Words About Words

By Don Hauptman

In this column, I routinely use words that describe aspects of language. But these terms are often misunderstood and confused. Here's a brief guide, followed by a few tips to improve your writing.

-grammar refers to the rules and structure of language, the way words combine to form sentences. Example of a grammatical error: "He done gone."

-syntax refers more specifically to the order of words within a sentence. Example of a syntactical error, as might be made by someone learning English as a second language: "I am here for the job to apply."

-usage refers to the way words and phrases are used. Often, a mistake is called a grammatical error when it's really an error of usage. Example of a usage error: the widespread misuse of literally when "not literally" is meant.

-style refers to how something is expressed. Two writers might say the same thing in different ways. Neither is incorrect, but one style may be more suitable to the context. For instance, one could write "the murky water" or, as Homer phrased it more poetically, "the wine-dark sea."

-rhetoric refers to the use of language to achieve a goal, most often to persuade. Today, the word is often used pejoratively to describe bombastic or insincere verbiage, as in "The senator's speech was mere rhetoric." But the traditional meaning of the word is valuable and should be preserved.

Some language issues can be characterized as matters of right and wrong. Others are discretionary. Numerous ways of expressing a point exist, but some are likely to be superior.

One lesson I've learned as a writer for 35 years is that every early draft can be improved. If the document is important, print it out. You'll see things on paper that you miss on screen. Edit with a pen or pencil, then plug in your corrections. Repeat as needed. Allowing the document to marinate overnight or for a few days often helps, as does reading it aloud or asking someone for a critique.

[Ed Note: For more than three decades, Don Hauptman was an award-winning independent direct-response copywriter and creative consultant. He is author of The Versatile Freelancer, an e-book published by AWAI that shows writers and other creative professionals how to diversify their careers into speaking, consulting, training, and critiquing.]

Quote of the Day

"The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people."

-- Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. president

Selamat Hari Raya Adilfitri

Port Dickson Toastmasters Club wishes all Muslim Toastmasters and Friends a fantastic Selamat Hari Raya Adilfitri

Quote of the Day

"Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul."
-- Douglas MacArthur, General

Empowering Others Part 2

by Brian Tracy

Satisfy the Deepest Needs
The deepest need that each person has is for self-esteem, a sense of being important, valuable and worthwhile. Everything that you do in your interactions with others affects their self-esteem in some way. You already have an excellent frame of reference to determine the things that you can do to boost the self-esteem and therefore the sense of personal power of those around you. Give them what you'd like for yourself.

Continually Express Appreciation
Perhaps the simplest way to make another person feel good about himself or herself is your continuous expressions of appreciation for everything that person does for you, large or small. Say "thank you" on every occasion.Thank your spouse for everything that he or she does for you. Thank your children for their cooperation and support in everything that they do around the house. Thank your friends for the smallest acts of kindnesses. The more you thank other people for doing things for you, the more things those other people will want to do.

Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, continually look for ways to make people feel more valuable and important. Say things to others that you would like others to say to you.

Second, express appreciation for everything anyone does for you, large or small. Say the words, "thank you" on every occasion.

Coming Club's Meeting Postpone to 29/09/09

In view of the long holidays in conjunction with Hari Raya Puasa on the 20/09/09 till the 22/09/09, the next meeting is postpone to the 29/09/09. All members and Guests, please take note.

Empowering Others Part 1

by Brian Tracy

Get the Cooperation of Others
Empowering people is the key to building a high-performance team. Once you empower people by learning how to motivate and inspire them, they will want to work with you to help you achieve your goals in everything you do. Your ability to enlist the knowledge, energy and resources of others enables you to become a multiplication sign, to leverage yourself so that you accomplish far more than the average person and in a far shorter period of time.

Determine the Key People to Empower
There are three types of people that you want to and need to empower on a regular basis. They are, first of all, the people closest to you: your family, your friends, your spouse and your children. Second are your work relationships: your staff, your coworkers, your peers, your colleagues and even your boss. Third are all the other people that you interact with in your day-to-day life: your customers, your suppliers, your banker, the people with whom you deal in stores, restaurants, airplanes, hotels and everywhere else. In each case, your ability to get people to help you is what will make you a more powerful and effective person.

Always Be Positive
Empower means "putting power into," and it can also mean "bringing energy and enthusiasm out of." So the first step in empowering people is to refrain from doing anything that disempowers them or reduces their energy and enthusiasm for what they are doing.There are things you can do every single day to empower people and make them feel good about themselves.

Division Humor and Evaluation Contests 3/10/09

The Division Humor and Evaluation Contests will be held on the 3rd October 2009 at Segi College, beside Summit Complex at 1.30pm.
If you are keen to lend your support to our Area Humor Contest Champion Tan Soo Guan, CC , please contact our President, R Kala, CTM on 017-6378945 to reserve your tickets.

Word of the Day-Crotchety

Someone who is crotchety (KROCH-ih-tee) is cranky, bad-tempered, or capriciously stubborn. The word is derived from "crotchet," which once meant a fancy or whim.

Example: "There is nothing worse than going into a meeting tired and crotchety. I would rather not go at all."

Quote of the Day

"A person is not defeated by their opponents but by themselves."
-- Jan Christiaan Smuts

Quote of the Day

"Long-range goals keep you from being frustrated by short-term failures."
-- J.C. Penney, Retailer

Gila-Gila Dinner on 5th September 2009

15 members, ex-members and guests having a gila night at Weng Heong Restaurant. Surprise occasions to celebrate with the Area C2 humor contest winner CC Tan Soo Guan and a belated birthday for ACS Lee Kah Tor.CC Tan Soo Guan giving his winning speech "Staying Happily Together"
Everyone having a good laugh
DTM Robert Tan giving his seal of approval to CC Tan Soo Guan to participate in the Division level.ACS Rosa Phua brought along a canine supporter to cheer the winner!
The love birds, ACB Donna Kat and ACS Lee Kah Tor makes a perfect couple

ACS Lee Kah Tor celebrating his belated 67 years old birthday.


Join us for the next fellowship! Where everything is fun! (Photos courtesy of PK Koh)

Word of the Day-Magalog

The magalog (MAG-uh-log) -- a combination of "magazine" and "catalog" -- is one of many direct-mail formats used by marketers. It looks like a magazine, complete with cover, and may have anywhere from 12 to more than 100 pages. It includes a combination of editorial content and promotional copy ... all of it designed to get the prospect's attention and persuade him to buy the product or products being sold.

Example (as used by Clayton Makepeace today): "Check out this promotion. It's a magalog titled 'Retirement Wealth Builder' for Phillips Publishing's Retirement Letter."