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Volume 4, Issue 3
June 2009
In this issue:
- Power of liberty
- Tips for writing a speech
- Books to come
- Did you know?
- Ask TSW!
- Spotlight onDoug Bahl
Let us take care of your words.
POWER OF
LIBERTY
 Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence, knowing that they would be killed if captured by the British. These men were educated, and most were lawyers, jurists, merchants, farmers and plantation owners. After they signed the document, five were captured by the British as traitors and tortured to death. Twelve saw their homes looted and burned. Four saw their sons participate in the Revolutionary War (two were killed and the other two were captured), and nine fought in the Revolutionary War, eventually dying from war-related injuries or extreme hardship. Others experienced harassment and/or bankruptcy. Yet their powers of belief in liberty, freedom and the importance of taxation with representation have helped the Constitution stand up all these years. Happy Fourth of July!
Source: http://www.geocities.com/starchaser-m/fourthofjuly/declare.html
TIPS FOR WRITING A SPEECH
If you have been asked to give a speechno fear, we at TSW are here for you! Different speeches have a variety of purposes. For example, a graduation speech is basically an inspirational speech and a farewell speech combined. You are expected to thank certain people who have helped you succeed in earning your diploma or degree, and to reflect on how education has impacted your life and what future holds for you and your class.
Or maybe you need to give a speech at a wedding. A wedding speech is traditionally in form of a toast to the bridal couple. It also helps if you include some funny jokes or observations that your audience can relate to. Be positive and avoid controversial topics or statements. For more ideas, check out http://www.speech-time.com/graduation-speech-ideas.html, or you can get help with your speech by visiting http://www.speeches.com.
BOOKS TO COME
Summers coming, and were sure youre wondering what book to read. If you have a favorite author or a favorite book series youre following, check out these two websites:
Both provide advance notices about books coming up for publication, which will help with your summer reading and beyond.
Books ideal for Deaf youth can be found at a website devoted to deaf characters in adolescent literature: http://pajka.blogspot.com. Finally, check out Deaf-related books at http://www.harriscomm.com.
DID YOU KNOW? WRITING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
We all know who wrote the Declaration of Independence: Thomas Jefferson. But did you know that
Jefferson wanted John Adams to write it? Adams refused because he thought Southerners would be more likely to accept the Declaration of Independence if they knew Jefferson, a
Virginia native, had written it.
Source: http://www.libertyskids.com/arch_what_decoind.html
Ask TSW!
The Questions Youve Always Been Too Embarrassed to Ask
 A reader asks: When do I put periods inside of quotation marks or outside of quotation marks?
This is a great question. Oftentimes, people will put period marks outside of quotation marks, such as: The woman said, Im exhausted. In the
United States
, the proper format is to put the period inside of the quotation marks: The woman said, Im exhausted.
A terrific resource on when to place punctuation inside or outside of quotation marks can be found at http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/quotes.asp. The website offers seven rules for quotation marks and punctuations, such as:
- Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes.
- Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks.
- When you are quoting something that has a spelling or grammar mistake or presents material in a confusing way, insert the term sic in italics and enclose it in brackets. Sic means, "This is the way the original material was."
There are exceptions to the general rules for punctuation and quotation marks, such as when following MLA format/style, or when you are using only a letter or number at the end of a sentence, such as: She received the grade of an A.
Another resource is at http://grammartips.homestead.com/inside.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.
GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP IN ASL!
Perfect for programs serving deaf and hard of hearing people!
A two-day workshop on the basics of grant writing is now available, led by experienced grant writer Trudy Suggs. This workshop is designed for the individual working in the nonprofit or educational sector (i.e., program staff, executive directors, school administrators, and other administrators) and will be presented in American Sign Language.
In an interactive environment, individuals working in the nonprofit or educational sectors (i.e. program staff, executive directors, school administrators and program directors) will learn about building relationships with funders, develop evaluation plans, create need statements, build components of their proposals and leave with an in-depth understanding of the grant writing process.
Limited bookings are being accepted. For more information on how to bring this popular workshop to your area, contact info@tswriting.com.
SPOTLIGHT ON...DOUG BAHL
Each month, TSW profiles one of its clients. This month, we talk with Doug Bahl.
 As the president of Deaf History International (DHI), Doug Bahl is one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to Deaf history. A walking encyclopedia on Deaf history, ask Bahl a question and hell not only give you the answer, but hell also give you the story behind the answer.
Bahl was elected president of DHI at its sixth conference in
Berlin,
Germany. Currently in the third year of a six-year term, Bahl says, DHI is open to anyone interested in encouraging the study, preservation and dissemination of Deaf peoples history.
DHI, founded in 1994 after the first International Conference on Deaf History held at Gallaudet in 1991, is held every three years to bring together people to learn about the latest findings, how the narrow area of Deaf History fits into the context of mainstream history and to meet persons who share like interests. My involvement in DHI as a presenter rekindled my interest in Deaf history, which has always been a passion for me, he says.
Originally from
Faribault,
Minn., Bahl taught various subjects at the
Minnesota
State
Academy for the Deaf for 14 years until 1990. He then began teaching preparatory classes at
St. Paul
College before switching to ASL, and is now in his 19th year at the college. A popular presenter who travels extensively, Bahl shares two memorable trips.
Last year, I went on a trip with a Deaf American group to
Russia
, which was led by a Deaf, Ukraine-born-turned-American guide. We stayed with local Deaf host families. I was delighted that, despite language barriers, my host family and I got along off right from the start. We always understood each other laughing and gesturing our way through meals and evenings together. Throughout the trip I always had a good nights sleep probably helped by enjoying a bottle of vodka each night with the host family members.
Bahl also traveled to
Edinburgh,
Scotland
, in 1995, for the European Deaf History Symposium. By chance, I introduced myself to a Deaf man from
Norway, Jon Brauti, Bahl remembers. Much to my surprise, he happened to be a fourth cousin on my mothers side. In other words, we had the same great-great-great-grandparents. Jon is also a Deaf history buff, and is currently the president of the Norwegian Deaf History Society. Its like Ive known him all my life. Brauti later helped Bahl trance their ancestry back to the first king of
Norway, King Harold the Fairheaded.
Bahl says he has found T.S. Writing Services to be extremely beneficial. ASL is my primary language, so I have a good command of the English language, he explains. But I like having someone check over my work just to make sure everything is perfect. Its a great load off my mind to seek professional assistance to make my articles and papers polished. I am completely confident in T.S. Writing Services and the services I receive.
YET ANOTHER ADDITION TO THE TSW FAMILY
Congratulations to Trudy Suggs and Randy Shank, who welcomed their second child, Keene Albert, into the world on May 6, 2009!
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 http://www.tswriting.com.
If you have suggestions or questions about this e-newsletter, e-mail the editor at news@tswriting.com.
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