Political Cycles and the Macroeconomy

Book Description

The relationship between political and economic cycles is one of the most widely studied topics in political economics. This book examines how electoral laws, the timing of elections, the ideological orientation of governments, and the nature of competition between political parties influence unemployment, economic growth, inflation, and monetary and fiscal policy. The book presents both a thorough overview of the theoretical literature and a vast amount of empirical evidence.

A common belief is that voters reward incumbents who artificially create favorable conditions before an election, even though the economy may take a turn for the worse immediately thereafter. The authors argue that the dynamics of political cycles are far more complex. In their review of the main theoretical approaches to the issues, they demonstrate the multifaceted relationships between macroeconomic and political policies. They also present a broad range of empirical data, from the United States as well as OECD countries. One of their most striking findings is that the United States is not exceptional; the relationships between political and economic cycles are remarkably similar in other democracies, particularly those with two-party systems.

Customer Reviews:

Tests competing theories of political business cycles.......2000-04-07

Alberto Alesina is one of the leading scholars to adapt that new theory of macroeconomics to the possibility of political goals and motivations on the part of policy makers. And "Political Cycles and the Macroeconomy" is the most comprehensive and authoritative statement of scholarship in this field. It is a theoretical and empirical statement of the state of the art in political macroeconomics. It contains a review of alternative theories and fresh empirical tests. It builds on a decade or more of empirical work by Alesina, with the present colleagues and others, and by many other scholars.

Alesina and his colleagues begin with an intellectual map of opportunistic and partisan theories, for each of which there are traditional models with an exploitable Phillips curve and models that are consistent with rational expectations. The conclusions are that the rational choice and rational expectations theories are more successful than their more traditional predecessors and that the partisan model is more successful than the opportunistic model in explaining macroeconomic behavior. That is, the designated winner on both theoretical and empirical grounds is "rational partisan theory," of which the leading scholar is Alberto Alesina himself. The theories are tested with data for the United States and for most of the developed economies in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)....

Although the book's empirical work pertains to most OECD nations, there is a separate chapter devoted to political cycles in the United States. Descriptive data regarding inflation, unemployment, and growth are presented, organized by party and position in the electoral cycle. Hypotheses are tested on data for the period from 1947 through 1994. Results support the rational partisan theory and fail to support opportunistic electoral cycle hypotheses. For nonspecialists the most telling evidence in favor of the "rational partisan" theory, as opposed to the traditional theory, is that differences between the parties on unemployment and growth are confined to the first half of administrations, in response to the element of surprise in electoral outcomes, but the differences dissipate in the second half.

"Political Cycles and the Macroeconomy" is a state-of-the-art presentation of an important field bridging economics and political science. Although the technical level of the book is high (some chapters have more than a score of equations), the book is accessible to serious readers and will be rewarding to them. It simultaneously advances the study of macroeconomics and the study of political processes and institutions. It is a fine book.

compilation of earlier work but not much else.......1999-07-19

The problem here is that almost everything in the book they have already published elsewhere, and thus only is a slight updating of earlier results. It is nice to have them altogether in one source, but the underlying methodology is so questionable as to render it not worthwhile.

Book Description

Models derived from the Real Business Cycle perspective have recently taken a major place in business cycle research. The papers in this present volume bring three contributions to this research programme: A critical evaluation of the canonical RBC models, new elements of empirical relevance, based on comparative calibration and testing, and new specifications, at the frontier of business cycle research, coping with non walrasian features, contracts and nominal rigidities, unemployment and growth.

Political Cycles and the Macroeconomy.: An article from: Independent Review

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Political Cycles and the Macroeconomy.: An article from: Independent Review
William R. Keech
Manufacturer: Independent Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Independent Review, published by Independent Institute on September 22, 1998. The length of the article is 1300 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Political Cycles and the Macroeconomy.
Author: William R. Keech
Publication: Independent Review (Refereed)
Date: September 22, 1998
Publisher: Independent Institute
Volume: v3 Issue: n2 Page: p294(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Partisan cycles in congressional elections and the macroeconomy (NBER working paper series ; working paper)

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Partisan cycles in congressional elections and the macroeconomy (NBER working paper series ; working paper)
Alberto Alesina
Manufacturer: National Bureau of Economic Research
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Macroeconomics | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00071G4JI

Book Description

Power Sales Writing is a brisk, no-nonsense guide to writing sales messages guaranteed to grab and hold a prospect's attention.

With this book in hand, everyone from salespeople to marketing managers to business executives will quickly and painlessly master the essence of effective sales writing to win the sale or client. This book includes:

Lists of power words and phrases
Editing and revision techniques
Tips on how to break bad news and achieve desired outcomes
Advice on translating sales skills into copy
Techniques for getting prospects to act by articulating their needs

Download Description

Power Sales Writing is a brisk, no-nonsense guide to writing sales messages guaranteed to grab and hold a prospect's attention. With this book in hand, everyone from salespeople to marketing managers to business executives will quickly and painlessly master the essence of effective sales writing to win the sale or client. This book includes: Lists of power words and phrases Editing and revision techniques Tips on how to break bad news and achieve desired outcomes Advice on translating sales skills into copy Techniques for getting prospects to act by articulating their needs

Customer Reviews:

A "must have" for professionals........2007-03-08

With all of the advances the age of technology has brought us, there have also been a few setbacks. One of those setbacks comes in the form of a lack of professionalism in writing. The email era has all but eliminated professionalism in business communications. POWER SALES WRITING by Sue Hershkowitz-Coore seeks to restore some of that lost professionalism. What we have here, however, is not just about improving the level of professionalism in email, but is applicable to all realms of business writing.

The author begins by introducing four questions that are basic components of all business writing. The professional writer should always begin their prewriting with these four basic questions. Doing so will insure the writer always achieves the desired result. There is an incredible amount of information on such a wide variety of writing tips, such as proofing, when and how to use buffers, and legal culpability in business communications.

The book seems to be aimed at a general audience (anyone who conducts business communication) as well as a specific audience, (copywriters). The content here is beneficial for both audiences and, I believe, meets reader expectations of either group. The last half of the book does slant more towards the professional copywriter, but can still be applied to general business communications.

In the last half of the book we find direction on sales letters. Here, the focus is on such things as sales letter characteristics, the power of testimony and using stimuli words (visual, auditory and kinesthetic) to appeal to various learning styles.

The final section really helps the reader to challenge him or herself from writing habits found less than admirable. This is somewhat of a melding together and condensed version of Richard Bayan's "Words That Sell" and Strunk's "Elements of Style". Of particular note, I found on the final page of text, a technique I have used for years. That is making a list of the ten most important things learned from the book, picking a couple to focus on for a month, then moving to the next two. The problem here is, for me, it was difficult holding my list down to ten items.

This is a critical edition for professional copywriters. It is beneficial for all professionals who must use written communication. I found the book exceptionally well written. Hershkowitz-Coore's obvious skill as a writer makes the book very easy to comprehend.

Power is an UNDERSTATEMENT!.......2006-04-20

Competition is fierce and having the best marketing department or newest product is not good enough. All successful Sales professionals possess skills that set them apart from their competitors and effective writing should be at the top of their skill set. In her new book, Power Sales Writing, Sue provides the tools that will inspire the reader to develop or enhance their writing effectiveness and ultimately set them apart from the competition. Power Sales Writing has a prominent position on my bookshelf - a must read!

OK Book; Not Great.......2004-05-21

I must say I am little disappointed. I would not tell someone not to buy this book but I would not tell someone to buy it. The book does deliver what it says on the cover. I am not so sure how powerful it is. It is about writing style and how to make it better, easier and faster. I am still trying to decide if I learned anything from this book that is of great value. I am sure I will reference this book in the future and for $10.00; hay what the hell. I have bought computer books for ten times that amount that I hated. If you have difficulty writing and getting your ideas on to paper maybe this book is for you. It is short and it is very readable. I would classify this as an average book. And sorry Sue since my name is not on this I just pounded it out on the keyboard and let the letters fall where they may.

Power Sales Writting is as essential a tool as a dictionary!.......2003-12-10

Share this book with everyone in your organization that has any sales contact and increase their their effectiveness. Sue cuts to the heart of good writting skills. Her book is easy to read and offers countless tips on letter writting, e-mails and better communication.

Sue does it again!.......2003-10-25

Sue is a nationally recognized speaker who captivates her audience with pithy observations, high energy and charm. She has successfully translated that into a terrific guide that will be helpful to new salespeople as well as pros. My favorite part is how she points out the pompous phrases that are often used instead of everyday common sense language.

Power Marketing Your Novel: Marketing and Promoting Fiction and Nonfiction

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IRWIN AWARD WINNER 2000
Because Fiction is Harder to Sell.
What Writers Need To Know

Power Marketing Your Novel: Marketing and Promoting Fiction and Nonfiction
Joyce Spizer
Manufacturer: Intercontinental Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Publishing & Books | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1881164888

Customer Reviews:

IRWIN AWARD WINNER 2000.......2001-03-14

THIS AUTHOR WAS NAMED BOOK PUBLICIST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THIS BOOK WON THE IRWIN AWARD FOR 2000. SPIZER REGULARLY TEACHES CREATIVE MARKETING, MEDIA CLASSES AT THE UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE LEVELS, AND AT WRITING CONFERENCES SHARING HER INNOVATIVE IDEAS WITH OTHER AUTHORS. THIS IS THE CONSOMATE "HOW-TO" FOR PUBLISHED AND PRE-PUBLISHED AUTHORS.

Because Fiction is Harder to Sell........2000-12-31

Whether you sell out to a large (New York) publisher or publish yourself, the author must do the promotion. Publishers only produce books and place them in stores. Authors must generate interest to encourage people to go into the stores to pull the books through the system.

There are two major categories of books: Fiction and nonfiction. Fiction is entertainment and as such it is more difficult to sell. Fiction must compete for people's (scarce) time. They must make choices between reading your story, and seeing a film and taking their kids to the zoo. Nonfiction, on the other hand, is valuable information that people buy to save time and money. Each nonfiction book is unique; each is on a different subject. A nonfiction book on parenting does not compete with a nonfiction book on parachuting. Most publishers will caution you to write your nonfiction books first-and to save your fiction until you can afford them. If you are writing (and selling) fiction, you need industrial-strength help. Joyce Spizer is coming to your rescue.

This book is brimming with every conceivable book marketing and promotion idea. Some are expensive and some are free. Some are hard and some are easy. Some require you to personally flog your own book and some are (comfortably) remote and anonymous.

As a publisher and an author of 113 books (including revisions and foreign-language editions) and over 500 magazine articles, I highly recommend this book to both authors and publishers of fiction. DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com.

What Writers Need To Know.......2000-11-29

You are a business. You are an artist. You are a writer. And unless your name is Stephen King, your work won't sell itself. I have heard this author speak and she has personally taught me her marketing tricks. I recommend this highly for any author, including those who want to publish e-books.

Power Copywriting: Dynamic New Communications Techniques to Help You Sell More Products and Services

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A Perfect Book for the Professional Copywriter in your Life!
A GREAT BOOK FOR INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED COPYWRITERS

Power Copywriting: Dynamic New Communications Techniques to Help You Sell More Products and Services
Herschell Gordon Lewis
Manufacturer: Dartnell Corp.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Advertising | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Running Meetings & Presentations | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

On the Art of Writing Copy, Third Edition

ASIN: 0850131871

Customer Reviews:

A Perfect Book for the Professional Copywriter in your Life!.......2000-02-13

I work in the creative department of a New York based advertising agency whose name most in the business would instantly recognize. Lewis's book was recommended to me as an interesting and valuable read. I bought it and found it immensely helpful. Wonderful! Not sure why more people in the "biz" don't know about it! I wholeheartedly agree with the review that appears above....this is an exquisite book. THIS is the book they should be using in graduate level communications courses. On the other hand, forget it. I want to keep my job! A TRUE GEM OF A BOOK - GET IT!

A GREAT BOOK FOR INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED COPYWRITERS.......1999-09-13

Let me say right from the beginning that I have been writing copy for more than a dozen years. Everything from broadcast to direct mail. And after you read all the essential classics in the field (and those copywriting for less than 5 years MUST first read the classics by Bly, Caples, Ogilvy, and yes Lewis too) I can't think of any other book better suited than this one for refining and fine tuning the more experienced copywriter! Power Copywriting takes us on a wonderful journey through the refinements of the copywriting craft. Things professionals have always instinctively known but LOVE seeing corroborated in print - and - things we've perhaps never considered and will try FIRST THING TOMORROW! Very little actual narrative. It's just pages and pages of sophisticated tips, secrets, and wisdom served to you in bite size chunks. A book not really meant for the novice because it presumes the reader can really tell the difference between a feature and a benefit and already understands all the basics. This book BUILDS UPON the basics. To stay sharp, I've read this book twice a year since I've purchased it. I've seen my copywriting "pull" significantly better after reading Lewis' Power and so will you. If you've already read the classics and have more than 4 or 5 years experience in copywriting - GET THIS BOOK!

Power Sales Words: How to Write It, Say It And Sell It With Sizzle

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used "Power Sales Words" to produce a sponsorship video
Sound bite!
Packed with useful information
Makes Writing Fun
Great reference book - empowering language.

Power Sales Words: How to Write It, Say It And Sell It With Sizzle
Vicky Oliver
Manufacturer: Sourcebooks, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Writing | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 140220650X
Release Date: 2006-05-01

Book Description

In today's fast-paced market, copywriters have approximately three seconds to grab--and keep--a reader's attention. Power Sales Words is the only reference you need help write attention-grabbing and powerful headlines.

Whether you're an advertising copywriter, an account executive, marketing director, editor, publicist, salesperson, job hunter or entrepreneur, Power Sales Words will help you hook your target immediately.

Power Sales Words includes:
-- How-to advice on writing copy
-- Hundreds of lists of essential sales words
-- Dozens of attention-grabbing headlines
-- Questions that get your target's attention

Packed full of synonyms guaranteed to solve any word problem and creative phrases that will make an impact, Power Sales Words is a must-have shelf reference for all writers.

Customer Reviews:

used "Power Sales Words" to produce a sponsorship video.......2007-03-16

Recently, I was asked to help out Nantucket Community Sailing by writing and producing a video about the organization for prospective sponsors of Nantucket Race Week. I was asked because it's known that I have an (extremely modest) knowledge of how to operate a video camera, which made me an expert relative to everyone else.

I've never actually written a script before, or indeed, tried anything in marketing of this nature. "Power Sales Words" helped me figure out who our prospective sponsors were, what our pitch was, and how to frame the pitch appropriately.

Very glad to have found this book, because the resulting video is a huge improvement over what we did last year, and now that we've done it once, we know how to make it better next time.

Sound bite!.......2007-01-12

Average informatio that we all already have... save a few buck and just buy a thesaurus!

Packed with useful information.......2006-10-13

Vicky Oliver's Power Sales Words is a valuable resource for professional and non-professional writers alike. Packed with useful synonyms and antonyms, creative phrases, do's and don'ts, instructive essays and more, Power Sales Words puts the words you need right at your fingertips. Whether you're brainstorming for ideas, searching for the perfect adjective or trying to punch up that closing paragraph, Power Sales Words can help. I keep it on my computer desk right next to the dictionary and thesaurus.

Makes Writing Fun.......2006-09-21

This book has superb advice on writing for anyone -- not just for those in sales and advertising. The author is very witty and provides a ton of specific words, phrases and ideas for jazzing up your writing. Get this book!

Great reference book - empowering language........2006-09-20

Great reference book. I design and write copy for websites and other media. I know I often have only seconds to grab a viewers attention and I have to "say it with sizzle" as quickly as possible. This book covers several different categories of writing and is an easy read. I use it in both the brainstorming and the refining process. Ms. Oliver's tips empower my language.

Heavenly Powers: Unraveling the Secret History of the Kabbalah

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Great book with a different perspective, a recommended read

Heavenly Powers: Unraveling the Secret History of the Kabbalah
Neil Asher Silberman
Manufacturer: Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Religious | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Reference | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Jainism | Other Eastern Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0785813241

Amazon.com

Heavenly Powers: Unraveling the Secret History of the Kabbalah gives a political history of Jewish mysticism. Neil Asher Silberman says the goal of his book is to describe "how kabbalistic rituals--at least in their initial stages--expressed symbolic yearnings for down-to-earth political ideals, formulated under particular historical conditions, with particular earthly injustices in mind." Silberman argues that Kabbalah inspired concrete economic, religious, and political movements in Babylon during the time of Ezekiel, in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, in Istanbul at the time of Suleiman the Magnificent, and in Renaissance Venice. His saga sometimes stretches credibility in its aspiration to historical sweep, but he's entitled. A person can get carried away when he or she has discovered a secret, and Neil Asher Silberman, by describing the political effects of Jewish mysticism, has certainly done that. --Michael Joseph Gross

Book Description

Does the mysterious symbolism of the Kabbalah have a

hidden meaning? Does its epic talk of struggle between the forces of Good and Evil have implications for understanding the political history of the Western world? In tracing the history of this ancient Jewish spiritual tradition over the centuries, Neil Asher Silberman argues that the Kabbalah is far more than an otherworldly, occult way of knowledge. He demonstrates that it is a direct, often revolutionary response to the tyranny of earthly potentates and kings. In a historical saga filled with vivid characters and memorable historical backgrounds, Silberman's story takes readers from Babylon at the time of the Prophet Ezekiel through Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, to Baghdad at the time of Harun ar-Rashid. From there the history of the Kabbalah winds its way through the wars and international intrigue of medieval Castile, Renaissance Venice, and the fabled court of Suleiman the Magnificent in Istanbul, culminating in the "golden age" of the Kabbalah in the mystical city of Safed in the mountains of Galilee. Heavenly Powers is a tale of visionaries, wonder workers, rabble-rousers, and would-be messiahs that stretches across continents and over centuries of political upheaval, revolution, and mystical speculation--up to the present day. Silberman offers readers a unique and controversial portrait of the Kabbalah not only as one of the world's most enigmatic and powerful traditions but also as an explosive political doctrine dedicated to challenging the rule of the earthly powers-that-be.

Customer Reviews:

Great book with a different perspective, a recommended read.......2002-02-12

In recent years it seems that most books on the Kabbalah seem to concentrate on the mystical aspects. Especially with it's growing popularity with various New Age movements. Silberman takes a different direction and concentrates on the historical and political factors that influenced the development of the Kabbalah and it's rituals. He takes the reader back to the beginnings or many of the rituals and discussed the political and historical influences of that time and how they worked together to weave a rich tapestry of religious tradition.
He has a remarkable ability to take a complex subject and put it into a readable style as he takes the reader on a journey from the Babylonian empire through the Roman and Byzantine empires, through Europe and to Israel. For the new age reader who is more interested in the rituals and methods of the Kabbalah this will probably not be their favorite book, but for those desiring an understanding of the roots of the religious tradition this is an excellent book with a perspective that others do not offer. A recommended read for any student of history, religion, or political sciences or others who just want to understand such things.

Finding God Wherever You Are: Selected Spiritual Writings

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Finding God Wherever You Are: Selected Spiritual Writings
Francis , and Francis De Sales
Manufacturer: New City Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Images of power, images of humiliation: Congolese "colonial" sculpture for sale in Rwanda.(Colonie Beige) : An article from: African Arts

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Images of power, images of humiliation: Congolese "colonial" sculpture for sale in Rwanda.(Colonie Beige) : An article from: African Arts
Tom Turner
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from African Arts, published by Thomson Gale on March 22, 2005. The length of the article is 8914 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Images of power, images of humiliation: Congolese "colonial" sculpture for sale in Rwanda.(Colonie Beige)
Author: Tom Turner
Publication: African Arts (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 22, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Page: 60(14)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The Inspirational Writings of Norman Vincent Peale: Why Some Positive Thinkers Get Powerful Results and Power of the Plus Factor

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The Inspirational Writings of Norman Vincent Peale: Why Some Positive Thinkers Get Powerful Results and Power of the Plus Factor
Norman Vincent Peale
Manufacturer: Bristol Park Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Power Sales Writing: What Every Sales Person Needs to Know to Turn Prospects into Buyers

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Produces immediate results!
Extremely Insightful

Power Sales Writing: What Every Sales Person Needs to Know to Turn Prospects into Buyers
Sue A. Hershkowitz
Manufacturer: High Impact Presentations
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Writing | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Technical | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0964846403

Book Description

This book will help you make more money!

Five secondsthat's all the time you have to grasp your prospect's attentionCompel them to read and act on your sales messageEasy-to-implement and easy-to-understand Power Writing tools to make creating and closing sales easier, more professional and more profitable.

Every sales professional must understand the secrets of effective sales writing. This book will give you the success strategies you need to beat out the competition and the secrets to building and maintaining profitable relationships with customers and clients.

Customer Reviews:

Produces immediate results!.......2000-10-10

Using techniques I learned from this book, I wrote a press release that earned mountains of praise from my usually edit-happy boss. Instead of edit marks he scrawled "Wonderful! Nice hook! Great job!" all over my copy.

The book is a quick study and it produces immediate results! I look forward to writing and rewriting my sales letters and marketing literature using these techniques.

Extremely Insightful.......2000-02-08

Like in her seminars, Sue is a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm in this must-read for anyone looking to enhance their range of business skills. An excellent resource.

Power writing techniques: six tips for writing brochures, press releases and sales letters.: An article from: Detroiter

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Here's the article for your review

Power writing techniques: six tips for writing brochures, press releases and sales letters.: An article from: Detroiter
Mark S.A. Smith
Manufacturer: Detroit Regional Chamber
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B0008IQGX4
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Detroiter, published by Detroit Regional Chamber on December 1, 2001. The length of the article is 505 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Power writing techniques: six tips for writing brochures, press releases and sales letters.
Author: Mark S.A. Smith
Publication: Detroiter (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2001
Publisher: Detroit Regional Chamber
Volume: 23 Issue: 12 Page: 82(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Customer Reviews:

Here's the article for your review.......2005-06-12

This article is being republished without my permission nor without royalty payment to me. So, you don't have to pay for it, you can read it right here! You can find lots of my articles by doing a search on Mark SA Smith articles. Enjoy

How to write with power
by Mark S A Smith

Here are seven things that I consciously use while writing and editing articles that will give your writing pizzazz and sparkle.
Focus on your reader. Your reader always thinks (subconsciously, at least) "So what!" or "Big Deal!" or "What's in it for me?" Use the powerful words "you" and "your" whenever possible. Try these sentences on for size- "Participants will have a happier life." "You will live a happier life." Which sentence connects with you? Use "I" as little as you can. This takes practice and lots of re-writing. Re-read the open-ing paragraph. There are at least six opportunities to use "I", and the word appears only twice. When you minimize "I", the spotlight is on your reader.

Make your writing exciting with active verbs. Avoid verbs that have the form "to be" unless you really want the passive feeling. Reading articles written in passive verb form are like reading govern-ment documents - a true cure for insomnia. A grammar checker helps you identify passive verbs if your proofing skills aren't as polished as they were when you were in school. This article only uses passive verbs as examples. Look at the difference in the energy level of these sentences_ "The discussion will be led by Joe." "Joe will lead the discussion." Which version has more life?

Put your reader in the picture. This is an extension of using ac-tive verbs. Look for ways of writing your reader into the action. In-stead of, "Thursday, Joe will lead the discussion," try, "Join us on Thursday, as Joe leads the discussion."
Start paragraphs with miniature headlines. Pull your reader through your writing by making the beginning of each paragraph excit-ing and tantalizing. Look through this article. Where ever appropri-ate, the paragraphs open with words that make you want to read that paragraph. This sometimes means rearranging the words, and that's what good writing is all about.

Promise your readers benefits. Change "So what!" to "Is that so!" with the promise of benefits. And follow through with the benefits. This article opened by promising to add pizzazz and sparkle to your writing. What does your writing offer your readers?

KISS: Keep It Super Simple. Einstein pointed out, "Make every-thing as simple as possible, and not one bit simpler." I was recently in a class where highly educated individuals stumbled and mispro-nounced words as they read a high-school level poem. When writing to inform, keep the vocabulary simple. When writing prose, go for the 50 cent words! This article checks in at the 8th grade level.

Sincerity Sells. I wrote this article with the greatest sincer-ity. I want you to write better. If this wasn't written with love and respect for you, you would feel it and know it, and you wouldn't try even one of these techniques.

It works for speaking, too! Try these techniques when writing and speaking, and see the difference in how your reader and listener react to you.

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