Movie Review Top Gun - 929 Words

One of the most iconic movies from the 80’s is Top Gun. From the thrilling flight scenes to Tom Cruise s winning smile, the movie was, and remains, a hit. Maverick, played by Tom Cruise, is sent to an elite naval flight school with his best friend Goose. Both men must undergo training in an extremely competitive environment. to become the best pilots in the academy. They face many challenges and loss along the way. Throughout the movie Top Gun, the hyper-masculine environment of flight school allows for there to be a much more fluid relationship between homosexuality and homosociality. Unlike in everyday occurrences, where romantic exchanges between men are considered gay, the exchanges between the characters in the movie are often considered completely normal. Though not every scene in the movie portrays this accepting, modern perception of homosocial relations. The movie often contradicts itself by also displaying hypermasculine scenes. This contradiction illustrates how the re s not only multiple perceptions of masculine behavior but also a conflict in society about the proper way for men to act while together. Throughout Top Gun, there are many conversations between copilots that could easily be perceived as homosexual but are not considered to be. While discussing airplanes in training, one pilot turns to another and says, â€Å"This gives me a hard on,† and his co pilot responds with â€Å"don t tease me.† This is a sexually charged conversation, something that is veryShow MoreRelatedMovie Review : Top Gun965 Words   |  4 PagesTop Gun: Power to the V In the movie Top Gun, the main character Maverick goes to a school where he is taught to be the best navy pilot he can possibly be. In the film, Maverick goes through life-changing experiences and obstacles that make the movie not only very exciting but inspirational as well. The film was a very popular movie in the 1980’s and is thought to have positive themes of hard work, confidence, and determination. Although these are sought out to be the main, underliningRead MoreAnalysis of The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Poster783 Words   |  4 Pages Design Analysis Essay BCM 110 In this essay I am going to analyse the movie poster for the film ‘Pirates of the Caribbean : The Curse of the Black Pearl’ . This film was released in 2003 directed by Gore Verbinski and it was a huge Box-Office hit and had great reviews . It also made Johnny Depp the superstar he is now and it stars other actors such as Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley . The genre of the film is an action adventure film with lots of other elements in it . Read MoreHow Does One Rebuild a Failed Movie1410 Words   |  6 Pageshow does one rebuild a failed movie in such a way as to make it an enjoyable experience for the viewer? Case in point: Drive Angry. Heres what my favorite place says about this motion picture: Drive Angry is a 2011 American action film starring Nicolas Cage and Amber Heard, and directed by Patrick Lussier. It was released on February 25, 2011. Shot in 3-D, the film was met with a mixed reception and grossed almost $30 million....The film has received mixed reviews from critics. It currently holdsRead MoreFight Club Movie vs. Book1414 Words   |  6 PagesEven considering the complicated format of the book, David Fincher managed to almost perfectly illustrate the novel Fight Club, by Chuck Palahniuk, in his movie of the same name. Although tempting to compare a book and its film counterpart on even grounds, as a substitute of one another, the tools used to create each one differ greatly and thus should be evaluat ed on a thematic level. While the reading audience has the chance to reread, and absorb the themes in layers, the other audience is seeingRead MoreEssay on A Comparison of Othello and the Movie O1548 Words   |  7 Pagesand the Movie O When Shakespeare composed the tragedy Othello televisions were not. Along with no televisions, life in the late 1500s had many different qualities than it does today. This time period had no war on drugs and no high school shootings. Peer pressure was not an issue. The audiences of Othello in the 1500s did not face the circumstances that we, American high school students, face today. With these significant differences in daily life, come the attempts of movie creatorsRead MoreFilm Analysis - Sin Nombre950 Words   |  4 PagesFilm 1070 1 September 2013 Film Analysis/Personal Reflection: Sin Nombre The movie, â€Å"Sin Nombre† directed by, Cary Fukunaga, is about the story of a young man, by the name of Willy, living in Mexico, whom is a member of the gang known as â€Å"MS†. This film makes its audience familiar with the struggles of the journey for immigrants trying to make it to America. Willy’s commitment for the gang turns redundant when one of the other gang members murders his girlfriend. A series of events occur inRead MoreCollege Rhetorical Analysis1337 Words   |  6 PagesAn Argument on Gun Control: Ann Coulter’s â€Å"Guns Don’t Kill People, the Mentally Ill Do† In this lengthy article â€Å"Guns Don’t Kill People, the Mentally Ill Do,† that was published in the Townhall Daily, the author, Ann Coulter, argues about a major prevailing issue today, gun control. She believes the problem isn’t the guns themselves, but the mentally disturbed people. Coulter credits the declining mental health system as the main setback. She supports her argument by providing tragic examplesRead MoreFilm Analysis of Boyz in the Hood Essay example2165 Words   |  9 Pagesquestion will almost feel almost like a death sentence. Nobody wants anyone to judge them before they even go through life on what they will end up being. In the movie â€Å"Boyz in the Hood† director John Singleton, paints a clear image of the problems that happen very often in the African American communities. The movie deals with issues such as: the importance of a father in a young man’s life, the ongoing violence of black on black crime, and how black people are put in situations whereRead MoreBuzz Cook Essay1195 Words   |  5 Pageswas announced that I think is new to the cooking appliance world. There is good news and sadly some bad news for people who are trying to find easier ways of making delicious meals at home but do not have the skills or mindset to make a meal off the top of their head with what they have at home. Hint, There is a new surprising kitchen appliance out from a well known company that claims it might help you in the kitchen. First, lets start with the good news; the good news is that BuzzfeedRead MoreTupac Shakur - Turning Struggles Into Success1646 Words   |  7 Pagescreated. After the shooting, Tupac was more than a hundred percent certain that Christopher Wallace was jealous of how successful he was, and planned the whole shooting. Though whenever he was in jail Tupac’s album Me Against the World went to the top of the pop and hip-hop charts. This would make Tupac the first artist to reach the billboard charts while serving time (Kreps). Certain songs on the album such as ‘Brenda Has A Baby’, ‘Dear Mama’, and ‘So Many Tears’, made some critics rethink what

The Importance of Religion - 1516 Words

Religion plays an integral part in individuals lives, both personally and in societies as sociologists, such as Émile Durkheim and Max Weber, try to understand its impact through the beliefs and functions it holds. Religion is the very basis that some people may live their lives by which their everyday behaviours and actions are influenced. Beyond the behaviour and action, religion may help one find peace with them self and be able to make an identity as some people see their religion as who they are. Through two different perspectives with common similarities, Durkheim and Weber explore the role and impact religion has on societies and how they affect individuals by studying its many different forms and beliefs that are attached to them.†¦show more content†¦A good example of this would be Muslims performing the â€Å"hajj† where they go on a pilgrimage to the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia. From the functionalist perspective, as Durkheim developed, religion is what society should celebrate. He also viewed religions as having three functions: social cohesion, social control, and meaning and purpose. Social cohesion would help keep the bond between individuals through the beliefs and rituals they share, social control would help to emphasize a sense of harmony, and meanings/ purposes can play vital roles in people’s lives. The beliefs and values, whether shared or not, can bring societies together in a positive way. By following a certain religion, one may be able to find peace with themselves or by worshipping a deity and also belong to a common group in a society which evokes a sense of belonging. In Canada, religion has made an integrative impact with the variety of churches, mosques, and temples that have been created for the diverse communities. Through Durkheim’s view, religion has a very positive role in societies and in shaping individuals. Going further on Durkheim’s approach to religion, he deemed it more a social idea opposed to the fact that it’s not entirely based on the divine or some supernatural figure. He uses a term called â€Å"collective conscience† which is basically a set of beliefs orShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Religion On The Church827 Words   |  4 Pagessubsidy for religion. By a 7-2 vote The Supreme Court reversed and ruled in favor of Trinity Lutheran Church. The court ruled that religious organizations may not be excluded from state programs if they have a secular intent. In the majority opinion, the justices argued that excluding religious groups from this kind of state funding would discriminate against them based on religion. While this ruling is narrow and does not provide a broad authorization for government funding of religion, it is a starkRead MoreThe Importance Of Religion In Education882 Words   |  4 Pagesof Scripture. Moreover, I would provide teaching on the genre and historical background of the Scripture we would be focusing on. And furthermore, I am praying about providing this learning opportunity for all women at Trinity. Also of great importance and completely new to me is the 5 Step Interpretive Journey. Specifically, in Step 1 learning to use different interpretive tools to uncover what the text could have meant to the biblical audience and then carry that into Step 2 in evaluating ourRead MoreImportance Of Ancient Egypt Religion1732 Words   |  7 Pages Vardanian 1 Artur Vardanian Professor Cooney Ancient Egypt December 8, 2015 Importance of Ancient Egypt Religion Throughout the history of ancient Egypt, many contributions had constructed the ideology of the kings. Kingship (or any kind of absolute power such as Pharaoh’s) had an important relationship to the use of religion for the purpose of legitimizing power and control, which was a universal concept in human history (Brisch 2007). This statement showsRead More The Importance of Religion Essay example1058 Words   |  5 Pages according to scholars. A Caliph in Afghanistan doesn’t speak for all Muslims any more than Pat Robertson speaks for all Christians. It is important to study religion to help us understand the diversity within religions and to promote an understanding of how religion functions as part of human identity, history and culture. Each religion has very different beliefs. For instance, nearly all Christians believe in some form of the Holy Trinity—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Muslims believeRead MoreThe Importance Of Freedom Of Religion By Nicaragua1293 Words   |  6 Pagesthe religion in Nicaragua. The revolution which overthrew the president at the time also caused a conflict between the popular church at the time and the church hierarchy, but it was worth the conflict. Religious freedom has been protected by their constitution since 1939, this is not an unusual occurrence. There is a numerous amount of different religions such as Jewish, Muslim, Mormon, Mennonites, Jehovah s Witness, Baha is, Evangelical, Moravian , and more. The most prominent religion atRead MoreThe Importance Of The Religion Of Hinduism And Hinduism849 Words   |  4 PagesReligion is an important component of culture and cultural identity. The strength of its practice could depend on the location. For the Relig ion of Hinduism, heavy influence is held all across India. Hinduism holds many contrasting values and practices from the religion of Christianity. The first notable instance of the Hindu religion when opposed to Christianity is that while the Christians believe in 3 deities (The Holy Trinity), The Hindu religion holds the belief that there are many deitiesRead MoreEssay on The Importance of Religion in the World1326 Words   |  6 Pagesstarvation, torture, hypocrisy, and death. Religion is important because it teaches people about themselves. It gives them hope for a future free from all this sorrow and heartache, and through stories, parables, and quotes from prudent prophets of old said to be hearing the voice of God, or recalling evidence of miracles and extreme faith it provides a lifeline to God, and spiritual fulfillment. It teaches people morals, principal, origin, and integrity. Religion is important in today’s world becauseRead MoreThe Importance Of Religion And Terms Of World Peace872 Words   |  4 PagesThis work focuses on the importance of religion in terms of world peace. Both writers, Ven. Master Hsà ¼an Hua and Ven. K. Sri Dhummanada give several reasons why world peace has yet to be achieved, as well as ways in which humankind can reach world peace. Both authors focus on the conflicts present in humankind and offer insight into ways to change that would allow humankind to reach world peace. Hua stated that Buddha, ultimately, wanted everyone to be happy, which is what these two are encouragingRead MoreThe Importance of Religion in Indian Politics Essay1069 Words   |  5 PagesThe Importance of Religion in Indian Politics India is the largest democratic country in the world, in the last fifty years it has travelled and been influenced by multiple social and economic changes. Its independence from Britain in 1947, the partition creating Pakistan and the Pakistan/ Indian debate over Kashmir have been fundamental political movements within these years. As Y.B.Damle states, â€Å"Politics is concerned with goal-attainment and politics is the artRead More The Importance of Religion to American Slaves Essay2132 Words   |  9 PagesThe Importance of Religion to American Slaves Whether one notices or not, each person has the right to make choices concerning his or her life. Being able to make these decisions is a God-given right that vibrates in the heart of every human being who claims possession and mastery over his or her own self. However, for slaves, this concept did not exist, and they became the property of someone else with no place to call their own. For this reason, many slaves turned to

Analyzing Consumer Behavior Essay Sample free essay sample

There are three chief parts in this simulation that involve the contrary of the lag of the Stonewall’s Barbershop. Since the barbershop has been unfastened the demand for clients has changed but the services that are offered at the barbershop have non changed. The male training industry has increased by 25 per centum a twelvemonth. but the barbershop has non followed this tendency. With this growing on the industry there is a demand to do alterations to the barbershop that will maintain the barbershop on the same tendency. The company has decided that is clip to make research and do alterations that will maintain up with the turning tendencies in the male preparing industry. Phase I In stage one of the simulation. we review the tendencies that were taking topographic point in the male preparing industry. By looking at the tendencies we are able to make up ones mind what way the barbershop needed to be heading in. We will write a custom essay sample on Analyzing Consumer Behavior Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page After making research of the demographics of the environing countries and the other watering place and salons that have been pulling the barbershops clients. it has been decided that the Barber watering place would be the best tantrum. Some of the demographics that were used to do this determination are the one-year income of the country. population size. age dislocation. instruction degrees. and the impact on the civilization. The research indicates that a big group of the work forces were interested in some of the expended services that are offered. This would let the barbershop to spread out to make new clients without out driving the old clients off. This will let them to turn a net income without losing any more clients. This will let the barbershop to maintain the older client and derive the younger coevals. Phase II In stage two of the simulation. we involved the enlargement of Stonewall’s from the environing community to the environing country. There are five possible country that are in reappraisal to find if they were appropriate tantrums for enlargement and two theoretical accounts of shops were considered for each market. The Lords Barber watering place would provide to an older. more upscale patronage and service would be about 20 per centum more than at Masters barber watering place. which would chiefly provide to younger. working professionals. Market research information was provided for analysis and include information relation to the population Numberss of males in each market. their ages. their income degrees and a few lifestyle elements and salon service penchants. After analysis of this information I was able to correctly choice three of the five markets for enlargement. Dutchess. Niagara. and Orange counties. For Dutchess and Orange counties the information suggested that t he upscale Lords shops were the best option. whereas the Masters shops were a better tantrum for Niagara county. Phase III In stage three. there are more challenges. such as the apprehension of the existent end of the assignment. Alternatively of recognizing I would be better off disregarding the new tendency among the BAM population. I understood the assignment to be seeking to pull this group and hence recommended schemes such as increasing tattoo services and discounting as a manner to pull this demographic when the appropriate determination would hold been to slightly disregard this group and concentrate more strongly on bettering services to bing clients through the usage of trueness plans. fillip bundles. educational plans. and endow card plans. Analysis This simulation proved to be a utile tool in assisting increase the apprehension of utilizing demographic and psychographic information of mark consumers in determination devising. In add-on to analyzing the demographics of the males in these markets. there are a few extra external or macro factors that might besides hold proved utile such as holding a better apprehension of the psychographic elements that drive different coevalss of Americans. occupational influences. and societal stratification. Generational cohorts frequently portion similar beliefs. attitudes. and behaviours due to their similar or shared experiences and life histories. â€Å"Cohort analysis is the procedure of depicting and explicating the attitudes. values. and behaviours of an age group every bit good as foretelling its hereafter attitudes. values. and behaviors† ( Hawkins. Mothersbaugh. A ; Best. 2007. p. 123 ) . In add-on. societal and cultural factors could hold enhanced the apprehension of the mark audience and helped to further understand the desires of the clients relative to their current or existent self-image and their ideal self-image. Selling stuffs could hold been created to assist sell the ideal image to prospective clients. One component of this simulation that was an of import acquisition is the ability to find if the best avenue is to maintain bing clients happy or look to aim potentially new clients. While these two ends may non be reciprocally sole. in some state of affairss such as in aiming the BAM section. the two aims were surely at odds with one another. Rather than hazard losing a good patronage. sometimes it is better to concentrate on guaranting those clients are rewarded for their trueness instead than looking to pull new clients. Plans such as trueness plans. discounting. nine wagess plans. and added value plans such as particular events and gifts can travel a long manner in allowing an bing client know they are appreciated. Such plans are frequently met with increased trueness. Harmonizing to Andrea Kalli Business Services ( n. d. ) . â€Å"companies have to pass 20 times more to pull new client than retaining their old customers† ( Why Your Business can’t pull New Customers . parity. 4 ) . For this ground. concerns should ever retrieve that turn toing the concerns of old clients should stay a cardinal precedence even when looking to pull new clients. Decision This simulation was an effectual tool in assisting to develop an apprehension of all of the demographic and psychographic informations that concerns can reexamine and analyse in an attempt to do informed determinations and to better understand their clients in order to make merchandises and services to better run into their demands. Mentions Andrea Kalli Business Services. ( n. d. ) . Online Business Services.

Humanities Film Terms Flashcard

Humanities: Film Terms

The Effects of Exercise on the Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of Smokers and Non-Smokers Essays

The Effects of Exercise on the Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of Smokers and Non-Smokers Essays The Effects of Exercise on the Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of Smokers and Non-Smokers Essay The Effects of Exercise on the Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of Smokers and Non-Smokers Essay Aim: I am going to investigate how aerobic exercise affects the heart rate between smokers and non-smokers. To carry out this I will need to select a group of students (e.g. 10-15), in this group of student there have to be halves of them who are smokers and the other halves who are not smokers. To gather data on this I will need to generate two types of reading: heart rate and blood pressure of both of smokers and non-smokers. Prediction: I predict that heart rate of smokers will be elevated and blood pressure will be higher from non-smokers. This is, because smoking causes high blood pressure (nicotine that is found in cigarette causes blood constriction of blood vessel). This damages the endothelial layer of blood vessels, limits ability of blood vessel to dilate and raises the blood pressure, as the blood find difficult to flow through the vessels. Carbon monoxide, which is found in cigarette smokes lowers the ability of haemoglobin carrying oxygen. Therefore effecting transport of oxygen to the respirations sites (during exercise in the muscles). Background information on exercise The reason for my prediction is that more exercise a person does more it will affect the pulse rate of that person. When I mean exercise, I mean more activity a person do, for example running and cycling. The exercise requires movements, so more energy will be required. In order, to get more energy; respiration has to take place at faster rate. As more respiration takes place, more energy is used. Therefore, more carbon dioxide will be produced. Carbon dioxide is a waste product of respiration. So it must be removed from our blood (circulatory system), as it is a toxin. Because of the extra carbon dioxide being produced and blood has higher concentration of carbon dioxide. To get rid of the extra carbon dioxide, blood is pumped around the body faster in order to transport it into the lungs. This process raises the heart rate (heart beat), so the heart adjusts to the condition by pumping more blood around the circulatory system. However, during strenuous exercise, lasting at least more than 12 minutes, the respiratory system cannot supply enough oxygen to initiate respiration, so the body uses reserved energy, which is stored in the muscles as glycogen. This is known as anaerobic respiration. In aerobic respiration oxygen comes from two sources: oxyheamoglobin, where oxygen we breathe in that combines with haemoglobin in the blood, in this process the oxygen is released from the oxyheamoglobin in the muscles where respiration takes place, to become haemoglobin again. The other source is myoglobin, which is stored in the muscles. Myoglobin has greater affinity for oxygen than haemoglobin, as a result from this its acts as store of oxygen. Respiration is the process that releases energy food. In this process Glucose from our food is oxidised to give, carbon dioxide, water and energy is released in form of ATP. The overall equation for respiration is: C6H12 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP Effects of exercise As a person exercises, the longer the person exercises the dept of breathing increases as the exercise becomes harder or tiring. Our lungs respond to this by increasing the breathing rate (air inhalation). So, lungs could supply more oxygen from air, which is then transferred from the lungs through alveoli to the blood and then to the muscles via the circulatory system. During strenuous exercise, as the exercise get harder or more tiring, the demands for oxygen cannot be met alone by respiratory organs. During this time anaerobic respiration takes place. This process builds of an oxygen deficit, during which lactic acid is produced. After the exercise, at rest the subject (person) will continue to breathe hard and the heart rate remains the same, until the body has paid back the oxygen debt to the muscles. The oxygen is used to convert the lactic acid back to glycogen. The effect of exercise on breathing is measured by calculating the ventilation rate. This is the total volume of air moved into the lungs in one minute. The ventilation rate is calculated as follow: Tidal volume * breathing rate Tidal volume is the volume of air breathed in and then simultaneously breathed out during a single breath. The aerobic fitness is a measurement of the uptake: transport and use of oxygen by the body. An indicator for this is Vo2 max, which is expressed in dm-3 min-1 or cm3 kg-1 of body mass. This is the maximum rate at which the body absorbs and make use oxygen. Aerobic fitness is measured by having the subject perform strenuous exercise for example, running on a treadmill and then gradually increase the intensity of the exercise, at the same time taking measurement of the subject oxygen uptake. As the intensity of the exercise increases the uptake of oxygen will also increase. The better a persons aerobic fitness is, the higher the intensity of the exercise at Vo2 max (Aerobic fitness and its significant Internet site). This is saying that if a person has high Vo2 max, the more work this person can perform. This measurement of aerobic fitness is quite complex and needs to be carried out in a laboratory, as it will need relatively expensive equipment. The other way, which is easier to make measurement of aerobic fitness, is to take measurement of the subject heart rate. This is good a indicator, because oxygen is delivered by the circulatory system and each heart beat indicates a quantity of blood being pumped by the heart. Heart rate is affected by age, gender and fitness level of a person. In young people heart rate is higher than older people. This is because young people can increase their heart rate and deliver large amounts of oxygen to the muscles, which is why they have better aerobic fitness than older people. Older people seem to have lower heart rate, which is a major cause of their reduced aerobic fitness. The other reason for this is that older people generally have less muscle mass and more body fats. This is not necessarily true; a person could improve his/hers aerobic fitness by regularly training their body. By regularly exercising improves the transport of oxygen efficiently within the body. This is because by exercising you train your heart to lower the heart rate- at lower heart rate the heart pumps more blood with every single heart beat. This and other physiological changes like reduction in body fats increase the oxygen transport capability. Thus, I will need to consider these fac ts in my investigation. Effects of smoking on the cardiovascular systems Carbon monoxide inhaled by smokers increases the CO level in the blood. Haemoglobin in the red blood cells helps transport oxygen from heart to rest of the body including working muscle. As CO has greater affinity for haemoglobin than does oxygen, this means that CO from smoking will readily bind with haemoglobin and prevent oxygen from binding to haemoglobin. Also, myoglobin in the muscles works same as the haemoglobin in the blood, thus less oxygen from blood gets to working muscle due CO occupying the haemoglobin and preventing oxygen molecules reaching the muscles. Research shows that smoking reduces maximal oxygen intake known as VO2 Max and causes premature muscles fatigue. Therefore, I find that smokers will have less aerobic fitness than non-smokers. Exercise triggers sympathetic nervous system to release epinephrine and increases heart beat as well as blood pressure. But, nicotine decreases responses to epinephrine. Smoking and health Cigarette smoking kills many thousands of people a year, making it the largest preventable cause of death in developed country (National Cancer Institute). Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attacks five times the normal risk. This occurs as a result of atherosclerosis in the lining of the coronary arteries that makes them to become narrow and restrict the flow of blood. This forces the heart to work extra hard to force blood through the coronary arteries and causes blood pressure to rise. Consequently less oxygen and nutrient are supplied to the heart muscle during vigorous exercise. Cardiovascular diseases are cause of many factors like diet and smoking. Nicotine is one of the major factors that increase the blood pressure by constricting the arteries (Jones 2000 and A/S Biology). This rise in high blood pressure damages the lining of arteries. This damage promotes the development of fatty plaques and blood clot. Making it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries and eventually flow of blood will be completely reduced. Smoking also increases the risk of emphysema and lung cancer due to build up of tar form cigarette smoke in the lungs. As the diseases emphysema progress the blood vessel in the lungs become more resistant to flow of blood, raising blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. Hence, this reduces the ability of blood to transport oxygen effectively to muscles for respiration to take place. Method To find how heart rate and blood pressure is affected by exercise in both smokers and non-smokers. I could use variety of equipment to carry out this investigation. Treadmill can be use to carry out the exercise or I could use a simpler equipment like stairs or a step, which is much cheaper than a treadmill and would give me the reading that I need to acquire. However, it would be better to use a treadmill, if you taking measurements of heart, lungs volume during exercise and including various other physiological reading are being taken as well. As I will need only heart rate and blood pressure it is best to use a lesser complex equipment. So I will use a step to carry out the exercise, because using a step you could carry out the experiment at home or at college. Also, that our college dont have a treadmill, thus I will need to hire one or use an external source.

5 Things I Learned About Writing from Grammarly

5 Things I Learned About Writing from Grammarly 5 Things I Learned About Creative Writing from Using Grammarly Martin Cavannagh is a writer and member of the Reedsy team. When he's not writing blog posts about publishing, he can be found scrawling short stories and writing screenplays in his free time.Spelling and grammar checkers have come a long way since the early days of Microsoft Word. Back then, we would learn to hate the green squiggly line that appeared under sentences - along with cryptic suggestions for improving your document - to the point where we’d turn off the grammar check to preserve our sanity.One of the most prominent online writing services emerging in recent years is Grammarly. It’s an app that integrates into your browser, allowing it to scrutinize the spelling and grammar in your tweets, Facebook updates, and emails. You can tweak the software to what you’re writing, tailoring it for US or UK English, for example. It will also vary its suggestions depending on whether you’re writing a blog, an essay, or a medical journal.Full disclosure: Re edy has recently become an affiliate of Grammarly - however, that has given us a chance to test drive it for the past month. In fact, this post is currently being checked using their service. And while I doubt automated grammar checkers can replace the job of a proofreader anytime soon - it has had the unexpected benefit of allowing me to examine my writing tics and improve my natural writing style.So, based on my everyday use of the app, this is what I’ve learned in the past month:1. Don’t rely on passive voiceThat's one of the most common ‘complaints‘ I get from Grammarly. And while it isn’t necessary to eradicate all instances of passive voice, it can often improve your writing. One of the most useful things I find with using Grammarly is its constant reminder to get to the point and not get bogged down by wordiness.Long sentences are not necessarily a bad thing, and sometimes entirely required. But as the Grammarly app points out, â€Å"the average number of words per sentence should range somewhere from eight (very easy) to twenty (somewhat difficult) words per sentence. Sentences longer than thirty words are often very difficult to follow.†So unless you’re the ghost of David Foster Wallace, you may wish to break long sentences into a series of shorter ones. Also, by varying their lengths, you can create a much more satisfying reading experience. We’ve heard it said that you should ‘write music’ - meaning that the rhythms and changing pace should be as important as what the words mean.It’s worth noting that Grammarly is incredibly helpful for writing emails and letters. I would go so far as to say it can even aid y ou in polishing a draft of the book you’re writing. I would not, however, recommend using it to write your first draft. Editing-as-you-go can often hamper your productivity and break up the flow of ideas, which is crucial when you’re in the process of â€Å"creating.†And while writing software has become incredibly sophisticated - it has yet to reach the point of being able to replace a professional proofreader. And until we get to that point, it’s always worth considering getting a qualified pair of eyes to look through your manuscript before publication.Do you use a program to help you sharpen your prose? If so, we’d love to find out about it and hear about your experience. Share your thoughts, comments, and questions in the box below.

Why is a Hard Days Night culturally important Essay

Why is a Hard Days Night culturally important - Essay Example The Beatles band had developed a unique lifestyle. Many young people developed an obsession for the Beatles band a phenomenon described as â€Å"Beatle mania†. The production of the movie afforded many young people an opportunity to experience a day in the life of the four members of the Beatles band. Richard Lester adopted a concept of realism in developing the first rock and roll film that registered a remarkable cultural impact. This paper will discuss the cultural importance of A Hard Day’s Night. The film features John, Paul, George, and Ringo on their way to London, where they were scheduled to perform on television. The film allows the audience to engage in the activities that the four members of the Beatles band indulged in before they can get to the real performance. The film features press conferences as well as rehearsals that they undertake on their way to London. Most importantly, the film goes deeper to depict the real life of the four boys making the Beatles. The Beatles band members were young and energetic. For this reason, they afforded the time to have fun amidst their official rehearsals and press conferences. As they move from place to place, they meet their fans who exhibit high levels of excitement. Notably, Beatle mania had spread to different cities, although it began in Liverpool. The audience can also see the relationship between the Beatles and their managers who accompany during their trip to London (Frontani 2007, p. 68). The film becomes more intere sting as the boys interact with Paul’s grandfather who proves to be highly mischievous. The film also depicts many of the famous songs by the band. For many people, especially the youths who were obsessed with the Beatles band were able to connect more with the band members after the release of the movie. The release of the movie A Hard Day’s Night exhibited remarkable cultural impacts. In order to understand the cultural impacts of the movie, it is

Competitive Strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Competitive Strategies - Essay Example †¢ To Achieve 95% customer satisfaction rating for Brand X. This goal can be accomplished by training employees on effective customer service, and improving the quality of the products or services using innovative technologies (Mahnken, 2012).†¢ To Achieve 95% customer satisfaction rating for Brand X. This goal can be accomplished by training employees on effective customer service, and improving the quality of the products or services using innovative technologies (Mahnken, 2012).†¢ Increase sales revenue by 10% within one year. This goal can be accomplished by using efficient inventory management methods and intensive promotional strategies.†¢ To improve the market share by 1%. This goal can be achieved by expanding to new geographical areas to get closer to customers, and using aggressive promotional strategies (Mahnken, 2012)†¢ Nokia – the company had been a leading mobile phone producer, but it has been overtaken by others including Samsung until it was acquired by Microsoft. In terms of strategy, the company lacked superior value proposition like iPhone’s prestigious value proposition by Apple and Android’s versatility value proposition by Samsung.†¢ Kodak – The Company maintained its film-based photography and failed to use the disruptive digital photography technology which disrupted its film-based model.†¢ Blockbuster – the company has failed to make use of disruptive technology and changing trends and internet security.  Companies with Differentiated products†¢ Apple – the company produces luxurious and prestigious products with high prices, including iPhones, iPads, and mac which target sophisticated consumers.†¢ Dropbox – offering freemium pricing strategy for storage services for businesses and individuals online.

The First Chapter of Of Mice and Men in his Film Version of the Book Essay Example for Free

The First Chapter of Of Mice and Men in his Film Version of the Book Essay Gary Sinese presents the first chapter of Of Mice and Men quite differently in his film version, compared to the book because of several major changes he has made. The book was written in the 1930s and is about the events that happen involving two men, George and Lennie, going to work on a ranch. The film, however is a modern adaptation, made in the 1990s. Probably one of the most important changes made is that of the mood of the opening. In the book the opening is very descriptive with a very calm and tranquil feeling. This is shown by the following extract: The water is warm too, for it has slipped, twinkling over the yellow sands and on the sandy bank under the trees the leaves lie deep. There is also quite a slow pace in the book because there is over a page and a half of text describing the area and atmosphere before the characters are even introduced. In the film version the opening is quite different to the book. The mood is darker as the opening scene consists of George sitting in a dimly lit train with a beam of light focusing on his eyes. There is then a flashback, to a woman, crying, running through a field. The camera tracks her movement, focusing on her eyes, until she runs past it. This tells the audience that she is fleeing from something terrible because of the terror in her eyes. The scene then switches to George and Lennie being chased by a mob. This shows there is a faster pace to the film, as there is no descriptive setting of the same location. Also Sinese added the detail of George and Lennie being chased, because this is only briefly mentioned in the book, and not in great detail. He added this scene to create an opening with tension, which chases often create in film. The fast paced music included in the scene also creates tension, and the silence as George and Lennie hide with the mob a few feet away creates a feeling of suspense. This then makes the audience want to keep watching to discover why George and Lennie were being chased. Sinese also added scenes where George and Lennie collect their work passes and ride the bus so these events would not have to be explained using dialogue like in the book, as this might bore audiences. For example, in the book George says to Lennie: You remember about us goin into Murray and Readys, an they give us work cards and bus passes? If it were done this way in the film, George would also have to explain what happened on the bus ride and why they are now on the road, which would have been harder for the audience to understand. The costumes of George and Lennie stay loyal to the book. In the book their outfits are described as: Denim trousers and denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls. The costumes in the film stay true to this, especially with Lennie, who wears exactly the same outfit. George, however, has a slightly different jacket and hat. In the book George is described as: small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Sinese decided to play George himself, but he does not have the sharp, strong, defined features that are described in the book. Lennie is described as: a huge man, shapeless of face, with large pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders. He is also compared to a bear on several separate occasions, one of these being: he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. John Malcovich, who plays lennie, does not have many of these features. Although he slouches and drags his feet, he does not have the large pale eyes or the build. Also he makes Lennie sound too simple. First impressions of the characters are shown quite similarly using the characters dialogue. It is more apparent that Lennie is more forgetful in the book but George seems more controlling in the film. This is shown when George discovers that Lennie has a dead mouse. In the film George forcefully takes it away from Lennie, while in the book George tries to reason with Lennie by calmly saying: come on, give it here, and Lennie obeys. After George takes the mouse away in the film, Lennie begins to cry. This show how strict George can be and how much like a child Lennie, which is not shown much in the book. The location in which the characters are first introduced is described as: a narrow pool with a path through the willows and sycamores The location they use in the film is true to the setting in the book, although the pool seems to be shown inn a different area to the road. Overall, the film is an average adaptation of the book with authentic locations and costumes and a dramatic, tension-filled opening, that grips the audience. But more time could have been spent on casting the main characters of George and Lennie and developing their dialogue and body language.

My Home Schooling Experience Essay -- Personal Narrative Essay Example

   I'd like to take this opportunity to elaborate on my home education. I realize that there are many different interpretations of the term "home school" and I feel obliged to explain my personal methods and philosophy. As copies of my curricula will be included in the Secondary School Report, I will not go into detail concerning the specific nature of my studies, but rather I will discuss my home schooling experience. I left traditional schooling at age nine, until which point I had attended the local public schools. Although I did well in the school system, I was often bored and complained that I was unchallenged. My parents had researched into home schooling and after a family discussion we decided to try it following the winter vacation of fourth grade.    Our approach was very structured when we first began and has gradually evolved to the natural style we live by now. Throughout my high school years I have taken the majority of the responsibility for my education. Each August my mother and I plan a curriculum together, which is a combination of what I want to study and what she feels I ought to know. I study Latin using a text with accompanying audio tapes and a reader with passages to be translated into English. I complete a detailed research project on a subject of interest in the social sciences -- Australian aborigines, for example, or the Vietnam war. My mother forms a reading list with approximately eight works of literature which I must read and discuss. During the year I add many of my own selections, including science fiction, plays, non-fiction, and often novels which my friends recommend.    My parents are always available for help, yet they do not act as teachers and do not constantly monitor ... ...with. This is true.       While others my age have been caught up on homework assignments and grades in preparation for the real world, I have been living and learning in the real world every day. My friends are of many ages, have many accents and professions, and do not eat the same type of food. They do not all live in my town or all gather in one building. Home education afforded me the time and opportunity to interact and learn in a variety of settings, and certainly my social life has been enriched by my experiences at the high school. I have had to use the resources in my surroundings to facilitate my own education, and Sarah Lawrence College seems the ideal place to continue that lifestyle. I have chosen to attend college in order to continue living and learning in the real world. I am looking forward to the college experience, and I am confiden   

Good Night Essay

Michelle Magorian’s heartwarming novel, Good Night, Mr. Tom, is not only a touching read but an intriguing one. It tells the story of eight-year-old William Beech, the abused boy of a troubled single mother. He is evacuated from London to a cozy town in the English countryside at the beginning of World War II, and finds himself in the care of Thomas Oakley. â€Å"Mister Tom,† as he is endearingly called by Willie, is known around the village of Little Weirwold as apathetic and gruff. Caring for Willie is just the kind of medicine he needs to turn his personality around, and it does Willie wonders as well. What really makes Good Night, Mr. Tom such a moving read is that it is easily relatable and sets readers up to care about the characters and appreciate their life in modern-day Maine. The events, characters, and setting of the story are very realistic, making the book easy to connect to. Magorian pays attention to detail and never skimps on descriptions, which makes a big difference. Take the dialog, for example. In Little Weirwold, where Willie stays with Mister Tom, villagers use a unique slang that is clearly recognizable in even the shortest of lines: â€Å"’E’s a spry ole thing, but he’s as soft as butter, ent you, ole boy? † This particular sentence is uttered by Tom himself as he convinces Willie that his dog is nothing to be afraid of. There’s more than just slang to be examined in that quote, however. From one simple sentence, it is easy to see how much Tom loves his dog. Phrases such as â€Å"ole boy† are associated with affection and fondness and are usually used by caring pet owners, a fact recognizable if you are a pet owner yourself. In addition to dialog and terms of endearment, Magorian creates situations that ninety-nine percent of the population has been through. In one instance, Willie and a few of his newly befriended pals walk into the school hall on the first day. They see the last remaining chairs to sit in right in the front row and excitedly grab them â€Å"afore the big uns get them. † Too late, the boys realize why their seats had been left empty: the children in front of them are sitting on the floor, â€Å"†¦ so that the five of them were now very exposed. † This prevents them from whispering or, as George says, slipping toffees in their mouths. Nearly everyone has been in a similar predicament when they think there is a great opportunity and then regret the decision to jump on it. Additionally, Magorian incorporates memorable elements of childhood. For example, classroom jobs are assigned in Willie’s homeroom: â€Å"Patsy was the milk monitor for the week. Mrs. Hartridge had taken to heating the milk, now the weather was so cold. She poured it into cups and Patsy carried them two at a time to the desks. † It is easy to picture the whole scene as the students thank Patsy for their milk and Patsy shrugs in response, eager for next week to arrive when she will be assigned the role of table cleaner. It is the specifics that Magorian includes that really make the book relatable to a broad audience. Perhaps it is partly due to this connectability that readers come to care about the characters so deeply. In the very beginning of the book, Tom is portrayed as an irritable recluse who has not yet overcome the loss of his wife and son. As soon as he takes in Willie, however, his attitude warms up and it is plain to see that he loves the boy. He still tries to hold on to some of his crustiness, but it becomes harder and harder for him not to melt around Willie. Take a look at this quote from early on: â€Å"‘You can put that ole bag down,’ he said gruffly. ‘You ent goin’ no place else. ’† Compare it to this one, an excerpt from the later half of the book: â€Å"‘Now you takes care of yourself, boy. You keeps up that ole drawrin’. You’ve a fine gift. If you runs out of pencils, you lets me know. ’† Since readers have watched Tom’s character brighten, they are able to establish a bond with the old man. They are proud of him for opening up and want others to see how he has changed. Just as Tom’s personality blossoms caring for Willie, Willie’s changes for the better under Tom’s care. When readers are first introduced to Willie, they take pity on him. He is a â€Å"†¦ timid, sickly little specimen† whose mother beats him regularly with a belt buckle. Readers read with wonder and glee as Willie grows mentally and physically. He becomes a playful country boy with a taste for adventure and lots of friends, and upon seeing this transformation the hearts of the readers burst with joy. Speaking of friends, the reader comes to like Zach as well because he welcomes Willie into the village with enthusiasm. The two boys become best buddies, and readers are thankful to him for befriending Willie in such a new and intimidating place. This appreciation is proved when Willie and Tom receive the awful news that Zach has been killed while visiting his parents in London. The story suddenly feels empty without Zach’s â€Å"wizard! Out of all the characters that the reader comes to care about, Zach is probably the most profoundly felt. There is no doubt, however, that readers think of all the characters with affection. While indulging in Good Night, Mr. Tom, readers have a lot going through their mind: not only are they relating to the story and connecting to the characters, but also coming to appreciate their own life in modern-day Maine. Between the mesmerizing crashing of waves on rocky beaches and the majestic mountains bordering the sea, there’s just not much to complain about Maine. Racism, sexism, and crime hardly ever make headlines in the local papers; besides, here in the twenty-first century such events are rare to begin with. However, when readers immerse themselves in this novel, all of that changes. Suddenly it is not out of the ordinary for such outdated crimes to be committed. Some of these offenses are minor, such as when Willie’s friend Carrie complains that her mom won’t let her wear shorts: â€Å"She’d been asking her mother for ages if she could wear shorts, but had been told that she’d turn into a boy if she did and no man would want to marry her. † A rule like that seems almost laughable now, and the stark difference in terms of acceptability is wake-up call to readers. Taking it a step farther, the condition of Willie’s mother’s London apartment is dreadful. It doesn’t help that a war is raging, but in comparison to today’s standards it is atrocious nonetheless: â€Å"There was a strong dank smell coming from somewhere. It was as if an animal had opened its bowels or peed somewhere. † To think that a grown woman is allowed to raise a child in such a place is incomprehensible. Perhaps it is not so unbelievable, however, when you consider a final example: the fact that the same lady abuses her son terribly both mentally and physically. She instills unrealistic ideas in Willie’s head such as the color red being sinful and that God will send him to hell for his wrongdoings. Not only this, but she beats him savagely, leaving large welts and bruises all over his body: â€Å"Something heavy hit him across the head and he sank into a cold darkness. He could still hear her screaming and he knew she was hitting him, but he felt numb and separated from himself. He had become two people and one of his selves was hovering above him watching what was happening to his body. † No one should go through anything like that, especially not a child. Such an experience seems even more appalling today because it is strictly against the law. Readers recognize without question how much twentieth century Maine has changed for the better after reading this novel. Because of the easy relatability, developed affection towards the characters, and grown appreciation of present-day Maine, Good Night, Mr. Tom is a truly touching read. Those who immerse themselves in its pages are in for a treat; they will find themselves connecting with the plot and really caring about the characters without even realizing they are doing so. Not only this, but after they put the novel down they will become aware of the fact that they are more thankful of what modern Maine has to offer. There is no doubt that you will be impressed and deeply moved by Michelle Magorian’s book.

Johannes Vermeer: Girl with a Pearl Earring Essay

Johannes Vermeer’s, â€Å"Girl with a Pearl Earring† was painted in 1665-66. It is oil on canvas painting of an ordinary girl that is turned sideways and appears that she is glancing over her left shoulder. Not too much is known about the girl, but there are speculations that it could be one of three people. Some think it is his daughter Maria; while others are torn between the daughter of Vermeer’s benefactor, Magdalena and a maiden he hired to help with his masterpieces. The servant girl speculation was derived from a novel that was written by Tracy Chevalier and a film starring Scarlet Johansson, which was depicting a more romanticized theory of the story behind the â€Å"Girl with the Pearl Earring†. Personally speaking, I think it is a toss-up between his daughter or a servant girl like the movie depicts†¦ One reason for my belief of the servant girl mentality is because of the significance of the pearl itself. Not only is it a piece of jewelry b ut it symbolizes the virginity of the protagonist. The fact that Vermeer put so much emphasis on the earring could signify the he was emphasizing an expectant virgin. Her eccentric attire with a pale, muddy brown turban, which was not a regular custom for that period, eludes me to feel that it could be his daughter. Why? Well simply because the dress and the rest of the attire were considered â€Å"special garments† that were worn and loved by children during that time. Vermeer Also known as â€Å"The Mona Lisa of the North† or the â€Å"Dutch Mona Lisa† this figurative theme has been intriguing spectators from around the world for many, many years. The highlighting of the earring and the light illuminating the girls face is one of the strengths of this painting. This naturalistic style creates a realistic view. Dark space (background) surrounding the woman creates depth and makes the other colors in the paining more vivid. The intensity of the white, teardrop shape of the earring is the emphasis of the painting. Folds and shadows on her garment give heaviness and texture to the fabric. There is contrast between the brightness of her white blouse meeting up with the tone of the yellow fabric. The shadows from the light and the dark background help to bring out the 3 dimensional form of the girl. The blue part of the turban, painted with ultramarine. Ultramarine is a highly expensive pigment made out of crushed semi-precious stone. These, along with the yellow hues complement one another and go along with the flesh tone of the face. The  casting of the light creates a symmetrical balance. Vermeer’s masterstroke with the collaboration of background light brings life to the entire color scheme. One of Vermeer’s main characteristics, a speckled methodology of applying paint, is known as pointille. Pointillism is a method of painting with dots to achieve various affects. You can see the use of this technique in this painting. One of the best examples of this technique would be the corner of her mouth that is highlighted with light colored points. Overall, Johannes’ â€Å"Girl with a Pearl Earring† is a wonderful masterpiece that represents unequivocal expressions in a profound way. It inspired things like a bestselling novel, a successful movie, and a play; all with the same title. Mauritshuis, The Royal Picture Gallery. Web. 5 Novemeber 2012

Life as a Death Row Inmate Essays

Life as a Death Row Inmate Essays Life as a Death Row Inmate Essay Life as a Death Row Inmate Essay English Literature 1 9/23/10 Illustration Since 1997, there have been over 1,200 inmates executed in The United States of America, and according to The Death Penalty Information center there are 3,225 inmates currently on death in The United states Of America. These inmates spend at least 5 to roughly 25 years in prison before they’re executed. Forcing inmates to live out the rest of their life segregated from the rest of the prison, in a 69 x 9. 5 feet high cell. Making this, and the rules of the institution they’re in their day to day life. Which most people would assume the day to day life of a death row inmate to be nothing, so what is the day to day life of an inmate on death row structured like. Each institution in the United States is run differently, but the procedures are basically the same. As an inmate in America according, to â€Å"The State of Florida Department of Corrections†, an inmates day starts early in the morning at 5 a. m. with breakfast. Isolated to your cells your meals are prepared by prison staff and brought to you in insulted carts. Prisoners are allowed to use plastic plates and sporks. This is how every meal is served to you day in and day out. Expect for your last meal before your death which can be no more than $40, and bought locally. It’s something most inmates on death row look forward to. With inmates mates being confined to their cells 24 hours a day expect for, medical reasons, media interviews, and social or legal visits. what could a human being possibly do inside that little cell for the rest of there life? Even when you do leave your room you are handcuffed at all times. Inside an inmates cell on death row you will find many things, but the most basic means of entertainment consist of a radio, a 13† inch TV, and paper as well as writing utensil. The inmates are not allowed cable and there cell is subject to the natural temperature of the earth with no type if air conditioning and minimal heat. Inmates are also allowed to receive mail everyday except for holidays and weekends. They are also allowed cigarettes and snacks of many kind to fulfill there natural pleasures. Inmates are also welcome to take a shower everyday as a way to get away from the few, but important resources they have in side there cells. Most death row inmates utilize this time in their cell with the resources that they have available in many different ways. Most inmates find them self eves reading and or writing books, as well as writing and receiving mail from family and friends. There are also some inmates who work out in their cells to keep in physical shape. While others watch, read, and live spirituality to prepare for what eternally awaits them which is death. Being that most inmates that have been jail for as long as most death row inmates have been, they usually become very creative in what they do with their time. So the resources that these inmates are allowed don’t restrict the endless creative they have to put their resources towards good use in their cell. This is, but not limited to the day to day life of a model inmate on death row in America. These inmates live out everyday of there life sometimes for extended periods of time depending on their situation. It’s very hard to believe that any human being could live like this, but 95% of all death row inmates adapt to this life style after the first nine years of their sentence. Living everyday as what they have been bread to think is normal waiting for there last day, which most inmates refer to as d-day. Everyday on death row in America is pretty much the same. Expect for one day, and that is the day that you are to be executed. On that day that you are to be executed you will be put in a holding cell to await execution until 12:00 o’ clock midnight; which by law no execution can take place before midnight. This is where you are feed the last three meals, as u a wait to be taken to the execution chamber. When you’re taken to the execution chamber you are strapped to a stretcher with your arms, and legs apart. You are than ask if you would like to say anything, to the victims family, the media, and the various others watching. After you are done, a team of experts administrate the drugs. Your plus is checked and than your pronounced dead. To no more be subject to living the day to day life of a death row inmate waiting for that day, â€Å"D-day†.

The History and Goals of the Chicano Movement

The History and Goals of the Chicano Movement The Chicano Movement emerged during the civil rights era with three goals: restoration of land, rights for farm workers and education reforms. Prior to the 1960s, however, Latinos lacked influence in the national political arena. That changed when the Mexican American Political Association worked to elect John F. Kennedy president in 1960, establishing Latinos as a significant voting bloc. After Kennedy was sworn into office, he showed his gratitude toward the Latino community by not only appointing Hispanics to posts in his administration but also by considering the concerns of the Hispanic community. As a viable political entity, Latinos, particularly Mexican Americans, began demanding that reforms be made in labor, education and other sectors to meet their needs. A Movement With Historic Ties When did the Hispanic community’s quest for justice begin? Their activism actually predates the 1960s. In the 1940s and ’50s, for example, Hispanics won two major legal victories. The first - Mendez v. Westminster Supreme Court - was a 1947 case that prohibited segregating Latino schoolchildren from white children. It proved to be an important predecessor to Brown v. Board of Education, in which the U.S. Supreme Court determined that a â€Å"separate but equal† policy in schools violated the Constitution. In 1954, the same year Brown appeared before the Supreme Court, Hispanics achieved another legal feat in Hernandez v. Texas. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment  guaranteed equal protection to all racial groups, not just blacks and whites. In the 1960s and 70s, Hispanics not only pressed for equal rights, they began to question the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This 1848 agreement ended the Mexican-American War and resulted in America acquiring territory from Mexico that currently comprises the Southwestern U.S. During the civil rights era, Chicano radicals began to demand that the land is given to Mexican Americans, as they believed it constituted their ancestral homeland, also known as Aztln. In 1966, Reies Là ³pez Tijerina led a three-day march from Albuquerque, N.M., to the state capital of Santa Fe, where he gave the governor a petition calling for the investigation of Mexican land grants. He argued that the U.S.’s annexing of Mexican land in the 1800s was illegal. Activist Rodolfo â€Å"Corky† Gonzales, known for the poem â€Å"Yo Soy Joaquà ­n,† or â€Å"I Am Joaquà ­n,† also backed a separate Mexican  American state. The epic poem about Chicano history and identity includes the following lines: â€Å"The Treaty of Hidalgo has been broken and is but another treacherous promise. / My land is lost and stolen. / My culture has been raped.† Farm Workers Make Headlines Arguably the most well-known fight Mexican Americans waged during the 1960s was that to secure unionization for farm workers. To sway grape growers to recognize United Farm Workers - the Delano, Calif., union launched by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta - a national boycott of grapes began in 1965. Grape pickers went on strike, and Chavez went on a 25-day hunger strike in 1968. 3/10/1968 - Delano, CA- Senator Robert Kennedy (L) breaks bread with Union Leader Cesar Chavez as Chavez ended a 23-day fast in support of non-violence in the strike against grape growers. Bettmann  / Getty Images At the height of their fight, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy visited the farm workers to show his support. It took until 1970 for the farm workers to triumph. That year, grape growers signed agreements acknowledging UFW as a union. Philosophy of a Movement Students played a central role in the Chicano fight for justice. Notable student groups include the  United Mexican American Students and the Mexican American Youth Association. Members of such groups staged walkouts from schools in Denver and Los Angeles in 1968 to protest Eurocentric curriculums, high dropout rates among Chicano students, a ban on speaking Spanish and related issues. By the next decade, both the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and the U.S. Supreme Court declared it unlawful to keep students who couldn’t speak English from getting an education. Later, Congress passed the Equal Opportunity Act of 1974, which resulted in the implementation of more bilingual education programs in public schools. Not only did Chicano activism in 1968 lead to educational reforms, it also saw the birth of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, which formed with the goal of protecting the civil rights of Hispanics. It was the first organization dedicated to such a cause. The following year, hundreds of Chicano activists gathered for the First National Chicano Conference in Denver. The name of the conference is significant as it marks the term â€Å"Chicanos† replacement of Mexican. At the conference, activists developed a manifesto of sorts called â€Å"El Plan Espiritual de Aztln,† or â€Å"The Spiritual Plan of Aztln.† It states, â€Å"We†¦conclude that social, economic, cultural, and political independence is the only road to total liberation from oppression, exploitation, and racism. Our struggle then must be for the control of our barrios, campos, pueblos, lands, our economy, our culture, and our political life.† The idea of a unified Chicano people also played out when political party La Raza Unida, or the United Race, formed to bring issues of importance to Hispanics to the forefront of national politics. Two female Brown Berets, a Chicano activist group, stand together in matching uniforms. David Fenton / Getty Images Other activist groups of note include the Brown Berets and the Young Lords, which was made up of Puerto Ricans in Chicago and New York. Both groups mirrored the Black Panthers in militancy. Looking Forward Now the largest racial minority in the U.S., there’s no denying the influence that Latinos have as a voting bloc. While Hispanics have more political power than they did during the 1960s, they also have new challenges. Immigration and education reforms are of key importance to the community. Due to the urgency of such issues, this generation of Chicanos will likely produce some notable activists of its own.

Business Organisation and policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Organisation and policy - Essay Example The PESTLE analysis is an important tool for understanding main environmental forces affecting global pharmaceutical industry based on data on political, economical, socio-cultural, legal and environmental concerns analysis provides. Political factors affecting pharmaceutical industry are in most cases interlinked as governments work to establish regulatory frameworks to govern both state and international issues involved in the industry. Therefore, governments have introduced both formal and informal rules to manage the industry through measures that include taxation policies, trade restrictions and tariffs, political stability. Apart from providing an enabling environment through political stability, governments have supported this industry based on the understanding of the role of healthy citizenry to economic development of the country. Pharmaceuticals have therefore worked with governments in introducing drugs to different countries based on the understanding of their importance to the wellbeing of a country. Governments have also moved to create monopolies in the industry as powerful buyers of drugs for controlling expenditure in states’ health care systems (Smith, 2012). Therefore, political arena influences regulations concerning practices of pharmaceutical business and depends on government practices that supports healthcare as an important contributor to welfare of the nation. Political goodwill from the government is important for the pharmaceutical industry especially with regard to patent from period covering experiments to release into the market. Renewal of patents is a concern for manufacturers in the industry especially due to the long period it takes for manufacturers to conduct research, test, then release drugs for human consumption. Given that patents exist for approximately twenty years, political goodwill is necessary for the renewal of such contracts to allow manufacturers proceed

Anthropologists in the military Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Anthropologists in the military - Term Paper Example For far too long, the Pentagon and other military institutions have put too much focus on overwhelming firepower. Tanks, planes, and artillery are incredibly important resources which any military must bring to bear in a conflict. This is called hard power. But there are other aspects to the exercise of power that modern militaries must consider. It is extremely important to remember that hard power is most effective when used, hand in glove, with soft power. Soft power doesn't involve violence or coercion. It involves being smart about obtaining and using information. Having anthropologists in the military is a great use of soft power. The goal of having military anthropologists is an important one, the army says. The army talks about the Human Terrain of every conflict. It is vital to have specialists on the ground who can help assist soldiers in understanding the social context all around them. In many cases, this has to do with power: Who is it the soldiers should talk to? How sh ould they treat that person? What are the cultural norms? As one Army paper succinctly puts it: â€Å"The environment in which we operate is complex and demands that we employ every weapon in our arsenal, both kinetic and non-kinetic. To fully utilize all approaches, we must understand the local culture and history. Learn about the tribes, formal and informal leaders, governmental and religious structures, and local security forces. We must understand how the society functions so we can enable Iraqis to build a stable, self-reliant nation† (Human Terrain). Applied anthropology can be useful to many different fields, but it is an unspecific term. When anthropology is applied in contemporary warfare settings it is called military anthropology. Involving anthropologists in these kinds of scenarios can be controversial. Groups such as the American Anthropological Association have said that anthropologists engaged in this kind of work are violating ethical standards in that their subjects may be hurt (AAA). That is one way of looking at it. Another way is to suggest that using anthropologists actually saves lives, as it makes the military work more efficiently and can avoid the deaths of innocence. No one can doubt that being embedded with American military unit in Iraq is not only dangerous but ethically controversial. However, anthropologists are on the ground and able to work in real life setting, in situations with real consequences. For some, that surely must be better than writing a research paper about some long-dead tribe. Patriotic anthropologists have an opportunity to improve the safety and security of not only their own country, but civilians in whichever country that they are engaged in. It might not be for everyone, but it should not be ruled inappropriate for everyone. There will always be critics of these kinds of operations, but the key is to maintain a flexible position. All aspects of civilian expertise should be incorporated into military operations, if they provide an edge. As Anne Mulrine explains in an article on the subject: Some anthropologists, while remaining critical of the program, are beginning to argue that perhaps the Pentagon has a point, to an extent. "I think we need to break out of the 1960s mold that many of us are in," says Shweder. He notes that such a move is "a long way" from supporting the notion of anthropologists on the Pentagon payroll, but he adds that perhaps it is

Public University Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Public University Analysis - Research Paper Example The financial statements in this institution contains some remarkable disclosure of the cost that the institution goes through in providing retirement benefits, related gains, assets and lastly all liabilities. These financial statements therefore, are able to provide the employees with a clear view of the risks and rewards that arise from the defined benefits. In addition, all funding obligations which are in relations to all liabilities of the benefits schemes defined are all clearly identified (University of Maryland, 2012). GAASB proposed changes are likely to reduce the liability burden as they will increase the level of accountability an aspect that is likely to reduce the cash lost due to cases of negligence. Proposed changes also address deeply on issues of common deposits and other investment risks such as interest rate risks and even fluctuating of the foreign currency risks. The policy recommendations to disclose all investments that are highly sensitive to these risks wil l reduce the money lost through fluctuating of the currency and changes in the interest rates (University of Maryland, 2012). One of the major economic condition that s likely to affect the growth of this institution is government changes in labor policies. Government is likely to change the policies such as medical policies and retirement policies. Some of the likely changes that are likely to be outlined include; increased amount contributed towards the pension scheme and specified amount that the institution should direct towards payment of medical insurance for its employees. This is likely to reduce the amount of money directed towards improving the status of the university. Second aspect that is likely to affect the future success of university of Maryland is increased government intervention and regulations in university through taxation. This is likely to slower the level of activities in the institution an aspect that will be replicated in the overall growth rate of the ins titution (University of Maryland, 2012). Changes in the foreign currency and interest rates will have direct impact on the overall growth of university of Maryland. The institution conducts many transactions some of which depend largely on the interest rates. Fluctuations in the currency and changes in the overall economy will therefore hamper the level of growth in the university (Gibson, 2012). In university of Maryland grants are used to fund major projects that are aimed at improving the education status in the university. In addition to this, they are used in daily running of the institution. Also, they are sometimes used to cover the liabilities that the institutions have incurred over the past periods in order to reduce burden to the institution (Gibson, 2012). Grants such as federal grants are used by the institution to offer students with the scholarships. This is aimed at helping the needy students who are not capable of paying for their school fees. In addition to this, t hese funds are directed towards equipping the institution with the current technology in order to improve the level of research conducted by the institution. As a result, the institution has been able to conduct many researches in different fields an aspect that has improved the overall growth of the state and economy at large (Gibson, 2012). With GAADB laid procedures on how to use funds in the institutio

Over View Of Implementing Benchmarking Program In Company Marketing Essay

Over View Of Implementing Benchmarking Program In Company Marketing Essay Benchmarking is one aspect of performance management that is used to check and analysis the activities and elements of any organization. It is used to search for best practices of any activity that organizations needs to develop. Moreover, it is not an independent technique as it is considered to be a natural progression from the implementation of total quality management. Successful organizations assess themselves against the best in their category and benchmarking is used as tool for doing that. Benchmarking Implementation: In order to implement performance management system in an organization it is important to do a benchmarking. As a senior manager in a telecommunication company (Etisalat) I was requested to by the CEO to do a benchmarking program to improve the performance of the company as it is fallen below target. The performance point that I was requested to check is the customer satisfaction that was fallen below the expected target that was set by the companys management based on the latest survey done on the market and decrease in number of subscribers, who moved their service to the other market competitor. The benchmarking process does not vary significantly with the three categories of partners selected: internal organisations, direct competitors, or non-competitors. Therefore I am going to compare the customer satisfaction in the telecom company with Emirates Airlines. The reason why I choose Emirates Airlines is that it is a very large multi-destination flight company with a very large number of passengers. Etisalat was established in 1976 with a low number of landline subscribers and increased to 100 million subscribers in the world. Emirates Airlines established in 1985 with 260,000 passengers that year. The number of passengers increased dramatically to 27 million till March 2010 and 108 world destinations. That shows how customers with the service provided by Emirates Airlines in a short period and while other big airlines are going bankrupt during the world financial crises. The reason why we should go for benchmarking is to improve methodologies that result in high productivity and lower costs. Benchmarking is particularly helpful in validating proposals for change. Moreover, it often results in creative imitation and the adoption of new practices that overcome previous industry barriers. Furthermore, this search for diversity and for innovative breakthroughs applied. There are eight steps in order to do a benchmarking are: Select the subject. Forming the team and the project road map. Performance indicators and drivers. Selecting partner. Data collection. Analysis. Integration and action. Benchmarking process: Select the subject Based on the point highlighted by Etisalats CEO, there is a problem in the customers satisfaction that was targeted this year. Customer satisfaction is a measure of how products and services supplied by a company meet customer expectation Based on the market survey and problem investigation, we found that problem is due to the following: Quality of service. Customer support. Incident handling. Productivity. Pricing. After investigation and looking at the problem from another angle, we found the reason beyond losing customers satisfaction is concentrating on the development projects and reducing the operational costs in order not to lower down the impact of the world financial crises and compete with the competitor (du) from productivity point of view. In order to solve the problem of losing customer satisfaction, a movement has to be done in order to provide more qualitative after sale service and that can be done by spending more on developing the operational processes and spending more on operations as well as the employees as employees satisfaction is the key towards customers satisfaction. Moreover I am going to concentrate on Etisalat customers satisfaction in the UAE only. Forming the team and the project road map A team needs to be formed and a project road map developed. These are integral activities in the subject selection step. The team that I created includes 5 members are experts and represent the various functions affected by the project. The teams composed of staff personnel who are capable of setting recommendations that meet significant resistance during implementation. Each team member will work on studying the each of the below causes, visit the related sections, highlight the drawbacks and set recommendations for: Quality of service. Customer support. Incident handling. Productivity. Pricing. And I am going to follow-up and manage this project as a team leader. Performance indicators and drivers This part begins with the documentation of processes and practices associated with the subject. The primary goal is to identify the vital few performance indicators that confirm superior performance and to identify those processes and practices that drive performance. This search for cause and effect will be followed by the identification and documentation of internal process variables and attributes. That is a major part that each of the team members will have to take an ownership in order to study each of the processes practices and complete its documentations. Selecting partner The selection of partners often involves the use of external data and information sources. Partners fall into two general categories: other internal units and external organisations. External organisations may include direct competitors; Industry peers that serve a different market; Companies that serve the same market in a related but different industry; Organisations outside my industry that performs similar functions. As I mentioned above, I decided to choose Emirates Airlines, an organization outside telecom industry and serve the same market. Moreover, Emirates has great initiatives to develop its services that are provided to the passengers. Therefore, Emirates Airlines is almost receiving a yearly awards for its services such as best airline from Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2009, Best In-flight Entertainment from Skytrax Airline Excellence Awards 2009, Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier Middle East 2009 from Pax International Magazine Readership Awards, etc. Data collection Data collection can be the most difficult step in the Benchmarking process. The primary objective is to gather information and data to confirm superior performance and to uncover best practices without burdening the partners with long, time-consuming data collection methods. Although data and information are collected in establishing baseline measures and in selecting partners, the majority of the data for most projects are collected in this step. The following table shows a summarized comparison between the points that lower down the customers satisfaction of Etisalat and compare it with Emirates Airlines. Etisalat Emirates Airlines Quality of service Medium High Customer support Low High Incident handling Low High Productivity High High with value added services Pricing Average High Advertisement High for newly released products High Promotions On going On sessions Loyalty program Available Available CRM Low Medium Analysis The objective of the analysis step is to identify the best performing organisation and to determine the reasons for the superior performance. The performance indicators define the benchmark standard and the gaps in performance for each participant. The processes and practices of the best organisation are the benchmark performance drivers that each partner will try to creatively imitate. Identifying this cause and effect relationship between performance drivers and the resultant measures is the most challenging part of benchmarking. When we look at the above comparison table in the data collection part, we can find that there are some differences in the services provided by the two organizations. If we start with the quality of service, we can find that Etisalat is providing medium quality of service. For example, for the old and stable services like mobile service and internet the quality is very good, but if we look at latest services like eLife the quality is very low. While in Emirates Airlines, it is always high even for new destinations. Customers support and incident handling in Etisalat is very low as the customers whenever they want to raise a complaint or have inquiry, mostly they will be forwarded from a section to another or from a call centre number to another without having a single point of contact. Moreover, whenever you dial the call center, you have to wait on the phone for more than 10 minutes till someone pick the phone and register your complaint that if it is required advance troubleshooting, the case will not be solved in less than one day and may continue for a month. On the other hand, Emirates Airlines representatives will answer your inquiries clearly and are very helpful to handle your complaints with ownership. The productivity in Etisalat is very high, however due shortage in advertisement and products information sharing for all the products, most of the products are messed by the customers and even the employees. Moreover, the advertisement done by Etisalat is only for the newly released products. However for Emirates Airlines, it is high as the customers is always loyal to the airline and may keep it as the first choice for travel anywhere and he is always expected to have more value added services in flight entertainment. The prices of Etisalat product are average compared to the quality of service provided to the customers, but the customers will always see it high as the after sale services are low. The prices of Emirates Airlines are high, but the service the passenger is receiving before, during and after the flight is high. The Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in Etisalat is very low and only done by sending updates to all customers through email and SMS for the new products. On the other, Emirates Airlines are send a monthly newsletter to all their customers by email, normal postage, to keep them updated with all the changes, offers and new destinations. Sometimes, they are requested to provide a quick feedback on a questionnaire. Integration and action The objectives of the integration and action steps are to obtain organisation buy-in, initiate projects to close gaps and implement plans developed in these projects. So based on the analyses done above the organization has to rectify the problems that leads to losing customers satisfaction. Some of the recommended suggestions are: 1. Encourage Face-to-Face Dealings 2. Respond to Messages Promptly Keep Your Clients Informed 3. Be Friendly and Approachable 4. Have a Clearly Defined Customer Service Policy 5. Attention to Detail 6. Anticipate Your Clients Needs 7. Honor your Promises To be effective, Benchmarking works best in an environment in which teamwork and management support is evident. Teams need to focus on results as measured by performance indicators, but the organisation must change the performance drivers to achieve benchmark standards. Target setting alone, without changes in the organisation culture, other structural factors, processes, and practices, can only bring temporary relief.

Judicial Precedent Essays -- Law Legal

This essay will examine the doctrine of Judicial precedent that helps form the English Legal System. It will illustrate various views that have been raised by Judges and relating cases to the use of ‘Stare decisis’ when creating precedents. In addition it will discuss how the developments in the powers of the courts now also allow them to depart from these precedents to an extent. The doctrine of Judicial precedent applies the principles of stare decisis which ‘lets the decision stand’. ‘Whenever a new problem arises in law the final decision forms a rule to be followed in all similar cases, making the law more predictable’ making it easier for people to live within the law. An original precedent is where a point of law is decided for the first time. This was illustrated in Donoghue v Stevenson where there was a decomposing snail in a bottle of ginger beer. The House of Lords set a precedent that manufacturers owe a duty of care to customers in the law of negligence. A key factor of judicial precedents usually refers to decisions of a higher court being binding upon a lower court in the hierarchical structure of the courts. This is best illustrated in Donoghue v Stevenson . However, if the previous decision was made by a court of equal or higher status to the court deciding the new case, then the Judge should follow the rule of law set in the earlier case. These are known as Binding precedents. The courts access these previous judgements through the system of Law reporting. The system of precedents could not work without a precise and comprehensive compilation of the key decisions of superior courts readily available to all who need them. Authoritative reports compiled by legally qualified law reporters are formed prima... ... law to be developed without need for lengthy litigation. Nonetheless, a change in law needs to be brought before the relevant court. This usually means litigants for the Court of Appeal or the House of Lords do not necessarily have the means to take their cases that far. In conclusion, the doctrine of judicial precedent has been accepted to form our legal system, through the use of binding precedents. It has helped the law maintain certainty yet through flexibility of the courts and exceptions to depart from precedents the law has continued to develop in a just manner. Works Cited Penny Darbyshire, Darvyshire on the English Legal System, Ninth edition. Terence Ingman, The English Legal Process, Eleventh edition. Catherine Elliott Frances Quinn, English Legal System, Seventh edition. Gary Slapper and Davis Kelly, The English Legal System, Tenth edition.

Disciple Making Plan Essay

The mandate of the Body of Christ to make disciples has been established. The Church needs to embody in physical structuring and deeds what is necessary to make this happen. It is obvious we need to do whatever it takes to make that a reality. Therefore, we must put together a plan – a disciple making plan that embraces that vision with biblical truths that show the values from which give direction for that vision to follow. The structural and existing means to how this is to be done, also known as the vehicles that enable this to get accomplished must be examined. The different player’s views that steer the work as they sense the work of the Holy Spirit need to be defined and understood. And finally, there must be tangible means of measurement to evaluate the effectiveness the work. God spoke to His people through the prophet Jeremiah. It was during a time where the children of Israel were in exile. God was showing His faithfulness to His people during this time of being without. God shared His heart and how it all relates to having a plan. Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) says, â€Å"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.† God’s plan shows us He has a vision for us, His people. This is a plan for our benefit, future, and to give us hope. The same kind of plan should be what is put together within the church for His people. Scott M. Gibson and Warren Wiersbe write about the importance in what is preached and its relationship to the plan. They underscore the value of God’s Word and the need for us to develop a love for it. For the Word of God is to be the foundation as well as our life-long source that brings believers from infancy to maturity as we present it with love and grace. Each message builds upon the basis of which the plan is established.1 Vision The senior pastor has written the following as â€Å"The Vision Statement† for our church: â€Å"That the presence of God be around us, in us, and working through us to win the lost through the love of Jesus Christ. We believe all people matter to God. We want to see people saved, healed, set free, equipped,  empowered and serving as disciples, fully becoming devoted followers of Jesus Christ to impact the nations. We believe in the Father, we believe in the resurrection of God’s son and we believe in the Holy Spirit indwelling everyone, making all things new.† The senior pastor has been in this position for less than one year. My attendance and being a part of the leadership team is barely two months. Since that time, there has been only one formal meeting of the leaders of the church. However, personal conversations and public attitudes by the senior pastor have been expressed which will be how I will be able to answer the questions for this paper. This church has not had an attendance over twenty-five people in the two months I have been attending. The senior pastor gave each of the four leaders, or what he refers to as Pastors, a list of names of persons (and their phone numbers) that have at one time or another have come to the church and indicated this would be their church home with the assignment to reach out and call these individuals to invite them (back) to being involved with the church and its activities. These individuals are located throughout the greater Tampa area. This encompasses technically two counties and a considerably large amount of area. The senior pastor himself lives over one hour in driving time to the church facility. Another one of the pastors lives at least 30 minutes away. It is unknown about the socio-economic differences of the other pastors. The neighborhood of which the church is located is classic Central Florida with what appears to be higher middle class at one address and immediately next door, what would appear to be someone under more economic oppressive circumstances. The senior pastor has said he wants the neighborhood to be involved in the church. The church leadership embraces ethnic and social diversity and I believe the senior pastor wants the church population to also reflect this. The Central Florida population has a wide assortment of Cuban, White, Black, Pacific Asian and Asian Indian peoples. There is not a specific area of town that focuses on any one of these cultural groups. Thus, the integration of all these people is desired for the church’s population. We already have ages in this body ranging from very young children with little  to no Christian influences to a widowed wife of a former pastor. There are teenaged young people that have come from time to time. The majority of who has been in regular attendance has been mid-thirties to young fifties. The senior pastor has expressed his desire for these age groups be increased. World missions has been brought up as a desired form of outreach but specifics as to where and how has not been shown or provided for. My own personal work with various countries has been of the attention of the senior pastor but he has not asked about getting involved with this. Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV) says, â€Å"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.† The formal and clear vision for our church has not been provided to me. It is possible it just is something I am not aware of it because of my being with the church for only a short time period. It is hoped that is the case. Mel Lawrenz writes about the church that may have fragmented from transition of leaders, the plans or lack thereof, and or the philosophies within a church. Two important components for the church’s success are having cohesion and momentum.2 Thus far from what I can observe, this church is working hard to enhance and uphold these factors. I look forward to seeing the plan and its full execution. Values The church has been alerted to the heart of the pastor to be a church in unity. He knows with the ethnic diversity and having the different pastors and those in leadership roles can seem to portray a wide variety of approaches and ideas in fulfilling the call to make disciples. Nevertheless, he is calling for unity to be not only the heartbeat with the church but also be demonstrated so that those that come once will experience this deeper than just what may be perceived. Psalms 133:1 (KJV) says, â€Å"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!† Our pastor wants the differences in us each to be the means to which gives us individual and collective access to those that join us in study, in fellowship, and ultimately in worship. Of course, this is all possible by remembering the importance of God’s peace  to heal and overcome any and all preconceived world based issues that could arise. Having such ethnic diversity and living in a culture such as Central Florida, the need to establish a true and lasting bond of peace is critical with our congregation. Paul said it best in Ephesians 4:3 (KJV), â€Å"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.† The growing together in faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus in unity is what our church wants, not just for itself, but more importantly for the overall well-being of the membership. Ephesians 4:13 (KJV) says, â€Å"Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:†. Walter Kasper writes about the call the church has to be the church of unity. He points out that this is not a result of mere chance or happenstance but by the divine work of God’s Holy Spirit to the lives of the believers and into the life of the church as a whole.3 Views In the writing of Aubrey Malphurs, the church in first years of the new millennium is not the same church many of us grew up in the mid to late 1900’s. The church is not considered the central point of reference for faith and the expression of that faith.4 Our church is not any different than this assessment. The members all come from different socio-economic backgrounds which results in different interpretations of the people and their respective roles as a part of the work and workers within this specific Body of Christ. The church is seen in probably the narrowest of views in that it is seen to only include those that are under the roof at the current facility. That would extend to literally the people that are there at any given time as well. The senior pastor is clear to point to the other three he has designated as Pastors. He is looking to their contributions in nurturing, teaching, and shepherding the members as a whole and a separate list that he wants each pastor to be associated with. There is one problem – the people do not know they have been put on these lists. The beginnings of groups is taking place but the groups have not been formalized that people can relate to. The addressing the church body as God’s Saints is met either with casual acceptance and understanding or it is considered too â€Å"Christense† which results in losing its effectualness. The  Gospel does not have a consistent strand in meaning. The understanding and education as it relates to the first four books of the Bible being the Gospels and the fact we are referring to The Good News is not universally embraced by the congregation as a whole. This makes the work of Evangelism, the sharing of the Gospel both in word and lifestyle witness difficult to unite in as both a purposefully designed poster we are to uphold but also have the church communicate as one voice. There is not a deliberate discipling program or effort within the church. Although individual responsibility to walk out a life in the manner for which God has made available for us all, the church does not have the groups or education tools for making disciples. Leadership is a widely used and common designation within our church. This is partly due to the fact we have a small population. There is an encouragement to pursue leader responsibilities. Unless you are known to be either not a Christian or a not as mature of one that is preferred for such a role, the opportunities to lead and take charge of things is easier than in larger congregations. This church is committed to one another. They are looking for the manifestation of the goodness of His work in this place. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 & 2 says, â€Å"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.† This is very applicable to this body of believers. Vehicles Gary L. McIntosh writes about the steps taken to get a church to its next level. In a conversation he has with a colleague, it is pointed out that the church may be in good health but it not in good enough shape to show the true endurance necessary of a church that is going to go the full distance. There is a fine distinction between a church that is growing numerically and a church that is maximizing its potential in discipleship.5 My church is transitioning itself from a mainline denomination church to a fellowship of believers. Exactly what denomination the church is becoming has not been made clear. The senior pastor holds ministry papers with two different organizations. One of the other pastors has his credentials by an unknown to me association. There is one pastor and myself that has ordination with  the same board. Recently, there was a state meeting or conference of one of the two ministerial boards that the senior pastor is connected with. It was announced after the fact that there was an expectation of the membership to participate in this function. Because of members that are related to the senior pastor, they were in attendance and this satisfied his request. He is scheduled to be absent from a soon coming Sunday morning service to be involved in this group’s convention or some type of gathering. So far, there has not been any kind of ritual or conduct that is practiced or expected. We seem to be worshipping as one. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, â€Å"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.† There are no small groups – yet. Nothing has been formally announced but I could see how the senior pastor has laid groundwork in and through the appointing of three others to positions that could be small group leaders. The leaders live in geographically different areas which will benefit the area of influence we have. Unfortunately, the church does not come together for study in God’s Word other than Sunday morning service. Sunday School and Thursday night Bible Study is not bringing everyone in as desired. It was just announced some events that the senior pastor wants church wide participation in. These announcements have been made orally, not in print. The events are being coordinated by one of the other pastor’s wife. She has announced she will get members to contribute in these meetings. A â€Å"Fall Festival† was held last year (so I am told) as an evangelistic outreach. The senior pastor has announced that that will not be repeated but instead a Summer â€Å"Vacation Bible School† will be conducted just prior to the beginning of the public school year. The curriculum has not been disclosed. Workers have not been selected and it is not known what kind of preparations will be necessary for those that are involved with this. The use of social media, specifically Facebook has been said to be a means of communicating both to the current members of the church but also to encourage those seeking a place for worship. The church’s website does not seem to have updates or is kept current on the affairs of the church. Daniel Collison and Rochelle Nielsen Barsuhn give warnings of how the church of today has left the model of self-denial and looks to self-gratification instead. The value of the relationships Jesus formed and has called us to copy has potentially become minimized or even eliminated from the church’s structure. We need to never forget the importance in the following through of building with one another and the faith that is found in this.6 Verifiers There has not been any indication that there will be any specific tools to measure the growth or effectiveness of an outreach or program. The senior pastor has not made any reference to any means other than visual perception as to if the church has increased or decreased in membership and its grasp on Christian doctrine. A database has been created but who and what information it contains is not known. For measuring the church’s growth both numerically and in various areas of concern (i.e., Christian education, spiritual gifts in operation and various forms of involvement in service to the church and in evangelism), I would start with identifying the people that showed strengths and or willingness to learn in such areas. It would be important to understand what previous experience they may have. Attendance in classes and their participation in the various forms of outreach would be able to be monitored. Their performance would be evaluated to see what their giftings are in. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, â€Å"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.† Thus far, we have not had visitors or new converts. The existing church body does not respond to calls to commitment. Currently, there is not a church wide program that incorporates members in evangelistic outreach. There are individual efforts but not under the direction of the senior pastor. There are sources found on the Internet such as www.leadershiptransformations.org that work with churches and the strengths they already have to grow into stronger and better churches. As pointed out in our text book â€Å"Disciple Making is†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , concentrating on leading individuals to the Lord and assisting the maturing in their life with God is what we are  to be all about. Then, we can deploy them to replicate this process.7 There needs to be a deliberate effort by the church members to bring people into the church in order to hear the Gospel and ultimately receive salvation. If each member were asked to bring one person with them once a month, the church population would double. In order to keep these new members, classes would need to be formed to educate in ways of Christianity. Additional classes would need to be formed to further the disciple making process. From these classes, it would be hoped that ten percent of those attending would carry on the disciple making process. From those people, various forms of leaders and Christian workers (missionaries, teachers, pastors and etc.) would be set apart for such works. Conclusion This church has been primarily an extended family but has begun to evolve into a multi-ethnic congregation and diverse socio-economic backgrounds due in part to the merging of two of the associate pastors. The senior pastor has been encouraging members to reach out to church dinners and a church wide rummage sale. With the expected growth in people attending and becoming part of the Body of Christ, we need to put in place the disciple making process for both the current membership and those that will be coming. Act 14:22, â€Å"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.† Bibliography Collison, Daniel, and Rochelle Nielsen Barsuhn. Church in Translation: Vibrant Christianity in Your Time and Place. N.p.: Abingdon Press, 2010. Accessed March 1, 2015. .com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=10432028&ppg=82. Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is†¦ How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2013. Gibson, Scott M., and Warren Wiersbe. Preaching with a Plan: Sermon Strategies for Growing Mature Believers. N.p.: Baker Books, 2012. Accessed March 1, 2015. .liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=10722483&ppg=116. Kasper, Walter. That They May All Be One: The Call to Unity. N.p.: London : Burns & Oates., 2004. 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