Clyde Said:

How do you write a letter of invitation to a potential speaker for a seminar?

We Answered:

I think I would be polite and direct. Tell the person that you are conducting a seminar on whatever date at whatever time and would love to have that person come and speak if he/she is available. I would also include the amount you will be paying the speaker. Close the letter by asking the person to check his/her calendar and get back with you as soon as possible. If you have a phone number then tell the person that you will contact him/her. Include enough information for him/her to make an informed decision but don't ramble on and on. Make sure you include your contact information.

Annette Said:

how can health and safety issues and legislation affect a standard form business contract?

We Answered:

A contract may call for an act to be performed in a certain way. If laws change in a way that makes performance impossible or illegal under the new law, then the contract is voidable or void.

Janice Said:

Can I write off the cost of a Tax seminar?

We Answered:

Looked it up. Discussed it with co-workers. Concensus (and fact) is, you can deduct the cost of books and materials, but not the cost of instruction. We found this Get an itemized receipt from whoever you're taking the class from.
Where do you deduct such costs? Under "tax preparation" on line 21 of the Schedule A. Which means you can only use the cost if you itemize, and even then it is indeed subject to the 2% of AGI limitation. If you haven't already paid the money, look into taking an H&R Block tax course. You don't have to work for them just because you take the class, in fact, some people actually go on and work for competitors. The highest price I've seen on an H&R Block basic tax course is $299.
By the way, I usually provide a link to the information I give, either the IRS website or H&R Block, but I can't find it specifically online. The Publication 17 that I'm looking at says "... fees include the cost of tax prep software and tax publications and books... may also include electronic filing fees"

Erika Said:

Are you good at writing? Would you be willing to correct my essay?

We Answered:

I love proofreading! I'm just in love with journalism... Okay! So first off:

1. Second paragraph; seventh sentence and eighth sentence: You should combine these two because in your compound sentence, your second half is incomplete. There is also a wrong reference, missing commas, and I replaced some words.
e.g. I was kneeling next to my mother, and as she closed her eyes to pray for my cousin, I peeked over to her to try and mirror her image, like I knew what I was doing, but the truth is that I had no idea.

2. Second paragraph; Last two sentences. You should try to combine these as well with a colon. I also added a comma and replaced some words.
e.g. Before I had known it, the prayer was done with, and it left me to ponder: How do I pray?

3. Third paragraph; third sentence. Added comma.
e.g. I wasn’t looking too forward to the early mornings, but it was for a good cause.

4. Third paragraph; seventh sentence. Added commas.
e.g. While being there, nearly a thousand people, including myself, listened to one man.

5. *General* You should also change all your god to God, unless you are trying to show the reader how you slowly converted to a non-believer to a faithful person. If that is your case, then leave it be.

6. *General* You should switch some of your 'proof' to 'evidence' or another synonym. I think it is used too much.

7. Paragraph 6; fourth sentence. Added comma.
e.g. When I was asked the question of whether I believed or not, I started to lean more and more towards yes.

8. Paragraph 6; fifth sentence. It doesn't make sense, so you should either take the sentence out or restructure it.
e.g. It was then that I realized that the more belief I had, the more proof I would see.

9. Paragraph 6: sixth sentence, right before the semicolon. Take away that fragment: It was until recently. It does not add anyhting to your writing, nor does it take anything away. It is not needed.

10. Paragraph 7; last sentence. You need to add several words.
e.g. It really worried me that I forgot it, and I felt as though a punishment was on its way to finally give me the proof I’ve been looking for and that was the case.

11. Last paragraph; fourth and fifth sentence. You should either combine these sentences or change the fifth sentence.
e.g. I panicked and tried to stop, but it didn't work OR It didn't work.