Analysis of Articles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis of Articles - Essay Example deeply rooted issues of inequity and insufficient freedom of thinking should be discouraged in the educational systems for the overall betterment of the society. The purpose of this article is to highlight the profound importance of multicultural responsive approach in teaching process. Deplorably, many students do not have much access to the learning facilities owing to the unjustified or discriminatory attitude shown towards their cultures and languages. Nieto (2003) has suggested that multicultural education is the only helpful proposal to facilitate all the students on equal terms. There is a big chance that students may start feeling ashamed of their cultural identities and traditions when surrounded by their other fellows who come from rich cultural backgrounds. Deep analysis of this article shows that multicultural approach can make a student proud of his/her heritage, boost his/her self-esteem, and enhance academic performance. It also shows that a multicultural or multilingu al classroom is one where multicultural responsive approach is applied to make the students realize that their backgrounds are long-term assets for them that they can utilize in their learning period and teachers should also know how to teach diverse students in a harmonious environment. The purpose of the article by Villegas & Lucas (2002, pp. 20-32) is to identify that teachers have to deeply analyze and assess themselves to find out if they are actually culturally responsive. Teachers can profoundly influence the students, and if they are free of complexes and biases, they can inculcate the same level of positivism in their students. They have to scrutinize their own cultural backgrounds and beliefs first, to make the students realize the importance of their value system later. In a healthy multicultural teaching setup, teachers are sensitive enough to detect even the slightest conflicts between students that are culture-oriented. Students from diverse cultural backgrounds should be

Jackson Pollock Essay Example for Free

Jackson Pollock Essay There are several artists who have influenced my work and my passion for the arts. One of my favorite is Jackson Pollock. Pollocks works inspire me to be creative even if my creativity is random. â€Å"Jackson Pollack was an American artist who had an important influence on modern painting as an important figure in the abstract expressionist movement.†(World Book) Jackson Pollock was born January 28, 1912 in Cody, Wyoming into a family of four boys with Jackson being the youngest. His family moved to California where his father worked for the government as a surveyor. In 1930 Jackson joined his eldest brother Charles in New York City where he attended the Art Students League. There Pollack studied under Thomas Hart Benton. It was at the Art Student League that he first started dabbling in art. Some of his first works were â€Å"sketches using twisted counter shifts modeled after European artist such as Michelangelo, Rubens, and one of his personal favorites El Greco.† (nga.gov) He also experimented in pottery. He made several ceramic pieces like vases, bowls and plates. Most of the bowls he created were donated to Mrs. Benton Thomas Benton’s wife to sell for profits to help benefit the struggling artist in the area. The paintings created during 1931-1934 like Going West or Bird is examples of abstract expressionism. Growing up in the west Pollack painted several pieces with western scenes. â€Å"He made spasmodic trips to that area after he came to live in New York as a young man and his consciousness was conditioned, always, by early memories of the West.†(Robertson, B.) At first glance the early collection might be overlooked for a piece by an amateur painter because at the time he was an amateur painter. As his craft grew so did his painting style and theme. His works begin to reflect his sporadic emotions. â€Å"Jackson Pollock said regarding his art When I am in a painting, Im not aware of what Im doing. It is only after a sort of get acquainted period that I see what I have been about. I have no fears about making changes, destroying the image, etc, because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well.(1artclub) Although he is now a famous artist and his works are studied and collected by many, Pollock did not acquire fame easily and there was much sacrificed on behalf of all those who loved and cared for and about him and his works. He suffered from alcoholism and depression. Like so many artist unfortunately, his work was significantly more appreciated after his tragic death. In the movie Pollack Jackson is portrayed to be a bit manic and known to have random backlashes and outburst stemming from his drinking, especially when his art was the subject of discussion. Critics struggled to identify what his exact style was and Jackson refused to identify it. This was part of the reason he was critically judged thorough out his career. After leaving the Art League School Pollack became a member of the League and took on a job for the mural commission of Indiana. â€Å"In 1937 Jackson began psychiatric treatment for his alcoholism.† (O’Connor, F.) During this period of his life he worked for the Works Project Administration (WPA) â€Å"He was required to submit for allocation one painting about every eight weeks, depending on its size and his normal rate of production â€Å"(O’Connor, F. ) for eight years. He would make approximately $7,800. Jackson meets Lee Krasner, a fellow surrealist in the American art world who had heard of Pollack and wanted to meet him before participating in an art show together. It was not until many years later that the two would marry. Lee Krasner was Pollock’s biggest supporter, best friends and love of his life. She understood Pollack in ways even he did not. Pollocks work had a strong Native American theme, which came from traveling with his father as a surveyor for the US government. An example of one of these pieces is Guardians of the Secret which he showed in his first one man show, sponsored by Miss Guggenheim. In this painting there is what appears to be a dead animal or person with a mask on, perhaps a wolf head. I think this may be a sacrifice or an accident cover up. It looks like four people standing around a tomb or table have a discussion. One of the figures seems to have a crown on. All of the figures have animalistic mask or maybe paint on their faces. On the tomb or table it looks like scribbles or an ancient script. The manly also resemble totems poles. The painting could be if a burial, or a ritual. Whatever the case it is a beautiful painting and like most of Pollock works the meaning is left up to the viewer. As Pollock continued to mature as an artist so did his work. In 1943 Pollock signed a one year contract with Peggy Guggenheim an avid art collector and owner of a museum-gallery called Art of This Century. The contract stipulated he receive â€Å"$150 a month and a settlement at the end of the year if more than $2700 worth of paintings were sold, allowing one third to the gallery. If less than this amount were realized, Miss Guggenheim would receive paintings to make-up the difference.†(O’Connor, F.) Pollack was also promised a one man show and a commission for a mural he would paint in Miss Guggenheims home. In 1950-1951 Pollock began painting in black and white. This is said to be the climax of Pollock’s inspiration. Unlike other artist Pollock numbered his paintings instead of naming all of them. When he was inspired he painted pictures at such a rate a number system was the best way to keep track of what he was producing. â€Å"Number Thirty Two, in particular, should be considered as a twentieth-century masterpiece: a perpetual mobile of whiplash line which has, in its cool muscularity, something of the improvisatory nature of jazz† (Robertson, B.) Soon after this period Pollock developed the black and white theme further into his splatter painting or drip painting as he was nicknamed â€Å"Jack the Dripper† by Time magazine in 1956. The first of this series was Lavender Mist. Pollock had created an international sensation of action painting. â€Å"Harold Rosenberg, described it, the canvas now became an arena in which to act, instead of a space in which to represent a real or imagined object, as it had been traditionally.† ( Busignani, A.) In 1946 Pollock and his wife moved to the East Hamptons. He would spend the remaining years of his life in a drunken violent rage. In 1956 Jackson Pollock was drunk driving when he had a violent accident that would take his and two other lives. His struggling career and unexpected death contribute to his legendary art status. Reference http://www.1artclub.com/going-west-by-jackson-pollock/ http://www.nga.gov/feature/pollock/artist1.shtm O’Connor, Francis. â€Å"Jackson Pollock† Museum of Modern Art. New York. 1967 Robertson, Bryan. â€Å"Jackson Pollock† Library of Congress. Harry N. Abrams Inc. New York. 1960. World Book Encyclopedia, 2002, v15. P. p. 646

New Labours Policy for Childcare

New Labours Policy for Childcare Title: New Labours policies in relation to children and families maintain a focus upon control of family life rather than supporting families. Critically evaluate the statement with reference to at least two policy areas Introduction: The social policies of any government are aimed at welfare and protection of individuals and promote economic and social development with the aim of establishing a welfare state (Ellison and Pierson, 1998). Effective social policy also helps individuals to lead a fulfilling life and in turn promotes the growth and change of economies. Bad social policy retards the growth of a country and its individuals and leaves people in poverty or social exclusion. In this essay we discuss the labour government’s social policies with regard to families and children. We will discuss a few major policy areas in children’s issues and family welfare and will critically evaluate whether these new labour government social policies are aimed at supporting or controlling family life. Social Policies – Family and Childcare After Labour’s advent to power in 1997, there have been substantial increases in spending on family care aimed at helping families with formal childcare, early education and work life balance (Brewer et al, 2005). The three major reforms in this area are To increase the generosity of and entitlement to paid (and unpaid) maternity, paternity and  adoption leave To entitle all 3- and 4-year-olds to free part-time nursery education for 12.5 hours per week,33 weeks of the year; To increase the subsidies available to working parents for spending on formal childcare. We give labour’s policies on family and childcare as laid down in its manifesto for helping families. The key features are given as follows: Source: Brewer et al. 2005 Labour’s policies The main policies are in three areas of family life namely, maternity leave and pay, childcare element of the WTC and free nursery education. Maternity pay Increase paid maternity leave from six months to nine months in 2007 ( £329m) Enable the transfer of some paid maternity leave to the father (uncosted) Has set a goal of increasing paid maternity leave from nine months to 12 months by 2010 ( £195m) Childcare element of the WTC Increase the proportion of formal childcare costs that can be claimed from 70% to 80% in 2006 ( £130m) Free nursery Education Free nursery education for 3- and 4-year-olds for 12.5 hours a week, 38 weeks a year from 2007 ( £200m f) and 15 hours a week, 38 weeks a year by 2010 ( £300m) The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) analyses that labour’s policies of increasing paid maternity leave from 9 months to 12 months will cost a minimum of  £195 million per year, There are also possibilities of behavioural changes, which may increase above-inflation earnings growth and if this happens, the costs of the reforms will also increase considerably. The IFS further suggests that all main parties are committed to increasing the proportion of formal childcare costs that can be claimed under the childcare element working tax credit from 70% to 80% in 2006 at a cost of  £130 million per year. Labour is committed to increasing free nursery education for 3 and 4 year olds to 12.5 hours per week and 38 weeks per year by 2007 and this will cost  £200 million per year and if this is increased to 15 hours per week , 38 weeks per year by 2010, this will cost the government  £300 million per year (IFS report, 2005; also see Brewer et al, 2005). The Labour government’s focus on family and childcare policies has been on three areas: work–life balance child care and nursery education; the affordability of childcare. Since coming to power, Labour’s emphasis on family issues have focused greatly on increased maternity paid leave. The trend has been to increase the right to time off for new mothers and pregnant women and to compensate them during this period. The legislations brought into place for implementation of these policies included the Employment Relation Act (1999) in the first term of Labour’s power and the Employment Act (2002) in the second term which increased length of ordinary maternity leave and relaxed employments conditions related to additional maternity leave. Statutory maternity allowance and pay levels were also increased. Issues related to household expenditure and child care and the influence of parental poverty affecting children have been major concerns for the government. The government has put reducing child poverty as its focus in improving child welfare policies since 1999 and reduction of child poverty is an important aspect of the domestic policy agenda that has led to increases in children’s benefits and tax credits for families with children. According to Goodman et al(2005), although these increases in tax credits and benefits for families help the government to meet proximate policy aims and help reduce income based measures of child poverty, by 2004-05 and by 2010-11 it will be questioned whether and how much these financial transfers and benefits have affected measures of well being , especially improved conditions of children despite increase in income. A new measure of child poverty as identified by the Government is material deprivation. Studies have indicated the relationship between family income and material deprivation in children and have highlighted how poverty and deprivation influence both parent and child health (see Daniel and Ivatts, 1998). However, Blow et al (2005) attempted an analysis of the child benefit system or the CB which is a transfer payment depending on the number of children in the household. The study indicated that Child Benefits do seem to have considerable impact on household expenditure patterns although the cash received as child benefit has been found to be spent not on child assignable goods but disproportionately on alcohol. This obviously is a shocking piece of information but the government’s new policies of relating family income with material deprivation or poverty of children needs to be analysed beyond just how the benefit system is used. Government’s policies towards childcare are aimed at reducing material deprivation due to family economic condition (Berridge, 1999). Information on material deprivation is however often collected as an alternative basis for measuring poverty, and poverty measures based on this type of information are often referred to as â€Å"consensual† poverty measures (Goodman et al, 2005). Material deprivation is however a vague term as the absence of certain items of consumption in the household is usually described as material deprivation of children. However, governmental definition of deprivation may not be tenable as the presence o certain consumable in the household can be matter of choice or preference. Goodman et al (2005) correctly points out that low family incomes may be a reason for material deprivation, yet the other possible reasons have to be considered. The government policies of providing increased support on the basis of the number of children in household can also be flawed. Health levels have been found to vary according to changes in income levels although Goodman concludes that if properly studied, material deprivation can indicate long term measure of family income. Goodman and associates suggest that ‘there is still a lot to do in terms of developing a methodology for analysis of material deprivation which would be consistent with economic theory and guided by stricter ‘scientific’ rules’ (p.11). Government policies of promoting family welfare and childcare, providing benefits in proportion to the number of children in the household, using family income levels as a measure of material deprivation and making provisions for increased paid maternity leave and increased nursery care have been criticised as more controlling measures to regulate family life rather than providing support. Hills and Stewart (2005) have criticised New Labour policies as although helpful in reducing child poverty is completely ineffective in promoting economic equality in society. New Labour has taken poverty issues, especially in children very seriously and aims to halve this problem by 10 years and abolish it in another generation. Yet Hills and Stewart point out, despite these moves, Britain continues to remain an unequal society. A study by LSE suggests that child poverty has been reduced considerably through tax and benefits reforms (also see Berridge, 1999). Yet, although low income families with many children seem to have benefited from the policy, poverty levels among childless adults have reached record levels since Labour’s policies in 1997. Yet a one sided approach is not the only criticism against Labour’s policies. As claimed by analysts, controlling rather than supporting, by providing benefits to only a category of people seems to justify the increased resist ance of Labour’s policies regarding family issues and child welfare. In fact, Giullari and Shaw (2005) emphasise that as far as social policy on families and children are concerned, teenage pregnancy has been the subject of attention in recent social policy. Whether teenage parents should get supported housing and other kinds of support from the government and the family has been a controversial and problematic issue. The authors suggest in their paper that New labour’s construction of teenage parents’ housing needs as an issue to be considered is in isolation from support. The paper focuses on family support and suggests that New Labour’s supported housing strategy ignores its fragile and individualised nature and also tends to disregard teenage parents need for independent housing and capacity for autonomous living. New Labour seems to show more control of the teenage parents who are perceived to be at risk of welfare dependency rather than a genuine concern for support. The paper argues that if New Labour is to show genuine sup port to teenage parents, then providing independent housing to these parents should be a primary strategy. Conclusion New Labour’s policies seem to have concentrated on abolishing child poverty, maintaining family as a unit, providing increased maternity paid leave, and implementation of legislation that seem to support governmental decision on family issues. The families with more children are given many benefits and financial support whereas the childless adults seem to have been neglected and show record levels of poverty or loss in income with no government help after Labour came to power. Abolishing child poverty by focussing on income levels of family that apparently seems to determine material deprivation again seems to be a flawed policy biased in judgement. This is because material deprivation of children, an issue taken seriously by the government may be a question of personal choice and preferences and some children who are provided with certain consumables may not need certain others. This policy thus seems to be flawed as the government may not be the right institution to decide material deprivation in children and stress the separation of children into deprived or non-deprived categories based on assessment of family income levels. Finally we have discussed the direct control of government in issues of teenage parents to prevent them from taking benefits from the government which suggest that arguments against government control in social policy initiatives with regard to child and family issues may just be valid. Bibliography Allan G Crow G (2001),  Families, Households and Society.  Basingstoke.  Palgrave Berridge D. 1999,  Child Welfare in England: Problems, Promises and Prospects,  International Journal of Social Welfare,  Volume 8,Number 4, October 1999, pp. 288-296(9) Blackwell Publishing Laura Blow, Alissa Goodman, Greg Kaplan, Ian Walker and Frank Windmeijer, 2005,  How important is income in determining childrens outcomes? A methodology review of econometric approaches,  Mimeos , IFS publication. August. Laura Blow, Ian Walker and Yu Zhu, 2005,  Who benefits from Child Benefit?,  Mimeos, IFS publication Mike Brewer, Claire Crawford and Lorraine Dearden, 2005,  Helping families: childcare, early education and the work-life balance Election Briefing Notes, IFS publication Daniel P and Ivatts J (1998),  Children and Social Policy,  Macmillan Fox Harding, L (1997),  Perspectives in Child Care,  Longman 2nd ed. Ellison N. Pierson C. (1998),  Developments in British Social Policy.  MacMillan. Garatt D, Roche J Tucker S (1997),  Changing Experiences of Youth.  London. Sage Giullari , S and Shaw, M (2005),  Supporting or controlling? New Labour’s housing strategy for teenage parents,  Critical Social Policy, Vol. 25, No. 3, 402-417 Alissa Goodman and Michal Myck, 2005,  Parental income and child outcomes: what can we learn from material deprivation?  Mimeos, IFS publication John Hills and Kitty Stewart,  A More Equal Society? New Labour, Poverty, Inequality and Exclusion,  The Policy Press, 2005 Muncie, H, Wetherall, M, Langan M, Dallos, R Cochrane, A (1997),  Understanding the Family,  Open University Press Carol Smart Equal shares: rights for fathers or recognition for children? Critical Social Policy, Nov 2004; 24: 484 503. Websites: www.childpoverty.org Institute for Fiscal Studies website. www.ifs.org http://www.ifs.org.uk/publications.php www.childrights.org.uk www.sosig.ac.uk http://www.labour.org.uk/familiesandchildren04 New Labour report LSE http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/pressAndInformationOffice/newsAndEvents/archives/2005/John_Hills_NewLabourReport.html

Robert Johnson :: Biographies Musicians Blues Essays

Robert Johnson I went down to the crossroads fell down on my knees. Robert Johnson went to the crossroads and his life was never the same again. The purpose of this essay is to tell you about the life of Robert Johnson. He is the root of much of the music of today. If he didn't influence the musicians of today directly, he influenced the bands that influenced today's music. Robert Johnson is more than just another Blues man with a sad story. To sing the blues with as much soul as Robert Johnson did, you know his life was rough. The life of Robert Johnson was memorable but short. Robert Johnson was born on May 8, 1911. Robert was a product of an extramarital affair. He lived with many different father figures before moving 40 miles south of Memphis to Robinsonville, Mississippi, where he would live till his early adulthood. The first instrument Robert played was the harmonica. Robert quit school as a teen and started working in the cotton fields. Robert left that life to travel and play his music. He began to play the guitar around the age of fifteen. Famous blues men; Charlie Patton and Willie Brown influenced Johnson when he was young. At age 17, Robert married Virginia Travis. She and their first baby died during childbirth. Johnson then went on the road. Robert traveled all over the Midwest and all the way down to Mississippi and Arkansas. He married Calletta Craft during his travels. She died only a few years later while Robert was on the road. On November 23, 1936, Johnson recorded his music for the first time. The first song he recorded was "Terraplane Blues." It became a best-selling hit for Vocalon, a Columbia Records specialty label. In June of 1937, Johnson recorded for his fifth and final time. Johnson only recorded 29 songs during his lifetime. Johnson would have recorded many more songs and may have been an even bigger legend than he already is if his life was cut short. The death of Robert Johnson was tragic and the myths that surround him will last forever. In August 1938, Johnson played the last show of his life. The jealous husband of a woman that he began an affair with while in Greenwood, Mississippi poisoned Johnson. During the show the husband poisoned Johnson's whiskey. Johnson died on August 13th, 1938, three days after he was poisoned.

Leonardo Da Vinci and Pierre Renoir Comparative Essay

The two renowned artists Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) and Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) are both good role models for the progressing art society but when comparing these two gifted men it is evident that their artworks both relinquish a different message to the viewers and are portrayed using different art techniques and equipment. Leonardo, born to be known as the archetype of a Renaissance man, was an Italian painter, inventor, mathematician, writer, and engineer. He was explicitly known for his realistic, geometrically designed and religiously inspired paintings. Renoir, however, was a French man who devoted his life to introduce the impressionist style to the art community. As a true worshiper of natural beauty and feminine aura, Renoir’s painting symbolized the entire liveliness of French culture and European scenes. Leonardo’s style of painting was influenced greatly during the formation of the Renaissance period that first emerged in Italy during the 14th to the 17th century. It was a new era in which European scholars craved for greater knowledge of medieval times and Italy was their primary source for it contained the great art and architecture of Rome and held manuscripts that scholars studied to learn the lives of the early Romans and Greek. Thus most themes of Leonardo’s paintings portray religious beliefs and mythology. Its art revolved in finished images comparable to reality and the colours conservative, brush strokes concealed, leaving no trace of the artist’s emotions or techniques. Impressionism, however, opposed the entire concept of Renaissance art. Initiated by French artist, Claude Monet during the late 1870’s in France and soon followed by more painters one of which leading them is Pierre Auguste Renoir, conflicted the techniques of French art Schools and ignored their Euclidian perspectives and took advantage of the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution brought the popularity of the camera, metal tubes were invented and so paint was achieved in a fast yet cheap way, people had more leisure time and places such as parks, malls, stores, circuses were easily established. Painters like Auguste Renoir had more subject matters and the opportunity to paint and observe the fleeting moment of light outside instead of relying on their memory and paint inside a studio. Most of Leonardo’s buyers are wealthy church organizations such as the Catholic Church that value realism as they will use them as either for cathedral decorations or another image worthy for worshiping. During the Renaissance period, if a patron is willing to buy for an artwork, he or she controls the subject matter, the completion date, the materials used and a set payment. Artists were also required to show preliminary plans to be approved by the patron before the actual artwork was painted. Renoir, however, had buyers that appreciated his colorful artworks for the purpose of house decorations or family portraits. Artists like Renoir had more liberty in exhibiting and selling their works. Artists like Renoir painted outdoors and so people had the chance to observe how they capture the scenery in front of them thus, making it easier for them to be recognised. Renoir and Leonardo share different subject matters in their paintings yet they both possess the ability to dazzle the viewer. Leonardo’s inspiration revolved mostly in religion which he greatly portrays in â€Å"St John the Baptist† where St John wears pellets and animal skin while holding loosely a reed staff with a cross at one end and uses his right hand to point up a feminine hand to heaven. On the other hand, Renoir’s passion relied on his deep adoration for feminine sensuality which he greatly conveys in â€Å"Nude in Lanscape† where a raven, shoulder length haired, naked woman sits on a rock covered with a long white sheet that she also uses to wipe her left ankle. The woman’s body is facing sideways but her whole face is seen as she looks downward on the withering grasses. The scene is in a tiny forest during a lazy Sunday afternoon. Upon thoroughly studying these two artworks it is evident that the two artists use different colour schemes and art techniques in order to show the theme of their artwork. Leonardo portrays St John’s wavy, curled hair in an intense reddish brown colour to imply shadows while a neutralized pinkish brown to show a tint of shininess. Leonardo also provides an empty, darkish background to achieve negative space in order to enhance his use of chiaroscuro on St John’s face and right arm. St John’s innocent, auburn eyes are darkened due to the heavy amount of yellow light coming from the foreground. St John’s pale lips are curled enigmatically giving the viewer the impression of whether he is pure good or evil. Renoir, on the other hand, uses a dark brown colour with short strokes of a midnight blue colour instead of black to darken it. Renoir provides a vibrant background by using a cool orange to show shadows from the overlapping grasses and warm yellow to show the effects of light on the tree trunks and the withering grasses. The neutralized green on the tree’s foliage recede. The woman’s body is yellowish due to the amount of yellow light but her face is darkened. The highlights on her body are white. He uses cool purple to show shadows on the white sheet and the shallowness of the lake while a warm red on her body especially on her chubby breasts, slender back and rosy cheeks to create a sense of form. It also makes the cool colours contrast with warm colours. The artist’s however both use gestural lines to implicate movement but have used them in different areas of their paintings. Leonardo uses gestural lines to show the liveliness of St John’s hair and contour lines to impeccably form St John’s realistic face, muscular right arm and while using the technique sfumato (which means applying translucent layers of colours) Leonardo was able to achieve a feeling of a three dimensional shape to the viewer finished with a smooth surface. In contrast to Renoir who uses short, thick, gestural lines to show the continuous movement of his brush strokes in the entire painting providing a simulated texture. He applies wet paint to wet paint without waiting for the successive applications to dry, producing softer edges and intermingling of complementary colours Leonardo and Renoir share equal importance for how balanced light and dark are in their paintings. The intense dark background and the vibrancy of ellow light on St John’s face and arm provides a symmetrical balance and value contrast that can easily make St John’s face the emphasis and focal area. Conversely, Renoir uses the trees surrounded by deep shadows to poise the woman’s plump body in an asymmetrical balance of visual elements. Her face like St John also is the focal area in which the strongest light and dark value contrasts. St John the Baptist and Nude in Landscape are both oil paintings. But St John the Baptist was painted on walnut wo od using tempera paints while Nude in Landscape was painted on canvas using the average metal tube paints. St John’s pointing gesture towards the heavens shows the complete message of the painting that baptism which St John symbolizes is important in order for a human being to gain salvation. In Nude in Landscape, Renoir has the sole intention of conveying to the viewer his great love for portraying nude women and how he sees the fleeting changes of light on their tender flesh. Leonardo’s passion for portraying religious characters or biblical matters showed the world the great importance of religion and how it should never be forgotten. He portrays his figures in a realistic manner to show viewers his great understanding of the human anatomy and how science and its necessity for thorough observation are related to art. Renoir, however, paints not to share a message to the world but rather show people the majestic effects of light in everything and to remind people that art is not a competition for talent, observation and fame but rather a deep visual expression for one’s perspectives and feelings in life.

Downsizing Definition Essay

Downsizing occurs when a company permanently reduces its workforce. Corporate downsizing is often the result of poor economic conditions or the company’s need to cut jobs in order to lower costs or maintain profitability. Downsizing may occur when one company merges with another, a product or service is cut, or the economy falters. Downsizing also occurs when employers want to â€Å"streamline† a company – this refers to corporate restructuring in order to increase profit and maximize efficiency. Downsizing results in layoffs that are often followed by other restructuring changes, such as branch closings, departmental consolidation, and other forms of cutting pay expenses. In some cases, employers are not fired, but instead become part-time or temporary workers to trim costs. In a business enterprise, downsizing is reducing the number of employees on the operating payroll. Some users distinguish downsizing from a layoff, with downsizing intended to be a permanent downscaling and a layoff intended to be a temporary downscaling in which employees may later be rehired. Businesses use several techniques in downsizing, including providing incentives to take early retirement and transfer to subsidiary companies, but the most common technique is to simply terminate the employment of a certain number of people. Recentll, country’s largest cell phone company Grameenphone, has embarked on major operational cost-cutting measures that include the downsizing of its manpower in some specific sections of the company. GrameenPhone is the largest mobile phone company in Bangladesh. In the midst of lack of communication means, GrameenPhone has introduced an effective and user-friendly mobile phone network. It has put a positive impact on the lifestyle of the people of Bangladesh.It is one of the largest cellular operator in the country. It is a joint venture enterprise between Telenor and Grameen Telecom Corporation. Telenor is the largest telecommunications company in Norway, owns 51% shares of Grameenphone. It is amongst the oldest, most sophisticated, and diversified telecom companies in the world. Grameen Telecom itself owns 35% shares, 9.5% shares are held by Marubeni Corporation in japan and the remaining 4.5% shares are held by Gonofone Development Corp in New York. In addition, three leading international financial institutions– the International Finance Corporation, Asian Development Bank and the Commonwealth Development Corporation — are also shareholders of GrameenPhone. The three organizations each hold three per cent of preferred shares of GrameenPhone. It was the first company to introduce GSM technology in Bangladesh. It also established the first 24-hour Call Center to support its subscribers. With the slogan Stay Close, stated goal of Grameenphone is to provide affordable telephony to the entire population of Bangladesh. At present around 4800 employees, both permanent and contractual, are working in different sections of the GP. But the sudden decision to downsize its manpower has created panic among most employees of the company that saw substantial rise in its annual profit-earning in recent years. The victims of the latest cost cutting measures are in most cases permanent employees who worked in the sales and services departments. The company has abolished its logistics services in all regional offices and in the case of sales it has reduced the number of posts and declared the remaining post vacant. Interestingly, it has asked all the sales staff either to compete a fresh for the vacant posts or take an attractive ‘exit’ package. Management is saying it is a part of the business alignment process, Through a so called performance evaluation process the company is conducting termination of permanent employee who were meant to be loyal and efficient. Even in many cases employees are being forcefully asked to leave the organization. some of the employees have complained that Grameenphone’s management has threatened them to submit their resignation letter otherwise they will be mentally humiliated as well as downsized at work. From employee source it is found that in many cases the company is violating the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 but the government or the labor law enforcement bureau is not t aking any action. The statistic shows that last year the company profit incensement was almost 205% and the employee of the company was suppose to get a potation of the profit as per the company policy. But it never happened. As Grameenphone’s profit already is in increase as per last year’s report than the company should provide a valid reason of termination of such a large number of employment within a short time. Recently the management have introduces a new system of re-interview within the company to ensure the existing position of the individuals. Management has claimed this process as a part of performance evaluation tool which has made the employee to raise their voice against this injustice. By using such words like ‘Business Alignment’ and ‘Change in structure’ actually the company is terminating the employment of permanent employee who has given his 8 hours of every single day with loyalty to built this organization to this height. Even in some cases the company had forced some of the female employee to attend the interviews during their maternity leave and terminated their employment contract as claiming the employee is less productive for the company which is a direct violation of Bangladesh labor Act 2006. Employees have claimed that the management is not providing any written announcement or instruction but verbally they are asking to leave the organization through phone calls and general meeting. This year the government has announced 11% inflation rate but Grameenphone being a multination company has provided only 0%-5% incensement to it’s employees though it’s quarterly report shows almost 81% increase op profit with is this year. Back in 2009 Almost 1500 permanent employees are asked to leave the organization without any valid reasons but based on performance evaluation process. So how come the number of termination became so high based on performance evaluation process after a certain period of time every year? And how downsizing a large number of senior employees into junior position became ethical practice or business alignment process? As a Norwegian company people had a better expectation from Grameenphone but now it seems to be the reason behind of distraction of hundreds of employee’s career.

The Scientific Revolution DBQ Essay Example

The Scientific Revolution DBQ Essay Example The Scientific Revolution DBQ Essay The Scientific Revolution DBQ Essay Jean Baptists Collect, a French finance minister, expresses positivist about the influence of science on the government. Because the splendor and happiness of the State consists not only in maintaining the glory of arms abroad, but also in displaying at home and abundance of wealth and in causing the arts and sciences to flourish, they state proudly, We have been persuaded for many years to establish several academies for both letters and science. With the employment of scientific discoveries in the government, both can benefit, being that war can become more high tech, and research can be more easily conducted. Considering that the happiness of the state depended on how well science flourished, scientists would then be pressured to keep working toward new technology and improvement of old ones. Natural philosophers in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were constantly dependent on the criticism of religion, social archetypes, and politics, as they were the deciding factors to how science would be utilized or rejected.

Research Paper on Gold Rush

Research Paper on Gold Rush Gold in California was accidental discovered near an American river that would change the young growing state. All across America, young men made the decision to go to California. People came from Europe, Asia, and South America in search of instant wealth. The new American dream was to get rich, and to make a fortune quickly.( Miller 151) In 1839, one of the wealthiest people in California came over as an immigrant from Sweden; his name was John Sutter. His purpose of coming to California was to build his own private agricultural empire. In late 1847, James Marshall and about twenty other men were sent to a river by Sutter to build a sawmill. In order to supply enough lumber needed for Sutter’s ranch. On January 24, 1848 the sawmill was almost complete when something caught Marshall’s eye. Marshall picked up what he assumed to be gold, and while studying the gold he saw another piece. After making one of the greatest discovers in the history of the west, Marshall and his worker went back to work, but it wasn’t before long that they kept on finding more gold.( Glass 45-47 ) Even though Marshall was sure that he had found gold, he needed more proof, so Marshall to back some gold to Sutter. In order to test the gold Sutter used an encyclopedia that gave him clues about gold. Sutter made the conclusio n that it was gold, but neither Sutter nor Marshall was happy. The reason why was because Sutter thought that gold seekers might bring competition to his empire. Marshall had to finish building a sawmill and knew that gold seekers would just get in his way. The two men thought the way to prevent this from happening was to take an oath to keep the discovery of gold a secret. However it wasn’t long before the stories of gold discovered in California leaked out into the neighboring states. Unusually there wasn’t a rush to California, because the news of gold was just another tale to unlikely to really happen.( Internet A) Sam Brannan was a San Francisco merchant that would become the richest person in California even though he never mined for gold. Brannan’s plan was to run though the streets of San Francisco shouting the story about Marshall’s discovery of gold, and a proof to the people that there was really gold, Brannan held up a bottle of gold dust. Brannan’s plan worked and sparked the rush for gold. Another part of Brannan’s plan was to use the method of supply and demand. Brannan had bought every pickaxe, pan and shovel in the state. A metal pan that would have sold for twenty cents just a couple of days ago, Brannan now sold it for fifteen dollars. In nine weeks Brannan had made thirty-six thousand dollars .( Internet B) Most of the world’s gold is deep underground and embedded in hard rock. Unlike anywhere else in the world, gold in California was easy to get and free for anyone with a few tools. However, not only people that mined got rich there were a few people that got luck and didn’t have to mine for gold. One man was Levi Strauss who in 1853, stitched a pair of pants out of canvas. These long lasting pants later became very popular with the miners. These pants were so well made and popular that they are still around today.( Canine 34) The California gold rush not only brought Americans to California but foreigners such as the Chinese, Mexicans, Irish, Germans, French, and Turks. The foreigners had no intention of staying in California, their only reason for going there was to get gold and go home. However brining gold out of the country was hard because of bandits. As the amount of gold became less, the hatred towards foreigners became more. So the California legislature passed the Foreign Miners Tax in 1850. Which was twenty dollars per month that had to be paid by foreign miners. Once this law was passed many foreigners refused to pay the tax and left the country. African Americans that were brought over to California, as slaves were latter freed because in 1850, California was a free state. As gold became harder to get, so California had to undergo changes. By the early 1850s, a single worker could no longer work his area alone, so he needed help and technology to find more gold. To begin with miners would work together to dam rivers and reroute water to make the gold more visible. Soon after this happened the group of workers were taken over by corporations. The new corporation developed new ideas for mining gold that would destroy the rivers. One thing that miners would use was mercury. Miners would line their pan with mercury to create a type of magnet for gold. Unfortunetly, miners didn’t know the long term effects of using mercury, because mercury would be washed into the rivers and pollute the rivers as well as any animals that were living in the rivers. The most common way to safely mine gold was to use shallow metal pans, and mix soil from the riverbeds. Then by making circular motions with the pan, the lighter soil washed away, leaving only the gold. A m ore complex way of mining was the waterwheel that was introduced by the Chinese. The water would move the wheel, thus powering various mining machines.( Internet B) However the worst was yet to come when in 1853, the technique of hydraulic mining was introduced. Hydraulic mining used strong jets of water that tore apart the walls of the riverbeds. These jets of water were so powerful, that it could kill a man who was standing two hundred feet away. Miners would divert streams sending smaller stream off to each side of a river, thus leaving river beds exposed and easier to see gold. Water that was diverted from these jets onto dry land created a boggy mud that destroyed habitats for animals, and flooded the land that farmers used, that lived down stream of the miming. By the 1860s it was becoming aware to the people that hydraulic mining was destroying the landscape. However, little was done to try and stop hydraulic mining because still the only thing people in California thought ab out was themselves and getting rich. It took over thirty years to ban hydraulic mining. The rivers of northern California would never return to their original shape. Then again no part of California would ever be the same after the gold rush was finally over with. San Francisco was once a tiny little town within California. Only a few hundred people lived there in the 1840s, but because of the gold rush, it brought a huge population growth. San Francisco soon averaged thirty new houses and two murders each day. A piece of land in San Francisco coasted sixteen dollars in 1847, was then sold for forty five thousand dollars just eighteen months later. In less than two years the city of San Francisco burned to the ground six times. Of coarse there was always enough money to rebuild a bigger and better city. (Glass 48) Gold was similar to a magnet that brought people from all over the world. San Francisco quickly turned into a city that interested many types of people. California also became a melting pot of cultures due to the fact that so many foreigners came to California during the gold rush.

Business Law in Canada for Vicarious Liability †Free Samples

In order to ensure that clients are protected by businesses, their is the need to ensure that there is a clear structure that has been put in place to guarantee the same. Vicarious liability is one of the doctrines that has been put in place in order to ensure that mistakes that are made by employees while in the course of their duty are placed on the businesses. This ensures that employers are able to manage their employee effectively in order to ensure that no mistakes are realized as a result of the same. As it has been noted above, vicarious liability does not place too much liability to businesses. It is essential for employers to ensure that their employees effectively handle their clients in order to minimize any risk that may be imminent. It must also be understood that   bouncers do not have equal power to police officers. Therefore, they should not be allowed to harass people while on duty to a point whereby damage is realized. This should be blamed on the employer who should be able to train their employees on how to behave and handle clients. Nickels, W. G., McHugh, J. M., McHugh, S. M., Cossa, R., & Sproule, B. (2010). Understanding Canadian Business.  McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Toronto, ON. Yates, R. A. (2012).  Legal Fundamentals for Canadian Business. Pearson Education Canada. Fudge, J., Tucker, E., & Vosko, L. F. (2003). Employee or Independent Contractor-Charting the Legal Significance of the Distinction in Canada.  Canadian Lab. & Emp. LJ,  10, 193. Yates, R., Bereznicki-Korol, T., & Clarke, T. (2002).  Business   law in Canada. Scarborough, Ont.: Prentice Hall. Tardif v.  Wiebe 1996 Carswell B.C. 2438  (B.C.S.C.) Bowal, P., & Bontorin, L. (2014). Vicarious Liability: The Legal Responsibility of Employers.

Medicinal Marijuana Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Medicinal Marijuana - Essay Example What if a number of patients have concrete evidences on the medicinal effects of marijuana? Should the government allow them to use it legally to save their life or continue its prohibition? Dr. Andrea Barthwell representing the White House National Drug Control Policy pointed at Dr. Oz’s show that state legalization of medical marijuana will only increase abuse incidences especially with the youth as the most vulnerable sector. On June 29, 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington sent a memo nationwide stating that the state laws do not spare the patient or other users from federal prosecution when found guilty of abuse (Laitner and Bell, 2011). This memo was sent after Michigan reported a large scale law breaking incidents related to medical marijuana. Arguments against legalization of medical marijuana is sustained by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and by other similar studies of crusaders against marijuana with report stating the adverse effects of smoking marijuana includes disorientation of some brain functions, cardiac vulnerabilities, lung diseases, and addiction (2010). The federal government believes that legalizing medical marijuana will only provide more opportunity for abuse like in the state of California where restrictions on the use of drugs is loose a person can acquire medical marijuana card when a physician recommends it for treatment just for any kind of ailment. As presented at The Dr. Oz Show, medical marijuana across the states where it is legal can be prescribed for a bundle of diseases ranging from life threatening such as HIV, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain due to cancer, and non-life threatening such as headache, anxiety, stress, and insomnia among others (2011). On the contrary, notable medical marijuana advocates present at the Dr. Oz show like Dr. Donald Abrams, Director of the Integrative Oncology Research Program at the University of California, San Francisco, believes on the potential of marijuana to be used as medicine for critically ill patients because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant characteristic. Another guest Montel Williams, famous host and author who is a multiple sclerosis patient, revealed that since he used medical marijuana no brain plaque growth has been observed in his brain . Williams shared that the University of Southern California, San Diego published its 2010 study which revealed medical marijuana as one of the top choices of physicians in treating patients suffering from multiple sclerosis and that there are no evidence suggesting smoking of marijuana as dangerous to lungs. Both sides taken considerably, the conflict is two tiers, at the government level and at the physician-patient level. The federal government declares that it illegal to use and distribute marijuana, and the Food and Drug Administration has not approved use of marijuana for medical purposes but many states are legalizing medical marijuana with varying and mostly loose regulations. T he studies done to prove and disprove the medical efficacy and effectiveness of marijuana are done separately by different physicians and patients looking into its different aspects. Such that oncologists like Dr. Abrams looked into how medical marijuana can help alleviate sufferings of terminally ill patients while psychologist and other

After reading chapter 6 and 7 of the textbook, Philosophy the Power of Assignment

After reading chapter 6 and 7 of the textbook, Philosophy the Power of Ideas, answer the following questions - Assignment Example ne Descartes, however, realized that although he could doubt everything else, he could not doubt his very own existence because existence is a sine qua non for doubting. His doubting self/existence therefore became the starting point of his theory of knowledge. Having proved his existence, Rene Descartes went on to prove the existence of God. Descartes argued that since doubting is less perfect than to know/knowledge, he was an imperfect being; Descartes realized that there must be a perfect being that does not doubt, a being that knows everything. Descartes concluded that the perfect being is God. Descartes, therefore, argued that God is the truth and all other things share in the truth of God. God therefore became the metaphysical basis of Descartes’ Epistemology. Descartes concluded that everything that we can conceive clearly and distinctly is true because it is a participation God, the truth itself. An evaluation of Descartes theory of knowledge shows that the theory was a phenomenal milestone in Philosophy, the theory challenged Philosophers to base their arguments only on logical truths, rather than, on believes and doctrines that have no logical basis. Question 2. Thomas Hobbes was a thorough going materialist. Hobbes argued that all reality is material, including thoughts, feelings and ideas. Hobbes argued that all reality in the universe can be explained in material form, i.e. in terms of the motions and the interactions of material bodies. For this reason, Hobbes denied existence of any immaterial reality. For this reason, Hobbes saw human beings as machines, operating solely according to the physical laws; For Hobbes therefore all human actions can be explained in terms of cause and effect. An evaluation of this theory reveals one glaring shortcoming: Hobbes did not give a sufficient and convincing account of how human thoughts and ideas are material in nature; Hobbes did not give a convincing argument on how the motions and interactions of

Business Essay about Mergers Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business about Mergers - Essay Example It is vital to note that federal and state laws are controlling systems for mergers. This occurs for notable reasons. To begin with, the government regulates such arrangements because of the elimination to competition (Halibozek & Kovacich, 2005). Competition is beneficial for the government because it drives entrepreneurship. Large firms motivate smaller firms to strive to their levels. In the event of the same, the smaller firms expand to generate substantial revenues for the governments (Truitt, 2004). In addition, such firms expand their marketing scope by improving on aspects such as advertising. This means that there is an interrelation, of firms, that create mutual benefits among the same. In turn, industries provide employment to population and accord social benefits to particular countries. In the sense of mergers, the same minimizes competition between the bigger and small firm. It is vital to note that mergers benefit the bigger firms in terms of pushing the same towards m aintaining their market capture. On the other hand, it is vital to note that mergers could result controlled market power. This relates to the power of monopolies. In this aspect, monopolies could exploit the market in two notable ways. To begin with, they would minimize on their output. This results into deficient products for consumers. In addition, monopolies would constrain output and raise prices. This reduces on the relative income of consumers because their previous income affords fewer goods. The monopolies ensure interaction of these two aspects in order that they generate super normal profits. The reason why the same is exploitation relates to the idea that consumers pay for products at a value that exceeds the production costs of the same. It is vital to note that consumer welfare demands production at a level whereby production costs equal prices. Production costs relates to marginal costs in economics (Mankiw, 2006). Mergers cause monopolies that may create other econom ical dangers. This relates to the idea that they could prevent growth of other firms. Monopolies acquire expansion advantages in the form of economies of scale. In this sense, other firms experience a difficulty in reaching the minimum efficient scale. It is vital to note that the minimum efficient scale refers to the state of production where a firm acquires maximum benefits out of the same (Mankiw, 2006). It is the most prominent level of production. This means that the merged firms would become the sole operators in the market. In the end, smaller firms would strive to rise and extinguish sooner. In case of an industry’s decision towards self-expansion, there would be notable obstacle to the same. This relates to the idea that such a firm would expand by use of capital projects. The benefits of self-expansion relates to the idea of self-dependence. In this sense, an industry faces limited obstacle form actions of other firms. It is vital to note that self-expansion leads t o maximum benefits because a firm enjoys all its revenues (Truitt, 2004). However, the aspect, of capital projects, constrains the same in the quest for independent expansion. To begin with, capital projects consume significant resources in the same. This poses notable dangers. For instance, the industry would require huge amounts of capital for expansion. In case it utilizes its own capital, it will constrain the advancement of

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 12

Case Study Example 2. The HR department will also offer monthly training to all employees. This is because 76 % of the respondents signified that they needed additional training. Employees will be categorized into two groups based on the training they need. The trainings available are computer and communication training. Computer training will be offered by a local- based institution, providing training on computer packages, for 4 months. Training will be offered on every afternoon of Friday and Saturday. Much of the training will focus on computer packages, as networking is an essential tool of communication, in the modern corporate world. On the other hand, five members of the staff will lead their colleagues in leaning communication techniques. This will be done daily as from 3pm to 5pm. 3. The facilities and comfort provided by the company are pretty reasonable; however, the HR department will consider improving medical and transport facilities because 90 % of the respondents need modern welfare administration. In the next 3 months, the company’s heath unit is going to be stocked with modern medical equipment to improve service delivery. Additionally, one doctor and three nurses are going to join the medical team, in the next one month. Two more luxury buses will be delivered to the fleet department, in two months time. This, in addition to the existing buses, will enhance movement of employees from one point to another. 4. The HR department will also review its promotion and transfer strategies because 63 % of employees need regular employee movement. It is necessary to note that this will only depend on an employee’s performance and efficiency. Therefore, those who need regular movements must improve their work output and efficiency. While interviewing employees, most of the correspondents complained that relationship between labour force and management is

See attachment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

See attachment - Essay Example Adequate working ambience and other motivators then act towards maximizing the productivity and satisfaction. Job design and work organization work towards complementing each other’s roles. This set of analysis is the specification of the contents, method and relationships of jobs to satisfy technological and organizational requirements as well as the personal needs of job holders1. A systematic body of knowledge on the design of jobs is a result of the Industrial revolution and the rise of large-scale economic enterprises. Principles of scientific management developed by Frederick W Taylor2 around 1900 form the basis for designing jobs in most organizations. The primary emphasis of scientific management was on planning, standardizing and improving human efforts at the operating level in order to maximize output with least amount of input. But now behavioral part is also included into managing the human resources. Now profit maximization is not the only motive, but establishing a relationship with the customers and employees have become equally important parts of the managerial tasks. Management Driven Approach: According to this school of thought management will be most effective if it devises rules and procedures to govern the staff for the task to be undertaken. In this approach management is assumed to be a class apart and more effective than labor at devising methods for executing the work and then at planning and organizing. Workers as Economic entities: According to this school of thought, human beings are considered as rational economic beings. And maximum output is thought to be the direct consequence of the policy of relating pay levels to the output. This theory assumes that primary goal of human beings is the monetary compensation and the reward systems. As such, humans will examine a situation and identify a course of action likely to maximize their self interest and act accordingly. All that is required to

Business Essay about Mergers Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business about Mergers - Essay Example It is vital to note that federal and state laws are controlling systems for mergers. This occurs for notable reasons. To begin with, the government regulates such arrangements because of the elimination to competition (Halibozek & Kovacich, 2005). Competition is beneficial for the government because it drives entrepreneurship. Large firms motivate smaller firms to strive to their levels. In the event of the same, the smaller firms expand to generate substantial revenues for the governments (Truitt, 2004). In addition, such firms expand their marketing scope by improving on aspects such as advertising. This means that there is an interrelation, of firms, that create mutual benefits among the same. In turn, industries provide employment to population and accord social benefits to particular countries. In the sense of mergers, the same minimizes competition between the bigger and small firm. It is vital to note that mergers benefit the bigger firms in terms of pushing the same towards m aintaining their market capture. On the other hand, it is vital to note that mergers could result controlled market power. This relates to the power of monopolies. In this aspect, monopolies could exploit the market in two notable ways. To begin with, they would minimize on their output. This results into deficient products for consumers. In addition, monopolies would constrain output and raise prices. This reduces on the relative income of consumers because their previous income affords fewer goods. The monopolies ensure interaction of these two aspects in order that they generate super normal profits. The reason why the same is exploitation relates to the idea that consumers pay for products at a value that exceeds the production costs of the same. It is vital to note that consumer welfare demands production at a level whereby production costs equal prices. Production costs relates to marginal costs in economics (Mankiw, 2006). Mergers cause monopolies that may create other econom ical dangers. This relates to the idea that they could prevent growth of other firms. Monopolies acquire expansion advantages in the form of economies of scale. In this sense, other firms experience a difficulty in reaching the minimum efficient scale. It is vital to note that the minimum efficient scale refers to the state of production where a firm acquires maximum benefits out of the same (Mankiw, 2006). It is the most prominent level of production. This means that the merged firms would become the sole operators in the market. In the end, smaller firms would strive to rise and extinguish sooner. In case of an industry’s decision towards self-expansion, there would be notable obstacle to the same. This relates to the idea that such a firm would expand by use of capital projects. The benefits of self-expansion relates to the idea of self-dependence. In this sense, an industry faces limited obstacle form actions of other firms. It is vital to note that self-expansion leads t o maximum benefits because a firm enjoys all its revenues (Truitt, 2004). However, the aspect, of capital projects, constrains the same in the quest for independent expansion. To begin with, capital projects consume significant resources in the same. This poses notable dangers. For instance, the industry would require huge amounts of capital for expansion. In case it utilizes its own capital, it will constrain the advancement of

See attachment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

See attachment - Essay Example Adequate working ambience and other motivators then act towards maximizing the productivity and satisfaction. Job design and work organization work towards complementing each other’s roles. This set of analysis is the specification of the contents, method and relationships of jobs to satisfy technological and organizational requirements as well as the personal needs of job holders1. A systematic body of knowledge on the design of jobs is a result of the Industrial revolution and the rise of large-scale economic enterprises. Principles of scientific management developed by Frederick W Taylor2 around 1900 form the basis for designing jobs in most organizations. The primary emphasis of scientific management was on planning, standardizing and improving human efforts at the operating level in order to maximize output with least amount of input. But now behavioral part is also included into managing the human resources. Now profit maximization is not the only motive, but establishing a relationship with the customers and employees have become equally important parts of the managerial tasks. Management Driven Approach: According to this school of thought management will be most effective if it devises rules and procedures to govern the staff for the task to be undertaken. In this approach management is assumed to be a class apart and more effective than labor at devising methods for executing the work and then at planning and organizing. Workers as Economic entities: According to this school of thought, human beings are considered as rational economic beings. And maximum output is thought to be the direct consequence of the policy of relating pay levels to the output. This theory assumes that primary goal of human beings is the monetary compensation and the reward systems. As such, humans will examine a situation and identify a course of action likely to maximize their self interest and act accordingly. All that is required to

Henry James referred to TTOTS as a potboiler Essay Example for Free

Henry James referred to TTOTS as a potboiler Essay Henry James referred to ‘TTOTS’ as a potboiler. In light of this comment, explore the establishment of a simple ghost story in the prologue and first five chapters. Henry James stated that ‘TTOTS’ was a potboiler, meant only to be perceived as a simple ghost story which in the Victorian era was how it was originally accepted. However a more modern audience ay interpret the novella as something more. Relating back to the idea of a simple ghost story, the novella starts with a typical ghost story setting – ‘The story had held us, round the fire’ emphasised by the description of the house being ‘gruesome’ and it being ‘Christmas Eve’ informing us that it is night time. All are contributing factors to an ideal ghost story and all of these points start to build the tension and suspense up already within the first few lines. ‘Held us, round the fire’ tells us how they are clinging to this materialistic substance for comfort and warmth, typical connotations of fire. Use of language such as ‘dreadful’ and ‘terror’ increases this sense of a greater impending ghost story – that of which we hear about the Governess. Moreover this sets the mood and creates the atmosphere for the audience to fully appreciate the ‘horror’ of this ghost story. In addition, the idea of them telling ghost stories gives us an immediate impression that there is a ghost story awaiting the audience. The use of more dramatic language such as ‘for sheer terror?’ and ‘for dreadful – dreadfulness’ start the steep incline of suspense and tension we will feel throughout the story. The idea of authenticity throughout this novella is key for the audience to focus on. To increase this idea of the story being real, James uses a framed narrative to draw the reader in to believe that the tale is true. Overall the story could succeed without the prologue but with it, the audience is a lot more likely to proceed through the book with an idea or reality. The main character in the prologue, Douglas, tells the unnamed narrator and the rest of the group of a ghost story much worse than any that have been told. ‘If the child gives the effect of another turn of the screw, what do you say to two children ?’ Obviously hinting that his tale contains two children, increasing the horror the audience are now sure that they are reading a simple ghost story. However this idea can be argued as we continue throughout the prologue and the first chapter. We learn that about the Governess, moreover, we learn Douglas’ opinion of her. ‘Is in old faded ink and in the most beautiful hand’. From this we can interpret that Douglas’ may be fond or possibly in love with the Governess making his opinion biased thus taking away from the reliability of the story. The use of characters in the prologue almost acts as a metaphor for the reader. ‘Everybody will stay!’ and ‘I will – and I will!’ could be used to represent how James wants the reader to react to reading the actual ghost story. Straight away in the first chapter we learn about how the governess suffered ‘a succession of flights and drops’. Already we start to suspect the volatility of her and the reliability of her tale which obviously argues against the idea of it being a simple ghost story and starts to lay down the foundation for the idea that there may be undercurrents of something more suspect. However her description of Bly is incredibly positive. ‘A lovely day’, ‘summer sweetness’ and ‘a friendly surprise’ are all used in one sentence and all are incredibly optimistic, giving us the idea that the governess is a very positive person. However she does seem to be very hyperbolic, describing the first child, Flora, as ‘one of Raphael’s holy infants’. Obviously this is taking it to extremes, which hints that this might not be the only thing that she is exaggerating throughout the novella. Towards the end of chapter one, she describes parts of the house with language such as ‘empty chambers’, ‘dull corridors’ and ‘crooked staircase’ al of which are very negative descriptions, however she immediately starts to describe the house as ‘a castle of romance’ and something from a ‘story book’. Moreover, as she is peppering her negative quotes with positive and vice versa massively showing her incredible volatility. This is a major idea that the rest of the story may be exaggerated or maybe not even true. This could also foreshadow her personality later on into the novella. Throughout the chapters the language of Mrs Grose becomes increasingly questionable. As an audience we are constantly told that she is ‘simple-minded’ however she sees to know a lot more than she is letting on. ‘Are you afraid he’ll corrupt you?’ This is odd as she is talking about Miles, a ten year old boy. This make the audience think, how can a young child corrupt a fully grown woman? Leading us on to thin she may be talking about somebody else. As we progress through the story we learn about the Governess’s sexual frustration toward the master. Accompanying this idea is that she sees the apparition of Peter Quint upon the tower. This is could imply that she is projecting her sexual frustration onto an imaginary figure as a release to wanting to see the master. ‘A charming story suddenly to meet someone’ and later ‘He did stand there!’ She only sees this figure stood there when she is imagining the master, a suspicious idea that the reader may look into. ‘The man who met my eyes was not the person I precipitately supposed’. This quote backs up my previous point of the projecting this idea of meeting the master on her walks. During these first few chapters we experience a reasonable amount of religious language, ‘Raphael’s holy infants’, ‘divine’ and ‘he has red hair’ these all imply ideas of how the plot is affected by the religious aspects of the Victorian era and their views on ghosts. As they did believe in ghosts and were mainly very religious, these ideas were accepted avidly and only increased any emotions felt within the Victorian reader as they progressed through the story. Overall, my personal views are that there are underlying psychological ideas in ‘TTOTS’ and that although it can be read as a straight ghost story, to fully appreciate the novella the reader must delve deeper and retrieve any obvious ideas that suggest more than just a typical ghost story. James uses a variety of techniques which make his characters seem a lot more emotional deeper than just a person who is afraid in a big house. However the idea of authenticity throughout does back up the point of it being a straight ghost story. I do believe that it is a mazed reader and can be open to a variety of interpretations.

Second Hand Smoke Prevention Policies

Second Hand Smoke Prevention Policies EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY RECOMMENDATIONS Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on the Smoke-free Cars Bill in NZ. I am currently a Population Health student at the University of Auckland, an interest which stemmed from my realisation that many illnesses and injuries are largely preventable. With volunteering experience for World Vision NZ, I am also an advocate of children’s health. My approach to health is based upon population health. In the case of smoking, there exists significant population health ramifications: of not only the impact tobacco has on smokers’ health, but of also the dangers of second-hand smoke (SHS) to those around them. This policy is therefore important for not only the wellbeing of children, but also for achieving widespread positive health gain for all New Zealanders. Like many health organisations in NZ, I urge the promotion of a Vision for Tupeka Kore Aotearoa; a tobacco-free New Zealand by 2020 so that future generations of New Zealanders will be protected from exposure to tobacco products and enjoy tobacco-free lives. I support the bill to ban smoking in all vehicles when children are present. Firstly, considerable scientific studies have produced convincing evidence that exposure to SHS in vehicles has serious health consequences for children. Moreover, there are marked deprivation and ethnic inequalities in in-vehicle SHS exposure. Thirdly, the need to protect children, a vulnerable group, from these harms forms the ethical rationale for regulatory action. Finally, ought such a bill be implemented, it would enjoy widespread public support from smokers and non-smokers, adults and children alike. Key Recommendations I recommend that awareness campaigns are needed to highlight the risks associated with SHS, the benefits of maintaining smoke-free cars, and the rationales behind a law banning smoking in vehicles carrying children. I recommend that the government continue supporting media campaigns and other initiatives which encourage smoking cessation. Based on the range of fines imposed in Australia and the fine linked to the safety belt law in NZ, I suggest an on-the-spot fine of $150 be set for those breaching the smoke-free ban. As a more long-term strategy, I recommend that the possibility of restricting smoking in all private vehicles (regardless of whether they are carrying children) to be explored. POLICY STATEMENT The harmful effects that SHS causes to children’s health is well documented. Although the general public is protected by the smoke-free regulations in enclosed public places and workspaces in NZ, most children remain at risk of exposure to high levels of SHS when confined in vehicles. For the purposes of this submission, â€Å"children† refers to anyone under the age of eighteen. In order to reduce children’s exposure to SHS in vehicles, I am championing the Smoke-free Cars Bill, banning smoking in any vehicle with children present. Using supporting evidence, I outline the reasons behind my position below. HEALTH AND WELLBEING RATIONALE Second-hand Smoke SHS is highly toxic; it contains thousands of hazardous chemicals, many of which are cancer-causing (carcinogenic). When non-smokers are exposed to SHS (passive smoking), they also inhale many of the toxins and carcinogenic substances as smokers do. Health Hazards in Children Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of SHS, as they have smaller airways and lungs, faster breathing rates, and less developed immune systems. For children, exposure to SHS is a known cause of many adverse health consequences. SHS increases the risk of respiratory diseases (such as bronchitis and pneumonia) , middle ear infections , and sudden infant death syndrome . Exposure to SHS is especially harmful for asthmatic children, who experience more severe symptoms and more frequent asthma attacks. SHS can also cause asthma in children with no prior symptoms. An estimated one million asthmatic children in the United States have had their condition worsened due to SHS exposure. Yet, a study reported that only half of the parents of asthmatic children maintained smoke-free vehicles. Children exposed to SHS in vehicles have been found to exhibit nicotine dependence symptoms, even though they had previously never smoked cigarettes. A review by the British Medical Association concluded that there is no safe level of exposure to SHS for children; low levels of exposure are still associated with harmful health effects. Pollution Levels of Smoke in Vehicles Pollution levels from SHS with vehicles reach dangerously high levels that can cause serious health risks for all riders, particularly children. Unhealthy levels of pollution generated from SHS were detected across multiple studies, even with vehicle windows and air vents opened, and the fan set on high. The levels of pollution from SHS a child is exposed to in a fully ventilated vehicle was found to be greater than that of smoke-filled bars and restaurants , and smokers’ homes ; they also exceeded air quality levels on Auckland’s poorest air quality days. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health found that effects of SHS in vehicles continue to be harmful, long after the smoke had dissipated. This is due to the build-up of chemicals from cigarette smoke, which clings to the carpet and upholstery. In all cases, the studies’ authors recommended the enactment of smoke-free vehicle regulations to protect the health of not only children, but all non-smokers. EQUITY RATIONALE MÄ ori and Pacific Island children were found to have greater SHS exposure in vehicles. This, however, is not a localised phenomenon, as previous studies in the United States found similar ethnic disparities. Martin et al. observed that children of low socioeconomic status have a higher risk of exposure to SHS in vehicles, and therefore, may contribute to health inequities. This is consistent with a study in the United States, which reported that lower income households were less likely to maintain smoke-free cars. Jarvie and Malone concluded that a bill protecting children from SHS in vehicles promotes equity, because children who are already social disadvantaged (of minority populations, and deprived neighbourhoods and families) would derive the most benefits. ETHICAL RATIONALE Children are a Vulnerable Group Legislation is important to protect children because they are a vulnerable, dependent group of individuals, who – unlike adults – are unable to protect or speak for themselves. Preventing smoking by adults in vehicles containing children constrains adults freedom (or autonomy) temporarily, as they would only be restricted in vehicles. However, for children who are unable to protect themselves from SHS exposure, the effects of SHS are serious and permanent. Protecting the Interests of Children Ethicists asserted that adults who choose to smoke in vehicles with children present are not acting in the interests of the child, because their action places children at high risk of serious harm from SHS exposure. This is a circumstance where the interests of children and parents conflict: the health and wellbeing of children, versus adults freedom to smoke in vehicles. Given that SHS exposure is profound in its potential to cause preventable morbidity and mortality among children, the government – as the ultimate guardian of children – has a duty to ban smoking in vehicle with children present. This bill is further supported by ethical principles of non-maleficence and beneficence: it both obliges adults to not inflict harm to children, and promotes the interests of children. INCREASING PUBLIC SUPPORT Numerous studies found that while smokers were less likely to be supportive of smoke-free laws in all vehicles, they were largely supportive of banning smoking in vehicles when children are present. It is fair to conclude that there would be even higher levels of support among non-smokers. The vast majority of people would therefore be calling for and supporting the enforcement of a smoke-free law for vehicles carrying children. Survey data in NZ and overseas alike have indicated that support for laws banning smoking in cars carrying children has been increasing over time. A NZ study found that children expressed negative feelings toward smoking, and were aware that smoking in cars with children present is ‘wrong’. Some specifically stated that smoking should be banned, which suggests that children themselves would be supportive of a bill restricting smoking in vehicles. RECOMMENDATIONS Alongside legislation (which urges responsible behaviour), I recommend that awareness campaigns are needed to highlight the health risks for children associated with SHS, the benefits of maintaining smoke-free cars, and the rationales behind a law banning smoking in vehicles containing children. I recommend that the government continue to support media campaigns by Quitline NZ and other initiatives which encourage smoking cessation, as it is the single most effective way of reducing children’s exposure to SHS without forcing behaviour change. I suggest an on-the-spot fine of $150 be set for those breaching the smoke-free ban. This has been made in consideration of the range of fines imposed in Australia (where there already exists a smoking bans on vehicles carrying children) , as well as the $150 fine associated with breaching the safety belt law in NZ . As a more long-term strategy, I recommend that the possibility of restricting smoking in all private vehicles should be explored, as this would be much more straightforward and practical than a ban limited to smoking in vehicles only if children are present. Exposure to SHS in vehicles is also a significant risk to the health of adults. CONCLUSION Thank you for the opportunity to submit on the Smoke-free Cars Bill in NZ. In this submission, I have outlined the health and wellbeing, equity and ethical rationales, as well as evidence of increasing public support, for why a law banning smoking in all vehicles containing children is required. I have made practical recommendations on how the policy, if implemented, could be improved and strengthened. I look forward to seeing the regulation of smoking in cars as one step closer to realising Tupeka Kore Aotearoa, a tobacco-free New Zealand, by 2020.

What do you understand by the own-price elasticity of demand for a good

What do you understand by the own-price elasticity of demand for a good? 1. (a) What do you understand by the own-price elasticity of demand for a good? (b) Will a linear (straight line) demand curve have a constant own-price elasticity of demand? Explain your answer. (c) Following the terrorists attacks in the USA on 11 September, there was a marked fall in business travel. In respomse, many hotels cut their prices to business travellers; for example the Hyatt Hotel group offered discounts of up to 50 per cent off regular room rates. Under what circumstances would this lead to increased revenue for these hotels? Before we define the meaning of the own-price elasticity for a good we must understand elasticity and its concept in general. Elasticity is basically a comparison between the sizes of change in the quantity demanded, in the case of the own-price elasticity, of a certain good and in the variable that caused this change. According to Mankiwelasticity is a measure of the responsiveness of quantity demanded or quantity supplied to one of its determinants. The law of demand implies that an increase in a price of a good will subsequently lead to a fall in the quantity demanded for that good. The formulae which calculates this amount is the division of the percentage of change in quantity demanded by the percentage of change in price. The sign of price elasticity of demand, and elasticity as well, is always going to be negative due to the fact that quantity and price demanded are usually in opposite directions. Elasticity is going to be negative as well since neither the percentage change in price nor the the percentage change in quantity ar... ...sequent repurcusion this had in economy as a whole brought a downfall in business travelling. The hotels in order to manage this crisis effectively reduced their prices and offered discounts in order to increase the quantity of customers visiting them. If we consider the law of demand in this case, hotel reservations should increase in this period as well as the total revenue of the business but this would happen when the price elasticity of demand is elastic. This happens when the percentage change in quantity is larger than the percentage change in price. Concluding, we would easily say that it is assume that the hotels would increase their total revenue with discounts and better prices but this is not always the case. There are other factors influencing customer behaviour after these terrorist attacks that would not be easily predicted or affluenced.

The Break That Teaches :: Personal Narrative Writing

The Break That Teaches "So, does this mean that we are finished now?" "I guess so." In three terrifying words that I dreaded hearing, everything was finished. Nine months of my life melted away from me and seemed to become meaningless as my girlfriend broke up with me, and I had no idea how I would cope with it. I had been "released" from relationships before by other girls, but this time was unlike any other. Sarah and I had a special bond. I had taken this relationship for granted, and the event that took place in our church's office was one of the biggest lessons of my life. The day began at a very quick pace. I was working at my college in the morning, and knew that I was going to be in a hurry in order to make it on time to my friend's wedding. My girlfriend was invited to attend the wedding with me, but I doubted that she would come. We were having problems at the time, which created some awkwardness between us. In fact, almost a week earlier, I thought that we were going to break up, but much to my pleasure, we had lasted another six days. I was inconceivably surprised when I saw her speeding into our driveway in her flashy red Sunbird convertible. When I came downstairs and met her in the kitchen, I was intimidated. She looked astonishing in her white dress, but the frown on her face expressed frustration, tiredness, and anger. I was not sure at all what to expect during the wedding and for the rest of the day. The short drive in my car to the wedding was awkward. I attempted conversation. â€Å"So, how was the party last night?† I asked, simply so I could hear more than the tires of the car against the hot asphalt. â€Å"Good,† she replied. â€Å"Were there lots of people there?† I wondered. â€Å"I guess so,† she curtly answered. Since there was not much response from Sarah at all, I felt as if I was talking with myself. My mind was wandering everywhere it could at a rapid pace.

Cloning Position Paper

The United States government should not fund cloning because cloning would not be an asset for the country right now. It would take a substantial amount funding away in having to accommodate both cloning research and regular scientific research. Looking at it as a whole, cloning is also a matter that a majority of U. S. citizens have not come to terms with. On a global scale, cloning would also create unnecessary competition between the U. S. nd other powerful countries. If the government were to support cloning research, research funds with either have to be split or added onto. With funds being split, progress and and vital advances would be deferred among research that is already going on today. Since our country is well into national debt, adding funds on to enable cloning research would not be wise. America, as one people, are not wholly agreed on the circumstances of cloning research.For some, cloning is crossing an important and moral religious line, let alone a scientific one . For others, cloning is seen as a threat to human and animal rights. If our country is not already equally divided on the issue of cloning, the majority is likely not for cloning. If the U. S. facilitates cloning research, it is likely that other powerful countries will follow lead. There are already many countries who do cloning research, so why make it even more of a global competition?I may also add that there is a wide range of international debt, the U. S. is not the only one experiencing deficit. If any countries should be allowed cloning research, it should be Canada or Sweden; countries that actually have stable economies. Realistically, the U. S. is not yet prepared to fund cloning research. Why can't we just give the glory to a country who could use it? We don't need to reign supreme over every notable advance ever made, or even try to.

Aggressive in behaviour Essay

I will use this as my title for the purposes of planning. In 1998, 47% of female prisoners had dependent children (Flynn, 1998:75). In 1999 this was estimated to be more like 55% – based on those with children sixteen or under. With the female prison population numbering around 3,250, the number of women estimated to have young children is 1788 (Harris, 2000:iv). So I feel it would be useful to try and locate around 10% of this number and ask for permission to interview and study their children. This figure would still mean a lot of work for the researchers – and there would need to be several – as not all of those approached would give permission for the research to involve their children. As a result, I have determined that the best methods of research will be interviews and observations. The reason I have chosen these methodologies is because they are more informal, and when working with children, it is more likely to yield results than questionnaires. Questionnaires are problematical for younger children, who may be unable to write and face to face techniques are more likely to obtain information – questionnaires are not always filled in or returned to the researchers (Bell, 1999:130). The benefits of interviewing and observation preclude the use of questionnaires, in part because they allow a certain flexibility for the researcher to further investigate any new ideas which may become apparent (Browne, 1997:406, 414). Observation is beneficial to the researcher because it can allow for additional details to be noted which the child might be unable or unwilling to express. Interviews permit a degree of familiarity between the researcher and the subject, and in turn may present opportunity to further discuss any points which the researcher feel are relevant. In questioning children, the ethics are complex. Permission to interview the child has to be obtained, and it might be unclear from whom it should be procured. The British Psychological Society in 1996 set down a code of ethics and conduct in which it was stipulated that if the research affects someone not able to give valid consent, i.e. a child under the age of eighteen, then it needs to be obtained from whomever has legal authority to give it (Lindsay, 2000:14-15). The first people deemed to be those with parental responsibility are the natural parents. Exceptions to this include a carer who has a resident order under the 1989 Children Act, anyone holding a temporary emergency protection order or the local authority if the child is in care (Masson, 2000:37). If the mother is in prison, as is necessary for his research, obtaining information regarding their children might be a contentious point. It will involve the co-operation of the prison management in addition to the parents, children, and the child’s’ place of education. There being only sixteen prisons in England and Wales which house female prisoners (Flynn, 1998:57), I feel it would be easier to gain the information from a women-only establishment as the administration may be more familiar with the inmates and perhaps will be in a position to assist the research. This would require asking the prison to identify those prisoners with children, which I believe is a detail which would perhaps already be on a database. If this is not the case, it would then involve asking the women in the prison to come forward. This would undoubtedly cause difficulties, as they may not wish to do so, perhaps through disinterest in the research or an unwillingness to be set part from the others as a result of it. Women who have been separated from their children, for whatever reason, may be emotional as a result, and therefore sensitivity is an absolute necessity. The disruption to the prison is also something which needs to be taken into consideration, but:  Ã¢â‚¬ËœÃ¢â‚¬ ¦most prisoners find it a welcome change to talk to outsiders†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Ã‚  (King, 2000:303). Once women with children between the ages of two and seventeen years have been identified and approached, their permission to interview their children must be obtained. Authorisation should also be secured from the person caring for the child away from the prison, as it is actually ethically wrong to ask permission for such things from the parent not currently the full-time carer (Masson, 2000:38). I do not know the ethics on continuing on the sole permission of the carer rather than the mother. This is the only clear means of getting access to the information required, as it would be too difficult to poll schools for the information. They would not be able to divulge the data on the children without parental permission anyway. If permission is not given by the mother or the carer, the child will not be contacted in any way. It might be interesting, however, to ask why the parents did not want to take part. Once permission has been gained, the next step is to decide where would be best for the child to hold the interviews. The parents may have suggestions themselves, as they may prefer to have the interview conducted in their presence. This is something which will have to be taken into consideration in the conduct of the project, as it may have a bearing on the behaviour of the child. The presence of a parent, teacher or carer may influence the way the child acts, albeit perhaps indirectly, so affecting their responses to the questions. It would undoubtedly be better to interview all the children under the same conditions, but this might not be possible so it would be advisable to be prepared to be flexible. The best place would be somewhere neutral to the child perhaps a local community centre, preferably interviewing the child twice – once with a parent, carer or teacher in the room, then once without them there. I believe this might show a variance in the child’s attitude and behaviour towards the researcher and their questions, as they will have ‘an audience to play to’ when someone they know well is in the room. It is essential, however, to interview the child in a setting in which they are comfortable. If the parents feel it would be best to interview at their home, then places such as the garden or even the stairs may provide a sense of security for the child (Masson, 2000:43). Otherwise another place to carry out an interview might be the child’s school. If the child is hostile to their school-life however, this may introduce elements of bias into their interview compared to other children who may have been interviewed at home or at a community centre. The practicality of eliciting reliable information from a child (under eighteen years of age), is a point which quickly becomes clouded with other issues. The words of an adult may be too complex or the sentence structure poorly formed, so that a child become confused. This has been proven to be the case by several authors (Walker, 1994, Dockrell, Lewis & Lindsay, 2000), and includes children up to the age of eighteen. Minors, even those nearly eighteen, are not always proficient in language skills, and may have difficulty understanding the wording of questions or in formulating their own answers (Walker, 1994:4). There is a need to be sure of how a child is answering a question put to them, as they could be responding to a part of a question rather than the whole question.