Essay on Huckleberry Finn A Journey Through Logic and...

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written over the course of seven years by the acclaimed author Mark Twain. It depicts the young boy the writer had forever aspired to be. After faking his death, Huck Finn is taken along the Mississippi River to unknowingly embark on his moral journey. He encounters many convincing characters in his travels, and with these exotic people, comes exotic behavior. In his adventure, Huck is exposed to influences of multiple sides of human nature, and so must choose whether logical decisions or morality is to be followed. The first influence on Huck to be discussed is that of the darker, corrupt, and greedy side of society. This unfortunate commodity is all around him as the teenager ventures into†¦show more content†¦I tried to, but the words wouldnt come. I tried for a second or two to brace up and out with it, but I warnt man enough—hadnt the spunk of a rabbit. I see I was weakening; so I just give up trying, and up and says: Hes white† (90). He has this cunning talent, just as the king and the duke do, and so takes advantage of it numerous times throughout the novel, although not in the same context as these corrupt figures of society do. Huck employs this ability for the sake of helping others as well as himself. He lies about his past and intentions to prevent complications for those he cares about, while the untrustworthy characters deceive others for no reason but profitable opportunities. This quote further displays what is going through Hucks mind as he attempts to decide right from wrong. When asked if the man on board was white or black, Huck was planning on telling the truth, with the argument that the ethical decision would be to return Jim to his rightful owner, but an encouragement inside him pushed to keep the truth away from the slave hunters. He was under the impression that this urge was the lack of masculinity, the fact that he did not have the manpower in himself to allow Jim to leave him alone. However, this feeling was the integrity forcing him to realize that the moral decision would be, ironically to lie. The influence of the king and duke do show Huck an opportunity of an easyShow MoreRelatedHuck Finns Morality and Perception in Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn954 Words   |  4 PagesMohandas Gandhi once said, â€Å"Morality is rooted in the purity of our hearts.† However, it may not hold true in Twain’s novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In the novel, the protagonist Huck Finn’s morality and perception of others is shaped by the society he lives in, demonstrating that an individual’s morality or the epistemological sense of right and wrong can be largely influenced by society and the living environment. Yet despite strong traditions of the 19th century south, Huck is able toRead MoreThe Cultural Values Of This Southern Antebellum Time2321 Words   |  10 Pageslighthearted experiences. To the c ontrary, this novel delves deeper into Huck’s moral development, morality, race, slavery and Southern society. Through the title, Twain outwits his audience into examining weighty issues through the eyes of a naà ¯ve thirteen-year-old boy. 2. This classic novel is set in St. Petersburg, Missouri, which lies on the banks of the Mississippi River. Huck s adventures whisk him through the islands, rivers and streams of the South. Missouri, circa twenty years before the CivilRead MoreEssay on Huck Matures in Huckleberry Finn1685 Words   |  7 PagesIn the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn a young adolescents journeys and struggles are portrayed and questioned with Hucks maturation. Throughout the book, Mark Twain examines societal standards and the influence of adults that one experiences during childhood. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn have been condemned since its publication, usually focusing, especially in modern times, on its use of the word nigger. While this could be a valid argument had the author portrayed Jim negatively

Analysis Of Picture Of Dorian Gray - 804 Words

Jesus Gonzalez Art Appreciation 103 12/11/2016 Research Writing Assignment Ivan Albright Picture of Dorian Gray 1943/44 Oil on canvas 215.9 x 106.7 cm (85 x 42 in.) The painting is a self-portrait of the fictional character Dorian gray. The painting was used in the film where the character had asked a portrait of him as a handsome man. Dorian gray trades in his soul for him to remain forever young and handsome. Gray lives a life where he does things that are morally corrupt. Gray continues not to age but the painting starts to change showing grays moral corruption. In the center of the piece you are drawn to the figure of Dorian gray. The figure shows aging and marks of damage in his face. The main figure is wearing a wardrobe that shows his class and wealth. The clothes however also have tear and fading colors that show aging effect in contrast to Gray. In the background a mixture of fading colors is seen. The red rug at the bottom is shown ruffled and not perfectly set in the ground. At the bottom of the painting and below the rug there is a hand that is shown reaching out. The hand is placed to say that there are bodies swept under the rug th at show his corruption and sins. One of the most interesting background pieces is the statue of the cat. During the Renaissance dogs were used to mean loyalty. The cat in the background is used to mean the opposite of that and speak of grays values. Another contrast compared to the Renaissance is that the cat is a statue and not aShow MoreRelatedThe Picture Of Dorian Gray Analysis1892 Words   |  8 Pagesnovel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, with a reflection on Art, the Artist, and the utility of both. After watchful investigation, he finishes up: All art is quite useless. In other words, genuine Art takes no part in embellishing the social or moral constructs of the society, nor should it. Art ought to be lovely and give pleasure to its spectator. The masterpiece of an artist is very absurd and abstract no matter how clear it appears to the eyes. In the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde triesRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray Character Analysis830 Words   |  4 Pagesthe way the characters themselves interact with both their own thoughts and the world around them. In the works chosen, the appearances of the characters to be analyzed fall on opposite ends of the spectrum of aestheticism. Dorian Gray, from Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray possesses an â€Å"...extraordinary personal beauty (Wilde 1),† one that controls other character’s reception of him, as well as affecting his own inner thoughts, for he knows that he seen as beautiful. On the opposite side ofRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray Analysis1282 Words   |  6 PagesTo create a moral balance in the brain, one must have a good amount of self-regulation with the occasional act of self-indulgence. However, in â€Å"The Picture of Dorian Gray† by Oscar Wilde, both Dorian’s desires and virtues are out of balance and in conflict with themselves. Dorian’s obsession with maintaining his youth and beauty prevents him from seeing right from wrong, especially when it comes to his own morality. By committing illegal acts, having evil intentions while influencing both loversRead MoreAnalysis Of The Picture Of Dorian Gray1301 Words   |  6 PagesIrony in The Picture of Dorian Gray More often than not, it is hard to face the consciousness of the inevitable. Everyone feels the distress of realizing that time is fleeting and they will soon grow old and wrinkly, no longer their youthful self. The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, illustrates this human condition specifically through the main character Dorian Gray. Mr. Gray captures the artistic imagination of artist Basil Howard, who constantly paints portraits of Dorian. Basil usuallyRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray Analysis1087 Words   |  5 Pagesmore opposing forces, is continually plagued by them and eventually gives in to one or the other. In Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, the main character Dorian faces two conflicting forces in the symbolic form of two of his dearest friends, which ties in with the stories most prevalent theme of good vs. evil. At the very beginning of the novel, readers meet Dorian as a very young man who has been untouched by any kind of evil or wrongdoing. He is completely innocent and ignorant to allRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray Analysis1257 Words   |  6 PagesIn the Victorian prose, The Portrait of Dorian Gray explores the idea of duality. The divided self within the character of Dorian Gray begins with his misunderstanding of his self-image, because of the influence of a portrait. Dorian’s fate and transformation connect to the painting, which leads to his downfall. The painting contains Dorians moral decline as changes to the picture affects his life. Through the portrait, he gains an image of himself as an independent individual compared to his previousRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray Analysis1623 Words   |  7 Pages Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray shows us the triumph of a corrupting influence over a virtuous one. In the novel, Lord Henry’s influence over Dorian overpowers Basil’s and leads to Dorian’s eventual demise. In analyzing Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, the theme of good versus evil reflects off of Lord Henry’s and Basil’s interactions with Dorian and Dorian’s internal struggles, thus exemplifying that a person with weak virtues will falter in the face of hedonistic temptationRead MoreEssay on Analysis of the Women in The Picture of Dorian Gray1149 Words   |  5 PagesAnalysis of the Women in The Picture of Dorian Gray   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sibyl falls head over heels in love with Dorian Gray, willing to commit her life to him after only two weeks. Lady Henry hardly knows her husband, to whom she has been married for some time. Because neither woman is in a stable and comfortable situation, both eventually take drastic measures to move on. Therefore, in The Picture of Dorian Gray, both Sibyl Vane and Lady Henry are weak, flighty, and naive.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The weakness ofRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray Aestheticism Analysis935 Words   |  4 Pagesof aestheticism, a nineteenth-century arts movement that had a significant impact on the writings of Oscar Wilde; in particular, his enrapturing novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is an insightful narration that expresses many of the central elements of this aesthetic philosophy. Centered on the life of an attractive young man named Dorian Gray, the novel details how through the influence of others, he becomes morally depraved, and sells his soul in exchange for eternal youth. The main instigatorRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray Aestheticism Analysis1585 Words   |  7 Pagesmaking a useful thing as long as he does not admire it. The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely. All art is quite useless.† This is a stark claim made by Oscar Wilde in the preface to his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (3). Along with the rest o f Wilde’s preface, this sentence rebukes literary realism in favor of aestheticism. This is unsurprising to anyone who is familiar with the playwright’s other plays and lectures; Wilde was an avid opponent of realism

Womens And Childrens Health Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Women's And Children's Health. Answer: The following recommendations are made with regard to reducing injuries to women and children in South Asia. Adopt better education methods about injury especially to women and children The first step that should be taken to promote safety behavior among women and children. This will also help them change their behavior accordingly with regard to their environment. In South Asia, it has been found out that some of the injuries on women and children are as a result of weak cultural philosophies. Women are found to suffer domestic violence and abuse that comes from their low social status. Education will help them avoid practices that will risk inflicting injuries. At their places of work, education by use of posters, will promote behaviors that help women to avoid injuries. Children in south Asia always get injured during labor and related practices that they get involved in. Injuries resulting from traffic accidents were found to be a concerning cause of injury to children. Education system that promote child pedestrian training will play a vital role in reducing children injuries emanating from accidents [5]. It is recommended that issues such as entitlement, provision of basic needs and general empowerment of women will help curb the problem. Women in south Asia often find themselves with duties to provide for their families. Since most of them are completely illiterate or semi illiterate, it is hard for them to find formal employment. They go ahead to do risky and long hours, tiring jobs that mostly leave them injured. Entitlement of women and children to basic needs will mitigate injuries which result from hard labor [3]. Empowerment of women through initiatives that will bring dignity to women in Asia will be a great step in curbing the menace of injuries. Law enforcement Enforcement of laws will help boost injury control measures where voluntary acceptance to protect oneself is difficult to achieve. Adoption of better laws that will prevent women and children from activities that expose them to injuries will be important. Women and children in South Asia suffer injuries that are as a result of corporal punishments in the male leadership dominated society. The issue of child labor which is rampant in this region should be addressed by adoption of laws that prohibit child labor .There are few or no effective laws to follow in case of injuries from harsh punishments. Women and children neither report nor seek medical care when they face such harassments [1]. Adoption of clear rules and laws has been found to be a sure way of injuries control. Enforcement and implementation of laws have been found reduce injuries by great extent Encourage better engineering and design of tools, equipment and products. Injuries among women and children in south Asia can be prevented by engineering and designing of safe to use instruments, tools and products. More effective and less crude tools will reduce injuries to women and children using such tools. In south Asia, children getting involved in labor is a normal occurrence. Children are forced to work in farms and industries in most inhumane treatment. It has been found out that in addition to injury due to exhaustion and fatigue, tools used are a major cause of injuries. Women often are weak compared to men and the effects of injuries resulting from use of crude tools are more serious in women and children than they are in men. To reduce these injuries, use of safety equipment that are well designed will help [4]. In Taiwan, use of properly designed helmets reduces injuries by more than 60% and reduced mortality by 14 % Initiatives all over the word aimed to minimize sufferings and destruction of properties. Injuries from natural forces which are common in south Asia have been found to be widespread among the population especially in women and children. Such injuries mostly take long to heal or in the worst case the victims have to live with them for rest of their lives [2]. Natural calamities such as floods, earthquakes and cyclones are the common natural causes of injuries. When such calamities happen, women and children are usually trapped and it becomes hard for them to protect themselves. Furthermore, given the fact that most parts of the region are poverty stricken, there are no adequate measures to boost quick rescue response in case of such calamities [6]. Initiatives to curb destructions and to reduce deaths and injuries need to be undertaken. Such initiatives should involve rescue programs with mobile clinics, equipped well enough so that vulnerable women and children gets medical care soonest possible. Develop community based suicide prevention programs. All individuals that commit suicide at either South Asia or the world at large come from specific community backgrounds where they are understood by their fellow community men and women. To help reduce suicidal cases in this region, the government and other concerned well-wishers or stakeholders should encourage development of community based social programs. Provide social support which is a major aspect of these programs as a way of encouraging people to live and the importance for them living. Through these programs, records of issues leading to increased cases of suicide in the area will be taken, importantly to help keep track of the measures enhanced to reduce the rates [7]. Understanding the main reasons for these high rates through record keeping from different community individuals is important to enhance new measures in solving these issues from time to time especially those affecting children and women will help reduce the high rates of suicide cases. References Mahapatra N. South Asian Women in the U.S. and their Experience of Domestic Violence. Journal of Family Violence [serial on the Internet]. (2012, July), [cited October 3, 2017]; 27(5): 381-390. Available from: Academic Search Premier. Mathur R, Pleim J, Hogrefe C, Chuen-Meei G, Wong D, Jiming H, et al. Historical Trends in PM2.5-Related Premature Mortality during 1990-2010 across the Northern Hemisphere. Environmental Health Perspectives [serial on the Internet]. (2017, Mar), [cited October 3, 2017]; 125(3): 400-408. Available from: GreenFILE. Berry J, Schwebel D. Configural Approaches to Temperament Assessment: Implications for Predicting Risk of Unintentional Injury in Children. Journal of Personality [serial on the Internet]. (2009, Oct), [cited October 3, 2017]; 77(5): 1381-1410. Available from: Academic Search Premier. Kirkwood G, Parekh N, Pollock A. Preventing injury in children and adolescents. Trauma [serial on the Internet]. (2010, Oct), [cited October 3, 2017]; 12(4): 221-238. Available from: Academic Search Premier. Alam K, Mahal A. The Economic Burden of Road Traffic Injuries on Households in South Asia. Plos ONE [serial on the Internet]. (2016), [cited October 3, 2017]; (10): Available from: Academic OneFile. Javaid Z, Arshad M, Khalid A. Child Protection in Disaster Management in South Asia: A Case Study of Pakistan. South Asian Studies (1026-678X) [serial on the Internet]. (2011, Jan), [cited October 3, 2017]; 26(1): 191-202. Available from: Academic Search Premier. Chang SS, Stuckler D, Yip P, Gunnell D. Impact of 2008 global economic crisis on suicide: time trend study in 54 countries. Bmj. 2013 Sep 17;347:f5239.

Ielts prepraation free essay sample

?The IELTS Academic and General Writing Modules are similar in some ways and different in others. Whichever test you do, you have one hour to complete two tasks. It is the nature of the tasks that makes them different. You can see this clearly in the chart below: General Academic Task 1 Minimum 150 words Writing a letter in response to a situation – informal, semi-formal, or formal Minimum 150 words Interpreting, describing, or comparing information presented in graphic form a diagram, bar chart, line graph, pie chart or table Task 2 Minimum 250 words Writing a more personal essay – possible informal style Minimum 250 words Writing an essay on a general academic topic – formal style In both cases, your score is based on three fundamental criteria: Content: How well do you r present your arguments, ideas and evidence? Quality: How effectively are you able to communicate your ideas and thoughts? Technical Aspects: How correct is your grammar? How rich is your vocabulary? How varied are your sentences? To complete an organized, coherent piece of writing, you need to take 2-5 minutes to plan. During this time, you can consider what position you will adopt, how youre going to expand on the topic and in what order you will present your ideas. You should skip the planning activity only if you have very little time left. In such a case, you can work directly on the task itself. Of course, grammar and vocabulary will also be assessed. Make sure you check your writing for verb tense agreement, prepositions, word order, sentence patterns, sentence structure, and range of vocabulary. Avoid using the same verbs, nouns, or adjectives more than once. Do not use slang at all. In the academic section of the IELTS, avoid contractions, which are a clear symbol of informal writing. Free Sample IELTS Essays The following sample IELTS essays will give you an idea of how to develop your essay topic into a well-structured, full-length essay. All the essays below will help you; however, the first free sample essay â€Å"Computers and Children†, will help you in a special way as it provides two responses to the same essay – one which is good and the other which is great. Read through them to discover the difference and to learn how your essay can go from good to great. A top-scoring essay has a variety of clear characteristics which distinguish it from a mediocre essay. Here are a few of them: Upgraded, advanced vocabulary, instead of commonly-used words expressions Varied sentence structure, instead of only short, simple sentences Complex grammatical structures, instead of very basic ones Dynamic style, instead of lack of style Examples, details and transition words, instead of empty repetition Even if you think you are a poor writer today, you can learn how to take your simple essay and transform it into something much more effective. Adding some of the winning elements from the sample essays below will give you the extra marks you need to become a high-scorer on the IELTS. Free Sample IELTS Essay 1 Computers Children 1 Essay, 2 Results: How to Transform a Good IELTS Essay into a Great IELTS Essay To get a high score on your IELTS essay, you need to know what a great essay consists of. To help you understand this, we have given you a chance to read two versions of the same essay – one good and the other great. Both versions have been written by an experienced IELTS trainer. Just read the two versions of the same sample essay below. You may wish to print them out to compare them more easily. Then, try to learn some expressions and sentence structures from the high-scoring essay. Use them, if possible, on exam day, and you will certainly get higher marks on your IELTS essay. Be sure to check out our other free sample IELTS essays, too. Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on children. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Essay 1 – High Score – Band 8-9 In todays modern world, computers are an essential part of everyday life. Around the globe, children often use computers from a very young age. Although, it is important for children to participate in various well-balanced activities, in my opinion, children who use the computer daily are actually developing a critical skill for future success. The bases for my views are personal, academic, and professional. In todays modern world, computers are needed everyday. Around the world, children use computers from the time they are little. Its true that children should have fun when they are young; however, in my opinion, a child who knows how to use the computer will be more successful in the future. My reasons for this view are personal, academic and professional. From a personal point of view, computers are an invaluable resource to help young people explore the world around them. For example, children who use Internet to satisfy their curiosity about diverse topics are already becoming independent learners. No child with a computer is ever bored! By starting early in their lives, children feel totally at ease around computers; they are also able to take advantage of the wide range of services computers provide. From a personal point of view, computers can help young people to learn more about the world. For example, some children use the Internet to find information on different subjects. In this way, they learn to find answers by themselves. By using the computer when they are little, children feel more comfortable around computers. They also know how to use the computer for different reasons. From an academic viewpoint, children have no choice but to master this technological invention. For instance, when I was in university, students brought their laptops to class to take notes, do research and exchange information. They wrote assignments, created presentations and developed databases. Children who build early confidence and experience in these abilities are at a distinct advantage over those who have not. From a professional perspective, the computer has found a permanent place in the workplace. Today, employers still pay to provide computer training to their employees. Tomorrow, corporations will expect prospective job applicants to already possess these critical job skills. Consequently, parents who encourage their child to use the computer for a reasonable period of time daily are in fact investing in the childs future career. In conclusion, there is no doubt that the computer as a technological tool is here to stay. The sooner children become computer-literate, the better for many aspects of their future lives. (299 words) Essay 1 – Medium Score – Band 5-6 In todays modern world, computers are needed everyday. Around the world, children use computers from the time they are little. Its true that children should have fun when they are young; however, in my opinion, a child who knows how to use the computer will be more successful in the future. My reasons for this view are personal, academic and professional. From a personal point of view, computers can help young people to learn more about the world. For example, some children use the Internet to find information on different subjects. In this way, they learn to find answers by themselves. By using the computer when they are little, children feel more comfortable around computers. They also know how to use the computer for different reasons. From an academic viewpoint, children have to learn how to use this new invention. For instance, when I was in college, many students used to bring their laptops to class. They used to take notes, do research and share information. They wrote their essays, made presentations and created useful lists. Children who can use the computer when they are young have more confidence than other children. From a professional perspective, the computer is found in every kind of office. Today, employers will still hire people who cannot use computers and give them computer training. But tomorrow, companies will expect people to have these skills already. As a result, by encouraging children to use the computer for a short time every day, parents are preparing their children for future jobs. In conclusion, it is clear that computers are now a part of our regular life. Children who can use computers easily and confidently will do better in the future 1. Read each paragraph and use the highlighted phrases / words to make a sentence. 2. Read the comments below each para. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words. Model answer Over the last half century the pace of change in the life of human beings has increased beyond our wildest expectations. This has been driven by technological and scientific breakthroughs that are changing the whole way we view the world on an almost daily basis. This means that change is not always a personal option, but an inescapable fact of life, and we need to constantly adapt to keep pace with it. (Talks about change as an in escapable fact.. thus showing his view that we need to keep pace with it. ) Those people who believe they have achieved some security by doing the same, familiar things are living in denial. Even when people believe they are resisting change themselves, they cannot stop the world around them from changing. Sooner or later they will find that the familiar jobs no longer exist, or that the ‘safe’ patterns of behaviour are no longer appropriate. (shows how change is inevitable job requirements change and safe is a myth) However, reaching the conclusion that change is inevitable is not the same as assuming that ‘change is always for the better’. Unfortunately, it is not always the case that new things are promoted because they have good impacts for the majority of people. A lot of innovations are made with the aim of making money for a few. This is because it is the rich and powerful people in our society who are able to impose changes (such as in working conditions or property developments) that are in their own interests. (As the essay asks to discuss both the views this para is devoted to tell the other side of how imposed changes can be harmful) In conclusion, I would say that change can be stimulating and energising for individuals when they pursue it themselves, but that all change, including that which is imposed on people, does not necessarily have good outcomes. 290 including punctuations. In essence, most people have a need to be safe and feel secure in what they are doing and where they are living. They resist changes for many reasons. However, it is my opinion that being able to change is a good behaviour to keep up with our uncertain world. (Discussed the topic and clearly gives his opinion at the beginning) Some people resist changes because they think of what they will lose rather than what they may gain. It is very hard for them to learn new skills, to use a new technology and improve work-efficiency. Psychologically, they do not want to change the way they have been doing things to what they are not familiar with. Take farmers as an example. A grape farmer may avoid adopting advanced technology to harvest and store grapes , because he will need to study and learn new techniques. He feels insecure as he is unsure whether he will be able to learn thus, does not adopt the change. (Gives reason why people resist change; This is not asked in the essay thus its irrelevant; however, gives a good example of farmer) However, change often brings new opportunities to those who are flexible and adaptive to uncertain life. It cannot be denied that the future is unpredictable. New technologies have emerged so fast that no one is able to know up front how jobs and lives are going to be. In other words, change is a continuous process. It is better to flow with the tide rather than resisting it if the probabilities of improvements overweigh the risks involved. For example, if workers in the farm know how to use the cutting machine effectively, they might receive incentives in the form of better productivity. Ultimately, it is my view that change always happens when forces for change are greater than the forces for remaining the same. People need to be well-educated, and pragmatic to understand that changes are logical and rational to adapt to their living environment. Comments: Does not talk about how changes can be harmful. So deals with one aspect only. Gives reasons of why people may resist change.. which is not asked. Good Essay: Change is the only constant in this world. However, there are those who stick to age old methods of doing things and resist change. In my view, a prudent and pragmatic approach would be to flow with the tide and embrace change rather than eschew it. Thanks to unprecedented advancements in the field of science and technology, old methods are fast giving way to newer and better ways. Thus, we no longer use bulky computers; we have smaller and faster laptops. Even the mobiles and palm size think-pads are more capable then the bulky machines prevalent in earlier days. Similar changes are witnessed in the field of transport and agriculture. Newer and faster means of transport like budget flights are commonplace. On the other hand, use of better fertilizers and genetically engineered seeds has revolutionized the agriculture industry to meet the demands of the day. In essence, change is not a choice anymore but an inevitable truth for a healthier and better life. However, (On the other hand), to say that every change would be beneficial sounds more like an exaggeration. The behaviour of modern gullible youth is a case in point. In order to look more trendy and fashionable they adapt to new fads of fashion, eat unhealthy fast food and spend their hard earned money flaunting their new mobiles or cars. These are examples of wasteful changes which need to be avoided. In my view, the best approach would be to adapt a middle path in this regard. Before embracing any change it would be wise to do a cost benefit analysis and if advantages overweigh risks, one should promptly and wholeheartedly welcome change. Life is a profound book, those who never change their ways end up reading only one page! Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of the advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold. To what extent do you agree or disagree? This topic is akin to the age old conundrum: which came first: Chicken or Egg. While some people believe that advertisements have fuelled the recent surge in sale of consumer products; other argue that unprecedented demand and changed lifestyles have fostered and incentivised the advertisement industry to produce expensive advertisements which entice common man. A deep dive into the cause and effect relationship between advertisement and consumerism will help us appreciate this subject holistically. (Comments: Introduces in an interesting way chicken or egg uses idiomatic English.. Fuelled by deep dive etc.. and good words.. like conundrum, holistically) Last few decades have witnessed an unforeseen change in lifestyles and demands. This has forced scientists and manufacturers to introduce better and advanced products. Advertisements play a vital role of introducing these products. Some of the consumer s may get swayed to buy products which they may not really need; majority of them buy what they really need. (Comments: Puts the role of advertisements in the correct perspective of introducing products presents his view that sale is as a result of real demand) Advertisements do affect our priorities and preferences to a certain extend and sometimes coerce us to buy products which we may not really need. Thus, celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan eulogizing the charisma of two-minutes-maggi have made a few of us to include Maggi as a staple diet. Similarly, luminaries like Shaharukh Khan and others endorsing beauty products like ‘fairness cream for men’ and likes, make some of us re-evaluate our age old standards of ‘tall dark and handsome’ man and purchase these new products. However, saying that the recent spurt in sale of consumer goods is solely because of coercive advertisements sounds a little exaggerated. Advertisement at best can bring about an ephemeral surge in the sale of some products by seducing the gullible youth and kids; its the real demand and utility of the product that affect its sale. Thus, in the final analysis, it is the real need of the product that drives the sale of it in the longer run. Advertisement can bring a ‘flash in the pan’ surge. In the recent times, advertising has emerged as the most effective tool for marketing and promoting products. People are always keen to look for latest products available in the market irrespective of their price and usage. In my opinion, advertising industry is the sole driver of sale of consumer goods. (Gives a precise three line introduction and states his point of view very clearly. ) To begin with, on ethical grounds advertising industry has lost its real purpose of awareness. People have become more materialistic by the flamboyant image of products. This can be illustrated by the example of current Indian car market. Initially there were only few Japanese automobile companies in India, invasion of expensive German cars have enthralled whole market response. People are financing cars madly, in spite of hefty rate of interest. They have forgotten about their genuine need of four wheeler vehicle. (Although the point is strongly made, the title does not talk of ethics sticking to the point is better approach.. ) Secondly, it is generally felt that more frequent ads of different brands with top end players or most popular film stars have induced people for brand loyalty. Top end players and famous film stars acts as role models. Such ads induce younger generation adversely, ultimately raised a question of affordability for parents. For instance, Promoters often take Indian cricket star batsman Sachin Tendulkar as their brand ambassador, in order to attract innocent children for selling their products. (again the opinion mentioned here is not asked although the point is valid) Thirdly, opponents widely point out that advertisements sometimes manipulate factual information. Ad makers nowadays try to hide real facts about the product and emphasize mainly about its eye catchy merits. They play with sentiments of consumer by misguiding them. For example, in most of ads, promoters show only easy affordable EMIs but they would not tell you the hidden cost attached with that commodity. (Not asked ) In contrast, supporters often maintain that advertisements act as most efficient tool of marketing and raising awareness about availability of products in current markets. It enhances consumer approach and knowledge in a more precise way. For example, in general companies mainly concentrate on metropolitan areas for marketing and promotions due to their restricted budgets. These TV ads provide great deal of awareness to countrymen about available products in market. (Gives ex.. of how ads can help spread awareness.. thus implicitly tells that they may help generate more sales) To sum up, unethical means of advertisements has raised a question on medias efficiency and integrity. After considering every aspect, I like to reiterate that ad makers and promoters should understand their main goal of public awareness and should take rigorous steps to eradicate unwanted means which thwarts our progress. Comments: +: Uses good language; and substantiates with an example everytime. -: The topic is not adhered to the question is directly related to surge in sale of consumer goods.. and not whether advertisements are ethical or not.. Even if your writing is exemplary, you will LOOSE MARKS for not sticking to the point. The range and quality of food that we can buy has changed because of technological and scientific advances. Some people regard this change as an improvement, while others believe that it is harmful. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Technology is akin to a double edged sword. There is no denying the fact that all technological advancement be it in the field of a computers or something as common as agriculture and fertilizers has its positives and negatives. These dualities exist everywhere. However, I am of the firm belief that advancements in the field of food technology which has helped us lead a richer and happier life is a boon rather than a bane. So, what is the solution to feed the ever increasing world population with limited agricultural land? Obviously, one has to think of newer and better ways to increase productivity. Thus, measures like genetically engineered seeds, disease resistant species, use of fertilizers to increase productivity, have helped the cause of feeding large populations. Revolution in the field of fast food and processed food industry has further helped this cause. Sceptics raise the question of nutritional value of such food and the environmental effects of over-cultivation. No doubt, these concerns are genuine and need to be addressed to ensure sustainable development. Thus, for example, using scientifically advanced methods of food storage and transport can help prevent the food wastage which is estimated to be around 30% of the total yield. This will reduce pressure on production side thus ameliorating the situation of worsening environmental pollution because of over cultivation. In essence, technological advancements in the field of agriculture and processed-food are here to stay. It behoves us to find productive and efficient ways of dealing with issues like food wastage and pollution to ensure sustainable development. Sample 2: WRITING WRITING TASK 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.  © IELTS Exam Preparation 2007 Model answer ‘Grass looks greener on the other side’ is a cliche that beautifully sums the elusive topic of money and earnings. In my view successful sports men who have broken the mould and given a new paradigm of human excellence, deserve to earn every penny of money and admiration they get. ‘People always see the rising sun’. It takes nothing less than muscles of iron and nerves of steel to excel in the competitive world of sports, where the margin for error is so small, that one half a second too early or too late is enough to turn a success into a failure. Thus, it takes hours of practice and perseverance to create a Sachin Tendulkar or a Riky Ponting; and in their ephemeral careers of a few years they have to reach the acme of their performance as they retire very early. The money they earn during this small span has to make up for their rest of lives when they lead a retired life. Sceptics hold the notion that what you earn should be in proportion to what you contribute to the mundane world. In their view, a teacher, or a government servant should earn more than a sports person because he helps common man more than a sport person does. One should not forget that a sports man endeavours to pursue a path fraught with a lot of risk and uncertainty; their success is not just a personal achievement but a matter of pride for the whole nation. Success of Nadia Coamnichi, achieving perfect 10 in Olympics is celebrated till date. In essence, sports stars belong to the class of their own; their achievement is a matter of pride for the whole humanity. Mundane scales of compensation for labour are not appropriate to evaluate their earnings. Book 7 Test1: Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each the type of crime. Others however argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Judiciary is an intricate subject. Although most countries have clearly laid down laws and provisions, legal professionals are often bewildered while pronouncing the final verdict. Human life is complex and so are the rules that define it. As far as question of fixed versus variable punishment is concerned fixed laws with due consideration to circumstances whenever required is the way to go, in my view. Clearly laid down laws go a long way in bringing about order in a civilized society. They help citizens to follow the legitimate way of doing things. For example the simple rule to take left while driving ensures safety by avoiding collisions. However, putting down laws for each and every circumstance is an arduous task. For example, can we make a law that legalizes killing if someone appears to be coming with intent to harm us physically? Or what should be the punishment for a hungry man who steals bread from a grocery shop versus someone who has a stealing habit? Clearly, circumstances need to be taken into account while deciding the severity and nature of punishment. A word of caution though, a flexible legal system does not mean a system that can be moulded by anyone. Newspapers are replete with examples where influential criminals like politicians, businessmen, film-actors etc cook-up alibis and go scot free while innocent citizens are unnecessarily harassed. Laws need to have teeth and should be implemented with fairness. It behoves the law makers and legal practitioners to act with fairness, prudence and sagacity. In the final analysis, unequivocal punishment can be pronounced for a crime which has precedence. For others it is imperative to consider circumstances and motives. Task 2 Sample; Thanks to the advancements in the field of technology and transportation, the world has shrunk into a global village. Thus, raw material acquired from Singapore helps Japan manufacture computers; Most of the back office work of the world is now performed in India. Events happening in one part of the world invariably affect the other parts. Hence, leaving aside the moral and ethical question of ‘Love thy neighbor’ it makes eminent sense for the richer nations as well as their organizations to help their developing brothers. As the famous cliche goes If you give someone a fish you help a person for one day, but if you teach fishing you enable him for the whole life. This metaphor can well become the quintessential principle to formulate strategies. No doubt health, education and trade are like Oxygen for the development of poorer nations but doling out these benefits without making them self reliant will be counterproductive. This would be akin to curing the symptoms and ignoring the disease. History is replete with examples where world bank has given enormous amount of money to poorer nations, creating some flash in the pan ephemeral improvements, leaving the citizens debt ridden and poorer in the longer run. To make this arrangement of helping each other sustainable one for the multinational organizations it has to be based on the principle of give and take. Thus, the famous associations of Suzuki and Maruti, where one shares its technological expertise in exchange of cheap labour and big market goes well in the interest of both. The recent step to introduce FDI in retail is another step in the right direction where rich nations to create a symbiotic association developing ones, which are looked at as investment havens. Thus, in a nutshell, it behooves upon the richer and poorer nations to join hands and exchange their expertise to help each other a sustainable, and economically viable symbiotic association. Governments should ensure such arrangement mutually beneficial to make them long lasting. Planning: Introduction. The first chart depicts year wise trend of Japanese tourists travelling across the globe during 85 to 95. The second one illustrates preference of Japanese customers to choose Australia as their travel destination during the same time span. The most significant feature of the first graph is the constant raise in number of travelers between 85 to 90 where the numbers increased more than two fold from 5 million to around 11 million. 91 witnessed a little bit of correction post which it remained constant at 12 million during 92 and 93. The trend again regained its positive momentum to end at around 15 million in 95. Similarly, Australian storyline also depicts an overall positive trend moving from 2 % travelers in 85 to 6 % in mid of 94. It witnessed the most dramatic growth from 84 to 85 to reach at 2%. The positive growth continued with numbers jumping to more than twice ie 4. 8% . The period from 88 to 89 shows a minor dip followed by another span positive growth till 93, when it reached a peak of 6. 3 % finally correcting at 6 % in 94. Thus, the number of international travelers as well those going to Australia witnessed a 3 times jump in the decade of 85 to 95. Dear Sir, I am writing this letter in connection with the impending problems if the plan to expand the airport near my residence is implemented. I would like to apprise you that I am living in Palem Colony which is a densely populated area near to the domestic airport. Moreover, a lot of schools and colleges are also located in the vicinity. The noise created by planes is already a nuisance to the citizens in general and students studying in these colleges in particular. Further expansion of the adjoining airport will add fuel to the fire . While I am well aware of the need of more flights, expanding the current airport w ill prove to be a wrong step. I would suggest opening a new airport in the outskirts would make eminent sense instead. It will not just be more safe but also will provide access to people living in neighboring towns. Hence, I would request the government to consider its decision to expand the current airport. Yours faithfully, In some countries children are engaged in some kind of paid work. Some pl regard this as completely wrong while others consider it as valuable work experience important for learning and taking responsibility. What are your opinions on this? Use your own ideas knowledge and experience to support your ideas with examples and relevant evidence. Introduction: Importance of practical knowledge can not be deined; it should be by design and not by force†¦ Para 1: Practical knowledge is very important†¦ internship in medical education; management – last year work in some companies.. ; Bill Gates, steve jobs did well thanks to the practicle exposure; BPO industry in India. Para 2: Ground rules – age; type of work; should not be hazardous; criteria should not be to earn money but to gain experience; Para 3: Ill effects; role of government and parents, and social structure.. Conclusion.. There is no denying the fact that practical experience acquired in the battlefield of life is valued more than the theoretical knowledge gained through formal education. However, the experience of a kid working as cheap labourer in car repairing workshop or that of a Nine year old working at the road side tea stall, hardly qualifies for a future profession of any repute. In other words, the nature of paid work and the purpose for indulging into it is an important factor in deciding whether it’s a bane or a boon for the kid. Thus, paid work as a part of overall education design goes well but if a kid is forced to work for money it does not help the cause of a his education. A picture paints a thousand words. Thus, academicians deserve their due credit for designing curricula with internship as a part of the overall scheme. Students of medicine, engineering and management gain invaluable practical experience to hone their skills learnt in the classrooms. The experience so gained plays a pivotal role in securing them an appropriate

A Deeper Look at Globalization Essays - Cultural Geography

A Deeper Look at Globalization Its a word we hear almost everyday while watching the news, reading the paper, or even in our day-to-day conversations. It is associated with both good and bad, and for better or worse, we are inevitably involved in its transformations. Globalization has been a popular discussion and has been intensively discussed even though it is a relatively recent idea. Given its sudden emergence, it can be a term that isnt quite understood and there are people who are completely against it. Yes, there are pros and cons to it, just like almost anything else in the world, but I believe it is better to embrace globalization and have a chance to better human development than to try and ignore it. Globalization is an unavoidable entity that is here to stay. It is causing the nation-state to die, and in its place, a world nation is emerging. In this paper, we will first look at what Globalization really is. Then, we will discuss the skeptical and radical thoughts of this idea and find out why Globaliz ation is diminishing the nation-state. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the term Globalization as a process by which the experience of everyday life, marked by the diffusion of commodities and ideas, is becoming standardized around the world. Some things that have contributed to globalization include: technological developments for communication and transportation, huge migrations of people, economic activities that have expanded to national markets, and international arrangements to reduce the cost of business in countries (Merriam-Webster). This basically means that it is a process of interaction between people, companies, and governments of different nations. It is pushed by international trade/investment and supported by technology. Although the term only came to be quite recent, first becoming well known around the 1980s (Giddens), Globalization is not a new idea. People have been buying and selling to each other across the world for centuries. This whole outbreak and popularity of the idea of Globalization only emerged so recently because policy and technological developments have increased the world trade, investment, and migration. We are able to learn news and trade money at the drop of a hat. Because this term is so new, its meaning can sometimes not be so clear. People often take on strong opposing opinions of it and this creates heated disputes. Just like anything else, this idea can be taken many different ways. In his book, Giddens covers two different opposing sides of this idea: the skeptics and the radicals. In the skeptics opinion, they think, all the talk about Globalization is only that-just talk (Giddens 7). Like I already stated, people have been buying and selling across the world for centuries. Skeptics believe that this idea is not a new concept and does not dramatically change the world. Giddens also goes on to say that they believe countries dont even gain much money from international trade and most trading is thus done in close regions. Taking a look at Globalization from the other side, radicals argue that not only is Globalization very real, but that its consequences can be felt everywhere (Giddens 8). It is in fact a concept that does have a significant impact that is changing the world. World trade has noticeably and rapidly developed over the last forty years. This is causing the nation-states to decline while a new nation is forming expanding. The fiery debates on globalization often involve the effects it has on the nation-state. Nation-states are considered less important as their power is diminishing through Globalization. It has provided these nations-states with minimal roles. This diminishing role of power in nation-states is due to the influences it has that take control of the nation-states economies. Multinational corporations affect nation-states in this way. The technological shifts made by Globalization are also to blame for the decrease of power. The ability to receive instant information across a t the blink of an eye has created a place where everyone is connected. Even though it creates this death of a nation-state, globalization is something that I believe is very important and useful. A broader range of products, services, technologies, and knowledge is more available and that these developments will have the potential to reach many

Why Veins Look Blue Even Though Blood Is Red

Why Veins Look Blue Even Though Blood Is Red Your blood is always red, even when it is deoxygenated, so why do your veins look blue? They arent actually blue, but there are reasons why veins look that way: Skin absorbs blue light:  Subcutaneous fat only allows blue light to penetrate skin all the way to veins, so this is the color that is reflected back. Less energetic, warmer colors are absorbed by skin before they can travel that far. Blood also absorbs light, so blood vessels appear dark. Arteries have muscular walls, rather than thin walls like veins, but they likely would appear the same color if they were visible through the skin.Deoxygenated blood is dark red:  Most veins carry deoxygenated blood, which is a darker color than oxygenated blood. The deep color of blood makes veins appear dark, too.Different sizes of vessels appear different colors:  If you look closely at your veins, for example, along with the inside of your wrist, youll see your veins are not all the same color. The diameter and thickness of the walls of the veins play a part in the way light is absorbed and how much blood is seen through the vessel.Vein color depends on your perception:  In part, you se e veins as more blue than they really are because your brain compares the color of the blood vessel against the brighter and warmer tone of your skin. What Color Are Veins? So, if veins arent blue, you may be wondering about their true color. If you have ever eaten meat, you already know the answer to this question! Blood vessels appear reddish-brown in color. There isnt much difference in color between arteries and veins. They do present different cross-sections. Arteries are thick-walled and muscular. Veins have thin walls. Learn More Why Blood Isnt BlueWhy Babies Have Blue EyesWhy the Sea Is BlueChemical Composition of Human BloodIntro to Biochemistry Reference: Kienle, A., Lilge, L., Vitkin, I.A., Patterson, M.S., Wilson, B.C., Hibst, R., Steiner, R. (1996).  Why do veins appear blue? A new look at an old question.  Applied Optics, 35(7), 1151-1160.

Islamic Law and the Modern World Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Islamic Law and the Modern World - Essay Example Thesis statement: The Islamic Law is less important in the modern world because the same does not support democratic ideology, limits individual freedom, less secular, hijacks politics, manipulates economics, against modernity, and limits basic human rights within religious belief. The concept of democracy envisions equal opportunity for all within national boundary. Besides, democracy is totally against the influence of royal families and religions groups over national politics. This is important for a modern state because democracy allows equal opportunity to all citizens. On the other side, an individual’s religions belief determines his/her worth and rights in an Islamic nation. To be specific, the laws related to Islam limits the scope of democracy within Islamic nations. For instance, the Islamic nations never allow democracy within national politics because democracy allows citizens to choose their government. Fatima Mernissi (2009, p.16) states that, ‘The pouring of masses onto the streets during the Gulf War, their calling for democracy, passed unnoticed in the Western media’. But some nations (Muslim majority) try to inculcate democracy within the mainstream society, known as Islamic democracy. For instance, some secular nations l ike Turkey try to redefine Islamic principles to inculcate democracy into the society. Still, this is not an easy task because Islamic principles, especially Sharia, are not in favor of democratic thought. Similarly, some other Islamic nations, like Pakistan, are not totally against democracy because Islamic law is not the one and only law in these nations. So, one cannot plainly blame Islam for the less scope of democracy within nations because the political elite and religious elite classes are responsible for the same. On the other side, the religious fundamentalist groups are in favor of the strict implementation of laws related to Islam.

Employees in an International Market Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Employees in an International Market - Essay Example As Groenewald (2009) states, â€Å"staffing, training, compensation, and performance management are basically important tools in the human resources practices† (p. 1). In this paper, we will examine the functions of human resource department in managing employees in an international marketplace. Most Critical Human Resource Functions To manage employees in an international marketplace, the human resource department of a company needs to execute some critical functions. These functions not only ensure a smooth running of business processes but also help a company achieve its corporate goals and objectives effectively and efficiently. Some of the most important HR functions in this regard include aligning recruitment process with corporate objectives, starting programs for employee training and development, and increasing employee motivation. Let us discuss these functions in some details to know their significance for a better management of employees. Aligning Recruitment with Corporate Objectives One of the main roles of the HR department is to align the employee recruitment process with the overall strategy of the company in order to build an inspired and productive workforce. Employee selection is one of those functions that are critical to ensuring a company’s success. It is the responsibility of the HR department of a company to recruit such people, who can prove themselves productive for the company through their skills, talent, and knowledge. A skilled and experienced employee is a key towards the success of a company. Therefore, global HR managers look for such people who can give improved performances and can ensure high levels of profits for the company through their performances. In today’s competitive world, recruiting and forming a diverse workforce...This paper stresses that employee training also plays a valuable role in ensuring long-term profitability of a company. Therefore, HR professionals put their efforts in investing i n employee training and development programs to improve the individual performances of employees as well as to increase an overall organizational productivity. Employee training and development also help in creating a pool of suitable replacements for the employees who either resign from their jobs or get promotions within the company, hence, leaving their positions available for other suitable candidates. Employee motivation is the combination of employees’ job-related behaviors, the level of efforts employees exert, and the employees’ level of determination. Companies are at risk of facing many setbacks with a lower level of employee motivation.This report makes a conclusion that effective human resource management is one of the most important factors that determine the success of a company in local and international markets. The main functions of the human resource department in managing employees in an international marketplace include strategic employee selection and recruitment, developing effective employee training programs, and increasing employee motivation to meet corporate goals and objectives. Some of the main outcomes of focusing on employee management in broader terms include selective and strategy-oriented recruitment of employees, improved organizational performance, improved business efficiency, and formation of a skilled workforce which is able to meet the requirements of the international business environment.

Power and Politics in Organizational Development Essay

Power and Politics in Organizational Development - Essay Example The concepts of power and politics are two areas of organizations that can be very difficult to define and understand. However, in order to be successful in organizational life and development these areas must be explored. In the past Organizational Development has been criticized for not taking these factors (French & Bell, 1999, pg. 282). French & Bell (1999) explain that the understanding of Power and Politics is still in very early stages in OD. However with recent research we still continue to derive theories and applications for the OD field. Organization development is influenced by and depends upon politics and power, culture and effective performance of the management team. Organization development is complex process which relies on high moral values that transcend both the organization and the individual. The shared values that underlie a high-performing organization's strategy and bring meaning to the individual employee's work are reflected in both the decision-making and the goal-setting processes. Power is the potential to influence behavior, "to change the course of events, to overcome resistance, and to get people to do things that they would not otherwise do (Pfeffer, 1994, pg. 30). In short, it is a way to get things done; not the only way, but at least a major way, and one that is often used in organizational life. ... 283). Managers use power to accomplish goals all the time. The use of power is sometimes called "organizational politics" as managers use power and influence to produce results. Because of its association with politics, power is many times looked upon with disdain, as a dirty word. At the same time, we admire managers for what they achieve, and while we may not like it, we acknowledge that the ability to willingly wield power is often a prerequisite to managerial success. Following David McClelland, "positive faced of power is characterized by a socialized need to initiate influence and lead" (French and Bell 1999, pg. 282). Power is used frequently when the necessity to accomplish goals requires us to rely on those on whom we depend. It is especially important when they have a different point of view and cannot otherwise be relied on to do what we want them to do (Pfeffer, 1994, pg. 39). The greater the degree of difference in point of view, the greater the resistance and conflict and the more important it is to use power, influence, and organizational politics as a way to get things done. If everyone has the same goal and is in agreement about how to achieve it, there is no need to use power. Studies have shown that the more agreement there was on the goal and the means to attain it, the less political activity occurred (Pfeffer, 1994, pg. 39). There is no need to engage in politics or exercise power when there are no differences in perspective or w hen no conflict exits. The time and energy can, in these situations, be more productively employed toward goal accomplishment. To the extent that organizations can agree on goals and on the means to attain them, organizational politics can be reduced. In the absence of this

The company aims and objectives

The company aims and objectives 1 Introduction Strategic management is the way a business will formulate, implement and evaluate its decisions across the departments in order to help the company to achieve its objectives. It means using the company aims and objectives to develop policies and plans, allocate resources in order to implement the plans and then evaluate whether this has been successful. Strategic Planning ensures that an organisation is doing the right things. If a business needs to change the way it runs its business operations then a strategic plan explains what the organisation is changing to. Once it has determined the right things to do, it devolves accountability for doing them right to one or more business plans (Guest 1989). Every organisation has a mission statement setting out its aims and objectives and strategy can be defined as â€Å"The determination of the basic long-term goals and objective of an enterprise and the adoption of courses of action and the allocation of resources necessary for carrying out these goals† (Alfred Chandler, 1963). Johnson and Scholes (2002 p13) suggested that a company needs a mission and mission statements; a vision or strategic intent; goals; objectives; unique resources and core competences, strategies and control. Strategy was ‘the direction and scope of an organisation over the long term: ideally which mat ches its resources to its changing environment, and in particular to its markets, customers or clients, so as to meet stakeholder expectations. To continue in business and be profitable every business needs a strategy and according to McGee et al (2005)strategy is the ability of a company to thrive and survive. The report will outline the stages, steps and procedures that should be implemented to carryout a strategic analysis as part of the strategic management process. The New Vintage Car Company is a specialist organisation which has a small niche in the specialist car market and a mission statement, objectives and strategic intent. 1.1 Aims and Objectives of the report The aim of the report is write a report about a chosen firm within the automotive industry (real or invented) indicating the stages, steps and processes involved in the planning and analysis, formulation and implementation and evaluation of the strategic management process. 1.2 Objectives To understand the importance and characteristics of strategic management to all forms of organisation To investigate a range of strategic management models and their strengths and weaknesses To consider the relevance for strategic management of organisational culture and ethics To analyse and evaluate a range of strategic management models To apply and to tailor models of strategic management as appropriate 2 Stage One Strategic analysis Generally there are two main approaches to strategic management the organisational approach dealing with competitive advantage, resource allocation and economies or scale and the the human approach. According to Arieu (2007), ‘there is strategic consistency when the actions of an organization are consistent with the expectations of management, and these in turn are with the market and the context. Strategic management can be bottom-up, top-down, or collaborative processes which means that in the bottom up approach employees send in proposals to their managers who choose the best ideas which are assessed through capital budgeting processes such as return on investment or cost benefit whilst the top-down approach is where the CEO and the planning team make the decisions. Johnson (1999 p154) advised that strategic planning was the ‘process of drawing up long-term, wide ranging plans in accordance with the organisations main aims and will involve analysing customer expectations, competitive pressures and overall changes in the market. Operational planning on the other hand was the development of plans for a specific operation within the organisation whether it was for a product or a service. He added that although organisations used information from analysis, quantified objectives which became the organisations targets for a planned period of time, could be based on ‘ guesswork. Strategic management is an ongoing process that evaluates and controls the business and the industries in which the company is involved; assesses its competitors and sets goals and strategies to meet all existing and potential competitors; and then reassesses each strategy annually or quarterly [i.e. regularly] to determine how it has been implemented and whether it has succeeded or needs replacement by a new strategy to meet changed circumstances, new technology, new competitors, a new economic environment., or a new social, financial, or political environment. (Lamb, 1984:ix). As the New Vintage Car Company is a small specialist business it is very much a very collaborative style of strategic management with the 10 main employees taking part in management decisions. 2.1 Strategic management theories Strategic management was a concept which was developed in the 1950s and 1960s which theorised that gathering all the functions under one strategy and coordinating the different departments. Chandler (1962) showed that a long-term coordinated strategy was necessary to give a company structure, direction, and focus stating that ‘structure follows strategy. Selznick theorised that an organisations internal functions should be matched to any external environmental circumstances through SWOT analysis which was developed by the Harvard Business School General Management Group. Anscoff developed a strategy grid to compare market penetration strategies, product development strategies, market development strategies, horizontal and vertical integration and diversification strategies and a gap analysis. Druckers (1969) management by objectives (MBO) meant that companies set objectives and then monitored if they had been achieved and suggested the use of team work. Function strategies incl ude marketing strategies such as new product development strategies, human resource strategies, financial strategies, legal strategies, supply-chain strategies, and information technology management strategies dealing with short and medium term plans. However, Mintzberg (1988) thought of strategy as a process or pattern of behaviour which has evolved over time and necessitated fluidity and the realization that there were unpredictable issues which could arise. 2.2 Analysis Part of the planning process for a company would be to analyse the current market place and the companys position in it. This could be done through various analysis techniques such as PEST, SWOT, Gap analysis, Porters generic strategy analysis. 2.2.1 PEST analysis The PEST analysis could be used by the organisation to look into market growth or decline whilst investigating the position of the company, its potential for future growth and the direction the business should take. PEST stands for Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors, and can be used in conjunction with SWOT which are the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis. PEST can be extended to PESTLE by adding Environmental and Legal or even adding any Political and demographic issues as STEEPLED (Grundy 2006). 2.2.2 SWOT analysis In order to see where the company is in the market place, a SWOT analysis will need to be undertaken. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Strengths would be the type of business and whether is has been well established in the area and has a loyal customer base Weaknesses are anything which may hinder the company in achieving its objectives and which may need to be changed such as financial constraints. Opportunities are the things a companies can use to progress Threats are the issues which affect a company and could potentially threaten the companys futuresuch as thecredit crunch with suppliers closing down, transport costs rising and banks not lending money (Armstrong 1982 p198 Hill Westbrook 1997). 2.2.3 Gap analysis The company will need to judge where there is a gap in the market, either a place for their product or where the company is at the moment and where they would like to be and so the difference is the gap. After this analyis the company needs to decide how to bridge the gap either through a strategic approach or a tactical/operational approach. The tactical operational approach would make use of the Marketing Mix Product, Place, Price, Promotion 2.2.4 The value chain Porter (1998) also theorized that a company could be successful if it contributed to the industry it was in via a value chain which meant that everything a company does should be questioned in terms of what value it adds in the eyes of the final customer. In 1993,John Kay stated that ‘adding value is the central purpose of business activity. 2.3 Competitor analysis A company needs to analyse what its competitors are doing, how well they are doing it and whether they are a real threat. 2.3.1 Competitive advantage and Porters 5 Forces theory Porters 5 Forces Model New entrants, Industry competitors, Suppliers, buyers and substitutes is a useful theory can help for an organisation to formulate the appropriate strategies to be successful in their market (Thurlby, 1998). Porters theory takes 5 elements which can influence a business such as New Entrants to the market and Industry competitors are there any new or similar companies setting up in business which could be a threat and which customers will choose instead of the original company; Suppliers who may be powerful enough to put up prices which the company has to pay or even refusing to do business with the company; Buyers how customers can put pressure on the company to lower prices or alter product lines; Substitutes customers changing to alternative products from another company if there is a product price increase; the use of price cutting and aggressive marketing by other similar rival companies; (Porter 1998). 2.4 The Competitive-positioning approach Companies need to be aware of the competitions own strategies at all times. A competitive advantage can be attained by organisations if the current strategy is value-creating, and not currently being used or activated by competitors or future competitors (Barney, 1991, p102). Choosing the correct market level is important as too high will lose customers and too low may see to many competitors. Porter (1995) thought that there were three routes to competitive advantage. A firm either (1) focused on a particular customer group (2) Specialised in skills competitors cannot match or (3) became the lowest cost producer. Having the competitive advantage means that a company must outperform its competitors by delivering superior value to customers and, in doing so, earn an above average financial return for the company and its stakeholders. Doing this successfully over a long period is sustainable competitive advantage which requires that they outperform their competitors for a long period in a way that customers are prepared to purchase at a sufficiently high price. Campbell et al (2007) argued that there were 8 areas which need to be considered for competitive and sustainable competitive advantage to continue for a company. They need to have a strategic intent to stretch the organisation in the future and be willing to work at continuous improvement which includes inputs, processes and outputs of products and services. They would need to work in a different way to their competitors and importantly they need to be perceived to be better by their customers who need to believe that they are the main r eason for the company being in business to serve their customers. The company must build on their core competences by continuous internal review and keep communication channels open both internally and externally. Its core competency is the restoring of classic cars and all the skills which go with this. The management must be aware that the business environment is constantly changing and they must be prepared to change with it especially during the current recession They need to be aware of their competitors but also know when collaboration and co-operation with competitors through strategic alliances is a necessity. 3 Stage Two Strategic formulation The New Vintage Car Company has formulated a strategy through the planning and analysis of companys SWOT and the gap analysis as well as having looked at the competition which is a few other similar small businesses. Strategy formulation is the process of determining appropriate courses of action for achieving organizational objectives and staying a profitable business. Johnson and Scholes (2002 p11) theorised that there were different levels of strategy: (1) corporate dealing with the ‘overall purpose and scope of an organisation and how value can be added to the business areas of the company and when a company has decided on its products and the market it should compete in (2) business unit strategy deals with how a company can achieve an advantage over its competitors and what opportunities can be identified or created and competitive strategy which is when the company sets out the framework for success in the market it has chosen with goal setting, commitment of resources a nd the monitoring or strategies and (3) operational strategy is how the different areas of a company deliver the corporate strategies with reference to resources, people and processes. Once the strategy has been formulated, the company needs a mission statement, set the aims and objectives and conduct the internal and external analyis of the niche in the market. The company would then implement the strategy by undertaking certain steps such as entering into a partnership or expanding distribution outlets. The strategy will then need to be reviewed. The strategy formulated by a company should reflect an environmental analysis as well as the organisaitonal vision, mission statement and organisational objectives. The way to formulate strategic plans is to use three steps which find out where the company is now, determine where the company wants to go, and then determines how to get there. This may require to take certain precautionary measures or even to change the entire strategy. Johnson and Scholes (2002) strategic model looks at three criteria suitability and whether it will work; feasibility and whether it is possible to make it work and acceptability and whether the strategies will be successful. 3.1 Suitability The strategies for the company need to be suitable for that company and its current and future position in the market. The question to ask is is it economical to pursue the strategies and would there be any cost advantages for the business due expansion (economies of scale) referring to efficiencies associated with supply-side changes, such as increasing or decreasing the scale of production, of a single product type? The company needs to also address the question of economies of scope which means efficiencies primarily associated with demand-side changes, such as increasing or decreasing the scope of marketing or distribution. A company which sells many product lines, sells the same product in many countries, or sells many product lines in many countries will benefit from reduced risk levels as a result of its economies of scope. If one of its product lines falls out of fashion or one country has an economic slowdown, the company will, most likely, be able to continue trading. Thin king of its customers the company needs to look at the experience economy and what their customers will get and how they will feel they receive not only value for money but are getting something extra and feel part of the company experience. This encourages company loyalty. The New Vintage Car Company has a loyal customer base in the UK and has overseas customers in countries where the current financial downturn has not had such as great impact. The company would make use of decision tree analysis and what if analysis. 3.2 Feasibility Feasibility is concerned with the resources required to implement the strategy and whether they are available now or need to be developed or obtained. The resources which would need to be looked at would be (1) finance and funding and whether the company would have enough capital without taking on a loan or issuing more shares; (2) people and whether there would need to be a recruitment drive to employ more skilled craftspeople or even take on apprentices; (3) time and whether the length of time it would take would be prohibitive or whether the time scales involved would be acceptable and (4) information and whether the company has enough expertise and knowledge to expand using the strategies. For this the New Vintage Car Company would need to undertake a cash flow analysis and forecast as well as a break even analysis and a deployment analysis. 3.3 Acceptability Acceptability deals with how the main stakeholders of a company will accept any new strategies. The stakeholders in a company are the shareholders, employees and customers. They will need to know the expected performance outcomes and whether there are risks and what the consequences of a failed strategy would be for the company. The shareholders would want to know that there would be returns on their investments either financial or non financial and the employees would expect improved pay or career prospects and customers would be concerned that they would still get the quality they were used to. An ideal tool for this would be stakeholder mapping. Therefore the formulation of a good workable strategy for the New Vintage Car Company is essential. Strategic formulation allows the company to plan its capital budgeting especially where there are limited funds and capital funds need to be invested where they can be most effective for all the stakeholders. The next stage is implementation. Implementing any strategies will mean a change of some kind. Strategic Planning ensures that an organisation is doing the right things and then doing them right but the strategic plan explains what the organisation is changing to. The Corporate plan would be at the head of the strategic planning with departmental strategic plans and functional strategic plans for other parts of management. What goes into a strategic plan must take into account the needs of the stakeholders, any environmental risks and threats plus the competencies, resources and values that the company has. (http://www.changeperform.com.au/strategic_plan_process.html) 4 Stage Three Strategic implementation and evaluation In order to implement the plans made, there will need to be an allocation of resources including money, people, time and computer support and establishing a chain of command with specific responsibilities given to individuals or groups. This also includes the right training for employees. Strategic management can often be planned or unplanned in that there are unpredictable circumstances as well as those which can be planned for. Once the strategy has been implemented, it will need to be evaluated as to its success or failure once again through SWOT analysis for company strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats both internal and external. The changes that could affect an organisation are any Political Changes such as a change in government, legislation, taxation,; any Economic Changes such as inflation, interest rates, unemployment; Social Changes such as population trends Technological Changes such as breakthroughs, new products and technologies, Implementing any strategies will need time and effort but they should not be imposed. The management of change is an important part of strategic implementation. Change cannot be forced on employees or implemented too quickly or there will be industrial problems. The idea of change is opposed for many reasons including job insecurity; fear of loss of status; pay cuts and job losses; breaks in routine; learning new skills and methods; change of work site and work colleagues. As the New Vintage Car Company is a small business it may be able to weather any of the changes which could affect the business. As the business uses a collaborative approach to management, the employees are part of the decision making process and the strategies which would affect them would be discussed collectively The Paton-Johnson model (2007 p109) can be used, as it suggests sequential stages for the management of change through initial conversations about change; diagnosis of what needs to be changes, how and why; the development of a new vision for the organisation and its employees which is shared and a plan to implement the changes. A useful addition to strategic strategies is Warrs Vitamin Model (1987) which considers the well being of company staff and the changes made in the organisation as vitamins to help the health of the company. Healthy minded employees work well and increase production which benefits the company. Employees need to know they are valued and respected within an organisation and if they do not feel this way they are discontent. 5 Conclusions There are many reasons why strategies fail and companies fail with them. Companies need to understand their market and their competition both now and in the future, know their own strengths and weaknesses and be aware of any opportunities which may come and any threats which are looming. The New Vintage Car Company will need to be confident of their employees competence in handling the new strategy and to introduce the changes gradually and with communication, cooperation and participation. Although strategic management is a complex process it can be handled efficiently although too much constraint may be limiting any future visions for the company. As a collaborative company there are just as many pitfalls as for those with top-down management style ‘too many cooks as well as ‘dictatorships. Strategic management consists of interpreting, and continuously reinterpreting, the possibilities presented by changing circumstances for achieving an organizations objectives. Strategic management processes are essential for an organisations success but they need to be paced and not rushed as this is where mistakes are made. The aim of the report was write a report about a chosen firm within the automotive industry (real or invented) indicating the stages, steps and processes involved in the planning and analysis, formulation and implementation and evaluation of the strategic management process. This was achieved through a brief investigation into the strategic levels associated with the New Vintage Car Company. The objectives of the report were o understand the importance and characteristics of strategic management to all forms of organisation and this was achieved through a review of the levels of the strategic management process and the theories and models with strengths and weaknesses. References Ansoff, I (1965) Corporate Strategy New York: McGraw Hill, Argyle, M. (1972, p.201) The Social Psychology of work, Penguin UK Armstrong J S (1982). The Value of Formal Planning for Strategic Decisions Strategic Management Journal 3: 197-211. Axelrod, R. and Cohen, M. (1999) Harnessing Complexity: Organizational implications of a scientific frontier New York: The Free Press, Chandler A (1962) Strategy and Structure: Chapters in the history of industrial enterprise, New York: Doubleday, Chartered Institute Of Personnel And Development. (2005) Managing change: the role of the psychological contract. Change agenda. London: CIPD. David, F (1989) Strategic Management, Columbus: Merrill Publishing Company, Drucker, Peter (1954) The Practice of Management, New York: Harper and Row, Grundy , T. (2006) Rethinking and reinventing Michael Porters five forces model. Strategic Change. Vol 15, No 5, August. pp213-229 Henry A. (2008) Understanding Strategic Management Oxford University Press Hughes, M. (2006) Change Management: A Critical Perspective. London: Chartered Institute Of Personnel And Development. Johnson B (1999) Introducing Management : a development guide for new managers Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann Johnson A Paton K (2007) Health Promotion and Health Services: Management for Change Oxford: Oxford University Press pp107-128 Johnson G Scholes K (2002) Exploring Corporate Strategy London: Pearson Education Ltd Lamb, R B (1984) Competitive strategic management, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, McGee et al (2005) Strategy: Analysis and Practice UK: McGraw Hill Moncrieff, J. Is strategy making a difference? Long Range Planning Review, vol 32, no2, pp273-276. Michaud C Thoenig J C (2003) Making strategy and organization compatible. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Mink/Esterhuysen/Mink/Owen, (1993) Change at Work Action Science Approach cited in Schumacher W D, (1997) Managing Barriers to Business Reengineering Success (Business Process Management Group) (www.bpmg.org) Pettigrew A. and Whipp R. 1993 p.5 Managing for Competitive Success Oxford: Blackwell Porter, M. (1980a) How Competition Forces Shape Strategy, Harvard Business Review, September-October, pp.137-145. Porter, M. (1980b) Competitive Strategy, New York: Free Press. Porter, M. (1998) Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors, New York: Free Press. Turner S. (2002) Tools for success: a managers guide. London: McGraw Hill. Warr P (1987) Work, Unemployment and Mental Health Oxford: Oxford Unviersity Press http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/ corpstrtgy/changemmt/chngmgmt.htm accessed 10 May 09 Harvard Business School (2002) Toward Continuous Change: Staying Competitive Through Change Harvard Business School Press (http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b01/en/common/item_detail.jhtml?referral=3035id=7188BC) accessed 12 May 09 Appendix A The New Vintage Car Company is a small specialist car making company which restores old classic cars but it looking to branch out into making new build cars based on the classic models of previous decades through a partnership with another small car company which produces self build car building kits for classic cars such as the MG. The company employs a skilled team of classic car body builders, wheelers, panel beaters, wing makers, and fender manufacturers who are skilled in working aluminium, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass and magnesium alloy as well as restoring ash frames from old cars or fabricating new wooden frames. The company has experience as vintage car coachbuilders has helped with classic car projects, from manufacturers including: Alvis; Amilcar; Auto Union; AC; Alfa Romeo; Aston Martin; Allard; Austro Daimler; Bentley; Bugatti; Bristol; BMW; Cadillac; Cisitalia; Cooper; Daimler; Delahaye; Delage; Invicta; Jaguar; Lotus; Lancia; Lagonda; Lamborghini; Maserati; Mercedes; Morgan; Porcshe; Riley; Rolls-Royce; Railton; Sunbeam; Tojeiro; Vauxhall; Veritas. The company has successfully completed a wide range of car commissions, from simple body repairs on existing bodywork to complete restorations and new bodies, sometimes from the most basic of plans. Commissions are from the whole of world motoring history, from fantastic exotica such as the 1938 Alfa Romeo Bimotore and two 1930s Grand Prix Auto-Unions, to a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Gull-Wing Magnesium Coupà ©. (adapted from http://www.rodjolley.com/flash/flashed.html)

Treyvon Martin and Clarence Thomas Essay -- Political Spectacle, Polit

On February 26, 2012, an apparently innocent teenager was shot as he walked home through his neighborhood late at night. The Trayvon Martin killing and trial has recently been one of the primary topics covered by the media in America. The response to the news coverage of the case has been staggering. Students have organized hoodie marches and created Facebook groups to protest the unjustified murder of the young man. However, is the American public as well informed as it pretends to be? Americans have an unsettling susceptibility to manipulation from the media. In 1991, a similar event occurred in the case of the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, where Supreme Court nominee, Clarence Thomas, had his personal affairs put on display for America. This event ignited unrest in women’s rights and civil rights groups across the country. Americans were surprised to discover that the nation had been blind to these supposed political injustices for years. The Clarence Thomas confir mation hearings cloaked a staggering message to the American people about media’s role in manipulating American sentiment by sensationalizing the news coverage relayed to the American public. The original purpose of the Clarence Thomas hearings were to determine if George Bush’s nominee for Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas, was a legitimate nominee for the prestigious role of Supreme Court justice. However, the hearings quickly developed into little more than a â€Å"political spectacle.† A political spectacle â€Å"is public in the sense that it deals with a†¦ scandalous action that carries instant and wide appeal no matter who does it† . The spectacle was tailored so that it would reach and catch the attention of millions of viewers. In order to accomplish th... ...ide, â€Å"Deconstructing the Political Spectacle: Sex, Race, and Subjectivity in Public Response to the Clarence Thomas/ Anita Hill â€Å"Sexual Harassment† Hearings,† American Journal of Political Science 37 (1993): 701. Dianne Rucinski, â€Å"Rush to Judgment? Fast Reaction Polls in the Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas Controversy,† The Public Opinion Quarterly 57 (1993): 575. Frances Trix and Andrea Sankar, â€Å"Women's Voices and Experiences of the Hill-Thomas Hearings,† American Anthropologist 100 (1998): 32. Larry Hugick, "On Night before Vote, Support for Thomas Remains Strong," Gallup Poll News Service 56 ( 1991): 2. Murray Edelman, Constructing the Political Spectacle (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1988), 99. Thomas P. Kim, â€Å"Clarence Thomas and the Politicization of Candidate Gender in the 1992 Senate Elections,† Legislative Studies Quarterly 23 (1998): 399.

Purpose of College Education

There is no doubt that education plays an important role in people's lives. At a very young age, people begin spending time in school to acquire the basic things necessary in life including reading and writing. They progress to more complicated lessons as time goes on. However, the most important education that a person can receive would probably be tertiary education. This is also known as college education where people are able to pick an area or field that they want to specialize in. The primary purpose of a college education would be for a person to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge in his or her chosen career and become fully prepared for the real world. For the students, a college education is a means of pursuing their dreams and ambitions in life (Borade, 2009). There are many people who believe that having a bachelor's degree will present more opportunities for them. Although there are several individuals who have become successful even without finishing their college education, it is still more effective if people graduate from college, especially if education is all that they have. Nowadays, companies and employers prefer to hire individuals who have college degrees and would pay even more if they have masterals or doctorate degrees. Having a college degree increases individuals' chances of being hired in the corporate world rather than having average and low-paying jobs. â€Å"For a parent, the very purpose of a good college education is to enable the child to probe the realms of thought and access real higher learning† (Borade, 2009). Parents only want the best for their children. They want to see their children succeed in everything that they do. They push their children to finish college because they know that this will benefit their children in the future. They want their children to maximize their full potential and bring out the best that they can be in life through academic learning. Academic institutions also plays a role in the academic lives of students. Their purpose is to provide the best educational experience to the students enrolled in their campus. For them, the purpose of college education is for them to act out their roles as providers of education. Without them, people will have nowhere to go to receive education. The staff and the institution greatly help students mold themselves into the best individuals that they can be in the future. However, it is important to note that not all people believe in a college education. These people think that everyone can become successful even without finishing tertiary education. This is not hard to believe since there are numerous college drop outs that have emerged to become successful in their respective fields. Still, people, especially young students should not rely on this information and try their best to excel on their own. They should keep in mind that not all people are lucky and fortunate enough to attend college. While they have the chance, they should make the most out of it and make sure that they benefit from the learning process. As stated above, the primary purpose of a college education is to prepare the students for the real world. However, there are many who decide to â€Å"rush through their college years without taking the time to explore avenues of thought that could broaden their perspectives† (Nguyen, n. d. ). Students should always remember that they can only experience education the fullest way when they take the time to absorb everything that they are being taught. They will not be prepared if they take it too fast or too slow. Thus, the true purpose of college education will be defeated.