Art History Final Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Art History Final Project - Essay Example The Italian Renaissance is one of the longest periods of art. The Italian renaissance started from the 14th century to the 16th century. Italian Renaissance marks the development of art from the medieval period to early European Modern paintings. Why then are there only a few paintings existing today that were painted during this period? Well, the answer is quite simple. Since the world had not yet experienced globalization during this era, only a few paintings were spared and saved during this era. However, there were many painters in this era but only a few of them became famous. Most painters during this period, and the art periods before this did not gain fame from their art. This also explains the reason that Italian Renaissance paintings are rare and very expensive when compared to newer paintings. Italian Renaissance began in the city of Florence. Florence also developed the appreciation of art in value, when the rich people of Florence started viewing art as a valuable item. This then led to painters and artists viewing art as not only a hobby but also a way to make money (Benton & DiYanni 47). During this period of art, artists began viewing art as not only a part-time hobby but they made it a full-time job. This way, artists began to dedicate all their intellect, passion and time to painting thus improving the nature of their artworks from simple art forms to realist paintings. The Renaissance era also created a platform for genius painters to improve their skills, specializing more in art development. Innovative ideas and new ways of painting began to develop amongst many painters. Another major characteristic about the era was the fact that it not only led to improvement of art, but also the development of a philosophy termed as humanism. Humanism made people to question the wisdom and knowledge they had acquired and

Self identity before divorce Essay Example for Free

Self identity before divorce Essay In marriage women may become so submissive to their husbands that they lose their identity. This is especially for women who have been married for a long time. Many women feel so insecure without their spouse. Counselors can help such women to restore their self worth. This helps the women to regain their self respect and also know that she deserves to be respected too. Through this their self esteem is brought back to normal. Most women have been helped to leave their overdependence on their partners. Marital counseling helps to validate the partners’ individuality. Communication styles After parents going through divorce, children need to be communicated to so that they can understand what exactly happened. It is good to note that children may understand such matters quite differently from how the parents understand. While it is important for parents to talk to their children about divorce, it is worth noting that this is a hard task. For instance if the parents could have had a conflict . They need to use the right communication styles to put this across to the children. When it is well done, their trust is built. Clues and cues Children are not emotionally and even intellectually mature. They do not express themselves as adults do. Young children always pass across their message through drawing, playing and writing among others. Parents need to be keen to these activities to understand what their children are saying concerning divorce. Their facial expressions will always speak a lot and parents need to understand this after going through a divorce. Listening Most people who have divorced always just need a listening ear. They need to share their pains sorrows and disappointments to the family members. Sisters, brothers and even parents need to be good listeners at such a point. It is good to let the affected person to do more of the talking and pour out his or her own heart. During such trying times the parents who have separated need to be good listeners too to their children. A parent can paraphrase the child’s words and speak them over again to show that he or she has understood. In such a way the parents can understand what their children are going through after their divorce. They could be angry or even fearful. Indirect communication Divorce issues can be very complex for young children to understand. Children can be explained to using indirect means of communication. Story telling, use of dolls and drawings can help in passing across the message. Story telling can be very effective in communicating to the very small children A parent can tell a story about children who went through such an issue. How they missed their mum or dad and the way they coped. This helps children to know that they are not just the only ones who go through such issues of parents divorcing. Through this parents will always learn what their children feel about the divorce. The parent that is staying with the children should help them to cope with the matters at hand. When the right communication styles are used in a marriage, divorce can be avoided. Some of this communication styles always trigger people to divorce. Criticism There are some partners who never see anything positive in their spouses. They only see the negatives. Criticism speech between spouses makes them have low self esteem. Women are more prone to this and it may aggravate divorce. Defensiveness Some married men and women are quite defensive when they make mistakes in marriage. They are just not responsible for their actions. This is not right style of communication and such characters influence people to divorce. Roles During the process o divorce parents should spell out clearly each individual’s roles and duties in the family. In case, if children are present, where they will stay. There are instances where the wife may have really valued the role of the husband in taking care of the family needs. When divorce occurs such women will more often than not devalue the role of their partners. When people go through divorce, there are those that neglect their roles as fathers or mothers. The very fact that the man and the wife are no longer married does not mean that they cease to be mothers to their children or parents in general. In such circumstances, the children suffer and yet they are not the cause to the divorcing of their parents. There are some parents who neglect their family roles when they are married hence leading to divorce. A woman whose husband is less concerned about his roles and duties will opt for divorce. Boundaries After a couple divorcing, there are boundaries that are set between the two that they are not supposed to cross. One of the boundaries involves intimacy. They can put this boundary in such a way that none of the two has the right to demand for his or her conjugal rights. Most women who divorce from a conflicting marriage mostly bar the husband from seeing the children. This can be very traumatizing to the man. There are also boundaries that are put concerning the right to property. Before a divorce occurred a woman may have had the right to use his husband’s car. After divorce, a boundary is put that in case she uses the car she will have gone too far. In such a case the man can even take a legal action against her. In this twenty first century, people are crossing boundaries to marry men and women from other ethnic groups. There are high rates of interracial marriages. Research shows that such marriages have got high divorce rates. Alliances There are so many alliances that exist in the world today. Divorce in today’s society has really increased leading to families forming associations. These associations help the divorcees to cope after the divorce. Such associations normally consist of families that have gone through the same. The individuals are comforted and encouraged to go on with life. Resiliency This is simply bouncing back or coming back to normal operations. After divorce happening to a family, it may not come back to normal immediately. A divorcee may find it hard to forget his partner. Divorce in itself makes the parties to go through moments of pain, especially the emotional one. Some of the separations come along with traumatic grief on the individuals. Especially if a person still loves the other partner. Coming to terms with reality in such a case may not be easy for any one. Some people in order to come back to their old self may have some denial or rigid defenses. Professionals like counselors always help the individuals to regain there self worth in the society. This is because divorce makes people feel very useless, unwanted and unappreciated in the society. Other family friend and members should help the divorcees to come back to their normal self. It is good to note that people regain at different rates. There are some that may bounce back to their normal self very fast. Others take quite a long time to come to terms with reality. People who accept that it happened will always regain very fast. Metaphor This is simply figurative language that describes an issue or a topic. In conjunction to the topic of divorce here is a metaphor to reflect a family dealing with it. Example Once upon a time there was a farmer who lived in Drasel village. He was very hard working and everybody admired this. The farmer was known as Mr. Tim. He had a very good cow which he had named Lando. Mr Tim really loved his one and only cow, Lando. He usually woke up very early to cut Napier grass for his cow. This is because he really loved his cow. He could milk his cow at exactly five a. m. Lando was a very productive animal. He would give Mr. Tim fifteen litters of milk. This made him a very happy man. He would brag about his cow to the villagers. This went on for the first two weeks. After this things really changed. Lando simply refused to produce milk. Mr. Tim tried all that he could but to no avail. He brought more Napier grass for Lando and sprayed her every day. He even cleaned Lando each day but nothing seemed to please him. Instead Lando would kick him hard whenever he moved closer. Soon the villagers started to laugh at Tim. He was ashamed of his one and only cow. So what is the need of keeping a cow which doesn’t produce milk? Tim kept on asking himself. After all I can get another one! This is exactly what he did. He sold the cow and bought another one. Explanation Tim represents a husband while Lando in this case is the wife. When they were newly married the wife was very good. She treated her husband well and bore him children. The husband was good to her throughout this period. He gives her enough money, cares for her and shows his love for her. He even brags about his sweet wife to the villagers. After sometime the wife changes completely. She becomes rude to her husband. The husband continues to be caring, loving and to provide for her. She even refuses to conceive claiming the children are enough! The man becomes a laughing stock in the village. He considers divorcing her. According to him, his wife is no longer worth the marriage. After all, women are very available. That is exactly what he does. This metaphor illustrates the causes of divorce in many marriages. What I have learnt To be sincere this subject has taught me a lot. I am now fully aware of the things that can cause divorce. I have learnt how I can deal with loss of my partner through divorce. God forbid, I pray that it never happens! The issue of communication styles has been of help to me. I hope to implement them in my personal relationships. I can now understand what divorcees go through in relation to their self esteem. I hope to be of great help to them in dealing with this. Questions for research This subject should have further research carried out. One of the questions is; what is the relationship of technopoly to divorce in the twenty first century? Technopoly is simply the surrender of society to technological advancement. An example is the internet and sex technologies. The other question is; what is the relationship between traditional culture and divorce in today’s society. In relation to this, one can find out if men and women still embrace the traditional culture and how this is affecting the divorce rates. The last question is; why are divorce rates high in developed nations as compared to the developing countries. This will include the factors that are affecting the different rates. Conclusion Divorce rates have really increased since the twenty first century. It is defined as the dissolution of marriage while both parties are still alive. This has become such a challenge to most families. Dealing with loss in case of divorce can be hard. People who go through it need professional counseling. Some people even lose their identity and this mostly affects women. People should assist such families to be resilient as soon as possible. It is not an easy thing to deal with divorce. Married people should learn the best communication styles to pass across information to partners. People need to be educated on the importance of marriage and the negative effects of divorce on families. References Hetherington, E. and Kelly, J.(2000): For better or for worse; Divorce reconsidered, New York; Norton Jacob, L. and Simon, V. (1995): Facilitating healthy divorce processes; Therapy and mediation approaches; In N. Jacobson A. Gurman (Eds. ); Clinical handbook of couple therapy, NewYork; Guilford Press (pp. 340-365). Wallerstein, J. Blakeslee, S. (1989): Second chances; Men, women, and children a decade after divorce; New York; Ticknor Fields Walsh, F. (1998b): Strengthening family resilience; New York, Guilford Press Whiteside, M. (1998): The parental alliance following divorce; An overview; Journal of Marital and Family Therapy; 24; 3-24.

Paul Strand :: essays research papers fc

Paul Strand (1890-1976) was born in New York and attended the Ethical Culture School, based on the principles of John Dewey , a popular choice for those middle class Jewish families wishing to assimilate into secular US society.(Encarta) In 1907 he joined the photography classes and club taught by Lewis Hine, the greatest American documentary photographer of his time, who was photographing living conditions in slum areas and the treatment of immigrants on arrival at Ellis Island, and campaigning for the appeal of child labor laws through photographs of "Children Working" on the streets, in factories and in mines. (Capa) Hine took his students to Alfred Stieglitz's "Gallery at 291", which had an overwhelming impression on the seventeen-year-old Strand, who later returned to discuss his photographs with Stieglitz. After leaving school Strand started work in the family business, continuing his photography in his spare time.(Encarta) His early work followed the pictorialist model of the photo secession, but further visits to 291 and other galleries, and discussions with Stieglitz meant that Strand was kept up to date with the new modern art from Europe. He shared Stieglitz's growing disillusion with pictorialism, and in particular his growing insistence that photography should make use of the unique possibilities it offered, particularly its ability to describe the scene with greater detail and accuracy than the human hand, rather than attempt to mimic painting or drawing. (Rosenblum) Strand expressed his views clearly and forcibly in a number of articles. Strand was one of the first photographers to take up the visual problems and approaches which he saw in modern art. By 1915 this was showing clearly in his work, with an interest in geometrical forms, patterns, rhythm, space and the division of the frame; the pictures were like a knife cutting through the butter of Pictorialism . Stieglitz greeted this with enthusiasm, showing it in the gallery and making it the feature of the final issues of Camerawork. (Web Galleries) The "White Fence", perhaps the best known from this period, shows the white painted pickets of a fence across the lower half of the picture, setting up a rhythm which is syncopated by their imperfections. The spaces between the posts show a dark grass area, pictorially of equal weight to the white wood, setting up a 'figure-ground opposition' (we can see it as either light areas against a dark background or dark areas against a light background) in this part of the picture, producing the spatial illusion of bringing the horizontal grass expanse into a vertical visual plane.

Adinkra

Adinkra symbols, like many other visual symbols, have been used over many years to communicate, represent and characterize a myriad of ideas, beliefs and concepts. Originally created by the people of Gyaman, Adinkra has grown to become the most extensively used and widely known traditional symbolic art in Ghana and to an appreciable extent, West Africa. By carefully considering the depth of wisdom in the meanings of these symbols, is not surprising that they are often linked with a host of several proverbial maxims.The very essence of the word ‘Adinkra’ is ‘farewell’; as such, every symbol that is encapsulated in the whole body of Adinkra communicates or corresponds to a unique message or idea. Documented history has it that, as far back as the nineteenth century, unique Adinkra symbols were used in customary and traditional rites of society to depict the ideological stance of that society as regards to the ceremony or event in question. The art was showcase d in various forms during festivals, funerals, marriages among others.Today, the use of Adinkra has been widely extended to cover almost every facet of life. In recent times, Adinkra symbols have become a suitable choice of branding the modern, competitive, and trendy Ghanaian clothing lifestyle. Over the years, Adinkra has gone beyond traditional cloth-making designs and has been fashionably incorporated into the designing of t-shirts, buttons, linen fabric clothes. Today, young people would prefer t-shirts with screen-printing inscriptions like ‘Me firi Ghana’, with an Adinkra like ‘Gye Nyame’ boldly designed beneath.Indeed, some acclaimed Ghanaian fashion designers like Mawuli Okudzeto, Kofi Ansah among others, have received international recognition by carving such niches for themselves, with popular brand names like MKOGH and PKOG, just to mention a few. Beyond that, apparels like footwear have also had a taste of Adinkra art. Artisans who make local f ootwear like sandals, slippers and ‘ahenema’ have also included these symbols in their designs. For instance, a locally made ‘ahenema’ has a carefully designed Adinkra symbol of three concentric rings encircling each other, known as ‘adinkrahene’ at the nose of each slipper.One other art is the design of bags with Adinkra symbols woven or sewn on the surface with fabric, (often kente pieces). The most popular addition to this art collection is the use of these designs in making jewellery and other fashion accessories. It is popular to see rings, pendants, earrings, necklaces, anklets, beads and many others designed with symbols like ‘ohene aniwa’, ‘epa’, ‘nkonsonkonson’, etc. In Ghana, the Precious Mineral Marketing Company (PMMC) is a typical example of an enterprise in this regard.Thus, on the international stage, Adinkra symbols have been employed as one of, if not the best indigenous symbols that give all manner of clothing, a unique fashion identity easily recognisable as truly Ghanaian. Quite apart from clothing, these symbols have formed part of locally designed fine and visual art. This has been such that, in creation of several Ghanaian sculptures, Adinkra has been one of the most recognisable themes. There many instances of metal and wooden sculpture designed into Adinkra. More often than not, these visual and fine arts have been used by individuals for decorative purposes.It is now commonplace to see a wall hanging in someone’s home, at the lobby of a corporate institution or in the sitting area of an afro-centric restaurant with the caption ‘welcome’ and a popular symbol like ‘Gye Nyame’ underneath it. Without a shred of doubt any Ghanaian who sees this in any institution in any distant part of the world, feels quite homey and comfortable, to some extent, immediately. Moreover, the designs of wooden plaques lately have also adopted Adinkra symbols. For instance, African institutions of late present Adinkra-designed plaques to individuals and entities, as gifts and awards for splendid performances.Woodcarvers as at today, still design stools for domestic as well as traditional purposes with these popular symbols. In Akan traditional homes, stools often known as ‘asesedwa’ are carved out of wood with these designs. Today as a unique of catching up with the west, local artisans have modernized their design of home furniture placed in areas like the living room, dining room and the study. Beautiful and attractive-looking sets are being carved daily. A common example is wooden coffee-table, which has an Adinkra symbol like ‘sankofa’ at the base with a glass plane on the surface.Hence it is ordinary to see the prolific use of Adinkra in fine and visual art because of the inherent artistic merits they possess. In present day, the use of symbols for trademarks and emblems cannot be over-emphasized. In corporate branding and marketing, many institutions have resorted to the use of symbols, both tactile and visual, as a mark of exclusivity and Adinkra are symbols of no exception. There are countless examples of institutions of all sorts who have adopted these symbols as logos, emblem, etc.In Ghana, for instance, a corporate institution like HFC Bank uses the symbol ‘ebankese’ as its corporate logo. Interestingly, Vodafone Ghana has designed their recharge cards such that whichever denomination has a long strip Adinkra symbols in front of the card. A popular plastics company by name ‘Strong Plast Ltd’ also uses the popular symbol, ‘Gye Nyame’ as a brand name for its plastic chairs. A very popular flour mill also uses ‘sankofa’ as the brand name of it flour. On a lighter side, along the coastal area it is fun to see fishermen decorate their canoes with these symbols as an interesting way of ownership.

An Analysis of ‘a Young Man’s Thought’s Before June 16th’ †Fhazel Johennesse Essay

The historical background to the poem is June 16th 1976. This date marks the Soweto Uprising which was initiated in Soweto by black high school students. The students were protesting against being taught in Afrikaans in their local schools. The demonstration was meant to be peaceful and was secretly planned to avoid discovery by the police. On the morning of June the 16th, thousands of youths gathered with the plan to march to Orlando Stadium to hold a rally to air their grievances. However, their intended route was blocked by riot police, and what had started as a peaceful march turned bloody as police used live ammunition on the protesters. Evidence shows that many protesters were shot in the back as they were running away. [Readers Digest Illustrated History of South Africa, (1988: 440) and Wikipedia (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Soweto_uprising)] The journey that the speaker is going to go on in lines 1 – 2 suggests a struggle and an ultimate goal to be reached. The journey has been planned as the speaker refers to ‘tomorrow’ in line 1. He then talks about the road ‘that winds’. This suggests many twists and turns in the journey, which in turn suggests that the journey will not be an easy or straight-forward one. The words ‘top of the hill’ suggest the end of the journey or the ultimate goal. The final goal or destination will only be reached by means of an uphill struggle. The word ‘only’ is used in line 3 – ‘I take with me only the sweet memories of my youth’. The speaker is ready for his journey and takes with him just what is important – his memories. His memories are his only link to the innocence of his youth, and he knows that the following day, his life is going to change forever – he will lose his childlike innocence and have to face an altered world. The words ‘my heart aches for my mother’ could convey various meanings. The first of these could be that the young man wishes that he did not have to face the day ahead but could go back to the familiarity and security being a child. He is assuming adult responsibilities of having to worry about his mother, and does not feel ready for this. The second possibility is that the young man’s mother is dead and he misses her. This argument could be supported by the previous line ‘I take with me only the sweet memories of my youth’ in that his childhood was a happy time in his life. The final image that could be conveyed by these words is that he knows that there is heartache ahead for his mother in that he does not know what is going to happen at the end of the day, but he does not have a positive feeling about it,. The words ‘my heart aches’ could convey that he regrets the heartache that is ahead for his mother. This could be supported by the words ‘sing my sad song sing for me for my sunset is drenched in red ‘. In many cultures, a woman downturns or averts her eyes in the presence of a young man who could be her suitor as a sign of respect. The ‘old man with a broken brow’ could symbolise a full life (‘old’) and many experiences and challenges (‘broken brow’). Therefore, these individuals and their countenances could symbolise that the young man is, not unrealistically, asking for a normal life with a future (‘woman’) and a fully lived life (‘old man’). An alternative interpretation could be that the young woman’s ‘downtrodden eyes’ symbolises sorrow or shame whilst the old man’s ‘broken brow’ symbolises being broken down or downtrodden. In this case, the two individuals could symbolise that the youth wishes that someone understood what he was about to go through and could give him some comfort. The sunset and the colour red symbolises the end of the young man’s life. Sunset is at the end of the day and could also symbolise the end of life. Red is the colour of blood. The young man feels that the end of the day – sunset – will coincide with the violent end (‘drenched in red’) of his life, as emphasised by the words ‘my sunset’. It is also symbolic that the symbolism of the sunset and the colour red occurs in the last line of the poem as it brings the young man’s life to a close. As outlined in Readers Digest Illustrated History of South Africa, (1988: 440) and in the Wikipedia article (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Soweto_uprising), June the 16th 1976 was the catalyst for political change in South Africa to begin. On this date, thousands of black high school students gathered in Soweto with the intention to march to Orlando Stadium to hold a rally to protest against being taught in Afrikaans in their local schools. The march had been secretly planned to avoid discovery by the police. The day ended in bloodshed and an official death toll of 23 when the police opened fire on the youths. Many protesters were shot in the back as they were running away. The poem is written against this background. The strong theme of the poem is the mental preparations the young man is making for the day ahead – ‘tomorrow I travel on a road’. He is unsure of what is going to happen but suspects that it will not end well. He is reflecting on what is going to happen and expecting the worst. There is no punctuation or capitalization used in the poem. The only deviation from this is the use of the capital ‘I’ that is used when the poet is referring to himself. This adds to the emphasis of the young man as the focal point of the poem. The tone of the poem is poignant and sombre which is reiterated by the use of words like ‘memories’, ‘aches’, ‘sad’, and ‘drenched’. The imagery that is used overall reminds one of a funeral procession, not unlike Christ’s crucifixion, as portrayed in the words ‘road that winds to the top of the hill’. This also brings to mind a feeling of impending sacrifice. This image is further reinforced by the words in line 12 ‘o sing my sad song sing for me’, as this could refer to a funeral hymn. The poet has mentally and physically prepared for the journey ahead as he states in line 3 ‘I take with me only the sweet memories of my youth’. He does, however, have some regrets. He regrets the impact the day is going to have on his mother and he wishes he could be with her, as indicated by the words ‘my heart aches for my mother’ (line 5). Historically, the march was planned in secret and the students did not tell their parents [Wikipedia (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Soweto_uprising)], so the young man would not even be able to share his plans with his mother. He also regrets that he will not get to experience a normal life. The words ‘I ask only for a sad song’ in line 8 symbolise this regret. In line 10, the old man’s age and broken brow represent an experienced life well lived. In line 9, the woman represents the partner that the young man will never have. (In many cultures, a woman will avert her eyes in the presence of her suitor). In the young man’s case, he expects that he will have neither – the words ‘I ask only’ indicate an almost pleading expectation that will not be met. In lines 6 & 7, the poet’s ‘heart aches’ for ‘Friday nights with friends around a table with a broad belch of beer’. He regrets the time with his friends that he will not to share. The poem concludes with the young man asking that he be mourned as line 12 states ‘o sing my sad song sing for me’. This is his request that he be mourned, and for a song to be sung at his funeral. He foresees his death when he says ‘for my sunset is drenched in red’. The sunset represents the end of his life – this is emphasised by the word ‘my’ referring to his life – whilst the imagery of ‘drenched in red’ refers to the amount of blood that will be spilt by the time sunset is reached the following day. June the 16th was a tragic day in South African history, and this poem reflects the sadness of the needless loss of life on that day. It was indeed the catalyst for political change in South Africa. It should always be remembered and used to remind ourselves of where we came from, in order to ensure we never go there again.

The Best Way to Study for the ACT 4 Expert Tips

The Best Way to Study for the ACT 4 Expert Tips SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Are you just starting your ACT prep and wondering how to tackle the daunting task of readying yourself for the ACT? Have you been studying for the ACT but not getting your desired results? Do you just want to confirm that you're on the right track? In this article, I'll help you find the best way to study for the ACT by explainingall of your study options and letting you know how to figure out which ones to use. I'll also give you essential ACT study tips that are guaranteed to help you reach your target score. What's the Best Way to Study for the ACT? The truth is,there’s no single best way to study for the ACT. Rather,there are several options you can use, such as self-study, a tutor, a prep class, an online program, or any combination of these. The option you should choose ultimately depends on your resources and what you need. Regardless of which study method you go with, your ACT studying should include strategies that are essential for optimal ACT preparation. I’ll explain the different strategies you can use, and then discuss how to find the right way to study for you. 4Key ACTStudy Strategies Although there's no one-size-fits-all, perfect ACT study plan, there are four strategies that are vital for everyone preparing for the test. So what are these strategies? Let's take a look. #1: Determine Your ACT Target Score Before you begin your studying, you should determine the score you’re aiming for on the ACT. Having a target score will give you motivation and inform your studying. To figure outyour ACT target score, look up the 75th percentile ACT scores for the schools you’re applying to. (You don’t need to include your safety schools- just the ones you’re most interested in attending.)You can find this info by searching for "[School Name] PrepScholar ACT" on Google. Use the link to the PrepScholar page for your school to see what its 75th percentile ACT score is. Then, repeat this process for each school you plan to apply to. Below is an example of the PrepScholar page for the University of Nevada, Reno. Here, you can see the school's average ACT score as well as its 25th and 75th percentile ACT scores: Your ACT target score will be the highest 75th percentile score you find for your schools.Why is this an ideal score to aim for? If you get an ACT score that's equal to or above the 75th percentile score for a given college, you’ll have a great chance of getting accepted since you'll have received a higher ACT score than what 75% of admitted applicants got. Know what score you're aiming for. #2: Figure Out How Long You’re Going to Need to Study You can get a rough idea of how long you’ll need to study for the ACT by calculating the difference between your target score and your baseline score. To determine your baseline score, use the score from your last ACT. If you haven’t taken the ACT yet, take an official practice test. Be sure to simulate real testing conditions as you take it (i.e., find a quiet room and abide by official time limits). Here’s an estimated breakdown of point improvement per number of ACT study hours: 0-1 point improvement: 10 hours 1-2 point improvement: 20 hours 2-4 point improvement: 40 hours 4-6 point improvement: 80 hours 6-9 point improvement: 150 hours+ Say your ACT goal score is 30 and your baseline score is 25. This means you'll need to improve by 5 points in order to hit your target score. According to our estimates, 5 points equals about 40 hours of prep. Once you know how long you need to study, you can make a plan to help you put in enough study hours and reach your ACT target score.For example, if you need to study about 80 hours to reach your goal and you're planning on taking the ACT in eight weeks, you'll need to schedule at least 10 hours of study time per week. #3: Analyze Your Mistakes and Focus On Your Weaknesses It’s not enough to just put in study time; you need to study effectively. You’ll make the best use of your ACT study time by figuring out why you’re missing questions and focusing on improving your weaknesses. There are three major areas you might need to improve: content, time, and strategy. Content The ACT tests you on a number of skills related to reading, writing, and math. By determining the specific types of questions you’re getting wrong, you can identify the topics you need to learn better. For example, on the Writing section, maybe you’re struggling with pronoun agreement questions. On the Math section, perhaps you keep missing coordinate geometry questions. As soon as you know which topics are most challenging you, you can thenuse your study time to understand them better and do more practice questions to improve your weaknesses. Time The ACT is a strictly timed test, so even if you’re comfortable with the content, you might struggle to finish each section in time. If you're somebody who often rushes (i.e., you finish a section more than five minutes early and make careless mistakes) or you're somebody who struggles to complete a section in the allotted time, you’ll need to work on your time management. If you're running out of time, try to pay more attention to your time spent per question in your practice. Here's an overview of (roughly) how much time you have per question on the ACT: Section Total Time # of Questions Time per Question English 45 minutes 75 36 seconds Math 60 minutes 60 60 seconds Reading 35 minutes 40 52.5 seconds Science 35 minutes 40 52.5 seconds You might also need to improve your content knowledge or use differenttest-taking strategies depending on why you're having trouble finishing in time. Strategy The ACT is known for having questions that can be confusing or misleading. If you struggle to understand what a question is asking or often succumb to common ACT tricks, you’ll benefit by improving your knowledge of ACT strategy. For example, if you comprehend the content on the ACT Science section but are spending way too much time trying to figure out the conflicting viewpoints questions, you should spend more time learning how to decode these questions more efficiently. Or say you're missing ACT Reading questions because you're not reading the passages effectively. That's another sign that you need to improve your ACT strategy. More generally, if you can grasp the content being tested but are having issues understanding or approaching the questions, this is a clear sign that you should change your test-taking strategy. #4: Use Real or Realistic ACT Practice Questions Undoubtedly, the best questions to use are those that most closely resemble the questions on the ACT.A huge flaw of many ACT prep books is that their practice questions aren’t similar to you’d see on the actual ACT; they’re either too difficult or presented in a way that differs from the usual ACT question format. It won't help your ACT score much to focus on questions that aren’t like those you’ll encounter on the ACT.Therefore, be sure to useofficial ACT practice tests in your studying. Also, the official ACT website offers additional practice questions you can access for free. Furthermore, you can get more official questions by buying The Official ACT Prep Guideand/or ACT, Inc.'s online ACT prep program(which is mainly worth it for the extra full-length practice test). How Should You Study for the ACT? 4 Options Now that you know the strategies you should use to study for the ACT, let's go through the various options for ACT studying to help you determine which one will be the best for you. Option 1: Self-Study It’s possible to reach your ACT target score by studying on your own. While some test takers prefer to study independently, others might have to if they don’t have the resources to pursue other prep options. Ultimately, effective self-study for the ACT requires you to be extremely disciplined, organized, and motivated. You should set a definitive study plan and stick to it as closely as possible. Other than real practice tests and any prep books you use, I highly recommend using the articles on this blog to help guide your studying. We've written content and strategy articles for English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing. Option 2: Private Tutor A private tutor may be a good option for you if you’re looking for customized instruction or you need more help learning the material that’s tested on the ACT.Meeting with a tutor can also help you stay on track if you need a little extra push for motivation. Keep in mind that tutors can be expensive and often vary greatly in terms of their knowledge and effectiveness. Before hiring a tutor, learn what ACT tutors do and how much they cost. Equip yourself with the knowledge to decide if you should work with a tutor or on your own. Monrovia Public Library/Flickr Option 3: In-Person ACT Prep Class In-person prep classes have a set curriculum, and, like tutoring, they’re a good option to help you stick to your ACT study plan. A prep class can be a great idea for you if you want to learn test strategies and increase your overall familiarity with the ACT. The best classes will provide you with a solid foundation to help you study more effectively on your own.In addition, some students learn better in a traditional classroom setting and enjoy being able to socially interact with their peers. Prep classes do have some significant drawbacks, though. In my opinion, the biggest disadvantage of a prep class is that it's not customized to your individual needs.There will be students of varying skill levels, and much of the content of the class might feel like review. Some of the content might be too challenging as well if you've never been exposed to the material before. Depending on the length of the course, you might not have enough time to thoroughly cover all the material on the ACT. Finally, ACT classes can be expensive- many prep classes cost more than $1,000. Option 4: Online ACT Prep Course Online ACT prep courses can be a great option for students who want some structure and the freedom to work independently.The biggest advantages of a good online prep course are that you’ll get an effective study plan along with thorough content instruction. The course will also be customized to your particular skill level. I might be biased, but our PrepScholar ACT program is an exceptional online ACT prep course. It focuseson improving your weaknesses, and all the practice test questions were written by ACT experts who scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. Like all the other options, however, online prep courses do have their disadvantages. You need to have the self-motivation to push yourself to put in the necessary hours. In other words, you won’t have the encouragement of a teacher or tutor to help you stay focused. Aquality tutor can keep you engaged with material you might not find overly exciting, while a prep course might not be able to do the same. How to Decide the Best ACT Study Method for You Finally, let's take a look at the four key questions to askyourself as you determine the best way to study for the ACT. #1: How Much Money Are You Willing to Spend on ACT Prep? While I think spending money on ACT prep can be a worthy investment, some students simply can’t afford an ACT tutor or prep course. If you want to take a prep course but can’t afford one, consult your school counselor or look online to see whether there are any free prep courses available in your area. #2: How Do You Learn Best? Personally, I’ve always preferred studying independently. In school, I learned better when I was alone reading from a textbook than when I was in class listening to my teacher. So ask yourself: which ACT study option will work best for yourlearning style? Keep in mind that you can alwayscombine study options.For example, you could primarily self-study and then hire a tutor for a couple of hours to help you understand a puzzling concept. Or you could take an in-person ACT course to learn fundamental test strategies and then enroll in an online course for further content instruction. #3: How Likely Will You Be Able to Stick to a Study Plan? Self-studying and online courses work best for the most disciplined and determined students who are able to stay on task without the help of an instructor. However, even if you take a class or hire a tutor, you need to be motivated enough to do the necessary work to reach your target score. #4: How Much Help Will You Need? If you're only 1 point away from your target ACT score, you might be able to reach your goal with a couple of weekends of self-studying or a short in-person prep course. However, if you need to raise your score by 7 points and you’re struggling to understand important test concepts, you'd probably benefit from more intensive instruction, either from a tutor, online prep course, or multi-week class. Regardless of how you decide to study for the ACT, you can get your desired results, as long as you improve your weaknesses, analyze your mistakes, and use real/realistic practice problems. What's Next? Is time running out for your ACT prep?Get tips on how to study for the ACT in a month, and find out how to properly cram for the ACTif you've got just 10 days before the test. Are you using real ACT practice tests to study but not improving by as much as you'd like? Maybe you need to learn what to avoid when you're taking practice tests. Do you already have a high ACT score? Figure out how to improve even more. Who knows- you might even be able to get a perfect 36! Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses. We also have expert instructors who can grade every one of your practice ACT essays, giving feedback on how to improve your score. Check out our 5-day free trial:

Free Essays on Oedipus Tyrannos

â€Å"Oedipus Tyrannos†: Responsibility, but Not Guilt â€Å"Oedipus Tyrannos†, the classic Greek Tragedy written by Sophocles, possesses all the ingredients necessary for a good tragedy, including a tragic flaw in the main character. The story of Oedipus is captivating indeed, but it has been debated as to whether or not Oedipus actually has an error in judgment, or is he just a victim of fate who could not avoid the tragic end that the gods had in store for him. Oedipus plays a part in fulfilling the oracle by making certain choices along the way. He is not, however one looks at it, guilty of any wicked or heinous crimes that deserve such harsh punishment by the gods. Aristotle chooses to use Oedipus as an example of the perfect tragedy in his writing Poetics. It has been questioned whether or not Aristotle manipulated Oedipus to fit his mold, or does Oedipus truly meet every demand made for a good tragedy. Aristotle outlines the requirements of a good tragedy in Poetics. First, the tragedy must be an imitation of life in the form of a serious story. It must be realistic and narrow in its focus. The purpose of a tragedy is to evoke a sense of fear and pity from viewers. Experiencing these emotions will leave a viewer with a feeling of catharsis. Archer 2 The word catharsis is Greek for â€Å"purging† or †purification†. The effect is similar to that of a â€Å"good cry†. Aristotle also outlined the requirements for a good tragic hero. He must, first of all, be a great man. He must be superior in some way to the average man. At the same time, he must be able to evoke fear and pity from the viewers. The best way to achieve this, according to Aristotle, is if the hero is imperfect. The hero suffers because of his hamartia. Hamartia is a Greek word that is often translated as â€Å"tragic flaw† but actually means â€Å"error in judgment.† The question of the guilt of Oedipus has been much discussed over th... Free Essays on Oedipus Tyrannos Free Essays on Oedipus Tyrannos â€Å"Oedipus Tyrannos†: Responsibility, but Not Guilt â€Å"Oedipus Tyrannos†, the classic Greek Tragedy written by Sophocles, possesses all the ingredients necessary for a good tragedy, including a tragic flaw in the main character. The story of Oedipus is captivating indeed, but it has been debated as to whether or not Oedipus actually has an error in judgment, or is he just a victim of fate who could not avoid the tragic end that the gods had in store for him. Oedipus plays a part in fulfilling the oracle by making certain choices along the way. He is not, however one looks at it, guilty of any wicked or heinous crimes that deserve such harsh punishment by the gods. Aristotle chooses to use Oedipus as an example of the perfect tragedy in his writing Poetics. It has been questioned whether or not Aristotle manipulated Oedipus to fit his mold, or does Oedipus truly meet every demand made for a good tragedy. Aristotle outlines the requirements of a good tragedy in Poetics. First, the tragedy must be an imitation of life in the form of a serious story. It must be realistic and narrow in its focus. The purpose of a tragedy is to evoke a sense of fear and pity from viewers. Experiencing these emotions will leave a viewer with a feeling of catharsis. Archer 2 The word catharsis is Greek for â€Å"purging† or †purification†. The effect is similar to that of a â€Å"good cry†. Aristotle also outlined the requirements for a good tragic hero. He must, first of all, be a great man. He must be superior in some way to the average man. At the same time, he must be able to evoke fear and pity from the viewers. The best way to achieve this, according to Aristotle, is if the hero is imperfect. The hero suffers because of his hamartia. Hamartia is a Greek word that is often translated as â€Å"tragic flaw† but actually means â€Å"error in judgment.† The question of the guilt of Oedipus has been much discussed over th...

How and When to Paraphrase Quotations

How and When to Paraphrase Quotations Paraphrasing is one tool writers use to avoid plagiarism. Along with direct quotations and summaries, its a fair use of another persons work which can be incorporated into your  own writing. At times, you can make more impact by paraphrasing a quotation instead of quoting it verbatim. What Is Paraphrasing? Paraphrasing is a restatement of a quotation using your own words. When you paraphrase, you restate the original authors ideas in your own words. Its important to differentiate paraphrasing from patchwriting; patchwriting is a form of plagiarism in which a writer directly quotes portions of a text (without attribution) and then fills in the gaps with their own words. When Should YouParaphrase? Quoting a source directly can be powerful, but sometimes paraphrasing is a better choice. Usually, paraphrasing makes more sense if: the quotation is long and wordythe quotation itself is poorly writtenthe quotation itself is technical or uses difficult-to-understand or obsolete language An Effective Method of Paraphrasing a Quotation: Before you begin paraphrasing, its important to fully understand the quotation, its context, and any important cultural, political, or hidden meanings. Your job, as a paraphraser, is to accurately convey the authors meaning as well as any subtext. Carefully read the original quotation and make sure to understand its central idea.Note down anything that grabs your attention. If you feel that some element (word, phrase, thought) contributes to the central idea of the quotation, make a note of it.If there are any words, ideas, or meanings that are unclear, look them up. For example, if youre paraphrasing the work of a person from a different culture or time, you may want to look up references to people, places, events, etc. that are not familiar to you.Write a paraphrase in your own words. Meticulously avoid using the original words, phrases, and expression. At the same time, make sure that your words convey the same central idea.If you need to use an interesting word or phrase from the original text, use quotation marks to indicate that it is not your own.Cite the author, the source, and the date given in the text, to credit the owner of the quotation. Remember: Though the words of the paraphrase are your own, the thought behind it isnt. To not mention the authors name is plagiarism. How does a Paraphrase Differ From a Summary? To the untrained eye, a paraphrase and a summary may look alike. A paraphrase, however: May restate  just a single  sentence, idea, or paragraph rather than  an entire  text;May be shorter than or just as long as the original  text;May be used in the context of a wide range of written  materials such as an essay, letter to the editor, article, or book;describes the original text in different words without omitting details. A summary, by contrast: is an abridged version of the entire original text.must be shorter than the original text.always eliminates details, examples, and supporting points.

Euthanasia Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Euthanasia - Term Paper Example According to them, it is the God who created the humans and other living creatures and only He has the right to put an end to it. The opposition maintains that the human should not behave like God. Euthanasia is one of the most contested topics by the followers of God and the church. Often it is observed in the present world that various learned strata of the society that includes the professionals of law, medicine and others decide to end one’s life if they feel there is no remedy of the suffering of the patient. But in doing so they are challenging the very creativity of the Almighty. It is the God upon whom depends the life of every creature and breathe of the entire mankind (Job 12:10, n.d.). One should look up to the example of Jesus, who could have ended his life long before but he endured all the sufferings in the way of his death. The God has supreme power and He can well save one’s life from the vary brink of death if He wills to do so. So, the judgment of the time and process of death should essentially be left to His

GOOGLE GLASS Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

GOOGLE GLASS - Coursework Example Businesses are now conducted online. The target of the distribution plan should be based on the online platforms (Shaw & Onkvisit, 2009). Individuals who have similar or common interest can be identified in the online platform. The targeted group of consumers should be selected in a way that the marketing strategy satisfies a wide range of the needs of the firm and the consumers. The client groups are targeted and identified using a similar interest element. The targeted group should be selected in terms of individuals with similar needs. It is easier to identify such clients, because the lifestyle of the people, demography, and ability of market growth. This is a transparent prove that Google glass has a potential market. Google glass has grown very fast in terms of attracting customers and quality due to their many inventions. They have able to compete with big companies. They manage this due to the strong brand affection they have. They invest more in brand loyalty than marketing making them to be on top of other. They work on how to make the customers prefer by using technology to create different makes of their devices to serve a large population. Google glasses are a combination of vital factors and elements that are required by an organization in order to accomplish a certain objective that marks their achievement. Hospitals require the tool to meet the demands of its clients. Numerous success factors and concepts, and ideas are being witnessed in the stream of the papers, media and other advertisement platforms, but there is still a little evidence tends to prove that the success factors can significantly assist an organization to boosts and propel its performance (Shaw & Onkvisit, 2009). Firms and organizations are trying to explore numerous options so that they may achieve success by attaining their client’s expectations. It is with the idea of innovating Google glass that there is a realization that it can meet the

Research proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 6

Research proposal - Essay Example rious industries, including the UK banking sector is also making vital use of IT networks in their processing of customer services (Ho & Mallick, 2006; Samakovitis, 2006). It is often argued that IT systems hold considerable significance in the building cooperative associations with customer groups that further facilitates better customer serving and hence, contributes to augmented customer loyalty. Both these spectrums, i.e. customer loyalty linked with better customer serving, have been many a time associated with the longevity and continuous expansion of any service sector today, and likely to be apparent in the banking sector as well. Keeping speculations aside, the UK service sector, which is the other dimension in focus of the title chosen for this study, has been reported as growing impressively over the past few years even if its particular drawbacks remain to be consistent (Mullineux, 2012). The three key dimensions of the UK financial sector, vis-Ã  -vis, and its banking sector involve payment services, insurance services against risk and intermediation services between lenders and borrowers. While all these three dimensions present different challenges for the banking institutions in the UK, the continuously changing demands and shifts in the market functions have somewhat forced these banks to build a close and strong relationship with its customers (Davies & et. al., 2010). The particular problems presented by the UK banking services sector have thus been attempted to be resolved with the usage of IT innovations (Aliyu & Tasmin, 2012). Nevertheless, this topic yet remains as negligibly studied among the modern scholars, indicating a gap in the literature obtainable to test such speculations. Hence, emphasizing this gap currently present in the scholar society, the proposed study will aim at deriving firm conclusions on the strength of influences imposed by IT innovations and developments on the UK banking industry. From a mere tool for communication,

Response of the artical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response of the artical - Essay Example Instead of protecting the natural resources, the government inappropriately uses such resources. According to Sampath (42), placing a price on nature will safeguard the interests of future generations. Consequently, safeguarding biodiversity is the basis of sustainability. The author is supporting his argument by using the case of England in which the exploitation of natural resources is costing the economy of England. In the second article, the author is campaigning against economic valuation of natural resources within the ecosystem. He is opposed to privatization because he believes that privatization will co modify nature as noted by Juniper (2). Consequently, he is claiming that corporations will take advantage of privatization and this will lead to the destruction of unprotected forests and natural resources. Lack of bioprospecting rules will cost countries like Hawaii since the people will not benefit from the use of its resources in the absence of control measures. I accept the major claims of these articles because most of the claims are factual. For instance, research indicates that the enactment of laws has positive impacts on the conservation of the environment. Consequently, some of the resources in nature cannot be valued as claimed by the author of the article the great imposters. In England, the natural capital committee discovered that some of the resources had infinite values. Moreover, the committee advocated for responsible use of the ecosystem by private companies. This is an indication that people should be responsible in seeking services from the ecosystem. Indeed, the business community has neglected the natural world (Monbiot 1). Carelessness is leading to the environmental crisis. Henceforth, it is our collective responsibility to conserve the environment because we depend on the environment for our

In The Wild Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

In The Wild - Essay Example The narrative in both cases stems from the values and belief-systems that characterized the time period in which they were created. Thus for a proper understanding of the respective texts the contexts in which they were written as well as read must be taken into account. William Wordsworth is one of the foremost Romantic poets. The early 1790s found him in France where he imbibed much of the spirit of the revolution, which characterized much of his early writing. His work also shows the influence of the great French thinker Rousseau, who believed that those living closest to nature, were superior to those living in the heart of the jungle that is civilization. Wordsworth appears to have the same bent of thought as is evident in his idealization of nature and belief in the presumed innocence of rural life as opposed to the corruption and moral decay of urban society. His views are clearly outlined in The Prelude, (1850), " the close and overcrowded haunts of the cities where the human heart is sick." An important theme in his Solitary Reaper is Man's communion with and ultimate oneness with nature. The rusticity of the surroundings constitutes an idyllic setting for the poet, unblemished by the organized chaos of the city. Here Man exists with "The W ild" in a sublime if momentary state of purity and ecstasy. The lines, "Oh listen! For the Vale profound/ Is overflowing with the sound", reveals that the Reaper's music has intermingled with the core of Nature thus making them one. Wordsworth finds in Nature a means of escape from the mundane and vulgar realities of life. His poetry is inspired by the emotions Nature evokes in him which allows him glimpses past the opaque curtain of life that clouds one's vision of the mysterious and promising world beyond.Thus he endorses the view that through Nature, it is possible to transcend the unrewarding nitty-gritty of everyday life and soar exultantly through the realms of the universe as an essential part of it. Wordsworth reiterates the timeless and universality of the reaper's song by indicating that it appears to "have no ending" and by saying that it takes up residence in his heart, "long after it was heard no more."

Response of the artical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response of the artical - Essay Example Instead of protecting the natural resources, the government inappropriately uses such resources. According to Sampath (42), placing a price on nature will safeguard the interests of future generations. Consequently, safeguarding biodiversity is the basis of sustainability. The author is supporting his argument by using the case of England in which the exploitation of natural resources is costing the economy of England. In the second article, the author is campaigning against economic valuation of natural resources within the ecosystem. He is opposed to privatization because he believes that privatization will co modify nature as noted by Juniper (2). Consequently, he is claiming that corporations will take advantage of privatization and this will lead to the destruction of unprotected forests and natural resources. Lack of bioprospecting rules will cost countries like Hawaii since the people will not benefit from the use of its resources in the absence of control measures. I accept the major claims of these articles because most of the claims are factual. For instance, research indicates that the enactment of laws has positive impacts on the conservation of the environment. Consequently, some of the resources in nature cannot be valued as claimed by the author of the article the great imposters. In England, the natural capital committee discovered that some of the resources had infinite values. Moreover, the committee advocated for responsible use of the ecosystem by private companies. This is an indication that people should be responsible in seeking services from the ecosystem. Indeed, the business community has neglected the natural world (Monbiot 1). Carelessness is leading to the environmental crisis. Henceforth, it is our collective responsibility to conserve the environment because we depend on the environment for our

Future of private military companies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Future of private military companies - Essay Example To start off, government security forces are given in-depth training before they are allowed to join the forces. However, the focus of private military companies seems to be more skewed towards imparting training only to the extent that their soldiers can go out in the fields and thrive there, but not to excel and take the enemy by storm the way national or governmental security forces are trained to do. In the recent history private military companies have been deployed across dangerous and war torn regions of the world, marking a wide shift from their early use as security agents to high net worth clients, politicians and diplomats amongst others. Looking through recent history, we get to know organizations like Black Water have been deployed across war torn Afghanistan by the Americans, and also in Pakistan in a bid to provide beefed up security to their local embassies in the country. However, their presence has not been widely appreciated as critics often believe private contractors like Black Water do not form a part of the â€Å"military† and therefore should not be entrusted with the same powers as them (Axelrod, 2014). Even thinking from an ethical perspective does not allow entrusting private military contractors with responsibilities as huge as looking after a country’s national defense function. What needs to be understood here and is of critical importance is the fact that these private companies mainly exist to mint money or make profit; something which serves as a motivation for them to work hard, but still would probably not motivate them enough to give their life if need be, to protect their country against an attack or infiltration from enemies. On the contrary, national/government security forces have been trained in a manner which instills a belief inside a soldier’s mind that there is nothing big in this world then sacrificing their life in a bid to save their nation from the

Fat Tax brings Fat Benefits Essay Example for Free

Fat Tax brings Fat Benefits Essay Junk food. Do any of us know the meaning of the term? Do the consequences of developing lethal diseases not concern us? Apparently, todays society is well aware of what it is, (food with a low nutrition value and is usually processed or ready-prepared (Junk Food)) and what it can do, yet they prefer not to have truth repeatedly slapped in their face by the media. The way I see it, thats exactly what these individuals are asking for. They say diets are productive, but its based off of self-encouragement which can only take you so far. According to an article composed by William Dietz, Obesity is a matter of personal responsibility. Poor dietary decisions cost individuals the expansion of their waist lines. What many do not realize is that as they continue to visit fast food restaurants for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they develop an addiction. Sooner or later, they find themselves wrapped around junk foods salty fingers and havent bothered to notice that they no longer can see their toes standing upright. Higher taxes should be imposed on processed goods because it could lower death rates and medical bills that tie into obesity, encourage the consumption of healthy products, and educate Americans about adapting correct eating habits. Americans today are consuming 20% more calories than they did in the early 1980s, (Would Imposing par. 3). Also, during that time period, only one third of Americans populace were identified as obese which is equivalent to 13%. However, over the past 25 years, America has exceeded to about 60% of the population being fat (Oliver par. 8). Due to the continuous establishments of fast food restaurants, Americans have noticed that their waist lines have expanded substantially. Hundreds of years ago, McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Wendys, and Burger King were non-existant. With McDonalds Big Mac meal containing approximately 1,300 calories, its no wonder America has been suffering an obesity epidemic. Its because of these successful  companies that we have to pay for the over flowing stacks of health expenses theyve created for us. Comparing Americans then with Americans now, you could literally see the difference without the need of any statistical information from surveys, documents, and whatnot. One of the many reasons why the government is taking this fat tax into consideration is due to the overwhelming figures of premature deaths and medical bills occuring across the nation. According to studies, officials are hoping that taxation on junk food could avert 2,600 deaths, 9,600 heart attacks, 240,000 new cases of diabetes every year, (Chan par. 2). Thats not the end of it. These numbers are ascending as I we carry on with our normal daily lives. For all I know, 2013s statistics for premature deaths due to obesity could escalate to 3,500! Almost every year, Americas government is burdened by the stunning $117 million in debt they have to pay because of people becoming diagnosed with multiple heart diseases thanks to the consumption of fast food. With that being said, the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) informed the public that too much of todays society relies on the cheap and convenient take outs our restaurants provide us. They encounter at least 400,000 individuals with health problems, charging them almost $100 million a year (Lewis par. 4). For this reason, it is why unhealthy grubs are purchased regularly. If people were to choose between a $2 cheeseburger and a $10 salad wrap, what are the chances of them picking the $10 salad wrap? Thats what I thought. Its disappointing knowing that profits made from fast foods are used to assist our nations debt. Why cant the money derive from potent nourishments? Why do we allow the selling of unsalutary meals, knowing we are feeding them death munchies? In Addition, America has judgement skills that are completely frail and incompetent. Here we are placing exorbitant prices on healthy products when it should be the life-threatening comestibles that should be prohibited. A hand full of officials in the country have required several fast food restaurants to display calorie-count labels to drive individuals taste buds from convenience food. But even that wont prevent obesity (Mozes par. 7). Nevertheless, even a simple a simple label couldnt stop the hungry beasts of America from  gobbling down chunks of blubber. Due to these astonishing numbers, Americans are looking towards taxing junk food similarly to sin taxes. Its a tax on harmful items (such as alcohol, tobacco, etc.) that could reduce its consumption. Officials have been pushing for states to insitute a fat tax and consider it as a sin tax. According to several smokers in New York, they discovered that paying a total of $14.50 for one pack of cigarette wasnt worth their money. Some of them knew that complaining wouldnt get them anywhere, so they eventually ditched the dependency (Sutherland par. 2). With the assistance of this sin tax, smoking rates dropped by 12%, (Would Imposingpar. 3). This specifically proves to opponents that bomming junk food tariffs can depreciate premature death percentages and medical expenses as well. Obviously, pricey items attract less customers nowadays; so the higher the taxes, the lower the consumption. Plus, our government could distribute these taxes to health services and programs that illustrate the essence of corpulence. Also, whether the populace continues to ignore the governments warning through tariffs, either way the tariff generated $30 million in new revenue, tax records show. Basically if fast food customers wish to pursue their daily routine visiting McDonalds, itll still bring the economy extra dough to support the country. Even if our main focus is to sever societys tongue from higher cholestrol levels, we can only succor those who wish for assistance. Moreover, authorizing taxes on fast foods could subsidize the nutritional products that actually supply our physiques with the appropriate energy it naturally pines for. Knowing that the poorest in the country rely on cheap junk food, (Lewis par. 5), automatically discloses that this necessitates more natural resources. However, in America its vise-versa. The more nutrition an item contains, the more you have to pay. With higher taxes on junk food, there would be no need for the federal to tax our fruits and vegetables. Society will eventually quit their whining and chase cheaper alternatives. Representatives throughout the country have calculated that an 18% tax  on junk food would result in a 56-calorie decline in total daily intakealong with significant reductions in the risks of most obesity-related chronic diseases, (Fiore par. 12). Doctors have stressed that the recommended calorie consumed should be in the range of 2,000 calories. By the looks of it, Americans today are exceeding these limits. And they wonder why they are experiencing strokes, heart attacks, and becoming diagnosed with diabetes. Lastly, more health education could influence the populations mindset about the need to eat sugary items. Media has played a huge role in advertising greasy items. Instead, we could use this strategy to discourage our customers from purchasing fast foods, stressing our concerns of obesity. Our targets would be the same audience that was exposed to fattening commercials. Raising awareness within our communities, and then our country is what the U.S. lacks today. It has been said that You are what you eat, but are any of us aware of exactly what we are putting in our mouths? They may display what supplies make that particular meal, but do they show how much butter they use to cook steaks? Apparently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says hamburgers have been growing from 1 ounce in 1957 to 6 ounces in 1997, (Oliver par. 11). If 1997 was sixteen years ago, just imagine how hefty burgers are today? Notifying our customers about junk food should be our leaders priority. It would be irresponsible not to try everything we can to save livesPeople are dying everyday due to sugary products, (Bloomberg qtd. in Heaton par. 5). I couldnt agree more with Mayor Bloomberg of New York. He is probably the only official that wants to institute a fat tax to give back to the people he represents. Americans are self-centered, and their main focus is money. No one cares if theyre putting ones life in jeoparady by creating harmful grubs. If one was to take a stand against these fast food companies, itll have to start with our leaders. On the other hand, controversies have made society equivocal about the implementation of taxation on packaged foods. As expected, citizens of America claim that the government is becoming too controling, and their freedom of choice is being stripped from them. While our officials  intensions are to perpetuate the corpulence widespread, others feel provoked because they believe the government is trying to dictate their intellect (Lewis par. 3). Our leaders stress that taking care of the well-being of our internal organs should be our priority. However, the public refuses admit to the valuable advice they articulate. Many feel as if they were to say, Who are you to tell me what I can eat and not eat? Its only fair that the people have the last say. After all, this country was established fighting For the people, by the people (Star Spangled Banner). On top of that, as stated in an article by Jen Kalaidis, tax also costs [the] country an estimated 1,300 jobs because employees would no longer be needed in food retail sectors. Although an collection of occupations would be lost, many tend to give in and develop the mindset of a pessimistic. As Alexander Graham Bell, (an eminent scientist, engineer, innovator, etc.), proclaimed, When one door closes, another door opens. The message he speaks of is about preserverence and circulating nothing but positive thought within your mind. Americans who fear losing their jobs should realize that plantation fields and factories will demand more and more employees once the fat tax is instituted. The fields will require more man power for labor work, and for manufacturing purposes as well. You will soon after notice that grocery markets will have job oppertunites. Its actually a ripple effect, and once the economy is back to the way it was before the nation debt came about, the unemployement will be no more. Therefore, it is essential to communicate the outweighing benefits of a fat tax to the public now, before America begins to hit a downfall in the next five years. Junk food should not be outlawed, nor should it be cheap. If Americans want to continue this portliness evolvement, they can expect to see excessive aftermath in death rates. These unhealthy eats are about to rebuild our countrys values soon enough. However, with the assistance of this Twinkie Tax, I believe we could expect a tangible decline in Americas death progression and health expenses, a promotion of organic products, as well as more programs raising awareness of corpulence. Works Cited Chan, Amanda L. â€Å"Raising Junk Food Prices Could Spur People to Consume Less: Study.† The Huffington Post. The Huffington Post.com, 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Dietz, William. â€Å"Obesity ProCon.org† Obesity ProCon.org. Search Engine Optimization, 19 Apr. 2013. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Elder, Larry. â€Å"Just How Fat Are We?† WSJ: World Stream. WND Commentary, 1997-2013. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Fiore, Kristina. â€Å"Junk Food Tax Could Improve Health.† ABC News. ABC News Network, 10 Mar. 2010. Web. 06 May 2013. Heaton, Richard. â€Å"NYC Soda Ban Overturned then Appealed.† Digital Journal (2013): n.pag. Print. â€Å"Junk Food.† Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. n.d. Web.05 May 2013. Kalaidis, Jen. Should the U.S. Adopt a Fat Tax? The Week [New York] 25 Feb. 2013: n.p. Print. Lewis, Catherine. â€Å"The Junk Food Tax: How Much are We Willing to pay to get America Healthy?† Your Health Information Center. Insiders Health, 2011. Web. 5 May 2013. Medical Weight Loss Resources. Top 10 Obesity-Related Diseases. American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health, 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 16 May 2013. Mozes, Alan. â€Å"The Fat Tax.† A Controversial Tool in War Against Obesity. (23 May 2005): 2-3 Print. Oliver, J. Eric. â€Å"A Big, Fat Problem.† Fat Politics: The Real Story Behind Americas Obesity Epidemic. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2006. 1-4. Print. Sutherland, Amber. Smokers Huff Puff Over New Cigarette Tax. New York Post. New York. 3 July 2010: 1-2. Print â€Å"Would Imposing a High Tax on Fast Foods and other Unhealthy Foods Help Combat Obesity Issues in U.S.?† Debate.org. Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 22 Nov. 2010. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

The Crucible A.P. Book Report

The Crucible A.P. Book Report The Crucible A.P. Book Report 1. The Crucible 2. Arthur Miller, 1950s 3. America, California 4. John Proctor Honorable and rational, he is the â€Å"leader† of the few sane people of Salem. Although plagued by his affair with Abigail, the biased and foolish leaders of the church, and the underhanded intentions of his fellow neighbors, he still somehow is able to remain in our minds as a respectable man that stood honest until the end. Abigail Williams Masterfully deceitful and envious, she is the main cause of the Salem witch trials. Originally fueled by lust for John Proctor, she is forced to victimize the entire village after weaving too thick a web of deceit about her affair. Judge Danforth Self-Righteous and stiff, Judge Danforth is the towering character that believes in the churchs, and his own, holiness. He judges the Salem trials somewhat sensibly, but his stubbornness in Puritan values blinds him towards the ulterior motives of many Salem inhabitants. Reverend Parris Scornful and pathetic, Parris is a deplorable minister that cares only about his image. He discover Abigail flagrantly disobeying his orders, but tries to keep her deeds secret, in fear for his reputation. Elizabeth Proctor (minor) Wise and forgiving, Elizabeth is a modest woman that has quietly lived with John, even through his affair. Although she doesnt appear joyful or happy, she is never blinded by Salems uproar and easily shines as a moral character through the harsh times. Reverend John Hale (minor) Overconfident but sensible, Reverend John Hale is a character that majorly develops as the novel progresses. He first shows up as a brash reverend ready to fight witchcraft, but develops into a humble and sensible man that realizes the calamity in Salem. He is one of Johns few allies, and is wrecked with guilt after the trials are over. 5. Salem, Massachusetts (Village) John Proctors House: Although located somewhat outside of Salem, it doesnt take long for the craze to reach his house. The mood in the house is dreary and stiff, since an air of mistrust pervades the roms. Hale originally comes here to examine the Proctors family, but comes to believe in Johns cause after the injustice done to Elizabeth. Salem Meeting House: Forbidding and ominous, the meeting house turned courtroom is the center stage for the witch trials. Poorly made walls and simple furniture make up the room, and this creates awkward tension for the reader and the accused. All accused â€Å"witches† are condemned here by Judge Danforth, with Abigail leading her deceitful group. Parriss House: Originally clean and white, this place soon houses the horrible misdeeds of the Salem Witch craze. Betty was originally confined to her bed here with a mild sickness, but certain accusations against her, paired with Titubas confession and Abigails quick plot, turned this house into the spawning point for the witch hunt. 6. In the village of Salem, Betty Parris is stricken with a disease after secretly dancing in the woods with the village girls. The townspeople bring in Reverand Hale, a witch craft expert, and he accuses the leaders of the girls, Abigail and Tituba, of complying with the devil. However, the girls claim they were possessed, and blame random member of the village to reinforce their confession. The Salem Witch hunt officially starts. In a house far outside Salem, John and Elizabeth Proctor converse over marriage issues. Soon after, Hale comes to question the Proctors, but instead learns from John of Abigails deceit and intention. The marshals then arrive, and bring a warrant for Elizabeths arrest on account of being a witch. Though they have little evidence and Hales disapproval, the marshals take her anyways. Proctor, Mary Warren, Giles Corey, and Francis Nurse storm into the court and demand for the release of their wives. Marry Warren, originally part of Abigails group, confesses that everything is a lie. Proctor brings more evidence, claiming that Abigail is a whore that wishes to see his wife dead, and that his wife knew all about the affair. Judge Danforth gives a series of tests to Proctor to confirm this, bringing in Elizabeth to confirm the statement. She denies it to save Proctors dignity and both are jailed, ultimately due for the gallows. The seasons change, and Abigail has run away from Salem. John is given a chance to live by signing a confession, but tears it up when he learns it must be shown to the public and ruin his name. At the end, he is sent to the gallows. 7. Religious Extremism/Intolerance: Although superstition and religious values sparked the ideas of witchcraft around the town, it was intolerance and Puritan extremism that truly set the fire ablaze. Basically, anything against Puritan values was stricken down as devil-worship. Ironically, the only reason the Salem Trials became believable was because of Hales relentless push for a confession between Tibuta and Abagail, and Judge Danforths one-track mind against the proclaimed â€Å"witches.† Accountability and Hidden Agendas: In a culture founded on strict standards and uptight morals, it was inevitable that private transgressions would form. The Crucible documents a time in which all sins were looked upon as extremely taboo and devil-influenced. Consciously or subconsciously, people still bore personal sins, and this harboring led to the rapid pace of accusations. By accusing others, feelings of self-morality were produced; villagers turned on villagers, and the Salem Trials went down in history as a dark time for everyone. Reputation and Guilt: Reputation is an extremely influential factor in every decision of The Crucible, but it often makes the decisions unbeneficial to everyone. Reverend Parris chooses to cover up his nieces deeds in regards to his reputation; however this decision only creates more speculation and gives Abigail more time to create a believable story. Danforths failure to admit wrongdoing due to his respectable record clearly leads to many unwarranted deaths, while Hales admittance makes him a respectable and honest character. Finally, John Proctors decision to reveal his affair in order to condemn Abigail ironically makes him the most upright character out of all the self-serving Puritans. 8. The Witch Trials: Although already important in itself, the witch trials generally represented the idea of unfair accusation, and raised the question on the validity of the accuser. It also represented the idea of an accuser getting the accused to speak the answer that he or she would want to here, no matter the technique. These questionable situations can be matched with the big issue at hand during the second red scare, McCarthyism. The United States Government, using little evidence, accused thousands of Americans of being communists, and Arthur Miller used the Salem Trials to represent the absurdity of these accusations. Foreign Objects (The Woods, Poppet, Titubas Ritual): Although completely different things, these three share a commonality: they are foreign to the Puritan beliefs. The woods represent the unknown, seemingly equaling the darkness of the devil. To Reverend Parris, the woods emphasize Titubas ritual as a satanic device, starting the whole ordeal of a witch craze. The poppet also represents a clash of beliefs, as it also represents a foreign concept to the Puritans. Ultimately used as evidence against Elizabeth, a seemingly harmless poppet harnesses deadly superstitions that almost earn Elizabeth a death sentence. Overall, these three concepts represent the Puritans fear of the unknown, and their rebranding of anything suspicious as devilish and superstitious. 9. Abigail: I have a sense for heat, John, and yours has drawn me to my window, and I have seen you looking up, burning in your loneliness. Do you tell me youve never looked up at my window? In The Crucible, heat and fire are strong images of the lustful relationship between Abigail and Proctor. In Act I, Abigail still wants their private relationship to go on, as she claims swears that she has â€Å"a sense for heat† and has seen John â€Å"burning up† in his loneliness. Basically, she still has a passion for him, and hopes to convince John that he still loves her. Later, the absence of heat in his own home describes his stiff relationship with Elizabeth. His house is described as low and dark, imagery that represents the cold affair that emotionally separates the two. Proctor: I have made a bell of my honor! I have run the doom of my good name you will believe me, Mr.Danforth! The metaphor of his honor becoming a bell is strangely true in regards to the Puritan village. Bells in a city are used to alarm citizens or remind them of an event; Proctors honor is doing exactly that. Ironically, Proctors show of honesty in revealing his affair is the first true act of a Puritan, ringing true throughout the court. However, the only sound that is actually heard in the court is his doom, since his originally suspicious character does not merit truthfulness. 10. A crucible is literally defined as a â€Å"container of metal or refractory material employed for heating substances to high temperatures,† or â€Å"a severe, searching test or trial.† These two definitions basically sum up the entire story; the whole book is literally a court trial, and symbolically a trial of villagers morality and practicality. Most fail the test by succumbing to false accusations (high temperatures), and subsequently shoving the blame onto someone else. However, this play really shines when we actually find a real â€Å"crucible†, representing John Proctor. Although he is hanged, he is understandably one of the only few that actually endures the flames and trials, and stays in our mind as a true crucible. 11. Style/Dialect: One important aspect Arthur Miller wanted to emphasize while writing this work is its realism. He wanted us to understand that this actually happened. By writing an entire play using the dialect spoken in the late 1690s, Miller is able to bring this play to life. Through the use of old style wording that includes real accounts from Salem documents, we can witness everything in a historically accurate recreation. Form of Narration: By choosing to recreate the Salem Trials through a play and not a novel, Arthur Miller allows us to fully view what really happened without keeping us in a detached state of mind. If one would watch the play, he or she would witness real dialogue and real actions; novels give us an enjoyment, but never allow us to feel the real fervor of the characters involved. In novels, the author decides what we watch. However in plays, the author gives us an entire scene and allows us to focus on specific parts, just like real life. 12. Elizabeth: He were not hanged. He would not answer aye or nay to his indictment; for if he denied the charge theyd hang him surely, and auction out his property. So he stand mute, and died Christian under the lawGreat stones they lay upon his chest†¦they say he give them but two words, â€Å"More weight,† he says. And died. (135) Proctor: No it is not the same! What others say and what I sign to is not the same! Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (143) Proctor:Why, we have no fear of questions, sir. Hale: Good, then†¦ I note that you are rarely in the church on Sabbath Day. Proctor:Whats your suspicion, Mr. Hale? Hale: No, no, I have no Proctor: I nailed the roof upon the church, I hung the door a Hale: Oh, did you! Thats a good sign, then. (64, 66) From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the SparkNotes

cary :: essays research papers

BIO: ELIZABETH CARY (1585-1639)Elizabeth Cary held the honor of being known as the first Englishwoman to write an original drama. At the urging of writer John Davies, Cary published The Tragedy of Mariam in 1613. Cary was also the first Englishwoman to write a tragedy and the first to write a history play, The History of the Life, Reign and Death of Edward II (ca. 1627). Cary's other works include various religious hymns, poems and translations from the languages of French, Spanish, Latin and Hebrew. Elizabeth Cary was the sole child born to Sir Laurence and Lady Elizabeth Tanfield of Burford Priory, Oxford in 1585. Her natural inclination for learning showed itself in early childhood despite her strict mother's attempts to thwart Elizabeth's intellectual development by reportedly forbidding her to read at night (to which Elizabeth began bribing servants for candles). In 1602 at age 17, Elizabeth was contracted to marry Sir Henry Cary so that the Tanfields would have aristocratic connections and the Cary's, an heiress. The couple lived apart for the first several years of their marriage while Henry fought in the Protestant wars against Spain and where he was captured in 1605 and imprisoned. At the demand of her mother-in-law Dame Katherine (Lady Paget), Elizabeth moved in with her husband's family in 1603. Here, Elizabeth endured cruelties similar to those imposed by her mother as Lady Paget forbade Elizabeth to read and locked her in her room. It is believed that Elizabeth began writing during this period as a substitute for reading. Elizabeth had also participated in the literary circle of the countess of Pembroke and became acquainted with Senecan drama. Using the model of Roman tragedy, Elizabeth wrote and completed The Tragedy of Mariam between 1602-1604. It was also during this period that Elizabeth began to entertain an attraction to Catholicism to which her husband was radically opposed and a soldier against. This religious conflict did not seem to threaten the marriage in its early years, as upon her husband's return from war in 1609, the couple had their first of eleven children. Henry Cary was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1622, moving the couple to Dublin where their marriage suffered terrific stress due to religious differences and Henry's persecution of Irish Catholics. Irreconcilable, the couple separated and Elizabeth returned to England in 1625. In 1626, Elizabeth professed her Catholicism and, when rumor reached the king, she was confined to her room for six weeks.

A Business Case for an ISO 14001 Essay

Abstract The ISO 14000 series takes the international standards system to the field of environmental concerns. ISO 14001 focuses on the development and maintenance of an Environmental Management System, within the ISO 14000 series. The ISO 14000 series is of relatively recent origin, having been instituted in 1991. However, it has emerged as a significant force within a short time. The ISO 14000 series is relevant for the world of business, for governments and regulators, for organizations that work not-for-profit and for entities of all types and sizes, wherever they may be. Its universal nature makes it a unique and dominant system for all people who are concerned with pollution, waste and about the consumption of resources that are limited and which cannot be renewed. ISO 14000 promotes professional conduct. Training people and involving them in key processes lie at the heart of the ISO 14000 system. The rigors of certification serve to develop human resources. It can serve to motivate people at all levels of the hierarchy, and to foster team spirit. The ISO 14000 system is not limited to altruism and to noble intentions. It is worth hard cash. ISO 14001 puts great pressure to bear on achieving productivity improvements that translate to valuable cost savings. Major international corporations enjoy impressive profit growth through the ISO 14000 series. All ISO certifications carry the benefits of independent and international recognition. ISO extension in to the field of environmental concerns through the 14000 series brings desirable pressure on companies that produce hazardous substances and which generate enormous amounts of waste. Customers everywhere have the choice to insist on ISO 14000 certifications. Companies may find themselves excluded from significant market segments if they continue to ignore or to avoid ISO 14000. Some organizations may find themselves out of business if they do not secure ISO 14000 certification. Apple leads a galaxy of the world’s most respected enterprises in using ISO 14001 certification as a cornerstone of competitive strategy. Lithium ion battery technology is an example of innovation that a commitment to environmental conservation can present. Solutions inspired by ISO 14001 can have welcome economic benefits, apart from noble achievements in terms of environmental conservation. Reduction in energy consumption is an outstanding example, since power generation can be both expensive as well as polluting. ISO 14000 calls for abiding commitment on the part of all entities that seek certification. The system consumes major portions of employee time. ISO 14000 becomes a major element of cost, though it does produce handsome returns. The ISO 14000 series follows a highly structured implementation procedure. There is comprehensive documentation widely available that any organization can use to enter the system. Most organizations find it expedient to use consultants to guide them through the process. Independent auditors are inevitable. External auditors must be knowledgeable, experienced and accredited. ISO 14000 has important weaknesses. Loss of proprietary information is the most serious risk. Certified companies may find that their defenses have been compromised in the event of litigation. This arises from the documentation and management reviews that are integral to ISO 14000. ISO 14000 leaves organizations free to choose their own goals, priorities and standards. It therefore lends itself to potential abuse by organizations that may push important social concerns to the background, or to prevaricate about deleterious aspects of environmental degradation. Some organizations may not be able to fund the investments in time and money that ISO 14000 requires. The benefits may therefore evade small enterprises. ISO 14000 documentation needs can also duplicate documentation that other systems and some regulations require. Training and audit infrastructure is inadequate for widespread and global application of ISO 14000. Some organizations, especially in remote regions can find themselves excluded though they may wish to enlist. ISO 14000 confines itself to the environment. It does not consider issues of human wellness. There are many community concerns that ISO 14000 does not address. It is not a guarantee of ethical performance of an organization on all fronts. Business interests may be served best if companies were to use ISO 14000 for internal review, without going in for certification or even registration. It would then be an effective tool of risk management without opening the firm to unwelcome public scrutiny. Purpose of the Study There are a number of excellent consulting services and other resources available at a cost, to help companies through the process of achieving certification. The key is the element of cost. In order to receive funds for consulting services or any other resources, you may have to justify your endeavor financially prior receiving any funding. Even if your company is capable of going through the process without any outside resources there are still direct and indirect costs associated with the process, prior to hiring a certification company to conduct an audit. You will have to buy materials, pull people in full time and part time, audit and update records. Training will be required for employees and management. The purpose is to show that the costs associated with obtaining and maintaining an ISO 14000 certification as part of an Environmental Management System, can be exceeded by the benefits of doing so. The benefits are not just monetary, but also how the company is viewed in the public eye as well, which is increasingly important in today’s global economy. Importance of the study Several industries are trying very hard to change their public image as environmentally â€Å"unfriendly†. The oil industry with its need to seek more sources, often in wilderness areas, chemical companies which have in the past legally dumped toxic waste, the timber industries and the automotive industry which continues to produce large gas guzzling SUV’s and trucks are all very sensitive to public perception. Perception is very powerful and a company does not want to be perceived as harmful to the environment or not environmentally friendly. The ISO 14000 certification system can be used as a tool to not just say we are concerned about the environment, but to show what you have been doing, are doing and will be doing to improve your performance. In doing so you should be able to add to your bottom line, both direct and indirect. As more and more of these companies and seek and obtain the ISO 14000 certification they require suppliers to do so as well. It is very likely that both public and private demand for environmental responsibility will continue to fuel the shift towards certification as proof of doing so. In the global economy today an ISO 14000 certification could become as important, to show a company’s environmental responsibility, as ISO or QS 9000 is to show a commitment to quality. It may become a prerequisite to doing business with some companies and in more industries as it has in the automotive industry. This study seeks to contribute to the on-going debate within some sections of industry about the economics of ISO 14001. We know that large corporations invest in registrations, often under duress from social activists. But is there money to be gained by following the system? Can there be purely business reasons for seeking ISO 14001 certification? Can smaller enterprises participate? These are some of the questions that this study seeks to answer. Scope of the Study The majority of the top 100 companies in the United States have already achieved ISO 14000 certification. The same trend exists in the European Union. The research will look at what is driving the movement towards certification. It will also look at what is required to become certified and to maintain that certification. This will be done through case studies of companies that have already achieved certification, how it has affected their companies and in what ways. The main focus being that it makes good business sense, and the justification thereof. The study concentrates on the business and profit reasons for ISO 14000 registrations, with tertiary scans of ethical issues and applicability of not-for-profit organizations. The study includes brief descriptions of all phases of the ISO 14001 process, with outlines of the various sections of the manual that is an integral part of the process. Rationale of the Study While a lot companies have already achieved ISO 14000 certification many more have not. One of the biggest factors in failure to achieve or to get the company to attempt certification, especially in small and medium size companies, is that often the appointed SME (subject matter expert) has little knowledge as to what is required. It is a task that is added to their current â€Å"to do† list and they are not given the proper resources or time to conduct a thorough study as to what needs to be done, the resources it will require and what is most important in some cases, R.O. I. (Return On Investment). This study will help to explain what is required, where to look for information and through case studies show that a positive R. O. I. can be achieved through ISO 14000 certification and the maintenance of the certification. Overview of the Study The study will consider the attributes of ISO 14000 as an Environmental Management System. In this paper the main focus will be to define the quantitative as well as qualitative benefits for employing an EMS, in our case ISO 14000. While ISO 14000 will be the primary focus, other EMS systems will also be discusses as alternatives and for relative comparisons. The procedures for and the costs of implementation will also be looked at as part of the study. In the process case studies will be studied and discussed through the use of Internet searches, relevant case studies and publications as well as personal experience and interviews with others in the field. This study will attempt to provide methods for justification of perusing certification. We will also try to give an overview of the process for obtaining certification from the planning stage, through implementation, certification as well as the follow up and continuous improvement required to maintain certification. The Ethical Rationale for Environmental Management Standards Concern for the environment is one of the hallmarks of social concerns during our times. Awareness has been growing since the last quarter of the 20th century. It has snowballed in to a major force. There are signs that countries and people will become increasingly demanding of all organizations with which to deal, in this respect. Though the first world is more influenced by concern for the environment, developing economies are also dragged in to the vortex of global opinion, as electronic media and desire for market access drive even poorer people to conform to conservation standards. Pollution, use of hazardous substances, non-degradable waste and consumption of limited natural resources are the four principal corners of environmental concerns. Pollution of air and water are most perceptible for lay people, but the effects of land fills can be equally devastating. Pesticides and organic solvents lead a series of chemicals with both acute and chronic effects. Mesothelioma is an example of a consequence of exposure to a hazardous substance, the fatal implications of which can surface after decades. Organochlorine pesticides persist in nature almost indefinitely. People at large have become very concerned about such residues and threats that surround them. Women and children are especially vulnerable. The concept of supply chains has spurred thoughts about life cycle analysis. Exhaustive labeling requirements have made people more generally aware that an innocuous finished product may involve the use of hazardous substances. Processed foods are common examples of convenience products that may contain harmful ingredients and sources of infection and contamination. This matter also leads to consideration of packaging materials that we have traditionally taken for granted. Consumers are now aware that products made from paper can involve the destruction of forest cover, while plastic has acquired a notorious image for its persistence. This applies to tin and other metals as well. Mercury and other heavy metals in batteries and electronic products are also causes of concern. Clean water has been in acute shortage in many parts of the third world for some time now, but even developed economies have begun to worry about large-scale use of this precious resource, Ground water contamination and depletion of the ozone layer are other matters that engage much popular attention. Large corporations that generate profits are prime targets for pressures to develop environmental management standards. Companies, whose operations transcend national boundaries, have to be especially careful of their environmental footprints. However, government, social service organizations and small business may all affect the environment in serious and indelible ways. Hence it is possible that environmental management programs may become increasingly universal with the passage of time. We may conclude that there is a strong ethical foundation for environmental concerns. All organizations regardless of their size, nature and location, will be subject to pressures to monitor their environmental impacts, and to find ways of reducing or even eliminating all harmful implications of their transactions. The ethical rationale has a firm linkage with business reasons for ISO 14000 certifications, as there are societal trends that it soon become a pre-requisite for continuing to be in business. The Sustainability Imperative for Environmental Management Mature sectors of national economies, and ones that grow rapidly, are in danger of extinction if they do not address environmental concerns. Electronic waste generated by computers and emissions from heavy industries are examples of enterprises and activities that may have a natural end if they do not address the irreversible effects that they can have on the environment. Depletion of the ozone layer is the sort of contentious issue that spreads across sectors and across countries as well. Closely held companies and ones whose stocks are actively traded on markets are most vulnerable to sustainability pressures. The effects of litigation on tobacco and pharmaceutical companies does influence market capitalization significantly, while major industrial accidents can cause companies to cease operations altogether. Government authorities responsible for solid waste disposal, drainage and water supply, may also face bottlenecks if they do not institute timely procedures for environmental management. Food safety is an issue that can affect even a small hot-dog stand. All entities are subject to irreversible degradation if they cause continuing pollution and wasteful consumption. Viral pandemics amongst poor communities are proof that the effects of a deteriorating environment are ultimately universal. We may conclude that there are survival compulsions for all sections of society, in terms of using environmental management systems. Damage and depletion have cumulative effects, some of which manifest themselves many years later. Changes in the macro-environment, such as ozone depletion have serious consequences for innocent communities. Stakeholders of all hues need the umbrella of environmental management systems for their own survival. There are indications that the only companies that will survive and prosper as the 21st century unfolds will be the ones with sound environmental management systems in place. The ones that consume too much of energy and that are relatively wasteful of materials, will be forced out of business by more efficient competitors. Companies that consume vast quantities of non-renewable resources will begin to reach deep in to irreversible crevasses. Society will become increasingly impatient with waste that cannot degrade, and even more so with air and water emissions that threaten human wellness. Companies may escape accountability for environmental degradation in the third world for awhile yet, but apocalypse for them is visible on the horizon! Recent concern for the environment in China marks a watershed, for industries and individuals in this enormous market have operated without such cares until now. The new trend in China spells a change for all corporations that sell their goods and services there, and also for those which source inputs from that vast land. India, being a democracy and a land of education, will follow suit in due course. The days for those without environmental management programs in place are numbered, and there is advantage in jumping on to the learning curve of ISO 14001 as soon as possible. The system has a business rationale, shorn of any altruistic motives.