College Admissions Diversity Essay Sample and Critique

College Admissions Diversity Essay Sample and Critique This example of a college admissions personal essay fits  option #1 of the current Common Application: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it.  If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Carrie focuses on the issue of diversity and how her Goth identity could contribute to the richness of her campus community. Carries Common Application Essay on Diversity Give Goth a Chance When I sat down to write this essay, I tried, as my high school English teacher always instructed, to imagine the audience for my writing. The more I thought about it, the more I pitied the college admissions screeners who would be reading a thousand essays on diversity. Along with the expected takes on race and ethnicity, how many of those essays would present their authors as outcasts, loners, kids who didn’t fit in at his or her school? How could I present myself as someone unique and interesting - strange, even - without falling prey to the clichà © of the self-pitying social misfit? Let me be direct: in some ways, I am the antithesis of what one might picture as a student who contributes to campus diversity. I am white, middle-class, and heterosexual; I have no physical handicaps or mental challenges apart from a tendency towards sarcasm. But when I receive college brochures picturing smiling, clean-cut teens dressed in the latest from Abercrombie Fitch and lounging on a blanket in the sun, I think, those people are not like me. Simply put, I am a Goth. I wear black, lots of it. I have piercings and ear gauges and tattoos. My hair, naturally the same sandy blonde that the rest of my family shares, is dyed jet, sometimes highlighted in streaks of purple or scarlet. I rarely smile, and I don’t do sun. If I were inserted into those brochure photographs of typical college students, I would look like a vampire stalking her wholesome prey. Again, I am imagining my reading audience, and I can almost see my readers’ eyes roll. So you’re a little weird, kid. How does that contribute to campus diversity? Well, I think I contribute plenty. Diversity goes beyond the physical; race or ethnicity might be the first things one thinks of, but really, it is a question of what makes someone the person that he or she is. Diversity might be considered in terms of economic or geographical background, life experiences, religion, sexual orientation, and even personal interests and general outlook. In this respect, my Goth identity contributes a perspective that is far different from the mainstream. Being Goth isn’t just about physical appearance; it’s a way of life that  includes not only individual tastes in music, literature, and popular culture, but also particular beliefs about philosophy, spirituality, and a range of other human issues. To give just one example, I am planning to major in Environmental Studies, and while it might seem odd to picture a ghoulishly-dressed girl who adores the natural world, it was my Goth outlook that led me to this academic interest. I read voraciously, and am drawn to subject matter that is somewhat dark; the more I read about humanity’s impact on the planet and the near-apocalyptic dangers posed by global climate change, pollution, overpopulation, the manipulation of the food supply and other environmental threats, the more interested I became, and the more determined that I should become involved. I, along with other members of my school’s Environmental Club, started a campus recycling program, and lobbied our superintendent to install in all classrooms power strips that are used to easily shut down equipment such as printers and computers at the end of the day, thereby conserving energy and generating significant savings for our school. I was drawn to this dark subjec t matter of environmental crisis, not to wallow in it or savor the Schadenfreude, but to change it and make the world a better place. I know Goths look a little funny, as we wear our ebony trench coats in seventy-degree weather. I know we seem a little odd as we gather in shady nooks to discuss the latest episode of True Blood. I know professors may sigh as we swell the enrollments of poetry and art classes. Yes, we’re different. And we - I - have a lot to contribute. Critique of Carries Essay on Identity or Diversity Writing about identity or diversity for the  Common Application essay presents a writer with specific challenges. In broader terms, however, all college admissions essays must accomplish a specific task: the admissions folks will be looking not just for good writing skills, but also evidence that the writer has the intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and strength of character necessary to be a contributing and successful member of the campus community. Carries essay succeeds on this front. Essay Title In general, Carries title works fine. It clearly captures the subject of the essay - approaching Goth with an open mind. Also, the allusion to John Lennons Give Peace a Chance  is appropriate given the songs message about acceptance and understanding. Its not a title that is highly original, and it isnt the best hook for grabbing the readers attention, but it is still a solid title.  The best essay titles  often strive for clarity, not cleverness. Essay Topic Carrie takes a risk in her essay. When you read advice about college admissions interviews, youll often be told to dress somewhat conservatively, get rid of the pink hair and remove all but the most innocuous piercings. The danger of looking too far out of the norm is that you may encounter an admissions officer who isnt open-minded or who feels disturbed or uncomfortable with your appearance. While you dont want to cater to peoples biases, you also dont want to diminish your chances of getting into college. Carrie, however, isnt one to tone down her identity during the admissions process. Her essay blatantly states this is who I am, and she makes it the job of the reader to overcome his or her preconceptions. There is a slight danger that she will get a reader who refuses to accept the Goth culture Carrie describes, but most readers will love the way Carrie approaches her topic as well as her straight-shooting style. The essay has a level of maturity and self-confidence that the reader will find attractive. Also, the reader is likely to be impressed by the way that Carrie imagines her audiences reaction. She has clearly encountered prejudice before, and she preempts it when she imagines the admissions folks reading her essay. Choice of Essay Prompt The current Common Application essay option #1  is a smart choice for Carries topic, for the essay certainly is about a central part of her identity. Carrie clearly shows how she will add an interesting and desirable element to the campus community. The essay demonstrates that she has thought about identity and diversity, that she is open-minded, and that she has a thing or two to teach others about their preconceptions and biases. She weaves in enough details about her passions and accomplishments to debunk any knee-jerk assumptions a reader might make about a Goth. The share your story essay prompt is wonderfully broad, and it can lead to a range of topics. An essay on ones love of crafts to ones non-traditional home situation can all work with Common Application option #1. Essay Tone Carries essay approaches her topic seriously, but it also has a pleasing smattering of humor. Little phrases like I dont do sun, and, a tendency towards sarcasm capture Carries personality in an economical manner that will also get a nice chuckle from her readers. In general, the essay has a great balance of seriousness and playfulness, of quirkiness and intellect. The Quality of the Writing The quality of the writing in this essay is superb, and it is even more impressive because Carrie is going into the sciences, not the humanities where we might expect to see stronger writing. The essay has no grammatical errors, and some of the short, punchy phrases reveal a high level of rhetorical sophistication. If you take apart the essay sentence by sentence, youll notice a huge variety in sentence length and structure. The admissions officers will immediately recognize Carrie as someone who has a mastery of language and is prepared for college-level writing. The length of the essay is right near the 650-word limit, but thats fine. Her essay is neither wordy nor repetitive. The essays by  Lora  and  Sophie  are both strong, but both could use some cutting and revising to get the length down. Carrie writes economically; every word counts. Final Thoughts Think about the impression you have when you finish reading Carries essay. You feel that you  have gotten to know her. She is someone with an offbeat appearance, but she is wonderfully comfortable with who she is. The self-confidence and self-awareness demonstrated in the essay will certainly impress her readers. Carries essay teaches her reader something, and the mastery of language is remarkable. Admissions officers are likely to finish the essay thinking three things: They want to get to know Carrie better.They think Carrie would make a positive contribution to the campus community.Carries reasoning and writing skills are already at the college level. In short, Carrie has written a winning  Common Application essay. Carrie comes across as an intelligent and likable woman who will contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways. Also, her essay gets at the heart of her unique personal story - theres nothing generic about what she has written, so the essay will stand out from the crowd.

Polynomials on ACT Math Complete Guide and Practice

Polynomials on ACT Math Complete Guide and Practice SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Polynomial problems will show up in some way, shape, or form on the ACT two or three times per test. And since polynomials are so deeply connected to other ACT math topics, like operations and functions, it's even more important to take the time to understand them before test day. Luckily, you probably know a lot more about polynomials than you think, and if you're currently rusty on the subject, just a little review will have you knocking out your polynomial questions left and right. This will be your complete guide to polynomials on the ACT- what they are, how you'll see them on the test, and the best way to solve your polynomial problems before time is up. Feature image credit: Linas/Wikimedia What Are Polynomials? A polynomial is any mathematical expression that contains variables, constants, coefficients, and/or non-negative integer exponents. This means that polynomials cover a wide variety of mathematical expressions, so let's break this down. Variable: A variable is any symbol that acts as a placeholder for an unknown value. Some of the most common variables on the ACT are $x$ and $y$. Constant: A constant is any number that exists as a fixed value. For instance, both 7 and -3.278 are constants. Coefficient: A coefficient is any value that is multiplied by a variable. In the term $5x$, 5 acts as a coefficient because it indicates that the variable $x$ is being multiplied five times. Non-negative integer exponent: If we break this term down, a non-negative integer exponent is exactly how it sounds; it is any positive exponent that is also an integer. For instance, $x^3$ fits the definition, but $x^{-2}$ or $x^{1/2}$ does NOT. A polynomial can consist of a single term or multiple terms in a relationship with one another. The values in a polynomial can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided together so long as no part of the polynomial value is divided by a variable. For instance, a term of the polynomial could be $4/15$ or $x/4$, but NOT $4/x$. Polynomials can have no variable (e.g. 4), one variable (e.g. $2x^2 - 6x + x$), or multiple variables (e.g. $y(2xy - 8x + 5z) - q^3$). Examples of Polynomials 6 $12x$ $14 + 2x$ $3y^2 - 4x + 2$ $(75k * 23x^12) + 8$ ${3z - 59 + 6x^7}/5$ NOT Polynomials $2x^{-4}$ (Why not? A polynomial cannot have a negative exponent.) $xy^{2/3}$ (Why not? A polynomial cannot have a fractional exponent.) $6/{2 - x}$ (Why not? A polynomial cannot have any term that is divided by a variable.) Degree of Polynomial Polynomials have degrees and you can tell the degree measure of the polynomial by looking at its exponents. The degree of the polynomial is the value of the largest exponent. For instance, the polynomial $x^2 - 6x + x^3$ has a degree of 3, since the largest exponent value is 3. If the polynomial has no variable (e.g., if the polynomial is simply "9"), the degree measure is 0. And if there is no exponent (e.g., $4x + 2$), then the degree measure is 1. [Note: this only applies is the polynomial has a single variable or no variable. You cannot do this for the polynomial $x^3 - 6y^2 + y^5$, for instance, because it has two variables, $x$ and $y$.] Why is it good to know the degree of a polynomial? The degree measure of a polynomial tells us what the graph of a polynomial looks like. Degree Measure Graph Type 0 Constant 1 Linear 2 Quadratic [Note: though there are more polynomial degree measures and types of polynomial graphs, these are the only ones you will see on the ACT.] Once graphed, these polynomials will look like this: Constant Graph Linear Graph Quadratic Graph Now that we've looked at our pieces, let's see how they fit together. How to Solve Polynomial Questions To solve many constant and linear polynomial problems, you will need to have a basic understanding of operations problems and integers. You will also need to know your way around lines and slopes in the coordinate plane. In this guide, however, we will be primarily focused on quadratics. For quadratic polynomials, you will have to understand how to use two mathematical techniques- factoring and FOIL-ing- to solve for your final solution. This concept is closely related to algebraic functions, so it's a good idea to tackle these topics simultaneously. So let's look at factoring and FOIL-ing. Factoring and FOIL-ing Polynomials Factoring and FOIL-ing are ways of manipulating mathematical expressions and polynomials to expand or reduce the expressions and find the information you need. Again, on the ACT, you will be using both techniques together to find the solution(s) to 2nd degree polynomials (quadratics). FOIL-ing You will use this technique whenever you need to multiply two polynomials together. When you're given a series of parenthetical expressions and must multiply them, you must do so by FOIL-ing them out. "FOIL" stands for "first, outside, inside, last" and this mnemonic refers to the order in which you must multiply together the numbers in the parentheses before you add the results together. To clarify this process, let's look at an example. Say we needed to multiply these expressions: $(2x - 3)(x + 5)$ According to FOIL, we must start by multiplying the "first" numbers of each expression. This will give us the F in our FOIL. In this case, that will be $2x$ and $x$. $2x * x$ $2x^2$ Next, we must multiply the "outside" numbers in each expression. In this case, the outside numbers are $2x$ and $+5$ $2x * 5$ $10x$ Next up, we need to multiply our "inside" numbers, which will give us our I in our FOIL. In this case, our inside numbers will be $-3$ and $x$. $-3 * x$ $-3x$ Finally, we must multiply our "last" numbers, which will give us the L in our FOIL. In this case, our last numbers will be $-3$ and $+5$. $-3 * 5$ $-15$ Now, the final step is to add all of our components together. $2x^2 + 10x - 3x - 15$ $2x^2 + 7x - 15$ This will be our final polynomial expression. Factoring Factoring goes hand in hand with FOIL-ing and acts basically as its reverse. In order to convert a longer polynomial (most often a quadratic equation) into smaller parenthetical expressions, we must factor the equation. This will eventually give us the two solutions to our quadratic function. If you remember your functions, then you'll remember that a quadratic equation ($y = ax^2 + bx + c$) will have two solutions. These solutions are the two values of $x$ when $y$ (the $y$-intercept) equals zero. For example, in the graph below: The solutions are at $x = 2$ and $x = 8$ because this is where the parabola crosses the $y$-intercept and so are the values of $x$ when $y = 0$. Now, if we are instead given a parabola as a polynomial instead of as a graph, we can still find the solutions to the expression by factoring. For instance, let us say that this is our quadratic equation: $x^2 + x - 12$ We know we can factor this equation and we do so by setting up a potential FOIL that will lead us to the final result of this equation. So our parentheticals will look like this: $(x +/-$ __$)(x +/-$ __$)$ We're not yet sure whether we will be adding or subtracting our integers in each equation and we don't yet know what the integers will be, but we do know that we will need a single $x$ value in each to give us our F of $x^2$ when we FOIL them out. Now, we know that the L, last, numbers in the parenthesis will make the final integer value in our quadratic equation. This means that we know that the last two numbers in each of the parenthetical expressions must multiply together to equal -12. Since we also know that the only way to multiply two numbers and get a negative, one number must be negative and one must be positive. This must mean that one of the parenthetical expressions will have a minus sign and the other must have a plus sign. To equal -12, our potential integer value pairs could therefore be: $-1, 12$ $-2, 6$ $-3, 4$ $-4, 3$ $-6, 2$ $-12, 1$ Now only one of these pairs of numbers will work as the solution to our equation, so let us test them out to see which will give us our original polynomial once we FOIL them. $(x - 1)(x + 12)$ If we properly FOIL this expression, we will end up with: $x^2 +12x - x -12$ $x^2 +11x - 12$ This does NOT give us the right equation, so we must try again with another pair of integers. $(x - 2)(x + 6)$ $x^2 + 6x - 2x - 12$ $x^2 + 2x -12$ Again, this is NOT our original equation, so we know that this pair of integers is not correct. We must try again. $(x - 3)(x + 4)$ $x^2 + 4x - 3x - 12$ $x^2 + x -12$ This DOES match our original equation and, since there can be only two solutions to any quadratic equation, we know that all the other pairs of numbers must be incorrect. With this, we have now properly factored our polynomial/quadratic equation, but we still have one more step to go; we must complete the problem by setting each parenthetical expression to zero and solving for the $x$-value. Why? Because, again, the two solutions to any quadratic equation are the two values of $x$ when $y = 0$. Spoiler alert: our parabola will look like this when graphed. So let's take both our parentheticals and set them each to 0. $(x - 3)(x + 4)$ $x - 3 = 0$ $x = 3$ And $x + 4 = 0$ $x = -4$ Once we have successfully factored our equation, we can see that the final solutions to our polynomial graph are: 3 and -4. [Do take note: though it may look like factoring is a long and involved process, requiring tremendous trial and error, it will become much faster and more instinctual the more you practice with it.] Just as there are several different types of floofers dogs, there are several different types of polynomial questions. (Perros/Wikimedia) Typical Polynomial ACT Math Questions You'll see three main types of polynomial problems on the ACT. These are: #1: Factoring and FOIL-ing polynomial problems #2: Graphing polynomial problems #3: Operations (multiplication, division, addition, or subtraction) of polynomials Let's look at each of these types of problems in more detail. Factoring and FOIL-ing Polynomial Problems These are the most common polynomial problems you'll see on the test. Generally, these problems will ask you to find the two solutions to a quadratic polynomial expression. To solve these types of problems, you must follow the same process we walked through in the last section on factoring and FOIL-ing. Alternatively, you can also use the strategy of plugging in answers (PIA) if you prefer not to factor and FOIL. If $2x^2+6x=36$, what are the possible values of $x$? F. -12 and 3G. -6 and 3H. -3 and 6J. -3 and 12K. 12 and 15 Solving Method 1: Factoring To solve this problem, let us first set the equation to zero, so that we can work with the full polynomial expression on one side of the equals sign. $2x^2 + 6x = 36$ $2x^2 + 6x - 36 = 0$ Now let us set up our parentheticals. $(2x +/-$ __$)(x +/-$ __$)$ Just by looking at the polynomial in question, we can make an educated guess as to what integer pair will be used to create -36 as their multiple, out of all the possible number pairings. Most likely, the pairing will be -6 and 6 or 6 and -6 (rather than -1 and 36, -2 and 18, -3 and 12, or -4 and 9) and we can see why if we plug them in. $(2x - 6)(x + 6)$ $2x^2 + 12x - 6x - 36$ $2x^2 + 6x - 36$ This matches our given equation, so we know this must be our proper factored expression. Now we need to finish finding our two solutions by setting each parenthetical to zero. $2x - 6 = 0$ $2x = 6$ $x = 3$ And $x + 6 = 0$ $x = -6$ Our final solutions are 3 and -6. Our final answer is G, -6 and 3. Again, the more often you work with factoring polynomials, the better your instincts will become at finding the right numbers to fill in your FOIL-ing. But don't despair if your instincts haven't gotten there yet or if you would rather solve the question by plugging in answers instead! Let's take a look at how. Solving Method 2: Plugging in Answers If we again take our same polynomial, $2x^2 + 6x = 36$ We could plug in our answer choices in place of $x$ to see which two solutions fulfill the equation. If we start with answer choice F, we would get: $2x^2 + 6x = 36$ $2(-12)^2 + 6(-12) = 36$ $2(144) - 72 = 36$ $216 = 36$ Since this solution is NOT correct, answer choice F cannot be true. Answer choice G gives us: $2x^2 + 6x = 36$ $2(-6)^2 + 6(-6) = 36$ $2(36) - 36 = 36$ $72 - 36 = 36$ $36 = 36$ This is correct, but we must also test the second solution to make sure that answer choice G is the final answer. Both solutions must match in order for the answer choice to be correct. $2(3)^2 + 6(3) = 36$ $2(9) + 18 = 36$ $18 + 18 = 36$ $36 = 36$ Both solutions for $x$ fit our equation. This means that answer choice G (and only answer choice G) is correct. Again, our final answer is G, -6, 3. Graphing Polynomial Problems Sometimes you may be asked to graph polynomials, identify polynomial graphs, or answer questions about given polynomial graphs. To answer these questions, it's a good idea to re-familiarize yourself with the basics of linear graphs and functions, if you haven't already. We know that the solution(s) of a parabola is measured at the intersection of the parabola with the $x$-axis (when $y = 0$). By looking at this graph, we can see that the parabola hits the $x$-axis at two distinct points- one point where the $x$ value would be negative and one point where the $x$ value would be positive. Notice that it doesn't actually matter if we know what the values are, just that one is to the left of the $y$-axis and one is to the right of the $y$-axis. (For more on the coordinate plane and its negatives and positives, check out our guide to ACT points). Our final answer is H, 1 positive real solution and 1 negative real solution. Polynomial Operations The final category of polynomial problems you'll see on the test are operations problems involving polynomials. These will most often be located somewhere in the first fifteen or twenty questions on the test and you'll generally be able to solve them just fine if you are familiar with your algebraic operations. What polynomial must be added to $x^2-2x+6$ so that the sum is $3x^2+7x$? A. $4x^2+5x+6$B. $3x^2+9x+6$C. $3x^2+9x-6$D. $2x^2+9x-6$E. $2x^2-5x+6$ Here, we are adding unknown polynomial $a + b + c$ to our given polynomial $x^2 - 2x + 6$ in order to equal $3x^2 + 7x$. If we know our operations, then we know that like terms can only be combined with like terms. So let us take these polynomials piece by piece. $x^2 + a = 3x^2$ $a = 2x^2$ We know that our first term must be $2x^2$, so we can eliminate answer choices A, B, and C. $-2x + b = 7x$ $b = 9x$ We now know that the second term in our polynomial must be $9x$, which means that we can eliminate answer choice E. Even without finishing the problem, we can confidently select answer choice D as the correct answer. But we can also finish up just to make absolutely sure. $6 + c = 0$ $c = -6$ Once we put our pieces together, we know we must add the polynomial $2x^2 + 9x - 6$ to our given polynomial in order to equal the polynomial that we want. Our final answer is D, $2x^2 + 9x - 6$ Now to slot those last few pieces into place and we're all set to go! Strategies for Solving Polynomial Questions Though you will see a few different types of polynomial problems on the ACT, there are a few strategies you can use to make solving polynomial problems as a whole a little easier. Strategy 1: Remember to Review Your Operations and Functions Guides Operations questions and function questions go hand in hand with polynomial questions, so it's a good idea to keep a close eye on all three math topics and learn how they work together. For instance, it would be difficult to solve your graphing polynomial questions or your operations of polynomials without at least a passing understanding of algebraic operations or functions as a whole. Strategy 2: Write It Out It can become very tempting to work with polynomials completely in your head, especially if you're already familiar with polynomials, factoring, and FOIL-ing. But doing this can lead you to make careless errors and select "bait" answer options. The ACT is a fast paced test and the test-makers know that this kind of time pressure can lead students to start working in their heads to speed up the process. To make the test challenging, polynomial questions often use negatives or large numbers, and so it can be all too easy to fall for a bait answer choice if you do all your polynomial math in your head. Just remember to take a breath and write your information down as you work through your problems to avoid careless errors such as these, especially when it comes to your positives and negatives. Strategy 3: Remember to Use PIA When Necessary If you're not that familiar with factoring polynomial quadratic expressions (or it's just been a long time since you've done it in school) and you're struggling to do so quickly and efficiently, it might be a good idea for you to switch techniques and start using the strategy of plugging in answers to find your solutions instead. It may take a little longer to use this technique, but it will always lead you to the correct solution. So if you've come up against factoring and can't quite manage it for any reason, don't panic- you can absolutely still solve the problem just by using PIA. Test Your Knowledge Ready to put your polynomial knowledge to the test? Then let's dive in! 1. Which of the following is a factored form of the expression $5x^2 -13x-6$? A. $(x-3)(5x+2)$B. $(x-2)(5x-3)$C. $(x-2)(5x+3)$D. $(x+2)(5x-3)$E. $(x+3)(5x-2)$ 2. In the equation $x^2+mx+n=0$, $m$ and $n$ are integers. The only possible value for $x$ is -3. What is the value of $m$? A. 3B. -3C. 6D. -6E. 9 3. 4. What values of $x$ are solutions for $x^2+2x=8$? A. -4 and 2B. -2 and 0C. -2 and 4D. 0 and 2E. 6 and 8 Answers: A, C, J, A Answer Explanations: 1. To solve this problem, we can either factor the polynomial ourselves or we can simply test our answer choices and see which is correct. In this case, let us simply test our answer choices using PIA. Answer choice A gives us $(x - 3)(5x + 2)$. Let us FOIL this out. $(x * 5x) + (x * 2) + (-3 * 5x) + (-3 * 2)$ $5x^2 + 2x - 15x - 6$ $5x^2 - 13x - 6$ This is exactly the polynomial we needed to find so luckily for us, we can stop here. We know by the rules of multiple choice that there will only ever be one correct answer, so we know answer choice A will be the one right solution- no need to test any others. Our final answer is A, $(x - 3)(5x + 2)$. 2. If we remember from our earlier lessons, we know that a factored polynomial will typically have two solutions. For example, if our factoring gives us $(x - 3)(x + 4)$, our final two solutions will be $x - 3 = 0$ = $x = 3$ and $x + 4 = 0$ = $x = -4$. This gives us our two solutions of +3 and -4. So what does it mean that a polynomial only has one solution? It would mean that our factored polynomial would have to be a square. That way the two solutions would be the same. For example, if we had $(x + 7)(x + 7)$, our only solution would be $x + 7 = 0$ = -7. So if our polynomial is $x^2 + mx + n = 0$, and our only solution is -3, then we know that our factoring is going to look like: $(x + 3)(x + 3)$ Why? This gives us our final solution of -3, since $x + 3 = 0$ = $x = -3$. Now, to find the value of $m$, we need to FOIL back out our factoring. $(x + 3)(x + 3)$ $(x * x) + (x * 3) + (3 * x) + (3 * 3)$ $x^2 + 3x + 3x + 9$ $x^2 + 6x + 9$ The 6 is now standing in place of our $m$ variable, so our $m = 6$. Our final answer is C, 6. 3. Though you can set up your own quadratic equation to fit the problem, the easiest way to solve this question is to test out point on your graphs and see which one fits the premise. We are told that the y-coordinate value of any point will be the $x$-coordinate squared minus 1, so let's test each graph. Graph H is a constant graph. As we saw from constant graphs earlier and as we can see here, the $y$-coordinate value never changes. This means that the $x$-coordinates will increase or decrease, but the $y$-coordinate for any point will NOT be exactly 1 less than the $x$-coordinate squared. We can eliminate graph H. For the same reason, we can eliminate graph G; the $x$-coordinate value never changes even as the $y$-coordinate value does. This does not fit our criteria. We can also eliminate graph K, as it would be impossible for such a parabola to open downwards. If the $x$-coordinates values were negative, then anything smaller than -1 (say -2) would result in a positive y-coordinate value, according to our rules. For instance, if $x$ were -2, then y would be: $-2^2 - 1 = 3$. So we are left with two graphs- J and H- both which look promising for the moment. Let us test some values for them. In graph J, we can roughly estimate a few points to be $(0, -1)$, $(-1, 0)$ and perhaps roughly $(2, 3)$. If we go off our premise of $y = x^2 - 1$, then all of these points fits our criteria. $0^2 - 1 = -1$ $-1^2 - 1 = 0$ $2^2 - 1 = 3$ It's pretty certain that J is our right answer, but since we were estimating our points, it's a good idea to rule out graph H if we can. We can roughly estimate three of the points on graph H to be: $(0, 1)$, $(2, 2)$ and perhaps $(-2, 5)$. None of these match our criteria. $0^2 - 1 ≠  1$ $2^2 - 1 ≠  2$ $-2^2 - 1 ≠  5$ We have confirmed that graph J is indeed correct. Our final answer is J. 4. Here we have another problem that we can either factor ourselves or use PIA for. This time, let us factor. First, we need to bring everything to one side of the equals sign, so let us subtract both sides by 8. $x^2 + 2x - 8 = 0$ Now, we can factor. We know we need two numbers multiplied together to equal -8, so one of them must be a negative. These numbers must also add together to equal +2, so our likely pairing will be +4 and -2. Let us test it out to be sure. $(x + 4)(x - 2)$ $(x * x) + (x * -2) + (4 * x) + (4 * -2)$ $x^2 - 2x + 4x - 8$ $x^2 + 2x - 8$ Perfect, we've found our factors! Now we just need to set each to zero to find our final solutions. $x + 4 = 0$ $x = -4$ And $x - 2 = 0$ $x = 2$ Our final answer is A, -4 and 2. Whoo, you did it! No need to toot your own horn, we'll do it for you- congrats! The Take-Aways Polynomial questions can sometimes be tricky, but a solid understanding of functions and operations can help you tremendously when it comes to understanding how to visualize and manipulate your polynomial expressions. Just remember to not underestimate the value of keeping track of your positive and negative signs and you'll be knocking out a not-insignificant chunk of your ACT math section in no time. What's Next? Now that you've taken on polynomials (and no doubt rocked them), you might want to take a look at our other ACT math guides for any individual math topic you could need. From ratios to rotations, points to probabilities, we've got your covered. Running into some snags with your FOILing and factoring? You might want to review the distributive property and perfect squares. What does it mean to complete the square and how is that relevant to polynomials and factoring? Learn about completing the square and when you'll need to use it here. Stuck on an ACT math problem? Whether you're stuck on a study guide, a practice test, or you just want to know how to get yourself out of a math bind on test day, don't sweat it. We'll show you how to figure our when you're really stuck and what to do about it. Want to make sure you're really prepared for test day? We've gathered together the best ACT math resources available and compiled them into one ultimate ACT math study guide. No more hunting for tips and resources- they're available at your fingertips in one easy place. Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this Math lesson, you'll love our program. Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands of practice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial:

English literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

English literature - Essay Example Motivated by her need to act and accept change, she finds out a religion known as Earthseed, which is said to be a religion of action, and it works against the existence of a literal God who creates, shapes, and controls reality. Finally, the group reaches Bankole’s land where they settle and form the first Earthseed community. Here they start teaching and practicing the Earthseed values and trying to accomplish their destiny of taking root among the stars. In the novel, The Parable of the Sower, Lauren Olamina is the protagonist, an African American teenager. Lauren resides in Robeldo, which is almost twenty miles from Los Angeles. Robeldo has turned out to be a walled closed society partly protected from the extensive lawlessness and distressed poverty that is beyond the walls of the neighborhood. When the inhabitants are murdered by gang of arsonists and thieves, Lauren is one of the few who survive. She decides to take action with several friends in a risky search for a better life. Butlers worrying tale is written in the form of Laurens journals, and this becomes an adventure story of an exploration of the negative trends in the American society that had become particularly palpable at the time the novel was written. In the Parable of the Sower, Butler’s criticism of religion emphasizes religion which, as I see it, in the novel is the source of the social problems, and this motivates one to talk about religion as viewed in the book. In the novel, Lauren criticizes the American Christian tradition. Lauren, who is the daughter of a Baptist teacher, has lost faith in her father’s God, the God of Christianity. Her feelings are clear in the novel when she writes, â€Å"At least three years ago, my father’s God stopped being my God. His church stopped being my church† (Butler 7). According to Lauren, the Christian God is nonsensical regardless of the environmental and social problems. She, therefore,

Biography reseach project on Important Native American Political Research Paper

Biography reseach project on Important Native American Political Leader-Wilma Mankiller - Research Paper Example Regardless of the numerous accolades and aspects that define and characterize Wilma Mankiller, this piece discusses her role in influencing the American society. According to Hollingsworth, Wilma Mankiller is an indigenous American who was influential in Oklahoma, which was equally her birthplace. Furthermore, people recognize and remember her as the foremost female â€Å"Chief of the Cherokee Nation†3. Mankiller’s background is equally clear as presented by her parentage since her father was a Native American. Indeed, her surname, â€Å"Mankiller†, is interesting and controversial when taken literally; however, it meant a rank within the military that was admirable and respected. Mankiller initially schooled at Skyline College where she participated in activities at the Indian Center for a significant portion of her livelihood. Furthermore, she is equally a renowned rights activist as apparent in her political activities during the last century that centered on justice and progress. Additionally, Wilma Mankiller embraced the teaching career after relinquishing her position as the chief principal at Cherokee nation. Sadl y, on April 2010, Mankiller passed away with the most noticeable condolence emanating from President Obama. It is worthwhile to acknowledge that â€Å"Ms Magazine awards† was a coveted honor that she received in 1987. Indeed, such an award typifies her role in the society and encourages persons to embrace her ideologies. An additional prestigious award is the presidential medal award that typifies her work that centers on improving societal progress. Her biography is a significant published work since it sold numerous copies. Wilma Mankiller’s passion and interest in defending the local Americans and other minorities made her join divergent activists’ movements. During her activism, she participated in the

Post high school plan Essay Example for Free

Post high school plan Essay Youve just arrived at your office, which you share with a colleague, and it looks as if its going to be another frustrating day. Your side of the office is neat as a pin and incredibly well organized. You always arrive at work on time and you take care not to talk loudly when youre on the phone, so that you dont disturb your office mate.  Your colleague, however, is the exact opposite. Empty cups and stacks of dusty files litter his side of the office. He often rushes into the office late, and he sometimes puts the radio on while hes working, which breaks your concentration. You love your work, but dread coming into the office every day, simply because you dont like sharing your space with your colleague. He drives you crazy, and you often argue. If you thought about it, youd quickly recognize that theres conflict between you because the two of you have completely different working styles. Once youd realized this, youd have a starting point for thinking about how you could work together more effectively. All of us experience conflict like this at work. Conflict can be useful, since it can push conflicting parties to grow and communicate, and it can improve conflicting ideas. However, this can only happen if we understand why the conflict is there in the first place. Once weve identified the root of the problem, we can take the right steps to resolve it. In this article, well look at eight common causes of conflict in the workplace, and well explore how you can use them to manage conflict more effectively. About the Eight Causes According to psychologists Art Bell and Brett Hart, there are eight common causes of conflict in the workplace. Bell and Hart identified these common causes in separate articles on workplace conflict in 2000 and 2002. The eight causes are: 1.Conflicting resources. 2.Conflicting styles. 3.Conflicting perceptions. 4.Conflicting goals. 5.Conflicting pressures. 6.Conflicting roles. 7.Different personal values. 8.Unpredictable policies. You can use this classification to identify possible causes of conflict. Once youve identified these, you can take steps to prevent conflict happening in the first place, or you can tailor your conflict resolution strategy to fit the situation. How to Use the Tool Lets take a closer look at each of the eight causes of workplace conflict, and discuss what you can do to avoid and resolve each type. 1. Conflicting Resources We all need access to certain resources – whether these are office supplies, help from colleagues, or even a meeting room – to do our jobs well. When more than one person or group needs access to a particular resource, conflict can occur. If you or your people are in conflict over resources, use techniques such as Win-Win Negotiation or the Influence Model to reach a shared agreement. You can also help team members overcome this cause of conflict by making sure that they have everything they need to do their jobs well. Teach them how to prioritize their time and resources, as well as how to negotiate with one another to prevent this type of conflict. If people start battling for a resource, sit both parties down to discuss  openly why their needs are at odds. An open discussion about the problem can help each party see the others perspective and become more empathic about their needs. 2. Conflicting Styles Everyone works differently, according to his or her individual needs and personality. For instance, some people love the thrill of getting things done at the last minute, while others need the structure of strict deadlines to perform. However, when working styles clash, conflict can often occur. To prevent and manage this type of conflict in your team, consider peoples working styles and natural group roles when you build your team. You can also encourage people to take a personality test, such as the Myers-Briggs Personality Test . This can help them become more accepting of other peoples styles of working, and be more flexible as a result. 3. Conflicting Perceptions All of us see the world through our own lens, and differences in perceptions of events can cause conflict, particularly where one person knows something that the other person doesnt know, but doesnt realize this. If your team members regularly engage in turf wars or gossip, you might have a problem with conflicting perceptions. Additionally, negative performance reviews or customer complaints can also result from this type of conflict. Make an effort to eliminate this conflict by communicating openly with your team, even when you have to share bad news. The more information you share with your people, the less likely it is that they will come up with their own interpretations of events. Different perceptions are also a common cause of office politics. For instance, if you assign a project to one person that normally would be  someone elses responsibility, you may unwittingly ignite a power struggle between the two. Learn how to navigate office politics , and coach your team to do the same. 4. Conflicting Goals Sometimes we have conflicting goals in our work. For instance, one of our managers might tell us that speed is most important goal with customers. Another manager might say that in-depth, high-quality service is the top priority. Its sometimes quite difficult to reconcile the two! Whenever you set goals for your team members, make sure that those goals dont conflict with other goals set for that person, or set for other people. And if your own goals are unclear or conflicting, speak with your boss and negotiate goals that work for everyone. 5. Conflicting Pressures We often have to depend on our colleagues to get our work done. However, what happens when you need a report from your colleague by noon, and hes already preparing a different report for someone else by that same deadline? Conflicting pressures are similar to conflicting goals; the only difference is that conflicting pressures usually involve urgent tasks, while conflicting goals typically involve projects with longer timelines. If you suspect that people are experiencing conflict because of clashing short-term objectives, reschedule tasks and deadlines to relieve the pressure. 6. Conflicting Roles Sometimes we have to perform a task thats outside our normal role or responsibilities. If this causes us to step into someone elses territory, then conflict and power struggles can occur. The same can happen in reverse – sometimes we may feel that a particular task should be completed by someone else. Conflicting roles are similar to conflicting perceptions. After all, one team member may view a task as his or her responsibility or territory. But when someone else comes in to take over that task, conflict occurs. If you suspect that team members are experiencing conflict over their roles, explain why youve assigned tasks or projects to each person. Your explanation could go a long way toward remedying the pressure. You can also use a Team Charter to crystallize peoples roles and responsibilities, and to focus people on objectives. 7. Different Personal Values Imagine that your boss has just asked you to perform a task that conflicts with your ethical standards. Do you do as your boss asks, or do you refuse? If you refuse, will you lose your bosss trust, or even your job? When our work conflicts with our personal values like this, conflict can quickly arise. To avoid this in your team, practice ethical leadership : try not to ask your team to do anything that clashes with their values, or with yours. There may be times when youre asked to do things that clash with your personal ethics. Our article on preserving your integrity will help you to make the right choices. 8. Unpredictable Policies When rules and policies change at work and you dont communicate that change clearly to your team, confusion and conflict can occur. In addition, if you fail to apply workplace policies consistently with members of your team, the disparity in treatment can also become a source of dissension. When rules and policies change, make sure that you communicate exactly what will be done differently and, more importantly, why the policy is changing. When people understand why the rules are there , theyre far more likely to accept the change. Once the rules are in place, strive to enforce them fairly and consistently. Tip: Although Bell and Harts Eight Causes of Conflict provide a useful framework for identifying common causes of conflict in the workplace, they dont explore how to deal with conflict. So make sure that you know how to resolve conflict effectively, too. Key Points Psychologists Art Bell and Brett Hart identified eight causes of conflict in the early 2000s. The eight causes are: 1.Conflicting resources. 2.Conflicting styles. 3.Conflicting perceptions. 4.Conflicting goals. 5.Conflicting pressures. 6.Conflicting roles. 7.Different personal values. 8.Unpredictable policies.

Middlemarch Essay -- Literary Analysis, Elliot

Middlemarch, a Victorian novel written by George Elliot, depicts a realistic view of a conventional society in the eighteenth century. Middlemarch, the town in England where the setting of the novel takes place, embodies many provincial characters who are affected by the social world where they live and interact with each other. The novel focuses on many of the characters and their relationships as part of a whole in a human social web. Among the many characters, the main ones include: Dorothea Brooke, a beautiful, good, and caring young woman, but very naà ¯ve and idealistic; Edward Casaubon, a boring old scholar who marries Dorothea; Rosamond Vincy, a gorgeous young woman, but very egoistic and self-centered; Tertius Lydgate, a brilliant and handsome physician who marries Rosamond; Will Ladislaw, a passionate young artist who falls in love with Dorothea and later marries her after Mr. Casaubon’s death; Fred Vincy, a good-natured young man who is often in debt; and Mary Gart h, a plain woman, but very kind and sensible. Elliot focuses heavily on the realities of marriage and the incompatibility between a couple based on idealistic notions about each other and marriage in general. Idealism leads to the failure of the marriages between Dorothea Brooke and Edward Casaubon and Tertius Lydgate and Rosamond Vincy. The downfall of these two unions stands in stark contrast with the marriage between Fred Vincy and Mary Garth. Fred and Mary do not have idealistic notions about each other and are realistic in their thinking and approach to marriage which is the reason for their success and mutual happiness. Dorothea’s second marriage is also a success because she does not base her thinking and happiness on ideal beliefs. In the beginning of ... ...rd and the union between Tertius and Rosamond. The marriages between these couples are failures because they are blind to the faults of their spouses. It is only after marriage that these characters realize the mistakes that they made. The ideal visions are crushed by the depressing reality. They cannot continue to idealize when they learn and see the truth. The marriage between Fred and Mary and the marriage between Dorothea and Will are successful because they are free from the ideals that hide the truth and cause unhappiness. These couples did not hold high expectations for each other or for their marriages. They saw and accepted reality as it was and humbled themselves. The idealism in the novel only led to the downfall and unhappiness of the characters in their marriages. The successful marriages on the other hand were free from high expectations and ideals.

Analyse a Business Plan Essay

Quality Training Quality Training has been operating as a Registered Training Organization for 12 months. The objectives of Quality Training are to generate a profit, grow at a challenging and manageable rate and to be a good corporate citizen. The mission of Quality Training is to exceed our customers’ expectations by providing them with effective training and development services, relevant to their needs and in line with national quality standards. Critical Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the business plan Quality Training has  been operating as a Registered Training Organization for 12 months. Below is the critical analysis of the business plan of the organization including its business weaknesses and strengths? Strengths of Quality Training: A new organization with no history Flexible and adaptable to clients needs Low start-up costs Personalized service, people conduct training who own the company Able to visit trainees and clients more regularly Knowledge of the local political situation and potential areas of growth Attractive business incentives threats: New organization, so unknown in the market place No references from former clients Limited sources Owner – operated Limited operation Lack of funding for large marketing campaign Targeting local area so limited clients base Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses: Quality Training should adopt the following strategies to overcome perceived threats and weaknesses. It should expand its network with friends and acquaintances to source business opportunities as this is local business organization. It has limited clients base it should develop strong personal relations. The organization must develop its marketing materials including a website so that clients can get themselves registered online. The organization should look for opportunities to deliver non-accreted training prior to becoming established as an RTO. This will bring in some additional income and will assist in developing our client relationship. The organization is very new so it should be flexible its working policies and procedures. It should be up to date with relevant legislation and industry requirements. The organization should look for new business opportunities to develop mutual beneficial partnership with other RTO’s or businesses. By keeping the business diversified and offering a variety of training and development programs, the risk of losing government funding will be  minimized. Quality training should consider the marketing trends to penetrate into the local market. Schools are emphasizing the importance of gaining recognized qualifications to their students. Quality Training should intend to take advantage requirement for business to comply with state and Federal Legislation in the area of occupational health and safety. It is suggested to the organization that it should utilize the following marketing strategies is its marketing approach; Personal contacts: Quality Training should expand its circle of business by increasing personal contacts to increase its business opportunities. This can be done by e-mails, cold calling, Internet ads, yellow pages, and networking. The organization must develop its marketing material in form of brochures professionally produced, outlining its mission, values and the training services provided. This thing will also include a professional website which must be updated regularly. The organization is required to formulate its business plan with regard to financial forecasting. Quality Training should review its business plan on an annual basis. Business plan 2: Workout gym business Plan Sport therapy business plan Workout gym business Plan: Pump fitness centre is situated in wentworthville. It is good business plan to run our business. At Pump Fitness we offer modern, clean, air-conditioned facilities with the latest equipment from Life Fitness and Hammer Strength. Pump Fitness pride themselves on good old fashioned customer service where everyone is more than a membership number and caters for the beginner to the experienced gym user. We provide a modern, non intimidating environment in which our members can enjoy the very best in lifestyle and fitness facilities. All members receive individual health assessments and fitness programs which are updated every eight weeks and qualified staff that are always available on the gym floor to assist you with your workouts. Our results based programs are guaranteed to be cost effective and will help you achieve great results regardless of your age, shape or fitness level. Strength of workout gym business plan: 1. Money made business plan. 2. Received fees on time from customer. 3. Currently in a good financial position (few debts, etc) 4. Skilled workforce (little training required) 5. Latest machinery installed 6. Own premises (no additional costs for renting) 7. Excellent transport links (ease of access to/from the Company) 8. Little/non-threatening competition Weakness: 1. Currently in a poor financial position (large debts, etc) 2. Un-Skilled workforce (training required) 3. Company name not recognized on a National/Regional/Local level 4. Machinery not up to date (Inefficient) 5. Rented premises (Adding to costs) Sport therapy business plan: Massage may be the oldest and simplest form of health care dating back to ancient civilizations and it is a therapy that continues to thrive today. Put simply, Massage is the manipulation of the layers of muscle and connective tissue in the body to enhance function and to aid the body in healing itself, increasing your health, vitality and well being in the process. There are many different types of massage but they all have the same basic intention, to heal the body and soothe the mind. A therapeutic massage is a great way for you to relax, but do not expect it to take the place of good nutrition, proper rest, and regular physical exercise. Strength can be viewed as a resource, a unique approach, or capacity that allows an entity to achieve its defined goals. A weakness is a limitation, fault, or defect in the entity that impedes progress toward defined goals (e.g., the limited field of view and resolution in a head-mounted display can limit usability and perceptual realism).

Ashoka and the spread of buddhism

The reign of King Ashoka is one of the principal contributing factors in the spread of Buddhism from India to the rest of Asia and subsequent world.Although Buddhism was characteristically a missionary religion from its inception[1], it was the through the royal patronage and efforts of King Ashoka the Buddhism really crossed Indian frontiers.It is generally agreed that Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the fourth year after his coronation in 268 BC[2]. It was preceded by a period of violent wars and years of bloodshed that finally transformed Ashoka and illuminated him towards the ideals of peace and co-existence of Buddhism.Ashoka, at the time of his transformation, was ruling the largest Indian empire that was matched only by British Rule almost 2000 years later on[3]. The absolute control over this vast dominion by a Buddhist King was instrumental in the rapid growth of the religion.Ashoka took many steps in encouraging the spread of Buddhism, through direct patronage to sending mi ssions and ambassadors to other countries. He sent missions to courts and rulers of Near East and Macedonia and to countries of South East Asia[4] .Each mission was headed by an elder who went with five monks to preach the tenets and philosophy of Buddhism[5]. The commitment of the Emperor was evident by the fact that he ordered his own son Mahindra and daughter Sanghmitra to head separate Buddhist Missions in South-East Asia, especially modern day Sri Lanka.The prestige and command that Ashoka commanded played   a large part in successful acceptance of his missions and conversion of people to Buddhism[6].[1] Damien Keown, Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. 1996. 70 [2] Ananda W.P.Guruge: Emperor Asoka and Buddhism. http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/king_asoka.pdf. accessed 11.1.2006. [3] Damien Keown, Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. 1996. 70[4] Damien Keown, Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. 1996 . 70[5] Richard Gombrich: Asoka: The great Upasaka. http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/king_asoka.pdf. accessed   11.1.2006 [6] John C. Powers. Buddhism, An Introduction. http://www.anu.edu.au/asianstudies/buddhism/spread.html accessed. 11.1.2006.

Creating Characters That Readers Love

Creating Characters That Readers Love Long after youve read a good novel, the individual scenes might fade in your memory but the characters will stay with you for much longer if the author did his or her job correctly. In fact, this is one of the necessary things that makes a good novel- characters that are immortal in the readers memory. It is only through these immortal characters (think: Scarlett OHara, Don Corleone) that the novels, themselves, become immortal. They are the lifeblood of the work and without them, it would not have achieved nearly the same level of success as it did with them.So how does a writer create characters that readers love? Well, it isnt easy. A character that remains immortal in the mind of the reader is likely a product of a lot of work on the authors end to make that character what he or she is. Just as with outlining the plot of the novel, outlining a character takes considerable time and thought. If you want the same for the characters of your novel- particularly the protagonist, try fo llowing these steps.Give them idiosyncrasiesLets face it- all people have idiosyncrasies. Sometimes it takes really getting to know an individual before we discover what those idiosyncrasies are, but then again, sometimes even the casual onlooker can see them. These can be anything from a nervous tic, to a strange gait, to eating habits that range from overly compulsive to simply bizarre. Having idiosyncrasies is what makes us human. It gives us uniqueness and distinguishes us from others. The exact same effect occurs when you give your characters idiosyncrasies.One good way to do this is to take a few hours to observe others closely. It might be friends or co-workers or family members, but observe them for a while to see their idiosyncrasies. If you are observing someone you know well, then you probably already know many of these. However, close observation is always a good tool to discover more. Watch how they walk, how they move their hands when they speak, how they respond to no ises or how they react when angry or startled. Make notes about these traits and use them (or versions of them) for your characters.Give them hopes and fearsGiving your character hopes and fears is yet another facet to making them seem real. There are several ways to do this, but most of the time, authors use an interior monologue through which the character reveals them to us. This can be done through memories of childhood, reactions to events that take place in the story, or even through the characters own dialogue.Giving your characters distinct hopes and fears has another benefit- it allows you to make the plot more intricate and deepen characterization. For example, imagine a scene in which a particular character faces something he has feared since childhood. You can use interior monologue combined with external dialogue to incorporate dramatic irony as a literary device: the character might be reacting one way outwardly while thinking something entirely different inwardly. Thi s setup has multiple benefits, including revealing your characters fears- the fears that he or she keeps hidden from the rest of the world, even hidden from the other characters. This simple step gives your reader the feeling that they really know this character; they understand because they, too, have fears that they hide from others. And thats exactly what you want to achieve if you want the character to stand out in the readers mind.Make them larger than lifeYour characters (at least your main ones) should be larger than life. They can be regular, average Joes but they need to do something that is extraordinary. When someone picks up a novel to read, they do it to escape- escape their everyday life and the mundane, escape a world that is ordinary. Very few authors have managed to write bestselling fiction with characters that fail to do anything extraordinary. It is this element of the extraordinary that makes the novel such a great escape to the reader.Give them historyOur uniqu e histories are a large part of what makes us who we are. In the same sense, giving your characters history will add depth, making the character seem more real in the process. This history should be first created when you are outlining your characters, but can be fine-tuned and reworked as you progress in your writing. Intertwining characters histories is also a great way to add depth to your characters and plot, making it more complex and interesting.Give them flawsOne of the most fascinating parts of a heros story is revealing his tragic flaw(s). Through this, the character becomes more real, because humans are indeed flawed. Think of it like this: people who seem to be perfect are usually quite boring. It is the imperfection of others that attracts us to them, and their quirks make them more appealing. The same is true for your characters. Let them be messy or disorganized, let them have a temper, let them have insecurities, or let them be haunted by a mistake they made in their past that has had repercussions on their lives- even your protagonist. These traits will give them depth and make them more interesting in the process. Most especially, these traits will help readers identify with your characters, which is exactly what you want to happen if you intend to write bestselling fiction.

3 Causes of Deindustrialization

3 Causes of Deindustrialization Deindustrialization is the process by which manufacturing declines in a society or region as a proportion of total economic activity. It is the opposite of industrialization, and therefore sometimes represents a step backward in the growth of a society’s economy. Causes of Deindustrialization There are a number of reasons why a society might experience a reduction in manufacturing and other heavy industry. A consistent decline in employment in manufacturing, due to social conditions that make such activity impossible (states of war or environmental upheaval). Manufacturing requires access to natural resources and raw materials, without which production would be impossible. At the same time, the rise of industrial activity has done great harm to the very natural resources on which industry depends. In China, for example, industrial activity is responsible for record levels of water depletion and pollution, and in 2014 more than a quarter of the countrys key rivers were deemed unfit for human contact. The consequences of this environmental degradation are making it more difficult for China to sustain its industrial output. The same is happening in other parts of the world where pollution is on the rise.A shift from manufacturing to service sectors of the economy. As countries develop, manufacturing often declines as production is shifted to trading partners where the costs of labor are l ower. This is what happened to the garment industry in the United States. According to a 2016 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, apparel experienced the largest decrease among all manufacturing industries with a decrease of 85 percent [over the last 25 years]. Americans are still buying as many clothes as ever, but most apparel companies have moved production overseas. The result is a relative shift in employment from the manufacturing sector to the service sector. A trade deficit whose effects preclude investment in manufacturing. When a country purchases more goods than it sells, it experiences a trade imbalance, which can reduce the resources needed to support domestic manufacturing and other production. In most cases, the trade deficit must become severe before it begins to have a negative effect on manufacturing. Is Deindustrialization Always a Negative? It is easy to view deindustrialization as the result of a suffering economy. In some cases, though, the phenomenon is actually the result of a maturing economy. In the United States, for example, the â€Å"jobless recovery† from the financial crisis of 2008 resulted in deindustrialization without an actual decline in economic activity. Economists Christos Pitelis and Nicholas Antonakis suggest that improved productivity in manufacturing (due to new technology and other efficiencies) leads to a reduction in the cost of goods; these goods then make up a smaller relative portion of the economy in terms of overall GDP. In other words, deindustrialization is not always what it looks like. An apparent reduction may in fact just be the result of increased productivity relative to other economic sectors. Similarly, changes in the economy like those brought about by free trade agreements may lead to a decline in domestic manufacturing. However, these changes usually have no adverse effects on the health of multinational corporations with the resources to outsource manufacturing.

Discuss the problems associated with constitutional design in Central Essay

Discuss the problems associated with constitutional design in Central and Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia) since 1989 - Essay Example Countries like Bulgaria therefore struggled in order to bring in a balance between the powers of President and other State authorities to make the overall legislative environment more flexible to accommodate the new ideological changes which took place in the region. On the other hand, countries like Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungry made their accession to EU in the first part of 21st century however, the overall process of making constitutional changes were on since 1989. It has been argued that the overall approach towards constitutionalism remained focused on two important approaches of pluralist bargaining and imposition of ideas of dominant group. Countries like Hungary, Poland and Czech took the first approach whereas countries like Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Slovakia etc. modeled their constitutions based upon the ideologies of the dominating groups. Firstly, this essay will discuss the problems faced by Central and Eastern European countries in constitutional design since 1989 and how the overall process of constitution building evolved over the period of time. Therefore, this paper will outline the constitutional changes made by these countries over the period of time to make their constitutions in accordance with the requirements for the membership of EU. Some of the key challenges and problems faced included making a balance between the powers of different institutions, electoral rights for the EU citizens, redefining the role of national and international law as well as the transfer of power. These issues, though were gradually drafted into the constitutions however, they took time and were not rushed into the implementation. Since breaking away from the communism, Central Eastern European countries had to make a transition towards parliamentary democracy but had to develop the market economies too. The initial response towards this transition was based upon development of policies which can reduce the

Luxury company in the African market Research Paper

Luxury company in the African market - Research Paper Example Some of the notable countries that have continued to register increase in the number of dollar billionaires include South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Angola and Libya among others. Through the large investments in terms factories and farming, the wealth class has created many opportunities that have positive impact on the living standards of the middle class individuals in the rural areas. This paper seeks to discuss the entry strategies and the opportunities as well as limitations that Mercedes-Benz Company, a renowned manufacturer of luxurious vehicles would face in the Kenyan market. In its effort to enter Kenyan market, Mercedes-Benz a German based company will have adequate opportunities that will make the company achieve high sales and profits. Being one of the countries based in the East African region, Kenya population stands at 43 million people. The country headquarter is based in Nairobi with an estimated population of 6 million people in the year 2013. Based on the high deman d as the result of the increase in population, wealth individuals who most of them are allocated within the city of Nairobi, the demand for luxurious products has risen (Kitching, 2011). Even though the demand for other luxurious brands such as clothes and shoes, mobile phones and electronics is high, the demand for motor vehicle brands especially among the young and old rich Kenyans has drastically gone up (Daniel, 2011). Kenyan currency in referred to as Kenya Shillings (KSH). The country GDP stands at $79,890 billion. The key sector that has contributed to the Kenyan improved economy includes tourism that contributes up to 60% of the GDP. Tourism in Kenya is the main source of foreign exchange. For example, in 2012, tourism generated more than $900 million. Other sectors that have significantly contributed to the GDP include agriculture that contributes approximately 25%, industry and manufacturing with a contribution of 15% and energy. The increased foreign currency has positive ly impacted on the investment in the countries thus resulting to more job opportunities. Opportunities One the major opportunity that Mercedes-Benz will face is the high demand of its brands especially by young and reach people working in the tourism sector as well those in the music industry. The improved transport system in the city of Nairobi and other towns such as Mombasa and Thika has opened investment opportunities in the city. As a result, large companies have highly invested in Kenyan capital and its outskirts. Some of the notable companies that employ large number of people include Safaricom, East African Breweries, Daily Nation Company, British America Tobacco and Delmonte Company among others. In addition to the large amount of tax the companies pays to the government, the firms have resulted to increased household income not only for the top managers but also for other employees. This implies that by establishing a branch in Nairobi and Mombasa, Mercedes-Benz will effec tively meet the increased demand of its brands. Kenyan market for luxurious motor vehicle is unexploited (Aldwin, 2010). This implies that the company will not face stiff competition from other companies. Additionally, the countries offer