to me.
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg
Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Sunday, October 03, 2010
October 2010 Newsletter
Editing, Proofreading & Resume
October 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/
Greetings
At this time of year, here in the US, we have cooler temperatures, falling leaves and students well into their first semester of classes. In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing the following topics:
· Dialogue – Punctuation and Layout
· Resume Tidbits
· Academic Papers
Dialogue – Punctuation and Layout
When you are writing a story and there are people speaking, you must use a set of rules to let your reader understand the dialogue and know who is talking. Here is a set of rules that should help you.
1. All speaking or talking in your story must be enclosed in quotation (quote) marks.
“Let’s go to the lake and see if we can catch some fish,” said Mack to his brother.
Note that there is a quotation mark (“) before the first word that Mack said and another quotation mark after the last word that he said.
Note that the beginning quote mark is a double upside-down comma and the ending quote mark is a double comma.
2. All punctuation must go inside the quotation mark.
“Let’s go to the lake and see if we can catch some fish,” said Mack to his friend.
Note that there is a comma after the word fish and that it is inside the quotation mark.
Note that instead of using a period at the end of what Mark has said, we use a comma when we want to tell who is speaking.
3. If it is obvious who is talking, you end the quote with a period.
“Let’s go to the lake and see if we can catch some fish.”
Note that the period is inside the ending quotation mark. The dialogue itself might let the reader know who is speaking; in this case, you need not tell who is speaking.
4. If the quote is a question, you use a question mark instead of the period, or comma if you are telling who asked the question.
“Did you bring your fishing tackle with you today?”
“Did you bring your fishing tackle with you today?” asked Joseph.
Note in the second sentence we use a question mark inside the quote mark and the word asked begins with a small letter (not an upper case letter).
Note in the second sentence there is no period after the word today and there is no comma after the word today. These are replaced by a comma when telling who asked the question.
5. If using an exclamation mark, the rule is the same as if you are using a question mark.
“The fish are really hopping today!”
“The fish are really hopping today!” exclaimed Joseph as he reeled in yet another one.
Note the exclamation mark is inside the end quotation mark and the word exclaimed, in the second example, begins with a small letter.
6. If there is interruption in the speech, you must use a comma to let the reader know that speech has been broken.
“I like fishing in this pond,” said Mack, “especially on a Monday when nobody else is fishing.”
Note the use of a comma both after the word pond and after Mack. In this case, you are telling the reader who is speaking but you are doing it in the middle of the statement.
7. Every time another person speaks, you must begin a new paragraph.
“Hey Joseph, did you see that fish jump, out there by the hanging tree limb?” asked Mack.
“No, I was too busy untangling my reel. I get so frustrated,” said Joseph, “when I am trying to fish and this reel keeps getting messed up.”
“Hello boys, did your mothers say you could come down here to fish on a school day?” Jim, the dairy farmer said as he approached the boys from a clearing in the woods.
“Yeah,” said Mack, “today there is no school. It is a teacher training day.”
Note that each time someone else speaks, there is a new paragraph.
Resume Tidbits
Resumes, resumes, resumes. It seems that everyone is asking for resumes these days. Some people are unemployed and looking for a job. Others are looking for better opportunities and yet others are just updating their resumes so that if and when an opportunity arises, they are prepared with a winning resume.
Some concerns that people have include the following situations:
· Many different jobs
o If you have had many different jobs, you might not want to list each one on your resume.
o You can label the header Relevant Experience instead of Experience.
o This way you are only including the experience that is pertinent to the job you are seeking. And, you are not showing all those irrelevant other jobs.
· Redundancies
o If your experiences or tasks at two or more jobs have been the same, it is not wise to include these redundancies on your resume. It just clutters it up and becomes boring to the reader – your potential new employer.
o You can create a Skills or Expertise section that outlines your unique set of skills or expertise. This section would list, and explain if necessary, the items that might relate to several jobs you have had. This way the information is listed only once.
· Long resumes
o In general, a resume should not be more than two pages. Many companies and universities require a one-page resume only.
o In order to comply with the one-page rule, I have seen resumes in which the font size is so small, it is almost impossible to read and there are almost no margins; the text goes to the edge of the paper on all sides. Avoid this technique. Most people reading these types of resumes will put them in the NO pile immediately.
o It is necessary to streamline your resume stating the most significant information only. You can always elaborate during an interview.
o Remember, the purpose of the resume is to get an interview. A long, unattractive resume cluttered with detailed information will most likely not get you an interview.
Papers or Articles – academic or commercial
If you are writing an article or paper, always keep in mind your reader or audience. Surely, you would write differently when writing a children’s book for three to five-year olds from how you would write if your target audience was pre-med college students. As you write your article or paper, read it over keeping in mind the intended audience. Make changes as appropriate.
One technique you can use is to have a colleague or friend, who falls into the category of your target audience, read your paper and comment on it.
When using technical terms or acronyms in your paper, write out the complete term the first time you use it. Then you can use the acronym thereafter in that paper. Here is an example:
The USTA (United States Tennis Association) is sponsoring an event in October. Be sure to watch for information about this in our newsletters.
Each time the USTA sponsors an event, there are people from other countries who are interested in attending.
Note that the first time USTA is used, it is followed by the complete name. Then, when it is used subsequently, the acronym alone is sufficient.
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg
Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com
October 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/
Greetings
At this time of year, here in the US, we have cooler temperatures, falling leaves and students well into their first semester of classes. In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing the following topics:
· Dialogue – Punctuation and Layout
· Resume Tidbits
· Academic Papers
Dialogue – Punctuation and Layout
When you are writing a story and there are people speaking, you must use a set of rules to let your reader understand the dialogue and know who is talking. Here is a set of rules that should help you.
1. All speaking or talking in your story must be enclosed in quotation (quote) marks.
“Let’s go to the lake and see if we can catch some fish,” said Mack to his brother.
Note that there is a quotation mark (“) before the first word that Mack said and another quotation mark after the last word that he said.
Note that the beginning quote mark is a double upside-down comma and the ending quote mark is a double comma.
2. All punctuation must go inside the quotation mark.
“Let’s go to the lake and see if we can catch some fish,” said Mack to his friend.
Note that there is a comma after the word fish and that it is inside the quotation mark.
Note that instead of using a period at the end of what Mark has said, we use a comma when we want to tell who is speaking.
3. If it is obvious who is talking, you end the quote with a period.
“Let’s go to the lake and see if we can catch some fish.”
Note that the period is inside the ending quotation mark. The dialogue itself might let the reader know who is speaking; in this case, you need not tell who is speaking.
4. If the quote is a question, you use a question mark instead of the period, or comma if you are telling who asked the question.
“Did you bring your fishing tackle with you today?”
“Did you bring your fishing tackle with you today?” asked Joseph.
Note in the second sentence we use a question mark inside the quote mark and the word asked begins with a small letter (not an upper case letter).
Note in the second sentence there is no period after the word today and there is no comma after the word today. These are replaced by a comma when telling who asked the question.
5. If using an exclamation mark, the rule is the same as if you are using a question mark.
“The fish are really hopping today!”
“The fish are really hopping today!” exclaimed Joseph as he reeled in yet another one.
Note the exclamation mark is inside the end quotation mark and the word exclaimed, in the second example, begins with a small letter.
6. If there is interruption in the speech, you must use a comma to let the reader know that speech has been broken.
“I like fishing in this pond,” said Mack, “especially on a Monday when nobody else is fishing.”
Note the use of a comma both after the word pond and after Mack. In this case, you are telling the reader who is speaking but you are doing it in the middle of the statement.
7. Every time another person speaks, you must begin a new paragraph.
“Hey Joseph, did you see that fish jump, out there by the hanging tree limb?” asked Mack.
“No, I was too busy untangling my reel. I get so frustrated,” said Joseph, “when I am trying to fish and this reel keeps getting messed up.”
“Hello boys, did your mothers say you could come down here to fish on a school day?” Jim, the dairy farmer said as he approached the boys from a clearing in the woods.
“Yeah,” said Mack, “today there is no school. It is a teacher training day.”
Note that each time someone else speaks, there is a new paragraph.
Resume Tidbits
Resumes, resumes, resumes. It seems that everyone is asking for resumes these days. Some people are unemployed and looking for a job. Others are looking for better opportunities and yet others are just updating their resumes so that if and when an opportunity arises, they are prepared with a winning resume.
Some concerns that people have include the following situations:
· Many different jobs
o If you have had many different jobs, you might not want to list each one on your resume.
o You can label the header Relevant Experience instead of Experience.
o This way you are only including the experience that is pertinent to the job you are seeking. And, you are not showing all those irrelevant other jobs.
· Redundancies
o If your experiences or tasks at two or more jobs have been the same, it is not wise to include these redundancies on your resume. It just clutters it up and becomes boring to the reader – your potential new employer.
o You can create a Skills or Expertise section that outlines your unique set of skills or expertise. This section would list, and explain if necessary, the items that might relate to several jobs you have had. This way the information is listed only once.
· Long resumes
o In general, a resume should not be more than two pages. Many companies and universities require a one-page resume only.
o In order to comply with the one-page rule, I have seen resumes in which the font size is so small, it is almost impossible to read and there are almost no margins; the text goes to the edge of the paper on all sides. Avoid this technique. Most people reading these types of resumes will put them in the NO pile immediately.
o It is necessary to streamline your resume stating the most significant information only. You can always elaborate during an interview.
o Remember, the purpose of the resume is to get an interview. A long, unattractive resume cluttered with detailed information will most likely not get you an interview.
Papers or Articles – academic or commercial
If you are writing an article or paper, always keep in mind your reader or audience. Surely, you would write differently when writing a children’s book for three to five-year olds from how you would write if your target audience was pre-med college students. As you write your article or paper, read it over keeping in mind the intended audience. Make changes as appropriate.
One technique you can use is to have a colleague or friend, who falls into the category of your target audience, read your paper and comment on it.
When using technical terms or acronyms in your paper, write out the complete term the first time you use it. Then you can use the acronym thereafter in that paper. Here is an example:
The USTA (United States Tennis Association) is sponsoring an event in October. Be sure to watch for information about this in our newsletters.
Each time the USTA sponsors an event, there are people from other countries who are interested in attending.
Note that the first time USTA is used, it is followed by the complete name. Then, when it is used subsequently, the acronym alone is sufficient.
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg
Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com
Sunday, July 04, 2010
July 2010 Newsletter
Editing, Proofreading & Resume
July 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Summer Greetings
The worldwide job situation seems to be improving with more jobs being posted and offered. More people are interviewing for jobs and being hired. Best wishes to those of you who have started on new adventures.
Writing a novel is a creative endeavor but some attention should be paid to making sure the information in your story is credible.
In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing the following topics:
· Organizing Your Job Search
· The Writer’s Guide to Validating Information for Novels
Organizing Your Job Search
For those of you who are beginning or continuing your job search, I will present a system to help you organize the information you need to use and have available during this process.
Create a folder on your computer for each job posting to which you are responding. Name the folder using the company name and the job title. In this folder put the following documents:
· Resume – You should have one or more resumes prepared to send to potential employers. If you have multiple resumes, they should differ in their focus. For example, when you review a job posting, you might see that this job calls for some of your skills but on your resume, those skills are listed toward the bottom of your bulleted list of skills or accomplishments. When sending your resume to this company, modify it to list those skills and accomplishments toward the top of the list. Make sure to keep a copy of that modified resume in this folder for this job posting.
· Cover letter(s) – You should have a separate cover letter for each job for which you apply. Use the job posting and the requirements as guides to helping you construct your cover letter. If the job posting states that a specific skill is needed, show in your cover letter how your accomplishments have demonstrated your ability to satisfy the requirement. Keep a copy of the specific cover letter that you sent to this company.
· Company Information – It is imperative to study the company that has posted the position available. The Internet is a wonderful place to do this research. Keep detailed notes about the company in a separate document.
· Job Posting – Keep a copy of the job posting.
· Timeline – Keep a timeline document and edit it for every event regarding this job.
o Note the date on which you found the job posting
o Where you found the posting
o Any notes about the opportunity
o When you sent your resume to the company
o When you contacted the company in a follow-up email or phone call
o When the interview took place
o With whom you spoke for the phone interview or in-person interview
o Where the interview took place
· Interview Review Notes – for both telephone and in-person interviews
o Record the interviewer’s name (interviewers’ names) and contact information
o Record notes about the questions asked and your responses
o Record what you wore to the interview
o Record the date and place of the interview
o Any other impressions you have about the interview
· Thank you note sent – Keep a copy of the thank you note(s) you sent following your interview.
· Other Correspondence – Keep a copy of any other correspondence regarding this specific job posting or interview.
Create a Master Document on your computer for this job search project. This document should have three columns.
· Column One - note the Company and job title (the same as the folder created above)
· Column Two – note the status of this opportunity (for example - sent resume on xx/xx/xx)
· Column Three – your next action regarding this opportunity
Review the Master Document daily and update any information as soon as it occurs. This will keep you organized and prepared for each step in this arduous process.
Validating Information for Novels
As an author, especially of a novel or other work of fiction, you can be creative and customize your story in any way you like. But, it is important to keep certain facts and figures as real and valid as possible.
Though your reader knows this is a work of fiction and not reality, while reading the book, he or she wants to get involved and “into” the book. Any discrepancies or inaccuracies might cause some readers to be turned off or disappointed.
Remember, you as the author can include or eliminate any details that you wish. So, whatever you include, make sure it is accurate.
Let me explain with some examples:
· Dates and times – If you state that something occurred on Thursday, the 20th of July, 2004, make sure that the 20th of July in 2004 was indeed on a Thursday. (For those of you who checked this out you found that the 20th of July 2004 was a Tuesday.)
· Timelines – If you are relating a story that spans several years, be sure to keep track of ages of people and amount of time that has elapsed. If you mention that someone is nineteen at one point in the story and then another scene takes place five years later, be sure that if you refer to the character’s age at this later date that he or she is now twenty-four.
· Technical information – If you have a pilot flying a plane and you are describing a flying incident make sure that your technical information about the controls or flight patterns is correct.
o For aviation technical information, have a pilot review your novel or at least the chapters in the book that refer to flying.
o Have a doctor review any medical information.
o Have a chemist review any information regarding chemicals and chemical reactions.
o I think you get the idea…
This extra work and validation process will make a big difference between a novel and a really good novel that is successful.
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg
Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com
July 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Summer Greetings
The worldwide job situation seems to be improving with more jobs being posted and offered. More people are interviewing for jobs and being hired. Best wishes to those of you who have started on new adventures.
Writing a novel is a creative endeavor but some attention should be paid to making sure the information in your story is credible.
In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing the following topics:
· Organizing Your Job Search
· The Writer’s Guide to Validating Information for Novels
Organizing Your Job Search
For those of you who are beginning or continuing your job search, I will present a system to help you organize the information you need to use and have available during this process.
Create a folder on your computer for each job posting to which you are responding. Name the folder using the company name and the job title. In this folder put the following documents:
· Resume – You should have one or more resumes prepared to send to potential employers. If you have multiple resumes, they should differ in their focus. For example, when you review a job posting, you might see that this job calls for some of your skills but on your resume, those skills are listed toward the bottom of your bulleted list of skills or accomplishments. When sending your resume to this company, modify it to list those skills and accomplishments toward the top of the list. Make sure to keep a copy of that modified resume in this folder for this job posting.
· Cover letter(s) – You should have a separate cover letter for each job for which you apply. Use the job posting and the requirements as guides to helping you construct your cover letter. If the job posting states that a specific skill is needed, show in your cover letter how your accomplishments have demonstrated your ability to satisfy the requirement. Keep a copy of the specific cover letter that you sent to this company.
· Company Information – It is imperative to study the company that has posted the position available. The Internet is a wonderful place to do this research. Keep detailed notes about the company in a separate document.
· Job Posting – Keep a copy of the job posting.
· Timeline – Keep a timeline document and edit it for every event regarding this job.
o Note the date on which you found the job posting
o Where you found the posting
o Any notes about the opportunity
o When you sent your resume to the company
o When you contacted the company in a follow-up email or phone call
o When the interview took place
o With whom you spoke for the phone interview or in-person interview
o Where the interview took place
· Interview Review Notes – for both telephone and in-person interviews
o Record the interviewer’s name (interviewers’ names) and contact information
o Record notes about the questions asked and your responses
o Record what you wore to the interview
o Record the date and place of the interview
o Any other impressions you have about the interview
· Thank you note sent – Keep a copy of the thank you note(s) you sent following your interview.
· Other Correspondence – Keep a copy of any other correspondence regarding this specific job posting or interview.
Create a Master Document on your computer for this job search project. This document should have three columns.
· Column One - note the Company and job title (the same as the folder created above)
· Column Two – note the status of this opportunity (for example - sent resume on xx/xx/xx)
· Column Three – your next action regarding this opportunity
Review the Master Document daily and update any information as soon as it occurs. This will keep you organized and prepared for each step in this arduous process.
Validating Information for Novels
As an author, especially of a novel or other work of fiction, you can be creative and customize your story in any way you like. But, it is important to keep certain facts and figures as real and valid as possible.
Though your reader knows this is a work of fiction and not reality, while reading the book, he or she wants to get involved and “into” the book. Any discrepancies or inaccuracies might cause some readers to be turned off or disappointed.
Remember, you as the author can include or eliminate any details that you wish. So, whatever you include, make sure it is accurate.
Let me explain with some examples:
· Dates and times – If you state that something occurred on Thursday, the 20th of July, 2004, make sure that the 20th of July in 2004 was indeed on a Thursday. (For those of you who checked this out you found that the 20th of July 2004 was a Tuesday.)
· Timelines – If you are relating a story that spans several years, be sure to keep track of ages of people and amount of time that has elapsed. If you mention that someone is nineteen at one point in the story and then another scene takes place five years later, be sure that if you refer to the character’s age at this later date that he or she is now twenty-four.
· Technical information – If you have a pilot flying a plane and you are describing a flying incident make sure that your technical information about the controls or flight patterns is correct.
o For aviation technical information, have a pilot review your novel or at least the chapters in the book that refer to flying.
o Have a doctor review any medical information.
o Have a chemist review any information regarding chemicals and chemical reactions.
o I think you get the idea…
This extra work and validation process will make a big difference between a novel and a really good novel that is successful.
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg
Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com
Sunday, June 06, 2010
June 2010 Newsletter
Editing, Proofreading & Resume
June 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Early Summer Greetings
Summer is on its way. Many students are on summer break and people are planning summer vacations. Enjoy!
In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing the following topics.
· The Video Resume
· Common Grammatical or Spelling Errors
· Author Tips – some tidbits regarding that manuscript you want to send to an agent or publisher
· Update on Worldwide Project
The Video Resume
In this challenging job market, some new and exciting tools have been developed to help the job seeker. The video resume is a dynamic medium to put you in front of hiring managers via video to better show them your personality and style.
You make a short video showing your most important features, explaining your main skills and expertise. This video is uploaded to the Internet, where potential employers can view it.
I recently spoke with Mark Scrivner of SnapShot Interactive who described his video resume service to me. You can contact Mark or see samples of the video resume by going to www.snapshotinteractive.com .
Please let me know if you create and use a video resume. I would like to be able to report how this new feature is working in the marketplace.
Common Grammatical or Spelling Errors
One of the most common errors that I have found, particularly on resumes, is the incorrect use of the verb to lead. I am not sure if people make the error as a spelling or grammatical error since the sounds of the words can be the same or different in different situations. Here is how to use this commonly used word:
Present Tense
I lead
you lead
he or she leads
we lead
you (plural) lead
they lead
Past Tense
I led
you led
he or she led
we led
you led
they led
Sentence examples -
· Currently, I lead a team of programmers developing a computer project.
· Last year, I led a team of writers who were working on a new manual.
The item in pencils is lead. This is pronounced the same as the past tense of the verb - led - but is spelled lead.
Another common error I have found in papers is the confusion between the words lose and loose.
Lose is the opposite of find.
Loose is the opposite of tight.
Sentence examples –
· If I do not put my keys in my purse, I will lose them.
· When I lost ten pounds, my clothes felt loose on me.
Author Tips
I read an interesting article by Linnea Sinclair that outlines the pet peeves of publishers who receive manuscripts from authors wanting to be published. Here is a summary of the article. Linnea queried several people and asked each their pet peeves.
The first responded that unnatural dialogue and too many unnecessary characters were the worst aspects of manuscripts read. By unnatural dialogue she meant the way a college professor would talk would be greatly different from a factory worker and that must be conveyed in the story.
The next publisher’s reader/editor stated that too much backstory was a pet peeve. She stated that the writer should tell the story through the actions and the characters instead of specifically writing the background events. This was especially distracting in the introductory chapter of the novel.
Another stated that the most annoying aspect of writing was poor mechanics such as spelling, grammar, and general format.
Keep these items in mind when writing your novel, manuscript, or book. If you employ me to edit your manuscript, I will point out if your work exhibits any of these “pet peeves,” and help you to correct them.
Worldwide Project Report - Update
Some of you might remember that I began this project in 2007. Let me explain it here. I have mounted a world map on the wall in my office and have used “map pins” to mark the locations where my clients live. At that time, I had worked with clients from 21 countries in the world and from 32 states in the US.
I have not put a new pin in the map for every new client but I have put in a new pin for every client from a new country or state in the US. Here is the update. I now have clients from 60 countries and from 44 states in the US. You can see a list of the countries and states on my website at
http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/countries.htm .
Please contact me if you need a new resume, or need your written work edited and proofread.
Best wishes.
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg
Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com
June 2010 Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Early Summer Greetings
Summer is on its way. Many students are on summer break and people are planning summer vacations. Enjoy!
In this issue of my newsletter, I will be discussing the following topics.
· The Video Resume
· Common Grammatical or Spelling Errors
· Author Tips – some tidbits regarding that manuscript you want to send to an agent or publisher
· Update on Worldwide Project
The Video Resume
In this challenging job market, some new and exciting tools have been developed to help the job seeker. The video resume is a dynamic medium to put you in front of hiring managers via video to better show them your personality and style.
You make a short video showing your most important features, explaining your main skills and expertise. This video is uploaded to the Internet, where potential employers can view it.
I recently spoke with Mark Scrivner of SnapShot Interactive who described his video resume service to me. You can contact Mark or see samples of the video resume by going to www.snapshotinteractive.com .
Please let me know if you create and use a video resume. I would like to be able to report how this new feature is working in the marketplace.
Common Grammatical or Spelling Errors
One of the most common errors that I have found, particularly on resumes, is the incorrect use of the verb to lead. I am not sure if people make the error as a spelling or grammatical error since the sounds of the words can be the same or different in different situations. Here is how to use this commonly used word:
Present Tense
I lead
you lead
he or she leads
we lead
you (plural) lead
they lead
Past Tense
I led
you led
he or she led
we led
you led
they led
Sentence examples -
· Currently, I lead a team of programmers developing a computer project.
· Last year, I led a team of writers who were working on a new manual.
The item in pencils is lead. This is pronounced the same as the past tense of the verb - led - but is spelled lead.
Another common error I have found in papers is the confusion between the words lose and loose.
Lose is the opposite of find.
Loose is the opposite of tight.
Sentence examples –
· If I do not put my keys in my purse, I will lose them.
· When I lost ten pounds, my clothes felt loose on me.
Author Tips
I read an interesting article by Linnea Sinclair that outlines the pet peeves of publishers who receive manuscripts from authors wanting to be published. Here is a summary of the article. Linnea queried several people and asked each their pet peeves.
The first responded that unnatural dialogue and too many unnecessary characters were the worst aspects of manuscripts read. By unnatural dialogue she meant the way a college professor would talk would be greatly different from a factory worker and that must be conveyed in the story.
The next publisher’s reader/editor stated that too much backstory was a pet peeve. She stated that the writer should tell the story through the actions and the characters instead of specifically writing the background events. This was especially distracting in the introductory chapter of the novel.
Another stated that the most annoying aspect of writing was poor mechanics such as spelling, grammar, and general format.
Keep these items in mind when writing your novel, manuscript, or book. If you employ me to edit your manuscript, I will point out if your work exhibits any of these “pet peeves,” and help you to correct them.
Worldwide Project Report - Update
Some of you might remember that I began this project in 2007. Let me explain it here. I have mounted a world map on the wall in my office and have used “map pins” to mark the locations where my clients live. At that time, I had worked with clients from 21 countries in the world and from 32 states in the US.
I have not put a new pin in the map for every new client but I have put in a new pin for every client from a new country or state in the US. Here is the update. I now have clients from 60 countries and from 44 states in the US. You can see a list of the countries and states on my website at
http://www.shellyrosenberg.com/countries.htm .
Please contact me if you need a new resume, or need your written work edited and proofread.
Best wishes.
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Shelly Rosenberg
Shelly@ShellyRosenberg.com
Sunday, May 02, 2010
May 2010 Newsletter from Shellly Rosenberg
Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
May 2, 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Greetings! This newsletter will cover three topics:
· Grammatical tip – three similar words there they’re their
· Table of Contents – automatic creation in MS Word
· Cover letters used with Resumes
Grammatical Tip
there they're their
These words are pronounced the same but have very different meanings. These words are often written incorrectly. It is imperative that you choose the correct one in your written text. Here is a review of these words.
there - means in that place
Example: Put the book there.
They’re - this is a contraction of the two words they are
Example: The following two sentences have the same meaning.
They are on the shelf.
They're on the shelf.
their – this is the possessive form of the word they meaning something that belongs to them
Example: That is their house.
To see more grammatical tips visit: www.shellyrosenberg.com/tips.htm
Table of Contents
How to Create it and Update it
Automatically in MS Word
Many of you write papers or books and want to include a Table of Contents. You create the Table of Contents by inserting your outline of headings at the beginning of your book or paper and put the corresponding pages next to each entry. The problem occurs when you add some text to the body of your work that throws all the page numbers off. It is a tedious job to keep updating this table of contents and to keep the entries correct.
Microsoft Word contains a dynamic Table of Contents feature that can completely automate this process.
The first step is to insert the proper toolbar into your document. Go to View, Toolbars and click on Outlining. You should then see the Outlining toolbar above your document.
Click on the drop-down menu and you will see Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, etc. and finally body text.
If you wish to include three levels in your Table of Contents, you will be using Levels 1, 2 and 3 for your headings. Just highlight the heading that you wish to be the highest level heading and make the drop-down menu item for that heading read level 1. You can do this at any time either while you are writing the paper or after you have completed most of the text. Do the same for second and third level headings using the corresponding level number for each item.
Make sure that all other text that is not a heading is designated as body text.
At the beginning of your paper, or wherever you wish to have the Table of Contents, just go to insert, then click reference and then click index and tables and finally click on Table of Contents. You will find several options here but just clicking ok will create your Table of Contents.
When you make changes to your text, which might necessitate page changes in your Table of Contents, or when you add, delete or change headings, you just need to click on the Update TOC button and your complete Table of Contents will be updated with the necessary changes.
This might sound a little confusing or difficult but it is really simple once you work with it for a while. There are many options for different styles and features of the Table of Contents but I will not discuss them here.
If you would like me to assist you in creating, designing or updating a Table of Contents for your paper or book, please contact me at shelly@shellyrosenberg.com.
Cover Letters
To be used with your Resumes
When sending a resume to a prospective employer, it is necessary to include a cover letter. This letter should explain why the employer should consider you as an outstanding candidate for the specific job. Tailor your cover letter to highlight your experience, skills and background that uniquely qualify you for the posted job.
Each time you apply for a different job, review your cover letter and make sure that you have updated the letter drawing attention to the skills you possess and how they relate to the required skills called for in the job description.
Contact me if I can be of help in creating the cover letter, updating the cover letter or creating your resume.
Visit www.shellyrosenberg.com/resume-services.htm
Shelly Rosenberg
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
May 2, 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Greetings! This newsletter will cover three topics:
· Grammatical tip – three similar words there they’re their
· Table of Contents – automatic creation in MS Word
· Cover letters used with Resumes
Grammatical Tip
there they're their
These words are pronounced the same but have very different meanings. These words are often written incorrectly. It is imperative that you choose the correct one in your written text. Here is a review of these words.
there - means in that place
Example: Put the book there.
They’re - this is a contraction of the two words they are
Example: The following two sentences have the same meaning.
They are on the shelf.
They're on the shelf.
their – this is the possessive form of the word they meaning something that belongs to them
Example: That is their house.
To see more grammatical tips visit: www.shellyrosenberg.com/tips.htm
Table of Contents
How to Create it and Update it
Automatically in MS Word
Many of you write papers or books and want to include a Table of Contents. You create the Table of Contents by inserting your outline of headings at the beginning of your book or paper and put the corresponding pages next to each entry. The problem occurs when you add some text to the body of your work that throws all the page numbers off. It is a tedious job to keep updating this table of contents and to keep the entries correct.
Microsoft Word contains a dynamic Table of Contents feature that can completely automate this process.
The first step is to insert the proper toolbar into your document. Go to View, Toolbars and click on Outlining. You should then see the Outlining toolbar above your document.
Click on the drop-down menu and you will see Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, etc. and finally body text.
If you wish to include three levels in your Table of Contents, you will be using Levels 1, 2 and 3 for your headings. Just highlight the heading that you wish to be the highest level heading and make the drop-down menu item for that heading read level 1. You can do this at any time either while you are writing the paper or after you have completed most of the text. Do the same for second and third level headings using the corresponding level number for each item.
Make sure that all other text that is not a heading is designated as body text.
At the beginning of your paper, or wherever you wish to have the Table of Contents, just go to insert, then click reference and then click index and tables and finally click on Table of Contents. You will find several options here but just clicking ok will create your Table of Contents.
When you make changes to your text, which might necessitate page changes in your Table of Contents, or when you add, delete or change headings, you just need to click on the Update TOC button and your complete Table of Contents will be updated with the necessary changes.
This might sound a little confusing or difficult but it is really simple once you work with it for a while. There are many options for different styles and features of the Table of Contents but I will not discuss them here.
If you would like me to assist you in creating, designing or updating a Table of Contents for your paper or book, please contact me at shelly@shellyrosenberg.com.
Cover Letters
To be used with your Resumes
When sending a resume to a prospective employer, it is necessary to include a cover letter. This letter should explain why the employer should consider you as an outstanding candidate for the specific job. Tailor your cover letter to highlight your experience, skills and background that uniquely qualify you for the posted job.
Each time you apply for a different job, review your cover letter and make sure that you have updated the letter drawing attention to the skills you possess and how they relate to the required skills called for in the job description.
Contact me if I can be of help in creating the cover letter, updating the cover letter or creating your resume.
Visit www.shellyrosenberg.com/resume-services.htm
Shelly Rosenberg
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Sunday, March 14, 2010
March 2010 Newsletter from Shelly Rosenberg
Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
March 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Greetings…..
In this issue of my newsletter I will be sharing the following information that should be of interest to you.
• Writing Styles
• Writing Standards – APA Version Six Changes
• Some Less Obvious Tips for the Job Seeker
• Interview Coaching
Writing Styles
The style of writing used in a technical thesis should be quite different from the style used on a music website. When you are writing, keep in mind the makeup and attitude of your audience and write for that audience. Just as you would probably dress differently when attending a symphony from the way you would dress when going to a theme park, your language and writing should fit the occasion.
One technique might be to just write your paper to get the ideas recorded and in the proper sequence. Then, go back specifically to adjust the language to be appropriate for the target audience. You could also have a friend, or someone representative of your “audience” read your paper just to see his or her reaction and then revise it where necessary.
When sending me a paper for a specific audience, be sure to let me know the audience so that my editing can reflect that.
Writing Standards – APA Version Six Changes
If your thesis or dissertation or college paper must follow APA version six standards, there are some important changes to keep in mind:
• For version six there should be two spaces after the period at the end of the sentence. In my opinion, this is a step backwards. But, it is not a difficult change to make using MS Word.
• The other significant change is the heading levels. There are five levels of headings, each with its own standard format. And, you are not to skip a level. In other words, if you are using four heading levels, you must use levels one, two, three and four. In previous versions this was not the case.
I am well versed in the APA standards and can assist you with complying to these standards in your papers. Just be sure to let me know what version you are required to follow.
Some Less Obvious Tips for the Job Seeker
Here are some clever tips I have come across for the job seeker:
• Start a blog about your area of expertise. When a potential employer “googles” you, he or she will come across your article or blog and realize your dedication and knowledge.
• Use social media sites to search for jobs. LinkedIn has groups of all sorts. Find groups in your area of work and network to find out where jobs exist. Jobs and job leads are also posted on LinkedIn. You can find other members of these groups who work for companies with posted positions. Some insight into the company and the posted position will give you an added advantage.
• Many companies have “employee referral plans.” These plans give a monetary bonus to employees who refer a job candidate who eventually gets hired. Use the social media sites to meet these company employees. An employee referral gives you a better chance of getting an interview than just sending your resume to the company. And, the current employee might get handsomely rewarded. Try it.
Interview Coaching
Some of you for whom I have written resumes have asked me to do some interview coaching. I have done this on an informal basis several times but would now like to offer this as a regular service. Please let me know if you are interested in interview coaching. We can then work out the details.
Future Newsletter Topics…
• New types of interviews being used today…
• Some common grammatical errors…
• Topics suggested by you…
Shelly Rosenberg
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
March 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Greetings…..
In this issue of my newsletter I will be sharing the following information that should be of interest to you.
• Writing Styles
• Writing Standards – APA Version Six Changes
• Some Less Obvious Tips for the Job Seeker
• Interview Coaching
Writing Styles
The style of writing used in a technical thesis should be quite different from the style used on a music website. When you are writing, keep in mind the makeup and attitude of your audience and write for that audience. Just as you would probably dress differently when attending a symphony from the way you would dress when going to a theme park, your language and writing should fit the occasion.
One technique might be to just write your paper to get the ideas recorded and in the proper sequence. Then, go back specifically to adjust the language to be appropriate for the target audience. You could also have a friend, or someone representative of your “audience” read your paper just to see his or her reaction and then revise it where necessary.
When sending me a paper for a specific audience, be sure to let me know the audience so that my editing can reflect that.
Writing Standards – APA Version Six Changes
If your thesis or dissertation or college paper must follow APA version six standards, there are some important changes to keep in mind:
• For version six there should be two spaces after the period at the end of the sentence. In my opinion, this is a step backwards. But, it is not a difficult change to make using MS Word.
• The other significant change is the heading levels. There are five levels of headings, each with its own standard format. And, you are not to skip a level. In other words, if you are using four heading levels, you must use levels one, two, three and four. In previous versions this was not the case.
I am well versed in the APA standards and can assist you with complying to these standards in your papers. Just be sure to let me know what version you are required to follow.
Some Less Obvious Tips for the Job Seeker
Here are some clever tips I have come across for the job seeker:
• Start a blog about your area of expertise. When a potential employer “googles” you, he or she will come across your article or blog and realize your dedication and knowledge.
• Use social media sites to search for jobs. LinkedIn has groups of all sorts. Find groups in your area of work and network to find out where jobs exist. Jobs and job leads are also posted on LinkedIn. You can find other members of these groups who work for companies with posted positions. Some insight into the company and the posted position will give you an added advantage.
• Many companies have “employee referral plans.” These plans give a monetary bonus to employees who refer a job candidate who eventually gets hired. Use the social media sites to meet these company employees. An employee referral gives you a better chance of getting an interview than just sending your resume to the company. And, the current employee might get handsomely rewarded. Try it.
Interview Coaching
Some of you for whom I have written resumes have asked me to do some interview coaching. I have done this on an informal basis several times but would now like to offer this as a regular service. Please let me know if you are interested in interview coaching. We can then work out the details.
Future Newsletter Topics…
• New types of interviews being used today…
• Some common grammatical errors…
• Topics suggested by you…
Shelly Rosenberg
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Sunday, February 07, 2010
February 2010 Newsletter from Shelly Rosenberg
Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
February 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Mid-Winter Greetings
It is cold here in middle Tennessee. We had a snowfall that caused schools to close, roads to get icy and people to build snowmen and snowforts. But, spring is just a few months away.
In this issue of my newsletter I will be sharing the following information that should be of interest to you.
• Use vs. Utilize
• Simple vs. Complex Writing
• Dissertation and Thesis Writing
Use vs. Utilize
Do these two words mean the same thing?
No. Though we often see them used interchangeably, they have different meanings. Many people write the word utilize thinking it is elegant and more sophisticated than the word use.
Definitions
Use – the act or practice of employing something
Utilize – to make do with something not normally used for the purpose
When should you use each of these words? Here are some examples of the correct application of use and utilize.
• Utilizing a tree branch, I fished my hat, which had blown into the lake, out of the water.
• He used a screwdriver to tighten the screws on the cabinet door.
Simple vs. Complex Writing
The above discussion makes me think of how people often write using long or complex words in an attempt to sound more impressive and knowledgeable. But, this usually backfires and gives the opposite impression to the reader. Many people feel compelled to us these long words and frequently use them incorrectly adding to the problem. But, using simple language is the most effective way to write.
I read a very interesting study called Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilizing Irrespective of Necessity: Problems with Using Long Words Needlessly by Daniel Oppenheimer, 2006.
In this study, participants were given essays to evaluate; these essays were written by students seeking admission to graduate school. The participants were asked to rate the intelligence of the authors of the essays. The essays were revised into three versions; in the most complex version every noun, verb and adjective was replaced with the longest thesaurus entry for that word. In the moderately complex version every third applicable word was modified. The third essay was the original one with simple (shorter) words.
The participants rated the authors of the simply written essays as the most intelligent, the authors of the moderately complex essays as less intelligent and the authors of the most complex essays as the least intelligent.
My advice is to use simple language in clear concise sentences.
The details of this study can be found at http://www.google.com/search?q=Consequences+of+Erudite+Vernacular+utilized+&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIT_en
Dissertation and Thesis Writing
Recently a client was distraught while working on her dissertation. She kept getting bogged down with worries about what she needed to include in each section, in what order she should insert ideas, how to create effective transitions, what examples to include, etc. All these concerns were running through her mind preventing her from just writing the substance of the dissertation.
I then came up with a technique that helped her to concentrate on her dissertation text and complete the writing without being bombarded with concerns, questions and problems. I suggested that she keep a piece of paper, or a Word document, available titled Questions and Concerns. I asked her to write down each of her questions and concerns on the Questions and Concerns document as they arose in her mind. I explained that she could then stop thinking about that concern because she would be able to address it after finishing the writing of the paper. Having written these concerns down, she was able to get them out of her head knowing that she would not forget them because they were recorded.
I suggested that after she finished the paper she should go through each question and concern one at a time and address it then. And, that if there were any that she could not address, we could work on them together.
When she sent the dissertation to me to edit, she said she had used this technique. She listed all her questions and concerns and when she finished writing the dissertation, she addressed each question and concern one at a time. She was able to address them completely and felt comfortable with the results and the technique.
I hope that this technique can help some of you who are experiencing writers’ block as you write your book or paper. Try it and let me know the results. Good luck!
Topics for upcoming newsletters
• Some less obvious tips for the job seeker
• Use of blogs and other social media sites
• Topics that you suggest I include… - send them to me.
Shelly Rosenberg
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
February 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Mid-Winter Greetings
It is cold here in middle Tennessee. We had a snowfall that caused schools to close, roads to get icy and people to build snowmen and snowforts. But, spring is just a few months away.
In this issue of my newsletter I will be sharing the following information that should be of interest to you.
• Use vs. Utilize
• Simple vs. Complex Writing
• Dissertation and Thesis Writing
Use vs. Utilize
Do these two words mean the same thing?
No. Though we often see them used interchangeably, they have different meanings. Many people write the word utilize thinking it is elegant and more sophisticated than the word use.
Definitions
Use – the act or practice of employing something
Utilize – to make do with something not normally used for the purpose
When should you use each of these words? Here are some examples of the correct application of use and utilize.
• Utilizing a tree branch, I fished my hat, which had blown into the lake, out of the water.
• He used a screwdriver to tighten the screws on the cabinet door.
Simple vs. Complex Writing
The above discussion makes me think of how people often write using long or complex words in an attempt to sound more impressive and knowledgeable. But, this usually backfires and gives the opposite impression to the reader. Many people feel compelled to us these long words and frequently use them incorrectly adding to the problem. But, using simple language is the most effective way to write.
I read a very interesting study called Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilizing Irrespective of Necessity: Problems with Using Long Words Needlessly by Daniel Oppenheimer, 2006.
In this study, participants were given essays to evaluate; these essays were written by students seeking admission to graduate school. The participants were asked to rate the intelligence of the authors of the essays. The essays were revised into three versions; in the most complex version every noun, verb and adjective was replaced with the longest thesaurus entry for that word. In the moderately complex version every third applicable word was modified. The third essay was the original one with simple (shorter) words.
The participants rated the authors of the simply written essays as the most intelligent, the authors of the moderately complex essays as less intelligent and the authors of the most complex essays as the least intelligent.
My advice is to use simple language in clear concise sentences.
The details of this study can be found at http://www.google.com/search?q=Consequences+of+Erudite+Vernacular+utilized+&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIT_en
Dissertation and Thesis Writing
Recently a client was distraught while working on her dissertation. She kept getting bogged down with worries about what she needed to include in each section, in what order she should insert ideas, how to create effective transitions, what examples to include, etc. All these concerns were running through her mind preventing her from just writing the substance of the dissertation.
I then came up with a technique that helped her to concentrate on her dissertation text and complete the writing without being bombarded with concerns, questions and problems. I suggested that she keep a piece of paper, or a Word document, available titled Questions and Concerns. I asked her to write down each of her questions and concerns on the Questions and Concerns document as they arose in her mind. I explained that she could then stop thinking about that concern because she would be able to address it after finishing the writing of the paper. Having written these concerns down, she was able to get them out of her head knowing that she would not forget them because they were recorded.
I suggested that after she finished the paper she should go through each question and concern one at a time and address it then. And, that if there were any that she could not address, we could work on them together.
When she sent the dissertation to me to edit, she said she had used this technique. She listed all her questions and concerns and when she finished writing the dissertation, she addressed each question and concern one at a time. She was able to address them completely and felt comfortable with the results and the technique.
I hope that this technique can help some of you who are experiencing writers’ block as you write your book or paper. Try it and let me know the results. Good luck!
Topics for upcoming newsletters
• Some less obvious tips for the job seeker
• Use of blogs and other social media sites
• Topics that you suggest I include… - send them to me.
Shelly Rosenberg
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Happy New Year 2010
Editing, Proofreading & Resume Services
January 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Happy New Year
Is it two thousand ten or is it twenty ten? In any case, it is amazing that it is the beginning of the second decade in the new century. I hope the year is starting off well for each of you.
In this issue of my newsletter I will be sharing the following information that should be of interest to you.
• Preventive or Preventative
• Copyright Questions and Answers
• Skype
• Topics for Upcoming Newsletters
Preventive or Preventative
These two words tend to be used interchangeably. But, they are not synonymous.
Preventive is an adjective (a word that modifies a noun).
Preventative is a noun (a thing).
A flu shot is a preventive measure to guard against getting the flu.
Note that in this above sentence, measure is the noun or the thing. Preventive is the adjective describing what kind of measure the flu shot is.
A flu shot is a preventative; it guards against getting the flu.
Note that in this second example the word preventative is a noun.
Copyright Questions and Answers
Many of you have asked my advice about copyrighting and registering your written works with the copyright office. Until recently I could not provide an adequate answer to your questions. About a month ago, a friend of mine from many years ago found me – or actually found my daughter (on Facebook). In our first discussion in years, she told me about what she has been doing and where she has been working. She is now the VP of Operations at the Copyright Clearance Center of the United States. She has introduced me to information that answers all the copyright questions that I have had. Here I have copied two important statements that should answer your first questions.
The following comes from the “Beyond the Book” section on the Copyright Clearance Center website at www.copyright.com.
• From the moment any expression is fixed in form (written word and painted canvas are two traditional examples, but an electronic word processing file is considered “fixed” too), that work is immediately and automatically protected by copyright under U.S. and foreign law.
• To be able to bring a suit against an infringer, however, does require having registered the copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office (www.copyright.gov), for which a $45 fee is currently charged.
I asked my friend if the second statement above meant that you had to have registered your work before an infringement took place in order to bring suit. The answer is no. You can register after the infringement took place; but there are some differences regarding the damages that can be awarded if the registration took place before or after the infringement took place. T
There is a section for Authors on the website www.copyright.com . I would recommend reviewing this section as well as the Beyond the Book section. Some more information is available at www.copyright.gov. I believe that these websites will answer any question that you might have regarding copyright. Please contact me if I can be of assistance.
Skype
Skype is a service providing free calling from computer to computer as long as both parties have Skype installed on those computers. I have just installed Skype on my computer. My Skype username is shellyrosenberg.
Topics for upcoming newsletters:
• Use vs. Utilize – Do these two words mean the same thing? When should you use each of these words?
• Simple vs. Complex writing – Some research studies, some suggestions and some examples
• Dissertation and thesis writing – A method to help you become more productive and overcome frustrations and writer’s block
And finally…
Let 2010 be a year of new beginnings, continued successes, productivity, improvement, health, happiness and caring for one another. Happy New Year!
Shelly Rosenberg
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
January 2010 – Newsletter
from the desk of
Shelly Rosenberg
www.shellyrosenberg.com
Happy New Year
Is it two thousand ten or is it twenty ten? In any case, it is amazing that it is the beginning of the second decade in the new century. I hope the year is starting off well for each of you.
In this issue of my newsletter I will be sharing the following information that should be of interest to you.
• Preventive or Preventative
• Copyright Questions and Answers
• Skype
• Topics for Upcoming Newsletters
Preventive or Preventative
These two words tend to be used interchangeably. But, they are not synonymous.
Preventive is an adjective (a word that modifies a noun).
Preventative is a noun (a thing).
A flu shot is a preventive measure to guard against getting the flu.
Note that in this above sentence, measure is the noun or the thing. Preventive is the adjective describing what kind of measure the flu shot is.
A flu shot is a preventative; it guards against getting the flu.
Note that in this second example the word preventative is a noun.
Copyright Questions and Answers
Many of you have asked my advice about copyrighting and registering your written works with the copyright office. Until recently I could not provide an adequate answer to your questions. About a month ago, a friend of mine from many years ago found me – or actually found my daughter (on Facebook). In our first discussion in years, she told me about what she has been doing and where she has been working. She is now the VP of Operations at the Copyright Clearance Center of the United States. She has introduced me to information that answers all the copyright questions that I have had. Here I have copied two important statements that should answer your first questions.
The following comes from the “Beyond the Book” section on the Copyright Clearance Center website at www.copyright.com.
• From the moment any expression is fixed in form (written word and painted canvas are two traditional examples, but an electronic word processing file is considered “fixed” too), that work is immediately and automatically protected by copyright under U.S. and foreign law.
• To be able to bring a suit against an infringer, however, does require having registered the copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office (www.copyright.gov), for which a $45 fee is currently charged.
I asked my friend if the second statement above meant that you had to have registered your work before an infringement took place in order to bring suit. The answer is no. You can register after the infringement took place; but there are some differences regarding the damages that can be awarded if the registration took place before or after the infringement took place. T
There is a section for Authors on the website www.copyright.com . I would recommend reviewing this section as well as the Beyond the Book section. Some more information is available at www.copyright.gov. I believe that these websites will answer any question that you might have regarding copyright. Please contact me if I can be of assistance.
Skype
Skype is a service providing free calling from computer to computer as long as both parties have Skype installed on those computers. I have just installed Skype on my computer. My Skype username is shellyrosenberg.
Topics for upcoming newsletters:
• Use vs. Utilize – Do these two words mean the same thing? When should you use each of these words?
• Simple vs. Complex writing – Some research studies, some suggestions and some examples
• Dissertation and thesis writing – A method to help you become more productive and overcome frustrations and writer’s block
And finally…
Let 2010 be a year of new beginnings, continued successes, productivity, improvement, health, happiness and caring for one another. Happy New Year!
Shelly Rosenberg
“My goal is to enhance your text in a way that makes it clear and error free so that it is ready to be read by your professor, your readership, your clients, your future employer, your current employer, your agent or your publisher.”
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