Personal Reflective Report on Strategy Formulation Assignment - 1

Personal Reflective Report on Strategy Formulation - Assignment Example s required to reflect on the involvement in strategy, whether at the micro level of the team or the macro level of the organization, based on models in the assigned readings, professional experiences, and understanding of organizations. Al Saady Company is the sole distributor for Toyota, Lexus and Daihatsu in Syria. It is an overseas division of Abdul Latif Jameel in Saudi Arabia. Al Saady Company has been established in 1993 with one centre in the capital (Damascus). By 2011, the Company has expanded to become four centres in four different cities with an average of 250 employees and 5000 cars as yearly sales, or an average of about 420 cars per month. My position and role is that of a Branch Manager to one of the four centres. I govern and administer a total of 52 employees in six departments: Sales, Parts, Service, Accounting, Human Resource and Administration departments. The overall structural type of the Company is functional specialization with classic forms of bureaucracy. The following organizational chart will briefly give an overview of the company structure: The competition in the auto market is between Korean and Japanese makers in Syria. The average income in Syria is about $10000 per annum. The most commonly purchased car is Toyota Corolla as people are looking for the most fuel-efficient car due to the increase in prices of gasoline which have manifested a 100% rise in 2007. The primary strategy type employed by the organization is top down strategy where, as noted in Depperu and Gnan (2003), it is a â€Å"rational, top-down process that can be strongly formalized and separated from implementation† (p. 4). As strategies are planned and designed within the higher organizational hierarchy, guidelines, policies and procedures are clearly developed for effective implementation by the managers and their subordinates. Policies for providing exemplary service to customers, termed â€Å"Guest delight† program, are planned from the higher echelons with

Mens Lifestyle Magazines Analysing Gender Identities Media Essay

Mens Lifestyle Magazines Analysing Gender Identities Media Essay Mens lifestyle magazines are interesting research for analysing gender identities. As mass cultural texts they have the potential to affect or maintain cultural norms and values in the society (Taylor and Sunderland, 2003). They have the ability to construct masculinity or femininity in a positive way or in a negative way. They could also alter or change cultural norms that have been in existence over time. In the 1980s, males in mens magazines were constructed as emotional, sensitive people. They were also constructed as narcissists that dwelt on fashion whereas females were constructed as powerful, independent beings that were respected by the men. (Gill, 2003). Over recent years, however, the representation of masculinity and femininity has changed due to the introduction of New Lad magazines. Mens magazines have moved from constructing men as narcissistic people to representing them as pleasurists who enjoy sex, alcohol, sport, cars, games and the viewing of sexualized images. The women, on the other hand, were constructed as sexualized objects to be gazed at. Edward (2003: 139) points out that, women with successful careers have been equally undermined through salacious spreads of them stripped of their clothes. These representations make up the characteristic images of the New Lad magazines. For this essay, I will examine the construction of masculinity and femininity in one of these New Lad magazines: FHM magazine. My plan here is to critically describe and analyse the visual images and the texts within the publication. For the first analysis on visual images, I will adapt a multimodal approach taken from Van Leeuwen (2008) and Machin (2007), and for the second analysis on the language, I will use a critical discourse theory described by Van Leeuwen (2008) to examine the construction of men and women through writers linguistic choices. THE MENS MAGAZINE My analysis for this study is a magazine called FHM magazine (For Him Magazine, the January 2010 edition). I chose FHM magazine because, as written by Jackson et al (2001), it has a mass circulation with monthly sales hitting the hundreds of thousands. Due to this wide circulation, the magazine has the power to influence a large number of readers. Launched in 1994, FHM Magazine is targeted at a particular audience: single men between the ages of 17 and 35 (Stevenson et al, 2001). As observed, the magazine addresses single men as if they were friends. This friendly manner is all achieved through the giving of advice on relationships, the discussion of sports, parties, music, movies and other topics normal to typically male conversations. FHM Magazine deals with themes relating to the male lifestyle. These themes include sex, sport, alcohol, movies, women, sexual jokes, food, music and clubbing. The magazine also includes sections such as: letter to the editor, articles, interviews with celebrities and advice sections (containing advise on romantic as well as purely sexual relationships) The articles in the FHM magazine primarily focus on sport and stars. Interviews mostly include soap opera stars, actors, actress and models. These celebrities are used to promote and market the magazine because of their status as public figures. On the cover of the magazine appears a semi- nude woman complemented with the glossy effect of the magazine that serves as an eye catcher to the readers. Additionally, within the magazine there is the dominance of black, red and white colours against which advertisements are able to stand out. (Advertisements, on the other hand, are) The majority of these advertisement feature (male-related products) aimed at men, including cars, mens toiletries, gadgets, phones, blazers, movies, computers and mens wrist watches. Mens magazines are characteristically male because of the emphasis on sport (football), drinking, women and, most importantly, sex. Advice on relationships found in mens magazine, for example, often deal with sex in the headlines: How to talk your missus into the lingerie of your sordid dreams Sentences such as the one above serve as an eye catcher and may lure a man to buy such magazine. Such sentences as well as the sexualized images of females, is the major reasons why male readers buy these publications (Jackson et al, 2001). The magazines narrative structure adopts a storytelling technique. The story telling approach is employed for various topics including the discussion of women, sexuality and stars. The use of language within the magazine is generally informal with hackneyed words such as wow, sexy, foxy and hot or vulgar words such as bitch, shit, damn and fuck. These words, however, are used figuratively to create an ironic effect and without the intention to spite anyone. The use of irony runs throughout the magazine. Jackson et al (2001:104) point out that the use of this literary device is a warning against taking anything that is said to seriously, adding that it allows the readers to receive advice in respect to sexuality, indulge in fantasies of successful manhood and consume representation of beautiful women in a guilt free way. ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK AND THEORIES CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS. Critical discourse analysis, as defined by Van Dijk in his paper, Critical Discourse Analysis, is a type of analytical research that primarily studies the way social power abuse, dominance, and inequality are enacted, reproduced, and resisted by text or talk in social and political context This definition by Dijk therefore means that CDA helps to reveal inequalities in a written and spoken text. Such inequalities may include gender, politics, power, and race. In previous research, CDA has proven to be a great tool in identifying gender inequalities. The works of Caldas-Coulthard (1996) and Sunderland and Taylor (2003) drew on the critical discourse analysis in order to examine what linguistic choices are given to the social construction of women and men in a magazine. The first, Caldas-Coulthard (1996), centres on the representation of women while the second, Sunderland and Taylor (2003), centre on representation of men. Writers and speakers use vocabularies and grammatical structures to describe participants or appraise social events as observed in the articles of newspapers or speeches on television. The main issue of Discourse analysts is to examine the writer or the speakers choice of words in order to bring out more clearly inequalities that surround the texts. More importantly, the Discourse analysts pay close attention to what vocabularies and grammatical structures were not used but would have logically been used. In this paper, I will analyse the language of the FHM magazine and will answer the questions below: Which gender is activated and which is passivated? Are there any gender divides through the language used? What linguistic choices have been made to represent the male and female gender and are they represented in a negative or positive way through the language choice? In order to answer the above questions, I will draw upon the analytical framework of Van Leeuwen (2008) that uses such terms as role allocation. This term examines which social actors are active and passive in a sentence. Also, there are various terms such as role allocation, funtionalisation, individualisation and collectivisation. I will discuss more about these terms in relevant sections. MULTIMODAL APPROACH I also intend to use a multimodal approach for the analysis of images in the FHM Magazine. This approach deals with all communicative modes in an image. These communicative modes include colours, social actors, language, pose, objects and many other semiotic resources. The approach also focuses on how these modes are structured to make a meaningful whole. In this paper, I intend to analyse images in the FHM magazine paying particular attention to a social semiotic known as social actor analysis Machin (2007). This approach allows me to examine the ways men and women are represented in the images of the magazines. It also allows me to study how men and women are positioned for the readers in the images. ANALYSIS OF FHM MAGAZINE To be a man or a woman is not the outcome of biological determinism; cognitive structure. Gender is historically and culturally specific, subject to radical discontinuities over time and across space. This does not mean that one can simply pick and choose gendersrather, we are gendered through the power of regulated and regulatory discourses. Foucault quoted by Baker (2008:291) Which gender is more activated and which is more passivated? In order to answer the above question, I will examine role allocation, a term used by Van Leeuwen (2008) and Halliday (1994). Role allocation shows the position where social actors are located. It equally shows how social actors are represented, e.g. if they can be seen as a person who is active (busy), dynamic, passive, unchanging or benefiting. For this type of analysis headlines from FHM have been selected: Commander Ryan Ramsey captains nuclear attack submarine HMS Turbulent. The best way to learn about relationship is to be in one. This month we are going steady with India. (FHM Magazine pp 120 169). The man (Commander Ryan Ramsey (appendix 5)) and the pronoun we (referring to the men writers) are actors, and the woman (India) is the goal. In the sentences above, the males are activated because of the material processes, captains and going. This is quite different in relation to the female, India, however, who has no process. She is treated as an object of representation, represented as a subjected social actor or a passivated participant. Other headlines in the magazine include: Male World Triathlon Champion Alistair Brownlee knows at least three things about getting fit.: The man, Alistair Brownlee, is activated as senser in relation to the mental process Knows (FHM Magazine pg 160) Female FHMs girl of the decade is Rachel Steven: Rachel Steven is passivated. From this, we cannot conclude, however, that all women in the magazine are passive; some are equally activated as in the sentences below: She was Walfords wild child in East Enders, now Louisa Lytton is heading for Hollywood: She is activated because of the existential process was. Rachel Steven is our cover girl of the decade: The woman is activated as a carrier in relation to the relational process is (FHM Magazine pgs 80106) The question, then, is what type of process is used to represent men and women. In my earlier analysis, the men appear activated either in a material or mental process. The material process depicts them (men) as active people, undergoing activities, and the mental process depicts them as people capable of thinking and evaluating. On the contrary, women are activated in relational and existential processes. The relational processes, as Machin (2007) points out, are carriers of meaning rather than actors. They are not active. This inactiveness is also observed in the visual images of women (appendix 3 and 4) they carry meaning through [her] postures and dress Machin (2007:133). Additionally, the existential process means that the woman appears in a place that does not allow them to be active as is the case of material processes. These representations depict men as active and functional individuals, while the women are represented as passive and objects. Are there any gender divides through the lexical choices used? In the magazine, linguistic choices differentiate women from men in terms of work. Applied linguist, Van Leeuwen, puts forward the terms, functionalisation and identification to identify how social actors are represented. The term functionalisation, as he explains, occurs when social actors are represented in terms of activities, occupations or roles. The second term Identification occurs when social actors are represented in terms of personal relations such as auntie, husband or in terms of physical descriptions such as young, pretty and many other descriptions (Van Leeuwen, 2008). Table 1 lists the ways females and males are represented by FHM. In the majority of cases, men are represented in terms of roles and occupations as observed in the previous section while women are described in terms of physical identification and relational identification. MALE FEMALE Director Guy Richie Foxy Lady Elisabetta Canalis DC Executive Editor Dan DiDio High street honey Charlotte Shaun White, World- famous Snowborder Kerry Katona, blonde, fun and top- heavy Jeff Zuker, the chief executive of NBC Universal. Rachel lives with new husband Alex. Jamie Oliver and Gwen Stefani are her neighbours (Relational Identification) Warren Buffet, the billionaire US investor George Clooneys arm candy, the exotic sounding Elisabetta Canaliss (Relational Identification) Movie maestro, James Cameron Anna Skellernanother pretty victim in the Descent. Dennis Wise, the clubs then Executive Director Cecilia Peckaitisthe hot girl in the lynx Dry ad India is 19 and lives with her folks in Reading. (Relational Identification) Based upon the above data, it is possible to observe two strong discourses that are evident in the magazine. The first is the business discourse and the second is the sexuality discourse. This business discourse is achieved through the use of words such as directors, executive(s), editors, chief, chairman, billionaire US investor and maestro. This discourse suggests power and professionalism. The sexual discourse includes terms such as foxy, pretty, hot, sexiest, candy, exotic, blonde and fun as well as many other physical identifiers associated with women. These two main discourses serve to divide gender in terms of work. What linguistic choices have been made to represent the male and female gender and are they represented in a negative or positive way through the language choice? As written earlier, the writers choice of linguistic words has been a focus of discourse analysts. Working from existing theories in Critical Discourse Analysis, I have selected three articles from the magazine to examine what choices of words are used to represent both genders. The first article centres on a male, music executive, Simon Cowell. The second and third articles centre on two female actresses, Elisabetta Canalis and Rachel Steven. Tables 1 2 lists the lexical items used to describe the social actors along with their frequencies. FEMALE Frequencies MALE Frequencies Pretty 1 Huge star 2 Princess 1 Giant 1 Girl next door 1 Impresario 2 Five foot force of nature 1 master 2 Sexist 5 Boss 2 Hot 1 Success 3 Candy 1 humble 1 Exotic 1 strong 1 Formaggi (cheese) 1 High profile 1 Dolly bird 1 shallow 1 Foxy 1 reckless 1 beautiful 1 cocky 1 Actress 1 Harsh 1 Presenter 1 Hairy 2 model 1 A close look at the linguistic choices in table above shows that the man, in majority of the time, is described in terms of status or function. For example, we have the words boss, impresario, huge star, master, high profile giant (connoting power or importance), and strong. On the contrary, women are described in term of physical appearance such as the words pretty, beautiful, Like language, social actors are represented in images to communicate ideas to the viewers. According to Kress and Van Leeuwen (1996), producers of images use social actors to demand an imaginary social response from the viewers. In order to analyse the social actors of images in the magazine, Kress and Van Leeuwens (1996) three dimensions of the positioning of viewers with the participants would be considered. The first is the image act or Gaze that shows how a social actor relates with the male viewers. S/he may give a demand gaze that is aimed directly at the viewers or an offer image. The second is the social distance that depicts how a social actor is close or distant to the viewers and the third is the angle of interaction that shows the various angles from which viewers see participants. It could be horizontal angles that symbolize involvement, vertical angles that symbolize power or oblique angles that symbolize detachment. In the FHM magazine, about 47 per cent of all the editorial photographs are females while 53 per cent are males. In the section that follows, I will examine how the women and the men (social actors) are constructed in the visual images of the magazine. I will begin by looking at the angle of interaction, image act and social distance of both men and women and, equally, study how they both relate to the male viewers. I will, then, consider which gender is excluded, included, individualized, and grouped. VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF FEMALE AND MALE GENDER About 25% of the pictures of women are demand images, while 22% are offer images. The offer images of the women make no contact with the viewers. They therefore allow male viewers to accentuate on their semi naked bodies, appendix (2b). This representation depicts women as sexual object to be gazed at. Apart from the offer images, a high percentage of the demand images are seductive, communicating sexual intentions to the male viewers (appendix 2a). Pose combines with the womens gaze to bring out a complete meaning. The combination of both the gaze and the pose depict women as making sexual requests to the viewers. This sexual request and intention may, in turn, evoke erotic feelings in the male readers. So, apart from the fact that women are linguistically represented as sexual objects in the magazine, the women are also visually constructed as sexual temptresses. 24% of images of men are demand images, while 29% of them are offer images in the magazine. Of the offer images, most of the men, with the exception of some found in advertisements, make this offer because they are involved with an activity or work. For example, appendix 2d2e shows the men staring away from us because they are busy doing an exercise. These images allow male viewers to observe male characters as they work, unlike the offer images of women that allow the viewers to gaze at their semi-naked bodies. Here, males are depicted as functional and active people while females are portrayed as non-functional and passive. Just as observed on a linguistic level, the visual portrayals of women and men divide genders in terms of work. For the majority, men that are inactive are seen to give demand images. Their gazes may reveal a serious, calm or joyful expression. Most men with serious expressions communicate a form of power. They are seen folding their arms to depict them as authoritative (appendix 2c). The calm expression communicates to the viewers the experience of a trouble-free lifestyle. Unlike the first, they are seen with their hands in their pocket that portray them as collected and easy-going people. Surprisingly, there is a difference between the demand images of the men and the women. I believe the females are portrayed as more demanding that the males. For example the woman in appendix 2a demands sex from the male viewers whereas the man in appendix 2c does not demand anything, rather he boasts to the male viewers. The woman may be saying, Come sleep with me, while the man is saying, I am in charge. SOCIAL INTERACTION. Looking at the angle shot of images in the magazine, I have observed that, when sexualized, women are shot more at vertical angles than any other angles (appendix 2a). This vertical angle depicts them as powerful and superior to the male viewers. However, Machin (2007:75) points out that vertical angle shots of sexualized women work by metaphorical association. He writes: .images of women wearing very little clothing may make them appear vulnerable, or objectified as sex objects. But this effect is reduced by using a low-angle shot. The viewer therefore looks up at the womanSo she is given status and power through being looked up to. This reduces the power of the viewing position and therefore reduces her vulnerability as she looks down dominantly on the viewer. Of course this does not really increase her power over us but works by metaphorical association. Despite the fact that sexualized women are represented as powerful by the use of vertical angles, this representation as Machin (2007) noted is a false sense of power. Unlike the images of women, men are shot mostly at horizontal angles as well as vertical angles. Oblique angles of men are mostly seen in the advertisements within FHM. The horizontal angles symbolize involvement with the imaginary male readers while the vertical angles symbolize superiority. While the vertical angles used for women metaphorically depict a false sense of power, those used with men depict as the male as having a true sense of power. (Appendix 2c). The vertical angle portrays men as powerful and women as powerless. SOCIAL DISTANCE Photographic shots of women and men are very interesting to consider. Some women, especially celebrities, are more often shot using an extreme long-shot than any other shots. They lay on the floor so that their whole body is bold, enlarged and can occupy two pages (Appendix 4). This leaves the upper part of the body to occupy the left page and the lower part of the body to occupy the right. This extreme long shot is done to give the imaginary male viewers a clearer and bolder view of the womens body. Long shots of the women suggest, however, a distant relationship between the viewers and model (Kress and Van Leeuwen, 1996). Thus, we may conclude that the woman in appendix 4 has a distant relationship with the viewers. But, the enlarged and bold figure of the woman draws her body nearer to the male viewers to create a more intimate distant, distant that make touching possible (Kress and Van Leeuwen 1996:251). Such extreme long shots were not used for the male participants. There are no emphases on the mans body and they do not occupy two pages. Here, we could see that the women are offered as sexual objects for mens desire. HOW ARE MALE AND FEMALE ACTORS REPRESENTED. This section will focus more on how the males and the females are depicted. I will examine which gender is individualized, categorised, excluded and included. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP. Pictures taken by photographers could depict people as individualized or as grouped. Van Leeuwen (2008) shows us how middle-class oriented newspaper tends to individualize elite people and group ordinary people in a verbal discourse. It is easy to see, in the appendices, that both genders are individualized and not grouped. Thus, another observation I made is that women are also grouped. There is a huge difference between women that are individualized and women that are grouped. Individualized women are seen improperly dressed with the grouped women appearing well clothed. This difference tells us that the magazine tend to individualized sexualized women and group ordinary well-clothed women. Examining appendix (3a), we see a group picture of two women and four men discussing in an eatery. These people are cast of a major television programme known as Skins. If we examine appendices 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, the four men of the television programme are introduced here and more importantly, individualized. This is totally different to the two women cast members. As depicted in appendix 3f, they are grouped. Both give an offer that suggests lack of communication with the viewers. Also, they are properly dressed and not opened to sexualize reading which emphasis my previous point. I believe that these differences serve to construct the men as independent and the women as dependent. EXCLUSION Exclusion means not acknowledging a certain kind of people that live and work in the same society. (Van Leeuwen, 2008). To take an example from the magazine, appendix 3a, as written earlier are cast from the television programme Skins. The four male cast members, as noticed, were properly introduced, for example, appendix 3b and 3c introduced the men and the characters they play in the Skins: 1b) Jack OConnell, 20. Plays: James Cook. 1c) Luke Pasqualino, 19 Plays: Freddie Mclair However, no proper introductions were given to the female cast members of Skins. They are introduced as shown in appendix (3f). The readers are not provided with their names or what characters they play in the show. They are ignored or excluded. The effect of this exclusion, I believe, is to foreground the women as Other. CONCLUSION This essay has examined the gender differences found in the language and images of the new generation mens magazine, FHM. In this magazine, particular linguistic choices and the representation of gender in images has shown a level of social inequality between females and males. The women analysed in this essay have been seen to be negatively constructed. This construction depicts them as subjected or passive individuals within society. In addition, the linguistic choices relating to these women, as observed in most articles, present one particular discourse the discourse of sexuality. However, the use of the sexuality discourse is not presented for men. Rather, the magazine focuses on the business discourse, which portrays men as active and functional individuals within society. Furthermore, through an analysis of the social actors found in the images, I have shown that women are represented as non-functional individuals, powerless dependent creatures, sexual objects for mens desire and lustful temptresses. These negative representations of women are, however, not portrayed in images involving men. They are, alternatively, represented as powerful, successful and confident people, or people undergoing activities. These portrayals create gender imbalances within the magazine. With the use of the CDA and the multimodal approach, I have shown that, in FHM, women are poorly constructed and men are positively constructed, making the magazine an example of hegemonic masculinity. Wheaton (2001:214)

Loneliness in Herman Melvilles Writing Essay -- Herman Meville Lonely

Loneliness in Herman Melville's Writing "[Melville read] The Solitude of Nature and of Man, or The Loneliness of Human Life (by Horatio Alger) making particular note of passages linked with solitude to the intellectual life" (528 Lorant). Loneliness is a major theme of the life and work of Herman Melville. What makes one so damnably alone and is there a cure for this? Loneliness was something that Melville suffered with his whole life yet he must have cherished his alone time somewhat since a writer's life is to be alone. He has been diagnosed through his work as being bi-polar which may have much to do with how his artisitc career shaped up. How else to account for the seemingly impossible outburst of 7 novels in 7 years with such scope and magnitude and widely differing tones? It is the tone Melville takes with each of his books that is the key to his own personal feeling of loneliness at the time of his writing. I aim to show not only the development of this theme, but also the development of the man through the development of this theme. It is a most illuminating key to one's ambiguous inner self that all artists try to express and do justice. "The whole landscape was one unbroken solitude" --TYPEE TYPEE was his first novel and the adventurous, whimsical love of the process of writing is what comes through the most.TYPEE is not characterized by any of the language, dialog, or images of the dark, cracked embittered loneliness on display throught he rest of his career. To be sure, there is little of his later loneliness in TYPEE, but it's absence is worth mention and is notable. And this may hve had much to do with it's success as his subsequent darker works would be far less successful with critic... ...xt because of the density of the text and the sustained poetic cohesiveness it achieves would be ruined. Given Melville's son's suicide; "Billy Budd" takes on all kinds of personal meanings and expressions. It is such a balanced work that reading it is like going through a dream or a memory which is what Budd and Melville's son have become. Melville, like the captain lives with their sons name always on their lips tot heir dying day. But as was said earlier, it's the tone that's the key and the tone here so gentle, quiet, and accepting as to be the most moving piece and appropriate final pieces to a career and a life because with Melville writing and his life were inseparable. In sum, by looking at this theme and his work you feel you get closer to its maker which is the best compliment they could hope for--and is the most unlonely thought and feeling one can have. Loneliness in Herman Melville's Writing Essay -- Herman Meville Lonely Loneliness in Herman Melville's Writing "[Melville read] The Solitude of Nature and of Man, or The Loneliness of Human Life (by Horatio Alger) making particular note of passages linked with solitude to the intellectual life" (528 Lorant). Loneliness is a major theme of the life and work of Herman Melville. What makes one so damnably alone and is there a cure for this? Loneliness was something that Melville suffered with his whole life yet he must have cherished his alone time somewhat since a writer's life is to be alone. He has been diagnosed through his work as being bi-polar which may have much to do with how his artisitc career shaped up. How else to account for the seemingly impossible outburst of 7 novels in 7 years with such scope and magnitude and widely differing tones? It is the tone Melville takes with each of his books that is the key to his own personal feeling of loneliness at the time of his writing. I aim to show not only the development of this theme, but also the development of the man through the development of this theme. It is a most illuminating key to one's ambiguous inner self that all artists try to express and do justice. "The whole landscape was one unbroken solitude" --TYPEE TYPEE was his first novel and the adventurous, whimsical love of the process of writing is what comes through the most.TYPEE is not characterized by any of the language, dialog, or images of the dark, cracked embittered loneliness on display throught he rest of his career. To be sure, there is little of his later loneliness in TYPEE, but it's absence is worth mention and is notable. And this may hve had much to do with it's success as his subsequent darker works would be far less successful with critic... ...xt because of the density of the text and the sustained poetic cohesiveness it achieves would be ruined. Given Melville's son's suicide; "Billy Budd" takes on all kinds of personal meanings and expressions. It is such a balanced work that reading it is like going through a dream or a memory which is what Budd and Melville's son have become. Melville, like the captain lives with their sons name always on their lips tot heir dying day. But as was said earlier, it's the tone that's the key and the tone here so gentle, quiet, and accepting as to be the most moving piece and appropriate final pieces to a career and a life because with Melville writing and his life were inseparable. In sum, by looking at this theme and his work you feel you get closer to its maker which is the best compliment they could hope for--and is the most unlonely thought and feeling one can have.

Topshop Strategy

Top shop marketing plan essay Executive SummaryTop Shop is one of the leading retail brands known globally for its most up-to-date styles in clothing and other fashion accessories. Earlier only a low price clothing outlet primarily for the teenagers, Top Shop is now the hottest fashion clothing brand with its stores keeping the latest fashions and the exclusive and extraordinary designs that appeal to all age and socio-economic groups.The management has very carefully followed a perfect blend of cutting edge, highly fashionable styles with affordability by introducing new products and services in various countries worldwide under the new company called ‘TOPSHOP plus'.Realizing the importance of doing so, after repositioning itself, Top Shop will embark upon a carefully planned journey of simultaneous product and market development strategy as ‘TOPSHOP plus' Be it Kate Moss's exclusively introduced designer range, in-store ambiance, Style Advisor service or its sponsorship s for the young and aspiring fashion gurus, Top Shop stands out today amongst many other competing brands. The management must, however, bear in mind that while expanding into so many countries with its every increasing range of products, it would have to keep a very strict check on its supply chain.Furthermore, regular innovations are a key to success for this mighty brand. For as this growing company approaches maturity, it would run a greater risk of the competitors catching up until it commits to innovations that are hard to imitate or are at least time and resource consuming. Terms of ReferenceAim of the ReportThe report covers discusses ‘TopShop plus' an extension of the Arcadia chains conception and launch as an expansion to strategic measures taken since the time that transformed itself from being an ordinary low price clothing retailer for the teenagers to a hot fashion clothing hub for all age groups.It also brings forth various marketing promotions being undertaken by the company to maintain its current position and to gain on the market share. The in depth analysis helps understanding how each of its activities have been attempting to attract customers through provision of maximum value to them and not to the company only. The later part also suggests that despite being and extraordinary fashion retailer, there are a few areas where Top Shop would need to pay special attention in order to ensure long term growth and a sustainable bottom line.Scope of the ReportAs one of the businesses of the Arcadia Group, ‘TopShop plus' strategic marketing analysis has been provided in this report keeping in view all of its products and services. The services that make the shopping experience more of an entertainment are just as important a factor in Top Shop's success as are products that directly produce revenue for it. In a nutshell, the report analyzes Top Shop as a whole through its separate products and services which also act as tools for market ing for the company. 1.The CompanyWith an initial reputation of being a tacky low price clothing outlet, Top shop ‘plus' has now earned the fame of a leading store when it comes to fashion clothing. The success, however, came only with a change in its strategy; by going ‘upscale'. Top Shop ‘plus' will be one clothing retailer that stocks the most up-to-date fashion clothes and accessories before any of its competitors does in the market. Whereby the major focus earlier on was on price competitiveness, Top Shop ‘plus' products will arrive first in the market and will be of high quality and very low comparative price.Over time, Top Shop ‘plus' will come to be known not only as just the fashion accessory provider but much rather a trend setter especially with its in-house designer brands and those exclusively introduced and introduced by fashion industry leaders. Due to its various marketing efforts, innovations in the business and exclusive services for i ts customers, it is now the biggest and the most differentiated name in the fashion industry especially when it comes to retailers in the field. 2.The Fashion Retail Market at a GlanceA study showed that even while cutting down on other areas, the European consumers hardly cut down on their expenditure on clothes (Mintel, August 2003). Even when the year on year sales in the fashion industry slowed down in 2000 and 2001, the change was not as drastic as had been predicted by certain observers. During that period, Top Shop and some of its competitors caught up on the opportunity to provide fashion clothing at an affordable price.Few of the major players that have dominated the fashion retail industry with a reputation to preempt the latest catwalk designs include Top Shop, H;M. and Zara. Now, Top Shop is amongst the very few names that account for more than 60% of the total consumer expenditure on fashion clothing and accessories. 3. Current Marketing Activities:Arcadia group plc und er Top Shop has been engaged various marketing and promotional activities. The most major ones and their analysis with reference to the company's corporate & marketing strategy follow this section. . 1 New ImageLong ago, when Top Shop was only known as a low price clothing outlet, the increasing focus of the buyers on trendiness and the readiest availability of the new fashion accessories forced the managed to rethink its strategic position. Right at that time, the management decided to reposition Top Shop from being a discount seller to a hot trend setter brand. Initially, Top shop relied on copying the latest catwalk designs and releasing them in the market before any other competitor like H& M and Zara.Gradually however, while the other fashion brands focused following the same copying the strategy, Top Shop entered into the arena of introducing new self made designs initially under a brand named Unique. Since that time, Top Shop has been living the repute of being the high style up-to-date fashion god of the high street. Consider the following perceptual map taking bullet 1 as its initial and 2 as its later positioning with respect to certain other competing brands such as Marks & Spencer, H&M etc. Refer to 1c and 2c as the composite competitor positioning before and after Top Shop's transformation. . 2 High Price-High Quality Fashion ClothingPreviously, for quite some years, Top Shop had to experience low revenues and even lower profits primarily because of its excessive focus on price competitiveness. Later a shift its strategy helped the bottom line to sore up. The major factor contributing to such a result was the chain's new focus on female fashion clothing and accessories that it brought into the market before its competitors even if it had to pay more to the suppliers. Such a strategy assisted it in becoming a market leader where it came to the latest trends and fashion in the women-ware.It is also important to note that Top Shop offers products at usually a very low price even as low as three times comparative to the competitors. But because the customers get access to the latest fashion only here, the revenues at Top Shop are only positively affected. More so, with its discount offers such as those especially designed for the students, it can rest assured that even the young age groups can afford the trendy ware that it has to offer to its customers. Additionally, because ‘fashion' is this chain's selling point, the customers are often ready to pay a premium price for certain designs.In this manner, it is able to maintain an upscale image as well as smooth revenues. 3. 3 Celebrity EndorsementsKate Moss Collection by Top Shop has been another feather in the retailer's cap. This endorsement by the British super model would act to strengthen Top Shop's image as being first class in fashion clothing (Appendix 1). Furthermore, the hype and publicity that the mere fact of the supermodel introducing her own designer collectio n through Top Shop created would certainly reap long term benefits for the company. We intend to use same model for the brand awareness and project topshop‘plus' as a high end business.Primarily, it would further Top Shop's liking amongst the other celebrities who might have otherwise preferred some other retail brand. But with Kate Moss endorsing it, there is greater likelihood of the brand gaining on its recognition in the general public as well as the celebrity masses. Also, such endorsements are essentially important after the management's concern for maintaining Top Shop's fashion-focused upscale image. 3. 4 Discount offersOne of the most surprising consumer promotions offered by Top Shop is the student discount (Appendix 2).This proved to be a great success but with topshop ‘plus' because of Top Shop plus is an upscale fashion oriented global retail chain. However, such a discount can serve for Top Shop, two important purposes. Firstly, it would attract the young f ashion oriented members of the target market who have lower purchasing power comparative to any of its other targeted customers. Along side this, promotions of this nature would allow the management to explore opportunities related to the younger segment of the market in the long run by giving it first hand knowledge of the segment's preferences.Additionally, their preference for shopping at Top Shop today may continue to their later age thereby ensuring a smooth flow of revenues for the company. Secondly, and very importantly, such a discount offer is especially fruitful in times of recession. Where the sales of other upscale retail outlets may be going down due to high prices, keeping the young souls dressed in up-to-date trendy outfits obtainable at a special discounted price would prevent the sales going down beyond a certain acceptable level. 3. Membership cardsOne of the most distinguished promotions of this cutting edge fashion retailer is its exclusive membership for its cus tomers. The membership allows access to its superior fashion advice service, ‘Style Advisor' whereby its most loyal customers can reach to thousands of Style Advisors round the globe while seeking a hassle free shopping experience (Appendix 3). The membership can be rightly thought of as a promotion to ensure customer loyalty by inculcating in them a sense of pride being associated with Top Shop.Additionally, with preferred treatment in all the stores worldwide, such an initiative can ensure that the customers would help keeping the revenue flow smooth for this mighty fashion trend setter. 3. 7 Online PresenceIt is widely thought that a website primarily serves as a source of advertising and promotion for a brand. Additionally however, it also works effectively well in generating sales especially for an organization that has customers spread globally. Such a purpose is only served if the website allows the visitors to make order based purchases. Top Shop's online presence fits the aforementioned purposes.It not only contains information on the upcoming fashion accessories but also some very useful tips and fashion advice. This can actually be an attraction for Top Shop's target audience who seek such services to be available such that they can access it any time and with the least time spending. Along with its tailored -size ordering available online, the company can ensure least possible hassle caused to the customers (Appendix 4). Furthermore, the website would continuously allow Top Shop to be an online sales point for the young students whose life styles make such buying rather convenient.Although one cannot ignore the importance of its brick and mortar existence as well, the services available through its website may certainly add a lot of value to the business. It presence on Facebook and Twitter is another step forward in promoting itself far and wide. 3. 8 Sponsorships for the Rising Fashion TalentAs a gesture of its commitment to fashion and tre ndsetting, Top Shop has been closely associated with various initiatives for supporting and promoting young and aspiring fashion gurus. It provides title sponsorship for the Graduate Fashion Week.Also, it does a lot of work in support of the London Fashion Week and for launching the careers of various young designers through the endowment of a special award. Through this award many well known names such as Hussain Chalayan, Clements Riberio and several others earned repute in the fashion industry. Such activities do two important things for Top Shop ‘plus' directly and indirectly. Firstly, it promotes the brand amongst the youth and gains their support. Secondly, such efforts ensure Top Shop‘plus' customer, of its commitment and support for fashion and so helps strengthen its position in the industry. . Understanding the Product Life Cycle Currently, Top Shop ‘plus' should grow rapidly in early stage of the PLC model whereby as an early adapter of the strategy of p roviding high rated fashion clothing at an affordable price, it has been working towards maintaining its product quality and adding more and more services to increase value for the customer. Additionally, with a high market demand and comparatively easier competition due to its current position, it is able to maintain low prices and yet enjoys profits and a positive brand image.As it matures, it would certainly have to look into defending its market share since a lot of new entrants and existing players may catch up on its strategy. The future would therefore also require a very strong distribution network meshed with a extraordinary level of innovation in its products as well as its services. 5. SWOT AnalysisStrength:Topshop has been held in the UK market for over decades, it has created strong consumer loyalty over the time through unique taste, fashion and trends through the variety level on its product.Customers are perceive Topshop as a premium brand, so the brand image is a ke y strength for the company. Extensive marketing strategy includes various dynamic advertisements which targeted male and female youth. The negotiation of better promotions through retailers strengthens demand and different sizes of product packaging suits consumer needs and buying patterns are considered to be some of its key marketing strengths. Being a high street market leader in the UK creates the feasibility of inorganic growth. Weakness:Topshop has not been able to compete against its competitors due to lack of marketing strategy in the times of growth.The competitive advantage it once used to brush away the rivals was given away. M&S and others have taken the lead since. Opportunities:There has been a growth in the fashion industry even in midst of economic downturn. For a group like Arcadia, it gives an opportunity to expand its chain of businesses. With Topshop's existing brand name, it seems to be the logical and potentially good strategy. Threats:Threat of possible new en trant in the Britain market may increase for Topshop among people's attitude of American capitalism over Britain.Some people could possibly opt to their own country brand upon perceived imitation could reflect on changing purchasing behaviour. The increasingly cheap but trendy and fashionable products manufactured under the name of retail giants such as Tesco, Sainsbury's and ASDA are a threat to substitution of Arcadia's Topshop. 6. Strategic AnalysisAn attempt by the management, and a very successful attempt too, the revamped image of this fashion brand was a step towards repositioning Top Shop and changing consumer perceptions about it.After successfully doing so, Top Shop has been constantly at work to keep up its image as The Fashion Leader in the retail industry making shopping more of an entertaining experience for its customers through various other facilities, activities and services on its stores and online. Its association with fashion industry celebrities such as Kate Mo ss herself fortifies its position with reference to its brand values that blend up-to-date styles and affordability together. The shortest possible lead time industry wide, it further gains competitive advantage over so many other brands.Additionally, when its sponsors fashion events and financially supports the careers of the upcoming talent, its gains the loyalty and support of the youth that would give it revenues on a long term basis. Its presence online as not only a promotional banner but as a proper sale point is an advance towards more success as that can certainly help it reaching to its target market in countries where it is not present at least as yet. This is also an effective way to reach out to the teenaged members of its target market whose lifestyles would rather allow them to make purchases online more conveniently.For the matter of understanding, very simply put, the Ansoff's Matrix suggests that Top Shop is currently following a product-market growth strategy by f ocusing on both product and market development at the same time. However, the management must bear in mind that to maintain the current image of a cutting-edge affordable fashion provider, it must ensure a smooth supply chain system by which it would be able to carry on bringing in the latest fashion faster than any of its competitors. Also, now with its own designs out in the market, innovation and innovation only would be the key to its success.Loyalty programs such as the membership cards and sponsorships are of course going to supplement all these efforts. 7. RecommendationsThe current popularity and success status of Top Shop does suggest that it has been upholding its image really well with its promotional activities. To ensure long term success however, it may take a few steps at this stage. For instance, now that its membership program is already in place, it may introduce a member-get-member program by which each member bringing in a new member with his reference is rewarde d and acclaimed. This would help it in building upon its present clientele and lso on the loyalty level of the existing customers. As pointed out earlier as well, it is important that Top Shop pays attention to its supply chain. Its entry into self designed brands is a beginning but if it gains some control over its suppliers through backward integration, the risk may be greatly reduced. Otherwise, if the competitors somehow gain on this respect, it may cause serious damage to Top Shop's business. Therefore it is imperative that it pays attention to the factors that are a source of advantage for it now and are necessary for ensuring its long terms success. . ConclusionAs of now, Top Shop seems to be following a strong product-market growth strategy by focusing on increasing its worldwide presence alongside an increase in its products and services. Such a strategy would certainly prove fruitful when the competition paces up and a particular market for Top Shop reaches maturity. Howev er, only if Top Shop focuses on continuous innovation and provision of maximum value to the customer, taking its position in the market would be rather difficult for the competing fashion retailers.Furthermore, the various in-store services that it provides also act as an indirect way of diversification while being a part of the company's promotional strategy as well. References Baker, M. , 2003, The Marketing Book, 5th Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann,  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   pp. 87-109 Kurtz, D. , 2009,Contemporary Marketing, 2009 Edition, USA, Neil Marquardt, pp. 363 Kotler, P. , Armstrong, G. , 2008 Principles of Marketing, 12th Edition,Pearson Education, pp. 338 Ferrel, O. , Hartline, M. , 2007, Marketing Strategy, 4th Edition, Thomson Higher Education pp. 282 David, F. 2007, Strategic Management,10th Edition, Pearson Education, pp. 196-210 Daniels, M. , May 4, 2009, Top Shop: Deconstructing the Retail Marketing Phenomenon Smith, A. , How Top Shop Changed Fashion, UK Available at http:// www. time. com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1625185,00. html [Accessed on Jan 19, 2010] Brand Republic, 2005, Super Brands Case Study: Top Shop Available at http://www. brandrepublic. com/news/474559/superbrands-case-studies-topshop/ [Accessed: Jan 23, 2010] Read more: http://www. americanessays. com/study-aids/free-essays/marketing/top-shop-marketing-plan. php#ixzz2A1VU1VWU

Satire in Gulliver’s Travels

Jonathan Swifts Gulliver's Travels is an elaborate concoction of political allegory, moral fable, social anatomy, and mock Utopias set within a parody of both travel fiction and journals of scientific exploration. When it was finally taken as satire, critics began insisting that Swift was mad; they did not like what they saw in the satirical mirror. Swift knew that people would see everyone's likeness but their own in this glass, so he wrote the character of Gulliver in a certain way in order to prevent the writing off of his actions as quirks. Gulliver visits four different societies in his travel, and upon his return home at the end, he cannot bring himself to rejoin society. The character of Gulliver will be examined in this section. Swift created him in such a way that the people of England could identify with him easily. He is a typical European: middle aged, well educated, has no overly romantic notions, is sensible, and conducts his affairs prudently. This section will look at the satirical aspects of the first book, where in Gulliver visits the land of Lilliput. Gulliver is a normal human being visiting a recognizably European society, but he is twelve times bigger than the lands inhabitants. The Lilliputians are as small morally as they are physically. They are petty and have arguments over aspects of life such as upon which end to break an egg: ?the king seemed to think nothing †¦ of destroying the Big-Endian exiles, and compelling that people to break the smaller end of their eggs; by which he would remain sole monarch of the world. ?.The Lilliputians are ordered to stand fifty feet away from Gulliver s house, unless they have a license whereby the secretaries of state got considerable fees. It is clear that the main satiric target in the first book is the pride Europeans take in public ceremonies and celebrations of power and magnificence: There's an obvious silliness to the obsessions with these matters when the figures are only six inches high. Gulliver returns home and promptly sets out to sea once more. He comes across the island of Brobdingnag, and this section will deal with the various satirical aspects of that society. He has left a land of small people and has now found himself in the role of a Lilliputian: he is now twelve times smaller than those around him. This entire book serves to reflect on the obsession with physical beauty which has grabbed Europeans of Swift's time. He is nauseated when he sees a woman with a cancerous breast; he notes that the flesh is full of holes into which he could have easily crept. When he is in a bedroom with a few maids of honor, he is disgusted when they begin to undress in front of him because of their size and physical grossness. The voice of Swift, behind Gulliver, is saying ?look at yourself, especially if you are a girl, and most especially if you think yourself lovely; excepting your size, in what way are you less vulgar than these Brobdingnagians The king of the Brobdingnagians also provides straightforward commentary on the Europeans Gulliver describes to him. Gulliver is the first to explain away the king's criticisms. He says that the king cannot help thinking in such ways because he has been isolated his entire life and has certain prejudices and a narrowness of thinking. Because of this, Swift allows he to write the king openly criticizing the European way of life; to the untrained reader, the passage is taken as Gulliver takes it, which is as the product of a closed mind. The fourth book is perhaps the most important. This section will deal with the views expressed in Gulliver s journey to Houyhnhnmland. The Houyhnhnms are extremely rational horses who co-exist with entirely irrational human-monkey hybrids known as Yahoos. Swift uses the conflict between the actions of these two species to set forth the fact that humans tend to describe themselves in terms of Houyhnhnms but act more like Yahoos. This book deals with more philosophical issues such as the nature of man's thought and the purpose of living. Again, Swift allows Gulliver to reveal the characteristics of Europeans. The reply he receives from the king of the Houyhnhnms is crushingly unflattering:?he looked upon us as a sort of animals to whose share, by what accident he could not conjecture, some small pittance of Reason had fallen, whereof we made no other use than by its assistance to aggravate our natural corruptions, and to acquire new ones which nature had not given us.?Through his inter actions with the people of Houyhnhnmland, his objective perspective on society from the previous books is shattered; he begins to realize facts about human nature. This time, he agrees with the king of the Houyhnhnms about his countrymen: ?When I thought of my family, my friends, my countrymen, or human race in general, I considered them as they really were, Yahoos in shape and disposition, perhaps a little more civilized, and qualified with the gift of speech, but making no other use of reason than to improve and multiply those vices whereof their brethren in this country had only the share that nature allotted them.? Gulliver's perspective and entire life are changed because of his episode with the Houyhnhnms and the Yahoos. The fate of Gulliver is just as important as his journey in supporting Swift's critical view of European life. This section will deal with what happens to him and why it occurs the way it does. When he returns home, he faints for over an hour after being embraced by his wife. He describes her as an ‘odious animal,' decides that her presence is morally unbearable, and describes her as a Yahoo. He cannot bear the company of Europeans anymore. Gulliver shuns the culture which bred him: ?the many virtues of the Houyhnhnms placed in opposite view to human corruptions, had so far opened my eyes and enlarged my understanding, that I began to view the actions and passions of man in a very different light, and think the honor of my own kind not worthy managing.?From this realization on, he walks around trotting like a horse and spends four hours daily speaking to horses, trying to force himself to be thought of as a horse. So although he comes to understand humanity bett er than any of his peers, he actually loses his grip on reality. In other words, the Houyhnhnms' society is perfect for Houyhnhnms, but it is hopeless for humans. Houyhnhnm society is, in stark contrast to the societies of the first three voyages, devoid of all that is human.

Use of ICT in teaching Essays

Use of ICT in teaching Essays Use of ICT in teaching Essay Use of ICT in teaching Essay Use of ICT in teaching Name: Course: Date: Use of ICT in teaching Introduction The exploitation of information and communication technology (ICT) such as Internet software, DVD-ROMs, computer attachments and various video technology have created various transformation in the society. These modifications are not simply technical in nature, but more notably, structural in nature. Various major institutions in the society have transformed, and the various lifestyles have been influenced. However, the influence of ICT on education is a new phenomenon that has been felt as teachers incorporate the new technology into their instruction methods. In the early phases of the application of ICT in the learning process, most teachers at the high school level provided insights into the new technology. The purpose of studying the effect of ICT is to understand how the application of ICT alters the teachers’ work, and what concern or issues that teachers have identified in the introduction of ICT. Advantages and disadvantages of ICT in language teaching Many non-native speakers around the world struggle to learn a new language. However, in their learning process, they make many oversights that are caused by their mother tongue. These mistakes can be corrected by instructors, but currently computers having appropriate educational software. Modern reviews of the studies that related to the impact of ICT on learners’ inspiration levels, carried out by Cox, acknowledged a number of precise inspirational features, for example, enhanced dedication to the learning process, improved satisfaction and concentration, heightened self-esteem and boosts in confidence and independence (Cox, 2007). Some of the investigations focused on the use of portable computers within one academic year by 300 students from different primary and secondary schools. The examiners discovered that the greater part of the instructors reported advanced levels of motivation among the students and an enhanced attitude to work when the students were using computer s. This incentive, leading to improved self-esteem, was particularly visible for the students in schools having children with special needs. Other studies by the UK impact group on the impact of ICT on children’s learning process discovered that the pupils’ dedication to their work was improved by the use of ICT. More recent studies done by Robertson (2005) on computer-related approaches of teachers and pupils in secondary schools were evaluated by questionnaire articles such as â€Å"I prefer working with computers† and â€Å"I would enjoy working with computers† illustrated that instructors and students held a positive attitude towards computers. The application of ICT in the classroom can have numerous advantages, but conversely, it can have various disadvantages. The introduction of ICT in teaching leads to faster information gathering that can allow scholars to present materials in a more academic fashion with better organization of graphics and literature than using a traditional blackboard (Cox, 2007). ICT can be applied as the major tool in the teaching process, as a teaching aid for evaluating students, as an independent learning instrument and for e learning purposes for overseas individuals. Using these new advancements in technology, learners are aggressively interested by the teaching process and the result is a more refined learning experience, increased concentration and subsequently lesser delinquency and discipline cases in the classroom (Robertson et al, 2005). The application of ICT in administering lessons is not limited to the educational programs only, but it can also be used the Internet. In most instances, the internet serves as a very useful resource, but most of the time, people waste precious time surfing for leisure. Small educational institutions cannot afford proper internet connection and this obstacle significantly lowers the quality of the lesson by slowing down the pace of learning. However, the internet is a great resource for information only when the instructor is able to regulate the content that students can access in order to find beneficial material for students. Similar consideration must be given when selecting an educational software package that will aid the instructors. When selecting, the issue of suitability and affordability surface as the school has a budget for such expenses and the administration will need to ratify that the software will help their students (Watson, 2003). Teaching using ICT in itself does not contribute much towards achieving curriculum goals because besides helping in the preparation of classes, an excellent understanding of the Internet allows instructors to help the students in their classroom activities that require the Internet (Robertson et al, 2005). Apart from that, professional development is beneficial in updating the expertise and improving the possibility of career advancement among teachers. Among other uses, the Internet can be used to facilitate a joint discussion group, purchase access to a news group, enroll in classes, and communicate regularly with academic colleagues. The Internet can be used to increase value, administer the activities in the classroom and fine-tune the planning process. Most instructors prefer to switch to ICT when teaching because they prefer the change, improvements and new dimensions that ICT introduces into teaching. When learning, the Internet motivates students in diverse ways and by providing Internet during the learning process, it acts as a motivational drive especially to those bored by the conventional methods of delivering information. Therefore, ICT enhances the shift of information from the short-term to the long-term memory (Watson, 2003). The Internet also enables us to inspire some of the disoriented learners in class and thereby hastening the process of information assimilation. Computer literacy Computer literacy can be defined as the ability to successfully perform numerous tasks using a computer. The ability to be able to use computers effectively has evolved to become a requirement for individuals in all sectors. Within the education sector, teachers and students alike have been forced to embrace ICT in their learning and research process. One problematic aspect of many computer literacy programs is that they depend rather heavily on memorization. Different systems have different and specific methods of performing functions, and when students are introduced to another system, they may become confused. However, long standing companies such as Apple and Microsoft have developed programs that are compatible and easy to use (Watson, 2003). Learners have the opportunity to grasp imperative technological abilities that are captured in a continuous, efficient application of ICT in the education process. However, even instructors need some support to develop these teaching skills, and here the application of ICT becomes crucial. The instructors are required to prepare the classroom environment and prepare the learning chances for pupils. Contemporary schools need to have skilled teachers who can use technology correctly and understand the role that technology plays in enriching the learning process. According to the facts mentioned, UNESCO launched standardized guidelines for implementing ICT within the learning process. UNESCO proposed three main approaches that were founded on human capacity development (Cheong, 2012). These approaches include knowledge creation, knowledge deepening and technology literacy. These methods were closely related to the components within the educational system that include curriculum, policy, teacher training, ICT and pedagogy (Cheong, 2012). It is however imperative to realize that ICT greatly motivates teachers by giving them a positive attitude towards their work, by simplifying their tasks and by providing a different perspective toward the whole learning process. Diagnostic testing is a relatively new field that has been introduced by ICT into the learning sector. More and more children have started depending on private tuition, and this is administered through ICT. With the increased intake of children across most schools, the conventional instruments for running diagnostic testing on students were rendered useless. In their place, programs such as computer based diagnostic testing were introduced into schools. These tools were necessary in finding out what aspect of a student needed improvement and this was difficult to do manually (Watson, 2003). Conversely, ICT can monitor individual aspects of a student such as cognition and comprehension. ICT has also been used for remedial teaching purposes. When common mistakes are discovered by the teacher, a Remedial-teaching program can be implemented by the teacher that can be online or offline. ICT is also crucial in the evaluation process through digital collection of information (Cheong, 2012). Computer literacy is a crucial syllabus in schools, from primary to high school. As the role of technology continues to permeate all features of life, students require computer knowledge that is essential in plotting a course in the scientific world with expertise and accountability. Computer literacy in schools holds the possibility of leveling out the playing field and offer students from different backgrounds the chance to learn more about ICT. The application of technology in education is without doubt a proper advancement in the teaching profession. The role played by the teacher in the modern ICT system has also changed. The new educational environment is plagued by an insatiable volume of information that is presented to the students, and this has increased the pace of learning every day (Elston, 2007). However, it is definite that the role played by instructors will still be significant and irreplaceable aspect of the educational process in spite of the tremendous application of ICT in teaching. On a fundamental level, computer literacy instructs students on the proper way to use computers and maximize on the potential of computer software. Nevertheless, the main academic role of computer literacy transcends basic computer expertise. Computer literacy also covers areas that have a broad range of goals such as learning how to use equipment such as mice and keyboard, as well as investigating information on how to use the Internet (Cheong, 2012). Technology within the classroom or the computer lab engages the students actively in the learning process. Teachers and ICT Currently, the teaching profession is one of the most challenging careers where the knowledge bank grows rapidly. Current technologies demand that teachers acquire the necessary skills to apply these technologies properly in their teaching. ICT makes the delivery of lessons easier and aid the learning process. These contemporary technologies offer teachers the chance to transform the learning experience of a language and make it simpler and more useful to students rather than just providing the skills (Watson, 2003). The introduction of ICT can change the way teachers lecture in schools. Many states in the world have acknowledged the significance of ICT in learning and teaching, and have provided teachers with training programs that teach them to use technology as an instrument to improve the teaching process. With the current infrastructure, class size, accessibility of instructors, teacher skills, training of instructors and other factors, it is next to impossible to attain all the goals. Furthermore, most of the instructors apply the lecture method that does not have the possibility of achieving the greater part of aforementioned goals (Elston, 2007). Theses objectives are multi-faceted in nature and therefore, multiple methods of achievement should be applied in an incorporated manner. Presently, ICT provides the best opportunity for these objectives to be realized. It is a recognized fact that not a single instructor is talented enough to provide updated and inclusive information in his or her own field. Using ICT in the classroom can cover this gap because it can offer access to diverse sources of information. It will supply accurate information in a comprehensive manner and in different layouts with different cases. ICT also offers an online interactive option where students and instructors can switch their thoughts and opinions, and get explanations on any subjects from different professionals. ICT assists learners to widen their information base. ICT also provides diversity in the production of content that aids learners in attentiveness, better perception, and longer holding of information that is not possible through any other way (Elston, 2007). The students can get the chance to work on any live tasks with pupils and professionals from other states. Some of the challenges that face ICT education in most developed and developing countries include infrastructure problems. Most regions lack access to power supply and other sources of energy and equipment necessary for running a computer lab. The number of qualified teachers that can guide students in computer studies is also wanting for most schools (Elston, 2007). References Cox, M. J. (2007). The effects of Information Technology on Students Motivation. Final Report. NCET/King’s College London. Coventry/London Cheong K. International Conference on ICT in Teaching and Learning, Li, K. C. (2012). Engaging learners through emerging technologies: International Conference on ICT in Teaching and Learning, ICT 2012, Hong Kong, China, July 4-6, 2012. Proceedings. Berlin: Springer Elston, C. (2007). Using ICT in the primary school. London: Paul Chapman Pub Robertson, S.I, Calder, J, Fung, P, Jones, A, O’Shea, T. (2005) Computer attitudes in an English secondary school. Computers and Education 24 (2) 73-81 Watson, D.M. (Ed.) (2003) IMPACT – An evaluation of the IMPACT of the Information Technology on Children’s Achievements in Primary and Secondary Schools. King’s College London

Lesson Plan 2 Essays - Learning, Human Behavior, Education, Grammar

Lesson Plan 2 Essays - Learning, Human Behavior, Education, Grammar Age: Kindergarten Subject: Reading Topic : 5 W's Time + Pacing Central Focus of Lesson: At the end of the lesson, students should feel comfortable answering the 5 W (Who, What, When, Where, Why) questions about a book. Part 2: Content Objectives Answer questions about a story with prompting. Make predictions about what will happen in a story using reasoning and illustrations. Differentiate between the 5 W's (who, what, when, where, and why) when answering questions Name the things that a story needs (5W's). Key Vocabulary Who What When Where Why Prior Academic Learning and Prerequisite Skills: Students should have some prior experience with the 5 W's. Students will be using reasoning and clues from illustrations to make predictions about what will happen in a story. They will also be using prior knowledge and experiences to create a new scene for the book. Students should also have a prior knowledge of how to use art supplies such as markers, colored pencils, or crayons. Materials Needed Blank Paper (one for each child) Markers, colored pencils, or crayons "Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete" by James Dean. Board Projector Back Up Plan: If this lesson does not take place near Halloween, a different book can be chosen. Part 3: Lesson Introduction Gather the children in a group and explain that they are going to be learning about the 5 W's. Ask them to listen carefully to the video/song for the 5 things that a story needs. 5 min Introduction of New Information Play video: HYPERLINK "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXWK1-L41f0t=25s" \o "The Five W's Song | Scratch Garden" The Five W's Song | Scratch Garden After the video ends, ask the children what the 5 things a story needs. If they are having trouble with this, then play the song again Using the information from the song, the children should be able to come up with the 5 question words. When the children say each of the words, write them on the board (Who, What, When, Where, Why). 5 min Learning Activities Tell the children that we are going to be reading a story. Read "Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete" by James Dean. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WWcLKeBIXI) While reading this story, take time to ask questions. Have the children answer these questions. They will be using clues about what they know happens on Halloween and clues from the illustrations to make predictions. Examples: On the first page: What do you think is going to be behind the flap by the moon? On the third page: What do you think is going to be in the tree? On the fifth page: What do you think is going to be in the yard? After the story is finished, begin to ask comprehension questions and write what the children say on the board. First, ask the children if each of the question words on the board were answered in the story. Then begin to ask more specific questions. Examples: Who was this story about? After children answer this question with "Pete the Cat" prompt them to give more characters such as Callie and Pete's dad. This can be done using a question like: Was there anyone else in this story? What was Pete the Cat doing? After the children answer "trick-or-treating" ask other what questions like: What were some things that Pete saw while he was trick or treating? What was Pete the Cat dressed up as? Where was Pete the Cat? This question may be difficult for students, so if they are having difficulty, prompt them using follow up questions like: Was he outside or inside? Where do you normally go trick or treating? When is Pete the Cat going trick or treating? The children will probably answer this question with Halloween, so prompt them to think about the time of day also. This can be done by asking questions like: When do you normally go trick or treating? Is it light or dark out? In the pictures, is the sky light or dark? Why do you think that Pete the Cat is scared? This question requires the children to think outside of things that happened in the story, so it may take more prompting. They must think of things that make them scared in their own life to come up with some reasons that he could be scared. Questions to prompt them include: Do you think the dark is scary? Are some people's costumes on Halloween really scary? 20 min (time can

Cortez Surname Meaning and Origin - About Genealogy

Cortez Surname Meaning and Origin - About Genealogy Commonly considered a variation of Cortà ©s, Cortà ©z is a Spanish or Portuguese (Cortà ªs) surname derived from the Old French corteis or curteis, meaning courteous or polite. The descriptive surname was often bestowed as a nickname to a man of good education, or one who was considered refined or accomplished. The Cortez surname is the Spanish/Portuguese equivalent of the English surname Curtis. Cortes may also be a geographical, or habitational name from any of the many places in Spain and Portugal called Cortes, the plural of corte, meaning a court of a king or sovereign. Cortez is the 64th most common Hispanic surname. Surname Origin:  Spanish, Portuguese Alternate Surname Spellings:  CORTES, COURTOIS, COURTES, CURTIS   Famous People with the Surname CORTEZ Hernn Cortà ©s / Hernando Cortà ©s - Spanish conquistador of the Aztec empire, and Governor of New Spain (later to become Mexico) from 1521 to 1528.Alfonso Cortà ©s - Well-known Nicaraguan poet.Gregorio Cortez – A Mexican American folk hero to Mexicans in the American Old West. Where Do People With the Cortez Surname Live? The surname distribution data at  Forebears  ranks Cortà ©z  as the 984th most common surname in the world, identifying it as most prevalent in the Philippines and with the highest density in El Salvador. The Cortes spelling is more popular worldwide, ranking 697th. Cortes is found most prevalently in Mexico, and by the greatest percentage of population in Chile. Cortes is also the spelling now more commonly found in Spain, according to  WorldNames PublicProfiler,  especially in the Extremadura region along the border with Portugal.   Genealogy Resources for the Surname CORTEZ 100 Common Hispanic Surnames Their MeaningsGarcia, Martinez, Rodriguez, Lopez, Hernandez... Are you one of the millions of people sporting one of these top 100 common Hispanic last names? How to Research Hispanic HeritageLearn how to get started researching  your Hispanic ancestors, including the basics of family tree research and country specific organizations, genealogical records, and resources for Spain, Latin America, Mexico, Brazil, the Caribbean and other Spanish speaking countries. Cortez Family Crest - Its Not What You ThinkContrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Cortez family crest or coat of arms for the Cortez surname.  Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male-line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted.   The Cortez DNA ProjectThis ancestral y-DNA testing project is open to any male with any spelling of the Cortez surname. The Genealogy of Hernando CortesA basic outline genealogy of some descendants of famous Spanish conquistador Don Hernando Cortes. GeneaNet - Cortez RecordsGeneaNet includes archival records, family trees, and other resources for individuals with the Cortez surname, with a concentration on records and families from France, Spain, and other European countries. CORTEZ Family Genealogy ForumSearch this popular genealogy forum for the Cortez surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or post your own Cortez query. FamilySearch - CORTEZ GenealogyAccess over 1.8 million free historical records and lineage-linked family trees posted for the Cortez surname and its variations on this free genealogy website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. DistantCousin.com - CORTEZ Genealogy Family HistoryExplore free databases and genealogy links for the last name Cortez. The Cortez Genealogy and Family Tree PageBrowse family trees and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the last name Cortez from the website of Genealogy Today.Sources: Cottle, Basil.  Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967. Dorward, David.  Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998. Fucilla, Joseph.  Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003. Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges.  A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989. Hanks, Patrick.  Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003. Reaney, P.H.  A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997. Smith, Elsdon C.  American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.

Terms and angles of vision Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Terms and angles of vision - Essay Example Another instance is where corporations are identified as prioritizing their profits, shareholders, and CEO bonuses and salaries at the expense of the country and its workers (Johnson 74). In this case, the power of corporate rule has allowed corporations to move their plants to countries that have cheaper labor and less stringent laws and regulations. Indeed, the writer’s view is that corporations are self-perpetuating, especially as big money from these corporations enables them to buy lobbyists, political support, and favorable laws, tax codes, and policies (Johnson 74). A third instance in which the writer’s view is directed towards the concept of â€Å"corporate rule† is on the point of skyrocketing health costs, which are attributed to American pharmaceutical corporations, which have managed to influence laws that prohibit US citizens from purchasing foreign-made, lower-priced medicines despite the presence of free trade policies. This point of view shows how corporations have taken advantage of globalization and free trade to become the new â€Å"central economy†, in which they have unequal influence on the economy of the US and, indeed, developing countries across the world (Johnson 92).Thus, the writer argues from an angle of vision that corporate rule is bad for the American and global economy and should be

Organ Harvesting Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Organ Harvesting - Research Paper Example Medical science has recently succeeded in replacing defective kidney and heart like human organs with substitute kidneys and hearts taken from other people. Many of the dying people are ready to donate their organs when they realize that they left with no hope of survival. Such people donate their organs in order to save the lives of others who have defected organs. There is no harm in showing such mercy towards diseased people and it should be recognized as a noble act. However, many incidents from all over the world are currently coming out with respect to the forceful seizure of human organs from healthy people. In many cases, doctors conduct unnecessary surgeries and steal the kidney like internal organs and trade it for financial benefits. Even the person whose kidney has been stolen has no possibility of knowing what happened to him after the surgery unless he conducts further scanning or X-ray experiments. This paper briefly analyses various dimensions of organ harvesting. Bef ore discussing anything about organ harvesting it is necessary to discuss something about the state of death. Medical science has different opinions about the concept of death. Some medical experts argue death of a person happens when the brain stops it functioning. On the other hand others are of the view that death occurs when the heart functioning stops. There are many patients whose hearts are still working even though their brain became inactive. In any case, it is better to confirm the heart or brain death first before deciding about organ harvesting. The relatives of the patients can do many things in such situations. They can decide whether to sustain the life of such patients in such no hope conditions or not. Moreover, they can decide whether to donate the organs of such patients to others who are in need of it to save their lives. In any case, the donation of organs with the consent of the dying patient or with the consent of the relatives under certain circumstances can be accepted as a moral thing. â€Å"If someone has indicated that he or she wishes to donate organs after death, a transplant team can immediately move in and initiate the organ harvesting process after consent forms are signed by someone with the power of attorney for the patient† (What is Organ Harvesting?) In many cases organ harvesting is conducted forcefully or without the consent of the donor. The reports about forceful organ harvesting or stealing of organs are increasing day by day. No country, irrespective of developed, developing or underdeveloped, seems to be free from the antisocial activities or human right violation like organ stealing or forceful organ harvesting. Reports of forceful organ harvesting are coming from countries like, America, Britain, China, India, Israel etc. Robinson (2008) has reported some shocking incidents of organ stealing from India. Shocked but not surprised. That might be the best way to sum up India's reaction to the revelation this we ek that a black market organ transplant ring had been harvesting kidneys from poor Indian laborers, sometimes against their wishes, and using them in foreigners desperate for transplants. Police who busted the ring last week say doctors paid as little as $1000 for the kidneys and then sold them for as much as $37,500. The racket, based in Gurgaon, a business center close to the capital, New Delhi, drew victims from as many as eight Indian states and lasted for almost a decade. Police say the

A Question of Corporate Law Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

A Question of Corporate Law - Literature review Example To de Tocqueville, that is a burden of democracy. Limitless influence is dangerous because utter control is the origin of oppression. If people are mistreated, the only place to turn is the majority.    MacDougall v Gardiner clarified the principles of majority rule. If the grievance of a minority is about something to which the majority of the company has the privilege or has done unevenly a meeting may be called, and the majority ultimately gets what it wants. Over the years, the principle of majority rule has become more inclusive, however. We recount some of the more representative policies to make our assessment of the historic nature of the question at hand. A place to start is the generally accepted structure of corporate membership. Members of a corporation have rights against each other and against the business as outlined the company's charter.3 As such minority shareholders usually accept they cannot command the overall control of the organization and must accept the will of the majority rule. Majority rule can be wicked especially when there is a single controlling shareholder. Many exceptions have developed relative to the broad standard of majority rule. Here are some of the more common: Where the majority votes to carry out deception against the minority, judges may allow the minority to sue. Everyone maintains the right to file suit if the majority invades personal rights or, for example, where the company's dealings are not in accordance with the company's foundation. It is possible for minority shareholders to secede in the name of the business when the company is controlled by the supposed wrongdoers.4 In these matters of rights and ethics, the court is supposed to favor the minority. Court involvement in corporate voting has been minimized over the years though. Corporate law has focused on progressive minority protection and shareholders action, but a majority cannot force a dissentient minority to do that which is not allowed by the charter.5 It must allow the minority to express their opinions on the matter of the meeting, but the minority cannot irrationally hinder the resolution of the popular vote by filibuster, for example.6 The minority has no right against the majority with respect to actions of which they do not support if the majority is allowed to do them.   This standard applies where something has been done irregularly which the majority is at liberty to do regularly.8 Nevertheless, the minority may still sue when the majority is abusing power and depriving the minority their rights.9 Again, the court favors the majority while bolstering minority power when there is an ethical question.   

Identify business decision Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Identify business decision - Essay Example At some point these decisions are long term and strategic. In that, writing off debts give the company a competitive advantage in the market. However, it is risky to make such decisions because it affects the revenue of the organization, also it can trigger many conflicts with other departments, particularly the marketing section. In addition, it affects monetary statement by understating a company’s profits. This is a very critical issue for comprehensive auditing and top management and therefore, require many consents from different directors based on approval limits (Piccirillo & Noro, 2008). Furthermore, the strategic nature of the decision require a lot of efforts and determination to collect these debts from customers. Notwithstanding, the importance of the decision require that action should be taken sooner or later since these debts are outstanding from long time, and after taking all necessary action with customers, and sending there documents to court without any hope to receive these amounts. This decision is justified under structure procedure as per the write of policy which came under many steps and legal

Explain the purpose of the Proclamation of 1763. Was the Proclamation Term Paper

Explain the purpose of the Proclamation of 1763. Was the Proclamation Effective Why or why not. How did colonials, native, and the British react to both the Proclamation and its effects - Term Paper Example These regions included the New England colonies, Southern colonies and Middle colonies. The New England included Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Southern colonies included Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The middle colonies include New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania (Fishkin, 2009). The southern colonies relied on tobacco, rice, indigo, and cotton. Due to the increased demand of labor, they resulted to slavery as a cheap source of labor. The southern colonies exercised royalty to their king, and vested all authority on him. In addition, they practiced proprietary. The southern colonies social welfare consisted of two classes. A free class of people existed along side the increasing number of slaves. According to Fishkin (2009), the southern colonies adopted the English culture and the Anglican religion and exhibited stringent adherence. The New England had the privilege of exercising political independence from the British colonial government. However, there was a level of control through central government and local governments. Concerning economics, these colonies relied on small-scale plantations under family ownership. These colonies had a social life that stood out among the rest because they build a social welfare that consisted of strongly united communities. These colonies adhered to the Calvinist religions. In the middle colonies, diversity in settlement was evident until the English created charters of their colonies. Pennsylvania rose to enjoy a democratic form of leadership granting the people voting rights. Economically, these colonies relied on artisans, small-scale farmers, and merchants. The m idle colonies had the most diverse social structure, with each colony adopting a different language and culture from the settlers. In addition, they adhered to different religious views (In Grigg, 2008). As described, colonies in the new world differed

IBM Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

IBM - Assignment Example Additionally, the change of design will increase the company’s market relevance. This is based on that the company has spent many years practicing in technology and hardware production. Regardless of the fact that it has become the company trademark, it would be beneficial for the organization to create make their customers have a new interest in it. However, this quest may be disastrous for the organization (Kerzner 44). The transition to switch its business operations may not be well perceived in the market. This is based on that the company has been in the hardware industry for numerous years thus making it a reliable practice in the industry. The market acceptance of a new venture may not be positive. Additionally, technology and hardware creation industry is developing significantly. Exiting from the industry may not be a great strategy considering the high consumer consumption level. On an internal basis, the transition may require major internal changes to ensure effect ive and comfortable move to a new business design plan (Kerzner 49). Outsourcing refers to the ability of seeking an external source for partaking of company practices. For instance, a company may seek marketing services from another company. In regards to IBM, provision of outsourcing services would change the organization’s exposure and approach to risk. When an organization seeks outsourcing services, they seek to minimize their exposure to risk as well as means by which they share the risk (Kerzner 66). For an organization providing the services, they would be required to share the risks presented to them. In addition, risks experienced when conducting business on behalf of the organization may not be shared by the customer. This would be the same in IBM. The organization will be exposed to numerous risks on business it does not own. However,

Explain the purpose of the Proclamation of 1763. Was the Proclamation Term Paper

Explain the purpose of the Proclamation of 1763. Was the Proclamation Effective Why or why not. How did colonials, native, and the British react to both the Proclamation and its effects - Term Paper Example These regions included the New England colonies, Southern colonies and Middle colonies. The New England included Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Southern colonies included Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The middle colonies include New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania (Fishkin, 2009). The southern colonies relied on tobacco, rice, indigo, and cotton. Due to the increased demand of labor, they resulted to slavery as a cheap source of labor. The southern colonies exercised royalty to their king, and vested all authority on him. In addition, they practiced proprietary. The southern colonies social welfare consisted of two classes. A free class of people existed along side the increasing number of slaves. According to Fishkin (2009), the southern colonies adopted the English culture and the Anglican religion and exhibited stringent adherence. The New England had the privilege of exercising political independence from the British colonial government. However, there was a level of control through central government and local governments. Concerning economics, these colonies relied on small-scale plantations under family ownership. These colonies had a social life that stood out among the rest because they build a social welfare that consisted of strongly united communities. These colonies adhered to the Calvinist religions. In the middle colonies, diversity in settlement was evident until the English created charters of their colonies. Pennsylvania rose to enjoy a democratic form of leadership granting the people voting rights. Economically, these colonies relied on artisans, small-scale farmers, and merchants. The m idle colonies had the most diverse social structure, with each colony adopting a different language and culture from the settlers. In addition, they adhered to different religious views (In Grigg, 2008). As described, colonies in the new world differed

Monetary Macroeconomics and Policy assignment Essay

Monetary Macroeconomics and Policy assignment - Essay Example (b) A scenario where the households become more optimistic can be classified under the demand shock. As households become optimistic in the future, they will tend to consume less (reduced demand), with the hope that maybe they are going to consume more in the future at relatively lower costs. As a result, producers will lower their level of production a little bit and also lower their prices as well. The effect of reduced prices of commodities is reduced level of inflation in the long run, in the economy. (C) The case of favorable weather would be classified under the supply shock. Favorable weather may mean vast surplus of wheat and corn than the normal expected supply. A favorable weather may imply increases level of supply (output) and hence reduced prices of commodities. Continued reduction on the prices of commodities will lower the level of inflation in the long run (d) The situation under which the steel workers go on strike for four weeks may be classified under the demand shock. The fact that the steel workers goes on strike means that they are no longer producing steel and the supply (output) of steel goes down immediately (short-run). Due to scarcity of steel, the price of steel goes high and if the prices remain high, there will be inflation in the long-run. This is shown in the graph below. If we examine the case of the aggregate supply curve, we realize that it examines how different quantities of goods and services relate with the price level in the economy. The aggregate supply curve is upward sloping. However, the curve will tend to be vertical, or will become vertical in the long run. The supply will be affected by factors such as technology and overall improvements that affects productivity in the short-run and in the long-run. Factors such as increased efficiency and offering of public goods at relatively lower prices will shift the AS curve to the right. In the case where the public expects the level of interest