Birthdays and funerals, marriages and divorce, simple appreciation or heartfelt words of love and praise-each of these occasions requires a personal response, often in the form of a note. What should you say? How do you start? Even in these days of quick e-mails and text messages, we still need to find the appropriate phrase or sentiment to communicate our feelings-and it can be difficult. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Right Words for Any Occasioncan help. With over 250 sample notes for nearly every personal occasion, dozens of tips, and simple inspiration direction, it's the perfect book to help you express your feelings to friends, relatives, and loved ones. Meant to be both a reference to look up actual samples to use and a book that helps you create personal notes of your own, this book is a must have for everyone's library.

Say the right thing at the right time. This essential reference brings together well-known (and not-so-well-known!) speakers- including those from the Bible, actors, poets, humorists, scientists, and literary and political figures-whose ideas, activism, services, talent, and labor have influenced society. Perfect for speeches for every occasion, including graduations, weddings, retirement parties, anniversaries, public speaking engagements, and so on. * Presented in an intuitive, cross-referenced organization * Includes hilarious anecdotes and a short bio of each author, a brief contextual note for each quote, and an index of keywords to help you find the appropriate words for any occasion quickly

In this high-tech, instant-communication world, communication should be easy. Not so! In fact, messages can often become diluted because most people's writing and language skills aren't what they used to be. Studies suggest that many people today have a tougher time relating to each other, and in fact technology may be to blame. But the good news is that it's possible to recognize the situation, adapt to it, and learn the 'power words' and phrases that can push through today's communication clutter to set one's self apart from others-and have a much easier time getting their way. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Power Wordsshows readers how to do just this. This book provides forceful-but not pushy-words and phrases that offer punch to a conversation, letter, e-mail, instant message, or text message. It supplies verbal expressions and replies that will help readers cut through today's muddle of words and misunderstandings to be more assertive, and to impress and inspire (but not intimidate) others. When necessary, these phrases will also help readers change direction correctly and confidently. There's more to effective communication than simply having a healthy vocabulary or the gift of gab. In this book, author Scott Snair provides- Words that clearly define how it's possible to fill an important need Phrases that get attention in a world saturated with attention-getters Statements that get to the point quickly and effectively Expressions that work to convince others Words that lower the opponent's defenses Rogerian phrases to gain support Thoughts that concede the point but set up the ultimate win Phrases that help keep arguments simple. Useful, hidden devices within words. Knowing how to use the right words-and use them well-has unlimited benefits, and not knowing how to use them keeps things out of your reach. In this world of insecurity, poor social skills, short attention spans, and high-paced, high-volume transmission of irrelevances, the gift of understanding these power words and phrases will give readers the advantage.

Defines over 1,000 words in subject areas such as people, computers, business, law, culture, and government, as well as foreign terms and new words.

What does it mean to 'chew the fat'? Why do we put things in 'apple-pie order'? And what on earth is a 'hat trick'? Readers will learn all this and more in this fun and engaging new addition to the Complete Idiot's Guide® series, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Weird Word Origins. This humorous book provides entertaining insight on the often metaphorical, always taken-for-granted phrases and expressions used every day. In it, language expert Paul McFedries takes readers through the sometimes surprising, always amusing world of weird words and expressions, and the fascinating stories that surround them. Presented in a fun, easy-to-read style, this book takes readers on a journey through the bizarre and eccentric origins that make up our everyday speech.

Gives suggestions for dealing with inappropriate workplace behavior, poor customer service, and tough negotiators

Bedside Book

An easy-to-understand history of the Reformation and how it created modern Protestantism, for anyone interested in understanding why the Protestant churches, denominations and beliefs are what they are today.

Offers advice on understanding and communicating with teenagers; discouraging drug and alchohol use; instilling healthy habits and work ethics; and preparing teens for life after high school