Thursday, November 28, 2019
Turbografix 16 the beginning Essay Example For Students
Turbografix 16 the beginning Essay In Japan, shortly after the introduction of Nintendos Famicom (Japans version of the NES), the electronics giant NEC entered into the videogame market with the introduction of their next generation system, known as the PC Engine (PCE). The PCE boasted a 16-bit graphics chip capable of displaying up to 256 colors on screen at once, at a number of resolutions. Although its CPU wasnt much more powerful that of the NES, its spectacular graphics chip and six-channel sound bettered the Famicom in every way. It utilized a sleek new card format (PCE games are either HuCards or Turbochips) to hold its software, rather than bulky cartridges. It was also the first console to boast a CD-ROM drive, for full orchestral soundtracks and even (gasp!) full motion video. The PC Engine was immensely popular in Japan, outselling the Famicom by a significant margin. We will write a custom essay on Turbografix 16 the beginning specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now In 1989, two years after its Japanese introduction, NEC announced plans to bring the PC Engine overseas, to the booming videogame market of the U.S. With a huge library of Japanese software, it seemed to many as though the system couldnt possibly fail. At the time, the NES was the #1 system in the US. Games were no longer being made for Ataris 7800, and despite the popularity of the Sega Master System in Europe, it failed to capture the hearts of the U.S. gaming public. Arcade and computer games began to set new standards in visual and aural excellence, making the NES seem primitive in comparison. Although MMC (memory mapper) chips allowed the NES to do some pretty spectacular things, the game-buying public was hungry for a new system. Shortly after NEC stated its intention to bring the PC Engine to the U.S., Sega announced that its Mega Drive system (released in Japan a year after the PC Engine) would also be coming to the U.S. as the Sega Genesis. The Mega Drive was slow to catch on in Japan, as the installed user base of PC Engine was so large. In fact, the Mega Drive was spectacularly unpopular with our Japanese friends. Although the Mega Drive boasted superior graphics and sound, the absence of a CD-ROM drive was a definite minus in most gamers minds. Once youve played a CD-ROM game, cartridge games just dont seem as good. At the time, the Genesis didnt seem like much of a threat to the assured success of the TurboGrafx-16 (NECs American name for the PC Engine). The TG-16 had more games, and it took advantage of the massive storage capacity of CD-ROM. The stage was set for the battle of the next generation systems, and in Christmas of 1989 the war began. Sales of both machines were brisk, due to massive national ad campaigns by both Sega and NEC. Sega had its library of arcade hits to back up the Genesis, and the original release of the system boasted the mediocre, but arcade-popular Altered Beast as its pack-in game. Although Altered Beast is just slightly better than terrible, the TG-16s pack-in game (Keith Courage in Alpha Zones), made Altered Beast look like a triumph of video game engineering. To Segas credit, it released the excellent Phantasy Star 2 soon after the Genesis introduction, much to the delight of RPG fans. Conversely, it would be over a year before the TG-16 had its first true RPG. Word began to spread that the TG-16 was not a true 16-bit system, as its CPU was only 8-bit. Though the TurboGrafx had no trouble holding its own against the Genesis as far as graphics, as far as sound and speed are concerned, it was somehow inferior in the minds of many gamers.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
The Lexical Approach in Language Teaching
The Lexical Approach in Language Teaching In language teaching, a set of principles based on the observation that an understanding of words and word combinations (chunks) is the primary method of learning a language. The idea is that, rather than have students memorize lists of vocabulary, they would learn commonly used phrases.Ã The term lexical approach was introduced in 1993 by Michael Lewis, who observed that language consists of grammaticalized lexis, not lexicalised grammar (The Lexical Approach, 1993). The lexical approach is not a single, clearly defined method of language instruction. Its a commonly used term thats poorly understood by most. Studies of literature on the subject often show that its used in contradictory ways. It is largely based on the assumption that certain words will elicit a response with a specific set of words. Students would be able to learn which words are connected in this way. Students are expected to learn the grammar of languages based on recognizing patterns in words.Ã Ã Examples and Observations The Lexical Approach implies a decreased role for sentence grammar, at least until post-intermediate levels. In contrast, it involves an increased role for word grammar (collocation and cognates) and text grammar (suprasentential features).(Michael Lewis, The Lexical Approach: The State of ELT and a Way Forward. Language Teaching Publications, 1993) Methodological Implications The methodological implications of [Michael Lewiss]Ã Lexical Approach (1993, pp. 194-195) are as follows: - Early emphasis on receptive skills, especially listening, is essential.- De-contextualized vocabulary learning is a fully legitimate strategy.- The role of grammar as a receptive skill must be recognized.- The importance of contrast in language awareness must be recognized.- Teachers should employ extensive, comprehensible language for receptive purposes.- Extensive writing should be delayed as long as possible.- Nonlinear recording formats (e.g., mind maps, word trees) are intrinsic to the Lexical Approach.- Reformulation should be the natural response to student error.- Teachers should always react primarily to the content of student language.- Pedagogical chunking should be a frequent classroom activity. (James Coady, L2 Vocabulary Acquisition: A Synthesis of the Research. Second Language Vocabulary Acquisition: A Rationale for Pedagogy, ed. by James Coady and Thomas Huckin. Cambridge University Press, 1997) Limitations While the lexical approach can be a quick way for students to pick up phrases, it doesnt foster much creativity. It can have the negative side effect of limiting peoples responses to safe fixed phrases. Because they dont have to build responses, they dont need to learn the intricacies of language.Ã Adult language knowledge consists of a continuum of linguistic constructions of different levels of complexity and abstraction. Constructions can comprise concrete and particular items (as in words and idioms), more abstract classes of items (as in word classes and abstract constructions), or complex combinations of concrete and abstract pieces of language (as mixed constructions). Consequently, no rigid separation is postulated to exist between lexis and grammar.(Nick C. Ellis, The Emergence of Language As a Complex Adaptive System. The Routledge Handbook of Applied Linguistics, ed. by James Simpson. Routledge, 2011)
Sunday, November 24, 2019
The Berlin Wall History
The Berlin Wall History Introduction The Berlin wall was erected by the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR) of East Germany and was essentially designed to separate East and West Germany. It was a result of cold war politics that had also been witnessed subsequent to the Potsdam and Yalta Conferences during which the Allies divided up Germany. West Berlin after World War II was enclosed by East Germany and access to it was always a sensitive matter and a controversial political issue (Andreas 2).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Berlin Wall History specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The disagreement was between the soviets and the allied forces of American, French and British, who differed in the reconstruction of Germany after the soviets had inflicted most of the damage during World War II. Plans were underway to rebuild Germany and make it be self-sufficient, a major industrial hub with good infrastructure and a new Germ an currency, but the soviets under Joseph Stalin were of a different opinion. Precursors to the Berlin wall The soviet administration was overwhelmed by a strong opposition in the west where non-soviet zones had been combined into one block under the Marshall plan. Consequently, in 1948, Stalin instituted the Berlin Blockade which cut off food and other requirements from going to the west considering that Berlin was deep into the soviet territory. Owing to East Berlin encircling the west, opinionated and ideological enmity amid west and east made the Western countries which are considered powerful to fly all the required supplies to West Berlin and that was between June 1948 and September 1949, this meant that the supplies were to be air lifted because the Soviets had closed road access. This was later to be known as the famous Berlin Airlift and was orchestrated by United States, Britain, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and several other European countries (Taylor 11). East Germany or the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was under a communist system of governance with all property and industries were nationalized under the soviet rule. This greatly differed from West Germany or the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) which was under a democratic parliamentary system of governance which adopted a Western capitalist approach, transforming into a society with a social market economy. This spurred persistent economic growth with the development of industries, infrastructure, and a better standard of living for the residents. By the early Fifties, thousands of East Germans were fleeing to West Germany on a daily basis, majority of who were accomplished business people and specialists looking for better opportunities in West Berlin, and this lead to heavy losses in manpower in the GDR. Soviets had introduced compulsory Marxism-Leninism doctrines in all East Germany school curriculums, which inturn led to the moving of professors and their students to the west so as to escape such extremist ideology and this led to massive brain drain experienced in the east (Gale 22).Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In 1960, the East Germany exodus now totaling to millions of civilians was predictably damaging to the political integrity and economic capability of East Germany, making it vital to fortify its borders with the west, especially West Berlin for feasibility of the country to endure. Erection of the wall On August 13, 1961, the East German army began to close the border with West Germany, installing barbed wire entanglements chain fences, nail beds, minefields, and other obstacles and barriers along the 155 kilometers strip. Houses and other buildings were demolished in the process to pave way for the blockade. On August 15 1961, the concrete foundation for the wall was laid down and eventually a 106 kilometer and 3.6 meter high concrete section was erected. 43 kilometers of the wall separated east and West Berlin, and a further 37 kilometer section of the wall divided residential vicinities (Prager 13). It was further reinforced with 67 kilometers of wire mesh fencing, 106 kilometers of anti vehicle trenches, 302 watchtowers, 20 bunkers and 126 kilometers of contact fence, effectively shutting off East Germany from the West, as a result transforming West Berlin into an enclave. In June 1962, a second equivalent fence was built about 100à meters deep in East German terrain. All houses and buildings located between the two fences were demolished and the area cleared out (Elander 23). This region was bare and was later covered with raked gravel, rendering footprints easy to detect and extended for 124 kilometers. The aim behind this was to prevent escapees heading to the west from scaling the wall and offered a clear line of fire to the perimeter guards. Any civilian who was spotted in this area was immedia tely shot dead. This place was later came to be known as ââ¬Å"The Death Stripâ⬠. Approximately 190 people were killed in this region with a further 200 being injured by gunshot inflicted wounds. Though it was a violation of the postwar Potsdam Agreements, The allied forces did not challenge the existence of the wall, and only committed to protecting serving West Germans in a political move that was aimed at avoiding conflict with the U.S.S.R. The exodus from the east gradually slowed down and majority of East Germans could no longer visit, work or move to west Germany. Families who had their members in both east and west at the time of completion of the wall were separated for more than a quarter of a century.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Berlin Wall History specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Other professionals who commuted to work in the west found themselves unemployed since there was no acce ss to their jobs. Protests erupted in West Berlin, and the West Berliners criticized the allied forces for not antagonizing the construction of the wall, although the Potsdam Agreements gave them mandate over the whole of Berlin, (Fred 55). Crossing the wall At first, there was nobody who was allowed to cross over either in the west or east from the time the wall was built but it later changed in 1963. This was brought about by intense negotiations amid GDR and FRG governments that allowed West Germans limited access and restricted visits to the east during Christmas between 1963 and 1966. After 1971 agreements, the borders between east and west became more porous to West Berliners who could then apply for a visa to East Germany, but the East Germans and citizens of other eastern European nations were not allowed into the west apart for a few exceptions, (Prager 28). Permit approval was however not guaranteed for East Germans and GDR also limited the amount of money that they could convert to western currency in an attempt to restrict their financial autonomy while in the west. This was aimed at making sure that those visiting the west would come back due to financial constraint. This led to the introduction West Germanââ¬â¢s policy of giving a small amount of money known as welcome money every year to east Germans who visited West Germany and West Berlin and this was meant to help assuage their tribulations. However, as a requisite for the post war Four Power Arrangements, allied military employees, diplomatic personnel and civilian officials could enter and exit East Berlin without presenting their documents at East German check points, (Andreas 2). Ordinary citizens of the Western Allied states who had no official association with the Allied forces were supposed to use the approved road or rail check points in and out of East Germany and they were required to present documents to the East German border control units. There were eight border crossings bet ween East and West Berlin that permitted visits by West Germans. Each of the border crossings had a designated nationality group which could pass through and that was only after verification of their identity and citizenship. Certain checkpoints only allowed West Germans; others only processed East Berliners while others were restricted to Allied personnel and foreigners only.Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Impact of the Berlin wall The establishment of the Wall had significant supposition for the East German state. By effectively reducing the emigration of people from East Germany, the East German government was able to restore its mandate over the country exterminating financial hardships grounded by a weak currency and an effervescent black market leading to the commencement of substantial economic growth in East Germany. The GDR came to the defense of the wall, asserting that the wall was primarily to limit the belligerence that the west was setting in motion in East Germany. There were allegations that western spies and agents were operating in the east, subverting government programs and initiatives as well as collecting critical information. The eastern administration also claimed that the westerners were flooding the eastern markets to buy government subsidized goods which were cheaper than those in the west, (Alex 39). The allied forces administration saw the construction of t he wall from a different perspective. There were major concerns about the Soviets recapturing part or the whole of Berlin. These concerns were however put to rest by the erection of the wall for the wall would seemingly have been a superfluous undertaking if such a strategy was being considered by the soviets, decreasing the likelihood of a martial collision over Berlin. There was severe labor and brain drain across East Germany before the wall was erected, and most of those who immigrated were among the young and well educated group. The GDR was rapidly loosing their intelligentsia and human resource to the west. East Germany had already lost 9.5% of its working age population among them, doctors, professors, engineers, notary and various other professionals and skilled manpower (Gale 19). This as a result led to the underdevelopment of East Germany both in infrastructure and a depleted education system (Brennan 13). After the wall was erected, majority of the eastern work force st ayed in the west, what followed was a generational gap that had inadequate human resources, and this led to an acute under development of eastern Germany, and of which is currently still evident in some parts of the current Germany. West Berlinââ¬â¢s elaborate train transport system was also adversely affected by the creation of the Berlin wall. Some of the transit routes were divided and eventually several stations had to be closed down, Escapees There were a number of triumphant getaway efforts made during the era of the wallââ¬â¢s existence. They were reported to be more than 4,700 escapees but there were also a significant number of casualties and fatalities recorded. Escapes involved people jumping over the preliminary barbed wire or leaping out of residential houses either from the roofs or through windows. To solve this problem, East German authorities closed off apartments within the vicinity. Later, they introduced the infamous Death Strip that saw the persistent quan dary of escapees come to a grinding halt. Resourceful East Germans however resulted in using discrete methods like digging underground tunnels and using the sewer system to avoid detection (Taylor 36). The East German government gave its border guards shooting orders when dealing with escapees, though such orders were not necessarily equivalent to shoot to kill orders. They were however ordered in an October 1973 circular to regard anyone approaching the wall as a traitor and the border guards should therefore shoot at any person attempting to cross even in the presence of women or children (1999. Fred 55). Falling of the wall and unification of Germany In the late 1980s, the Soviet Union began to weaken, and its collapse was imminent. The opening of Hungaryââ¬â¢s borders to Austria in May 1989 may as well be viewed as the trigger that impelled the falling of the Berlin wall. Hungary was immediately flooded by East Germans who then crossed the border into Austria eventually campi ng at the West German embassy in Austria. East Germany was forced to stop any further travel to Hungary but the same case was being witnessed in Prague and Czechoslovakia (Frederick 3). This was followed by protest through out the months of September and October 1989 and such demonstrations were recurrent, with protesters in their millions leading to the East Germans camping in all West Germany embassies being allowed to travel to the west by the East German government (Elander 1). The protests grew by the day and in early November; the East German government was forced to open all borders leading to the west. By 11th November 1989, citizens had begun chipping off pieces of the wall as souvenirs. The official dismantling of the wall was done much later though, on June 13 1990 and it involved bulldozers and the military felling huge chunks of the wall and this went on until November 1991. The East Germany adopted the West Germany currency on July 1 1990 and the unification of Germany became a reality. Conclusion Although the economic state of affairs in the West continued to advance, the one in the East remained as static just like everywhere else in the U.S.S.R. West Germany rebuilt itself into an economic motivating force and the occupational opportunities available were of a large number. This attracted thousands of workers from all over Europe, who essentially flooded the country, giving West Germany a rich and variant workforce. Their eastern counterpart however continued to relish in poverty and abject conditions that were not conducive for significant education or work. The East German government never gave any solid reason for the erection of the wall, but it is widely known that most of the citizens of the GDR were fleeing from the oppressive communist rule. The unification of Germany was well received locally and internationally and only then did the east see an opportunity for potential growth. Work Cited Alex, Bruffeno. ââ¬Å"The History Surroundin g the Berlin Wallâ⬠. Wellington. NC. Cruss press. 2003. Andreas, Ramos. ââ¬Å"The Fall of the Berlin Wall: A Personal Accountâ⬠. Krafts. May 30 2003.Web.: http://andreas.com/berlin.html Brennan, Luann. ââ¬Å"The Fall of the Berlin Wall: Truth or Hype in the Mediaâ⬠. Media Focus. June 25 2004. Web.: is.wayne.edu/mnissani/media/Berlin.htm Elander, Eugene. ââ¬Å"And the Berlin Wall Came Tumbling Downâ⬠. Berlin. Nov 2 1999. Web. opednews.com/articles/And-the-Berlin-Wall- came-t-by-Eugene-Elander-091109-87.htm Fred, Willis. ââ¬Å"The Rise and fall of the Berlin wallâ⬠. Berlin. Penguin. Frederick,à Ramm.â⬠The fall of the Berlin wall 1989â⬠. Germany. August 14 1999.Web.: remote.org/frederik/culture/berlin/ Gale, Cengage. ââ¬Å"Berlin Wall. The Historyâ⬠. June 2 2002.Web.: encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3045300183.html Prager, Brad. ââ¬Å"The erection of the Berlin Wallâ⬠. Chekers. Dec 4 2006. Web. highbeam.com/doc/1G1-138663011.html Taylor, Frederick. ââ¬Å"The Berlin Wallâ⬠. Berlin. April 13 2003. Web.: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-the-berlin-wall-by/
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Using however - Emphasis
Using however Using however ââ¬ËHoweverââ¬â¢ is a useful word, however you look at it. [Sorry ââ¬â Ed.] But readers of our e-bulletin, Write Away, often ask us to clarify the right ways to use it. However we can help, say we. Meaning ââ¬Ëbutââ¬â¢ The most common way of using ââ¬Ëhoweverââ¬â¢ is to mean ââ¬Ëbutââ¬â¢. This usually comes at the beginning of a sentence, and is followed by a comma. The calendar claimed the month was May. However, the temperature felt more like November. For this use, itââ¬â¢s also correct to put it in the middle of the sentence, with commas either side. It was May. It was, however, very nippy. Or you can put it at the end, after a comma. I am normally wearing shorts by this time of year. Iââ¬â¢m afraid of pneumonia, however. But it is wrong to use ââ¬Ëhoweverââ¬â¢ between two parts of a sentence that make sense by themselves. I look forward to this time of year, however today I have goosebumps is grammatically incorrect. You can use ââ¬Ëbutââ¬â¢ here instead, because it is a conjunction (or joining word). ââ¬ËHoweverââ¬â¢ is not a conjunction when it means ââ¬Ëbutââ¬â¢. I look forward to this time of year. However, today I have goosebumps is grammatically correct. Meaning ââ¬Ëno matter howââ¬â¢ Another, less common, meaning for ââ¬Ëhoweverââ¬â¢ is ââ¬Ëno matter howââ¬â¢. You can use it in the middle of a sentence without a comma after it. I couldnââ¬â¢t bring myself to give up my thermal vest, however tired I was of being teased for it. You can also put it at the beginning of your sentence, without a comma afterwards. However you like me to dress, Iââ¬â¢ll do the opposite. Be wary of not accidentally putting a comma after ââ¬Ëhoweverââ¬â¢ in this instance, or you could end up saying something quite different. However, you like me to dress, Iââ¬â¢ll do the opposite. [Note: if you do ever want to assert that, while there are people who prefer you clothed, you will always choose to defy them, then that second comma should really be a semi-colon. Or a full stop.] Meaning ââ¬Ëin whatever wayââ¬â¢ In this form ââ¬Ëhoweverââ¬â¢ can be at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, with no punctuation around it. Iââ¬â¢m kidding. Iââ¬â¢ll dress however youââ¬â¢d like me to. Itââ¬â¢s your mumââ¬â¢s birthday party. How do I want to travel to Hawaii? However you want. Youââ¬â¢re paying. Alternatives When youââ¬â¢re writing a long document, and you need to link from one paragraph to another, itââ¬â¢s easy to fall into the trap of over-using ââ¬Ëhoweverââ¬â¢ (meaning ââ¬Ëbutââ¬â¢). Here are some good alternatives to keep your writing varied and fresh: à à à Nevertheless à à à On the other hand à à à But à à à Yet à à à Despite à à à In contrast/comparison. If youââ¬â¢re ever in doubt about how to use a particular word, or if you have any other business writing questions, our free 64-page guide to better writing The Write Stuff will help. Click here to download your free copy.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Depression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Depression - Essay Example Low mood is the primary symptom of depression and often clients in pursuit of getting rid of these negative emotions resort to abusing narcotics that do more harm than good. As it is also observed in patient care units, individuals suffering from depression become so heavily dependent on the narcotic that discontinuation is followed by severe withdrawal symptoms. The individual also resort to increasing the amount of drugs taken, which can lead to the individual dying as a result of an overdose. Drug abuse can also result in the individual partaking in activities that may regretted later that can exacerbate the depression experienced by the individual. (Jaekel et.al. 2009) Drug abuse is equally detrimental as depression and can seriously hamper oneââ¬â¢s social and occupational functioning. Therefore, in order to help the individual avoid addictive behavior, the clinician must try to effectively treat the depression and if not, client psycho-education is really helpful in getting them to avoid undesirable behavior. Clinicians must explain to them the detrimental repercussions of drug abuse and their vulnerability to it, so that clients do not indulge in such behavior.
To What Extent Can Violent Video Games Be Said to Explain Violent Essay
To What Extent Can Violent Video Games Be Said to Explain Violent Behaviour in Teenagers - Essay Example Many parents and educators allege that this obsession with violent video games that grips so many teenagers is a direct cause of violent behaviour in teenagers. A closer examination of the facts about video games and teenage behaviour reveals, however, that this is a very dubious claim, since it is very difficult to prove any causal link between video game playing and violent behaviour in teenagers. The main argument in favour of a link between violent video games and teenage behaviour is that, like violent films on television and in the cinema, they can affect the development of a young personââ¬â¢s personality in an adverse way. Several well respected American medical associations such as the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Medical Association issued a joint statement in year 2000 saying that there is a causal connection between media violence and aggressive behaviour , but that it is a complex effect (Gentile et al., 2004, p. 19). In the United Kingdom there is a strict classification system in place that is intended to prevent the most violent games from getting into the hands of people under eighteen years of age. This system is not always effective, since the majority of parents do not monitor the titles that their teenage children buy, and they often have very little knowledge about what these games actually contain. Clearly the authorities in most countries are convinced that violent video games can cause harm, and they take steps to minimize this harm. These measures do not, however, amount to real hard evidence that links video games with violent behaviour. Media in general contain vast amounts of material ranging from innocuous cartoons and slapstick violence to sick and criminal content that clearly should not be available to teenagers. Young people are exposed to multiple sources of images and texts on the television, in print material and on the internet every day, and so it is difficult to prove that video games are the root cause of any violent behaviour. Any amount of other sources could influence teenagers, and so it seems unreasonable to pinpoint video games as a cause of violent behaviour. They are perhaps an easy target because they are well regulated, and their popularity can be measured through sales and feedback to the providers. They may also arouse deep suspicion in technophobe adults who cannot keep up with the skills of young people in their care. For all of these reasons, it seems likely that the perceived effect of playing video games is exaggerated, and that their relative novelty in the entertainment landscape has attracted undue attention to the particular contribution that they make. It can be argued that evidence for the influence of video games is to be found in statements of young people themselves. There are many cases where teenagers enter the criminal justice system because they are acc used of some act of violence. In such a situation they can state that they were influenced by a certain game title. Examples such as the ââ¬Å"Grand Theft Autoâ⬠series are often mentioned in this connection, because this kind of first person action game involves street crime and aggression towards fictional characters. Violent youth offenders are often
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Hofstede on Southwest Airlines Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words
Hofstede on Southwest Airlines - Assignment Example Rolling King and Herb Kelleher established Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) in 1967. Southwest started operating in 1971, serving intrastate Texas cities, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. The company achieved break even in two years because of its low-cost model and organizational culture. For the past forty years, Southwest has remained profitable, while other airlines declared losses or bankruptcy. Southwest (2013) boasts that it ââ¬Å"continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.â⬠The company emphasizes on LUV as its primary motivation in serving its customers. On May 2, 2011, Southwest acquired AirTran Holdings, Inc., and it currently manages AirTran Airways as a wholly-owned subsidiary.Southwest has several notable achievements. It is Americaââ¬â¢s biggest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and, with AirTran added, it has the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the globe, as it serves a total of 97 routes in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and six nearby countries (Southwest, 2013). Southwest, furthermore, has ââ¬Å"lower unit costs (adjusted for stage length), on average, than virtually all major domestic airlines and consistently has one of the best overall Customer Service recordsâ⬠(Southwest, 2013). The company is also consistently one of the most admired companies that employees want to work for.... 13) boasts that it ââ¬Å"continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.â⬠The company emphasises on LUV as its primary motivation in serving its customers. On May 2, 2011, Southwest acquired AirTran Holdings, Inc., and it currently manages AirTran Airways as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Southwest has several notable achievements. It is Americaââ¬â¢s biggest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and, with AirTran added, it has the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the globe, as it serves a total of 97 routes in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and six nearby countries (Southwest, 2013). Southwest, furthermore, has ââ¬Å"lower unit costs (adjusted for stage length), on average, than virtually all major domestic airlines and consistently has one of the best overall Customer Service recordsâ⬠(So uthwest, 2013). The company is also consistently one of the most admired companies that employees want to work for. Moreover, Southwest is doing financially well, despite the lasting effects of the 2008 financial crisis. In 2012, Southwest gave $422 million to shareholders through buying back $400 million of common stock (around 46 million shares) and providing $22 million in dividends (Southwest, 2013). Southwest promotes corporate social responsibility. It is committed to ââ¬Å"the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planetâ⬠(Southwest, 2013). Because of its successful organisational culture and continued profitability, Southwest is one of the most studied organisations in the airline industry. Organisational Culture: Some Definitions Organisational culture has diverse definitions because of
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Review of 1970s Art Through the Works of Valerie Jaudon Essay
Review of 1970s Art Through the Works of Valerie Jaudon - Essay Example This paper will examine the works of Valerie Jaudon from the 1970s and what his influence was on that particular time period. Avalon This first work which will be looked at is called Avalon. Avalon was created in 1976 with oil and aluminum on a canvas that is 76 inches by 108 inches. This works uses a pattern which has black shapes outlined in white. This simplification of colors brings about a balance to the works that leans towards darkness in the hue with bright spots illuminating the shapes in the pattern of angles, waves, circles, and rectangles. The waves make it look as though they continue throughout the landscape of the painting. The craftsmanship of this painting is well done, where you cannot see the aluminum on the paper but how it is used to hold the pigment of the oil onto the canvas. Also, the contrast between the colors allows us to see how the patterns used goes in and out of each other and how they overlap, as well. His economy is well done, just using the basic col ors and shapes with a focal point right in the middle of the painting where two diagonal shapes meet. The gestalt of the work is how the pattern gives it depth instead seeming to be just individual shapes and colors. The grid on this painting allows the artist to keep his shapes evenly spaced from one side to another. The implied lies are the ones that allow the Jaudon to show his shapes and patterns overall. Everything within the design of his painting Avalon are completely in portion form the radial balance going outward from the circles within the painting to the rhythm of the piece which gives a nice even flow from side to side. Furthermore, there are many shapes within the painting that are similar to one another but not identically the same on this very symmetrically balanced piece. There is probably some overall texture to this painting, it is an oil painting after all, but the visual texture reminds me of a very well planned wicker type design to the piece which brings a uni ty and harmony to the piece. Minter City A year later, she created a square piece on a 72 inch by 72 inch piece of canvas using oil and metallic pigment called Minter City. From first look at this painting with its burnt sienna hue, one can see that there is a definite radial balance within the symmetrical piece. The balance in this piece is easily seen as the design seems to hold a continuation of the same elements throughout the piece. Furthermore, the continuity of Minter City goes from the central focal point to the edges, but there is more continuity which comes from the four corners of the work and diagonally meets in the center of the piece. The exacting craftsmanship is shown in Jaudonââ¬â¢s piece as she shows us how meticulously laid out the abstract design. Furthermore, the gestalt of the piece shows an exacting unity amongst the flow of the rhythm and the basic economy of the design, which shows a minimalist approach to the overall value of the non-objective design. Mo und Bayou This painting by Valerie Jaudon is the same size as Minter City and created with the same basic materials. However, that is where the similarities end between the two pieces. Mound Bayou definitely has a focal point in the middle of the painting. But, this painting seems to have a couple of rather complex rhythms running through the piece. Not only is there a radially balanced rhythm to the piece but there is another rhythm with the underlying crisscrossing diagonal lines, along with the interlocking chain of circles which seem to go right through the middle of the piece. You can easily see the continuation created by the various shapes throughout the piece. And the contrast between the sharp edges of the diagonal lines and the soft lines of the rounded shapes gives
Monday, November 18, 2019
Employees should have an expectation of a right to privacy in the Research Proposal
Employees should have an expectation of a right to privacy in the workplace, e.g. electronic monitoring of computer usage, phone calls, video surveillance should be eliminated or restricted - Research Proposal Example According to Findlaw.com, the employment law entails all rights and commitments within the relationship between the employer and employee. This covers all aspects of the employees whether current employees former employees or job applicants. The law is emphatic on safety of the employee at the workplace in terms of privacy (ââ¬Å"Findlaw.comâ⬠). Many employers would argue that monitoring of their employees by camera surveillance, computer monitoring, restriction of phone calls and emails is one way of increasing productivity of a firm, but this is only relative. Too much monitoring and supervision may create a situation where fear is instilled among the employees that their performance is retarded. In addition, employees may not be able to think on their own and bring new ideas, as they would always feel that they are subject to being controlled by their employer (Weckert, 2005). According to Findlaw.com, all employees have essential rights at the workplace, which range from the right to privacy, fair treatment, and liberty from discrimination. Employers would argue that monitoring their employees is not a form of discrimination, but looked at from an ethical point of view it is. For instance, an employer who monitors the use of personal phones or emails by the employees denies them the right to communicate to people outside the workplace. A point to note is that some messages may need to be delivered urgently. If employees are not allowed, receive their calls or the calls are vetted by the employer, this denies the employees their fundamental right to freedom. The right to privacy at the workplace entails freedom of keeping oneââ¬â¢s own personal possessions, including bags and brief cases, and lockers which are accessible only by employees (Howard, 2006). Employees also deserve a right to be the only people who access their private emails. If the employer keeps on monitoring an employeeââ¬â¢s personal effects such as email, the employees may even
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Phuket Beach Analysis Essay Example for Free
Phuket Beach Analysis Essay Statement of the Problem Should the management of Phuket Beach Resort accept the offer made by PlanetKaraoke Pub to set up an outlet inside the hotel or should the managementoperate a pub, Beach Karaoke Pub, by itself? II. Case Background Mike Campbell, General Manager of Phuket Beach Hotel is considering an offermade by Planet Karaoke Pub, a fast expanding company, which is looking for avenue in Patong beach area for setting up another outlet. The Board of Directorsof the establishment had previously rejected several old offers because it offerslow return on investment. The space was located on the second floor of the main building and was verymuch under-utilised. Planat Karaoke Pub offered to sign a four-year leaseagreement with the hotel for rending part of the unused space. It proposed topay:a. a monthly rental fee of 170,000 baht for the first two years; andb. thereafter, a 5% increment for the next two years. Planet Karaoke Pub required only 70% of the unused space measuring 3,000 sq. feet. This would allow the hotel to keep the remaining space for the creation of analley two years later. Mike Campbell is contemplating on creating a pub operated by the managementof the hotel itself since such establishments attract a lot of customers andtourists. Mike Campbell sought the assistance of Kornkrit Manming, the hotelââ¬â¢s FinancialController to review the offer from Planet Karaoke Pub and estimating revenuesand costs associated with an alternative project, Beach Karaoke Pub. III. Objectives With the given two alternatives on hand, this case aims to:a. ome up with a concrete recommendation to the board of directorsof Phuket Beach Resort of which of the two alternatives will offer a higherreturn on investmentb. determine if operating a pub in the hotel, whether by a third party orby management, will be a good investment on the part of the hotel. c. compute for the relevant cashflows associated with each projects? The 25% fear factor is applied on the projected annual net room revenuerepresenting 50% of the pub revenue ââ¬â 50% from hotel guests. . Overhead expenses allocated to the Planet Karaoke Pub project amountingto 55,000 baht and 16% of sales representing salaries for the Beach KaraokePub project are considered irrelevant costs since these costs will not differbetween alternatives. Both are allocated costs. 5. The weighted average cost of capital is 10. 75% computed using 10%interest rate and 12% hotel ownersââ¬â¢ cost of equity on its capital structureconsisting of 25% debt and 75% equity respectively. The cost of equity isassumed to be after tax. 6. All payments and inflows assumed to have been made at the end of theyear. The two projects have unequal lives: Planet Karaoke Pub to run for 4 yearswhile Beach Karaoke Pub to run for 6 years. 8. It was envisaged that the proposed pub would not affect the hotelââ¬â¢s futureexpansion plans. 9. The existing system ranked projects according to their average return oninvestment and payback period, regardless to the time value of money. 10. Similar development proposals had been rejected by the board because itrequired a long payback period. Other proposals were also discarded due toits low return on investment.
Friday, November 15, 2019
Branding Strategies Of Asda Marketing Essay
Branding Strategies Of Asda Marketing Essay Branding is a most important tool for any product or company to gain a long term market share. The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of branding and its implications in the retail market. This will include the concepts and practices of branding that are adopted by different retailers in the UK as well as the new challenges faced by these retailers in UK market. This research will identify the benefits of branding for suppliers, customers and for the retailers. I will identify the strategic approach which retailers in the UK can adopt as a role model to survive in a highly competitive market and this will include the survey of UK food and grocery retail market. I will also investigate how the changes in the market from the early beginning have changed the position of grocery supermarket chains. I will describe the in-depth branding strategies of ASDA, various operations of ASDAs stores and its competition with world-wide and UK retailers. This study will also identify and investigate the competitive position of ASDA amount other key players in UK such as TESCO, Sainsbury and Morrison. INTRODUCTION What is branding? According to the Websters dictionary a brand is defined as a mean of identification and an arbitrarily adapted name that is given by manufacturer to a product to distinguish it and it may be used and protected as trade name.à [1]à A brand is defined as a name, term, design or symbol or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services that identifies and distinguishes a specific sellers product from a competitive product of another seller. It is also defined as a part of a product and services tangible features, the verbal indication that help customers to identify the products they want. It plays a vital role in assessment of a product or service and can add value to them. It is a word which is commonly referred to by advertisers and marketing people. Why it is important? People generally recognize a well-known brand even if they do not know about the company or its products/services. These are usually the name of businesses or the name of a product, although it can be the name of a feature or style of a product too. A good brand delivers the message clearly and motivates the buyers. There are few other terms which have been used to define branding such as brand name, brand mark, trade name or trade mark. Thus branding is very essential for companies and it is beneficial for buyers and customers. INDUSTRY BACKGROUND ASDA was formed in 1965 with a merger of two companies, Associated Dairies and the Asquith Brothers supermarket chain Queen. ASDA Stored Ltd was created a supermarket with its objectives to offer the customers permanently low prices. In 1999 ASDA was acquired by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and ASDA became part of the worlds biggest and best retailer. Since then, ASDA also became Britains second largest supermarket. ASDA has now over 300 stores across the UK and employ 150,000 staff and its friendly service is as inextricably linked to the ASDA brand as their reputation for quality and service.à [2]à According to a recent survey, as of 1st August 2010 ASDA has 376 locations with operating income of à £638 million and ranking as second largest supermarket chain in the UK. ASDA Group Ltd., operates as one of the largest food retailers in the United Kingdom. The companys stores sell a wide variety of merchandise including food and apparel, along with house wares, music, videos and books. The company once known as a diary conglomerate was acquired by Wal-Mart Inc. in 1999. Under its new parents guidance, ASDA has been adding pharmacies, opticians, jewelry and photo departments to its stores.à [3]à ASDAS BRANDING STRATEGY According to a survey in 2004 which shows the key figures of the UK retail market, states that UK retail sales reached approximately à £246 billion in 2004. This shows that retail industry, generally, continues to show positive signs of growth. The retail industry in any country is generally a very active, fast changing sector. Thus it comprises one of the main sectors in the economy of a country, in terms of transactions and turnover; as a result, it is a highly competitive and sophisticated industry. My research proposal is about the importance of branding in retail market particularly in the UK retail, food and grocery market. I will identify the branding strategy of ASDA and its market share in the UK retail sector. Currently ASDA is using one strategy which is: In September 2010 ASDA announced that it is going to re-launch its mid-tier private label range under the new Chosen by You brand name in a bid to improve perceptions of the quality of its food. This new rang is a part of a à £100m investment which includes 200,000 UK consumers taste testing and benchmarking the products.à [4]à And now ASDA has also decided to launch their new opticians business adopting similar logos and using slogans making indirect references to the chain. ASDA ran a campaign featuring the two slogans: Be a real spec saver at ASDA Spec savings at ASDAà [5]à These strategies are helping and will help ASDA to gain consumers satisfaction. Although ASDA is already getting continuous growth with the diversification and extension of its existing stores but the retail market has become more competitive and having less market share can affect the overall ranking and position of ASDA in the international market. Therefore I will analyse and evaluate the strategic position of ASDA in comparison to other UK retailers and in conclusion there will be future strategic options suggested which aimed to strengthen its position in the highly competitive market and to gain customers satisfaction and loyalty. While using the same brand name, ASDA is also offering financial services to its customers which include: Insurance Credit cards and loans Savings Motor breakdown cover Energy supplying According a recent report at BBC (27 May 2010) ASDA has also announced plans to buy Netto for à £778m. Netto has 193 stores in the UK which will continue to trade under the Netto name for the time being but will come under the ASDA brand by mid-2011.à [6]à ASDA is continuously promoting its brand strategy and has announced that its customers will benefit from low prices on a significantly broader range of quality products, complemented by the wide range of services ASDA offer at all their small stores (ASDA Chief Executive Andy Clarke). ASDA brand George was bought by ASDA in 1995, George was started in 1990 by George Davies and it was the first supermarket clothing brand. Thus George grew and become the largest clothing retailer by volume in the UK today. This brand is also traded internationally by Wal-Mart. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The core idea of this research to analyze the different strategies ASDA is using for its branding to compete with all the supermarkets within UK to capture a large portion of market share in retail and other relative industries. This research will also throw light on the factors to identify how these branding strategies affect customers behaviour and why they chose ASDA as compare to all other supermarkets in UK. Without an appropriate set of objectives, you can end up not only with a misguided strategy, but with an unrealistic set of goals. Increasing brand awareness for a product that already has a baseline awareness of 99 percent, for example, can be virtually impossible. If you set the wrong objectives, you set yourself up for failure (Graham 2001).à [7]à This research will emphasize the practices of ASDAs brand objectives how ASDA is using its branding to get customers loyalty and trust within the competitive market where its main rivals TESCO, Sainsbury, Morison, Marks Spenser are operating side by side as strong competitor. ASDAs brand objectives are that it is comprised of ASDAs personality, image, core competencies and characteristics. ASDAs basic framework of its brand is to pursue to put an impression on its customers that describe the company to other people. ASDA is following the strategy of its branding to build a strong credibility and have more influence on the market and to motivate customers to shop at ASDAs stores. ASDAs objectives are to be looked as a leader and not as a follower. I will explore and find out that how ASDA is defining its objectives with specific timelines and how it has been developing plans of action to achieve those objectives. RESEARCH QUESTIONS Why branding is important and what ASDA wants from its brand to do? What does ASDA wants others to know and say about its products? How ASDA can retain its top ranking position in the UK retail market? RESEARCH AIMS Identify different retail brands in UK Identify current branding strategy of ASDA Review market share of ASDA in UK retail market Analysis of competitors of ASDA Study of future practices of ASDA Recommend improved strategy for ASDA to retain its top ranking position in the UK retail market. LITERATURE REVIEW The central concern of brand building literature experienced a dramatic shift in the last decade. Branding and the role of brands, as traditionally understood, were subject to constant review and redefinition. A traditional definition of a brand was: the name, associated with one or more items in the product line, which is used to identify the source of character of the item(s) (Kotler 2000, p. 396). A literature review is very important and critical for the justification of the proposed research in order to find out different factors to identify the research area and to clarify questions of the chosen research topic (Saunders, 2007). Aaker and Joachmisthaler (2000) argued the traditional branding model where a brand management team was liable for creating and coordinating the brands management program. In these circumstances, the brand manager was not high in the companys hierarchy; his focus was the short-term financial results of single brands and single products in single markets. The basic objective was the coordination with the manufacturing and sales departments in order to solve any problem concerning sales and market share. With this strategy the responsibility of the brand was solely the concern of the marketing department (Davis 2002). In general, most companies thought that focusing on the latest and greatest advertising campaign meant focusing on the brand (Davis and Dunn 2002). The model itself was tactical and reactive rather than strategic and visionary (Aaker and Joachimsthaler 2000). The brand was always referred to as a series of tactics and never like strategy (Davis and Dunn 2002). Brand is defined as a name, term, symbol, design or any other feature or a combination of any of them. Branding is used to define, or is proposed to identify the goods or services of one seller and distinct it from those of other sellers. Branding helps to differentiate ones service from those of its competitors. It plays vital role in assessment of product and can add value to a product. It is therefore an intimate aspect of product strategy. Therefore In developing a marketing strategy for individual products, the seller has to tackle the issue of branding. According to Peter Doyle; Brands are at the very heart of marketing. When a company creates a strong brand it attracts customers preference and builds a defensive wall against competition. Marketers and sellers make different strategies for their products and most of these are associated with branding. These decisions include how to create brands, how to choose brand names, brand marks, trademarks and trade names. A brand may identify one item, a family of items or all items of that seller. Brand loyalty is an integral part of building a brand, as consumers usually have a choice of products in the same market segment, and so a successful company will use a way to keep consumers re-buying their product or coming back to their stores rather than going to their competitor. These brand loyalty-building efforts may come in the form of coupons and incentives such as many grocery chains use a technique of grocery discount cards or loss leaders, meant to draw consumers into the store, where they will hopefully buy products at discounted fare with a higher profit ratio (Kumar 2010).à [8]à SOURCES TO BE USED FOR DATA I will be using different scholars books written in different countries on branding, why it is important and work of researcher all over the world in this field. As branding is the most important factor of any business, organisation, product or service so there is a lot of information on the internet, journals and newspapers. Proper references from all the sources will be included in my work. I will also be conducting interviews from different Managers of ASDA, TESCO and Sainsbury including some customers in the stores to get much information regarding my subject and a practical experience which will help me writing a good conclusion to my proposed work. Data collection will consist of surveys, interviews and observation with ASDA Managers, employees and customers as well as journal logs from scholars. As suggested by Prof. Francis Knox I am planning to conduct multiple interviews with each participant in order to provide more in-depth data collection and opportunities for follow-up. I will utilize a qualitative evaluation for this research project leveraging subjective methods such as interviews and observations to collect substantive and relevant data. I hope that such a qualitative approach will be valuable here due to the varying experiences of the Managers and customers visiting ASDA. Recent research on subject matter will also be consulted to validate collected data. DATA ANALYSIS Data analysis is an important part of any topic as it gives an outline and understanding of the subject. In the same way I will analyse the collected data by comparing it with all the other competitors of ASDA to find out how ASDA is benefiting from its branding strategies and objectives. I believe that data analysis shows the different things discussed in topic and which one is most suitable and favourable according to the situation. Data can be collected from various sources and its analysis gives understanding and shape to the topic or field of interest. Collect necessary Data to answer questions Analyse Data Creating strategies to use results Reporting out on recommendations and conclusion RESEARCH METHODOLIGIES My research methodology requires gathering relevant data from the scholars books, online journals, newspapers and internet and to compile the databases in order to analyze the material and to arrive at a more complete understanding of the importance of branding of a company or a product. The following chart can best represent how research methodology work: Source: http://www.clientopinions.com/pages/11/Research-Methodology/ My dissertation would be based upon primary and secondary sets of information available on branding within supermarkets and my research work will be based upon both qualitative and quantitative data, for example exploring the work of researcher on branding importance for supermarkets and conducting interviews with relevant employees working as Managers and customers of ASDA supermarket. In this research I will also include the current trends of branding in different countries of the world and especially in the UK. Questionnaires carried out during my research will help me to get the facts how big chains of supermarkets and other organisations are using their brand image to get a large portion of their respective markets. On the basis of all the relevant information available branding evaluation and conclusion will be carried out. The evaluation and conclusion will also include how and why ASDA branding is better comparing to its competitors and how ASDA can better use their branding strategy all over the world. The research approach is also constructive (Jarvinen 1999, Olkkonen 1993). The positivistic approach would have required a quantitative analysis of the system (Takala Helo 2000) which would be very difficult to accomplish without disclosing some confidential business information.à [9]à This nature of research is a process of finding information; analyzing, interpreting information to deal with questions which must have certain characteristics like be controlled, systematic, rigorous, valid and critical. My research will ideally be focused on primary and secondary research on ASDA brand name and image, which will enable me to get adequate knowledge and with the help of this awareness I will work on my dissertation with no trouble. I will be able to investigate the advantages of branding and will find out what can be the problems using a brand name/images in a most competitive market for a company. During this research proposal I found out that there is plenty of information available in the journals, books and on the internet specifically for ASDA and I will use that information in the dissertation to make it more clear and acceptable. With the help of this provided information I would be able to present this in a theoretical form including data chart, comparison diagrams etc, which will help to understand my subject simply. As mentioned earlier that brand is a most important tool for any company, product or service. There are so many products in the market who do not have proper brand name or image and these products disappear from the shelves after sometime. So in my research work I will explore few of those products and will compare the quality and price to ASDAs similar products, as this experiment will discover the importance of branding. EXPECTED OUTCOMES I consider that after having a detail study on brand name/image and its importance in the retail market and research on branding strategy of ASDA and its implementation, it will be helpful for me to suggest how ASDA can improve itself amongst its competitors in the United Kingdom. As we all know that branding is perhaps the most important fact of any business, beyond product, distribution, pricing and location for any company and this build a tangible trust and loyalty amongst the customers. Brand loyalty is an essential part of building a brand name/image as customers usually have a choice of similar products in the same market segment so a successful company like ASDA will come up with a way to keep customers re-buying their products or coming back to their store again and again rather than going to its competitors. During my dissertation while conducting different interviews and surveys I will find out how ASDA is successfully implementing its branding strategy and how it can more effectively improve this with my field work on this specific topic. So I conclude this proposal with acknowledging that if brand name is used properly, ASDA can keep the large share of the market. ASDA brand name is Saving you money every day, so as far ASDA is fulfilling the requirement of its brand name, there is no doubt that this big chain of supermarket will continue enjoying a large portion of the market share in the United Kingdom. During my research proposal I have found out that ASDA has improved its operations and thus it become the second largest supermarket in the United Kingdom and this is only because it has its long term branding strategies which reviewed on regular basis and the market is compared on weekly basis on the prices and quality of the product being sold at the similar stores in the country. SCHEDULE (DAILY TIME TABLE) Dissertation Working Process Start Date Finish Date 1. Introduction and history 01-01-2011 02-01-2011 2. Finalising aims/objectives and questionnaire 04-01-2011 06-01-2011 3. Draft a complete version of Literature review 08-01-2011 11-01-2011 4. Finalise Literature review 13-01-2010 17-01-2011 5. Revisit the methodology Literature 20-01-2011 24-01-2011 6. Finalising the research approach 26-01-2011 30-01-2011 7. Finalising research strategy and method 01-02-2011 03-02-2011 8. Finalising questionnaire and interviews 05-02-2011 08-02-2011 9. Entering and analysing the data 10-02-2011 12-02-2011 10. Update Literature if necessary 14-02-2011 15-02-2011 11. Completing the remaining work 17-02-2011 18-02-2011 12. Revise the draft make amendments format for submission 20-02-2011 22-02-2011 13. Write Reflective Document / add at the end of dissertation 24-02-2011 26-02-2011 14. Submit Dissertation Possible Submission Date: 31-03-2011
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Influence of the Chinese Communist Party Over State-Controlled Media an
ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not what you say, itââ¬â¢s how you say itâ⬠(Luntz, cited in Scheufele and Tewksbury, 2007: 9). Introduction Agenda setting describes the ability of those in positions of power, such as the mass media and influential political leaders, to transfer salience to certain issues that they deem important, while pushing other issues that they deem less important to a lower priority and out of the public view. There is an abundance of literature on the agenda setting process, but it is mainly focused on agenda setting in the West. Therefore, this paper will look at agenda setting in China, which has a Communist government in power that likes to use the influence and control it has and likes to apply harsh censorship on the media and its content. ââ¬Å"The Chinese mass media have served effectively in agenda setting to conduct positive propaganda for Party ideologies and policies (Li, Qin, & Kluver, 2003)â⬠(Luo, 2012:1). It will look at whether the Chinese government is successful or not in using its control over the media to promote the issues it believes in. The purpose of this paper will b e to see the extent to which the Chinese government has control over the media. This will be done by using articles and blog posts from both government affiliated and independent sources that will help in providing unbiased results. The lack of literature looking at agenda setting outside the West makes this an interesting case to study as it can provide additional information about and the opportunity to explore agenda setting in a Chinese context. Agenda setting is an important topic in political communications and China is becoming a strong and powerful world player, therefore it is crucial to look at agenda setting in a Chinese context. Literat... ...6). [Accessed 18th November 2013]. Zhang, X., (2011), The Transformation of Political Communication in China - From Propoganda to Hegemony (World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd). Zhao, Y., (1998), Media, Market, and Democracy in China - Between the party line and the bottom line (Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press). Zhou, Y., & Moy, P., (2007) ââ¬ËParsing Framing Processes: The Interplay Between Online Public Opinion and Media Coverageââ¬â¢ Journal of Communications 57: 79-98. Appendix ââ¬Å"...we reiterate that the media must report the story in strict accordance with Xinhua News Agency wire copy; downplay the story; do not speculate on it; do not exaggerate it; do not put the story on the front page or website homepage; do not produce any other reports or commentary; do not use images...(October 30, 2013)â⬠(Henochowicz, China Digital Times, 2013).
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Dead Poets Society - The Message of the Dead Poets Essay -- Movie Film
Dead Poets Society - The Message of the Dead Poets à Teachers are wonderful heroes. In the movie, Dead Poets Society the teacher/hero is John Keating, played magnificently by Robin Williams. The film takes place at a small preparatory boys' school (Welton Academy) in the late 1950's. The story follows the lives of a group of students and the way that Mr. Keating's teachings influence them. He encourages the boys to become freethinkers and to live life for the moment. The message hallowed by Keating is one of mortality--do not waste your life, for you will get no other, and when you are "food for worms" will the world have been a better place because you were in it? This message is prevalent throughout the film. Keating brings to the abnormally strict classroom something that the timid boys have never seen, enthusiasm. On the first day of class, he tells his students to rip the boring and scientific-type preface from their books. The act in itself is one of defiance and is but one action that draws the boys to Keating. The friendly good nature of Keating leads ...
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Higher Education or Higher Priced Education? Essay
The Marriam-Webster online dictionary defines higher education as ââ¬Å"education beyond the secondary level; especially : education provided by a college or university. ââ¬Å" Itââ¬â¢s no secret to modern students that a higher education is necessary to advance in their professional life. There is always a cost to advancement and that cost can sometimes create a glass ceiling that is difficult for people in certain social strata to break through. The rising cost of higher education and its requirement for jobs creates a conflict for people in lower economic brackets. While the social value of higher education is difficult to argue against, the problems associated with affording higher education are very real social problems that must be considered. In Western society we have goals we are expected to achieve. At a very early age we begin preparing our children for school. There is no law demanding that children attend a specific school, nor that upon entering adult life they pursue higher education. Children can be home schooled or attend any school of their parentsââ¬â¢ choosing. However, having a degree of some kind gives one many advantages in America. One who possesses a degree has a better chance of finding a successful money-making career. This, of course, is a crucial step to meeting societyââ¬â¢s general standards, and living a life that resembles the ideal. The fact that extensive knowledge like that has become so highly respected reflects well on the values of our culture. Higher education has become the key to social and economic advancement. A well educated person can better process the information in front of them, and this is good for society in general. Those who possess higher-level educations are considered qualified for certain jobs and tasks that others lacking such would not be. Education levels that were once considered necessary only for advancement to the highest levels of society are now necessary for becoming gainfully employed in professions that used to require far fewer years of education. This creates a more savvy employee, but also forces people into classifications that may not reflect their true skills or abilities. Many human resources department demand minimum educational requirements, usually completion of a college degree, even to be considered for jobs that in many cases do not even utilize the skills gained during the education they are requiring. This creates a problem for people who canââ¬â¢t afford a higher education but could enter the skilled labor force on the basis of their skills alone: they are often restricted from becoming gainfully employed in professions they might otherwise be ideal for. As a response to this, many larger organizations have created higher education reimbursement programs where the organizations pay for the employee to become educated. Due to the cost, there are only so many people who can join these programs on any given year and the employee must prove to human resources that they are worth hiring without a degree in the first place. This may be a problematic situation for many people. The price we pay for education is steadily increasing, and it will continue to do so. Those coming from a low income families have less of an opportunity to get into college, particularly the colleges they may wish to attend. There is greater competition for placement at leading schools. With larger percentages of the student body seeking educations from leading institutions, fewer people are accepted into colleges that are their primary choices. Those who do get into the schools they wish to attend, then have to consider paying for their education. Scholarships are an option available to many, but it is very rare for a scholarship to pay for the studentââ¬â¢s entire educational career, or even the bulk of it. As a result, many students take out loans to become educated. The vast majority of the members of my generation that choose to attend college and gain a higher education will ultimately enter the workforce in considerable debt. This is done in the hopes that they will find a job immediately out of college in their chosen career, and they expect to be able to begin paying off their debt immediately. For many this does not happen and the debt generated becomes a considerable burden on them. For families haunted by poor economic conditions, financing a higher education using student loans is a gamble. When investing in something so important to shape my future career I want something I know will work, but not every one with a degree is guaranteed a good steady career. Devoting myself to such a considerable expense like that involves risks. While itââ¬â¢s true that risk is necessary to get ahead in life, this risk has caused problems for people and it may leave you feeling cheated out of your money if you canââ¬â¢t get a good job in the field of your choice. The quality of education is also a consideration for someone entering college. If you wind up getting a bad teacher, it may cause bitterness if the experience had a negative effect on your education. We all have had our share of bad teachers, but for some this causes more strife than others.. One time I had a teacher who didnââ¬â¢t teach but gave out materials and work assignments demanding improvement without consideration to student understanding, so if we did well or improved then good, if not too bad its our own fault. The increased need for more educators as a result of increased student population may be causing colleges and universities to hire teachers who may not be the quality of educator that they would otherwise higher. So while the cost of education is increasing, the quality of education is regarded by many to be decreasing. While higher education is far from perfect, it is still necessary for people to advance, both from a career and a personal perspective. The cost of higher education may prohibit people in lower social classes from partaking in career paths they may otherwise have enjoyed. The quality of education relative to the cost is also considered to be a modern problem. Those who get beyond these issues will still gain considerable debt as a result of their educational career. Even given these problems, the value of getting a higher education is still unquestionable.
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Harriet Tubmanââ¬â¢s Great Achievements Essay
Harriet Tubman was a hero that completed many brave and selfless acts. She was born in Maryland in 1822 and by the age of 5, she was already working. She got married in 1844, to a free black man, but she was still a slave. Finally, in 1849, her master died and she decided to escape. That is when her great achievements began. Her first great achievement was operating the Underground Railroad. Her journeys to grant other slaves were hundreds of miles long. She traveled from Maryland all the way up to St. Catherines, Canada on foot. She took them all the way to Canada to get them away from the danger of the Fugitive Slave Act which was an act that made Northerners turn in runaway slaves. Harriet was 28 when she made her first rescue and 38 when she made her last. All of the 23 fugitives were collected in Dorchester County, Maryland. To avoid capture, Harriet took trips at night in December, took slaves on Saturday nights (Sunday was a free day and they wouldnââ¬â¢t be needed until Monday), and never met the fugitives at plantations. This was a great achievement because doing this was very long and had many dangers that were all avoided by Harriet even thought she had up to 11 people with her. The next great achievement of Harriet was when she was a spy and rescued 800 slaves in one night. One year after the start of the Civil War, Harriet Tubman was asked by the government of Massachusetts to join the Union troops in South Carolina. She there lead a team of eight black spies to operate behind the enemy lines and provide information for a Union raid to free slaves. The Combahee River raid took place on June 2, 1863. This was a great achievement for ââ¬Å"Mosesâ⬠,(Harrietââ¬â¢s nickname, given to her because she was leading slaves to freedom), because she helped 800 slaves in one night. Harrietââ¬â¢s next achievement was becoming a nurse for the Massachusetts 54thà Volunteers , an all black group of solders. These solders attacked Fort Wagner in Charleston Harbor and Harriet was there to care for the wounded. While working, Harriet never got paid by the army so she had to sell baked goods and root beer to the solders. Even thought Harriet worked so hard, her actions were never recognized by the army. She never received pension and only took her rations 20 times. This was a great achievement. Finally, Harrietââ¬â¢s last great achievement was taking care of poor and sick people. Harriet took the 48 years from the end of the Civil War to her death to taking care of poor and sick people in her home. She typically had six to eight people that she was caring for. In a quote from her, she states that she took care of the old, paralyzed, blind, and people with other sicknesses. These achievements were all great, but I feel that Harriet Tubmanââ¬â¢s greatest achievement was when she was a spy for the Union and helped free 800 slaves. Compared to the other achievements, I think this one is definitely more heroic and deserving of more praise. Harriet Tubman was an amazing hero that will never be forgotten because of her compassion and bravery.
Management of technology Essay
Explain the term ââ¬Å"Technofact. â⬠How can it be used to define Technology, and Management of Technology? Explain the value and advantage of the term Technofact, compared to other definitions and common agreement about technology. Explain the weaknesses, missing elements, and contradictions in this term. Technofact is a reproducible object created by humans. By reproducible I refer to any product (tangible or virtual) of which the intention of its human creator was to make more of exactly the same, using the same methodology. Once weââ¬â¢ve defined technofact, we are able to focus the term technology around this entity, and to define it as the capability of creating technofacts (or the human capability of creating reproducible objects). Technology is not the technical object itself but rather the capability of creating it over on over again. Other fields of science concentrate on understanding and gathering knowledge around the entity that is in the center of the science in question while the technology ââ¬Å"scienceâ⬠is a capability, which is more than merely an understanding. On top of the knowledge gathered, the term encapsulates the creation itself, the know-how. The different aspects of the means to establish that capability ought to be coordinated and managed, thus, management of technology can only be defined if we separate the term technology from the objects, the technofacts, as one can not manage objects. Most of the traditional definitions of the term technology are either inaccurate or too broad. Inaccurate when the definition refer to objects (tools, products) as the technology itself. Too broad when the definition refer to any human activity (van Wyk), which might include forms of art that can not be considered as a technology. Another broad approach can be found in definitions that consider any nature manipulation as a technology (is navigation by stars a technology? ). There are three cases in which I find difficulty with the term technofact as the central entity that technology deals with: 1. When the product has an inherited random element: Consider a computer program that creates random melodies (or drawings) pleasant to the human ear (or eye), based on some mathematical rules. The program itself is obviously a virtual technofact, but are the new melodies or drawings created by it can also be considered technofacts? Obviously, they are being created over and over again using the same technology, but each time the program produces something different. 2. When the product is a natural object or resource: For example in agriculture. Carrots cannot be considered technofacts, but there is obviously a technology to grow carrots. The tools which are used in the process (a plow or a combine) are technofacts, which farmers use to produce the crop itself, but they are not the reproducible product the technology deals with. Another examples can be mining technologies. The end product is the extracted material, which can not be considered a technofact. 3. When the product is an action: For example, the capability to lift heavy weights. A crane is a technofact, but it is not the reproducible object this specific technology enable to reproduce. The reproducible object in this case is not an object but rather an action. What is a ââ¬Å"Technology-Based Organizationâ⬠? Give an example for a TBO and non-TBO. Can a company be a TBO for a limited time? Explain and give an example. A technology based organization is an organization that uses technology to create economic value or to create a competitive business advantage over other competing organizations. The organization can be continuously pursuing technological improvements, manufacturing technofacts or both. This kind of an organization will be perpetually considered a TBO. On the other hand a non-TBO organization can become one for a limited time, if it incorporates a new technology to improve its processes, thus creating an advantage over its competitors. During the process of assimilating the technology and the time that takes other players to use the same technology, a non-TBO organization can be considered a TBO, as it creates economic value using technology. Consider an imaginary traditional dairy that used to produce milk in the old milking fashion, using the farmerââ¬â¢s hands and a big nice bucket. At some point the farmer decided to acquire a milking machine from his engineer friend that had recently established a milking equipment factory using his own inventions. The farmer installed the machine in his farm and taught his kid how to use it, so he can peacefully retire. During the next couple of years, the farmerââ¬â¢s kid gained an advantage over his neighbor farmers, bought more cows, made a small fortune and established a new dairy company (which he called after his dad). Few years later, after all the other farmers had done the same, the farmerââ¬â¢s kid decided to install digital thermometers in the dairy (acquired from the very same milking equipment factory), and became the leading milk provider to the entire region, with the reputation of having the freshest milk around. Again, achieving an economic advantage using new technology. This dairy had become a TBO for short periods of time during its existence, while the milking equipment factory that had invented and manufactured the machinery was a TBO throughout the years. Explain the term ââ¬Å"White Spacesâ⬠in the context of technological innovation. How could this term be used in an organization to help planning and decision making about innovation? White spaces are the two optional gaps between technologies and applications. The first gap exists when there is a need in the market but no solution to match it. The second gap takes place when there is a technology out there that has the capability to produce a technofact that no one knows what to do with. A technofact that did not yet find the ââ¬Å"ultimate productâ⬠it enables (where thereââ¬â¢s a way but there is no ââ¬Å"willâ⬠). Innovative organization can either fill up the first gap by pursuing new technologies to match the unanswered market needs, or they can focus their efforts around understanding the potential of existing technologies and to use them to develop new groundbreaking applications. Outlines the dangers and risks associated with rapid technological development to society and individuals. Are you pessimistic or optimistic about it? What can and should we do as a society and as individuals to benefit from technology and avoid the risks. The dangers and risks that rapid emerging technologies incorporate can come in many ways, shapes and forms according to the technology domain. From the lose of privacy through health jeopardizing, moral issues and mass destruction weapons, they all have one thing in common ââ¬â the rate of the technology adoption and development has become faster than the rate of the ability to comprehensively understanding its implications. Successful technologies are spreading swiftly, acquiring life of their own and ââ¬Å"forcingâ⬠people to use them in order to survive in the modern society. Even if a certain individual decides to rebel and not to use a specific technology directly, it still might change the environment this person lives in, to affect and endanger im just the same (e. g. cellular phones). The lose of freedom inflicted by some technologies is a big price of its own that society and individuals have to pay. History tells us that panic from new technologies had always existed, and we are probably experiencing the same unjustified fear of the unknown that the car inflicted on society a hundred years ago. But the problem with history is that it can only explain the past, while the present is unlike anything humanity imagined before. I donââ¬â¢t believe that governmental regulations aiming to restrain technology can work in the long run, but in order to control at least some of the risks, governments should cooperate globally on some issues to regulate technologies similar to the way new medicines and drugs are treated. As individuals, we must take responsibility for our health and moral values, to deal with it at all times among ourselves, to be aware of the risks we are taking and not to become blind addicts for anything new. Still, Iââ¬â¢m pessimistic as for the capability of mankind to do that and overcome its basic selfish nature.
Friday, November 8, 2019
The analysis of Woodward in THE STRANGE CAREER OF JIM CROW 1955 essays
The analysis of Woodward in THE STRANGE CAREER OF JIM CROW 1955 essays The paper will analyze C. Vann Woodward's "The Strange Career of Jim Crow" (1955). "Woodward begin his series of lectures by nothing that, although an early form of Jim Crow-type legislation could be found in the cities of the antebellum North ("One of the strangest things about the career of Jim Crow was that the system was born in the North and reached an advanced age before moving South in force"), race relations in the nineteenth-century South were more often than not characterized by intermingling and close contact. (17) "In most aspects of slavery as practiced in the antebellum south," he notes, "segregation would have been an inconvenience and an obstruction to the functioning of the system. The very nature of the institution made separation of the races for the most part impracticable." (12) Similarly, while some elements of Jim Crow showed up during Reconstruction (such as the separation of churches and segregation of public schools), "race relations during Reconstruction could not be said to have crystallized or stabilized nor to have become what they later became. There were too many cross currents and contradictions, revolutionary innovations and violent reactions...for a time old and new rubbed shoulders and so did black and white in a manner that differed significantly from Jim Crow of the future or slavery of the past." (25, 26) In fact, Woodward, argues, even Redemption didn't herald the onset of Jim Crow. While "it would certainly be preposterous to leave the impression that any evidence I have submitted indicates a golden age of race relations in the period between Redemption and complete segregation," Woodward argues, "the era of stiff conformity and fanatical rigidity that was to come had not yet closed in and shut off all contact between the races, driven the Negro...
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Spelling Tips Our 10 ââ¬ÅMost Wantedââ¬Â Homophones
Spelling Tips Our 10 ââ¬Å"Most Wantedâ⬠Homophones Spelling Tips: Our 10 ââ¬Å"Most Wantedâ⬠Homophones Homophones- i.e., words that sound the same but differ in spelling and meaning- can cause a lot of confusion when youââ¬â¢re not sure which term to use in your written work. Some mix-ups are definitely more common than others, though, so hereââ¬â¢s our list of ten prominent ââ¬Å"reoffenders.â⬠Keep an eye out for them when youââ¬â¢re next writing something! 10. Than/Then Only one letter separates these terms, but each one has a distinct meaning. ââ¬Å"Thenâ⬠is used when referring to time: Call me at eight. Iââ¬â¢ll be ready by then. Or when discussing consequences: If you struggle with spelling, then you might want to hire a proofreader! ââ¬Å"Than,â⬠meanwhile, is used primarily for making comparisons: Iââ¬â¢m better at grammar than spelling. 9. Hear/Here ââ¬Å"Hearâ⬠and ââ¬Å"hereâ⬠are very different words: while ââ¬Å"hearâ⬠means ââ¬Å"sense a soundâ⬠or ââ¬Å"listen,â⬠ââ¬Å"hereâ⬠means ââ¬Å"in this place.â⬠Keep in mind that ââ¬Å"hearâ⬠contains ââ¬Å"ear,â⬠which is what you listen with! 8. Affect/Effect These are very easy to confuse, since both refer to change. The important distinction is that ââ¬Å"affectâ⬠is a verb (i.e., the act of changing something), but ââ¬Å"effectâ⬠is usually a noun (i.e., the result). 7. Where/Were/Weââ¬â¢re Although they look similar on the page, you wonââ¬â¢t want to confuse these terms in your work. ââ¬Å"Whereâ⬠refers to locations, ââ¬Å"wereâ⬠is the past tense of ââ¬Å"are,â⬠and ââ¬Å"weââ¬â¢reâ⬠is short for ââ¬Å"we are.â⬠6. Our/Are Mixing these up is common if English isnââ¬â¢t your first language, as they sound similar despite having very different meanings: ââ¬Å"ourâ⬠is a possessive pronoun meaning ââ¬Å"belonging to us,â⬠but ââ¬Å"areâ⬠is a present tense form of the verb ââ¬Å"to be.â⬠5. Now/Know In this case, the words look similar but are pronounced differently, as well as being importantly distinct in their use. ââ¬Å"Nowâ⬠means ââ¬Å"at this time,â⬠while ââ¬Å"knowâ⬠is a verb meaning ââ¬Å"understand.â⬠4. There/Their/Theyââ¬â¢re Like ââ¬Å"where,â⬠ââ¬Å"wereâ⬠and ââ¬Å"weââ¬â¢re,â⬠these homophones are commonly confused due to being similarly spelled. To ensure clarity, remember that ââ¬Å"thereâ⬠means ââ¬Å"in that place,â⬠ââ¬Å"theirâ⬠means ââ¬Å"belonging to them,â⬠and ââ¬Å"theyââ¬â¢reâ⬠is an abbreviation of ââ¬Å"they are.â⬠3. Itââ¬â¢s/Its Although apostrophes are often used to indicate possession, the possessive pronoun ââ¬Å"itsâ⬠doesnââ¬â¢t need one. If youââ¬â¢re forming a contraction of ââ¬Å"it isâ⬠or ââ¬Å"it hasâ⬠(i.e., ââ¬Å"itââ¬â¢sâ⬠), however, you should use an apostrophe to show that letters have been omitted. 2. Too/To Another common error is mixing up ââ¬Å"tooâ⬠(an adverb meaning ââ¬Å"alsoâ⬠or ââ¬Å"excessivelyâ⬠) and ââ¬Å"toâ⬠(a preposition that often indicates direction or duration, as well as being used in combination with infinitive verbs). Even if you know the difference between these homophones, keep in mind that itââ¬â¢s easy to make a typo! 1. Your/Youââ¬â¢re At the top of our list of ââ¬Å"most wantedâ⬠homophones are ââ¬Å"yourâ⬠and ââ¬Å"youââ¬â¢re,â⬠simply because theyââ¬â¢re so commonly mistaken in day-to-day writing (just check social media if you donââ¬â¢t believe us). Remember, though, that ââ¬Å"yourâ⬠is a possessive pronoun that means ââ¬Å"belonging to youâ⬠(e.g., ââ¬Å"Your spelling is outstanding!â⬠), while ââ¬Å"youââ¬â¢reâ⬠is a contraction of ââ¬Å"you areâ⬠(e.g., ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re a great speller!). Believed to be armed and dangerous. Report to your local proofreader immediately.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Informative Essay Sample about Procrastination
Informative Essay Sample about Procrastination An informative essay is a well-known type of a paper that is used to evaluate the knowledge of students in schools and colleges, and its main task is giving the reader detailed information about the unknown subject. The informative essay should not have many unknown terms, and if they are used, their simple explanation should be given. The structure of the essay is standard the introduction, the main body, and the conclusion, where the main body should express the general history of the concept, historical event, person, or object, approaches to its study, and the importance of the described object. The topic of an informative essay sample should not cover too broad concepts, or, conversely, too narrow field of knowledge, and must be interesting for both the author and the reader. Before starting to work, the writer has to find reliable sources of information, properly study them and emphasize the main points that should be mentioned in the essay. This type of paper involves the pre sentation of the main facts of the topic without additional analysis and personal conclusions ââ¬â only information for the reader. To clearly understand the structure and writing features of the essay, one could consider the informative essay example given below. ââ¬ËThe Procrastinationââ¬â¢ Essay Sample The habit of postponing important cases to the last moment often becomes a huge problem for people since it affects the quality of work, financial situation, and personal life. One can hear the common myth that the prevalence of the Internet, TV, and electronic devices exacerbates this problem even more than decades ago. Moreover, it is known that people under pressure work better and faster, that makes procrastination a good thing, but numerous studies show the other side of this habit, and scientists include it in the list of mental diseases. In this regard, one should mention that the main reason why people postpone everything until the last moment is not hindering factors, laziness, or inability to manage time but psycho-emotional problems of a person. In simple words, procrastination is a phenomenon of people choosing quick and less critical tasks to perform instead of significant ones that take a longer time to complete because they want to get results faster and self-assert them. In other words, a person is not just lazy or does not want to do the necessary task. Instead, he/she is subconsciously afraid to proceed to the work realization because of its importance or scale. Moreover, scientists noted that in any country and at any time there are 20% of people who are marked as chronic procrastinators or procs. The main problem of procs is that they cannot emotionally overstep themselves if they are faced with a difficult task and postpone it until the deadline or even after it. Procrastination is a phenomenon that is mistakenly attributed to the problems of modernity, but its existence was noted centuries ago, in the times of ancient Greece. One of the evidence of this statement is the words that were written at 800 BC by the Gre ek poet Hesiod, who said: ââ¬Å"Put your work off till tomorrow and the day after.â⬠Similar trends can be noted in various books and films of the past, and that is why blaming modern technologies for the intensification of procrastination is incorrect. At the same time, the scientists note three main traits that are inherent for chronic procrastinators, for instance, they usually suffer from their inaction, postpone difficult tasks because of their emotions, and do not learn from past mistakes. The first feature is expressed in the fact that postponing important tasks, the procrastinators are aware of the consequences of their actions and feel fear, anxiety, or torment of conscience but still do not proceed to the task. The second trait is expressed in the fact that people feel insecure in their desire to complete a task and explain this by a bad mood. Therefore, they postpone it in the hope that when the mood improves, they are able to return to the task. Consequently, the rapidly approaching deadline makes the person more stressed and reduces the ability to resist emotions that lead to the worse mood and another postponement. The third feature is that despite the experience gained in past cases of procrastination, people do not l earn to avoid unpleasant consequences but only feel more stress caused by understanding future complications. Thus, these manifestations are, at the same time, causes and consequences of procrastination and are associated primarily with the emotional problems of the person. While for ordinary people procrastination remains a reason for jokes, scientists have approached this issue with all responsibility having conducted diverse researches on the topic. One of the most effective methods was empirical tests on groups of volunteers, which clearly showed manifestations of procrastination associated with various external factors. The good example of the study was published in Psychological Science when one group of students was told that at the end of the lesson they have to write unimportant and fun math test, and another group thought that the result of this test would seriously influence their further education. The time before the test could be used for preparation or entertainment. As a result, the second group of chronic procrastinators deferred studying knowing that the test results are significant. The experiment clearly showed that procrastination is associated with the control of emotions and not time. Another method that scientists tried to apply to research this issue is neuropsychology. Since some parts of the frontal lobe of the brain are responsible for human self-control, the study of the connection between procrastination and reactions in this part of the brain is expected to conduct. Nevertheless, the outcomes of the study were unexpected since chronic procrastinators had powerful connections with all the parts that are responsible for the different manifestation of self-control. These results most likely connect with the fact that the people themselves explained their feelings, so they were aware of their behavior. However, the research has led to the development of the methods that procrastinators can effectively use to solve their problem. First of all, it is worth noting once again that the influence can and should be exerted primarily by controlling emotions, but not thorough concentration on time-management skills. It is useful to observe oneââ¬â¢s personal reaction to procrastination and analyze one to overcome the problem. For someone, it is a problem of self-control, for another person, it is the importance of the task or its complexity. In the first case, it may be useful to limit all distractions, such as calls, TV, or the Internet, but without the proper attitude for overcoming procrastination, this method does not give a positive result. Another effective way is dividing a massive task into several small ones with the establishment of personal deadlines for their implementation or a rewarding for early delivery of work instead of punishment after the deadline. In addition, dealing with procrastination may require seeing a therapist who will help to overcome the emotional barrier and realize the importance of completing tasks on time for the person due to his or her specific problems. Therefore, it can be noted that the study of procrastination on the part of science has led to the realization that this phenomenon can be a serious problem that threatens the mental and physical health of a person. In spite of this, not every postponing is a manifestation of procrastination, as well as not every person is a chronic procrastinator, but almost every person experiences this phenomenon at least once in the lifetime. In addition, the researches made it possible to understand the origins of this problem and, consequently, the ways of its resolving. Procrastination is primarily a problem of a personââ¬â¢s perception and the ability to overcome oneââ¬â¢s emotional barriers, while the correct approach to solving this problem and therapy if needed could give fast positive results. Post-writing Tips This example of an informative essay includes the main parts that are necessary for writing academic work that includes an introduction with a clearly formulated thesis, the main body with precise explanations and statistical data, and a conclusion that summarizes all the information proposed in the essay. The informative essay sample presented above does not contain generalizations or personal interpretations of the author but only solid facts that explain the essence of the chosen topic to the reader. The conclusion of the essay does not contain new information or a personal response of the author but briefly summarizes the main ideas. In order to create an informative essay, remember that the vocabulary should include simple definitions and emotionally neutral terms. At the same time, one can make an exception and use direct quotations, so that the reader can easily get acquainted with the presented information. Writing an informative essay does not require analysis or synthesis of the obtained data since the main task of the author is to explain the main issues of the chosen topic briefly and clearly, revealing its essence to an uninformed reader. We hope that the tips and example of the essay are useful and will facilitate the task of writing this type of academic work. References Jaffe, Eric. ââ¬Å"Why Wait? The Science Behind Procrastination.â⬠Association for Psychological Science, 2013, https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/why-wait-the-science-behind-procrastination Council, Forbes Coaches. ââ¬Å"10 Ways To Beat Procrastination And Get Things Done.â⬠Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 22 Mar. 2018, https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/03/22/10-ways-to-beat-procrastination-and-get-things-done/#2d6307f02902 Murphy, Heather. ââ¬Å"What We Finally Got Around to Learning at the Procrastination Research Conference.â⬠The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 July 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/science/procrastination-research-conference.html Herrera, Tim. ââ¬Å"Why Your Brain Tricks You Into Doing Less Important Tasks.â⬠The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 July 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/smarter-living/eisenhower-box-productivity-tips.html
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