In this issue:

• How To....Write Like a Journalist

• Shake It Up, Baby!
• Did You Know...When Movable Type Was Invented?
• Ask TSW!

• Spotlight On…Discovering Deaf Worlds

• Congratulations!

Let us take care of your words.

HOW TO WRITE LIKE A JOURNALIST

American Sign Language (ASL) is often – and accurately – considered the ideal storyteller's language. Stories narrated by skillful, native signers become part of Deaf culture lore.

The journalist's job is also about telling stories. Some stories are written to inform, and others to entertain. If the story is told well, the reader gains a better understanding of the subject.

So how do you make sure your reader learns something useful? By checking your story to see that it covers the five Ws and the H:

Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
and...How?

When you're telling a story, whether to teach or amuse, check to see if these six questions are answered. If you can answer them and entertain, congratulations – you're on your way to writing like a journalist!

SHAKE IT UP, BABY!

Beware of "habit" words. You probably have a few favorite words in your vocabulary that you use often, and seeing them pop up again and again can annoy your reader. When you feel the urge to use a preferred word twice in one document, go shake a thesaurus tree until another word with the same flavor falls out.

TIP: Try www.thesaurus.com or your word processing program’s thesaurus feature.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Invention of Movable Type

The printing profession was a major source of employment for deaf workers in the 20th century, when mechanical printing presses were at the height of their development. Johannes Gutenberg is often cited as the inventor of the printing press in the mid-1400's, but movable type existed long before Gutenberg, and he was unaware that the Chinese were printing with movable type in 1040.

Movable Type: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movable_type

ASK TSW!
The Questions You've Always Been Too Embarrassed to Ask

A reader from Northern California asks:

Like many second-language writers, I have a difficult time of selecting either article of "a (an)" and "the." How do I choose?

English has two sorts of articles. One sort of article – the - points to the specific. The other sort - a, an – points to the general.

Specific articles are called definite. General articles are called indefinite.

For example, “a boy” refers to any boy, a very general selection. “The boy” refers to a specific boy.

Two more things to watch for: is the noun being modified singular or plural? Does it begin with a consonant or a vowel?

Some indefinite article examples:

a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a plane
an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an easter bunny

You can be tripped up by a tricky situation – vowels that sound like consonants.

a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound:
a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used)

some + plural noun: some cars

If there's also an adjective in the mix, you need to ask these questions of the adjective instead of the noun. Use the same vowel or consonant rule as before.

Examples:
A beautiful elephant
An ugly junkyard

But again, vowels that sound like consonants can make it tough.
A European vacation
(sounds like 'yer-o-pi-an,' i.e. begins with consonant 'y' sound)
A university

We’ll discuss this confusing rule of using “a” with words beginning with vowels that sound like consonants in a future issue.

Source: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/eslart.html

Have a question about American Sign Language or English that you're too embarrassed to ask? Send your question to us at news@tswriting.com. We'll try to answer your question in an upcoming issue. All questions will be kept anonymous.

SPOTLIGHT ON...DISCOVERING DEAF WORLDS

Each month, TSW profiles one of its clients. This month, we talk with Discovering Deaf Worlds founders Christy Smith and Dave Justice.

Most of us only dream of traveling the world. Christy Smith and Dave Justice are living this dream, with a mission of raising awareness about deaf cultures internationally. The duo, who first met while working at the Aspen Camp for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Colorado, is currently in China and into their fifth month of a year-long adventure.

“We have seen how deaf clubs still thrive in the heart of New Zealand, a community celebrating their recent passage of New Zealand Sign Language as an official language in their country,” says Smith. “Australia, where the cochlear implant was invented, distributes 70% of the world's implants, is amidst the heat of an oral-versus-signed approach to deaf education.

In Japan, Tsukuba University has a 100% job placement rate for graduating deaf students. And China's deaf community thrives in the arts as emerging leaders advocate for more diverse options and the right to drive. These are but a handful of facts that we are out to learn on a day-to-day basis.”

Every leg of their journey is chronicled through videos, their website and monthly newsletter. Along the way, Smith and Justice share many tales of oppression, inspiration and adventure. "Our newsletter now reaches people, both deaf and hearing, all around the world," says Justice. "T.S. Writing has been a consistent and reliable part of the DDW team with creative input that helps keep our audience anticipating the next issue."

"What we ultimately hope to do is create a DVD to help spread deaf awareness on a global level," Smith adds. "We want to educate hearing people about deaf cultures around the world which can be vital to improve the lives of deaf people. We also have a vision to encourage other deaf people to travel and meet others like them, and continue to build a networking relationship with these countries."

To date, the pair has raised nearly $34,000 in donations to cover project expenses such as video equipment and editing, interpreters, website development and other costs. Having visited New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and China, they are headed to Thailand and SE Asia next. They also will visit Nepal, India, and many other countries.

To donate or to visit the Discovering Deaf Worlds website, check www.discoveringdeafworlds.org.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Trudy Suggs for being the recipient of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association's 2008 Outstanding Young Alumnus award!

This award is given to a young alumnus or alumna of Gallaudet University of the past 15 years who has performed some impressive service to the University and/or the deaf community, or who has brought recognition to our Alma Mater through some notable achievement in his/her personal or professional life.

Longstanding service, commitment and dedication - that's what drives T.S. Writing.

ABOUT TSW

T.S. Writing Services, LLC, is a Deaf-owned company that provides writing, editing, design, and translation services for American Sign Language and English users. For more information, visit www.tswriting.com.