Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Analysis of Decision-Making Model Essays

Analysis of Decision-Making Model Essays Analysis of Decision-Making Model Essay Analysis of Decision-Making Model Essay We all make determinations of changing importance in the workplace every twenty-four hours. so the thought that determination devising can be a instead sophisticated procedure may at first seem unusual. However. surveies have shown that a big per centum of people are much poorer at determination doing than they think. An apprehension of what determination doing involves. together with an effectual techniques. will assist bring forth better determinations. Decision devising is the survey of placing and taking options based on the values and penchants of the determination shaper ( Harris. 1998 ) . Making a determination implies that there are alternate picks to be considered. and in such a instance we want non merely to place as many of these options as possible but to take the 1 that best tantrums with our ends. desires. life style. values. and so on. To make this I will use Rick Robert’s 7 Step Decision Making Model and use it to a recent work-related d etermination. I will besides depict how critical thought impacted this determination. The 7 Step Decision MakingModel by Rick Roberts has. you guessed it. seven different stairss. The first measure is to place the determination to be made. Under this measure. one will besides hold to find whether you are doing a pick between two or more options. The following measure is to understand yourself. What skills. involvements. values. and personality do you hold? The 3rd measure is to place the options. What are the current options and are there others available. Step four is to garner information and information. Take a expression at bing resources and place extra information and resources that may be needed. Step five is to measure the options. List the pro’s and con’s of each option. Identify the value and demands that are met by each. Acknowledge any hazards. present and future. involved with each option. The following measure. measure six. is to choose one of the options. If you don’t hold adequate information to choose one of the determinations. so reappraisal or revise one of the above stairss. The concluding measure is to plan a class of action to implement the determination. This 7 Step Decision-Making Model helped me with a recent determination that needed to be made at my occupation. I was offered a sidelong publicity. which would necessitate me to travel from one location to another. I used the different stairss to find whether I should accept the place. First I identified the determination that needed to be made and that I had two picks. whether I should accept this new place or non. Following I evaluated myself. Did I possess the accomplishments to execute this new occupation? Did the place tantrum with my personality? The 3rd measure determined my options. which were to accept the place or base on balls on the offer. My following measure was to garner all the information on the new place. I researched the occupation duties. radius with other employees who were executing the same occupation. and toured the new location that I would be working at. Following I evaluated the pros and cons of my determination. The pros were that I would be interacting with a new client base. spread outing my capablenesss as an employee and doing myself more marketable for a future publicity. the new environment was less nerve-racking. and I would be able to interact with other sections more. The cons of my new place would be that I would hold a longer distance to go to work. I would be unfamiliar with my new duties and would be larning from abrasion. and eventually I would be traveling into a smaller office. Following I moved on to step six and selected one of my options and decided to accept the place that was being offered. I so followed step seven by set uping a meeting with my supervisor and manager to rede them of my pick. Critical thought was really of import in doing this determination. since I needed to do a determination based on the benefits of my pick instead than allowing emotions guide me. Critical thought is make up ones minding rationally what to or what non to believe ( Norris. 1985 ) . Rick Robert’s 7 Step Model helped see that I looked at my picks from different angles and removed the factors that would non hold efficaciously influenced me. Decisions can be much more complex than they appear. Since our mundane lives and success is dependent on our ability to efficaciously place and put to death these determinations. it is indispensable that we find a method to this. I hope that Rick Robert’s 7 Step Decision-Making Model has given you a tool to hone this procedure.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Stress management Essay

Stress management Essay Stress management Essay We, as nursing professionals, are in the midst of caring for others on a daily basis. We are involved in implementing and evaluating the care plans that were developed for our patients, and oftentimes, this can take a toll on our well-being and cause stress. So what exactly is stress? The following is a synopsis of the history of our awareness of stress: Walter Cannon (1871–1945) pioneered the initial understanding of stress. He investigated the sympathetic nervous system as it reacts to heat and noticed that the body responds in a predictable sequence (Selye, 1956). Han Selye furthered Cannon’s work by defining stress as the "rate of wear and tear on the body" and stressors as the "causative agents of stress" (1956). Selye found that stressors may be physical, such as infection, injury, and pain, or may be psychological, such as fear, anger, and sadness. He identified what he called a general adaptation syndrome (GAS), whereby the body seeks to maintain homeostasis or balance. Lazarus enlarged our understanding of stress and the ways people deal with it when he observed that, when individuals view a new or evolving situation, they first decide whether it is a threat. He called this primary appraisal. Then, as individuals continue to monitor a threat, they evaluate their ability to cope with it by what Lazarus called secondary appraisal (1956). In this second step of appraisal, individuals may judge themselves unable to handle the situation and withdraw. Others, especially caregivers, are apt to believe they "should" be able to handle anything and attempt to do so no matter how great the cost. Seyle, Cannon, and Lazarus (Folkman, 1984) further recognized that stressors can lead to burnout and job fatigue if there are no coping mechanisms in place - this is especially true for the professional nurse. According to the American Nurses Association, nurses report that there are many factors that promote stress and lead to the classic â€Å"crash and burn† syndrome that many nursing professionals experience. The following are just some of the issues that nurses face that often contribute to stress: Anxiety related to demands of the job. Inefficient coping related to the lack of knowledge for job requirements. Spiritual distress related to the inability to find meaning or purpose in professional and personal life. Ineffective leadership ability; ineffective assertiveness training. Inability to motivate staff. Ineffective ability to balance work, family, and personal life. Lack of supervisory support. Poor co-worker relationships. These stressors can lead to the classic â€Å"burn-out† syndrome. Instead of persisting until this happens, nurses can learn more effective coping strategies, become self-aware, acknowledge their own limitations, and acquire emotion-focused and problem-solving skills (Selye, 1956). Likewise, managers can provide physical and emotional support for staff members because they value them and understand the stressful nature of their work. Nurses are strong at supporting patients and families through stressful situations, so perhaps they can simply adopt these same strategies for their own stressful battles. The following are several strategies that nurses can use combat stress: Learn to Identify Feelings Breaking through denial and admitting there's a problem is a step toward finding solutions to stress. Feelings can be named in one word: betrayal, guilt, anger, sadness, frustration, etc... Registered Nurses are trained to treat others with compassion, but unless they identify their own emotions, they can't generate compassion for themselves and begin to heal. Journaling, meditating and praying are strategies to help one get in touch with those deep rooted inner feelings. Similarly, interests such as poetry, gardening, working, animals, and painting are useful methods to unleash these deep rooted feelings. Consider the nurse who has just

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Organizational Structure Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Organizational Structure Paper - Essay Example In coming up with the right structure, organizations search for the one that is most effective in categorization of departments and relational coordination, which is essential to achieve optimal production levels. Wal-Mart has a three divisional structure for products. Their business categories are composed of Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart Stores, and International Stores. Approximately 20% of Wal-Mart’s business income is from their international segment, which is responsible for stores and restaurants in thirteen countries, including Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart Stores. By using a divisional structure, they are at an advantage since every division has the ability to focus on its specific objectives and goals, for example customers, service, and products (MacKenzie, 2008). By narrowing their focus, Wal-Mart is enabled to perform with more efficiency as they can locate particular areas that they should adjust or change as needed. Wal-Mart’s Organizational Structure Wal- Mart, as a major retail corporation, consists of stores that are spread all over the US, as well as the world, making them one of the largest retailers in the world. Because of the complexity that this comes with, it is essential that they have a well thought out and strong organizational structure. ... By having it this way, Wal-Mart was able to create a structure that suited their complex business operations and needs. Because of the many stores that Wal-Mart has all over the world, which are heavily dependent on the organization in order to run efficiently and effectively, this organizational structure allows them to improve their decision-making mechanisms by having managers who can deal with local issues and get the input of the overall executive managers (Brunn, 2012). Wal-Mart is also able to satisfy their customers through this structure since the different managers are able to come up with strategies that suit their local market, rather than overall strategies that may not be compatible. The matrix structure is just one of many diverse structures used by organizations. As mentioned, the organizational structure chosen by a specific company is dependent on the complexities of their business, as well as the requirements of managing their competencies. Apart from the matrix st ructure, there is the divisional organizational structure. This structure has its basis on the customer, products, and geographic location, which is unlike the matrix organizational structure that is based on reporting and who employees report (MacKenzie, 2008). These could be shift managers, general managers, and CEOs. In the divisional structure, the functional areas that compose an organization are divided into various divisions. Each of the divisions has resources that allow it to function independently. One example of a company using a divisional structure is GE, which has divisions like turbine division and microwave division, each with independent finance and marketing teams. Another type of structure is the functional structure, in which the organization groups various

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Quality Statistics Project Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Quality - Statistics Project Example Still from Table II-A, the maximum locate number is located where the raw with N code letter intersects with 1.5 percent – this number is 14, which is the maximum locate number. To estimate the producer’s risk, we shall use binomial distribution Table. Since we shall require n = 15 as the sample size, we shall go to the row where n = 5. In the ‘x’ Colum, we shall select 2, assuming that we shall not allow more than two defects. To get the producer’s risk, we shall locate the value that corresponds to 0.05, which is the AQL - this value is 0.97. Therefore, the producer’s risk = 100-97 = 3% or 0.03. This is a two-tailed test because the null hypothesis will be rejected if the sample mean is either too large or too small – there are two outcomes that will lead to rejection of the null hypothesis. Considering the two-tailed test, we shall be interested in establishing whether the p-value is less than -2.5 or greater than 2.5 Using t Distribution Table, we find that P (t > 2.5) = 0.9885 and P(t < -1.77) = 0.9885 Therefore, p-value = 0.9885*2 =

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The Impossible Budget Deficit Essay Example for Free

The Impossible Budget Deficit Essay In his article, â€Å"Trouble, Trouble, Debt, and Bubble,† Tabb (2006) writes that the United States is importing far more than it is exporting.   The high consumption of the United States is due mainly to the reason that the rich people of the country must maintain their upper class status and high standards of living.   But the country is not earning enough to support its expenditure.   At one time or another, the United States would also become unable to pay the interest on the foreign debt that it is using today to maintain its high consumption.    The country may become bankrupt at such time, and the rest of the world would suffer because it would not have the United States to buy its goods.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   While the author’s analysis makes sense, I would not blame the upper class consumer in particular for maintaining high consumption.   I believe that the capitalist or the industry of the United States is equally responsible.   The author also mentions the relation of the U.S. dollar’s value to the global economy.   A decrease in the demand for U.S. dollars can lead to a depreciation of the value of the currency with respect to another country’s currency.   Indeed, the fall of the U.S. dollar would turn out to be a curse for the global economy, although it may benefit the U.S. economy for some time (Tabb).    By making U.S. exports cheaper to other countries, it would increase the aggregate demand for U.S. goods which would in turn give the United States the income that it needs to fuel high consumption.   The United States can hope to reduce its current account deficit and trade deficit through the decline of the dollar, for it is obvious that making U.S. goods and services cheaper to foreign importers may very well increase the aggregate demand of U.S. goods and services, thereby fueling the growth of the U.S. economy.   Still, the benefits to the U.S. economy may eventually be offset by a fall in the aggregate supply of foreign goods into the U.S. market, seeing as foreign nations would stand to lose by selling to the U.S. consumer market and facing a reduced dollar value in return.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Tabb does not offer real solutions to the problem that the U.S. economy is facing at present.   All the same, it is obvious that the entire global economy is in danger because of the troubles facing the United States economy.   Thus, Tabb’s article offers food for serious thought.   It is mind-boggling, yet essential to reflect on. References Tabb, W. T. (2006). â€Å"Trouble, Trouble, Debt, and Bubble.† Monthly Review, Vol. 58, Number 1. Retrieved Nov 25, 2007 from http://www.monthlyreview.org/0506tabb.htm.

Friday, November 15, 2019

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer :: essays research papers

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain B. This type of book is realistic fiction. C. The main character is Thomas Sawyer, a twelve year old boy, whose parents are dead. Tom lives with his aunt, Polly. Tom is busy either making trouble or thinking up new schemes. Another character is Huckelberry Finn, hated by all mothers and loved by all children. Tom is friends with Huck and they share many adventures together. Becky Thatcher, the daughter of a judge, who likes Tom but sometimes fights with him. Injun Joe is an indian who kills someone named Dr. Robinson and makes everyone believe that the real killer is a man named Muff Potter. Mr. Potter, a nice man, helps Tom and Huck to fish and fly kites. D. This story takes place in St. Petersburg, Missouri, in the mid-1800's. E. The main problem in this story is the many ways which Tom tries to avoid Injun Joe because as a witness to the murder of Dr. Robinson, Injun Joe is trying to kill Tom. Poor Tom also has to deal with being punished on a Saturday when he could be out playing. The last problem is how Becky and Tom will escape from a cave. II. Tom, Sid, Tom' half brother, and Tom's Aunt Polly were sitting down at the table eating supper. Aunt Polly asked Tom questions hinting that she suspected him of playing hooky and going swimming instead of going to school. Aunt Polly gave up but then Sid pointed out that Tom had a different color thread than the one Aunt Polly sewed on Tom's collar. Tom's punishment was to whitewash the fence, but Tom wanted to go out and play. Tom used reverse psychology to make his friends think that whitewashing was an honor and they even gave him trinkets for the honor of whitewashing the fence. At school, Tom meets a new girl, Becky Thatcher, daughter of Judge Thatcher. Becky and Tom both like each other but Tom mentioned that he was engaged to Amy, and Becky hated him for it. Tom and his friend Huck go to the cemetery with a dead cat, a supposed wart cure. While at the cemetery they see Injun Joe kill Dr. Robinson while blaming Muff Potter. Both Tom and Huck swear to themselves that they will not say a thing about the murder. One day when looking for treasures in a haunted house, Tom and Huck overhear Injun Joe talking with another man about finding treasures. Tom and Huck decide to track the men in order to find the treasures which the men hide in "the number 2".

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Principles of Providing Admin Services Essay

Complete the table below with descriptions of at least two different features of a telephone system and how / when they would be used. FeatureHow / when used 1. Conference calls This makes it possible to speak to more than one person simultaneously. 2. Transfer Enables one to transfer a caller to another extension. 2. Prepare a brief report advising people on: How to follow organisational procedures when making and receiving telephone calls When making phone calls the caller should make sure he or she has all the questions they want to ask, its good practice to have a pen and paper handy to take messages and be ready to listen to the conversation attentively. When receiving a call answer after a certain number of rings, say the name of the company and branch if the organisation has multiple locations, listen carefully to the reason why the caller rang, and it’s important to smile when talking on the phone as it. The purpose of giving a positive image of yourself and your organisation when making and receiving telephone calls. If possible, use specific information from procedures in your own organisation (or one that you are familiar with). A positive image is vital for any business so opening and closing phone conversations is paramount and knowing how to deal with each caller efficiently. Using the right tone and language as well helps to portray a positive image for the business and for the individual and also shows how professional someone is. Section 2 – Understand how to handle mail 1. Explain the purpose of correctly receiving, checking and sorting mail and packages (both incoming and outgoing). Incoming mail †¢Open mail not private unless cleared to do so †¢Remove contents †¢Date stamp mail when received †¢Check and attach enclosures †¢Sort mail according to department †¢Mail is delivered or collected by different departments by designated staff and then put in the recipient’s in tray Outgoing Mail †¢Collect mail from each department †¢Deliver mail to the mail room at an agreed time †¢Sort mail into first, second, special and recorded delivery †¢Weigh letter or packages †¢Calculate postage costs Stamp or frank items at the correct cost †¢Take mail to an appropriate post box or post office It is of paramount importance for mail to be sorted properly within any business because failure to do so means †¢Loss of potential business †¢Short and long term loss of revenue †¢Workers unable t o complete tasks leading to unsatisfied customers and wasted time †¢Irritated suppliers when they chase up payments 2. Complete the table below with the following information: †¢At least two examples of internal mail services that are available to organisations †¢At least two examples of external mail services that are available to organisations Internal mail servicesExternal mail services 1. Intranet 1. Royal Mail 2. Secure pouches and bags 2. DHL 3. Describe two methods that you can use to calculate postage charges for mail and / or packages. †¢Taking weight and dimensions of the item. With this method ideally, what is required is the length, width, height and weight of the package and a price will be automatically worked out for you and this helps to provide an accurate price for postage. †¢Use of postage rate tables – this is used to set the amount you charge per postage by delivery method and destination. Costs can also be specified by international postage, either by region of specific country. Section 3 – Understand how to use different types of office equipment 1. Describe the main types of equipment found in offices and how they are used. Include examples of at least three different types of office equipment. †¢Computers – these provide a wide range of functions which make them useful for everyday situations. Once loaded with various software programmes a computer can perform various tasks from word processing, spreadsheets, database and even gaming. †¢Printers – used to produce copies of documents from the computer files. Photocopiers – used to make exact copies of any document from letters or certificates. With photocopying you can make one or multiple copies of the same document. 2. Explain the purpose of following manufacturer’s instructions when using equipment. †¢ This enables the user to get most out of the equipment, understand the equipment before use and. Not following the instructions could lead to health and safety risks, higher maintenance costs could be incurred by the user if anything goes wrong with it as warranties and guarantees could be void. 3. Explain the purpose of keeping equipment clean, hygienic and ready for the next user. For any organisation quality is of paramount importance so clean equipment produces better quality products and with deadlines and targets to meet time and resources will not be wasted. In some organisations (call centre) people have to share equipment like headsets so it’s always good practice to make sure it is cleaned after use and ready for the next person to reduce risk of infection and spreading of germs. Also, if other people don’t keep shared equipment or work stations clean this can have negative impact on the business as targets/deadlines won’t be met as this could be de-mot ivating for other staff members. Understand how to keep waste to a minimum in a business environment 1. Explain why waste should be kept to a minimum in a business environment. †¢Too much waste has a financial impact on the business in the long run. Too much money will be wasted to rectify the problem. For instance faulty machines can produce defective products. These defective products can pose to be a risk to the environment if not disposed off correctly can get the fined by authorities. And depending on the organisation, money spent of refunds especially on something that can be avoided causes loss of revenue. . Identify at least two main causes of waste in a business environment. †¢People in the business due to making mistakes †¢Materials and equipment 3. How can you keep waste to a minimum in a business environment? Describe at least two ways of doing this. †¢Using email as a way of communication more within the business. This will help reduce the amount of paper used. The good thing about t his as well is a database can be used to access all archived documents. †¢Energy efficiency is another good way of keeping waste to a minimum. Staff members should get in the habit of shutting down their computers after work and making use of motion operated lights Section 5 – Know how to make arrangements for meetings 1. Complete the table below listing at least two different types of meetings and describing the main features of each type of meeting. Type of meetingMain features Conference meetings This meeting is organised with high planning and structure, moderated by a chair person. The number of participants depends on the purpose of the conference. PresentationThese meetings are held generally to inform the team about any new changes made in processes and procedures. In this meeting there is a presenter or two and in the end, the attendees have the opportunity to ask questions. 2. When arranging a meeting: †¢What sources and types of information are typically needed? -Date of the meeting -Start and finish times of the meeting -Venue and agenda of the meeting -Attendance list -Minutes from previous meeting -Reports for consideration in the meeting -The desired outcome for the meeting †¢How should meetings be arranged? -Find out about the meeting brief -Confirm venue, catering and equipment requirements -Produce the agenda and meeting papers Invite attendees and send them the agenda -Confirm attendance -Make sure attendees’ needs are met -Make amends to correct any needs for requirements like catering -Collate and dispatch papers for the meeting within agreed time scales -Produce spare copies of meeting papers -Arrange the equipment and layout for the room – Make sure attendees have a full set of papers -Take accurate notes of the meeting including attendance -Provide information and support when required -Produce a record of the meeting -Seek approval and amend the meeting record as necessary Circulate the meeting record to agreed time scales Section 6 – Understand procedures for organising travel and accommodation arrangements 1. Explain the purpose of confirming instructions and requirements for business travel and accommodation. †¢It ensures that no mistakes have been made during the process †¢Helps clear out any misunderstandings so it’s important to always check the facts with the relevant people so that everything is done correctly from the onset. †¢It ensures that individuals arrive on time for meetings or appointments. 2. Complete the table below with an outline of the main types of business travel and accommodation arrangements that may need to be made and the procedures that should be followed when doing this. Travel and accommodation arrangementsProcedures TransportBook flights, train tickets on time. If using own transport from airport have a taxi booked as well Long check in flights may be required with international flights Accommodation Book hotel for the appropriate dates Cost of room Meals – which ones are included Location of hotel Money Arrange travellers cheques or foreign currency before the trip Insurance travel Travel information Confirm with the traveller that itinerary and documents meet the requirement Maps 3. Explain the purpose of keeping records of travel / accommodation arrangements in a business environment. †¢This simply shows organisation and efficiency for the business as this information will be easy retrieved when needed again †¢It makes it easy to account for things and the expenditure can compared with and reviewed against a budget †¢This will enable the business to ascertain which areas they need to save money on. Section 7 – Understand diary management procedures . Briefly explain the purpose of using a diary system to plan activities at work. Give at least two reasons. †¢It helps keep a record of business schedules, activities such as meetings and appointments. And in a business environment it is vital in case someone is not well, colleagues can easily take a look at what you had planned for the day and what is a priority for the working day and sort it all out. †¢For example, a diary helps to -Manage ones’ time -Note down tasks and tick once completed. 2. Identify the information needed to maintain a diary system in the workplace. In the workplace, the following is required -Who the meeting/interview is with -What the meeting is about -When it is -Where its being held -Why the meeting is being held Section 8 – Understand the purpose of delivering effective customer service and how to do so 1. What are the differences between internal and external customers in a business environment? †¢Internal customers are people or departments in the same organisation as the service provider. For example marketing department is an internal customer of the IT department because it uses IT services. External customers are people who are not employed by the organisation or organisation that are separate legal entities that purchase services from the service provider. When a service provider charges for services and paid real money or exchange or services or products. 2. Explain why customer service should meet or exceed customer expectations. †¢Meeting or exceeding customer expectations automatically enhances t he business reputation, first time customers will end up being loyal customers, increased sales and more referrals from satisfied customers who bring in additional business by word of mouth. Include at least three reasons in your answer. †¢High quality products at a competitive price †¢Fast, efficient and accurate service †¢Trained staff that can handle their questions without referring them on 3. Explain the importance of building positive relationships with customers. †¢Positive relationships are good for the business as this will have a good impact on the business and provides more public awareness with other potential customers. Ideally, the business should not promise something that they can’t deliver, treating each customer as an individual and where appropriate use customer names. Outline two ways in which this can be achieved. †¢Mutual respect between both parties †¢Keeping clear communication channels open 4. How do customers demonstrate their own needs and expectations? -Customer complaints is a way of customers to offer a very clear insights in what they need and what they expect -To demonstrate their needs an organisation must design a system and procedures to help produce desired outcomes to meet the above -Asking questions -Body language -Active listening

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Journal on Poems Essay

The poem portrays the definitions of sanity and madness. However, these definitions vary from the perspective of people and the surroundings as pointed out in the second line. In other words, the poem points out that for certain people, something normal is considered insane and vice versa. 2. The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost Basically, for me, the poem depicted a common experience in life wherein one makes a choice between two things and then wonders what could’ve happened had he or she took the other option. The situation shown in the poem reflects a reality that everyone faces in life which is making a choice and standing by that decision. However, as illustrated in the poem, despite the choices people make regarding, for example, careers and business ventures, there will also be times that one doubts whether he or she made the right decision or not. 3. Design by Robert Frost The poem basically illustrates that most of the time the world’s beauty can be appreciated through observing the natural things such as the spider and the moth. In addition, as the title suggests, life is basically a design. It is natural for a spider to eat the moth as it was designed to do so. However, since the spider killed the moth, the author also wonders why the â€Å"designer† allows such a thing to happen. In short, while the author acknowledges the beauty natural order of things, he also questions why horrible events, such as death, happen. 4. Mending Wall by Robert Frost Initially, the poem suggests that there are no need for walls between neighbors as this suggests division. However, at the end, although the speaker in the poem still did not favor the construction of a wall between him and his neighbor, he acknowledged the fact that walls are important as these set boundaries and limitations. Basically, the poem also illustrates that in real life, â€Å"walls† or boundaries, which are best exemplified by laws and rules, are necessary to maintain order. 5. Cross by Langston Hughes The poem clearly depicts the speaker’s confusion about his identity. As the title of the poem says, the speaker is a â€Å"cross† between a white man and a black woman and is confused about his true identity. He also wonders if he would share the same fate of his mother and father and yearns to know where he really belongs to. The poem also depicts two realities in life which are discrimination and racism. Basically, the poem suggests that if these two did not exist, the speaker would not have to long for acceptance and would not have to search for his identity.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Illustrator Paper essays

Illustrator Paper essays Tomie dePaola is a very popular childrens book author that writes and illustrates his own books. Although dePaola has dozens of books written and illustrated by him, many of his books illustrations are similar. In a sample of three of his books, Pancakes for Breakfast, Tom, and Strega Nonas Magic Lessons, his characters look very much alike and his styles are similar. However, there are some elements from each book that differs from each other. In all three books, dePaola uses all kinds of lines, jagged, straight, thick, thin, and soft to do a couple of different things. First of all, characters in all 3 of his books are very simple. Their faces and their emotions are expressed through simple lines and shapes. Although they are not complex, you are able to see what the characters are thinking and feeling simply by looking at how dePaola composes his lines. Second, in Pancakes for Breakfast, he used bumpy lines to show slopes and hills and jagged lines to draw shapes of tree branches. In Strega Nonas Magic Lessons, dePaola used a lot of curvy lines on his characters. He did a good job of showing the characters more full body shapes through use of curvy lines rather than straighter lines. Third, dePaola also uses his lines to create texture in Pancakes for Breakfast, but not so much in Strega Nonas Magic Lessons and Tom. For example, in Pancakes for Breakfast, he does a very good job of using criss cross lines to sh ow how barn walls are textured, and he did a really good job of using lines to show the rough texture of hay in the barn. Lastly, in Strega Nona, dePaola uses softer lines and shadows to show depth in his illustrations. In all three of the books examined, dePaola uses a lot of colors to engage the young reader. However, all three books had different color schemes. For example, in Strega Nona, he used a lot of mixed colors. He used different shades of ...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Biography of Joseph Conrad, Author of Heart of Darkness

Biography of Joseph Conrad, Author of Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad (born Jà ³zef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski; December 3, 1857 - August 3, 1924) was one of the greatest English-language novelists of all time, despite the fact he was born in the Russian Empire to a Polish-speaking family. After a long career in the merchant marine, he eventually settled in England and became one of the most prominent novelists of the early 20th century, writing classics such as Heart of Darkness (1899), Lord Jim (1900), and Nostromo (1904). Fast Facts: Joseph Conrad Full Name: Jà ³zef Teodor Konrad KorzeniowskiOccupation: WriterBorn: December 3, 1857, in Berdychiv, Russian EmpireDied: August 3, 1924, in Bishopsbourne, Kent, EnglandParents: Apollo NalÄ™cz Korzeniowski and Ewa BobrowskaSpouse: Jessie GeorgeChildren: Borys and JohnSelected Works: Heart of Darkness (1899), Lord Jim (1900), Nostromo (1904)Notable Quote: The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness. Early Life Joseph Conrads family was of Polish descent and lived in Berdychiv, a city now part of Ukraine and then part of the Russian empire. It is located in a region that the Polish sometimes refer to as the Stolen Lands, since it was taken from the Kingdom of Poland. Conrads father, Apollo Korzeniowski, a writer and political activist, took part in the Polish resistance to Russian rule. He was imprisoned in 1861 when the future author was a young child. The family endured exile to Vologda, three hundred miles north of Moscow, in 1862, and they were later moved to Chernihiv in northeast Ukraine. As a consequence of the familys struggles, Conrads mother, Ewa, died of tuberculosis in 1865. Apollo raised his son as a single father and introduced him to the works of French novelist Victor Hugo and the plays of William Shakespeare. They moved to the Austrian-held section of Poland in 1867 and enjoyed more freedom. Suffering from tuberculosis like his wife, Apollo died in 1869 leaving his son an orphan at age eleven. Conrad moved in with his maternal uncle. He was raised to pursue a career as a sailor. At age sixteen, fluent in French, he moved to Marseilles, France, to look for a career in the merchant marine. Merchant Marine Career Conrad sailed for four years on French ships before joining the British merchant marine. He served for fifteen more years under the British flag. He eventually rose to the rank of captain. The elevation to that rank came unexpectedly. He sailed on the ship Otago out of Bangkok, Thailand, and the captain died at sea. By the time the Otago arrived at its destination in Singapore, the entire crew except Conrad and the cook were suffering from fever. Photo circa 1960: A bust of Joseph Conrad as a figurehead on the prow of The Joseph Conrad, a training ship built in Copenhagen in 1882. Three Lions / Getty Images The characters in Joseph Conrads writing are mostly drawn from his experiences at sea. Three years of association with a Belgian trading company as captain of a ship on the Congo River led directly to the novella Heart of Darkness. Conrad completed his final long-distance voyage in 1893. One of the passengers on the ship Torrens was 25-year-old future novelist John Galsworthy. He became a good friend of Conrad shortly before the latter began his writing career. Success as a Novelist Joseph Conrad was 36 when he left the merchant marine in 1894. He was ready to seek a second career as a writer. He published his first novel Almayers Folly in 1895. Conrad was concerned that his English might not be strong enough for publication, but readers soon considered his approach to the language as a non-native writer an asset. Conrad set the first novel in Borneo, and his second, An Outcast of the Islands, takes place in and around the island of Makassar. The two books helped him develop a reputation as a teller of exotic tales. That depiction of his work frustrated Conrad, who looked to be taken seriously as a top writer of English literature. Handwritten and typed letter from Joseph Conrad to Ford Madox Ford. Culture Club / Getty Images During the next fifteen years, Conrad published what most consider the finest works of his career. His novella Heart of Darkness appeared in 1899. He followed it with the novel Lord Jim in 1900 and Nostromo in 1904. Literary Celebrity In 1913, Joseph Conrad experienced a commercial breakthrough with the publication of his novel Chance. Today it is not viewed as one of his best works, but it outsold all of his previous novels and left the author with financial security for the rest of his life. It was the first of his novels to focus on a woman as a central character. Conrads next novel, Victory, released in 1915, continued his commercial success. However, critics found the style melodramatic and expressed concern that the authors artistical skills were fading. Conrad celebrated his financial success by building the house he called Oswalds in Bishopsbourne, Canterbury, England. Personal Life Joseph Conrad suffered from a range of physical maladies, most of them due to exposure during his years in the merchant marine. He battled gout and recurrent attacks of malaria. He also struggled occasionally with depression. In 1896, while in the early years of his writing career, Conrad married Jessie George, an Englishwoman. She gave birth to two sons, Borys and John. Joseph Conrad and Family. Time Life Pictures / Getty Images Conrad counted many other prominent writers as friends. Among the closest were future Nobel laureate John Galsworthy, American Henry James, Rudyard Kipling, and collaborator on two novels, Ford Madox Ford. Later Years Joseph Conrad continued to write and publish novels through his final years. Many observers considered the five years after World War I ended in 1919 the most peaceful part of the authors life. Some of Conrads contemporaries pushed for recognition with a Nobel Prize for Literature, but it was not forthcoming. In April 1924, Joseph Conrad turned down the offer of a British knighthood due to his background in Polish nobility. He also turned down offers of honorary degrees from five prestigious universities. In August 1924, Conrad died at his home of an apparent heart attack. He is buried with his wife, Jessie, in Canterbury, England. Legacy Shortly after Joseph Conrads death, many critics focused on his ability to create stories that illuminated exotic locales and to humanize sordid events. Later analysis has focused on deeper elements in his fiction. He often examines the corruption that lies just beneath the surface of otherwise admirable characters. Conrad focuses on fidelity as a crucial theme. It can save the soul and wreak terrible destruction when it is breached. Conrads powerful narrative style and the use of anti-heroes as main characters have influenced a wide range of great writers of the 20th century, from William Faulkner to George Orwell and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He paved the way for the development of modernist fiction. Source Jasanoff, Maya. The Dawn Watch: Joseph Conrad in a Global World. Penguin Press, 2017.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Vodun and African culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Vodun and African culture - Essay Example They believe there exists a hierarchy of inferior creations, the vodun that vary in strength from Superior deities that govern nature forces and societies of men to the individual streams’ spirits, rocks and trees, an expression considered sacred. Another belief is that God cannot contend with the humans, which makes the Vodun the core of religious life. This element of Vodun religion bears a resemblance to Trinity and angles and saints intercession-making Vodun very compatible with Catholicism and generally Christianity. A strong syncretistic Haitian Vodou was conceived as a result. Tying of souls is another phenomenon in Vodun. They believe in tying a soul in something tangible and physical (Robinson, pg. 72). A person is linked to another person using a soul tie, which commonly links the living and the dead and it is a form of a curse. The key and core Vodun aspect is performing healing to the people from illnesses. Houngans and Mambo arguably have a dominant role in healing. Healing performed in Vodun is a combination of faith healing (using Iwa’s help and some other spirits), herbal medicine, and the western medicine is gaining popularity in many Vodun healing practices (McGee. pg. 28

Friday, November 1, 2019

Government funding for education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Government funding for education - Essay Example Therefore, we come to the million dollar questions: How much is today’s government giving to the educational sector? How is the money distributed? Is it enough or more is needed? More importantly, why is government funding so important? First is the State Nursery School, which caters preschool students up to five years. These are usually attached to a primary school, run by the local education authority and are free (BBC, 2009). These centres are essential for high quality early learning and care for children. Realizing the importance, the government has announced extra funding for Nursery Schools in the form of free study hours. News headings flashed across the screens of all leading news channels around the globe in not so recent past: â€Å"Childrens Minister Beverley Hughes has pledged  £340m to extend the entitlement from 12.5 to 15 hours a week† (BBC, 2007). Second and Third Levels are occupied by Primary Schools and High Schools. They, too, are a part of public education. According to the Encyclopaedia Wikipedia, public education is defined as: â€Å"Education mandated for or offered to the children of the general public by the government, whether national, regional, or local, provided by an institution of civil government, and paid for, in whole or in part, by taxes. â€Å" These schools are funded by the Central Government through the local authority according to a range of formulae based on the number and range of each school’s pupils. This is commonly known as delegated funding. Lots has it been put into the development of education at this level. In June 2002, the minister of Education and Young People announced a 1.15 billion package of investment through fifteen public private partnership projects to build schools. In March of 2003, a further of 748 million was pledged to the above mentioned investment package (SEED, 20 04). Next comes the higher education-college and