Monday, December 30, 2019

Definition and Examples of Canadian English

Canadian English is a variety of the English language that is used in Canada. A Canadianism is a word or phrase that originated in Canada or has special meaning in Canada. Although there are many similarities between Canadian English and American English, the English spoken in Canada also  shares a number of features with the English spoken in the United Kingdom. Examples and Observations Margery Fee and Janice McAlpineStandard Canadian English is distinct from both Standard British English and Standard American English. Additions to, and divergences from, the English of the motherland, once derided by genteel British visitors to Canada, are now recorded in—and given legitimacy by—Canadian dictionaries.Canadians who are aware of some of the unique elements of Canadian English are less likely to assume that their usage is wrong when they look in vain for a familiar word, meaning, spelling, or pronunciation in a British or American dictionary. Similarly, they are less likely to assume the speakers of other dialects of English are making a mistake when they use an unfamiliar word or pronunciation.Charles BoburgWith respect to lexical variation or vocabulary, Canadian English [is] much closer to American than to British English where those varieties differ, though a small set of unique Canadian words... [shows] that Canadian English is not simply a mixture o f British and American forms. Canadianisms like bachelor apartment, bank machine, Chesterfield, eavestrough, grade one, parkade, runners or running shoes, scribbler and washroom are not merely words for things found only or mostly in Canada, but Canadian words for universal concepts that have other names outside Canada (compare American studio apartment, ATM, couch, gutters, first grade, parking garage, sneakers or tennis shoes, notebook and restroom; or British studio flat or bed-sit, cash dispenser, settee, gutters, first form, car park, trainers, exercise book and lavatory or loo).In phonological and phonetic terms, Standard Canadian English is also much more similar to Standard American than to Standard British English; in fact, it was shown that, with respect to major variables of phonemic inventory, Standard Canadian and American English are largely indistinguishable.Simon HorobinIn terms of pronunciation, Canadians tend to sound like Americans to most people from outside Nort h America; distinctive features include the rhotic pronunciation of car, the d-like pronunciation of bottle, and the use of American alternatives like tomayto for British English tomahto, and skedule for British English shedule.Canadian English does not follow American English in all such cases; British English preferences are found in words like news, which is pronounced nyoos rather than noos,  and in the pronunciation of anti, where American English has  AN-tai.Laurel J. Brinton and Margery FeeCanada is an officially bilingual country, though the balance is heavily tipped toward English: in 1996, of a population slightly more than 28 million, 84% claimed a knowledge of English, while only 14% were exclusively French speakers (97% of whom live in Quebec), and fewer than 2% knew neither official language.Tom McArthurCanadians often use the particle eh (as in Its nice, eh?) where Americans use huh. . . . As elsewhere, eh is used in Canada to mean Could you repeat what you said, but more commonly it is a question tag, as in You do want to go, eh? (i.e., dont you?), or serves to elicit agreement or confirmation (Its nice, eh?) and to intensify commands, questions, and exclamations (Do it, eh?).Christopher Gorham and Liane BalabanAuggie Anderson: That guy. What is he wearing?Natasha Petrovna: Green tie, ugly shirt.Auggie Anderson: And what does that tell you?Natasha Petrovna: Hes a businessman with no style?Auggie Anderson: No. Hes a Canadian businessman. An American would have ordered ham or Canadian bacon. He ordered back bacon and she asked for a serviette.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

The Obama Effect, Perhaps Written by Ellen Horne - 761 Words

The podcast I listened to on RadioLab is called, â€Å"The Obama Effect, Perhaps,† produced by Ellen Horne, and it portrays a conversation between two speakers, Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich. From this particular podcast, I really liked how Abumrad and Kulwich explained the difference between the radio shows and podcasts, indicating that podcasts were â€Å"less formal† (Horne, 2009). Personally, I find it better that these podcasts are conversations because it keeps me engaged and the style makes it easier for me to understand the speakers’ perspectives. Furthermore, I liked how both speakers were very enthusiastic in order to keep the audience interested throughout the entire time. Most importantly, I appreciated the beginning of the podcast, which mentioned the difference between the radio shows and podcasts, because it was a clever way to dive into the actual topic (Horne, 2009). My attention was drawn when the actual topic of the â€Å"Obama Effect† was introduced and this happened when Abumrad referenced the second paragraph of an article in the New York Times newspaper (Horne, 2009). This article portrayed â€Å"new research† about the â€Å"Obama Effect† and based on the article, Abumrad states that â€Å"performance gap between African Americans and Whites on a 20 question test administered before Mr. Obama nomination all but disappeared after his acceptance speech and again after the presidential election† (Horne, 2009). It is mentioned in the podcast that blacks scored â€Å"poorly† on these

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Film a Form of Literature and Understanding It Free Essays

Film: A Form of Literature and Understanding It The purpose of literature not only describes reality but also adds to it. It’s not merely a depiction of reality; it is rather a value-addition. Literary works are interpretations of the thinking patterns and social standards established in society. We will write a custom essay sample on Film: a Form of Literature and Understanding It or any similar topic only for you Order Now They are portrayals of the different aspects of everyday life. Literary works serve as a provision for thought and a boost for imagination and creativity. Reading and understanding literature can help someone understand life better. They help a person take a closer look at the different sides of life. In many ways, it can change one’s perspective towards life. There are different forms of literature, like film. Film can be considered a form of literature. Literature is about telling a story and entertaining its readers. Film is the exact same way; it tells a story and entertains us throughout it. In film and literature they often relate to someone in some way. They can give lessons in life, and can have an influence on our behavior. This is because we often find ourselves trying to associate with what we see and search for similarities between these characters and ourselves. They can develop our progress to consider things morally. For example a movie with an anti-war theme can make a person rethink what war should be just because they portrayed the film in a particular way. This starts with reading what the film has to offer in terms of what it’s trying to portray. When trying to study what the film has to offer, it’s not just about what the movie is about and who is acting, but rather in what way the film is presented to you. There are five key elements to reading and analyzing film. These five key elements are the narrative, staging, cinematography, editing and sound. We will be analyzing the film Troy. In some films such as Troy there is narration in the beginning of the film as well as the ending of the film. It starts like this with Odysseus saying, â€Å"Men are haunted by the vastness of eternity and so we ask ourselves: Will our actions echo across the centuries? Will strangers hear our names long after we are gone, and wonder who we were, how bravely we fought, how fiercely we loved. † This foreshadows what the film is going to be about. It sets the mood for the film which you know is going to be about war and the legacy of the heroes who fought in the battle of Troy. The film ends with Odysseus narrating again. He says, â€Å"If they ever tell my story let them say that I walked with giants. Men rise and fall like the winter wheat, but these names will never die. Let them say I lived in the time of Hector, tamer of horses. Let them say I lived in the time of Achilles. † This just sums up how epic the film was in terms of showing the significance of the war and heroes. It makes you wonder about if Hector and Achilles were really that great. Staging consists of the setting, space, lighting, acting and choreography, and costume and make-up. The setting is very realistic in terms of the time period of which it supposedly happened. It’s very symbolic to the film because it creates the imagery during that time. Every scene you see brings a sense of awe because it’s so realistic in terms of getting everything right with the costumes, the make-up and props used. The atmosphere and lighting of the film are very clear and natural. The acting was amazing and it definitely made the film more believable and the strong acting could manipulate sympathies towards the characters. It created suspense and complexity within the acting such as the battle scenes and emotional scenes. For example when Hector and Achilles face off, you don’t want either of them to die but someone has to. Hector has a wife and newborn baby while Achilles is out of vengeance and avenging his cousin’s death, creating complex emotions for the viewer. Cinematography was rather frustrating in Troy. In some scenes of the movie it looks much sharper than others. The other was the zooming; to me it was just too much and didn’t match some particular parts of the story. Like when Hector opens the doors of the city to face Achilles, it didn’t really make sense in this film. It just made it look way more dramatic than it needed to be. The editing done in the film had lots of cuts throughout the film especially the battle scenes, but they are necessary. The music of this film makes the story more dramatic to look at. The music is very on key with how they portray the scenes and characters in the movie. It creates a more epic effect with the music. The foundation of the important concepts to understand the movie Troy better are noticeable. From the sound to the staging and acting it makes the story more dramatic. It creates an artistic view to the film because of what it’s trying to portray based off the narration from Odysseus. How to cite Film: a Form of Literature and Understanding It, Essays

Friday, December 6, 2019

Market Structures in Australia Competition Level

Question: Discuss about theMarket Structures in Australiafor Competition Level. Answer: Introduction Market structure revolves around market characteristics such as the strength of sellers and buyers, competition level, and degree of product differentiation. The structure of the market mirrors all the most essential parts of the market. The areas of the market include the quantity of companies in the entire industry, the kind of items produced, the likelihood of the companies to enter or exit the market, number of clients, and the capacity of an individual or solitary organization to impact the general market price. The lower the association's ability to affect the market, the more aggressive the business is considered. In the restricting situation where the level of impact of one company is zero, the market is said to be perfectly competitive. Organizations and business throughout the time they live joined to the four types of market structures. This exposition will give a few cases of the four market structures found in Australia such as Monopoly, oligopoly, duopoly, and monopoly. Businesses and organizations can move starting with one market structure then onto the next structure of the market amid the time of operation. These progressions between the structures might be the consequence of item changes, high rates of rivalry, government regulations, and the consumer interest. This paper will give clear cases on every market structure. Monopoly The Australian Post, Western Power, and Water Corp are examples of natural monopolies found in Australia. The State Government regulates them for the purpose of ensuring that consumers receive best services at a subsidized rate. Apart from providing quality services and employment opportunities, the organizations act as sources of revenues for the government. Funds obtained from the companies are channeled towards other sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure. One the other hand, there has been massive criticism from various members of the public concerning the performance of the state-owned companies. Criticism has been on a high note with more complaints relating to poor services, high prices, consecutive losses and exploitation of the consumers. For these reasons, the state government has decided to privatize some of its corporations such as Western Power. The government intends to sell the majority of its shares (51%) to individuals and the remaining amount to remai n operational in the stock exchange as part of the public share. (Foster, 2016, par 1-2). This move means that the natural monopolies remaining will be Water Corp and Australian Post. Duopoly Woolworths and Coles are perfect examples which exhibit duopoly as a market structure in Australia. (Aldi Lidl, 2015, par 1-10). The two supermarkets have been reaping massive profits from their sales. The high net profits have been linked to various contributing factors such as the price power, competition, and legal factors. Reports have emerged that the high profits are as the result of great rebate discounts which the companies receive from the suppliers. Since they are among the major retailers and wholesalers, the two are said to possess purchasing power, and in most cases, they dictate the rebate discount. Efforts by various activists to defend the suppliers against the price exploitation by the two companies have borne no fruits. Government through its commissions of inquiry reports non-existence of such manipulations. Apart from exploiting the suppliers, the duo has also been lowering the prices of their commodities to drive the rivals out of the market. The government has been criticized for turning a blind on the situation which has led to the dominance of the two competitive corporations in the Australian market. Oligopoly Oligopoly is the most common type of market structure in Australia. Examples of oligopolies in Australia market include Kelloggs, Hoyts, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Carlton United, Coca-Cola, and Dulux. Companies under this type of market produce differentiated products which are meant to perform a similar function. For example, Dunlop and Bridgestone companies provide car tyre. Although the products manufactured by the two companies serve the same purpose, differentiation in relation to target market and performance draws the line between the duo. Most of the tyres produced by Dunlop Company are characterized by features such as durability, cost-effective, excellent braking, handling, and cornering. Those manufactured by Bridgestone Company possess features such as quality, durability, smooth ride, and economical when it comes to fuel consumption. The main aim of firms under this type of market is to increase the level of profits. This objective is achieved through various measures such as product differentiation. (Gans, 2011, p. 380). Monopolistic Competition This is a kind of imperfect competition whereby firms sell goods which are differentiated in relation to branding, quality, and packaging. In Australia, such businesses include the hotels and restraints. Examples of top competing hotels which fall under the category of monopolistic competition include Avenue Hotel Canberra and the Provincial Ballarat. The two hotels provide the similar type of services and goods but what differentiates them is the quality of products they provide to the customers. Apart from the hotel industry, monopolistic competition has also been observed primarily in the coffee industry. The industry is made up of various firms which enjoy a particular share in the market. Some of the major holders of the market share include Folger (21.6%) and Maxwell House (14.62%). In this type of industry, there is free entry and exit. Ease of entry and exit in this kind of market is attributed to various factors such as low cost of investment and less or no barriers. It has been estimated that the average cost establishing a well-functioning coffee business ranges between $20,000 to $375,000. This range implies that even small businesses can fit into the coffee industry and are free to leave once economic profits have been exhausted. Conclusion The Australian market is made up of several market structures such as monopoly, oligopoly, duopoly, and monopolistic competition. Examples of monopoly markets include state-owned corporations such as Western Power, Australia Post, Water Corp among others. Oligopolistic markets include Dunlop Company and Bridgestone Company. The two firms are well known for producing best car tyres but what differentiates them is product differentiation. Perfect examples of organizations which practice duopoly in Australia include Woolworths and Coles. The two have been under constant criticism for exploiting suppliers and engaging in price wars to drive small businesses out of the market. The coffee industry is an example of monopolistic competition characterized by few barriers of entry and ease of exit. References Aldi Lidl 2016. Tomorrow, not quite the world. The Economist. [Online]. Available at: https://www.economist.com/news/business/21646224-german-discounters-successful-business-model-only-stretches-so-far-tomorrow-not-quite [Accessed 30 November 2016]. Foster B. 2016. Barnett government announces sale of Western Power. The Sydney Morning Herald. [Online]. Available at: https://www.smh.com.au/wa-news/barnett-government-to-announce-sale-of-western-power-20161130-gt0izl.html. [Accessed 30 November 2016]. Gans, J. 2011.Principles of economics. South Melbourne, Vic, Cengage Learning.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Types Of Teachers Essay Example For Students

Types Of Teachers Essay Teachers A teacher could simply be defined as one who teaches, or an individual who imparts information or skill to a person. Different Types Of Teachers Essay have different methods of passing on their knowledge. All teachers have different types of responsibilities and are capable of educating a certain number of students in order for them to learn it more easily. Teachers could be classified into many divisions, but some of the main types of teachers are tutors, instructors, professors, supervisors, and advisors. A tutor is a person charged with the instruction and guidance of another as a private teacher. We will write a custom essay on Types Of Teachers specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now His work is to teach or guide individually in a special subject or for a particular purpose. He can also be referred to as a coach, since he gives individual attention by instruction. This type of a teacher can give individual attention to his pupil. An instructor is one that instructs. He is a college teacher below professorial rank. An instructor can conduct classes through lectures or by demonstration and practical work. His task is to teach individuals and classes with the use of a developed curriculum. He also evaluates learners at regular intervals and keeps accurate records of their attendance and progress. An instructor is usually required to report regularly to a supervisor. A professor is a university teacher of the highest rank. He teaches generally through lectures and giving lengthy speeches on particular subjects and topics. A professor is a certified teacher who has received a degree in a particular field of education. A supervisor is a person who is in charge of a school unit and monitors the project in the field. This supervision could be carried out through the following: making regular visits at least twice a month, sitting in classes for observation of teaching methods, keeping records and updating statistics, preparing examinations and tests, and identify problems together with teacher and students in order to find possible solutions. His responsibility is to train teachers and give them instructions on how to educate and instruct. An advisor is a person who recommends, teaches, or otherwise helps the student body. He is also known as a guide, and his task is to direct, supervise, or influence individual students. He advises students and conducts their course of life. An advisor helps students decide what field of education to chose, what subjects to select, and how to go about realizing their educational goals. These classifications do not, however, cover up all types of teachers. Other types of teachers include lay teachers, guides, gurus, pundits, facilitators etc. Teachers can also be classified according to the qualities they possess: strict, friendly, partial, fair etc.; their subjects: Mathematics, English, Science, Psychology etc.; and the grade they are teaching: kindergarten, high school, college etc. . Types Of Teachers Essay Example For Students Types Of Teachers Essay A teacher could simply be defined as one who teaches, or an individual who imparts information or skill to a person. Different types of teachers have different methods of passing on their knowledge. All teachers have different types of responsibilities and are capable of educating a certain number of students in order for them to learn it more easily. Teachers could be classified into many divisions, but some of the main types of teachers are tutors, instructors, professors, supervisors, and advisors. A tutor is a person charged with the instruction and guidance of another as a private teacher. His work is to teach or guide individually in a special subject or for a particular purpose. He can also be referred to as a coach, since he gives individual attention by instruction. This type of a teacher can give individual attention to his pupil. An instructor is one that instructs. He is a college teacher below professorial rank. An instructor can conduct classes through lectures or by demonstration and practical work. His task is to teach individuals and classes with the use of a developed curriculum. We will write a custom essay on Types Of Teachers specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now He also evaluates learners at regular intervals and keeps accurate records of their attendance and progress. An instructor is usually required to report regularly to a supervisor. A professor is a university teacher of the highest rank. He teaches generally through lectures and giving lengthy speeches on particular subjects and topics. A professor is a certified teacher who has received a degree in a particular field of education. A supervisor is a person who is in charge of a school unit and monitors the project in the field. This supervision could be carried out through the following: making regular visits at least twice a month, sitting in classes for observation of teaching methods, keeping records and updating statistics, preparing examinations and tests, and identify problems together with teacher and students in order to find possible solutions. His responsibility is to train teachers and give them instructions on how to educate and instruct. An advisor is a person who recommends, teaches, or otherwise helps the student body. He is also known as a guide, and his task is to direct, supervise, or influence individual students. He advises students and conducts their course of life. An advisor helps students decide what field of education to chose, what subjects to select, and how to go about realizing their educational goals. These classifications do not, however, cover up all types of teachers. Other types of teachers include lay teachers, guides, gurus, pundits, facilitators etc. Teachers can also be classified according to the qualities they possess: strict, friendly, partial, fair etc. ; their subjects: Mathematics, English, Science, Psychology etc. ; and the grade they are teaching: kindergarten, high school, college etc.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Free Essays on Monosticism

Benedict of Nursia, who had power from 480 to 543 A.D, established the most enduring pattern of western monasticism. He wrote the Rule of Benedict, which was the monk’s law book to how to live. This rule told the monks what they could and could not do, and if they disobeyed they were subject to punishment. They had a strict lifestyle, but lived carefree of many of the world problems. It was a tough lifestyle and to be a monk, you had to be a highly motivated, truly dedicated follower of the Christ, as you will see in this paper. In Monasticism, like any other group, it had a ruler, or a superior. In this case he is known as the Abbot. He was superior to all, and was believed to be Christ’s representative. All of the monks in the monastery had to answer to him for anything they did. The Abbot, for example, was like a shepherd, and all of the monks were his sheep. This meant he had to watch out for them, and make sure they stayed on the right path. Another duty of the Abbot is if any conflict should arise, he must â€Å" Call in the brethren to take council †. What he does is gather the whole congregation together in the monastery, present the conflict to the men, get their advice, then make an educated guess on what should be done about it. That is how they take care of business. The monks were subjective to the Abbot. They had to do what he said. Concerning Obedience, the first grade of humility is obedience without delay. This, meaning when the Abbot tells you to do something, you don’t delay, you do it right away as if it was a divine command. They got this form of instruction from the Lord, who said, â€Å" As soon as he heard of me he obeyed me †. The sixth grade of humility is, a monk should be content with what he has, he must consider himself as a poor, and unworthy workman. Much like the sixth grade, the seventh grade of humility said that not only does he have to say he’s worthless, but he must truly... Free Essays on Monosticism Free Essays on Monosticism Benedict of Nursia, who had power from 480 to 543 A.D, established the most enduring pattern of western monasticism. He wrote the Rule of Benedict, which was the monk’s law book to how to live. This rule told the monks what they could and could not do, and if they disobeyed they were subject to punishment. They had a strict lifestyle, but lived carefree of many of the world problems. It was a tough lifestyle and to be a monk, you had to be a highly motivated, truly dedicated follower of the Christ, as you will see in this paper. In Monasticism, like any other group, it had a ruler, or a superior. In this case he is known as the Abbot. He was superior to all, and was believed to be Christ’s representative. All of the monks in the monastery had to answer to him for anything they did. The Abbot, for example, was like a shepherd, and all of the monks were his sheep. This meant he had to watch out for them, and make sure they stayed on the right path. Another duty of the Abbot is if any conflict should arise, he must â€Å" Call in the brethren to take council †. What he does is gather the whole congregation together in the monastery, present the conflict to the men, get their advice, then make an educated guess on what should be done about it. That is how they take care of business. The monks were subjective to the Abbot. They had to do what he said. Concerning Obedience, the first grade of humility is obedience without delay. This, meaning when the Abbot tells you to do something, you don’t delay, you do it right away as if it was a divine command. They got this form of instruction from the Lord, who said, â€Å" As soon as he heard of me he obeyed me †. The sixth grade of humility is, a monk should be content with what he has, he must consider himself as a poor, and unworthy workman. Much like the sixth grade, the seventh grade of humility said that not only does he have to say he’s worthless, but he must truly...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

My life An Engineer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

My life An Engineer - Essay Example Your university will provide me with the international approach to engineering challenges. It will also expose me to the state-of-the-art facilities in engineering and a great learning environment where I can gain both practical and theoretical knowledge in Engineering. Part of my long term objective after completion of my course is to come back to Nigeria and establish a World-Class engineering organization that will provide both knowledge, experience and employment opportunities to young Nigerians with a passion in the Engineering field. My passion in engineering can be traced back to the years when I was still a young lad, even before I started going to school. Back then, I was very creative constructing toys out of plastics and papers. I could for instance fold and join papers of different colors and make a beautiful kite out of it. With time I gained interest in electricity and I could join a series of dry cells with copper wires and light a bulb. I also enjoyed making toy cars out of aluminum tins that I collected from my neighborhood. Back then, I did not realize that all I was doing was actually different elements of engineering. My craftiness continued to develop as I grew older. I could help my father fix his Toyota car, tightening screws and bolts in the house and repairing electric sockets. I was actually practicing engineering subconsciously through my intuitive acts. When I joined high school, science became my favorite subject and I scored higher grades in scientific course than any other. I took my assignments seriously and I could also help my classmates out with areas that I was knowledgeable in. These interactions helped develop my communication skills, which has become an integral part of my profession to date. I was always chosen to represent my school in interschool debates where I excelled on most occasions and managed to create a great image for my high school. My teachers could see a bright future for me in engineering. My Guidance and Counseling teacher for instance advised me to strive to be an engineer after reviewing my grade score sheet. After my high school, I volunteered to teach mathematics and Primary at a community school as I also prepared to sit for entrance exams at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Nigeria. In 2005, I was admitted in to the university’s Mechanical Engineering Department. Part of my undergraduate degree included coursed in Engineering Drawing; Tribology; fluid Mechanics; Strength of Materials and Dynamics; Thermodynamics; Automatic Controls; Mechanical Vibration and Principle of Engineering Design amongst others. As part of my undergraduate course, I engaged in two internships that gave me great opportunities to put my knowledge in practice. The first internship was at an Auto-Mechanical workshop while the other was in a Marine company. My final year research was on the erratic electric power supply in Ogbomoso and its effect on crop processing methods by the rural fa rmers in a community near my university campus. The challenge in this study was to come up with alternative methods and technologies that farmers could use to dry their crops. I identified biomass and solar energy as the best methods. I designed and fabricated a Solar – Biomass Integrated Dryer under the guidance of Engr. O.S Olaoye. After my undergraduate degree, I have continued to update myself with emerging trends in Engineering, especially with regard to emerging technology. I have read a lot about

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Movie for Socioligical Prespective for SHawshank Redemption Review

For Socioligical Prespective for SHawshank Redemption - Movie Review Example During his stay in the prison, he would ask Red Redding to get him a rock hammer and later various posters of glamorous women – from Rita Hayworth to Raquel Welch. As a skilled accountant, he assisted one of the guards in resolving some tax issues. He would eventually go on to assist various guards and inmates in their tax and other investment issues. The jail warden Samuel Norton soon after procured his services in embezzling and corrupting prison funds. At close to 20 years in the prison, an inmate by the name of Tommy Williams would narrate how a previous jail term had him imprisoned with another inmate who confessed how he murdered a woman and her lover and how the husband was sent to jail for the crime. Andy narrated this confession to the warden who would later throw Andy into solitary confinement. Not wanting to have Andy’s case be reopened and fearing that Andy would expose the warden’s corrupt activities, he had Tommy shot by a prison guard while apparen tly trying to escape. After Andy was released from solitary confinement, he displayed a very glum demeanor which worried his friend Redding. Andy tells Red to do him a favor, that if he would ever be released, to retrieve a package for him at a hayfield in Buxton. He also expressed that he dreamed of living in a Mexican village called Zihuatanejo. The following day, Andy was nowhere to be found. Further search of his cell revealed a passageway which led up to the sewers and out of the prison. It appears that during Andy’s stay in the prison, he was gradually scraping out his concrete wall with his rock hammer and covering up the wall with the posters of the glamorous Hollywood women. By the time the guards pieced together what Andy did, Andy had already escaped and had closed out the bogus bank accounts which the jail warden used to hide his embezzlements. He also sent a letter, along with evidence of corruption in Shawshank to the media. In the wake of the Andy’s esca pe, the warden would later commit suicide and the abusive and murderous prison guard would be arrested by the authorities. Redding would later be released, would later find the package which contained money and a letter from Andy telling him where he might be found. Redding would soon pack up his things and follow his friend to Zihuatanejo. Analysis The plot of the movie supports the conflict sociological perspective. This conflict theory is supported in the story by the constant struggles between the different groups and characters in the movie. There are various groups which represented themes or elements present in society – the poor, the powerless, the guilty, the innocent, and the rich. The correctional institution represents a society by itself and this society is made up of diverse groups with conflicting interests. In this movie we see the representations of these diverse groups – very much present in the larger society as well. The rich and powerful are repres ented by the jail warden. He is powerful because of his position as jail warden; he is also powerful because he uses his influence and position to impose his power over the prison guards, the prisoners, and Andy Dufresne himself. He even uses his position to impose lesser wages for the inmates with the work contractors, making it possible for him to embezzle more funds. He used his power to control Andy and to manipulate one of the prison guards into

Monday, November 18, 2019

Cell Theory Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Cell Theory - Assignment Example The paper describes all the peculiarities of the cell theory. A cell organelle is the part of a cell that has a specific function. Organelles are usually located inside the cytoplasm of a living cell, and are typically enclosed in a membrane called plasma membrane. They are called "organelles" because their importance to a cell is analogous to the importance of organs of to a body. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have cell organelles; however, there are some important differences between the two. The organelles in prokaryotic cells are not organized or enclosed in plasma membranes. Major cell organelles include chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, mitochondria, nucleus and vacuoles. Chloroplasts have double membranes as well as their own DNA, and perform photosynthesis. They are present in plants and some algae. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has a single membrane and is responsible for transport as well as synthesis of proteins. It is of two types – rough ER, who se surface appears to be rough because of the presence of ribosomes, and smooth ER, whose surface appears to be smooth. Golgi apparatus is also singe-membraned and is responsible for protein sorting and modification.... Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have cell organelles; however, there are some important differences between the two. The organelles in prokaryotic cells are not organized or enclosed in plasma membranes. Major cell organelles include chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, mitochondria, nucleus and vacuoles. Chloroplasts have double membranes as well as their own DNA, and perform photosynthesis. They are present in plants and some algae. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has a single membrane and is responsible for transport as well as synthesis of proteins. It is of two types – rough ER, whose surface appears to be rough because of the presence of ribosomes, and smooth ER, whose surface appears to be smooth. Golgi apparatus is also singe-membraned and is responsible for protein sorting and modification. The mitochondrion is also called as the powerhouse of the cell because it is responsible for energy production, and like chloroplasts, it also has a double membrane and its own DNA. The nucleus has both Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and is responsible for maintenance and proper distribution of DNA during cell division. Vacuoles function as storage reservoirs of the cell. Minor organelles of the cell include autophagosomes that collect material from the cytoplasm for degradation, centrioles that enable cell division, ribosomes that help in the production of proteins, lysosomes that are responsible for processing or breakdown of large molecules into simpler ones, nucleolus that produces ribosomes, and vesicles that function as material transporters in the cell. Many other organelles exist based on the type of organism.

Friday, November 15, 2019

The contingency approach to management and leadership

The contingency approach to management and leadership Contingency approach to management is based on the theory that there is no one best way of managing, as organisations face contingency variables due to individual differences, environmental uncertainty, technology used for routineness of tasks and organisational size which affects its structure. (Robbins, Bergman, Stagg and Coulter, 2008, pp. 54). This is contrary to classical management theorists such as Henri Fayol, who in his fourteen principles of management, emphasised the centralisation, standardisation and specialisation features of managing, emphasising that they will lead to the achievement of efficiency, consistency and a successful future for the organisation. (Rodrigues, 2001). In the example of the Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac) and one of their front-line managers (whom was interviewed for this paper), it will be evaluated which methods and approaches of management are reflected in the companys structure and organisational behaviour. Westpac was founded in 1817 and was the first private bank established in Australia. Today it is a multinational corporation and employs about 39,000 people globally. (Westpac Banking Corporation, (Chapman, 2011). Their vision is to help their customers, employees and businesses to prosper and grow. One of their many purposes now is to invest in technology and operations, by launching revolutionary technology in order to improve their process service delivery and to strengthen technology capabilities. (The Manager, personal communication, March 11, 2011). The interviewee will be referred to as The Manager for anonymity purposes. The Manager is first-line manager in the Information Management Solution Delivery Department of Westpac, has 13 full time subordinates, and also employs contractors from all over the world when assistance is needed with his software projects in order to meet deadlines. The Manager is responsible for budget analysis, sets the specifications and deliverables of the projects, and, after gaining senior managers approval to proceed with the projects, manages them until they are completed. According to Fayols fourteen principles of management, employees must sacrifice their interests for the good of the organisation. Thus, an organisation should employ only individuals who are fully committed to its objectives and are willing to readily comply with its mandates (Rodrigues, 2001). The situation in Westpacs Product and Operations division, where The Manager is working, contradicts this theory. During the interview The Manager pointed out that there are a lot of differences in the desire for personal growth and expectations amongst individual employees of the organisation. He noted that Successful guys need to be challenged and want change. We have to accommodate them as they are the core of our team (The Manager, personal communication, March 11, 2011). This is an indication of a contingency approach to management when the company is willing to adapt to constant changes by fulfilling employees desire for a challenge. Furthermore, Mintzberg also suggested that nowadays ma nagers should encourage and drive people: motivate them, inspire them, coach them, and nurture them, push them and mentor them (Mintzberg, 1994). Empowerment and team building activities such as workshops, information sessions and brainstorming sessions have become a culture within the Westpac Group. This is an integral part of the organisations goal for staff motivation and sustainability. (The Manager, personal communication, March 11, 2011). Fayols theory of management also suggested that the work can be performed more efficiently and more productively if it is divided into smaller elements and assigned to specific workers. Thus, the dominant thought in designing jobs was specialisation, each employee performing a specific task (Rodrigues, 2001). The Manager noted that his specific IT technical skills are not utilised very often. However, these skills allow him to understand the technical goals of the projects and help with issues which may arise. The Manager, instead of concentrating on his specification (what he should have done according to Fayols theory), now mostly manages his team members, establishes software specifications and project schedules and distributes work. His interpersonal and conceptual skills are constantly applied to meet deadlines and receive customer satisfaction. Westpacs investment in technology, which was mentioned earlier, is the response to high standards of quality and other deliverables whi ch customers have come to expect nowadays. Therefore, The Managers job, as a front-line manager of one of the divisions of Westpac, is to adapt and respond quickly to changing contingencies and markets instead of specialising and purely concentrating on his IT skills (Chapman, 2001). According to Katzs management theory, managers often acquire their managerial positions because of technical knowledge and competencies (Peterson and Van Fleet, 2004). By the time The Manager joined the Westpac Group, he already had years of experience in the information technology field. He confirms Katzs theory by noting IT is his specialty and managing duties is required more than doing IT work; however, his technical proficiency allows him to understand technical goals in order to use that to leverage team skills to achieve the end result. At the same time, he also contradicts Katzs belief that some managers will tend to avoid the managerial aspects of their job preferring instead the technical aspects (Peterson and Van Fleet, 2004). During the interview, The Manager insists his job is mostly managing, combining it with his technical knowledge and skills only when a problem arises and performing as a team leader to eliminate the issue. Katz proposed a broad three-category typology of skills: technical, human and conceptual which, according to him, are the essential sets of managerial skills (Peterson and Van Fleet, 2004). Technical skills imply a proficiency in a specific field. Human skills are defined as an ability to work cooperatively with others and to be a team player. Finally, the conceptual skills are defined as an ability to see an organisation as a whole. This was noted by The Manager during the interview, that, as a manager, he uses technical, interpersonal and conceptual skills all at a maximum level to achieve better results. At the same time he mentioned that in order to achieve those results he has to constantly adapt to new changes and challenges and be a facilitator, a personal delegator, a leader and a guide to the team (The Manager, personal communication, March 11, 2011). Basically, The Manager faces contingency variables every day of his work and uses a situational approach to deal with these. The so-called hierarchy principle of Fayol suggests that communication in organisations should be basically vertical; that a single, uninterrupted chain of authority should extend from the highest level to the lowest position in the organization. The Manager mentioned that the Westpac Group has a hierarchical structure, but with units independent to each other. He also pointed out that there is a horizontal communication in the organization between departments and units through a variety of meetings, workshops and seminars. Such a structure of the company suggests firstly, that the organisation is built on autonomous business units which operate at the front-line of the business. Secondly, it means that these business units are connected to one another through cross unit integrative processes, designed to ensure a smooth flow of information (The Manager, personal communication, March 11, 2011). It reflects a contingency approach to management within the Westpac Group. The Manager, as many other managers nowadays, according to Mintzberg, maintain a self-developed network of outside contacts and informers who provide him with relevant information and favours. It has been said It is critical to leverage external contacts to get privilege information (The Manager, personal communication, March 11, 2011). In his research, Mintzberg emphasises that managers often spend a lot of time building vast arrays of contacts and intricate coalitions of supporters beyond their own units (Mintzberg, 1994). It is assumed nowadays that the one best way to organize and manage does not exist. In contrast, in the beginning of the twentieth century, there were many scientists who tried to create a one size fits all model of management which could be adapted to any organisation. Henri Fayol, Henry Mintzberg and Robert. L. Katz contributed many years of their lives to the creation of different theories, rules and procedures of management. Despite this, many organisations now, including the Westpac Group, use a contingency approach to management which criticises these theories (which are partially based on valid assumptions) and states that there are a number of alternatives which are appropriate to particular situations. The Manager as a front-line manager of the Information Management Delivery Department of Westpac is clearly using a contingency approach to managing: he is adaptive to new challenges and problems (and even mentioned during the interview that he loves his job because every day it is different: new issues, new solutions); furthermore, he is capable of resolving non-standard issues. He is not concentrating purely on his specialisation in the IT industry and often uses his interpersonal managerial and conceptual skills and leaning towards diversification of his job and his subordinates. He is using the situational (contingency) approach in different areas of his work such as planning, control, distribution, empowerment and leadership.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Basketball Essay -- essays research papers

Basketball Basketball was created a simple game. The primary objective was to place a ball, without dribbling, into a peach basket. However, like Darwin's theory of man, basketball has evolved into the most exciting exhibition of athletic ability. Basketball has seen many rule changes, because of the increasing ability of the players. Basketball is a melting pot, where black, white, and European people excel. This is a sport that is color-blind. This sport requires complete control over one's body and mind. Pure strength is required to fight through opposing teams picks, and to gain position for rebounds. Speed is necessary to create space for a shot attempt or a pass. Concentration is vital to dribbling a ball up the court, with an opposing defender harassing you. With as much physical prowess that is required for success, basketball is a mental chess match. "Thurber, make the smart play!" yelled Coach Balderama all last season.This game is only "ten percent" physical as Duke's Coach K explains it. For those who deny the mental aspects of the game, John Stockton is an ideal example. He is not the fastest, strongest, or best player on the floor. Stockton uses angles and his understanding of basketball to quietly and consistently outplay much more talented opponents. There is a growing problem in the NBA, and it is evident in the "Pop Warner" leagues also. Basketball is not the same game it was ten years ago, and ESPN's Sportcenter, the lack of fundamentals, and the influx of teenagers into the professional ranks. "Vince Carter on the baseline†¦ He raises up†¦ Boo-ya, all in Alonzo Mourning's grill!" States an exited Stuart Scott. Every day ESPN gathers the most amazing highlights from the games the night before, and creates a visually appealing collage. As a religious viewer I am fed a ste ady diet of no look passes, monstrous slam-dunks, and impossible fade-away shots that only NBA caliber players are capable of making. This, almost unknowingly, has assisted in creating a new mentality towards the sport. Last season I would find myself in situations where I was trying to execute a spectacular play, instead of completing the easy one. Why do I try to imitate the sweeping crossover dribble glorified by Allen Iverson? ESPN has made "Playground" basketball in style. Allen Iverson is the pioneer of this ghetto re... ...aliber, and he educated himself about the game and life off of the court. Many of these players who jump to the pro's after little or no college are ignorant. The NBA, these days, has a combined IQ of fifteen, and we wonder what is wrong. The NBA is in a limbo, and is tripping over it's own clumsy feet. The game will not get better until the players improve their levels of play. But improvement comes with experience, and it is difficult for players to gain experience and confidence when they are only children trying to master a complex game. In conclusion, ESPN's Sportcenter, the lack of basic basketball fundamentals, and the decreasing age of players entering into the league is a recipe for disaster. It is a cycle that is going to be hard to break. Today's kids are presented with options that are too difficult for them to comprehend. So instead of doing it the right way and going through school and listening to their coach, agents are give utter control over these exploited chil dren. However, with all of the negatives surrounding the game, basketball will survive. David Stern is a competent commissioner and there is too much money involved for people to let the NBA self destruct.