Business & Technical Writing/Writers Block

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Expert: - 3/13/2010


Question
The main essay on the common app for transfers asks for a statement addressing my reasons for transferring and the objectives I hope to achieve. I've had a somewhat unique college experience so far, and now wanting to transfer to another school. I am not, and do not want to sound, flaky. I do not know how to start and I would like to know if you could offer me a sample on how to write this essay. If you could please give me links to as many sample essays, because I have not had any avail in finding any sample essays so far.
Thank you for your help!

Answer
I don't answer questions marked 'Private.' To do so would set me up to answer the same questikon many times over. Since I don't get paid to do this, I'd be pretty dumb to answer such questions. Therefore, I have marked this Public.

There is no such thing as "writer's block." there are only people whoare afraid to tell the truth with the written word.

By the way, there is no such thing as "somewhat unique." Unique is like pregnant: it either is or it isn't. There is no degree of either unique or pregnant.

What is it in your "experience" that compels you to want to change colleges?

WDM

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Warren D. Miller

Expertise

I believe I can answer nearly any question about business writing. That goes in spades if the target audience is a lay readership. I make my living writing and speaking. N.B.: I DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS MARKED 'PRIVATE' because I believe that knowledge should be shared, not hoarded. I also believe such questions are likely to be submitted by people trying to cheat. In addition, don't waste your time asking me to write something for you. You don't learn anything if I do that. I'm happy to critique something that YOU write, of course. That's the best way for you to learn how to write well.

Experience

My profession is business valuation, which means appraising businesses whose shares are not publicly traded. This requires in-depth knowledge about a number of disciplines, including economics, finance, strategic management, accounting, anthropology, statistics, and psychology. The left-brain part of me must conduct rigorous research and financial analysis. The right-brain side must then separate what matters from what doesn't and then explain it all in writing (and in everyday English) to people (usually business owners, but sometimes judges and juries) who do not have the expertise that I have been lucky enough to acquire over the years. I love what I do and consider myself fortunate to live in a country where I can do what I love doing and make a nice living doing it. I am glad to help with writing issues, but NOT, please, with any valuation, business consulting, or other non-writing questions.

Organizations
CFA Institute, American Society of Appraisers, Strategic Management Society, Academy of Management, Culver Legion, National Association of Scholars.

Publications
Besides two published books (search for "Warren D. Miller" on Amazon), I have written for the Harvard Business Review, American Fly Fisher, Business Valuation Review, CPA Expert, Academy of Management Executive, CFA Digest, Valuation Strategies, and others.

Education/Credentials
MBA - Oklahoma State U. (1991); BBA - U. of Oklahoma (1975); Chartered Financial Analyst designation (2006) Accredited Senior Appraiser (2006) Certified Public Accountant (1992)

Awards and Honors
Business Valuation Volunteer of the Year (2001) - American Institute of CPAs Winner - Oklahoma Humorous-Speaking Contest - Toastmasters International (1971)

Past/Present Clients
Confidential.

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