Crocs Competencies

1. What are Crocs core competences * First of all, the most important competence of Crocs is its highly responsive supply chain. Much of the supply chain’s design idea comes from the initiate product’s technological peculiarity – rubber (croslite) shoe. Comparing to regular shoes these ones were made by injection molding, which allows fast and relatively cheap production. To use such an advantage for increasing the company’s competitiveness, the whole supply hain should be designed accordingly. * Second competence is the ability to delay the decision. As all the shoes are mad from the same homogeneous mixture of ingredients, â€Å"compound† that can be dyed at any stage before the production, that feature allowed to apply the â€Å"delayed decision†. By that Crocs could make the decision about the final product’s colors at the late stage, reflecting to the market’s response, therefore reducing the risk of bad estimation and overstocks as a result. * In-house operation By moving most of its operation from third parties to in-house Crocs achieved the control over all the activities involved to production and distribution, assuring that the whole supply chain has the same vector of interests. With in-house all the processes becomes transparent so the lags, delays and problems can be noticed and solved in order to optimize the speed of the whole chain’s respond to the demand changes. * The Global presence. Pushing the brand to all the global markets same time and shortly after the local success, the company not only achieved the status of the â€Å"original† rubber shoe brand and the advantage of the economy on scale, and tax optimization; but also to gained the ability to leverage on the global seasonality. Such factor allows the company to reduce to minimum the risks of bad estimation of the future demand. If the product is successful on south market, Crocs would produce more for same season at Northern market. If not successful and overproduced at South – same goods can be sent to North to clear the stock. The above mentioned four core competences provide Crocs a critical competitive advantage at the market.

Mining Rare Earth Metals Essay

I believe that Canada should be involved in the rare earth metals mining industry. Rare earth metals are an essential part of everyday modern life (and of growing importance). They are used from everything from cell phones to environmentally friendly technologies such as wind turbines and hybrid engines. The mining of these metals would provide many benefits to Canada. It makes great economic sense because right now China is a supply and demand crisis so they are exporting less metal every year. If Canada were to enter the mining not only would it create thousands of jobs in one area where unemployment is a little bit of a problem but we could also pick up the slack of Chinas export problem and make billions. Besides the obvious economic implications, I believe that mining these metals cold have serious political and environmental benefits for us. China uses dangerous chemical to melt the earth around it, which could potentially leave a lasting impression on the surrounding area and any vegetation that might grow there in the future. So if Canada were to mine these metals I think we would be more respectful of the landscape. In today’s society reducing your environmental footprint is huge and in terms of rare earth metals there are many ways in which we can reduce our own. It starts by properly recycling our reusable electronics so the metals can be extracted or re used. Other ways would be to buy used electronics and not get every new gadget that comew out so there is less of a demand for the mining of rare earth metals. Given the pros of mining and the fact that they outweigh the cons, I believe that Canada should be involved in rare earth metals mining.

A Thematic Analysis of Hope and Other Urban Tales by Laura Hird

The ideological model of literacy[1] (Street, 2000) will underline the analysis of the book, and direct the way in which it is read. Analysis Hope and Other Urban Tales focusses mainly on the darker side of the human experience. In Hird’s own words, her work is centred on â€Å"nasty stories about dysfunctional people† (Taylor, 2009).[2] With key themes involving escapism; social change, manipulation, depression and sexuality, the book offers a detailed glimpse into 21st Century Scottish culture primarily through each narrators’ introspective qualities. This essay however, will concentrate on the main under-lying theme of escapism in the text, as well as Hird’s syntactical and lexical choices, and what effect they culminate to. The author’s tone and style will be the first literary aspect to be considered, with reference to the ideological model of literacy as proposed by Brian Street in his paper Literacy and Development. One of the most important literary aspects that achieves Hird’s sense of an empathetic, self-aware and socially observant author is Hope’s narrative tone and style. Since most of the stories are written through first-person perspectives, the narrator is able to connect at a very personal level to the reader as though the happenings of the story are real. Each narrator’s feelings and emotions are captured through their own descriptions of them; allowing the reader to better understand their experiences. We are also subject to a large amount of narratorial interference (which at times, is arguably quite stifling) that serves to remind the reader of what the narrator is feeling at any exact moment. This ties in well to Hird’s stream-of-consciousness style of writing, in which thoughts and actions are described in real time. Present-tense also intensifies this reaction from the reader, as we are lead to know as much or as little as the protagonists do.  œ (Pg. 1 – 10, Hope’s best example of psychological realism) Present tense is used in many of the short stories in this collection (Hope, The Happening, Destination Anywhere, and Meat). Hird puts this device in place not only in order to allow the reader to live the events of the story at the same time the characters are; (there by making them more ‘alive’) but to compliment her inter-personal, nonchalant style of writing. For example, in Hope, the narrator explains: â€Å"We seem to become embroiled in this intense conversation as soon as we sit down. There’s none of that ridiculous small talk that Edinburgh people usually use to keep people at a distance till they’ve decided what to dislike about them. Hope appears to have angles on everything that I’d never even contemplated before†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hope, Chp. 2, pg.14)[3] This quote also implies a deep-seeded basis of empathy that is present within the narrator’s tone. It is with lines like â€Å"none of that ridiculous small talk†¦Ã¢â‚¬  that shows a wanting for personal connection between the characters and indeed, the rest of the world around him. Past the confines of Hope’s apartment, this speaks volumes about the state of 21st Century Scottish culture. The previous passage is particularly interesting because of its implications towards contemporary Scottish culture. Here the subtext dictates that ordinary Scottish citizens are closed-off, reserved and un-involved with each other to the point of even disliking one another’s company. Whilst the narrative choice of first-person means that everything in the story is somewhat biased to an extent, the reader can see beyond that; and look into the real-life writer’s feelings about her surroundings. Such a blunt observation coupled with judgement (â€Å"what to dislike†) allows the confidence and self-assuredness of the writing to materialise plainly in the reader’s mind. Further to this, it can be said that although Hope is a product of the mid-2000s, it pays noticeable homage to mid-90s Scottish literature. For instance, Hird’s work has been said to be caught in a â€Å"Trainspotting hangover† [4] (Briscoe, 2006) – a nod to Scottish author Irvine Welsh. Hird herself has confessed also that she is a great admirer of Ian McEwan, author of Enduring Love[5], where her methodical approach to de-familiarization was born. The ideological model of literacy dictates that literature should be judged as social practice and not merely â€Å"technical and neutral skill†[6] (Street, 2000). It also describes a more culturally sensitive approach towards literacy than its counter – the autonomous model. This effectively directs the way that the book should be read; with more allusion towards a social commentary. Hird wrote this collection as a product of her own inherent knowledge and understanding of the working world. Her state of ‘being’ attaches itself to the stories, the characters and her choice of words throughout the entire book and results in enabling the reader to see her most-inner workings and the effects of the defensive, emotionally stale culture of Scotland in the 21st Century. Furthermore, the ideological model also commands the way in which the reader reads. Each reader’s conception of themselves and their identity becomes the root of their understanding of the text. Hope and Other Urban Tales then becomes a mix of both the author’s perceptions of being and the reader’s. Allowing the two perspectives to inter-twine as such culminates to a very personal response that elicits an extension of the reader’s set of prior beliefs. Whilst the 90’s have clearly influenced Hird and her attitudes to her art, the period has not distracted her from contemporary 21st Century culture with reference to the writer’s loyalty to her idols, such as Welsh[7] (Morace, 2001). Hird adheres to the stream-of-consciousness writing style popular in the mid-90s, as well as psychological realism[8] (Cuddon, 1999). This means that Hird’s characters are not content to merely explain the events of a story; they have to explain their motives and thoughts aswell. Interior monologues are therefore a staple technique employed in the collection, as well as narratorial interference, which is consistently present throughout every story involving first-person narration. These modernist techniques result in a slightly fragmented style of story-telling, in which the narrator’s character is arguably the most important aspect of the story, as not only do they tell the story, they act in it as well. The writer’s attitudes are most notably introduced in the title’s novella, Hope. Here we are subject to Martin’s (the story’s narrator) account of Scottish people, society and culture. Hird’s choice of syntax, her sentence structures and passages of time demonstrate a noticeable disassociation from the novella’s universe; it’s ‘real world’. This disassociation carries well into the collection’s escapist theme; which has been said to be the common link between every character in Hope and Other Urban Tales[9] (Alapi, 2006). Escape is mentioned in almost every story and implies an escape from the morally deprived society of the 21st Century. Whether this ‘escape’ is physical or metaphoric, it denotes the action of leaving a life behind, and it inhabits every story: In Hope: â€Å"I’ve got to get out of here. Go somewhere hot.† (Pg.2) In The Happening: â€Å"Annual leave is precious.† (Pg. 69) In Reanimation: â€Å"We need to get out. If we don’t go out now I’m afraid we’re never going to escape.† (Pg. 97) In Victims: â€Å"Would you leave them for meNever see them again?† (Pg. 166) In Destination Anywhere: â€Å"I’ve found, by experience, that running away is usually the answer. I have been running away since I was a kid.† (Pg. 203) In Meat: â€Å"Atleast it feels like I’m escaping for a little while.† (Pg. 217) (Most obvious examples) This escapist attitude stems from an inherent disassociation in every character. They could even be argued to be tragic heroes; who pave the way for their own downfalls through poorly guided actions. If each character maintained their innocence and their naivety, then they would be more comfortable and engaged with the world around them. As Hird clearly demonstrates through her incredibly observant narrations, these characters describe events and other people as if they are, on the most part, static and blind to real understanding (with the exception of Hope’s character in Hope: Pg. 1 – 69). There is therefore a feeling of superiority that parallels this and which results in a cynical, pessimistic writing style that implies dissatisfaction with the novel’s universe. Because the story is based upon the element of realism, this denotes dissatisfaction with the real world as well. The culture of the time is obviously a closed, harsh and faceless one. One that is controlled by television, rat-race artistic types as symbolically shown in Destination Anywhere by ‘the artist’, who remains nameless throughout, and money (Pg. 182). This theme of escape is symbolised effectively in Meat by a few different aspects. The initial death of the lamb being the most notable (Pg. 223 – 230). What reinforces this theme is how the father reacts to its death: â€Å"You know how much these things are worth?†[10] The father thinks only of the saving he will make if he brings the lamb home to be eaten, instead of deliberating on the tragedy to any kind of extent at all. He uses the death of the lamb as an escape from his son’s confession (Pg. 221). Instead of confronting his son about being homosexual, he â€Å"pushes [his son] away† (Pg. 222). The narrator’s father does not acknowledge his son whilst he is â€Å"clearing up†. These semiotics exhibit the â€Å"clearing up† of the relationship between father and son – the â€Å"dismantling† of his involvement with the situation. This metaphor leads to a physical symbol of escape: when the boy says in his interior monologue how he’s â€Å"not sure where we’re heading† (Pg. 222). The father takes country roads back from the fishing trip and drives through thick fog and darkness on the way. Fog traditionally symbolises foreboding, or the clouding of emotions. In this case, it symbolises the growth of the father’s anger and disappointment at his son because he is not addressing it. Instead he runs in both an emotional and physical sense – adding that he â€Å"doesn’t bloody know† why they are going the way they are (Pg. 223). Desperation to escape is therefore effectively symbolised here, as anywhere is better than being alone on that boat with his son. (Pgs. 221 – 230 are discussed h ere). To intensify the author’s allusion to characters that wish to escape their respective realities, we are permitted to see how it has affected Hope itself (or herself, as the case is); she does not own a television, and claims she â€Å"can’t stand it. The real opium of the masses. I can’t tell you how many good friends I’ve seen wither to death in front of the box. It’s worse than cancer† (Pg. 16). Here the author’s pessimism for the modern age again appears. Not even hope is un-tainted by it. Television is the most practical semiotic of the contemporary age, and here it is regarded as being a kind of poison that is transporting people away from reality. Hope seeks to stop the modern age entering his dwelling so she can remain in her own version of reality – thereby escaping the shared experience of â€Å"the masses†. (Pgs. 16 – 18 cover this issue). Escape is also demonstrated in the story Destination Anywhere, where we witness the result of contemporary TV culture on the youth. In this story, a thirteen-year-old girl appears at first to be genuinely interested in the narrator’s line of work (photography), and is the only one at the gallery party that will pay him any attention. Whilst this seems hopeful, the culture of drinking and drugs is once again introduced into the fabric of the text, and the girl transforms after her initial attempts at persuading the narrator to take photographs of her. Behind the closed doors of the narrator’s apartment, the reader witnesses her manipulative personality that she adopts in order to â€Å"become famous†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"proper famous† (Pg. 192). Hird makes this aspect even more disturbing by choosing a young girl to portray it – Thereby saying that the â€Å"innocent† young are far past being innocent. (Destination Anywhere begins on Pg. 181 and ends on Pg. 211). â€Å"She doesn’t have a hope in hell. I despise people like her. Jesus, even the youth don’t have any substance left any more. It depresses me.† (Pg. 192) Here we see how the narrator has developed a strong hatred for contemporary culture of all kinds, especially the new generation. This becomes intensified when he flees his own apartment after the child makes her manipulative intentions clear. He is forced to escape his private space, even, and enter society for a brief period of time. The narrator also details how â€Å"the sense that I may have just made one of the biggest mistakes of my life is tempered slightly by the feeling of relief at being away from her.† (Pg. 198). Escape becomes the thing that he desires most, regardless of the cost. Hird’s character comes across as dysfunctional and borderline weak-spirited in this regard, as all he seemingly wishes to do is run away from any situation. The reader’s expectations of her character are mis-informed, and the archetype is thoroughly mutated and transformed into something devoid of any soul or empathy. Characterisation here is truly impressive as a result, as we are made to share in the narrator’s hatred and frustration of the girl, after feeling like the narrator truly has the upper hand at the party: â€Å"Her face brightens as I walk towards her again. It’s almost a shame.† (Pg. 186). The reader wants to like the girl in the first part of the story, as she is a symbol of innocence; a symbol of hope. This is however juxtaposed by her comment â€Å"I’ll love you forever†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Pg. 195). The quote is also important as it demonstrates how the modern age will even sell love and the immaterial in order for media exposure. Nothing is sacred in the new age’s eyes. Hird sees this. Structurally, the book is fairly one-sided; as if the prose is primarily constructed around â€Å"off-the-cuff one-liners†[11] (Taylor, 2009) that have spawned from the writer’s real-life observations. Not only does this make the prose hyper-real, but it adds to the chatty, micro-literate feel of the book aswell. Chapters often begin with very short statements that try to hook in the reader’s attention: â€Å"Time passes quickly.† (Pg. 23. Dependant clause). â€Å"The other day I killed a wasp.† (Pg. 93). â€Å"Ken. Perfect name for the bastard.† (Pg. 79). Hird recognises reader psychology in the sense that she knows shorter flashes of imagery will capture the attention of people quickly; set a scene for them or throw them into the physical action of a plotline. She also uses the same technique to conclude stories or chapters: â€Å"I can make myself like anyone.† (Pg. 10). Techniques like this serve to increase the deliverance of the prose, and enable easier-reading of the text. In conclusion, the main theme of Hope and Other Urban Tales surrounds the more deceptive, malicious personality traits of human beings on the fringes of a society-gone-wrong. Whilst these characters are documented as such, their behaviours culminate to real, balanced individuals with hidden pockets of tenderness underneath their hardened exteriors. The shared feeling of wishing to escape their respective realities is found in all the protagonists in question, yet the ways that these wishes materialise differ substantially as they all possess a realistic duality in their natures. The ideological model of literacy governs this reading of the prose and proves that culture, society and the writer’s own understanding of them has a deep all-around effect on the creation of such psychological texts. References Adams, J. (2003). Interview with Laura Hird. Available: http://www.barcelonareview.com/35/e_int_lh.htm. Last accessed 19/08/2013 Alapi, Z. (2006). The New Review. Available: http://www.laurahird.com/newreview/hopeandotherurbantales.html. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Blake, W. (1970). Songs of Innocence and Experience; Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul. Oxford Paperbacks. ISBN-10: 0192810898. The Lamb, Pg. 1. Briscoe, J. (2006). Hope Springs Infernal. Available: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/nov/11/featuresreviews.guardianreview21. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Caesar, M. (1999). Umberto Eco: Philosophy, Semiotics and the Work of Fiction. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 9780745608501. Pg. 55. Cuddon, J.A. (1999). The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory, UK, Penguin Books, ISBN-10: 0140513639. Fairclough, N. (2001) Language and Power, UK, Longman, ISBN-10: 0582414830. Goodman, K. Goodman, Y. (1979) Theory and Practice of Early Reading, U.S., Routledge, ISBN-10: 0898590035. Learning to Read is Natural, pg. 137 – 54. Hird, L. (2009). Interview by Trev Taylor. Available: http://www.laurahird.com/. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Hird, L. (2006). Hope and Other Urban Tales, Scotland, Canongate Books, ISBN-10: 1841955736. McEwan, I. (1998). Enduring Love, UK, Vintage, ISBN-10: 0099276585. Morace, R. (2001). Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting: A Reader’s Guide, UK, Continuum International Publishing Group, ISBN 0-8264-5237-X. Randell, Stevenson. (1992). Modernist Fiction: An Introduction, The University of Kentucky, ISBN-10: 0813108144. The Scotsman. (2006). Hope Heralds a New Dawn. Available: http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/books/hope-heralds-a-new-dawn-1-1416335. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Street, B. (2000). Literacy and Development: Ethnographic Perspectives, Introduction, London, Routledge, ISBN-10: 0415234514. Pg. 7 -8. Welsh, I. (1994). Trainspotting, UK, Vintage, ISBN-10: 0099465892. A Thematic Analysis of Hope and Other Urban Tales by Laura Hird The ideological model of literacy[1] (Street, 2000) will underline the analysis of the book, and direct the way in which it is read. Analysis Hope and Other Urban Tales focusses mainly on the darker side of the human experience. In Hird’s own words, her work is centred on â€Å"nasty stories about dysfunctional people† (Taylor, 2009).[2] With key themes involving escapism; social change, manipulation, depression and sexuality, the book offers a detailed glimpse into 21st Century Scottish culture primarily through each narrators’ introspective qualities. This essay however, will concentrate on the main under-lying theme of escapism in the text, as well as Hird’s syntactical and lexical choices, and what effect they culminate to. The author’s tone and style will be the first literary aspect to be considered, with reference to the ideological model of literacy as proposed by Brian Street in his paper Literacy and Development. One of the most important literary aspects that achieves Hird’s sense of an empathetic, self-aware and socially observant author is Hope’s narrative tone and style. Since most of the stories are written through first-person perspectives, the narrator is able to connect at a very personal level to the reader as though the happenings of the story are real. Each narrator’s feelings and emotions are captured through their own descriptions of them; allowing the reader to better understand their experiences. We are also subject to a large amount of narratorial interference (which at times, is arguably quite stifling) that serves to remind the reader of what the narrator is feeling at any exact moment. This ties in well to Hird’s stream-of-consciousness style of writing, in which thoughts and actions are described in real time. Present-tense also intensifies this reaction from the reader, as we are lead to know as much or as little as the protagonists do.  œ (Pg. 1 – 10, Hope’s best example of psychological realism) Present tense is used in many of the short stories in this collection (Hope, The Happening, Destination Anywhere, and Meat). Hird puts this device in place not only in order to allow the reader to live the events of the story at the same time the characters are; (there by making them more ‘alive’) but to compliment her inter-personal, nonchalant style of writing. For example, in Hope, the narrator explains: â€Å"We seem to become embroiled in this intense conversation as soon as we sit down. There’s none of that ridiculous small talk that Edinburgh people usually use to keep people at a distance till they’ve decided what to dislike about them. Hope appears to have angles on everything that I’d never even contemplated before†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hope, Chp. 2, pg.14)[3] This quote also implies a deep-seeded basis of empathy that is present within the narrator’s tone. It is with lines like â€Å"none of that ridiculous small talk†¦Ã¢â‚¬  that shows a wanting for personal connection between the characters and indeed, the rest of the world around him. Past the confines of Hope’s apartment, this speaks volumes about the state of 21st Century Scottish culture. The previous passage is particularly interesting because of its implications towards contemporary Scottish culture. Here the subtext dictates that ordinary Scottish citizens are closed-off, reserved and un-involved with each other to the point of even disliking one another’s company. Whilst the narrative choice of first-person means that everything in the story is somewhat biased to an extent, the reader can see beyond that; and look into the real-life writer’s feelings about her surroundings. Such a blunt observation coupled with judgement (â€Å"what to dislike†) allows the confidence and self-assuredness of the writing to materialise plainly in the reader’s mind. Further to this, it can be said that although Hope is a product of the mid-2000s, it pays noticeable homage to mid-90s Scottish literature. For instance, Hird’s work has been said to be caught in a â€Å"Trainspotting hangover† [4] (Briscoe, 2006) – a nod to Scottish author Irvine Welsh. Hird herself has confessed also that she is a great admirer of Ian McEwan, author of Enduring Love[5], where her methodical approach to de-familiarization was born. The ideological model of literacy dictates that literature should be judged as social practice and not merely â€Å"technical and neutral skill†[6] (Street, 2000). It also describes a more culturally sensitive approach towards literacy than its counter – the autonomous model. This effectively directs the way that the book should be read; with more allusion towards a social commentary. Hird wrote this collection as a product of her own inherent knowledge and understanding of the working world. Her state of ‘being’ attaches itself to the stories, the characters and her choice of words throughout the entire book and results in enabling the reader to see her most-inner workings and the effects of the defensive, emotionally stale culture of Scotland in the 21st Century. Furthermore, the ideological model also commands the way in which the reader reads. Each reader’s conception of themselves and their identity becomes the root of their understanding of the text. Hope and Other Urban Tales then becomes a mix of both the author’s perceptions of being and the reader’s. Allowing the two perspectives to inter-twine as such culminates to a very personal response that elicits an extension of the reader’s set of prior beliefs. Whilst the 90’s have clearly influenced Hird and her attitudes to her art, the period has not distracted her from contemporary 21st Century culture with reference to the writer’s loyalty to her idols, such as Welsh[7] (Morace, 2001). Hird adheres to the stream-of-consciousness writing style popular in the mid-90s, as well as psychological realism[8] (Cuddon, 1999). This means that Hird’s characters are not content to merely explain the events of a story; they have to explain their motives and thoughts aswell. Interior monologues are therefore a staple technique employed in the collection, as well as narratorial interference, which is consistently present throughout every story involving first-person narration. These modernist techniques result in a slightly fragmented style of story-telling, in which the narrator’s character is arguably the most important aspect of the story, as not only do they tell the story, they act in it as well. The writer’s attitudes are most notably introduced in the title’s novella, Hope. Here we are subject to Martin’s (the story’s narrator) account of Scottish people, society and culture. Hird’s choice of syntax, her sentence structures and passages of time demonstrate a noticeable disassociation from the novella’s universe; it’s ‘real world’. This disassociation carries well into the collection’s escapist theme; which has been said to be the common link between every character in Hope and Other Urban Tales[9] (Alapi, 2006). Escape is mentioned in almost every story and implies an escape from the morally deprived society of the 21st Century. Whether this ‘escape’ is physical or metaphoric, it denotes the action of leaving a life behind, and it inhabits every story: In Hope: â€Å"I’ve got to get out of here. Go somewhere hot.† (Pg.2) In The Happening: â€Å"Annual leave is precious.† (Pg. 69) In Reanimation: â€Å"We need to get out. If we don’t go out now I’m afraid we’re never going to escape.† (Pg. 97) In Victims: â€Å"Would you leave them for meNever see them again?† (Pg. 166) In Destination Anywhere: â€Å"I’ve found, by experience, that running away is usually the answer. I have been running away since I was a kid.† (Pg. 203) In Meat: â€Å"Atleast it feels like I’m escaping for a little while.† (Pg. 217) (Most obvious examples) This escapist attitude stems from an inherent disassociation in every character. They could even be argued to be tragic heroes; who pave the way for their own downfalls through poorly guided actions. If each character maintained their innocence and their naivety, then they would be more comfortable and engaged with the world around them. As Hird clearly demonstrates through her incredibly observant narrations, these characters describe events and other people as if they are, on the most part, static and blind to real understanding (with the exception of Hope’s character in Hope: Pg. 1 – 69). There is therefore a feeling of superiority that parallels this and which results in a cynical, pessimistic writing style that implies dissatisfaction with the novel’s universe. Because the story is based upon the element of realism, this denotes dissatisfaction with the real world as well. The culture of the time is obviously a closed, harsh and faceless one. One that is controlled by television, rat-race artistic types as symbolically shown in Destination Anywhere by ‘the artist’, who remains nameless throughout, and money (Pg. 182). This theme of escape is symbolised effectively in Meat by a few different aspects. The initial death of the lamb being the most notable (Pg. 223 – 230). What reinforces this theme is how the father reacts to its death: â€Å"You know how much these things are worth?†[10] The father thinks only of the saving he will make if he brings the lamb home to be eaten, instead of deliberating on the tragedy to any kind of extent at all. He uses the death of the lamb as an escape from his son’s confession (Pg. 221). Instead of confronting his son about being homosexual, he â€Å"pushes [his son] away† (Pg. 222). The narrator’s father does not acknowledge his son whilst he is â€Å"clearing up†. These semiotics exhibit the â€Å"clearing up† of the relationship between father and son – the â€Å"dismantling† of his involvement with the situation. This metaphor leads to a physical symbol of escape: when the boy says in his interior monologue how he’s â€Å"not sure where we’re heading† (Pg. 222). The father takes country roads back from the fishing trip and drives through thick fog and darkness on the way. Fog traditionally symbolises foreboding, or the clouding of emotions. In this case, it symbolises the growth of the father’s anger and disappointment at his son because he is not addressing it. Instead he runs in both an emotional and physical sense – adding that he â€Å"doesn’t bloody know† why they are going the way they are (Pg. 223). Desperation to escape is therefore effectively symbolised here, as anywhere is better than being alone on that boat with his son. (Pgs. 221 – 230 are discussed h ere). To intensify the author’s allusion to characters that wish to escape their respective realities, we are permitted to see how it has affected Hope itself (or herself, as the case is); she does not own a television, and claims she â€Å"can’t stand it. The real opium of the masses. I can’t tell you how many good friends I’ve seen wither to death in front of the box. It’s worse than cancer† (Pg. 16). Here the author’s pessimism for the modern age again appears. Not even hope is un-tainted by it. Television is the most practical semiotic of the contemporary age, and here it is regarded as being a kind of poison that is transporting people away from reality. Hope seeks to stop the modern age entering his dwelling so she can remain in her own version of reality – thereby escaping the shared experience of â€Å"the masses†. (Pgs. 16 – 18 cover this issue). Escape is also demonstrated in the story Destination Anywhere, where we witness the result of contemporary TV culture on the youth. In this story, a thirteen-year-old girl appears at first to be genuinely interested in the narrator’s line of work (photography), and is the only one at the gallery party that will pay him any attention. Whilst this seems hopeful, the culture of drinking and drugs is once again introduced into the fabric of the text, and the girl transforms after her initial attempts at persuading the narrator to take photographs of her. Behind the closed doors of the narrator’s apartment, the reader witnesses her manipulative personality that she adopts in order to â€Å"become famous†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"proper famous† (Pg. 192). Hird makes this aspect even more disturbing by choosing a young girl to portray it – Thereby saying that the â€Å"innocent† young are far past being innocent. (Destination Anywhere begins on Pg. 181 and ends on Pg. 211). â€Å"She doesn’t have a hope in hell. I despise people like her. Jesus, even the youth don’t have any substance left any more. It depresses me.† (Pg. 192) Here we see how the narrator has developed a strong hatred for contemporary culture of all kinds, especially the new generation. This becomes intensified when he flees his own apartment after the child makes her manipulative intentions clear. He is forced to escape his private space, even, and enter society for a brief period of time. The narrator also details how â€Å"the sense that I may have just made one of the biggest mistakes of my life is tempered slightly by the feeling of relief at being away from her.† (Pg. 198). Escape becomes the thing that he desires most, regardless of the cost. Hird’s character comes across as dysfunctional and borderline weak-spirited in this regard, as all he seemingly wishes to do is run away from any situation. The reader’s expectations of her character are mis-informed, and the archetype is thoroughly mutated and transformed into something devoid of any soul or empathy. Characterisation here is truly impressive as a result, as we are made to share in the narrator’s hatred and frustration of the girl, after feeling like the narrator truly has the upper hand at the party: â€Å"Her face brightens as I walk towards her again. It’s almost a shame.† (Pg. 186). The reader wants to like the girl in the first part of the story, as she is a symbol of innocence; a symbol of hope. This is however juxtaposed by her comment â€Å"I’ll love you forever†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Pg. 195). The quote is also important as it demonstrates how the modern age will even sell love and the immaterial in order for media exposure. Nothing is sacred in the new age’s eyes. Hird sees this. Structurally, the book is fairly one-sided; as if the prose is primarily constructed around â€Å"off-the-cuff one-liners†[11] (Taylor, 2009) that have spawned from the writer’s real-life observations. Not only does this make the prose hyper-real, but it adds to the chatty, micro-literate feel of the book aswell. Chapters often begin with very short statements that try to hook in the reader’s attention: â€Å"Time passes quickly.† (Pg. 23. Dependant clause). â€Å"The other day I killed a wasp.† (Pg. 93). â€Å"Ken. Perfect name for the bastard.† (Pg. 79). Hird recognises reader psychology in the sense that she knows shorter flashes of imagery will capture the attention of people quickly; set a scene for them or throw them into the physical action of a plotline. She also uses the same technique to conclude stories or chapters: â€Å"I can make myself like anyone.† (Pg. 10). Techniques like this serve to increase the deliverance of the prose, and enable easier-reading of the text. In conclusion, the main theme of Hope and Other Urban Tales surrounds the more deceptive, malicious personality traits of human beings on the fringes of a society-gone-wrong. Whilst these characters are documented as such, their behaviours culminate to real, balanced individuals with hidden pockets of tenderness underneath their hardened exteriors. The shared feeling of wishing to escape their respective realities is found in all the protagonists in question, yet the ways that these wishes materialise differ substantially as they all possess a realistic duality in their natures. The ideological model of literacy governs this reading of the prose and proves that culture, society and the writer’s own understanding of them has a deep all-around effect on the creation of such psychological texts. References Adams, J. (2003). Interview with Laura Hird. Available: http://www.barcelonareview.com/35/e_int_lh.htm. Last accessed 19/08/2013 Alapi, Z. (2006). The New Review. Available: http://www.laurahird.com/newreview/hopeandotherurbantales.html. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Blake, W. (1970). Songs of Innocence and Experience; Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul. Oxford Paperbacks. ISBN-10: 0192810898. The Lamb, Pg. 1. Briscoe, J. (2006). Hope Springs Infernal. Available: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/nov/11/featuresreviews.guardianreview21. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Caesar, M. (1999). Umberto Eco: Philosophy, Semiotics and the Work of Fiction. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 9780745608501. Pg. 55. Cuddon, J.A. (1999). The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory, UK, Penguin Books, ISBN-10: 0140513639. Fairclough, N. (2001) Language and Power, UK, Longman, ISBN-10: 0582414830. Goodman, K. Goodman, Y. (1979) Theory and Practice of Early Reading, U.S., Routledge, ISBN-10: 0898590035. Learning to Read is Natural, pg. 137 – 54. Hird, L. (2009). Interview by Trev Taylor. Available: http://www.laurahird.com/. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Hird, L. (2006). Hope and Other Urban Tales, Scotland, Canongate Books, ISBN-10: 1841955736. McEwan, I. (1998). Enduring Love, UK, Vintage, ISBN-10: 0099276585. Morace, R. (2001). Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting: A Reader’s Guide, UK, Continuum International Publishing Group, ISBN 0-8264-5237-X. Randell, Stevenson. (1992). Modernist Fiction: An Introduction, The University of Kentucky, ISBN-10: 0813108144. The Scotsman. (2006). Hope Heralds a New Dawn. Available: http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/books/hope-heralds-a-new-dawn-1-1416335. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Street, B. (2000). Literacy and Development: Ethnographic Perspectives, Introduction, London, Routledge, ISBN-10: 0415234514. Pg. 7 -8. Welsh, I. (1994). Trainspotting, UK, Vintage, ISBN-10: 0099465892.

ISO 14000 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

ISO 14000 - Essay Example ISO 1400 series are grouped on the basis of two major categories; one is from the perspective of the organization, while the other focal point being product. A few of the standards from the 14000 series are: The ISO 14001 focuses on the specifications of the standards and the guidance for use. The ISO 14002 focuses on the principal systems and supporting techniques, the ISO 14011 has guidelines for the Environmental auditing procedures (Cheremisinoff, 2001). Following the ISO standards it helps the organizations to minimize the harmful or dangerous impact of the procedures that they are using for product manufacturing or service providing, and also the services and products will be produced with a more consistent quality. The standards compliance is an ongoing process; first the policy is created, then according to the policy, planning is done, the plans are then implemented, after the standards are put into practice there has to be a constant check and proper audit

Provide answer to 5 different assignments of Employability and Essay

Provide answer to 5 different assignments of Employability and Consulting Skills subjects - Essay Example According to Mankin (2009 p. 21) a good event manager should have the required human skills to develop and execute an event. The roles extend beyond personal attributes to professional qualifications that an individual poses. Event managers are responsible for all events that corporates engage in and thus are supposed to be competitive in boosting the image and profile of the company. I consider this position due to my undoubted professional and personal skills. Throughout my life I have displayed leadership skills that have earned me confidence in leading the right direction. Consequently, I am a person who puts every idea into a thorough process of reasoning to obtain workable solutions. Reasoning in decision making is not a choice but a core ingredient. Managing events require adequate Interpersonal skills since it involves people different personalities and calibers. As such, good interpersonal skills can act to create a good environment. My ability to communicate with different groups of people may justify my reasons for applying for the position of events manager. In agreement with Slater (2010 p. 43), the success of an event cannot be guaranteed if the manager does not poses team management skills. Usually, the team planning or attending an event is so large and may overwhelm the staff and the manager. This may raise confusion and subsequent failure of the event. However, with good team management skills, the manager can allocate roles effectively. With this in mind, I find my role very important in this position. Lastly, I find myself suitable for this role since it requires excellent communication skills. I will apply my skills in influencing success of events. Since all corporate events have objectives, communication skills may assist in attaining them. Marketing is challenging job that requires adequate preparation and experience. In my case, I have undergone a rigorous training at the Kasetsart University

MHE509 Module 2 - Case, Planning for Emergencies -- NIMS; Hazard and Essay

MHE509 Module 2 - Case, Planning for Emergencies -- NIMS; Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis - Essay Example In other words, the pattern of human environmental intervention is directly related to this growing frequency of small to medium scale disasters. The threat we face due to our own conditioning of our environment is to our very existence on this planet. The occurrences of hurricanes and floods along the west coast and the greenhouse effect are testimony to this. 2) Goals are defined when there are viable chances of achieving them. It is by all means a good thing to identify the risk posed in highly vulnerable regions among social groups with low institutional capacity for disaster management. But the issues involved are too deep and enmeshed to be resolved easily. The main reason for the ‘low institutional capacity’ is related to low incomes and being unskilled. Most people residing in the highly vulnerable regions or in close proximity to them, tend to be from social groups in which people are poor, unknowledgeable about the risks, and untrained to cope with any disasters. Their homes too are often poorly constructed and unlikely to be insured. The attachment to the place means that even after a disaster has occurred, they are unlikely to relocate elsewhere. Thus, any strategy to minimize this risk will need to address a host of related needs to do with raising awareness, education programs, social and medical training, giving financial assistance, implementing economic policies and establishing health and social welfare projects. 3) Mitigation should definitely be the primary component of disaster plans because if the measures are taken appropriately they can not only lead to minimizing the risk of a disaster but may even prevent a disaster from occurring. This does not mean that a naturally occurring disaster can be prevented but that we could save ourselves from a calamity. Being successful at preventing a disaster from occurring is better than having to deal with the after

The pianist of willesden lane Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

The pianist of willesden lane - Movie Review Example Different themes have been used to show the fear and what was going through the woman’s head during the holocaust. In life, no one is supposed to go through what the woman in the play went through. We should all try to accommodate each other’s believes and respect them (Hurwitt). The play tells a great story. It incorporates narration of the story with music that fuses well to set the mood and illustrate the exact feelings and the situation at the time. The result of this is the heart responding in kind with the theme. When the play was featured in the theater, everyone sheds a tear. The director has tried to fuse all the tales told in the story with a song. Director Hershey Felder who adapted the book and came up with the play uses music and costumes trying to reenact the mood of the writer while writing the book. These tails are deep and can appeal to any human being. The use of stage lights to further set the required mood for the play. The music only comprises of a piano. This is because in the book the author tells the tails using songs that she played on her keyboard. It gives the play a more intricate meaning because music appeals to the emotions (Hurwitt). The director of the play adds visuals to the play to further intensify the mood that he intends to portray. Since some of the visuals are a bit graphic, the director tries to blend them with the emotional music that accompanies them. The director divides the play in three parts. The first part sets up the conditions that were experienced in 1938 during the holocaust. The intention of this is to bring the attention of the audience to the mood of the play. The music that opens the play is deep and conveys a sad mood. The second part takes the play to a new high. The music and visual introduce a new dimension to the play. They bring out the emotions at the time of the holocaust. It goes deeper in bringing out the mood of the author of at the time of the holocaust (Hurwitt). Being that the p lay is centered on the story narrated by the author of the book, it was important to convey her thoughts and emotions at the time. The last part does exactly that. It brings the play to a fervent resolution. The music at this time is deep and very emotional. The visuals are intense and the play reaches its climax. The response from the audience is amazing. Everyone is full of emotion. The third part makes a passionate appeal to the emotion and humane part to never repeat the issues shown by the play. To illustrate further the theme of the play, the director uses archival photos, newsreels and file videos projected to large old golden picture frames hanging in the middle of the theater stage. The theater stage is painted midnight blue. The contrast in the colors brings out the theme of the medieval ages. The play does not portray comfort of the actor. The actor has to assume the voices of men, women and children written in the book (Hurwitt). The play comes alive in different ways. T he use of the piano music creates a more emotional attachment. The use of visuals in the play lets you tell how the situation was at the time expressed. The actors bring out the physical actions that are expressed in the play. With this, the director tells the story as it is in the book it was adopted. When I watched the play, I felt touched. I understood what the director's intentions were when he created the play. The emotional attachment to the songs and visuals in the play is strong. I think the play was a success in educating us about the holocaust and how it

Cultural Diversity in the U.S, Public Policy toward Native Americans Assignment - 5

Cultural Diversity in the U.S, Public Policy toward Native Americans - Assignment Example The American Civil Law, however, endeavors to protect the interest of the Native Americans from falling prey to discriminatory practices of the American people (Civil Rights and the Native Americans, n.d.). The treatment offered to the Native Americans thus seems quite inconsistent who become more susceptible to the effects of cultural relativity. The government of United States endeavors to maintain a strong binding relationship with the Native Americans. To this end, some of the legislators belonging to the United States Congress have shown increased interest in setting better educational, health and working standards for the American Indians living within close proximity of their territories. These activities reflect that some Americans desire to make the natives enjoy those amenities which were once kept reserved for the American people. However, the Native Americans are increasingly falling prey to problems of cultural relativity and ethnocentrism as reflected by the attitudes of some fellow Americans. These groups of Americans suffer from the fear that a large amount of Native Americans would gradually disturb the unity of the nation and hence poses a considerable threat to the American community. A majority of the American people believe that the due influx of Native Americans in the American community has led to the gr owth of crime and even had contributed to the birth of regional languages thus creating cultural barriers. However, during the period of 2006 significant demonstrations were organized to promote the betterment of the ethnic groups comprising of Latin American people belonging to different regions. There have been similar erroneous remarks made on Native Americans as exploiters and self-gainers. The Native Americans like Mexicans contribute around 29 billion dollars on an annual basis to America’s tax resources in return for the services received by them.  The Native Americans are also observed as economic burdens of America. However, this stands falsely for the Mexican population living in America is the best cultivators of fruits and vegetables significant for the American economy.

Sustainable Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sustainable Marketing - Essay Example In order to successfully deliver a competitive market, most of the companies do pass their products through the environmental effect that their products might be having; once it is clear in a particular area if sustainable marketing is effective in the overall goal of the company as whole. (Binswanger, H. 1994) This will lead to the overall improvement in the achievement of all the set objective, visions, missions and goals of a particular business despite the existing challenges in the market. Critical analysis of sustainability marketing; The main objective of sustainable marketing is not to influence consumers into a buying green; instead it practically presents clear information that the product life cycle has greatly impacted the Business environment and leaves the decision with the customer to make the final choice. This is because marketing is about creating consumer but not forcing or luring them to make consumption choices. An advantage received by implementing a sustainable marketing technique is that; it helps the company to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, crating and developing an effective sustainability as well as convincing more people about the general company intension in serving the customers by having minimum environmental burden as much as possible. There are five main key elements of a sustainable market which are follows; Delivers marketing activities which create an ongoing growth; Since most Businesses have limited capital resources, human labor and finances, then there is need to focus on only top performing market activities by using an aggressive market growth strategy so as to achieve a bigger market growth and also by adopting a powerful growth strategy for a new or an emerging market. Influence other businesses also to adopt sustainable marketing practice; Suitable marketing can effectively help the Business owner to create a bigger impact by influencing employees to adopt such a sustainable market business practice ( Iwata, O. (1997). For example a new climate change initiative can help others comprehend how they can easily make a positive difference in the flight against any climatic changes. Easy to embed the sustainable Business practice into the business strategy; Measurable goals should be set by listing the key activities to be undertaken so as to competently achieve these set goals by making sure that all the senior personnel’s are responsible for effective goal achievement. (Fuller.1999). Some of these sustainable business practices are, sustainable budget which helps in ensuring financial sustainability and creation of strong relationship between the customers, staff other businesses and the community as a whole (Anderson, A R. 1995). There is need to support and help sustainable business so as to see them grow; a very important aspect of sustainable marketing is promotion which helps in developing and implementing the market plan as well as brand strategies to facilitate busines s growth. Conclusion; Having discussed the concept of Suitable marketing, then is quite

Supply chain management and SC partnership Essay

Supply chain management and SC partnership - Essay Example He also believed that companies should own and control virtually every aspect of its business. Late 1970's and early 1980's witnessed the development of the manufacturing strategy paradigm. The thinkers of the time argued that a company should devise a focused strategy, creating a focused factory that performs a core activity that the company is best at. Late 1980's saw the development of quality management for setting international quality standards. The International Organization for Standardization created the ISO 9000 certification standards with this purpose in view. Innovations in the process of operations led to the development of Business Process Reengineering in the 1990's. Companies saw the need to become lean in their manufacturing process to remain competitive and BPR aided by helping them eliminate the non-value added steps in their manufacturing process and computerizing the remaining ones to achieve low-cost and higher quality. Then came the Supply chain Management; applying a total system approach to managing the flow from suppliers through factories and warehouses to the end customers. Internet aided the progression during the late 1990's bringing supply chain management to its current level as an essential element of business activity (Chase, Jacobs and Acquilano, 2004). Supply-chain management (SCM) is a method for integrating a manufacturer's operations with those of all of its suppliers and customers and their intermediaries. SCM seeks to integrate the relationships and operations of several-tier suppliers in meeting necessities such as quantity, delivery and the timely exchange of information (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2004). Supply Chain Management Supply chain management is the discipline of managing the movement of raw materials into an organization and the finished products out of the organization. SCM is an approach that encompasses every process concerned in manufacturing a product, from source to consumption. There has to be a linkage between the suppliers that provide inputs, manufacturing and service support operations that transform the inputs into products and services, and the distribution and local service providers that localize the product (Chase, Jacobs and Acquilano, 2004). This involves building a network that allows a flow of materials, without a break or hitch, throughout the process of production. This flow is fuelled by co-operation, and co-ordination among the diverse channel partners. Supply chain management thrives on improving efficiency and reducing cost of production by focusing on the core competencies of a company. Functions such as procurement of raw materials and distribution of products are outsourced to companies that are better equipped and more cost-efficient to perform them. Strategic planning is necessary to develop a network to monitor the supply chain so that it is efficient, costs less and delivers high quality and value to customers. Information technology has helped integrate the various components of SCM by building a network that aids in sharing necessary data between all supply chain partners within a system. A company

English essay part one Essay Example for Free

English essay part one Essay In this essay I am going to explain how Conan Doyle adds tension and suspense to The Adventure of the Speckled Band I will be discussing descriptions of the setting and characters also the language he uses, I will also look into the time period it was written. Sherlock Holmes was written during the Victorian era. This was a time in London when there was much crime and poverty, London was a vile and dangerous place. Victorian people greatly feared crime with Jack the Ripper on the loose, the police couldnt catch him because their methods were inefficient and many officers were corrupt. Victorians resented the police in London because they did not appear to be protecting the public. In 1887 Arthur Conan Doyle created, Sherlock Holmes, Victorians immediately fell for the fictional character. They liked him because he cracked every case and always got the bad guy. He was seen as the perfect detective. When Doyle tried to kill off his famous character, in 1893, he received death threats warning him to keep Holmes alive! Even know over 100 years on from Holmes birth in 1887 he is still popular. The story is called The Adventure of the Speckled Band. it starts with a frightened Helen stoner telling the story of her sister Julia stoner, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death and her concerns for her own life. Sherlock Holmes investigates and finds that Julia had been murdered by Dr. Roylott who was trying to kill Helen as well, but before Holmes could catch Dr. Roylott, the snake that he was using to try and kill the two girls, turns on him and he gets bitten and killed by it. The setting adds tension to the story because they create a spooky atmosphere, it does this in many ways, like in the description that Helen Stoner gives of Stoke Moran Manor, she says Indian animals wonder freely over his grounds and are feared by the villagers this gives the impression that he doesnt want anyone on his property. When the reader learns that Vagabonds. encamp in the grounds this causes tension because they are another suspect and it makes the reader wonder why he does not want others on the grounds. The reader feels intrigued when Helen Stoner says we had no feeling of security unless our doors were locked because, for most people, their home is the safest place in the world but Helen needs her door locked to feel safe. When the night is described as being A wild night. The wind was howling out side and the rain was beating this creates anticipation because something always happens during a storm, this is called pathetic fallacy. The description windows blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars. makes it sound as if Helen is a prisoner and Dr. Roylott is like a guard, and a prison is designed so, no one can get in or more importantly no one can get out. The description of Stoke Moran as a building of grey.. stone with.. two curving wings link the claws of a crab uses a simile create the feeling that the house is alive and closing in on its occupants. The words gathering darkness makes it sound as if the darkness is alive and trying to consume everything How does Conan Doyle create tension and suspense in The Adventure of the Speckled Band?

Comparing and contrating selena gomez and miley cyrus Essay Example for Free

Comparing and contrating selena gomez and miley cyrus Essay Hey, pop culture consumers and the world at large, the New York Times wants you to know that there is a distinct difference between Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez. In a recent piece by Jon Caramanica, the Times breaks down the professional and personal trajectory between the two rising starlets, comparing their similar beginnings and their increasingly divergent paths. In it, he writes, Of late, Miley Cyrus, 20, and Selena Gomez, who turned 21 on Monday, have each been pushing back in different ways — Ms. Gomez with her role in the film Spring Breakers, and Ms. Cyrus with her sometimes erratic, sometimes free-spirited tabloid life. He then goes to argue the closer that Miley Cyrus artistic output mirrors her personal life, the better she becomes. The word choices used to describe the two pop princesses demonstrate a clear delineation between Cyrus and Gomez. Cyruss process includes feeling out new forms of rebellion, including the touristic appropriation of black culture, while Gomezs is particularly milquetoast. Her newest album, according to Caramanica, is breathy, wide-ranging, largely toothless. Caramanica is right to turn to these two young actresses/idols/musicians as a barometer of the pop cultural world, because they are certainly exemplary of the state of pop culture (and, of course, tabloid culture, as well). Both fulfill reasonable, identifiable, relatable roles for young women. Miley, the rambunctious rebel who is using her music to jettison her identity forward; Selena, a biracial young woman who is poised, graceful, and a friend any young girl would want to have; and even, to extend the comparisons of other young stars — Demi Lovato as the impassioned, slightly tortured diva, and Vanessa Hudgens as the laid-back West Coast bohemian who has eschewed music for film. Yet, for all of their seeming differences, Caramanica neglects to point out the most fascinating thing these two share: their similarities. Miley and Selena are both fervent anti-bullying advocates, loyally devoted to their fans, and welcome all types of listeners. Both of them want the population at large to believe that they are good people, even though they make bad choices — and they encourage their devotees to be kind to one anothereven when they make bad choices, too. Young girls respond to both Miley and Selena because the specific personality traits (which are, according to Caramanica, rebellious and safe, respectively) they sell to us are appealing. Where Miley harnesses an inner rebel, Selena embraces a wholesome good time in a pure, unself-conscious way (unlike, say, Taylor Swift, whose self-effacing hand-wringing is what makes her so popular with adults). Yet, it is their open accessibility and honestness, along with their all-inclusive message, that keeps a younger generation hungry. And having todays former Disney stars feel out their own way while also espousing tolerance and respect — no matter how calculated that way may be — is so much better than being subjected to a child star who insincerely sells the virginal act. The music, it appears, is secondary. (NY Times)

Comparison Of The Cold War And Post Cold War

Comparison Of The Cold War And Post Cold War After the end of the Cold War, the United States of America was standing victoriously. Its ideological enemy the Soviet Union had dissolved and thus, the bipolar world order had ended. The post-Cold War world was, for Americans, a unipolar belle à ©poque, in which American hyper-power dominated the global scene economically and strategically.  [1]  Still, this era of American hegemony was complex due to absence of any grand design as pointed out by Bacevich  [2]   one can argue that the end of the Cold War created panic among the United States political institutions that were oriented in dealing specifically with issues rising from the Cold War. When did the post post-Cold period begin and what started it? Is the United States of America still a superstar or is its power declining? Some experts, Nye and Craig among them, predict the rise of multipolar world while some point out that we are already living in multipolar world.  [3]  As the topic points out, the purpose of this paper is to analyze how current post post-Cold War world order in view of the United States differs from post-Cold War period. However, the United States has had very unique experiences and a complex, if not to say controversial, history having regard to this, it is understandable that many aspects dealt with in this essay are intertwined. First and foremost, one has to deal with apparent formation of multilateral world. The main thrusters behind multilateral world that shape international politics in the coming decades are, for example according to Khanna, globalization and the geopolitical competition among three empires for global leadership and allegiance of the second world.  [4]  I agree that globalization triggered by Americans themselves is a very important element. It essentially makes world a smaller place and binds everything. Also, I concur that rise of other nations is another important factor. Khanna however, in my opinion, fails take into account possible balance between forces and continuing United States supremacy. The United States of America is clearly an empire who struggles for leadership, although not in classical sense as correctly pointed by Craig.  [5]  It would be impossible to pursuit global dominance without having imperial characteristics. Indeed, the United States has projected its power over the entire world and advances its own interests. Still, why do we talk about rise of multilateral world? Craig, among other experts, first identifies military and economic aspect of the United States power. Military power of the United States is unparalleled. In the 2009 the U.S. military budget is almost as much as the rest of the worlds defense spending combined. Total defense budged exceeds one trillion dollars.  [6]  This is over nine times larger than its geopolitical competitor Chinas budget. Furthermore, the United States not only spends enormous amounts of money to upkeep and improve its armies, but has also the highest technology level advanced weaponry further increases military power. Expenditures to military, needless to say, help to improve domestic economy and project such power abroad. Besides apparent possession of highly advanced military power, United States, as demonstrated in Iraq, has also will and ability to use it. However, overemphasizing military power and especially the will to wield it  [7]  has been subject to heavy criticism both domestically and internationally. Although, the U.S. has the largest economy in the world, its economy might soon fail to support such level of military expenditure. And as pointed out by Mitchell the United States foreign policy is not sustainable anymore, it has to cut expenses and military tools as a part of foreign policy might be limited as well. In addition, critics like Noam Chomsky point out hazards of military power arms race, possible nuclear war, abuse of power.  [8]  Even realists sharply and publicly criticized the U.S. foreign policy under Bushs administration it has been taken over by expansionists dangerously dismissive to the caution and prudence that were the hallmarks of traditional realism as asserted by late George Kennan.  [9]  I think that military power is seductive as huge military might compel its possessor to use it viewp oint shared by many I believe. As Chomsky put it, probability of use of force is high. Also, there might be other signs of decline lack of ability or will to the U.S. military power as an example can be given of Russia-Georgia War where the U.S. did not help newly born democracy. Nevertheless, military is and most likely will remain vital and useful tool of foreign policy that contributes to the U.S. supremacy. Whether in future there will be decline of hard policy of using force is subject of speculation Obama administration, at least at the moment, is against use of aggressive force in view of Iraq. On the other hand, contrary to military power, economically it is already doubtful that the United States still is hegemony.  [10]  One of major differences between post-Cold War and post post-Cold War era is economical. Many industries have left for overseas as production of goods is much cheaper there. Also, other problems besetting the U.S. economy are mainly overconsumption, low savings, unemployment, current account and budget deficits and reliance on foreign creditors. Moreover, the economic downturn in 2008 swung dollars long-term prospects as the reserve currency of international system  [11]  as well as created several domestic economical problems that required immediate attention and further undermined U.S. economical dominance. Although, the U.S. domestic issues can be solved, debt of the United States and inflation caused by printing money to revive economy and to resolve domestic problems is reaching new heights. In principle, debt can be devalued  [12]  and inflation can be limited when raising interest rates, both of these can be extremely harmful to economy and only implemented with uttermost care as such practices can unbalance delicate economical situation and turn economy to steep fall. Moreover, much of the United States foreign debt is owned by private investors from Asia, but the relationship between China and the United States is unique. Although, China is the biggest owner of U.S.s foreign debt,  [13]  latter is also biggest market (besides Chinas internal market) to Chinas goods meaning that both powers are somewhat dependant on each other. Still, China is a major creditor for the U.S. and as the rising star of Asia has had the fastest-growing major economy for the past 30 years with an average annual GDP growth rate above 10% and is replacing the United States as lead consumer. As even Obama has acknowledged hope that Asia will be future engine of economic growth, it is safe to say that economically the world is already multipolar. Perhaps the most important aspect concerning rise of economical multipolar world order is that economic crisis the world is currently battling furthermore raised questions about success of Americas economic model. Today, rise of alternate models, like Chinas post-communism state capitalism, and support for them creates competition between those models and liberal open-door  [14]  free market capitalism of the United State. Bluntly put, economy of the United States is prone to crises as history as shown and might not be suitable for stable economy. To further arguments in favor for multipolar world order, rise of other powerful States, cultures and multilateral actors must be noted. First of all, integrated Europe in form of European Union is advancing its power already having technology level comparable to the U.S.s. Brazil and India, once considered third world countries, have significantly increased economic production and military power. Former superpower Russia still has stake in the game as DeHart points out.  [15]  Lastly, China already is a regional and economic superpower and unlike Russia, which only speaks about near abroad sphere of influence, China actually has sphere of influence.  [16]   Also, besides emergence of powerful States, different cultures have arisen and provide alternate models to post-Cold War world order. For example, one of these alternate models is fundamental Islam that gains supporters rapidly. Rise of other models and cultures is important as it provides alternatives to order set by the U.S. Respected scholar Samuel Huntington has even argued that in the future, conflicts will be between cultures, not between nations.  [17]  These developments (rise of other powers) are main reasons why American cooperation with traditional allies has become much more important than it was a decade ago. Significant difference between post-Cold War and post post-Cold War period will be changes in international law and reforms in international institutions as well as rise of numerous multilateral actors. As a lawyer, I know that international law is generally well observed as States do not want to be pictured as villains. Still, Iraq war set precedence of waging anticipatory self-defense.  [18]  Iraq war that was supposed to be quick victory for democracy and good against evil oil emperor is winding down. Furthermore, international community and majority of experts of international law consider actions of the United States in Iraq as illegal and not permissible under the United Nations system. This precedent is dangerous as many experts believe and was used by Russians in recent Russia-Georgia War. In view of terrorism as a global threat, it has to be noted that terrorist attack on September 11 helped Bush administration a lot. They found a new enemy (instead of former Soviet Union).  [19]  Due to these attacks, Bush Jr. was able to acquire domestic support to continue Clintons hard policy. However, although this declared war on terrorism helped the post-Cold War U.S. to find new course and is largely funded by the U.S. itself, this war might backfire and in return create terrorism and diminish the U.S. credibility in international arena (as it is being viewed as an aggressor). For example, Chomsky points out that terrorist attacks in Iraq have tripled and many experts have issued alarming reports of rising terrorist threat that is only fueled by war on terror. Although, Noam Chomsky provides harsh and linguistically somewhat forcefully bound criticism on the United States and its foreign policies, he does have many valid points. In essence he claims that the United States is an outlaw, rogue state that creates binding international law norms for other states but excludes itself from these rules.  [20]  In essence, the United States defies the principle of universality. This doctrine is well expressed by Madeline Albright that the United States is the indispensable nation. Chomsky gives a good example of the practices of this doctrine judgment of International Court of Justice was deemed inappropriate as it condemned the U.S. policies and thus was simply ignored. Chomskys ironies are almost inexpressible indeed as he describes that the same western powers who gave Saddam Hussein equipment to develop weapons of mass destruction, invaded Iraq under pretext of stopping development of WMD-s, but while guarding oil fields they allowed pilla ged equipment for developing WMD-s to cross Iraqi border to some unknown destination. In his viewpoint (most likely shared by many Arabs) the real terrorist is the United States of America. Thus, being pictured as a rogue state and an aggressor undermines the U.S. credibility in international arena (among friends and foes alike). As mentioned, new post post-Cold War period most likely changes structure of international organizations, primarily the system of the United Nations.  [21]  Notwithstanding the numerous vetoes the U.S. (and others) has made in Security Council that it deemed inappropriate as well as still the United Nations being locked in 1945, truth is that the system of United Nations is in need for reforms. The rise of soft policy and more diplomatic measures of Obama administration give hope that such reforms might be possible and thus the framework of international law reorganized. Maybe, in post post-Cold War, rules of international law that have formed throughout centuries and were almost shredded within a short period of time (during Bush administration), can be re-strengthened. In my opinion it is necessary as collective security system could prevent new wars. Other possible alternatives to reforms of the United Nations system are briefly described by Nye (and of course other prominent experts) namely benefits and downfalls of world federalism, functionalism, regionalism, ecologism and cyber feudalism.  [22]  Nye concludes that whichever model will be used, in the near future, world will be multilateral. Although, as discussed, international community is changing, the United States consists of vast geographical area and has maintained global vision presence.  [23]  Its embassies are everywhere. That is why it must be noted that whatever the world order might be in the near future, the U.S. has significant impact on it. One might confidently argue that the United States is still a superpower that can, at least to some extent, write the rules of post post-Cold War period. This global presence, mentioned in previous paragraph, of the United States is closely intertwined with global perception of the United States Chomskys second superpower that is global public opinion. The United States of America has been portrayed as benevolent Hegemony. Tools of its foreign policy include soft power financial assistance, loans, international aid and so on. Many foundations, church groups, non-governmental organizations promote democracy, human rights, education and so on. This is the reason why Americans are proud of selves and cannot comprehend why are Americans often hated. On the other hand, global perception and presence has a dark undercurrent that might explain controversial feelings towards Americans. One stream of this undercurrent manifests as a legacy from the war of hearts and minds the Cold War. During that era, the United States supported many brutal regimes and dictators that performed unspeakable atrocities it is understandable that those who experience horrific suffering are not positively inclined towards the U.S. Had U.S. not intervened, maybe democracy would not have survived as pointed out.  [24]  The other stream is reaction towards arrogance and ambitions of the United States. Statement that we are the indispensable nation raises question whether other nations are dispensable? Also, securing key resources of economy, particularly oil, has been main ambition of the United States for a long time. Unfortunately, many of these resources are located within other countries using hard power to acquire these resources has created many conflicts for the United States. For example, in the eyes of Arabs, Americans are not liberators and bringers of light, but aggressors whose arrival is interlocked with arrival of suffering in a manner of speaking, Americans are viewed as harbingers of misfortune. These strong undercurrents play an important role at the moment as global public views, according to Chomsky, Americans negatively and this undermines its ambitions to remain a superpower. Nevertheless, the United States of America is in unique position to alter the course of world. When analyzing different world order in post post-Cold War that started with Obama administration, one has to pay attention to domestic situation of the United States. For a long period of time, instabilities within the United States remained untouched. So to say, Clintons and Bushs administrations utilized an ancient principle governing when you want to divert publics attention from domestic problems, you should go to war heeding that both presidents of the U.S. utilized well. Still, domestic issues remained. Currently, it seems that Obama administration is working hard to resolve some domestic issues, for example by reforming health care system,  [25]  and by redefining others like national security. Nevertheless, most pressing instabilities within domestic system derive from economy subject already discussed above. In addition to these problems, current administration must also ba ttle with legacy of Iraq war and public opinion thereof. Although, Obama was and is against presence of American troops in Iraq, it is quite difficult to remove forces from that area while leaving still infant Iraqi democracy without direct support. To summarize, the United States has some problems domestically, but it is still quite capable and strong to solve them question is how much these issues affects the United States foreign policy. Lastly, after the Cold War, environmental issues have become important. Largely ignored by previous government, President Barack Obama has expressed serious concern about global warming and will be attending climate conference in Copenhagen in beginning of December. This is radical change in the United States foreign policy as Obama administration is the first government of the United States that acknowledges environmental problems.  [26]  As indeed, warning of scientist are alarming, we need to act together to prevent Kaplans coming anarchy  [27]   wars due to scarcity of resources. This change of direction is received well by international community and helps the U.S. to repair its somewhat damaged reputation. Still, does the post post-Cold War era mean the end of United States power its rule of unilateral world has ended? Perhaps, as pointed out by, the most important change will be the limits on American Power as it was not able to help allies like Georgia.  [28]  The world has enjoyed Pax Americana, at least western world, but in multipolar world, is the U.S. able to deal with the challenges posed by economic and financial turmoil, energy scarcity and global climate change? Even though, the U.S. dominance is not what it was after the post-Cold War period and is only great superpower among other lesser superpowers, it has enough power to change the course of the world. Current Obama administration is a new hope for Americans and to citizens of other States alike this was maybe the first global election. The challenge will now be to identify new emerging changes and deal with already known issues. Failure to solve these problems could lead to demise of humankind and fulfillment of predictions of Kaplan and Chomsky. Quoting a famous scientist I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones we cannot afford to fail in this task.

The Bubonic Plague: Crisis in Europe and Asia :: essays research papers

The Bubonic Plague: Crisis in Europe and Asia   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There have been many natural disasters throughout history that have caused great damage physically, emotionally and mentally. The Bubonic Plague is considered by most to be the second worst disaster to have occurred throughout history. It all began in October 1348, when Genoese trading ships dropped anchor at the port of Messina, Sicily. The Ships had come from the Black Sea port of Kaffa (Truitt, 2001). The few of the crew members that were left alive carried with them a deadly disease so perilous that it would ultimately lead to death (Douglass, 1996). The sailors became infected when sick rats from Central Asia boarded their ships and the fleas that were feasting on the rats bit the sailors (Truitt, 2001). It was thought that the disease originated from the Far East and was spread along major trade routes. When it became clear that the ships from east carried the plague, Messina closed its port. The Ships were forced to seek harbor elsewhere around the Mediterr anean, which allowed the disease to spread very quickly (Truitt, 2001). This would be the beginning of a very traumatic event that would affect all aspects of European society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Bubonic Plague generated from a bacterium called Yersina pestis, which is a one-celled organism that multiplies rapidly once inside its host and produces three types of symptoms, depending on how it is spread (Aberth, 2000). The bacterium that leads to the Bubonic Plague usually is found in the bloodstream of wild black rats. It is then posed to humans by fleas that feed on the blood of rats and then bite humans, in which the bacterium is passed into the human bloodstream (Aberth, 2000). It takes between four and six days for a person infected with the Bubonic Plague to exhibit symptoms (Truitt, 2001). The most common symptom is swellings known as buboes (hence bubonic) that appear in the lymph glands near the initial flea bite (Douglass, 1996). The buboes are red at first, but later turn a dark purple or black they eventually bust open oozing blood and pus (Douglass, 1996). Other symptoms may include a high fever, often causing delirium, violent headaches, su bcutaneous bleeding, and damage to the nervous system caused from the bleeding, which leads to uncontrollable twitching and jerking (Aberth, 2000). There is also a foul odor that is associated with the excrement of blood, pus and sweat of those who are infected (Aberth, 2000).

The Red Room and The Judges House - Typical Nineteenth Century Ghost

The Red Room and The Judge's House - Typical Nineteenth Century Ghost Stories? Nineteenth century ghost stories are typical of the gothic genre. They are referred to as stereotypical, because in the period they were written in, it was the practice to include several distinctive elements which are now exclusively associated with this genre. 'The Red Room' by H. G. Wells (1894) and 'The Judge's House' by Bram Stoker (1891) will be discussed in this essay to assess them as distinctive examples of ghost stories. There are various elements which are distinctive of characteristics of a nineteenth century ghost story. The criteria used to determine 'The Red Room' and 'The Judge's House' are of nineteenth century ghost stories in this essay are, firstly, the setting. This is the background scenery to the story and is, typically of this genre, an isolated place or house. The second element is the inclusion of characters with a variable state of mind throughout the story. This could be a terrifying consuming fear or the complete loss of reason leading to insanity. The incorporation of characters which believe and do not believe in the supernatural is the third element. This allows a wider range of people to read the story and associate with the characters. The fourth criterion is an ancient prophecy or a history of disturbances surrounding the place where the story is set. The fifth element is light. Ghost stories make use of shadows, darkness, night-time, and the diffusive light of a candle to help develop tension and suspense. The final element is imagery used by authors. The images created tend to be appealing to the five human senses of touch, sight, taste, smell and hearing. I will compare 'The Red Room' and 'The Judge's House' base... ...t and inflamed', plus, 'red eyes'. This gives the sense of you being watched. The references to, 'monstrous shadow', 'grotesque custodians', and, 'the human qualities seem to drop from old people insensibly day by day', shows that they aren't like normal human beings and are out of this world. 'The Judge's House' is a perfect example of the three types of characters. Malcolmson obviously being the non-believer, Mrs Witham, Mrs Dempster and Dr. Thornhill are the believers. While the Judge's spirit is the supernatural. Malcolmson is also a rational person like the narrator of 'The Red Room'. He believes in knowledge not fictional stories. 'A man who is reading for the Mathematical Tripos', and, 'disturbed by any of these mysterious somethings'. It doesn't have many references to Malcolmson attitude to the Judge's house. But from this quote, we can see he is not afraid.

International impact on Telephone Company :: essays research papers

International Internet Telephony has been evolving since its introduction in mid-1990s. With the Information Technology changing rapidly, different companies that work in telecommunications market are using various strategies to stay competitive. The main change has been noticed has been when more and more companies become IP carriers and multiple services providers whereas certain companies have refrained from any expansion into new infrastructure.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For a growing number of telecommuting workers, a cell phone, a PDA, and a high-speed laptop can be indispensable tools for earning an honest day’s pay. Thus telecommunication companies have to stay competitive in today’s tough market to survive. For example, AOL recently began to offer â€Å"AOL anywhere†, service that allows users to check their email, instant messages, news headlines, stock portfolios, and other key features any time and anywhere. Or there is another service that is available only for AOL members – it is AOL TV that allows its users to do those essential to the users everyday things with their TV. AOL has always been known for providing â€Å"the most convenient and easiest-to-use interactive service available,† and that is why AOL is one of the competitors for telephone companies such as Qwest or AT&T. (http://www.corp.aol.com/whoweare.html) AOL is also the only truly global interactive service provider, offer ing AOL services in 16 countries in 8 languages.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With the development of technology, customers’ demand is increasing as well. And Thus telephone companies are doing everything they can â€Å"to be on top† of the market. For instance, in 1999, Qwest Communications International, Inc. had an investment into Rhythms NetConnections Inc. for performance-class digital subscriber line (DSL) connectivity to addition that Rhythms has agreed to provide space to Qwest in their local facilities for collocation of call processing equipment and to use Qwest as its preferred web hosting provider. Rhythms provides high-speed networking solutions for remote access to private networks and the Internet. (http://www.qwest.com/about/media/pressroom/1,1720,162_archive,00.html?printVersion=1&xmlFilename=1999Apr07162&storyId=162) As Qwest’s competitor, â€Å"AT&T's continued financial strength helped underwrite growth and improvement, from the multi-billion-dollar digitalization of its entire network, through a sustained move into the international market and nearly 200 countries, to major mergers and acquisitions.† (http://www.att.com/history/history2.html) For example, in 1998, AT&T had invested over $70 billion in the company's future and redefining its services and products. In 1999, AT&T extended its reach through the local service businesses, broadband cable companies and wireless providers that were acquired in the past several years. â€Å"More than 75 percent of its capital investment went into growth businesses, up from 60 percent in 1998.

Coachella

Coachella One of my favorite events is the Coachella Music Festival, a music fans ultimate adventure. My friend Isaac and I had planned our trip for months. The event was two days, split up because of the hundreds of bands playing. We bought our ticket months in advance for one day. The line-up for that day was amazing. The line up consisted of: Radio Head, Pixies, Kraftwerk, Rapture, Death Cab for Cutie, and many more. If you love alternative music, this is it. We also had planned to stay the night, so we pre-booked a room in hotel nearby.Our destination was Indio California, near Palm Springs. The drive from San Jose to Indio was about 427 miles. We headed out early morning, stopped a couple times to use the restroom and refuel. Driving on Highway 10, was mostly desert. The only interesting configurations worth gazing were the plain white wind mills. Hundreds lined up, across acres of desert land. Some of the giant windmills propelled with the slight dry wind. We finally had arrive d and it felt like we stepped into a depleted tropical land. Luckily, the hotel we stayed in included a swimming pool!It was the day of the event, so we made sure to dress accordingly. We also made sure to bring plenty of water. The parking area was a chaotic scrabble of vehicles. The walk to the gates was a good 10 minutes. This was only the beginning; this event was spread out onto 90 acres. No wonder, GoldenVoice (Coachella Organizers) held event in this location; Empire Polo Club. The first idea that came to mind was to plan our day according to music events itinerary. A mass of 100,000 people would be diverged among the Polo Fields.Coachella’s map out of event accommodated all; with multiple stages, international food stands, alcohol and beverage stands, in door lounges to cool off, numerous tents with DJ’s, art installations, Coachella souvenir stands, porta potties in large quantities, ATMs, Security, and First Aide stands. The lines were a quarter mile long, or more for all stands. At this point, my friend Isaac and I decided we would cool off with a Heineken. Next we took our place in line to get a bite to eat. Of course everything is overpriced, since it is a music concert.

KFC Corporation Essay

KFC Corporation, or KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried chicken is a chain of fast food restaurant based in Louisville, Kentucky. KFC is a brand and operating segment, called a â€Å"concept† of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo. KFC primarily sells chicken in form of pieces, wraps, salads and sandwiches. While its primary focus is fried chicken, KFC also offers a line of roasted chicken products, side dishes and desserts. Target Market â€Å"The process of evaluating each market segment’s attractiveness and selecting two or more segments† As the outlets of KFC are in posh area and prices are too high (overhead expenses-rent, air-conditioning, employees), so KFC target upper and middle classes. Target market depends upon size and growth rate of population, company resources and structural attractiveness of market segment. Market Positioning For a product to occupy a clear, distinctive and desirable place relative to â€Å"competing products in the minds of target consumer.† In KFC feedback is taken from the customer in order to know the customer demands and then improvements are made in the product. KFC focuses on pure and fresh food in order to create a distinct and clear positioning in the minds of customers, KFC has a strong brand name and they are leading market in fried chicken.

Ap English Language Argumentative or Persuasive Essay

The Assignment: You are to research and compose an argumentative or persuasive essay focusing on a controversial issue (you may not write on abortion, gun control, marijuana legalization, gay marriage, or creationism/evolution). Argumentative essays enlighten your readers to the rationale behind your position on a debatable issue. However, persuasive essays not only enlighten your readers to your position on an issue, but also attempt to coerce readers to take some sort of action. You will be transforming your essay into a speech which you will present to the class. The Prewriting Stage: Step 1: Finding an issue 1. List possible topics 2. Select the topic in which you are most interested 3. Consider if others will be interested in it as well Step 2: Preliminary research—exploring the issue 1. Define your issue; develop your claim 2. What do you understand about it already? Brainstorm and list what you know about it. Explore your position. 3. What has been written or said about your issue by others? 4. How does your issue impact others? 5. Research the history of the issue. 6. Is your issue focused enough to be analyzed successfully? Is it so narrow that little has been written about it, or that few sill express an interest? Step 3: Considering your audience 1. How will most of your readers probably feel about his issue? 2. What do you expect them to know about it already? 3. Should you address your essay to an audience who disagrees with your position, or will you be â€Å"preaching to the choir†? Are you going to have to impact their underlying beliefs and values? Remember, you must address opposing arguments. Step 4: Reassessing your choice 1. Has your research supplied enough for you to maintain your claim? 2. Is there enough information available to addressing opposing arguments? 3. Do you need to learn more about it? Step 5: Constructing your argument—preparing to address those who disagree 1. List every reason that you can think of that will help your argument and convince your readers to reconsider their position and adopt yours. 2. Consider effective appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) 3. Number your points or assertions in order of strength or plausibility 4. Under each point or assertion, list potential objections or questions that it could raise. 5. Consider how you would respond to that objection or question 6. Consider how you would refute any illegitimate or illogical objections or questions. Step 6: Anticipating opposing arguments 1. List widely known opposing positions to your claim 2. Meet in groups and allow other students to play â€Å"devil’s advocate† by arguing the opposing side. 3. Number the opposing points or assertions in order of strength or plausibility; you will address the strongest points in your essay 4. List reasons for the opposing points 5. Prepare to accept or concede portions of plausible opposing arguments 6. Prepare to refute an implausible point or assertion. Validity of opposing arguments may be addressed by: *Giving a counterexample *Questioning the authority or source, the validity of the facts *Questioning the logic of the opposing point The Drafting Stage: Introductory Paragraph 1. Determine your claim. State it clearly in your opening paragraph 2. Define the issue and your purpose to your readers. Why are you writing about this? Why should your audience be interested? 3. Getting the reader’s attention—anecdote (telling a story), startling statistic, interesting quote, significance of your concerns 4. The background/history of the issue (if significant) 5. Establish the appropriate tone for your subject and your audience Body Paragraphs Supporting your claim 1. State your reasons for supporting your position along with evidence 2. Go beyond simple assertions; consider the nature of your appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) Body Paragraphs Addressing potential opposing arguments. You may either 1. Concede the validity of an opposing argument by qualifying part or accepting all of it while explaining why your position is stronger, or 2. Refute the opposing argument by stating why it is invalid or weak. Conclusion 1. Restate your claim 2. State the significance of your position. How does it affect the future? 3. Make a final emotional appeal if appropriate 4. State a call for action (persuasion) 5. Appeal for further study of research Self Evaluation: Address the following questions: 1. Did you stick with your original topic or did you change it? 2. What problems did you encounter during the process of creating the essay? 3. List two of the most important changes you made. Why did you make them? 4. Of what part of your essay are you most proud? Why?