Thursday, December 27, 2012

Writing of Chemical Equations

Mole calculations is an inherent and important part of studying Chemistry. There is not doubt that mathematical calculations are important in many areas of higher education in Chemistry. Before we can even do mole calculations, the first step is always to write the balance chemical equations involving a particular chemical reaction.

In Chemistry, an equation represents what occurs in a chemical reaction:

LHS -> RHS
Reactants -> Product(s)

Writing of Chemical Equations

3 types:
" Word Equation
" Chemical Equation
" Ionic Equation

For Chemical Equation -> Using Chemical Formulae to represent a reaction known to take place.

Step 1: Write down the Chemical Formulae of reactant & products.

Na + Cl2 -> NaCl --- Balanced???

Step 2: Check the number of atoms of each element on both sides.

Above equation is not balanced. An equation is balanced when there is equal number of atoms if each element on both sides of the equation.

Step 3: Balance the Equation.

The 4 RULES of balancing chemical equations:

1) Start with balance of Group 1/2/Transition Metals
2) Balance Non-metals atoms
3) Balance all Oxygen atoms
4) Balance Hydrogen atoms

If you follow the steps above, you should be able to get the following balanced equation:
2Na + Cl2 -> 2NaCl

Step 4: Add the State Symbol

2Na (s) + Cl2 (g) -> 2NaCl (aq)

The balanced equation shows 2 atoms of sodium metal react with 1 molecule of chlorine gas to form 2 units of sodium chloride salt.

For state symbols, there are 4 types:
(s) solid state
(l) liquid state
(g ) gaseous state
(aq) aqueous state,dissolved in water

Hope you find this introduction to Mole Calculation useful to you.

Writing of Chemical Equations
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

How Long is a Book? Determine Your Novel's Genre, Subgenre, and Best Word Count

How long should your book be? How long a book should be depends on the genre and the intentions of the writer. If you want to self-publish, it doesn't matter how long your book is or isn't because you have total control. But if you're seeking a traditional New York publisher, here are some guidelines for how long a book should be.

Please note: These are generalized guidelines for genre fiction only. There are always exceptions to the "rules." Be sure to do your own research based on your unique needs and goals. These lists of sub-genres are substantial but not entirely inclusive. There are always many ways to combine genres.

How long is a fantasy novel?

How Long is a Book? Determine Your Novel's Genre, Subgenre, and Best Word Count

A fantasy novel contains approximately 80,000 to 100,000 words.

Sub-genres of fantasy novels include: alternate history, Bangsian fantasy, comic fantasy, contemporary fantasy (urban fantasy), dark fantasy, fairytale fantasy, heroic fantasy, high fantasy, historical fantasy (Celtic fantasy, steampunk, wuxia, medieval fantasy, prehistoric fantasy), juvenile fantasy, low fantasy, fantasy of manners (mythic fiction), romantic fantasy, science fantasy (sword and planet, dying earth), superhero fantasy, sword and sorcery, and more.

How long is a romance novel?

A stand-alone (single title) romance novel contains between 80,000 and 100,000 words. Category romance (such as those imprints published by Harlequin) are generally short. Each imprint has a specific word count. If you want to write for Harlequin, identify your imprint first.

Sub-genres of romance novels include: adventure romance, African-American romance, category romance (aka "series"), chick-lit, contemporary romance, dark fantasy, erotic romance, erotica, fantasy, futuristic romance, GLBT romance, gothic romance, historical romance, inspirational romance, interracial romance, mainstream, military romance, multi-cultural romance, mystery/thriller, paranormal romance, Regency romance, science fiction, single-title romance, suspense, sweet romance, time-travel romance, traditional romance, urban fantasy, women's fiction, World War II romance, young adult, and more.

How long is a historical fiction novel?

Historical fiction novels are generally between 85,000 to 100,000 words, though some are longer.

Subgenres of historical fiction novels include: alternate history, historical fantasy, historical romance, sagas, sword and sandal, historical whodunit, sub-genres pertaining to era (as in Renaissance, medieval, Civil War, WWII, etc.), and more.

How long is a mystery novel?

Mystery novels vary in length between 75,000 and 100,000 words. If the mystery has elements of thrillers, the book may be longer. If the mystery is a "cozy" or part of a series, it may be shorter.

Sub-genres of mystery novels include: amateur sleuth mystery, courtroom drama, cozy mystery, crime, fantasy, hardboiled mystery, historical mystery, medical mystery, police procedural, private detective, serial killer mystery, science fiction, supernatural, suspense, technical thriller, thriller, true crime, Western, whodunit, and more.

How long is a thriller novel?

A thriller novel can be between 90,000 and 100,000 words or more.

Sub-genres of thrillers include: action thrillers, conspiracy thrillers, crime thrillers, disaster thrillers, drama, eco-thrillers, erotic thrillers, legal thrillers, spy thrillers, techno thrillers, and more.

How long is a horror novel?

Horror genre novels can include between 80,000 and 100,000 words.

Subgenres of horror include: body horror, cross genre (slipstream), dark, detective, erotic, extreme, ghost, gothic, Lovecraft, noir, occult, psychological, quiet, supernatural, surreal, suspense, weird, and more.

How long is a young adult novel?

Young adult (or YA) novels can between 40,000 and 75,000 words, depending on the targeted age group.

Young adult novels generally have the same sub-genres as adult novels. Edgy YA tackles controversial or tough issues.

How long is a Western novel?

Western novels can be between 45,000 and 75,000 words.

Western sub-genres include: coming-of-age, buffalo runners, celebrity, detective, fantasy, Gothic, horses, Indians, inspirational, land rush, law and lawmen, mining, Mormons, mountain men, mysterious rider, railroads, romance, science fiction, series, sweet and savage, the West still lives, town marshal, wagons West, and more.

How Long is a Book? Determine Your Novel's Genre, Subgenre, and Best Word Count
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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Technical Writing - Sources for Research

Technical writers aren't creative writers; in that they can't make things up to keep their audience entertained. Their documentation must accurately reflect the realities of using the product or system they are writing about. Which means that you'll need to do your research, here's a quick list of good sources for you to get your information from.

Get Hands On

Before rushing round to bother other people about your product, roll up your sleeves and start using the product. Note what's instinctive and what you struggle with understanding, this will help you know what your readers are going to need to know too.

Technical Writing - Sources for Research

Get the Paperwork

Almost every project you'll work on as a technical writer will already have reams of paperwork attached to it. Read as much of it as possible, that includes release notes, previous manuals (if this is an update), help files, customer requirements documents and anything else that relates to the way the system will be used.

Talk to the Guy Who Knows Everything

On any technical writing project this guy is known as the Subject Matter Expert it's his or her job to know everything there is to know about the product. Don't treat them as a first line of support though; find out what you can before you go to them so they can polish your knowledge.

Talk to the Users

If your product is an update then you'll already have customers you can talk to as well. Go and see how they use the previous version, "in the wild" as it were. Talk to them about what it is they get from using the product and what functionality is particularly important to them.

Get Everyone Together

Sometimes it's easier to talk to the whole audience, not just the SME or the clients but everyone involved in the project. With teleconferencing and videoconferencing being so easy to arrange now it can be really good to consult the entire group at the same time, with questions and clarifications coming from all sides.

Get Online

You won't find the same product manual online as you're working on, however you may be able to find competitors manuals for similar products. If you're stuck for ideas this can be a great way to develop a structure that works.

Get it in Writing

Well designed surveys can be useful tools to gain further information from a wider user base, the trouble is that most people don't like filling in surveys so you may need to offer a decent incentive if your customers aren't totally passionate about your product and its release cycle.

Technical Writing - Sources for Research
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Friday, December 7, 2012

Writing a Request For Proposal For Web Site Design and Development

A company that is looking to get bids from several qualified vendors for a Web site design or development project will typically write a Request for Proposal (RFP) and either post it online or send it directly to potential vendors it has identified.

As with any complex project, a Web site design project requires clear communication between the client and web developer in order for the client to receive accurate bids. The RFP serves as a baseline of project requirements on which competing vendors may price their services. I have outlined a few items below that should typically be in a Website Design and Development Request for Proposal, though some times more information is necessary.

Writing your Request for Proposal

Writing a Request For Proposal For Web Site Design and Development

The Request for Proposal (RFP) process allows potential vendors to get an idea of your goals, existing challenges and possible limitations without lengthy phone discussions or in-person meetings that can severely impact the amount of time it takes for you to get started with your Web Design and Development project. It allows you to succinctly describe exactly what you are looking for and what a potential vendor should expect in the project.

An ideal RFP would clearly specify all the requirements pertaining to your website. It would allow the developer to present you with a proposal based your particular needs and, needless to say, the more details your RFP contains, the more accurate a proposal the developer is able to present.

Components of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Web site Design and Development Project:

Project Background Information

Brief overview of your organization, including some history and your primary business objectives. Detailed description of the project you would like to receive the proposal for. If your budget requirements are strict, it might help to include a 'Ballpark' Budget - which developers can use to scope and scale your solution and save you time. Target launch date and required deliverable dates - include any dates that you need the project to meet. Are there crucial meetings and cut-off dates that the developer should be aware of? If you are not sure what the time frame should be, it's okay to see what the proposals you receive recommend and renegotiate. It's also good to anticipate and state how flexible you are with the project's completion date.

Marketing Requirements and Data

Audience demographics - who will be the main users of your site? Are there several different audiences that need to be addressed? User comfort level with technology -  how technically savvy is your audience? Will they know how to deal with plug-ins, for example? Will users have high-speed connections, or will many be on modems? Audience base -  how large do you expect your user base to be?

Design and Corporate Branding Requirements

Do you have corporate identity guidelines that must be followed, including fonts and colors and graphic treatments? What look and feel to you envision for the Web site? Include some adjectives to describe what your site should communicate. Provide examples of Web sites that relate to the RFP either because they have a similar feel to the one your are looking for, or even examples of what you do NOT want. Will there be any animated elements (i.e. Flash animations)? How many? How are they going to be used?

Technical and Infrastructure Requirements

Web hosting considerations. Do you currently have a Web host or are you looking for a new one to handle this project? Browser/platform considerations. Generally speaking, a Web site for consumers or the general public should work similarly across all modern browsers and Operating Systems. If you are targeting a very specific audience it is possible your needs are different. Development platform requirements. Do you require an Open Source solution, are you open to a proprietary solution that is more tailored to your exact needs, etc. Coding language requirements (e.g. ASP.NET, PHP, Java). Many times this depends on the type of Web hosting platform or any pre-existing software you may have. Are there third party applications you'd like to incorporate?

Functionality/programming Requirements

Will there be forms on the site? If so, how many? How should they be handled? (e.g. e-mailed to recipients, stored in a database, etc.) Will the site require tools to manage content/information (e.g. ability for staff to add content such as press releases or quarterly reports)? Will there be any e-commerce on the site? If so, who will be entering data on products offered? How will transactions be managed? Are there any other interactive features the site should have? What are they, and how do you envision them to work?

Search Engine Optimization

Describe any currently defined search engine friendly production requirements and expectations Indicate if you are seeking SEO/SEM consultation services

Ongoing Site Maintenance Plans

How often will the site be updated? Are you looking for a retainer situation, or 'on-demand' hourly work? Will you be self-maintaining or will you be outsourcing maintenance services?

Project Management

Who will be the main point of contact on your staff? Keep in mind that in most cases it is easiest to have a single point of contact at both your organization and the company designing and developing your Web site. How will the tasks be divided between you and the developer in order to complete the project? Are there any third parties (subcontractors, etc.) that will also be involved in the project?

RFP Response Deadline and Contact Information

When is the response to the RFP due? To whom should the response be sent? Do you prefer E-mail or hard copies, and if so, how many hard copies? Is there a specific solicitation number that needs to be referenced in the Proposal Document? What is the RFP review process? How long do you anticipate to take to make your decision before the project can begin?

Some Additional Thoughts Before You Begin:

For all items listed above, be sure to clearly indicate if you must have any item(s) bid as an optional aspect of the project. Keep in mind possible dependencies between project aspect/components that may make this impractical. Before writing your Request For Proposal, determine your budget for the project and, beyond that, your priorities for selecting a Developer who can meet your budgetary requirements.

Writing an RFP is a good exercise for anyone thinking about a site design or redesign as it takes thoughtful planning to specify and construct a website. A well thought out, quality RFP is essential to a successful endeavor because it helps you to focus on your goals and exactly how to achieve them.

Best of luck with your Web site Design and Development Project.

Writing a Request For Proposal For Web Site Design and Development
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Greg Kihlstrom is the Creative Director at Carousel30 Interactive Media, Washington DC. His company designs and develops Web sites and other Interactive Media such as iPhone applications and more.

Greg also writes about Web site Design issues on his blog entitled "Design in Context."

Monday, December 3, 2012

Mastering the Skill of Writing an Academic Paragraph

Mastering the skill of writing an academic paragraph is vital to academic success. The key word here is 'skill' since, being a skill, successful paragraph writing can be perfected. This news will obviously come as welcome relief for all students.

So, how do you write a successful academic essay paragraph? Your first step is to ensure you understand the purpose of a paragraph and then to build your operational knowledge of the structural and language requirements. Then the final, and perhaps most crucial component in mastering the skill of writing an academic paragraph is... practice, practice, practice.

Let me give you a quick analogy; perfecting your ability to write a coherent, relevant academic paragraphs is the same as perfecting your ability to shoot a hoop, kick a goal, run 100m or any other sporting skill you care to mention. Remember writing is a skill. Therefore, regular writing practice will allow you to develop the freedom of expression necessary to convey your thoughts eloquently, critically and cohesively.

Mastering the Skill of Writing an Academic Paragraph

What is the purpose of an academic paragraph? Primarily the purpose of an academic paragraph (which occurs in the body of your essay) is to develop your thesis. Your thesis (which you clearly stated in the introduction of your essay) is your main argument, it is the point you are attempting to prove (and of course is usually your response to the essay question). Therefore, it is vital that your paragraph provides thoughtful analysis, rather than simply recounting a message.

What Language should you use? Although not all academics have the same language expectations, I am sure most will agree a paragraph which employs a cohesive, impersonal style and uses sophisticated vocabulary, tends to convey a critically relevant, credible response. Remember the purpose of your paragraph is to share information. In an academic sense, you are demonstrating to your examiner what you know. You are proving that you understand the content and are able to apply that knowledge while offering an evaluative judgment. Therefore, better academic paragraphs offer;

• Full form words
• Passive voice
• Nominalisation
• Cohesive devises
• Sophisticated / technical vocabulary

What academic paragraph structure 'works'? Again, while universal agreement for the structure of an academic paragraph may not be probable, it is possible to offer a formula that improves your chances of addressing the requirements of an essay question. Perhaps another analogy is in order. When we cook a 'new' dinner, we often follow a recipe. The function of the recipe is to offer a series of steps and ingredients which, when followed, increase the likelihood of a palatable meal. However, after we have cooked this meal numerous times we begin to develop an understanding of which ingredients are essential and which add 'flavour'. As our confidence increases, we begin to experiment, adding our own unique touches to construct a variation which offers the critical components of the original, while highlighting our own individual flair. Writing a successful academic paragraph is much the same. First we need to perfect our ability to include the fundamental elements, then we can experiment with expression. A formula I often suggest to my students is;

• Topic sentence (relates to the essay question and the topic of the paragraph)
• Explain the topic sentence
• Provide examples, comparisons, quotes and reference to other sources
• Concluding sentence (highlights relevance to the thesis)

Remember writing is a skill, the more you write, reflect and edit your work, the better it will become.

Mastering the Skill of Writing an Academic Paragraph
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I hope this article has encouraged reflection. I believe that reading opens potential, uncovers possibility and broadens perspective. Similarly, writing offers infinite opportunities. It creates worlds, encounters universes and unlocks secrets. Am I writer or a teacher? I am both. I am an English teacher with a passion for teaching and writing. I confess, to a propensity for encouraging teenagers to discover more about themselves and their world through the magic of narrative.

Currently I teach at a school in Sydney's Northern Beaches and created isthismystory.com as a platform for my students to reflect and share. It is a place for everyone to have a voice and a place to listen.

Welcome to a world of expression.