Guest Post [Exclusive] for our Blog by an Established Writer:

Useful Tools, Sites and Apps for Student Writers:

The Internet is overflowing with sites designed to help student writers increase skills and productivity. Unfortunately, sifting through all of these options can be time consuming. If you need tools you can depend on and access instantly, bookmark this list of useful writing sites.

Brainstorming:

Jott - Writers on the go will love this free web app that turns voice messages into text messages. You simply call a phone number, record a message, and relax as Jott turns the recording into text and sends it wherever you want it to go.

ThinkFold - ThinkFold is a free web tool that provides an interactive outline to organize ideas. Groups and individuals can create an outline, rearrange ideas, and see changes automatically.

Innovative Tools - The Brainstorming Techniques Resource Center by Innovative Tools is loaded with articles, software, tools, and techniques for brainstorming.

Mindmeister - This free web app allows writers to create a mind map to better visualize brainstorming ideas. Writers who choose to sign up for the free version are able to share and access their ideas from anywhere, as well as see group changes in real time.

ThinkGraph - ThinkGraph is free downloadable software that allows you to place your thoughts into 2D Concept Map. The map creates a visual illustration for student writers to place and organize thoughts.

Reference and Research:

Encyclopedia.com - Encyclopedia is a free online encyclopedia and dictionary with pictures, facts, videos, and other helpful research and reference resources.

Allreaders - This website is a great resource for finding books based on various criteria. Writers can use Allreaders to search for books with specific characters, elements, plot lines, settings, and themes.

Internet Public Library - The IPL is the online equivalent of a local public library. The site offers reference materials, subject collections, books, magazines, newspapers, and an index of useful websites.

Writing Tools and Instruction:

The OWL - The OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University offers more than 200 resources for students who need help with academic and creative writing.

Writer's Digest - A superb site for writers of all levels, Writer's Digest helps students perfect writing skills. The site offers resources, advices, tips, and a writing community.

Dartmouth Writing Program - The Dartmouth Writing Program offers an excellent online writing guide for students. This website gives you step-by-step instruction on the expectations writers will see in college.

Writing Fix - Writing Fix has many features to help students improve their writing, including plot ideas, lessons, and writing techniques.

Zoho - Zoho is a must-have suite of free productivity apps. Specific Zoho programs that would be useful to student writers include Zoho Writer, Zoho Docs, and Zoho Notebook.

Grammar and Editing:

Autocrit - Autocrit was created to find weaknesses in manuscripts but will help any writer improve their draft. This resourceful tool can find overused words, slow pacing, and dull sentence structure.

Grammar Girl - Mignon Fogarty, a.k.a. Grammar Girl, makes editing fun by delivering short, weekly podcasts with simple tips that are easy to remember.

Bartleby - Bartleby offers many free reference books online. The site's English usage texts are especially useful for writers who need help with grammar or editing.

Daily Grammar - Daily Grammar provides daily lessons and workshops to help everyone improve their grammar.

SparkNotes - This resource is known for study guides, but has many other helpful tools for students, including a comprehensive grammar guide. The guide offers information about common errors, style, and usage.

Guest post from Karen Schweitzer, the About.com Guide to Business School. Karen also writes about online colleges and universities for OnlineCollege.org.

I BSc Pbt/Zoo(Reg) Students - Text books - Reg..:

Dear Students of I BSc Pbt/Zoo(Reg),

Those of you who have given the price of the text books (Rs.50/- each) have been acknowledged in our academic website HERE.

I BSc PB & PBT Click HERE

I BSc Zoo (Reg) Click HERE

Regards and all best wishes,

Rufus

Acknowledging the good ones in Class..!

"Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite" says a great philosopher.

It is indeed great joy for a teacher, when he sees his words being honoured by the student.. Here, I would like to give a special word of appreciation to the sincere and committed ones who cared to respect the words of the teacher and brought along what was expected of them - the day's Newspaper!

This post wishes to acknowledge and bless the good ones. God bless you.

I BSc Pb& Pbt Class:

1.Suriya, K
2. Arul Christina Devi, J
3. Aarthi Evangelin, J
4. Deepika, M
5. Kavitha, S
6. Sowmiya, T
7. Thanga Quilly, J
8. Sreeja, H
9. Janani, K
10. Jeeva Bathseba, B
11. Ruby Evangeline Mary, A
12. Mohana Priya, G
13. Karthika, P
14. Haripriya, B
15. Sowmia, S
16. Vinnie Cheeran
17. Nandhini, R
18. Padmavathi, M
19. Bhubaneshwari, S
20. Sheeba, C.S
21. Solomie, S
22. Esther, M
23. Rajaguru, A
24. Henry, H
25. Kali Dass
26. Shaji Solomon, P.S
27. Oswald J Smith, M
28. Manikandan, N
29. Vikneswaran, K.S

I BSc Zoology (Reg):
1. Priya, V
2. Deepa, C
3. Devi, K
4. Kumutha, J
5. Hemalatha, M
6. Miroshini, S
7. Shamini Mary
8. Sugantha Mani, A
9. Janet Jemima, I
10. Ezra L. Ryujah
11. Solomon Bernard
12. Prasad, R
13. Jayashree, M
14. Saranya, D
15. Suganya, R
16. Ruth Auxiliya, D
17. Gokulakannan, S
18. Khamlianpau Vaiphu
19. Manjula, A

You have a great attitude! Wish you all the best, great success, and God's blessings in all your academic endeavours on this, your new year in College.

God bless you..!

Regards and all best wishes,
Rufus

JGVV CHARITABLE BOOK BANK FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS..:

Jaigopal Garodia has started the Charitable Book Bank for college students during the year 2000. Even the customary membership fee is not levied here.

The books are given free of cost to any one without any distinction of caste, colour or creed. The college students are also given free note books along with the text books. Thousands of graduate and post graduate students from 300 colleges benefit every year. Twenty thousand books worth Rs.50 lacs are kept in book bank.
For more details contact: 044-26206261 or their website HERE

Mobile Phone Etiquette...:

This happened in a class, in MCC, a couple of years ago. A lady professor was taking class when one student's cell phone started ringing on three separate occasions. The professor finally stopped her lecture and asked for the offending student to stand up, but to no avail. Frustrated, she said, "I'm not going to give attendance to anybody today, unless the student owns up". So saying, she completed her lecture and moved out. Soon, a guy came rushing down to the prof, and asked for apologies, admitting he was at mistake and asked her not to withhold attendance for the class, as some were reeling under "acute shortage of attendance".

On another occasion, a lecturer, during his talk, was interrupted again and again by the ring tones of a student, that he said, "Why dont you answer that call, please?"
Just imagine this situation...! where are we heading towards? A few years ago this would never have happened.

People today can't separate their private life from their public behaviour.

How many times have we stared at the person sitting across us in the theatre, or in the bus or train, or restaurant who is talking in a loud voice without any thought to the people around him?

The problem, according to Dhar, lies in the fact that, phones have taken the globe by surprise and as a result good manners and etiquette have not had the time to develop in so short a time.

In Tamil, there is a proverb which comes to my mind, "Giving a Garland in the hands of a monkey...!"

The lack of mobile etiquette is quite disgusting. There must have been at least one time when you have flouted the rules yourself, says Dhar.

Let's try to come to terms with "mobile" manners by beginning here.

First of all, talking in a theatre or a play or a concert is very rude. Switch off your cell phones people. ! The earth wont stop, nor will the sky fall. In case if it's a real emergency, or during a meeting, excuse yourself and go out.

Remember, when talking is taboo, so is ringing. Keep the handset on silent alert so you can afford to ignore unwanted calls wheareas keep track and not miss the important calls either.

Speaking softly is in general the way to go, and the latest phones have extremely sensitive microphones so you really have no reason to shout.

Talking on sidewalks or while in a immobile car is acceptable, if done cautiously.

Talking in cars, bikes while driving? It's stupid and illegal. If it's urgent, pull over. Nothing is more precious than your life. And let the phone go to voice mail when some one calls, you can always call them back after some time.

In the end, the onus of being a gentleman or lady falls on you dear reader. Please be responsible and courteous towards others. Your manners will only stand by you in good stead in the future and most definitely help in some manner or the other.

A simple thought to where you are, whom you are with, what others are doing should be enough for you to decide whether to make or accept a call.

With due acknowledgements and thanks to Prof.Dhar, CBH

MCC Does it Yet Again..!

Madras Christian College does it yet again..! 

The College is placed eighth among the TOP TEN best colleges in the nation in the Arts Stream, and in the seventh position among the TOP TEN best colleges in the nation in the Sciences.

The Madras Christian College ranks second among the TOP TEN Colleges in Chennai City.

Chennai's Top Five (Arts)

1. Loyola College

2. Madras Christian College (MCC)

3. Stella Maris College

4. Presidency College

5. Women's Christian College

Chennai's Top Five (Sciences)

1. Loyola College

2. Presidency College

3. Madras Christian College

4. Stella Maris College

5. Ethiraj College

Chennai's Top Five (Commerce)

1. Loyola College

2. Stella Maris College

3. Madras Christian College

4. Presidency College

5. Queen Mary's College

Source: The India Today - Nielsen Survey
Pic. Courtesy: INDIA TODAY, JUNE 22, 2009

Writing Contest for Students...:

Do you have a vision for how to change the world? Are you engaged in an exciting, youth-led social justice campaign? Do you think regularly about the intersection of politics and spirituality? Are you an aspiring writer?

TIKKUN is looking for smart, crisp writing that combines storytelling with analytical sophistication. They want to hear you talk in particularities, not generalities. Tell a story about yourself and your community and then use that story to explore broader questions about politics or ethics or social change. If you can tie your topic in to a current issue or timely policy discussion, that’s even better. Don’t know where to start? Feel free to pick one of the prompts HERE to use as a jumping-off point.

This contest is open to students under age 25, and the deadline for submission is June 15, 2009.

Free Workshop..:

A free workshop on tackling the Bank Probationary Officers' Examination and Clerical exams will be held at Elite Tuition Centre, Royapettah from 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday, 14 June 2009. Contact No: 9790878868/ 9710993099.

Reopening Date - Reg..:

Dear Students,

College reopens on Wednesday, June 17, 2009. Wish you all the best in all your academic endeavours.

Regards,

Rufus

Learn Sign Language...:

A Basic Course in Indian Sign Language will be conducted between June 15 and June 27, in an 18-hour package, with flexi time slots to suit the needs of a number of people. The first batch will begin on June 15 and be held until June 20 between 10 am and 1 pm.

The other batches will be held on the following dates: June 15 - June 27 between 6.30 pm and 8 pm and June 22 to 27 between 2 pm and 5 pm.

The classes will be held at: Ability Foundation, 28, Second Cross Street, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020. For details, contact: Ph: 044-24413013

New Principal for MCC..:

The Service of Induction for Dr.R.W.Alexander Jesudasan as the Principal and Secretary of Madras Christian College was held on 31 May 2009 at 5.30 pm in the Anderson Hall, Madras Christian College. It was a packed house and was attended among others by a host of Retd Staff members, former Principals, members of the Alumni and dignitaries from across the Country.

We wish our beloved Principal all the best and wish him all success in all his academic endeavours.