Guidelines to Make an Introductory Paragraph for News

Editor

Many writers say that creating the introductory paragraph is the most challenging yet difficult part in constructing a news article. However, there are techniques to follow in order to easily write the first paragraph of the story.

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Types of First Paragraphs in News

There are classes of introductory lines in a news. These are:

  • Descriptive – Here, the first paragraph answers all! questions which are Who, What, Where, When, Which and How.
  • Punch – This is among the shortest type of introductions. Ex. The President is Dead.
  • Picture- Instead of showing the entire photo, you can describe the picture as the first like I’m your news.

Actually there are a lot of them. The above-mentioned types of first paragraphs the most commonly used by news writer in print.

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Techniques in Writing Intro Paragraph

The more the intro paragraph is short, the more it is acceptable. Also, it needs to be concise so that it would be easily understood by the readers and will continue reading the article.

  • It must be written in a way thay readers would feel that there is no bias in the story.
  • It must be avoided to write words which are not actually important for the story. For instance, “In the middle of the night”  there was a monstrous, wild and scary rhinoceros in the garden.
  • Make an introduaction that will make the reader be interested. By doing this, there is a chance that readers would continue reading the whole news.

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Guidelines to be an Effective Writer

Editor

Many people say that the job of a writer is one of that simplest in the world but in reality, this is among the most difficult duties in the world especially if you are a writer who belongs to media. One of the reasons why it is very hard to become a writer for print media is that, there are times that an accident could happen at anytime.

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Moreover, being a media writer need to have truthful and believable facts so that people will believe on what is written in an article. To become an effective and  credible writer for print media, you must follow these:

Think First before you Write – In writing for print, it is very essential to think first of the things that you will be going to compose. Through this, your write-up will be clear and will be easily understood by the readers.

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Get straight to the point – Sometimes, writers tend to make a long introductory part of the story which is actually a big no-no. To avoid your article get junked, avoid long paragraphs that has nothing to do with the story.

Use worlds that are known to the public – Words that are to deep has nothing to do with your article. This simply means that you are only making yourself shine instead of the story. Always remember that you are writing to inform and educate people and not say to them that you are intelligent.

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Your Privacy Solution

Editor

The digital era has come. This time it is easier and more convenient. You store all your personal information online because you think it is the safe thing to do but you should think twice before you upload everything or before you let anyone upload it for you. Cyber threats are imminent here in Singapore. Even government sites are being hacked.

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So, how can you protect your own information or identity from hackers? The first suggestion is to always change your password regularly. However, it does not end there. You need to fortify your defences so no one can penetrate you and take your identity. Thankfully there are many privacy solutions provided here in Singapore.

What is your privacy solution? The good news is that there are parameters that Singaporeans can consider to make sure that their security system is effective and manageable. Here are some parameters that you should look for:

  • Secure connection: Sometimes, you use public Wi-Fi spots when the need arises. This is not good because you are putting yourself at risk. You should look for a protection that offers HTTPS encryption plus a VPN technology.
  • Anonymous online access: There are times that you wish you can mask your IP address so you will be safe. That is possible now with the help of a security system. You can now safely exchange emails and other communication materials without worrying about someone tracking your IP and browsing history.

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  • Identity theft defence: You are often worried about your credit card information and passwords. Thankfully there is a security system that can take care of that. You should look for a system that takes pride in fortifying your defence so it is unbreachable. The VPN technology will establish a private yet secure channel so you can choose who can view your profiles.
  • Malware guard: Hackers use infected malware to spam you or phish information. You can intercept malicious malware to get into your system with the help of a security system.
  • Swift browsing: There are security companies that only provide protection but they fail to consider giving dedicated networks so their clients can have a nice browsing experience. It is better to look for a company that promises swift browsing.

With this solution, hopefully you can sleep and rest without worrying about your stored information and identity. If you are not quite convinced, the best way is not to store your information online. Now a more difficult thing will come, what is the perfect security system against hackers?

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The Health Benefits of Bananas

Editor

Bananas are often underestimated or ignored because many people think that it is an ordinary fruit. Well, they should be taught differently. You should know that bananas contain nutrients needed by the body. There are Singaporeans who do not consider bananas because it will make them look like a monkey.

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You should not think that way. It is better to know the benefits of bananas so you can share it to your fellow Singaporeans. Before anything else, it is crucial that you know the nutritional contents of bananas. Bananas contain variety of vitamins as well as minerals like vitamin B6, manganese, potassium, folate, vitamin A, iron, magnesium, vitamin C and many others.

Now that you know the contents, it is required that you know the health benefits of bananas. Health benefits of bananas are:

  • Regulating blood pressure: Not all people know that bananas can regulate blood pressure. Bananas have low sodium content which is crucial in the lowering of blood pressure.
  • Managing asthma: Children who eat bananas have fewer chances of developing asthma. This is according to the Imperial College of London.

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  • Reducing the risk of cancer: You can actually reduce your risk of cancer by consuming bananas. Bananas are excellent source of vitamin C which is known to combat free radicals that can cause cancer.
  • Treating diarrhoea: Diarrhoea bouts can be solved with the help of bananas. Bananas can serve as your diarrhoea treatment because it will replenish and stabilize your potassium.
  • Boosting mood: According to studies, bananas contain tryptophan which is an amino acid. This amino acid is proven to boost your mood.

If you do not eat bananas often, it is time that you incorporate it in your diet and live healthy. Good luck!

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Transformers in China

Editor

With anticipation going high for another giant robot movie, Hollywood has struck a unique partnership with China, which has risen to become the world second largest film market. Transformers: Age of Extinction, the fourth film in the mega-blockbuster Transformers franchise, has collaborated with Zhouheiya, a growing Chinese fast-food chain popular for their spicy duck necks: Transformers will include Chinese elements while Zhouheiya will promote the film in their stores, among other advertising tactics.

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Reciprocal Promotion

The partnership between Transformers 4 and Zhouheiya is being handled by Reach Glory Communication, which was responsible for the brand placement of Chinese TV-set maker TCL in another very popular film franchise, Iron Man 3. Paramount Pictures, Transformers 4’s production company, says the inclusion of Chinese elements in the movie is a strategic move in view of China’s growing audience. Some fight scenes were shot in Wulong, Chongqing. Like in Zhouheiya’s branches in mainland China, the branch in Singapore, located inside the Pak Chong Industrial Building at Playfair Road, will probably feature Transformers decoration come the movie’s release date (June 26).

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More Chinese Presence

Li Bingbing (The Forbidden Kingdom, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan) will play a prominent role in the film, along with Mark Wahlberg and four rising Chinese actors. Another Chinese actress, Fan Bingbing, also starred prominently as the character Blink in the recent X-Men: Days of Future Past, which itself also had important scenes that took place in China. Transformers 4 isn’t the first to put Chinese brand placement in their film: another superhero film, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, also placed China’s Jiannanchun liquor as one of the brands that flashed in the scenes it shot in Time Square.

Wider Film Distribution

In China, Transformers 4 will be distributed by the China Movie Channel, which is affiliated with the state-run China Film Group. While the country has maintained a tight grasp on locally produced films, its openness to foreign film production companies, particularly from Hollywood, might serve as a bridge to further cooperation between companies from both China and the United States. Apart from its partnership with Zhouheiya, Transformers 4 has made other Chinese connections. Most notably, it has been selected as the closing film in the upcoming Shanghai International Film Festival, which will feature both Chinese and International cinematic works.

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION, humans, from left: Bingbing Li, Stanley Tucci, Jack Reynor, Nicola

Do You Need to Use a Credit Card?

Editor

For most people, payday is a time to celebrate and reserve their hard-earned money for bill payments for future expenses like food and clothing. However, there are some people who have accrued such high credit card debts that most of the salaries they receive immediately go to paying their credit card dues. If you wish to have a credit card or struggling with the one you have, read on:

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Preparing to Get Your Own Credit Card

Applying for a credit card is actually pretty straightforward, but it all depends on your financial or credit standing. So before sending an application for a credit card, take time to go to your bank and request for your credit rating. After that, you need to develop an attitude for responsibly using your credit card only for important expenses and to pay your credit bill on time.

Is Having a Credit Really Good for You

Before proceeding with your application, reconsider whether having a credit card is really to your advantage, or are there any better options for you, such as getting a debit card instead. Note that the most common problem with having a credit card is many users think of their credit limit as “cash they can spend” rather than cash that the bank can loan them.

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Which Credit Card is Right for You

While generally all credit cards are the same, most credit cards vary in detail and so some cards may be better suited to your way of spending. There are banks that offer an annual repeal fee, while there are also banks that have partnered with other establishments, while others still have incremental points the more you use their credit card.

Your Credit Card and Modern Living

The main advantage of using a credit card is it allows you to spend without the bulk and risk of carrying large amounts of cash with you. And credit cards are even becoming ever more convenient, especially now that many banks are merging credit cards with online payments, such as with MasterPass, PayLah, Pay Anyone and Dash. This is even more pertinent here in Singapore as we are the top digital payers in Southeast Asia.

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Workplace Safety Tips

Editor

Despite the workplace safety procedures and regulations here in Singapore, deaths in the construction still happen. In 2013, the number of deaths in the construction soared to 27% or fifty none deaths. This figure was provided by the Health Statistics Report and the Workplace Safety. We have seen twelve deaths in the first three months of 2014. This is alarming and it needs action as soon as possible.

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According to the updates given by the Secretary for Manpower, accidents and deaths revolve around the formwork, cranes and the heights. The three areas will be the reference of policymakers and contractors in raising the bar for safety rules and standards. The effort to raise the bar for safety should not only come from the government and the contractors. It should also be practiced by the employees.

If you are under the construction industry, you should be extra careful because one fatal mistake can lead to accident and eventually death. You should follow safety guidelines at all times. For your sake, you can ponder on the following workplace safety tips:

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  • General: A clean workplace can halt disasters. You should always clear the place of clutter and hazards. You also need to check if the machines and the equipment are in good condition. Another effective thing to do is implement a preventive maintenance plan. Do not rely on the personal protective equipment.
  • Scaffold/ladder: You should make sure that the ladder or the scaffold is strong and sturdy. Before you climb, you should make sure that you secured it from the base. It is important that you check it every time you use it.
  • Fire: It is a requirement for a construction site to procure first aid equipment as well as fire fighting tools. The fire fighting tools should be checked regularly to make sure that it is functional. More importantly, keep the combustible materials away from the structures to prevent sudden explosion.
  • Electrical: If you are dealing with electricity, you should maintain a safe distance from power lines. It is imperative that you inspect all the electrical components and make sure it is not defective. When you plug tools, make sure that it is turned off and never overload your outlets.

Do not be too confident when you are in the construction site. When you do something, always keep in mind the safety standards that are taught to you. If you forgotten everything, you need to review again. Do not leave things to fate because it will cause your downfall. Stick to the tips and the guidelines if you value your life.

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