Monday, December 30, 2019

Developmental of behaviorism - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1128 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/03/22 Category Psychology Essay Level High school Tags: Behavior Essay Did you like this example? Researchers Jacqueline Trouillas and Patrick Mertens have written in the article about four common stages they experimented in the brain development of a sensorimotor stage child. I am only going to be talking about Maturation of the central cerebral regions which is stage four. Stage four is mostly about seeing the individuality of a child when growing. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Developmental of behaviorism" essay for you Create order On how smart one is without their parents helping at all. (Afif, A., Trouillas, J., Mertens, P. 2015) When I was reading towards what the characteristics for a two-year-old should be I came upon: pointing to things, knowing names of people, says sentences two to four words, understands instructions, names pictures in books, kicks ball, and can hop one leg at a time. When I was observing the two-year-old, he seems to be in peace. He does not ask for mom only auntie and nana. He seems to copy everything his brother does. His older brother is his role model for what I have seen. He loves to play outside and to talk a lot even though we cannot seem to understand very good what he is trying to say. He is a very loving kid that loves hugging and if you say stop or trying to make him understand he is doing wrong he understands and cries. I think it has been a month since I have seen him. He left with his dad to home in Grand Junction and left his older brother back at grandmas. My parents went to go visit him last weekend and he is so big and smart. He talks, and we can understand everything he says. I had read that kids at age two get hit with their vocabulary suddenly and can be understood to what theyre trying to say. In this article the researchers experiment was for them to see the attachment of a child and his mother and how they would react for them leaving. If they would cry and hug them when they would come back it meant they are attached to them, and if not, they had insecure attachment. From what the researchers have experimented was with 17 children. 16 of them were concrete stage graduates and only 1 was not. They said that it was common with many other groups and same backgrounds. Many had the same scores except the one with bad environmental experiences. What I mean by scores is by same behaviorism score they did while overviewing these children. Over time of reviewing many other groups, the numbers kept going down from 17 to only 5 people in a group. They were just trying to figure out the same type of answer of some specific children. (Southard, M., Pasnak, R., 1997) The child that I am observing is with the grandmother yells and says, Why dont you love me? to his grandmother. When his step father came out of jail, he took care of the two boys while the mother was not at home to take care of them herself. After a month of taking care of them he decides to head back home. He left both the children with the grandmother. The five-year-old is constantly only looking at the tv if not he is mad, sad, confused. He constantly cries for his mother wanting to know when she is coming home. One day when I picked him up at day care he was real upset about something and did not want to go home with me. I asked, what is the matter? He responded with I thought you were my mom, I just miss her, it broke my heart hearing him say this. He is always had his grandma and his brother with him, but ever since his mom left and then his step dad left, he felt empty. A month after his step dad had left his little brother left with his father back home and he stayed with his grandma. I would understand why he feels so lonely. Everyone has left without saying anything. We have tried getting him help with a counselor, but without any parent here the counselor will not accept to help him. The reason towards I decided to research the behavior of a five-year-old and a two-year-old is because of these two brothers. I have known them since they were born, and I am so sad on how I discovered so much about them. When I started this class, the professor told me about a research paper. I instantly thought about these two boys. These two boys have been through a lot and Ive noticed that the oldest one was more affected towards the separation of his parent then the smaller one did. About a week ago now the small one was with my mother, so they facetimed the older brother and he seemed to be happy to see his brother, but the only thing he wanted to know when the step dad was going to go visit him and take him with him. He was so upset that we wanted him to go get him and take him with him. It didnt matter if he was with his nana all he wanted was one of his parents. I have no idea exactly why it didnt affect the smaller one as much as it did to the oldest. I always thought it would affect the smaller one more than the oldest, but it all was backwards. Both children are with a permanent guardian. The 5-year-old is with his Nana; he has been with her for over a month now. The young one is with his dad up in Grand Junction and we can see him whenever and seems to be happy to be with him. The mom is now in an addiction clinic up in Denver and cant see her children until they know she is doing better. Towards this paper Ive realized that many teens/ adults struggle with life because they have grown up in an unstable home. When kids grow up like this they always seem to be depressed or cant trust anyone. Every time the 5 years old Nana goes to work, he cries when she comes back because he thinks that hes going to abandon him like everyone else has. I am glad I had the opportunity to write about them. This is a hard topic for many people, but I was able to talk to my aunt about it and she agreed for me to write this about her daughters struggle. My aunt has cried through it all and shes just glad everything is falling in place and was glad I was there to help with any type of problem. I was there to observe the childrens behaviors and was able to participate for them to feel loved and cared for.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Betrayal In Shakespeares Hamlet - 1395 Words

â€Å"The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.† Presumably, family and friends should be people whom you can trust for anything. Right? However in the William Shakespeare s tragedy, Hamlet, he exposes the few wicked relationships within different character s transactions. This essay expresses how without support or a backbone in a relationship can be detriment to any self growth for the future. Shakespeare devotes his scripting to narrate the hideous ironic death of each main character from the act of betrayal. Some traits that Hamlet possesses which people inaccurately diagnosed him with insanity. Signs such as feeling conflicted, extreme sensitivity, feelings of isolation dominated by fear of failure,†¦show more content†¦Which wasn t satisfying haunting Claudius and realizing two months after the announcement his death, King Claudius asked Queen Gertrude to marry him. Shockingly, she replied yes. Second signs of betrayal, nothing is worst than the betrayal of the bond between a mother to her child. So shockingly, Queen Gertrude outranks all when she betrays her 30 year-old son, Hamlet by marrying Claudius so quickly after his father s death. Regardless, she neglected Hamlet s emotions and ignored his opinion who mattered the most when she made this rash decision. Instead of the Queen trusting her own creation, she gambled on her a secret lover/brother-in-law to rule Denmark by her side. Shakespeare’s representation of how the situation one can only assume that Queen Gertrude is a self centered coward. It is understandable for Queen Gertrude to hesitate when transferring the power and responsibilities of Denmark into the hands of her unstable son. Normally, a mother would be protective about whether if she wanted to power over to grieving son. However, Gertrude failed when it came to giving Hamlet the benefit of doubt and believing he would excel in honor of his father. Throughout the play, she rarely delivers a presence to anyShow MoreRelatedMadness, Betrayal, And Madness In William Shakespeares Hamlet2009 Words   |  9 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a tragic tale filled with madness, betrayal, and revenge. The treacherous death of King Hamlet leads to a series of events that causes Hamlet to present an â€Å"antic disposition† to deceive the people around him and avenge his father’s death. However, beneath his methodical and logical mind, there is an underlying current of mental instability. Although at first he feels that the idea of an act of madness is a good one, it becomes clear throughout the play that even HamletRead MoreThe Consequences Of Characters In William Shakespeares Hamlet1011 Words   |  5 PagesSet during the middle ages, William Shakespeare’s tragic drama Hamlet recounts the exploits of a young and enigmatic prince as he seeks to avenge the murder of his father, the King of Denmark. Prince Hamlet, overcome with feeling s of anger and grief, embarks on a mission to kill Claudius, his uncle and successor to the Danish throne, whom he believes killed the Danish patriarch. Emotionally damaged by his father’s death and betrayed by those he loves, Hamlet becomes overwhelmed with anguish andRead MoreThe Foils of Hamlet Essay646 Words   |  3 Pagesplot. In William Shakespeares play Hamlet, the main character, Hamlet, has three major foils. These foils are his close friend Horatio, Fortinbras, Prince of Norway, and the brother of his love, Laertes. These three characters contradict and enhance Hamlets major characteristics. Hamlets friend Horatio is a foil for him because he brings out the revenge and betrayal in Hamlet. He is a listener for Hamlet. Horatio seems to be the only one who is sympathetic of Hamlet concerning the deathRead MoreAnalysis Of William Shakespeare s Macbeth 1149 Words   |  5 Pagesand bailiff, Shakespeare is believed to have attended King’s New School because his father held an official position. Shakespeare did not receive any higher level education, however. Hardly anything else is known of the young William Shakespeare’s childhood. Shakespeare’s timeline then jumps ahead to November 28, 1852 when he married Anne Hathaway to legitimize Hathaway’s pregnancy. Their first daughter Susanna was born shortly after the marriage. She was shortly followed by the twins Judith and HamnetRead MoreBetrayal and Loyalty in Shakespeares plays3231 Words   |  13 PagesAP English Literature Composition March 14, 2012 Betrayal and Loyalty in William Shakespeares Plays William Shakespeare is one of the most recognized playwrights in the history of man. People have analyzed every sentence of his works and have taken note of the various styles used in his writing. Ironically enough, little is known about Shakespeares personal life. It is assumed, however, that like other literary writers, Shakespeare relates occurrences in his life into his writing. The averageRead MoreDepending On Who They Talk To, People Often Treat Others1484 Words   |  6 Pagesand their caretakers. The same can be said for the main character of Hamlet, in William Shakespeare’s play of the same name. Before the play takes place, most of the characters Hamlet is already familiar with, with much being family members, former school friends, and close allies of the king. Although Hamlet starts off depressed over his father’s death, when his father’s ghost appears and tells him of his uncle’s betrayal, Hamlet rises up to the task of taking on his father’s murderer. This suddenRead MoreEssay On Self Motivation In Hamlet1100 Words   |  5 Pages Within everyones lives, self-motivation affects the relationships that one has with others. In William Shakespeare’s play â€Å"Hamlet, Prince of Denmark,† characters struggle with adherence as they continually attempt to benefit themselves. Throughout the play, very few genuine friendships with loyalty were recognizable as the characters seek revenge to deceive Hamlet in the time of King Hamlets murder. When the benevolence and sincerity were true as Horatio had shown, personal gain did notRead MoreThe Characterization Of Hamlet By William Shakespeare1009 Words   |  5 Pagesignorance. Shakespeare’s distinctive characterisation of Hamlet presents a sympathetic protagonist whose descent into immorality is derived from his struggle to find his place within opposing paradigms. Hamlet, the epitome of revenge tragedy, acts as a microcosm to the inherent struggles between Renaissance humanism and traditional beliefs in their understanding of morality. Immediately departing from the conventional tragic hero defined by his actions, Shakespeare’s characterisation of Hamlet throughRead MoreAnalysis Of The Elizabethan Era And Shakespeares Hamlet807 Words   |  4 PagesThe Elizabethan Era and Shakespeare’s Hamlet In a dramatic work that displays a story of tragedy and revenge, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is about a prince who discovers his father was murdered by his uncle. Prince Hamlet later becomes infatuated with thoughts of revenge which introduces the plot of the play. Written during the Elizabethan era, Shakespeare incorporates aspects of that time in order to engage the audience. Hamlet’s soliloquy in act four scene four, lines 33-66, targets the originalRead More Hamlet, the Existentialist Essay1082 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare’s Hamlet is a tragic play about murder, betrayal, revenge, madness, and moral corruption. It touches upon philosophical ideas such as existentialism and relativism. Prince Hamlet frequently questions the meaning of life and the degrading of morals as he agonizes over his father’s murder, his mother’s incestuous infidelity, and what he should or shouldn’t do about it. At first, he is just depressed; still mourn ing the loss of his father as his mother marries his uncle. After he learns

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Sociology and Understanding Human Behavior †Socl215 Free Essays

September 8, 2011 Phase 4 Individual Project Sociology and Understanding Human Behavior – SOCL215 The sports sociology exists because of the strong relationship between sports and society. As a culture, we as Americans value sports for the entertainment, physical activity and many other benefits it provides to us. I believe that is the reason so much research has gone into discovering how and why it affects us as a society. We will write a custom essay sample on Sociology and Understanding Human Behavior – Socl215 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sports are enjoyed all over the world, particularly soccer and baseball in many parts of the globe. I am a really big fan of and enjoy football. It is my favorite sport. During the fall and winter months much of my life rotates around being able to watch professional football games and to cheer for my favorite team, the Carolina Panthers. It’s my favorite sport because I enjoy the energy, the socialization, competition and action. Because it is so widely revered in America, it is not very difficult to find another football fan or sports bar. Football is widely represented in the media which also helps to be a fan. ESPN (Entertainment Sports Programing Network) covers games if you may have missed a game or play as well as offer news about teams and players. During the local news broadcast a sports segment is always included. And in local as well as nationally published newspapers a sports section is included. I however am not a typical viewer/fan in the football demographic. Most fans are middle aged white men that make $55,000. However the number of women watching football is on the incline. According to the New York Times the number of women watching â€Å"Sunday Night Football† has increased 23 percent over the last two years. (Baker, 2011) The fan base for football is expanding for minorities as well. I think this is because more minorities are playing the sport. To get a better understanding of how sports and society affect one another I went to a local high school football game. I have always gone to football games as a fan, never as an observer and I knew this experience would be different. I decided to attend this event because I enjoy football and I knew a few of the students from work that go the high school. It was also an opportunity to learn more about high school, I usually only watch NFL (National Football League) football games. The following are my observations from the fieldwork done during the football game. The setting for this game was a high school football game was Carolina Forest High School. The elements that would affect behavior included banners, posters and cheerleaders. This affected the home team in a positive way as they feel more support and motivation. It could negatively affect the away team as they feel intimidated and home team as they could feel more pressure to win. The attendees/fans were students, parents, cheerleaders, ROTC members, teachers and other dance team members. Most of the fans were white high school students between the ages of 14 to 17. I would say it was divided pretty evenly between males and females. They seemed upper middle class with a few that seemed to be upper class. The players were similar to the fans as they were high school students, 14 to 17 years old and middle class but there were a few more black players than white. The dress of the fans was typical of teenagers. Students mostly wore jeans, T-Shirts and flip flops. Many were shirts that had the schools logo and mascot on it. There was a group of young men with hair dyed black and wore similar skateboard type attire. The students seemed to stay in groups together as did the parents. There definitely seemed to be groups that stayed to themselves and did not socialize with anyone outside of their group. This behavior applied to parents and students. The students in these groups were of the same social class and did dress similarly. The atmosphere was very positive and happy at the football games. The home team won which helped with the atmosphere. There were a couple moments of tension when the home team had a penalty or was losing. I saw symbolism in the flags used by the high school’s NJROTC drill field team. Other symbolism I saw was used by the referees. They used hand gestures to convey the penalties being issued to either team. The other observation I noticed was the language used during the football game. Students used chants that were exclusive to their school to show their support. There was also verbiage used to describe which down and field position the game was being played at. There was also commentary from the announcers tell the audience which players were preforming which plays and their positions. From my field work I learned that energy of the game is in direct correlation of fans. Because many high school students don’t know the rules of football and go to games as a form of socialization only the energy isn’t as high. However there seemed to be less tension and conflict among the fans as a result of this. When emotions run high, there is a greater risk of conflict. This seems to happen a lot in football because of the loyalty fans feel for â€Å"their† team. I previously stated in week one’s assignment that functionalist perspective was most useful when looking at the sociology of football because it played a part in society has a purpose to fulfill as a whole. And I still believe holds true. It helps to bring people together, gives a sense of competition and a role model for children. It also helps fund the education of promising athletes and promotes good physical wellbeing. American football culture has a positive impact on society. College students that show promise are able to get a higher education on a full paid scholarship. This allows more potentially more successful people in society. People throughout the world love sports. Mankind loves to get together for a common interest and celebrate. Even in the face of war and other devastating losses, we as a society will feel hope and inspiration from the victory of our sports team. This is the reason why sociologists are so interested in researching sports. It is a strange and intriguing phenomenon. I think the reason the so many participate is the social status it gives you. Children look up to athletes as role models. There is also the factor of money as well. Fans will dedicate a lot of money and loyalty to their favorite players. I also think they enjoy the feeling of having people rely on their abilities and come from very far away to watch them play. Many just have a passion for the sport they play. Fans play large roles in society. One way they do this is by providing economy to metropolitan areas that have professional or college sports teams. They are also the reason why sports media has grown to be what it is now. If it weren’t for fans there would be need to have things, like instant replay that has helped the integrity of many sports. We wouldn’t have tailgate parties so more members of society can come together for a common interest. â€Å"The importance of sport varies with the individual. It plays little or no role in the lives of some people. For others, it is a light diversion from the cares of everyday life. But for many, it is a central feature of their existence. † (Delaney, 2003) Sports will continue to play a part in society, people will gather from all across the world to watch sports like we do with the Olympics. There will also be controversy and conflict but I believe the benefits of enjoying sports still make being a sport’s fan worth the effort. References Baker, K. (2011, January 28). Gridiron Girls. Retrieved September 8, 2011, from nytimes. com: http://www. nytimes. com/2011/01/30/magazine/30FOB-wwln-t. html? _r=1 Delaney, T. (2003). Sports and Deviant Behavior. Retrieved September 8, 2011, from philosophynow. org: http://www. philosophynow. org/issue41/Sports_and_Deviant_Behavior Response to Peer Discussion Board Suggestions and Questions: I think the number of women watching football is unsurprising because many women have men in their lives that love football and expose women to the sport. I grew up watching the New York Giants because my father and our family favored that team. I stopped watching football so often until I met my husband and now we watch every game that is played by his favorite team. If I didn’t have these influences didn’t exist in my life, I wouldn’t watch sports at all. I’ve always enjoyed independent research. I like to work with groups and on my own which is a wonderful benefit to going to Colorado Technical University. I like being able to physically research and see for myself the ideas and concepts that are in our textbook. It makes the subject of Sociology feel more â€Å"real. † An interesting point is that fan behavior is not only affected by the game it is also affected by the team or sponsor they play for. I think it’s very true that some fans are definitely â€Å"fair weather. † Meaning a fan likes a team or supports a team because they win or are winners. I believe in supporting a team even if they lose or are not a very popular team. Another point I didn’t mention was how fans affect the player moral in a game. I think that if fans are cheering for a team and have good energy that this can affect a team in good and bad ways; good because the team will try to perform better and bad because they may not perform as well because they feel they don’t need to try as hard. There can also be the opposite effect of a team that is not doing well and is not being supports. They can either succumb to the negativity or work harder to overcome it. How to cite Sociology and Understanding Human Behavior – Socl215, Papers

Friday, December 6, 2019

Influence of Computer Information Technology

Question: Discuss about the Influence of Computer for Information Technology. Answer: Introduction Self-efficacy plays a significant role in one's life. It is imperative to judge ones capabilities. However, efficacy and self-efficacy differ from each other and must not be confused. The term efficacy is used in the field of medicine and pharmacology. Efficacy refers to the maximum response achieved from a dosed agent. On the other hand, self-efficacy is the belief in oneself to achieve ones goals. Efficacy is medical term while self-efficacy is a term in the field of psychology or sociology. Efficacy is a therapeutic effect of a medical device, drug, or surgical procedure. But both efficacy and self-efficacy may have positive as well as negative impact on an individuals health. The rise in self-efficacy levels would help the students in the long run. Mostly, the accurate measurement of self-efficacy provides a basis upon which one can evaluate calibration accurately. This calibration is very crucial for IT students. The rise in self-efficacy levels would enhance performance, and ev eryone would benefit from this endeavor. The report aims to give an in-depth analysis of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy Self-efficacy is defined as the extent to which a person can stick to his/her decisions. It is a belief, which a person has his/her own ability to complete assigned tasks and reach goals. There has been extensive research on self-efficacy by psychologists. Self-efficacy affects the psychology, motivation and behavioral pattern of a person largely. There are some theories derived by psychologists on self-efficacy. Apparently, people think that they can achieve all goals that they set. However, most of them fail to put their plans into action. With time, people realize that it is hard to accomplish those tasks practically. Self-efficacy plays a pivotal role in a persons life for it greatly affects a persons thought process and motivation. Self-efficacy helps a person in facing the challenges and see them as tasks that they must master. Individuals with self-efficacy try to resolve the problems they face rather than avoiding them. They focus on the activities of their life and possess a strong sense of commitment. On the other hand, people with low self-efficacy fear about the challenges in life and see them as potential threats. They remain uncommitted to their goals and often fail to attain them. They lose faith and confidence very quickly and always think negatively about the difficult situations of life. They suffer from low self-esteem and suffer from stress and depression. They learn and achieve much less compared to people with high self-efficacy. Thus, a heightened sense of self-efficacy allows a person to recover quickly from disappointments and setbacks. They are more successful than people wi th low self-efficacy. Four factors primarily affect the self-efficacy. They are enactive attainment or experience, vicarious experience or modeling, social persuasion, and physiology. Environment and genes also affect self-efficacy. The self-efficacy of a person is badly hampered by stress and demonstrates his/her inability. There are numerous theoretical approaches of self-efficacy like the social cognitive theory, self-concept theory, social learning theory, and the attribution theory. The social cognitive theory emphasizes the role that social experience and observational learning plays for developing the personality. Postulated by Albert Bandura, social cognitive theory shows how observing actions of others influences an individuals cognitive processes, social behaviors, and personal actions or reactions (John 2013). External experiences play a significant part in determining self-efficacy of a person. Social learning theory elucidates acquiring skills developed primarily from a social group. Social learning develops personal skills and individual emotions and thereby helps an individual to accept others. It contributes to perceive the self in a better way as people learn by imitating others, or through observation. Self-efficacy illustrates a persons understanding and contribution in a group. Self-concept theory strives to explain self-concept as something that is organized, learned, and ever changing. The existence of an individual is interpreted through external sources and focuses on how the impressions remain alive throughout the life. The focus of attribution theory is on the attribution of events. Internal locus enhances or diminishes self-efficacy with success or failure respectively. Locus, stability, and controllability form the three broad elements of attribution theory. According to the attribution theory, the absence to cope up leads to a relapse and decreased self-efficacy. Inability to make a decision is a result of low self-esteem and must be addressed and resolved. Literature review Self-efficacy in IT This study examined the influence of self-efficacy in the Information technology sector and in awareness of goals. The investigation was done based on goal-setting theory, motivation sequence model, and the social cognitive theory. The study investigated such relationships using the ERP, that is, the Enterprise Resource Planning system. The study gave a deeper insight to the ERP system researchers into the importance of self-efficacy. As both IT self-efficacy and goal awareness have a positive influence on job satisfaction. Self-efficacy is related to and essential in using e-mail. People with high self-efficacy are bound to use computers more than individuals with less self-efficacy. Self-efficacy plays a positive role in establishing association between an employee and telecommuter. Moreover, people with more self-efficacy in using information technology have more work outcome. Also, the level self-efficacy have different preferences for using different technologies. Individuals wi th high self-efficacy are more efficient in using modern technology (Al-Haderi 2013). The dissertation aimed at examining the level of self-efficacy of teachers who use Interactive technology in language teaching. The name of the project is Interactive Technologies in Language Teaching. The aim of the project was to produce resources and training materials for teachers so that they can use interactive whiteboard technology in foreign language teaching. The project involves participation of seven European countries- France, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Wales, Germany, and Turkey. There was not much variation in the responses that the research team got from different countries. It was seen that teachers had high information and communication technologies but low self-efficacy with some tools and features of IWB. Self-efficacy thus plays a vital role in utilizing such technological tools. According to the author, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are the determining factors of technological use. A persons high level of self-efficacy positively influences the acceptance of technology. A teachers perception of technology and heightened self-efficacy helps in a contextualized and deeper understanding of technology. It helps in better acceptance of technology (Greenhow and Askari 2015). This article is based on a study that was conducted in adopting of social networking sites. It measured the effect self-efficacy in accepting the use of technology. 255 people from Thailand and Bangkok were selected for the purpose. The data was analyzed through structural equation modeling techniques. The research revealed that computer experience and knowledge had a positive influence on an individuals self-efficacy. The reverse is also true. Social factors do not effect much in the improvement of self-efficacy in case of computer technology. In fact, self-efficacy directly influences usefulness and indirectly influences the intention of an individual to use information technology. Social networking sites like facebook, twitter, YouTube, or LinkedIn influences a persons self-efficacy level in performing a computer related task (Sheng et al. 2012). In this article, a study was conducted by Park and his colleagues to detect the importance of self-efficacy and the effect that it may have on the belief of individuals. Self-efficacy defines and judges a users ability to perform work related to information technology. It was found that technological readiness, self-efficacy, and innovativeness of a person are more important determining factors than demographic ones like gender, age, or education. It was also revealed that old users with high self-efficacy accept technology more than new users with low self-efficacy. Studies also reveal that self-efficacy has a strong influence on use of a system as they have a perceived sense of ease in effectively using the system. High self-efficacy have a positive impact on the use of technological systems (John 2013). The literature review of four research work shows the importance of self-efficacy in the field of information technology. Every study indicates that variation in self-efficacy levels affects the performance and output of people largely. The method to measure self-efficacy levels is different in each case. The conducted research measures and compares the performance of different people in different country from various fields. The studies show how self-efficacy levels may influence individual performance and productivity. There is always a positive relationship between high self-efficacy, utilization of computers, and usage of modern technological tools. It is further seen that employees with low self-efficacy levels integrate and seek technology more effectively. Conclusion As self-efficacy and self-confidence play a vital role in the field of information technology, it is of utmost importance that faculty gives students a proper education. The rise in self-efficacy levels would enhance their performance, and everyone would benefit from this endeavor. The scores of the study would direct the attention of the faculty towards the students. The rise in self-efficacy levels would help the students in the long run. Mostly, the accurate measurement would provide a basis to the faculty upon which they can do their evaluation accurately. This is very crucial for people using information technology in their work place. Self-efficacy is something that must be taught to students in school. Watching their peers succeed would boost the confidence level of students. Teachers must strive to instill in students positive beliefs. Balance in emotional level would energize the students and lead to better performance. Boosting self-efficacy in students right from the very beginning would help the students to cope up with difficult situations in a better way. Teachers can, in an effective way help students to reduce stressful situations and lower anxiety levels. Self-efficacy is the level of confidence and the belief in oneself that a person possesses. There are many occasions in ones life where a person feels that he/she is not able to cope up. In my life, I faced a situation of low-efficacy when I was asked to take a class on computer applications and give a presentation. Since I had never addressed such a large audience, my self-efficacy was underdeveloped. But after a few minutes, I found that I was able to speak confidently. My self-efficacy level increased once I undertook the task. After conducting the class, I saw that there were others like me who were giving a lecture for the first time. They were in the learning process and were beginners like me. Seeing them, I found my self-efficacy level soaring for I had a feeling that if they can do it, I can also do so. As I got encouragement from my instructor and professor, I felt more confident. I again found my self-efficacy growing. My sense of low-efficacy, nausea, and high heart rate, all vanished within a few minutes. Nevertheless, low self-efficacy has never stopped me completely from achieving my goals. Whenever I faced a situation of low self-esteem, I tried to overcome it. However, once you gain a high level of self-efficacy, it is very unlikely that you would again face difficulty in your performance. Mostly, for a given task, a student's sense of self-efficacy depends on upon the way a student learns the task. Experiences in ones life further help a person to overcome low self-efficacy. References Al-Haderi, S.M.S., 2013. The effect of self-efficacy in the acceptance of information technology in the public sector.International Journal of Business and Social Science,4(9). Greenhow, C. and Askari, E., 2015. Learning and teaching with social network sites: A decade of research in K-12 related education.Education and Information Technologies, pp.1-23. John, S.P., 2013. Influence of Computer Self-Efficacy On Information Technology Adoption.International Journal of Information Technology,19(1), pp.1-13. Sheng-Yi, W.U., Shih-Ting, W.A.N.G., Liu, E.Z.F., Da-Chain, H.U. and Hwang, W.Y., 2012. The influences of social self-efficacy on social trust and social capital-A case study of Facebook.TOJET: The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology,11(2).

Friday, November 29, 2019

 What is the importance of this scene to the play Essay Example

  What is the importance of this scene to the play? Essay Shakespeares work was meant to be performed in the form of a play, although we so often read it as a literary text today. However years ago when it was written there were no special effects, props and lighting to tell the story, to create tension or to show the audience what kind of society Romeo and Juliet were growing up in. So Shakespeare had to use the characters speech and actions to do all this and to set the scene for the audience. In Act III, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet, the character who Shakespeare uses the most to do this is Benvolio. The scene starts with two characters talking, Benvolio and Mercutio. Straightaway the audience can tell what types of people they are from their names, for example Benvolio means kind and gentle, whereas Mercutio suggests that he has an aggressive and explosive personality. It is likely that the audience would be expecting a conflict from Mercutio and for Benvolio to try and calm down this conflict and they are not disappointed. Benvolio is also used by Shakespeare as some sort of narrator, setting the scene and telling us what the atmosphere is like on the streets of Verona. A film may have had a shot of the sun or people struggling in the heat. Shakespeare could not do this as they were written as plays so he gets Benvolio to set the scene the day is hot. Later he tells the audience how much tension there is on the streets of Verona and how everybody is watching and waiting for trouble. here all eyes gaze on us. Shakespeare also gets Benvolio to say that he is worried that if the Capulets come that there will be a conflict and that they will not scape a brawl. By doing this the audience knows that there might be a fight and this raises their expectations of there being one. We will write a custom essay sample on   What is the importance of this scene to the play? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on   What is the importance of this scene to the play? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on   What is the importance of this scene to the play? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This initial conversation between Mercutio and Benvolio is used by Shakespeare to raise the tension. Mercutio teases Benvolio for being quick tempered and shows the audience that he has no respect for the way Benvolio acts, kind and gentle. It is clear to the audience that Mercutio would be up for a fight. The way he jokes about a fight in a tavern with swords gives us an impression of how violent the streets of Verona can be. This quite light opening to the scene is dramatically contrasted with the gruesome ending. The entrance of the Capulets is emphasised by Benvolios sudden shout, By my head, here come the Capulets. He would have said this in quite a shocked and scared way. This would make the audience worry and makes the scene more dramatic because it suggests that their arrival might be going to lead to some kind of violence. As Tybalt enters, Shakespeare makes use of the technique of a dramatic aside when he says to his friends Follow me close for I will speak to them. The audience hear this but Mercutio and Benvolio dont so it makes the audience again expect trouble. Tybalts change of tone to a friendly Gentlemen good den makes the audience wonder about his true motives and what will happen next. They already know from this aside that Tybalts friendly approach isnt really that friendly. Shakespeare then raises the tension even further because the supposedly friendly banter between Tybalt and Mercutio is delivered with real nastiness. The words are friendly but the tone is hostile. The over the top politeness borders on sarcasm and could be played that way by the actor who plays Tybalt. Even though Mercutios tone is quite comical and humorous, his words are layered with malice. Shakespeare tries to structure their argument so that it resembles a verbal swordfight, with attacks and counter attacks. By doing this he is building up the tension leading to the real swordfight. Their quick talking also helps to speed up the pace of the scene and makes it more exciting. Mercutio deliberately misunderstands Tybalts meaning of the word consort. Shakespeare uses this to show that there is no sympathy between them. They are edging towards a fight Tybalt: Mercutio, thou consortst with Romeo. Mercutio: Consort! What, dost thou make us minstrels? The audience would have been concentrating on the argument at this point to see what will come out of it, so when Benvolio interrupts, it is like he stops the action and makes the audience wonder what is going to happen next. It sets the scene for the arrival of Romeo and the tension rises again when he does. The person that Tybalt was hoping to meet has arrived. This is where Shakespeare uses a technique called dramatic irony. Dramatic irony is where the audience knows something that the characters on the stage dont. The audience already know that Romeo has married Juliet in secret so they will be anxious to see what will happen next. They also know that the ending is not a happy one so they know that what does happen next is going to be one of the most important parts of the play. Romeos speech patterns are not as sudden or nearly as violent as Mercutios and Tybalts. He takes his time to say what he wants to say and in the end doesnt say it all. Shakeseare makes it a lot longer than it needs to be when all the audience want to see is Romeo telling Tybalt he has married Juliet his cousin. In the end Mercutio suddenly loses his temper and begins a serious verbal attack on Tybalt, referring back to the previous conversation that him and Tybalt were having about his fighting skills and says, alla stoccata carries it away. It shows that after all is said and done the favourite way to settle an argument in Verona is to have a fight. Shakespeare lightens the atmosphere by using humour in the scene, which makes it more varied and entertaining for the audience. He keeps Mercutio true to his character when he gets him to joke about during the swordfight and when he is dying. He calls Tybalt ,Good King of cats making fun of his name. He makes a pun about himself being, a grave man tomorrow, meaning that he will be dead as well as serious. The way that Mercutio dies is very important to the way the play develops. Romeo tries to play the peacemaker and get between Tybalt and Mercutio but all he does is stop his friend from defending himself which allows Tybalt to stab him. The nastiness of the situation is shown when Mercutio blames Romeo and curses both the Montagues and the Capulets. He says, A plague o both your houses It also shows that whatever Romeo tries to do he cant cheat his fate. This is a pivotal point in the whole play. From being a peacemaker and a lover Romeo turns into a killer. Romeo totally changes after Mercutios death and becomes like the others in Verona and follows the code of revenge. Shakespeare also gets Romeo to speak differently. When he was trying to play the peacemaker he was calm in the way he talked. Now Shakespeare uses the technique of assonance and repetition to show Romeos anger and determination and to wind up the tension. Alive,in triumph! And Mercutio slain! Away to heaven, respective levity And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! After Romeo kills Tybalt he realises what he has done in a fit of temper. He says, I am fortunes fool. There is more dramatic irony here as the audience already know that Romeo and Juliet are going to die and that they are star-crossed lovers. Shakespeare again keeps the audience on tenterhooks though by getting the Prince to banish him rather than to ask for his execution. It is ironic that it is Benvolio the peacemaker who is arrested after the deaths of Tybalt and Mercutio but Shakespeare needs somebody to report to the Prince what happened and so he carries on in his role as narrator. The reactions of the Montagues and Capulets show how they still hate each other despite everything and are looking for more blood. Lady Capulet vows for revenge and demands it. Romeo slew Tybalt. Romeo must not live. As the scene ends tension is lower but there is an air of foreboding and the audience knows that things can only get worse, they just dont know exactly how. I think that Act III, Scene 1 is important and is the most pivotal point of the play. Everything before builds up to it and everything afterwards is a result of it. When Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo goes crazy and seeks revenge on him because he killed someone he deeply loved. Romeo cant control his anger and so contributes to his own unhappiness despite himself. The murder of Tybalt would have come as a shock to the audience as Romeos character goes from lover to hater. It also shocks the audience because before the murder he refused to fight Tybalt when he was insulting him. It shows us that in the end, Romeo has the potential to be just as hot headed as Mercutio. Another apparent change in this scene is the atmosphere which becomes tenser as the characters are behaving differently and out of control. Act III, Scene 1 is definitely the most pivotal point of the play, because this is the twist in the story. After this everything changes. The Prince banishes Romeo which eventually leads to the final tragedy. This scene is a turning point which can be felt in the mood, the way the characters behave and what happens as a result. It is where happiness and comedy turn to tragedy.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Book Outline How to Outline a Novel with 11 Steps for Success [Video]

Book Outline How to Outline a Novel with 11 Steps for Success [Video] Book Outline: How to Outline a Novel with 11 Steps for Success Outlining. That word may conjure images of 7th Grade English, scribbling at your desk in frustration while a stern teacher looks over your shoulder as you try to learn how to outline.A book outline can be almost as intimidating as that teachers blatant glare.Many of us learned how to outline in middle school, and it’s a skill we haven’t revisited since our braces came off and the acne faded away. But have no fear! You’re a grown-up now, and this project isn’t being graded, which means learning how to outline a book can (and will!) be pain-free, especially with the right help.Here are the different book outlining methods well cover in this post:Use a mind map book outlineSimple book outlineChapter-by-chapter outlineSketched book outlineOutline with ScrivenerBasic outlinePost-it note outline methodThe snowflake methodThe skeletal outlineNovel outline templateThe reverse outlineYou have free reign to structure your story outline to benefit your writing proces s- whether that’s a spaghetti-on-the-wall approach or a color-coded Excel spreadsheet.Us at Self-Publishing School? We love this tried-and-true Mindmap to Outline procedure. Book Outlining The Whole Process All in OneWe understand you.Your life is busy and sometimes you want all the (book-related) goods in one place. We heard you and we listened!Chandler Bolt created this all-in-one exclusive training for serious soon-to-be-authors. If you want to learn how to outline and everything else about the book writing process,make sure to sign upto save your spot!Because if you want to learn how to outline, you may as well get as much information as you can right away. Trust us, itll make your writing process that much easier.What if you could outline your book in just 24 hours?Join hundreds of other like-minded writers in a challenge that will give you all the tools, information and motivation you need to finish your outline!Click the button below to learn more about how Well basi cally hold your hand while you outline your book! (if we can do it, you can too!).Join the 24 Hour Book Outline ChallengeWhat is a Book Outline?A book outline is a roadmap or blueprint for your story. It tells you where you need to go and when in chronilogical order.Its easy to see this term and wonder exactly what that means. Is it a bullet list of topics for your book? Is it a chapter by chapter overview written in paragraphs?No matter how you write an outline, the purpose is the same.Think of it as a GPS of sorts but instead of giving you driving directions, your outline will give youwriting directions.Why Should IWrite a Book Outline?No matter which type of book outline you choose, planning before you write has many benefits. Its not just about getting your thoughts on the paper, either. Its about so much more than the actual writing. Outlines can do a number of things for you:help you define your goalsfinish your manuscript quickerstay focusedavoid plot holescreate a cohesive p lansee your story from start to finishhelp you stay motivatedensure you can focus on thequality of your writing instead of what to writeYou don’t need to spend huge amounts of time learning how to outline a book, but some (mostly painless!) prep before writing will be time well-spent since you won’t be spinning your wheels by staring at the blank screen of death.When you start with a plan, you’ll unconsciously make connections and think about your draft, even when you’re not actively writing. Mentally writing in the shower is one of the perks of outlining, because it will get your thoughts percolating. Be sure to keep paper and pens scattered about so you can capture your brilliance the minute it bubbles up, rather than letting all those ideas fade away.Once you have a plan to write your book in outline form, you’ll be better able to put these thoughts to paper and compose your chapters when you do sit down to write. This means a finished book in l ess time!And I have some good news: there’s no â€Å"right† way to outline. Each writer will have their own process that’s personal to them. Keep reading for tips on how to outline different ways. If one of these exact methods doesn’t strike a chord with you, you can combine methods to create your own way that works best for your unique book.Are you writing a fiction or non-fiction book? Depending on which youre working on, the outlining process may look be different.Thankfully, there are plenty of relevant tips you can apply in the section about outlining a non-fiction book. Likewise, even if you’re writing non-fiction, the section on how to write a fiction outline can help spark some ideas for your process, so we recommend authors of all types of books read the full list.NOTE: We go in-depth with everything covered in this blog post along with the writing, marketing, and self-publishing process in our VIP Self-Publishing Program.Click here to lea rn moreHow to Write a Nonfiction Book OutlineMost non-fiction authors find outlines useful due to the nature of their books. Generally, works of non-fiction require research and citation of sources (although many novels require their own research!).An outline can help organize your research so it doesn’t overwhelm you, plus your outline will help you create the best structure for your finished book. These are some of the beneficial methods we recommend for you.#1 Mindmap + Book OutlineThis is the main method of outlining that we teach in Self-Publishing School. The mindmap method requires you to create a brain dump based on your book’s topic. Write your topic in the center of a piece of paper, then use lines and words to draw as many connections as you can. It doesn’t need to make perfect sense from the get-go- the goal is free-form thinking to get all of your ideas out of your head and onto the page.You’ll start to notice connections between different c ategories of information. This makes it easier to spot the relevant â€Å"book-worthy† ideas. Then you can pluck those ideas out of your mindmap and put them into a cohesive book outline. We also recommend doing a mindmap for each chapter you select from your original mindmap. It will help you structure your entire book chapter by chapter. Fun, and so easy- we told you this would be (mostly) painless!At Self-Publishing School, we encourage students to make a mess with their mindmap.Regardless of what your mind map looks like in the end, it is an essential element to your book writing process.This mind map will be the jumping off point for you to begin your outline. In this brief video, Chandler explains how to turn your mindmap into an outline: #2 Simple Book OutlineA simple book outline is just as it sounds; keep it basic and brief. Start with the title. Don’t get too hung up on the perfect title at this stage of the process; you just want to come up with a good-for- now placeholder.You can always change the title later- in fact, you probably will- but starting with some kind of title gives you a better idea of where you want your book to go.Plus, outlining your book this way jump-starts the creative process.Next, you’ll list all of the key points that cover your book’s overall theme and message. You’ll use these key points to generate your notes. Later, you’ll flesh out these notes to draft your book chapters.#3 Chapter-by-Chapter Book OutlineYour chapter-by-chapterbook outline is a pumped-up version of the simple book outline.To get started, first create a complete chapter list. With each chapter listed as a heading, you’ll later add material or shift chapters around as the draft evolves.Create a working title for each chapter, and list them in a logical order. After that, you’ll fill in the key points of each chapter.Finally, you’ll link your resources as they would appear in each chapter, inc luding books, interviews, and Web links.Heres a great example of a chapter-by-chapter nonfiction book outline completed with bullet lists:#4 Sketch Your Book OutlinePerhaps you find the idea of a written outline confining. That’s OK - there’s another option which might appeal to your artistic side.Dan Roam, author of The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures, wrote about how sketching your ideas can simplify complex thoughts.To create this type of book outline, hand-draw your book concept in sequential order.This may be as simple or as elaborate as you desire. Feel free to use a Bic pen and a spiral notebook, or take it to the next level with a color medium on canvas-sized paper.The great thing about drawing your book is that you can later use the images as promotional and marketing material!#5 Book Outline With ScrivenerIf you like being uber-organized, then the writing software Scrivener might appeal to you. Their book outline progra m allows you to upload your research, organize it by moving it around, and filing it into folders.Like many writing software programs, it does have a fairly extensive learning curve, which can be a major downside- especially if you tend to procrastinate and really want to get your book published quickly.However, some writers say it revolutionized their organizational process for longer works.You can learn more about the program and its uses hereor check out this tutorial for an overview. How to Outline a Novel in 6 WaysWhile you can incorporate the book outlining tips we shared in the non-fiction section above, creating an outline for your novel will be inherently different from creating a non-fiction outline.Your novel outline will require a few different elements like: character developmentcharacter arcsthe evolution of plot pointsthe first slapthe second slapthe breaking pointthe climaxresolution of conflictWhile the methods may be different, the goal is the same- organization an d pre-planning so that you can write a great, cohesive book much faster.#1 Basic DocumentYour goal with the Basic Document format is to use a Word or Excel table to give structure to your theme. Create a table and organize and summarize your key points and plot.You’ll then create a separate section for characters and themes, and an additional section with relevant research.#2 Post-It WallThis is for the creative mind, and another method we teach in Self-Publishing School. All you need is a blank wall and a box of Post-It notes. Carry a pad of Post-Its with you wherever you go, and doodle your book on the fly.Write your ideas and inspiration on your Post-Its when the mood strikes you.Next, affix the Post-Its containing words, snippets, doodles, and phrases to the wall. After a week of this exercise, organize these words into novel outline form. Voila- simple, effective, creative!#3 The Snowflake MethodThe Snowflake Method was created by fiction writing coach Randy Ingermans on based on the notion,â€Å"Good fiction doesn’t just happen. It’s designed.†The process of the snowflake method focuses on starting small, then expanding. For example, you’d start with one line from your book, then add a paragraph, then add a chapter.Since the snowflake method is fairly detailed and based on scientific theory, Randy’s article is worth a read so you can review the detailed steps involved in this outlining method.#4 The Skeletal OutlineIf you’ve ever written a term paper or thesis, then you’re probably familiar with the skeletal outline. You’ll lay out your narrative points in the order they’ll appear in your story, which involves a broad 7-step story arch.This gives you a big picture idea of the flow of your story, so you can adjust your story and add subplots for maximum impact.#5 Novel Outline TemplateWhy reinvent the wheel? If you’re impatient to jump right into the fun part- writing!- or yo u aren’t sure exactly how to format your novel outline, then a pre-formatted template outline might be your saving grace.A fill-in-the-blank novel outline can help you develop your plot, characters, and ideas without getting bogged down with the notion of striving for â€Å"proper† outline form.#6 The Reverse OutlineSometimes looking at the problem from a different angle can give you the answer to the question. The same applies to outlining.Reverse outlining is exactly what it sounds like: Write down how your novel ends. Then once you know the ending, outline backwardto get to that happy (Or sad? You’re the author!) ending.This method often helps if you want to plant seeds and have a lot of shocking foreshadowing moments.Authors like George R.R. Martin have to use these methods in order to make sure the plot lines up.For more ideas and creatives ways to jump-start your novel outline, check out How to Write a Novel Outline.Here’s the takeaway: No matter w hich option you choose, ultimately, you’ll write faster and better with a book outline. If one way doesnt work well for you, then experiment and try another. Remember, your goal is a finished manuscript, not the gold medal for â€Å"Most Perfect Book Outline.†Discover what works best for you and you’ll be one step closer to a finished book.Ready to become a published author?Make sure to take advantage of this free training. It will take you through everything you need to go from blank page to published author in as little as 90 days! Youll have your outline started before your training is even finished.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

WK 2 PS240 Evolutionary Psychology Research Paper

WK 2 PS240 Evolutionary Psychology - Research Paper Example unique from the next culture, yet many traits and behaviors are still present in all of them, which leads evolutionary psychologists to believe that these traits and behaviors simply evolve throughout all humans over the course of time. Natural selection is one of the most touched upon subjects in evolutionary psychology as it contains the most evidence that human instinct is indeed evolutionary; natural selection is also a vital component to evolution. Natural selection refers to the non-random, progressive â€Å"process by which biological traits become either more or less general in a population as a function of differential reproduction (Buss, 2003).† The prevalence - or gradual disappearance - of specific traits over time reveals how humans either increase their dependency for a trait or decrease their dependency based on their environment. When human beings alter their behavior and actions to help them survive, those changes gradually become more regular in a population over successive generations. An example of natural selection as it relates to evolutionary psychology is the human body’s adaptive response of fear. An evolutionary behavior is defensive responses when human beings are subjected to various types of fear-inducing incidences. During environmental extremes, such as dangerous weather, the fear that is felt by humans allows them to behave protectively and to seek shelter. The fear that arises when an individual is faced with a loss of territory or material resources keeps the individual on guard for further threats, as well as prompts them to monitor and protect what remaining resources that they have. These behavioral traits, as a result of evolution and natural selection, have been hereditarily passed down from generation to generation because they have proven to be useful to the survival of human

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The application paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The application - Term Paper Example Initially, extremely excited and optimistic, Jason was momentarily awfully despondent. He could not remember the last time he had encountered such a communication crisis in a company, and was at a loss on how to even initiate solving this mess of a situation. Equipped with more than fifteen years of experience as an international crisis communications consultant, and having a doctorate of philosophy in communication, he always prided himself on dealing with the intra-company issues swiftly and proficiently. Maybe it was the semantic noise (2) in the form of confusing vocabulary and mixed phrases used by the lower staff, or the inflexibility of the thought process (3) of the higher managements in the form of tunnel vision, Jason was hitting hard walls wherever he goes. When Jason’s company was approached by the Targeta Inc., a retail giant in States, they thought that it will be just like any other acquisition case. Targeta had recently acquired a small Quebec based clothing co mpany Simmona Inc., and was having problems with synergizing cultures, and internal and external communications. Jason further deduced that Targeta was probably going through an information management crisis (4) in the new market, and needed an advisor to figure out ways to ingratiate in the local market. Simmona, an almost two hundred years old company, operated seven big stores in the province of Quebec, Canada. Their main suppliers were local emerging and already established French designers; not even a single product in the stores was imported from outside of the Quebec. Their biggest location was within the Montreal downtown, with a huge store on the ground floor, and headquarters on the upper levels. The local French Quebecois community had a huge symbolic interaction (5) with these stores, and considered them as a part of their heritage. The firm’s logo was a maple leaf, which is also the national Canadian symbol. At each store, Simmona employed a manager, an assistant manager, and twenty other staff people. Along with these 154 people, forty five more people worked at the head office, which included the CEO John Simmona, and ten other senior officials. Post acquisition, all of the senior management at the head office was changed, most of them appointed from within States. However, Targeta decided to keep all the store officials, including the store managers, and assistant managers. Ever since the new management took over, the profits have sharply declined, thus resulting in James arrival to sort out the problems and present a plan of action (6). To begin with, Jason immediately went on to conduct written surveys, and verbal interviews of the store employees. His surveys mostly consisted of binary questions (7), with yes/no answers, and were regarding interactions with previous owners, views about the new management, and other related issues. Along with this, he also questioned local friends and other acquaintances, to get to know what general po pulation thought about this acquisition. He also went to the neighborhood library and read all the available six month old newspapers, focusing mostly on the business sections. He wanted to get as much information as possible regarding events surrounding this acquirement. He did realize that before this acquisition, there was a mystification (8) attached to these stores. Simmona family,

Monday, November 18, 2019

The Contemporary Practice Of Political Spin Essay

The Contemporary Practice Of Political Spin - Essay Example The United States of America is the world’s most prominent democracy, and though never openly calling itself secular, it has been overt in proving its colorblindness in the matter of religion. But without doubt, Americans are probably more devoutly religious then any other people of the West. This devoutness has been the target of the Republican party of the United States ever since George W. Bush won the election in the year 2000. The stance taken by the present government in the issue of gay marriages and the status of immigrants in the United States provides ample proof of the importance of ambiguity and ‘spin’ in U.S political rhetoric. The Republican Party cannot openly show its opposition to the proposition of same-sex marriages, considering the position that gay people have managed to win in society. Neither can the US government openly state that it considers closing the borders of the country a viable option for ensuring home security, considering that a giant portion of the American workforce comprises of immigrants living and working illegally. Thus in both cases the government has cultivated the backing of the Christian right by using religious terminology and hyperbole.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

How Google is Changing Your Brain Article Analysis

How Google is Changing Your Brain Article Analysis When in doubt ask your all-knowing friend google. The authors Daniel M. Wegner and Adrian F. Ward who wrote How Google is Changing Your Brain published in 2013 in the Scientific American. Wegner and Ward argue that instead of relying on the diversity of our friends knowledge, people tend to ask google first. The article begins building credibility with convincing facts and examples; however, toward the end of the article, the sudden flip to how google is good weakens their credibility and ultimately, the article. In the article, the authors first set the stage by describing a birthday party scenario and how each person knows intuitively what to do. While one may remember the time and place of the party, the other may take note of the dress code.   The article then outlines that when presented with new information, people distribute remembering certain facts among their social group. When someone does not remember the right name or how to fix a broken machine they simply turn to someone who knows. The authors provide a few more examples to instill the idea of not only do people know the information stored within their minds; but, also the information of members of their social group. Throughout the entirety of the article, the authors use many strong examples and experiments that strengthens their claim, credibility and appeal to ethos. Mentioning the experiments boosts Wegner and Wards credibility showing that they have done their homework while providing statistics and facts. They also use their own experiments to support their claim which show they have first-hand experience with the subject. Adding to Wegner and Wards ethos appeals, they also have strong appeals to logos, with many facts and logical progressions of ideas. They point out facts, that show people are relying on computers to remember information, instead of the diverse information their friends may possess: We found that those who believed the computer had saved the list of facts were much worse at remembering. People seemed to treat the computer like transactive memory partners off-loading information to this cloud mind rather than storing it internally. These facts support the idea that people are beginning to rely on the internet and computers, instead of themselves and friends. Wegner and Ward continue with many more supporting ideas: it seems that the propensity for off-loading information to digital sources is so strong that people are often unable to fix details in their own thoughts when in the presence of a cyberbuddy. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ As we off-load responsibility for many types of information to the Internet, we may be replacing other potential transactive memory partners friends, family members and other human experts with our ever present connection to a seemingly omniscient digital cloud. These are a few of the many ideas, that support the authors claim that this is a real and substantial problem that humans are relying less on each other, and more on the internet. The convincing statements appeal to logos and presses upon the reader that this is a topic worth discussing. However, the end of the article lacks the same effectiveness of the paragraphs before it. For example, Wegner and Ward notes that the internet is up to date, not subject to the distortion that afflicts human memory, and quicker than calling a friend hoping they have the information you seek. This damages the strength of their credibility and their argument. Additionally, the authors last statement in the article, refers to the internet in a way that weakens the articles purpose. While returning to the introduction in the conclusion is a  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   frequently used strategy, they chose to abandon if not to totally disregard their beginning statement. Wegner and Ward states that humans are being freed from the necessity of remembering facts. The sudden dependence and off-loading of information to the internet is a movement that people should embrace. Though the article begins by effectively persuading to the readers the importance of the diversity of information their friends possess Wegner and Ward loses power in the end, where they need to drive home their argument. Readers can see a problem exists throughout the article; however, the sudden shift to downplay the problem, makes the reader not take it seriously in the end. Wegner, Daniel M., and Adrian F. Ward. How Google Is Changing Your Brain. Scientific American 309.6 (2013): 58-61. Academic Search Premier. Web. 8 Aug. 2016.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Volunteering for a Food Drive Essay -- Contribution to My Community Ser

Volunteering for a Food Drive "I'm hungry. Let's get something to eat before we go." It was around ten o'clock on a Saturday morning. Normally my parents might find me in bed or playing on the computer at this time, but I was dressed and grasping the doorknob in our kitchen on this particular morning. I felt a slight wave of hunger flow through my body, so I suggested to my mother that we have a light mid-morning snack to tide us over before lunch. I searched through a cupboard and found some crackers to take with us. It was going to be a hard day, and although I knew the people at the church would probably bring snacks and refreshments for us, I wanted to be sure that I had a full stomach on which to work. I wouldn't realize the true meaning of hunger, however, until my day of work on the postal workers' food drive was done. My mother helped out at various times throughout the year at volunteer events in the community. When I was born, she passed a few of her traits to me, and I, too, became interested in volunteering. I spent a day each summer going down to my grandmother's church and helping out with a summer fair by selling items and collecting money for the church. As Mom started to talk about the postal worker's food drive for the local food cupboard, I was anxious to help out in my own community. The idea fascinated me, helping out my neighbors by collecting and dispersing food to where it was needed. I knew I'd feel just like Robin Hood†¦taking from the rich and giving to the poor. In this case, though, all of the process was voluntary. My impression of hunger and starvation was limited in the past to the memorable television commercials for UNICEF and the children's funds around the world. I never realized that hunger might occur closer to home. I certainly never thought that anyone within my neighborhood or my town would be hungry. Mom drove us to where the food cupboard was located, at the Congregational church. As I entered in to the large meeting room downstairs at the church, I was met by around eight smiling residents of our town. A few of them were older ladies; a couple of them were middle-aged men. I would come to know them better as my visit elapsed at the church. I was unsure and a bit nervous at first. I hadn't visited the church since my elementary grades during which I participated in a weeklong summer Bible school. I... ...t to help out my neighbors. But a part of me still housed despair. Most of this food would be used by the next food drive in about six months. I could only compare it to when I was a child, seeing an ambulance rush by my house; I wasn't sure whether to think that someone was hurt or that someone was helping. Now I wasn't sure if I should think of the suffering person or the people who helped by donating food. My hope was that the people needing help would find it partially because of my assistance. But I knew there would be some that, for some reason or another, declined to have the assistance. They were still suffering. By the end of the day, my view of hunger had completely changed. After my help, I sometimes wondered about the people who really needed food whenever I was grabbing a bite to eat. I sometimes worried about the people who were too afraid or too proud to seek help. And I sometimes thought about the time when I was the driver of the ambulance. From then on, I searched through the cupboards to find extra cans that we could donate during the food drives. And when it was ten in the morning and I needed something to eat, I reconsidered how hungry I really felt.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Privacy by default

The word ‘pervasive' is indicative of the intrusive nature of TIT, as can be evidenced by two of its features, namely data collected would come from various origins, and that it would be done without the user's awareness. The paper highlights five objectives to be achieved for TIT to avoid being misused and end up harming the users. The right of deletion, the right to be forgotten, data portability, privacy, and data protection principles must not be compromised or neglected. The following examples below list just three common ways that these five objectives were not met in many internet applications.Firstly, one such risk is that a user's personal information might not be directly known, but it could be revealed through lots data collection from different sources or even uncover new information, thus violating the users privacy. A person who does not wish to be recognized online can therefore be identified through such means. Secondly, the paper details that many applications only consider the installation of â€Å"information security, privacy and data protection† only as an afterthought, rather than in the beginning, at the drawing board.This compromises the application's security and the users privacy substantially, as he capabilities of these measures would be reduced. Thirdly, with the advent of cloud computing and social networking services, the likelihood of users becoming â€Å"locked-in† to a particular TIT service provider increases because it becomes more difficult to import and export their information to other service providers. The lack of data portability here also means that users do not have control over their own data. The paper mentions that there are t-von. O general principles that should be followed in the policy making of TIT. Firstly, the TIT should not â€Å"violate human identity, human integrity, human rights, privacy or individual or public berries†. Secondly, individuals should have control of all their p ersonal information created or processed within the TIT, unless such an action violates the first principle. With regards to this, the paper illustrated four methods to reaching the objectives: 1 . Privacy, data protection and information security risk management 2. Privacy by design and Privacy by default 3.Data protection legislation: harmonistic/coherent application/enhanced enforcement 4. Standardization Each of the above four options address various challenges related to TIT. The first option is not simply a technology-focused idea, as the paper states that it loud also be important to look into other measures, such as legal, regulatory, procedural and organizational. The main idea of this option is to avoid leaving said protection measures till the end of the development process as an afterthought, but to be included at the planning stage, with an adherence to best practices to avoid or reduce common risks.The second option operates on the basis that while the technology might not be the factor that puts privacy and security at risk, but the way that it is created and implemented. It claims that applications should not collect data necessary to its functions, and that users should be made aware of what information would be gathered from them as well as what said information would be used for. Users should also be informed on how to exercise their rights, and the applications should adhere to data protection principles.The flashlight application example mentioned before was in clear violation of this, and this real life example further enforces the need for an option such as this. From the technical standpoint, the paper states that personal data protection should be defined, such as in-built privacy options and mechanisms to inform ND educate users on data processing, although the challenge would be to do such things while operating within limited processing power and/or memory of the applications.The third option focuses on the legal aspect of data prot ection, such as strengthening, clarifying and harmonize the powers of data protection authorities in order to make sure that all legislations are enforced, and not just pick and choose specific laws to be followed. The paper also states that violations should be sanctioned significantly to deter people from making applications that would neglect such issues. This is to ensure transparency of applications and for users to have control over their own data.The â€Å"concept of indirectly identifiable data† also has to be improved and elucidated to avoid uncertainty in legislations. The last option, standardization, allows ease of conformity with legal requirements and certification due to the clarity provided from it, thus being cap bled of educating users on how to exercise their rights and allowing them to make informed choices. One weakness with standardization is that â€Å"standards are voluntary and non-binding†, and thus it might not be very effective. It would req uire measures which are more binding.The impact of these options is the building of trust between consumers and the applications. Trust is important in this online environment because without trust, consumers are less likely to buy and use new applications, thus slowing progress of the invention of new technologies, economic growth, and cause the public sector to take longer to benefit from digitizing its services. The paper concludes that having a binding law with more data protection enforcement is the best option to achieve the goals for TIT to ensure that the applications are trustworthy and compliant with user rights.

Friday, November 8, 2019

An Interesting Coming of Age Ritual in Germany

An Interesting Coming of Age Ritual in Germany This weekend my soon to be 14-year-old son took part in a ceremony that I had known only from my knowledge about the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the Jugendfeier also known as Jugendweihe.   A quick history of this coming of age ritual It marks the coming of age of the participants with a memorable celebration and it thought as an alternative to religious initiations like the Kommunion and Firmung (Catholic Church) or Konfirmation (Protestant Church) where children declare that they choose to be self-declared members of these churches. While the concept is from 1852, the Jugendweihe was adopted in 1954 by the socialist GDR and turned into a ritual where the young had to make an oath (scroll to the end of this article to find the oath with translation into English) in favor of the socialist state. The Jugendfeier nowadays does not require the participants to make any vow or swear an oath. The only tradition that has survived the GDR is that they all get a rose and a book with thought provoking texts about becoming an adult.  You can read a bit more about this event that still is popular among former inhabitants of the GDR or their descendants here on Wikipedia. From a fathers experience We took part in this event due to the fact that my son Simon goes to a school in the Eastern part of Berlin with many parents that still seem to feel some (N)Ostalgy  and brought this topic up in class. As 20 out of 28 classmates of Simon wanted to participate in it, we didn’t want him to stand out and asked him whether he’d like to participate or not. At that age it is important for him to be part of the group and so he decided for it.   As I was born in Western Germany and had gone through a rather Catholic education and initiation I didn’t have any idea what to expect but neither had I any rejection of that idea nor was I much excited about it. I took Simon to parachute jumping last year which we inofficially declared to mark his transition into an adolescent. His mother, originating from Poland, another formerly socialist country, didn’t really know the Jugendweihe either but we were on the same track regarding our participation. Its seems still pretty popular The fact that we had to register for the event in 2013, almost 18 months ahead of time, shows how popular it still is. There were also several seminars planned that would cover certain topics of adolescence and start a thought process in the children about who they wanted to be and become. Many of those seminars where also thought to be lead or at least organized by the parents. But this task seemed to be more difficult than many had hoped. In those months until the Jugendweihe, Simon took part probably in two events and I didn’t really get the impression that he took much from it. In socialist times, those preparations would have been organized by the state and would have included quite some propaganda.   Its not the ritual, its what you make of it I’m not blaming others. I understand that our lack of deeper interest and conviction in the sense of such an initiation also had a huge influence on everything. Another parent with more enthusiasm would have described this experience probably quite differently.   When the great day came, we were invited with approximately 2000 other people to meet at the Friedrichstadtpalast, a revue theater in the evening. There the Humanistischer Verband Deutschlands (HVD, Humanistic Organisation of Germany) had organized quite a show with professional dancers and singers and has managed to get some popular entertainers like e.g. Joko Winterscheidt or actress Anna Loos to leave a few encouraging words to the children. My interim conclusion Parts of it I personally found a bit over the top and it all was a bit surprising as neither of us really knew what to expect of that day. On the other hand it was mainly entertaining and short enough to enjoy it and the message for the young participants was to trust in themselves, to question authority and to understand that with growing up they will be confronted with new rights and obligations in their life. I can’t really object to that, can you? The rest of the day As everything started at 8.30h on Saturday morning, we were home by noon and both families (my son’s mother remarried a while ago and has two little adorable daughters today) had a nice brunch   in a cafà © next door and then just enjoyed the rest of the day with my half of the family. A unique experience I am very thankful to have been able to witness this event. In a way it was inpiring, though I would have also enjoyed a more humble approach to it all. Coming of age is a challenge for all members of the family and I would have integrated the parents and siblings way more into the preparation. But as I don’t expect others to take care of my responsibilities, my overall experience was a positive one. I hope you enjoyed this little insight into the German culture and I would like to know what you do in your culture to mark the coming of age of your children. If you are religious: do you consider the existing religious rituals to also cover the coming of age or is it rather focussing on being a more responsible member of your church/religion? Das à ¶ffentliche Gelà ¶bnis   The public oath of the GDR Jugendweihe (not in use nowadays) (as found first on this page  which also contains many more information on the topic of GDR but unfortunately only in German language.)  My translation is at times very literally so that you can also learn something about the German sentence structure and grammar here. Where a literal translation would be difficult or impossible to understand, I have put a more comprehensible version into parenthesis. Liebe junge Freunde!Dear young friends. Seid ihr bereit, als junge Bà ¼rger unserer Deutschen Demokratischen Republikare you ready as young citizens of-our German Democratic Republic mit uns gemeinsam, getreu der Verfassung,  with us together, according the constitution fà ¼r die große und edle Sache des Sozialismus zu arbeiten und zu kmpfenfor the big(ger) and noble cause of-the Socialism to work and to fight und das revolutionre Erbe des Volkes in Ehren zu halten, so antwortet:  and (to keep) the revolutionary heritage of-the Nation in honor to keep, so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Seid ihr bereit, als treue Sà ¶hne und Tà ¶chter  Are you prepared, as faithful sons and daughters unseres Arbeiter-und-Bauern-Staates nach hoher Bildungof-our workers- and peasant nation (to strive) for higher education und Kultur zu streben, Meister eures Fachs zu werden,  and culture (to strive), (to become) Master of-your (professional) discipline, unentwegt zu lernen und all euer Wissen und Kà ¶nnen fà ¼r die Verwirklichung  incessantly to learn and all (to utilise) your knowledge and skill for the realization   unserer großen humanistischen Ideale einzusetzen, so antwortet:  of-our grand humanistic ideals (to utilise), so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Seid ihr bereit, als wà ¼rdige Mitglieder der sozialistischen Gemeinschaft  Are you ready, as worthy members of-the socialist community stets in kameradschaftlicher Zusammenarbeit, gegenseitiger Achtung  always (act) in companionate cooperation, mutual respect und Hilfe zu handeln und euren Weg zum persà ¶nlichen Glà ¼ckand help (to act) and (to always unite) your path to personal fulfillment immer mit dem Kampf fà ¼r das Glà ¼ck des Volkes zu vereinen, so antwortet:  (always) with the struggle for happiness of the nation (lit.: the people), so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Seid ihr bereit, als wahre Patrioten die feste Freundschaft mit der Sowjetunion  Are you prepared as true patriots, the steadfast friendship with the Sovjet Union weiter zu vertiefen, den Bruderbund mit den sozialistischen Lndern zu strken,  further to deepen, the brotherly association with the socialist countries to strengthen, im Geiste des proletarischen Internationalismus zu kmpfen,  in-the spirit of-the proletarian internationalism to fight, den Frieden zu schà ¼tzen und den Sozialismus gegen jeden imperialistischen Angriffthe peace to protect and the socialism against every imperialistic attack zu verteidigen, so antwortet:  to defend, so answer: Ja, das geloben wir!Yes, this-is-what we pledge! Wir haben euer Gelà ¶bnis vernommen.  We have heard (lit.: perceived) your pledge. Ihr habt euch ein hohes und edles Ziel gesetzt.  You have (set) yourselves a high and noble goal (set). Feierlich nehmen wir euch auf in die große Gemeinschaft  Solemnly take we you in, into the grand collective des werkttigen Volkes, das unter Fà ¼hrung der Arbeiterklasse  of-the working nation, that under the leadership of the working class und ihrer revolutionren Partei, einig im Willen und im Handeln,  and her revolutionary party, united in will (intention) and acting die entwickelte sozialistische Gesellschaft  (errects) the developed socialist community in der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik errichtet.in the German Democratic Republic (errects). Wir à ¼bertragen euch eine hohe Verantwortung.  We transfer to-you a huge responsibility. Jederzeit werden wir euch mit Rat und Tat helfen,  At-any-time will we (help) you with advice and deed (help), die sozialistische Zukunft schà ¶pferisch zu gestalten.(to design) the socialist future creatively (to design).

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Sample Common Application Essayâ€Topic of Your Choice

Sample Common Application Essay- Topic of Your Choice Alexis chose option #7 for her Common Application essay. This is the popular topic of your choice option on the 2018-19 application. The question asks, Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one youve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. The other six essay options on the Common Application give applicants so much flexibility that it is rare for a topic not fit elsewhere, but in some cases the topic of your choice is indeed the best choice. This is true for Alexiss essay below. Sample Essay on the "Topic of Your Choice" Option My Hero Harpo In middle school, I took part in an essay competition where we had to write about one of our strongest role models- who they were, what they did, and how they had influenced us. Other students wrote about Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, George Washington, etc. I, the youngest of five sisters and one of the quietest people in the school, chose Harpo Marx. I did not win the competition- to be honest, my essay wasn’t very good, and I knew that, even at the time. I had bigger, better things to worry about, though. I was taking swimming lessons, and was terrified of discovering a shark in the deep end. I was making little hats for my dog Alexa, which she did not appreciate. I was busy working on a clay chess set in art class, and learning how to garden with my grandmother. I’m getting off-topic, but my point is: I didn’t need to win a competition or write an essay to feel validated. I was learning who I was, and what was important in my life. Which brings me back to the Marx Brothers. My great-uncle was a big old-movie buff. We’d go over to his house most mornings during summer vacation, and watch Philadelphia Story, The Thin Man, or  His Girl Friday. My favorites, though, were the Marx Brothers’ films. Duck Soup. A Night at the Opera (my personal favorite). Animal Crackers. I can’t logically explain why I found these particular movies so hilarious and entertaining- there was something about them that not only made me laugh, but made me happy. Now, of course, watching those movies again, I’m reminded of those summer mornings, and of being surrounded by the people I loved, unconcerned with the world outside, that adds another layer of appreciation and joy. The brothers each brought their own unique humor to the pictures, but Harpo- he was perfect. The hair. The wide ties and crazy trench coats. The way he doesn’t have to say anything to be funny. His facial expressions. How he offers people his leg when they try to shake his hand. The way you can see the change in him when he sits down at the piano or the harp. The subtle shift from comedian to musician- not a complete shift, of course, but in that moment, you know just how talented and hard-working he must have been. I love that rather than being a full-time, professional musician, which he certainly could have done, Harpo (known as Adolph off-screen) instead devoted his time and energy to entertain, to make people laugh, to be a big goof with a bicycle horn and a killer whistle. I identified with him- and still do. Harpo was quiet, funny-looking, not the most outgoing or famous performers, silly, and still insanely dedicated and a serious artist. I don’t plan on going into show business. I mean, never say never and all that, but I don’t see myself as ever really getting bitten by that particular acting or performing bug. But the lessons I’ve learned from Harpo (and Groucho, Chico, Zeppo, etc.) are the kind that can transcend careers. It’s ok to fall down (a lot.) Learn to laugh at yourself. Learn to laugh at your family. Making faces is a perfectly good way to express yourself. Wear the weird clothes. Don’t be afraid to show off your talents when given the chance. Be kind to children. Have a cigar, if you want. Make up a silly song, or a goofy dance. Work hard at what you love. Work hard at what you don’t love, but what is still necessary. Don’t shy away from being the strangest, brightest, wildest, wackiest, passionate you you can be. And also carry a bicycle horn with you, just in case. A Critique of Alexis's "Topic of Your Choice" Essay With the topic of your choice essay option, one of the first issues to consider is whether or not the essay should have been presented under one of the more focused Common Application prompts. Its easy to be lazy and simply choose topic of your choice to avoid thinking too hard about the most appropriate fit for an essay. For Alexiss essay My Hero Harpo, the topic of your choice option does, in fact, work well. The essay could potentially fall under Common Application essay option #5 on a realization that sparked a period of personal growth. Alexiss experiences watching Marx Brother movies did lead to an understanding of personal identity and life balances. That said, an essay on comedic actors doesnt quite fit the general seriousness of the option #5 prompt. Now lets breakdown some of the important elements of Alexiss essay: The topic. Harpo Marx is a rather unusual focus for an admissions essay. This can be a good thing, for Alexiss essay wont be a clone of other essays the admissions office receives. At the same time, one could argue that Harpos slapstick comedy is a rather superficial focus for an application essay. This certainly could be true if the subject matter were handled poorly, but Alexis manages to turn an essay focused on Harpo Marx into an essay that is really about much more than Marx. Alexis identifies with Harpo, and she explains why she identifies with him. In the end, the essay is as much about Alexis as it is Harpo. It is an essay that reveals Alexiss self-awareness, analytical skills, and sense of humor.The tone. Many applicants wrongly assume that an application essay needs to shine a bright light on a writers accomplishments while hiding any warts. The reality, however, is that were all quirky, flawed, complex people. Revealing an awareness of this fact is a sign of maturity, and it will often play well in an admissions essay. Alexis succeeds admirably on this front. The overall tone here is conversational and slightly self-deprecating. Alexis identifies with Harpos goofiness and his decision to focus on bringing happiness to others rather than personal prestige. We finish Alexiss essay with a sense that she is reserved, silly, able to laugh at herself, yet quietly confident. The overall impression is certainly a positive one.   The writing. Alexiss language is clear and engaging, and she avoids common stylistic errors. The essay has a strong voice and personality. The essay does, in fact, have several sentence fragments, but these are clearly used deliberately for rhetorical punch, not because Alexis is a grammatically inept writer.  The impact. Its always important to step back from an application essay and consider the big picture: what will a reader take away from the essay? Alexiss essay doesnt present any remarkable accomplishment or impressive talent. It does, however, present a student who is thoughtful, self-aware, generous, talented, and quietly ambitious. Does Alexis come across as someone who the admissions folks would want to join their campus community? Yes. Make Your Essay as Strong as Possible If a college requires you to submit an essay with the Common Application, it is because the school has holistic admissions- the admissions folks want to get to know you as a whole person, not as a simple compilation of numerical data such as grades and standardized test scores. Along with extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and in some cases an interview, the essay can plan an important role in the admissions process. Make sure yours is as strong as possible. As you write your own essay, be sure to avoid the bad essay topics,  and follow these tips for a winning essay. Most of all, make sure that your essay makes a good impression. Does it present a dimension of your personality and interests that isnt obvious from other parts of your application? Does it present you as someone who will contribute to the campus community in a meaningful way? If yes, your essay is performing its purpose well.