Saturday, August 25, 2012

3 Easy Steps to Write a News Article

More and more writers are finding it easier to write newspaper articles compared to writing feature stories and articles for the web. This is because the rules in writing news articles are well-defined. As long you follow them, there is no way that you're going to get lost in the process.
Here are the steps to take in order to create a compelling news article:
1. Choose your stories. What are you going to write about? When deciding on your topic, make sure that you consider the newspaper where your articles will be published and the people that you're serving. For example, if you're writing for broadsheets, you must consider writing about more serious issues that are happening around you. You can talk about politics, the economy, etc. However, if you're writing for tabloids, you can focus on writing police reports, entertainment, and sports.
2. Use the inverted pyramid technique. Take that extra mile to make sure that your audience will read your articles until the end. It would help if you write your articles using the inverted pyramid technique. This simply means giving them the most important information on your lead or first paragraph and giving out supporting details on the succeeding paragraphs.
3. Write with clarity. Always keep in mind that you're main goal in writing your articles is to inform or educate your readers. So, don't make it too difficult for these people to understand the stories that you're covering. Always use those terms that your audience can easily understand and if possible, incorporate relevant images or visuals.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Single Mom Education Grants

There are different types of grants that are available. You can get the grant money for personal purpose; educational grants; housing purpose; business assistance and the major benefit is received by women who can get the grant assistance if they own a business or are going to set a new one.
A large share of Government grant money is kept as provision for the overall economical and community welfare. You can submit an application in excess of single grant. The most advantageous benefit that is available from the Government grant money is that you don't need to pay back the money and the money is not considered during tax calculation.
But it is not that the money is given away just like that. There are definitely some rules and regulations that have to be followed strictly. It will be rather ridiculous if any such news of distribution of money by the government is announced in television or any other means of communication.
So some conditions are required to be met in order to be qualified for the Government grant money. Though the money is available for free but lot of hard work is involved with that. So it is not perfectly correct to claim it as free money. The applicant has to clearly lay out the plan that must explain the reasons of the claim and the details of the project should explain where you will distribute the grant money that you are claiming.
Not only that the authorizing body will evaluate the prospects of the project and your financial capacity will also be checked. If the plan is approved you will get the grant money. The usual time that gets allotted for the completion of the project is almost one year which can be extended.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Education and Care Could Help Reduce the Spread of AIDS

More than two million AIDS related deaths reported globally in 2008 - two million children under the age of 15 now live with HIV. New figures released by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS estimate the number of new HIV infections have declined each year by about 17% from 2001 to 2008, but for every five people infected, only two start treatment.
Today, December 1st, 2009 marks the 20th World AIDS Day
Education and care could help reduce the spread of AIDS in Africa. Do you think the jingles and awareness programmes are enough to educate the people on AIDS?
This is a story of a young woman. Tonia, this is what we fondly call her, danced with joy into the reception hall as the hall stood rendering a thunderous applaud to this beautiful and newly wedded couple, it was the year 2000.
Late 2000, there was another gathering, it was Tonia's baby boy, Junior. Once more it was a day of joy as we gathered at the child's naming ceremony; he was a handsome child, smiled as if he knew why we were gathered. He definitely would be a great man as his grandmother called him Odogwu.
One morning in 2002, they heard a voice, quite low but it was obvious that it was an adult sobbing, this was coming from Tonia's apartment and after sometime it died down. Days past and Tonia's husband was nowhere to be seen. It was from our 'nose-poking' neighbour that we learnt that Tonia's husband was admitted into the General hospital, he was very ill. Same year, he passed-on and the news from our 'nose-poking' neighbour was that the government discovered he was infected by the virus and was detained at the hospital to avoid the spread of the virus. Our 'nose-poking' neighbour also 'said that' Tonia avoided to hospital, scared of being diagnose of the same ailment.
Early 2003, Tonia was back to her widowed mother's house, just two streets away from where she used to stay with her only son Junior. Junior, born in late 2000, was a cute piece to admire like every child of that age, the only problem was that he looked rather malnourished, but I see him with an older child about everyday crossing the street to purchase his lunch at 'iya ibadan's' food shed.
According to some others who Tonia confided on the situation behind her husband's death, they advised Tonia to go for a test to be sure that she wasn't infected, but Tonia ignored probably scared of the result.
2004-2005, Tonia had gained a lot of flesh and looked well, she was fully recovered from the effect of her husband's sudden illness and death, and she decided to move on. Within this year, she met men, who could not resist her looks and humour, she dated some, went out a lot and you could hear the walls echo as she said her morning and evening prayers; really I enjoyed her songs, it reminded me of the Swahili people that I hear on TV.
Neighbours trooped in and out of her apartment, Junior, the 'great man' had just passed-on this morning, it was early 2006. Again the advice came to Tonia, "I think Junior died of the disease, go for a test" "isn't it obvious that I don't have it" Tonia responded.
2009, Tonia our once robust and humorous lady has lost a whole lot of weight, she has a lot of terribly looking blisters on her skin, she doesn't come out anymore. But I caught a glance of her.
"good evening" I greeted, she came out to pick an item and was about to rush back inside as I noticed but the greeting brought her back and you could see it lifted up her spirit as she answered "good evening"
So was Tonia faith and that of many suffering from this instant killer.
For Tonia, immediately it became noticeable, she became a 'never to go near' individual, her once friends stopped coming around her, she withdrew to the confinement of her mother's house "people who use to speak to me no longer do" she said to me as we sat outside one evening, she went on to say "those who never use to speak to me now do, but those who use to be my friends now avoid me with so much disdain at the sight of me".
After our brief encounter that evening, she went back to her apartment, all eyes were on her.
"Make she no sitdown here again" the illiterate security man said "the breeze fit carry the disease and I go breath am, I never wan die" he explained. I starred at him, mouth wide-opened "me nko" I asked. I never imagined that people were stilled that ignorant on how to and how not to contact the virus, it was a pity that someone in a modern environment; part of town in Lagos could still speak about the disease in such ignorance.
Makes me wonder, are the radio jingles and all the awareness programme really effective? My saying hello to Tonia transformed her mood and she decided to go for her antiretroviral drugs, which she has continued till date.
The public needs more aware and through our individual care we could make a difference, we could join, individually to educate and show love to those in our midst living with HIV.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Government Grants For Your Education and For You to Go to College

What's the similarity between people with better paying jobs? A college education.
It is undeniable that most employers prefer job applicants with a college degree. Because of this, people are choosing to go back to school to finish their degree. However, it's not that easy for mothers.
This is mainly due to their financial status. And, of course, a mother needs to take care of her family which gives them less time for other commitments.
But there's good news for any interested American mothers. The administration will be extending financial assistance to mothers who would like to go back to college with scholarships for 2009. The government urges anyone to take advantage of this subsidy so they can earn their college degree.
The scholarship is available for who would like to have a chance of a college education. It is paid out by the university directly to those who are eligible.
If you qualify for the claim, they can get as much as $10,000 with a tax exemption of $4000, yearly to cover the university expenses. What's even better is that this scholarship is available not only for one year of schooling but up to 18 semesters if needed. And, unlike an education loan, this pay out does not have to be reimbursed by you later on.
The scholarship also takes into account the fact that mothers will have a challenge in finding time for school amidst their family commitments. The administration has also made it possible for these moms to finish their degree online from their own home.
With this, it is now easier to fulfill the dreams of these mothers. The allowances of the program in terms of finance and time have made this possible.
If you need to know more about the program, the Federal Government has an official website where you can read articles and releases for more information. The FAFSA website also contains facts and numbers about the program and it is also where you can find an application form if you wish to apply. Requirements are listed in the websites.
If you want a diploma or degree apply for scholarships for 2009 immediately. There is no need to let go of your chances at a better life