Canny Articulation

Writing Dates and Times...

.. The Rules....

Rule: The following examples apply when using dates:

The meeting is scheduled for June 30.
The meeting is scheduled for the 30th of June.
We have had tricks played on us on April 1.
The 1st of April puts some people on edge.(Some prefer to write it out: The first of April)

Rule: There are differing policies for expressing decades using numerals. Some write the 1980s and the ’80s, others write the 1980’s and the 80’s. However, using two apostrophes (the ’80’s) is awkward and is not recommended.

Correct:
During the ’80s, the world’s economy grew.
During the 1980s, the world’s economy grew.
During the 1980’s, the world’s economy grew.

Not Advised:
During the ’80’s, the world’s economy grew.

Rule: Some writers spell out the time of day, others prefer numbers.

Example: She gets up at four thirty before the baby wakes up.
Example: The baby wakes up at 5 o’clock in the morning.

Rule: Some use numerals with the time of day when exact times are being emphasized.

Example: Her flight leaves at 6:22 a.m.
Example: Please arrive by 12:30 p.m. sharp.

Rule: It is clearer to use noon and midnight rather than 12:00 p.m.or 12:00 a.m.

Note: You may use AM and PM, A.M. and P.M., am and pm, or a.m. and p.m.
Some put a space after the numeral, others do not.

Example: Her flight leaves at 6:22 a.m.
Example: Her flight leaves at 6:22am.
Example: Please arrive by 12:30 P.M. sharp.

_ u_ know #

Identifying grammatical names and function...

Part 1

What is the grammatical name and grammatical function of the part of the sentence that is in bold?

What the teacher taught was not in the students' text.

The principal ate what was left in the pot.

Answer:

In the first sentence above, 'what the teacher taught' is a Noun Clause. It is so because it has a subject 'teacher' and a verb 'taught' in the expression. The expression itself functions as the subject of the verb 'was'. Why? It is so because it is a nouns and pronouns only act as the subject of a verb. In this case, what we have there is acting as a noun; not as a pronoun.

In the second sentence, 'what was left in the pot' is a noun clause. Why? It has a subject 'what' and a verb 'was left' in the expression. It functions as the 'object of the verb ate'. How? By explaining the verb 'ate'. It is the object of a sentence that also explains the verb and functions as a noun.

23 More Words and Phrases You No Longer Need

Have you ever struggled to make sense of a message because its author didn’t write clearly? Or maybe you wrote something that was misunderstood by your audience. It’s possible your writing was cluttered with filler. Just like a desk littered with too much stuff, untidy writing can make it hard for your reader to find what they’re looking for.

The saying, often attributed to Mark Twain, goes, “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” Unessential words and phrases make your text unnecessarily long and potentially confusing. Lean writing requires knowing your messy writing habits.

Most writers are oblivious to the filler words and phrases they use

Hedging

People use hedging words because they don’t want to appear demanding or bossy. And yet, these words can sound wishy-washy and make your writing less powerful.

Sometimes hedging words convey subtle differences in meaning. (Slightly overweight paints a more precise picture than overweight.) Just make sure you use these words with intent when you want to add another layer of meaning. Otherwise, they diminish your writing’s impact.

Slightly

I’m slightly annoyed by Kate’s repeated tardiness.

Sort of, Kind of

Their plan was kind of short-sighted.

Rather, somewhat

The play was rather interesting.

Quite

His car is quite fast.

Probably

We should probably wait to send that email until we have final approval.

As a rule

As a rule, Cats prefer to sleep in warm, comfortable places.

Prepositional Phrases

Prepositions tell us where or when something is in relation to something else. They can relate to direction (over the hedge), time (since yesterday morning), location (at the bank), and space (under the stairs). A prepositional phrase is a group of words consisting of a preposition, its object, and any words that modify the object.

Some prepositional phrases not only add clutter but sound overly formal and stuffy, like these frequent offenders.

With regard to / In reference to

I’m writing in reference to about Jimmy’s latest report card.

As to whether

She inquired as to whether asked whether they would have enough silverware for the party.

At all times

Look both ways at all times before proceeding through an intersection.

In terms of

She’s good in terms of writing. She’s a good writer.

In the event of

Please give 24-hours notice in the event of a cancellation to cancel.

In the process of

We’re in the process of moving next week.

Jargon

Business writing is notoriously loaded with jargon. We believe these phrases add formality and professionalism. And yet, our communication is more clear and direct without the filler words and phrases.

Due to the fact that / In fact

Due to the fact that there was a snowstorm Because of the snowstorm, they were closed for the day.

Definitely

I would definitely like to attend the meeting.

Has the ability to

She has the ability to can make great contributions to the program.

I believe / In my opinion

I believe We can make that happen.

Needless to say

Needless to say, James excelled at his job.

It’s important to note that

It’s important to note that Business communication should be clear and concise.

There are few absolutes in good writing. Sometimes, a word or phrases adds an essential level of nuance. That movie was kind of funny means you found the film amusing, but that movie was funny means there’s no question it made you laugh.

The trick to avoiding filler words is to be aware of them. When you catch yourself using filler, instead of writing that the movie was kind of funny you could say it was witty, droll, or amusing. Consider the filler you find in your writing an opportunity to be more precise.

Welcome back!

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR GRADUATES

1. Tell us about yourself?

The interviewer is not interested in

hearing stories; they simply expect to

know your academic and professional

achievements, your name and the

institution you currently work for.

Take a minutes to introduce

yourself, and state your recent

academic qualification and your

relevant experience (if any)

2. Why do you think you are the best candidate?

The interviwer expects you to tell them

about your professional achievements

and the unique skills you possess that

will add value to the organization.

If you are a Customer Care graduate

then you should tell them that you are

a good listener and patient; these are

the qualities the employer is looking for.

3.What are your weaknesses?

The question is not simple as it looks;

most candidates go blank when they

face this kind of question.

Take your time in explaining why you

can’t leave the office before you

complete a task.

You can also inform them how you are

quick to trust a person, which in most

cases makes you a victim.

4. Where do you see yourself in five years?

The employer wants to know whether

you are ambitious or you’re the kind

of a person who secures a job and

then you forget about yourself.

Answer the question by stating how

you intend to further your studies and

grow professionally as you strive to

meet your employer’s goals. (It is important to tie your goals to your employer's goals because no employer would be willing to hire and invest in a rookie who will leave their organization in a year or less after they have invested in training the individual)

5. How do friends describe you?

The question is testing your personal

attributes, when answering it ensure

that you don’t over exaggerate.

Take the shortest time possible to

state the best attribute you possess

that you believe will add value to the

institution.

6. What do you know about this company?

Before you enter the interview room,

ensure that you go through the

company website to read latest news,

company profile, goals, management

team, objectives, vision and

mission;they will help you answer this

question.(where the company is unknown, do your research and be familiar with the business/industry you desire to build your career)

The question expects you to briefly describe what you read on their website and not what you imagine of the company.

7. Do you have any question to ask the panel?

This is usually the last question that

the interview panel asks

interviewees; if you fail to ask them

questions, you will lose some marks, always have a question to ask no matter what.

Ask them whether they have plans to

expand their business, whether they

support employees to further their

studies and how they motivate employees. You can pull a surprise by asking when you would start, it shows confidence.

8. What is your salary expectation?

The question is tricky because as a

fresh graduate you don’t have a clue

what to be paid; simply ask them what they pay others of your

level, if they fail to give a

satisfactory answer then give them a

reasonable range.

Ensure you do your research before

you go for interview, because you

must be asked this question.

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To my brothers in the pen profession...
I hope this will give u a lift...

Essay writing made easy...
Iya teacher #
English titia #

This is very true...

This might interest you...

Employment Opportunity!!!
A South African Literary Firm in league with NNPC, The Federal Ministry of Information and the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism headquartered in Lagos Island with branches in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, Bayelsa and Jos is in search of creative and talented Poets, Playwrights/Screenwriters/Dramatist; Digital Illustrator; Novelists , Short Story writer and Technical writers to fill up various positions in seven departments.
Requirements.
Interested applicants:
1. Must be a graduate with at least a Second Class Lower Division(University) or a Lower Credit (Polytechnic graduates) in the Sciences, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Medical Sciences, Engineering and Law.

NB. N.C.E Holders with Credit can apply.

2. Must be creative with a wild imagination.
3. Must be an avid reader of topics outside area of discipline.
4. Must have an eye for detail and an inquisitive mind to question things when asked to do a research project.
5. Must have a large Word bank/ Good vocabulary and sound grammatical knowledge.
6. Must be able to use a word processing software such as Microsoft Word.
7. Good presentation skills.
8. Must have a good command of spoken English.
9. Must be able to write in other genres of literature outside their comfort zone.

Selected applicants (Provisional) will attend a four-week internship program under the tutelage of various notable writers, Poets, Literary Critics from across Africa to the various branches chosen during application.

The selected applicants will be interviewed after their first-hand internship program.

Successful interns will then be absorbed into the firm on a full time basis at their chosen location of work place.

Internship program stipend- #35,000. (Will be received on the last day of internship program)

Successful Intern monthly salary-- #125,000 ( #1,500,000.00 Per Annum) and Book Research Project Allowance #50,000. (Excluding VAT).

Interested applicants should forward their CVs with preferred Job location as e-mail Subject to:
[email protected].
NB: A Sample of your creative work will be an added advantage.

Closing date : 24th January 2018 @ 11:59 PM

S T U D Y T I M E !

Learn how to differentiate these...

Wary vs. Weary

The words "wary" and "weary" are spelled similarly with a single 'e' setting them apart. Since both terms are used as an adjective, some people may accidentally use one in place of the other despite their different meanings. This article will help you avoid this mistake and use them accurately in your writing.

The word "wary", is used as an adjective meaning “marked by keen caution, cunning, and watchfulness especially in detecting and escaping danger” or “feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.”

On the other hand, the term "weary" is also used as an adjective but means “exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor, or freshness,” “having one’s patience, tolerance, or pleasure exhausted,” or “feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep.”

However, it may also function as a verb meaning “to cause to become tired” or “to grow tired of or bored with.”

Now that we’ve discussed the difference between the wary and weary, you should be able to distinguish them properly and use them in your sentences more accurately. Keep in mind that wary is about being careful while weary refers to being tired.

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Get rid of weak and dangling words... Be specific...

STUDY SMART NOT HARD

Its not really by how many times you read in a day, or when you retire to your rest point, that determine your result as a study. This piece on how to study smart not hard will reposition your study mentality.

Before the class;

Consider the process of studying for class as ongoing. Approaching it this way helps you avoid study marathons and allows you to review content in shorter, more frequent sessions.

After the class;

Spend two to three hours studying outside of class for every hour in class. Listen to the lectures and read the texts, but balance those activities by finding ways to write, speak about, and graph or draw the content you are learning.

Now your study circle;

1. Prepare for Success

Study when and where you are most alert and plan your time.

2. Preview, Read, Recall

Identify relevant text or notes; scan chapter headings, keywords and diagrams; read chapter intro and summary; and formulate questions you want to answer. Read actively, find answers to your questions, take notes during lectures, and synthesize lecture and reading material. Talk with your professor, lecturer, teacher, or other students and consult your textbooks to fill in gaps and correct misunderstandings; put the main ideas of lectures and readings into your own words.

3. Self-Test

Create possible test questions, keeping in mind different levels of learning. Do practice problems and apply your knowledge to real-world solutions. Trade and discuss your questions with a partner or a group.

4.Test

Arrive early with all necessary materials, use appropriate test-taking strategies, and analyze returned tests.

is no longer an excuse after reading this post #
it at once you were not meant to be a student for ever #

Compliment of the season!

Something new!

Let's get to know the acceptable and correct usage of the expressions below;

1. According to

• Incorrect: According to me, she should have resigned earlier.
• Correct: In my opinion, she should have resigned earlier.
We do not give our own opinions with according to.

2. Across and through

The difference between across and through is similar to the difference between
on and in. We use through to talk about movement in three dimensional spaces with things on all sides.
• We walked across the field. (= We were on the field.)
• We walked through the wood. (= We were in the wood.)

3. Adjectives ending in -ly

• Incorrect: She smiled friendly.
• Correct: She smiled in a friendly way.
• Incorrect: He laughed silly.
• Correct: He gave a silly laugh
Here the error lies in using an adjective instead of an adverb. We use adverbs to
modify verbs. Most adverbs end in –ly; there are also a few adjectives that end in –ly. Examples are: costly, friendly, lively, likely, lonely, lovely, silly and ugly. There
are no adverbs costly/costlily or friendly/friendlily.

4. Ago and before

• Incorrect: His father died three years before.
• Correct: His father died three years ago.
Ago is used to count back from the present. It is used with a past tense and a time
expression. Before is used when you date back from any point of time which is
made specific.
• I saw him two years before I went to England.

5. All and every

• Incorrect: Every children need love.
• Correct: Every child needs love.
• Incorrect: All the light was out.
• Correct: All the lights were out.
Every is used with a singular noun. All is used with a plural noun.

6. All right and alright

The standard spelling is all right, but alright is more common although many people consider it incorrect.

7. Already and all ready

• Incorrect: We are already for the show.
• Correct: We are all ready for the show.
• Incorrect: They have all ready arrived.
• Correct: They have already arrived.
All ready means ‘all are ready’. Already means 'by now' or 'sooner than expected'.
• The train had already left before we reached the station.
• The patient had already died before the doctor arrived.

8. Alternate and alternative

Alternative means 'different', 'instead', 'on the other hand'.
• We will make an alternative arrangement if these plans don't suit you.
• I had to go. There was no alternative.
Alternate means 'every second' or 'in turns'.
He only comes to work on alternate days.

9. Altogether and all together

Altogether means ‘entirely’ or ‘everything considered’.
• I don’t altogether agree.
• It is altogether wrong to ill-treat animals.
All together simply means ‘everybody / everything together’.
• They all went out together.
• She put the glasses all together in the sink.

10. Any and some

Both some and any suggest an indefinite amount or number. Some is more
common in affirmative clauses. Any is used in questions and negative clauses.
Compare:
• I need some pencils. (NOT I need any pencils.)
• Have you got any pencils?
• Sorry, I haven't got any pencils.

11. Anyhow and somehow

• Incorrect: He did it anyhow.
• Correct: He managed to do it somehow.
• Incorrect: He keeps his things somehow in his desk.
• Correct: He keeps his things anyhow in his desk. (= He doesn’t keep his things in order.)
• Incorrect: He may not come but somehow I shall.
• Correct: He may not come but anyhow I shall. (= I will certainly come.)
Use 'anyhow' to mean 'in disorder'. ‘Anyhow’ can also mean 'for certain'.

Now you know...
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Brain Teaser:
What are articles?
Are there types of articles?
What's your understanding on how to use them?

Let's answer this together in our next post...

See ya....