The movie The Color Purple - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1085 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/07/31 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: The Color Purple Essay Did you like this example? The movie The Color Purple is about a young ugly uneducated girl name Celie who gives birth to a boy and a girl, both of which are by her father Alphonso. The children are taken from her to avoid Celies mother finding out about their affair. Eventually Celies mother dies, and her father continues to rape and abuse her. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The movie The Color Purple" essay for you Create order With so much despair she turns to her sister Nettie for genuine love and happiness. These two girls are inseparable. An older gentleman known as Mister has his eye on Nettie and asks Alphonso to wed her. Alphonso replies, I cant let you have Nettie. She too young. But l tell you what. I can let you have CeIie. She oldest and shouId marry first. She aint fresh, but I expect you know that. Shes spoiled, twice. Celie is ugly but she works hard, and she can Iearn. And God fixed her. You can do what you like. She wont make you feed or clothe it. But Nettie, you flat out cant have. Not now, not never. (Spielberg, 1985) Alphonso offers Celie instead because he wants to keep Nettie all to himself. Mister reluctantly accepts due to his chaotic household after the recent death of his wife. Celie is separated from her sister and starts a new life as a mother and wife to Mister. She is constantly abused mentally, emotionally, physically, and sexually. One day Nettie shows up and asks to live with Celie and Mister to get away from their incestual father. Mister agrees she can stay in hopes to eventually be intimate with her. Celie finally finds joy in life again after reuniting with her sister and they are once again inseparable. Nettie starts school and teaches Celie how to read. Eventually Mister makes a move on Nettie, but when she fights him off, he harshly kicks her off his property. Celie is devastated and as the months and years pass by without hearing from Nettie, Celie eventually thinks her sister has died. Shug, a sultry blues singer comes into town. Mister has had an infatuation with the woman for a long time. He allows her to walk in and out of his life freely. Shug and Celie develop a close relationship with one another. She feels bad for Celie when she finds out that she is being abused by Mister when she is not around, so she moves in. She comes across letters from Nettie that Mister has hidden from Celie for many years. This infuriates Celie and she even contemplates killing him. The letters from Nettie mention her moving to Africa and working with a man and woman doing missionary work. S he later finds out that their children are in fact Celies children and their father is not their biological father. Celie eventually stands up to Mister giving her the confidence to leave him and move away with Shug. When her stepfather Alphonso dies, Celie moves back home and inherits his property. Nettie moves back to America with her new family and the sisters reunite after many years. Celie and Mister for once are cordial with one another. This shows great strength and growth of Celie, being able to forgive a man who has done so many horrible things to her. Cultural Aspects The movie starts in the early 1900s in Georgia when racism was prevalent. There were also cultural norms in which men were superior to women. Celie had to be a submissive housewife to Mister. Her existence revolved around her husband and his children. Marrying girls at a young age was acceptable during this time, when now it would be considered illegal. According to Bickley Szilagyi (2017), Culture is the system of shared ideas, rules, and meanings that influence how the world is viewed, emotional connection to each experience, and how behavior is impacted based on relations to other people. It can be understood as the lens through which we perceive and make sense out of the world we inhabit. (pg. 84) Cultural norms vary based on many factors and conditions such as location, circumstance, race, and sex. Cultural Model The Transcultural Assessment Model, developed by Giger and Davidhizar applies to the cultural aspects that are in the movie The Color Purple. Communication, social orientation, and environmental control all impact how African Americans and women were treated during the 1900s. Giger Davidhizar discuss the importance of communication in relation to culture. It is the link that connects the world through interaction and behavior (2002). Most African Americans during this time, did not know how to read because they lacked a formal education. This created communication barriers, bridging a large gap between whites and blacks. Because women were inferior to men and whites, their voices went unheard. Poor communication skills were common amongst blacks. Race, gender, family role and function are things that apply to Celies cultural back ground. As a black woman she had little to no rights and her role in the family was to take care of the children, keep the house clean, and do whatever her husband demanded without any say. In most industrialized countries, women were property of their husbands and/or fathers. After many years of inequality, women now have the same political and economic rights as men. (Fernandez, 2014) During this time women like Celie had little control over her environment due to the cultural norms during this period. Her environment constrained her to a life of misery while it enabled and contributed to the poor behavior of Mister in how he treated and disrespected women. If there were consequences for domestic violence as there is today, women would not have endured such abuse. Bickley (2017) says culture is ever-changing and always being revised within the dynamic context of its enactment (pg. 83). After many years, Celie and Mister were finally able to communicate effectively, develop mutual respect and appreciate the roles they played in each others lives. Christina Gray References Bickley, L. S., Szilagyi, P. G. (2017). Bates guide to physical examination and history taking (12th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer. Fern?- ndez, R. (2014). Womens rights and development. Journal of Economic Growth, 19(1), 37â€Å"80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10887-013-9097-x Giger, J. N., Davidhizar, R. (2002). The Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13(3), 185. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.delhi.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=truedb=edbAN=6943153site=eds-live Spielberg, S. (Producer), Spielberg, S. (Director). (1985). The Color Purple [Motion Picture]. United States: Amblin Entertainment.

Democracy According to Mailer Essay - 3483 Words

Democracy According to Mailer Re-reading the bulk of my work in the course of a spring and summer, one theme came to predominate-it was apparent that most of my writing was about America. How much I loved our country-that was evident-and how much I didnt love it at all! -Norman Mailer, foreword to Time of Our Time The first time I read anything written by Norman Mailer-it was an excerpt from the Vietnam-era Armies of the Night-I remember two things coming to my mind. The first thing that popped into my head: what an arrogant, self-righteous jerk this Mailer guy is! What kind of egotistical writer places himself in his own novel? What new-age Narcissus finds the tragic flaw of every individual he encounters? What brand of†¦show more content†¦His writings offer an invaluable historical memoir of sorts, the piercing thoughts of a man involved in the essence of what America has been for most of the 20th century. A Harvard graduate who served in World War II, co-founded The Village Voice, ran for political office, and provided a major voice for the anti-Vietnam movement, Mailers been there, done that point of view gives readers a vital perspective on what America truly is, underneath the red, white, and blue facade every small town, big city, and baby-kissing politician bears (Mailer 1305 ). Mailer set himself the goal of offering some hint at a societal and cultural history over these last 50 years, and by creating such a body of work, Mailer gives America a rare opportunity, the chance to look itself in the mirror, accept the good and bad of what exists, and decide to improve upon what it can for the generations of Americans yet to be born (xi). He knew that our democracy was riddled with anti-Enlightenment contradictions, trumpeting the virtues of liberty and equality while over half the American population remained legally inferior for more than 170 years. In a country that prides itself on every citizen having an active voice in the realm of lawmaking, he saw the tight-knit relationship between government and corporate corruption bind itself to theShow MoreRelated Internet Security Essay1911 Words   |  8 PagesInternet is recorded somewhere (Boyan, Codel, and Parekh 3). An individuals personal security is the major issue surrounding the Internet. If a person cannot be secure and have privacy on the Internet, the whole system will fail. According to the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), any web site can find out whose server and the location of the server a person used to get on the Internet, whether his computer is Windows or DOS based, and also the Internet browser that was used. This is theRead More The Environmental Lobby and Voting Trends in the United States5545 Words   |  23 Pagesconsider increased GOTV efforts among the young. Local vs. National Assessments An individual’s assessment of his/her local environmental quality is an important determinant of his/her likelihood to support increased environmental spending. According to the 1995 NES pilot study report, people who approve of their local air quality are less likely to support increased federal expenditures on behalf of the environment than people with negative assessments. Evaluations of national air quality haveRead MoreJasper Jones Study Guide6848 Words   |  28 Pagescritical acclaim and was selected as the ‘one book’ by the Perth International Arts Festival in 2005. It has sold more than 18,000 copies to date. Silvey released an illustrated book telling the story of Warren, the guide dog from Rhubarb, in The World According to Warren. Jasper Jones has been longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and won the Indie Book Award in 2009. Silvey is currently adapting the story for a script. For interviews with Silvey regarding Jasper Jones see: http://blog.book topia.com.Read MoreInfrastructure for Knowledge Management42738 Words   |  171 Pageswhen all the government’s departmental CEO’s and CFO’s were replaced with â€Å"politically friendly† CEO’s and CFO’s. Suddenly, overnight, the tides of power had changed and of course everything the previous CEO’s and CFO’s had done was horribly wrong according to the new regime. It wasn’t long after when the contracts started drying up and funding was cut or redirected elsewhere. 28 Now I had a problem. I had to go out into the real world to make a living now. I was packing an excellent reputationRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pagesfor scoring skill assessments and updated the comparison data for each assessment. †¢ Updated the research supporting key points in each chapter. †¢ Added a Resource Locator table at the beginning of each chapter in the Instructors Manual, organized according to a chapter’s learning objectives. †¢ Added new video clips and exercise recommendations in the Instructors Manual. †¢ Enhanced the test bank by adding more application questions. †¢ Revised the PowerPoint slides. A MESSAGE TO STUDENTS: Why Focus

Computation and Computational Social Science †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Computation and Computational Social Science. Answer: Introduction A mental health assessment allows the doctor to view the complete picture of a patients state of mind. The proper assessment of mental health is necessary to identify the existing challenges and provide necessary treatment to the patient. Treatment at the right time is crucial; delay in treatment can make the patients mental state worse. This assessment can be done by the primary care doctor, psychiatrist, social worker, or psychologist. All the ethical, legal and Christian considerations must be taken into account while conducting the assessment (Bowker, 2014). The primary objective of mental health check-up is to identify mental distress, understand the causes of mental challenges, and study its impact on the overall mental health. As per Brown, a particular mental health scenario has been taken to identify and analyze the strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats in the clients life, and identify support techniques that can help her to deal with her condition (Brown, 2013). Ultimately a counseling approach has been featured to help Nancy get over her mental health challenge. In the particular case, Nancy has had mental issues since childhood. She was always a nervous child who exhibited anxious behavior and fearful attitude. Her parents were also nervous individuals who were not treated for their mental state of mind. As per studies, mental disorder shares some common genetic risk factors. Nancy has stated that her maternal grandparent had a history of depression. Her peculiar habits such as anxiety associated with irritability, insomnia tension, and fatigue, difficulty in controlling her emotions about her financial situation, job security, and her children's safety, and major depressive episodes show that she requires urgent and effective mental health treatment that can help her to minimize her anxiety level (Card, 2015). Ethical, Legal and Policy concerns Nancys case is not very uncommon in the current times. In fact, in a large number of households, there will be people who need help to strengthen their mental health condition. Generally, poor mental health is associated with social stigma. There is nothing wrong with the condition but the fault lies with the attitude of people (Cioffi-Revilla, 2017). The role of the healthcare professionals is vital while treating the patients suffering from mental health challenges. In case of Nancy, a recovery-oriented approach must be followed so that she can feel empowered from within and can take control of her mental health condition. A holistic model needs to be adopted so that the complete image of her condition can be assessed and its severity can be understood. A sound policy-backed model would ensure that her confidentiality of the mental condition is maintained throughout the treatment process. She would be treated in a safe and secure environment so that her level of anxiousness could be controlled (Kuper, 2013). Her rights and responsibilities must be taken care of while treating her so that she will not feel vulnerable. In order to provide her with best quality treatment, her family members would be involved in the process so that they could provide her with necessary emotional support and backing. SWOT Analysis of Nancys life The absolute identification of strengths, weakness, opportunity, and threat of Nancys life is crucial to offer the best possible treatment. In order to this analysis, the healthcare professional needs to consider all key aspects of her life. The strengths in Nancys life include a happy and positive childhood upbringing, support from husband, stable financial job, and overall positive health condition. Some of the main weakness that has an adverse impact on Nancy include the family history of mental challenges, constant fear about petty things, major depression episodes, lack of control over fear relating to job security, her childrens health, and her parents health (Lynd, 2015). The opportunities that Nancy has in the current circumstance includes the presence of family including parents, husband and kids that can give her emotional support, the capability to excel in work, and availability of competent healthcare professionals, etc. The threats that Nancy faces that could make the r ecovery process a challenging path are poor control over inner fear, long periods of depression phases, use of the substance like marijuana, alcohol, etc, and habit of smoking. This SWOT analysis basically highlights the broad range of relevant factors that have a direct as well as indirect influence on Nancys current mental health model. Some of the elements that have been highlighted seem quite insignificant but they play a key role to influence the mental condition of the patient (MacIntyre Korbut, 2013). The proper examination of all the factors is necessary so that the most effective and well-developed treatment plan in form of counseling and medication can be offered to Nancy. Treatment Model Nancys mental states seem to be extremely fragile. Her fearful attitude towards everything can be understood after conducting the SWOT analysis on her life. The treatment plan that needs to be adopted to help Nancy fight against the fear requires support from various parties including Nancy, healthcare professionals, counseling team, Nancys family, mainly her husband, and friends (Packenham, 2015). All the relevant ethical, legal and Christian worldview considerations need to be kept in place so that the privacy aspects of the case would not be disclosed to the public. A one-on-one counseling would have to be arranged in a friendly and comfortable environment such as her home or healthcare facility. This counselor would be a lady preferably so that Nancy could open up quickly and discuss her latent concerns and fears relating to her personal and professional life. Taking into consideration the fearful nature of Nancy, a single counselor would be assigned to her so that she could be comfortable. Even though the client scenario could be pretty challenging for the counselor, all her counseling attention would be on Nancy so that all aspects relating to her mental condition could be observed in the process (Ritchie, et al., 2013). In order to effectively deal with Nancys mental condition relating to fear and anxiousness, the approach adopted by the counselor is vital. The simple, positive, and friendly attitude on part of the assigned professional; would have a direct impact on Nancys mental state. The competency and overall attitude of the professional would be necessary to tackle with challenging clients like Nancy. The case is challenging due to the delicate mental health condition of Nancy (Rosenberg, 2015). In the initial stage, a free association technique would be adopted so that Nancy would be freely able to talk to the therapist about anything under the sun. The underlying objective of the counseling session would be to treat and heal Nancy at the same time. Once Nancy would be able to open up, they could discuss the subjects that actually bother her so that a rational approach could be used to reason things. Thus the psychodynamic theory would play a significant role in the counseling session (Scheff, Phillips Kincaid, 2015). This intensive model would make an attempt to change or modify Nancys deeply ingrained fears. The role of the therapist or the counselor would be vital to bring about a positive change n Nancy and her mental health state. Along with the designed counseling approach, some other range of key additional services would be ready such as online crisis network, reaching out models, online therapy session, crisis support hotlines, etc. These support models could be employed in case of urgent situations (Sovacool, 2014). Since the mental challenge is a delicate condition, such services could help Nancy and her family to deal with her mental health challenge episode. These secondary services would allow Nancy to share her concerns and fears with the therapist, or counselor so that she could feel relaxed and less anxious. Necessary considerations in the process While providing the required treatment to Nancy, the focus of the healthcare professionals would be on the ethical and legal aspects. Attention would be given to this aspect in order to ensure that the best practices are adopted to help Nancy overcome her mental health challenge (MacIntyre Korbut, 2013). The updated models and therapy techniques would be adopted so that the client would be comfortable to share her concerns. Similarly, the set policies and rules would be followed to ensure that Nancys condition would not be revealed to third parties. Nancys family would play a major role in this healthcare scenario. Her husband would be encouraged to give her his entire support. His morale and emotional support would simplify the transition process for Nancy. The healthcare professionals would try to offer her utmost mental and emotional support to cope with her internal challenges. Conclusion The mental health and well-being of an individual are very important since it has a direct bearing on the overall health aspects of an individual. After the mental assessment is conducted, competent and effective treatment models need to be introduced by the healthcare professionals. The strategies must be designed keeping in mind the specific mental health challenge of the patient. The adoption of effective tools and approaches can help patients to deal with their condition. The role of the concerned healthcare professional is important. But the support and cooperation from family members are needed by the patient to overcome the challenge. In Nancys case, a holistic approach would help to assess her mental condition. The use of relevant approach and theory is vital to magnify the effectiveness of the treatment process. All the ethical and legal aspects must be considered to ensure the fairness of the medical process. References Bowker, G. (2014).Social science, technical systems, and cooperative work: Beyond the great divide. Psychology Press. Brown, R. (2013).Explanation in social science. Routledge. Card, N. A. (2015).Applied meta-analysis for social science research. Guilford Publications. Cioffi-Revilla, C. (2017). Computation and social science. InIntroduction to computational social science(pp. 35-102). Springer International Publishing. Kuper, A. (Ed.). (2013).The social science encyclopedia. Routledge. Lynd, R. S. (2015).Knowledge for what: The place of social science in American culture. Princeton University Press. MacIntyre, A., Korbut, A. (2013). A mistake about causality in social science. Packenham, R. A. (2015).Liberal America and the Third World: Political development ideas in foreign aid and social science. Princeton University Press. Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C. M., Ormston, R. (Eds.). (2013).Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. Sage. Rosenberg, A. (2015).Philosophy of social science. Westview Press. Scheff, T. J., Phillips, B. S., Kincaid, H. (2015).Goffman unbound!: A new paradigm for social science. Routledge. Sovacool, B. K. (2014). What are we doing here? Analyzing fifteen years of energy scholarship and proposing a social science research agenda.Energy Research Social Science,1, 1-29.

Us At The End Of 19-Th Century Essays - Imperialism,

Us At The End Of 19-Th Century ap history AP History Chapter 22 Historian Frederick Turner said, that frontier has gone, and with its going has closed the first period of American history. Continental America had been settled by the turn of the century. Some say it is time for America to have a new frontier and that it might be found overseas. During the turn of the century, the United States become very involved in the affairs of the world. The United States would annex Hawaii and control the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. They would also build a canal in Panama to connect the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. These actions caused many people overseas to call the United States imperialistic and to fear what it might do next? During the 1890's, Hawaii was in an economic depression that needed help from the United States government. Also, in 1893, wealthy Americans overthrew the queen and immediately sought annexation to the United States. These wealthy Americans who were involved in sugar cane, wanted to be annexed so they could benefit from American tariffs. Though the United States, could not help for Hawaii was not a state in the Union. President Cleveland was opposed to the forced annexation and withdrew a treaty of annexation. Though after the Spanish-American War, Hawaii was able to gain attention as expansionists envisioned ships sailing from the eastern seaboard through a Central American canal to Hawaii and then on to China. It took President McKinley to successfully maneuvered annexation through Congress by means of a majority vote. Cuba was also played a part in American foreign affairs during the turn of the century. After the United States imposed the Wilson-German Tariff, Cuba, depending on imports heavily, fell in to a deep economic crisis. This caused the Cubans to launch a revolution in 1895. Though the Spanish government did provide modified reconcentration and promised some autonomy for Cuba. President McKinley was a known imperialist that wanted independence of Cuba achieved without an U.S. war if possible. Though the revolution seemed to have no end, so the U.S. set the battleship Maine to demonstrate U.S. concern and protection for Americans in Cuba. After its explosion, the U.S. declared war on Spain. The U.S. forces would quickly defeat the Spanish in Cuba and also in the Philippines. The U.S. took the Philippines saying that it was a Spanish colony even though the war was going on in another hemisphere. There were also other incidences in other parts of the world. The U.S. asked China to keep an Open Door policy. This meant that China had to respect the principle of equal trade opportunity for all nations in their spheres of influence. This caused the Boxers to hold hostage foreign legations in Beijing. The United States would then send troops to suppress the revolt and send another letter requesting open door policy. Through this Open Door policy the United States was able to control and dominate trade in China and in other nations. The Open Door was not just a policy. It was also an ideology with several tenets: first, that American's domestic well being required exports. Second, that foreign trade would suffer interruption unless the U.S. intervened abroad to implant American principles and keep foreign markets open. Third, that the closing of any area to American products, citizens, or ideas threatened the survival of the United States. In conclusion, people overseas had great reason to call the United States imperialistic. The economic benefits sugar cane in Hawaii caused the United States to annex it despite opposition from native Hawaiians and Japan. The capturing of the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean during the Spanish-American War made people to believe that the United States was creating an empire. There idea of Open Door policy lead many to fear the United States because of the tight control that it gave them over other countries. During the turn of the century, the United States were lead by political and the bu siness elite who wanted imperialism. Political Issues

Are Viruses Alive Essays - Virology, Virus, Non-cellular Life

Are Viruses Alive Essays - Virology, Virus, Non-cellular Life Are Viruses Alive Are Viruses Alive? By Bo Howes The word virus means poi-son in Latin. Viruses are submicro-scopic intracellular parasites that consist of either RNA or DNA, and a protective coat of protein. It has caused countless diseases in vari-ous organisms. The term virus was first used in the 1890s to describe agents that caused diseases that were smaller than bacteria. The ex-istence of viruses was established in 1892, when Russian scientist Dimity I. Ivanovsky discovered microscopic particles later known as the tobacco mosaic virus. Over the years, scientists have debated whether viruses are alive. Some scientists argue that the virus is lifeless. On the other hand, other scientists argue that viruses are lifeforms and should be classified into a kingdom. However, many sci-entists have agreed that things must have seven characteristics of life to be considered alive. The character-istics of life are all living things are composed of cells, all organisms are organized at cellular and molecular levels, energy use, and response to the environment, growth, reproduc-tion, and adaptation. From research and observa-tion, scientists have found that vi-ruses can perform some of the life processes. They found that viruses have organization, the ability to re-produce, and adaptations. First, they found that viruses are generally organized and composed of a nu-cleic acid core, either RNA or DNA, surrounded by protein. Next, they found that viruses could reproduce. It does not reproduce by sexual or asexual production, but by injecting its genetic material into the nucleus of a living cell. Finally, they found out that viruses have adaptations. They have the ability to mutate into different strains to resist man-made drugs. In short, these are some views and facts about the virus. To this day, scientists are still fiercely debating whether viruses are alive. Should we consider them alive since they perform some life processes or simply consider them lifeless?

How We Feel Pain

How We Feel Pain Free Online Research Papers If I was boiling a pot of water and reached over to turn the burner off. In doing so, my arm brushes against the hot kettle and I get burned. From the perspective of my nervous system there are several things that take place. Pain is detected in my arm by a nerve cell, or sensory neuron, that carries messages from the senses toward the central nervous system. The central nervous system consists of my brain and spinal cord. When I feel the pain, neurons have been triggered near the soma and cross their threshold. Then it travels from the dendrite and soma, to the branching end of the axon. Axons are made up of fiber and carry messages through my brain and central nervous system. I have about 3 million miles of axons in my brain. The axons in my body branch out into smaller fibers which have bulb-shaped ends, also known as axon terminals. The information is transferred from neuron to neuron by way of these axon terminals because it allows a connection to other neuron’s dendrite and soma. When enough neurons are excited they cross their threshold and create nerve impulses. A nerve impulse occurs when a neuron’s molecules open up and allow ions from another neuron to affect its electric charge b y way of ion channels, or tunnels piercing all the way to the axon membrane. Since I was burned, many neurons suddenly became positively charged which raised the resting potential of the neurons in the place I was burned to action potentials. The potential changes from having a negative electric charge to having a positive electric charge, which creates action potentials, or nerve impulses. When enough neurons become action potentials, a nerve impulse shoots down the axons at a rapid speed. Electrically charged molecules within a neuron, flow in and out of the axon, sending the message that I have been burned throughout my body. Some axons are coated with a fatty layer called myelin. Small gaps in the myelin help nerve impulses move faster. Instead of passing down the entire length of the axon through each neuron, the action potential leaps from gap to gap. An action potential reaches the tips of the axon terminals, and neurotransmitters are released into the synapse. This is the space between neurons where messages are passed. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that alter activity in neurons. What happens when chemical molecules cross over a synapse? A receptor site, or receiving area, on the next neuron senses the neurotransmitters, and either the neuron excites the activity of the neurotransmitters. When enough neurons are excited a neural network within the central nervous system is produced. Our spine is made up of bundles of axons covered with myelin and consists of peripheral nervous system nerves. The spine connects these nerves to the brain. The pain of being burned is detected by a sensory neuron which immediately fires off a message to my spine. Inside my spine, the neuron synapses with a connector neuron which activates a motor neuron and carries the message from the central nervous system to muscles and glands. Muscle fibers are made up of effector cells that make it capable of initiating responses. The muscles then contract and cause me to pull my hand back. This is done without the use of the brain because the pain provoked an automatic response, or reflex arc, within my spinal cord. A reflex arc is a nerve impulse that travels to the spinal cord and then to the muscle, causing it to contract and pull my hand back. I don’t cuss, I cry instead. REFERENCE: Coon, D., Mitterer, J. O. (2008). Introduction to Psychology: Gateway to Min and Behavior. Retrieved from www.coursmart.com. Research Papers on How We Feel PainBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfThe Spring and AutumnThe Hockey GameGenetic EngineeringOpen Architechture a white paperRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andQuebec and CanadaIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This Nice

New york Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

New york - Essay Example There were beams of light everywhere. It was so loud out there. 3:00 am seemed like 3:00 pm. At one point, I was so startled that I had to rub my eyes to make sure I was awake. The chilling night was so full of life. To see it, my brain produced lots of adrenalin. Overjoyed, I took the jacket off! It felt too warm inside it. I put my helmet on and sat upon the motorbike. I gave it a kick. Soon as the engine turned on, the pistons roared alive. One, two, three and then, tuck, the fourth gear made me pierce through the wind on the highway as I drove the bike. Times Square, Madison Square Garden, Wall Street, World Trade Centre and Ellis Island all rushed past me as I wiggled through the Downtown Manhattan. I was driving so fast I could only see blurred images. I felt like running through time. Aaaaaaa†¦ New York gave me all in one! Left turn, zoooOOOOMMM†¦.chchchch†¦right turn, zoooooooOOmm†¦chchch. Half way through the street, a pimp winked me. It was quite dark in there. I could only see white skin in the twilight for the jet black dress merged with the black night. For a fraction of a second, I took her for an alien, No no†¦rather a zombie! until she stepped forward and her silky black miniskirt shined in the twilight. Ahaaan Ahaannn! Not me, not me, no no no nunununnnnoo I kic ked the bike start, and zoomed out of her sight. Aha†¦ New York peeeeetza†¦.floudup..aah! I parked my bike across the Ottimo on the West 24th Street. I locked the bike, put off the helmet and proceeded towards the restaurant. Tuck, tuck, tuck, tuck†¦the wooden floor clapped as my heels stroke it. It was an old fashioned Italian restaurant. The crowded place at 4:30 am told me how special it was. I ordered a chicken fajita pizza with lots of mozzarella topping burnt in the wood oven. In some good 15 minutes, it was served. Mozzarella was bubbling gold. Corners of chicken cubes showed up through the mozzarella all along the diameter of the pizza. Mushrooms,

Probation Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Probation Process - Essay Example The word probation means testing of behavior, for the person who is charged to demonstrate his or her willingness to reform and not become a recidivist. Probation helps both the said person and society as well; it is suited for first-time offenders or those who had no prior records. Assuming a cocaine drug offender is assigned to me, this is the proposed schedule that I will recommend to be followed, as a suggestion to the judge and the concerned parties. For the required 20 hours of community service, I will recommend that said service be rendered for four weeks (1 hour per day for five days per week, so 5 hours per week x 4 weeks = 20 hours service) which is not heavy on the offender to perform. For the $500 in court costs, attorneys fees and all other related expenses, I suggest the amount be paid at $100 per week, for a total of five weeks. For the ten-week drug rehabilitation program, this should be rendered first; meaning it is scheduled ahead of the community service and the payment of the $500 fine as mentioned above, because the drug offender must be fit and well first (already rehabilitated) before rendition of the community service, so as not to endanger other citizens and prevent the offender from becoming a drug addict again. Drug rehabilitation is the first priority and should be given precedence. Along this line, I recommend the drug addict be enrolled at the Argus IV Community Mens Residential Program. It is located at 760 East 160th Street, Bronx, New York. It has a safe and nurturing environment and provides innovative programs, with an emphasis on acquisition of practical skills, change bad behaviors, and transform life attitudes through self-help, mutual support, and instilling a sense of personal responsibility. It has 38 years of experience already. It relies on public funds and private donations for its program (www.arguscommunity.org, 2013, p. 1). A good alternative would be the Albert Einstein College of

The Things They Carried Essay Example for Free

The Things They Carried Essay During the Vietnam War Jimmy Cross was tasked as the lieutenant in the Vietnam War in Tim Obrien’s The Things They Carried. He took responsibility full of challenges past warfare. The war was a very psychological war for the positioned soldiers in the army. The strange environment that included shady places, waiting corners, diseases and death other than the problems they carried from home. Every soldier there held on to something that kept them bound to their previous life. Jimmy Cross carried his love for Martha. Jimmy’s love for Martha was in hesitantly controlling over his entire life. Jimmy imagined himself loving her and her loving him the same way back: More than anything, he wanted Martha to love him as he loved her, but the letters were mostly chatty(495), blinded by the truth held in the letters that Martha didnt feel the same way he continued to feel passion. Jimmy Cross feelings for Martha is said to be the cause of Ted lavender death. Surviving the war wasn’t as an accomplishment as everyone thought. Jimmy Cross figured it out the hard way. Norman Bowker was a man who represents the damage that a war leaves in a soldier after the war . Norman Bowker’s sorrow and confusion are so powerful that they prompt him to drive without direction around his hometown in â€Å"Speaking of Courage†.Bowker also wrote a seventeen-page letter to Tim O’Brien explaining how he never felt right after the war in and to hang himself at the end of the chapter. â€Å"War is often†¦ a mass release of accumulated internal rage where the inner fears of mankind of fulfill in mass destruction† was the best summary that was given about war by psychoanalyst Joost Meerloo. War is a mental land mine. The psychological damage of war is so severe that it leaves the threat of hurting someone or yourself. This is known as PTSD (Posttr aumatic Stress Disorder). Soldiers’ re-experience their time at war through nightmares or/and flashbacks. People with PTSD have difficulty sleeping and are hyper vigilance. Every war brings its certain amount deaths and sorrow. Surprisingly most death is caused by the victim themselves. It is said that more American soldier take their own life compared to the soldiers killed in fighting. Suicide rates increase on and off the combat zone. Veterans like Matthis Chiroux regret his choice to go to war. He dedicated to showing young students the side of being a soldier of the army that they don’t talk about. He runs â€Å"We are not your soldiers† lectures which send the message â€Å"Don’t become one of us†. Matthis hopes to stop more people from repeating his mistakes and becoming part of the â€Å"grim statistic†. They say that going to war is scary because of the things you can loose, one limb or maybe two. But second to death, PTSD is the worst scar to bear. To always be haunted of the memories of the thing you had to do or were done in order for you to survive. The horrifying and animalistic behavior you witness. From town massacres to killing innocent children, it will haunt them. Tim O’Brien book â€Å"The Things They Carried† basically explains the horrifying experience he went through and how he found the ability to cope with it and stay sane. But not everyone is that lucky to find a balance in their head to keep them from insanity or suicidal actions. The way I see it Tim O’Brien himself was giving us a lesson.

Abortion Essay -- essays research papers fc

Abortion (Pro-Life) Movement Introduction Abortion is one of the most controversial and talked about topics of our time. It is discussed in classrooms, work places and even on the Internet. Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in or closely followed by the death of an embryo or fetus. This definition includes accidental abortion such as, miscarriage and stillbirths. But this is not what is being debated. People want to know if abortion is ethical, if the fetus can feel pain, and when it is more human than non-human. These questions are very difficult to answer and may never be answered in our lifetime. But one thing we as humans do know is that we have opinions, ranging from completely anti abortion (pro-life) to completely for abortion (pro-choice), and anywhere in the wide spectrum in between. Abortion is a movement that was erected almost 40 years ago. This movement has been very controversial over the years; the main reason being that it is something that there is virtually no in between. You either are, or you are not. Both movements, (pro-life and pro-choice) have been one of the most controversial movements in a political presents. The opposition feels that pro-choice does not mean Pro-abortion, it is the right in choosing whether to reproduce, adopt, or abort. It is every human being's right to make there own decisions, and so it is a woman's right to make the choices that affect her life as she see's morally right. It is a woman's right to choose what she does with her body and it should not be altered or influenced by anyone else. As you can see, there are two sides of this movement that are constantly looking for contradictions in what other believes. There are many different viewpoints on abortion in the United States of America. Where most Americans do not feel that abortion is necessarily 'good,' they do believe it is a 'right.' Others have similar opinions. They embrace contradictory opinions and consider abortion a form of murder and yet still feel it should be legal for the truly desperate. However, most Americans think abortions are morally troubling. A recent study by George Hunt shows that neither age nor gender appears to have any effect on people’s current views on abortions. - (Wolf p54) Movement Now that we know so much ... ... that way is not suitable for them, they need to make that decision to create a movement to ultimately achieve their discourse. Through researching movements, furthermore, the pro-life movement, I have to revert to an original statement I already made and that is, movements in today's society are essential. Bibliography Books Used Clark, Thomas. "Thou Shalt Not Play God" The Humanist July-August 1995: p3 Hunt, George W.. "Of Many Things" America 31 January 1998: p2 Lavelle, Marianne. "When Abortion Comes Late In Pregnancy, Though Rare, Most Lefevere, Patricia. "Ex-abortion Providers; Conversation Tales" National Catholic Reporter 16 March 22 2000: p6 Merril, Ted. "Abortion; Extreme Views Ignore Reality" Medical Economics 15 July 1996: p33 McMillan, Jeff. "Focusing On a Woman's Right To Self Defense" The Chronicle of Higher Education. 6 December 1998: pA12 "No Easy Quick Fix Solutions To Abortion Issues" National Catholic Reporter 8 November 1996: p20 Thomas, Judy. "Pro-life Turns Deadly" Newsweek May 13 2000: p64 Wallace, Bruce. "When One Fetus Lives and One Dies" Maclean's

What Is Hypnosis? Describe the Psychological and Physical Aspects of Hypnosis and Discuss the Role of Relaxation in Hypnotherapy

Introduction This essay discusses the core characteristics of hypnosis, concentrating on its major psychological and physical features. It begins by providing a background of the practice. This is important because it draws out how the understanding and definition of hypnosis has changed over time. This is followed by a section considering the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis, after which the final section discusses the importance of relaxation in hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is defined loosely as an altered mental state, superficially resembling sleep, characterised by a heightened awareness of subconscious detail (Brink 2008; Encyclopaedia Britannica 2004). This definition will be developed and expanded in greater detail throughout the essay. A full understanding of hypnosis and hypnotherapy requires that the practices are placed in their historical and cultural context. What is now known as hypnosis has been recorded on many occasions throughout history, dating back several millennia to the civilisations of ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece. It was typically performed as part of shamanistic, religious or spiritual rituals (Brink 2008; Waterfield 2004). However, there is some scepticism regarding the veracity of these historical accounts (e.g., Waterfield 2004). Hypnosis in its modern Western form was first practiced by Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), who was an Austrian physician. Mesmer understood it through the theoretical lens of ‘animal magnetism’ or ‘mesmerism’, which was related to the idea that health was contingent on the distribution of ‘universal fluids’. He believed that magnets could be used to direct these fluids, prevent blockages and ultimately cure disease; hypnosis worked similarly in Mesmer’s eyes in that it was able to transmit healing forces and produce cures (Waterfield 2004). This notion was developed following Mesmer’s death by Armand de Puysegur, who realised that dictation and verbal communication in the form of commands could induce trances (Hadley and Staudacher 1996). The theoretical groundwork laid by Mesmer and Puysegur was revised in the 19th century by James Braid (1795-1860), who realised that trance-like states could be brought on by suggestions as well as commands. Braid also redefined the practice, calling it ‘hypnotism’. The process began to gradually gain wider acceptance as a therapeutic agent, especially useful in the relief of pain and as an anaesthetic (Hadley and Staudacher 1996). The future of what is now known as hypnotherapy was secured in 1892 when the British Medical Association (BMA) commissioned a report on the characteristics of hypnosis for medical purposes, which yielded highly promising results (Waterfield 2004). Hypnosis and hypnotherapy were gradually refined and developed as new fields took interest and various schools of thought branched off in opposing directions, most notably in France. One of the most important developments was the relationship between Sigmund Freud and hypnosis, and it was this that saw the now crucial introduction of the theory of the unconscious mind into the practice (Waterfield 2004). Freud’s disenchantment with hypnosis in favour of psychoanalysis saw a decline in its popularity, although there was a revival after the 1950s when research unearthed a variety of new applications (Waterfield 2004). The work of Milton Erickson (1901-1980) was crucial in this respect. He built on Freud’s introduction of subconscious elements, and his success was essential in the creating the practice in its current form (Waterfield 2004). This provides an important backdrop in understanding what hypnosis actually is. It is useful at this stage to dispel a misconception, namely that hypnosis is a form of unconsciousness comparable to sleep. As shall be demonstrated, subjects are actually awake and capable of high levels of awareness, albeit not of the environment. It is more accurately described as a state of physical relaxation, including an altered state of consciousness in which the subconscious mind is more accessible and more active (Mason 2008, cited in Segi 2012: 27). In terms of its psychological characteristics, hypnosis can be described as natural, trancelike state. It is generally agreed that while under hypnosis a person has a heightened sense of focus or concentration, usually directed towards a specific object or memory, which entails an ability to block out distractions from outside (Segi 2012; Hadley and Staudacher 1996). One of the key psychological aspects of hypnosis is related to the subconscious mind, which in some shape or form is responsible for automatic and intuitive mental functions (Brink 2008; Hadley and Staudacher 1996). Since it has no clear location in the brain the subconscious can seem rather elusive, but it can be seen in many day-today tasks, such as typing, writing, or catching a ball. Driving is among the most oft-cited examples of subconscious functioning; it is common to internalise routes and to navigate while performing automatic processes such as changing gear without any memory of it. Tasks such as these can be carried out almost unknowingly and details often go largely unremembered (Brink 2008). Thus, the subconscious is highly active on a continuous basis. Hypnosis involves putting an individual in touch with the subconscious through intense concentration. It was previously thought that this was actually a kind of unconsciousness; however, as Hadley and Staudacher (1978) show, this view has come in for revision and new research has shown that a hypnotised person is fully awake and extremely focused; the appearance of unconsciousness arises because attention is diverted away from peripheral stimuli (Spiegel 1978). This is an important psychological and physical characteristic of hypnosis. One of the main psychological aspects of hypnosis is an increased susceptibility to suggestion (Brink 2008; Hadley and Staudacher 1996). The subject generally heeds only the suggestions of the hypnotist, and this appears to be done in ‘an uncritical, automatic fashion, ignoring all aspects of the environment†¦He sees, feels, smells, and otherwise perceives in accordance with the hypnotist’s suggestions, even though these suggestions may be in apparent contradiction to the stimuli that impinge upon him’ (Encyclopaedia Britannica 2004: 1). Moreover, the susceptibility to suggestion may be extended such that the subject is still under the ‘control’ of the hypnotist during ordinary, ‘waking’ activity (Heap and Dryden 1991). In terms of its physical aspects, hypnosis has several distinctive characteristics. In the first stage of the process, the subject’s body becomes extremely relaxed (this will be discussed further in the section on relaxation), which initiates a series of other physical changes. The heart rate, for example, slows considerably and with it the rate of breathing grows deeper and more rhythmic. As suggested earlier, this is not to be confused with deep sleep, which is characterised by a lack of awareness to external stimuli; rather it is a hypnotic trance in which the subject is highly attentive at all times. In fact, it is often argued that a hypnotic trance brings about a greater level of sensitivity to stimuli than usual (Karle and Boy 1987). This intense period of focus manifests in a physical change in the nature of brain activity. Physical evidence for this fact was first produced in 1929 when Hans Berger tested the brain activity of a hypnotised subject using the process of electroencephalography (the device is called an electroencephalogram or EEG) (Karle and Boy 1987). This measures electrical activity in the brain as waves. In order to understand the physical changes associated with hypnosis, it is necessary to briefly describe the four different kinds of brain waves: alpha, beta, theta, and delta. Under ordinary circumstances, mental activity produces beta waves. A heightened sense of relaxation creates more alpha waves; this state might be described as ‘light hypnosis’. As the body becomes increasingly relaxed, theta waves become dominant. This is associated with dreaming, or medium to deep hypnosis, as well as greater engagement with the subconscious. Finally, during periods of very deep hypnosis t he mind produces delta waves. These have an extremely low frequency and are usually created entirely by the subconscious, as during hypnosis or dreamless sleep (Brink 2008). In terms of underlying brain activity, therefore, the process of hypnosis initiates a transition that begins with beta waves and progresses through alpha, theta, and finally delta waves. Conversely, when a subject is brought out of hypnosis, or awakes from a deep, dreamless sleep, the stages of electrical activity in the brain are reversed, beginning with delta and ending with beta (Brink 2008). It is difficult to understand the nature of hypnosis, both psychologically and physically, without an appreciation of the tools and methods employed by a hypnotist. The inducement into a trance-like state is achieved through relaxation techniques as part of a process called ‘induction’ (Brink 2008; Hadley and Staudacher 1996). This can take different forms depending on the particular therapist, but the result is always broadly similar: a state of heightened focus on one or more specific and internal factors, and a decline in awareness of environmental or external stimuli (Hadley and Staudacher 1996). This is induced through verbal cues or instructions designed to induce a trance (Karle and Boys 1987). However, there is considerable variation in terms of the form this takes. Many therapists use authoritative commands, such as ‘you are now feeling relaxed’, or ‘I want you to picture yourself†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢; Alternatively, others employ a more suggestive style, including statements such as ‘maybe you would like to†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢. While the details vary, however, all methods of induction tend to be characterised by a slow, clear prose style (Karle and Boys 1987). It is important to have an appreciation of the methods used to induce hypnosis as it is the essential precursor to the psychological and physical changes discussed in the first part of this essay. It is likewise crucial to understand the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy, as this is not only a crucial characteristic of the state itself but also the nexus between the beginning of the process and the transition into a hypnotic trance (Segi 2012). Hypnosis can only be achieved if the subject is sufficiently relaxed to disengage the conscious mind and engage the subconscious. This leaves an opening for suggestion and behavioural change, which are crucial components of hypnotherapy. In ordinary parlance, relaxation does not refer to the state necessary to induce a hypnotic trance but rather to the absence of strenuous mental or physical stimuli (Brink 2008). Thus, a person might be said to be relaxing on the sofa while reading a book. In actual fact, the conscious mind is still highly active at this stage, which precludes the opening up of the subconscious. Successful hypnotherapy requires a more ‘complete’ sense of physical and mental relaxation, including the alleviation of all forms of stress. There are various techniques involved here, but one of the most common is called Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) (Brink 2008). This works by instructing the subject to systematically relax various areas of their body i ndependently and in stages, often focusing on muscle groups. This can also be achieved via ‘self-hypnosis’, and for many people is an important part of stress- or sleep-management strategies (Segi 2012; Brink 2008). The ability of hypnosis to induce this kind of state is one of its most unique qualities, and even if nothing else is achieved the mere process of compete relaxation is an important component of hypnotherapy (Hadley and Staudacher 1996). One thing to note is that complete relaxation of this kind is not artificial or unnatural. It is part of the ordinary human condition, and the role of hypnotherapy is simply to induce it under controlled circumstances and with a particular goal in mind (Robertson 2012; Brink 2008; Hadley and Staudacher 1996). This essay has discussed some of the competing historical notions of what hypnosis is, as well as the way it is understood by modern practitioners and theorists. Both the process of hypnosis and the practice of hypnotherapy have undergone considerable change in terms of the way they are understood. This has led up to the modern theory of hypnosis as a state of relaxation and increased accessibility to the subconscious. The crucial relationship between relaxation and hypnotherapy (and hypnosis) has been drawn out. Undoubtedly, the important role of hypnosis historically is matched today, and it can be seen as a major part of many rituals, medical procedures, leisure activities, sports, and entertainment (Segi 2012). References Brink, T. L. (2008) Psychology: A Student Friendly Approach http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/TLBrink_PSYCH13.pdf [Retrieved 18/05/2014] Encyclopaedia Britannica (2004) Hypnosis http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/279820/hypnosis [Recovered 18/05/2014] Hadley, J. and Staudacher, C. (1996) Hypnosis for Change, New Harbinger Publications Heap, M. and Dryden, W. (1991) Hypnotherapy: a Handbook. Berkshire: Open University Press Karle, H. and Boys, J. (1987) Hypnotherapy a Practical Handbook, London: Free Association Books Kirsch, I. (1994) Clinical hypnosis as a nondeceptive placebo: Empirically derived techniques, The American journal of clinical hypnosis 37 (2), pp. 95–106 Robertson, D (2012) The Practice of Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Hypnosis, London: Karnac Segi, S. (2012) Hypnosis for pain management, anxiety and behavioral disorders. Factiva. [Retrieved 18/05/2014] Spiegel, H. and Spiegel, D. (1978) Trance and Treatment, Basic Books Inc., New York Waterfield, R. (2004) Hidden Depths The Story of Hypnosis, London: Pan Books.

Linguistics and Language Essay

?Write about the 2 theories of 1st language acquisition and choose which most tenableand provide examples and relevant literature one you find Michelle In this essay, I will explain as well as compare two theories of first language acquisition, behaviorism and innatism. I will explore the differences between them in such categories as the role of the learner, the role of the environment and as well as their strengths and weaknesses. I will then state and explain which one I find more tenable with examples of relevant literature. Role of the Learner Behaviorism, credited to B. F. Skinner in the 1950s, states that the learner knows nothing to start with, he is an empty slate [o1] to be taught. The learner is passive and learns by positive-negative reinforcement, only repeating what he hears. Innatism, credited to Noam Chomsky in 1965, states that the learner is wired from birth for language. The learner is equipped with a LAD, a language acquisition device. This device allows the learner to discover the rules of his language, any language. Role of the Environment Behaviorism states that the role of the environment is key and vital to the learning process. The environment is the active agent while the learner is the passive agent. The environment produces the necessary language input for the learner. It is up to the environment to give positive and negative reinforcement for the learner. Innatism states that the role of the environment is minimal because it only acts as the trigger for learning. It is also thought the environment is flawed and can’t be relied upon to always give perfect information. Therefore, it is up to the learner to find the rules of the language[o2] . Strengths There are a few strengths to support the behaviorism theory. It is easy to monitor the learners’ performance. This is how parents (as teachers) usually teach their children, through nurturing which puts emphasis on the role of the environment. This theory can also explain why learners have the ability to memorize. On the other hand, there are several strengths of the innatism theory. A learner cannot memorize all the possible different language and grammar combinations that he learns through the environment. The LAD helps the learner to generalize rules and make his own creative use of the language. A child will resist using an irregular form because of over-generalizing, and he will create his own form of a word according to the rules that he has internalized. And these rules don’t necessarily conform to adult grammar rules which include many exceptions. By applying these internalized and generalized rules, a child is able to acquire a language at a fast pace. [o3] Weaknesses The Behaviorism theory only accounts for the performance of the learner, and not on his competence. The learner is passive, so this theory does not focus on the learner’s mind and knowledge. It also does not explain why children acquire a language so quickly even if they are exposed to different environments. In addition, this theory also doesn’t offer an explanation of why children over-generalize rules such as the simple past tense of irregular verbs even though they hear irregular forms in the environment. There are also several weaknesses to the Innatism theory. One of the first weaknesses is that it demands the existence of the Language Acquisition Device (LAD), its existence is difficult to prove and is immeasurable. This theory also doesn’t take into account different kinds of learners, just ideal learners with ideal grammar. The environment plays a minor role in this theory, so it doesn’t take into account the social aspect of the learner. My Opinion Looking at the two of these theories, I find the Innatism theory the most tenable. In my own experience with my children and students, the learners do not always model my behavior. This usually occurs with irregular patterns, particularly past tense verbs. This is similar to the â€Å"wug† test where a child will form a past tense of a verb that he has never heard before by applying the general grammar rules that he has learned. This behavior cannot be memorized and must be driven by an internal structure. Another reason to support this theory is that learners with impaired intelligence have been able to learn the structure of language. It has also been proven that American Sign Language which is taught to the deaf also has its own language structure. In addition, the creation of Creole languages supports the theory. As a Creole develops, grammar and structure are built in. The LAD would account for the formation of these languages as well as for creative uses of language by a learner. Conclusion In this essay I have explained two theories of language acquisition, behaviorism and innatism. In doing so, I have explained the different roles of the learner as well as the environment. I have also explored strengths and weaknesses of each theory and why I support the innatism theory over the behaviorism theory[o4] . [o1]Good one, I forgot this in my essay [o2]Do you think you should mention poverty of stimulus here? [o3]ording? [o4]Well done Michelle. Do you think you should include UG and CPH in your essay? I think UG is an important part of Innatism, what do you think? __________________________________________________________________ David One theory of first language acquisition is Universal Grammar, set forth by Chomsky in 1959 as a response to Skinner’s (1957) Verbal Behavior. Whereas the latter theory, proposed that the learning of language is through the acquisition of habits, which are positively or negatively reinforced, Chomsky posited that humans come into the world with an innate language faculty in their mind, or a universal grammar. Universal grammar is built off of two propositions, that all languages are governed by a set of universal principles, and that the mind is equipped with parameters which are set intuitively by the child according to the language input they receive. UG researchers have found a number of universal principles. One of the more prominent principles is structure dependency. Structure dependency states that all sentences regardless of the language are built off of propositions that carry both a noun and a verb phrase; in other words, every sentence in every language must have at least a subject and a verb (Chomsky, 1959). One parameter setting that is contained in the LAD is the head setting. Some languages such as English are head first, other languages such as Japanese are head last. Various arguments have been used to support the existence of universal grammar. Chomsky (1959) has proposed the poverty of the stimulus argument, positing that the input children receive cannot account for what they produce, and therefore, children must have an innate facility. He argues that the input is marred in two ways; first it contains a hodgepodge of performance slips, and secondly, it does not contain any negative evidence. How do children acquire language when they don’t know what they can’t say, or how do they learn to speak correctly when the input they here is at times in correct? They do so, according to Chomsky, through this innate capacity. Jackendoff (1994) offers another argument in support of universal grammar, the argument from expressive variety. Jackendoff argues that given that languages are recursive, there is simply no way of storing all of the possible sentences one can create in one’s mind. In other words, sentences don’t come from habits, but rather from creative expression. Universal grammar has had a lot of capital in language acquisition theory, although it has been critiqued on some fronts. Connectionists, particularly, N. Ellis (2006) has argued that language acquisition is not due to an innate faculty and the creative expression of humans, but equates it to a usage-based approach where children learning piecemeal frequently reoccurring chunks of language. Another argument against the innate language faculty is that UG researchers have claimed that only humans have access to syntax, yet this has been found not to be true. Certain animals, such as the humpback whale and songbirds have been found to possess a recursive syntax, suggesting that syntax and language may have evolved from lower order primates. Whereas universal grammar begins with language from the inside, Sociocultural theory, another prominent first language acquisition, posits language acquisition begins from the outside. Vygotsky, the founder of sociocultural theory, argues that language is a psychological tool, which children acquire and learn to manipulate as they interact with their environment and with more capable peers (Vygotsky, 1978). Children first learn language as they interact with their parents. Parents use caretaker speech, which makes it easier for the child to understand and grasp a hold on the concepts of the language. As the child begins to understand and produce simple utterances, they are able to use the language to mediate their psychological functioning (Vygotsky, 1978). Vygotsky argues that children begin learning language by first learning single words, which are pure meaning. As they develop their language skills, and engage in social speech, single word sentences are augmented through incorporation of non-meaningful elements, such as function  words, and the child’s thoughts and words begin to develop more sense meanings. For instance, where the word ‘cat’ for the 1 or two year old child could have served as an exemplar for all cats, by the time the child is nine, and having undergone a variety of experiences related to cat, they have imbibed the word with their own unique senses. Thus syntax and word senses expand, the more a child learns. Now, whereas social speech began from one and developed into many, inner speech, the speech that goes on inside of our heads becomes more and more truncated. Vygotsky argues, contrary to Piaget, that egocentric speech does not ‘disappear’ rather it becomes internalized as inner speech. And this inner speech is something that could not be understood by anybody but the person who is thinking it. Vygotsky suggests that just as people who have known each other for many years, and who have had a large amount of experiences together exhibit language tendencies of shortened syntax because of their historical shared experience, a person’s inner speech also exhibits this characteristic, but even more so; the stuff of thought is nothing but psychological predicates (Vygotsky, 1978). One of the primary ways humans learn anything, according to Vygotsky, is through the zone of proximal development. This concept explains that what a person can do today with assistance, they can do tomorrow by themselves (Vygotsky, 1978). Applied to first language acquisition, the child may receive help from an expert, such as their parents, who point at objects and say their name, for example, cat. After seeing this, the child may repeat ‘cat’ immediately after. The next day, as the child sees the cat, it says the word ‘cat’ without needing to be told by their parents. The closer an expert is able to gauge one’s ZPD, the more optimal the learning environment becomes. __________________________________________________________ Laleh Innatism Chomsky (1959) opposed Skinner’s (1957) behaviorist viewpoint in language acquisition, who claimed that language acquisition takes place through habit formation and stimulus-response. Skinner, believed that as a child acquires language, he internalizes a finite set of responses to stimuli. Chomsky on the other hand, believes that language acquisition is rule governed and that children construct their own rules, which may not comply with adult rules. Chomsky maintains that languages consist of an infinite number of sentences and cannot be learned through habit formation. Language is too complex to be learned in such a short amount of time (Chomsky, 1959). He believes that every human is born with an innate language learning capacity, which is embedded in the language acquisition device (LAD). Chomsky believes that all language share grammatical structures. This is called universal grammar (UG). Proof of UG includes poverty of stimulus, which explains how children acquire the language despite their limited exposure and incorrect input they may receive. Another evidence for UG that languages are recursive, (Jackendoff, 1994). It is impossible to know all the possible combinations; however, they are learned by children. According to UG, there must be some sort of innate capacity that provides the additional information. The fact that children are resistant to correction once again proves that language is developed through an innate capacity. According to Chomsky (1959), all languages share principles, which are invariable across languages. For example, noun phrases and verb phrases. This is called structure dependency. All languages have verbs and nouns. What distinguishes languages from each other according to Chomsky, are parameters, which are language specific. For example, some languages are head first, and some are head last. In relation to UG, Eric Lenneberg (1967) introduced the Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH), which is a window of language learning opportunity before puberty. Proponents of CPH believe after this period, language learning becomes a much more difficult task and adults tend to rely on other mechanisms such as problem solving skills, reasoning, and deductive instruction to learn a language. Evidence of the CP is for example abused children, who despite being removed from the environment where they were deprived of social contact, were not able to learn the language. There have been many criticisms to Chomsky’s UG, for example, the LAD cannot be located and is immeasurable. Also, Chomsky’s theories overlook the effects of social contact and the environment on language learning. Social interactionist Vygotsky (1978) was a strong proponent of the social interaction hypothesis. He believed that learning takes place through social interaction, and give and take of information with caregivers, parents, or peers. According to  Vygotsky, children begin with external speech, which could consist of one word only, but have the meaning of a whole sentence. Gradually, as the child grows older, he develops more complex and longer sentences and associates more meaning with his words. A child also engages in private speech (similar to adults), which is usually meant for problem solving or thinking out loud, but is not meant for sharing although articulated. Vygotsky believes that as the child develops more linguistic skills, this private speech becomes internalized and turns into inner speech, which is pure meaning, and does not consist of subjects; it is predicated. On the contrary, Piaget (1955) believed that inner speech simply disappears. Vygotsky also proposes the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), which is the distance between what a child can do without help, and what he can do when scaffolding or support is provided. When a child receives the right scaffolding, he will eventually be able to perform the task on his own. __________________________________________ Karen Innatism Noam Chomsky (1959) introduces Innatism as a rebuttal to B. F. Skinner (1957) and his Behaviorist Theory. In direct opposition to the environment being the active participant in language learning, Chomsky flips behaviorism on its head and presents the learner as having a primary role while environment becomes secondary. Within the Universal Grammar Theory (UG), Noam Chomsky (1959) presents a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) that is responsible for the language learning process. Purely biological, language is filtered through the innate LAD that is structured with principles that are unchanging and parameters that vary according to the language being learned. Proofs to support this theory are many. Syntax and the head-first/head-last parameter are two such proofs. As a child learns language, they hold to one of only two possibilities in any given language – head-first and head-last – and language is formed through recursion and syntactic movement that follow a pattern within a particular language. This shows that language is rule-governed and that the LAD is programmed with language foundations from which a child can develop. That children are resistant to correction follows this same thought as they develop language through the LAD. Language is not linked to intelligence as we see in brain damaged adults who are completely coherent in language skills and others who are cognitively normal but cannot speak correctly. Stroke victims also show that, depending on the area of the brain that is affected, intelligence and speech are not linked. Broca’s and Wernicke’s Aphasias show that certain areas of the brain affect speech while intelligence remains unaffected. As evidenced by the Gopnik family, genetic impairments have also proven that a glitch in the UG can be passed down from one generation to another, thus proving that the LAD is indeed biological (Jackendoff, 113). Eric Lenneberg’s Critical Period Hypothesis (1967) and the cases of â€Å"wild children† are yet further evidence. Lenneberg holds that the LAD becomes dormant or ineffective after a certain age – around the age of 12 – and this is why children acquire language so much more quickly than adults who are attempting the same. Through these studies of particular children who did not learn language and who were void of contact with language as a whole, it shows that the younger the child, the more fully they were able to learn language. Once a child was passed the age of 12 or so, they were unable to acquire proper language skills. The younger children were not only able to learn more adequately but then went on to continue in the language learning process as a normal adult would. As many proofs as there are for Chomsky’s UG and the LAD, criticisms are plentiful as well. First and foremost, where is the evidence that a device like LAD exists? It certainly has not been located in the brain, therefore, it remains immeasurable and some have serious doubt as to its legitimacy. This theory also limits the role of the environment and gives no account for the social context of the language learning process. It idealizes the speaker and the grammar itself to a certain degree and packages the entire process a bit too neatly. Cognitive Development Theory Jean Piaget’s (1955) work in cognitive development is foundational on many levels. Watching his own children, nature, and certain study groups of young children, Piaget introduces a theory that is completely developmental. As a child is ready and developed (both biologically and cognitively), they are able to assimilate, accommodate and adapt new experiences. Underlying in this theory is reasoning and logic. The role of the environment is minimal and the learner is vital but only as they are cognitively developed and ready for new experiences. A child will not learn what they are not cognitively developed to receive at that point no matter what the instruction. Piaget holds to the notion of children developing schema. As a new experience is received and they are biologically and cognitively ready to receive it, they will develop new schema to fit into the framework of schema that they already have developed. This theory also relies heavily on egocentric and socialized speech with each one serving a different function. Egocentric speech is what is used (mainly by children) when words and thoughts are spoken out loud but the one speaking is only dealing with their own thoughts and ideas. Socialized speech is a shift away from egocentric speech where one simply derives pleasure from speaking to being a way of exchanging their ideas or opinions. Although Piaget’s work and theory is critical, it neither accounts for the child’s behavior as a whole nor for the cognitive development after the stage of ‘formal operation’ is reached. It offers vast insight into the developmental process of a child but little instruction on attaining language skills. It was also based solely on a Western model and is therefore quite limiting. SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION Input & Output Hypotheses As a result of older models of language teaching where attention was given to language grammar, Krashen (1981) places his focus on communication input. He contends that if the learner is given a chance to absorb the language, they will be better equipped to acquire it. Rather than forcing output immediately, Krashen holds to a silent period where learners have the privilege of just listening to language before attempting it†¦much like a young child would in learning their mother tongue. Comprehensible input (i + 1) is the formula that Krashen holds to for optimal language learning for second language learners (SLLs). This states that if a SLL is offered input that is only slightly beyond what they already know, acquisition will take place. He also makes a differentiation between language learning and language acquisition, claiming that acquisition is what is needed for the language learning process. Criticisms of Krashen’s hypothesis are that input alone cannot account for acquisition and that some grammatical forms cannot be learned without being taught. Swain (1985) introduces her Output Hypothesis in contrast to Krashen and claims that no matter the input, if the output is unintelligible, acquisition has not truly occurred. It is the output that forces learners to grapple with the grammatical processing and figure out what works. Through output, a learner can realize their problem areas, can experiment with new areas they are unsure of, and gives them the chance to analyze problems they are having in their language learning process. CONCLUSION As we can see in first and second language acquisition, there is not simply one way to which theorists hold in the process of learning or acquiring language. In looking at how one acquires their mother tongue, however, insights can be made into second language acquisition as well. In fact, it is through first language acquisition theories that other theories can spring from to delve into how second language acquisition occurs. These insights become helpful in the classroom and give the teacher foundational aspects that they can build off of. Pass| 7. 5. -8. 5 (David)

Amino Acids for Building Blocks of Proteins Essays

Amino Acids for Building Blocks of Proteins Essays Amino Acids for Building Blocks of Proteins Essay Amino Acids for Building Blocks of Proteins Essay Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They band together in chains to form the stuff from which your life is born. Think of amino acids as Legos for your life. Its a two-step process: Amino acids get together and form peptides or polypeptides. It is from these groupings that proteins are made. And theres not just one kind of amino acid. A total of 20 different kinds of amino acids form proteins. The kinds of amino acids determine the shape of the proteins formed. Commonly recognized amino acids include glutamine, glycine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and valine. Three of those - phenylalanine, tryptophan, and valine - are essential amino acids for humans; the others are isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, and threonine. The essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body; instead, they must be ingested through food. One of the best-known essential amino acids is tryptophan, which performs several critical functions for people. Tryptophan helps induce normal sleep; helps reduce anxiety, depression, and artery spasm risk; and helps produce a stronger immune system. Tryptophan is perhaps most well-known for its role in producing serotonin, which is what gets all the press at Thanksgiving time for putting you to sleep after the big holiday feast. Amino acids make up 75% of the human body. They are essential to nearly every bodily function. Every chemical reaction that takes place in your body depends on amino acids and the proteins that they build. The essential amino acids must be ingested every day. Failure to get enough of even one of the 10 essential amino acids can result in protein degradation. The human body simply does not store amino acids for later use, as it does with fats and starches. You can find amino acids many places in nature. In fact, more than 300 have been found in the natural world, from such diverse sources as microorganisms and meteorites.

5 Ways to Establish Your Writing Practice - Freewrite Store

5 Ways to Establish Your Writing Practice - Freewrite Store Today’s guest post is by editor and author Susan DeFreitas (@manzanitafire), whose debut novel, Hot Season, won the 2017 Gold IPPY Award for Best Fiction of the Mountain-West. Â   Â   Â   If you struggle to establish a writing practice, don’t despair. While writing will never be a completely painless process, there are ways to make it easier on yourself (not to mention more fun). First, though, some real talk: Most people who want to write never do. Or, at least, they never make writing enough of a habit to finish any of the big projects they have in mind, be it a novel, a memoir, or a chapbook of poems. Say you have a great idea but you don’t know where to start. Or you get started with your project but then lose the thread, or get distracted, and never wind up finishing it. In either case, the following tips can help you get started, get back on track if you’ve stalled out- and, ultimately, get to the finish line with your project. 1) Brainstorming Terrified of the blank white page? You’re not alone. There’s something about beginnings that’s deeply intimidating- especially when it’s the beginning of something big. The thing is, the beginnings are all about brainstorming and daydreaming- and as it turns out, staring at a blinking cursor on a blank white page is really not the best way to do either of these things. Neuroscience suggests that this sort of big-picture creative thinking- about what you envision for your project, its concerns, its scope, even the voice you hear for it- is best accomplished while walking, or in the back of your mind as you’re going about other tasks, or as you’re falling asleep at night. In this way, you’ll be partnering with your subconscious mind, opening the door to associative connections that simply won’t arise if you try to push. What are the questions driving your project? What do you know about it, and what don’t you know? In the earliest stages of your writing process, as far as I’m concerned, you shouldn’t be writing at all- you should be thinking about your project in a way that clues you into what it is you really want to do, and how you really want to do it. 2) Visioning Once you’ve answered these sorts of questions, it’s time to set aside a few hours to envision where you’re going. Take yourself out for coffee on a Sunday morning, or set aside those precious hours after the kids go to bed. This is your time to flesh out and solidify your ideas. What will the plot of your novel be? What topics will your essays cover? What are the concerns of your poetry, the forms that inspire you, the specific themes you’d like to write toward? This is the time to take all those big-picture ideas you’ve had floating around in your head and solidify them into a real plan. Be as specific as you can- this plan will be the roadmap for your project. 3) Set aside a regular time Only have a half hour a day to write? Or even fifteen minutes? No problem. When you have a detailed plan for your project, it’s not hard to make use of small chunks of time to execute it. You may do nothing more than write a few sentences, or a paragraph, or a few lines of poetry. But if you write each day- preferably at the same time, but not necessarily- you will progress in your project. If you can find more time to devote to your writing practice on a daily basis, great- but remember, it can be hard to continue a practice that’s based on finding big chunks of time. If you can learn to write in smaller increments, you’ll wind up writing more often (which tends to be the key to finishing). And if you lose the thread, remember, you have a blueprint you can return to (and amend, if necessary). It’s not necessary to keep the big picture of your project in your head at all times- all that’s necessary is that you keep inching forward, whether it’s a little or a lot at a time. 4) Find your people One of the best ways to ensure that you stick to your writing practice over the long term is to find a group of people who will keep you accountable for creating new work. This group might be a traditional writers’ critique group, or it might be a generative group like Sit Down, Shut Up, and Write. If you live in a place where writers are scarce, even a Patreon campaign that makes you accountable to your sponsors for new work every month will do the trick. Of course, it’s possible to establish a writing practice in isolation- but over the long haul, it’s hugely helpful to know that there is someone on the other end, waiting to read what you’ve written. 5) Make it fun Finally, if you find your writing process losing steam, stop and ask yourself why. Is it because you’ve become too critical of your own work? Because you haven’t gotten the validation and direction that comes through feedback? Or because you’re pursuing the wrong project, one that your heart isn’t really in? In the end, you may find it something more like the fact that your writing desk is uncomfortable, or that you don’t like working where it’s too noisy (or too quiet). Maybe you need to draft in longhand, or outdoors, or next to a window. Maybe you need to write with a cup of coffee in hand, or after you’ve had a glass of wine, or after you’ve read a poem by your all-time favorite poet. Whatever it is, you owe it to yourself to find out, and experiment until you find the tools, setting, and context that sends a clear signal to your mind: writing is fun, and this is a great time to make it happen. Now it’s your turn. What do you struggle with in your writing practice? And what has proven most helpful to you in staying on track? Â   An author, editor, and educator, Susan DeFreitas’s creative work has appeared in (or is forthcoming from) The Writer’s Chronicle, The Utne Reader, Story, Southwestern American Literature, and Weber- The Contemporary West, along with more than twenty other journals and anthologies. She is the author of the novel Hot Season (Harvard Square Editions), which won the 2017 Gold IPPY Award for Best Fiction of the Mountain West. She holds an MFA from Pacific University and lives in Portland, Oregon, where she serves as an editor with Indigo Editing Publications.

Hormones in Meat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hormones in Meat - Essay Example Still, it needs to be asserted that hormones, being biochemical, could have a bad impact on the health of unsuspecting consumers, and hence, the use of hormones in beef production ought to be controlled and checked if not banned (Gate 7). As per Schwartz, hormones happen to be the biochemicals that facilitate the exchange of information between cells in plants and animals (Schwartz 88). Hormones control the functioning of varied tissues in plants and animals and play an important role in the growth and development of varied organisms (Schwartz 88). Hormones could easily be integrated with the animal feed or delivered as injectables to control the growth and development in livestock. First and foremost, before embarking on the topic of the harmful impact of hormones on the beef consumers, it is imperative to understand why beef producers subject their livestock to hormones and the salient benefits of using hormones in beef production. It is a must to take into consideration the perspe ctive and views of the beef industry regarding the usage of growth hormones on the livestock. Sims is of the view that synthetic derivatives of hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone have been approved by varied food and drug associated and agricultural institutions and are considered to be safe for usage on the livestock aimed to be sold as beef (Sims 119). They say that beef production is a business like any other business and the business community is always looking for the ways and means to make the best use of the existing scarce resources so as to get maximum yield and to accrue maximal benefits. The objective of the beef industry is to minimize inputs while trying their best to maximize outputs. It is said that during the last three decades, the beef producers have been relying on hormones to boost and maximize the production of beef. The beef producers claim that during the last thirty years, the exploitation of hormones to maximize beef production has proven to be a safe practice with little or no impact on the humans (Sims 119). Growth hormones are safe, and they are used on the livestock to boost the production of nutrients that already exist in their meat. Growth hormones not only yield cost benefits to the producers of beef thereby allowing them to get maximum beef while dedicating scarce resources, but they also help the consumers avail beef at a price that is affordable. If the beef is produced at a higher cost, the consumers will be required to pay a higher price for the beef they purchase. It needs to be understood that animals tend to have hormone levels that are different as compared to humans, and the residual of synthetic hormones left in the meat may turn out to be harmful to the consumers in some cases (Schwartz 51). Hence, the meat treated with synthetic sex hormones is not entirely safe for human consumption. When the animals are fed on or injected with hormones, the levels of hormones used on them may increase dispropor tionately, and when these residual hormones are passed on to the consumers, they may cause diseases like cancer. The uncontrolled usage of growth hormones in the beef industry may be a reason to worry for the unsuspecting consumers who intend to buy healthy nutrition for the money they pay. The residual sex hormones found in beef are not entirely safe for human consumption. For instance, many studies have linked breast cancer to the sex hormone estrogen present in the contraceptive pills, even

Survey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Survey - Essay Example A recommendation is therefore given that strategies should immediately employed to price match products in the online market. The internet market has grown considerably in the past couple of years. Statistics show that the number of online shoppers reached an all time high of about 178.5 million people in 2011. Recently, there have been proposals to the company to reconsider its online trading policies to boost its sales volume. Presently, the company does prices match its products online and neither does it offer their competitor’s online prices. Therefore, a research was carried out to determine whether the proposed strategy of price matching online products would be profitable to the company. The method of research used was questionnaire that was conducted online for a period of about a quarter of the fiscal year. Online shoppers from the United States (14 years and older) that visited the company’s websites were randomly selected to participate in the questionnaire. First, a pilot study was conducted on the online shoppers. This involved open-ended questions that placed no limit on the customer’s response. Questions in this study were general in nature like, what is their overall attitude to Wal-Mart customer relations policy. Later, a close-ended questionnaire was used to provide a better reflection of the public view. A maximum choice of five answers to each question was given. The questions were generally categorized into 4 sections each covering a unique field. The survey was voluntary and anonymous and no personal data was collected. There was an approximate response rate of 88% to the questionnaire from both prospective buyers and those who actually made online purchases. A complete breakdown of the responses is shows that the majority of respondents were in favor of the company providing price matching information. About 80% of the respondents indicated that they would buy more products if

Management Strategy ( Boeing Corporation) Reseach Case Essay

Management Strategy ( Boeing Corporation) Reseach Case - Essay Example Unfortunately, its test run which was scheduled in this year had to be postponed indefinitely due the supply chain inefficiencies prevalent in the organization. Before the test drive itself, it has 903 orders in hand. (Maynard. M. 2008). On the Military defense front, the company was stripped off many crucial contracts owing to the unethical behavior of the employed staff and is expected to regain its right to bid for future contracts from 2010 onwards. (Wayne. L. 2008). In the cargo flight provider section, the 747 and 777 are the largest available products and the company can bank on this specialty that it can implement the Product Proliferation strategy wherein the customers have a greater cargo space availability facility and as such would be interested in paying the extra price in comparison to the smaller cargo flights. In the commercial vehicle sector, the market leader status which remained till 1993 was lost against Airbus in that year due to the technological advancement of the Airbus’s A-380. (Kotler, Keller, 2006). Added to this, the current economic slowdown is taking its toll on the aviation sector. Hence, great importance has to be given to the pricing of its existing products and especially the new launch – the 787. 787 comes under the prestige product segment but care has to be taken that the company follows the value based pricing strategy as depicted by the organization in the case of its earlier launches so that its customers have to be rest assured of better value for lower price in comparison to its rival’s product. As it is, 787 have an advantage of fuel efficiency which can be taken into consideration while pricing. However, care should be taken that, in the run to gain the market share, it should not quote any bottom level prices that it may have to face supp ly chain difficulties as the product is technically highly

The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing Essay Example for Free

The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing Essay In the introduction to â€Å"They Say/ I Say†: the Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein provide templates designed to help with academic thinking and writing. Specifically, Graff and Birkenstein argue that the types of writing templates they offer realistically help set up a conversation and argument. As the authors themselves put it, â€Å"In our view, then, the best academic writing has one underlying feature: it is deeply engaged in some way with other peoples views. † Although some people believe to sound intelligent you must state your claim and provide facts on why your claim is true, Graff and Birkenstein insist that to â€Å"play it safe and avoid controversy in your writing† is lifeless. In sum, then, their view is that if you are going to write, write to stir controversy and cause discussion, along with giving the basics to master good academic writing. I agree, in my view, the types of templates that the authors recommend invite people to start conversation and learn different points of views as well as teaching others, and the templates themselves gives people the opportunity to hone the skills of academic writing. For instance, when using the template for writing they get us to include the opposition’s possible belief or rebuttal to our own points, which in return force us as the writer to look beyond just our thoughts and look through other’s eyes. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that our creativity when using templates would be greatly diminished. Yet I would argue that the templates simply give us a cornerstone to start with, and we can build our paper off of it as creative as we want. Overall, then, I believe the templates simply help us practice to become better writers much like practicing sports when you first begin playing, to become the best we can be.