When to use ‘A’ and when to use ‘An’ in special cases

Now we most certainly are aware with the basic usage of ‘a’ and ‘an’ while framing verbal and written sentences in English. What I am trying to explore here is of more intricate nature. So before we delve further into this curious case of ‘a’ and ‘an’, let’s check out the prelude to what ticked me off on this expedition. But before that, here’s the basic usage of ‘a’ and ‘an’ for the uninitiated.

-          - Use ‘a’ for words (nouns/adjectives) that start with alphabets other than vowels.

-          - Use ‘an’ for referring words staring with a vowel - A, I, O, U, E; also H sometimes.

Know when to use either 'a' or 'an' while referring to an ancronym

So weeks ago, I was doing this freelance content work for an IT company, here in Pune. I was drafting a Press Release. Now we all know the practice of SEOing your web content in order to make it seeable on the mammoth internet (guess even I should start doing this). So I was given a set of keywords to be incorporated in the press release. And then there was one particular keyword - an acronym - to be used in the headline of the press release.

I tried and tried. But something wasn't right. My efforts were futile. So I simply skipped the headline, only to be reworked upon later after the completion of the Press Release. Perhaps, an hour later I must have finished with the press release but was still stuck with the correct incorporation of that keyword in the headline.

The keyword was SIEM, standing for Security Information & Event Management. And as per their guidelines (which stated simple statements, no grandiloquent language), the best headline that I could come up with, whilst doubting my ability, was this - ProActEye delivers a SIEM breakthrough. +ProActEye Managed SIEM as SaaS 

So the glitch that held me back for so long was whether I should be using ‘a’ or ‘an’ before the term SIEM. I tried and failed miserably in evading the article use. So I had to when I had to. With an anxious nerve, I finally decided to go with ‘a’. Later, I took to an English-Grammar Group in Google+ to find the answer to my confusion. The image below is a snapshot of the clarification received from +Bill Davis, which clearly specifies the answer.

A snapshot of the comments section

He opines, if SIEM were to be pronounced as one single word (meaning: pronounced as SEE-EM) then in that case ‘a’ would imply before SIEM in the headline. But otherwise, if the pronunciation was alphabet specific (like EES-AYE-EE-EM), the usage of ‘an’ would deem best.

That’s it, my problem was solved and confusion was bloated away. I really heaved a sigh of relief that grammatically and technically I was right, because in the IT world the acronym SIEM was actually pronounced as SEE-EM. So my headline was right.

So folks, hope this suffices the others like me out there - ‘a’ or ‘an’ depending on the pronunciation of  the acronym would do well in the sentence.

When Coffee became Agile

My small stint with an IT company made me learn a great deal about Cloud and SaaS technology. While in the process to reach up till Cloud technology, I was introduced to the terms like Agile Methodology and Scrum. Of course, I eventually understood the entire Software Development Life Cycle.

When I was asked to create a blog for the Company, like something on temporary basis - to gauge the follower base - I was also asked to keep the overall tone general and a bit lively. I had to brainstorm to bring forth innovative concepts about how the blog's novelty would strike a chord with the readers. I came up with a few, but the one that was my favourite eventually was everyone else's too.

Coffee Is Agile, indeed!

So I conceptualized an imaginary character (Joe) who worked as a barista in our office Café. As he goes about doing his daily chores in the Café, his ears grace all these new and "heavy" technical terms. Credit: IT landscape. Sailing on the layman's boat, he is obviously unknown to them and thus, sets on a voyage to uncover the answers!

Ya. So that's the story like. Here's a small glimpse of the correlation I would normally put up between the IT world and a common man's world. Have a look.

If you found it interesting enough, you could read the complete story here. Remember, I'm just a click away. Email me and let me know what you think about this post?! Did I strike the creative chord well?!

On Counting Laurels

Since I have done my Masters in Journalism and Advertising, I had great opportunities in Journalism to start with. I had started my career with a big media conglomerate in North India. Their flagship newspaper Dainik Jagran is the most read Hindi newspaper, around Asia. It was then I released what the power of Press could actually do, even in day-to-day life!

I started writing news articles for their multiple websites. But mostly I was engaged with the Bollywood/ Entertainment news sections. I did a few articles for Technology & Gadgets beat too. Will surely upload them in the coming weeks.

For now, I thought of posting an article about my favourite Celeb personality. This one particular article was internationally published when I worked for a Radio Corp in the UK. I had to keep a close eye on all the latest Bollywood happenings and simultaneously update them on their websites. Something I did subconsciously! Here, in India, you will find only two types of fanatics - one for Cricket and the other for Bollywood - of which I was of the latter.

I surely miss doing that now. Though my appetite for Entertainment dose is always duly satiated. But hey, I am always up for writing those kinda stories for you guys! Anyone up there?! Looking for a freelance news writer?! I'm here to help. I'm earnestly screaming to those out there in the Entertainment News industry, if anyone's listening I'm standing right here, waving my hand, blog to be precise!! Ok, that's a whole lot of desperation. I need to get back to my senses .

In the meanwhile, have you enjoyed that birthday article on former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan?! Oh man, she's always been my childhood crush. Someday, I look up to act with her in a same movie, featuring us, together! Are the right people listening me?! *sigh*

Let's Wine & Dine...

As promised here I am with my work portfolio. To start with, I thought I should introduce you guys with one of my initial freelance work.

This one was for a Business Boutique hotel, here in my home town. So the situation was that the website of this particular hotel had crashed and apparently the "new management" was pointing all the blame at the recently-kicked-off old management. Anyway, the picture was never clear to me.

The glitch was they didn't have any previous content or basic information about the hotel, for that matter, to share with me. I was given a deadline of two days (one of days being a Sunday) to submit the content, and I wasn't even allowed to grump about it!

So what I did? Removed my notepad and a pen and went on a complete recce of the hotel. Grabbed an attendant and made him tour me the hotel completely. From different rooms available to myriad banquet and conference halls, from the restaurants to their lounge, from swim to sweat; I sneaked into every possible nook and odd of the hotel. Noted down everything, dutifully.

Came home and drafted the content. I also took a few pics - just in case they'd help me describe the ambience better while writing the website content for the hotel. Here I've only uploaded the piece talking of their Wine & Dine section.

If you think you could do good with similar type of content for hotel and restaurants or want something even better, shoot me an email. Of course, if you're impressed with my language and with the way I frame my sentences, so speak the least.

Stay tuned... there's more to come!

Content is King

Hola Friends,

Yes, I know the headline is a bit clichéd. But then again, truth is hard to digest and bitter and very pertinent. Alright, alright, I know it's not everyone's forte to create masterpieces from the usual and that's why am here! Do I sound like am bragging a bit too much about myself?!

Nevertheless, lets get to the point. Which is that I am currently pursuing to extend and expand my freelance network. If you've been through my profile (and from there to others linked) you would understand that "Content Writing" is my job, my profession, my livelihood and most definitely my fascination drive. To cut it short, connect with me here or leave a comment below for your content requirement. I'll get back to you.

Lets face it guys, Content is important wherever you go, whatever you do, whenever you do. It's like you are standing in middle of a huge swarm trying to tell people why you are different. It's something that'll never go out of fashion. Has inbred style. Not that I write a lot means I talk a lot too! I will let my work speak for me, in the coming posts.

Soon, I'll upload my work in form of images so you can gauge better and brighter! All my different work portfolio, be it 

It's better if you know me by face!

- Website Content.

- Brochures.

- Flyers.

- Name Suggestions. (Yep, some do need that)

- Press Releases.

- Guest Blog Articles.

- SaaS knowledge-based articles.

- Technical Writing.

- Scripts (Videos + Short Films).

- Visumé Services.

- Career Counsellor in Media.

- A shoulder to cry on!!

Ok that's pretty much of it, for now! Other stuff for later time. And yes, one more thing (last one) I'd prefer work in bulk just as payment in bulk! Ya, there's always the negotiating part later. In the meanwhile, Lets Connect.