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Friday, August 8, 2008

Critical Thinking

The Thinker

The following is a list of posts that relate to critical thinking.  Any post that relates to why critical thinking is important or how to go about being a critical thinking fall under this category.

These blog posts are organized in order from most recent to least recent.

Why _The Man With the Iron Fists_ Is Bad Writing
Student Essay Example: The Word Saggin' Spelled Backwards (Part II)
Student Essay Example: The Word Saggin' Spelled Backwards (Part I)
Marketing Ploys: Do You Really Know What Those Words Mean?

Photo credit:MHarrsch

Monday, August 4, 2008

Free Web Fiction

 Poster saying free books

The following is a list of posts that relate to free web fiction.  I am a HUGE fan of anything and everything FREE.  That love coupled with my passion for reading have led me to discover literature that is online and free for everyone’s viewing pleasure.  Please take advantage of the hours of reading I’ve done and check out these posts; I’ve weeded out the mediocre material and have only included what I consider to be the best work online.

These blog posts are organized in order from most recent to least recent.

Books You Should Read:_The Eighteen Revenges of Dr. Milan_ by Christopher Ruz - NOT free
Fifteen Minutes of Fiction: "The Hike"
Flash Fiction Friday: "The Transfer"
Flash Fiction Friday: "Into the Dungeons"
Flash Fiction Friday: "The Shadows That Bind"
Flash Fiction Friday: "Bubbles' Revenge"
Flash Fiction Friday: "Hidden Shadows"
Flash Fiction Friday: "Runes and Shadows"
Flash Fiction Friday: "Attack of the Cliche Circuit"
Flash Fiction Friday: "Birthright"
Flash Fiction Friday: "The Currency of Death"
First Chapter Preview of Dan, A Man Without Youth
Author Spotlight: Christopher Ruz
Flash Fiction: "How Duane Came to Be in the Bathroom"
WebFiction Spotlight: Above Ground
Free Online Literature: Magician's Merger

 

Photo credit: DIY Librarian

Writing Tips

Inspiration

Inspirational image

The following is a list of posts that relate to inspiration.  Any post that helps you by serving as an example of what good writing looks like or by providing opportunities for future writing projects falls under this category.  Hopefully these posts will make you feel as inspired to write as they did me when I wrote them!

These blog posts are organized in order from most recent to least recent.

Why You Should Work on Your Writing
So Much To Learn From Life
Creative Process Illustrated
The Writing Process: A Graph
What Happens When Reading and Writing Aren't Important to You?
ErgoFiction's Search Term Challenge
The Man From Earth
L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest
8 Minutes Anthology Writing Contest
One Word + 60 Seconds
An Example of How to Monetize Your Writing
How Do You Learn to Write?

 

Photo credit: PeeVee

Online Tools and Websites

The following is a list of posts that relate to online tools and websites.  The internet is chalk-full of informative, interesting, empowering sites that will make your life easier when it comes to making your writing more accurate and professional.  Hopefully these posts will help you access the  plethora of information on the web.

These blog posts are organized in order from most recent to least recent.

Free E-Book Resources
Online Plagiarism Checkers
One Word + 60 Seconds
OpenOffice.org: The Free Microsoft Office Alternative


Photo credit: Steve Rhode

Plagiarism

stolen bike

The following is a list of posts that relate to plagiarism.  Due to the seriousness of this topic, I wanted to devote an entire category to these blog posts.  Make absolutely sure you know what is considered academic plagiarism before you submit your next paper to your teacher or your boss. 

These blog posts are organized in order from most recent to least recent.

Online Plagiarism Checkers
Plagiarism: Who Cares? (Part One)
Plagiarism: Who Cares? (Part Two)
Plagiarism: Online Resources
Plagiarism: An Introduction

 

Photo credit: M. Aquila

Organization

graphic organizer

The following is a list of posts that relate to the organization of your writing.  In this case, I use “organization” to encompass anything content-related.  Topic sentences, specific paragraphs (e.g., the introduction and conclusion), and types of evidence are all examples of choices made in the overall organization of your writing.

These blog posts are organized in order from most recent to least recent.

Practice Finding and Supporting Topic Sentences
Topic Sentences: An Introduction
How to Write a Thesis Statement
How to Find Main Points for Your Essay
How to Create a Formal Outline
Outlines: How They Help You Write Your Paper
7 Techniques That Make Writing Introductions a Piece of Cake
Literacy Essay
The 4 Types of Evidence
The Power of an Analogy
Organizing Your Thoughts: Mind Mapping
Types of Titles
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
The Importance of Topic Sentences
Clichè's: A List
Why Clichès Should Be Avoided


Photo credit: Runs With Scissors

Idea Generation

Lighbulb

The following is a list of posts that relate to the process of generating ideas for your writing.  This topic is also frequently labeled “prewriting” in composition books, but I am choosing to label it “idea generation” because brainstorming does not only take place at the beginning of the writing process. 

These blog posts are organized in order from most recent to least recent.

Outlines: How They Help You Write Your Paper
Research Papers Don't Have to Be Boring
Fear of the Blank Page
Blogs as Research Logs
Generating Ideas: Freewriting
Organizing Your Thoughts: Mind Mapping

 

Photo credit: Julian Santacruz

Buy Me a Cup of Coffee

Picture of cup of coffee

You may have noticed that I keep this website as clear of advertisements as I can. It irritates me to have to wade through them on other sites and I can’t bear to subject you to that frustration too. It is my goal to keep Writing Simplified free and available to anyone who has need of writing advice and I’d appreciate any help you can give in keeping this dream of mine alive.

There are a number of ways you can support this website:

  • Spread the word about Writing Simplified by clicking on one of the social media buttons on the right sidebar.
  • Include a link back to me on your own blog or website.
  • Use the following link to purchase anything at Amazon.com:


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  • Donate a few dollars through Amazon so I can stay caffeinated and happy (Trust me, coffee is the only thing that keeps me alive sometimes).


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If anything I’ve written has been helpful to you, or if you’re just feeling generous, feel free to support me in any way you can. Even if all you can do is send happy thoughts my way, I’ll be very appreciative. I’m working on building up my reserves of karma.


Photo credit: Valen Eyes

Privacy Policy

If you require any more information or have any questions about this privacy policy, please feel free to contact me by email at Carmen@WritingSimplified.com.


At Writing Simplified, the privacy of my visitors is of extreme importance to me. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information that is received and collected by me on this site and how it is used.


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Citation Styles

 

style-guides-icon-grid

The following is a list of posts that relate to citation styles.  Posts can be about specific citation styles (e.g., MLA style or APA style) or about citation styles in general.

These blog posts are organized in order from most recent to least recent.

How to Cite in APA Style
Citation Styles: A Primer
A Reminder About MLA Style Editions
MLA Style Changes in 2009
7 Great Citation Resources

Miscellaneous

picture of junk drawer

The following is a list of posts that I didn’t know where else to put.  This category is like that junk drawer you have in your house where things go that don’t really have anywhere else they belong.  As random as these posts may be, I still consider them a valuable contribution to the blog and worth your time. Enjoy!

These blog posts are organized in order from most recent to least recent.

New Laptop Just Arrived! Off to a Fresh Start!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Solstice!
NaNoWriMo 2012 Kickoff!!
Meet Martin!
New Facebook Page and Pinterest Account
Collie Convalescing: Mofi's Oral Recovery
Chihuahua Convalescing: Hugo's Oral Recovery
New Template and Comment System
The Dogs of Peru say "Guau"
NaNoWriMo 2011 Kickoff!
The Maturation Process
FREE Click-To-Give Online Charities
How to Give a Handshake
Taking It Day by Day
Memorial Day 2010
Life and Lost Dogs
Fighting for What Is (Or Could Be) Yours
On Appearances
April Fools Day 2009
Writing Made Simple

Photo credit: Cate1Artist