Accounting Information Systems Essay

Every Company or Business has different Information Systems that the use to run the Company. There are various types of information systems employed by payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and accounting? Types of Information systems that are employed by payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable are Paychex, UltiPro Payroll Software, ADP Payroll services, Intuitive Payroll Systems, and QuickBooks Payroll. Various types of Accounting Software is Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet, Intuit Quicken, Sage 50, and QuickBooks. Paychex Inc. s a payroll and human resource service company which serves approximately 572,000 businesses in the US. The company provides services including Payroll Services, Time and Labor Management, HR Administration & Compliance, 401(k) Employee Benefits, Group Health Insurance, and Paychex HR Solutions. UltiPro by â€Å"Ultimate Software† is a comprehensive payroll, HR and talent management system that is delivered on-demand as Software-as-a-Service in the cloud, giving organizations a highly accessible solution for human capital management (HCM). See more: Distinguish between problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping Essay QuickBooks payroll is used for payroll, calculating taxes, and filing and paying taxes. You can also switch to running QuickBooks payroll manually. Manual payroll requires you to calculate, file and pay your own taxes. Excel is an electronic spreadsheet program that can be used for storing, organizing and manipulating data. Other operations that excel can be used for includes: graphing or charting data to assist users in identifying data trends and sorting and filtering data to find specific information. QuickBooks is accounting software developed and marketed by Intuit. Sage 50 is an accounting software. With sage 50 you can manage cash flow, custom payments, and collections. You can gain insight with custom reporting for budgeting, cash flow management, and benchmarking. Also Track inventory, plan purchases, or expand service offerings and Reduce errors and deter fraud with screen-level security and a clear audit trail. Riordan Manufacturing is a global plastics manufacturer. The company is owned by Riordan Industries, which is a Fortune 1000 enterprise with revenues in excess of $1 billion. The products that they produce is plastic beverage containers. The containers are produced in Albany, Georgia, the custom plastic parts produced at its plant in Pontiac, Michigan, and plastic fan parts produced at its facilities in Hangzhou, China. They employ 550 persons with projected yearly earnings of $46 million. Riordan Manufacturing’s mission is to focus its industry leaders in using polymer materials to provide solutions to our customer’s challenges. Riordan is a privately held company. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is Hugh McCauley and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is Dale Edgel. Individuals in a business usually do not work alone all the time, but instead in teams, committees, departments, and other types of workgroups. Riordan Manufacturing is one of them. The hardware that Riordan Manufacturing used within the organization to support information systems is Management information systems, internal control system, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System. The hardware this used is very sufficient. Today’s ERP systems can cover a wide range of functions and integrate these functions into one unified database. ERP is a way to integrate the data and processes of an organization into a single system. Other hardware that is used to support the information systems is a monitor, processor, printer, and keyboard. They all work together to accept, process, show data and information. The types of software applications that is utilized to support the information systems is Windows NT 4. 0. Windows XP would better meet the needs of Riordan Manufacturing. Windows is very much a compatible software and it is easy to use and user friendly. Payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivables, and accounting information systems interact with one another. They all do this by storing and maintain information relating to business or financial transactions. Accounting software packages usually consist of several different modules based on the traditional manual accounting process. Modules include general accounting, fixed assets, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll. The accounting information system is divided into following sub-systems. The sub-systems include but not limited to payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. The integration of the sub-systems leads to greater accuracy and higher speed with inputting and maintaining information. With that being said all four interact effectively. I would make some viable recommendations or uggestions to management to make the organization more efficient. Some recommendations or suggestions that I can make is making everything mobile. They can take advantage of mobile devices and mobile workforces to get information spread quicker. They can make the business more social. They can do this by integrating social technologies and using social networks to advertise the business. Riordan can do away with paper record keeping and use technology to record information. They also can elaborate more on the hardware and software that they utilize to support their information systems. It was very difficult to find certain about the company. Riordan Manufacturing can make public information easier to find and more readily available to whomever needs to view it. Other areas of business of improvement that I would make is sharing resources, software applications that are installed on servers, and managing resources better. In all business can always use room for improvement because things changes and there is always a continuous growth when it comes to new advances in technology. Change is never a bad thing. With making the organization more efficient allows things to be a lot easier and run more smoothly.

Cute in Japanese Culture

The rise of cuteness in Japanese culture emerged in the 1970s as part of a new style of writing. Many teenage girls began to write laterally using mechanical pencils. These pencils produced very fine lines, as opposed to traditional Japanese writing that varied in thickness and was vertical. Also, the girls would write in big, round characters and they added little pictures to their writing, such as hearts, stars, smiley faces, and letters of the Latin alphabet. These pictures would be inserted randomly and made the writing very hard to read.As a result, this writing style caused a lot of controversy and was banned in many schools. During the 1980s, however, this new â€Å"cute† writing was adopted by magazines and comics and was put onto packaging and advertising. From 1984–1986, Yamane Kazuma studied the development of cute handwriting, which he called Anomalous Female Teenage Handwriting, in depth. Although it was commonly thought that the writing style was something that teenagers had picked up from comics, he found that teenagers had come up with the style themselves, as part of an underground movement.Later, cute handwriting became associated with acting childishly and using infantile slang words. Because of this growing trend, companies such as Sanrio came out with merchandise like Hello Kitty. Hello Kitty was an immediate success and the obsession with cute continued to progress in other areas as well. The 1980s also saw the rise of cute idols, such as Seiko Matsuda, who is largely credited with popularizing the trend. Women began to emulate Seiko Matsuda and her cute fashion style and mannerisms, which emphasized the helplessness and innocence of young girls. 4] No longer limited to teenagers, however, the spread of making things as cute as possible, even common household items, was embraced by people of all ages. Now there are airplanes painted with Pikachu on the side, and each of Japan’s 47 prefectures, the Tokyo police, and eve n the public broadcaster NHK all have their own cute mascots. Currently, Sanrio’s line of more than 50 characters takes in more than $1 billion a year and it remains the most successful company to capitalize on the cute trend

A Report About Bloods Vs Crips

A Report About Bloods Vs Crips My exam paper is about one of the biggest gang wars in the whole world: The Bloods versus The Crips. The reason I have chosen this subject is because not so many people are aware of what’s going on between those two gangs. There are more gangs who are sometimes involved in this war, such as MS-13 (Florence 13) and the KKK (Ku Klux Klan), but the arguments with these groups aren’t half as worse as the war between the Bloods and the Crips. The MS 13 is a Mexican gang. They are the one of the most dangerous gangs in the whole world, sais the FBI. They mostly operate in Mexico, but also in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and in Nicaragua. In the US they operate in states as Texas and California. The Ku Klux Klan is a group of people who are very racial against outsiders. They mostly hate black people (à   Bloods and Cribs), because they weren’t happy about the decision back in the days that all black people were free. But the do not only hate black people, they al so hate other people with a color, people who are anti-catholic and Jews. Sometimes these people get killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan. But as I was saying, the conflicts with these groups aren’t half as bas as the conflicts between the Bloods and the Cribs. Everyday people die because of these conflicts. Also everyday more and more people become members of these groups. The two groups operate especially in the West coast and in the South coast, mostly in Los Angeles and Compton. First I’m going to give you some information about The Crips, than I’m going to give you some information about The Bloods. The Crips TheCrips(Community Revolution In Progress) are a primarily, but not exclusively,African Americangang. They were founded inLos Angeles, Californiain 1971 by Raymond WashingtonandStanley Williams. File:Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams mugshot.jpgStanley â€Å"Tookie† Williams met Raymond Lee Washington in 1969, and the two decided to unite their local gang members from the west and east sides ofSouth Central Los Angelesin order to battle neighboring street gangs. Most of the members were very young.Some of them weren’t even 18 years old yet. The most of them were African American, but there were also Mexican people who joined there group. Stanley Tookie Williams(December 29, 1953 – December 13, 2005) was born inNew Orleans,Louisiana andwas one of the two leaders of the Crips. In 1979 he was condemned of four murders that he committed during robberies and he went to prison for the rest of his life. In jail, he write many books about his live and other things, like books including anti-gang and violence literature. Tookie Williams was asked to help the police with the investigation to get the criminals of his gang, but he refused to help and was involved with many attacks on guards, tried to escape a couple, but there wasn’t any evidence that he planned this. In 1993, Williams began making changes i n his behavior, and became an anti-gang activist while onDeath Row inCalifornia. He renounced his gang affiliation and apologized for his role in founding the Crips. He also co-wrote children’s books and participated in efforts intended to prevent youths from joining gangs.[1]A biographical TV-movie entitledRedemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Storywas made in 2004, and featuredJamie Foxxas Williams.

Macroeconomic in the US Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Macroeconomic in the US - Assignment Example At the moment, one of the major economic issues that the United States economy is facing is an increasing number of unemployed individuals. Though there have been some improvements in creating more jobs, the unemployment rate remains high in the United States. For the last ten years, the United States unemployment statistics have revealed that the unemployment rate is still high. In a significant part of 2003, the unemployment level was below 6 percent. Throughout 2004, the unemployment level was still below 6 percent (Gliksberg, 2013). After the fiscal crisis in 2008, the unemployment level increased severely making many Americans to be jobless. As stated by the United States Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment level was 7.3 percent in November. Due to this, necessary policies need to be adopted so that to bring the unemployment level to sustainable levels. There are different macroeconomic solutions that may assist in helping solve the present unemployment issue in the United States economy. These solutions are both monetary and fiscal policies, which help in maintaining the stability of the economy (Li, 2013). As the present level of unemployment is essentially recurring, it is vital to consider executing expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. An expansionary financial policy may be implemented correctly by taxation, government purchases and also transfer payments. The United States government needs to increase its spending on healthcare and infrastructure. For example, when roads are built, there will be a high demand for materials. This will create jobs for engineers, drivers among other individuals. When taxation is reduced by the government, there will be an increase in disposable income for households. This is reflected directly by increased consumption and will lead to a demand increase (Li, 2013). In meeting this demand in crease, firms will be needed to employ more workers, therefore, reducing the unemployment

Financial statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Financial statement - Essay Example (Strategos, 2014) An inventory turnover is the number times per year inventory is replaced. A quick turnover is desired in business because it is a reminder that inventories should not stay in the shelves too long. A high ratio means that sales are doing good and shows lower risk of too many unsold stocks. Inventory turn-over that is out of proportion to the industry norms is an indication of marketing problems of management like poor customer services 3. Current Ratio. Although the Current Ratio for 2013 is lower than 2012, this should not be a matter to be worried about by creditors, because the ratio is still high. This means company can still pay its maturing obligations. The accounting rule states, â€Å"the higher the ratio, the more capable the company is of paying its obligations and a ratio of below 1 means company would not be able to pay its obligations† (Accounting Coach 2014) 4. Debt to equity ratio. The D/E shows a slighter decrease in 2013. A 0.25 D/E ratio means the company has not been aggressive in financing its growth. A low D/E is favorable to stockholders because it does not use a lot of debt to increase its operations. A D/E is the â€Å"proportion of company’s asset supplied by company’s creditors vs. the amount supplied by the stockholders.†(Accounting Coach 2014). 5. Gross profit ratio. As in previous ratios, the 2013 GPR shows variance with 2012 exhibiting a lower ratio. GPR is the % of sales available for expenses and profit after the cost of goods sold is deducted, it is otherwise known as gross profit margin. I believe the average is not risky because Industry average of 33.91% is not very far from 0.3461 our case.(CSIS Market, 2014) . 6. Return on assets means the number of cents earned for every dollar of assets. A high value of ROA high means business is profitable. Comparing the 0.41% ROA to the industry average, which

Final assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Final - Assignment Example As the rate of globalization goes high in the United States, the developing countries also look forward to get them same effects of globalization. Thus, the United States of America has to play a major role in facilitating development in the third world countries. United States created two international institutions which aim at developing all the countries in the world. The two institutions are World Trade Organization (WTO) formed in 19951. The main function of the World Trade organization was to settle all the trade disputes among the countries in the world. The second organization is the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which was formed after World War II. The events of the war destroyed most of the countries’ resources, and something had to be done to revolve their economy. The International Monetary Fund provided emergency loans to countries. After the events of World War II, the United States of America plays a major role in shaping the economy of the world. Thus, to ensure that other countries develop, they have to incorporate all the aspects of globalization. They have to advance the living standards and ensure that there is stability in the world’s economy. The policy makers have to come up with policies that promote globalization in all the countries, which is a great challenge2. Consequently, some of the third world countries cannot adapt globalization because of factors such as illiteracy and poverty. The United States has first to work on the two major challenges before introducing globalization in those countries. Thus, they need resources to ensure that they provide all the basic needs required and improve their education sector. Finance is needed to carry out all these activities, making it a great challenge. Globalization has resulted in a faster exchange of ideas among the countries. Criminals use the advanced technology to communicate over a long

Detroit Electric Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Detroit Electric - Case Study Example He continues to claim that this kind of organisational arrangement is highly dependent of the ability of the organisation involved to clearly and unambiguously describe the specialised jobs that are required to see the organization achieve its goals. Detroit Electric Company invests in outlining what work it requires to be done, and then outsources the services of other companies. It does not do any design or manufacturing. The company maintains that this kind of organizational structure helps it escape capital expanses which may be too huge for it to afford at this point in time, bearing in mind that it is still at start up level. However, there is indication that this company may slowly stop outsourcing its operations as time goes by and as their revenues continue to build on. This is due to the fact that they attribute their outsourcing arrangement to ‘avoiding capital costs which could be fatal to its start-up’ (p. 512). The reason why Detroit Electric chose to use t his structure is to capitalize on the economic advantage that is brought by division of work into highly specialised or precise jobs. The company realised that there was already the presence of specialised vehicle manufacturing companies such as Proton Holdings where manufacturing resources could be outsourced to. Proton Holdings was chosen to do the manufacturing activities of Detroit Electric because it had a modern production facility was committed to research and development, was cost efficient, stable, and had a highly qualified labor-force. Relationship between Organisational Structure and Pace of Development Detroit Electric Company is on pace to present its electric vehicles to the market only three years after its inception. On the other hand, Ford will have taken forty years to produce a viable electric car by 2011. The pace of development in these two companies is affect by the organisational structures the two companies have deployed in their organisations. Organisationa l structure defines the manner in which the human resource are organised and their reporting arrangements. Ford, apparently, has deployed the traditional centralised approach to organisational management. Decisions are made at top management levels and little authority is delegated to subordinates as this may indicate loss of control. They review decision made by lower level management and decide on thefate of their implementation. As a result, there is a lot of duplication of functions at different levels of management.This kind of arrangement may create a conservative culture in the organization which will result to everyone wanting to maintain the status quo. This affects the success of the electric car project at Ford because the personnel ‘have become used to the routine activities they perform’. As Jacobides puts it, getting so used to routine activities in an organisation makes it difficult for them to focus on the organisation’s projects, follow schedules , and meet deadlines. It also makesit difficult for information to flow across the departmentswhich in turn makes it difficult to share resources efficiently, agree on development agenda, and implement new strategies. In addition, Ford has specialized in the manufacturing of usual cars (those powered by fuel). It was therefore reluctant to diversify into electric cars due to market uncertainties and risks. Manufacturing electric cars would also demand a huge extra investment in infrastructure and human

Walmart Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Walmart - Article Example Wal-Mart purchases directly from the manufacturer. This coupled with the effective use of technology and warehousing strategies, Wal-Mart is able to provide its customers with quality products at competitive prices. Such decisions made by companies, which help them gain a competitive edge against their rivals in the market are termed strategic decisions. These decisions involve some degree of innovation and thus, help companies gain advantages which are sustainable (Hayden et al, 4). One of the key components of Wal-Mart’s business model is its human resource. The company has a frugal culture yet the working environment is pleasant. The employees are called associates as opposed to employees. An associates’ well being is of high priority for the management. There is no concept of work-union, as the company takes care of associates’ needs and demands. The promotion criterion for managers is dependent upon the profits made by their particular outlet; thus, it leads to maximum work efficiency. In order to inculcate spirit of competitiveness, the stores are not only encouraged to compete with other retail franchises, but also amongst themselves. The organization is well equipped with the latest technological innovations, which are like real time market research, satellite system and store performance tracking. In addition to this Wal-Mart is very particular about its logistic partnerships with various vendors from around the world. Low cost logistics are the reason why Wal-Mart has its present competitive edge. Thus, the company pays special attention to its procurement process (Canak, 5). Over the years Wal-Mart has thrived by using a number of various different factors to its advantage. This includes a business model which till date is a mystery to those outside the organization. The company is also very good at hiding its deficiencies and covering its faults. Thus, it provides an example of organisational model to the competitors seems which virtually seems flawless and is overall very efficient and effective. Such effective strategies by the company, has made it one of largest retailers of America. Wal-Mart follows three fundamental and generic strategies - Focus Strategy, Differentiation Strategy and Cost Leadership. Wal-Mart started its operations by opening large stores in small shops (Canak, 5). At that time, all the other companies focused their efforts and resources on large metropolitan cities. However, Wal-Mart saw a gap and thus, capitalized on it by opening stores in small towns, not only did the company had a monopoly, but also had to pay low rental costs and goods were available at cheap local prices. Wal-Mart aims to not only provide products at low prices, but also provide unique and differentiated products to its consumers. The store’s USP is high quality products at lowest possible prices. This is one strategy that Wal-Mart has followed since the very beginning and plans to follow for its future strategic plans as well. It order to reduce its product cost, the company streamline its procurement process by getting products manufactured from different parts of the world. This reduces the production costs and thus, the eventual end price of a product (Hayden et al 12). High inflation has plagued the world over the past few years. Even though countries have found their way out of the recession, high economic inflation is still a problem. Wal-Mart plans to provide goods at affordable

The Learning and Growth Perspective Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

The Learning and Growth Perspective - Essay Example The use of Balanced Scorecard is a very important aspect of the business compared to other performance management strategies; it responds immediately progress, feedback and changing business conditions. Various successful organizations like Futura Industries have used this strategy of the Balanced Scorecard and it is evident that the strategy has positively contributed to the companies’ success over years. A Futura Industries is an international company based in Utah led by Susan Johnson. It has more than 50 years of experience in aluminum design, extruding, fabrication, finishing, and machining. They needed a plan to help the business grow over years. Susan Johnson, the president of Futura Industries came up with the idea of deploying the Balanced Scorecard in the organization. She argued that for success to be evident in the company, employees’ welfare is the key to success. She believed that employees are very important assets to the company that need to be treated w ith utmost care and respect. She says that; Futura does not only require great machines, but also great people. For an organization in its success in its endeavors; â€Å"The opportunity for personal growth is one of the keys to maximizing employee motivation† (Bruce & Pepitone, 1999, p.9). Susan Johnson considered growth, innovation, and learning quadrant of the Balanced Scorecard as the most important aspects for the company’s growth. A company’s success goes hand in hand with its foundation which is molded by the employees. For Futura company success to be evident, Susan Johnson says that the company not only expects success to come from the employees but also its customers. Good Customer care service leaves a promising fact to the company that the customer will still come back someday. The Balanced Scorecard has helped Futura Industries in that, the company set goals and provided a safe, challenging and enjoyable workplace for the employees. Futura industrie s used the strategy of hiring and people and retaining the best people in the market and customer devotion which highly contributed to its competitive advantage with the other rival companies in the market. To maximize employees motivation in Futura, Johnson came up the idea of implementing surveys to the employees such as; Employee friendly initiative at Futura, Birthday Review, Leadership Review, Certification and Training Matrix, and an Annual Performance and Personal Development Review. Performance appraisal in an organization can be widely measured in different aspects as in the case of Futura. It contributes on determining the employees view regarding the company in general and what improvements should be done. Generally, â€Å"productivity can be increased significantly if supervisors set a specific production goal and provide attention and support to the workers† (Grote, 1996, p.6). At the end of every year, employees at Futura Industries complete the Employee Friendl y Initiative survey which records in excess of 60 benefits and other factors that are important to the employee such as; Sports team membership, Medical benefits, spouse scholarships, and flextime options are discussed. The survey asks the employees to give their views about the review benefits. In the case of Birthday Review, the employee is given the review survey in the same

Student Council Speech Essay Example for Free

Student Council Speech Essay Good morning my friends, my comrades. Exactly a year and five days ago, I stood behind this podium speaking to all of you, as a stranger, but on this day, I stand behind this podium not as a stranger but as a familiar classmate and representative. As for the few who do not know me well, I’m Ray Liu, a dedicated, confident and the mad scientist of last year’s student council. In the past year, I have helped the student council organize and set up many different activities, and I’m also familiar and experienced with the code of conduct and procedures of the student council. As you can recall, last year’s Job action has certainly affected you. Sports teams were canceled and many clubs were disbanded. I can tell you that this hurts me just as much as it hurts you. That is why I went to the Walk Out to force the government to listen to our voices. During the walk-out, I noticed that many people were getting away from the reporters to avoid being interviewed, but I stood there, not caring about the rain or the cold, I only cared about being a representative of our school and getting our message out. When the reporters came, I told them that, we being as students, does not mean that we are powerless, or that we are mindless, instead, we being as students only means that we are fearless, and we have a voice to be heard. We will not let the government do what they feel like doing, we will not let them cut the budget and cancel our clubs, our dances and our sports teams then expect us to fall silently into the night. It is purely up to you if I’m the student council representative of 2012 and 2013, but before you vote, ask yourself, are you voting for who has the coolest shoes or the latest Apple Product, rather than someone will take good care of the school, someone who can lead the school through misfortune, and someone who stands tall in the face of fear. I cannot promise you that I will be able to play Gangnam Style everyday on the announcements or replace silent reading with silent texting, what I can promise you, is that I will dedicate myself to helping the student council, the school and most importantly you the students, as much as I dedicate myself to carrying a 60 pound high voltage pulse capacitor home, and when you love science as much as I do, you know that is a lot of dedication. It will be my honor to serve you all again this year. Thank you for staying awake, and as always, have a nice day. Aside from that, I’m also the winner of this year’s Palmer’s annual science fair with my project about wireless energy transmission using a dual resonant high frequency transformer, or as I like to call it, the machine that shoots lightning and sets things on fire. After winning Palmer’s annual science fair, I moved on to the regional science fair where I claimed a silver medal and two special awards with my machine.

Should Congress have Term Limits?

Should Congress have Term Limits? Term limits are limitations that restrict the number of years that someone can serve in an elected office. However, there are no limitations of terms for the members of Congress. They are allowed to run for reelection as many times as they want. The founding fathers intended that elections would reflect the political values of citizens and check the power of government. Term limits should be implemented to prevent career politicians because the founding founders never intended politics to become a career. The United States should have a national referendum to propose a constitutional amendment to institute term limits. The founding of the United States was a radical movement by a collection of like-minded individuals who had new ideas of freedom and self-governments. The backgrounds of the founding fathers were varying from scholars, statesmen, industrialists, and businessmen. The juxtaposition of their backgrounds fostered debate, new ideas, consensus, and descent. It can be said the each of the founding fathers were leaders, not only in their communities, but in their fields. Professional politicians were not yet a byproduct of the new American government. Also there were not yet distinct political parties or PACs or super PACs (Political action committees).   In the beginnings of this representative republic most congressmen did not serve more than a couple of terms. Most had lives, families, and business to get back to. They saw serving in congress as a duty and sacrifice in an effort to make the country grow and stronger. Term limits should be introduced to reinforce states’ rights, reduce corruption, and reinvigorate the republic. In the 1990 congressional reelection, voter’s reelected rate of incumbents exceeded ninety-six percent. Voters that disapproved by Congress just stayed at home and didn’t vote because it seemed that there opinion didn’t matter. It also made it difficult for voters to express their opinion about Congress. Two days before the election in 1990, there was a national survey that showed that sixty-nine percent of people did not approve of Congress. Fifty-one percent did approve of the congressmen that were chosen. The 22nd Amendment was added to the constitution in February of 1951. This limited the number of terms a president can serve. Franklin Delano Roosevelt served twelve years. Congress decided that there needed to be an amendment that limits the amount of terms that presidents can serve for. They made this decision not long after Roosevelt’s death. Term limits were put in place to restrict too much executive power. Fifteen states have adopted term limits for their state legislators, but states can’t limit the terms for U.S. Senators. On November third of 1992, in the Arkansas Supreme Court, amendment seventy-three (the term limitation amendment) was adopted by Arkansas voters. This amendment provided for limits of two terms for executive officials and state senators and three terms for state representatives. If someone served two or more terms as a member of the United States Senate from Arkansas, they would be ineligible for re-election as a US Senator from Arkansas, due to the term limitation amendment. â€Å"Its preamble stated: ‘The people of Arkansas find and declare that elected officials who remain in office too long become preoccupied with reelection and ignore their duties as representatives of the people. Entrenched incumbency has reduced voter participation and has led to an electoral system that is less free, less competitive, and less representative than the system established by the Founding Fathers. Therefore, the people of Arkansas, exercising their reserved powers, herein limit the terms of the elected officials.’†. (Stevens 5) In May of 1995, the Supreme Court made a decision ruling 5-4 in United States Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton. The ruling was that â€Å"states cannot impose term limits upon their federal Representatives or Senators. In the 1994 elections, part of the Republican platform included legislation for term limits in Congress† (Stevens 72). Term limits would make it difficult for the federal government to enact rules, laws, create agencies that strip powers from the states, for example EPA (environmental protection agencies), DHS (department of homeland security), DOE (department of education), entitlement programs, earmarks, and subsidies. The Constitutional power that the federal government is responsible for is entering into treaties with foreign governments. They also have the power to wage war, declare war, and win war.   Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States   Constitution , which gives Congress the power â€Å"to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.† Section 8 also explains Congress may have the â€Å"power to lay and collect taxes†, declare war, regulate interstate commerce, coin money, and raise an army. â€Å"When the Framers met in Philadelphia in 1787 and wrote the constitution that governs us today, they addressed that failure and through the commerce and the privileges and immunities clauses that created a national free-trade zone. The original purpose of the commerce clause was primarily a means to eliminate trade barriers among the states. They didnt intend for the commerce clause to govern so much of our lives. Indeed, as James Madison, the father of our Constitution, explained, ‘The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite’†. (Williams 3) The longest someone has served in the Senate is fifty-one years, five months, and twenty-six days. The person who held this record is Robert C. Byrd. John Dingell Jr. served in the House of Representatives for more than fifty-three years.   Congressmen are not there long enough to gain power, or write legislation in the form of tax loop holes. Term limits will break the cycle of career politicians (people building power over time) and facilitate a return to the â€Å"common man† being involved in the political process. They will bring new ideas, new perspective, and reinforce â€Å"of the people, by the people, for the people.†Ã‚   The phrase â€Å"drain the swap† refers to removing career politicians from their elected office.   There are a lot of people who think that America is just filled with a bunch of career politicians, and we need to â€Å"drain the swamp†. Some of these career politicians aren’t accountable to the people. They stop doing what the people want and focus on running for reelection and how they are going to deal with things themselves. â€Å"Term limits in Congress would encourage members of Congress to make their time in office matter.† (Desantis 21). A member of the United States Term Limits advocacy group, Austin Sekel wrote that â€Å"term limits don’t exist to keep people out of office. They exist to make the regular rotation possible, and to create opportunities for new leaders to emerge.†Ã‚  (Sekel 7). Term limits aren’t meant to push people out of Congress. Without term limits, only certain people can run for election. Other citizens don’t have an equal chance of becoming a new congressman, when the same people get reelected every election. The Founding Fathers intended for other people to have a chance to become congressmen, develop new ideas, create opportunities, and become new leaders in America. The Founding Fathers were not career politicians. It is difficult to believe when they were developing the frame work and the foundations of the new republic, that they would purposely develop or create a mechanism that would introduce a class of citizen who would monopolize and control the political process over time. While removing the very strength of the public, by eroding states’ rights and coagulate consolidating power into a central government. The United States of America was built as a representative republic. There should be no career politicians, billion dollar contracts, trillion dollar budgets, or two thousand plus page bills passed by the federal government, with hidden kickbacks, special interest, and earmarks. The only time the federal government meaning the legislature should ever agree on anything should be in the matters of treaties, and war. The federal government was designed so that congress and the senate would find it extremely difficult to build consensus on any issue unless it was a clear and present danger, or such a massive societal shift that you could get more than 60 percent of the citizenry or their representative to agree to a national change. As it stands now, congress has turned into an elite club ran by career politicians, special interest, and power brokers. Instituting term limits would reinvigorate the republic, restore power to the states, and reduce corruption. Works Cited Liedl, Mark B. â€Å"The Case for Limiting Congressional Terms.† The Heritage Foundation, 1 Dec. 1990, www.heritage.org/report/the-case-limiting-congressional-terms. Staff, LII. â€Å"Commerce Clause.† LII / Legal Information Institute, 11 June 2016, www.law.cornell.edu/wex/commerce_clause. Williams, Walter E. â€Å"Commerce Clause Abuse.† Commerce Clause Abuse, 4 Oct. 2003, econfaculty.gmu.edu/wew/articles/03/abuse.html. Murse, Tom. â€Å"The Pros and Cons of Imposing Terms Limits for Congress.† ThoughtCo, 9 July 2017, www.thoughtco.com/debate-over-term-limits-for-congress-3367505. U. S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton. Oyez, 24 Apr. 2018, www.oyez.org/cases/1994/93-1456. Stevens. U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton, 514 U.S. 779 (1995)., 22 May 1995, www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/93-1456.ZO.html. â€Å"The Limits of Term Limits.† Restoration: Congress, Term Limits, and the Recovery of the Deliberative Democracy, by Terry Eastland, pp. 54–55.

The Color Purple By Alice Walk :: essays research papers

Alice Walker’s The Color Purple presents the life-long struggle of Celie, a black Georgia woman, who yearns to obtain confidence and self-esteem. During the early stages of the novel, references to wagons are made, signifying the â€Å"old days,† whereas towards the end of the work automobiles surface. Though Walker never discusses any specific time or place where the story actually occurs, the change in transportation suggests about a forty-year span of Celie’s life, from the beginning of the novel until the end. Written in first person, Celie writes a series of letters to God, explaining the torture that she faces, and begging him for some form of mercy. After years of abuse, both physically and emotionally, Celie discovers herself searching for some self-respect. Fonso, Celie’s abusive father, forces her to marry Albert, also abusive by nature. Celie finds a degree of hope through the depiction of Albert’s mistress, Shug. Shug serves as a tremendous force in Celie’s attainment of confidence, as the two eventually form a strong bond. Celie’s sister, Nettie, intelligent and caring who â€Å"mean[s] everything in the world† to Celie, also faces many of the same obstacles that Celie does, but Nettie first helps Celie overcome hers. As time passes, Celie gains more and more self-respect as well as some respect from others. The central theme flowing throughout the work remains that man often defeats his problems through the nurturing of close intimate relationships. The bond between Shug and Celie allows Celie to conquer her passive behavior. Likewise, her relationship with Nettie also instills a strong sense of courage and self-esteem within Celie. Celie refuses to allow the horrible deeds of the men in her life to control her towards the latter stages of the novel. The intimate relationships that Celie shares with both the energetic Shug and the loving Nettie provides Celie with hope that she will one day come out of her passive shell. Walker captures the audience with Celie’s series of letters to God that involve the audience. This unusual style of writing forces the reader to become directly involved in Celie’s life. Though the work is told by Celie’s perspective, the audience is able to receive adequate information about other key characters instead of only being able to venture into Celie’s mind. The language used throughout the novel serves several purposes.

The Culture and Music of Puerto Rico Essay -- culture Cultural History

The Culture and Music of Puerto Rico In the first decade of American rule, Puerto Rican culture was influenced drastically by its status as a US possession. Although the political and economic aspects of American influence were very significant, American rule also had a great impact on Puerto Rican culture. This is expressed through the development of Puerto Rican music both on the island and in the United States. Puerto Rican music not only became an important cultural icon, but also helped to determine the new identity of the Puerto Rican both on the island and the mainland. Under Spanish rule, Puerto Rican music had been shaped by the prejudices of their oppressors and the divisions between the peasant class and the upper class elites. Many people argued over what was true Puerto Rican music and culture, and the more powerful members of Puerto Rican society controlled the music that represented the island. For this reason, under Spanish colonization, the occupying country recognized the most refined and European-sounding music, the danza. However, the music of the lower classes also served as a means to declare an identity separate from the Spaniards. In this way, Puerto Rican music at this time had the influence of both Europe and its own native culture. According to Glasser, "it is likely that in this way the vals, the mazurka, and other European dances penetrated much of the Puerto Rican countryside and were absorbed, with some modifications, into the jibaro repertoire. (Glasser 26)" In other words, the refined European style that was forced onto the m by Spain and other types of music became part of Puerto Rican music, and part of their culture. Puerto Rican music and culture further developed when the United States ... ...uence. In addition to this, Puerto Rican music demonstrates that although there was outside influence, the Puerto Rican identity still grew strong. This is demonstrated by the various protest songs, and the strong ties between musicians on the island and on the mainland. In the face of early US colonization, Puerto Rican culture came under the same conflicts as it did under Spanish rule, and reacted much in the same way. While US intervention may have masked the appearance of "true" Puerto Rican music and culture, the lives and the works of the Puerto Ricans themselves showed that it is possible both to accept new cultural themes and to struggle to preserve one’s native culture at the same time. Works Cited Glasser, Ruth. My Music is my Flag: Puerto Rican Musicians and Their New York Communities 1917-1940. University of California Press, Los Angeles, 1995.

Biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt :: Biographies Presidents American History Essays

Biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States of America. Roosevelt served longer than any other President did in office. (1933-1945) Franklin was in office for four terms as President. Roosevelt held office during two of the greatest crises in the United States history. These two obstacles are the greatest and most crucial events that our nation has ever faced. First came the Great Depression, which was a stepping stone in Roosevelt's path to the Presidency of the United States. Then came one of the biggest events in the history of the world, which was World War 2. Roosevelt was born at his home, in Hyde Park, New York on January 30, 1882 to James Roosevelt and Sara Delano Roosevelt at 8:45 p.m. He had weighed 10 pounds at birth. It was a difficult delivery, which nearly killed Roosevelt's mother and himself. When he came out he was unconscious at the time and only the mouth to mouth resuscitation continued to keep him alive. Franklin was named after a great-uncle. Roosevelt lived in Hyde Park in his younger years. During the summers he was taken on trips to Europe with his parents. Also spent time on Campobello Island in New Brunswick. Franklin grew up as a protected child. When a child he was with his parents very frequently. He wore dresses until he was 5 years old. Then there was clad in kilts, then finally at 8 years old he began to wear pants. At the age of 8 he finally was able to take his first unsupervised bath. When he was four he was given his first pony, then when he was 11 he was given his own hunting rifle. At the young age of sixteen he was given a 21' sailboat. You could say he lived an ok childhood. In 1887 his father took Roosevelt to the While House where he meet Grover Cleveland. President Cleveland said to Roosevelt "My little man, I am making a strange wish for you. It is that you. It is that your may never be president of the United States." Roosevelt had a great interest in natural history and was a very involved bird watcher. He loved the outdoors. He had always been outside playing with his servants or a few children that lived in the near area. He had become an expert swimmer and a very good sailor.

Nanjing Massacre

Genocide Research Project Questions and Instructions Research Reminders * Each student must answer all questions. * Record references for all information used to answer the questions. (copy and paste to a word document or save to your H: drive or print a copy) * Only research will be conducted today. You will not work on your presentation until all research is completed. * You must get information from 9 sources, most from Galileo. * In Galileo, select History References and Full Text. Enter your country and genocide as search terms. You will have to READ the articles to find information. Write the answers, cut and paste, or type into your word document with a reference to the source. * Use the citation option to get the APA citation for the source. Copy and paste into your word document. All questions must be answered with correct source citations by the end of class. This assignment will count as a quiz grade. You can access the word document on Edmodo or Ms. Youse’s webpage . Open it and save it to your H: drive before you begin your research. Name _______________ Date ___________ Period______ Country___________Research Questions, Answers, and Sources 1. What historical, cultural, social events led to this particular case of genocide? In December 1937, the then-Chinese capital of Nanjing fell to the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). China, under the control of the Nationalist government (the KMT), had been engaged in full-scale conflict with Japan since July of that year in what is known as the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). During 1937, Japanese forces captured several major Chinese cities, including Shanghai, whose taking enabled the invading army to advance on the capital.By the time the IJA entered an already-bombarded Nanjing on December 13, the KMT had withdrawn its army, leaving the city officially defenceless. Source: Kinney, D. (2012). Rediscovering a massacre: The filmic legacy of Iris Chang's The Rape of Nanking. Continuum: Journal Of Media ; Cultural Studies, 26(1), 11-23. doi:10. 1080/10304312. 2012. 630136 2. Where did this genocide occur? Identify a specific place and its relative location on the planet. Nanjing (nan? jing? ) or Nanking (nan? king? ) [southern capital], city (1994 est. pop. 2,224,200), capital of Jiangsu prov. E central China, in a bend of the Chang (Yangtze) River. It has served at times in the past as capital of China. The second largest city in the region (after Shanghai), Source: Nanjing. (2013). Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, 1. 3. When did this case of genocide occur? How long did it last? The events that ensued over six weeks – including mass rape and killing of both civilians and disarmed military personnel – are known collectively as the Nanjing Massacre. Its death toll remains hotly disputed particularly among Japanese historians, though the official Chinese estimate is 300,000.Source: Kinney, D. (2012). Rediscovering a massacre: The filmic legacy o f Iris Chang's The Rape of Nanking. Continuum: Journal Of Media & Cultural Studies, 26(1), 11-23. doi:10. 1080/10304312. 2012. 630136 4. What are/were the targeted races, ethnicities, tribes, or religions? On December 13, 1937, the invading Japanese army captured Nanking and ruthlessly butchered Chinese disarmed soldiers and civilians, madly looted Chinese properties, and indulgently torched down private and public buildings. However, the most heinous of all was their shameless, cruel rape of Chinese women.An eyewitness, H. J. Timperley, a reporter of the â€Å"Manchester Guardian,† said in his book that the desecrated Nanking was â€Å"an earthly hell. † Source: Hu, H. W. (1992). Don't forget the Chinese Women under the Rape of Nanking. Chinese American Forum, 7(4), 20-23 5. Provide relevant background information about the region and the conflict. Nanjing is at the intersection of three major railroad lines. Industry, which once centered around nankeen cloth (unbleac hed cotton goods), was vigorously developed under the Communist government.The city now has an integrated iron-steel complex, an oil refinery, food-processing establishments, and hundreds of plants making chemicals, textiles, cement, fertilizers, machinery, weapons, electronic equipment, optical instruments, photographic equipment, and trucks. Nanjing has long been celebrated as a literary and political center. It was the capital of China from the 3d to 6th cent. A. D. and again from 1368 to 1421. The Treaty of Nanjing, signed in 1842 at the end of the Opium War, opened China to foreign trade. During the Taiping Rebellion insurgents held the city from 1853 to 1864.It was captured by the revolutionists in 1911, and in 1912 it became the capital of China's first president, Sun Yat-sen. When in 1927 the city fell to the Communists, the foreign residents fled to the protection of British and American warships on the Chang River. The Kuomintang under Chiang Kai-shek retook the city, and it became (1928) the regular Nationalist capital. In 1932, when the Japanese were threatening to attack the city, the government was temporarily removed to Luoyang, and on Nov. 21, 1937, just before Nanjing fell to the Japanese, it was moved to Chongqing.The Japanese entry into the city, accompanied by widespread killing and brutality, became known as the rape of Nanking. Source: Nanjing. (2013). Reloaded Content, 1. 6. Name all of the groups involved in the conflict. Describe each group. Source: 7. What were the major and the underlying causes of the genocide? What do the perpetrators of the genocide hope to accomplish? Source: 8. Was there an event that â€Å"sparked† the killings? (for example, the President’s plane crash in Rwanda) If so, what was the inciting incident? Source: 9. What occurred during the genocide? A.Who was targeted and why? B. Who did the killing? C. What methods were used? D. How long did it last? E. How many people were killed? Source: 10. How did the genocide end? Source: 11. Was there any involvement from the international community (individual countries or the United Nations)? If so, what? If not, why? Source: 12. What were/are the lasting effects of the genocide? Some questions to consider are? A. What was the country/region like directly after the genocide? B. What is the country/region like today? C. Are there still tensions between the groups involved? Source:

Motivation Essay

INTRODUCTION Motivation is the process of initiating and directing behaviour based on the persistence of effort to satisfy an individual goal or need (Petri, 1991; Robbins et al, 2000 and Robbins et al, 2001). There are two approaches to understanding motivation, each of which has theories expanding to support the nature of motivation. Content theories focuses on what motivates an individual. In contrast to process theories of motivation which focus on how individual behaviour is motivated. This essay will focus on motivation in an educational context and the importance to provide opportunities and motivation for students.The purpose of this essay is to present a theoretical overview of the key differences between content theories and process theories of motivation. Then a programme developed from a theory to be applied to an undergraduate business course at Monash University. The motivational programme will focus on improving the assessment technique used by lecturers and tutors (â €Å"teachers†) that will motivate and improve undergraduate students learning ability. The aim will be to encourage students to gain a better understanding of the core concepts of business.Assessment in universities needs to be reshaped in order to motivate students. CONTENT THEORIES OF MOTIVATION Content theories are also referred to, as need theories. That is, motivational theories that look at what individual needs motivate and direct behaviour to respond to specific goals. Many early theories from the 1950? s, include Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y and Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory, established core concepts which have helped explain motivation especially in an organisational setting.McClelland’s three needs theory is a more contemporary view on the content theory approach to motivation that focuses on three important needs in work situations. Each theory identifies individual needs in order to understand b ehaviour. The main factors that underlie this approach is the need to understand that individuals have different needs, and what can be offered in response to these different needs as well as the importance on the external working environment to give individuals the opportunity to satisfy their needs (Robbins et al, 2000, p558).An example of a content theory of motivation is Douglas McGregor theory of the A? A ±A? A µeconomic manA? A ±A? A ¶. He proposed 2 contrasting views of human nature. McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y suggested one negative (Theory X) and one positive (Theory Y) view on human beings. He â€Å"concluded that a manager’s view of the nature of human beings is based on a certain grouping of assumptions and that he or she tends to mould his or her behaviour towards employees according to these assumptions† (Robbins et al, 2001, p199).The negative assumptions were labeled â€Å"Theory X†, which held four dominant assumptions of wor kers. Workers dislike work and go to great strengths to avoid it. Based on this it is believed that workers need to be punished with tight control systems in order for them to achieve goals. In addition, workers lack responsibility, thus need formal directions from superiors to perform. Such Theory X workers are predominately motivated by lower-order needs according to Maslow’s hierarchy for example they need security.In contrast, â€Å"Theory Y† assumes higher order needs dominate individuals. Thus, Theory Y workers enjoy responsibility where they can exhibit self-direction and self-control. Therefore, in order to motivate workers, mangers need to provide a working environment that provides challenging jobs and minimal formalisation. Applying this to an educational context, it can be assumed that teachers can either have a Theory X or a Theory Y view of students. That is, teachers can view students as A? A ±A?A ·lazy or un-cooperative† (Theory X) OR as †Å"being clever and work hard† (Theory Y). Teachers that adapt a Theory Y approach, are more likely to be attuned to students’ needs, actively participate with students to increase student skill-development and learning (OECD, 2000). It is important for teachers to become more student-centered. Therefore assessment must â€Å"focus more on student learning outcomes and students’ attitudes about what they are learning and their role in the teaching and learning process† (Carey, Wallace and Carey, 2001).This can be better understood by considering process theories of motivation. Process theories of motivation set out to explain how people choose a course of action they will pursue, not solely on individual needs like content theories. PROCESS THEORIES OF MOTIVATION Despite the fact that content theories of motivation have helped many organisations understand employee motivation, many of their concepts alone do not provide a comprehensive understanding of moti vation. Therefore, the introduction of another approach to understanding motivation was brought about.Process theories of motivation attempt to explain the process of arousing behaviour, sustaining and regulating the pattern of behaviour (Ames and Ames, 1989). Theories include goal setting, reinforcement, equity and expectancy theory. â€Å"These theories attempt to explain why people choose to behave in a certain way and the reasons they react as they do† (Robbins et al, 2000, p558). In contrast to content theories of motivation, which looked at what initiates behaviour to satisfy a need, this approach broadens the perspective of motivation. It looks at the underlying reasoning that influence individuals to behave and respond in a certain way.Therefore, motivating students by either punishing them to perform or encouraging self-direction, the goal setting theory, identifies underlying factors that achieve a given behaviour, which is the key to understanding the process appro ach to motivation. Goal setting theory states that â€Å"specific and difficult goals, with goal feedback, lead to higher performance† (Robbins et al, 2001, p770). That is, work motivation can be increased with goal specific directed behaviour. It also proposes that difficult goals, provided that the individual has accepted them, lead to higher performance than general goals.However, feedback is essential in the achievement of specific and difficult goals â€Å"because feedback helps identify discrepancies between what they have done and what they want to do† (Robbins et al, 2000, p559). In order to gain the performance benefits of specific goals, feedback helps shape the individuals behaviour. Better still, self-generated feedback is a greater motivator as it allows the individual to monitor their progress. Robbins et al (2000) suggested that goal setting theory is best suited to cultures were there is a moderate power distance, low in uncertainty avoidance and high i n quantity of life like Australia and New Zealand.These ensure a reasonable level of independence amongst individuals and those individuals will not be threatened to take on difficult goals. Also the importance of performance is shared by all. In goal setting theory, â€Å"the characteristics of a goal and attitudes towards it are thought to be influenced by incentives, self-perceptions and the manner in which the goals are set† (Brotherton, 1999, p36). Therefore, in an educational context the teacher and student need to work together to determine behavioural strategies that will lead to performance.End-of course evaluations conducted by Monash University A? A ±A? A ·elicit students’ attitudes about instructors and the role that they play in the teaching/learning process† (Carey, Wallace and Carey, 2001). Such instruments assess students’ motivation for learning and allow for continuous course and program improvement. MOTIVATIONAL PROGRAMME Feedback fr om end-of course evaluations â€Å"usually prompts an ongoing adaptation of a course to the emerging learning needs of its students† (Panasuk and Leabaron, 1999).It was found that â€Å"students consistently expressed views that new assessment motivated them to work in different ways† (Sambell and McDowell, 1998). The aim in developing motivational programme for undergraduate students will focus on assessment reform applying the goal setting theory. This proposition will encourage students to target specific goals, in hope that it will result in higher performance. The programme will involve students in their evaluation process in order to motivate them to actively participate in their skill-development and improve learning. Every act of assessment gives a message to students about what they should be learning and how they should go about it† (Sambell and McDowell, 1998). The programme will suggest that goals based evaluation criteria will improve studentsâ€℠¢ motivation in turn achieving a greater level of performance. The programme will focus on behaviour related to undergraduate business students at Monash University. It will include a check mark grading system that will be designed around behavioural objectives. The check-mark systems sets a specific standard for document quality, and instructors give a paper a â€Å"check mark† when it meets the standard† (Sorenson, Savage and Hartman, 1993). Students are required to set their own achievement goals, in terms of grades based on their overall subject result. That way they can evaluate their progress toward their goals on their own with each assignment mark. â€Å"This necessitates defining goals for oneself, using self-directed strategies to accomplish these goals, and assessing progress† (Larsen and Thisted, 1999).The programme will involve behavioural objective questionnaires that will identify what the students want to achieve at Monash. This will include long- term goals (degree completion) as well as short-term goals (average subject result e. g. distinction, right down to improving structure of writing). â€Å"Defining tasks in terms of short-term goals can help students to associate effort with success, but of course long-term goals are also needed if students are to become lifelong â€Å"learners† (OECD, 2000, p. 31). It will also involve social objectives (develop a good rapport with teachers). Using behavioural objectives may help students organize and structure† their learning and â€Å"may produce positive attitudes toward learning† (Sorenson, Savage and Hartman, 1993). Also, they outline behavioural objectives of each student, which are associated with goal difficulty. In addition, a student performance evaluation form is to be handed in with each assignment, outlining specific goals that the essay is to achieve. For example, good use of relevant and current references, each paragraph systematically links one to the other etc.Also the overall mark the student expects on the assignment based on their effort. From this teachers are to use the check mark system and self-evaluation system to grade the work. It is very important to give feedback, especially in relation to student evaluation forms outlining their objectives. Limited feedback such as â€Å"meaning well done or â€Å"meaning re-consider, needs to be more specific. Effective feedback should provide shorthand comments, throughout the paper and on the marking sheet, clearly clarifying any issues. Such feedback is called evaluative feedback. Evaluative feedback helps the individual understand the performance information by comparing it to standards or to the individual’s own past performance† (Larsen and Thisted, 1999). In addition, it is important to direct them where possible to achieve a higher mark, therefore feedback needs to be constructive. â€Å"Constructive feedback is task-specific and focuses attention on the task† (Larsen and Thisted, 1999). By focusing on the task and â€Å"providing target objectives results in the achievement of more objectives† (Sambell and McDowell, 1998).When students use the check-mark system, they can identify what they must do to achieve higher marks. Obviously, the goal difficulty set by students varies among the constraints of his/her ability. In this programme, it is important to provide specific feedback and include student participation in selecting objectives. In light of this, between the behavioural objectives system, grading method and student outcomes, students should actually be motivated to increase performance under these systems. CONCLUSIONThe theoretical issues proposed in motivational theories such as the economic man developed by McGregor and the benefits of setting specific and difficult goals are important. The distinction on how they motivate an individual is a major influence on behaviour. Applying motivational theory to a n educational context we draw our attention toward skill development, satisfaction and achievement. In developing a motivational programme, the focus was on assessment reform focusing on undergraduate business students at Monash University. Teachers and students need to work together in assessing ones performance.It is believed that â€Å"individuals are mutually motivated to learn when they do not have to fear failure, when they perceive what they are learning as being personally meaningful and relevant and when they are in respectful and supportive relationships with teachers† (OECD, 2000, p29). Therefore, by using a goal setting approach to motivate students, student participation in selection of objectives in as â€Å"research on the motivational value of goals, both the check-mark and behavioural/performance objective systems seem to motivate students to improve performance† (Sorenson, Savage and Hartman, 1993).However, with today’s rapid change and emergen ce of new knowledge and theory, universities will have more concepts on which to build and develop on â€Å"motivating the school’s participants so as to obtain the best possible educational results† (Panasuk and Lebaron, 1999). http://www. writing-expert. com/blog/sample-essays/essay-on-motivation. html

Personal Imaginative Coursework – Conflict

Conflict Marion had always got on with Sinead, but I'd noticed that recently things hadn't been as peachy. She was in a room, her room, flicking through old magazines. It was starting to get dark and she hadn't yet shut the curtains. ‘Knock knock'. Silence. ‘Knock knock'. â€Å"Mum?† Creak. â€Å"Why's it so dark in here? I'm going out, I'll be back later.† â€Å"I said I'd meet Mary at seven.† Sinead went over and pulled the curtains shut, tutting as she did so. â€Å"Well you can't, I'm going out.† â€Å"I told you earlier, I can still go, we're seeing ‘The Fruit Picker', you know, the one with Bobby Clampton.† Marion sat down, tucking her skirt under her as she always did. â€Å"I don't think so, fruitcake. I don't want you to OK?† Sinead said, facing her daughter. â€Å"But you didn't tell me you were going out and I've already made plans.† â€Å"Enough. I've said no.† Sinead made an annoying emphasis on the word no with her hands like she usually did before she lost her temper. â€Å"Then tell me why.† Marion was starting to get impatient but didn't want Sinead to go into one, so tried to be rational. â€Å"Because I've said so.† â€Å"I have no problem in doing what you say as long as you give me a good reason, and so far I haven't seen one so I assume I'm still going out.† As she said this, Marion went over to Sinead, noticing a helicopter circling the sky outside. â€Å"The reason is that I want you to stay home in case your father rings.† â€Å"No it's not, you made that up. I'll be back around ten.† â€Å"You'll be here at ten because you won't be going out. Ever.† â€Å"What, even school?† she said sarkily. â€Å"Don't be a smart little cow. Yeah, even school.† â€Å"Don't be stupid. You can't be serious?† The worried expression on her face showed that calm composure wasn't the first thing on her mind at the moment. â€Å"I'm deadly serious. See you later.† Sinead left the door open as she left the room and a few seconds later let the front door slam. I knew she'd be OK, so I stayed with Marion. Marion punched the bed with anger and let out a few reluctant sobs. She stood up jerkily and banged her head against the wall a few times to gather her thoughts. She stood for a moment then I followed her out of the room. I waited at the top of the stairs while she went down. She came back up with a knife from the kitchen. We went back into her room. She sat down on the bed. As I stayed by the door I watched her pull up her sleeve. She put the knife to her wrist and winced. I wanted to do something but I was only there to watch. â€Å"That'll show her.† she muttered. She reached over to get a tissue and smeared some of the blood over the rest of her arm. â€Å"Run† BANG. BANG. â€Å"Now† BANG. The light was making him see in flashes, like strobing. The night was closing in on him but everything else was breaking up. As he turned the corner he tripped on a dustbin. Him and Mark had gone in opposite directions. â€Å"The Brits are on our tail.† â€Å"Down here† Voices from all directions were clouding his mind. The sirens were deafening. All he could do was think about his wife and daughter back home and know they'd be OK. It was quite a slow process as they dragged him, with a few of the others, into the back of the van, with the gunshots still roaring through the sky. Late at night, in the depths of the Irish countryside, a man knelt down beside his bed in a dorm, alongside many other men, some only boys, and prayed. Prayed that the Lord could give him strength to stand by his country and make him a martyr for freedom. But above all that the Lord might send someone to watch over his young wife and child in times when he could not be there. Because for him, knowing that God was watching over them meant knowing that they'd be safe even when he was too distant for his love to reach them. Many other men had prayed that night, for the next day was the day they'd first gone out and fought what would be the beginning of an even longer war. But O'Brien's was the prayer I heard and the prayer I answered. And when he was caught, then lined up and shot by a British Army Officer and it was my turn to move on, I couldn't help staying just a little longer to make sure Sinead and Marion got through it alright. A few hours later Marion was back with the magazines, the blood having crusted into a nice little scar. She heard a clunk from downstairs and quickly switched off the light and jumped into bed with her clothes still on. I went downstairs to check on Sinead. She'd got back later than she normally did. She took off her coat and hung it over the banister. She walked down the hall into the kitchen and put her keys down on the table. As she scanned the contents of the fridge, forest fruits gateau, cheese, orange juice, the phone started to ring. She shut the fridge door and picked it up after three rings. â€Å"Hello?† â€Å"Yes, that's me.† The person on the end of the receiver was too muffled for me to hear. Sinead began fiddling with the only ring on her fingers. She paled and her shoulders tensed up. Her breathing became shallow and her chest heaved. â€Å"I understand.† â€Å"No thank you, I'll be fine.† She put down the handset and lent on the worktop for support. She stood straight and walked through the hall and up the stairs trembling. I followed closely behind. â€Å"Can I come in, darlin'?† her voice didn't come out as intended, it sounded too high, false. The door opened away from us, and Marion stood, looking unusually small. Sinead walked through and sat on the bed, her eyes were sunken and red. Marion stayed by the door too. â€Å"Are you OK mum? Has something happened?† â€Å"Come over here, love.† She gestured by patting the space next to her. Marion walked slowly over, looking stiff and uncomfortable. â€Å"What is it?† she asked. Sinead didn't look her in the eye. She gestured again and Marion sat down. â€Å"I've just had a call from Mark. He had some news about your father.† As her eyes started pricking Marion wished she hadn't turned on the light before opening the door. â€Å"He was caught on a job and he's been, he's been killed.† Marion lifted up her arm to wipe her eye, â€Å"What on earth have you done to yourself?† Sinead's voice was trembling and cracking and her eyes shot with blood. â€Å"Nothing. I – I didn't mean to.† â€Å"Oh come here, my baby.† And she pulled her to her, and as they both sat there sobbing out loud, clutching each other, I went over and put my arms round them both, gently rocking them from side to side into the night, softly singing an old Irish song my mother used to sing to me: The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone In the ranks of death you will find him His father's sword he hath girded on And his wild harp slung behind him â€Å"Land of Song!† said the warrior bard â€Å"Tho' all the world betrays thee One sword, at least, they rights shall guard One faithful harp shall praise thee!† The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain Could not bring that proud soul under The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again For he tore its chords asunder And said â€Å"No chains shall sully thee Thou soul of love and brav'ry! Thy songs were made for the pure and free, They shall never sound in slavery!†

Victor Frankenstein

Man (Victor) vs. God Half-frozen, trembling, and troubled are all adjectives that could describe Victor Frankenstein when a ship captain by the name of Robert Walton rescued him in the middle of the Artic. From dialogue between the two, we are informed that Victor Frankenstein has spent his entire life trying to learn everything he could about science and medicine. However, Victor used his knowledge differently than his professors had intended for him to.Written in 1816, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – is vivid portrayal of Victor Frankenstein and the â€Å"fiend† he creates. In the early stages of his education, Victor was interested in learning new and foreign things –concepts and ideas about life and death. Though as the story progresses, it becomes clear Victor becomes consumed with trying to â€Å"play† God by creating a new life. Frankenstein – tells the story of the age-old battle of Man vs. God. From childhood, Victor had the odd, but u nique, obsession of the concept of life and death.His interest in death first sparked when a carriage killed his dog, Bruno. Victor desperately wanted to change fate and bring Bruno back to life, but being young and without proper education, Victor did not know how to go about reviving the dog. During a thunderstorm the very next night, Victor witnessed the unmatched power of lightning and electricity when a tree was struck during the storm. He was amazed and astonished at how much destruction the electrical storm had caused – but the lighting was not the only thing that sparked that night.Something also sparked in Victor that night. He wondered if he too could also create something as beautiful as life. A few short weeks later, Victor’s mother became very ill after contracting the common illness of the time, scarlet fever. She died a few short weeks later. Victor was utterly devastated by his mother’s death and he longed for a way to bring her back to life. I f ell that Shelley uses instances, such as this one, to portray how we as humans are not only enthralled with power, but also with being powerful.I believe that the plot used by Mary Shelly, particularly with the death of Victor’s mother, illustrates how Victor wanted the same power God has – and ultimately tried to play the role of God by creating life. After arriving at the University in Ingolstadt, Victor’s enrolled in Science classes so he could learn everything there was to know about the human body and medicine. He would spend class time and stay up hours on end at nigh, continually reading his texts. But as Victor’s knowledge of the sciences grew, so did the ever-burning desire he had to create a new life.However, Victor would ignore his own warning given to his friend Walton, urging him to not follow his example, warning him, â€Å"Learn from me . . . how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his n ative town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow. † His notion that he could use what he had witnessed as a child to create a living creature, consumed his life so much that Victor would rarely leave his room.After he felt that he had learned enough to bring a body to life – he did. Ironically, during a storm, he is successful in his quest to possess that God-like power of giving life to the non-living. However, Victor is immediately repulsed, stating, â€Å"†¦the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. † His life had become so consumed on bringing it to life, that he did not take the time to think of the consequences of his actions or his creation.Here, Shelley seems to argue that ignorance is bliss. After the creation of the fiend, Victor is so frightened that he spends the night in his courtyard, afraid to reenter his home. Saddened by the reaction of his creator upon ini tial sight of his creation, the fiend leaves Victor’s house while Victor is still in the courtyard. Victor lets be and does not search for the monster. We learn about the misfortunes of Victor’s family. The fiend, as revenge for Victor’s actions, murders several of Frankenstein’s family members.Everywhere the monster goes, he is faced with the realization that most people are frightened by just how he looks. Years of being an outcast of society leave the creature cold and spiteful. The creature explains his anger, saying, â€Å"There was non among the myriads of men that existed who would pity or assist me; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No: from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and, more than all, against him who had formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery. But pity can be felt as the monster describes the moment he learns that the most respected men in society have wealth and influence, he sta tes, â€Å"I possessed no money, no friends, no kind of property. † Shelley uses this quote to underscore the theme of man's cruelty and injustice. She also uses scenes like these to describe and depict how horrible the situation can end up being when humans try to play the role of God and attempt things that humans don’t have the full power or knowledge to do.In conclusion, it is more than safe to say that throughout the novel Victor Frankenstein was constantly consumed with learning new things about life and death, stating â€Å"Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the earliest sensations I can remember. † That obsession lead to Victor’s attempt to assume the role of God. Victor’s quest for knowledge proves he is determined to do anything and everything that it takes to become more educated in the sciences – ultimately attempting and succeeding at g iving life to a human being.Unlike the majority of the people of his time, Victor did not believe that God is the only one who can create a life – he felt that he could do it as well. The outcome of his actions and – multiple deaths, a terrorized populace, a monster – is concrete proof that things such as the creation life should be left in the hands of the true creator†¦God. Mary Shelley used her novel to paint a vivid picture for the audience. The image illustrates that if we try playing God, it will likely end in disaster, just as it did in the case of Victor Frankenstein.

Proposal for Resilience Building Event Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Proposal for Resilience Building Event - Essay Example This research is being carried out to present how to build an imaginary environmental disaster management centre called â€Å"Datus Community Relief Centre† (DCRC). The proposed environmental disaster management centre is to be situated at Datus, a community in the outskirts of Warwickshire. It would be noted that Warwickshire is a major disaster zone in the United Kingdom and that Datus is a disaster prone community that needs an urgent intervention of change. On Tuesday, 10 June 2008, it was broadcast on the British Broadcasting Corporation of the environmental disaster threat of Warwickshire and communities around it, which does not exclude Datus. This indeed reveals that for some years that, the people of Datus have had the urgent need for a disaster management relief centre. The following can be identified as the thematic characteristics of beneficiaries.By integrative, the implication is that the organisation works in close collaboration with other agencies who have soci al work as their prime focus. Whereas some of these agencies are private sector participants, others are non governmental institutions whiles the rest are governmental institutions or organisations. The efforts, ideas, and resources of all these bodies are brought together to achieve the common goal of the organisation.The beneficiary organisation is society oriented in the sense that it does not seek for the immediate welfare of its staff or personnel make up. Rather, the organisation has the collective welfare of society as its primary goal and objective.

Change Management Process Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Change Management Process - Research Paper Example The change is beneficial in a number of ways, which aid businesses in realizing increased outputs, customer relations, and profits (Benjamin, & Levinson, 1993). The proposed change in this case is the adoption of IT and web based technologies in the operations of business, in a generalized capacity. Transition is a concept by which businesses have to encompass in operations. It is an obligation for proprietors to meet the customers’ expectations in the manner by which operations are conducted. The market in which businesses operate set the standards by which operators in the setting must uphold. Advances in technology, particularly in the IT department, such as the introduction of ecommerce in the business environment, have led to changes in how business and its management are conducted (Benjamin, & Levinson, 1993). With more consumers relying on IT and web technology in sales, marketing and advertising, incorporating IT into businesses is a change management process that is beneficial to the businesses. The management has the opportunity to learn the customers’ needs and wants, while the customers are provided with the opportunity to learn more about the enterprise, such as the products and services offered (Mento, Jones, & Dirndorfer, 2002). Adoption of IT in the business environment incorporates three major phases. The first step of the process involves preparation for the change. In this case, the preparation involves defining the change management strategy, making preparations revolving about the management team and developing the model to follow (Kettinger, Teng, & Guha, 1997). The second phase is change management, which incorporates defining the change management plans and taking the proper action to implement the plans. The final phase of the process is based on strengthening the change. The phase involves collection and analysis of feedback based on the plans implemented (Benjamin, & Levinson, 1993). Diagnosis and management of pitfalls and

Specialized academy to teach writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Specialized academy to teach writing - Essay Example Moreover, others have gone to an extent of seeking these services from various research bureaus. It is as a result of this challenge that I came up with an idea of this specialized academy. This academy will teach and help students acquire basic writing skills. This will assist students in carrying out their research, organizing and presenting their papers that are free from grammatical errors. This will in turn help students save that money they have been spending in seeking services of research bureau. The academy is set to be operating twice a week; that is, every Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Students will not only learn writing skills but also will be at a position to carry out research independently and report on their findings. The academy will also establish a website though which students can interact and assist each other especially when not attending lectures at the academy. The project is a way of giving back to the community by producing knowledgeable students who can carry out various researches for the society. I request for funds from this committee to help me put this project to reality and together we shall reap benefits. Proper accountability shall be done to ensure that these funds are utilized properly. Specialized academy proposes to teach students on various writing skills. The academy seeks to support students and other parties willing to join the academy develop, improve and nurture their writing skills. Proposed services to be provided by the academy include writing skills, grammar, and spelling in research writing and presentation. The academy will operate on a weekly base where students are required to attend classes only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Classes will run from 9 am in the morning till 5 pm in the evening. The academy is society based and is set to benefit the FDU society at large. Moreover, there are future plans of expansion on its success. The specialized academy is a training

Medical Error Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Medical Error - Research Paper Example However, hospitals and medical practitioners have consistently showed unwillingness to perform their side of the bargain by making medical error disclosures and apology promptly and in a proper way. The hospital and the individual physicians who operated on Ms. W violated disclosure laws, requiring proper and constant revealing of information concerning treatments and their impacts on the patients to the principal (Gallagher, 2009). Apology laws were also broken. In addition, the organization failed to implement an internal reporting system for critical incidents as required by health regulations; this would have resolved the error before the patient could make contact with her attorney (Pozgar, 2013). In light of these breaches to the law, the hospital is vicariously liable for the medical error committed by its staff. The medical doctors are also liable in their personal capacities for their failure to observe patient safety. As Pozgar (2013) said, the provider failed to adhere to the ethical rules of informed consent, non-maleficence, justice, truthfulness and honesty. The hospital failed to provide the patient with a prompt, detailed confession of the medical error and a genuine apology followed by compensation. Such response could have improved her trust in the hospital and the medical staffs (Gallagher, 2009). This is especially true considering that in most cases, patients and their families regard disclosures as a bold step towards providing sufficient care and that cases of medical error are human. If the provider had observed the ethical rule, the patient would have been more relieved emotionally and. In addition a more effective follow-up treatment plan would have been achieved in a better way. As Gallagher (2009) noted, the ethical failure defined the provider’s hesitant release of information about the error to the family, possibly out of fear that they could initiate legal proceedings against the hospital and the staff for

Medical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Medical - Essay Example She also reported difficultly in speaking resulting in slightly slurred speech. Her sister also commented on her facial appearance saying that her face seemed disfigured. While having breakfast she also noticed having excessive tearing in the right eye (Crocodile tears). These symptoms progressively worsened over the course of the next 8 hours and thus she decided to undergo evaluation for these complaints. She does not have any other existing comorbid conditions and has not had any similar complaints in the past. Her past medical history revealed that she had recently recovered from an episode of common cold and her family history was positive for diabetes, however, she herself is not a known diabetic. Social history was unremarkable. Physical Examination: On inspection of the face, it was observed that the nasolabial folds on the left side of the face were flattened and the patient was unable to completely close her left eye. When the patient was asked to forcefully close her right eye, inward and upward rolling of the eyeball was noted, i.e. demonstration of the Bell’s phenomenon (Monnell & Zachariah, 2009). When she was asked to raise her eyebrows and smile, weakness of the right facial muscles was noted.

Side Effects of Marijuana Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Side Effects of Marijuana - Assignment Example An overdose of the drug may lead to hallucination and the loss of self identity, overdose occurs when the drug is eaten because the user can take in a larger dose at once, The use of the drug is also addictive which is evident whereby the individual experiences an uncontrollable crave for the drug, marijuana addiction cycle is very powerful whereby the individuals find it impossible to stop the habit. The chemical compound of the drug also disrupts the proper function of the brain. The use of the drug causes chemical imbalances in the brain, as a result, the individual experiences difficulties in learning, difficulties in remembering, and the lack to quickly respond. The drug use also causes pain and individuals are required to take up more other drugs to stop the pain as a result the drug may lead to depression. When the drug is smoked it is absorbed into the bloodstream and enters the brain, the chemical compound delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol interact with brain receptors... art rate and the breathing rate, as a result, the individual is more prone to heart attacks and other heart problem, this effect is caused by the chemicals in the drug which causes an increase in body processes, as a result, the drug taxes the body more and therefore speeding up the aging process.

Brand story dicussion questions chapter 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Brand story dicussion questions chapter 6 - Essay Example Their constantly similar product offerings and the customer’s satisfaction associated with them ensures a steady demand for their products. A & F uses many aspects of branding its products that are memorable. The first of these is their prominent mouse logo which consumers learn to associate and identify with the brand. Secondly, their use of sexuality and appealing advertising which they incorporate by the use of attractive models makes them memorable. These images are used on their shopping bags as well as in store pictures making it easy for consumers to associate and identity a A & F products. Adding retail store atmospherics to strengthen a brand message is something A & F has effectively been able to do over the years. Their aim by incorporating elements like music, fragrance and lighting that is soothing and attractive is to give their customers a full brand experience. It differentiates them from their competitors and they are hence recognized for providing these elements. A possible disadvantage of doing so could be due to the strong use of sexuality and nudity to market their products can raise concerns as some parents would not want their impressionable children to be subject to such advertising. Also the strong cologne, loud music and harsh lighting can make it an unattractive option for some customers who find it distracting. I find the atmosphere and the use of loud music, strong fragrances and dim lighting as negative aspects of A&F’s shopping experience. I find that these aspects are overdone and unnecessary and constitute to a sensory overload and distraction. Also, I find the use of extremely good looking models as an intimidating aspect. It is no doubt a effective advertising tactic; the use of attractive models exuding sex appeal and an direct association of these elements to the brand leading the customers to believe a purchase of their

Good and Evil (a Wrinkle in Time, and Frankenstein Review) Essay Example for Free

Good and Evil (a Wrinkle in Time, and Frankenstein Review) Essay â€Å"Life is neither good or evil, but only a place for good and evil. † Marcus Aurelius. A Wrinkle in Time is a book about the journey through the war of good versus evil and the ultimate triumph of love. Every character is clearly distinguished with either good or evil: the â€Å"good† characters include Meg, her family, Calvin, the Mrs. W’s, Aunt Beast, and the Happy Medium; the â€Å"evil† characters include IT, The Dark Thing, and the Man with the Red Eyes. Frankenstein, on the other hand, is a story told in a series of letters, as Robert Walton, the captain of a ship bound for the North Pole, recounts to his sister back in England the progress of his dangerous mission. Successful early on, the mission is soon to be disturbed by seas full of impassable ice. Trapped, Walton encounters Victor Frankenstein, who had been travelling by dog-drawn sledge across the ice and is weakened by the cold. Walton take him abroad the ship, helps nurse him back to health, and hears the fantastic tale of the monster the Frankenstein created. This tale that Frankenstein is reciting reveals the two sides that a person, or a living creature can portray: good and evil. Frankenstein was banned in South Africa for being â€Å"obscene† and â€Å"indecent†, while A Wrinkle in Time was banned for having a fantasy-related genre throughout the plot, including witches and demons. Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. â€Å"Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; obey! † (Shelley 149). In Frankenstein, the monster represents evil, as it comes to life, and terrorizes its creator. Dangerous knowledge is an ideal theme in Frankenstein. The pursuit of knowledge is right in the middle of Frankenstein, as Victor attempts to go beyond accepted human limits and find out the secret of life. Likewise, Robert Walton attempts to pass the past human explorations by being determined to reach the North Pole. In A Wrinkle In Time, comfort and individuality is a major theme that I saw throughout the plot. The main character, Meg, is caught between the desire for conformity and the expression of her own creative nature. At the beginning of the novel Meg feels embittered towards other students at her school that make fun of her and tease her for being different, as well as those who see her little brother as being weird or odd. She desperately wants to be more like her twin brothers who have little problem fitting in. The theme that the two stories share, and that I have mentioned before, is the theme titled good and evil: â€Å"Suddenly there was a great burst of light through the Darkness. The light spread out and where it touched the Darkness the Darkness disappeared. The light spread until the patch of Dark Thing had vanished, and there was only a gentle shining, and through the shining came the stars, clear and pure. Then, slowly, the shining dwindled until it, too, was gone, and there was nothing but stars and starlight. No shadows. No fear. Only the stars and the clear darkness of space, quite different from the fearful darkness of the Thing† (L’Engle 102). Its interesting that the defeat of the Black Thing doesnt lead to the universe being lit up like a baseball stadium, but rather to an absence of unnatural darkness. Its almost like the battle isnt so much between evil and good as between evil and the normal. Characters are â€Å"Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations† Ray Bradbury. In Frankenstein, the main character or the creator of the monster. Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating an artificial human form and eventually attempts to make it. Immediately after creating the monster, he falls into a depression and starts to fear. He leaves the school and returns home to his family, where he finds only tragedy. Not fully aware of the consequences of his creating a new human, he ends up really spending his entire life trying to destroy the same creation he was working to make for so long. In a Wrinkle In Time however, the protagonist is portrayed a bit differently: Meg Murry, The books hero, an awkward, but loving high school student who is sent on an adventure through time and space with her brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin to rescue her father from the evil force that is attempting to take over the universe. Megs greatest faults are her anger, impatience, and lack of self-confidence, but she changes and overcomes them, and in the end is victorious, as the story ends with a stereotypical kid’s-story ending. A happy ending for the protagonist. The main differences that I saw between the two are the two protagonists: Meg Murry (A Wrinkle In Time), and Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein), are to begin with, set in different times. A Wrinkle In Time could be set anywhere in the recent past. Frankenstein however, is set in the late 18th century. The whole concept of Frankenstein is much darker, and in fact I would say it could be classified as gothic science fiction, as the characters are much darker, and seem more serious and cold-hearted by the way Shelley describes them compared to the other book. A Wrinkle In Time is much lighter, as the characters, their actions, and abilities are all easier, and always give the advantage to the â€Å"good guys†. Also the whole concept of the book, and the idea of it, is more for a child’s imagination to handle and comprehend compared to Frankenstein, and I would classify it as plain science and fantasy fiction. Although these differences shape the stories in totally different directions, there are some similarities: The similarities between the characters and their traits are that they both have solid downsides to them. As I mentioned before, Meg’s (A Wrinkle In Time) faults are her temper, impatience, and lack of confidence in herself, and Victor’s (Frankenstein) faults are that he is in a depression and great fear throughout the plot after the Monster is created and is woken. Another trait I can compare between the two protagonists, are their determination to reach their final goal. Although I cannot see it in either book, but both books were officially banned in one place or another for ridiculous reasons. Frankenstein was banned in South Africa for being â€Å"obscene† and â€Å"indecent† in 1955. Maybe 57 years ago there were different rules and traits a person had to portray to be defined as â€Å"good†, but to make this specific book banned for being â€Å"obscene† (which means that it is offensive or the opposite of accepted manner). A Wrinkle In Time is banned for having witches, crystal balls and demons. Also, because Jesus is listed among the names of great artists, philosophers and teachers, and it is banned in the U. S. â€Å"Thus strangely are our souls constructed, and by such slight ligaments are we bound to prosperity or ruin† (Shelley 37). All in all, these books have more differences than similarities in my opinion. Although both are really good, one is dark while the other is light compared. The similarities that I saw in the characters, the themes, and the reason they were censored are mostly because of the relationship between good and evil throughout it. Studying these two books and the reason for them being banned has surprisingly changed my life in a minor way, as I learned how people from different cultures and education they grew up with react to different things, and I learned to compare and contrast, not only the books, but real life situations such as the South Africans who banned Frankenstein versus my lifestyle and way-of-thinking. â€Å"Life is neither good or evil, but only a place for good and evil. † Marcus Aurelius. A Wrinkle in Time is a book about the journey through the war of good versus evil and the ultimate triumph of love. Every character is clearly distinguished with either good or evil: the â€Å"good† characters include Meg, her family, Calvin, the Mrs. W’s, Aunt Beast, and the Happy Medium; the â€Å"evil† characters include IT, The Dark Thing, and the Man with the Red Eyes. Frankenstein, on the other hand, is a story told in a series of letters, as Robert Walton, the captain of a ship bound for the North Pole, recounts to his sister back in England the progress of his dangerous mission. Successful early on, the mission is soon to be disturbed by seas full of impassable ice. Trapped, Walton encounters Victor Frankenstein, who had been travelling by dog-drawn sledge across the ice and is weakened by the cold. Walton take him abroad the ship, helps nurse him back to health, and hears the fantastic tale of the monster the Frankenstein created. This tale that Frankenstein is reciting reveals the two sides that a person, or a living creature can portray: good and evil. Frankenstein was banned in South Africa for being â€Å"obscene† and â€Å"indecent†, while A Wrinkle in Time was banned for having a fantasy-related genre throughout the plot, including witches and demons. Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. â€Å"Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; obey! † (Shelley 149). In Frankenstein, the monster represents evil, as it comes to life, and terrorizes its creator. Dangerous knowledge is an ideal theme in Frankenstein. The pursuit of knowledge is right in the middle of Frankenstein, as Victor attempts to go beyond accepted human limits and find out the secret of life. Likewise, Robert Walton attempts to pass the past human explorations by being determined to reach the North Pole. In A Wrinkle In Time, comfort and individuality is a major theme that I saw throughout the plot. The main character, Meg, is caught between the desire for conformity and the expression of her own creative nature. At the beginning of the novel Meg feels embittered towards other students at her school that make fun of her and tease her for being different, as well as those who see her little brother as being weird or odd. She desperately wants to be more like her twin brothers who have little problem fitting in. The theme that the two stories share, and that I have mentioned before, is the theme titled good and evil: â€Å"Suddenly there was a great burst of light through the Darkness. The light spread out and where it touched the Darkness the Darkness disappeared. The light spread until the patch of Dark Thing had vanished, and there was only a gentle shining, and through the shining came the stars, clear and pure. Then, slowly, the shining dwindled until it, too, was gone, and there was nothing but stars and starlight. No shadows. No fear. Only the stars and the clear darkness of space, quite different from the fearful darkness of the Thing† (L’Engle 102). Its interesting that the defeat of the Black Thing doesnt lead to the universe being lit up like a baseball stadium, but rather to an absence of unnatural darkness. Its almost like the battle isnt so much between evil and good as between evil and the normal. Characters are â€Å"Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations† Ray Bradbury. In Frankenstein, the main character or the creator of the monster. Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating an artificial human form and eventually attempts to make it. Immediately after creating the monster, he falls into a depression and starts to fear. He leaves the school and returns home to his family, where he finds only tragedy. Not fully aware of the consequences of his creating a new human, he ends up really spending his entire life trying to destroy the same creation he was working to make for so long. In a Wrinkle In Time however, the protagonist is portrayed a bit differently: Meg Murry, The books hero, an awkward, but loving high school student who is sent on an adventure through time and space with her brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin to rescue her father from the evil force that is attempting to take over the universe. Megs greatest faults are her anger, impatience, and lack of self-confidence, but she changes and overcomes them, and in the end is victorious, as the story ends with a stereotypical kid’s-story ending. A happy ending for the protagonist. The main differences that I saw between the two are the two protagonists: Meg Murry (A Wrinkle In Time), and Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein), are to begin with, set in different times. A Wrinkle In Time could be set anywhere in the recent past. Frankenstein however, is set in the late 18th century. The whole concept of Frankenstein is much darker, and in fact I would say it could be classified as gothic science fiction, as the characters are much darker, and seem more serious and cold-hearted by the way Shelley describes them compared to the other book. A Wrinkle In Time is much lighter, as the characters, their actions, and abilities are all easier, and always give the advantage to the â€Å"good guys†. Also the whole concept of the book, and the idea of it, is more for a child’s imagination to handle and comprehend compared to Frankenstein, and I would classify it as plain science and fantasy fiction. Although these differences shape the stories in totally different directions, there are some similarities: The similarities between the characters and their traits are that they both have solid downsides to them. As I mentioned before, Meg’s (A Wrinkle In Time) faults are her temper, impatience, and lack of confidence in herself, and Victor’s (Frankenstein) faults are that he is in a depression and great fear throughout the plot after the Monster is created and is woken. Another trait I can compare between the two protagonists, are their determination to reach their final goal. Although I cannot see it in either book, but both books were officially banned in one place or another for ridiculous reasons. Frankenstein was banned in South Africa for being â€Å"obscene† and â€Å"indecent† in 1955. Maybe 57 years ago there were different rules and traits a person had to portray to be defined as â€Å"good†, but to make this specific book banned for being â€Å"obscene† (which means that it is offensive or the opposite of accepted manner). A Wrinkle In Time is banned for having witches, crystal balls and demons. Also, because Jesus is listed among the names of great artists, philosophers and teachers, and it is banned in the U. S. â€Å"Thus strangely are our souls constructed, and by such slight ligaments are we bound to prosperity or ruin† (Shelley 37). All in all, these books have more differences than similarities in my opinion. Although both are really good, one is dark while the other is light compared. The similarities that I saw in the characters, the themes, and the reason they were censored are mostly because of the relationship between good and evil throughout it. Studying these two books and the reason for them being banned has surprisingly changed my life in a minor way, as I learned how people from different cultures and education they grew up with react to different things, and I learned to compare and contrast, not only the books, but real life situations such as the South Africans who banned Frankenstein versus my lifestyle and way-of-thinking.