Sunday, March 22, 2020

5 Easy Ways to Achieve Your Goals - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Easy Ways to Achieve Your Goals - Introvert Whisperer 5 Easy Ways to Achieve Your Goals Kayla Matthews February 23, 2018 Leadership, Problem-Solving 2 responses Go to top Whether you’re planning for the future or striving to make it through the next week, everyone has goals they can envision and define. But, because they aren’t tangible until you’ve obtained them, it may seem as though you’ll never reach some of the goals you’ve set for yourself â€"  you’ll just keep working toward them in perpetuity. That sentiment, while common, just isn’t true. The power lies in your hands to make sure you achieve all you want in life, and you can do it with these five methods primed for goal-getting. 1. Be Accountable to Yourself First Chances are, you do so much for everyone around you. It could be your boss, your beau or your brood, but you always show up and go above and beyond for those who need you. When it comes to your goals, though, you’re not as determined â€" and that needs to change. The most important step in achieving your goals is to hold yourself accountable, and there are plenty of ways to do it. First and foremost, you need to get into the right state of mind: Why do you want to do this, anyway? A little bit of research can go a long way, too, steering you in the direction of your goal. Most of all, you need to make sure you follow through and take the time you need to accomplish whatever you envision for your life. 2. A Little Bit Goes a Long Way New Year’s resolution-makers get a bad rap because they start the year in unyielding, near-constant pursuit of their goals. Quickly, though, that dedication fades as they grow tired of a packed schedule and benchmarks set too high. There’s no need to upend your life for the sake of your goals. In fact, you’ll find pouring all your energy into one thing will make you burn out and give up. So, whether your goals relate to your work, personal life or even your health, regularly making small changes that lead you toward the finish line is one of the surefire ways to live without limitations â€"  and to achieve what you want. 3. Ask for Input The amount of advice you seek in your pursuit of a particular goal is, of course, up to you. You could tap the knowledge of someone who has what you want at the start of the process. Find out their methods, their setbacks and successes, and keep all that in mind as you formulate your plan. And, once you have that contact, you can reach out to the same person for feedback and further advice as you continue in your quest. Another form of friendly support? Enlisting a friend to be your goal-getting buddy. You might cross paths with someone in pursuit of a similar achievement, and the two of you can work together, provide tips to one another and hold each other accountable to what you’ve set out to do. There’s a reason exercisers with workout buddies are more successful: They have someone to push them and support them throughout the process, and you can do the same. 4. Don’t Let Setbacks Stop You Even with all your resolve, determination and optimism, you will undoubtedly face setbacks in your quest. Rather than let them deter you or steer you off course face them head-on. You’ll find it easier to confront obstacles because, with each one, you’ll become stronger in your resolve. As you build your inner strength, you’ll be more resilient, which will do nothing but spur you in the direction of the goals you wish to accomplish now and in the future. 5. Go for It â€" and Stay the Course You’re ready now: You’ve figured out what you want and why, you’re setting a reasonable pace, you’ve asked an expert for help and you’ve built yourself up against any lingering negativity. The last thing left for you is to start on your path toward your delineated goal(s) and continue to  re-evaluate those objectives as you progress. Now, it’s up to you to see your visions through to the end. Doing so may mean you alter the plans you started with, or you leave behind a friend or mentor whose aspirations no longer match yours. Your adaptability will make it even more plausible that your goals will become reality, and that’s why you started this in the first place. Stick to it â€"  you can hardly imagine everything you will achieve with this can-do mindset. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Friday, March 6, 2020

Online Tutoring Way out to enjoy learning Physics

Online Tutoring Way out to enjoy learning Physics 0SHARESShare Science is second most primitive subject in academics after Math. It is very essential to master the scientific fundamentals if the student is opting science career. Physics is again the most contributing category of this subject with most diverse and limitless career prospects. Physics have many branches of specialization like medicine, engineering, geophysics, aeronautics, and even related to finance and business. It deals with plenty of practical experiments that back up theoretical sections. It is the subject that recreates major discoveries of past students. The students can make fun learning Physics if they are strong at basic principles. Math and Science online tutoring offers outstanding tutors who possess tremendous teaching and behavior management strategies to help students fulfill their potential. They are capable enough to instill enthusiasm and energy to create new ideas. The teaching methodology are tailored and applied in a way that suits each individual student’s age and grasping ability. The structured tutorials and innovative methods that focus key aspect of physics help students to attain high grades in their academics. The physics tutorials comprises of instructional material written in and easy-to understand language, complemented by graphics. The physics tutoring websites hold large collection of graphics, animations, movies accompanied by explanation of each topic. Online tutor  give collection of beautifully crafted questions to improve students’ conceptions of Physics. The web-based instructional resources engage students exercising thinking, reflecting and learning the subject that help them to become self-learners. The variety of explanations, questions and answers that target specific concepts and skills are recorded serve as reviewing or practicing the topics. One cannot deny the fact that learning Physics is difficult for high school students, however, another fact that help student enjoy learning this subject is way out to online tutoring. [starbox id=admin]

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Musicians, Is Your Home Practice Space Holding You Back

Musicians, Is Your Home Practice Space Holding You Back Suzy S. Youve got your instrument,  your  sheet music, and your books. Youve found a great music teacher to guide you. But lets take a look at your home practice space. Could it be holding you back? Learn how to improve it with these tips from piano teacher Eric B A few years ago I had a student who was struggling to improve. She was practicing more than I asked, but every week brought in mediocre versions of the songs I assigned. We tried different techniques for months with no success. A few months passed and we did an online lesson when I was on tour. I was shocked to see where she was practicing: the piano was in a hallway, and her siblings were running back and forth by her while she tried to play. Because the space was too tight, she was squashed against the keys. The only light came from a bare bulb in the hallway, and there was a massive pile of toys on the piano. This poor girl had one thing standing between her talent and becoming a great musician: a terrible practice space. Having an amazing practice room that keeps you focused is essential to consistent improvement. Here are seven  ways you can spice up your music practice space: 1. Get great lighting. Make sure that the room you practice in is well-lit. I love practicing in naturally lit rooms, with a simple piano stand light  on the piano so I can see my sheet music. If it’s too dark in the room you may fight fatigue sooner than if your room is brightly illuminated. 2. Have a cell phone shelf outside your practice room. Get a cheap wall-mounted car key holder  and place your phone on it each time you go into your practice room. This will keep you from getting distracted during practice sessions. If you place a charger by the wall holder, you’ll have the added reward of a fully charged phone when you leave. 3. Declutter. The fewer items in the room, the less likely you’ll be to get distracted. Move all items that don’t relate to music to other rooms, and your mind will relax and focus on the task at hand. 4. Get a kitchen timer. Now that you’ve decluttered your room, you’ll need to keep track of your practice time. Use a cheap kitchen timer to help you stay focused while you’re practicing. Take a look at bunch of great options here. See also: Infographic: How to Practice Piano for Your Best Results 50 Little Things You Can Do to Get More From Your Guitar Practice Time How the Best Singers Structure Their Singing Practice Our 8 Best Tips for Effective Drum Practice 25+ Violin Practice Tips to Help You Improve Fast! 5. Get a metronome. Metronomes are the least expensive way to improve your rhythm, and having one by your piano or keyboard will encourage you to use it daily. Here  are  a few inexpensive but quality metronomes to consider. 6. Bring a water bottle and a high-protein snack. Most instrumentalists will burn calories while playing, so make sure you keep your energy levels high. I love snacking on nuts or a protein bar while I play, and a big 32 oz. bottle of water by the piano (cap on to prevent spills) helps me stay hydrated. 7. Put a practice calendar on your wall. I recommend keeping track of your music practice on a calendar. This will give you a visual reminder of how consistent you’ve been with your practicing. Then, set rewards for yourself after a certain number  of consecutive practices. I love getting coffee, so I go out and get  my favorite cappuccino after 10 days of practice. Get creative! Fortunately, there’s a happy ending to my piano student struggling to learn in a hallway. After talking with my student’s parents, they made some big changes. They converted part of the dining room in their house into a practice space, adding a special bookshelf and colorful music-themed decorations. She switched from struggling to excelling in a matter of weeks. If you’re investing time and money into music lessons, give yourself the best shot at succeeding in the practice room. If you make the  effort, it might just pay off in a lifetime love of playing music. Editors Note: We also like these 12 tips from Piano Power, with additional ways to make your music practice space productive like eliminating audio distractions, considering personality differences, and keeping acoustics in mind. Photo by  Joe Buckingham Post Author: Eric B. Eric Barfield is a full-time keyboardist, producer, and piano teacher based in Nashville, TN. His career has included working with Dove-award winners Meredith Andrews (Vertical Church Band), and American Idol finalist Joe Banua.  Learn more about Eric here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Learn About Maths Unsolved Mysteries

Learn About Maths Unsolved Mysteries Could You Help with Maths Problems yet to be Solved? ChaptersRiemann HypothesisThe Hodge ConjectureThe Birch/Swinnerton-Dyer ConjectureThe Navier-Stokes EquationsThe Yang Mills EquationsP=NPRamsey NumbersLychrel Numbers and PalindromesFrom when we started to study maths in primary school: learning how to count and calculate, we have known about the fundamentals of mathematics.In effect, for some people, maths â€" multiplication, fractions, and even statistics, allows them to better understand the world that we live in, studying it as a discipline and philosophy â€" not just to pass exams!From secondary school through to sixth form, we are presented with a series of mathematical concepts which are well studied and irrefutable: there are concrete solutions to each concept and problem given â€" a solution you are often examined on! It may be easy to believe that the logic behind mathematics poses no further questions, that no further research is needed…However, there are certain problems in mathematics that have never been solved, and e ven the greatest scientists and researchers haven’t been able to find their solutions.These puzzles relate to our understanding of some of the most profound concepts in mathematics, and define or challenge our knowledge of basic math facts.Perhaps you’ve undertaken your studies in maths only to better succeed in your academic career: passing exams, getting good coursework marks. However, could you be destined for greater things? You could be the first person to solve one of these mathematical mysteries!Finding a solution to one of these seven problems could bag you $1 million! Interested now?SuperProf is bringing you this list of unsolved mathematical problems, and we hope to one day read about you in the history books, having solved one (or more!) of them!It consists of a non-linear differential equation, and its peculiarity is the fact that the equation is frequently used, even though we haven’t yet found its solution!It’s used, amongst other things, to better understand t he movement of currents in the oceans.If you have some formidable mathematical or physics skills, proving the Navier-Stokes equation would give you the title of the 2nd person to solve one of the seven Clay Institute problems, and walk away a millionaire!Currently, only the Poincaré conjecture has been proven.The Yang Mills EquationsAnother physics based problem, the Yang Mills theories aim to tackle problems in our understanding of the fundamental forces of the universe.To explain these particles, Yang and Mills attempted to describe elemental particles by constructing a model based on geometric theories.Their theory, which says that certain quantum particles have a positive mass, has been verified by a number of computer simulations.Discovered by two physicists, the theory hasn’t been proven yet, and is still just an idea.P=NPThis puzzle is perhaps the most important of all.Essentially, the resolution of this problem would solve many other problems, while for as long as it rema ins unsolved, so do many other problems in the fields of maths and computing. Many computations done today are known as NP-hard problems, because they fall into this category.Solving this one will be a question of computation and maths! (Source: Markus Spiske, Unsplash)In P=NP, we call P the problem, where the solution is a group of elements from a given set.Closely linked to the functioning of computers and algorithms, we could sum this problem up as the following question:Can we determine, thanks to a calculation, what we can determine by luck?Could you answer this as yet unanswered question?Learn how to graph functions here.Ramsey NumbersThe Ramsey theorem is linked to order and to the models at the heart of various systems. According to this theory, true disorder cannot exist.To summarise: if we draw n points on a sheet of paper, so that each point is linked to all the other points by either a red or blue line, n must be equal to 6 in order to be certain that there will be at le ast one triangle that is either red or blue.Simply, we could ask what size our group must be for at least three of its members to be strangers, and three to have mutual connections. The answer to the problem is 6.However, if we change the number 3 by 4, the problem is impossible to solve. Or at least, no mathematician up until today has succeeded.Could you come up with the right formula?Lychrel Numbers and PalindromesIn order to understand the Lychrel numbers, you must first know the definition of a palindrome.Palindromes can take the form of a number or words that, when read left-to-right, or right-to-left, read the same.17371 is an example of a palindrome number, as it reads the same whether or not you start on the left or right.When we repeatedly add a number with its inverse and the result doesn’t form a palindrome, it’s known as a Lychrel number.59 isn’t a Lychrel number because…59 + 95 = 154 154 + 451 = 605 605 + 506 = 1111Effectively, we’ve ended up with another pal indrome.The smallest number for which we’ve not found a palindrome is 196, and this is exactly what impassions each mathematics researcher: not knowing exactly how to solve the problem... yet!Even after more than 12 million repeated additions (thanks to the help of automation, of course!), we haven’t found a palindrome for the number 196!Are you ready to pursue this kind of research?Before trying to solve problems linked to algebra, geometry and physics, you must adopt a rigorous mathematical approach and immerse yourself in the scientific universe!Throughout your school career, up to GCSEs, A levels, and degree level, you improve your memory and intellectual skills thanks to mathematics, and perhaps a home tutor could help you progress further?Thanks to a private tutor’s personalised method of teaching, unique to you, you could improve your problem solving and analytical skills! And one day, perhaps you could solve one of these problems!

Should I Go To University of Colorado Boulder

Should I Go To University of Colorado Boulder The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Eric received his Bachelors degree in Physics and English from University of Colorado Boulder. He is currently a tutor in Denver specializing in Creative Writing tutoring, Essay Editing tutoring, Physics tutoring, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at University of Colorado Boulder: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Eric: Boulder is somewhat college-centric, and most of the student housing (which is also more expensive) is within walking or biking distance from campus. I preferred biking, and bike lanes were available on pretty much every street, as many avid bikers live in Boulder. The public transportation is readily available, and it is free for students. It can get people who live as far as the Denver suburbs to school on time, though it is a longer commute. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Eric:In my experience, the teachers are generally busy, but they are willing to schedule meetings with you. They are also always available during their mandatory office hours. Also, finding a research position is not that challenging if you are willing to reach out to professors, but some may give you seemingly insurmountable tasks and expect you to work completely autonomously. Others will act more as mentors it really depends on the professor. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Eric:Certain people enjoy dorm life. Students are required to live in the dorms during their first year, and the dorms range in quality. The dining options are good, and socialization is dependent upon the person, as it is in every other situation. Ultimately, I ended up living off-campus my second year and did not move back, as I found it to be cheaper than the dorms. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Eric:University of Colorado Boulder has a wide range of represented majors, as it is a large state school. As a Physics major, there were a massive amount of opportunities for students to engage in research, even with many national laboratories like JILA, NOAA, NIST, etc. As an English major, there were also many literature/poetry lovers throughout the school and wider community. I would say University of Colorado Boulder did a fantastic job of supporting my wide range of interests. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Eric:I made friends with my freshman dormmates, and I ended up living with them throughout all of college. Greek life is weak at University of Colorado Bouldercompared to other schools, and I did not participate in it. I found it easy enough to meet people and make friends. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Eric:I went once, and they gave me some valuable pointers on my resume. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Eric:At finals time, every study location tends to get crowded, but not overly so. During the semester, however, space is easily available. The library is a good place to study, as are lounges specific to major, dorm, laboratory, etc. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Eric:If you are a mountain person, there is no better place on earth. I came to University of Colorado Boulder in part because of the rock climbing; there were an overwhelming number of world-class options. For skiing, there are world-class resorts as little as an hour away. The town of Boulder is somewhat insular and homogenized in terms of worldview (liberal), but it is a great town to explore. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Eric:University of Colorado Boulderis a large state school. Expect to take some classes with more than 200 people. In the upper-division courses, the class size thins out. At least it did for Physics and English, though I hear more popular majors such as Psychology tend to have larger upper-division courses. I found this to my liking, particularly in Physics, where I got to know the other people well because we had many of the same classes throughout college. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Eric:In the course Writing to Know Poetry, my English professor was moved to tears by our class on the last day of the semester. I definitely never had a Physics professor cry on the last day, though. Check out Erics tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Ask a Medical School Admissions Expert Dr. Jessica Freedman

Ask a Medical School Admissions Expert Dr. Jessica Freedman Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Dr. Jessica Freedman has not only written three best-selling books on the Medical School admissions process, she is the founder of her own consulting firm. Having previously served on the Medical School Admissions committee for The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, Dr. Freedman has closely assisted many residents and medical students through the admissions process with great success. She has received several honors including numerous awards for her mentorship at Mount Sinai and is extremely well-recognized for her expertise in this field. VT: How much time should an applicant set aside to adequately prepare for and complete a med school application? Jessica: The major components of the written application are the personal statement and application entries. I advise applicants to start jotting down insights about their experiences as they complete them so, ideally, the process should start years before the applicant has to submit the formal written application. However, the most intensive brainstorming and writing should begin about three to five months before an applicant plans to submit. The best applications show insight and introspection, which results from allowing documents to simmer over time. In other words, rather than working on a personal statement intensely over one or two weeks, it is best to work on it a bit, put it aside, and then come back to it with fresh eyes. VT:What is the single most important thing applicants should focus on with this application? Jessica: This question is tough to answer because each individual medical school application reviewer has his or her own preferences and ideas about what is most important when deciding whom to interview. One reviewer may rely heavily on the personal statement, for example, while another might focus on the application entries. Finally, a school may put a lot of weight on secondary essays that are submitted after the primary application. I encourage applicants to approach each piece of the application as if it might make or break the candidacy. VT:What are the biggest mistakes one can make on a med school application? Jessica: The biggest mistake some applicants make is not spending enough time on the written application. Many applicants think that because they have a great GPA or MCAT score, for example, that their written application wont make a difference so they rush their work without highlighting experiences and personal milestones in the most effective way. With more than 43,000 applicants applying to medical school each year, your written application must distinguish you from other candidates whether you are a viable candidate for a top-10 school or a less competitive state school. VT: What do med school admissions officers look for most in an applicants essays/personal statements? Jessica: Medical school admissions officers are looking for a commitment to medicine, maturity, compassion, sensitivity, maturity, professionalism, the ability to succeed in a rigorous scientifically based curriculum, among many other attributes. Most applicants cannot possess every attribute that medical school admissions committees like to see in applicants and that is okay! VT:Is there anything on a students application that would automatically disqualify him or her from being considered for the program? Jessica: Nothing, other than a poor academic record, automatically disqualifies an applicant. We are all human and make errors in judgment, especially when we are young. I have had clients who were accepted to medical school despite academic dishonesty, institutional actions, and misdemeanors. As long as an applicant presents mistakes in the right way and can show what she has learned from an experience, these incidents are not always deal breakers. In fact, such mistakes can sometimes work to an applicants advantage if presented in the most effective way. VT:What about the med school admissions process differs the most from undergraduate admissions? Jessica: I am not an undergraduate admissions expert, but I think the intense focus of the med school admissions process most distinguishes it from undergraduate admissions. Medical school admissions committees like applicants with diverse interests, but, fundamentally, all applicants must demonstrate an interest in, and aptitude for, medicine and science. Applicants also do not have as much freedom to apply to schools that are the right fit as they do during the college process. Because medical school admission is so competitive, applicants must apply to multiple medical schools, and, if they are lucky, they then can choose from among acceptances. VT:What undergrad majors best prepare one for med school applications? Jessica: Medical schools are seeking diverse classes and this extends to the majors of accepted applicants. Many applicants major in a science because this is where many of their interests lie. But it really doesnt matter what major you choose as long as you are true to yourself. Medical school admissions committee members want to see that you are committed to everything you pursue. That said, if you do decide to major in a non-scientific discipline, be sure to take some upper level science courses to show you can do well beyond the prerequisites. VT:Is there anything you might see on a students application that would quickly put them ahead in the running? Jessica: A very high GPA and MCAT often result in automatic interviews. Many medical schools wont advertise this, however. Without question, an outstanding academic performance will put you ahead of others during the initial screening process. You must then have the activities and letters of reference to add to your academic achievements, however. VT: What advice do you have regarding MCAT test prep? Jessica: Every applicant has his own way to study and prep for the MCAT that works for him. Some do very well studying on their own while others need the structure of a course to keep them on track. I therefore advise students to review their past successes (or failures) to determine the best study plan. I dont find much difference between big name test prep companies, and the quality of individual teachers and tutors they provide can very tremendously. What I do advise is that students prepare for the exam as they complete each of the prerequisites that will be tested; I find that most students prefer Examcrackers study books for this purpose. VT: What do med school admissions officers look for in recommendation letters? Jessica: Letters of reference offer objective evaluations of your candidacy. In these letters, as in every part of the application, medical school admissions officers are looking for evidence that applicants possess the very long list of qualities and characteristics they are seeking (see my book, The MedEdits Guide to Medical School Admissions for this list). Letters of reference should substantiate and offer further evidence for the claims you make in your application entries and personal statement. Admissions officers are also looking for letters that are genuine and not formulaic. Go to Dr. Freedmans website, MedEdits Medical Admissions, for more information.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

USA Womens Team Wins World Cup - Listening Exercise

USA Womens Team Wins World Cup - Listening Exercise The U.S.  womens soccer team won the world cup last weekend, so this week we are presenting you with a listening exercise about the team, and would like to hear your opinions about women in soccer/football.When I lived in Argentina, womens soccer did not seem to be popular there,  but in many countries there arent any womens sports at all. As an athlete myself Im proud that the U.S. has embraced female athleticism and sports. What is it like for female athletes in your country? What do you think about the U.S. winning the world cup? Is our mens team next?Watch the videos below, then see if you can answer the questions in comments.Carli Lloyd: 1.  Describe where Carli Lloyd grew up. 2. Why does she want to stay in New Jersey? 3. How did she practice soccer? Who did she play with at her local field? 4. What moments does Carli like the best during a match?Hope Solo: 1. How old was Hope Solo when she wrote she wanted to be a soccer player? 2. Did she always want to be the goalie? 3. Did she love being goalie? 4. Which position does her mom consider the worst on the field?Now it is your turn to write something. Do women play soccer/football in your country? Why or why not? Do you think the US mens team is next? Also, here is a quiz highlighting some of the phrasal verbs that Hope and Carli use during their interviews.

Heart-Wrenching Writing Practice

Heart-Wrenching Writing Practice I love animated short films.  They are not just for children, especially this one.  They often have little to no dialogue, so they serve as great writing prompts.  This one might make you feel certain emotions, which also helps inspire us to write.  Many of my students tell me they need to improve their writing, but they complain that its boring  to practice.  If this sounds familiar, youve come to the right place!  Today, were going to learn how to improve  a very common writing mistake, watch the film, then put our knowledge into practice.When I edit students writing, I often have to tell them their sentences are too wordy.  If someone has told you this before, dont worry.  Its a common issue  for native speakers as well!  The problem is, we dont want to write in short, baby sentences.  We want our writing to have a nice flow.  With the proper use of linking words, we can sound intelligent AND  have good flow in our writing.Linking words, or connectors, are used to join two ideas  together.  They help us express our thoughts  in more complex ways.  Today well focus on connectors that show contrasting ideas and cause/effect.  Then, well use them to write a short story!Contrasting ideas:But:  I have a lot of homework, but I dont have time to do it.Remember not to use but at the beginning of a sentence!However:  I have a lot of homework.  However I dont have time to do it.However is more formal than but, but you can use it at the beginning of a sentence.Although:  Although I  have a lot of homework, I dont have time to do it.Anyway:  I dont have a lot of time, but Ill do my homework  anyway.Cause and effect:So:  He missed his family, so he went to visit them.Because:  He visited his family because he missed them.Since:  He visited his family since he missed them.As:  As he missed his family, he visited them.Now you try!  Connect the ideas with a linking word listed above:He got a bad grade.  He didnt study.My boss gave me extra work.  I didnt ask for more work.She doesnt want to get married.  He proposed to her.She really wants to get married.  He proposed to her.Its dangerous to walk around the city at night.  She didnt have another option.Choose 5 connectors to write  a short story from this film.  Wed love to see what you come up with in the comments section below.  Feel free to start with this example sentence:The sun was setting, but the sheriff was far from his homeIf youd like to learn more about connectors, book a class with LOI today!  In the meantime, check out Teaunas post  here!