Friday, July 17, 2020
The Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor, Write An Essay Discussing How An
The Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor, Write An Essay Discussing How An The Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor, Write An Essay Discussing How An Understanding Of Its â" Essay Example > The nicotinic acetylcholine receptorNicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are proteins involved in the cell to cell communication in the nervous system. These are prototypical proteins that are located in the cell membrane that make it possible through the formation of ligand-gated ion channels across the surface of the cells and are responsible for diffusion of signals between cells (Kandel et al, 1995). The intercellular activity of this group of proteins plays a significant role in the brain function of the nervous system of mammals (Crick, 1994). The channels that these receptors formed are ionotropic or affected by ions of charges. Another property is the increase in opening of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, similar to the muscarinic acetylcholine type, but compared to others this type can be activated by nicotine (Siegel et al. , 1999; Itier and Bertrand, 2001). Being involved in the intercellular communication, these receptors are found in different parts of the bo dy specifically in the central and peripheral nervous system. One of the functions of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors is in connection with muscle contraction which is controlled by the peripheral nervous system (âNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsâ, 2006). The performance of these receptors can be affected by chemical substances such as medicines and abused drugs. An example is the negative effect of cocaine and MK-801 [(+)dizocilpine], a medicine for convulsion to AChR (Hess et al, 2000). Studies of the receptors are being undertaken through the use of cryoelectron microscopy, mutagenesis and labelling. Results show that the structure that is involved in intercellular functions is the five twisted M2 alpha-helices surround a transmembrane (TM) pore (Sansom, 2000). The nicotinic receptors, in particular, have a molecular weight of approximately 280kDa. It belongs to the nicotinicoid receptor family which also has the 5 symmetrical receptor subunits arranged in a pore loc ated in the centre. Members of this group of Cys-loop proteins include GABAA receptors, glycine receptors, and the type 3 serotonin receptors (Cascio, 2004; âNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsâ, 2006). The structure of the nicotinic receptor is composed of twelve kinds of subunits with similar hydrophobic regions that form the pentamers, a2 to a10 and Ã2 to Ã4 (Siegel et al. , 1999; Itier and Bertrand, 2001). Two a subunits, which is a combination of a Ã, a d and either a ? or a e comprise the muscle form of nAChR (Siegel et al. , 1999; Itier and Bertrand, 2001; Giniatullin et al. , 2005). On the other hand, the neuronal forms can be composed of different subunits (âNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsâ, 2006). When the receptors work a subunits turn more symmetrical as the other subunits and pore approximately 0.65 nm opens. This takes place on the ACh binding site near the N termini of the molecule (Siegel et al. , 1999; Colquhoun and Sivilotti, 2004; âNicotinic acetylch oline receptorsâ, 2006). âThe electrostatic isopotential surface--a surface representing constant electric potential--for a model of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The model was developed by Igor Tsigelny, Naoya Sugiyama, and Palmer Taylor at the Departments of Pharmacology and Chemistry/Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego, in collaboration with Steven M. Sine at the Mayo Foundation in Rochester, Minnesota. Visualized by Igor Tsigelny at SDSCâ (San Diego Supercomputer Center, n.d. )There are two types of receptors, the neuronal or ganglionic receptors and the neuromuscular receptors. The neuronal receptors are located in the central nervous system that controls the brain and spinal cord of vertebrates and also on all autonomic ganglia, a collection of neurons in the autonomic nervous system. The neuromuscular type is responsible for muscle contraction which is done when receptors in the neuromuscular junctions of somatic muscles are activated (â Nicotinic acetylcholine receptorsâ, n.d. ).
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Essay about Renaissance Influence on Modern Day Fashion
Many people would not believe that there are so many similarities between modern day fashion and the fashion of the renaissance time period. Many differences may be seen between the two, but the similarities are remarkable. Throughout all of time, clothing has been the major representation of social classes. What people wear has always been the distinguishing factor between the wealthy and the poor classes of both the renaissance and current time period. The evolution from time period to time period has been vast, but the fact that what people wear represents what class they reside in is still very prevalent. From the fabrics, jewels, and accessories, you can still see many similarities from the renaissance time period to the current timeâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦There was a very clear line in between the wealthy and the poor. Peasants during the era wore layers of belted tunics, cloaks, hats, and boots or clogs for warmth. These types of clothing would never be seen on the weal thier class of people. Many fashion trends from the renaissance time period carried on from time period to time period and are very prevalent still today. Fashion is very important in modern day society, and can be seen all around. Most of what people know about fashion today came from the fashion during the renaissance. From the vibrant fabrics to the spectacular jewels, renaissance fashion has been thoroughly threaded in the fashion of modern society. Modern day women often wear shorty, fun gowns, tightly fitting jeans, and lower cut tops. Popular fashion trends for men in modern society include saggy jeans, V-neck shirts, and stylish watches. ââ¬Å"A fashion is merely a form of ugliness so unbearable that we are compelled to alter it every six monthsâ⬠(Oscar Wilde). Fashion in modern day society is ever changing, but most changes do not stray too far from the original product. Although there are many differences in fashion from era to era the similarities are outstanding. Some of the most repetitive pieces from era to era include corsets, robes, and codpieces. Codpieces were a very fashionable cover for the zipper of menââ¬â¢s pants that the weather men wore to make themselves more presentable. Codpieces are still very popularShow MoreRelatedFashion Is A Big Part Of Society1489 Words à |à 6 PagesFashion has become a big part of society. Overtime, people come up with fashion ideas which turn into products. These products catch the eyes of some people and when a larger amount of people begin to wear certain brands, certain styles, other people start to conform and buy similar articles of clothing. This is how fashion trends are started, spread, and passed on. There are various amounts of styles that can suit anyoneââ¬â¢s personality. However, stereotypes are usually made by the different typesRead MoreEnglish Renaissance Literature882 Words à |à 4 PagesEnglish Renaissance literature as compared to the former Anglo-Saxon literature, they would find that changing beliefs and ideas in society are reflected in the writing of the time. The historical context of the English Renaissance impacts not only the subject matter of poems, but also the underlying themes in the text. It is important to examine the differences and similarities between each era to understand the differences in their literature. Before the glories of the English Renaissance, thereRead MoreArchitecture And Art Concepts Today Essay1458 Words à |à 6 PagesCE, the Romans are regarded as one of the more advanced civilizations in ancient history, with its roman arches, running water, sculptures, paintings, architectural designs, and use of a form of modern government. Even though this civilization is long gone, it still continues to influence design, fashion, architecture and art concepts today. One of the longest lasting impressions from Roman Times is their architecture, some of which still currently stands at the very places they were built. ThisRead MoreEssay about Renaissance Man and Renaissance Women535 Words à |à 3 Pagesexperienced a period of cultural rebirth known as the Renaissance, marking the transition from medieval times to modern times. The Renaissance brought new importance to individual expression, self-consciousness and worldly experience. The Renaissance man and woman characterized the Renaissance ideals. A renaissance man was a well- educated gentleman who had cultural grace, courage and who understood the arts and sciences. On the other hand, a Renaissance woman was supposed to marry well, be loyal to herRead MoreJames Van Der Zee and Scott Shumans Contributions to Photography646 Words à |à 3 Pagesdiscipline. There are two individuals from different generations who have made a huge contribution in how the field is regarded. The first person I want to talk about who had a big influence on the photography community was a Harlem Renaissance street photographer James Van Der Zee. He captured the life, culture, fashion and daily life during this vibrant era (Biography.com). Van Der Zee first started to develop a passion for photography at a young age taking pictures for his high school. At theRead MoreOverview Of The Harlem Renaissance827 Words à |à 4 Pagesââ¬Å"The Harlem Renaissance was the development of t he Harlem neighborhood in New York City as a black cultural mecca in the early 20th Century and the subsequent social and artistic explosion that resulted.â⬠(Historycom, 2017). The movement allowed African Americans to receive exposure for their art, Moreover, it lasted for over 20 years. The African American Art provided a distinct perspective of creativity from the artists. The Harlem Renaissance was the focal point of African American Music, as aRead MoreEssay about ITW1 Task 1 1121304 Words à |à 6 Pagessignificant period for Greek art. Before this time, art lacked dimension and intensity, but the onset of the classical period brought with it influential architecture, vase paintings and sculptures, giving life to its subjects. Many modern day artists draw their creative influence from the classical art period. Athens conquered the Persia in 479 B.C. and began dominating Greece politically, economically, and culturally.â⬠The Athenians organized allies to ensure the freedom of the Greek cities. MembersRead MoreThe Evolution Of Ancient Wargames1481 Words à |à 6 PagesSports This paper is about the evolution of ancient wargames, more specifically, how they evolved into sports. The focus herein will include an explanation regarding the path of how wargames turned into the modern sport of Fencing throughout the period of recorded history, the cultural influences that impacted changes along the way, and the similarities that still remain. ROOT ORIGINS The origin of Fencing can be traced in some manner, all the way back to the prehistoric era. By Fencing, weââ¬â¢re ofRead MoreCommedia Dell Arte and Influences on Modern Theatre1140 Words à |à 5 Pagesof acting in the history of theatre. During the 16th, 17th and 18th century, in the midst of the renaissance, there was a very delightful source of entertainment that people where privy too. This archaic form of acting was based around improvising and the use of masks. I am comparing this to modern day comedy since I have seen direct examples on television, which use this method of acting, in modern day shows. The fact that some of these performers were verging on genius is without dispute. ContemporaryRead MoreThe Court and Sir Thomas Wyatt1386 Words à |à 6 PagesWyatt, one of a multitude of the so-called Court poets of this time period, not only changed the way his society saw poetry through his adaptations of the Petrarchan Sonnet, but also obscurely attempted to recreate th e culture norm through his influence. Though much of his poems are merely translations of Petrarchs, these, in addition to his other poetry, are satirical by at least a cultural approach. Thomas Wyatt was born at Allington Castle in Kent, in 1503 and had made his first Court appearance
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Is Genetic Engineering For Athletes - 2443 Words
Google defines ââ¬Å"a performance-enhancing drugâ⬠as any substance taken by athletes to improve performance. Some athletes take steroids to increase their athletic ability in order to have an advantage over their opponents. Athletes have always looked for the one thing that will get them to be bigger, stronger, and better enough to beat out all the other teams. As technology expands, new ways of making the better athlete have been discovered. Currently, you can do a process called gene doping to gain new genes to increase your athletic potential. This new technique has created ethical problems in todayââ¬â¢s sports world. The sports community has questioned what the future of sports is going to look like if genetic modification for athletesâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Gene combinations can be made naturally by sexual reproduction, but reproductive mechanisms limit the number of combinations that can be made. Genetic engineers can make any combination they want if there i s a gene for that trait. This unprecedented ability to mess around with genes allows endless possibles that genetic engineers can put together (Wells, D). Who knows what could become of our world when we allow ourselves to play God. This specific part of science is changing the world we know and creating more problems dealing with ethics. Controlling and changing someoneââ¬â¢s genes do have risks and dangers. It is a set of technologies for literally changing the traits of an organism by inserting genetic material from something else. As presented in the novel, Frankenstein, the consequences of genetic engineering could be explained by, ââ¬Å"I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge.â⬠(121). Although genetic engineering can seem like innovative and better technology, it has itsââ¬â¢ large share of downsides. If you interfere with genes, for example a gene that increases athletic performance, you could be facing a lot of substantial health risks. High levels of growth hormones have been associated with the development of different types of cancer, heart failure, and strokes (Wells, D). Currently, gene doping is not a reality, but rather a threat. It is
Horror Films Free Essays
Movies have been growing increasingly more explicit for years. Horror films are no longer based on a cleverly written script with lots of twists and turns, but rather how graphic and twisted the images are throughout the movie. Horror films are appealing to viewers for various reasons. We will write a custom essay sample on Horror Films or any similar topic only for you Order Now In fact, according to some film critics, ââ¬Å"goodâ⬠horror films have particular characteristics. Maggie McCutcheon in ââ¬Å"Too Disturbing, Too Shocking,â⬠According to Olson, people particularly enjoy experiencing the end of their fear and terror.Once the fear and terror have ended, people feel better. And, according to Stephen King in ââ¬Å"Why We Crave Horror Movies,â⬠horror films can help us confront our fears, and help us deal with the ââ¬Å"bad sideâ⬠of ourselves. Given the wide variety of characteristics ââ¬Å"good ââ¬Å"horror films have, this paper will address two specific characteristics of horror films. One characteristic is visual images/suggestions that symbolize our fears. Another characteristic is vitality or strength of source of horror.In order to analyze the characteristics of horror films, I viewed Poltergeist, an early 1980s film about a family being haunted by earthbound spirits, and I also read four definitive articles about horror films. One characteristic of a good horror films is visual images/suggestions that symbolize our fears. Stanley J. Solomon in ââ¬Å"The Nightmare Worldâ⬠claims the cinema of horror concretizes this nightmare world- our abstract fears of destruction and death.The Midnight visits of vampires, the laboratory induced reincarnations, the skull deformities, the murders in the fog ââ¬â these visual images of the genre may be the symbols of our fears rather than the psychological source of them, but the terror without a body is terror deprived of a means of menacing us. The movie Poltergeist certainly has this characteristic. Examples of visual images from the movie is a scary clown that looks mean , sitting in the chair and has the ability to move , goes under Robbieââ¬â¢s bed.A hand reaching out of the TV also the gateway for the beast to reach Carol Anne, parents later communicate with Carol Anne through the TV. Another image is a Dead tree outside the house making scary shadows every time it storms and also tries to eat Robbie. And in the closet there is a monster that takes Carol Anne and at the end of the movie the closet turns in to a Giant throat with a serpent coming out of it sucking the house in to the earth. So clearly the viewers can see the characteristic of isual images in the horror film Poltergeist. Another characteristic of a horror film is Vitality or strength of source of horror. Stanley J. Solomon in ââ¬Å"The Nightmare Worldâ⬠claims If the depiction of archetypal fears is one aspect of the genre, the process whereby these fears become dramatic incidents in a film reveals at least two other genre traits: the degree of unpreparedness on the part of the endangered victim, and the vitality or strength of the source of horror. The movie Poltergeist certainly has this characteristic. Some examples are a normal looking neighborhood, Tweety dies , Steven has a remote control war with his neighbor , Carol Anne answers the TV people questions, Diane mentions the swimming pool what if Carol Anne falls in, the way the clown looks when its lighting in the kids room and when the Tree and storm clouds look and the hand reaching out from the TV, but only Carol Anne sees it- rest of the family thinks itââ¬â¢s a earthquake and the chairs stacked up, out from the table , and Robbie utensils are bent.So you can definitely tell that Poltergeist has the characteristic in the film. In conclusion Poltergeist clearly reflects the characteristics of having visual images/suggestions that symbolize our fears and of allowing viewers a degree of unpreparedness on the part of the endangered victim. Based on my evaluation, I believe Poltergeist is a very effective horror film.In fact, according to Tim Dirks article states that horror films are generally set in spooky old mansions or fo g shrouded, dark locales, with ââ¬Å"unknown,â⬠supernatural or grotesque creatures, ranging from vampires, madmen, devils unfriendly ghost, monsters, even the unseen, diabolical presence of evil. This is the case with Poltergeist, and I think many people still like this horror film till this day. How to cite Horror Films, Papers
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Night of the Scorpio Essay Example
Night of the Scorpio Paper The author in Sacrifice tries to put the reader in the perspective of the goat to make it feel more intense which takes place in the first and third stanza. In the fourth stanza, the children, blank templates, are looking on over this tableau, being programmed as though this is a normal occurrence.Ã The Night of the Scorpion had a lot of comparisons such as the peasants are compared to flys swarming and the shadows like giant scorpions.Ã The last stanza, in Sacrifice is a shock of sorts. We are not laying the foundations of a house and But another Dachau. There is so little preparation for this in the poem. Dachau is a concentration camp you would have to do research to find out what went on during the Second World War to understand what Rafat intended the audience to believe. Within Night of the Scorpion you can see panic in the fathers. As a married person I can feel what is going through the fathers thoughts. The team work that a partnership needs to survive, when one facet of the team has gone the team fall to pieces for a while, until a leader pulls the team together. This is one of the thoughts going through the fathers mind. Also there is the other thought of devotion and love for his wife. This leads him to try any thing in his power to keep the team together even thought he might be a sceptic with some of the ideas to help his wife. We will write a custom essay sample on Night of the Scorpio specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Night of the Scorpio specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Night of the Scorpio specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer For something to be as vividly in Ezekiels mind as when his mother got stung it must have been quite horrific. His Mother is glad it was not her children. As a parent it always seems that there is a stronger bond between the children and their mother, as she is pleased she was bitten and not the children. It was such a frantic poem but at least it did have a happy ending.Ã In Sacrifice why did Taufiq Rafat go to his friends house for this ceremony? This is the question I have been looking at in my endeavour to understand the poets mentality. If I was going to a ceremony which involved such a horrific sacrifice I would turn down the invitation. Overall the poem was very disturbing and I felt like putting it down after the first stanza. The last stanza highlight exactly how I feel about the whole poem, But another Dachau.Ã The poems where totally opposite to each other, one showing love, panic and relief the other showing brutality, control and disgust. My favourite was the Night of the Scorpion at least it had a happy ending.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
The eNotes Blog 6 Books to Read After Youve Aced YourAP
6 Books to Read After Youve Aced YourAP Devils, Ghosts, and a Menagerie of Pets Cramming for the AP has ended, you are well on your way to a relaxing summer, and your brain needs something fun to push that scantron form out of your head. After months of reading disembodied passages and stilted interpretations of said passages, I know I was ready to read something that would excite my imagination- something that mattered. Here are six short stories that will get you geared up for fun summer reading. Donââ¬â¢t let the publication date fool you, these stories are just as clever, witty, and captivating as everything on todayââ¬â¢s best seller list. And, if your brain has jumped off the analysis train for the summer, we have some easy-to-read annotations throughout these stories to keep you engaged! 1. The Black Cat The Feline Horror Story Author: Edgar Allen Poe Published: 1843 Reading time: 21 minutes Readability: 9th Grade Enter the mind of a mad, drunk, and vile human being as he eloquently justifies his hatred for a housecat. Seriously. Like many of Poeââ¬â¢s other narrators (see ââ¬Å"The Tell Tale Heartâ⬠or ââ¬Å"The Cask of Amontilladoâ⬠), this one is untrustworthy. He will keep you on your toes as you try to distinguish reality from the narratorââ¬â¢s own twisted truth. Why should you read this? If psychological thrillers fill you with gloomy delight, this story is for you. Poe is a master of atmosphere, irony, and double meanings. While his language can be hard to follow without a thesaurus, the flow of his sentences will suck you into the story and all its horror. Content Notice for animal lovers: The narrator isà explicitly cruelà to cats in this storyÃ Ã°Å¸Ë ¦ 2. A Jury of Her Peers The Feminist Murder Mystery Author:à Susan Glaspell Published:à 1917 Reading time:à 20 minutes Readability:à 9th Grade Set in rural Iowa (where Glaspell is actually from), the story follows Martha Hale to the scene of a murder. Minnie Wright, a sweet, fragile girl Martha knew in her childhood, has been accused of murdering her husband, John. Accompanied by her husband, the sheriff, and the sheriffââ¬â¢s wife Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Hale goes to the Wright house to uncover the truth and finds that things are not as they seem to be. Why should you read this? If you love murder mysteries and women sticking it to the man, this is your story. This story explores sexism with its folksy, relatable, and heartbreaking tone. As the women pull back the layers of Minnieââ¬â¢s life and discover the truth of what happened, you will cringe, flinch, rage, and cry. See if you can solve the mystery before Mrs. Hale does. 3. The Lady with the Pet Dog The Seaside Love Story Author:à Anton Chekhov Published:à 1903 Reading time:à 35 minutes Readability:à 8th Grade This is the story of a jaded ââ¬Å"lady-killerââ¬â¢sâ⬠path to falling in love. But, before you roll your eyes and move on, this is a different take on what might look like a common tale. Unlike other romantic heroes, Chekhovââ¬â¢s Dmitri does not undergo a remarkable transition or redemption because of his love. Instead, Chekhov presents a realistic figure of a man in love that offers an un-romanticized version of this unconventional relationship. The lack of moral judgement, redemption, or glorification allows the story to focus on the intense love between the two main characters, which in turn makes it the most romantic of love stories. à à à Why should you read this? For those of you who like forbidden-love stories with a hint of adultery, prepare your tissues. You may not always love Dmitri and his perspective on women and love, but the raw and very realistic portrayal of a couple who are caught off guard by love will make you empathize with them and all of their flaws. Watch how the POV of the narrator changes over the course of the story- its the key to the storyââ¬â¢s most bitter-sweet revelation. 4. The Canterville Ghost The Comedic Ghost Story Author:à Oscar Wilde Published:à 1887 Reading time:à 50 minutes Readability:à 12th Grade This is not your typical ghost story. The ghost who haunts the Canterville manner is crotchety, dramatic, and theatrical. But when his antics are thwarted by a very practical American family, his skittish and melancholic nature is comically revealed. Why should you read this? If you love all things absurd and macabre, this oneââ¬â¢s for you. Wilde perfectly combines horror with comedy to transform the horror-story villain into a laughable fool. You will experience the same surprise that the ghost feels when the family reacts benignly to headless hauntings, rattling chains, and bloodstained carpets. Though chances are you will laugh rather than throw a ghastly tantrum. 5. The Devil and Tom Walker The Deal-with-the-Devil Legend Author:à Washington Irving Published:à 1824 Reading time:à 23 minutes Readability:à 7th Grade In this classic deal-with-the-devil (Faustian) story, Tom Walker sells his soul for wealth and power in his small Boston town. The devil, or ââ¬Å"Old Scratch,â⬠offers to give Tom access to the treasure of Captain Kidd, a pirate who buried his treasure in the swamp. Driven by greed and amorality, Tom accepts the trade only to discover, far too late, what heââ¬â¢s actually lost. Why should you read this? If you like Lemony Snicket, Doctor Faustus, and urban myths, this one is for you. Irvingââ¬â¢s narrator creates reality out of fiction by posing as a researcher relating ââ¬Å"true storiesâ⬠from 18th-century New England. The fun of this tale is not just the story, but the narratorââ¬â¢s ability to mimic a legend. 6. The Garden Party The Coming of Age Myth Author:à Katherine Mansfield Published:à 1922 Reading time:à 23 minutes Readability:à 9th Grade Young Laura helps her mother set up for an extravagant garden party in New Zealand. When they hear of a neighborââ¬â¢s unfortunate accident and death, Laura experiences sympathy for the man and is sent down the hill into the dark, ominous neighborhood of the working class to express her familyââ¬â¢s condolences. Why should you read this? If you love 1920s dialect and Greek mythology, you will LOVE this story. This story doubles as a retelling of Persephoneââ¬â¢s journey to the underworld. Mansfield includes so many subtle and overt references to the myth that you might miss them if you arenââ¬â¢t careful. See if you can catch them all, or use the annotations to appreciate Mansfieldââ¬â¢s brilliance. Happy reading!
Monday, March 2, 2020
The First Five Pages
The First Five Pages The First Five Pages The First Five Pages By Maeve Maddox What can an agent tell from the first five pages of your manuscript? According to Noah Lukeman, plenty. The First Five Pages: A Writers Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile analyzes the types of mistakes that appear in 99 percent of the unsolicited manuscripts received by agents and editors. His experience as a literary agent who has read thousands of manuscripts has led Lukeman to this conclusion: From Texas to Oklahoma to California to England to Turkey to Japan, writers are doing the exact same things wrong. The purpose of his book is to show writers how to be their own first readers. The First Five Pages assumes that by scrutinizing a few pages closely enoughparticularly the first fewyou can make a determination for the whole. It assumes that if you find one line of extraneous dialogue on page 1, you will likely find one line of extraneous dialogue on each page to come. Even before he gets to a discussion of such things as dialogue, characterization, and point of view, Lukeman emphasizes the importance of Presentation. By Presentation he means such purely mechanical matters as paper, margins, and enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. No matter how great the artistic merit of a manuscript, careless packaging can keep it from taken seriously. Such inattention to detail, says Lukeman, may signal carelessness, sloppiness, ignorance or defiance of the industrys standards; that the writer doesnt care enough to do the minimum amount of research to make a manuscript industry presentable. Often when a writers presentation is careless, his writing is too. I especially like what Lukeman has to say about the importance of an extensive vocabulary in creating a clear, specific, distinctive style. He notes a dearth of vocabulary in the work of modern writers: It is as if all of todays writers were working from a high school-level vocabularyand writers who do use unusual words more ofen than not misuse them He encourages writers to enrich their vocabulary by learning not just a words current meaning, but its origin and history as wellnot for mere erudition, but in order to fix the word in the writers mind and make it his own. This extra lore is what I call iceberg information, knowledge that floats below the surface of the writing, adding substance without show. Barely 200 pages in length, Lukemans guide puts the writer in the mind of the agent, packing a lot of insight into a small space. The chapters are brief, but to the point, and each one is followed by writing exercises. For the author who has a novel ready to market, The First Five Pages is a valuable tool for the final revision. You can find the book on Amazon.com. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Book Reviews category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Redundant Phrases to Avoid"Gratitude" or "Gratefulness"?When to Spell Out Numbers
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