Whether you’re writing a report for school or work, it is bound to include words the average reader won’t know the meaning of. Including a glossary at the end of your report ensures that everyone who reads the report has all the information they need to comprehend what you’ve written. You’ll need to know how to write a glossary for a report, and we’re here to help.

 

Is There a Glossary Definition?

It’s best to start at the very beginning when learning how to write your glossary: What is the glossary definition? Also known as a “clavis” or “vocabulary,” a glossary lists terms that are included within a report for the purpose of defining those terms. Basically, a glossary is a mini dictionary at the end of your report.

 

Why Should You Learn How To Write a Glossary for a Report?

It’s important that you understand the basics of writing a glossary for a report so you can grow as a writer and so your audience understands exactly what you’re trying to convey.

If you’re using industry jargon in your report, you’ll want to add that technical terminology to your glossary so that your readers better understand what you’re referring to. It is also a good idea to include commonly confused words, abbreviations and acronyms in your glossary to ensure that your report is easy to understand.

 

 

How Do You Write a Glossary?

If you’re now wondering, “How do you write a glossary?” you can relax! We have the answers you’re looking for. Writing a glossary is pretty simple because you’re just defining words you’ve previously used in your report. Here are the steps you should take:

1. Read your report for terms that may seem unfamiliar to others, then jot down those terms.
2. Ask an editor, classmate, coworker or other peer to read through the report and write down terms he or she doesn’t understand or feels others won’t understand.
3. Write a short summary for each of the terms. You should never just copy and paste the definition from the dictionary or any other source, because that is considered plagiarism.
4. Add the terms and definitions at the end of your report, following the proper format.

 

Glossary Example for Each Writing Style Option

When creating a glossary for a report, there are some different formatting styles you should be aware of. If the paper is written according to a particular grammar style and usage guide, then your audience is going to expect that the glossary will align with the rules of that style guide. Some formatting options include:

• AP Style – This stands for “Associated Press style” and is generally used in news, magazines and other forms of journalism, as well as in online content writing.
• MLA Style – This stands for “Modern Language Association style” and is generally used in academia, specifically in the arts and humanities disciplines.

There’s also APA style, The New York Times style and the Chicago Manual of Style. For this blog, however, we’ll focus only on AP style and MLA style.

AP Style Glossary Example

The AP Stylebook does not have a formal entry on formatting glossary terms. However, AP style editors have shared their preference. Your glossary terms should be listed alphabetically. Capitalize each term and set it off with a period. The definition that follows can be either a full sentence or a separate phrase, and it should always end with a period.

AP style does not indicate whether the glossary term should be formatted in a specific way or remain stylized as regular paragraph text. We’ve chosen to use boldface type to set the term apart from the glossary definition, much like how the AP Stylebook organizes terms.

Here’s an AP style glossary example:

Associated Press. A cooperative, unincorporated, non-profit news agency in America.

Clavis. Another word for “glossary,” serving as an interpretation help to readers.

Format. The way something, such as writing, is arranged.

Peer. Someone with the same abilities or status as another person.

MLA Style Glossary Example

In MLA style, you should also list your terms alphabetically. Each term should be lowercase (unless it’s a proper noun), boldface and set off with a period. The definition that follows should begin with a capitalized word and can be a sentence or separate phrase. Here’s an MLA style glossary example:

clarity. Clearness in understanding a particular word, term or subject.

Modern Language Association. An organization aimed at strengthening the understanding of language and literature in America, serving as the principal professional association for language scholars.

report. An official document written after thorough consideration of a topic by someone interested in or assigned to that topic.

vocabulary. A list of words and definitions typically used in a certain sphere or on a specific occasion.

 

Are You Clear on How To Write a Glossary for a Report?

Given the glossary examples for both AP style and MLA style, you should have full clarity on how to write a glossary for a report. Don’t make it harder than it should be. Keep your definitions simple and easy to understand, and your audience will understand exactly what you’re trying to portray. Are there any terms we should have included in our glossary examples, or is everything clear here? Let us know in the comments below!

I don’t personally know of anyone who has set out to write an essay in order to fail. Most of us do our best in hopes of obtaining an “A” in class or a promotion at work. There are a lot of techniques you could use to get your essay written, but what is the best way? For starters, you’ll need an outline. Because I want you to succeed, I’ll show you how to write an outline to get you headed in the right direction.

 

How To Write an Outline: What It Is

To begin, you should understand what an outline is. As you might already assume, it’s a list of what you plan to include in your paper. It’s like a brief essay without all the details. An outline portrays the main ideas of what you’re going to include, as well as a structured list of the arguments you want to make and in what order you want to make them.

You could write an essay without an outline, but you shouldn’t. Without an outline, I always seem to miss something, and I don’t think about it until after I have turned in the essay. Of course, what I missed is the most important point or the principal argument I was hoping to make, too. As a result, I’m up all night wishing I would have written the outline to begin with. Just trust me on this one.

 

How To Write an Outline for a Paper: Understanding Your Assignment

It’s important you understand the specifics of your assignment. Most essays call for just three supporting paragraphs, but depending on your assignment, you might need to include more. Ask yourself, “What am I trying to accomplish with this essay?” This will help you get started on a thesis.

Determine who the audience is so you can write a hook that catches on. Often times a teacher is your reader, but there is generally a larger audience. This is often determined by your topic, but it could also simply be the general public, your classmates or anyone else who might find the topic interesting.

 

How To Write an Essay Outline: What To Include

Most college essays are structured with five paragraphs, but you can adjust as needed depending on what you’re writing. When you know how to write an essay outline, you include each of these points:

1. Introduction – This first paragraph will include a thesis and an introduction to your topic. You should create your thesis before you complete any other part of the outline, as it will guide the entire process.
2. Body Paragraph One – This will include the first argument in your thesis, as well as supporting facts to back it up.
3. Body Paragraph Two – This is a paragraph with the second argument and supporting facts.
4. Body Paragraph Three – This is a final supporting paragraph with either an additional argument to support your thesis or a counterargument against it.
5. Conclusion – Use the conclusion to restate your thesis, and include a summary of your three body paragraphs and a call to action.

 

 

Researching your topic is an essential step at this point in the process, as you can’t make an outline without the information you plan to include. Read news articles, dive into books, search online and conduct interviews. You can begin to whittle down all the information you collect to the most important points. Those points are what you’ll include in the outline first, then the paper.

 

How To Write an Outline: Examples

Sometimes, the best way to understand how to write an outline for a paper is by seeing it in action. I would outline this blog, but that would be redundant, wouldn’t it? Instead, let’s take a look at an outline for an expository essay. These are common in academic writing, often with fun topics you can put a spin on. The topic for our example is “How Students Benefit From Later School Start Times.”

The more detailed your essay outline is, the easier it will be to remember what your main points are and what you want to include in the paper. Of course, your outline doesn’t have to be this detailed. A simplified version could look something like this:

You can see how this outline is much more concise, but still gives you enough information to remember what you want to include in your paper. I guess it depends on what type of thinker you are and how many details you need to avoid writer’s block. It might also depend on how much access you have to your research materials while writing the actual paper.

 

Do You Understand How To Write an Outline Now?

You’ve learned about the basics and you’ve seen some examples. Do you understand how to write an outline for your essay now? What’s the topic you’re writing about? I always love getting new writing ideas, so leave them in the comments below!

Have you ever heard someone say something so clever that you had to go back and have it repeated so it could really sink in? Maybe you spent the next few days thinking about the statement, trying to understand the meaning, knowing it would make a profound difference in your life if you could just grasp its meaning? Well, that definitely wasn’t a truism!

Truisms are so commonplace you really don’t think about them. These figures of speech are statements that immediately make sense once they come out of someone’s mouth, regardless of the situation or circumstance you find yourself in. They’re perfectly relatable, yet interestingly boring.

Although a truism wouldn’t be considered too clever, it can be fun. As you learn more about truisms, think of some that might apply to your life. You might end up having a good laugh!

Truism Definition

What’s a simple truism definition?

A truism is a clearly true statement, with nothing interesting added, and requiring no additional thought.

 

What Is a Truism?

Truisms often sound profound, but they are actually pretty straightforward. As we break down the definition of a truism, you’ll quickly realize it doesn’t take much to answer the question, “What is a truism?”

First, nobody will question the validity of a truism because it’s obvious that the statement is true; the truth is the truth.

Second, it doesn’t require the addition of anything interesting to the original true statement because it’s so self-explanatory; it’s clear as water.

Finally, nobody has to put any additional thought into the statement because it just makes sense the way it is; it is what it is. Fortunately, this definition makes it easy to spot a truism whether you hear it during a conversation or read it in a book.

 

What Are Some Truism Examples?

One of my favorite truism examples comes from my grandma. During my dating years, she used to always say, “There’s a lid for every pot!” It got frustrating hearing that every time I broke up with someone, but she was right! I eventually found the lid I was looking for, and I must say I never thought a lid could look so good! Some other examples of truisms that may sound familiar to you are:

• Some things don’t ever change.
• If you haven’t died, you’re still alive.
• Success comes from success.
• If you always have at least one dollar, you will never be completely broke.
• Every journey begins with the first step.
• You’ll always end up where you arrive.
• If you always know something, you’ll never know nothing.
• There’s no denying the truth.
• If you lose, you lose.
• You get out of it what you put into it.

 

Are There Truism Synonyms?

Some people would consider the following terms to be synonymous with a truism, though the actual definitions of these words vary slightly.

1. Axiom

Most often used as logic or proof in mathematics and similar fields, an axiom is a self-evident principle that typically doesn’t require additional proof to make the argument.

2. Bromide

A bromide is a remark that most people would find commonplace, though its intention is to soothe or comfort someone.

3. Cliché

Not necessarily always true, a cliché is a phrase that people use so much that it doesn’t hold much meaning anymore.

4. Maxim

Holding some truth, but open to argument, a maxim is a key statement used commonly as a general truth.

5. Platitude

A platitude is a statement or remark that has been overused, making it less significant than it may have been originally intended, and is typically based on a moral topic.

As you can see, there are some real similarities between a truism synonym and actual truisms, though there are slight differences as well. For example, the old saying that goes, “Actions speak louder than words,” would be considered a maxim because does an action literally speak? Of course not. We all know what is being implied, but it’s not an obvious truth, so you wouldn’t consider it a truism. To make the same point using a truism, you might say, “Doing is more productive than saying.”

 

Do You Have a Favorite Truism?

Truisms are fun! We hear them all the time without even realizing the statement is being made. Is there a particular truism that makes you laugh? Maybe one that perfectly relates to you or someone in your family? We want to hear about it! Leave us your favorite truisms in the comments below.

If I were to be on trial, I’d want to have a jury made up of disinterested citizens. If they were uninterested, I might start to worry. There are two very different meanings when you consider disinterested vs. uninterested, though they are often confused and incorrectly used interchangeably. Before you become uninterested in a subject that you might be currently disinterested in, I’ll explain.

Disinterested vs. Uninterested at a Glance

• Disinterested shows you are unbiased or impartial to a situation, often because the outcome makes no difference to your life.
• Uninterested shows you have become unconcerned or indifferent, often because you have lost attentiveness or have become bored.

 

What’s the Difference Between Disinterested and Uninterested?

If you’re disinterested in a situation, it’s because it doesn’t make a difference to you and you don’t have a stake in how it turns out. If you’re uninterested in a situation, it’s because you have become bored.

You can see that disinterested is just the way something is, while uninterested is what becomes of something.

 

When To Use Disinterested

Disinterested is often used in business or in the legal world because many in those professions need to be impartial. You’d use disinterested to describe someone who isn’t influenced by situations for his or her own personal gain. If I were to need a synonym for disinterested, I’d use unprejudiced, neutral, non-partisan, unbiased or impartial. I might say I don’t have a preference for how something turns out, or the situation doesn’t make a difference to me.

Disinterested Examples:

• My banker was disinterested in my choice of business venture, so I trusted his advice a little bit more.
• I hope the referee for my game is disinterested because we have a pretty even match up tonight.
• I was a disinterested spectator of the car accident and got a call from both insurance companies.

 

When To Use Uninterested

Uninterested is an adjective used to show how you feel about something. You’d use it to describe someone who has become bored with his or her circumstances. If I needed a synonym for uninterested, I’d use bored, not interested, indifferent or unconcerned. I might say I really don’t care about the subject, or I no longer wish to learn more about it.

Uninterested Examples:

• Over time, I became uninterested in sewing, though it used to be my passion.
• I invited 20 people to go to the movies, but they all sounded uninterested when I told them which show we were seeing.
• I am completely uninterested in math, but they say it’s a critical subject that will help me get into college.

 

You’re a Disinterested vs. Uninterested Professional

Now that you’ve taken some time to understand the difference between these two commonly confused words, you might become the disinterested vs. uninterested grammar police, but don’t go too crazy about it. I wouldn’t want your friends to become uninterested in hanging out with you now that you’re so well-versed on the subject.

Are there any other commonly confused words you can’t get straight? Comment below to let us know, and we’ll be happy to sort it out for you.

Choosing a point of view before writing is as important as coming up with a storyline. The perspective you take determines the type of relationship between you and the reader. While there are three options, you might wonder, “What is second person point of view?”

 

What Is Second Person Point of View?

In second person point of view, the writer addresses the reader directly:

“You are reading this because you want to learn about second person point of view.”

Writing from this perspective is a way the writer can both address the reader and create a narrative from the reader’s viewpoint. It’s often used in ads or how-to articles rather than fictional writing; however, with the right approach, even a fictional narrative can work well in second person.

To easily define second person point of view, you might say it’s the “you” approach or perspective. Pronouns used obviously include you, but also yours, your, yourselves and yourself. These second person point of view words are a dead giveaway that you’re reading something written as a second person narrative.

Second Person Point of View Words List

The following second person pronouns are a big clue that you’re reading the second person POV.

you

your

yours

yourself

yourselves

Second Person Point of View Examples

If you’re looking for a good second person point of view example, you’re already reading one, but we included other examples below just for fun. First person and third person points of view are also highlighted so you can see the difference.

• First Person: I am proud that you are reading my article about second person point of view.
• Second Person: You should be proud of yourself for learning about second person point of view.
• Third Person: He is proud of her for learning second person point of view.

• First Person: I love my job.
• Second Person: You love your job.
• Third Person: John loves his job.

As you can see in these examples, they all pull the reader into the narrative differently. In both second person examples, you are being addressed directly. That’s not always the case, however. Implied second person is when the writer speaks directly to the reader but doesn’t use second person point of view words. This is common in recipes or other instructional pieces. For example, if you were to be instructed on how to apply to write for BKA Content, it might look like this:

1. Go to bkacontent.com.
2. Scroll to the bottom and click on “Write for BKA.”
3. Read the page and click on “Apply Now!”
4. Follow the prompts to begin the application process.

Without the instructions including any second person words, such as you or yourself, which fall in line with the second person point of view definition, you still understand exactly who the writer is directing the instructions to.

 

Second Person Point of View Short Story Examples

Although second person POV is rare in fictional writing such as novels, you will find second person point of view short story example after example. Short stories and kids’ books are often written in second person because the writer needs to quickly pull the readers in and get them excited.

Here are a few second person POV short story examples you might see:

• You are a superhero, flying through the air with ease!
• Your grandma was sitting on the couch when you got home.
• You love going on walks to visit your neighbors, but seeing the goats is your favorite activity.

You can see how the emotion and the connection to the story is different by writing these same examples in first and third person:

• First Person: I am a superhero who can fly through the air with ease.
• Third Person: Clark was a superhero who could fly through the air with ease

• First Person: My grandma was sitting on the couch when I got home.
• Third Person: Suzie’s grandma was sitting on the couch when she got home.

• First Person: I love going on walks to visit my neighbors, but seeing the goats is my favorite activity.
• Third Person: Sam loves going on walks to visit his neighbors, but seeing the goats is his favorite activity.

Turning the reader into the subject of the narrative makes your writing more personal, more relatable and more exciting, especially in short stories and children’s books.

 

Benefits of Writing in Second Person

As was previously discussed, writing in second person perspective pulls the reader in, allowing him or her to become part of the story. When done right, the reader can get completely submerged in the reading, directly experiencing smell, taste, sight, sound and touch. As the writer, you tell the reader how to feel, how to experience the situation and how to react.

If empathy is an emotion you’re trying to evoke, it’s done easily as the reader becomes part of the narrative. While you don’t want to necessarily instruct the reader and order him or her about, you can gently coerce the reader into thinking the way you intend as a writer. If you want to leave some of the questions about the story unanswered, you can do so, as the reader will have the chance to fill in the blank spaces.

In non-fiction writing, second person point of view can be one of the best ways to instruct a reader. This is why it’s perfect for advertisements, how-to articles, personal letters and online content.

 

What Are You Working On?

Second person point of view is often considered the most limiting point of view, but you may have a different perspective now that you can answer the question, “What is second person point of view?” So the next question is, “What are you working on?” Leave your answer in the comments so others can see why you chose to learn about second person point of view today.

I’m like Kuzco. I enjoy being carefree, but something always seems to throw off my groove! As a freelance writer, working in the middle of a noisy home, nothing seems to ever go as planned. As I’ve thought about this, I’ve realized that the times I am able to find the perfect work-life balance, there are three key elements that have made it happen: prioritizing, organizing, and relaxing.

Prioritizing Freelance Writing

With how much stuff we constantly add to our lives, it’s super important that we prioritize. As a freelance writer, it’s essential that I spend time working. As a mother, it’s vital that I spend plenty of time with my kids, and also doing things without them, but for them. As an individual, I really like spending time alone to rejuvenate.

How do you know what’s the most important? It depends on the situation. Someone in a financially tight situation might put work as the top priority and will hire a babysitter for a few hours. Someone who is a freelance writer as a second job might prioritize their social life above work. You’ll obviously know what’s most important in your life and how to put it in order.

Personally, I need my income as a freelance writer, so it’s a high priority for me. However, I also prioritize my kids above all else. Because of this, it is absolutely essential that my top priority is to not ever procrastinate, and second in line is to never overload myself with work. If I were to procrastinate a writing job, or commit to one too many projects, and one of my kids came crying to me over being bullied at school, I would stop writing to deal with the situation. This could push the clock beyond my deadline, and then I’d be left to beg my manager for a deadline extension, which is something I hate doing. If I had done the work earlier, or only accepted the amount of work I knew I could handle, I would be more efficient at my job.

Organizing Your Freelance Lifestyle

There’s really a lot that you have to organize if you want your day to run smoothly. In my situation, I have to organize my own job, hobbies, and needs, as well as those of my three rambunctious boys. It’s hard to be in charge of four people, but it can be done! When I speak of organizing your day, I’m talking about:

– Your Time – One of the very best tips I got a few years back from an amazing mother of eight was to write out my schedule and assign something to every single hour. This includes assigning time for your kids’ extracurricular activities as well. If I want to paint my nails, I schedule it in. If I have to drive my son to soccer practice, I schedule it in. If I have committed to three writing projects, I schedule them in. When someone asks for a favor, I can honestly say, “I’m sorry, but I’ve already got plans,” and I don’t have to feel guilty about it.

As far as how to organize your schedule and what to schedule in, it’s all up to you! In the past, I have used a desktop calendar, a dry erase calendar the size of a poster board, and my iPhone calendar app, which are all great. I guess I’m old fashioned though, because I like to literally pencil it all in with a paper planner.

– Your Meals – I have found that when I organize meals and snacks for an entire week at a time, I am way less stressed. When the kids are whining that they’re hungry, I know exactly what to pull out and give to them. When I have a wrench thrown in my day, and the schedule doesn’t go as planned, at least I already know what to make for dinner.

– Your Workspace – Nothing is more chaotic than an unorganized work space. With toys or other “kid” items in the room, the kids will learn that this is not a place set apart for mom or dad to work, and that they are welcome to take over. I had to fill a drawer out in the hall with all the extra pencils and pens so that my kids wouldn’t come and dig through my writing desk. Before I had a separate office, I just made sure that my desk only contained what I needed for work, and the kids were not allowed to clutter it with their schoolwork or crafts. Of course, if you have younger children who need to be in the room with you, a playpen makes it clear that you have your space, and they have theirs.

Relaxing While Writing

Staying relaxed can be so beneficial in more ways than one. I totally get that it’s hard to relax when you have freelance deadlines to meet, kids to take care of, and other responsibilities in general, but that’s exactly why it’s important. I like to think of it this way: If I am less stressed, my freelance writing will be less stressed. Nobody likes a stressful piece of writing, and nobody likes a stressed mother.

If you’ve organized and prioritized, it’s a lot easier to relax. After three hours of work, you can schedule in an hour massage. If you’ve scheduled freelance time during the baby’s nap, schedule a relaxing walk with the stroller for when he wakes up. When you work from home, you really have to be willing to just roll with the punches, but you also get to decide how to roll.

Balance Can Be Achieved While Freelance Writing!

See? It’s not so hard! Prioritize, organize, and relax. When you’ve got that down, your 12 year old will break his arm and you’ll be visiting doctors for three days straight. No big deal…

What would you add to my perfect work-life balance plan? I’m just pretending I’ve got it all together, and could really use your help.

I’ll be honest. It took some motivation to sit down and write this blog post. One day I wasn’t feeling inspired, and another day my ideas weren’t coming together as they had so beautifully in my head while I was in the shower. There were multiple times I sat staring at a blank page on my computer screen, eating snacks and wondering, “Is there a trick to getting motivated to write a paper?” Fortunately, that motivation was sparked within me, and from it, I offer you the following advice.

 

Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself

Your paper comes with a deadline, specific instructions and a word count, but don’t let that pressure you too much. If you’re uptight about it, you’ll end up with writer’s block, and who knows what will happen next. You may not be able to think up a clever first sentence, and that’s OK! A trick I learned years ago from my fellow BKA writers was to set yourself a timer and start writing. Don’t stop to read it over, don’t hit “delete,” and don’t hit “backspace.” Just write until the timer goes off.

When the timer dings, go back and read over what you wrote. Chances are you’ll have some spelling and grammatical errors, some sentences that need rearranging, some filler that needs to be deleted, and some repeated words that should be replaced with a synonym. Great! Make those changes, reset the timer, and continue until you are satisfied with the piece. Perfection rarely comes on the first try, so take some pressure off.

 

 

Do Your Research

This is perhaps the best bit of advice I can give when it comes to getting motivated to write a paper, and it came to me from the managers of BKA: Do your research. It may seem overwhelming to take the time to research and then take more time to write, but it’s so worth it. My husband always tells me, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well,” and that’s true for writing papers. You won’t feel motivated and empowered if you’re not an expert on the topic. If you have that knowledge, it also puts less stress on you as you write, and you don’t have to go back and forth from source to source to figure out how to compose one sentence.

 

 

Give Yourself a Break

Did you know there are some states that require employers to give their employees a break after working a set number of hours? It’s not even a lunch break, either, but time for the employees to turn off their minds and relax for 10 or 15 minutes. You owe that to yourself, too. Whether you’re writing a doctoral thesis or a business proposal, you don’t have to do it all in one shot. Take a break and do something that relaxes you. There’s time to finish your paper after you’ve rested a bit.

I have three-year-old twins, which is quite the adventure most days. When I sit down to write, it’s not long before they’ve “washed the dishes,” added “artwork” to the walls, and “organized” the bookshelves. When it comes down to it, though, they keep me sane. Sometimes my writing really makes me anxious and I hit a wall. If I try to force myself to think about what to write next, I get irritable and angry, but if I take those twins upstairs to cuddle and tell stories on the La-Z-Boy, it relaxes me and I’m ready to write again in 15 minutes. Of course, sometimes I fall asleep, and that’s nice, too — until I find another sock in the toilet.

Remember, your break isn’t going to look like mine. I enjoy rocking two wiggly babies, but that might irritate you even more. Instead, you could meditate, read a chapter in your novel, or go for a jog around the block. Whatever it is that relaxes you, take a moment and do it. You’ll feel much better once you sit back down to get writing again.

 

Tidy Your Space

There is nothing I hate more than a dirty workspace. Even though I face the wall when I sit down at my computer, I can feel the clutter, taunting me from behind, begging me to clean it up. As strange as it sounds, it really does feel chaotic. When you create an efficient writing area, that chaos subsides and you’re able to get more done.

My kids’ regular chores include dusting, cleaning windows, and vacuuming, so the room is usually clean but cluttered. It takes me only a few minutes to fold a blanket, take out the toys, and push in the piano bench, then I feel a calming that gives me the motivation I need to begin writing without distraction.

 

Ask Someone for Encouragement

If this paper is an assignment for work or school, you’ve got a cheering section that can help. Have you spoken with your teacher or professor about your lack of motivation? What does he or she suggest you do? My tenth grade English teacher was not the most beloved teacher in the school, but she was my favorite. She saw that I had a knack for writing, and when I went to her for help, she bolstered me up. She gave me constant encouragement and the best feedback, which fed my love for writing. Your teacher will probably do the same, but you’ve got to go and ask for it.

If you’re writing for work, your boss and coworkers want you to succeed. Ask them what they do to get motivated. Ask them for encouragement. Ask them for some ideas on how to get started. I began working at BKA Content years ago, and I’ve never felt so much encouragement from a management team. I have access to all the materials I need to succeed — from blog posts on how to stay motivated during the holidays to specific information on how to write a press release. My favorite is How to Correctly Use AP (and APA) Style Title Case. If that blog post has a million views, at least three-quarters of them were by me!

 

Reward Yourself

Finally, give yourself a reward. There’s nothing wrong with getting motivated to write a paper with a little bribery, right? Tell yourself you have to write for an hour before you get that cupcake you’ve been saving. Set a goal to finish within the next 24 hours, and if you do so, you get to go shopping. Plan a date night with your significant other and tell yourself you can go only if you get to a certain point in the paper. There are so many ways to reward yourself, and although you might be getting paid or graded for the paper, it’s always fun to motivate yourself with an extra treat.

 

Get That Paper Written

When you’re having trouble getting motivated to write a paper, don’t fret. There are a lot of resources out there, and when you have a few tricks up your sleeve, you can do anything. Leave your best tricks in the comments below, and let’s help each other out!

While some might consider working at home with three crazy little boys running around to be a curse, there are some who actually love it. With the help of BKA Content, mothers (like me) are able to stay home, take care of their family, do something that they enjoy, and earn money all at the same time. The benefits of working for BKA Content heavily outweigh the disadvantages (none of which I have actually found…yet). The following are some of the reasons why I love my job:

An Outlet for Typing

I love to type. Ever since my Junior High keyboarding class, I have been an addict. Not only do I type on the keyboard, but I “air-type”. When I drive down the road, I find my brain typing out the road signs. While my fingers are not actually moving, my brain is telling them to. Weird, but true. I also type conversations that I have with people, and even just random songs that are stuck in my head.  All without consciously realizing it. Come to think of it, it could possibly be a disease.  Either way, that’s part of who I am.

The Home Factor

I admit, I love being home with my kids. When the possibility arose that I might be required to get a job in order to survive, I almost had a heart attack! Could I possibly leave my children for hours at a time in the hands of someone else?  You just never know, they could end up being corrupted. Luckily, I found BKA Content from a job ad at KSL.com and sent them an email, completely oblivious to what an SEO article even was. By some miracle, they saw potential in me (I guess…). The result: a job. Not just any job, but one that I could do from home, in the midst of the chaos, the temper tantrums, the snacks, and the bug collections. It’s great! Seriously, who would want anything more?

Lessons Learned

Through my experience with BKA Content I have learned many lessons. The top ten lessons I have learned are:

• I can type 113 WPM. Yes, I am awesome.
• There are  certain products and services that I’ve written about that I will never buy.  Amazing how a little bit of good research can be enlightening.  Not everything out there is awesome.
• Greg and Phil totally seem like family guys. Awesome? Yes!
• Matt seems like a party animal and should get married (source; Facebook). Also awesome!
• “Catch Phrase” is the perfect game to brush up on SEO writing/thinking skills (I’m done with awesome’s).
• I shouldn’t procrastinate work that is due on Monday morning at 8 am. I think I have done it every week, however. Maybe that one is a lesson still to be learned.
• It is hard to be objective on some topics. Hard, but not impossible.
• Home Depot sells a lot of unexpected, yet cool things!
• It is easier to type with short fingernails (which also makes it easier to play the guitar. Killing two birds with one stone…).
• Just because Google finds it, that doesn’t mean an industry “professional” had to write it. There are thousands of informative, high-quality articles on the internet that were written by a 30 year old stay at home mom who, in the beginning, didn’t have a clue what she was actually writing about (and I always considered it scripture. Ha!).
• You can actually trust people you meet on the internet!  Well… some of them anyway.

As you can see, there are actually eleven top lessons I have learned. That’s just how fantastic it is working for BKA Content!

I must begin with a conclusion. Working from home is probably the best professional decision this Mama has ever made! From the comfort (or mess; whichever way you look at it) of my living room, I have been working from home for three years, in two different professions. While I do get the occasional understanding from others, there is always the assumption that I should be the carpool mom, the babysitter for other working moms, or the woman in charge of the next neighborhood shindig because after all, I just stay at home.

“Stay at Home”

This is true. I do just stay at home. But while I am there, I work. I wash and fold the laundry, I wash and put away the dishes, and I make breakfast, lunch, and dinner for three little men (and one big one). I am the dusting fairy, the toilet cleaning fairy, the missing-sock-finding fairy, and yes, I am even the tooth fairy. I clean up spilled milk and sometimes cry over it. I clean up after sick kids and sometimes cry over that too. I watch a good chick flick once in a while and definitely cry over those, but that’s only in my spare time. You know, like at midnight.

I drive my kids to school, to track practice, to Scouts, to basketball practice, to tee ball, and to visit Grandma. I pick up that big man I mentioned from the train station. Sometimes we even sneak out on a date or two. I stock the pantry, I stock the refrigerator, and I stock the linen closet, the bathroom cupboards, and the medicine cabinet. I sew patches on pants, costumes for Halloween, flags for Scouts, and quilts for gifts. I bake birthday cakes, homemade bread, and cookies for the neighbors. I make homemade fruit roll ups, goldfish crackers, and granola bars. Add to that my profession and I am sending and receiving emails, filling in spreadsheets, writing, writing, writing, meeting deadlines, and wondering who all my co-workers are. Let’s just face it: There’s nothing I can’t do. Basically, I am Super Mom.

Super Mom Strikes Again!

So how does that all come together? At the beginning of my week, I like to plan out every day. My calendar is fairly empty. It looks similar to this each day:

• 8 AM: Get the two older kids ready and off to school.
• 9 AM: Exercise, shower, and get myself ready.
• 10 AM: Drop off youngest child at preschool. Begin work for BKA.
• 12 PM: Pick up youngest child, eat lunch. Play with youngest child.
• 1 PM: Back to work (at the computer) for BKA.
• 3 PM: Pick up older kids from school. Begin homework.
• 5 PM: Begin dinner. Eat dinner.
• 7 PM: Begin nighttime routine with kids.
• 8 PM: Kids are in bed. Time to relax.

That is why working from home is such a beautiful thing!

By the end of the week, this is how the calendar gets filled in on any given day:

• 3 AM: Youngest wet the bed. Get up, clean it up, go back to sleep.
• 4 AM: Oldest has achy legs. Get up, get Tylenol, rub legs, go back to sleep.
• 6 AM: Middle child is bouncing on my bed. Send him to eat cereal. Go back to sleep.
• 7 AM: Roll out of bed to go break up a fight in the living room. Neighbor kid arrives to be babysat. Middle child is rude to neighbor kid and I have to do some quality control.
• 8 AM: Enforce the fact that school starts SOON and they must have clothes on before they will be allowed to enter the building. Take kids to school.
• 9 AM: Check email and the BKA spreadsheet. Realize that my job is due today and not tomorrow. Work feverishly to get it done. And while I’m at it, I’ll take another job so my paycheck will be bigger.
• 9:20 AM: Youngest child wants to play cars. Drive cars. Crash. Game over. Turn on TV. Throw in a load of laundry. Resume work for BKA. Mom calls and wants to chat. Since I inherited my awesomeness from her, I indulge.
• 10 AM: Take youngest child to preschool. Back to work, but only after I stop at the grocery store to purchase more toilet paper. Switch the laundry.
• 11 AM: Send in BKA articles. Shower. Notice the bathroom is looking pretty bad. Begin cleaning the counters. Work my way down to the cupboards. While I’m at it, the toilet could use some cleanser. And the floor. And the shower. And the walls. Switch the laundry.
• 12 PM: Try to tame air-dried frizzy hair. Apply makeup. Remember youngest child at preschool and run over there to pick him up.
• 12:30 PM: Lunch. Since I’m in the kitchen, I’ll wash a few dishes. Neighbor calls. Can I drive her kids to Scouts? Why not? Youngest drops his jelly sandwich on the floor. Might as well mop the entire floor while I’m down here. New load of laundry.
• 1 PM: Back to work….but wait. Bomb threat at the school!?! Drive to meeting place to pick up kids.
• 2 PM: Still waiting in line to pick up kids. Thinking about the huge job I have waiting on the computer at home. Wondering why someone has to do a bomb threat at an elementary school.
• 3 PM: Run by the bank. Deal with a small fight over who gets which sucker (why does everyone have to stare? Seriously…) Back home, ready to work again. Kids are just too worked up for me to concentrate. Turn off computer. Switch laundry. Begin washing dishes.
• 4 PM: Kids walk in covered in mud and bugs. They love both. Put bugs in boxes, look up their natural habitats and create them a home. Stick kids in the tub. Begin to wash their clothes.
• 5 PM: Start to think about the gourmet dinner I will now make. Neighborhood kids knock to tattle on my kids. Head outside for some more quality control. Everyone starts asking for a treat. Head inside, look for those goldfish crackers, and head outside to divide them up fairly between 20 neighbor kids. Switch laundry.
• 5:30 PM: Pack the kids in the car. Pick up neighbor boys. Drop off kids at Scouts. Pick up husband from the train station. Stop by the grocery store for eggs, milk, and more cereal.
• 6 PM: Make macaroni and cheese. Eat. Pick up oldest and neighbors from Scouts.
• 6:30 PM: Remember book reports are due tomorrow. Set child up at the desk next to me so I can work for BKA and he can write the report. Accept huge landing page order.
• 7 PM: Blank computer screen. Awesome book report. Kids in jammies, brushing teeth, saying prayers.
• 7:30 PM: Three boys fighting in one small bedroom. Break up the fight. Ground them all for life. Take away the 3DS. Everyone’s grumpy. Except me.
• 8 PM: Sit down at computer to write SEO content for BKA. Middle child comes to tell me the other two are chatting and he can’t sleep. Go upstairs to threaten the kids.
• 8:10 PM: Sit down to resume work. Oldest child comes to tell me that youngest child is making the bunk bed wiggle. Go upstairs to handle the wiggles.
• 8:20 PM: Sit down to resume work. Youngest child needs a drink but can’t have one because he’ll wet the bed. Go upstairs to calm down his fit.
• 8:30 PM: Sit down to resume work. Husband wants to have a discussion about finances. Have discussion.
• 9 PM: Sit down to resume work. Remember that you are in charge of cupcakes for PTA tomorrow. Shut down computer. Make cupcakes.
• 10 PM: Pull out vacuum. Suck up a sock. Take vacuum apart. Retrieve sock. Begin to patch kids’ pants. Oh yes, the laundry! Switch laundry.
• 11 PM: Turn on TV. Begin to fold laundry. Wonder to myself if I accomplished anything today. Seriously, did I?
• 11:30 PM: Pull out guitar for a little R&R time. Remember garbage day is tomorrow. Take garbage cans out to street. Notice bikes are out. Gather them and lock them up. Dome light is on in the car. Go turn it off. Head back inside. Put guitar away.
• 12 AM: I need ice cream. Watch TV, eat ice cream. Fall asleep on the couch.
• 2 AM: Wake up with a crook in my neck. Wander up to bed. Fall asleep.
• 2:20 AM: Reality wakes me up and I go do my tooth fairy duties. Back to sleep.
• 3 AM: Youngest wet the bed. Get up, clean it up, go back to sleep.

And that’s on a good day.

A Superhero’s Work is Never Finished

So maybe Super Mom doesn’t quite fit. Maybe Crazy Mom? Or Super Crazy? Either way, it’s my life and I love it. So yes, I do just stay at home. And yes, I will probably babysit your kids once in a while. And yes, I will plan the next shindig. And as long as it doesn’t interfere with what my kids have going on, I will even write ten landing pages for tomorrow morning.

To be honest, I will enjoy every second of it. Because that’s what I do, what I love, and this is how I rock and roll!