Saturday, December 28, 2019

The Realities and Myths of Practicing Law

The Realities and Myths of Practicing LawThe Realities and Myths of Practicing LawDisenchantment with the practice of law is pervasive among both new and seasoned attorneys. A 2008survey by the American Bar Association found that almost half of the lawyers surveyed were dissatisfied with their careers. The best way to avoid making the wrong career decision is to educate yourself regarding the realities of law practice. Gaining insight into the day-to-day life of working in a particular legal specialty or practice environment is crucial to determining whether the job would be a good fit for you. Many individuals choose a career in the law for the wrong reasons. Before embarking on the demanding, time-intensive, and expensive journey to becoming a lawyer, make certain that you are making a well-informed decision. Below I debunk a few common myths about life as a lawyer. Becoming a Lawyer Is a Guaranteed Path to Financial Success The truth is, the most highly compensated attorneys a re employed in the worlds mega-firms (firms with over 101 attorneys) and such firms represent only 1% of all law firms according to the American Bar Foundations Lawyer Statistical Report. Furthermore, most mega-firms are extremely selective in their hiring process, choosing only the top students from the most prestigious law schools. The vast majority of lawyers work in lower-paying venues such as small firms, public interest, and the government. According to NALP, 83 percent of all lawyers who work in private practice are employed in firms of fewer than 50 lawyers. Large law firm lawyers report the least career satisfaction according to a recent survey by the American Bar Association. Billable hour quotas at many large firms require lawyers to work 60-80 hours per week. When you divide your hours worked into your monthly salary, that big-firm paycheck may notlage look so generous. Attorneys employed in the public sector which ranks among the lowest paying practice environments - r eported the most career satisfaction. Lawyers Can Eradicate Injustice and Affect Societal Change While you can make a positive impact as a lawyer, litigation has little to do with virtue triumphing over evil and everything to do with advocating your clients position based on the facts and applicable law. Judicial decisions are not so much about the pursuit of justice or right vs. wrong as about reaching a compromise between all the parties. The judicial policy also affects many case decisions. In the ABA survey cited above, two out of every three lawyers surveyed reported concern that the court system they serve is becoming too political. You Will Be a Great Lawyer Because You Are Good at Arguing Although litigation is an adversarial process, legal advocacy is not about arguing in the sense of engaging in a verbal battle with your opponent. Instead, it is about persuading your audience judge, mediator, or jury through a logical, well-researched, well-reasoned discussion ba sed on the facts and the law. Thus, to succeed as a litigator, a track record of winning arguments is not as important as top-notch oral advocacy and writing skills. Litigators Lead a Thrilling, High-Powered and Glamorous Life Unlike the lawyers portrayed on television shows, the majority of the work of trial attorneys occurs outside the courtroom. In fact, less than one percent of all civil cases actually proceed to trial. The vast majority of cases are settled out of court or through alternative methods of dispute resolution. The daily life of the average trial lawyer is quite unglamorous. Trial lawyers spend most of their time in the discovery stage of the litigation, reviewing pleadings, drafting and answering discovery requests and taking depositions. The work of a trial lawyer is also very research and writing-intensive as much of their work involves drafting briefs, memorandums of law and motions. Litigators spend many long hours engaged in tedious document review, gather ing thousands of documents to be produced in litigation and reviewing each document to determine if it must be turned over to the other parties. The Work of a Lawyer Is Intellectually Challenging While law practice can be intellectually rigorous, much of the lawyers work is mundane and repetitive. New lawyers, especially those in large firms, are often charged with the mind-numbing tasks of document review, cite checking and routine research. Law firm lawyers must track their time in six to fifteen-minute increments throughout the day, a painstaking but necessary task.

Monday, December 23, 2019

These are the hardest-working states in America

These are the hardest-working states in AmericaThese are the hardest-working states in AmericaNew research from WalletHub shows that Alaska is the hardest-working state in America this year, with a total score of 68.54 out of 100.WalletHub took a look at all 50 states in terms of Indirect Work Factors and Direct Work Factors, before breaking them down further in terms of 10 more and eventually giving state a score out of 100. The company used information from the U.S. Census Bureau, among many other sources.The Top 10 hardest-working states in AmericaDid your state make the cut?1) Alaska total score of 68.542) North Dakota total score of 66.193) Wyoming total score of 61.734) South Dakota total score of 61.415) Nebraska total score of 60.976) New Hampshire total score of 58.037) Texas total score of 57.348) Colorado total score of 54.989) Virginia total score of 54.6210) Kansas total score of 53.97On the opposite end of the spectrum, Michigan came in belastung place (50) with a total score of 28.94.How the states compare to each otherSome states are stronger than others in certain respects, according to the infographic

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

These are the most (and least) diverse states in the country

These are the most (and least) diverse states in the countryThese are the most (and least) diverse states in the countryNew data from WalletHub shows that California is the most diverse state in the country, with a total score of 70.89.The company took a look at all 50 states in terms of unterstellung six factors Economic Diversity, Socio-economic Diversity, Religious Diversity, Cultural Diversity, Household Diversity and Political Diversity. It then examined them further in terms of 14 other factors before eventually giving each state a total score out of 100. WalletHub also used a practice called the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index method, and information from the U.S. Census Bureau, among other sources.Here are the top 10 most diverse states in America1) California (total score 70.89)2) Texas (total score 70.00)3) Hawaii (total score 69.69)4) New Jersey (total score 69.38)5) New York (total score 69.21)6) New Mexico (total score 69.13)7) Maryland (total score 68.64)8) Florida (total sc ore 68.18)9) Nevada (total score 68.00)10) Illinois (total score 67.93)West Virginia was found to be the least diverse state in America with a score of 58.29.Source WalletHubHow states rank in terms of different types of diversityHeres where different states rank within these categories Worker Class Diversity, Industry Diversity, Linguistic Diversity, Racial Ethnic Diversity and Educational-Attainment Diversity, including the top and bottom three of eachWorker Class Diversity (best to worst)1) Alaska2) New Mexico3) Montana48) Michigan49) Pennsylvania50) IndianaIndustry Diversity (best to worst)1) Texas2) Oklahoma3) California48) Vermont49) Rhode Island50) MassachusettsLinguistic Diversity (best to worst)1) California2) New Mexico3) Texas48) Montana49) Mississippi50) West VirginiaRacial Ethnic Diversity (best to worst)1) Hawaii2) California3) Texas48) West Virginia49) Vermont50) MaineEducational-Attainment Diversity (best to worst)1) Massachusetts2) California3) New York48) Iowa49) West Virginia50) WyomingHow the states stack up to each otherCheck out the infographic, which includes some of the information above, plus other categoriesHeres what its like living in a state with high diversityMarcus M. Stuart, Associate Professor of Management at Bentley University, answered WalletHubs question about the pros and cons of living in a diverse state.Theoretically, the pros include factors such as a more diverse economy and, a wider array of talent and skill sets among the labor force. Such factors would seem to support entrepreneurship and other social and economic innovation. Theoretically, the cons include factors such as difficulty finding common ground with regard to social and economic priorities (policy) due to divergent values. Socio-economic diversity can strain public resources, bring attention to economic disparity, and foster discord among groups, Stuart told the site.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

How to Pull Off a Mid-Life Gap Year

How to Pull Off a Mid-Life Gap YearHow to Pull Off a Mid-Life Gap YearThe idea of taking a eu-agrarpolitik year - a year off before entering college or the real world - has always been the purview of the young and (until recently) the British. But the trend is gathering steam in the U.S., and being embraced by people much further along in their lives. According to The Gap Year Study conducted by Hostelworld.com, more than one-third of people now taking gap years are 30 or older. The age of gap year participants is on the rise, and like the young folks backpacking across Europe, theyre typically looking to see the world, get inspired creatively, and learn about themselves. But once youre a grown-up, the process is financially much more complicated. You might have student loan payments, a mortgage, and even kids. But its leidlage impossible. We talked to people whove done it - as well as some experts - to figure out how you can take time away from the rat race without ruining your career and/or finances. Temper Your Expectations Ethan Knight, Executive Director and Founder of the American Gap Association, explains that the most successful gap years comprise four distinct elements Volunteerism (where you cultivate empathy for people in often difficult situations)Career exploration (which changes how you relate to your work and work in general)Paid work (because if it was gifted to you, you would take it for granted)Space for - in Knights words - free radicals, (time to explore the unexpected.) Joanna Lazarek took a gap year as she turned 40 in 2011, and she checked all four boxes. There were stints in Thailand volunteering with elephants, work making organic pasta in Australia, and connecting with someone who shared her anthroponym (first and last) in Poland. And yet, she notes This wasnt Eat, Pray, Love.It wasnt as glamorous as Cheryl Strayed on the Pacific Coast Trail. Reflecting upon the experience, she says I wasnt transformed. I came back solidified. I realized things about myself, like I work really hard when I dont have to. And I want to go out of my way to learn. It was more an affirmation of, Yes, this is really who I am. Save More Than You Think Youll Need When Lazarek came back from her gap year, it took quite a while to land a full-time job. I had saved up enough that I had a cushion when I came back, but it ended up being a little challenging, financially, she says. Thats not uncommon, says Knight. Usually it takes six months to a year or longer to come back in the workforce after some time away. Our culture doesnt do well with gaps in the resume.Youll want to plan for at least six months worth of living expenses for reentry. Do Something to Keep Money Coming in (Or at Least Not Going Out) One way to soften the financial blow is to work - for pay - while youre on your gap year. Bobbi Livingstone, 62, who is just finishing up an 11-month assignment with Americorps, received a small stipend (as do all members o f the program) while she was volunteering in Baltimore. That helped keep her afloat. Lazareks financial hole would have been substantially deeper had she not been able to sublet her apartment at a profit. Keep It Cheap The other way to reduce your expenditures is to plan your gap year with frugality in mind. Holly Bull, President for the Center for Interim Programs which (for a $2,600 flat consulting fee) helps people age 16 to 75 find the right programs for them, notes that traditional gap year programs run $10,000 to $14,000 per semester. But there are ways to keep those costs lower. Volunteer placements typically give gappers housing and food in exchange for labor, she explains. And other programs charge a minimal fee - for instance, $1,400 to go to South Africa to teach in the classroom for five weeks. Knight also suggests going places where your dollar can go further. $1,000 goes so much further in India than in other parts of the world, he notes. Learn to Tell Your St ory Livingstone - who, prior to her Americorps experience, was a teacher who no longer wanted to teach - now has a resume full of new talking points shes using as she interviews for jobs. For Americorps, she organized a well-received campaign to teach home fire safety to third-through-fifth-graders in Baltimores schools. Thats a great job interview anecdote. Lazarek has used her gap year experience to elaborate on the problem-solving and communication skills she learned. Even planning a gap year can be a great example of organizing a detailed project, she says. Its not just running and buying a plane ticket, she says.For me, it was an eight-month project. You talk about the purposefulness with which you did this. Embrace Plan B Finally, if youre reading this and thinking that you just cant afford it, there are a couple of other options. One is a sabbatical, which is shorter, and also give you jobs to return to. Another option is to become a digital nomad If you can effective ly do your job from anywhere, programs like Remote Year and Nomad List are springing up to help you do so while seeing the world. For a monthly fee of $2,000 (including a down payment of $5,000), the former will arrange for you to work in a different spot around the globe each month, provide a co-working space and a place to live, and even help make arrangements so you can smoothly coordinate with your employer back home. Nomad List is free, but DIY it helps you connect with other nomads in cities around the globe. Its not a gap year, per se, but if what youre looking for is to see the world and maintain your salary it just might do.

Monday, December 9, 2019

The Little-Known Secrets to Lab Tech Resume

The Little-Known Secrets to Lab Tech Resume Discovering howto draw individuals really is a whole lot simpler than you may thinkabout. You will receive perfectly optimized resumes and youre going to make your day-to-day life simpler The path to receiving the ideal desire job is definitely achievable and definitely possible specially when youve got a great resume on hand. The difficult work that you set in now will pay off in the long term. If youre thinking about how to create a resume, youre in the proper spot There are quite a lot of places where you are able to acquire good resume examples. There are quite a lot of places the place you are able to acquire good resume examples. The work description for any specific position provides you with a clue as to whats important to the employer. Each time you fill out an application for a new job, check your work application to guarantee that its not only targeted, but in addition current. If you want to be successful then you alwa ys have to compose your resume specifically to the job that youre applying to. Locating a job it isnt always simply. Definitions of Lab Tech Resume You may also opt to become a certified medical assistant. If you would like to seek the services of the very best laboratory technician fast, Monster job ads can provide help. Youre so ready for your very first job for a phelbotomist Furthermore, you can look for laboratory technician jobs on Monster. The Honest to Goodness Truth on Lab Tech Resume Whenever you have gotten your level, youre able to opt to have a certificate from one of several technical-writing certification programs that can be available on line. The kind of work depends upon the sort of technologist. Predicated on good abbildung of skills meant for job program, you ought to be sure that the skills you shown are connected to the application. Your technician resume should be able to properly supply an in-depth overview of your core competencies, skills along w ith your accomplishments. In addition, youll have the capacity to make video job descriptions with Monster Studios at no additional charge. Not particularly useful if you dont have any perfect experience which could be captured in job game titles. Many resumes are in fact a number of fashions. Type of Lab Tech Resume Yes, theres somebody who can assist you with your essays expert essay writers at MyPerfectWords. With our academic writers youll never face such a matter. If youre searching for a health job, youre going to expect a cover letter to your very own medical field that will help you to eventually become detected and endure out. A strong cover letter is in a position to create the application stick out from the group. Ultimately, the last portion of the sample is the education section. Given below is an example that youre ready to use to have the ability to draft a letter that its possible to send out with your resume. Simply take a look at the next example and this L ab Tech Cover Letter to receive a better idea. The Lab Tech Resume Game There are sample entries which may supply you with general ideas about how to generate your qualifications and skills appear better. Also be sure youre listing professional references rather than buddies or relatives. Make certain you get the information youre looking for. Be certain youre including the ideal information for the job. Additionally, there are books solely written to assist you write fantastic resumes. Another sentence mentions several other von rang skills that provide a well-rounded summary of the applicants abilities. You are going to understand that there are 3 types of format used generally employed for resumes. If you wish to compose your continue based on the ideal cv examples to be in a position to be employed with an invert chronological format if youre an. If you are searching for a new a job for a chemistry lab instructor, its important to create a CV that reflects the relevant abilities and abilities along with highlighting your chief strengths. Needless to say, an expanding job market means more people will be considering the area, so competition will nonetheless be fierce. In reality, those who have zero experience (usually fresh graduates) are those that employers really like to employ. Contrary as it may seem, but absence of experience doesnt follow that the candidate isnt capable. Medical lab assistants perform quite a few of obligations within the health care industry. Your technician restart need to be in a position to precisely offer an extensive overview of someones heart competencies, knowledge and also your accomplishments. As a precise first helper, the surgical tech may assist the physician in controlling the stream of blood and safeguarding the individual against exposure.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

The Little-Known Secrets to Online Professional Resume Writing Services Philadelphia

The Little-Known Secrets to Online Professional Resume Writing Services Philadelphia The History of Online Professional Resume Writing Services Philadelphia Refuted To pick the very best, you should look at the reputation and ranking of the service. You are able to visit our homepage to find out more. Most Noticeable Online Professional Resume Writing Services Philadelphia If you would like to purchase a research paper, online writing service like ours is exactly what you want. Now you can purchase genuine college essay online, one that is going to fit your financial plan and get your work done also. Our writers make certain all your demands are met to get the standard of papers you want. While its true that there are a few excellent writers in college some find it extremely tough to write. So should you need to employ college essay writer online, were just the people that you will need to contact. If you are searching for top essay writing companies, try out the mentioned above. The sort of essay youre looking for will be offered to you within the deadline offered to you. It is possible to easily buy unique college essays and dont neglect to tell friends and family about it. The price depends upon the size and urgency. For their priority assistance, the price tag is $150. The procedure for ordering our services has been made simple by using simple actions that are simple to follow along with. Its quite difficult to find a person to compose a quality resume for that price. A great deal of inexpensive services on the internet also outsource their work to inexperienced or very low excellent writers. The service is likely to make sure to format your resume the direction you want it. Rush service is, naturally, available for an extra fee. What Does Online Professional Resume Writing Services Philadelphia Mean? When you wish to earn a career move, move up the corporate ladder, or merely land the ideal job, you should think about hiring a pro fessional resume writer in Philadelphia, PA.. If you also want to raise your probability of receiving an interview, you have to do well in writing your resume. Employing a certified professional resume writer may wind up being the very best career move you may make in the long term. Our talent is to assist you to sell your talents. Writing is a present that comes naturally. Resumes to Interviews creates resumes across price ranges and is founded in the core of the city.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Customize this Outstanding Accounting Manager Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Accounting Manager Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Accounting Manager Resume SampleAs an accounting manager, you know the importance of attention to detail, and you are familiar with the challenges of conveying complex information clearly. Those same skills are necessary when yure creating an effective resume in todays job market.Using an example resume can help you see how to frame your skills and experience clearly and succinctly. Our writing tips and this accounting manager resume sample can inspire you and help you gauge the strength of your own professional document. Compare your resumes sections to our example so you can be aya youve followed best practices and included all of the important elements. Our resume builder can help if you need more guidance.Create Resume Jerimiah Pulitzer100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell (555) 987-1234example-emailexample.comProfessional SummaryExperienced Accounting Manager adept at the development an d implementation of systems for the collection, analysis, reporting and verification of financial information. Skilled at mounting and achieving operational objectives through strategic planning and review, audits, problem resolution, trend identification, system improvement, etc.Core QualificationsStaff managementFinancial status monitoringCollection coordination and consolidationInternal controlsReports and presentationAdvanced accounting softwareExperienceMarch 2007 to PresentAmble Financial Services, New Cityland, CAFinancial Account ManagerManage accounting staff of eleven juniorchefin and associate accountants.Manage monthly close, producing documentation for presentation and discussion at senior management conference.Maintenance of accounting ledgers and journals.Review account reconciliations.Performance management, objective setting, training, and coaching and development.Monitor preparation of balance sheets, cash flow statements, profit and loss statements, and all financ ial reports.March 2002 to February 2007Masterson First National Bank, New Cityland, CAAccount ManagerCollaborated with internal and external auditors and managed accounting staff to ensure complete cooperation and compliance.Prepared tax documentation.Monitored accounting and deliverables, as well as issues and process improvements.Worked with senior managers on project progress.EDUCATION2002 University of California, New Cityland, CAMBA, AccountingCustomize ResumeWhy Is This a Good Accounting Manager Resume Sample?As an accounting manager, you have to clearly frame two overlapping sets of strengths when youre applying for a job your accounting abilities and your management experience. The professional summary and core qualifications sections of your resume are especially important when youre seeking a mid- to senior-level position because potential employers will be looking for both your technical skills and your ability to work with and lead others. This example resumes qualificat ions section deftly addresses the challenge by mentioning technical strengths, such as collection coordination and consolidation, alongside leadership skills such as staff management. In the experience section, the author of this accounting manager resume sample continues to focus on both key facets of the career. By including specific bullet points addressing skills such as coaching alongside others that mention experience such as producing documentation for upper management, this applicant shows that he or she can mentor more junior staff members while also communicating well with senior management.Another strength is this resumes use of quantitative metrics, which serve to back up the claims the jobseeker makes in the introductory sections about leadership and management ability. Instead of simply writing responsible for junior staff, this author provides evidence by specifying that he or she leads a staff of 11 junior and associate accountants. By using specific numbers and perc entages like this in your resume, you show hiring managers what you have accomplished in your career and paint a vivid picture of what you can bring to their companies.Finally, notice how this accounting manager resume sample provides educational background. The section is clear but brief, listing the degree, university, year, and location, but it doesnt take up space with unnecessary information, such as a GPA or information about high school. You dont need to include this information if you are a jobseeker with college coursework or a degree.Why You Need a Strong Accounting Manager ResumeThe Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts average or slightly better-than-average job growth for accountants, auditors, and financial managers by 2024, but it projects lower-than-average growth for accounting and auditing clerks. As these differences suggest, job growth and average wages will depend on your level of education, how many years youve been in the field, the industry you work within, and your management experience. Additionally, hiring managers often spend fewer than seven seconds reading resumes before deciding whether to continue. These reasons are why its so important to craft a resume that clearly and quickly showcases your specific qualifications and experience as both an accountant and a manager. This gives them a picture of you as a well-rounded candidate.Costly Accounting Manager Resume Mistakes To AvoidOne common mistake jobseekers make on resumes is to provide a list of things they were responsible for over the course of their careers, causing the section to read like a job description rather than a list of specific accomplishments. As you can see in this accounting manager resume sample, the writer avoids that pitfall. For instance, the author mentions that he or she collaborated with others, ensuring complete cooperation and compliance. The strong action verbs emphasize how the jobseeker approached the responsibility and what the outcomes were. When rec ruiters and hiring managers mention specific skills in their job listings, pay attention to these and make sure they appear in your core qualifications section. If you fail to include them and readers cant immediately see the core competencies theyre looking for in a candidate, your resume could get passed over after a quick skim. These errors may not be as obvious as blatant lies or grammatical mistakes. However, they can still seriously damage your chances at landing the job.ConclusionTo beat the competition and get the attention of a manager or recruiter, you have to invest time and care into drafting the professional documents you use in your job search. By following these best practices and comparing your resume to our accounting manager resume sample, youll clearly showcase both your technical skills and your management experience so readers can see youre a great fit.Accounting Manager Resume Questions1. What should you do to make sure your accounting manager resume makes it p ast an ATS?An applicant tracking system is a sichtung technology that analyzes resumes to determine if they contain phrases similar to those used in the job listing. Many companies use these tools to weed out irrelevant resumes and save hiring managers time. Notice the use of such industry keywords as trend identification and internal controls in the accounting manager resume sample. Employ the same tactic as you write your own document. To score well on an ATS, make sure your resume contains important keywords that you find in the description of the job to which you are applying.2. Whats an example of a great accounting manager resume?Our accounting manager resume sample is an example of a great resume. Both its design and format make the resume easy to read and do not distract from the jobseekers qualifications. The document utilizes adequate white space, numerous bullet points, an attractive font, and strong action words to grab readers attention. On top of that, it provides hiri ng managers with a clear understanding of the jobseekers skills and experience in accounting management. It illustrates the candidates proficiencies in staff management, financial reporting, ledger maintenance, and tax documentation.3. Which skills are the best to list on an accounting manager resume?As an accounting manager, you want your resume to display skills in both accountancy and management. Look at our accounting manager resume sample. The jobseeker identifies proficiencies in managing, training, and coaching staff, while also pointing out skills in accounting software, financial analysis, and other capabilities.4. If youve never held an accounting manager job before, how do you make an accounting manager resume?Follow this example as you list your skill sets in your own resume. List skills such as monitoring cash flow, maintaining accounts payable and receivable ledgers, developing staff, and leading accounting teams.If youve never held an accounting management position be fore but are pursuing one now, you most likely are seeking career advancement after holding a mid-level accounting position for some time. To make your resume stand out to prospective employers, show how you exceeded job expectations, led and collaborated with coworkers, and excelled in previous positions.5. Whats the best format for a resume PDF, MS Word, or txt?To answer this question, consider which company you are applying to and how you are submitting your resume. When submitting your resume in person, use a text format. If you believe the company uses an online applicant tracking system, a tool to search applicants resumes for keywords matching the job description, submit an MS Word document, as MS Word is often most compatible with screening technologies. If your resume uses a creative design, a PDF format preserves design quality better than the other formats.In most cases, hiring managers care more about the content of your resume than its format. Use our accounting manager resume sample as inspiration as you write, and turn to our experienced resume builder to create a sternfrmig resume in minutes.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Basic Plot for the Beginning Writers

Basic Plot for the Beginning WritersBasic Plot for the Beginning WritersIf, like many people, you labor under the idea that for real writers, plot comes effortlessly, dismiss that illusion now. While some writers were born with a sense of how to tell a story effectively, more of them do study the elements of plot and pay serious attention to how other writers successfully construct a narrative.? Playwrights have this stuff drilled into them, but fiction writers often get away without basic instruction in what makes something dramatic. Its not magic. The elements of a good story can be studied and learned. In fact, youve probably already studied them in your high school literature classes. It doesnt hurt to review them now, from the perspective of a writer and not a student. They may seem simple, but without them, your other skills as a writer your ability to imagine believable characters, your talent with dialogue, your exquisite use of language will come to naught. Start, of cours e, with a schlsselfigur, your main character. The protagonist must encounter a conflict with another character, society, nature, himself, or some combination of these things and undergo some kind of change as a result. Conflict is also known as the major dramatic question. Gotham Writers Workshop puts it this way in their guide Writing Fiction The major dramatic question is generally a straightforward yes/no question, one that can be answered by the end of the story. What will happen to King Lear when he divides up his empire and estranges himself from his one faithful daughter? Will Elizabeth Bennet of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice get to marry for love, and will she or one of her sisters marry well enough to save the family from financial humiliation? What sorts of changes do these conflicts bring about? Elizabeth Bennet learns the dangers of letting prejudice interfere with judgment. King Lear acquires humility and learns to recognize superficiality and sincerity. Both are w iser at the end of the story than they were at the beginning, even if this wisdom, in Lears case, comes at a dear cost. Elements of Plot A story will hit various landmarks on its way from the storys beginning to the fulfillment of the dramatic question. The introduction presents the characters, the setting, and the central conflict. Involve your protagonist in that conflict as early as possible. Todays readers will generally not wade through pages of exposition to get to the point. Dont make them wonder why theyre reading your story or novel. Hook them in the first page or pages. From there, the character will face various impediments to the achievement of his or her goal. Known asrising actionordevelopment, this is parte of the storys satisfaction. Readers like to see a struggle, like to feel as though the payoff at the end is deserved. Again,Pride and Prejudiceprovide an excellent example. If Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy liked each other immediately, and their friends and family immediately approved, their marriage would be much less satisfying, and nothing much would have been learned along the way, except that its great to fall in love. musiknote how other writers build dramatic tension during this part of their narrative. How do they keep us interested in the outcome of the story? How many impediments are necessary to make the reader feel satisfied in the end? None of these decisions are necessarily easy. Part of your growth as a writer entails developing a feel for a successful story arc. The rising action leads to theclimax, the turning point in the story, which in turn leads to theresolution. The central dramatic question is solved one way or another. Peter Selgin provides a good example in his bookBy Cunning Craft Climax is the resolution of conflict, the point of no return beyond which the protagonists fate good or bad is secured. Romeos suicide is the climax...not because its the most dramatic moment, but because it seals his fate and determine s the resolution by preventing him and Juliet from ever living happily ever after. In thedenouement, the author ties up all the loose ends. Elizabeth and Jane Bennet get to live close to each other. Lydia stays far away in the North, where she cant bother them much, and Kittys better qualities are drawn out by frequent visits to her sisters. Everyone, we like lives happily ever after, and in a matter-of-fact three pages or so, we get all the necessary details. Likewise, the denouement for Lear takes only part of one scene all the players of themain plotdie, but under Edgar, England is reunited. Two Disclaimers First, much successful fiction does not follow these rules exactly. But even works like Virginia WoolfsMrs. Dalloway,which seem focused more on language than action, introduce dramatic questions to keep us reading. (Will her party come off? Whats up with her and Peter Walsh?) A lot of fiction that doesnt necessarily seem plot-driven turns out, on closer scrutiny, to depend on tried and true strategies we can trace back (in Western literature, at least) to AristotlesPoetics. Second, these basic elements may not occur in the order listed above. Try to identify them in your reading. Question why the writer decided to tell the story the way he or she did. Note the dramatic decisions. And, of course, think about all of this as you craft your own stories. At the end of the day, something has to happen. It seems elementary, but it can be quite complicated. By all means, experiment, but spend some time on the basics, too.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Develop a Great Social Media Campaign for Toothpaste

Develop a Great Social Media Campaign for ToothpasteDevelop a Great Social Media Campaign for ToothpasteCopywriting exercises help you become a better copywriter, no matter what your advertising experience level. This copywriting exercise helps you write a toothpaste social media campaign. It can be as small as one Facebook ad, or something encompassing a whole host of tactics and platforms. The scale is up to you. Note The content in this copywriting exercise is fictional. Any resemblance to actual products, scenarios, people or companies is a coincidence. Before You Begin First and forefruchtwein, a social media campaign can be vast and far-reaching, or it can be limited to a few posts on a popular platform like Facebook or Twitter. The key to social media is to understand the specific audience you are targeting, and to reach out to them in a way that is not annoying, intrusive, or spammy. You know yourself that those experiences, especially on mobile, can ruin your interaction and give you a very schwimmbad impression of the brand. Advertising Media Ad(s) that run across social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Product Whitening toothpaste Company Name SNOW Tagline The company wants you to develop a tagline. Target Audience Millennials. These young men and women are open to new products but do not like being advertised to. They need a reason to purchase, beyond a price. They are open to engaging with a brand, especially on social, but speak their language. Talk to them, not AT them. Ads Focus This is not a new product launch but its intended audience is new to SNOWs marketing strategy. The campaign is targeting this new, younger audience. Special Promotions Results in 7-days guaranteed or your money back. Challenge The company has had great success marketing SNOW to older men and women. A majority of SNOWs advertising budget will be moved to market SNOW specifically to millennials. SNOW execs feel theres a huge gap in the whitening toothpaste market when it comes to advertising the product to this younger audience. Tone This is a younger, savvy crowd. They spend over 3 hours and 40 minutes of every day on their phones. They know more about apps than any other generation, and they use them regularly. To that end, you cannot be patronizing and should avoid puns (for example Its SNOW Joke). The tone is witty, friendly, open. SNOW is here for them to look good, feel good, and get dates. Additional Information This print ad will appear in Esquire, GQ, Mens Health, Mens Journal and Sports Illustrated. The cost of the product is $22 for a 4.5-ounce tube or $14 for a 2.5-ounce tube. Due to the products price, most of SNOWs customers are professionals. American Dental Association (ADA) approved. SNOW removes all stains caused by coffee, tea, and tobacco. Regular use of SNOW protects teeth from future stains. Safe enough for daily use. No harsh abrasives or chemicals t hat cause irritation. A clinical study shows SNOW whitens teeth 224-percent more effectively than the leading brands of whitening toothpaste. Order at the company website. This information is provided to help you write the advertising material. You can use or not use all of these points at your own discretion.