Accelerated Reader Student Software Program Review

Quickened Reader Student Software Program Review Quickened Reader is one of the world’s most mainstream understanding projects. The product program, normally alluded to as AR, is intended to persuade understudies to peruse and to survey their general comprehension of the books that they are perusing. The program was created by Renaissance Learning Inc., which has a few different projects firmly identified with the Accelerated Reader program. In spite of the fact that the program is intended for student’s grades 1-12, Accelerated Reader is particularly well known in primary schools the nation over. The projects fundamental object is to decide if the understudy has really perused the book. The program is intended to fabricate and urge understudies to become deep rooted perusers and students. Also, instructors can utilize the program to spur their understudies by giving prizes that compare to the quantity of AR focuses earned by the understudy. Quickened Reader is basically a three-advance program. Understudies originally read a book (fiction or true to life), magazine, course reading, and so forth. Understudies may peruse independently, all in all gathering, or in little gathering settings. Understudies at that point independently take the test that compares to what they simply read. AR tests are relegated a point esteem dependent on the general degree of the book. Instructors regularly set week after week, month to month, or yearly objectives for the quantity of focuses they require their understudies to acquire. Understudies who score beneath 60% on the test don't procure any focuses. Understudies who score 60% - 99% get halfway focuses. Understudies who score 100% get full focuses. Educators at that point utilize the information produced by these tests to rouse understudies, screen progress, and target guidance. Web Based Quickened Reader is Internet-based implying that it tends to be gotten to effectively on any PC that has Internet get to. Being Internet based permits Renaissance Learning to consequently refresh the program and to store key information on their servers. This makes it a lot simpler on a school’s IT group. Individualized Perhaps the best thing about Accelerated Reader is that it permits the educator to direct how the program is utilized including the capacity to restrain understudies to a perusing range that is on their level. This shields understudies from perusing books that are excessively simple or excessively troublesome. Quickened Reader permits understudies to peruse on their own levels and to peruse at their own pace. It doesn't direct which book an understudy peruses. There are as of now more than 145,000 tests accessible to understudies. Likewise, instructors may make their own tests for books that as of now are not in the framework or they may demand that a test is made for a specific book. Tests are included ceaselessly for new remarkably out. Simple to Set Up Understudies and educators can be immediately added to the framework either through huge group enlistment or individualized option. Quickened Reader permits educators to alter singular understanding levels. Instructors can get these perusing levels from a STAR Reading Assessment, normalized evaluation, or individual educator appraisal. Classes can be immediately set up to permit the educator to screen entire class understanding advancement and to analyze singular understudies inside that class. Propels Students Each test in the Accelerated Reader program is worth focuses. Focuses are controlled by a blend of the trouble of the book and the length of the book. Instructors regularly set objectives for the quantity of focuses every understudy must acquire. The educator at that point compensates their understudies by giving things, for example, prizes, parties, and so forth as inspiration to meet their objectives. Evaluates Student Understanding Quickened Reader is intended to decide if an understudy has perused a specific book and the level at which they comprehend the book. An understudy can't pass the test (60% or higher) on the off chance that they have not perused the book. Understudies who pass the tests exhibit that they read the book, however they have a capable degree of comprehension of what the book was about. Utilizations the ATOS Level The ATOS book level is a comprehensibility equation utilized by the Accelerated Reader program to speak to the trouble of a book. Each book in the program is allocated an ATOS number. A book with a degree of 7.5 ought to be perused by an understudy whose perusing level is some place around the seventh grade and fifth month of the school year. Empowers Using the Zone of Proximal Development Quickened Reader supports the utilization of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The Zone of Proximal Development is characterized as the scope of trouble that will challenge an understudy without making the understudy become disappointed or lose inspiration. The ZPD can be controlled by the STAR Reading appraisal or the teacher’s best proficient judgment. Permits Parents to Monitor Progress The program permits guardians to do the accompanying: Screen a student’s progress towards perusing goals.Conduct book searches.Review results, see the quantity of books read, words read, and tests passed. Furnishes Teachers With Tons of Reports Quicken Reader has around twelve completely adjustable reports. These incorporate analytic reports, history reports; test use reports, understudy point reports, and some more. Furnishes Schools With Technical Support Quickened Reader permits you to get programmed programming updates and overhauls. It gives live talk backing to respond to questions and give prompt goals to any issues or issues you have with the program. Quickened Reader likewise gives programming and information facilitating. Cost Quickened Reader doesn't distribute their general expense for the program. In any case, every membership is sold for a one-time school expense in addition to a yearly membership cost for every understudy. There are a few different elements that will decide the last expense of the programming including the length of the membership and what number of other Renaissance Learning programs your school has. Examination Until this point in time, there have been 168 examination considers that help the general adequacy of the Accelerated Reader program. The agreement of these examinations is that Accelerated Reader is completely bolstered by experimentally based exploration. Furthermore, these examinations agree that the Accelerated Reader program is a viable instrument for boosting students’ understanding accomplishment. In general Assessment Quickened Reader can be a viable mechanical instrument for inspiring and checking a student’s singular understanding advancement. One actuality that can’t be overlooked is the program’s colossal prominence. Perceptions show that this program benefits numerous understudies, however the abuse of this program can likewise consume numerous understudies out. This talks more to how the educator is utilizing the program than it does to the general program itself. The way that the program permits instructors to rapidly and effectively survey whether an understudy has perused a book and the degree of understanding they have from the book is an important apparatus. Generally speaking, the program is worth four out of five stars. Quickened Reader can have huge advantages for more youthful understudies yet can need keeping up its general advantages as understudies get more seasoned.

Diversity and Curriculum Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Decent variety and Curriculum Development - Essay Example This case occurs because of the distinctive ethnic gatherings that the understudies originate from. Since the understudies can without much of a stretch discuss well with the companions, this outcomes in the understudies who share a typical language to frame various gatherings in the school basing on these language gatherings. To bring this case into control, I will present a typical language that each understudy is well acquainted with. I make it compulsory that each understudy imparts utilizing this language. For instance, English is a worldwide language and no any secondary school understudy who will comprehend the language. The other issue is to present a course that introduces the various societies and which show understudies of the significance of being together in a blended assorted societies. The advantages of the assorted culture educational plan is that the understudies will have the option to learn others societies and convictions. It will improve solidarity among the dist inctive ethnic networks since they will get the opportunity to see one another while in school, and after returning home, they will tell their partners. For instance, a specific network might be having a negative recognition against another, where these partners will disclose to them that what they believe isn't the situation. Another advantage is that accumulates a network rehearsing in various social practices, is the issue of productivity and viability in performing charge. This is on the grounds that various individuals from various pieces of the world have various abilities. For instance, individuals from Brazil are superb in football, those from Chicago, flawless in b-ball. In the setting including the decent variety of male and female understudies, generally this issue is dominated by time,... In the setting including the decent variety of male and female understudies, recently this issue is dominated by time, and bringing the instances of male-female students’ communication won't be a lot of riotous. Be that as it may, there are as yet different networks which are as yet being held in the cover of male bullheadedness. The fundamental test will be to make these people to esteem the female understudies as same as they esteem the male ones. So as to manage issue completely, I will contend my kindred board of trustees individuals to pass the issue that any understudy discovered segregating his/her associate in view of sexual orientation contrasts to be managed properly. This will be an exercise to him/her and to his/her companions with a similar mindset. Another test is the issue of how the male and female understudies will have various assets. These assets will incorporate the toilets, restrooms and different exercises like the lining. A portion of these issues will a dd on more costs to the school. There are benefits, which gather from the male, female connection. These will incorporate the upgraded participation among the two sexual orientations. With respect that the educational program depends on social decent variety, this may prompt understudies from various networks to blend which will prompt intermarriages later on date. It likewise causes the understudies to learn with proficiency the contrasts between the sexual orientations since they can do it for all intents and purposes. For instance, the contrasts between the physical qualities of male and female can be exhibited for all intents and purposes.

Someday

Someday Lets go analog for a moment: grab a pen and a piece of paper, and then write down a handful of meaningful things youve been intending to do. Label this list Someday: Declutter your home? Read a classic novel? Take a road trip? Get into shape? Join a yoga class? Learn how to meditate? Start a new business? Play an instrument? Contribute to your community? Fall in love? Now, on the back of that same sheet of paper, list every action that has occupied your last 24 hours. Label this list Today: Shopping. Busywork. Attending meetings. Checking email. Perusing social media. Sitting in traffic. Working late again. Hitting the snooze button. Thumbing through useless apps. Staring passively at a glowing screen. Sure, many of the items on this second list are necessary, or even urgent. But just because something is urgent doesnt mean its worthwhile; in fact, misguided urgency is often the enemy of progress. For most of us, someday is the single most dangerous word we utter: it grants us the illusion of future possibility without having to focus on that which is important today. Just imagine, though, how different your life would be if your lists switched titles: what if you flipped the page and made someday happen today? Or worse, what if you wait? Years from now you might be sitting around pining for someday to arrive someday. Subscribe to The Minimalists via email.

How Corrupt A Society Can Become - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1081 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/06/14 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: A Doll's House Essay Did you like this example? While a typical society is displayed and is seen as good for almost all the characters presented, moral corruption is a common problem throughout the play. A Dolls House, written by Henrik Ibsen, displays a middle-class family with high stature is seen being torn down by other characterrs motives to help their own situation. Throughout the play, the theme of moral corruption is displayed through Norars attempt to flirt with Dr. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "How Corrupt A Society Can Become" essay for you Create order Rank to get a favor, Dr. Rankrs attempts to confess his love to Nora and take his friends wife, Krogstadrs use of blackmail against Nora, Torvaldrs image of the poor and willing to fire people based off of their class, and Mrs. Linders way of swaying Krogstad to stop blackmailing Nora. At the beginning of the play, an old decision of Norars comes back to haunt her when a coworker of Torvald presents himself as the man who lent her a loan when Torvald was ill. The loaner named Krogstad decides to blackmail to keep his job because Nora forged her fatherrs signature to send Torvald to Italy. After failing to convince Torvald to not fire Krogstad and after Dr. Rank confesses his love for Nora when she wants to ask him a favor, Torvald finds out about the contract. Torvald is furious with Nora but, Mrs. Linde agrees to be with Krogstad as long as he forgives the blackmailing and sends the contract to Torvald. After Torvald rips up the contract and tries to act as nothing happened again, Nora decides that she can no longer be with Torvald as he had been treating her like a doll and they have never been in love. After Torvald pleads in many ways in which they can live together, she decides to leave him and the kids and go out into the world on her own. Behind ev ery personrs actions throughout the play is corruption to get what they want and the corruption is thoroughly displayed. Moral corruption is a constant theme throughout the scene with Nora and Dr. Rank. One of the first ways a character displays moral corruption is through Nora flirting with Dr. Rank. Nora hopes that she can receive a favor from Dr. Rank, one of Torvaldrs coworkers and superiors, to keep Krogstad at the bank so he wont tell Torvald about her forgery. Her talking to him leads to them flirting with one another and Nora hopes to use this to get a favor. Nora says, Just look at these! Flesh colored. Arent they lovely? It is so dark here now, but tomorrow No, no, no! You must only look at the feet. Oh well, you may have leave to look at the legs too. (39). Nora flashes corruption by showing off her stocking, something which was very untraditional of her to do to her husbandrs friend in the time period, so she can eventually ask him for the favor she so desperately needs. Soon after this talk, Dr. Rank shows corruption through the confession of his love for Nora, his best frie nds wife. Right as Nora is about to ask the request Dr. Rank states, I was determined you should know it before I went away, and there will never be a better opportunity than this. Now you know it, Nora. And now you know, too, that you could trust me as you could trust no one else. (40). Dr. rank displays his corruption through the display of his love for Nora and showing that she should trust him more than her husband. Nora soon takes away the favor she wished to ask and sends him home after both of them have displayed their motives for what they want. While not only this scene shows how Nora and Torvald are corrupt, Krogstad, Torvald, and Mrs. Linde all show examples of their true moral corruption. During the play, all characters show signs of willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want. One prime example and the main one in the play is Krogstadrs use of blackmail to keep his job. He goes to Nora at the beginning of the play and tries to get her to convince Torvald to keep him employed. Krogstad says, Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. If necessary, I am prepared to fight for my small post at the bank as if I were fighting for my life. (21) Krogstad does anything no matter whether it is morally right or wrong to keep his job such as using blackmail on Nora. Torvald also displays his corruption through his reasoning for firing Krogstad. While Torvald even admits he could maybe overlook his moral failings and that he even knows he is a hard worker, he believes he cant have him at the bank due to his informal tone with Torvald at the office. (35) Torvaldrs ridiculous reasoning for firing Torvald stems to him wanting to have a better experience work exemplifies his cor ruption even though he can forgive the corruption of Krogstad. Lastly, Mrs. Linde shows her corruptness, while in good intention, to be with Krogstad to remove the burden from Nora. Mrs. Linde agrees to live with Krogstad as the two used to love together. However, once both of them agree to the terms of her staying, Mrs. Linde decides to send the letter later because she believes that Nora and Torvald need to be apart. Mrs. Linde explains, Helmer must know about it. This unhappy secret must be disclosed; they must have a complete understanding between them, which is impossible with all the concealment and falsehood going on. (54). Mrs. Linde originally goes against her original plan to get the letter stopped in time but shows her being immoral through letting the letter go because she believes that it is best they know. Her assumption that she knows best, while it does work out, shows that she went behind her friends back and shows Mrs. Lindes own motives. Throughout the play, each character exemplifies the common theme of moral corruptio n through their actions. While Henrik Ibsen draws the scene originally of this family living together in harmony, all the characters show their true colors of corruptness. Even though Krogstads use of blackmail is the most obvious showing of moral corruption, all of the characterrs deep down will do whatever they view is best for themselves. Ibsen not only shows how corrupt a society can become, but he also displays an ending in which people can break away from all of that and start again.

The Key to Successful Reflection Essay on Writing

The Key to Successful Reflection Essay on Writing Anyone is able to make an argument but without any type of evidence the argument is worthless. As stated earlier, a self reflective essay is about giving a personal opinion on a sheet of subject matter, whether it's a book, movie or artwork. If you receive an idea as you're falling asleep or when you awaken with a fragment of a dream in your thoughts, write it down. Quite simply, it's the action of writing something out of your own perspective and reflection of the things which you are most aware of. The One Thing to Do for Reflection Essay on Writing If your purpose is to receive a high score for your reflective essay, you should understand what a terrific essay is composed of. After the term analytical essay is mentioned it could sound like an intricate kind of essay. Regardless of what essay topic you are given, our essay generator will have the ability to finish your essay easily. When you own a list of the very best tr ansitional words, you're a step closer to the perfect essay. An excellent reflective essay may be a wonderful reflective essay with the appropriate planning. A reflection essay, also referred to as a reflective essay, is a work where the writer will choose the chance to reassess and analyze a specific knowledge in a personal way. It is essential that you understand how to compose a reflection paper format to be able to deliver a fantastic reflective essay. A reflective essay paper format should demonstrate the specific points that'll be explained in the essay, Thus, you need to make sure you have more thorough understanding or memory of the experience. You have to learn how to say no to things to be able to survive as a writer. Hence, you have a trusted supply of writing wisdom round-the-clock. My works do not appear finished but that's because I need to create the reader active instead of passively perceiving the info presented in the story. When you're just on the path of a beginner writer, you want to understand how to think criticall y, be prepared to analyze facts, and discern interconnections between two thoughts. The Basic Facts of Reflection Essay on Writing There's, clearly, a limit on the range of pages even our finest writers can produce with a pressing deadline, but usually, we figure out how to satisfy all the clients seeking urgent assistance. You may also find a variety of discounts on our site which will help you to save some more money for future orders or anything you want to spend them on. It might be a small ambitious of me to provide a writing assignment at the moment, but it fits in with the unit and I'd like to understand their growth! There are simply too many submissions flying at them on a daily foundation for everyone to say that and not indicate it. The Unexpected Truth About Reflection Essay on Writing Introduction body paragraphs conclusion the introduction of an expert essay demands a lot of knowledge form the writer but the very first point to know and to keep in mind is the p eculiarity of the essays structure. Write down everything you can use as the framework of your upcoming essay. Since you may see, the notion of the way to compose a reflection essay is versatile and can be addressed in a large number of scenarios. All you will need is to compose the body of your essay in your words and in strong connection to the thesis statement. Looking ahead, you could also recognize some points which are going to be utilised to show in what way the experiences might change you later on. To reflect is to clearly consider something, whether it's an experience or an occasion. You can make your private collection of questions that will allow you to reflect on your experience. Knowing the location where you're able to locate a very good example will force you to truly feel safe and confident. For the very first reading you don't need to read it quite attentively. Writing is a chance to take a clean piece of paper and make a personal masterpiece. In realit y, writing a format is the very first task you should always get to since it will make it possible for you to develop a better plan for the paper. All About Reflection Essay on Writing Teaching English concepts to students is one of the most difficult parts of teaching, and that's why professors and teachers are always hoping to discover new tactics to teach students. Writing is among the things that I used to hate the most. College students, on the flip side, may should create a portfolio showcasing the very best work they've done, which is common in art and teaching majors. The papers are lots more difficult to write. Introduction essay paragraphs are central in any bit of writing for the reason they give readers advance details about the content and the intention behind the material. Your essay should have three or more chief parts with each one of them divided into several pieces. In the primary body, the author gets to elaborate on the essential points that support the opinion they've formed. Introduction the introductory paragraph should incorporate these elements. A reflective paper isn't quite different from different essays and also requires you to give a catchy introduction, well organized and thorough body paragraphs and robust conclusion. The decision of your reflective essay ought to be the finishing touch that brings the entire bit of writing together nicely. After choosing the points to address in the introduction and body paragraphs, you should also cause a photo of the way the ending of the paper is going to be crafted.

Intro to Sociology Free Essays

1. The sociological perspective (imagination) can be characterized as seeing the general in the particular and how the general operation of society affects the experiences of particular people. With that, sociology educates people to better understand the opportunities and the barriers that exist in their lives. We will write a custom essay sample on Intro to Sociology or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sociological perspective can be a valuable asset in coming to terms with a personal problem. After I had to take medical leave from work and could not return because of a nerve disorder I am currently having, I began to feel as if I was not being constructive enough and my self worth took a nosedive. I was biased against myself for not doing what it is a man is ‘suppose’ to be doing in society, even though I am physically hindered right now. During this time off I figured I could take a couple of classes while wait out the pain. As I analyzed the opportunities available for me to attend college full-time such as the GI Bill, loans and grants, I also reassessed some personal and professional goals with my family as in what I should do. I realized I didn’t want to work in a factory for 20 years, if or when I recover, so I enrolled in college to better pursue my adjusted goals which include Associates and Bachelor Degrees in Accounting to become a Certified Public Accountant. With this opportunity comes the constraint of being in debt when leaving school but that is s how society is here in America, ‘you have to give a lot to receive a lot’. As I look back at these events, I realize my lack of self worth was a direct result of not living up to what my perception of a man’s role in society is and that was causing unnecessary self-inflicted stress. There was no reason to think I was a different person of lesser value just because of my situation, but I know if I did not believe that at that time, I would not be taking this test. This injury has caused changes in statuses such as becoming a college student, becoming unemployed, and physically disabled and performing these roles in society has made me view our society as whole in a much more critical way. The sociological perspective in Jeremy’s terms means: Take a step back, think for yourself, process all information, and question the doubts before making decisions that effect your life and the lives around you. . â€Å"Free Will† can be achieved on a constant basis if one decides to accept certain morality standards and values that should be practiced by all mankind. We as people have the right to do whatever it is we want†¦ but at the same must have respect for your fellow human being. If we accept the world in which we live (laws, rules and all), we will then have the choice or â€Å"Free Will† to make changes, if needed, by running for government or leading protests or being an influential personality such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. One could argue, â€Å"we do not have free will because we cant do whatever we want! † If someone wants to injure, even kill someone, or something else that harms, cheats, or steals from another, they should face some kind of consequences for their inhuman acts towards another person. â€Å"Free Will†, as I perceive it, is more abundant in this country than almost anywhere in the world because free will is about having choices and being able to decide what is best for you. Society can greatly influence the appeal of one decision over another and make one the easy choice, or programmed choice, but its here that your choice to follow the easy route, the popular societal choice or to take the road less traveled, unpopular choice is why Free â€Å"Will† exist. These choices in life that society creates are as â€Å"Free will† as it get; without society influencing our lives and the decisions we make in these ways, life would get real plain. Choices are why I believe â€Å"free will† remains, as long I am able make the decisions, that guide my life I will have â€Å"Free Will†. . This video was about a teacher from Iowa and the process she created to tech her 3rd grade students about discrimination in 1968 and their reunion 20 years later. The teacher then later applies the same process at an adult correctional officer workshop that produces similar results as the 3rd graders. The kids were segregated into blue-eyed and brown-eyed people and the teacher discriminated toward the brown-eyes one day by telling them how bad they did everything and then treated the blue-eyes the exact same way the next day. What she found was that her sweet, caring class of 3rd graders were vicious and mean towards the ones being discriminated on within 15 minutes of the prejudices being introduced to the classroom environment. Both group of kids took tests on both days and the results were much worse on the days their particular group was discriminated against and were not happy at all. With that, prejudices have a reactionary effect that seems to degrade the self-esteem and self-worth at once while also altering behavior and attitude.. The blue-eyed adults later in the film started getting agitated, uncooperative, combative, and mean due to the lack of respect they were receiving as a blue-eyed person in the same scenario. This documentary shows prejudices are mostly influenced by the surrounding environment and peers, or a culture of prejudices, which views certain categories as better or worse than others. Even if one does not agree with the prejudice, they might conform to the surrounding prejudices to ‘fit in’ and so as not be discriminated against themselves. Other than both the primary and secondary groups influencing the way a person acts, most of each groups characteristics are opposite of each other. The quality of relationships in a primary group is personal orientation while secondary group are more goal orientated. The length of a primary group relationship is usually long term, where secondary groups tend to be short-term, but can vary. The primary group also will be involved in a wide range of activities, and know each other well, while secondary groups tend to involve few activities and have a narrow relationship. The subjective perception of the primary group is â€Å"as an ends in themselves’ , while ‘an ends to an end† is the secondary groups perception. My family is my primary group that is involved in my everyday life that ranges from childcare to socializing to arguing. My family being behind me has allowed me to have the confidence and self-esteem to accomplish all that I have and am currently doing and have done in my life such as military service and high school. My mother’s continuous positive attitude and smile has always let me know that even if I failed, she loved me no less. No matter the outcome Mom always was proud of the effort, that is all she asks. My stepfather’s behavior seems to be those of a saint to me and, despite a few bumps in my road; I strive to walk a similar path as him. Even though he is my Stepfather, this man has raised me for 20 years of my 27 with class, respect, and dignity. The combination of these two great people and their qualities has allowed me to develop the self-concept needed to have a rich and fulfilling life. An example of a secondary group is our class. The impact on my behavior is I am more serious in class since I’m paying for this education and here to learn. I bet no one in this secondary group knows I do a GREAT pigeon impression (on the ground wobbling around and all! ). That would be too interpersonal for this secondary group but not my for my family/primary group, I have proof! My self-concept isn’t impacted by this secondary group too radically because being in a new classroom with a bunch of people I never met before is the norm, especially being in the military and after 6 years of it, I am accustom to the environment of the unknown classroom. If anything, this secondary group, our class, has increased my self-esteem since I am more apt to speak out in class than ever before. Being able to experience some real life in the military and then coming to school has been a blessing in disguise because I am such a better student now than ever in high school. In all, despite having opposite characteristics, primary and secondary groups can both have an influential presence in self-concept, self-esteem, and behavior. 9. In defining the social structure of society, STATUS refers to a social position that an individual occupies, not its everyday meaning of ‘prestige’. Every status is part of our social identity and defines our relationship to others. i. e. college student Over a lifetime, people gain and lose dozens of statuses and sociologists study these statuses in terms how people attain them. An ascribed status is a social position a person receives at birth or assumes involuntarily later in life. People usually have little or no choice in this status. Such as a death or disability later in life. An achieved status refers to a position a person assumes voluntarily that reflects personal ability and effort. Some statuses matter more than others such as a master status, which has a special importance for social identity, often shaping a person’s entire life. For most in the US, occupation is the master status because it conveys a great deal about social background, education, and income. While a person holds a status, they perform a ROLE, or a behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status. Actual role performance varies according to a person’s personality, although some societies permit more individual expression than others. In a modern high-income country, like us, role conflict arises between roles corresponding to two or more statuses, such as parenting, full-time student, and fianci. Even roles linked to one status can cause tension known as role strain. In short, performing these roles required of us requires a balancing act throughout our life. The biggest role conflict in my life is the full-time student with parenting a child with Downs Syndrome and my current physical disability that forced me out of work and normal everyday activities without pain. Being able to analyze each status and what was expected for each role allows me to ‘compartmentalize’ my school role so I can better focus on the needs of my family while home in the evening and pain management for myself. In the end compartmentalizing is organizing information in your head as to the environment expected in whatever role is needed at that time and not letting multiple roles conflict and cause something to happen that should not. How to cite Intro to Sociology, Papers Intro to Sociology Free Essays Describe the sociological concept of deviance. Briefly explain each of the approaches to explaining deviance (functionalist perspective, interactionist perspective, conflict perspective), telling which is most convincing to you and why. Provide examples from your own experience as appropriate. We will write a custom essay sample on Intro to Sociology or any similar topic only for you Order Now Part B. Analyzing your own life; discuss your status in terms of ascribed status, achieved status, and master status. For each of these statuses, discuss the roles that you play. Give one example of role strain and role conflict from your own experience. Thinking about the future, which role do you think will cause you the most difficulty in terms of role exit? Why? The Sociological concept of â€Å"deviance† is any behavior that disobeys the usual conduct or expectations of a group within a society. A deviance act can be one that is punishable by law or it can be one that is not a criminal behavior. Individuals turn out to be deviance when their actions disagree with the set of rules imposed by the society. For instance, from my culture piercing or body tattoos could be labeled as a deviance behavior because body tattoos are associated with criminals or gangs members. There are three approaches to explaining deviance Functionalists Perspective, Interactionist Perspective, and finally Conflict Theory. The functionalist theorists define deviance as normal and can have both positive and negative consequences. The Conflict Theory points out that people with power protect their own interests and define deviance to suit their own needs (Schaefer, 2010, p173). Lastly, the Interactionist Perspective explains deviance in two ways, the cultural transmission and routine activity theories. According to Functionalists, deviance is a common part of a human existence, with positive as well as negative consequences that follows for social stability. Deviance helps define the limits of proper behavior. For example an employee that calls out every week or get late to work every day will lose his job as a consequence of his irresponsibility. The functionalists approach explains or support the idea that each part is important for the progress and function of the society as a whole. The Interactionist Perspective mainly focuses in the individual actions with each other in a daily basis and what their actions means. The emphasis on everyday behavior is the focus on Interactionist perspective which offers two explanations of crime; Cultural Transmission and Routine Activities Theory. (Schaefer, 2010, p175) Cultural Transmission could be interpreted as the way that humans passes their culture and set of values from one generation to next one within a society, since the culture is something that is learn through the interaction of individuals in social situations. Cultural transmission does not have anything to do with genetics instead it is the way in which people interact with others. The term Differential Association was used by Edwin Sutherland to describe the process through which exposure to attitude leads to the violations of rules Research also adds to non-criminal deviant acts such as smoking, truancy and early sexual behavior (Schaefer, 2010, p175). For instance, if a girl meets with other girls that demonstrate bad habits like go to malls and robber in the stores things like earrings, small accessories sooner or later she will commit the same actions. Lastly, Conflict Theory supports the idea that it is necessary inequality among groups (powerful economic class and lower class) in the society. Conflict Theory helps explain why our society has laws against gambling, drug use, and prostitution. According to Conflict theorists, criminal law does not represent a consistent application of societal value, but instead it reflects competing values and interests. Conflict theorists also contend that the whole criminal justice system in the U. S treats suspects differently based on their racial, ethnic, or social class background (Schaefer, 2010, p178). All those characteristics created advantages to the powerful or dominant groups and disadvantages to the minorities I can mention the case of the ex president Bill Clinton who lies to the nation denying his adultery and at the end nothing happens or some business people that commit fraud in big corporations and receive minimum sentences because they have the money to pay good lawyers that use many excuses to minimize the offender responsibility. Differential justice is not limited to the U. S. Such dramatic difference in social treatment may lead to violent acts and crime in people who see themselves as victims and they may strike out towards fellow victims. The perspective advance in conflict and labeling theorists form varies of contrasts to the functionalists approach to deviance. Functionalists see standards of deviance behavior merely reflecting cultural norms, as to conflict and labeling theorists point out the most powerful groups in a society can shape laws and standards to then determine who is or isn’t persecuted as a criminal (Schaefer, 2010, p178). Differential justice then explains that powerful criminals could modify the punishment to their deviance acts with money. Ascribed status is a social position assigned to a person bye society without regard for the person’s unique talents or characteristics. In a social system that is beyond an individual’s control (Schaefer, 2010, p193). It is not earned, but rather something people are either born with or had no control over. Base on that definition I could be tag as ascribed status for my ethnicity and gender. The achieved status describes the achievements of an individual in the personal or professional level. I think that I have reached the achieved status in both levels. For instance, in the personal level I pass through a divorce experience that put me into a extreme situation of necessity and desperation since I did not have any relatives in the country or any idea how or where to start with lack of skills and language. But I get the determination to learn the language as well to look for a job, support myself, and continue my life. That was six years ago since then I attended to school at first just to learn English but when I finished the ESL program I decided that it was time for me to think about a career and I did I obtain an Associate Degree in Accounting and now I start my new challenge that is to obtain my bachelors degree. Few years after my divorce I got married again, got financially and emotionally stable. An example of role conflict in my life occurred during my divorce process and decision to go back to school I have some inconveniences at home since I had to attend to class for many hours and did not have enough time for my kids and manage the different schedules and activities. A personal example of role strain should be that in order to gain experience in my field I dedicated many hours to volunteer jobs that many times I cannot finish my school obligations. As for my future I think that my ascribe status definitely will play an important role in terms of the positions I can hold in a corporate office. I’m sure that being a woman and being Hispanic will compromise the decision making of any manager that would consider me for a higher position. Thinking ahead I will double my efforts to be proficient and gain new skills to minimize the influence of my ascribe status in my professional future. How to cite Intro to Sociology, Papers

Managing Cultural Diversity in International Business

Introduction There are significant cultural differences among people of different races, regions as well as tribe. People’s cultures often shape their attitudes and perceptions towards issues of morality and values or virtues as well as how they interact with their environments.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Managing Cultural Diversity in International Business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More People’s norms as well as values are significantly different across the continents and their perceptions are greatly influenced by their cultures. The report therefore examines these cultural differences across the globe from the business perspective. The US-Polish case has been examined in relation to these cultural diversities (Canen 1999, pp. 3-10). Background The report is a covers the effects that cultural diversity has on any business firm and how such diversity can be exploited to the advantage of th e firm rather than being perceived as a problem. The firm under focus is a US-Polish corporation which is a multinational corporation with its operations in areas of different cultural backgrounds. In Poland the company did not focus so much on the success of the firm or hard work. An individual was not perceived with great importance as in the US case. This therefore enabled the firm to change its strategies in its operations so as to appeal to the US population hence enabling it to do well. Objectives The main objective here was to determine the significance of cultural diversity and how it affects the success or failure of an enterprise. The report looks at how an enterprise can use cultural diversity to its advantage over its competitors both in the operations and marketing of its products and services. With the increase in cultural interactions due to globalization, one cannot ignore the issue of cultural diversity if he/she intends to succeed in his/her ventures. The report th ere looks at how exploiting or ignoring such differences can affect an enterprise. Main Body US/Polish Company It was realized that there were significant cultural differences in the firm based in Poland and its US branch. In the US for instance, those applying for managerial posts were for instance subjected to minor tasks like sales before being considered for the position. This was not the case with Poland as those applying for the same were immediately considered.Advertising Looking for report on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The employees were also subjected to accountability in the US as opposed to the case in Poland. The issue of trust was also significantly different in the two cases. In the US case, employees were trusted and treated with dignity unlike the Polish case where there was the superior–inferior relationship and employees were treated with suspicion. In the case of formality, the US managers were a bit informal, communicating to each other directly and freely without being ambiguous. In the polish case however, employees were addressed with formality. The issue of hierarchy is not significantly visible in the US case as the managers often spoke to the other employees informally so as to eliminate any arising ambiguity in the communication system. Employees were assessed at individual level so as to determine their productivity as opposed to the polish case where the assessment was collective (Parboteeah 2010, pp. 462-465). A joint venture in the US-Polish case has proved beneficial. In the US system for instance an individual is compelled to improve his/her productivity given that the person is assessed at an individual level and this leads to the general improvement in the company’s productivity. The Polish managers have been able to borrow ideas about the management of cultural diversity and its significance in the success of the company hence leadi ng to improvement in the company’s production, marketing and delivery. Global Business With globalization, interaction of people from different cultures has become common. People interact through international organizations the WHO being just an example. The reductions in the air ticket prices and improved internet connections have increased intercultural interaction. A business person therefore needs to have some insight into a people’s culture so as to effectively do business with them. Organizational or societal cultures are often influence by regional or even national cultural groupings and these are usually persistent over a long period of time. It is therefore very important for one to put such considerations in mind so as to succeed in business. People from different cultures may have different attitudes of perceptions about a given product. The knowledge of this might be of great benefit particularly when one is coming up with the most appropriate marketing str ategy for a certain market hence penetrating the market even more.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Managing Cultural Diversity in International Business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consumption patterns and individual needs are often different across cultures and this is vital knowledge for entrepreneurs. Any company or firm must embrace cultural diversity so as to be successful. This therefore demands that the company understands the cultures of different people. This results in the employees feeling comfortable at their work place hence becoming more productive. The fact that they are comfortable makes them feel appreciated and would hence not opt to move somewhere else. This is beneficial to any firm as the costs of retaining or recruiting new workers is significantly reduced and the company will develop a positive image as well (Goldsborough 2007, pp. 200). Whenever a firm incorporates people from diffe rent cultures speaking different languages in its operation, it always has an advantage over the other competitors given that it is able to penetrate new markets. The knowledge of different cultures enables firms to effectively navigate market complexities that are brought about by culture like social hierarchies, people’s business practices as well as their norms and values. Obstacles Some of the challenges encountered while trying to embrace cultural diversity include; Problems in the political environment, Challenges that are caused by the economic environment, Legal issues and The significant cultural differences. Conclusion Cultural diversity if perceived by a firm as advantageous rather than a shortfall can greatly influence the firms marketing strategy, its productivity as well as giving it a competitive advantage over the others. An organization needs to embrace cultural diversity for both the employees and the clients to feel appreciated and this will in the long r un result in the productivity of that organization. It helps in the understanding of the behaviors of the consumer and this helps in designing the best marketing strategies. Recommendations Cultural diversity must be embraced by an organization for it to make it in its operations and service delivery. Joint ventures to be done for the firms to learn about cultural diversity and how to go about it. Skills, backgrounds as well as the employees’ cultures and traditions must be understood by the management so as to ensure that they are comfortable in their working environment hence increased productivity. Reference List Canen, A., Canen, A., 1999. Logistics and Cultural Diversity: Hand in Hand for Organizational Success, Cross Cultural Management: An International  Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 3-10.Advertising Looking for report on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Goldsborough, W., Anderson, D., 2007, Import/Export Management. New York, Free Press. Parboteeah, K., Cullin, J., 2010, International Business – Organizational and  National Cultures in a Polish – U.S Joint Venture. New York, South-Western College Pub. This report on Managing Cultural Diversity in International Business was written and submitted by user Shockwave to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The History of Abortions in Different Cultures Professor Ramos Blog

The History of Abortions in Different Cultures https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZnhyW8JMTLRBnfGwB_sE8LBC_23O_4fabNv6UoK48qc/edit?usp=sharingh

AP English Literature Multiple Choice Complete Expert Guide

AP English Literature Multiple Choice Complete Expert Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Does the thought of spending an hour answering multiple-choice questions on complex prose and poetry passages strike fear into your heart? The challenge of the AP Literature multiple-choice is enough togive even the most adept reader hives, but don't stress! This guide will serve as your complete roadmap to success on the AP English Literature and Composition multiple-choice section. First, we’ll go over what the multiple-choice section looks like- the nuts and bolts. Then, I’ll reveal the eight types of multiple-choice questions you can expect to encounter, and how to succeed on them. Next will come study tips, multiple-choice practice resources, and finally things to remember for test-day success! AP Literature Multiple-Choice Section Overview AP English Literature and Composition section one is the multiple-choice section. You’ll have 60 minutes to answer 55 questions about four-five literary prose and poetry passages. The date of composition of the passages could range from the 16th to the 21th century, however, you generally won’t be provided with the author, date, or title for any passages (poetry being an occasional exception with respect to title). Most passages come from works originally written in English, although there might occasionally be a translated passage from a notable literary work in a foreign language. The multiple-choice section is worth 45% of your total exam score. You receive a point for each correctly answered question. Since there’s no penalty for guessing on this exam, you should answer every multiple-choice question, even if you have to guess. However, you should only guess after you eliminate any answers you know are wrong.That’s the general overview. But what kinds of questions can you expect to see? The 8 Types of Multiple-Choice AP Lit Questions There are eight question types you may encounter on the AP Lit exam. In this section, I’ll go over each question type and how to answer it. All questions are taken from the sample questions in the â€Å"AP Course and Exam Description.† Passages for these questions are available there as well. 1. Reading Comprehension Reading comprehension questions test whether you understood what the passage was saying on a literal, concrete level. You don’t need to flex your interpretation or analysis muscles here- just report what the passage is saying. You can spot these questions because they usually use words and phrases like â€Å"according to,† â€Å"asserting,† and â€Å"mentioned.† The best strategy for these questions is to go back and re-read the portion of the text associated with the question to make absolutely sure that you are reading it correctly. You may need to read a little before and/or after the moment mentioned to orient yourself and find the most correct answer. Example: Explanation: The lines the passage is referring to say, â€Å"Spare us all word of the weapons, their force and range / The long numbers that rocket the mind / Our slow, unreckoning hearts will be left behind, / unable to fear what is too strange.† This question is asking why people won’t listen to the prophet when he talks about the dangers of weapons. Which of the answers makes the most sense? Choice (A), â€Å"human beings are interested in weapons,† might be a tempting choice simply because that’s a common theme and message of many works. But nowhere in the passage does it say that humans are interested in weapons! Eliminate it. Choices (B) and (C) can also both be eliminated because this part of the passage says nothing about nature or love, even indirectly. Choice (D) may also be tempting simply because it’s another common theme in literature- that people don’t listen to repeated warnings. But again, there’s not really anything in the passage to support that. This leaves (E), â€Å"people cannot comprehend abstract decisions of power.† This lines up nicely with the passage, which says that the â€Å"hearts† of the people are â€Å"unable to fear what is too strange.† (E) is the correct answer. The people in this poem have hearts of stone. 2. Inference These questions take you one step beyond simple reading comprehension and ask you to make an inference based on the evidence in the passage- you may be asked about a character or narrator’s implied opinion, the author’s attitude, etc. This will be something that isn’t stated directly in the passage, but that you can assume based on what is actually said in the passage. These questions generally use words like â€Å"infer† and â€Å"imply.† There are two keys to answering these questions: first, as always, go back and read the part of the passage the question is concerned with. Second, don’t be tripped up by the fact that you are making an inference- the best answer will be most supported by what is actually written in the passage. Inference questions are like second-level reading comprehension questions- you need to know not just what a passage says, but what it means. Example: Explanation: The first sentence of the passage reads, â€Å"Certainly the religious and moral ideas of the Dodson and Tullivers were of too specific a kind to be arrived at deductively from the statement that they were part of the Protest population of Great Britain.† Which choice is the most reasonable inference about the Dodson and Tulliver religious ideas based on the first sentence? Choice (A) says â€Å"the narrator is unable to describe them with complete accuracy.† This might be true, but there’s nothing in the first sentence to support this inference- the narrator says that their ideas are â€Å"too specific,† not they the narrator can’t describe them accurately. Eliminate Choice (A). Choice (B), â€Å"they have no real logical foundation† may also be true, but can’t be inferred from the sentence, which gives no indication of whether their beliefs are logical or not. Choice (C) may be tempting- the idea that they cannot be appreciated by anyone who doesn’t share them might seem to dovetail nicely with the fact that they are â€Å"too specific† for the mainstream Protestant population. But is this the best choice that’s most supported by the passage? Let’s keep it in mind but consider the remaining answers. Choice (D) posits that the beliefs of the Dodsons and Tullivers â€Å"spring from a fundamental lack of tolerance.† This is a leap that is not supported by what the first sentence actually says; eliminate it. Choice (E) says that their beliefs â€Å"are not typical of British Protestants in general.† The sentence says that their beliefs are â€Å"too specific† for one to know them simply because the Dodsons and Tullivers identify as British Protestants, which implies that their beliefs in fact do not â€Å"match up† with mainstream British Protestant beliefs. Choice (E) is the inference most supported by the passage, then- even more supported than Choice (C). So, (E) is the answer. Remember, multiple answers may seem like they could be correct, but only the best answer is the correct one. Do you think appropriately ornate churches are also important to the Dodsons and Tullivers? 3. Identifying and Interpreting Figurative Language These questions ask you to either identify figurative language within the passage or to interpret what figurative language means in the context of the passage. These questions are identifiable because they will either outright mention figurative language or a figurative device, or there will be a figurative language phrase in the question itself. Once again, the most important thing you can do to be successful on these questions is to go back and re-read! For figurative language, the meaning is very much dependent on the phrase’s context in the passage. Consider what is said around the figurative phrase and what the phrase is referring to. Example 1: Identifying Figurative Language Explanation: We need to look at each of these phrases in context to tell which is being used figuratively. Choice (A) comes from the sentence, â€Å"It was necessary to be baptized, else on could not be buried in the churchyard, and to take the sacrament before death as a security against more dimly understood perils; but if was of equal necessity to have the proper pall-bearers and well-cured hams at one’s funeral, and to leave an unimpeachable will.† The phrase â€Å"well-cured hams at one’s funeral,† is clearly literally referring to funeral arrangements; (A) can be eliminated. Moving on, choice (B) comes from the sentence, â€Å"A Dodson would not be taxed with the omission of anything that was becoming...such as obedience to parents, faithfulness to kindred, industry, rigid honesty, thrift, the thorough scouring of wooden and copper utensils, the hoarding of coins likely to disappear from the currency, the production of first-rate commodities for the market, and the general preference for whatever was home-made.† In this case â€Å"the hoarding of coins† refers directly to a behavior the Dodsons considered â€Å"becoming,† and is not figurative. (B) can be eliminated. Choice (C) comes from the clause, â€Å"society owes some worthy qualities in many of her members to mothers of the Dodson class, who made their butter and their fromenty well, and would have felt disgraced to make it otherwise.† Again, this refers literally to making butter and fromenty; (C) can be eliminated. Choice (D) is from the sentence, â€Å"To live respected, and have the proper bearers at your funeral, was an achievement of the ends of existence.† Once more, this refers on a concrete level to actual funeral-bearers (echoing the discussion of proper funerals earlier in the passage) and is not figurative. This leaves only (E), from the sentence, â€Å"A conspicuous quality in the Dodson character was its genuineness: its vices and virtues alike were phases of a proud, honest egoism, which had a hearty dislike to whatever made against its own credit and interest, and would be frankly hard of inconvenient ‘kin,’ but would never forsake or ignore them- would not let them want bread, but only require them to eat it with bitter herbs.† It’s pretty easy to identify â€Å"eat it with bitter herbs† as figurative if you are familiar with the allusion to â€Å"bitter herbs† which symbolize the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt in the Jewish tradition. If you don’t know that, you can still identify this as the figurative phrase because it seems more likely that this phrase is referring to feeding your ‘kin’ but shaming them for needing your help as opposed to actually feeding the hungry with bread and â€Å"bitter herbs.† (E) i s the correct answer. Example 2: Interpreting Figurative Language Explanation: This questions asks you to interpret what the figurative phrase â€Å"that live tongue† means. To orient you in the poem, these stanzas are advising the prophet to â€Å"speak of the world’s own change† (13). The poem states, â€Å"What should we be without / The dolphin’s arc, the dove’s return, / these things in which we have seen ourselves and spoken? Ask us, prophet, how we shall call / our natures forth when that live tongue is all / Dispelled, that glass obscured or broken.† In the context of the poem, right the narrator asks what we are without â€Å"that live tongue,† the poem speaks of how we â€Å"see ourselves† in â€Å"the dolphin’s arc† and â€Å"the dove’s return.† These are images of nature. The best interpretation of â€Å"that live tongue,† then, is answer (A), as a metaphor for nature. In essence, the stanza means, â€Å"Ask us, prophet, how we shall know ourselves when nature is destroyed.† The dolphin's arc. 4. Literary Technique These questions ask why the author uses particular words, phrases, or structures. Essentially, what purpose do such choices serve in a literary sense? What effect is created? These questions often include words like â€Å"serves chiefly to,† â€Å"effect,† â€Å"evoke,† and â€Å"in order to.† Of course to approach these questions, re-read the part of the passage referred to. But also ask yourself, why did the author use these particular words or this particular structure? What is being accomplished by this specific literary â€Å"move†? Example: Explanation: This stanza containing the repetition of â€Å"ask us† reads: â€Å"Ask us, ask us whether with the worldless rose / Our hearts shall fail us; come demanding / Whether there shall be lofty or long-standing / When the bronze annals of the oak-tree close.† So what is the effect of repeating â€Å"ask us, ask us†? Choice (A) says it suggests the prophet is causing much of the world’s misery. There’s nothing in the stanza- or even the entire poem- to suggest this, so we can eliminate it. Choice (B) says it represents a sarcastic challenge. This stanza doesn’t read as sarcastic, though, but very serious- eliminate (B). Choice (C) says it suggests the speaker is certain of the answer the prophet will give. This doesn’t really make sense because the speaker isn’t actually asking the prophet questions, but telling the prophet what questions to ask. Eliminate (C). Choice (D) says it makes the line into perfect iambic pentameter. You can eliminate this one without even worrying about what syllables are emphasized because a perfect line of iambic pentameter has 10 syllables and this line has . This leaves (E)- the effect is to provide a â€Å"tone of imploring earnestness.† Given that the speaker seems to be begging the prophet to ask particular questions, this fits. (E) is the correct answer. 5. Character Analysis Character analysis questions will ask you to identify something about a character- their opinions, attitudes, beliefs, relationships with other characters, and so on. In many ways this is a special type of inference questions, because you are inferring broader traits of the character based on the evidence presented in the passage. As you might expect, character questions are asked much more frequently for prose passages than poetry ones. The key here is to pay attention to everything that is directly stated about the character(s) in the relevant parts of the passage. Like in an inference question, there will be an answer that best fits with the evidence in the passage. Example: Explanation: These lines read, â€Å"Their religion was of a simple, semi-pagan kind, but there was no heresy in it- if heresy properly means choice- for they didn’t know there was any other religion except that of chapel-goers, which appeared to run in families, like asthma.† Choice (A) purports that this part of the passage draws attention to the Dodson sisters’ devotion to certain rituals. No rituals are mentioned here; (A) can be eliminated. Choice (B) says these lines point to their â€Å"untroubled complacency.† The passage states that they didn’t know of any other religion. If they don’t know, we can reasonably infer that they are not troubled by their own religion. Keep (B) in the running. Choice (C) purports they have â€Å"deep religious conviction.† This seems like a bit of a leap; all the passage really states is that their religions if â€Å"semi-pagan,† but not heretical because they simply don’t know any other religion other than â€Å"chapel-goers† which seems to be tied to family lineage. We can’t reasonably infer that they have strong religious conviction from this. Eliminate (C). Choice (D) states that they have â€Å"disturbed consciences.† Again, nothing in the passage makes this a reasonable conclusion; if they don’t know there could be other religious traditions, why would they be disturbed by their own? Choice (E) says they have a â€Å"sense of history and tradition.† This might be a tempting choice because they point to the fact that the religion of â€Å"chapel-goers...appeared to run in families.† But that’s not their religion, so this isn’t a well-supported inference. Thus, Choice (B) provides the most reasonable inference about the Dodson sisters and is the correct answer. Quite a character. 6. Overall Passage Questions These questions will require you to take a â€Å"bird’s-eye view† of the passage and identify or describe a characteristic of the passage as a whole: its purpose, tone, genre, and so on. These can be difficult because you can’t simply go back to a specific place in the passage to find the best answer; you need to consider the passage overall. Consider the overall picture created by the tiny details. I strongly recommend marking up texts for main themes, purpose, tone, etc on the first read-through so that you can consult your margin notations for these kinds of questions. Example: Explanation: It is clear through even a quick scan of this passage that the narrator goes on at length about the Dodsons, so we can surmise that the narrator is most concerned with something about the Dodsons. We can eliminate (B) and (C), then, as they don’t say anything about the Dodsons. So what about the Dodsons is the narrator most concerned with? The first sentence mentions their â€Å"religious and moral ideas,† but then describes their â€Å"semi-pagan† but not heretical religion. We then see â€Å"the religion of the Dodsons consisted in revering whatever was customary and respectable† (22-23), followed by a long list of what that is. The rest of the passage similarly describes what the Dodsons believe is important, from being â€Å"richer than was supposed† to doing right thing â€Å"towards kindred.† It is clear, then, that the narrator is most concerned with describing the values of the Dodsons, which aligns with choice (A). 7. Structure These questions ask about specific structural elements of the passage. Often you’ll be asked about shifts in tone, digressions, or the specific form of a poem.Sometimes these questions will point to a specific part of the passage/poem and ask you to identify what that part of the passage is accomplishing within in the larger excerpt. This is another question type where marking the passage on your first read-through will be very helpful- be sure to mark any shifts in structure, tone, genre, etc as you read, and any structural elements that seem unusual or significant. Example: Explanation: Lines 1-34 describe an image of the narrator playing his lute for his love. Lines 34-43 establish that the narrator is about to introduce an idle thought (yes, this is a loquacious poem). Lines 44-48 read: â€Å"And what if all of animated nature / Be but organic Harps diversely fram’d, / That tremble into thought, as o’er them sweeps / Plastic and vast, one intellectual breeze, / At once the Soul of each, and God of all?† So what’s the narrator saying here? He is wondering if â€Å"all of animated nature† (so all living things) are just harps, and thought is the strings being played. This is clearly metaphorical, and the third footnote for the passage tells us that â€Å"lute† is a synonym for â€Å"harp.† So the answer is (D)- this part of the passage functions as a â€Å"metaphorical application of the image of the lute.† It's a harp! No, it's a lute! No, it's both! 8. Grammar/Nuts Bolts Very rarely, you will be asked a question on the grammar of a part of a passage- like identifying what word an adjective is modifying. Very specific questions about the meter of a poem (i.e. iambic pentameter) would also fall into this category. These questions are not so much about literary artistry and more about the dry technique requisite for a fluent command of the English language. Example: Explanation: The section of the poem concerned reads, â€Å"Of yonder hill I stretch my limbs at noon, / Whilst through my half-clos’d eye-lids I behold / The sunbeams dance, like diamond, on the main, / And tranquil muse upon tranquility.† What a mouthful! If we can untangle this sentence, figuring out what â€Å"tranquil† is modifying will be fairly easy. First, though, we can eliminate all answers that call â€Å"tranquil† an adverb, because the adverb form of â€Å"tranquil† is â€Å"tranquilly.† Eliminate (B) and (E). In the sentence, we have that the speaker (â€Å"I†) is beholding the sunbeams dancing. Then we have â€Å"and† followed by another verb in â€Å"muse.† How do we know â€Å"muse† is a verb here? Because otherwise the clause â€Å"and tranquil muse upon tranquility† has no verb and makes no sense. Since â€Å"muse† is a verb, it can’t be modified by an adjective, so eliminate choice (D). This leaves (A) and (C). Does it make sense for â€Å"sunbeams† to muse upon tranquility? Not particularly; it makes much more sense for the speaker (I) to muse upon tranquility. Choice (A) is the correct answer. So are these sunbeams dancing? How to Prepare for AP Literature Multiple Choice I have several tips on how you can best position yourself for success on the AP Lit multiple-choice section. Read a Variety of Literary Works and Poems Because the passages on the AP Literature multiple-choice section come from a variety of eras, genres, authors, and styles, it’s important to familiarize yourself with a wide variety of English literary styles so that you will feel comfortable with the passages and able to parse what they are saying without becoming overwhelmed. So read a lot of everything: prose of course, but poetry in particular, as many students are less familiar with poetry already and poetry can be fairly opaque and hard to analyze. As a starting place for things you could read, see my ARTICLE ON BOOKS. When you start to feel comfortable with the language of many eras and styles, it’s time to work on honing your close-reading skills. Hone Your Close Reading Skills Your ability to read closely- to read passages not just for comprehension but with an eye for how the author uses literary technique- is paramount on the multiple-choice section. You will practice on close-reading prose and poetry in class, but extra practice can only help you. So when you’re doing all of your reading from different eras and genres, think about what the author is doing and why he or she is doing it. What techniques are being deployed? What motifs and themes are there? How are characters portrayed? If you’re stumped as to how to go about this, here are some prose close-reading resources: You can get close-reading guides online from The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s writing center and the Harvard College Writing Center. The Purdue OWL also has an article on steering clear of close-reading â€Å"pitfalls.† Here are some close-reading resources for poetry: Here’s a poetry reading guide from The University of Wisconsin-Madison. You should definitely check out this truly excellent guide to reading poetry from Poets.org, which comes complete with two poetry close-readings. Learn Literary and Poetic Devices You’ll want to be familiar with a literary terms so that any questions that ask about them will make sense to you. Again, you’ll probably learn most of these in class, but it doesn’t hurt to brush up on them. Here are some comprehensive lists of literary terms with definitions: About.com Literary Glossary Literary-Devices.Com list, which even has examples! Complete Practice Questions and Take Practice Multiple-Choice Sections To succeed on the multiple-choice section, practice taking multiple-choice questions! This may seem like a no-brainer but it’s still very important nonetheless. Set aside time to take a sizeable number of practice questions every week. Keep track of what kinds of questions are easy for you- do you identify the theme every time?- and which ones are hard- stumped by similes? This will help you figure out if there are any skills or concepts you need to brush up on. You should also take a complete multiple-choice practice section at least once, twice if you are able. You could do this as part of a complete practice test (which I recommend) or do it separately. But taking a multiple-choice section under AP-like conditions will help you feel prepared, calm and collected on test day. As prepared as a Regency belle who has snagged an officer! AP Literature Multiple-Choice Practice Resources There are a variety of practice resources available that you can use to hone your multiple-choice skills for the AP English Literature and Composition exam. The gold standard for the best multiple-choice practice questions is the College Board. This is because they write the AP exam, so their practice questions are the most like the real AP multiple-choice questions you’ll see on test day. They offer both complete released exams and sample questions. Even once you run out of official College Board practice questions, there are still unofficial resources you can use to hone your multiple-choice skills. In this section I’ll go over both. Official Resources See below for three potential sources of official College Board questions. Released College Board Exams There are two official released College Board Exams. Each have a complete multiple-choice section of 55 questions. Here are the links! 1987 AP English Literature and Composition Exam 1999 AP English Literature and Composition Exam Sample Questions from the Course and Exam Description The AP English Literature Course and Exam Description has 46 practice multiple-choice questions! Your Teacher Your AP teacher may also have copies of old AP exams that you can use for practice. Ask him and see! In my mind, all English teachers look like they came from the 19th century. Unofficial Resources In addition to the multiple-choice practice questions provided by the College Board, there are also several places online where you can get unofficial multiple-choice practice questions. However, they aren’t all worth your time in terms of quality. I’ll go over the best ones here. For an even more robust list, check out our complete list. Barron’s Books Free Practice Test Barron’s offers a complete free practice test with multiple-choice and free response. So, that’s 55 questions at your disposal! There’s a timed mode and an untimed â€Å"practice† mode. The author and name of the work is provided for each passage, but not the date. You won’t have the author/title on the actual exam; I suspect that many free resources give this information to you for copyright reasons.Overall, the questions are high-quality and this is a good option when your well of official multiple-choice practice questions has run dry. McGraw-Hill AP Diagnostic Quiz McGraw-Hill has a 25-question multiple-choice â€Å"diagnostic quiz† for the AP English Literature exam. The questions are difficult and are pretty good imitations of AP questions. You may even be able to get more than 25 questions out of this site because every time you open a new test window, you’ll receive 25 randomly selected questions from their question pool.One slightly annoying thing to note if you use this resource is that the passages open in another window.As with the Barron’s test, you will receive the author and the title for each passage. You will not, however, recieve an atmospheric picture of the setting. Another solid option for getting more practice multiple-choice questions is a good review book. You want to make sure it’s high quality- I recommend Barron’s for the AP Literature exam in particular, as their questions do resemble real AP questions in difficulty and writing style. Test Day Tips for AP Lit Multiple-Choice Success Don’t rely on your memory of the passage when answering questions. Always look back at the passage, even if you think the answer is obvious! Interact with the passages- circle, mark, underline, make notes, whatever floats your boat. This will help you retain information and actively engage with the passage. Especially mark areas where there seems to be some kind of transition or change, as it’s highly likely that you will be asked questions about these transitions! It may also be helpful for you to jot some quick notes on the overall theme or motif of the passage/poem once you reach the end. This will help you on questions about the passage overall. If you’re having trouble making sense of a passage, skip it and move on to the next one. Odds are when you come back to it later, you’ll find it much easier to understand. And if you don’t, at least you didn’t waste too much time puzzling it out before you answered the questions about other, easier passages. Acing the AP Lit Multiple Choice: Key Takeaways The first section of the AP English Literature and Composition Exam is an hour-long, 55-question multiple-choice test about four-five literary and prose passages. This section is worth 45% of your total exam score. There are eight kinds of questions you can expect to see on the multiple-choice section: Reading Comprehension Inference Identifying and Interpreting Figurative Language Literary Technique Character Analysis Overall Passage Questions Structure Grammar/Nuts and Bolts Here’s how to best prepare to crush the multiple-choice sections: Read a variety of literary works and poems, from all of the eras and genres covered by the test! Hone your close-reading skills so you can identify what writers are doing and why they are doing those things. Learn literary techniques and terms and how to identify and apply them! Practice for the exam by taking practice sections and practice questions. There are a variety of official and unofficial resources available to practice. The best are College-Board official, but once you run out of those, there are also high-quality unofficial resources available. Here are some test-day tips to help you hit an English Lit home run: Always look back at the passage when answering questions- don’t rely on memory! Interact with the passages as you read through them, including marking significant moments and structural or tonal shifts in the text. You may also wish to write a couple of quick notes about the overall theme(s) and motifs of the passage at the end, to refer to when answering overall passage questions. If the language of a passage is hard to parse, skip it and come back later. Odds are it will make much more sense the second time around, and if it doesn’t, at least you didn’t waste time that you could have spent answering easier questions. And then you lived happily ever after. What's Next? Need more resources for AP English Literature? See our complete guide to the AP Literature Exam, our complete list of AP English Literature practice tests, and our AP English Literature Reading List. Also taking AP Language and Composition? We have an expert guide to AP Lang and Comp, a comprehensive list of AP Language and Composition practice tests, and a list of 55 AP English Language terms you must know. If you're taking other AP exams, check out our five-step AP study plan, when to start studying for AP exams, and how to find the best AP practice tests. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Creative Project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Creative Project - Assignment Example With such credentials, the following analyses shall lead to the implementation of viable solutions for success in the competitive segment. The provided information about the company inclines its probability factors in acquiring a beneficial clientele population in the fast-food segment. It is evident that the company seeks to provide three-course meals in the breakfast, lunch, and supper menus. From an expert’s perspective, the inclusion of lean meat, citric juice extracted from fresh fruits, and vegetable diets among other provisions denotes the new market entrant prowess to lure a profitable population of clients (Virtanen, 2015). The notion held towards the declaration of such aspects for strengths draws from the fact that the existing competitors provide the â€Å"unhealthy diets†. The current society’s attention to consumption practices indicates the willingness to support and remain loyal towards those products, which comprise sustainable and health-related benefits. Therefore, the Sunni Rae’s marketing team should embrace such information in reaching the target consumers from the 20 ADIs and the 150 additional segments. Better Foods Incorporated should strengthen the new entity through financial assistance if the market fails to react promptly as forecasted. Sunni Rae Restaurants remain vulnerable to unfair completion practices from the segment’s market leaders and challengers (Virtanen, 2015). For example, McDonalds and Burger King among other chains shall expose the new entrant to pricing wars and mass promotion practices. The weaknesses evident Sunni Rae Restaurants emerge from the planned high prices and the massive diversification of investments throughout the country. It is salient to acknowledge the economic situation of the target demographics prior to the implementation of the restaurants’ marketing mix plan. It is critical to pursue price penetration and loss leader approaches as

Climate change hastens population extinctions Essay

Climate change hastens population extinctions - Essay Example Literature review: The climate system is a complex, interactive system consisting of the atmosphere, land surface, snow and ice, oceans and other bodies of water, and living things. Climate is usually described in terms of the mean and variability of temperature, precipitation and wind over a period, ranging from months to millions of years (the classical period is 30 years). Global warming the most visible aspect of climate change affects our whole climate system including humans worldwide. In the past three decades the EL Nino effect in the Southern hemisphere has become more intense, causing greater variation in rainfall. . North America and Central Asia will warm more than the oceans or coastal regions. Precipitation will increase overall, but there will be sharp regional variations, with some areas that now receive adequate rainfall becoming arid. The consequences for non-human animals and bio-diversity will also be severe. In some regions plant and animal communities will gradually move further from the equator, or to higher altitudes, following climate patterns. Australia's unique alpine plants and animals already survive only on the country's highest alpine plains and peaks. If snow ceases to fall on their territory, they will become extinct. Similarly, many species are also shifting towards favorable climatic zones or facing threats of extinction. One such species is Checkerspot butterfly. Recent studies are pointing out that climate change may be one of the factors for extinction of species but not the sole reason. Therefore, the detection and attribution of climate change in natural system has been a challenge for climate change biologists. Assigning climate change as the cause of the observed biotic changes has often had a deeper basis, such as a known mechanistic link between climate variables and biology of the study of species (Parmesan et al. 2000). On a continental scale, movements of the entire species ranges have been found in butterflies in both north America and Europe, where two thirds of the 58 species studied have shifted their ranges northward (Parmesan, 1996; Parmesan et al. 1999). Seventy years of published studies document the limiting effects of temperature on butterfly population dynamics, particularly at northern range edges (Parmesan, 2003). The northern boundaries of many European butterflies are correlated with summertime isotherms (Thomas, 199 3). Montane studies are lesser in numbers and less documented but these shows upward movement of species in general. In one of the studies, Parmesan (1996) found that Edith's Checkerspot butterfly has shifted upwards by 105m in the Sieara Nevada Mountains of California. Now apart from warming impacts, the difference in rainfall has some impact on movement/extinction of species/plants. In one of the study, at sites in Alaska, more recent decades have been relatively dry, which is believed to have prevented trees from responding to current warming as they did before (Barber et al., 2000) Precipitation changes may also be the reason for shifting/extinction. Recent trends toward increased precipitation have seen to be driving vegetation compositions to be altering the relative abundances of species within Rodent, reptile and ant communities (Brown et al. 1997). Theory indicates that a

International Policy Analysis: Methodology

International Policy Analysis: Methodology 1. Introduction The last decade has witnessed many international developments that have profoundly affected the destinies of nations and humanity. The emergence of American unipolarism, the horrific attacks of September 11, and the rise of militant Islam, as well as the birth of the Euro and the business unification of affluent Europe are all important developments that have had far reaching effects on international affairs. However, these developments have been overshadowed by the rise of the phenomenon of globalisation, a process through which the developing world, riding on the strength of its low costs and ever expanding skill and knowledge base, has started integrating rapidly into the global economy. Most organisations operating in areas of government, business and not for profit need to work with the global community and operate in accordance with structured or informal international policies, which in turn define both their initiatives in the international arena as well as their responses to global developments. International organisations and international policy networks, in which many national bodies play a part, have significant roles in global governance. Considering that movements in goods and services are the causal factor behind the globalisation effort, multinational corporations and other organisations involved in overseas activity essentially need to have formalised international policies. Efficient and methodical analysis of international policy is an intriguing and specialised area of social research that involves deep understanding of social theory and international affairs, as well as sound familiarity with research tools. It is the objective of this manual to elaborate and describe the methodology that needs to be followed to analyse the international policies of different organisations in diverse environmental settings. 2. International Policy Analysis An assignment for analysis of international policy can arise either from an organisation responsible for framing the policy or from an external body wishing to analyse the policy of another organisation for specific purposes. Analysts could be part of in-house teams working on framing or implementing policies, or of external consultancies or think tanks engaged in the preparation of dispassionate appraisals. Researchers and analysts should also realise that many users of policy analyses have been disappointed with its results, despite the plethora of analytical studies and the increasing competence in the area. The proliferation of policy analysis has not, however, been matched by an examination of whether the annual production of hundreds of thousands of memos, briefings, articles, reports, books, and sundry policy prognosticationsinformed and otherwiseare actually useful to policymakers. What we do know is not encouraging: In public policy making, many suppliers and users of social science research are dissatisfied, the former because they are not listened to, the latter because they do not hear much they want to listen to (Lindblom (Hird, 2005) It thus becomes critically important for the analyst to understand the nature of the organisation desiring the analysis and its reasons for doing so. A thorough understanding of these reasons becomes invaluable in planning the assignment and in its subsequent conduct. Areas in international policy that need analysis are generally diverse and could encompass economic, political, security, environment or trade concerns. The framing of international policy primarily involves the evaluation and choice between different courses of action, programs and policies that are intended to address and resolve issues regarding social, economic and political issues in the global arena. It is the objective of this manual to guide policy advisors on the adoption of a systematic approach in the conduct of international policy analysis. It draws on the writing and theory of Carl Patton and other social researchers, all of whom find place in the bibliography. A policy analysis assignment involves certain steps in its execution and calls for the observance of certain principles to ensure the validity of its result. This manual commences with a discussion of the concept of policy, especially in relation to power and governance. It, thereafter, briefly takes up the practical principles that need consideration while planning and conducting the research, and then elaborates the sequential steps required for its proper execution. Policy A policy, very briefly, is a formulated plan used for the guidance of decisions and action and is used by groups, associations and organisations in the governmental and private sectors. An interesting and comprehensive definition refers to policies as â€Å"political, management, financial and administrative mechanisms arranged to reach explicit goals.† (Policy, 2006) >From universities and schools to public agencies and large corporations, policy is increasingly being codified, publicized and referred to by workers and managers as the guidelines that legitimate and even motivate their behaviour. To adapt a metaphor from Arthur Koestler (1967), policy is the ghost in the machine—the force which breathes life and purpose into the machinery of government and animates the otherwise dead hand of bureaucracy. (Shore Wright, 1997, p. 5) In a world that is becomingly increasingly complex, situations or problems are dynamic and incapable of proper definition. The process for policy formulation commences with the identification of issues and the development of various alternatives to deal with them. A rigorous and far-reaching assessment of the various alternatives leads to the selection of the final policy, which then needs proper implementation and monitoring. Very obviously, policies affect environments, societies and the lives of people, and while they can result in the greatest of good, they can lead to disastrous mistakes and to the commitment of the greatest crimes. The holocaust was a result of policy and so is the WHO’s global polio eradication programme. Policies have become a major institution of western and international governance and are distinguished into formal policy, embodying policy principles and objectives, and operational policy, which comprise of mechanisms for implementation and delivery. In the international policy of a trading organisation, the formal policy may, for example, require trade with East Asia with the clear definition of environmental and child labour constraints, whereas the operational policy would detail whether the operation would be controlled by the corporate headquarters in Europe or the regional hub in Singapore. Practical Principles of International Policy Analysis International policy can appear to be contradictory and difficult to understand. The analyst must try to understand and focus on the central and essential core of the policy, which in turn could involve cost, environmental, humanitarian or nuclear proliferation concerns. Policies frequently have several and opposing objectives, some of which suffer from poor definition. Analysts must thus try to focus on the core issues for analysis and not spend time on peripheral matters. Carl Patton and David Sawicki (1993) in their book â€Å"Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning† state that that the principles described below should help in planning and conducting an analytical assignment on international policy. Ideally, analysts should base their approach on using analytical tools appropriate to the issue at hand and refrain from thrusting their preferred method onto the assignment. The chosen method should be simple, transparent, logical, based upon common sense and tailored to the issue under scrutiny. In many cases, policies are uncertain about issues and there is a lack of clarity in approach. Researchers must thus be ready to take uncertainty in their stride and realise that despite their best efforts some areas will remain cloaked in uncertainty; this constraint should however not be allowed to retard the progress of the analysis or devour too much of the time allotted for the assignment. International policy involves factors that are frequently alien to domestic situations and requires an understanding of different cultures and political systems. An international aid organisation, for example, may have to provide succour to the citizens of a country known to have a notoriously corrupt government. In the absence of quantitative data, which is usually the norm in such cases, any analysis of international policy must necessarily depend upon subjective interpretation for projecting outcomes. While some factors of international policy are bound to be subjective and incapable of interpretation or analysis through numerical data, numbers do throw light on many issues and are useful for projecting outcomes. The use of quantitative techniques and numerical data thus becomes important, wherever appropriate. Simplicity in analysis and the use of figures are also often effective in driving home the distinguishing features of different alternatives, especially during client inter action. It is also very important for analysts to check their facts exhaustively, try to appreciate the viewpoints of people with radically different opinions and arrive at analyses, not opinionated decisions. Steps in Policy Analysis Effective analysis of international policy requires an understanding of world affairs, a firm grounding in the social sciences and familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research tools. Moreover as much of the data is subjective and needs informed interpretation, international policy analysis falls as much in the domain of art as that of science. Given the choice between too much of structure in charting of an analytical assignment and leaving everything to the judgement of the researcher, it is advisable to follow a few sequential steps in the conduct of the assignment. Policy analysts, as a rule follow a series of six easily distinguishable steps. While some experts advocate the breaking of these steps to make the process simpler, this manual stays with the practice of adopting six important steps. These steps start with the definition of the problem and are followed by establishment of criteria for evaluation and collection of evidence, identification of alternatives, evalu ation of alternatives, distinguishing among alternatives, and finally implementation and monitoring of policy. a. Definition of the Problem A policy analysis exercise must necessarily commence with the definition of the problem. This step is crucial and integral to the success of the project. It provides the reason for the exercise and gives direction for gathering of evidence. While a certain amount of experience helps in defining and detailing the issue, the process should be iterative and the â€Å"definition’ exercise repeated a few times. A meaningful effort at problem definition will enable the researcher to state the problem appropriately, determine its scale, eliminate extraneous matter, and question both the thinking and the definition of the issue. While defining the problem it is important to use quantitative data, study similar projects and locate relevant data. This will help in removing uncertainties, illuminating objectives, resolving divergences and focussing on the essence, i.e. the core issue. â€Å"Problem definition is a crucial step. However, because it is hard to get it right (the) same ste p (might be needed) again and again. Over the course of analytic work, empirical and conceptual understanding will evolve.† (Bardach, 2000, p. 7) b. Establish Evaluation Criteria The next step involves the establishment of criteria for evaluation and collection of evidence. This is essential to crystallize the modus of measurement of policy goals, bring about uniformity and establish similar criteria for assessing different alternatives and policy outcomes, desirable or otherwise. A number of factors, including costs, net gains, efficacy, fairness, organizational comfort, legal validity and suitability need consideration while establishing evaluation criteria. Most of the time spent on policy analysis happens because of the time required to gather data and time needed to think. While thinking is obviously by far the more important activity, data gathering is laborious and takes time. Data helps in three ways in the projection of realistic outcomes of policy and in the analysis of its implications. One purpose is to assess the nature and extent of the problem(s) you are trying to define. A second is to assess the particular features of the concrete policy situation you are engaged in studying. The third purpose is to assess policies that have been thought, by at least some people, to have worked effectively in situations apparently similar to your own, in other jurisdictions, perhaps, or at other times. (Bardach, 2000, p. 8) c. Identification of Alternatives Establishment of evaluation criteria leads to the next step, i.e. the identification of alternatives. The generation of alternatives requires imagination, knowledge and the ability to constructively brainstorm with other experts. The challenge of identifying alternatives, as good or possibly superior to the given policy, calls for combining ideas from different alternatives as well as from the one under study. It is important at this stage to assess the impact of any change in public policy that could have taken place in the interim or may well take place in the short and medium term. Public policy changes can occur due to a number of reasons, namely changes in the political establishment following elections, changes in budget, changes in the political structure of foreign countries or occurrences of disasters like the Tsunami or the Bird Flu epidemic. International policy, by its very nature is not prone to change at short notice and the assimilation of the possible effect of future changes into the generation of alternatives has proved to be very helpful in projecting policy outcomes. d. Assessment of Alternatives The identification of alternatives results in a need for their evaluation in terms of the benefits that each of them could provide vis-à  -vis established criteria. Data collection may again be required at this stage for the assessment of different alternatives and the projection of possible outcomes. This is a crucial phase of the process as new aspects of the problem could now surface, leading to reiteration of the various steps of the analysis. The evaluation of alternatives should actually focus on evaluating the outcomes of the different proposals as trade-offs between different alternatives cannot occur in the absence of projected outcomes. The criteria for evaluation should encompass different perspectives like costs, efficacy, fairness, equity and justice. Carl Patton (1993) states that evaluative criteria could also include issues like free markets, economic freedom, capitalism, freedom from government control, equality of opportunity, equality of result, free speech, relig ious freedom, privacy and safety. The analyst must bear in mind that the objective of the exercise is analysis for a specific user and not the handing down of a considered decision and should thus try to be as broad ranging as possible in the choice of evaluative criteria. e. Distinguish and Display Alternatives Evaluation of alternatives and outcomes makes it possible for the analyst to assess the extent of benefits met by individual alternatives, in the context of previously decided criteria, and in distinguishing between them. In case of conflict between alternatives that do not easily fit into the matrix of benefits, it is possibly advisable to go by the alternative that suits existing public policy. Issues of legality and political acceptability are also very important while distinguishing between alternatives and it would be patently unwise to consider alternatives, which while satisfying other criteria, skirt legal requirements or could end up as politically difficult to implement. While distinguishing and displaying alternatives, the analyst should focus on simplicity of presentation, use of tables and quantitative data and the highlighting of worst and best case scenarios for each alternative. The report must be clear, simple, tabulated properly and be easy to comprehend. f. Implement and Monitor Policy Once a policy alternative is accepted it is the role of the analyst to round off the exercise by planning for its implementation and creating a system to monitor policy outcomes. The monitoring and effective implementation of international policy is crucial as improper application and inadequate monitoring could result in undesirable outcomes and policy failure. International policies need to be very carefully monitored during implementation to ensure that unintentional changes do not occur and actual outcomes can be measured against those projected. 3. Conclusion The analysis of International Policy falls under the domain of applied social research and is a complex task that requires knowledge of social sciences, grounding in international affairs and familiarity with the tools of social research. A detailed and comprehensive understanding of the core issues involved in policy analysis assignment is a sine qua non and possibly the most crucial part of the analytical process. International policy analysis involves the use of quantitative and qualitative data, a variety of approaches to the subject and choice of appropriate methodology. Analysts must be ready to work â€Å"out of the box† at all times, especially in the identification of various alternatives. Policy analysis, while it uses scientific and statistical tools, is very interpretative in its approach and liable to bias. It is thus imperative that the exercise has a structured and phased approach and that all assumptions are identified clearly. Records should be kept accurately, information must be accessed from multiple sources and relevant professional and ethical considerations addressed appropriately to ensure the success of the exercise. Bibliography Bardach, E. 2000. A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving. New York: Chatham House Publishers. Feller, I. 1986 Universities and State Governments: A Study in Policy Analysis. New York: Praeger Publishers. Fischer, F. Forester, J. (Eds.). 1993. The Argumentative Turn in Policy Analysis and Planning. London: UCL Press. Gross, F. 1954, Foreign Policy Analysis. New York: Philosophical Library. Hird, J. A. 2005, Policy Analysis for What? the Effectiveness of Nonpartisan Policy Research Organizations. Policy Studies Journal, 33(1), 83+. Hogwood, B. W., Gunn, L. A. 1984. Policy Analysis for the Real World. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Patton, C and Sawicki, D, 1993, Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning, 2nd Ed., Prentice Hall, USA Policy, 2006, Wikipedia, Retrieved January1, 2006 from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Policy Roe, E. 1994. Narrative Policy Analysis: Theory and Practice. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. Rust, M. 2001, November 19. Who Bought off the Think Tanks? Corporations Eager to Do Business with China Have Cozied Up to Conservative Think Tanks, Raising Concerns about Their Influence Level on Foreign-Policy Analysis. Insight on the News, 17, 20+. Shore, C. Wright, S. (Eds.). 1997 Anthropology of Policy: Critical Perspectives on Governance and Power. London: Routledge. Thomas M. Meenaghan, Keith M. Kilty and John G. McNutt Social Policy Analysis and Practice. 2005. Journal of Sociology Social Welfare, 32(3), 208+. Wignaraja, G. (Ed.). 2002. Competitiveness Strategy in Developing Countries: A Manual for Policy Analysis. London: Routledge