Cambodian Culture and Play essays

Cambodian Culture and Play essays One of the 14 nations of Southeast Asia, Cambodia lies at the bottom of the Indochinese Peninsula, a body of land that stretches out from the great bulk of China. Of Cambodias estimated population, about 90 percent are members of the dominant ethnic group, Khmer (Canesso, 63). They speak Khmer, the official language of the country, although many of them also speak some French or Vietnamese. Many Khmer still dress in the traditional clothing that their ancestors adopted centuries ago: a sampot, or knee-length, wraparound skirt, topped by a white tunic or blouse (Canesso, 63). Today, people enjoy bright colored clothing with lively prints. One traditional item still worn by all country Khmer and many city dwellers is the krana, a checkered cloth that can be wrapped around the head turban-style or worn as a scarf or shawl (Canesso, 63). Today, many Cambodians live in rural villages. Usually between 100 and 400 people live in a Cambodian village. Many Cambodian families also live on farms. These farms are on the plains. Cambodian farmers grow rice, corn, rubber trees, and vegetables. Adults often work in rice fields and some children also work in the fields as well. Some villages have houses made of thatch and wood. Cambodians often build their houses on stilts, near the river. The stilts keep houses from flooding during the rainy season. The smaller and poorer homes consist of a single room with one door and no windows. Larger and wealthier homes have several rooms that include windows and plank floors and walls. Inside the houses, a familys simple assortment of furniture may include bed mats and storage chests, baskets, water jars, and perhaps low tables for eating (Canesso, 77). In recent times, the daily life of the Cambodians has been greatly affected by the new ways violently force on the country. A bewildering mixture of new rules and social patterns that conflict with the tradition...

The Definition of Bivalve

The Definition of Bivalve A bivalve is an animal that has two hinged shells, which are called valves. All bivalves are mollusks.  Examples of bivalves are clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. Bivalves are found in both freshwater and marine environments.   Characteristics of Bivalves There are about 10,000 species of bivalves.Bivalves range in size from less than a millimeter to close to 5 feet (e.g., the giant clam). A bivalves shell is formed of calcium carbonate that is secreted from the bivalves  mantle, which is the soft wall of the animals body. The shell grows as the organism inside gets bigger. Not all bivalves have externally visible shells - some are small, some are not even visible. Shipworms are a bivalve that doesnt have a very visible shell - their shell is made up of two valves at the worms anterior (back) end. Bivalves have a foot, but not an obvious head. They also dont have a radula or jaws. Some bivalves move around (e.g., scallops), some burrow  into the sediment (e.g., clams)  or even rocks, and some attach to hard substrates (e.g, mussels). Smallest and Largest Bivalves The smallest bivalve is thought to be the saltwater clam  Condylonucula maya. This species has a shell that is less than a millimeter in size. The largest bivalve is the giant clam. The valves of the clam may be over 4 feet long, and the clam itself may weigh over 500 pounds.    Bivalve Classification Bivalves are found in the  Phylum Mollusca, Class Bivalvia. Where Are Bivalves Found? Marine bivalves are found around the world, from polar regions to tropical waters and from shallow tide pools to deep-sea hydrothermal vents.   Feeding - Them and You Many bivalves feed by filter feeding, in which they draw water over their gills, and tiny organisms collect in the organisms gill mucus. The also breathe by drawing fresh oxygen from the water as it passes over their gills. When you eat a shelled bivalve, youre eating the body or a muscle inside.  When youre eating a scallop, for example, youre eating the adductor muscle. The adductor muscle is a round, meaty muscle that the scallop uses to open and close its shell. Reproduction Some bivalves have separate sexes, some are hermaphroditic (have male and female sex organs). In most cases, reproduction is sexual with external fertilization. The embryos develop in the water column and go through a larval stage before eventually developing their shell.   Human Uses Bivalves are some of the most important seafood species. Oysters, scallops, mussels, and clams are popular selections at just about every seafood restaurant. According to NOAA, the commercial value of bivalve harvests in 2011 was over $1 billion, just in the U.S.   This harvest weighed over 153 million pounds.   Bivalves are organisms particularly vulnerable to climate change and ocean acidification. Increasing acidity in the ocean is affecting the ability for bivalves to effectively build their calcium carbonate shells.   Bivalve Used in a Sentence The blue mussel is a bivalve - it has two equally-sized, hinged shells that fit together and enclose the animals soft body. References and Further Information Geller, J. B. 2007. Bivalves.  In  Encyclopedia of Tidepools and Rocky Shores. University of California Press, p. 95-102.Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Condylonucula maya D.R. Moore, 1977. Accessed December 30, 2015.Lindberg, D.R. 2007. Molluscs, Overview.  In  Encyclopedia of Tidepools and Rocky Shores. University of California Press, p. 374-376.Martinez, Andrew J. 2003.  Marine Life of the North Atlantic. Aqua Quest Publications, Inc.: New York.NOAA, National Ocean Service. What Is a Bivalve Mollusk?  Accessed December 30, 2015.

Global Financial Crisis Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Global Financial Crisis - Article Example On the other hand, the corporate sector faced critical conditions as money flow in the market reduced as a result of decreased consumer confidence. Another crucial set back was the increased job cuts in order to maintain the operational expenses. Most of the firms tried to counter the impact of global recession by reducing their activities and redesigning their business activities for facing the next boom period while others engaged in the new product or service development processes for keeping the consumers engaged with the business. In context of the current state of the recession, some economists believe that the after effects of the recession still exists but the US Government maintains that the current economic problems faced are not related to the global financial meltdown. The recommendations provided are to focus on new product and service development and also to develop the business network by forming alliances and partnerships with other relevant institutions. The study co ncluded that while the global financial crisis is considered to be over other economic problems being faced by the organisations and governments can be a sign that the phenomena still exists. The financial meltdown of 2007-08 is mostly referred to as the global financial crisis which has been termed by Gries and Naude (2011) and Crotty (2008) as one of the biggest economic and financial hits since the Great Depression of 1930s. Some of the key questions being debated in context of the global financial crisis of 2007-08 are regarding its origin, its influence and most importantly if the crisis is still looming or is it finally over. According to Pizam (2009), the global financial crisis mainly targeted the Western countries and effected their business segments as well as their customer groups. The challenges faced by the firms were related with their international as well as the domestic operations. Many big firms had collapsed during

A part of an outline for security on campus paper Essay

A part of an outline for security on campus paper - Essay Example It is wise to enquire what other campuses have done to deal with insecurity and boost the security of their schools. There are professionals who have studied crime, criminals and psychology. They can help identify the weakest areas in security on the campus. Moreover, they can appraise and audit the campus security apparatus and staff against the crime in the campus area. This will provide video records of the movement of students around the campus. Students or other people showing suspicious behaviour will be easily noted by security personnel from the command centre who will remain on high alert. Students will complain about their privacy. However, they will be issued with a privacy policy from the campus that will indicate the records will only be used for security purposes (Phaneuf 48). Criminals like lurking in the dark. The dark conceals their identities and thus evidence of a crime cannot be traced back to them. There should be enough lighting. Lighting will increase surveillance by security personnel and movement can be easily noted in the dark. Vulnerable rooms are those that are easy to get. Vulnerable rooms on campus, especially those that contain valuables such as university electronics, exam papers and so on should not be easily accessible. The doors should be made from metal and cameras should be installed so that any suspicious movement or attempt to break in is traced back to the criminal. Police officers are implementers of the law. When a crime occurs, they should be informed so that they restore law and order. Criminals are then arrested. Early reporting can help prevent a crime from taking

Differences in Teaching Styles Essay Example for Free

Differences in Teaching Styles Essay â€Å"Young children too may die†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (The New England Primer 129). When reading this statement it is difficult to comprehend that this is written in a children’s book. The New England Primer is the book that was used to teach Puritan students to read in the 1700’s. There are many differences in the way that students were taught in the 1700’s and how they are taught today. A few of these differences are; that in the 1700’s, being taught religion was more important than to gain actual knowledge, and learning to have obedience and morals was an important part of a child’s school day, the content of The New England Primer and other modern children’s books, as well as the ultimate reason for children learning to read is altogether different. Religion was the main focus of the reading in The New England Primer. Today, children are taught to read by using a list of ABC’s, and saying, â€Å"A is for Apple, B is for Boy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and it is made so that it is easier for younger students to understand. The list of ABC’s in The New England Primer has the letter and then a picture next to it, but instead of having a word that would make it easier for the children to understand there is a sentence such as, â€Å"A – In Adam’s Fall/ We Sinned all, B – Thy Life to Mend/ This Book Attend†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (The New England Primer 128) but some were more appealing to the students (Kreilkamp), â€Å"The Cat doth play/ And after flay, Nightengales fing/ In Time of Spring† (The New England Primer 128). The students learned in the book through sin, disobedience, and death, instead of learning through things that children learn through today such as dogs, love, and happiness. All of the ABC’s sentences are about God and the Bible, so there is no room for the child to disagree with any part of the ABC’s. The children read about things such as, God’s Works, Fall of Adam, Jesus, Justification, Adoption, and Sanctification. These are things that are important for a child to learn, but also make it harder for them to read with large words and concepts that are difficult to understand. Children today read about things that interest them and have different reading levels to make learning to read easy and fun. If a child today were handed The New England Primer they probably would not want to read it or may not even have the ability to read it. The Puritan children did not know anything other than The New England Primer, so they did not have anything to compare it to. The children in the 1700’s saw God and Jesus as, â€Å"the avenging father and a forgiving son† (Watters 2) because that is how The New England Primer portrays them. In the time between the 1660’s and the 1690’s, God went from being portrayed as an angry and wrathful God, to being a loving and caring God. (Elliot 13-14) The New England Primer failed to show that shift in beliefs so the children would continue to fear God and obey their parents and elders. The parents wanted the students to have a thorough understanding of God, Jesus, and the Bible, so it was the first thing that they learned and everything was based on this particular concept. The New England Primer was used to teach students to read as well as to teach them to be obedient and to have good morals. It tells the students that Adam and Eve were sinful and disobedient so they were punished by God, but it also says that children are guilty for their own thinking and deserve continued punishment. The children read, â€Å"The Dutiful Child’s Promises†, which is a list of things that a dutiful child does, or strives to do. The children are told to â€Å"honour my Father Mother† and to â€Å"Fear God and honour the King† (The New England Primer 129). The children were also told to follow the Ten Commandments, which were also to be memorized so that God could â€Å"read† them. This shows how fearful and compliant the children are to their parents and to God. The children also were encouraged to memorize â€Å"The Dutiful Child’s Promises† so that they could use it to make correct and obedient decisions. Punishments for the Puritan children were emphasized in the ABC part of The New England Primer, by â€Å"F – The Idol Fool Is whipt at School†. This was an additional warning to the students that they must behave in the classroom or there will be punishments. The punishments in the 1700’s and today are very different, back then teachers could hit their students with rulers, but today teachers may not even raise their voices with students without the risk of losing their jobs. The first theme that you read about in The New England Primer is death, and death is a very heavy topic for children in today’s age for many different reasons. In the 1700’s, children understood death, better than children today, because it surrounded them every day. The hardships that the Puritans faced are nothing like any young student today could possibly understand. Death is understood by the Puritan children, and when The New England Primer says, â€Å"Rachel doth mourn for her fifst born†, the children understand it because they many of them have lost a sibling because of the lack of medical knowledge in the 1700’s. It seems dark and depressing to people today, because today’s society is uncomfortable with talking about death and dying. For the children in the 1700’s it was just a way of life and something that happened every day. The New England Primer emphasized that very point in the Verses of â€Å"The Dutiful Child’s Promise† in saying that death does not only take away the old, but that children can die as well, and so they need to be prepared when they do die to go to Heaven. Children today are getting saved, but they are not doing so to get prepared for death, they are getting ready to serve God with all of their heart and soul. Students today are being taught with the mind set of learning everything they can to reach their own personal goals in life. In the 1700’s the reason for reading was very different from the way that it is today. The parents wanted to children to be able to read so they could read the Bible, not so they could learn about different topics or to read for enjoyment. When educating students today, it is understood that it is the end goal for teachers to help the students get ready to be able to provide a living for themselves with the knowledge that they learn, but in the 1700’s it wasn’t necessary to learn to read for any other reason than the bible because the poems emphasized how to live and act. The New England Primer was â€Å"designed to provide, Spiritual Milk for American Babes† (Anthology of American Literature) and to keep them from being tempted by Satan and other religions that may try and tempt them. The people of the 1700’s believed that there were, â€Å"millions to read, and not one to sin† (Anthology of American Literature), which means that it was believed that the people who read The New England Primer, understood what God wanted them to do and how He wanted them to live, never sinned again, for fear of angering God. The idea of people never sinning again from reading a book is not accurate and students today will read and understand what is going on in the book and be able to enjoy it. The New England Primer was the most important book in teaching Puritan students in the 1700’s to read, but the most important book that they could read was the Bible. The Puritans emphasized their belief in God in every aspect of their lives, especially in teaching their children to e good and kind members of the Puritan community. Teachers of student’s today want to see their students progress and keep learning even after they have learned how to read, because it teaches them about the world that we live on and what is going on outside of their houses and towns. There are many differences between the teachings in the 1700’s and the teachings today, but in the end the important thing is teaching the students to read.

Hysteria and the Consequences of Mass Paranoia in The Crucible Essay

The Crucible Effectively Demonstrates the Development of Hysteria and the Consequences of Mass Paranoia. Discuss this with Reference to the Play and the Time in Which it is Written. 'The Crucible' was written in 1952 by Arthur Miller and was first performed in 1953. It is about a village called Salem in America, set in the 17th century, where a suspicion of witchcraft and association with the Devil has arisen. This theme of accusation and paranoia is comparable with the period of McCarthyism in the United States of America, where many people were accused of communism and anti-Americanism. The play was written at about the same time as the events in the 1950s and in many ways reflects the villagers' anxiety towards their situation. The community of Salem is a strongly religious one and the villagers all attend the Christian church. The minister is the most important person in the village, as he holds a high position in their religion, therefore he is expected to give a good example. The village is surrounded by forest and the nearest town is a few miles away. This creates a strong bond in the community as each individual has to work hard in order to endure the trials of being part of an isolated society. The playwright shows the setting and era in the style of the characters' speech - it is in the fashion of late 17th century American, when the play is set. The Caribbean slave, Tituba, also has her speech modified to suit the Barbados dialect: "My Betty be hearty soon?" is the opening line of the play. The first act starts in the house of Reverend Parris, where Parris is praying, in a confused state, for his unconscious daughter. Tituba, his slave, enters and the ensuing 'conversation' reveals that... ... has an easier job creating the right effect for each scene, so it is more believable for the audience and they have a better understanding of it. The Crucible demonstrates how easily people can be manipulated by belief, and how belief in something can effectively blind people, making them think irrationally. The characters are plausible and consistent, and the audience can see how they develop throughout the play. All the events are believable (if not probable) and the language used is convincing as 17th century American. The audience can empathise with the characters, particularly with John Proctor, as they see early on the problems he has and understand the dilemma he faces in Act IV. I think the play should be thought of not as a piece of drama, but as a piece of literature illustrating how people's trust can be exploited to an individual's advantage.

FIN 571 Entire Course / FIN 571 Complete Course Essay

FIN 571 Entire Course / FIN 571 Complete Course http://homeworktimes.com/downloads/fin-571-entire-course-fin-571-complete-course/ For More Tutorial Visit: http://homeworktimes.com For any Information Email Us: Uopguides@gmail.com FIN 571 Week 1 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 1 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 1 Individual Guillermo Furniture FIN 571 Week 2 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 2 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 2 Individual Text Problem Sets FIN 571 Week 3 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 3 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 3 Learning Team Lawrence Sports Simulation FIN 571 Week 4 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 4 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 4 Individual Guillermo Furniture Store Analysis FIN 571 Week 5 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 5 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 5 Individual Text Problem Sets FIN 571 Entire Course / FIN 571 Complete Course http://homeworktimes.com/downloads/fin-571-entire-course-fin-571-complete-course/ For More Tutorial Visit: http://homeworktimes.com For any Information Email Us: Uopguides@gmail.com FIN 571 Week 1 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 1 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 1 Individual Guillermo Furniture FIN 571 Week 2 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 2 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 2 Individual Text Problem Sets FIN 571 Week 3 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 3 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 3 Learning Team Lawrence Sports Simulation FIN 571 Week 4 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 4 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 4 Individual Guillermo Furniture Store Analysis FIN 571 Week 5 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 5 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 5 Individual Text Problem Sets FIN 571 Entire Course / FIN 571 Complete Course http://homeworktimes.com/downloads/fin-571-entire-course-fin-571-complete-course/ For More Tutorial Visit: http://homeworktimes.com For any Information Email Us: Uopguides@gmail.com FIN 571 Week 1 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 1 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 1 Individual Guillermo Furniture FIN 571 Week 2 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 2 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 2 Individual Text Problem Sets FIN 571 Week 3 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 3 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 3 Learning Team Lawrence Sports Simulation FIN 571 Week 4 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 4 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 4 Individual Guillermo Furniture Store Analysis FIN 571 Week 5 DQ 1 FIN 571 Week 5 DQ 2 FIN 571 Week 5 Individual Text Problem Sets

The effects of Information and Communication Technologies Essay

In the last few years India has made rapid strides as a developing nation. Education has played a key role in that. Educational institutions, which lay down the foundation for learning and understanding, have reached out to the corners of the country. The purpose of this paper aims to bring together the findings and key points from a review of significant part of the available literature associated with ICTs for Education and ICTs in Education. This review set out to identify and evaluate relevant strategies in national and international research and initiatives related to measuring and demonstrating the effective use of ICT for education. Schools, colleges, IIMs, IITs and other professional institutions are no longer confined to the metros but are reaching out to the fringe areas as well. What has been critical in this regard is that not only the sources of education have increased, but the manner in which knowledge is imparted has also gone a sea change, courtesy the information an d communication technology. Summary: Information and communication technologies (ICT) have become commonplace entities in all aspects of life. The use of ICT in education lends itself to more student-centred learning settings. Effective use of ICT for Education, along with ICT use in the teaching learning process, quality and accessibility of education, learning motivation is shown in this paper. The introduction of the term ‘ICT’ (information and communication technology) around 1992, when e-mail started to become available to the general public (Pelgrum, W.J., Law, N., 2003). The concept of mobile learning was emerged about a decade ago and got recognition as a new research field. Many countries now regard understanding ICT and mastering the basic skills and concepts of ICT as part of the core of education, alongside reading, writing and numeracy. The world moving rapidly into digital media and information, the role of ICT in education is becoming more and more important and this importance will continue to grow and develop in the 21st century. According to a United Nations report (1999) ICTs cover Internet service provision, telecommunications equipment and services, information technology  equipment and services, media and broadcasting, libraries and documentation centres, commercial information providers, network-based information services and other related information and communication activities. According to UNESCO (2002) information and communication technology (ICT) may be regarded as the combination of ‘Informatics technology’ with other related technology, specifically communication technology. The 1990s was the decade of computer communications and information. ICTs for education refers to the development of information and communications technology specifically for teaching/learning purposes, while the ICTs in education involves the adoption of general components of information and communication technologies in the teaching learning process. ICT enhancing teaching and learning process: The field of education has been affected by ICTs, which have undoubtedly affected teaching, learning and research (Yusuf, 2005). Teachers generate meaningful and engaging learning experiences for their students, strategically using ICT to enhance learning. ICT enhancing the quality and accessibility of education: ICT increases the flexibility of delivery of education so that learners can access knowledge anytime and from anywhere. ICT enhancing learning Environment: ICT presents an entirely new learning environment for students, thus requiring a different skill set to be successful. ICT enhancing learning motivation: ICTs can enhance the quality of education in several ways, by increasing learner motivation and engagement, by facilitating the acquisition of basic skills, and by enhancing teacher training. ICT enhancing the scholastic performance: Based on the extensive usage of ICTs in education the need appeared to unravel the myth that surrounds the use of information and communication technology (ICT) as an aid to teaching and learning, and the impact it has on students’ academic performance. Scope of Mobile Learning: Information and Communication Technology is playing a vital role to shaping the learning method, by providing better resources to learn remotely. Mobile technology was presented in 1990s and become the most popular way of communication. Mobile learning facilitates learners to move effortlessly over varied positions and to connect up learning in different localities. CONCLUSION: Education has become one of the most important issues not only for the individuals but for organizations and governments around the world. Since the world is changing rapidly with the advancement in technology informal ways of learning are also required for that purpose. ICTs for education refers to the development of information and communications technology specifically for teaching/learning purposes, while the ICTs in education involves the adoption of general components of information and communication technologies in the teaching learning process. This literature review has sought to explore the role of ICT in education as we progress into the 21st century. Mobile enabled technology has played an important role to build and implement new solutions for informal learning. The adoption and use of ICTs in education have a positive impact on teaching, learning, and research. The overall literature suggests that successful ICT integration in education. References: An Effective use of ICT for Education and Learning by Drawing on Worldwide Knowledge, Research, and Experience, ICT as a Change Agent for Education (A LITERATURE REVIEW), Syed Noor-Ul-Amin, Ph.D Research Scholar, Department Of Education, University Of Kashmir e.mail:syd_aman@rediffmail.com. Volume 4, No. 8, May-June 2013 International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science RESEARCH PAPER, Available Online at www.ijarcs.info

No Talent for Writing

No Talent for Writing No Talent for Writing No Talent for Writing By Maeve Maddox A reader writes: I have all these great stories in my head, but no talent what so ever when it involves writing it down. Is there any advice you could give me or am I stuck? Unless the questioner wants to become an oral storyteller and tell these great stories to a live audience, or record them as audiobooks, the answer has to be, â€Å"Yes, you’re stuck.† However, I suspect that the person asking the question has made some attempt to put stories into writing, but is unhappy with the result. Welcome to the tribe of fiction writers. We all have great stories in our heads. Getting them out of our heads and onto paper is the hard part. Talent is nice to have, but plenty of writers earn a living with a minimal amount of it. Persistence is far more important to a writer than talent. A large proportion of the world’s population is made up of extremely talented writers who have been working on the same book, or thinking about working on a book, for years. The word talent can mean simply â€Å"an inclination or a disposition† for something. Or it can mean â€Å"an innate aptitude.† Anyone who has the inclination to write can do it. Writing is a craft. Like any craft, it can be learned, and it must be practiced. Not everyone has the aptitude to produce a novel like Pillars of the Earth, War and Peace, or The Time Traveler’s Wife, but anyone who shows up at the computer every day will produce something. It’s in the rewriting that you’ll discover the extent of your talent. The best advice I can offer to the questioner is, â€Å"Start writing.† Pretend that one of the story ideas in your head is a movie that you’d like to tell a friend about. Pretend you’re writing a letter to that friend and then, start writing. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Dialogue Dos and Don'ts225 Foreign Phrases to Inspire You13 Theatrical Terms in Popular Usage

Sample Common Application Essayâ€Topic of Your Choice

Sample Common Application Essay- Topic of Your Choice Alexis chose option #7 for her Common Application essay. This is the popular topic of your choice option on the 2018-19 application. The question asks, Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one youve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. The other six essay options on the Common Application give applicants so much flexibility that it is rare for a topic not fit elsewhere, but in some cases the topic of your choice is indeed the best choice. This is true for Alexiss essay below. Sample Essay on the "Topic of Your Choice" Option My Hero Harpo In middle school, I took part in an essay competition where we had to write about one of our strongest role models- who they were, what they did, and how they had influenced us. Other students wrote about Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, George Washington, etc. I, the youngest of five sisters and one of the quietest people in the school, chose Harpo Marx. I did not win the competition- to be honest, my essay wasn’t very good, and I knew that, even at the time. I had bigger, better things to worry about, though. I was taking swimming lessons, and was terrified of discovering a shark in the deep end. I was making little hats for my dog Alexa, which she did not appreciate. I was busy working on a clay chess set in art class, and learning how to garden with my grandmother. I’m getting off-topic, but my point is: I didn’t need to win a competition or write an essay to feel validated. I was learning who I was, and what was important in my life. Which brings me back to the Marx Brothers. My great-uncle was a big old-movie buff. We’d go over to his house most mornings during summer vacation, and watch Philadelphia Story, The Thin Man, or  His Girl Friday. My favorites, though, were the Marx Brothers’ films. Duck Soup. A Night at the Opera (my personal favorite). Animal Crackers. I can’t logically explain why I found these particular movies so hilarious and entertaining- there was something about them that not only made me laugh, but made me happy. Now, of course, watching those movies again, I’m reminded of those summer mornings, and of being surrounded by the people I loved, unconcerned with the world outside, that adds another layer of appreciation and joy. The brothers each brought their own unique humor to the pictures, but Harpo- he was perfect. The hair. The wide ties and crazy trench coats. The way he doesn’t have to say anything to be funny. His facial expressions. How he offers people his leg when they try to shake his hand. The way you can see the change in him when he sits down at the piano or the harp. The subtle shift from comedian to musician- not a complete shift, of course, but in that moment, you know just how talented and hard-working he must have been. I love that rather than being a full-time, professional musician, which he certainly could have done, Harpo (known as Adolph off-screen) instead devoted his time and energy to entertain, to make people laugh, to be a big goof with a bicycle horn and a killer whistle. I identified with him- and still do. Harpo was quiet, funny-looking, not the most outgoing or famous performers, silly, and still insanely dedicated and a serious artist. I don’t plan on going into show business. I mean, never say never and all that, but I don’t see myself as ever really getting bitten by that particular acting or performing bug. But the lessons I’ve learned from Harpo (and Groucho, Chico, Zeppo, etc.) are the kind that can transcend careers. It’s ok to fall down (a lot.) Learn to laugh at yourself. Learn to laugh at your family. Making faces is a perfectly good way to express yourself. Wear the weird clothes. Don’t be afraid to show off your talents when given the chance. Be kind to children. Have a cigar, if you want. Make up a silly song, or a goofy dance. Work hard at what you love. Work hard at what you don’t love, but what is still necessary. Don’t shy away from being the strangest, brightest, wildest, wackiest, passionate you you can be. And also carry a bicycle horn with you, just in case. A Critique of Alexis's "Topic of Your Choice" Essay With the topic of your choice essay option, one of the first issues to consider is whether or not the essay should have been presented under one of the more focused Common Application prompts. Its easy to be lazy and simply choose topic of your choice to avoid thinking too hard about the most appropriate fit for an essay. For Alexiss essay My Hero Harpo, the topic of your choice option does, in fact, work well. The essay could potentially fall under Common Application essay option #5 on a realization that sparked a period of personal growth. Alexiss experiences watching Marx Brother movies did lead to an understanding of personal identity and life balances. That said, an essay on comedic actors doesnt quite fit the general seriousness of the option #5 prompt. Now lets breakdown some of the important elements of Alexiss essay: The topic. Harpo Marx is a rather unusual focus for an admissions essay. This can be a good thing, for Alexiss essay wont be a clone of other essays the admissions office receives. At the same time, one could argue that Harpos slapstick comedy is a rather superficial focus for an application essay. This certainly could be true if the subject matter were handled poorly, but Alexis manages to turn an essay focused on Harpo Marx into an essay that is really about much more than Marx. Alexis identifies with Harpo, and she explains why she identifies with him. In the end, the essay is as much about Alexis as it is Harpo. It is an essay that reveals Alexiss self-awareness, analytical skills, and sense of humor.The tone. Many applicants wrongly assume that an application essay needs to shine a bright light on a writers accomplishments while hiding any warts. The reality, however, is that were all quirky, flawed, complex people. Revealing an awareness of this fact is a sign of maturity, and it will often play well in an admissions essay. Alexis succeeds admirably on this front. The overall tone here is conversational and slightly self-deprecating. Alexis identifies with Harpos goofiness and his decision to focus on bringing happiness to others rather than personal prestige. We finish Alexiss essay with a sense that she is reserved, silly, able to laugh at herself, yet quietly confident. The overall impression is certainly a positive one.   The writing. Alexiss language is clear and engaging, and she avoids common stylistic errors. The essay has a strong voice and personality. The essay does, in fact, have several sentence fragments, but these are clearly used deliberately for rhetorical punch, not because Alexis is a grammatically inept writer.  The impact. Its always important to step back from an application essay and consider the big picture: what will a reader take away from the essay? Alexiss essay doesnt present any remarkable accomplishment or impressive talent. It does, however, present a student who is thoughtful, self-aware, generous, talented, and quietly ambitious. Does Alexis come across as someone who the admissions folks would want to join their campus community? Yes. Make Your Essay as Strong as Possible If a college requires you to submit an essay with the Common Application, it is because the school has holistic admissions- the admissions folks want to get to know you as a whole person, not as a simple compilation of numerical data such as grades and standardized test scores. Along with extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and in some cases an interview, the essay can plan an important role in the admissions process. Make sure yours is as strong as possible. As you write your own essay, be sure to avoid the bad essay topics,  and follow these tips for a winning essay. Most of all, make sure that your essay makes a good impression. Does it present a dimension of your personality and interests that isnt obvious from other parts of your application? Does it present you as someone who will contribute to the campus community in a meaningful way? If yes, your essay is performing its purpose well.

Building a Strong Team Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Building a Strong Team - Essay Example c initiatives such as trainings that would ensure the team is in shape without room for complacency and potentials for failure or mistakes; and, 2) I will establish performance assessment mechanism and corrective measures to ensure the provision of quality care. Again, the BEI is the cornerstone of my strategy. The succeeding stages in the building of the team depend on its success. BEI will allow me to determine if an applicant is compatible with my objectives as a leader and to where I plan to steer the team. My plan is to build a close and interdependent relationship, although one that is also typified by a strong degree of independence from each member especially when responding to opportunities and crises. So one of my questions would definitely be this: "Can you give me a specific example when you encountered a problem at work and what did you do to deal with it?" This question should be able to give me an insight on the candidates past behavior. Dubois (1998) argued that that this line of questioning would demonstrate competency on the applicants end as well as a point of reference for his or her behavioral patterns in the future (p.235). The question would also enable me to gain insights on the potential team members self-confidence , adaptability and willingness to learn and develop on personal, group and organizational level. The STAR method could also augment the BEI questions by providing a way in which questions can be framed or how answers can be analyzed. It is also designed to make the interview logical and concise (McMunn, 2012, p.32). For instance, in my example question, the applicants answer can be parsed according to what it stands for: situation, task, action and results. If the answer is lacking or veering away from the question, then, it will provide the cue or the context for the follow-up question (Fernandez, 2006, p.581). If I would be asked the same question and I have to frame my answer according to STAR method, I would say: In 2009,