ESL Writing The Paragraph

What is a paragraph A paragraph is a group of related sentences dealing with a single topic. You have to learn to write good paragraphs to keep your writing organized during your first drafting and final revision stages. Writing well organized paragraphs will also help your readers to follow your argument. You can have very good ideas, but if you don't present those ideas in an organized fashion, you will confuse and lose your readers and therefore, not reach your goal of getting your ideas across to them.

The Basic Rule: Keep One Idea to One Paragraph

The basic rule of thumb in writing paragraphs is to have only one idea in each paragraph. If a new idea begins to grow out of your first idea, it belongs in a new paragraph.

It is one CENTRAL idea to each paragraph. It is acceptable to have one idea and several bits of supporting evidence within a single paragraph. You can also have several different points in a single paragraph but they must all be clearly related to the central topic of the paragraph. If the supporting points are more than a few sentences, then you should expand them and place them in their own paragraphs.

Paragraphs have three principal parts. These three parts are:

    the topic sentence,
    body sentences, and
    the concluding sentence.

The Topic Sentence

A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in a general way what idea the paragraph is going to deal with. The topic sentence usually is the first sentence in the paragraph. This is not always the case, and some experienced writers find reasons of style or content to have the topic sentence somewhere else in the paragraph ( the first sentence, the last sentence, or somewhere in the middle). However, an easy way to make sure your reader understands the topic of the paragraph is to put your topic sentence near the beginning of the paragraph.

More important than its place is that the topic sentence must be the most general sentence in a paragraph. This means that there should not be too many details in the sentence, but that the sentence introduces an overall idea that you want to discuss later in the paragraph.

For example, suppose that you want to write a paragraph about the natural landmarks of your country. The first part of your paragraph might look like this:

My country, Bolivia, is famous for several amazing geographical features. First, it is noted for its breathtaking Andes mountains. Equally impressive are the country's rich agricultural valleys. Finally, Bolivia boasts of a vast Amazon area with its jungles and rivers.

Note how the first sentence, My country, Bolivia, is famous for several amazing geographical features is the most general statement. This sentence is different from the three sentences that follow it, since these sentences mention specific details about the country's geography, and are not general statements.

The Body Sentences

The body sentences provide explanations and support for the topic sentence (main idea) of your paragraph. When appropriate, supporting sentences that include facts, statistics and logical reasoning are much more convincing than simple statements of opinion.

In our sample paragraph, there are three body sentences that enlarge on the general idea of the topic sentence, which tells us that Bolivia has several amazing geographical features. The first body sentence mentions the Andes mountains. The second body sentence mentions the valleys, and the third brings up the Amazon.

The Concluding SentenceThe concluding sentence restates the main idea found in your topic sentence and reinforces the point or opinion.

In our case, the concluding sentence might be something like: "Anyone who visits Bolivia is enchanted by its varied geography."

The overall paragraph would be:

My country, Bolivia, is famous for several amazing geographical features. First, it is noted for breathtaking Andes mountains. Equally impressive are the country's rich agricultural valleys. Finally, Bolivia boasts of a vast Amazon area with its jungles and rivers. Anyone who visits Bolivia is enchanted by its varied geography.

Career Opportunities For Law Degree Holders

Are you thinking about getting a law degree but wondering if this is a viable choice? Students who go to law school typically want to work in the field of law, but this doesn't always work out as planned. If you are going to invest in a costly law degree, you will probably want to know that you have alternatives in the event that becoming a highly-paid lawyer does not work out. Fortunately, you have many options.

Becoming a lawyer, especially a top-earning lawyer, is a competitive undertaking, especially for students who did not graduate from a top law degree program. Does that mean it's impossible? Of course not. Jobs in the field of law are certainly out there, but you may have to accept the fact that only the top candidates will receive positions with big law firms. Others may have to take on positions that pay surprisingly low salaries, which may prompt these candidates to search for career alternatives.

First of all, it is important to recognize how a law degree helped you to build a skill set that is valid in an alternative career. A law degree helps students to think analytically and solve problems using their reasoning abilities and logic. A law degree is writing intensive, meaning you should be adept at communicating your thoughts and arguments via your writing. It shouldn't be difficult to think of other fields, in which the skills you'll develop in a law degree program will be valued.

Next, consider your interests. If working in the field of law turns out not to be for you, what are your secondary career interests? Assess your personality and your skills. Where could you see yourself working, if not for a law firm? Many law school graduates have careers in law and ultimately go on to work in a variety of fields that have only a slight connection to law.

Fortunately, you have plenty of options. One field that many law school graduates get involved in is criminal justice. More specifically, you could work in criminal investigations, legal investigation, securities fraud, and many other areas of the vast criminal justice field. Your legal background as well as your logic and reasoning skills will make you an ideal candidate.

Another field that is popular among law school graduates is human resources. After all, you will be adept at reading the fine print, working to solve clients' problems, and other aspects of law training. Jobs in human resources may involve legal counseling, employee rights, and other aspects directly tied in with law.

Law school graduates have many other options, including careers in insurance, taxation, and other areas that directly tie in with law. It is up to you to explore your many options and determine what career would be best for you in the event that a law career does not work out.

5 Tips for Your GMAT Preparation

The adventure of getting admission to a top rated business school of the globe starts with clearing GMAT, for which you need to gear up with enthusiasm and zeal. GMAT preparation may seem to be uncomplicated, but wait till you start your studies. The more you go into the depth, the more you will find new things to grasp and learn. While the majority of students believe that they can clear the exam with 700plus score with study materials, there are others who like to seek guidance and plan more comprehensively. When it comes to GMAT, just aspiring isn't helpful by any means; you need to understand the struggle that is inevitable for this global management test. Mentioned below are some critical tips that will help in planning your studies.

1. The mathematics concepts matter: GMAT quantitative section contains questions that are intended for testing mathematical and geometrical knowledge of students. Most of these concepts pertain to the high school level, and you need to revise them first before you take up any coaching or guidance. Students, who have been regular with their high school mathematics practice, will have no issues in solving the GMAT quant questions.

2. Grammatical concepts: This is probably one section, which needs more attention than others. Apart from possessing basic grammar knowledge, you need to have excellent grammar skills, as well. If you consider yourself to be weak in the verbal section, you must start practicing at least a year ahead in advance.

3. The coaching concepts matter: Training and coaching under the guidance of professional faculty and subject experts do matter in GMAT studies. Although you may have a sound knowledge of various concepts of all sections, you still need to have certain tricks up your sleeves. Subject experts know the right ways to interpret a certain question, and they can guide you amply in your preparation. It is valuable that you make a systematic plan and stick to it.

4. The time factor: It's just not enough to have knowledge of various sections, but you must be able to do it within the time specified. The time factor is immensely vital for your success, and this is where one needs to get advice from successful students and professors. There are certain questions, which when solved in a particular way, helps to save time. It is wise to remember that every minute matters in the exam, and therefore, you need to prepare with time management in mind.

5. Practice and Practice: Unless you practice mock papers and give a few online tests, you cannot understand your position in real exams. The only way to have a satisfactory score is to practice. The more you spend time solving questions and completing analysis, the better will be your understanding. Most successful students admit that it was the regular practice that gave them a boost of competition in their GMAT preparation.

How Student Stress Relief Techniques?

Exam time brings a lot of stress with it but you also need to know some stress relief techniques. A little stress is always better. It nudges you to prepare yourself for the coming flood of exam questions. But you need to take care that - this little nudge never topples you down. Significant stress might disconnect you from your daily life. Many are pushed to the verge of trying drugs and alcohol.

Students are an integral part of our society. Being a responsible citizen we cannot push the young blood into oblivion. They are the resources to the success of any country. So if you are the parent, someone concerned or a student yourself I would suggest read properly and try to implicate these stress busters into your schedule.

These stress relief techniques are sure to help you on your way to success in life. You should always remember that a student is with college, studies, tuition, sports and joint studies always. There is little time to incorporate some foreign methods to relieve stress.

That's why it is appropriate quick, and relevant to enjoy the journey from the very start. The following Student Relief Techniques are grouped together:

1st. Power Naps

Have power naps for stress relief. When you constantly work up your brain for knowledge it begs to take rest. In fact naps help you to get more productive in the long run.

2nd. Visualizations

Visualization is a guided imaginary tour to your most lovable dreams. Relax your body and give your mind some happy time while you make the tour.

3rd. Exercise

The healthiest way to for stress relief is by exercising. Exercising works up your body and forces the body to release endorphins and reduce the level of cortisol - a stress hormone.

4th. Breathing Exercise

Breathing exercise is the best way to win over stress. You have to take deep gradual full and natural long breath in. This calms you down within minutes and you are clear to think straight and logically.

5th. PMR

Progressive Muscle Relaxation or PMR is a technique that you can practice before going to bed. This technique involves constantly relaxing and tensing all the muscles of your body till you're completely relaxed.

6th. Music

Different music has different effects on a person. Some music relieves you while others inspire you. Some help you to concentrate and work better. You have to identify your own genre of music to help you beat stress. Remember music is an excellent stress relief.

7th. Staying Organized

Have a clean and a well-organized place of study. The more you calming and soothing effect it has on you the more confident are you going to get when you start with a particular work.

8th. Eat Right

Food is the resource to keep you going. It is the energy vault which when used in the right way can increase your stamina and concentration to an unknown height and calibre.

9th. Self-hypnosis

Self-hypnosis is an effective power productivity tool. You can release tension and acquire stress relief for your mind and body. Get to a relaxing position and constantly play in your mind a goal that you have kept for yourself.

10th. Positive Thinking and Affirmations

Finally remember to be an optimist. It always helps.

Some Tips Graduate Management Admission Test Preparation

Top business schools and management institutions around the globe recognize the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) results as an effective predictor of success and efficiency. The GMAT is considered the primary admission criterion in management schools that provide high-level education and training. The test's structure consists of verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing assessment sections. The test is typically administered on the Internet by means of temporary computer-based testing centers or as a paper-based test at local ones.

Preparing for the GMAT can be daunting and tough without help from experts. Although the GMAT measures fundamental grammar, reasoning, and mathematical skills, an average test taker only gets half of all the attainable points on the exam. If you're planning to take the GMAT soon, it helps to brush up on your high school mathematics and review technical English grammar to refresh your understanding of such subjects. Analytical writing is different from conversational grammar you use every day. Rehashing your high school notes and acquiring assistance from your loved ones and pals can enable you to go a long way.

Acquaint Yourself with the GMAT

Many people had no thought about the GMAT when they first began preparing for it. Folks didn't know what subjects were included, how many questions every single section has, or how the test is graded. By means of the assistance of technologies, nonetheless, you may familiarize yourself with GMAT as a whole and learn its subtleties by reading articles, blogs, and review sites on the Web. You may also peruse GMAT reviews suggested by top academic organizations. It is possible for you to devote a significant portion of your review time learning GMAT's intricacies and therefore get a general understanding of the entire picture.

Prepare a Study Strategy

Right after extensively reviewing such useful information resources, you are able to design a study strategy to systematically scan all of GMAT's sections and probable questions. For a comprehensive GMAT preparation experience, you can tackle reading comprehension, sentence correction, and critical reasoning, and at the same time data sufficiency and problem solving sections and therefore get a clear notion about what each component involves. You can try your hand at answering problems, comprehending review explanations, and analyzing errors to determine your strengths and weaknesses.

Accomplish Practice Tests

Previous GMAT takers absolutely recommend taking mock GMAT exams in a computer-based program that stimulates the actual testing atmosphere. You can take an online GMAT practice test and develop the kind of stamina vital to sit through a three-and-a-half-hour test. Such mock examinations allow your physique, mind, and emotions adjust to the GMAT demands and thus adapt to the actual test time.

Take a GMAT Prep Course

A full-length and comprehensive GMAT course online combines the freedom and flexibility of a self-guided study program with a conventional classroom course structure and personal. Such courses guide you through math, verbal, and essay portions and help increase your test-taking abilities and understanding.

Ways A Shy Student Can Have A Successful And Social College Experience

For many students, earning a Bachelor's degree is a chance to come out of their shells, socially. As a college student, you will grow and develop as a person, often gaining more self-confidence and security within your social group. Finding supportive friends during college will help you to overcome your shyness. But what college setting is right for you? Shy students can find satisfaction in any number of Bachelor's degree program choices.

If you are a shy student, you are certainly not alone. Many college students are shy and consequently a little nervous about beginning their Bachelor's degree programs. Fortunately, social anxiety is something that can be overcome if you make an effort to push yourself beyond your comfort zone on a regular basis. The college program that you choose should give you regular opportunities to overcome your personal challenges.

For many shy students, a small college is a good choice. In a college with only a couple thousand students, you'll know almost everyone by the time you complete your Bachelor's degree. You'll have closer relationships with your professors, too. Another added benefit of attending a small college is that your class sizes will be less intimidating. If you find it frightening to speak in front of a class of 100 people, a class of 10 people may be more your speed.

Of course, there are some negative points to attending a small college if you're shy. For one, the social pool will be considerably smaller, so if you don't find a group of friends that you fit into, you may feel isolated and unhappy in your Bachelor's degree program. You also won't get to enjoy the anonymity of attending college on a larger campus, which some shy students prefer. It is up to you to determine if the atmosphere and close-knit community feel of a small college is right for you.

It may seem counterintuitive for a shy student to choose a large university from which to earn his or her Bachelor's degree, but many students with varying degrees of social anxiety actually find that they fit in just fine at a large school. For one, you'll see new faces every day, allowing you to find just where you fit in. You'll have many opportunities to overcome your shyness by talking to new people.

What many shy students find they dislike about large universities is that the classes are often impersonal. When you earn your Bachelor's degree at a school with tens of thousands of students, many of your courses will take place in lecture halls that hold hundreds of people. If it is your goal to become a more confident public speaker, you may not have that opportunity at a larger school.

Easy Career Option

If you are looking forward do making a career in medical industry and feel comfortable dealing with patients and medications, then free CNA training can come to your rescue. Since their inception, CNA courses have become very popular. The main reason for this could be hefty salaries that CNAs fetch. Moreover, the course demands no special merit requirements for enrolling, as two years of college post school is enough to get you certified. In addition, unlike registered nurses, you need not have to wait over three year and complete your internship for getting a job, as with CNA certification, you become eligible to practice nursing soon within a few weeks of time.

Financial Independence:

Youths due to this reason are inclined towards free CNA training courses these days. Nowadays, a large number of youth seek for early financial independence to be able to fulfill their demands. CNA certification allows them to achieve these dreams. They act as a platform to those desiring an early ownership of responsibilities and independence. A CNA course could have duration between few weeks to few months including the span of internship. Moreover, with certification, you become entitled to work in similar environment as doctors and registered nurses do. In fact, a CNA goes through parallel course works similar to as RN (Registered Nurses) and LPN (Licensed Practitioner Nurse) do. However, comparatively the syllabus is less in-depth. The syllabus more stresses on the practical side of job and thus, equips you with better skills at work.

Fees:

You might be well aware on what it takes to become a doctor. Apart from strong merit requirements, you require paying high educational fees. However, if you compare to CNA jobs, then they might look comparatively simpler to opt. Most certification provider ask for $ 800 as the total course fee. In case you lack employment to support those fees, then you have a choice of approaching unemployment agencies that pay your certification fees. Moreover, the free CNA training has also attracted government's attention towards providing a faster means of getting jobs for unemployed.

Loans:

In addition to approaching government agencies, you can also opt for conventional routes such as getting educational loans to avail free CNA training. Loan providers may merrily credit your loans owing to early prospects of you finding a job. Moreover, owing to flexible eligibility rules and lack of merit-based admissions, most loan lenders provide quick loan, as chances of getting admission are higher other than most medical courses. Thus, loan lenders sanction your loans quicker than other courses in the medical field.

Placements:

Free CNA training doubtlessly offers good placement opportunities, as post certificate, you get enrolled with best medic facilities that ensure you a good career track. You can expect to improve your skills along with your practices, as in short span of few weeks, you aptly learn what is essential and core to your job. Moreover, with experience, you can improve your skills to fetch a good salary as well.