Bullet-Points Tips: January 2012

Monday 23 January 2012

Valentine's Day

Some important and interesting facts about Valentine's Day:-

Valentine's Day is celebrated on 14th February every year across the world.

Different countries follow different traditions in celebrating Valentine's Day.

Nobody is quite sure, why Valentine's Day is celebrated?

But the general belief is that Valentine's Day is named for the Christian martyr (before AD 500) Saint Valentine, who was beheaded for performing marriages in secret. Valentine's Day is celebrated in his memory.

Valentine's Day, originally noted as Catholic celebration, has achieved significance over all the people regardless of their faith.

Valentine's day is a celebration day to show love and appreciation to the one you love.

You can gift Cake, Flowers & Chocolates or give Greeting Card to the person whom you love (like) on Valentine's Day.

He/she may be your friend, teacher, mother, children, wife or any other family members. Not necessarily be your sweetheart.

The fact is that teachers receive most Valentine's Day cards, followed by Children, Mother, Wives (and then, your sweetheart).

Many a couple get engaged or wed on this day. It is also a day for others to fall in love.

Interesting to note that on the occasion of Valentine's Days, more than 10 million pet owners in the world buy gifts for their pets.

It is incredible to note that in the United States, around 15% women who receive flowers on Valentine's day are sent by themselves.

Around 40% of the people in the world have negative opinion about Valentine's Day.

Dialogue Delivery

Dialogue is a conversation between / among people (artists/actors) in a movie or serial or drama. You know well, dialogues of some actors set them apart, whether they are from Hollywood or from Bollywood.

Dialogue is not only what an actor delivers it but also, how he delivers it? For example, a question (dialogue) "How Are You?" can be asked (delivered) in more than 5 different ways. Which way the actor should deliver this dialogue depends upon his character and his relationship with other characters. Here are some important factors you have to take in to consideration and techniques you have to keep in mind to deliver your dialogue effectively:-

Any dialogue (Love, Romance, Comdey, Quarrel, Sad or Happy) - first understand your/artist's role and then feel it in your heart.
To make it real inside you, give utmost importance to it.
Familiarize your role (as a mother/father/brother/sister/friend vice versa) with the story of the movie/serial.
The basic quality for delivering dialogue is, your 'control' over your voice.
Here 'control' means, your control over speed, style and tone of your voice, your director expects from you in delivering the dialogue.
Then understand your relationship with other characters/artists. And most important is your personality factor (such as Serious, Friendly or Fun-loving) for the dialogue.
Dialogue delivery is something also about reaction to other character's dialogue.
Understand your level of involvement in asking / questioning / speaking / threatening in your dialogue delivery.
If your dialogue is very lengthy, give 2-3 seconds gap between some sentences whenever required.
Even some short dialogues demand 2-3 seconds gap after each sentence, depending upon your role & situation of the scene.
Every sentence of your dialogue might even need different delivery style.
Do not expect perfection at first shot. Learn to memorise very long dialogue.
If you feel nervous, relax for sometime to relieve your tense muscles.
Practice till you / your director feels that your dialogue delivery is perfect.
Understand the main objective of your role for each scene/situation, if you want to keep your audience fully engaged in your dialogue.

What is Copywriting?

A Copywriter is one who 'writes creatively for media house'.

Copywriting is one of the most critical functions in the Advertising Industry & Media House.
This function is performed by the Copywriters who are primarily English Literature graduates with a creative bent of mind.
Interacting with the clients to gather inputs/suggestions/materials for the advertising materials.
Planning advertising campaigns with the clients.
Researching the product/concept/theme for which the advertisement/advertising material is required.
Writing/creating slogans and body copies for advertisements.
Writing the content of brochures, pamphlets and other print advertising materials.
Visualizing creative concepts in sync with the Art Director/Creative Leads.
Gathering client feedback for the written/created advertisements and making modifications to them, if required
Much of the demographers' time is spent doing Library Research, Analysing Demographic Information of various population groups.
Writing advertising jingles for radio/TV/other electronic media advertisements.

Who is an Instructional Designer?

Instructional Design is the fastest going profession for writers in the IT industry. Those IT companies with an e-learning wing employ Instructional Designers (ID). The job responsibilities of an ID include the following:

Performing analysis of the profile of the prospective learners.
Performing analysis of the jobs/tasks performed by various roles in an organization.
Mapping the roles to the responsibilities and identifying the gaps between them and assessing if training can bridge the gap.
Preparing a curriculum map for the different roles in the organization.
Analyzing all the input content for each course which may include existing courseware, existing trainings and other documents relevant to the course that needs to be developed.
Preparing a High Level Design Document (HLDD) or Low Level Design Document (LLDD) with complete curriculum, strategy and objectives of each course.
Writing the Storyboard for the course as per the Design with the structured content, visualization for animations and assessments.
Fixing the Storyboard as per the comments from the reviewers.
Fixing comments from the QA and the client, post release of the courseware to the client.
Writing post assessments, audio scripts and glossary for the courseware.
An ID can be from any educational background. However they should have good writing and analytical skills.

Health Tips for New Born Babies

Having an infant in your house is an exciting time. Here you will find highly useful simple tips to take care of your baby:-

Feeding Baby. Feed your baby only when the baby is hungry. Most babies falls in to a pattern of 6-8 feeding a day. Don't impose your schedule on your baby. Instead, try to understand your baby's needs.
Don't worry about how much you feed. Babies are the best judges of what they need. Never force to finish a bottle.
Feeding Solid Foods. If your 6-month old baby is sitting up and grabbing at your food, he or she is likely ready to try some solid foods.
However, continue breast milk or formula to provide all the nutrition your baby needs.
Start with baby cereal, mixed with a lot of liquid. Initially, your baby will likely to spit it out. Wait a minute or two and try again.
Introduce fruits and vegetables (cooked & vegetable pastes) one at a time. Make sure your baby is not allergic to anything.
In your baby's first year, do not serve eggs, cow's milk, Citrus Fruits & Juices & Honey. You can start feeding yogurt from 6th month.
Changing Diapers. Choose a diaper that will keep your baby comfort and dry, soft both inside and out with adjustable tabs to ensure a 'secure fit'.
Huggies Little Snugglers & Little Movers Diapers are specially shaped to gently fit litle legs and for long-lasting protection.
Clean your baby's bottom after each diaper change with a moist soft clothes or cottons and don't over-tighten diapers.
Bathing. There is no medical reason to give your newborn a bath every day. Cleaning your baby's face, neck and diaper area really need attention.
Use only 2-3 inches of warm water. Check the water temparature with your elbow before beginning the bath.
Start by gently washing baby's face, and then move on to get inside skin folds and rinse the sensitive parts. Avoid bubble bath and scented soaps. Plain water is always fine.
Cleaning Teeth. You will probably see your baby's first tooth between 3-6 months. You can start cleaning your baby's gums using a soft infant toothbrushor a cloth and water.
As soon as the teeth appear, start brushing twice daily with a soft toothbrush and a small dab of baby toothpaste. Clean all surfaces of the teeth.
My First Colgate Infant & Toddler Toothpaste contains no artificial colors or preservatives. With a mild fruit flavour, its low foaming formulae is also fluoride free and safe even if swallowed.
Place all medicines and cleaning products in childproof cabinets.

Examination Techniques

Are you a student of a School or college or any professional institution? Nervous of your examination? Hard work is essential but these simple steps will help you to pass exams:-

Start preparing for your exam much in advance as you might forget 80% of what you have studied just before the exam.
Your emotions (anger, depression & lack of confidence) will affect your memory power. Keep your emotions under control.
Before going to sleep prior to examination, do not think much about your next day exam. Sleep well.
To get up fresh next day morning, go to sleep early.
Going late for sleep and getting too early will affect your mind. You will lose your concentration power during exam.
Though you have studied well, you will feel you have studied nothing. Do not worry. You will recall everything, once the question paper is with you.
Before going for the exam, eat light to not to get feel drowsy.
If you feel nervous in having food, drink any healthy drink.
Drink plenty of water before and during exam.
Read the questions carefully. If you read in a hurry, you might miss important 'term' in the question and your answer might go wrong.
Time management is most important during exam.
First attempt to answer easiest questions and skip more/most difficult questions.
If you follow this technique, you will get a lot of time for toughtest questions to think and confidently answer them.
Every 40 minutes to 1 hour, take a 2-3 minutes break.
Once you finish your paper and if you have time, revise it for any corrections to be made.
Fully utilize the time and do not leave examination hall early.

Organic Products

Some interesting facts about 'Organic Foods' :-

Organic in food simply means 'Agricultural Products' that are naturally grown.
Organic food contains more vitamins, minerals & nutrients.
Organic foods are free from any insecticides, pesticides and artificial flavours/preservaties.
Growing up organic foods is very difficult for the farmers.
Farmers even lose all or part of a year's crop of organic products at the cost of maintaining 'Quality of the Products'.
In United States, the soil of farmers' land is thoroughly tested to ensure it is free from chemical exposure.
Farmers have to adhere to what high standards set by US Government.
It is believed that organic foods even fight cancer, stroke & heart dieaseas.
Organic Farming protects us from climate change.
Preganent women who consume organic foods give birth to healthier babies.
As Organic products have more advantanges than disadvantages, they are more costly.

Job Fairs Tips

Job Fair is an excellent way to meet lots of reputed employers and maximize your job search time.

How to know about upcoming Job Fairs in your City, State & Country? How to Attend Them? Here are the simple tips:-

Have the habit of regularly reading Job Publications and visitng your target companies' websites.
You are an existing or ex-student of your college in your area? Contact your college Career / Job Assistance Offices. They either conduct Job Fairs or are aware of upcoming job fairs.
Search the internet with keywords 'job fair' or 'career fair' followed by your city name and state.
Register your name for the job fair in advance to attend. And do not forget to get the List of Employers at the Fair.
Choose the companies you are interested in, and before you attend the fair, thoroughly research their website to know about the Companies, their business, their annual reports and recent developments in the company.
The above information will help you to confidently present yourself, how you can bring value to them.
At the job fair, present your candidacy for a suitable position. Ask questions and make connection.
Get business cards of exhibitors you meet at the job fair booths.
After the job fair is over, send a 'Thank You Note' and stimulate your skills again to enable them to recall you.
If possible, follow up also by telephone.

Don'ts For Eating Well

Important Tips before/while/after having your foods:-

Evaluate your hunger. Eat only when you feel hungry.
Use smaller plate for having your food.
While having food, sit comfortably. Keep your mind and body cool and enjoy your food.
Fully concentrate on your food. Eat slowly and chew your food well.
Do not eat while watching TV or reading books or doing something.
While having your food, have casual conversation with others.
Do not discuss about any sensitive issue nor have any heated arguments with others while having you food.
Stop eating when you are fully satisfied and do not try to fully fill your stomach.
Do not smoke immediately after meal as it increases the chances of cancer.
Take fruits at least one hour after you have your meal.
Do not take bathe & walk after food as your disgestive system will be weakened.
Do not sleep immediately after having your food.

Discount Coupon Tips

Saving money with coupons sounds too good to be true. Here are the guidelines to use discount coupons to save your money:-

Always shop with a plan.
If you shop without knowing what is on sale and what you really need, you will spend more money and buy unwanted items.
Coupons are everhwhere. If you come across discount coupons from the shop, emails & websites, retain them.
Even Facebook has great coupons if you like the manufacturer or the product.
Organise the Discount Coupons, in an envelope or in a transparent plastic folders.
Coupons won't save you money if you do not use them on time.
Some stores even offer "double coupons" upto a certain amount.
'Stack Coupons' (one manufacturer and one store coupon both) might save lot of money by getting the item FREE.
Stockpile the items when 'sale' is on so that you will not need to buy it when it is not on sale.