Gender Implications in Web Development/HCL Essay

There are many women just as men who use internet on the web pages. The number of users from both genders continues to increase and this leads to a size doubling of the World Wide Web every two to three months. However, despite the fact that both female and male users are many, there are fewer women compared to men in the IT professions dealing with web design and development. Objectives †¢ To identify factors of web-design that appeal to men and those that appeal to women †¢ To evaluate how the factors affect the usage of web across the two gender groups Background Internet usage is growing for both commercial and personal purposes. In website-development for commercial purposes, appeal is important because substantial studies show that visitors stay longer on the web site they are visiting if they perceive it to be appealing (Moss, Gunn & Heller, 2006). The more the visitors stop and the longer they stay at a page the more likely the success of the web’s purpose will be achieved. Research shows that customer preferences are varied and more so the difference is sharp between the male and female consumers segments. However, there are many men website-developers as compared to females and it is assumed that various web designs will thus be aligned to suit the male’s preference. Does this mean that female consumer preferences are sidelined in web designs and if so how does this affect the mushrooming e-commerce activities? Research Questions 1. What are the factors of web designs that are likely to appeal to women and how frequent do they occur in web designs? 2. How does the lack or presence of these factors affect on-line businesses? Literature Review Moss, Gunn & Heller, (2006) show the importance of women as consumers and web users. Moss, et al. , (2006) address previous study on web development in which demographics like age, social status, and geographic locations are factors identified to be most considered in web development. However, there is a growing interest on how gender-perceived factors influence the usage of web. Moss, et al. , (2006) conducted an interactionist in which data from Cyber Dialogue data of 1998 was used to measure the number of male and female visitors attending to various sites like news, fitness, health and fashion. The study tries to evaluate factors that attract the customers to particular sites. This research will be based on the same methodology but on a more current date because internet innovations occur at a first rate. The study will compare the factors in the current female and male consumer segments by answering why each group prefers particular websites to others. Proposed Methodology A rating system will be used in which respondents will be asked to rate different kinds of websites against a set of criteria that will be determined from Jakob Nielsen’s factors of an appealing website. The respondents will be required to indicate whether they are male and female. During the analysis stage, a chi-square test of association will be used to compare the rates achieved between the males and females. A quantitative rating system is a justified system for the study because individual preferences can be identified. Jakob Nielsen (1989) a primary researcher of human computer interactions revealed usability issues that have the most impact on the hypertext interfaces and showed how some of them are related to individual differences as far as hypertext systems are concerned. References Moss, G. , Gunn, R. & Heller, J. (2006). â€Å"Some men like it black, some women like it pink: Consumer implications of differences in male and female website design,† Journal of Consumer Behavior, 5: 328-341. Nielsen, J. (1989). â€Å"The matters that really matter for hypertext usability,† Proceedings of Hypertext ’89, Pittsburgh, PA, ACM Press, 239-248

Ferrari Swot

Ferrari SWOT Analysis What is SWOT analysis? SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. SWOT analysis involves identifying your business’s strengths and weaknesses, and examining the opportunities and threats which may affect you. SWOT analysis can be used to analyse your organisation and its environment. Carrying out a SWOT analysis can help you identify changes that can be made to improve your business. Strengths Strengths are those features of the business which allow you to operate more effectively than your competitors. Ferrari is by far the worlds most famous racing car producer that surprised the motor industry in terms of speed, performance and reliability. Ferrari stands out as the leader of Italian auto manufacturers industry, and till today represents the finest of Italian craft in the mechanics of auto propulsion. Ferrari is claimed to be a purpose-built race car which features exceptional performance. Weaknesses Weaknesses are areas capable of improvement. It helps a Company identify if its lacking skills or new products? Whether it has a higher cost base or lower productivity than your competitors? Or if there are any unpleasant truths about the business that need to be faced. Ferrari has emerged superbly as a very strong Brand with least flaws. The only factor which probably acts to its disadvantage is that, the strategy of catering to the very elite class of millionaires has no doubt added to the brand value of the product but also restricts the sales. Having already notched out a mark for itself, probably the time is right to introduce a more economically viable category, to fulfill the millions of dreams of owning a Ferrari. The other drawback is that since its such a high-end brand, and no two Ferrari’s are known to be alike, it makes it clients want and wait for their dream car. It takes a minimum of 6 months advance booking before the client can eventually be the proud owner of this priced possession. Opportunities Opportunities refers to any interesting trends which one can take advantage of Examples of opportunities include: Changes in technology and markets, eg the Internet Changes in government policy or regulations / legislation Local and global events Potential new uses of products and / or services Use of marketing or promotional techniques to boost the business Social factors, eg population fluctuation, lifestyle changes, etc. With Ferrari having already established a very strong hold over the Asia Pacific region and Shanghai as its recent headquarters, its time for it to extend into a highly progressive and lucrative market- India. With a large number of Indians making it to the Forbes list of the richest, India is bound to be an easy market with millionaires who are capable of affording a Ferrari. Furthermore, ever since Ferrari has been introduced in China, its sales have seen a sudden boost with Shanghai becoming the new headquarters of Asia Pacific. Once Ferrari enters the Indian market it is bound to capture a wider and more lucrative audience. Banking on the brand name that Ferrari has notched for itself, I would really like to see Ferrari also reaching out to the high and upper middle masses instead of just the very high classes. Indian market is very much in line with the Chinese market with a lot more scope for flexibility, hence all the key strategies adopted by the company in China is bound to reveal an even more astounding result. Alike China India is also a very densely populated country with a lot of western influence. The past 5 years census has also seen a remarkable lift in the living standards and lifestyle of people. A majority of the population no longer aspires for just comfort but is ready to go that extra mile to be in the lap of luxury. And what speaks of luxury better than Ferrari. Furthermore, Formula 1 is expected to reach Indiaby 2011 hence, it would serve as major promotional strategy for the Company Threats Threats can be external or internal, and are anything which can adversely affect your business. External threats could be inflation, new legislation, or a new competitor in your market. Internal threats could include a skill or staff shortage within your organisation. Indian market seems to be risk free market for Ferrari with only increased opportunities. The only possible difficulty that Ferrari might counter would be in terms of modifying their designs to cope up with the infrastructure of the country, I terms of roads. Ferrari is known for its low body which might hinder movement in case of speed breakers and puddles during rainy season. Other factor which should be taken into consideration would be the government policies and legislation regarding the high import duties. This regulation on the part of the government will inflate the service cost and prices of spare parts. Personal swot analysis : Strength : Passion is the key virtue . Looks at things in a different light . Experimentative in nature . Believes in hard work. Quick at learning new things Makes friends easily Loves to interact with different people Weakness :

Certain community Essay Example for Free

Certain community Essay Nowadays people in the universe evolved in certain ways in which changes surrounded every single minute of life breathing. As we all live our life everyday, we are in the process of storing experiences which in fact such information about each single interaction that was made in the universe was stored in our mind to provide learning. Storing information had the wider and essential coordination with learning. The things that we encounter each day which are consider the information that will become as an experience later. It is really mysterious though, how the human mind works, and how does the storing of information goes, and indeed that explains how crucial and unfathomable the exploration in dealing learning process. Where did it start? Lets try to imagine how we are when were little kiddos, we really can’t recall the things that we used to do then, that gives us the significance of who we are when grown ups. We all came from our mother’s womb and as we have given the time to see the real world and explore it, different things had shape each personalities that made us of who we are right now. Each of us had cross the path in which our mind is crafted in every level of life changing structure where in to. The process that was made when we see the magnificent world of today and was able to discover what’s the purpose of life out in this real world and as personalities is being shape; this definitely involves information in which we stored, that will mold us in to personalities we are able to become later on. Dealing with changes is information storage, which gives us the opportunities for experiences that are meaningful. The information that we learned is being reproduced for the gaining of substantial knowledge and wisdom. How about Today? Today there were rapid growths of learners who seek for more information, in order to evaluate and acquire, then use the information in more effective manner. There must be literacy skills among personalities in the society. It means that a person should have the initiative to solve problem when arises, decisions are made easier, critical and cooperative learning to pass all life’s challenges. In which every person is being trained in dealing with the societies uncertainties. There are massive forms of information stored, but learners are the captain of their minds as they go along with it. Effectiveness of the stored information is based on how uniquely each individual performs in learning, and how they are able to deal in handling situations. So what will be tomorrow? As of the present time were technologies are being introduce. That offers greater help to the humankind in storing information in the small span of time, many had believed that it’s a great help in achieving greater knowledge in the world today. Technologies are the visualization of an improved and modernized society in which tasks are now made easier and performances are made faster. Developments are now engage by sustaining the society with technologies that can provide broader and wider source of knowledge in which skills are dignified and establish in the required time. And what’s the fuzz? Technologies though had a great help in developing one’s skills, but there must be of proper care. Everyone must rely not on that, alone, it may shortened the time frame of a given task but we must be reminded that technologies are created by the human mind, it is invented, but look at the inner source, it’s the mind of a human that was put into a material to produce certain information. Everyone of us had the mind to produce technologies, but lets always keep this in mind that technologies are just machines in which quality relies on the makers and producers, in either ways in due time it will not give its purpose anymore. I do believe personally that the greatest machine is the one who made it which is our mind. Regardless of what races where raised to, and in which class we belong, surely we are given the mind of its own, capable of doing magnificent things in which we hold further as we embrace the only constant thing in life and that is changes. It’s up to us if we share or not, that enough information that will make source of an introduce technology. In which way or another we hold it as long as we still live in this world. The Impact of New Technologies The impact of new technologies in information skills especially in business is often contemplated by the variety of reasons. One thing is that it is the fastest way of communication in sharing information from one respondent to another. It is believe that these technologies will improve capabilities in an organization. However, in business there is some sort of reconsideration for the fact that it may share information’s to other sectors, that would somehow exploit it, but shared information of new technologies will always been accompanied by remedial actions of the manufacturer itself, it just need to be properly care and all important tools for the information stored will not be exploit. We belong to the fast changing world and new technologies as it is widely spread nowadays will help us improve and achieve success but only if we take precautious methods in using it. It is also helpful in joining the globalization just for the fact that globalization is for improving and fast variety of development in a certain community. New technologies will always be part of globalization it is good to cope for that matter as for businesses concerns as long as we take note of possible circumstances in indulging globalization with new technologies, proper care and guidelines of newly introduced technologies will certainly rises us from our sets, only if handled with knowledge and wisdom in those aspect. Certain community. (2017, Apr 25).

Advantages of Monsanto Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Advantages of Monsanto - Essay Example The state of the art research and development department of the firm is also constantly looking for new creative input to ensure better yield of the crops. Its drought proof seeds are hugely beneficial for countries which are vulnerable to frequent drought like conditions. Hence, its contribution to agriculture through genetically modified seeds has enabled it to gain leverage against it rival in the industry. The farmers across the globe, especially in the under developed and developing nations like Africa and India, have been able to improve their standard of living through increased food production and revenues. In the current environment of increasing awareness regarding environment and sustainability of resources, Monsanto’s future is seriously threatened by the views and perspectives on genetically modified crops. Critics, including social activists, environmentalist, few farmers etc. believe that genetically modified seeds, despite increased yield, have grave long term consequences on the quality of soil, plants and biodiversity at large. The sustainability of natural resources is threatened through the constant use of genetically modified seeds. Moreover, as the seeds are anti-resistant to insects and help to kill weeds, this property could also have slow poisonous impact on the overall health and wellbeing of people who consume food products produced from such seeds. The growing concern of the community and social activists becomes more pertinent when seen from the wider perspective of increasing environment degradation that has adversely impacted the balance of ecosystem. It is believed that indiscriminate use of genetically modified seeds would not only spoil the quality of soil and fertility but it could also adversely impact the ground water and environment. The conservation and preservation of natural sources is vital ingredient of population dynamics because its survival is intrinsically linked to the available resources like clean air, wa ter, food, energy etc. (Dyson, 2005). The sustainability of the same therefore becomes critical element of survival. Answer 2 As CEO of Monsanto, I would engage group of social activists and community to create awareness as to how to exploit the properties of genetically modified seeds to grow crops that would address the needs of growing population. The exemplary properties of the GM seeds are major factors that can overcome the natural disasters like drought and famine and provide the vulnerable population with quality food. The myriad environmental elements like poverty, lack of resources, education, awareness etc. have created serious problems of food security. According to FAO (2009) more than 850 million across the globe are facing food insecurity with large population in nearly 39 Sub-Saharan being under nourished. It is seen that low agricultural yield and lack of government initiatives in land reforms are important constituents that force farmers to migrate. The GM seeds ca n significantly contribute to the global concern of food insecurity. Engaging social activists and farmers would be mutually beneficial as it would help create awareness regarding the use of GM seeds so that ecosystem is not disturbed. If the farmers follow rotation of crops in the field with GM and non-GM seeds, the fertility of soil can be maintained. At the same time, the concern of insects and weeds becoming hardier or developing resistance to the Roundup Ready Herbicide, a herbicide that kills weeds, can be easily averted. The rotation farming is therefore hugely important aspect of farming where GM seed are used that promotes sustainability of resources and helps conservation and preservation of environment. As a CEO, I would also like to give incentives to farmers in terms of rebate and discounts on the

None Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 5

None - Essay Example Stable dividend also creates a platform for investment of other companies with that particular firm. There is also the regular dividend policy where payment of dividend is at usual term. This is mostly maintained by companies with stable earnings for a long period of time (LEASE, 23). The constant payout ratio implies that the rate of dividend payment is in accordance to the earnings received by the firm. This means that the two are directly proportionate, hence a firm pays dividend according to its ability at that particular time. Irregular dividend policy is where there is uncertainty in the earnings of a company and thus a company cannot operate on regular dividend basis. Besides, the no dividend policy is simply no payment of dividend due to plans for future company expansion and hence need for the funds. West Innovation Inc. (WPRT) is a company interested in creating an environmental friendly (natural gas) engine that performs the same as fuel and with the same price. Since WPRT dividend information is not available, it might mean they have no dividend policy yet. The E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DD) is a science and technology based company that uses stable dividend policy. General Electric Company (GE) a lighting power company that also uses stable dividend policy. This is because their financials show a constant amount paid for a certain period of time. Working capital is the firm’s investment in short-term assets such as cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable and inventories. In which net working capital is the difference between current assets and current liabilities. Thus, working capital management is process of utilizing to both short-term assets and short-term liabilities. This is important in order to keep costs to a minimum and to control risks. Considering a company growth over time, then its assets can be decomposed into three categories; fixed assets, permanent current assets and fluctuating current

Discrimination and the Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Discrimination and the Law - Essay Example The Race Relations Act 1968 extended the scope of the 1965 law by making it applicable to housing, employment and other matters. An improved Race Relations Act was framed in 1976 mostly in accordance with the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975. The three main types of racial discrimination which were to be made unlawful under this act were direct discrimination, indirect discrimination and victimisation. The primary objective of theRace Relations Act of 1976 was to form the legal foundation for protection from racial discrimination in the fields of employment, education, training, housing and the provision of goods, facilities and services. Under this law, 'racial discrimination' means treating a person less favourably than others on racial grounds - meaning race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins. Although this law protects one against people's actions, it cannot change their opinions or beliefs. (Home Office, n.d.) This Act resulted in the setting up of a Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) as a statutory enforcement and implementation body to eliminate racial discrimination and to promote equal opportunities and harmonious race relations between people of difference races. The CRE has the power to undertake formal investigations into discrimination charges and to represent victims of discrimination. The Crime and Disorder Act of 199... The Public Order Act,1986 On 9 June 2005, the Government published the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill which makes incitement to religious and racial hatred an offense under the The Public Order Act of 1986. Thereby, this Act makes it illegal to incite racial hatred, whether through words or action, such as distributing racist leaflets. Penalties are severe for anyone convicted of a racially motivated crime. (BBC, 2003) The race relation and racial hatred legislations have always protected Sikhs and Jews as the Courts have identified them as 'ethnic groups' according to their interpretation of the Act. Muslims, however, are not protected as they are not considered to be an ethnic group under the law. Since hate crimes against Muslims have increased during the post 9/11 period and as Muslims are not considered to be an ethnic group, it poses a serious problem. The Racial and Religious Hatred Bill tries to amend this situation The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations, 2003 The Employment Equality regulations makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate, harrass or victimise an employee on the basis of any religion, religious belief, or similar philosophical belief. Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 The Race Relations (Amendment) Act provides new powers to tackle racism in public authorities by eliminating unlawful discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity. This Act makes it statutory for public authorities like all government and local government services including the Police to promote race equality. Public authorities should ensure that racial equality considerations are part of everything they do. This Act gives the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)

The effect of mass media on children Research Paper

The effect of mass media on children - Research Paper Example Thesis Statement; The proliferation of the elements of the mass media has positive as well as negative consequences. It is important for children to be taught how to make the most out of the more positive aspects in order to benefit their own intellectual development. Different aspects of the Mass Media One of the reasons why the mass media elements can be detrimental to the psychological development of children is because they present a reality that does not really exist. For example, television is not an agent that encourages viewers to be interactive (Strasburger, Jordan, and Donnerstein, 2010). Adults may understand this; however, children are easily deceived into imagining that they are interacting and not just consuming. This can be viewed as being a negative aspect because watching television will fill the social needs of the children without giving them the chance to acquire new social skills that will help them in real life situations with other people. According to Keating (2011) the average child in developed nations watches 4 hours of television on a daily basis. Given that the child will also have to attend school and possibly perform a few chores in the home, this means that the time for playing with other children and socializing with them is drastically reduced (Romer, Jamieson, and Aday, 2003). While reading newspapers and magazines or watching entertaining programs helps a child to develop good literary skills, it may also cause he child to acquire the values and principles that are extolled on his or her favorite programs. This is particularly likely if the child in question is isolated from other children and does not really communicate with others on a regular basis except in school. This is why there is a need for a balance to be struck between watching television, playing videos, or reading popular magazines, and playing outside with other real life people (Keating, 2011). There are different theories that seek to explain how elements of the mass media affect the way that children communicate. Some of these include: The Social action theory According to this theory, when engaged in the media, children form a part of a system of mediated communication which allows them to take new meanings from the content they are watching or reading about. The theory holds that communication includes aspects such as the receivers’ interpretation, the actor’s objective, and the inherent message (Meirick, Sims, Gilchrist, and Croucher, 2009). This means that the process of communication perceived by children when they are engaged in mass media elements is not about gaining meaning, but creating it according to an individual’s understanding. Many children today do not hone their reasoning abilities through engaging in rational discussions about platonic ideas, but model them according to what mass media elements say. Even by adults, the media is greatly trusted; and presumed to be saying the truth whenever they re port on different things. For example, during campaigns leading to national or local elections, it is quite easy for a media station or major newspaper to subtly influence the decision of prospective voters in the choice of candidate to opt for by emphasizing on one candidate’

Auxilium Pharmaceutical Corporation Research Paper

Auxilium Pharmaceutical Corporation - Research Paper Example In relation to the study the company which has been selected is Auxilium Pharmaceutical, a firm that has been in business since 1999. The firm’s common stocks are traded publicly in NASDAQ under the symbol AUXL. The mission statement of the company is: â€Å"To improve the lives of patients throughout the world by rapidly and efficiently identifying, developing and commercializing innovative specialty biopharmaceutical products†. The firm’s products target the following healthcare markets: hand and plastic surgeons, endocrinologist, rheumatologists, urologists, and primary care physicians. The two top selling brands the company has are Testim and Xiaflex. The values of the company include integrity, quality, innovation, teamwork, and result oriented. In fiscal year 2010 Auxilium Pharmaceutical generated $211 million in revenues. The organization has 565 employees. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest and most powerful industries in the world with 201 0 global sales of $875 billion. The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. One of the challenges that U.S. healthcare companies face when trying to develop a new drug is that it takes a lot of time and money to bring a new drug to market. During the last five years the costs of bringing a new drug to market have gone up from $800 million to $1.3 billion. One of the primary reasons companies receive lengthy patent protection is to allow companies sufficient time to recover its investment and make a reasonable profit. All the costs across the entire healthcare system in the United States are on the rise. The medical spending per capita in the United States is twice as high as other developed countries such as the members of the European Union. In 2009 the United States spend $7,410 in healthcare spending per capita, while Europe in the same period spend only spend $3,615. Quality is not the main issue that’s driving the costs up since the Europeans receive equal if not better healthcare than American citizens. The cost of education may be a factor that is affecting the salary scales for doctors in the United States. Most medical students borrow over $250,000 in student loans to finance their education. Once they start practicing doctors are seeking higher salaries than ever before. Drugs are becoming more expensive due to higher development costs and medical plans are charging astronomical yearly fees in comparison with the past. In 2009 the average cost of family healthcare plan was $13,375. Medical insurance plan inflation increased 5% in comparison with 2008. Due to the rising cost of medical insurance the amount of Americans that are uninsured has increased to over 50 million. This hurts the sales of pharmaceutical companies because uninsured citizens typically cannot afford to pay for their prescription drugs in cash payments. Auxilium Pharmaceutical has multiple strengths that are helping the company stay competitive. T he firm has build up a nice brand value during its 13 years operating in the industry. During 2010 the company had very solid sales results of $211.4 million which represent an increase of 29% in comparison with the previous year.

The Drunkard Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Drunkard - Essay Example As the story unfolds, each new event hits the reader with an unexpected scenario. Larry lives up to his task and gets Mick out of the pub, sober and early, though not in any way the reader can imagine. O'Connor's tenacity at weaving reality into a humorous irony leads to an unexpected ending to their adventure. One of the most remarkable aspects of O'Connor is that he uses everyday situations and language to paint his humor. When they are burying Mr. Dooley you could feel the simple self gratification of Mick's attendance when he experiences, "a pleasant awareness that however much he would miss poor Mr. Dooley in the long summer evenings, it was he and not poor Mr. Dooley who would do the missing". Mick was glad to be alive and looking forward to the pub. He whispers to his friend Crowley, "We'll be making tracks before they break up". Bolting toward the pub before the last prayer falls silent he worries "in a crowd like that a man might be kept waiting". Once safely on a barstool he orders some lager beer and turns to chat with his friend Crowley. As his back is turned, young Larry decides to taste Mick's beer. Once again, O'Connor turns the mundane into a comedy with the use of plain language and lack of props. After tasting the bitter brew Larry recalls, "I was astonished that he could even drink such stuff.

A Description of Marketing Essay Example for Free

A Description of Marketing Essay Philip Kotler has defined marketing as satisfying needs and wants through an exchange process. The marketing concept is the philosophy that firm should analyze the need of costumer and then make decision to satisfy those needs, the better than competition. A marketing plan is a comprehensive blueprint which outlines an organizations overall marketing efforts. The last step in the process is the marketing controlling. The marketing plan can function from two points that is strategy and tactics. In most organizations, strategic planning is an annual process, typically covering just the year ahead. Occasionally, a few organizations may look at a practical plan which stretches three or more years ahead. Behind the corporate objectives, which in themselves offer the main context for the marketing plan, will lay the corporate mission, which in turn provides the context for these corporate objectives. In a sales-oriented organization, the marketing planning function designs incentive pay plans to not only motivate and reward frontline staff fairly but also to align marketing activities with corporate mission. The marketing plan basically aims to make the business provide the solution with the awareness with the expected customers. According to Malcolm McDonald, marketing strategies can be seen as the means, or game plan, by which marketing objectives will be achieved and, in the framework that we have chosen to use, are generally concerned with the 8 Ps that is price, product, promotion, placement, people, physical, process and packaging. See more:Â  Mark Twains Humorous Satire in Running for Governor Essay * Price is the amount of money needed to buy products * Product is the actual product * Promotion is getting the product known by all people. * Placement is where the product is sold * People is represent the business * Physical environment is the ambiance, mood, or tone of the environment * Process is the Value-added services that differentiate the product from the competition e.g. after-sales service, warranties * Packaging is how the product will be protected A marketing plan for a small business typically includes Small Business Administration Description of competitors, including the level of demand for the product or service and the strengths and weaknesses of competitors, description of the product or service, including special features, marketing budget, including the advertising and promotional plan, Description of the business location, including advantages and disadvantages for marketing, pricing strategy, and market segmentation.

Using Roleplay To Help Students Learn English

Using Roleplay To Help Students Learn English 1. INTRODUCTION The more students talk, the better they learn; Speaking skill is not given special significance in the teaching of English in Vietnamese universities. Traditional English education in Vietnam focuses heavily on reading skill. Also, many Vietnamese students and even teachers have examination-orientation. In the first semester, students start the elementary level with the textbooks Lifeline set (Hutchinson, 2001). The textbook cover four skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The assessment at the end of each semester is based on a written test involving reading and writing skills only. As a result, pre intermediate students spend more time improving reading and writing skills and mostly ignoring listening and speaking skills. This fact happens at not a single university in Vietnam but across the country. In the first semester, pre intermediate students do not have many chances to communicate in English; therefore, their speaking skill is restricted with lack of naturalness, reaction and pronunciation. Many are shy to speak out in English as they are afraid that listeners cant understand well what they say. Role play is considered one teaching method which motivates pre intermediate students to get involved in speaking lessons. In opinion of James G. Clawson (1997, p.2), role play is a superb vehicle for bringing the distiction between concept and reality to the fore. During role play, students are motivated to perform and act and speak in English class. They are challenged to use their English words in mind to apply into simple conversation in daily life. This indeed enables them to get familiar with normal conversation in their real life. Also, motivation influences how and why people learn as well as how they perform (Chin Chun Shih, 2001). While role play contributes to affect students attitudes positively and improve their English speaking skills, there is little research examining its effectiveness towards pre intermediate students in universities. In Vietnam, much of the research focuses on role play aiming at junior high schools students in foreign countries like Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. There is little research that indicates how role-play could influence students learning attitudes directly. Scarcella Oxford (1992, p.54) also pointed out that most researchers talk about using cooperative learning activities or student-centered learning in order not to put too much pressure on an individual student in front of the class. Therefore, this particular research is intended to focus on the effectiveness of role play in teaching speaking skills for pre intermediate students. Based on the above rationale, this research tends to seek answers to two below research questions: What are pre-intermediate students attitudes toward the role-play activity? In what way does role play improve pre-intermediate students speaking skills? Generally, this research aims at making clear two important aspects of role play: affecting attitudes positively and improving speaking skills properly. Firstly, this research shows how role -play has a direct effect on learners attitudes. Secondly, this research intends to point out how role play help improve their speaking skills in particular. The structure of this research includes the context and methodology as the qualitative method. Data will be collected via oral test, interview and observation, which will then described and analyzed in item data analysis. Next, the content of reflection shows what is gained and which possibly further research questions are. 2. LITERATURE REVIEW Definitions of terms Role-play can be divided into role and play. Gillian (2002, p.7) refers role as to play a part (either their own or somebody elses) in a specific situation. He also indicates that Play represents the role is taken on in a safe environment in which students are as inventive and playful as possible (p.5). This teaching method enables students to enjoy the experience of having conversations with people in real life so as to develop their social communication. The function of role-play in language learning Teaching English in Vietnam mostly concentrates on grammar translation methods and is examination oriented. Adian Doff and Maxwell (2002, 1997) pointed out the problems of those English teaching methods, and argued that there is a need to develop more diverse English teaching methods or activities. Vietnamese students have common weakness reportedly as their speaking ability. They have little chance to practice conversation, even in the second language classrooms. In order to encourage students to speak in public, role -play is often used by teachers as one of the teaching methods. Maxwell (1997) holds the opinion that the purpose of role-play is to improve students verbal and nonverbal communication skills and to link and use previously built schemas, in both structured and improvised situations (p.1). This viewpoint shows that role -play could improve students in verbal or nonverbal communication while they are performing the roles in the dialogue. James G. Clawson (1997, p. 4) pointed that A common theme in the benefits of using role play is that the techninque can bring abstract discussions alive, make them live, and in so doing, open up students willingness to learn When taking part in the dialogues created by teachers or extracted from the text books, students will be required to act as the characters in the dialogues, therefore, they will find it easier to use the conversation in daily lives. Daily conversation will create lots of unpredictable situations that make students confused how to deal with. As noted by Salies (1995, p.6), role-play helps learn ers to deal with unpredictability, motivating them by adding emotion and increase the awareness of the listeners. Accordingly, role-play helps create a safe environment for students to practice their language skills. The influence of role play on attitudes Attitude plays an important role in learning English speaking skill. Without adequate and appropriate attitudes, pre-intermediate students are usually unwilling to learn what their teachers try to teach them. To make a change about students learning attitudes, teachers can use role play to increase their confidence because role-play proves to be a good choice for them to understand and handle the learning content. James G. Clawson (1997, p4) indicated that role play helps improve learners abilities to communicate their thoughts and feelings in effective and productive ways among peers. They will find themselves better motivated to learn if they are recognized as a part of the class. Motivation is important because it helps create good start. Role-play can also help reinforce students knowledge gained through constant practice and acting. Also, students learn to how to cooperate well with each other through working and discussing English together, which will lead to mutual affection. He pointed that emotional climate is a good motivation during learning process (Ray, 1992, p.9). Students can gain more confidence in a safe environment brought by role play method. The learning environment ha s become particularly important for students. Ray (1992) also agreed that students prefer a consistent learning environment with good order at which they feel safe. (p.5). In other words, students can learn better in a little pressure environment. Furthermore, role-play helps create peer relationships which have become very important in improving attitudes. Ray said that the main motivational factor for pre intermediate students is the social incentives reflected in peer relationships (1992, p.13). The speaking and practicing subjects would be their classmates, who are familiar to the students and cause them less pressure and nervousness. Students work in small or big groups and there is a competitiveness among these groups. By this kind of stimulus, students are able to increase their learning attitudes, and to learn the second language further. Therefore, in the context of this research study, the findings above show that role-play could affect students attitudes positively in four aspects: improving students confidence, motivating their participation, creating interest in speaking lessons, and improving peer relationships through moderate competition. In conclusion, the literature above may lead to the fact that the main function of role-play is to help students improve speaking skills. Below context will indicate that there is a need to examine how role-play can facilitate students speaking ability in Vietnams education environment. 3. CONTEXT In Vietnam, the teaching of English has been criticized with lack of practice and heavy focus on written examination. In most universities in Vietnam, students are tested in written form, meanwhile, oral tests are ignored since they are time consuming and too difficult for students. Many pre- intermediate students are reported with lack of English communicative ability due to their emphasis on the written exam in previous grades. Adian Doff (2002) stated that teachers would look at prior tests to assure that they covered the subject matter of the test or test objectives (p.2). The Entrance Exam is the main examination for high school students to enter university. There are two parts of questions. The first part include multiple choice grammar questions for each of which students must choose the best answer. The second part is a reading comprehension assessment that includes cloze tests (Ministry of Education and Training, 1999). Thus, students focus on writing and reading rather than speaking skills. Also, starting their learning in universities, pre-intermediate students are lack of chance to improve their speaking skills. They feel shy and can hardly speak and listen to English in their daily lives. Although they are taught the curriculum Lifeline set (Hutchinson, 2001) with four skills, the speaking skills are often ignored due to limited time in one period. Grammar or reading exercises are taken greater priority. Besides, teaching speaking seems to put a lot of effort into and not every teacher will be successful in a speaking lesson. As a matter of fact, so many teachers of English in Vietnam universities are trained with grammar translation method. That is the reason why they will face a big challenge to create an environment in which students are given more opportunities to use English as a means of communication. It has become more and more difficult for Vietnamese teachers when they have to work with large classes which are more suitable to give lectures instead of asking students to work in small groups. Teachers of English make it impossible to control such large classes if they have intention of teaching English in communicative way. A serious problem teachers in Vietnam have to tackle is that although there is a number of a method of teaching speaking skill, it is not easy at all to find out appropriate methods which help Vietnamese students, especially those at pre-intermediate leve l make some improvements in speaking skill. Researchers argue that role-play can help learners improve it. Firstly, role-play helps improve students listening ability. In viewpoint of Salies (1995, p.8), role-play makes students aware of the listener. Therefore, listening ability is as important as speaking ability and role-play might help to improve this skill. Secondly, role -play contributes to improve speaking ability. In order to speak well in a daily conversation, one should take consideration about the pronunciation as well because clear pronunciation helps speaking become two-way communication. In this case, while students are performing in speaking lessons, teachers will be able to listen to each students pronunciation and correct him/her individually during speaking sessions. In conclusion, the context above is critical because it indicates that there is a need to examine how role-play can facilitate pre intermediate students speaking ability in Vietnams universities. 4. METHODOLOGY According to C. Pope and N. Mays (1995), the goal of qualitative research is the development of concepts which help us to understand social phenomena in natural (rather than experimental) settings, giving due emphasis to the meanings, experiences, and views of all the participants. In the researchers viewpoint, qualitative method is proper to discover pre-students attitudes towards role play and how role play motivates them in speaking lessons. This part presents subjects, data collection instruments consisting of oral tests, interview and observation via two role play activities. 4.1. Subjects Participants Six students are randomly chosen. All are between the age of 19 and 20 and study English at pre-intermediate level. Students at pre-intermediate level but not other levels are chosen as they have more chance to take part in communication activities. In order to get an exact result, the participants English speaking ability is different. The backgrounds of participants are stated below. Name Sex Background English Level Nam Male He is quite good at English. He performs enthusiastically and confidently in English class. Good Mai Female Her English is at medium. However, she is willing to learn and perform in class. Medium Trung Male He is a person who is enthusiastic in English lesson even though his English is not as good as others. Medium Hoa Female Her English level is medium. She is very shy. She likes English, especially English speaking skill. But she is too shy to perform in class. Medium Sy Male He likes taking part in all games in class. Although his English is not good, he is not afraid to speak English. Not good Phuong Female She likes to talk loud in class, but not in English. Due to her weakness at English she seems to be very quiet in English lessons. Not good Teaching materials The main pilot teaching material is The New Headway Pre-intermediate textbook compiled by Liz John Soars. There are two dialogues used in this research. The researcher asked the informants to play the roles of the dialogues. Students are voluntarily encouraged to contribute their own ideas to make the play role activities more creative and interesting. 4.2. Instruments of data collection 4.2.1. Oral tests and Interviews Two oral tests and interviews were conducted for this study with the participation of six students. The first oral test was done before the two-week experiment, and the second oral test was held after the experiment of the two-week experiment. Moreover, during the interview the researcher asked them related questions to clarify the purpose of the study. Yes-no questions and WH- questions that students have to answer are included in oral test questions. Yes-no questions are for students who can not have long answers, and WH- questions are for students who are at better learners. The questions are displayed in Appendix A. After finishing the pre-oral test, the study proceeded to the main part, which was role-play. During role-play, I interviewed every student individually. The interview questions were based on some basic questions but might be changed to adapt the situations and students reactions (see Appendix C). Moreover, students were interviewed in their mother tongue so that they felt at ease to express their feelings. When the pre-oral test, two role play activities and interview were finished, it was time to examine how students improve their speaking ability. And the post-oral test was done to compare the students performances from the beginning to the end (see Appendix A). 4.2.2. Observation The researcher observed six pre-intermediate students participation during two role play activities. The observation in this study was done via my note-taking or keeping diary, and tape-recording through the pilot teaching. The purpose of this part is to see what pre-intermediate students behaviors are when role play is employed as a speaking activity. Furthermore, during the pilot teaching, tape recording was also carried out to get the data for the research. The students utterances were recorded and analyzed later to find out how the role play was used and how it motivated students. 5. DATA ANALYSIS Descriptive data are analyzed by qualitative method. 5.1. Descriptive data of oral tests The oral tests were arranged and conducted at the participants convenience. The oral tests (see Appendix A) were given before and after the two-week experiment. In order to give descriptive data of oral tests, interviews and observation, I have based on seven criteria to review pre-intermediate students English speaking ability including: 1) the influency of speaking, 2) the frequency of using words that have been taught, 3) the accuracy of grammar application, 4) the listening skills absorption, 5) the anxiety of students, 6) the accuracy of pronunciation, 7) the pause while interviewing. The oral tests showed that students speaking ability did improve after the use of role-play. Specifically, three fourth of the participants spoke more fluently. While doing the oral test, I also felt that students would try hard to answer in English. They might not give complete sentences, but they would manage to use the words they had learned. They also tried to use correct grammar when giving answers. However, some students who were not good at English such as Sy and Phuong sometimes produced wrong grammar sentences. Moreover, students not only understood what I asked during the oral tests, but also tried hard to listen to whole sentences and digested them. I, myself, had a strong feeling that students tried very hard to pay attention to the post-oral test, because most students had enthusiastic responses with me. Moreover, students anxiety had been decreased during the second oral test. One of the reasons that the researcher postulated was that students were familiar with the res earcher, and might not be afraid to speak English. They also learned how to pay due attention to their pronunciation while performing in front of their classmates. This also made them have better pronunciation during the oral tests. Some of them even tried to improve their pronunciation by making repetition of what they spoke. The pause frequency of interviewees was really high during the first oral tests, but it seemed lower during the second. Some students said I dont know or I have no idea when they could not find the answers to the questions. In general, the oral-tests showed that role-play had a positive influence on pre-elementary students speaking skill. Most students might not have the ability to answer in complete sentences, but they showed positive attitudes during the oral tests. They paid due attention to the questions, and answered the questions using the vocabulary they had learnt, which showed their willingness to attempt to learn English in general and speak English in particular. Therefore, I can conclude that role-play not only stimulated students when they learned English in speaking lessons, but also made them eager to learn more. 5.2. Descriptive data of observation In order to assess the participation and effectiveness of using role-play in speaking lessons, I based on four levels: 1-3 (bad), 4-6 (medium), 7-9 (good), 10 (excellent). In this part, I would like to use two dialogues and asked participants to play role (see appendix B). For the first role play activity, the researcher used the telephone conversation between the receptionist and client in book New Headway Pre-intermediate by Liz and John Soars (p.77, unit 9). I asked the participants to work in pairs which mean three couples did the same role play. In order to make the role play more effective and to have an exact observation, I asked Nam to work with Mai, Trung with Phuong, and Sy with Hoa. Nam, Trung, Sy played the role of the receptionist whereas Mai, Phuong, Hoa played the role of the client. The researcher instructed first and three pairs presented in turn. During the role play activity, I would observe, take notes, and record. The first role play is easy and simple so that students can feel comfortable and confident to take part in. The results of observation basing on the four levels are presented as below. For the second role play activity, the researcher used a more difficult role play activity which was extracted from the book New Headway Pre-intermediate by Liz and John Soars (p.57, unit 7). This role play was an interview with the band Style. Participants had to play the role of an interviewer a journalist and the role of two interviewees Suzie and Guy. In this part, students worked in group of three. Nam, Mai, Sy were the first group. Trung, Hoa, Phuong were the second group. Nam, Hoa who are better at English were the interviewers. The rest were the interviewees in which Mai, Phuong played the role of Suzie, and Sy, Trung played the role of Guy. Similar to the first role play, the researcher instructed first, and the two groups presented in turn. The results of observation from the second role play activity basing on the four levels are stated as below. The second role play After experiencing the two role-play activities, the researcher found that the pre-elementary students English speaking ability has been improved. Specifically, four out of six participants made a clear progress in the influence of speaking ability, and the ability of expressing him/her self. Moreover, half of participants used grammar more correctly. Also, half of participants became more confident such as Mai, Trung, Sy. In addition, Nam the best participant at English speaking improved his vocabulary. Thus, the observations results show that pre-students English speaking skill has been improved when the researcher uses the role play in speaking lessons. 5.3. Descriptive data of interview The interview was conducted during and after role play. All the students were interviewed once. Additionally, the interviews were conducted in Vietnamese. During the interviews, the whole procedure was recorded and taken notes. The questions of interview are available in Appendix C When being asked to compare the traditional teaching method most of the students answered that they really like the role-play teaching method. They explained that role-play gave them a joyful feeling and avoid being sleepy in class. In general, most students feel that role play is an interesting teaching activity and they really like it. In other words, their feeling of this teaching method is positive. For example, one of the interviewees, Hoa, expressed that: Well, I extremely like this teaching activity. It helps me be more confident in speaking English. Especially, it makes me more interested in lesson instead of being sleepy. I always feel bored and sleepy in lessons which are given in a traditional way. Another participant Nam said that: I think using role play in speaking lessons is good because we get more confident when playing role and speaking in front of other friends. I like this teaching method than the traditional method. For the second question Do you think that your speaking skill has been improved after doing role-play in class? all participants answer Yes. For example, Sy pointed out that role-play can help him improve his speaking skill: I thinkà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ my speaking is better after doing role-play several times. My speaking ability seems to be more fluent. Andà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.I feel more confident. When replying this question, Trung also determined that his speaking English skill had been improved. He said Ummà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.You know that now I can speak English a little bit fluently. I feel more confident to speak in front of other students. Does it mean that my English speaking skill has been improved? Furthermore, I asked the participants whether there are any negative sides when applying role-play in class. And most of them answered that the problem is the class order was not very good in that case. Sometimes, there was too much noise for students to act in class. Participants, however, still show a positive attitude. Mai said: I think noise is unavoidable when we learn speaking skill. I really like this kind of teaching activity. It is fun. It makes me want to study English and want to speak English in class. However, in order to add to the negative sides of using role play in class, Hoa stated that Sometimes role play takes much time. In my opinion, it is a negative side of role play. I asked the students if it was tiring or stressful for them to plan the dialogues beforehand. As a result, most students showed a positive response to the preparation. Phuong who is not good at English expressed that I feel difficult to have a good preparation at first. My English is not very good. I can not study it at home without teachers instruction. However, after preparing for the class for several times, I start to feel that preview is really important. I know the lesson prior to class and I can understand what the teacher talks about in class. Furthermore, as I have had preparation before class, I become less nervous and shy when speaking on the stage in English. Similarly, Trung said eagerly: Well, my teacher also asked us to prepare in advance. For the first time I felt quiet tired because I didnt get familiar with this learning method. But for the third time, everything seemed to be better. And now I have no problem with preparation in advance. When observing participants doing the first role-play, the researcher recognized that some of the students were very extroverted. However when they were asked to perform the role play in class, they started to keep avoiding from this opportunity. I wanted to know what resulted in such a reaction. Some students told me that they were really shy; some of them could not find out the proper way to act. However, after doing the second role-play the participants responses seemed to be more positive. They participated to the activity more enthusiastically. They did not appear to be shy any more. For example, Trung said that I am an extroverted person. However, I dont feel confident when speaking English in class because I know that my English is not good and as a result, I dont want to speak English in class. But now I feel better. After doing the first and the second role-play activities I recognize that theres no reason to be shyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦please take part in the activity, please spea k. Wellà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦it is really good. In short, most of the participants hold the positive attitudes to the role-play teaching activity in speaking lessons. For example, students showed more interest in learning speaking English with the role -play activity, students agreed that role-play helped improve their speaking skills, and they showed higher willingness to perform in public. 6. REFLECTION This study was designed to research the effectiveness of using the role-play to motivate pre-intermediate students in speaking lessons. There were six participants in the research. Also, the researcher used qualitative method to do the research in which oral tests, interviews, and observation are used to collect data. Based on the results of the study, the findings have been drawn. These findings are: (1) participants have a positive attitude to role-play in speaking lessons. (2) Role-play motivates pre-intermediate students in learning speaking. Moreover, the findings of this study may offer three practical implications for English teachers in Vietnam to help students develop speaking ability. The first implication for English teachers is that they should apply a communicative teaching technique in English speaking classes such as role play. However, role play should be merged with the traditional English teaching. The second implication is that teachers can affect students learning attitudes/motivation positively by lively activities. The last implication is to provide a safe environment with tender discipline in class because this will make student feel more comfortable and eager to learn, especially to speak English in class. In other words, English teaching in Vietnam should be added lively and interesting communicative teaching methods in class, especially in English speaking class. I believe that the study is successful. Also, it is proper to use the qualitative method for this study. However, there is one limitation which may influence the outcome of the study. The limitation referred in this study is time limitation. Because of limited time, I can only give two role-play activities to experience and test the effectiveness of role-play on pre-intermediate students. Suggestions for further research In order to have a more accurate and complete result, further study can be done with the cooperation of the involved students English teacher. Working with the English teacher is advantageous as he/she might help me understand every students English level in a short time. Moreover, it would be better to have two instructors to review students during oral tests and performances. Besides role-play, I would like to add some other activities to class and think of some interesting topics for students to act in role-play. It would be boring if the whole period of class was proceeding in the role-play teaching activity only, thus, added activities may help students concentrate in class more effectively. The dialogues in students textbooks did not really attract them. Students already had those contents in their regular English classes. It would affect students attitudes/motivation positively if there were more interesting topics for students to discuss and act. Last but not least, in a future research, I may have more chances to videotape the whole process of the experiment which includes the oral tests, interviews and performances. Students gestures, facial expressions or body languages could serve as the sources to interpret their intentions as well. Besides, some non-verbal languages could appear beyond expectation, so those expressions are also important for descriptive data. 7. CONCLUSION I would like to conclude my research in two aspects. Firstly, role play is not beneficial only for the pre intermediate students but even students of upper levels as well as lower levels. Role play proves to be a good way to motivate English learners to speak out what they want to say. In fact, students have to experience different situations in real life. The final and the most important goal of teaching English is none other than helping students use English in those situations. Role-play creates many daily situations for students to practice their English. In addition, it really creates a safe environment and productive learning environment in language class which would be interesting to absorb knowledge. Secondly, although role play works well in speaking lessons as well as with pre-intermediate university students, it is not the only method for teachers to apply in every lesson. In other words, there are numerous different ways Vietnamese teachers are offered to apply to motivate students communicate in English naturally and effectively, to affect their attitudes positively and to increase s

American Newspaper Comics :: Newspapers Comic Strips Cartoons Art Essays

American Newspaper Comics 1. Definition and Defining Elements of Newspaper Comics 1.1. Definition According to Wikipedia encyclopaedia, â€Å"[†¦] a comic strip is a short strip or sequence of drawings, telling a story. Drawn by a cartoonist, they are published on a recurring basis (usually daily or weekly) in newspapers or on the Internet. They usually communicate to the reader via speech balloons. The term ‘comic’ derives from the fact that most strips were funny in the beginning. For this reason they are often also referred to as ‘funnies’.†. Comics, however, need not be humorous by necessity. While many comics remain focused on humour, others involve politics, human interest, murder and suspense, or adventure. Another word for comic is ‘sequential art’ , which I regard as the most appropriate term describing the genre, because it refers to comics as an art form on the one hand and gives you an idea of the nature and appearance of comics on the other. This takes me to the structure and appearance of newspaper comics. 1.2. Structure and Appearance Most comics consist of more than one panel, which is a box or a frame that contains a given scene, but as the following strip shows, sequence can also be expressed in only one panel. Here, one can imagine what happened before this scene, by just seeing one panel. Almost all comics also contain some text, which appears in balloons or headlines. While most daily newspaper comics are published six days a week in black and white, those on Sunday tend to be in colour.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1.2. The Characters In fact, the characters are the most important ingredients of a successful feature, because everything else is exchangeable. There are often lots of artists who work on one strip and if any of them discontinues, there are others to replace him or her. Artists may even switch syndicates without anyone noticing, but Peanuts, for example, would not be the same without Charlie Brown or Snoopy. The characters become your friends, because you identify with them. The typical loser who never manages to sit next to the little red-haired girl during the break might sympathize with Charlie Brown and the person being bullied at his or her workplace is very likely to feel affection for Dilbert. According to Julie Davies, â€Å"[†¦] comic strips can only be effective if readers see their own lives reflected in the daily funnies.† The Funnies are also something steady, something you can rely on, because, once adapted, they are not likely to change.

Operation Barbarossa - Hitlers Russian Offensive :: World War II History

Operation Barbarossa - Hitler's Russian Offensive The Russians Would never have joined the war if it weren't for the German invasion of 1941 - Operation Barbarossa. This parallels the USA intervention - they only joined because the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour. Operation Barbarossa commenced on the 22nd June, 1941. Just over 3,000,000 German troops invaded the USSR. Stalin doubted the country ability to perform well on the battlefield since the Finnish War, refused to counteract the Germans preparations, for fear of provoking them into war. The Russians concluded that the German form of attack - The Blitzkrieg - would not be possible on Russia. The German infantry outnumbered the Russian, but the Russians had more artillery and aviation forces. The Russian infantry was told that it was not to retreat, do was destined to become destroyed or captured. The Germans set up 3 army groups, and assigned them to 3 different areas:- North - Leningrad Central - Moscow South - Kyyiv The generals agreed that they had to lock the Russian forces into battle, in order to prevent them escaping into the rest of the vast country. However, they disagreed on how to do this. The majority of them thought that they would sacrifice everything to protect Moscow; the capital; the centre of industry; the centre of all the networks and transport. Hitler disagreed. He believed that the Ukrainian area - for its resources - and the oil of the Caucasus were much more crucial. A compromise was made. Army Group Centre would march towards Moscow. The victory was predicted for ten weeks ahead. This timing was crucial because it would be impossible to fight once the short Russian summer had ended. Things seemed to happen a lot faster. In the first month Germans had already encircled Bialystok and Minsk, and on August 5th, the Germans crossed the Dnepr River, the last natural obstruction to Moscow. The group defeated a small force in Smolensk, capturing another 300,000. When it had reached Smolensk, it was two-thirds of the way there. Hitler decided to change plan. He sent the group north to help the other two groups, ignoring the generals' protests, thereby stopping the advance to Moscow. On September 8th Army Group North had, together with the Finnish army, brought Leningrad to siege. On September 16th Army Group South had captured Kyyiv, with 665,000 prisoners.

Free Waste Land Essays: The Current Relevance :: T.S. Eliot Waste Land Essays

The Current Relevance of The Waste Land Eliot’s poem, The Waste Land, is at least as relevant to life today as it was in 1922, when it was first published. All of the themes stated at the beginning of the Norton Anthology's introduction to the poem ("spiritual dryness," a lack of "regenerating belief" to give meaning to life, and death without resurrection) are with us to an even greater degree than they were at the time the poem was first published. (Introduction 2146) The attitudes toward sexuality that are implicitly condemned throughout the work have not changed in any way that Eliot would be likely to see as an improvement, either. "The Waste Land" does not merely present an anthropological description of a culture, however, and the solution proposed by Eliot seems as relevant today as it must have been in 1922. Like Blake, Eliot constructs a personal mythology, but Eliot draws on a larger number of sources than Blake does: various religions from both the east and the west, works of literature from around the world, and works of philosophy and anthropology. Eliot refers to the fragmentary references throughout the poem at the end of the poem by saying, "These fragments I have shored against my ruins" -- that is, Eliot has taken fragmentary references and pieced them together in an attempt to come to grips with the modern situation in which he finds himself. (line 431) The references from the poem are nearly always references to the past, when a cultural heritage was common to an entire people, the themes described in the Norton Anthology's introduction were nonexistent (or were problematic to a much lesser degr ee than in the modern era), and when sexuality found its expression in a context Eliot would have seen as appropriate -- a mature relationship between men and women that expresses both love and physical passion. Perhaps more important than the building of this personal mythology, however, is the solution Eliot explicitly offers in "What the Thunder Said." Eliot weaves in a Hindu story in which gods, devils, and humans each ask their common father, Prajapati, for advice.

Separation of Powers in Botswana

SEPARATION OF POWERS IN BOTSWANA Government The constitution implicitly recognises the separation of powers by dealing with each of the three organs of government in separate and distinct provisions. The executive is dealt with in chapter IV, sections 30-56, the legislature in chapter V, sections 57-94 and the judiciary in chapter VI, sections 95-106. Executive The whole of chapter IV of the constitution deals with the executive. Part I deals with the President and Vice President, part II with the Cabinet and part III with the executive functions. In spite of this, section 47 explicitly vests executive functions on the President.The President is not elected directly by universal suffrage but rather indirectly under section 32 after parliamentary elections from the newly elected members of Parliament. He can only hold office for an aggregate period of 10 years and if the office falls vacant, the Vice President takes over. The President appoints the Vice President and such number of Mi nisters and Assistant Ministers as are determined by Parliament. They must all be members of Parliament at the time of their appointment. If not, then before the expiration of four months after their appointment they must become members of Parliament or vacate the position.This therefore means that there is no strict separation of powers in Botswana. Executive power vests in the President and section 49 states that the Vice President acts as his â€Å"principal assistant† and works under his directions. He is responsible for such business of government (including the administration of any department of Government), that the President may assign to him. The usual pattern has been to assign a specific department to the Vice President. On the other hand, cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers are responsible for advising the President with respect to policy and such other matters that he may refer to them.Nevertheless, section 50 makes it clear that the cabinet shall be respo nsible to Parliament for all things done by or under the authority of the President and Vice President in the execution of their duties. This generally means that the cabinet as a whole, including the President are collectively responsible to Parliament. Ministers are also individually responsible to Parliament and the public at large for the running of their ministries. Legislature Parliament, according to section 57, consists of the President and the National Assembly.The latter is composed of the President, as ex officio member, 57 elected members, and 4 specially elected members. Although Botswana has earned considerable praise for maintaining a full-fledged liberal multi-party democratic system since independence, one party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has won all elections since independence and remains a dominant party in a system marked by a weak and fragmented opposition parties. The Botswana parliament exercises three main functions viz, the making of laws, control ling public finance and scrutinising and controlling Government.Section 86 vests on Parliament the â€Å"power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Botswana. † Legislation only becomes law under section 87 after it has been assented to by the President. Another important function of Parliament, which is provided for under sections 117 to 124, is to control the use of public finances. As a result of this control, Government must obtain legislative authority before it can engage in certain financial activities such as levying taxes, imposing rates, and charging fees. The final function of scrutinising and controlling Government is carried out in at least three different ways.The first of this is through question time, motions and ministerial statements. The Standing Orders of the National Assembly allow any private member of Parliament to address a question to a Minister relating to a public matter for which he is responsible. An alternative to question time is the motion, which enables a member to move a motion on any topic by giving three day’s notice of his intention to do so. Besides Parliament, there is also the Ntlo ya Dikgosi, which until the constitutional amendments of 2005, was known as the House of Chiefs.According to section 77, it is to be composed of â€Å"not less than 33 nor more than 35 members,† some of whom are persons performing the functions of kgosiin certain specified districts, some appointed by the President and others selected under section 78(4)(c). The Ntlo ya Dikgosi although having some role to play in the law making process is not a second chamber of Parliament in any sense. Its limited role in the law making process is specified in section 85, which enables it to: i) consider the copy of any Bill, which may affect the designation, ecognition, removal of powers of Dikgosi or Dikgosana; affect the organisation, powers or administration of customary laws; affect customary law, or the ascertain ment or recording of customary law; or affect the tribal organisation or tribal property. ii) be consulted by any Minister on any matter on which he desires to obtain their opinion; or iii) discuss any matter within the executive or legislative authority, which it considers it to be desirable to take cognizance in the interests of the tribes, and tribal organisations it represents and make representations to the President or send messages to Parliament on this.The Ntlo ya Dikgosi therefore only plays a consultative and advisory role. The Judiciary In Botswana, the constitution in section 127 implicitly distinguishes between superior courts and inferior or subordinate courts. Section 127 of the constitution in defining â€Å"subordinate court,† states that thisâ€Å"means any court established for Botswana other than the Court of Appeal, the High Court, a court martial, or the Industrial Court. Generally, the jurisdiction of superior courts is neither limited by the value of the subject matter nor geographically and they tend to deal with the more important and difficult cases.By contrast, the jurisdiction of inferior courts is limited both geographically and according to the value of the subject matter of the dispute. Another distinctive feature of inferior courts is that they are amenable to the supervisory jurisdiction of the High court. The most important inferior courts in Botswana are the Magistrates’ court and the customary courts. Another important distinction is that between courts of general, ordinary or normal jurisdiction and courts of special jurisdiction. Courts of general jurisdiction are those, which deal with practically any kind of case, whether civil, or criminal, that may be brought before them.On the other hand, courts of special jurisdiction may deal only with stated and limited kinds of issues. The courts of general jurisdiction are organised in a hierarchy and consists of (i) the Court of Appeal, (ii) the High Court, (iii) the Magistrates’ Courts and (iv) the Customary Courts. This structure reflects the dual system of laws operating in the country in that the first three courts are concerned primarily with administering the common law and statutes enacted by the legislature while the last courts deal essentially with customary law. The courts of special jurisdiction onsist of the land tribunal, the juvenile court, the court martial and the industrial court. Those who adjudicate upon disputes in the superior courts, consists of the Judge President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Justice of the High Court and such other judges of the High Court and the Court of Appeal as Parliament may prescribe. Their role in the administration of justice is set out in Part VI of the Constitution. These constitutional provisions and other laws regulate matters such as their appointment and dismissal, their tenure, their status and their independence from the other two branches of government

Diary entries for Lady Macbeth on reading Macbeth’s letter Essay

Diary entries for Lady Macbeth on reading Macbeth’s letter, on Macbeth’s return from battle, on Duncan’s arrival, on Macbeth’s indecision, on the murder of Duncan and on the Banquet and Banquo’s ghost. Today, I received a letter, inside it incredible news from Macbeth. Weird sisters predicted that he was to be Thane of Cawdor! As amazing as this may seem, their prophecy came true! The sisters didn’t just forecast that Macbeth was to be Thane of Cawdor but also that he will be king! My only fear is that Macbeth is too kind for his own good. He must be ruthless if he wants to fulfil his ambition. The nearest way to become king is to cold-heartedly kill Duncan. It would be terrible for Macbeth to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. These weird sisters must be messengers from God or of perhaps the Devil, to foresee something like that. Macbeth must follow up prediction so that it becomes his destiny. I have prayed to the spirits to take away my femininity so I can aid and spur on my husband in his mission to kill Duncan. I beg the spirits to prevent me feeling any remorse so I can stick to the plan. I hope that the night will be foggy and gloomy so that no one can see the stab wound. * * * * * I knew it was a huge, bloody battle and I was just pleased to see the future king alive. I had had no idea if Macbeth was alive and well. I was so worried about him. Not only was I pleased for that reason but also because the start of our lives is just beginning. The benefits and rewards of the throne are soon in the grasp of my hand. Macbeth said that Duncan was to leave the next day. At this moment it occurred to me that this was the time to strike, it must be then or never. We must not give the plot away, so we must look friendly, speak charmingly and generally be two-faced. This is vital to the method. If there is any suspicion of this then we could be on the receiving end of the fatality. If we treat Duncan as best we can then we are less likely to be suspected of being the murderers. He must be provided for and his every requirement must be tended to. Tonight is the start of a new beginning! * * * * * Duncan’s arrival earlier was extremely difficult. To hide such an evil and wicked thing is very tricky. It is constantly on my mind; will it go smoothly? Have we missed any essential thing out? What if it doesn’t go according to plan? I am excited and tense but I know I have to appear hospitable. The conversation between Duncan and myself went smoothly and I kept my cool. I fear Macbeth may reveal a piece of the plan in all the excitement; he must pull through for both of our sakes. I have seemingly made Duncan feel that we are thankful for his stay. Duncan must think everything is prepared for him, so far I think he is pleased with the welcoming he has received. To stop thinking of the murder later on will be even harder than it has been so far. I don’t know how I will cope. Now I must go for I fear the others are getting suspicious of my long disappearance. * * * * * Later on when I entered the room I found Macbeth looking deep in thought. I knew that something was wrong. When he told me he had changed his mind and that we should proceed no further in this business, I was horrified. The words just spilled out of my mouth as if it wasn’t me talking. Maybe my prayers to the spirits to make me cruel and strong, had worked. I accused him of being a coward, that the hope wherein he had dressed himself had been drunk and was now suffering a hangover. Unbelievably, I could even hear myself saying that had I made a promise to him to do so, I would have killed our own baby. That really shocked him back to reality and we were able to make plans for Duncan’s murder. We decided to get Duncan’s guards drunk enough to be able to get to him easily, and then to stab him to death. We could then smear the guards with blood so it may seem their guilt. It is almost too simple to be true! * * * * * That night as I waited for Macbeth to do the terrible deed, every minute seemed like an eternity. An owl shrieked and I nearly jumped out of my skin. What if the guards woke? Macbeth would certainly be executed for treason just as the last Thane of Cawdor was. It’s a good job I had the sense to put laudanum in their drinks. When I went to lay out the guards’ daggers ready, I almost killed Duncan myself, I was so hyped up. Memories of my father stopped me. When Macbeth finally returned, he looked terrible. He was ranting and raving and I couldn’t get any sense out of him. He kept going on about how the guards were shouting in their sleep, ‘murder’ and ‘Macbeth shall sleep no more’. It had not been an easy thing for him to do. This surprised me as he has killed so many people in battle. I had to be really firm with him and got him to go and wash the blood from his hands, to make him do something to snap him out of hysteria. That’s when I realised that he still had the daggers in his hands – the evidence! He was in no state to take them back so I did it myself. When I actually did the job, I was ashamed that I had been so scared. Still, I knew that once I had washed my hands, all evidence would be destroyed and that would be the end of the matter. * * * * * A banquet had been prepared for all our friends. Everything was fine until, suddenly, out of the blue, Macbeth’s expression changed. He started shouting at an empty space at the table and looking terrified. I tried to comfort him and persuade him it was a hallucination, just like the imagined dagger he had seen before he murdered Duncan. Then he started talking to the mirage! It was so embarrassing in front of our guests, and yet worrying because I wondered what was happening to my husband. I had to think, quickly, of an excuse on his behalf – I explained that he was prone to having fits, and that he would soon be okay again.

Importance of Flowers in Our Lives

Flowers are wonderful creations of nature and are one of the most beautiful gifts of nature. Flowers are of utmost importance in every sphere of human life. Flowers arrangement of various designs and types are available for making various occasions of our life more cherished. Several occasions in our society such as birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, weddings, etc. need flowers to celebrate. Colourful and fragrant flowers make every occasion bright and happy. People of all ages from child to old people love flowers.Gifting flowers is the most affectionate expression of love to the dear ones. Hence, flower is a must in each and every occasions of our life. Flowers play an important role in making the life of a human being more cheerful and happy. People use flowers in several forms and on several occasions.Flowers are used as beautiful flower arrangements for decorating homes. They are also help people in proposing their partner for life, as well as flowers are used as a symbol of mourn and tribute on loved ones funeral. Apart from above said uses, there are several other uses of flowers in various activities of our daily life.Varieties of flowers RoseA rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosacea. There are over 100 species. They form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing or trailing with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. SunflowerThe sunflower is an annual plant native to the Americas. Its name is derived from the flower's shape and image, which is often used to capture the sun. The plant has a rough, hairy stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves, and circular flower heads.JasmineJasmine is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family. It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa.LotusThe Lotus, the national flower of India, is a symbol of supreme reality. Hindu religion and mythology portray goddess Saraswathi, the muse of l earning, as being seated on a lotus flower.TulipThe tulip is a perennial, bulbous plant with showy flowers in the genus Tulipa, of which around 75 wild species are currently accepted and which belongs to the family Liliaceae.LilyLily is a feminine given name directly derived from lily, the flower. In the United States, â€Å"Lily† became one of the top-100 names for newborn girls in 2002 and reached a rank of 18 by 2009. hibiscusHibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is quite large, containing several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world.

Compare two of Palins meetings with people who are particularly memorable Essay

Pole to Pole is a piece of travel writing. It has also been made into a television show. The author of this piece of travel writing is Michael Palin, and it is about his journey from the North pole to the South pole. Michael Edward Palin, CBE (born 5 May 1943) is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentariesIn Pole to Pole, Michael Palin encounters several different people during his journey; these meetings were particularly memorable to him. Particularly the meetings, with Lyuba-Day 41 on board Junost- and Doctor Baela- witch doctor, day 108 in Zambia-. Palin meets Lyuba as he is travelling between countries on a boat, whereas he meets Dr Baela when he has just entered Mpulungu, but has been in the continent, Africa, for quite a long time. The use of language in these sections is effective because Palin portrays his attitude towards women. He does this by using a superlative to highlight his meeting with Lyuba. Palin also reinforces that he does not take Lyuba very seriously when he uses alliteration, â€Å"lovely Lyuba†, when he calls Lyuba â€Å"proprietress of the bar† he then implies a certain attitude towards women. This is because of the use of the word proprietress, meaning lady of the bar. This is also a contrast to Palin’s usual persona as Palin doesn’t normally criticize or seek to be sexist/ politically incorrect. When Palin visits Dr Baela he exaggerates the encounter by being dramatic. He also demonstrates that Dr Baela is weird and sort of unrealistic, when using emotive language such as â€Å"evil†, â€Å"shadow†, and â€Å"spirits†. This is because some people do not believe in such things as spirits and after life. When Dr Baela says what he thinks is wrong with Palin, Palin uses the word â€Å"concludes† in a sarcastic manner, this then suggests that Palin sees the meeting as a joke and does not take it seriously, as well as how strange he feels the meeting is. Therefore Palin does not take either of the encounters seriously. When Palin met Lyuba and Doctor Baela, both of these meetings were surprising and quite unexpected. These meetings were unexpected because Palin does not expect these people to act like they do, as well as being surprising. â€Å"Strangest encounter†, by using this Palin shows that his meeting with Lyuba was not just strange, but more than strange, this highlights the fact that he was not expecting this encounter with Lyuba, which is a contrast to life no the ship.This is comparable to Palin’s meeting with Doctor Baela, this is because Palin was surprised and didn’t expect Doctor Baela to act the way he did. â€Å"Only adds to the confusion.† By saying this Palin shows that he is confused, but he didn’t expect to be confused. â€Å"More seriously than I expected.† This quote also adds to the fact that Palin didn’t expect the day to go this way. I think Palin’s intention was to make both of these parts quite comical and laughable when he is with Dr Baela the incident begins comical but changes, I also feel that he was putting a strange and peculiar approach to the encounters. As reading this I would feel my response would be, that it was very different and an unforgettable experience. Therefore these encounters were both surprising and unexpected, this is because Palin did not expect the witch doctor to act the way he did which links in with the fact that he didn’t expect Lyuba to act the way she did. When meeting Lyuba, Palin uses a lot of sarcasm and humour in his language which is really effective, which differentiates this from the language Palin uses to make Doctor Baela sound completely silly, but also intimidating and that what he does is pointless. â€Å"If there’s nothing more normal in the world than sharing a water-logged packing case with a Russian Barmaid.† When Palin says this he says this in a very sarcastic way, saying â€Å"if there’s nothing more normal† he is being sarcastic that it actually is normal as well as being humorous and playful. This has an effect on the reader because it adds humour to the situation. â€Å"Which will ‘drive out’ any evil influence† By using the quotation marks either side of ‘drive out’ Palin shows the intention of making Baela sound pointless and useless. Using sarcasm and humour in the language makes Baela sound very unprofessional, and makes the reader feel that Baela is making a fool out of himself but everyone around him believes him although he talks a lot of nonsense, where as the language that he uses when he meets Lyuba then presents her to be quite intimidating, which adds to the affect of the flirting. I think when Palin is with Baela; his intention was to change a serious situation into a disappointing and peculiar one, as opposed to when he is with Lyuba and changing an awkward situation into a humorous one. I feel he does this because the reader may loose interest Palin uses a lot of description during these encounters with Lyuba and Doctor Baela. When Palin first sees Doctor Baela, he describes him extremely well, corresponding to his meeting with Lyuba when he uses very descriptive language. â€Å"He has pouting lips and big lazy eyes. He wears a head-dress of genet fur, a pink tunic with his name on the back and a pair of welding goggles.† By using this Palin describes what Doctor Baela looks like, in a very understandable and clear way. â€Å"Nonchalant British lounging† Using this in his diary entry for when he met Lyuba, Palin adds to the formality and description. Being this descriptive, as the reader I feel that this makes the situation clearer and more understandable similarly to when Palin is describing Doctor Baela. I feel that Palin’s intention was to show the reader really what was happening and to add to the fact that these situations were quite awkward. Overall I feel that these two meetings would be particularly memorable to Palin, I feel this because when someone goes through a long period of time not knowing where they are, not seeing friends or family, being some place different everyday, I would expect this to be quite emotional and that every different person he meets he would then remember because it is all a big opportunity and experience which he would like to gain the most out of. I chose Lyuba and Doctor Baela because they both are not the usual conversations or meetings you would have with a complete stranger, I also feel that these encounters will be quite unforgettable because Lyuba acted really flirty, quickly where as Doctor Baela acted quite rehearsed and quiet when it came to chatting. Therefore I feel that these meetings were particularly memorable to Palin’s journey.

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

Nacroterrorism - Research Paper Example One of the reasons for increased narco-terrorism is that mergers between terrorists and drug traffickers benefit both sides. Terrorists enable drug traffickers to access military skills, clandestine groups, and weapons. Since terrorists mostly operate vast amount of territories, drug traffickers benefit by freely moving their assets. On the other hand, drug traffickers benefit terrorist by being a source of revenue and expertise in an illegal transfer. Additionally, most terrorist organizations believe that flooding their enemies with drugs can weaken them. The terrorists believe that after intoxicating their enemies with drugs, they can go ahead and do what they wish. Hence, they need drug dealers to facilitate their operations (Beers and Taylor 4). Another reason that has fueled narcoterrorism is that terrorists and drug traffickers more or less have similar methods of operations. Both groups employ the services of corrupt officials for mutual benefits. Some of the services include access to fraudulent documents. Both sides increasingly depend on the structures of cells to achieve their respective goals while enhancing security (Beers and Taylor 5). Members of compartmentalized cells carry daily activities as directed by a centralized strong leadership. Additionally, they conceal fund-raising and profits using informal transfer systems, smuggling bulk cash, opening multiple bank accounts, and bribing front organizations. Countries that have poorly regulated banking systems make it easier for drug traffickers and terrorists to use online transfers and open accounts that do not request disclosure of owners. Furthermore, both groups conceal their communication channels and code languages. Moreover, nations use same techniques and equipment to combat drug trafficking groups and terrorist organizations. In the past, state sponsors funded terrorist organizations that in turn helped them to secure

Selling drugs Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Selling drugs - Assignment Example Comprehending the best managerial practices to use in handling the challenge of drug selling in the workplace adeptly prepares me for the challenging managerial environment as well as imparts on me the ethical practices in the workplace. The Controlled Substances Act specifies that it is illegal for any person to distribute or be in possession of substances listed under the Act, including drugs. Through questionnaire and literature review, it is uncovered that many employees sell or use drug in the workplace. Since the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) prohibits an employer from discriminating against employees, industrial front-line supervisors should not discriminate any employee on the fact that they sell or use drugs in the workplace. They should: The paper wraps up by reiterating the importance of supervisors using nest practices in handling drug selling in the workplace. It emphasizes the importance of effective communication, and positive supervisor-employees, and supervisor-management relationships in curbing drug selling in the