buy custom McDonald’s essay

buy custom McDonald’s essay The McDonalds chain of restaurants does business in more than 122 countries worldwide. Their customer base has been increasing over time, and today, the data show that one McDonalds restaurant serves more than 50000 customers per day (Jakle, Sculle, 1999). About 70 percent of the total number of the McDonalds restaurants in the world has been taken over and owned by private investors. The global strategy of the company does not focus only on establishing restaurants but on offering a wide range of valuable things and services that help in boosting the revenues. In almost all McDonalds restaurants, the customers are able to eat in a comfortable and pleasant environment. This ranges from both indoor to outdoor seating arrangements at the comfort of the customer. The set of services offered by McDonalds varies depending on the location of the restaurant. This is caused by the fact that some services may not be comfortable in highly-populated areas, where people look for space. Data and Information McDonalds Company mostly focuses on revealing factors that are considered to be disadvantageous to the business. Being a fast food industry located in different parts worldwide, there are several views that have been given by key players in the industry with regard to their contribution to the global wellbeing of the society, the quality of their services, health hazards, promotion of its products, and health competition with its competitors. The first concern has been raised by environmental experts. Since it is a restaurant, there is a possibility that wastes that it produces are detrimental to the environment. First, the industry uses non-recycled materials to pack food for their customers. The customers may then use and dispose them without putting into consideration the damage they are causing to the environment. McDonalds has realised that they play a critical role in influencing the way of life and world that humanity will live in the future. It has, therefore, used the data collected by environmental experts to seek lasting solutions for environmental problems that may be caused by their current operations globally (Mattern, 2011). A post on the McDonalds website claimed that McDonalds is intended to improve the industry in order to make sure that the environment is well taken care of. It also had some ways that have been proposed and laid down as the convenient means of meetingthe needs, while saving on the cost involved in environmental health. An example of the proposal is the use of cup sleeves to replace the current double cupping. The other innovation is the use of the birch wood for coffee stirrers. Today, the plastic sticks are used for stirring coffee, which are disposable but irreclaimable. These proposals are far less expensive and are able to mitigate the current environmental threats that are faced in the society. This data and information has been employed by McDonalds and used to look into the environmental effects and guard the livelihood of the future generations. McDonalds chains of restaurants are well-known all over the world. Since its founding, citizens have been aware of its products and services. Numerous entrepreneurs are much focused on owning the McDonalds franchise. This is because the brand comes with its own customers, and, therefore, it saves time and money for an entrepreneur. He or she will not need to do any type of marketing and spend extra money. The products are also centralized, and it makes it easy for one to continue the business. Since the society is dynamic, it is essential for the company to survey customers views on their products annually, so that they can be aware of the changes and improvements that need to be introduced in the sector. McDonalds was founded some years ago, and the tastes of its customers were different from the current preferences of people. Fast food restaurants have been associated with obesity. Numerous researches show that eating in a fast food restaurant increases the chances that an individual will get obese. With these trends, people tend to shy away from the fast food restaurants as they seek to look after their health. Shying away from the fast food restaurants will result in decreasing the sales for the company. McDonalds being one of the fast food restaurants faces the same challenge (Gilbert, Gilbert, 2009). Through getting data and information on the risks posed by their food, and recommendations from various experts, the restaurant should diversify the range of products they offer. For example, adding fruit or any other healthy foods to the diet may be cheap and will serve as a tool of increasing the companys income. McDonalds should also offer some recreational facilities that allow customers to enjoy exercising, while burning fat calories that have been gained when eating in the restaurant. They should a lso encourage their customers to place orders where they wwill be given the recommended package of each type of food at a low figure. McDonalds is a restaurant chain that should look into the adoption of new technology in dealing with various issues. For example, they should advertise their location in various parts of the world so as to avail its services to many customers and make more sales. Through the same site, they should encourage their customers to post their views and feedbacks on how some of their services should be improved to meet the demands of the changing society. They should also post on their websites information on ways to be used by the interested parties to own a franchise. Provision of relevant information about the services offered in the restaurant is essential in boosting sales and increasing business activity of McDonalds. The company should employ the modern means to take orders from customers. The business should study the tastes and preferences of the todays customers. With this data at hand, they will be able to develop new products and services appropriate and claimed by the future generation. For example, since almost every individual has a mobile phone, the company should design a system where customers will be able to place their orders via the mobile phone application. McDonalds should aim at being always the best. It should look into the quality of their services in order to leave behind their business rivals, such as Burger King, which is one of the leading fast food restaurants in the world. Healthy competition ensures that there is high quality of services offered to customers and a stable customer base. The most crucial activity that is detrimental to the operations of McDonalds is security of the information that the customers provide. It should be guarded with care, and information leakage may affect the McDonalds business. Conclusion McDonalds has since its foundation undergone a tremendous growth. It has moved from being a family business to a globally operating chain of the fast food restaurants. Many entrepreneurs seek to be a part of the business. Utilization of data and personal information is a boost in the sector (Gould, 2000). Today, the company works hard at every aspect of its operations, in order to keep pace with the shifting demands of customers worldwide. Technological advancements and professional operations have assisted in meeting the needs of the globally spread customers base. Buy custom McDonald’s essay

The Complete List of SAT Subject Tests

The Complete List of SAT Subject Tests SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The SAT Subject Tests are a chance for you to show where you have specialized knowledge. With these tests, you can indicate to colleges which subjects interest you and which you've taken the time to get to know well. With that being said, how can you decide which SAT Subject Test to take? First, let's take a look at all the SAT Subject Tests from which you can choose. List of SAT Subject Tests In total, there are21 SAT Subject Tests (we're counting Biology E and Biology M as two separate tests). Nine of these tests cover four core subject areas- English literature, history, math, and science: Literature US History World History Math Level 1 Math Level 2 Biology - Ecological Biology - Molecular Chemistry Physics The other12 Subject Tests cover nine different languages. Half of these tests have a listening component: French French with Listening German German with Listening Spanish Spanish with Listening Modern Hebrew Italian Latin Chinese with Listening Japanese with Listening Korean with Listening Simply put,there are 21 different variations of tests to choose from. All SAT Subject tests cover 13 subject areas- four core courses and nine languages. Now, let's take a look at how many students take each SAT Subject Test, from most to least. We'll also show you the average scores these students achieve on the tests: SAT Subject Test Average Score # of Test Takers (2016-18) Math Level 2 693 427,765 Chemistry 666 208,588 US History 640 178,258 Physics 667 169,950 Math Level 1 605 162,998 Literature 607 150,361 Molecular Biology 650 116,622 Ecological Biology 618 91,866 Spanish 647 51,808 World History 622 43,660 French 628 18,725 Chinese with Listening 760 13,173 Latin 626 7,088 Spanish with Listening 662 6,937 Korean with Listening 761 5,364 French with Listening 668 3,819 Japanese with Listening 703 3,436 German 620 1,875 Italian 666 1,396 German with Listening 618 1,297 Modern Hebrew 612 980 Source: SAT Subject Tests Percentile Ranks As you can see, the tests based on core courses- i.e., literature, math, history, and science- tend to attract the largest number of students. When it comes to tests that have listening and non-listening options, more students typically opt for the non-Listening option. You'll also notice a large variation in the average scores of SAT Subject Tests. A higher mean score does not necessarily mean that the test is easier; instead,it likely means that students who opt for that test know that subject really, really well. Check out our analysis of which SAT Subject Tests are the easiest based on their average scores and other factors. Now that you know what options you have, how can you decide which Subject Test to take? How to Decide Which SAT Subject Tests to Take In order to decide which Subject Tests to take, you'll need to think about a variety of factors, from what kinds of tests colleges want to what subjects you're especially skilled at. We introduce three important questions to ask yourself before you commit to a particular Subject Test. #1: What Do the Colleges You're Applying to Want? First off, you need to know the testing requirements of the colleges you're applying to.How many Subject Tests does each of your schools want you to take? Is one a technology school that'll take a close look at your knowledge in math and science? Or is one a liberal arts college that wants you to demonstrate a range of abilities by taking one test in literature and another in math? Some colleges have adoptedtest-optional or test-flexible policies,which means you might be able to submit scores from Subject Tests in place of scores from the general SAT or ACT. Check out our article for the full list of colleges with these policies. These approaches can be really helpful for you to know as they let you shape your application in a way that's best for you. Another factor to consider is placement in college classes. Some colleges might prefer listening language tests to non-listening language tests, for example, because they demonstrate that extra dimension of fluency. If you're a native speaker, the listening language test will likely be pretty easy for you to achieve a great score on. If you're not a native speaker, however, you want to make sure that your language skills have reached a very high level before taking a language Subject Test. College requirements and expectations play the biggest role in which SAT Subject Tests you decide to take. But within those requirements, you might still have several options. Now you have to consider where you can best demonstrate your subject mastery. #2: Which Subjects Do You Know Best? The SAT Subject Tests test your knowledge of a particular subject rather than your reasoning skills. In this way, they're closely aligned with your high school classes and the finals or AP exams you take to demonstrate your content and conceptual knowledge. Since people often devote more time to learning about things that actually interest them, the SAT Subject Tests essentially tell a story about you- what you're interested in and have dedicated time to understanding. For instance, ifyou love reading and analyzing books, you should probably take the Literature test. Not only will you be more likely to get a high score on it, but you'll also be indicating your personal interests to admissions officers. As you can see, the SAT Subject Tests offer one more way you can individualize your college applications and tell a story about your personality and identity. By the way, did you know you have six chances a year to take a Subject Test?In other words, you don't have to wait until your junior year to take one. You might be ready to take the Biology or Chemistry tests, for example, at the end of your freshman or sophomore year. The two Math tests, on the other hand, typically require several years of high school-level math. Despite the many opportunities you have to take an SAT Subject Test, generally speaking,the best time to take one isnear the end of the school year,when you've been studying all the relevant material and the content is still fresh in your mind. #3: Which Format Is Best for You? The third and final factor has to do with the format of the Subject Test. As we've touched on above, some tests have language components while others don't, and others- such as the Biology tests- have two different versions to choose from. Language Tests As mentioned previously, the French, Spanish, and German language tests offer listening and non-listening options. If you have strong listening skills, the listening versions of the tests will be a great way to demonstrate fluency. They might also place you in a higher level once you get to college. (Check with the individual college on this policy as some have their own placement tests.) If you don't feel confident in your listening skills, on the other hand, your best bet would be to take the non-listening option or another SAT Subject Test altogether. The language tests tend to be difficult to score highly on if your language skills are limited to a classroom environment. Biology Are you intrigued by populations and energy flow within systems? Or do you prefer to know how cells work and talk about the ins and outs of photosynthesis? There are two options for the Biology Subject Test: Ecological Biology and Molecular Biology. While both tests share a core 60 questions, each also has an additional 20 questions with either an ecological or molecular focus. You can further explore the differences between these two tests and try practice questions here. Math If you're taking a math Subject Test, you have to decide between Math Level 1 and Math Level 2. For Level 1, you'll need to have taken at least two years of algebra and one year of geometry. By contrast, for Level 2, you should have taken these plus some trigonometry and pre-calculus. Both tests require you to use a graphing calculator, but Level 2 requires more complex use of the calculator. You can learn more about the Math Level 1and Math Level 2tests by visiting the College Board website. As is the case with the listening language tests, Math Level 2 has a higher mean score and lower standard deviation, meaning most students who take it score near the relatively high mean score of 693. Therefore, if you're not super confident in your math skills, it'll likely be harder to score in a high percentile. And don't be alarmed if you score an 800 on SAT Math 2 and see you're only in the top 79th percentile- getting a perfect score matters more than what percentile it is! Conclusion: Finding the Best SAT Subject Tests for You Ultimately, you're the expert on your own learning. You know what captivates you or makes you fall asleep. You also know whether you learn best by seeing, listening, doing, or combining some of these methods. You've probably already been drawn to and chosen the high school classes that'll determine which exams on this list of SAT Subject Tests you should take. You know yourself better than anyone else, so as long as you research the Subject Tests and have a strong sense of what'll be on them- and know what your colleges' requirements are!- you will make the right decision about SAT Subject Tests. What's Next? Another important consideration about SAT Subject Tests is when to take them- especially when you have to schedule them around the regular SAT/ACT and all your other activities. Check out our article on thebest dates to take the SAT Subject Tests. Are you also studying for the SAT or ACT?Read all about when you should start preparing and how you can design a balanced SAT/ACT schedule. Want that coveted 1600 SAT score or 36 ACT score? Read our famous guides to scoring a perfect SAT score and a perfect ACT scoreto get started! Need a little extra help prepping for your Subject Tests? We have the industry's leading SAT Subject Test prep programs (for all non-language Subject Tests). Built by Harvard grads and SAT Subject Test full or 99th %ile scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so that you get the most effective prep possible. Learn more about our Subject Test products below:

Are zero tolerance rules the best way to keep schools safe Research Paper

Are zero tolerance rules the best way to keep schools safe - Research Paper Example Thus, the zero tolerance rules. According to Ted Watchel, zero tolerance â€Å"have become commonplace in American schools in recent decades’ (par. 3). Although many people agree to the zero tolerance rule policy in schools, this does not ensure a totally safe learning environment. This policy uses a lot of money, might be too strict on the students, and might not be too affective. Further, it is unfair to some students, and some rights might be violated by this rule. A report by Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah states that Chicago Public Schools spent $51.4 million on school-based security guards in 2010, an amount which was fifteen times higher than that of the budget spent on college and career coaches (par. 2). But students say they did not feel any safer in their schools despite these disciplinary policies. Zero tolerance policies are ineffective and have even been harmful to students and school environments (Watchel, par. 2) because it is too strict, that even minor offenses such as not being in uniform or bringing cell phones in class, result to removal from school, instead of giving them second chances and the counsel and advice they need in order to realize their mistakes if they have committed any. According to Kristen Graham, a report stated that students in the Philadelphia District are â€Å"too often punished harshly for minor infractions, and suspensions, expulsions, and transfers to disciplinary school are overused† (par. 2). This is clearly against putting the students’ welfare first in terms of their behavioral development or improvement and putting their future at risk. Some students might not want to continue their studies after they are kicked out of school either because of shame or disappointment. This will also make the students feel that the school does not exude the image that they once have, which is an academic and learning institution where they have the freedom to enjoy their learning years. Watchel stated that the polic y is ineffective and I totally agree with him. Watchel further stated that, â€Å"The American Psychological Association Zero Tolerance Task Force issued a report in 2008 concluding that severe punishment at schools neither reduces violence nor promotes learning. The report asserts that zero tolerance can actually increase bad behavior, lead to higher dropout rates, and increase referrals to the juvenile justice system for infractions once handled in the schools†(par. 5). This clearly proves the infectivity of the policy. Sean McCollum stated that â€Å"zero tolerance policy is getting twisted in many school districts and schools are not checking to see that the policies are even working† (par. 4). The first goal of an academic institution is to promote learning. This includes learning academically and behaviorally, which means that aside from their academic development, they are also taught the value of discipline and the sense of responsibility. This can only be done in a way that the students will have to realize, without being severely punished, their mistakes and then learn from them. By punishing them harshly for even the smallest infractions, we are further pushing them away from accepting their mistakes and thus give them reasons to feel angry and resentful. This will get in the way of their academic and learning development. In its eager campaign for a safer learning environment, the policy has become unfair in its treatment of infractions. Offenses, whether major or minor are met with almost the same punishments:

Multicultural Team Effectiveness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Multicultural Team Effectiveness - Essay Example ghting the different developmental stages of a multicultural organization, the Impact of multicultural environment on team effectiveness, impact of the language factor (native, foreign peeking) on team effectiveness, the Impact of voice level in team discussions on team member relationships, the essence of developing an organizational culture context that each team member in a multicultural organization has to adapt to, building trust between multicultural team members as well as the impact of culture in response to the fear factor, evaluating whether team members would be open to discussions or whether they would close up. The dynamics of multicultural organizations can be understood through evaluating the progression from single culture to  multicultural  association. This progression has been found to work in various levels which comprise a number of stages. The organization begins as a monoculture association. The first stage is the relationship whereby some members are excluded from the mainstream. The excluded groups are regarded as inferior while some of the members are superior by virtue of their belonging to the dominant group that upholds its mission to dominate the other members. The organizational structure comprises of the dominant group and the organization is conservative in its way of operation. It is difficult to change the structure due to the fact that any changes would be against the organization’s mission (Mariann and Jeanne, 2005). Dissatisfaction is usually experienced by the minority group and they feel disrespected and sidelined in the group’s activities. On t he other hand, the dominant group derives satisfaction from its actions especially when the minorities are completely un-represented in the organization. The next stage is the â€Å"white male club† that is characterized by stereotyping the minorities even though they actively participate in the organization’s activities. The group remains stable as long as the minorities

Bullying Is a Legal Crime Essay Example for Free

Bullying Is a Legal Crime Essay On September 18, 2011 a 14-year-old Jamey Redeemer took his life after years of bullying. The news spread in a blink of an eye. The whole country mourned. Jamey cried for help for months. He regularly posted online about being bullied at school and how people would launch insults at him. Soon, students started to bully Jamey online. They posted horrible things like â€Å"I wouldnt care if you died. No one would. So just do it 🙂 It would make everyone WAY more happier!† Jamey left several messages on his blog letting everyone know that he was in trouble and needed help. But still no one listened. On Saturday night he posted a lyric from Lady Gaga’s song on his Facebook page which said: â€Å"Dont forget me when I come crying to heavens door.† In a few hours he wrote that he was looking forward to seeing his great grandmother, who recently died. It was Jamey’s final message. (â€Å"Suicide: Police Consider Criminal Bullying Charges†) As identified by the the United States Department of Justice, bullying has two key components: repeated harmful acts and an imbalance of power. â€Å"It involves repeated physical, verbal or psychological attacks or intimidation directed against a victim who cannot properly defend him- or herself because of size or strength, or because the victim is outnumbered or less psychologically resilient.†(Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Series) In other words, children are verbally and physically assaulted by their peers every day. At school, bullies rip their victims self-esteem to shreds while theirs gets high. It has become a huge problem in the U.S. Nearly 160 000 students stay home and miss school everyday due to the fear of being bullied. 20% of all children say they have been bullied and 20% of high school students say they have seriously considered suicide with the last 12 months. By age 24, 60% of bullies have a criminal record. (â€Å"National Center for Education Statist ics (NCES) Home Page, a Part of the U.S. Department of Education†) As a matter of fact, bullying can occur almost anywhere. At home. At work. At school or even on the street. It becomes a very widespread, invisible threat. Statistics go that that one out of 4 boys or girls will be bullied sometime throughout their childhood. (â€Å"The United States Department of Justice†) The media started to pay more attention to the problem of bullying recently. While it is seemingly impossible to defeat, it can be overturned. This is possible if parents get involved, students are taught how to identify and stop bullying, and if individuals stand up for and support the victims and bullies. These solutions overtime will definitely bring bullying to its demise. One of the widespread questions is who truly a bully is, why does he or she behave in such a way or another. For the most part, bullies are the kids who feel insecure about their beliefs and appearance or who are the victims of bullying. In that case, bullying becomes a mental defense for the victims. â€Å"A number of researchers believe that bullying occurs due to a combination of social interactions with parents, peers and teachers. The history of the parent-child relationship may contribute to cultivating a bully, and low levels of peer and teacher intervention combine to create opportunities for chronic bullies to thrive (as will be discussed later).† (Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Series) A child that comes from a poor, abusive and usually one-parent family will probably end up a bully. Being picked on at school or simply rejected by the peers, kids tease smaller ones just to feel better about themselves and release negative energy. Tracy Vaillancourt, Canada Research Chair in children’s mental health and violence prevention at the University of Ottawa claims that there are two types of bullies. The first type is the habitual bullies. â€Å"They tend to be really impulsive and have poor emotional regulation. And that represents about 10 per cent of kids who bully others.† (Interview: Whos a Bully?) Basically, Tracy Vaillancourt is saying that this type of a bully is the most rare one, but at the same time it is the most severe and brutal. It more or less becomes a disease that requires an immediate medical intervention. The point is that this type of a bully is the easiest to identify: it is usually impulsive kids who get into trouble in school for bad behavior. The second type of a bully is everyday kids. According to Tracy Vaillancourt, â€Å"they tend to be really popular; because they have power, they can abuse power.† It is the hardest type of a bully to identify. Therefore, it is the most dangerous one. Parents usually get blindsided when their kid might be bullying someone. They take their child’s side, and it is completely natural. Parents want to protect their son or daughter no matter what. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that they do more harm than good and that the consequence of such parenting behavior can be catastrophic. â€Å"In terms of childhood abuse and bullying, it is possible that intrusive, flashback memories of these traumatic events occur in adolescence and adulthood.† (â€Å"Society and Psychosis†) In other words, the authors of the â€Å"Society and Psychosis† believe that a victim of bullying will suffer psychological harm for almost the rest of his or her life. Moreover, a bullied child is more likely to develop a criminal record or get psychiatric disorder and mental illness than his or her peers. (Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Series) At this point, suicidal behavior becomes a real threat. And numerous teenage suicides and suicidal attempts are an alert and a call to action to all of us. As bullying becomes a serious problem, people try to come up with different ways of solving it. Different programs, developed to stop or at least reduce bulling, almost every time pay much attention to the parents and teachers. On the one hand, I agree that authorities including but not limited to parents, teachers and professor are capable of maintaining a positive surrounding for the kids creating a safe, free from bullying environment. But on the other hand, I still insist that those authorities are not the key to solving this problem. Bullying has been identified as a potential threat for a long time. This issue has been discussed many time at the different forums and summits, and all kinds of programs were introduced to stop it. But, apparently, it’s not working. Most of the teachers don’t even care about their students lives, since it’s not their business. That’s the way things are in my home country Russia. Teachers go to the classes, give lectures and go back home. They view their job as a way to educate students on a particular field of study. When, in fact, teachers are mentors for children or at least that’s what the have to be. They should set an example of a loving, accepting, tolerant human being who is willing to help and support a person in need whether it’s a student, colleague or a friend. The most important thing is that the first step in stopping bullying has to be made by us, the ones who are often easily affected by it. Every each one of us can contribute to solving this problem and making the world a better place. First of all, we have to change the climate of the school environment and stop putting the power in the hands of the teachers, or the government. I don’t believe they have the answers. I believe we do. It is out lives after all. The truth is that there’s no law that can be passed on the federal level to stop or prevent bullying. The public school system in the U.S. is operated by state laws that are hard to pass. (Bullying Prevention State Laws) Rather than dealing with the legal system, we should come to an understanding that we have the power to make a shift in how people view bullying and react to it. It is not an over night thing. It has to become a cultural change, a movement of tolerance, love and acceptance. Another thing is that people pay too much attention to cyber bullying and consider it as the major dangerous form of bullying. But, truthfully, it’s really not. It’s the most visible because you can see all the hate mails and comments online. The worst bullying experience is face to face, on the street, in the school, at home. There has to be a support system in our communities. We need to change the way kids think about themselves. There has to be a suppÐ ¾rt system around every human being that can help anyone build confidence in themselves and others. The work has to be done from the ground up. Creating a climate and an environment in schools where everyone feels safe has to become a priority today for parents, school administration, teachers and students themselves. By doing little acts of kindness, we will create a loving and accepting environment. Just come to a friend or a person you don’t know. Say a compliment or how good the weather is today, or simply: you look great. These are the things that are going to chÐ °nge the culture and make a huge shift in how people communicate and react to bullying in a particular environment. Just set an example. Because teenager are very impressionable. And if you set an example, the rest will follow. Find a friend. Tell somebody in your life, someone important or maybe someone you don’t know about love, tolerance and acceptance. It is not gonna be just the experts that are going to change things. It is going to be all of us. As we all know, life is an energy. And we are responsible for the energy we bring into this space. Every action has an opposite and equal reaction. If you insult someone, the negative energy you put onto them will come back to you. By brining negative energy onto those people, you are making them bring negative energy onto others. Firstly, empowering youth is one of the keys to stopping bullying. All of us have to set an example of brave and tolerant human beings. It has to become cool to be the person that says that something’s not quite right here, that help is needed here. For whatever reason, students tend to ignore the acts of bulling or teasing in school. They go to classes, do their homework, hand in the paper, go home Students notice the violence, happening in schools, but the do not speak about it. There needs to be attention that is payed to looking for signs of violence and bullying. When students start to look up for each other, then the major shift is made. Secondly, using a multifaceted, comprehensive approach will definitely decrease the percentage of bullied kids. This approach includes establishing a school-wide policy that addresses indirect bullying, providing guidelines for teachers and, most importantly, students on specific actions to take if bullying occurs, encouraging students to report known bullying, to be supportive to classmates who may be bullied and educating and involving parents so they understand the problem and the importance of it. I believe that each of us comes with a gift to use our lives, to bring goodness to the world, to connect with other people. Every single person, whether it’s victim of violence or the person who committed the violence,has one thing in common: we all want to know that what we do and what we say and who we are matters. We want to be validated. Every single person. Every argument is really about: do you see me, do you hear me, does what I say mean anything to you? Come up to a girl who always seats alone at the canteen, talk to her. Maybe you will be the one who’ll make her day. Be loving, accepting and tolerant. Only this way we’ll create a kind, free from violence and bullying environment.

Womens Liberation Movement as Seen In Shiloh and The Astronomers Wife :: essays research papers

The days of the barefoot woman forced to stay in the kitchen and bedroom are over. Women’s liberation has gained voice in the last century and has emancipated many women, bringing them into the realization that they are not subservient to men. As this thought process becomes more widely spread, more and more women are seeing the truth of it. In the short stories Shiloh and The Astronomer’s Wife this theme of realization and liberation is dominant.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the story Shiloh by Bobbie Ann Mason we are introduced to Norma Jean. She is a wife to an injured trucker named Leroy. Our first glimpse at Norma Jean is of her working out. â€Å"Leroy Moffitt’s wife, Norma Jean, is working on her pectorals. She lifts three-pound dumbbells to warm up, then progresses to a twenty-pound barbell. Standing with legs apart, she reminds Leroy of Wonder Woman.† (Pg. 68) This shows a bit about her strong, self-improving personality. Another look at this trait are seen in her attempts at learning. â€Å"Norma Jean is going to night school. She has graduated from her six-week body-building course and now she is taking an adult-education course in composition at Paducah Community College. She spends her evenings outlining paragraphs.† (Pg. 74) Not only is Norma Jean improving her body but her intellect as well. I believe this self-improving aspect points to an independence in her.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In The Astronomer’s Wife independent woman is the farthest description of Mrs. Ames. â€Å"She was a youngish woman, but this was forgotten. The mystery and silence of her husband’s mind lay like a chiding finger on her lips. Her eyes were gray, for the light had been extinguished from them.† (Pg. 63) She had at one time been a bright beautiful woman but now she is stifled and has forgotten her beauty. She is very soft spoken. Every time she talks it mentions the soft tone or the hushed voice. This shows that she is a gentle and rather timid woman.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Norma Jean starts having problems in her marriage with Leroy when he gets disabled in a truck accident and is anything but gentle and timid about it.. He has been on the road for fifteen years as a trucker. Now he is home for good and adaptation is necessary. He is all for settling down in the marriage but he senses her discomfort. â€Å"Since he has been home, he has felt unusually tender about his wife and guilty over his long absences.

Dehumanization in All Quiet on the Western Front Essay

Winston Churchill always said, â€Å"You ask: what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, no matter how long and hard the world may be; for without victory, there is no survival. † In Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front, victory is seen as the only option. The soldiers in the novel do whatever it takes like acting before thinking or ignoring any possible consequences in order to emerge victorious. Paul and his comrades are exposed constantly to violence, jumpstarting a dehumanizing process that forces them to rely on animal instinct. This necessary instinct is the only thing that keeps them alive during war, but it also changes them internally leaving them with a different mindset. To survive the war, soldiers have to sacrifice any logical instinct or emotion and fight on animal instinct. They start out level-minded, but when they reach the front all that changes, as Paul believes when he says, â€Å"We march up, moody or good tempered soldiers – we reach the zone where the front begins and become on instinct human animals† (56). This animal instinct is necessary for their survival. When they are put in a situation concerning warfare, their mind adapts to the environment and begins to think of the enemy as targets, rather than human beings. It is simply a defensive mechanic that allows them to save themselves without the feeling of guilt. Paul’s opinion is that, â€Å"We have become wild beasts. We do not fight, we defend ourselves against annihilation†¦No longer do we lie helpless, waiting on the scaffold, we can destroy and kill, to save ourselves; to save ourselves and be revenged† (113). They are so preoccupied with fighting and staying alive, that their emotions completely disappear. This is proven by Paul’s thoughts: â€Å"If your own father came over with them you would not hesitate to fling a bomb at him† (114). Ultimately, if they did not dehumanize themselves they would not be able to kill anyone over the enemy line. A good example of this is when Paul is frozen after looking into the enemy’s eyes during the first bombardment, but he quickly gets over this to move on and save himself. T. S. Matthews in his article â€Å"Bad News† states, â€Å"They have had to become soldiers, and they are nothing else. They believe in the present moment; it is not enough, but it is all they can be sure of† (2). Matthews goes on to say, â€Å"But what keeps them going in man’s machine-made hell is the bodily presence of the friends around them† (2). On the contrary, dehumanization is the key to survival. Throughout the novel, Paul loses close friends of his and each time he does he finds the strength to keep on fighting. He may not always want to, but he keeps moving forward in his dehumanized state towards the end. Dehumanization not only affects the soldier physically but internally as well, both on and off the front. Being affected internally by dehumanization means that these soldiers are stripped of their emotions, have a changed their point of view on war, or are given a different mindset. When Paul and others go to visit Kemmerich, a former classmate whose leg was recently amputated, they can tell he is on the brink of death. Instead of being concerned, Paul’s classmate Muller is insensitive and is only concerned about his boots. Muller has been so dehumanized that all he can bring himself to think about is Kemmerich’s boots, and receiving them after his death. Later in the novel, Kat points out a sniper to Paul, who is killing off soldiers. As Kat mentions, this sniper feels no remorse or guilt about it his actions. He has been so dehumanized that he has come to enjoy killing others. Dehumanization causes the soldiers to think differently when it comes to death. They see so many people dead all the time that they begin to care less and less. Paul thinks, â€Å"When a man has seen so many dead he cannot understand any longer why there should be so much anguish over a single individual† (181). Internally, the soldiers are losing many things close to them because of being on the front. These things are written by Matthews, â€Å"Love they have not known, patriotism and all the other abstract virtues and vices have vanished away in their first drum-fire† (2). Due to being on the front, the soldiers find difficulty in some of the simplest things in life and losing other things they have already been taught. About this Matthews comments, â€Å"These youngsters whom the War is swiftly making unfit for civilian life (though many of them will not have to make the change) have cast aside, of necessity, all that they have been taught† (2). This dehumanization changes the soldiers, leaving with them with the consequences and wondering if the life of an animal is really worth living. When Paul returns home on leave, he is struck with the feeling of homelessness. He can take no comfort there, and begins to realize that this is not because his home changed, but himself instead. When Paul tries on ordinary civilian clothes, he feels awkward and doesn’t recognize himself. He also finds it hard to get along with people who constantly want to know about the war, like his own father. Even though Paul is near his family and acquaintances, he still feels isolated. He is so accustomed to being on the front with his comrades that he begins to think of that as the closest thing to home. Even after the war, the soldiers would return home feeling homeless and disconnected from society. John Wilson, the author of Combat and Comradeship, says, â€Å"A contrary outcome, ‘the residual stress perspective’ (Figley, 1978) suggests that the psychosocial aftermath of war continues or even intensifies through the post war years† (136). The men on the front are only concerned with life and death. When their life is at risk, their thought process changes from when they were safe. Their thoughts never remain the same, and the changes of their thoughts affect how they live their life. This is proven when Paul says, â€Å"Our thoughts are clay, they are molded with the changes of the days; when we are resting they are good; under fire, they are dead. Fields of craters within and without† (271). Because of all the war and violence that Paul and his comrades have suffered through, they have gone through a dehumanizing process. This process does in fact save them from war, but changes them into a completely different person. Living life dehumanized, in the end, is not worth it. They feel disconnected from home, lose all emotions and some even begin to think of death as the only option. By the end of the novel, Paul simply describes the life of a dehumanized soldier as, â€Å"Shells, gas clouds, and flotillas of tanks – shattering, corroding, death. Dysentery, influenza, typhus – scalding, choking, death. Trenches, hospitals, the common grave – there are no other possibilities† (283). Taking all these things into consideration, it is perfectly understandable why a soldier would not want this kind of life.

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn Acknowledgments

As always, an ocean of thanks to; My awesome family, for all their incomparable love and support. My talented and hawt publicist, Elizabeth Eulberg, for creating STEPHENIE MEYER out of the raw clay that was once just a mousy Steph. The whole team at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for five years of enthusiasm, faith, support, and incredibly hard work. All the amazing site creators and administrators in the Twilight Saga online fandom; you people astound me with your coolness. My brilliant, beautiful fans, with your unparalleled good taste in books, music, and movies, for continuing to love me more than I deserve. The bookstores who have made this series a hit with their recommendations; all authors are indebted to you for your love of and passion for literature. The many bands and musicians that keep me motivated; did I mention Muse already? I did? Too bad. Muse, Muse, Muse†¦ New gratitude to: The best band-that-never-was: Nic and the Jens, featuring Shelly C. (Nicole Driggs, Jennifer Hancock, Jennifer Longman, and Shelly Colvin). Thanks for taking me under your collective wing, guys. I would be a shut-in without you. My long-distance pals and fonts of sanity, Cool Meghan Hibbett and Kimberly â€Å"Shazzer† Suchy. My peer support, Shannon Hale, for understanding everything, and for feeding my love of zombie humor. Makenna Jewell Lewis for the use of her name, and her mother, Heather, for her support of the Arizona Ballet. The new guys on my â€Å"writing inspiration† playlist: Interpol, Motion City Soundtrack, and Spoon. The phenomenon continues. . . . STEPHENIE MEYER

Blowing The Gaff

Blowing The Gaff Blowing The Gaff Blowing The Gaff By Sharon I recently mentioned a book called Mind The Gaffe, which is all about errors in English. It got me to thinking about the word gaffe and other related expressions. I set out to do some digging in my trusty dictionary and came up with a few surprises. The word gaffe means a social blunder and originates from French in the 19th century. It should not be confused with the word gaff, which has a variety of interesting meanings. If you fish, then you probably use a sturdy pole with a strong hook to capture the biggest catch of your life. Thats called a gaff, and youll need it if you want to avoid tales about the one that got away. If you actually manage to land that fish, then gaff becomes a verb that shows how you hook it. Sailors know a gaff as a special boom to which a gaffsail is attached. Cockfighting is a favored pastime in some parts of the world, and in that context, gaff describes the spur thats attached to a gamecocks leg. Gaff is also a popular slang word with several meanings. It can mean nonsense talk, cheat or hoax. If youre British and you blow the gaff, then you reveal a secret, while Americans and Canadians who stand the gaff are able to take a bit of ribbing. Gaff was also an old British term for someones home, as well as a cheap theater or music hall in Victorian times. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Arrive To vs. Arrive At8 Proofreading Tips And TechniquesInspiring vs. Inspirational

French Words with New Meanings in English

French Words with New Meanings in English French Words with New Meanings in English French Words with New Meanings in English By Mark Nichol Thanks to the Norman Conquest, and to the long dominance of France in European culture and politics, almost half the words and phrases in the English lexicon (including that of its American variety) are derived from French. The list below consists of words used in American English that acquired one or more senses distinct from that or those of the French words from which they are descended. After each term, the American English meaning(s) is/are listed, followed in parentheses by the French meaning(s). 1. accoutrement: accompanying items or accessories (a ludicrous costume or tasteless attire) 2. aprà ¨s-ski: socializing after skiing (snow boots) 3. auteur: a film director or other artist who artistically dominates a creative endeavor (an author) 4. au naturel: naked (acting or looking natural, unaltered or unadulterated) 5. bà ªte noire: someone or something avoided or disliked out of fear (someone or something hated) 6. boutique: a shop selling designer or distinctive clothing, or, as an adjective, describing a small, exclusive business (a shop) 7. boutonnià ¨re: a flower placed in a buttonhole (a buttonhole) 8. chef: a professional cook (a boss) 9. claque: a group of admirers (a group of theatergoers paid either to applaud or to criticize a performance) 10. corsage: flowers worn on a woman’s dress or around her wrist (a woman’s chest, and attire covering this area) 11. coup: a forced change of government (a hit) 12. coup de main: surprise attack (give a hand) 13. debut: a first performance by an artist or entertainer (a beginning) 14. dà ©colletage: a low neckline, cleavage (lowering a neckline, or, in agricultural and technical contexts, cutting) 15. en masse: a group or mass moving as one entity (a collection or crowd) 16. entrà ©e: an entrance, or the main course of a meal (an entrance, or appetizers preceding a meal or before the main course) 17. à ©pà ©e: a specific fencing sword (a sword) 18. exposà ©: published material pertaining to a fraud or scandal (a report or talk) 19. hors d’oeuvre: a snack (the first course of a meal) 20. outrà ©: unusual (exaggerated or extravagant, or outraged) 21. prà ©cis: a summary (accurate, precise; also, an abridged textbook) 22. premiere: a first performance or presentation (first) 23. recherchà ©: obscure, pretentious (sophisticated, studied) 24. rendezvous: a clandestine meeting, or a location for an appointed meeting or reunion or a joining of two spacecraft (an appointment, date, or meeting) 25. reprise: a repetition of a piece of music during a performance (an alternate version or cover version, or rebroadcast) 26. rà ©sumà ©: an employment history with a list of qualifications (a summary) 27. risquà ©: sexually provocative (risky) 28. seance: a gathering to communicate with spirits (a meeting or session) 29. touchà ©: acknowledgment of a point made, or of a hit in fencing (emotionally touched) 30. vignette: a brief description or scene (a small picture) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Exquisite AdjectivesRunning Amok or Running Amuck?Practice or Practise?

GM Financial Analysis and Planning of the Collapse Essay

GM Financial Analysis and Planning of the Collapse - Essay Example The debt kept rising and the conditions worsened for GM in 2008. (Henderson, 2008) The earnings per share in 2005 were $ (5.93) which lead to the fall in the value of the shares. (General Motors Financial report, 2005). In 2007, the earnings per share further decreased to $ (76.16). However, in 2008, there was a slight improvement. The earnings per share were $ (53.47). (General Motors Annual Report 2010) In 2007, GM made the biggest loss in automobile industry. It made a loss of $ 38.7 billion. GM had to sell Allison Transmission for 5.6 billion dollars to Onex Corporation and Carlyle Group. Then, the gas prices increased in 2008 and GM had to close its sports utility vehicle and pick up factories. 8350 people became unemployed. By the end of 2008, it had to ask the government for protection. It had to ask Congress for $18 billion to pay its debts and to remain afloat. The Congress gave him $13.4 billion. However, the loss made was huge. It made an annual loss of $30.9 billion and i ts debt was accumulating. In 2009, it declared that it needs $ 30 billion to survive. On the other hand, its unit in Sweden filed for bankruptcy. This was another blow to General Motors. It presented a survival plan and a restructuring plan to US Government in which it mentioned that they close all their units except Saturn by 2011. However, the possibility was it will lose of its brands and the retailers or other potential companies might buy them. The Government was not satisfied with the restructuring plan and gave them another chance to make an aggressive plan and do aggressive cuts. Then, it used another scheme it asked 90% of its bondholders to accept a share of equity in return for debt. This will enable the company to reduce its debt by $24 billion. It decided to issue 62 billion new shares and end Pontiac. Also, it decided to end its contract with 1100 dealers. But the debt exchange offer as named by General Motors failed. Bankruptcy seemed evident. Government gave more loa ns to GM and it rose to $19.4 billion. GM came up with a new idea. It decided to give 10% of the company to bondholders and another 15% stake to reduce the debt by $27 billion. Also, it decided to build cars in US instead of China. These decisions led to the fall in share price. The share price went below $1. 54% of its bondholders agreed to the new scheme given my General Motors. Thus, it enabled GM to ask for bankruptcy protection from the court. The bankruptcy protection was granted to GM. (GM-History of an Automaker, 2009) The state protection was one of the milestones in General Motors history. It not only enabled it to recover from losses but it set a new beginning for General Motors. July 2009, was the period in which it started recovering from bankruptcy. At this time, it started off with only four brands. Most of the GM was now owned by the state. GM then sold its shares of Opel to a Russian company and started its restructuring. GM then announces a $3.5 billion deal for Am eriCredit. This was the step taken by GM to get support for the floatation of stock and later it started preparations for IPO. From the IPO, it was able to raise almost $20 billion. It was a comeback and a great achievement for GM. The share price also increased from $26 to $33.(General Motore-Timeline of trills and spills, 2011) In 2011, GM achieved a profit and recovered well from the bankruptcy. It gained a profit of $7.6 billion which was 62% higher than the