Usage Examples of Anecdotes in Speeches and Essays

Usage Examples of Anecdotes in Speeches and Essays An anecdote is a short scene or story taken from personal experience. Anecdotes can be useful for setting the stage for a speech or personal essay. An anecdote often relays a story that can be used as a theme or lesson. Pronunciation:  AN -  eck  -  doh​t​Also Known As: incident, story, narrative, account, episode. Examples of Usage The story below could be used as an introduction to a speech or short story about personal safety: After the long Ohio winter, I was so happy to see the first signs of spring that I ran outside as soon as I saw our first flower blooming. I plucked the dewy, white blossom and tucked it into my hair band and went about my day with joy in my heart. Unfortunately, I didnt notice that my big white flower had been host to a dozen or so tiny bugs, that apparently enjoyed a new home in the warmth and security of my hair. I was soon itching and twitching like a scrappy dog. Next time I stop to smell the flowers, Ill make sure Ill do it with my eyes wide open. The anecdote provides a lead-in to the overall message of your speech or essay. For example, the next sentence after the anecdote could be: Have you ever delved head-first into a situation and run straight into trouble? Using Anecdotes to Set the Stage See how this anecdote can provide a moral or backdrop for a speech or essay about staying alert? You can use many small events in your own life as anecdotes to set the stage for a greater message. Another time when anecdotes are often used is during a seminar. For example, a seminar covering race car vehicle suspension may begin with a story about how the driver or engineer became aware of a strange problem with a car. Although the subject of the seminar may be highly technical, the introduction story - or anecdote - may be simple or even humorous. School teachers and college professors will often use anecdotes as a way of easing students into a complex issue. It could be argued that using anecdotes this way is a roundabout way of introducing a subject, but people use examples in everyday speech to make a subject more easy to understand and to clarify the more complex part of a narrative to follow.

Butternut

How to Collect Seeds and Plant Walnut / Butternut Now is the time to collect walnut and butternut seeds for planting this fall if you know how to identify them. Remember, after harvesting seeds, keep them moist for the entire time you store them - never let them dry out! They can also be planted the following spring. Husk or No Husk In theory, you can plant the seed with the husk. That is what nature does and seems to work okay. Still, you would be better served if you prepare the seed and husk or completely remove the hull. You can pour boiling water over the husks and let them soak overnight. Plant the soaked hull and seed the next day. Hulling Removing the husk increases the germination rate of walnut and butternut seeds but can become a big job if you have a large volume. There are mechanical hullers you can rent or purchase. The best way to de-hull small seed batches is to refrigerate in plastic bags for two or three weeks and until the husk turns black. The hull will wash off with a water hose under high pressure. Extended storage can drop the germination percentage if not done correctly so try to plant the seeds this fall (preferably the day after hulling). Preparing Seeds Most experts agree that the seeds will do just fine without scarification. Some say that the natural temperature cycle through the winter gives the seed the cold it needs but others recommend refrigeration for 3 months and planting in the spring (stratification). Planting Plant the nuts in an open area at a depth of one to two times their thickness. Mulching will help as you do not want the seed to freeze. Chicken wire over the planted seeds will deter digging rodents.