Useful Articles

As compasses draw closer to the magnetic North and South Poles, they become less reliable. magine you're packing for the trip of a lifetime: Antarctica! You're going to see the South Pole and maybe hang out with some penguins. But how are you going to find the actual South Pole? You might think that you would reach for a compass first. Compasses — navigation instruments that contain  magnetized pointers  — have helped people find their way around Earth for thousands of years. The planet's magnetic field attracts one end of the compass's magnetic pointer toward the North Pole, so compass users always know which way magnetic north lies. However, you may be surprised to learn that compasses behave strangely when they are close to the South Pole. Why is that? Earth has both geographic and magnetic poles. The geographic North and South Poles mark the opposite ends of a central axis that Earth spins on. However, the positions of the North and South magnetic poles aren...

Each summer for the last two decades, Jim Parker has readied his small whale watch boat, and made a business out of ferrying tourists out into the cool blue waters of the Gulf of Maine. For years, it was steady work. The basin brimmed with species that whales commonly feed on, making it a natural foraging ground for the aquatic giants. Whales would cluster at certain spots in the gulf, providing a reliable display for enchanted visitors to the coastal community of Milbridge, Maine. But lately, the whales have been harder and harder to find. Waters in the gulf have been warming, sending the whales' food supply searching for cooler temperatures. The whales have gone with them. Some days this summer, Parker says he didn't spot a single one. Business fell 20%, forcing him to cut his season short. To help make ends meet, he's been leading nature tours instead of whale watching expeditions. It's gotten so bad, Parker says, that he and his partner have considered moving awa...

1 – Look in magazines, journals, and newspapers for events. Current or historical, that does not matter at this point, both are okay – and recent engaging and exciting facts, and perhaps valuable information that attracts the attention. Articles about subjects that interests you and that are comfortable for you to talk about are good indications. 2 – Jot down any possible idea that comes up for interesting speech topics. I always draft a short list for myself of candidate issues if I am contracted for a public speaking engagement. And then I skip the ones that are too difficult and too complex to prepare and master in 8 to 10 minutes time. 3 – Review some online books on the subject for more detailed current information about your topic. Or go to a library and ask for books and reference articles about your subject. Without exception, all librarians I know will help you sorting out the speechwriter subject with their advice and recommendations. For example you choose for an...