Reading Aloud Essay Example

Reading Aloud Paper I. INTRODUCTION Reading aloud activity is commonly used by teachers all around the world. However,most ELT methodology authors such as Broghton,Brumfit,Flavell,Hill,and Pincas, on the other hand some speacialists suggest its use. The discussion about reading aloud is a perennial one. It has been discussed over thirty years or more,reading aloud is beneficial or just a time filler. In recent years,it is proven to be a useful tool while acquiring vocabulary,developing reading skills and comprehension of context. Reading aloud effects language learning in a positive manner. There will be a comprehensive revision of reading aloud and will be answered the following questions: 1-What are the effects of read-aloud activities? 2-What are the advantages or disadvantages of reading aloud activities? 3-How can teachers use read-aloud activities to enhance student’s ability to read? II. THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT READING ALOUD Reading aloud is regarded as bad practice by EFL/ESL teachers and by EFL/ESL methodology experts(Amer, 1997, 43). For example, Hill and Dobbyn(1979: 69) consider that reading aloud is only a way of filling 45 minutes in classroom and reading aloud is not beneficial for students(cited in Amer, 1997, 43). Other oppositions to reading aloud claim that: It is boring, causing anxiety and it has no noteworthy benefit for the students, particularly for the listeners. Reading aloud is a complicated activity to do well both for native speakers and language learners, so this might cause demotivation of students (Gibson, 2008, 29 30). The pupils might be handicapped by English spelling and make mistakes in the pronunciation of words they know orally (Birch cited in Gibson, 2008, 30). ‘A frequently cited reason for using reading aloud is for the improvement of pronunciation. We will write a custom essay sample on Reading Aloud specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Reading Aloud specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Reading Aloud specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer However, doubt is cast on the effectiveness of this by Celce-Murcia, Brinton, and Goodwin (1996) because of the controlled and therefore slightly unnatural texts that are often used; these do not neccessarily help pronunciation in spontaneous speech(cited in Gibson,2008, 30). These texts usually edit redundancy, fragmentation, and incompleteness which feature in everyday speech(Gibson, 2008, 30). ’ Reading aloud is actually important for the EFL/ESL readers, especially at the beginning of learnig the language. These learners tend to read word by word because of their limited linguistic skill while reading to themselves. They have anxiety to coprehend each word, they tend to seperate sentences into unmeaningful parts when they read. As a result, the sentences lose their totality so they become meaningless (Dhaif cited in Amer, 1997, 43). III. THE EFFECTS OF THE TEACHER’S READING ALOUD ON STUDENTS The role of reading aloud in EFL/ESL learning has not researched very much, but some studies has been made. For example; May (1986: 74) researched the effect of theacher’s reading aloud in English on the reading understanding of native Spanish-speaking children. He found out that the research favours use of reading aloud with EFL students regardless of linguistic level (cited in Amer, 1997, 44). Another study with Spanish-Speaking children has shown that reading aloud has an important positive effect on ESL learners’ reading comprehension, especially their ability to inter-relate, interpret and draw conclusions from the content (Santos cited in Amer, 1997: 44). An experiment made by Amer (1997) in order to find out the effect of the teacher’s read aloud on the reading comprehension of sixth-grade EFL learners reading a narrative text. He divided into two classes the students from an intermediate school in Cairo. The experimental class involves 39 students and the control class involves 36 students. All of the students had been studying EFL for six years. The Perfect Pearl by Osborne(1989) was used in the study. Then, the story was divided into four part and all parts were taught one by one in different days. Different teachers taugt each class. The teacher who taught the experimental class was trained by Amer to read the whole story aloud meaningfully. The key vocabulary in the part was given and it is read in the classroom, it is discussed and explained. To keep learners motivated and interested, they were told to read silently when the teacher read aloud. For keeping learners attention, teacher stopped at random spots in the text and demand them to read the next word. Then teacher asked some questions about the text. The same process was applied with the control class but that students read the text silently with no oral reading. Finally, two tests were used to evaluate the effect of reading aloud. The first test was a multiple choice, the second test was an adapted form of a story frame. The result was that the experimental group outperformed the control group on multiple choice and story frame tests. He concluded that learners had better understand of what they were reading in the teacher reading aloud process than in the silent reading process. Reading aloud by the teacher can aid EFL learners to improve a positive manner towards reading. Besides, reading aloud can stimulate them to read for pleasure. (Amer, 1997, 46). IV. THE POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF READING ALOUD L2 learners face some reading and writing problems because of the opacity of English orthography and the specific skills requires to decode it. Native English speakers produce different strategies to cope with this (Gibson, 2008: 30). L1 readers may not have produced these strategies because their orthographies are different from English, they have to get them so that they can read fluently in English. They tend to trust their L1 reading strateies when reading in English(Gibson, 2008: 30) So as to accelerate word recognition and to aid pronounce and learn new words it is very important making accurate connections between graphemes and phonemes (Stanovich cited in Gibson, 2008: 30). Reading aloud supplies readers to make and practise these connections. Birch proposes reading aloud as practice so that the pupils have as much feedback as possible on their decoding abilities. Reading aloud can also aid to improve reading fluency; Grabe and Stoller reccomend paired re-reading activities, where students try to accelerate their reading aloud via re-reading the same passage to each other for one minute and try to speed up each time (cited in Gibson, 2008, 31 ). Reading aloud might be a very useful diagnostic device. The intonation the student uses can show that where comprehension is not accurate (Underhill, cited in Gibson, 2008: 31 ). For instance, a teacher listening to a student’s reading aloud can specify the problems such as pronunciation, comprehension of graphemic-phonemic connections and so on. Some expert books on pronunciation are likely to focus on segmental and the accurate production of particular sounds or at most, single sentences are read aloud or spoken. Reading aloud is used for rehearsed speaking activities and to make new learnt speech patterns permanent by Chun (2002). This can supply students reading aloud each other. She advocates that listening and imitating should be used rarely because students quickly tire of it (cited in Gibson, 2008). Dictation by a student to a classmate or group is suggested for pronunciation practice as well ( Davis and Rinvolucri cited in Gibson 2008: 32). Foss and Reitzel (1988) suggest that reading aloud is a way of cutting down communication anxiety, however it is seen as anxiety-provoking by some students (cited in Gibson, 2008: 32). Willis(2008: 59) uses choral reading in order to reduce students’ stress of reading alone. The process of reading aloud together strenghten patterns. (Willis ibid. ) Reading aloud activities can be the only speaking opportunity that timid students have, so reading aloud aid timid and unconfident students with speaking exercise for a limited time until they feel themselves capable of speaking spontaneously (Gibson, 2008: 32). Reading aloud has an indirect mission in writing, however it is connected to writing with intonation. Chafe (1986, cited by Tench 1996) advocates that while wirting has no intonation, stress or pauses, both readers and writers tend to assign these elements to whatever they are reading and writing, in this way intonation might affect what is written, whether it is informal or formal formulaic letter (Gibson, 2008, 32). Earl Stevick (1989) interviewed seven particularly successful language learners and found that most of them, involving himself, used reading aloud as a learning technique outside the classroom. One learner chose to read aloud,rather than silently, to practise intonation and get the sound and flow of the language, particularly in the early stages of learning. He said it aided his comprehension-it is likely that reading aloud aided him to chunk the text into sense groups,even though he said he did not understand all the words-and to learn by heart new words. Another student found reading aloud was particularly beneficial for the improvement of his pronunciation. Others spoke of reliance, primarily in the beginning stages of language learning, on visual information to help access meaning, and then repeating it aloud to themselves. Stevick himself also liked to link what he was seeing with his articulatory processes and audotoriy feedback, and realized that he remembered things better if he said them aloud. ’Macaro (2001) suggests subvocalization as a technique for memorization. It seems that Stevick’s students were repeating words and phrases louder than in subvo calization for this and other aims (Gibson,2008, 32-33 ) ‘ V. VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT DURING READING ALOUD Reading aloud can give the opportunity to children to gain vocabulary and it affects the cildren by enhancing their vocabulary (Rosenhouse et al cited in Terblanche, 2002: 6). Reding aloud to children gives a strong context for building vocabulary as well (Biemiller Boote 2006,Bravo et al. 2007 cited in Kindle,2009 : 202). Besides,children are exposed to a more discriptive flow of language than of their daily language and conversation,their vocabulary enrichs with each story (Terblanche,202: 6). However, the book chosen for read alouds should be appealing,thus read aloud increase the children’s motivation and interest (Fisher et al. cited in Kindle,2009: 202) and the probability of novel words learning (Bloom cited in Kindle ibid). Smith and Elley pointed out that vocabulary acquisition are expanded while the teacher or adult reading aloud demonstrates or gives information about the targeted words (cited in Terblanche,2002: 6). Even brief explanation of one or two sentences, while presenting the text,can be beneficial for children to make beginning links between novel words and their meaning (Biemiller Boote cited in Kindle,2009 : 203). According to Carey, word learning is extended via repeated readings of text and this gives opportunities to revise and refine word meaning ( Kindle,2002: 203 ). These repetitions support students to go deeper stages of word reportory from never heard it to sounds familiar,to has something to do with,to well known (Dale cited in Kindle ibid). In addition,talking about the story during and post reading can support informal communication about words,language,opinions and real life experiences ( Terblanche,2002: 6). Reading aloud genarally supported but the most appropriate form is not clear ( Fisher et al. cited in Santoro et al. 2008: 397). Beck and Mckeown (2001) discovered the use of â€Å"text talk† in the first grade classrooms. Their study proposed that text based debates as part of reading aloud can enhance vocabulary gaining and understanding ( Beck el at. cited in Santoro, 2008 : 397). Carey recommended a two-stage model for acquiring word which includes fast and extended mapping. Fast mapping is a tool for incidental word learnig(cited in Kindle 2009: 203 ) Extended mapping is needed to achieve complete word knowledge. The definition is revised and refined to show new information via additional exposures(Carey 1978; Justice el at. ited in Kindle,2009: 203) â€Å" The style of read-aloud interection is significant to vocabulary growth ( Dickinson Smith, 1994; Gren Brabham Lynch-Brown,2002) with reading styles that encourage child participation out-performing verbatim readings. Simply put â€Å"the way boks are shared with children matters† ( McGee Schickedanz,2007,p. 742)† â€Å"High-quality read-alouds are characterized by adult mediation. Effective teachers weave in questions and comm ents as they read,creating a conversation between the children,the text,and the teacher. To facilitate word learning,teachers employ a variety of strategies such as elaboration of student responses,naming,questioning, and labeling (Roberts cited in Kindle,2009: 203)† Analysis of the literature on gaining vocabulary via read alouds comes to two conclusions. Primary,adult mediation help word acquisition ( Justice 2002,Walsh Blewitt cited in Kindle,2009, 203 ). It is pointed out that supporting vocabulary learning in the first grades using repeated reading combined with word meaning explanations work ( Biemiller and Boote cited in Kindle,2009: 203). Second,the connected effectiveness of various forms of mediation persists less clear. Adult explanations are obviously connected to word gaining,however it is not clear which aspects of the explanations are vital elements: the context,a paraphrased sentence,or even the child’s interest in the story (Brett, Rothlein Hurley cited in Kindle,2009: 203 ). It is probable Active participation in debates is more important than the types of questions posed (Walsh Blewitt, 2006 cited in Kindle,2009: 203). Read-aloud can be seen as small elements of balanced instruction. This balance does not base on a prescribed formula,it results from plenty of decisions made by teachers. These instructional decisions affect the balance of direct and incidental instruction. Teachers’ choices of a suitable balance are obvious in their uses of read-alouds, styles of reading, text determination, and in the way vocabulary is improved. (Kindle,2009: 210) The positive effects of read alouds and story telling on literacy improvement and second language learning have been proved many times by different specialists such as Vivas,Elley,Mason and Krashen (Cho Choi,2008: 69). Furthermore,there is consistent evidence that reading outside the classroom is very beneficial both first and secon language acquisition( Krashen cited in Cho Choi). VI. CONCLUSION Reading aloud can be mostly seen as an old fashioned,boring reading around the class. It is seen as part of outdated methodologies,however this does not indicate that it is no longer beneficial and useful in language learning. If reading aloud is used sensitively and appropriately,the objections can be eliminated. It is the mission of the teachers and students to decide how best to use reading aloud. If reading aloud is to be used successfully,it requires to be sparingly,sensitively,with obvious learning purposes and it should not be forgotten that reading aloud is only one of the many tools in a teacher’s kit. References Amer,Aly A. (1997). The Effect of The Teacher’s Reading Aloud on the Reading Comprehension of EFL Students. ELT Journal. 51/1: 43-47 Cho,Kyong Sook and Choi Dong Seop(2008). Are Read-Aloud and Free Reading â€Å"Natural Partners†?. Knowledge Quest. 36/5: 69-73 Gibson,Sally. (2008). Reading Aloud: A Useful Learnig Tool?. ELT Journal. 62/1: 29-37 Kindle,Karen J. 2009). Vocabulary Development During Read-Alouds: Primary Practices. The Reading Teacher. 63/3: 202-211. Santoro,Lana Edwards. Chard,J. David. Howard,Lisa. Baker,Scott K. (2008). Making Very Most of Classroom Read-Alouds to Promote Comprehension and Vocabulary. The Reading Teacher. 61/5: 396-408. Terblanche,Leezil(2002) Read-Alouds: Do They Enhance Students’ Ability to Read?. TE SOL Journal. 14p. Willis,Judy(2008). Teaching the Brain to Read : Strategies for Improving Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. Alexandria, VA, USA: Association for Supervision Curriculum Development

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Essays (9508 words) - Free Essays

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Essays (9508 words) - Free Essays MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ADVANCED CORPORATE STRATEGY ( MGT 6266 ) INDIVIDUAL COMPANY CASE STUDY Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad Report prepared by: Abdulla Abdulqader Al-Attas (G1430873) Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc467903143 \h 3 Mission, Visions, Value, and Objectives PAGEREF _Toc467903144 \h 4 Business model and other relevant information PAGEREF _Toc467903145 \h 5 External Analysis PAGEREF _Toc467903146 \h 5 The PESTEL Analysis PAGEREF _Toc467903147 \h 6 The 5-Forces Model of Competition PAGEREF _Toc467903148 \h 8 Drivers of Change PAGEREF _Toc467903149 \h 12 Strategic Group Mapping PAGEREF _Toc467903150 \h 13 Internal Analysis PAGEREF _Toc467903151 \h 15 Financial Report / Financial Ratio PAGEREF _Toc467903152 \h 15 SWOT and TOWS Analysis PAGEREF _Toc467903153 \h 18 Value-Chain analysis PAGEREF _Toc467903154 \h 21 Competitive Strength Assessment PAGEREF _Toc467903155 \h 22 Identification of Strategies PAGEREF _Toc467903156 \h 24 Corporate Strategy PAGEREF _Toc467903157 \h 24 Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) matrix PAGEREF _Toc467903158 \h 24 External Factor Evaluation (EFE matrix) PAGEREF _Toc467903159 \h 26 Business Strategy PAGEREF _Toc467903160 \h 29 Functional strategy PAGEREF _Toc467903161 \h 30 Operational Strategy PAGEREF _Toc467903162 \h 31 Recommendation PAGEREF _Toc467903163 \h 31 Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc467903164 \h 32 Introduction Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (Dutch Lady Malaysia), is a manufacturer of dairy products established in Malaysia since 1950 under Royal FrieslandFoods, a Netherlands-based multinational cooperative. However, in December 2008 FrieslandFoods and Campina merged and Dutch Lady Malaysia became a subsidiary of FrieslandCampina new organization. In 28 May 1963, Dutch Lady Malaysia was incorporated as a private joint-stock limited company called Pacific Milk Industries (Malaya) Sdn Bhd. It started with the production of a single product - sweetened condensed milk - and has since expanded to a full range of dairy products locally manufactured in its factory located in Petaling Jaya. It was FrieslandFoods' first production facility based outside of the Netherlands. Its current products include growing up milk, UHT milk, pasteurised milk, sterilised milk, family powdered milk, low fat and 0% fat drinking yoghurt, and low fat yoghurt. Some of its products are also distributed to surrounding countries in Asia and Oceania. In 2011, Dutch Lady Malaysia was reported as the market share leader in the growing up milk segment - with the Dutch Lady brand holding 40% of national market share. Its financial record for first quarter of 2012 showed a 9 percent increase in revenue year-on-year, with a net profit of RM27.5 million (US$8.72 million). A slowdown in the Malaysian dairy industry, led Dutch Lady Malaysia to miss on achieving its RM1 billion sales target for 2013. Nevertheless, in 2014 2015 Dutch Lady Malaysia achieved beyond the RM 1 billon sales target. Royal FrieslandCampina is a multinational that produces and markets natural, nutritious and high-quality dairy products and ingredients. Taste, health, convenience and reliability are key characteristics. The company employs 21,000 people and has about 100 production and sales locations in 25 different countries. FrieslandCampina organises its activities into ftheir business groups: Consumer Products Europe, Consumer Products International, Cheese Butter and Ingredients. The product range consists of consumer milk, milk in powder and concentrated form, dairy drinks, yoghurts, desserts, cream, coffee creamers, baby and infant food, cheese, butter and ingredients. Its most important brands are Campina, Chocomel, Completa, Dutch Lady, Frisian Flag, Foremost, Betagen, Friesche Vlag, Fruttis, Fristi, Vifit, Landliebe, Milli, Mona, Optimel, Optitheyll, Puddis, P, Fruttis, NoyNoy, Peak, Rainbow, Yazoo, Appelsientje, DubbelFrisss, CoolBest, Debic, Frico, Milner, Buttergold, Valess, DMV, Kievit, Domo, Creamy Creation and Nutrifeed. Mission, Visions, Value, and Objectives Dutch Lady Malaysia vision is "To further strengthen our position as the leading dairy company, driving growth" . The vision do portray Dutch Lady Malaysia aspirations for the future. However, the vision had few shortcomings: Not graphic: does not paint a clear picture of where the company is headed Not memorable: it need to be memorable to be easily communicated Not complete: the vision statement seems to be incomplete Nevertheless, Dutch Lady Malaysia vision is in line with its mission and describe the organization who they are, what they do and why they are here. Dutch Lady Malaysia mission is "Helping Malaysians move forward in life withtrusted dairy nutrition ", Dutch Lady Malaysia aim to continue developing products that contribute toa healthy society. Dutch Lady Malaysia aims to continue its effort in combating obesity and nutrient deficiency by ensuring that its products are responsibly manufactured, healthy and

Choosing the Best School for Your Child

Choosing the Best School for Your Child Finding the best school for your child can seem like a chore. Lets be honest, with educational budgets being slashed regularly in the US, you worry about whether or not your child is getting the best education possible. Maybe youre thinking about alternative high school options, which can vary from homeschooling and online schools to charter schools and private schools. The options can be overwhelming, and parents often need some help.   So, exactly how do you go about deciding if your current school is meeting your childs needs? And if its not, how do you go about choosing the right alternative high  school option for your child? Check out these tips.   Does Your Childs School Meet His or Her Needs? When you evaluate your current  school, and when you look at potential alternative high school options, be sure to not just think about this current year, but also consider the years ahead. If your child is struggling now, can the school provide the necessary support to augment mainstream classes?Is the school challenging your child enough? Are there advanced classes offered?Does the school offer the academic and extracurricular programs that your child wants? Its important to make sure that  the school your child attends is the best fit for the long haul.  Your child will grow and develop in that school, and you want to be aware of how the school will change over time. Does the school change from a caring, nurturing lower school to a demanding, competitive middle and upper school? Gauge the temperature of all the divisions before selecting a school. Does Your Child Fit in at His or Her Current School? Switching schools can be a big choice, but if your child doesnt fit in, he wont be successful. Does your child enjoy going to school?Does your child have an active, healthy, and engaged social life?Is your child involved in multiple sports and activities? The same questions should be asked if youre looking at potential new schools. While you may be tempted to gain admission to the most  competitive school  possible, be sure that your child is a good fit for the school and that it won’t be too demanding- or too easy- down the road. Don’t try to shoehorn your child into a school that doesn’t nurture her interests and talents just to say hes enrolled at a name-brand institution. Its also important to make sure that the classes meet your childs needs.   Can You Afford to Switch Schools? If switching schools is becoming an obvious choice, its important to consider the time and financial investment. While homeschooling is usually very low cost, its a major time investment. Private school might require less time than homeschooling, but more money. What to do? Consider these questions as you do some research and make your decisions. How much time do you as the parent have to invest in your childs schooling?Is your home an appropriate place for learning?What costs are associated with your alternative school option?Does a potential  new school have a tuition fee?Are there vouchers you need to obtain?Will switching schools require additional commuting or special arrangements for childcare and transportation?How will switching schools affect your familys daily life?Will you need to apply for financial aid at a private school? These are important questions to consider as you explore the option of finding an alternative school. Decide Whats Best for Your Entire Family While everything might point to private school or homeschooling as the right fit for your child, you need to consider the various implications on the entire family and you. Even if youve found the perfect private school, if you cant afford it, then youre going to do your child and your family a disservice if you head down a path thats not realistic. You may want to provide a homeschooling or online school experience, but if you dont have the proper time to invest in ensuring this form of study is properly carried out, youre putting your child at a disadvantage. The right solution will be a win for everyone involved, so weigh your options carefully.   If you decide that private school, in particular, is the best route for the entire family and the child, then consider these tips for finding the best private school. With hundreds of them available in the United States, theres a school out there that will fit your needs. It can be overwhelming to get started, but these tips will help you make the most of the private school search. Consider Hiring an Educational Consultant Now, if youve decided that switching schools is crucial, and a private school, in particular, is your top choice, you might hire a consultant. Of course, you can research schools yourself, but for many parents, they are lost and overwhelmed by the process. Theres help, however, and it can come in the form of a professional educational consultant. You will appreciate the sage counsel and experience that this professional brings to the table. Be sure to use a qualified consultant, and the best way to make sure of that is to only use those endorsed by the Independent Educational Consultants Association, or IECA. However, this tactic comes with a fee, and for middle-class families, that fee might not be affordable. Not to worry ... you can do this yourself. Make a List of Schools This is the fun part of the process. Most private schools have websites with great photo galleries and video tours, with ample information available about their programs. So you and your child can surf the internet together and find plenty of schools to consider. It is a very efficient way of making that first cut. We recommend saving the schools to your favorites as you find them. It will make a serious discussion of each school easier later on. Private School Finder has thousands of schools with their own websites. It is really important that you and your child understand each others  needs when it comes to choosing a school. By all means, guide the process. But dont impose your ideas on your child. Otherwise, shes not going to buy into the idea of going to a private school or may be resistant to the school you think is right for her. Then, using the spreadsheet mentioned above, make a short list of 3 to 5 schools. Its important to be realistic about your choices, and while you want to aim high for your dream schools, its also important to apply to at least one safe school  where you know your chances of acceptance are high. Also, consider if a competitive school is right for your child; schools that are known for being really competitive arent right for everyone.   Visit Schools This is critical. You simply cannot rely on the opinions of others or a website to tell what a school is really like. So schedule a visit for your child whenever possible. It will give her a good feel for her prospective new home away from home. It can also give parents peace of mind, knowing where their child will be spending their time.   Make sure you personally visit and inspect each school on your list. The schools want to meet you and interview your child. But you need to meet the admissions staff and ask them questions too. It is very much a two-way street. Do not be intimidated by the interview. When you are  visiting the school, look at the work on the walls and get an idea of what the school values. Be sure to visit classes and try to speak with teachers and students. Does the school seem to be the kind of place in which your child will thrive?Do the teachers seem capable of bringing out her talents?Do they seem committed to helping children learn? ​Attend an admission event, like an open house, to hear from top administrators, like the head of school, as well as other parents.  The headmaster can set the tone for a private school. Try to attend one of his or her speeches or read his or her publications. This research will acquaint you with the values and mission of the current school. Don’t rely on old assumptions, as schools change a great deal with each administration. ​Many schools will allow your child to attend classes and even stay overnight if it’s a  boarding school. This is an invaluable experience that will help your child understand what life at the school is really like, and if they can envision living that life 24/7.   Admissions Testing   Believe it or not, admission tests can help you find the best school for your child. Comparing test scores may help you better judge which schools may be the best ones to apply to, as average test scores are typically shared by the schools. If your childs scores are considerably lower or even higher than the average scores, you might want to have a conversation with the school to make sure the academic workload is adequate for your child.   Its important to prepare for these tests, too. Your child may be extremely smart, even gifted. But if she has not taken a couple of practice admissions tests, she will not shine on the real test. Test preparation is important. It will give her that edge she needs. Dont skip this step.   Be Realistic While its tempting for many families to fill their lists with names of the top private schools in the country, thats not the point. You want to find the best school for your child. The most elite schools may not offer the type of learning environment that is best for your child, and the local private school might not challenge your child enough. Spend some time getting to know what the schools offer and what your child needs in order to succeed. Choosing the best private school for your child is crucial. Apply for Admission and Financial Aid Dont forget that choosing the right school is just the first step. You still need to get in. Submit all applications materials on time and pay attention to application deadlines. In fact, wherever possible, submit your materials  early. Many schools offer online portals where you can track the progress of your application and stay on top of missing pieces so you can easily meet your deadlines.   Dont forget to apply for financial aid. Almost every private school offers some kind of financial aid package. Be sure to ask if you feel that you will need assistance. Once you have submitted your applications, thats pretty much it. Now all you have to do is to wait. Acceptance letters are typically sent out in March for schools with January or February admissions deadlines. You need to respond by an April deadline. If your child is wait-listed, dont panic. You shouldnt have to wait too long to hear one way or the other, and there are tips for what to do if you are waitlisted.

Executive report describing how information technology impacts the Essay

Executive report describing how information technology impacts the Real Estate Industry - Essay Example Online purchasing for instance has reduced the number of agents, retail stores and warehouses needed - these very services were thriving a couple of decades ago. On the other hand, access to the most unusual information, the most uncommon places, the rarest of books and even personal web logs are now just a click away. Hence, the value of a product, service or piece of information has undergone an overhaul since the onset of the Information Technology revolution. Added, these values even after changes are not static but yet in the process of stabilizing, allowing for large potential differences between current value and future value. Traditionally, real estate value has been known to depend upon criteria such as size, location, amenities, and even climatic environments, and now, information technology is an added consideration. Cyberspace technology enables interested clients to browse through properties of their choice using various search options such as zip code, size, amenities and budget. It is also possible to take a virtual tour of the property, its interiors and its neighborhood.

Reflective Journal on Assignment Completed - Next plc Performance and Personal Statement

Reflective Journal on Assignment Completed - Next plc Performance and Business Strategies in the UK and Europe - Personal Statement Example The interpretative approach applied, has enabled me to correlate my knowledge with the information accessed and draw a conclusion based on my interpretation. My research was based on the secondary data collected from the company websites, books and journals. For my future researches, I plan to rely more on primary data and collect them by visiting the company site as it is more reliable and authentic. As it was difficult for me to meet the managers of Next plc for my research, I completely depended on the secondary sources and had to be very cautious with the quality and authenticity of the information collected. My analysis and interpretations of the information collected has helped me to achieve the objectives of the research effectively. Since it was difficult for me to have a direct meeting with the management of the company, Next plc, so I made it a point to collect reliable data of the company like the financial reports and the sales forecast reports from their website. I analysed them and compared it with its competitors to recommend on future profits and benefits for the company. The research enhanced my reasoning ability and interpretation skills. It helped me to objectify a research problem and analysed it to recommend viable solutions to the company. I had aimed to improve my analytical and reasoning skills. By increasing my scope of knowledge on the business strategies planned and performance of the company in the UK and Europe, I have been able to gather enough information on the company and analysed their balance sheet and financial statements which increased my scope and ability of analysis and reasoning. The research has taught me to acquire reliable information and eliminate unimportant source of information. It enhanced my knowledge on the different theories that can be applied in research methodologies and data collection which enabled me to prepare a good business report. The access to scholarly articles and journal as well as through the

Pressure Groups Essay Example for Free

Pressure Groups Essay Pressure groups play an important role in indian politics Pressure groups provide the link between the people and the government. A pressure group is an organised body of individuals who share some goals and who try to influence public policy. Pressure groups are a vital part of a healthy democracy. Indeed the sustained and rapid expansion of pressure group activity and involvement in the political process is often heralded as a sign of growing political involvement among many thousands of people. Pressure groups Promote discussion and debate and mobilise public opinion on key issues ,they perform a role in educating citizens about specific issues , they can enhance democratic participation, pluralism and diversity, they raise and articulate issues that political parties perhaps wont touch because of their sensitivity e. g. The 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement were a series of demonstrations and protests across India which intended to establish strong legislation and enforcement against endemic political corruption. ake the example of the recent gang rape case. The people of delhi, and then the entire country joined to form a pressure group and forced the govt. to make fast track courts so that the culprits could be punished as soon as possible. There is intense pressure on the government to make harsher laws for rape . pressure groups provide an important access point for those seeking redress of grievance They represent minorities who cannot represent themselves Groups can be an important and valuable source of specialist information for an overloaded legislature and civil service Many groups play an important role in implementing changes to public policy Pressure groups encourage a decentralisation of power within the political system. They act as a check and balance to the power of executive government. Several laws have been made , several ministers and beaureacrats who were corrupt, were asked to go because of the pressure groups. Several states have been made because of pressure groups. Prices of public utilities like electricity , water have been reduced because of pressure groups. Farmers have got the right price for their commodities because of pressure groups. So we can see that pressure groups are a must for democracy, and they strengthen democracy and not weaken it.

Urban Legend of the Goatman Essay example -- Urban Legends

Goatman Version 1--Montgomery County, Maryland It seemed from my story-collection that nearly everyone knows of some urban legend, but I found one story to be especially interesting because it is a relatively famous legend that has roots here in Maryland. The story of â€Å"The Goatman† has a number of variations, as with most urban legends. My roommate told me that he first heard the story from his parents when he was about 12 years old. He suspected that it was probably a joking attempt to scare him from playing outside so late at night because the sound of the basketball dribbling in the driveway would keep his parents awake. According to his parents, the Goatman was located in the suburbs of Montgomery County (his home), which was probably a detail that his parents modified to make the story scarier. He told a version that took place in Prince Georges County because he had more recently heard this version from someone whom he was unable to remember. The manner in which he recounted the legend was not in a mysterious and suspenseful tone usually used to tell such stories at campfires. He began the story by describing the Goatman’s appearance: It’s a half-man, half-goat creature, with the upper body of a man, horns, a hairy face, and two legs like a goat, kind of like a Devil. It was created in a secret government genetics-type experiment that went wrong. [pause] It got out of its cage, which was really bad because it’s as smart as a human but has no conscience, like an animal. The Goatman has been creeping around at night for years. It kills family pets that are left out at night and attacks people who see him, and it has been able to stay hidden so well because it is so smart. He did not mention where the creature was c... ... threatening to domesticated animals. Variations in the origin of the creature can offer different moral messages within the story, as well. For example, the version of the story that explains the Goatman as the ghost of a deformed outcast of an old Indian tribe demonstrates the consequences for mistreating and abandoning members of our own species. Also, the fact that this sacred, spiritual land has been overbuilt by a college campus represents mankind’s over consumption of, and lack of respect for nature’s resources. The storytelling of the Goatman may have the simple purpose of entertainment for the audience, but like most legends, the stories are likely based on some true event(s), and the way that these events evolve into stories of the uncanny reflect the intention to convey some sort of moral message. Works Cited www.puportal.com www.wikipedia.com

The Pursuit of Happyness

â€Å"The Pursuit of Happyness† The movie it’s about a man called Christopher Gardner that lives with his wife and son in a small apartment. They have a low budget and are going thru a very difficult time economically and it could come to a point where they can lose everything and even get apart. This man invested the family savings in this kind of machines called â€Å"Bone Density scanner’’ thinking he was going to invest and earned a lot of money to maintain his family. They thought it was going to be a great result, but it turned out the opposite way. In life not everything that seems bright as gold.The Gardner family where trying to survive the most that they can. While the days were passing it was getting worst and worst. Chris Gardner has big dreams for him and his family but it doesn’t seem to come together for him. This financial thing that were going on suddenly breaks the family starting with troubles in the relationship with his wife th at leaves him and his son and moves to New York. His wife wanted to take their son with her because she said that every children should be with their mom, but Christopher said that it’s very true, but he said that he could take better care of him than her because his used to it.After that he loses his wife, lost his bank account, and credit cards. He was searching for jobs all over but he couldn’t find anything, until finally he decided to do an stockbroker internship position at Dean Witter, competing for one career for six months with getting any salary at all with twenty other candidates for that position and only one of them was going to get the job. He was doing the best he could to fight for what he wanted. He was being a father and a mother at the same time it was not easy as it seemed to be. Meanwhile, they were homeless and he was going thru all the difficulties with his son Christopher Jr.Even thou they were struggling Chris was determined to make it and not giving up, in another words with the little that they had they were trying to survive. What it seemed impossible turned possible because after all the hard work and the difficult times that they were going thru, all that turned out to be a wonderful result for their lives because he finally got the job, from all twenty candidates he got to be the chosen one. Chris and his son’s lives change from the darkness past to a brightness present. In conclusion, this movie it’s amazing and great.It inspired me a lot because it teach me that no matter what are you going thru or what you face in life there’s nothing impossible and giving up is not an option. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall, what it matters it’s how many times you stand up and keep moving forward. Life could give you so many challenges, but it’s up to you how you decided to face it and deal with it and besides that it’s the result that you are going to obtain. These word s of the movie â€Å"Don’t ever let somebody tell you†¦You can’t do something† â€Å"You got a dream†¦ you got to protect it.People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you, you can’t do it. If you want something go get it. Period† they inspired me a lot because you can’t let anyone bring you down and tell you that you’re a nobody and that you can’t do anything just because they haven’t gotten what they wanted or their dreams come true. We have to stand up, be strong, and demonstrate that we are better than them and that we could do anything that step in our ways without the help of anybody. I leave with this saying â€Å"What it looks impossible for man, it’s possible for God†. The Pursuit of Happyness â€Å"The Pursuit of Happyness† The movie it’s about a man called Christopher Gardner that lives with his wife and son in a small apartment. They have a low budget and are going thru a very difficult time economically and it could come to a point where they can lose everything and even get apart. This man invested the family savings in this kind of machines called â€Å"Bone Density scanner’’ thinking he was going to invest and earned a lot of money to maintain his family. They thought it was going to be a great result, but it turned out the opposite way. In life not everything that seems bright as gold.The Gardner family where trying to survive the most that they can. While the days were passing it was getting worst and worst. Chris Gardner has big dreams for him and his family but it doesn’t seem to come together for him. This financial thing that were going on suddenly breaks the family starting with troubles in the relationship with his wife th at leaves him and his son and moves to New York. His wife wanted to take their son with her because she said that every children should be with their mom, but Christopher said that it’s very true, but he said that he could take better care of him than her because his used to it.After that he loses his wife, lost his bank account, and credit cards. He was searching for jobs all over but he couldn’t find anything, until finally he decided to do an stockbroker internship position at Dean Witter, competing for one career for six months with getting any salary at all with twenty other candidates for that position and only one of them was going to get the job. He was doing the best he could to fight for what he wanted. He was being a father and a mother at the same time it was not easy as it seemed to be. Meanwhile, they were homeless and he was going thru all the difficulties with his son Christopher Jr.Even thou they were struggling Chris was determined to make it and not giving up, in another words with the little that they had they were trying to survive. What it seemed impossible turned possible because after all the hard work and the difficult times that they were going thru, all that turned out to be a wonderful result for their lives because he finally got the job, from all twenty candidates he got to be the chosen one. Chris and his son’s lives change from the darkness past to a brightness present. In conclusion, this movie it’s amazing and great.It inspired me a lot because it teach me that no matter what are you going thru or what you face in life there’s nothing impossible and giving up is not an option. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall, what it matters it’s how many times you stand up and keep moving forward. Life could give you so many challenges, but it’s up to you how you decided to face it and deal with it and besides that it’s the result that you are going to obtain. These word s of the movie â€Å"Don’t ever let somebody tell you†¦You can’t do something† â€Å"You got a dream†¦ you got to protect it.People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you, you can’t do it. If you want something go get it. Period† they inspired me a lot because you can’t let anyone bring you down and tell you that you’re a nobody and that you can’t do anything just because they haven’t gotten what they wanted or their dreams come true. We have to stand up, be strong, and demonstrate that we are better than them and that we could do anything that step in our ways without the help of anybody. I leave with this saying â€Å"What it looks impossible for man, it’s possible for God†.

Islam spread rapidly Essay

I went through various different websites on the internet trying to find out why Islam was spread so rapidly, I found so many diverse answers, but the most answer that I kept on finding was ‘The Sword’. The sword is when Muslims give non-Muslims two options, either they convert to Islam or they have to face death. Some believed that Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him, was a violent man, who forced non Muslims into Islam. They also believe that Early Islam was less tolerant to other religions, other than that they believe that Arabs and Muslims in General hated Christians and Jews, and wanted them to Vanish from earth. I disagree with what I’ve read. Prophet Muhammad was known for his kindness and his respect for other religion, adding to that, he tried to follow the steps of the prophets that came before him, and he admired them. His main idea was to spread harmony between all religions and to create peace. Muslims have not forced others into Islam and didn’t kill non Muslims because they wouldn’t convert. Prophet Muhammad had announced to non Muslims that they only have to pay taxes if they didn’t want to convert, other than that they were treated respectfully by Muslims and others. Also, I’m not the only one who is disagreeing with such things. The webpage that I attached in the end of this paper also tries to show that Islam being spread by the sword is only a Myth. In the Western Civilization volume one book, starting from page 252 it speaks about how Islam was spread. It states that Islam was spread because of its harmony and tolerance also because of the Prophet Muhammad great personality, and not to forget about the holy wars and Abu Baker. Those had a huge impact on non Muslims who converted to Islam. The message of Islam in early days was rapidly spread through the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, West Africa, East Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Afghanistan, India, Western China, and the Malay Archipelago. They all converted to Islam not because they were forced to, but because they have learned and saw how real Muslims acted and were. Prophet Mohammed has introduced Islam in a very lovable way, He faced difficulties, such as hater from Qurish, people threw rocks at him, and he was cursed and hit many, many times, however, he didn’t stop. He continued spreading the Islam. A lot of people followed him and supported him, until the day of his death. After the prophet, peace upon him, passed away Abu Baker was firmed in spreading Islam around the world. Abu baker was declared as the caliph, and the second-in-command of Mohammed. He created a powerful military that restrained all the Arab trips that didn’t accept successor’s establishment. Other than that, his force of military started to slowly move further than the borders of Arabia. Not to forget to mention that Arabs were not interested in conquering other cities because they wanted to spread Islam. Arabians actually hoped that the cities they conquered wouldn’t convert to Islam, so Arabians could preserve their own individuality as a society of leaders and tax gatherers. Anyhow, Arabia was mostly interested in conquering other cites for the wealth and the power, and as I mentioned earlier, not to spread Islam. There were a lot of weak cities beside them that motivated the Arabs to start conquering, also, the idea of new riches played a huge part. There are a lot of reasons why Islam spread so fast, other than the ones that are already mentioned in this text or the webpage that is attached to this paper. People need to know the truth about Islam, and nee to stop judging it based on Myths and lies.

Western Art Exhibition Critique Essay Example

Western Art Exhibition Critique Essay Example Western Art Exhibition Critique Essay Western Art Exhibition Critique Essay The show Renoir in the 20th Century is a group art exhibit of the French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir and his friends, held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), exhibiting from February 14 to May 9, 2010. The paintings on exhibit are the works Renoir finished in the last 30 years of his life, included in the 6,000 art pieces he finished throughout his entire career.   The gallery literature lists his displayed work as decorative, classical, and a highly personal interpretation of the Grand Tradition. The artists that Renoir influenced throughout his life and are also on display at the LACMA with their paintings, drawings and sculptures are Picasso, Matisse, Maillol and Bonnard.   The art works in the public display by Renoir consist of women, children and family members with only a few self-portraits. No landscape or still life is evident in this show, as in his earlier Impressionism shows.   But what makes it important is that the art work is good, as compared to years of negative art reviews by critics, who have turned their backs on this notable artist in his later years. Painting until he died in 1919, Renoir was an unpretentious and very humble artist, even though he always wanted to be the best at what he did. He had become well-established during the Impressionism years because of his talent and this attitude. However, his successful art period was quickly followed by years of wondering if he could ever paint again. â€Å"I’m starting to know how to paint. It has taken me over fifty years’ work to get this far and it’s not finished yet,† declared the artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) in 1913, at a time when a major exhibition of his work, including the large nudes painted at the turn of the twentieth century, was in the show at the Bernheim Jeune gallery in Paris. [1] When Renoir followed other artists, such as Monet, into Impressionism it was considered by the art world as a huge movement away from Realism – the historical work of past artists that almost appeared to imitate life. The year 1869 had brought a new style of art called Impressionism into the world, developed by artists Renoir and Monet. At the beginning of the art movement, the works of both artists were so much alike it was as if their still life and landscape art blended together into one joyful union with colors to match the feelings.   Using unmixed primary colors, the work had a look about it unlike any other. The dark earthy tones and heavy dedicated brush strokes of the previous masters were gone. By 1880, Renoir had begun to move away from Impressionism even though he was highly sought for his unique colors and rainbow palette style, especially in his nudes and body forms. However, deep inside he felt he had wrung Impressionism dry. [2] These feelings are because his work of the human form had always been more traditional than other artists of the Impressionism group, and he was feeling as if it was pulling him away from what he felt was right for him. Renoirs return from an Italy trip in 1982 left him doubting Impressionism even more, with his work changing so much that critics, patrons and other artists felt he was going downhill with his art ability. At this time, late Renoir artwork was beginning to be considered bad Renoir work. Showing with the Impressionists, the painter [Renoir] is reported to have lamented to a dealer, Ive come to the conclusion that I can neither paint nor draw. Looking at the show one is inclined to mumble, Indeed. [3] Renoir eventually left Impressionism, returning to the full-bodied female nude and children he enjoyed doing, instead of landscape and outdoors. After studying in Italy, he discovered the importance of drawing prior to painting. According to the art exhibit literature, the work of Gabriel and Jean that Renoir painted in 1895, a painting of his infant son and nanny, demonstrated this fact.[4] Prior to its painting, he worked on preparatory drawings of the painting before he started. This was difficult He had become so mesmerized with the childs infant gown he spent hours on the painting, while quickly painting over the face of Gabrielle whom he really did not want to paint, refusing her several times prior to this. He [Jean] said that in his fathers paintings, everyone looked as if they were brothers and sisters. We are all Renoirs children in the paintings, Jean Renoir said. [5] Severely in pain with rheumatoid arthritis, his hands became completely gnarled and he became wheelchair-bound. In as much pain as he was, he still painted for years. Paintings like Jean as a Huntsman shows a full-length portrait of his son, Jean, referred to as a modern Blue Boy. The work appears as a work of the old masters, with the gallery listings describing it as similar to the work of Spanish artist Diego Velazquez, which exemplified Renoirs work with great art of the past – with Jean posing for several months while his father painted under extreme pain throughout the process. According to the LACMA literature for the show, the painting remained with Renoir until his death, and then was given to LACMA by Renoirs son, Jean, in 1979. Subject matter of his final years were nudes, girls at a piano, children with their nannies – turning his back on his Impressionism style he had been so involved with earlier in his life.   The light brush strokes disappeared, with Renoir returning to the style of the old masters such as Rubens.     With hands appearing as old tree stumps, he had mastered the use of color and brush strokes toward his final years. To paint, he wrapped fabric around his gnarled fingers while clamping a paintbrush between the thumb and first of his right hand, appearing gaunt and emaciated. But he still painted for hours because if he quit, the pain may actually destroy him.[6] The art display Renoir in the 20th Century Los Angeles County Museum of Art demonstrates how far Renoir had come artistically toward the end of his life. Instead of Bad Renoir art in his later years, it was the best he had ever done with a glowing to his skin tone other artists could not compete with. Becoming more and more of an art master who was dedicated to his work helped him overcome his physical pain. Through this, he worked to re-develop and refine the traditional forms and methods into an exquisite art form he had always preferred. Nowhere is this success more apparent than in the art exhibit of Renoir and his friends.

Biography of Oscar Wilde, Irish Poet and Playwright

Biography of Oscar Wilde, Irish Poet and Playwright Born Oscar Fingal OFlahertie Wills Wilde, Oscar Wilde (October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900) was a popular poet, novelist, and playwright in the late 19th century. He wrote some of the most enduring works in the English language, but is equally remembered for his scandalous personal life, which ultimately led to his imprisonment. Fast Facts: Oscar Wilde Full Name:  Oscar Fingal OFlahertie Wills WildeOccupation: Playwright, novelist, and poetBorn: October 16, 1854 in Dublin, IrelandDied: November 30, 1900 in Paris, FranceNotable Works: The Picture of Dorian Gray, Salome, Lady Windermeres Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, The Importance of Being EarnestSpouse: Constance Lloyd (m. 1884-1898)Children: Cyril (b. 1885) and Vyvyan (b. 1886). Early Life Wilde, born in Dublin, was the second of three children. His parents were Sir William Wilde and Jane Wilde, both of whom were intellectuals (his father was a surgeon and his mother wrote). He had three illegitimate half-siblings, who Sir William acknowledged and supported, as well as two full siblings: a brother, Willie, and a sister, Isola, who died of meningitis at age nine. Wilde was educated first at home, then by one of the oldest schools in Ireland. In 1871, Wilde left home with a scholarship to study at Trinity College in Dublin, where he particularly studied the classics, literature, and philosophy. He proved himself to be an excellent student, winning competitive academic awards and coming first in his class. In 1874, he competed for and won a scholarship to study at Magdalen College, Oxford for another four years. During this time, Wilde developed several, widely differing interests. For a time, he considered converting from Anglicanism to Catholicism. He became involved with Freemasonry at Oxford, and later became even more involved with the aesthetic and Decadent movements. Wilde scorned â€Å"masculine† sports and deliberately created an image of himself as an aesthete. However, he was not helpless or delicate: reportedly, when a group of students attacked him, he singlehandedly fought them off. He graduated with honors in 1878. Society and Writing Debut After his graduation, Wilde moved to London and began his writing career in earnest. His poems and lyrics had been published in various magazines previously, and his first book of poetry was published in 1881, when Wilde was 27 years old. The next year, he was invited to make a lecture tour of North America talking about aestheticism; it was so successful and popular that a planned four-month tour turned into nearly a year. Although he was popular with general audiences, critics eviscerated him in the press. In 1884, he crossed paths with an old acquaintance, a wealthy young woman named Constance Lloyd. The couple married and set out to establish themselves as stylish trendsetters in society. They had two sons, Cyril in 1885 and Vyvyan in 1886, but their marriage began to fall apart after Vyvyan’s birth. It was also around this time that Wilde first met Robert Ross, a young gay man who eventually became Wilde’s first male lover. Wilde was, by most accounts, a loving and attentive father, and he worked to support his family in a variety of pursuits. He had a stint as editor of a women’s magazine, sold short fiction, and developed his essay writing as well. Literary Legend Wilde wrote his only novel – arguably his most famous work – in 1890-1891. The Picture of Dorian Gray eerily focuses on a man who bargains to have his aging taken on by a portrait so that he himself can stay young and beautiful forever. At the time, critics heaped disdain on the novel for its portrayal of hedonism and fairly blatant homosexual overtones. However, it’s endured as a classic of the English language. Over the next few years, Wilde turned his attentions to playwriting. His first play was a French-language tragedy Salome, but he soon shifted to English comedies of manners. Lady Windermeres Fan, A Woman of No Importance, and An Ideal Husband appealed to society while also subtly critiquing it. These Victorian comedies often revolved around farcical plots that nonetheless found ways to critique society, which made them immensely popular with audiences but riled up more conservative or straitlaced critics. Wilde’s final play would prove to be his masterpiece. Debuting onstage in 1895, The Importance of Being Earnest broke away from Wilde’s â€Å"stock† plots and characters to create a drawing room comedy that was, nonetheless, the epitome of Wilde’s witty, socially-sharp style. It became his most popular play, as well as his most praised one. Scandal and Trial Wilde’s life began to unravel when he became romantically involved with Lord Alfred Douglas, who introduced Wilde to some of the seedier side of gay London society (and who coined the phrase â€Å"the love that dare not speak its name†). Lord Alfred’s estranged father, the Marquess of Queensbury, was livid, and an enmity between Wilde and the marquess sprung up. The feud reached a boiling point when Queensbury left a calling card accusing Wilde of sodomy; an infuriated Wilde decided to sue for libel. The plan backfired, since Queensbury’s legal team mounted a defense based on the argument that it could not be libel if it was the truth. Details of Wilde’s liaisons with men came out, as did some blackmail material, and even the moral content of Wilde’s writing came under criticism. Wilde was forced to drop the case, and he himself was arrested and tried for gross indecency (the formal umbrella charge for homosexual behavior). Douglas continued to visit him and had even tried to get him to flee the country when the warrant was first issued. Wilde pled not guilty and spoke eloquently on the stand, but he did warn Douglas to leave for Paris before the trial ended, just in case. Ultimately, Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years’ hard labor, the maximum allowed under the law, which the judge decried as still not sufficient. While in prison, the hard labor took a toll on Wilde’s already-precarious health. He suffered an ear injury in a fall that later contributed to his death. During his stay, he was eventually allowed writing materials, and he wrote a lengthy letter to Douglas that he could not send, but that laid out a reflection on his own life, their relationship, and his spiritual evolution during his imprisonment. In 1897, he was released from prison and immediately sailed to France. Final Years and Legacy Wilde took the name â€Å"Sebastian Melmoth† while in exile and spent his final years digging into spirituality and railing for prison reform. He spent some time with Ross, his longtime friend and first lover, as well as Douglas. After losing the will to write and encountering many unfriendly former friends, Wilde’s health took a steep decline. Oscar Wilde died of meningitis in 1900. He was conditionally baptized into the Catholic Church, at his wish, just before his death. At his side to the end was Reggie Turner, who had remained a loyal friend, and Ross, who became his literary executor and the primary keeper of his legacy. Wilde is buried in Paris, where his tomb has become a major attraction for tourists and literary pilgrims. A small compartment in the tomb also houses Ross’s ashes. In 2017, Wilde was one of the men formally given posthumous pardons for convictions of previously-criminal homosexuality under the â€Å"Alan Turing law.† Wilde has become an icon, much like he was in his time, for his style and unique sense of self. His literary works have also become some of the most important in the canon. Sources Ellmann, Richard. Oscar Wilde. Vintage Books, 1988.Pearson, Hesketh. The Life of Oscar Wilde. Penguin Books (reprint), 1985Sturgis, Matthew. Oscar: A Life. London: Hodder Stoughton, 2018.

Exercise and Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Exercise and Health - Essay Example Particularly vivid instances of extremely fit individuals prevailing over severe medical conditions are Lance Armstrong's astounding recovery from cancer to detain the Tour de France, and Magic Johnson's enduring retention of his extremely active lifestyle, including playing basketball, even with HIV positive. An active lifestyle reduces the risk of developing colon cancer. In the college alumni study, above seventeen thousand men reported their stair climbing, walking, leisure activities, and sports play. Estimations done throughout two periods, more than eleven years apart, signified that those who had been extremely active were much less prone to develop colon cancer than were their comparatively sedentary counterparts. In another research project with approximately forty eight-thousand male health care professionals, those frequently engaging in forceful pursuits had a fifty percent lower risk of developing colon cancer than did their sedentary peers. Additionally, men who were l ean and active, exercising one to two hours a day, were approximately five times less likely to develop colon cancer than those who were both obese and inactive. Findings from many studies signify that regular exercise throughout adolescence and early adulthood lessens the risk of breast cancer. Among women, those who gradually participated 3.8 or more hours weekly in active leisure-time pursuits after menarche was much less likely to develop breast cancer than were those who had been inactive. Exercise and physical activity is, of course, strongly linked to age. Among men less than 40, 17 per cent asserted to have done some running or jogging in 'the last fortnight', and 20 per cent of women of the same age said that they had affianced in some exercise activity. Only three per cent of women more than sixty did so. The more dynamic sporting pursuits and keep-fit activities were also, among those less than sixty, much more likely to be part of the lifestyle of those with higher educational qualifications and those in non-manual than manual households. For example, among those aged 18-40 years, 42 per cent (male) and 51 per cent (female) in manual households supposed that they took part in no sporting or keep-fit activities at all, though they might have done some walking or gardening, evaluated with 30 per cent (male) and 38 per cent (female) in non-manual households. This pattern of participation matches well with that which researchers have reported in other surveys of th e British population. Exercise not only essentially for adults but it is also extremely important for children. Exercise and food are the main topics identified by children as health promoting. More than 70 per cent rated curricular exercise as good, but only 57 per cent rated the opportunities for play that highly. It seems likely that respondents considered that the provision of curricular exercise somewhat within the control of staff and this may account for higher ratings. Rating of both curricular exercise and play opportunities strongly reflected the ratings of the playground and the play equipment. Literature Review Researchers found that regular exercise assists to retain health and role identities that confer meaning and significance to past behavior and give direction for future behavior. The regular exercise routine was developed to