Article Writing Samples

A selection of sample articles are presented on this page.  Feel free to browse and read at your leisure.  If you use any of the sample articles, I would appreciate a link back.

Live articles on various topics can be seen on the right – Articles by Jan

Article Writing Sample 1.

What is Shiatsu Therapy?  Using Natural Healing to Restore and Maintain Good Health.

Shiatsu therapy has been used in Japan for centuries to promote health and natural healing.  Literally translated, shiatsu means “finger pressure” but it is often referred to as acupressure.

The roots of Shiatsu therapy can be traced back even further to the Chinese development of acupuncture several thousand years ago.  But, the present form of Shiatsu has been refined both in Japan and the West over the last 100 years or so.

How does Shiatsu Therapy Work?

Shiatsu is a natural healing therapy which works on the circulation of energy through the body.  This energy, known as Ki or Qi, flows along meridian pathways that connect the vital organs.

When this energy becomes depleted or blocked it affects both our physical and mental wellbeing.  Shiatsu uses gentle pressure, stretches and joint rotation to re-establish the flow of energy to encourage the body’s natural healing power.

Typically, a Shiatsu therapist will ask questions about your general lifestyle, health issues and medical history.  They will gently palpitate the abdomen (known as hara) to assess possible areas of energy imbalance.

Many people find Shiatsu very relaxing and attend a therapist to maintain health in addition to treatment for specific illnesses.  A recent European study showed that between 39 and 59% of people who attended Shiatsu sessions did so to maintain health.

Shiatsu therapy assists the body’s natural healing ability by restoring energy balance.  It is a complimentary therapy that has been found useful for:

• sports injuries,
• tension,
• stress,
• depression,
• poor digestion,
• circulation problems,
• migraines,
• menstrual problems.

In today’s fast paced, pill popping world, more and more people are turning to complimentary natural healing therapies to help restore and maintain good health.  Shiatsu therapy may be the solution for you too.

Article Writing Sample 2.

Another Break Up?  What Do Women Really Want in a Man?

Another row and another break up.  Sometimes it seems to be a vicious cycle.  But, to keep a woman happy and stay in a long term relationship, it pays to find out what do women really want in a man.

I can boil the answer down to one single word – confidence.  Confidence can’t be faked for long.  Women will also see through the gifts, the money and the good looks eventually.  Confidence is not arrogance, bravado, cockiness or dominance.  It is simply radiating an “I can do it” or “I can handle it” attitude.

With the merging of roles in the modern world it can be quite difficult for a man to show off his “can do” attitude.  For thousands of years mans confidence and attitude was the way he and his partner survived; from building the home, bringing in crops to fishing and hunting.  If these tasks were not done adequately the man could not provide for his family.

While many women now do the tasks needed for survival in the modern world, she still is looking for the “can do” attitude in a man.   For a long term relationship, subconsciously what women really want in a man is a protector and provider for her family.

Why do you think many women find men in uniform so sexy regardless of what the man actually looks like?  Or why do some men challenged in the looks department have no problem attracting women?  That “I can handle it” confidence is the trait that will tip the balance in your favor.  Confidence is what women really want in a man.

So how do you go about radiating your “I can do it” attitude?  Well, if you really want to, you can start sky-diving, heavy weight lifting or wrestling sharks.  But, that is just optional!  There is no need to go so extreme unless taking risks is what floats your boat.

True confidence is about being yourself, knowing yourself and your place in the world.  It’s having the ability to voice an opinion and yet still really listen to others.  It’s about being able to have fun and enjoy life without artificial props of alcohol or drugs.  It’s about having the guts to admit you are wrong occasionally.  It’s about having the ability to face fear or rejection and come out the other side stronger.  Confidence is about believing in yourself and your abilities.

What do women really want in a man?  The answer is quite simply confidence.

Article Writing sample 3.

Spam Emails. The FTC is not the Only Watchdog for E-mail Spam Laws

Spam emails – the bane of anyone who has an email address! There seems to be new methods to stop spam emails popping up every day. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are constantly improving methods of stopping unsolicited email; spam blockers and other software are developed constantly.

But what is spam? Spam emails are unsolicited commercial emails sent without consent. You may think you can switch off and stop reading, you don’t send spam right?

Well, just because you do not send unsolicited emails, it does not mean that the receiver doesn’t perceive them as spam. Regular spam complaints to your auto-responder service or website host can result in your emails being assigned to spam folders and, as a worst case scenario, your hosting and auto-responder accounts being suspended.

As Internet Marketers wanting to build a secure and valid business online, it pays to know the spam laws governing your Country and to follow email marketing guidelines. At the end of the day it is YOUR profit margin and business that will be hit hard by falling foul of spam guidelines.

Internet Marketers ARE being hit hard. Read any IM discussion board or forum and you will see several cases weekly of marketers having their auto-responder activity suspended or severely restricted.

It would sometimes seem that the FTC rules the internet! The FTC CAN-SPAM act is the most well known. However, this is US spam legislation and it can not apply to internet marketers operating outside the US.

The CAN-SPAM act serves as a good guideline for all internet marketers though. Many ISPs, website hosts and auto-responder services would appear to be starting to use the act as the basic rule of thumb regarding commercial emails.

In a nutshell the CAN-SPAM act requires you to:
1. Not to use false or misleading header information.
2. Not to use deceptive subject lines.
3. Tell recipients where you’re located
4. Tell recipients how to opt out of your list

Of course, it is not just the USA that has spam laws. Countries within the EU were required to implement the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive.

While EU requirements do not go quite as far as the FTC, you do need to tell recipients how to opt out of your list, not to hide your identity and provide valid reply addresses in commercial mailings. Of course, not all EU Countries will implement the Directive in the same way; pigs will fly before there is consistency and a level playing field when implementing EU law across member states!

Other Countries with specific spam laws include: Canada, Australia, Japan, Russia, Argentina, South Korea and Brazil. It is worth checking specific requirements for your Country.

To minimise your spam email complaints it is advised that you do use “double opt in” sign ups and ensure your opt out link is present in all your subsequent emails. There is no way any spam legislation or actions from ISP’s and service providers can stop email spam. It is down to you, as an Internet Marketer, to protect your business from falling foul of the spam clamp down.