Letter Writing - Definition and Examples

Letter Writing s Letter writing is the exchange of written or printed messages. Distinctions are commonly drawn between personal letters (sent between family members, friends, or acquaintances) and business letters (formal exchanges with businesses or government organizations). Letter writing occurs in many forms and formats, including notes, letters, and postcards. Sometimes referred to as hard copy or snail mail, letter writing is often distinguished from forms of computer-mediated communication (CMC), such as email and texting. In his book Yours Ever: People and Their Letters (2009), Thomas Mallon identifies some of the subgenres of the letter, including the Christmas card, the chain letter, the mash note, the bread-and-butter letter, the ransom note, the begging letter, the dunning letter, the letter of recommendation, the unsent letter, the Valentine, and the war-zone dispatch. Observations The test, I think, of a good letter is a very simple one. If one seems to hear the person talking as one reads the letter, it is a good letter.(A.C. Benson, Letter-Writing. Along the Road, 1913)The art of beautiful letter writing has declined with our supposed advances, [Alvin Harlow] lamenteda cry we have been hearing ever more often in the eighty years since his book appeared. Those of us with a strong inclination toward the past must remember that, to its early writers, the handwritten or even chiseled letter must itself have seemed a marvel of modernity, and surely, even in Queen Atossas time, there were those who complained that letter writingby its nature a virtual activitywas cutting down on all the face time that civilized Persians had previously enjoyed.(Thomas Mallon, Yours Ever: People and Their Letters. Random House, 2009)Literary CorrespondenceThe age of the literary correspondence is dying, slowly but surely electrocuted by the superconductors of high modernity. This ex piration was locked into a certainty about 20 years ago; and although William Trevor and V.S. Naipaul, say, may yet reward us, it already sounds fogeyish to reiterate that, no, we wont be seeing, and we wont be wanting to see, the selected faxes and emails, the selected texts and tweets of their successors.(Martin Amis, Philip Larkins Women. The Guardian, October 23, 2010) Historical RecordsSo much of what we know of the world stems from private letters. Our principal eyewitness account of Vesuvius derives from a letter from Pliny the Younger to the Roman historian Tacitus. Our knowledge of the Roman world has been hugely enriched by the discovery in the early 1970s of inky messages on oak and birch discovered not far from Hadrians Wall in Britain. The letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn and of Napoleon to Josephine show infatuation, weakness and angeruseful additions to rounded character portraits. The list carries on to the present day, with recently collected correspondence by Paul Cezanne, P.G. Wodehouse and Christopher Isherwood adding nuance to influential lives.(Simon Garfield, The Lost Art of Letter-Writing. The Wall Street Journal, November 16-17, 2013)The Future of Letter WritingAll communication is human-madebased upon some form of technology. It is not that some forms of communication are free from technology but rather that all modes of c ommunication are based upon a complex relationship between the current cultural practices and the material resources necessary to support the technology. . . .Though CMC [computer-mediated communication] may, for those with access, replace letters as a means of rapid personal communication [the] lack of material fixity ensures a continued role for letters. By making a physical mark in the process of communication, letters for the moment support a number of social practices and conventions where authorship, authenticity and originality need to be ensured (e.g. in legal or business interactions).(Simeon J. Yates, Computer-Mediated Communication: The Future of the Letter? Letter Writing as a Social Practice, ed. by David Barton and Nigel Hall. John Benjamins, 2000) Jail MailIn prisons across the country, with their artificial pre-Internet worlds where magazines are one of the few connections to the outside and handwritten correspondence is the primary form of communication, the art of the pen-to-paper letter to the editor is thriving. Magazine editors see so much of it that they have even coined a term for these letters: jail mail.(Jeremy W. Peters, The Handwritten Letter, an Art All but Lost, Thrives in Prison. The New York Times, Jan. 7, 2011)Electronic Letter-WritingWhen I sift through my past weeks electronic in-box, I find easily half a dozen messages that qualify as letters in every traditional sense. They are coherently structured, written with care and design. They enlighten, they illuminate, they endear. They even follow the old epistolary ritual of signing off (not yours ever, but some venerable variant: yours . . . cheers . . . all best . . . xo). . . .[T]hese messages would probably never have come my way if the senders had been obl iged to take out pen and paper. Indeed, it is the very facility of electronic communication that makes the Luddite soul tremble. . . .Even in the age of tweets and pokes and blasts, the impulse to bring order to our thoughts and lives persists, and at the risk of sounding like a technojingoist, one might argue that technology facilitates this impulse as much as it impedes it.​(Louis Bayard, Personal Compositions. The Wilson Quarterly, Winter 2010)

122 Tone Words to Set the Mood in Your Story

122 Tone Words to Set the Mood in Your Story SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips In writing, an author’s tone is his or her general attitude or feelings about the work’s subject matter and audience. Tone words are used to help express that attitude. In this article, we’ll talk about what tone words are, analyze their use in several examples, and give a list of tone words with definitions that you can use in your writing. What Are Tone Words? Authors convey tone through diction (word choice), viewpoint, and syntax. Tone words are specific words that help express an author’s attitude about the subject matter. Words typically have a positive, negative, or neutral connotation. Tone words help authors show whether they feel positively, negatively, or neutrally about what they’re writing about. Here are some examples of tone words in action: The proposal is so absurd that it can’t possibly be taken seriously. The tone word â€Å"absurd† indicates that the writer finds the proposal ridiculous or silly. The politician’s speech was eloquent. The tone word â€Å"eloquent† has a positive connotation, which indicates that the author found the speech articulate and persuasive. Tonevs Voice Many writers confuse tone and voice or use the two terms interchangeably. In fact, they’re very different. As we’ve already discussed, tone indicates an author or character’s attitude towards a certain topic or situation. In nonfiction, tone words indicate what the author thinks. In fiction, tone words can help to set the mood, showing whether a particular situation or interaction is tense, happy, sad, etc. Voice, on the other hand, refers to the overall personality of a work. An author’s voice may be sarcastic, informative, friendly, or something else entirely. You can remember the difference this way: tone changes all the time. Voice refers to the character that a piece has throughout. Tone can change from sentence to sentence, while voice stays consistent. Here’s an example: In a young adult novel, the author has a casual voice. She doesn’t use a particularly complex vocabulary and her writing is very approachable. Within the story, the character experiences conflict and triumph. In the scenes where there is conflict, the tone words indicate tension. In the scenes where there is triumph, tone words indicate joy. The author’s overall type of word choice and approach to writing will remain the same throughout the work, but the specific words she uses will change as she describes different situations. Put another way: voice is how readers recognize you, the author, in your work. Voice is personal to each author and lasts throughout a piece. Tone words, on the other hand, indicate the author's (or character's) reactions to or opinions of events that are happening. As different events happen, the tone shifts. How to Find the Right Tone for Your Work To find the right tone for your work, you need to consider your audience and message. Start by asking yourself these three questions: Who am I writing this piece for? What am I trying to tell my reader? How do I want my reader to feel? Your audience will dictate the types of words you choose. If you’re writing for an academic audience, you may use more complicated language than if you’re writing for kids. You also want to consider what you're telling your reader. Do you want them to walk away with a positive or negative opinion of what you're presenting? How do you want them to feel about the information you're giving? These questions will help you decide what words to use in your work. Tone Word Example Analysis Let’s take a look at two examples of tone words in classic literature. A Clean, Well-Lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway â€Å"It was very late and everyone had left the cafe except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light. In the day time the street was dusty, but at night the dew settled the dust and the old man liked to sit late because he was deaf and now at night it was quiet and he felt the difference.† This excerpt demonstrates a calm, peaceful tone. Words like â€Å"settled† and â€Å"quiet† indicate the old man is relaxed and feeling safe. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe â€Å"I gasped for breath, and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly, more vehemently but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why WOULD they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men, but the noise steadily increased. O God! What COULD I do? I foamed I raved I swore!† This passage from The Tell-Tale Heart indicates a nervous, anxious tone. The phrases â€Å"violent gesticulations† and â€Å"heavy strides† display the rising action and contribute to the feeling of intensity. The Ultimate List of Tone Words These tone words will help establish the tone in your work. Tone Word Meaning Abashed ashamed or embarrassed; also, disconcerted Absurd ridiculous; silly. Accusatory a tone of accusation; to accuse of a crime or offense Admonishing cautioning, reproving or scolding; especially in a mild and good-willed manner; reminding. Adoring to regard with esteem, love, and respect; honor Amused pleasurably entertained, occupied, or diverted. Apathetic having or showing little or no emotion; indifferent or unresponsive. Benevolent characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings. Bewildered completely puzzled or confused; perplexed. Biting sarcastic, having a biting or sarcastic tone. Bitter characterized by intense antagonism or hostility. Blunt abrupt in manner; obtuse. Bold not hesitating or fearful in the face of danger or rebuff; courageous and daring. Brusque abrupt in manner; blunt; rough. Calm free from excitement or passion; tranquil. Candid frank; outspoken Cheery in good spirits. Churlish critical or harsh in a mean-spirited way. Comic funny; humorous. Commanding imposing; having an air of superiority. Conceited having an excessively favorable opinion of one’s self or abilities. Contentious argumentative, quarrelsome. Curt rudely brief in speech or abrupt Desperate having an urgent need, desire. Detached impartial or objective; disinterested; unbiased/ not concerned; aloof. Diabolic devilish; fiendish; outrageously wicked. Disbelieving to have no belief in; refuse or reject belief in. Disdainful expressing contempt or disdain. Disgusted to excite nausea or loathing in. To offend the taste or moral sense of. Disrespectful showing a lack of respect; rude and discourteous. Disturbed marked by symptoms of mental illness. Doubtful uncertain outcome or result. Dramatic of or pertaining to drama; excessively confrontational. Dreary causing sadness or gloom. Earnest serious in intention or sincerely zealous. Ebullient overflowing with enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited. Ecstatic in a state of ecstasy; rapturous. Effusive unreserved or unduly demonstrative. Egotistical vain; boastful; indifferent to the well-being of others; selfish. Elated very happy or proud; jubilant; in high spirits. Embarrassed to feel self-conscious or ill at ease. Enraged to make extremely angry; put into a rage; infuriate. Enthusiastic excited; energetic Evasive ambiguous; cryptic; unclear Excited emotionally aroused; stirred Facetious inappropriate; flippant Flippant superficial; glib; shallow; thoughtless; frivolous Forceful powerful; energetic; confident; assertive Formal respectful; stilted; factual; following accepted styles/rules Frank honest; direct; plain; matter-of-fact Frustrated annoyed; discouraged Gentle kind; considerate; mild; soft Ghoulish delighting in the revolting or the loathsome Grim serious; gloomy; depressing; lacking humour;macabre Gullible naà ¯ve; innocent; ignorant Hard unfeeling; hard-hearted; unyielding Humble deferential; modest Humorous amusing; entertaining; playful Hypercritical unreasonably critical; hair splitting; nitpicking Impartial unbiased; neutral; objective Impassioned filled with emotion; ardent Imploring pleading; begging Impressionable trusting; child-like Inane silly; foolish; stupid; nonsensical Incensed enraged Incredulous disbelieving; unconvinced; questioning; suspicious Indignant annoyed; angry; dissatisfied Informative instructive; factual; educational Inspirational encouraging; reassuring Intense earnest; passionate; concentrated; deeply felt Intimate familiar; informal; confidential; confessional Ironic the opposite of what is meant Irreverent lacking respect for things that are generally taken seriously Jaded bored; having had too much of the same thing; lack enthusiasm Joyful positive; optimistic; cheerful; elated Judgmental critical; finding fault; disparaging Light-Hearted carefree; relaxed; chatty; humorous Loving affectionate; showing intense, deep concern Macabre gruesome; horrifying; frightening Malicious desiring to harm others or to see others suffer; ill-willed; spiteful Mean-Spirited inconsiderate; unsympathetic Mocking scornful; ridiculing; making fun of someone Mourning grieving; lamenting; woeful Naà ¯ve innocent; unsophisticated; immature Narcissistic self-admiring; selfish; boastful; self-pitying Nasty unpleasant; unkind; disagreeable; abusive Negative unhappy, pessimistic Nostalgic thinking about the past; wishing for something from the past Objective without prejudice; without discrimination; fair; based on fact Optimistic hopeful; cheerful Outraged angered and resentful; furious; extremely angered Outspoken frank; candid; spoken without reserve Pathetic expressing pity, sympathy, tenderness Patronizing condescending; scornful; pompous Pensive reflective; introspective; philosophical; contemplative Persuasive convincing; eloquent; influential; plausible Pessimistic seeing the negative side of things Philosophical theoretical; analytical; rational; logical Playful full of fun and good spirits; humorous; jesting Pragmatic realistic; sensible Pretentious affected; artificial; grandiose; rhetorical; flashy Regretful apologetic; remorseful Resentful aggrieved; offended; displeased; bitter Resigned accepting; unhappy Restrained controlled; quiet; unemotional Reverent showing deep respect and esteem Righteous morally right and just; guiltless; pious; god-fearing Scathing critical; stinging; unsparing; harsh Scornful expressing contempt or derision; scathing; dismissive Sentimental thinking about feelings, especially when remembering the past Sincere honest; truthful; earnest Solemn not funny; in earnest; serious Thoughtful reflective; serious; absorbed Tolerant open-minded; charitable; patient; sympathetic; lenient Tragic disastrous; calamitous Unassuming modest; self-effacing; restrained Uneasy worried; uncomfortable; edgy; nervous Virtuous lawful; righteous; moral; upstanding Whimsical quaint; playful; mischievous; offbeat Witty clever; quick-witted; entertaining Wonder awe-struck; admiring; fascinating Worried anxious; stressed; fearful Tone Words: Final Thoughts Tone words help you convey your attitude towards a subject. Tone can change throughout your work as you talk about different topics. There are thousands of tone words you can use to express your attitude in your work. What’s Next? Reading The Great Gatsby for class or even just for fun?Then you'll definitely want to check out our expert guides on the biggest themes in this classic book, from love and relationships to money and materialism. Got questions about Arthur Miller'sThe Crucible? Readour in-depth articles to learn about the most important themes in this playand to geta complete rundown of all the characters. For more information on your favorite works of literature, take a look at our collection of high-quality book guides! Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Hayley Milliman About the Author Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. No spam ever. hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: '360031', formId: '2167ba30-e68e-4777-b88d-8bf3c84579af', formInstanceId: '2', submitButtonClass: 'btn-red-light btn', target: '#hubspot-container2', redirectUrl: 'http://ww2.prepscholar.com/blog-subscribe-thank-you', css: '.post-bottom .hs-form.stacked label {display:none;} .post-bottom .hs-form.stacked .field div.input {padding-top: 55px; padding-left: 300px;} .post-bottom .hs-input {width: 220px} .post-bottom .btn-primary, .hs-button.primary {margin-top:0px; padding-left:350px} .post-bottom .hs-form-field {margin-bottom:5px}' }); $(function(){ $(".exclusive-tip-form #hubspot-container2 label").hide(); }); function replace_tag(a, b){ $(a).each(function(index) { var thisTD = this; var newElement = $(""); $.each(this.attributes, function(index) { $(newElement).attr(thisTD.attributes[index].name, thisTD.attributes[index].value); }); $(this).after(newElement).remove(); }); } $(function(){ replace_tag($(".posts-by-topic h3"), "h2"); }) Ask a Question BelowHave any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply! Search the Blog Search jQuery(function(){ var $ = jQuery; var url = 'http://google.com/search?q=site:' + location.protocol + '//' + location.hostname + ' '; var $searchModule = $('.hs-search-module.aff13b1b-cf-4134-97d5-b62aa908b606'); var $input = $searchModule.find('input'); var $button = $searchModule.find('.hs-button.primary'); if (false) { $input.val(decodeURIComponent(location.pathname.split('/').join(' ').split('.').join(' ').split('-').join(' ').split('_').join(''))); } $button.click(function(){ var newUrl = url + $input.val(); var win = window.open(newUrl, '_blank'); if (win) { //Browser has allowed it to be opened win.focus(); } else { //Browser has blocked it location.href = newUrl; } }); $input.keypress(function(e){ if (e.keyCode !== 13) return; e.preventDefault(); $button.click(); }); }); Improve With Our Famous Guides SATPrep ACTPrep For All Students The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section: Score 800 on SAT Math Score 800 on SAT Reading Score 800 on SAT Writing Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section: Score 600 on SAT Math Score 600 on SAT Reading Score 600 on SAT Writing Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? 15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section: 36 on ACT English 36 on ACT Math 36 on ACT Reading 36 on ACT Science Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section: 24 on ACT English 24 on ACT Math 24 on ACT Reading 24 on ACT Science What ACT target score should you be aiming for? ACT Vocabulary You Must Know ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA How to Write an Amazing College Essay What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For? Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide Should you retake your SAT or ACT? When should you take the SAT or ACT? Michael improved by 370 POINTS! Find Out How Stay Informed Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Looking for Graduate School Test Prep? Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: GRE Online Prep Blog GMAT Online Prep Blog TOEFL Online Prep Blog

HR Apple company Leadership and Motivation&Reward Essay

HR Apple company Leadership and Motivation&Reward - Essay Example Apple Computer Inc. is a company that has gained universal recognition due to its innovative and branded hardware and software that are easy to use, powerful and more elegant as compared to those of their rivals (Carlopio, Andrewartha & Armstrong 2004, p. 217). However, this positive innovation can be attributed to the leadership practices and motivation and reward that are exercised by the management team of this company. This paper will therefore critically evaluate the effect and contribution of leadership practices and motivation on the performance of Apple Computer Inc. and other organizations. For this purpose, the paper aims at providing the clear definitions of leadership and motivation and reward, thereby critically examining different theories appropriate to these practices. According to Gibb, leadership is the process of influence whereby principled and authoritative individuals exercise high level of influence over the subjects or followers than the subjects did over them (qtd in Ladkin 2010, p. 35). Gibb therefore recognized leadership as a processes in which an individual exercised due influence on another in order to complete an assigned task or to achieve a certain objective. On the other hand Marshall describes transformational leadership as the a leadership style whereby a leader identifies an absolute need for change in the organization, formulates a vision that will â€Å"guide the change through inspiration† and lastly, executes the change with the help and commitment of others (2011, p. 3). Transformational leaders therefore tend to work towards achieving extraordinary positive results. Transformational leadership theory has interested of many organizational leaders over the past few years. According to Givens, this theory was established in 1978 by Burns (2008, p. 4). This theory is based on the ability of the leader to provide motivation to the subjects in order to accomplish the general set

Organisations, People & Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Organisations, People & Performance - Essay Example Modern human resource management has shifted and it has entered the core of business strategy. Unlike the earlier times when HR strategist were never included in the core firm strategy, a modern firm has to include it in its core strategic planning because HR has become the most important resource a firm can have (Stonehouse & Houston, 2013). Easy Jet is a London based airline which operates within Europe and is headquartered in London Luton Airport. The airline is a low budget airline and offers low cost flights between cities within the euro region (Topham, 2014). According to Michael Porter, being a low cost producer is one of the strategic edges a firm can have (Stonehouse & Houston, 2013). Most of its airbuses make return flights, landing back to their airport of origin within twenty four hours. Easy Jet intends to be the pioneer and the leader in Europe’s short haul flights. Easy Jet also looks to have a customer-centered strategy which is geared towards making sure that customers are happy with its services. It intends to do this by having a good HR strategy that is geared towards having a safe workplace with positive values and a healthy working requirement. Michael Porter (2008) defined competitive strategy as anything that gives a firm an edge over its competitors. He argued that this competitive edge can be derived from five major business factors. Cost is one of these factors and those businesses which are able to drive costs down while maintaining good quality are at a better chance of succeeding in the market (Schuler & Jackson, 1987). Easy Jet has operated on the business strategy that is based on cost leadership. The firm has managed to be in the market even during the most chaotic market times. To be able to maintain this strategy in the future, easy Jet must be able to have a HR plan that is just as useful and make sure that its HR costs are kept down. Miles and Snow (1978) described the various ways in which

Competition Bikes Inc. Storyline Essay Example for Free

Competition Bikes Inc. Storyline Essay To: Vice President The following is a summary report to recommend whether Competition Bikes should change its traditional costing method to activity based costing, and an analysis of the breakeven point with regards to sales units and dollars for both CarbonLite and Titanium bikes. It also discusses the impacts to the breakeven point. The cost-volume-profit evaluation and the traditional vs activity based costing method overhead analysis were used for the review and analysis. Traditional Based Costing vs Activity Based Costing Traditional Based Costing Method (TBC). TBC uses one rate, the overall cost of production, to estimate costs based on the revenue production created. Unlike ABC, manufacturing costs in TBC are only assigned to sold merchandises and do not account for nonmanufacturing costs such as administrative costs. This method is general not as accurate as ABC as it does not account for costs specifics to the level of products. For Competition Bikes, the company can see its manufacturing overhead is $239,020 for the Titanium bikes, and $232,380 for the CarbonLite bikes for a total of $471,400 in overhead costs. This means the unit cost for each is $713 for Titanium bikes, and $1359 for the CarbonLite bikes. Activity Based Costing Method (ABC). ABC determines and allocates cost by activities a company executes. This generally happens in four steps: identify each activity and its associated costs, both total and indirect; estimated cost driver and quantity; allocation computation; and cost allocation to the respective activity. ABC refines the way indirect costs are allocated to production and focuses on the costs of each individual activity. Costs are also further assigned to each product within the activities and each activity has its own cost driver. Because of the  specificity, active based costing provides a more accurate picture of the true costs. Direct material (DM), and direct labor (DL) are the same for each bike in using TBC or ABC. However, in using ABC, the company can break out the manufacturing overhead into factory setups, quality control, engineering services, product movements, utilities and services, and depreciation. The total for each bike using the ABC method is $590,715 for Titanium bikes, and $729,985 for CarbonLite bikes. Although the total is still the same $471,400 in overhead costs, the ABC method allows Competition Bikes to see that the Titanium bikes depreciate much faster than the CarbonLite and that it takes more utilities and services to make those bikes. Factory setups and quality control are much higher for CarbonLite bikes than those for Titanium ones. Per unit, the Titanium Bikes cost $656 each and the CarbonLite bikes cost $1460. Recommendation. It is recommended to use ABC to determine true costs associated with activities and products. This will give the company more knowledge of its finances and spending and in return by seeing a clearer picture of costs, make better decisions on funding and budget, and gain cost savings. Activity based management in Competition Bikes can use ABC to make decisions that increase profits while still meeting customer needs. Understanding where costs are going will help Competition Bikes to remove unnecessary costs and set fair price for the products. Overpricing products causes a lost in market sharing while underpricing products diminishes revenue. Better prices for consumers means more business for the company. With activity based costing, Competition Bikes will be able to determine the optimum sales units required with the sales mix of 9 Titanium bicycles produced for every 5 CarbonLite bicycles that will produce the bikes at San Diego at breakeven. The company will also be able to reevaluate activities on a regular basis to reduce future costs as well. Evaluating activities and setting sales prices are part of value engineering. Currently the company thinks it costs $1359 to make a CarbonLite bike and have set the selling price accordingly. In reality, the bikes cost $1460 to make. With a $101 difference, the company may want to adjust their selling price in future months. Using ABC also allows the company to use the Just in Time (JIT) system. This system allows ensures materials are purchased just in time to produce the products, and products are completed just in time for delivery. JIT uses the demand-pull system to receive the order, schedule production, delivered materials, and finished product delivered to the customer. This lessens the amount of excess parts and inventory saving the company money as well. Breakeven Point This analysis will evaluate the breakeven point for Competition Bikes Inc. Sales units and sales dollars will be identified for the breakeven point. These sales units and dollars will be broken down between CarbonLite and Titanium bikes. The breakeven point is used my companies to prevent loss. The Cost Volume Profit (CVP) is the tool in which to capture the breakeven point. Sometimes it is referred to as the breakeven analysis. The CVP assists the company in identifying future operation need, production costs, and expansion possibilities based on estimating costs, prices, and volumes. This profit response can help Competition Bikes determine the amount of needed sales, what products to manufacture, pricing policies, marketing strategies, and how much profit is actually needed. In this analysis we will assume that the fixed and variable costs remain constant, and that the number of units produced equals the number of units the company sells. CVP is defined by the equation Total Revenues – Total Costs = Profit. The breakeven point is the point in which the CVP equals zero or, Revenues – Expenses = 0. Meaning, the revenues cover all the costs, fixed and variable. Therefore, the CVP can be further broken down into Total Revenue – Total Fixed Costs – Total Variable Costs = Total Profit. The contribution margin is then identified by Total Revenue – Total Variable Costs (leaving out the fixed costs). Contribution Margin is important to identify the differences in each product’s profits. For Competition Bikes, the contribution margin for the Titanium bikes is $900-$679=$221. The  CarbonLite Bikes yield $1495-$1384=$111 each. Using the 450 Titanium bikes and 250 CarbonLite bikes sold, the total combined contribution margin for Competition Bikes is $127,000. That’s broken down like this: Titanium Bikes contribution margin of $221 per unit, 450 units equals $221*450, or $99,450. CarbonLite bikes contribution margin of $111 per unit, 250 units equals $27,750. Contribution margins $99,450 + $27,750 = $127,200 Total Contribution Margin. To determine the profits in more detail, we use the equation (Selling Price (per unit) * Quantity Sold) – (Variable Costs (per unit) * Quantity Sold) – Fixed Expenses = Breakeven Point (Zero). The fixed costs are the units sold * the weighted average contribution margin. The weighted average contribution margin is used to find the breakeven point and is essentially the average of contribution margin amounts per unit. The equation is Total Contribution Margin / Total Quantity Sold. For Competition Bikes, our combined weighted average contribution is $181.71. That’s $127,200/ 700 units sold (450 Titanium and 250 CarbonLite bikes) = $181.71. To establish the breakeven point, we also need to know the combined revenue and costs as well. So we calculate total revenue as the following. Titanium bikes are $900 each and 400 units sold, equals $405,000. The CarbonLite bikes are $1495 each and 250 sold which equals $373,750. Combine the $405,000 + $373,750 = $778,750 Total Combined Revenue. The variable costs for each are Titanium bikes: $679 in costs, 450 sold, which equals $305,550 or $679*450 = $305,550. CarbonLite bikes: $1384 in costs, 250 sold, which equals $346,000, or $1384*250= $346,000. The two together, $305,550 + $346,000 = $651,550 Total Combined Variable Costs. The total combined margin can also be calculated by taking $778,750 subtracting the $651,550 and it equals the same $127,200 Total Combined Margin we calculated earlier. We use this as a check and balance system here. To determine the breakeven units, we look at the fixed costs and weighted average contribution margin discussed earlier. The fixed cost for the company is $400,000. Divided by the weighted average contribution margin  181.71, we get the breakeven units for the product sales mix of 2201. The contribution margin ratio is the percentage of contribution margin to revenue. To find the contribution margin ratio, we divide the total combined margin by the total revenue. This tells us by how much the price per unit exceeds the variable cost per unit. In this scenario, Total Combined Margin $127,000 divided by Total Revenue $778,750 which is .163, or $127,000 / $778,750 = .163 Contribution Margin Ratio. Since the bikes are not equal, we must calculate a product mix in addition to the weighted average. Using the weighted average, we can calculate the breakeven point in a proportionate way using sales units and sales dollars. For sales units, we take the breakeven units for the product sales mix and multiply it by the ratio of units sold divided by the total number of unit sold. So for Titanium, the sales units at the breakeven point is [450 / 700] * 2201, or 1415 units. For CarbonLite, [250 / 700] * 2201 = 786 units. To calculate the sales dollars, we multiply the sales units by the sales price. In this instance, Titanium is 1415 units multiplied by $900 cost for each unit or, 1415 * $900 = $1,276,500. CarbonLite is 786 units multiplied by $1495 price for each unit, or 786 * $1495 = $1,175,070. The combined total sales dollars is $2,451,570 To break even, the profit must be zero. Gains and losses are equal. For Competition Bikes, the breakeven point is 1415, or $1,276,500 in Titanium bikes, and 786 CarbonLite bikes, or $1,175,070. Impacts of the Breakeven Point A2b. Based on an evaluation of cost-volume-profit, Prepare a summary report that describes the impacts to the breakeven point if company management needed to increase the cost of direct materials by 10% cost increase and needed to add $50,000 in fixed costs to the production facility. Company management has asked for a report on the impacts of increasing the  cost of direct materials by 10% and fixed costs by $50,000 in relation to the breakeven point. The contribution margin and weighted average are based in part on direct materials, or variable costs. Raising the costs by 10% is significant and will have a great impact on the company. Total Revenue is $778,750 and variable costs now $681,800. This increase is broken down by variable cost per unit to $709 for Titanium bikes, and $1551 for CarbonLite. The Contribution Margin per unit is now 191 and 44 respectively lowering the total combined contribution margin to $96,950. CarbonLite bikes contribution margin decreased from $111 to $44 per unit, over a 60% decrease. Calculated by dividing the Total Combined Contribution Margin $96,950 by the Total Units of 700, the 138.50 weighted average contribution margin per unit also dropped by 24% from 181.71. This shows how significant a 10% can be to the contribution margin. Ten percent in one area can mean much larger impact in other areas. With an increase in fixed costs to $450,000 that now brings the breakeven units for the product sales mix to 3249. We calculate this by $450,000 fixed costs divided by the lower weighed average contribution margin 138.50. This continues to affect numbers as we calculate sales units and sales dollars. Titanium bikes sales units are 450 units divided by 700 total units, multiplied by the weighted average 3249 for 2089 units. CarbonLite bike sales units are 250 units divided by the 700 total units, multiplied by the weighted average 3249, totaling 1160 sales. Sales dollars are calculated as Titanium bikes 2089 units * $900 = $1,880,100 and CarbonLite bikes as 1160 units * $1495 = $1,734,200 for a total $3,614,300. The breakeven point is now increased. Sales for Titanium bikes is now up to 2089 units, or $1,880,100 and CarbonLite bikes up to 1160 units, or $1,734,200. By raising direct costs 10% and fixed costs 13%, Competition Bikes now has to sell 674 more Titanium bikes, and 374 CarbonLite bikes to break even. That’s a 48% increase. Based on this analysis, it would be in Competition Bikes best interest to try to keep costs low. Variable and fixed costs show that a small increase can significantly impact the company’s breakeven point. Variable costs have a higher impact than fixed costs. Direct costs per unit should be specifically addressed in reducing costs as well as increasing sales.

The Heroines of the Western Schoolhouse :: Teachers Education Papers

The Heroines of the Western Schoolhouse "School-Teacher Wanted: One room schoolhouse seeks a young, single white woman who is willing to leave her sheltered life and come teach twenty to thirty classes a day, for a variety of students ranging in ages from five to twenty-two. Teacher must be able to perform with inadequate teaching materials and minimal funding for her salary and for the maintenance of the school." If you fit these qualifications, you would've been a wonderful addition to the old Western schoolhouse. Women of the Western schoolhouse had a reputation for instilling values and lessons to the children of the frontier. They were historical heroines who chose to journey all the way from the East just to hear the sounds of children learning. According to Anne M. Butler, in her book Uncommon Common Women, these women left behind their family and friends, "took teacher training, signed two-year contracts, and set forth for unknown sites " (68). Schoolteachers on the frontier must have had an incredible love for children in order to deal with the difficulties the West placed in their way. Adventurous women came from the East to teach for many different reasons: some felt God's calling, others felt a sense of responsibility, and still others came because they needed money to support themselves and their families back home. But at the heart of all these women, was a love for children that allowed them to venture forth into the world unknown. In reality, was a love for children enough to keep these women in this land far from home? Well, there were other advantages for their staying, as well. When women left the East, they were uncertain of their skills, and many felt this was their only option. But these dedicated women stumbled upon a sense of inner confidence they had never known before, and they also gained a more creative outlook on things. Other young women came with the hope they'd meet their perfect match and live happily ever after. For them, the West offered a sense of adventure worth pursuing. Ladies certainly didn't choose the profession of teaching because of monetary benefits. Butler explained that schoolteachers were met with the challenge of having "low wages and a high cost of living" (73). Classes were only taught during the seasons that didn't coincide with the heaviest farm production, and many districts only paid "per head/per day, a system that lowered teacher salaries when children were absent for impassable travel conditions or seasonal farm and ranch responsibilities" (Butler 73).

It Auditing Outline

ACC 624 Information Technology Auditing Spring, 2013 Ram Engira Office: BENT Hall 364 Hours: By appointment ONLY Telephone: Cell (917)597-9523 e-Mail: Currently [email  protected] edu or [email  protected] com The Course: This course provides an overview of controls relating to IT governance, databases and their structures, networks, client servers systems, IT service delivery, business continuity, disaster recovery, IS security, cryptography, firewalls, IDS, IPS, backups, recovery, and distributed systems. Text: Required: ISACA, CISA Review Manual- 2013, ISACA publication, Code# CRM11- RequiredNote: You can buy any edition of the aforementioned text. 2008,2009, 2010, and 2011 editions are all good, and are much cheaper from various sources â€Å"CISA Q/A CD-ROM in English†- 2011- Recommended not Required, Code # CDB11 CISA Review Questions, Answers, and Explanations- 2011 Recommended not Required, Code # CDB11W CISA Review Questions (Supplement) – 2011 Recommended not Required, Code # QAE11ES (Note: If you buy CDB11, you don’t have to buy CDB11W and QAE11ES) Grading: Mid-Term †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦. 35% Term Paper †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 20% Final Exam †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ .. 35% Class Participation †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦10% Please note †¢ With the exception of documented medical emergencies, there will be no make-ups for any test. â⠂¬ ¢ More than three (3) non-excused absences are considered as an automatic withdrawal from the course. (Please let me know, IN ADVANCE, if you cannot attend a class because of a legitimate emergency). Note: Power Point Slides and Class Handouts will be available on professor’s disk (STJ’s S: Drive). There is no off campus access to this drive, therefore, you should copy these files into a diskette for your own use at home.Professor may also decide to use other electronic means to send the handouts to the students. Ranges for Grades: A = 93. 1 to 100 A- = 90. 1 to 93. 0 B+ = 87. 1 to 90. 0 B = 84. 1 to 87. 0 B- = 80. 1 to 84. 0 C+ = 77. 1 to 80. 0 C = 74. 1 to 77. 0 C- = 70. 1 to 74. 0 D+ = 67. 1 to 70. 0 (Undergrads only) D = 64. 1 to 67. 0 (Undergrads only) D- = 60. 1 to 64. 0 (Undergrads only) F = below 60. 0 WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULES: Note: There is a strong possibility that sequence of coverage of chapters might change. Week |CHAPTER |DESCRIPTION | |1,2 |Instructor Handouts (PP |Financial Auditing, Operational Auditing, IT Auditing, Forensics auditing, role of IIA, ISACA, | | |decks) |certifications of CIA and CISA | | | |IT technical refresher | | | |Introduction to IT Auditing | | | |Theory and Practice of â€Å"Controls† | |3 |CRM Domain 1 |IS Audit Process | |4 |CRM Domain 1 |IS Audit Process | |5 |CRM Domain 2 |IT Governance | |6 |CRM Domain 2 |IT Governance | |7 |CRM Domain 3 |System and Infrastructure Lifecycle Management (mid-term) | |8 |CRM Domain 3 |System and Infrastructure Lifecycle Management | |9 |CRM Domain 4 |IT Service Delivery and Support | |10 |CRM Domain 4 |IT Service Delivery and Support | |11 |CRM Domain 5 |IS Asset protection- security | |12 |CRM Domain 3 |IS Asset protection- security | |13 |Rain/Snow Day Contingency |Business Continuity and Disaster recovery | |14 |Finals |Finals (Cumulative from ALL domains) (35 points) | Course Outline for ACC 624 Domain 1- The IS Audit Process: IS Auditing Standards a nd Guidelines, Performing an IS Audit, Control Self Assessment, Emerging changes in IS Audit Process.Domain 2- IT Governance: Policies and Procedures, Risk Management, Information Systems Management Practices (Personnel Management, Sourcing Practices, Organizational Change Management), Organizational Structure and Responsibilities (IS Roles and Responsibilities, Segregation of Duties, Auditing IT Governance Structure and Implementation. Domain 3-Systems and Infrastructure Life Cycle Management: Project management structure and Practices, Business Application Development (Traditional SDLC phases, alternate Application Development Approaches), Infrastructure Development / Acquisition in Practices, Information Systems Maintenance Practices, System Development Tools and Productivity Aids, Application Controls, Auditing Application Controls, Auditing System Development, Acquisition and Maintenance, Business Application Systems: E-Commerce, EDI, POS, Electronic Systems, EFT, ATM, Image Pr ocessing etc.Domain 4- IT Service Delivery and Support: IS Operations, IS Hardware, IS Architecture and Software, IS Network Infrastructure (OSI model, LAN-WAN, wireless, N/W Administration and Controls), Auditing Infrastructure and Operations. Domain 5- Protection of Information Assets: Information Security Management, Logical Access Exposures and Controls, N/W Infrastructure Security, Auditing Information Security Framework, Environmental Exposures and Controls, Physical Access Exposures and Controls. Domain 6- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: BC and DR Planning (BCP process, BCP incidence management, recovery strategies, developing a BCP, organization and assignment of responsibilities, components of BCP, Plan Testing, Backup and Restoration,   Auditing DR and BC Plan. [pic]

Assessing Youth’s Education Relative to Health-related Issues and Concerns

Almost half of the world’s population today is being occupied by the young people, or also known as the youth. As a matter of fact, almost three-billion people around the globe are within/under the age of twenty-five years old, 85% of whom are living in developing countries (United Nations Population Fund, 2005) – and such is expected to rise for another thirty years (Ashford, et al, 2006). In a World Youth Report (2003) of the United Nations, it was cited that around half of the world’s inhabitants are less than twenty years old. Furthermore, in its 2006 data sheet, the World Youth Report specified that it has been projected that people under twenty-five years old will reach a population of 3. 13-billion in 2010 and will increase to 3. 13-billion in 2030. Basing the aforementioned figures, it can be deemed that the world is being comprised by the younger generations. In hindsight, one can gain the idea that nearly half of the world’s human resources are the youth (Van, 2000). It is in this juncture that one can realise the importance of taking good care of the young since they are the present and the future of the world. Their becoming can shape the world’s future; thus, they play a crucial role in the present society. It is even believed by many that youths are the prime movers towards global integration, and prosperous future for their respective organisations and nations (Fenech, 1998). One of the best ways of taking good care the young people is by looking into their needs. Notably, the high school age youth are more vulnerable to changes and the things that are happening around them. In this transition stage, they are exposed to physical changes, and the abrupt developments in their emotions, intelligence and sociability (Cox, 1999). It is also in this phase wherein they are searching for their identity and seeking for intimacy from the opposite sex. They become more aggressive and curious for the things that they have not experienced or known. In this effect, young people need proper guidance in how to cope up with these changes. They need support system that will understand their pains, dreams, frustrations and ideas (Familydoctor. rg, 2000). They need someone who is open-minded enough to understand what the young people are undergoing within the context of this modern time. It is in this basis that proper education should be served most especially to the young people. Accordingly, education equips the young for adulthood as it aids for their development of physical and cognitive skills (Lloyd, 2005). Thus, proper education is the basic need among the young peo ple. According to Lloyd (2005), schooling also plays an essential role in the young people’s health. Health concerns among this young generation is mostly brought upon by unsafe sex and, sometimes, the promiscuous lifestyle caused by raging hormones and pressure from peer groups. In some youth assessments, it was found out that students who are in high school are most likely not to indulge in sex than those out-of-school-youth within that age bracket. Meanwhile, in order to check whether the need of the youth for proper education is really being served to them, it is only proper to have assessments for such. And since education plays an integral part for the health among the youth (as mentioned earlier), taking surveys and field researches on the health status of these young people can be one of the tools in assessing if, indeed, the need for proper education among the youth has been met. Youth, Sex Education and Health One of the most prevalent issues besetting the young nowadays is their exposure to the hazardous health problems brought upon mostly by the lack of good education for proper health care. The common dangerous health problems facing the young people are caused by unprotected sex – leading mostly to acquisition of HIV and STDs, early childbirth, and forced abortion. Most cases of death rates claimed by unsafe abortions happened in developing countries (Population Reports, 1997). Furthermore, it was accounted that each year more than 1-million girls (15-19 years old) have unsafe abortions (Murphy and Carr, 2007). Murphy and Carr also cited that only a meager percentage of 35% among 15-19 years old girls use contraception, making them more susceptible to STDs and HIV. It is also not surprising that when it comes to young people getting affected with HIV/AIDS, women outnumber men (Rizvi, Inter Press Service Agency), since gender discrimination and lack of education among women is still much happening in some countries where norms and cultures prevail most of the time. With all of these health risks facing by the youth nowadays, one can construe the importance of health education in schools and in homes – specifically, sex education. According to Murphy and Carr (2007), more educated young women have fewer children and are most likely free from reproductive risks. It was also known that one of the main reasons why many teenagers acquired STDS is because of the lack of knowledge and awareness for safe sex. In the United States, the most common STD among teenagers is HPV with Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (dbtechno. com, 2008). Also, some studies showed that sex education, indeed, help for the decrease of unwanted pregnancies (World Youth Report 2003). Right for Education Seeing the importance of proper education to further uphold the good health each youth deserve, it is only but right to say that education is a right of every young person. Each child, whether in a developed or developing country, deserves free access to education. In this manner, he/she will not just be equipped with the proper knowledge of academe but also the basic learning for value formation, decision-making and health care. Meanwhile, providing free access to basic education does not only contribute the well-being of the youth as he/she grows older, but also the community where he/she belongs. By providing proper education to their citizens as early as nursery, nations, in effect, are actually molding the future of their country. Having a profound educational background, these citizens will be able likely to contribute for the development of their nations by being productive and pro-active members of the community, and not merely as liabilities (Ahmed, 2006). Furthermore, their wide knowledge and awareness to the problems of the world such as the growing number of HIV/AIDS victims enablea them to realize the ill-effects brought by such disease to themselves, to their families, and to their community where they belong at. Free access to education also enables the young to be better citizens, helping for the policy formation of their countries. Being educated will give them the confidence to voice out their opinions and ideas that can help shape the world to be a better one, not to mention upholding the true essence of democratic expression. By this positive result brought upon by proper education, it is, thus, necessary to assess this basic need among the youth by giving attention to the current statistics of youth development (one of which is healthy life). Maltese National Youth Policy The National Youth Policy of Malta is being considered by many as an ideal approach in reaching out to the young generations. Good results and positive feedbacks were gained from this said policy as Maltese youth are becoming more educated and active (especially in politics) in advancing the needs of their fellow youth, onshore and offshore (Euro-Mediterranean Youth Platform). The National Youth Policy of Malta is comprised of provisions, programs and policies that set for the development of the young people within a holistic approach. It oversees the economic, social, cultural, and educational development of the youth as it encourages them to be active citizens in Malta. Importantly, the Maltese National Youth Policy also comprises set of policies that involves for the betterment of the healthy living among Maltese youth wherein it emphasizes the essence of a proper health education. It also recognizes the hazards brought upon by promiscuity and unsafe sex, and the importance of education and promotion of safety standards (National Youth Policy 2005). The Maltese Youth Policy is also being well-taken by the Maltese youth and, even, foreigners who see the effectiveness of such. According to Malta’s Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Sport, Culture and the Arts, Mr. Reuben Fenech, the Maltese Government gives importance in increasing awareness amongst youths on the essence of healthy living. He also cited the government’s strategy in mobilizing its young people to participate in government affairs, as well as its commitment for free education to all young Maltese citizens (Fenech, 1998). Notably, young people age 5-16 years old are enti tled for free education in all state schools of Malta as it is every right of a child to have good education (Education in Malta, European Union). Furthermore, the Maltese government also touches on sex education amongst its youths to promote the prevention of sex-related health risks. A youth organization in Malta even ventured for a youth exchange program with Estonia wherein issues on sex, health and gender issues were tackled (Suda, 2006). This practical approach of the Maltese Government towards sex education also opened other people’s perspective on the importance of standardized sex education programme in secondary schools (Medical Association of Malta, 2006). This came on the reality that HIV is a global issue which youths should be made aware of. Furthermore, cases of teenage pregnancies in the country triggered others, especially teenage girls, to embrace the importance of sex education (Bernice and Kim, 2004). The Maltese National Youth Policy has been one of the world’s most recognized youth policies especially in the Euro-Mediterranean Region wherein it serves as basis for programme implementation for the youths outside and within the periphery of the said Region (Swedish Diplomatic Missions Abroad, 2005). It is in this reason the many find it as the better way in dealing with youth needs. The policy has been tried and tested, and viewed effective by many as the natural approach in youth developmental concerns, specifically the relative relationship between proper education and healthy living. It shows that education, above all, is the most important tool in building the being of a young person so that as he/she grows older, his/her decisions will be bounded within the realm of logic and values. Furthermore, free access to education enables the young to be distant from health risks, especially those acquired through unsafe sex. Just like in Malta, youths are being opened to issues of sex and the maturity that goes with it through sex education and making the youths’ inputs relevant in the government’s policymaking. Conclusions The Maltese National Youth Policy is one proof that constant research, surveys, and monitoring is effective in assessing that the needs of the young people are generally being met. It also shows that through proper education, youths will be knowledgeable in their dealings with their community and how to have a healthy lifestyle. With all those abovementioned details, one can still conclude that the basic need of every young people in this world is education. And living within the context of the modern time, sex education should be included in every school’s curriculum. This is to prevent teenage pregnancies and abortion, and the acquisition of HIV/AIDS/STDs (World Youth Report, 2003) as many young people are living with great risks for sex-acquired health problems (Ashford, et al, 2006). As a matter of many opinions, sex education should start as early as the child turns 2-year old, and that parents should be the first â€Å"educators† for such (Varner, 2008 and REC, 2006). The effectiveness of sex education can also be construed by surveys that reflected low incidents of unwanted pregnancies among schools that taught sex education (BBC News, 2007). It cannot be prevented, though, that there are still some individuals who are conservative and are not receptive on the idea of sex education and distribution of contraception among the youths (May, 2008). The need for a proper education can also have multiply effects to the well-being of the youth. It primarily affects how one should take care himself/herself, and to keep one’s body and mind always healthy. Thus, assessing the need for youth education is also, in a way, can trickle down in the assessment of youth health – as shown in most studies that unhealthy living and acquired diseases are mostly caused by lack of knowledge and education. Seeing this intertwining relationship of education and health needs among youth, one can surmise that investing in both aspects in the lives of the young people is a must (Nair, 2002). Educational system should be designed within the context of the modern time as the needs of these young people are changeable as years passed. There should be an open communication between the young people and their respective governments so that both will know what to expect from each other, making policymaking and programme formulations for the youth a lot easier. The government should be present all the time to assist and facilitate the needs of the young people as they face challenges that are far greater than they were still children (Bush, 2007). To assess if the basic needs for good education and proper health care among the youths are being met, there should be consistent surveys and accurate first-hand accounts in the grassroots. In this manner, it would be also easier to immediately identify further problems and concerns besetting the young people as time flies.

The Scope and Health of the African Rainforest

The Scope and Health of the African Rainforest The vast African rainforest stretches across much of the central African continent, encompassing the following countries in its woods: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote dIvoire (Ivory Coast),  Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia,  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Mauritania,  Mauritius, Mozambique, Niger,  Nigeria,  Rwanda, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone,  Somalia, Sudan,  Tanzania, Togo,  Uganda, Zambia,  and  Zimbabwe. Degradation Except for the Congo Basin, the tropical rainforests of Africa have been largely depleted by commercial exploitation: logging and conversion for agriculture. In West Africa, nearly 90% of the original rainforest is gone. The remainder is heavily fragmented and in a degraded state, being poorly used. Especially problematic in Africa is desertification and conversion of rainforests to erodible agriculture and grazing lands. To counteract this trend, the World Wildlife Fund and the United Nations have put a number of global initiatives in place. Details About the Rainforests Status By far, the largest number of countries with rainforests are located in one geographical section of the world- the Afrotropical region. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicates that these countries,  mainly in West and Central Africa, are mostly poor with populations that live at the subsistence level. Most of the tropical rainforests  of Africa exist in the Congo (Zaire) River Basin, though remnants also are present throughout Western Africa in a sorry state due to the plight of poverty, which encourages subsistence agriculture and firewood harvesting. This realm is dry and seasonal when compared to the other areas, and the outlying portions of this rainforest are steadily becoming a desert. Over 90%  of West Africas original forest has been lost over the last century and only a small part of what remains qualifies as closed forest. Africa lost the highest percentage of rainforests during the 1980s of any other tropical region. During 1990–95 the annual rate of total deforestation in Africa was nearly 1%. In the whole of Africa, for every 28 trees cut down, only one tree is replanted. Challenges and Solutions According to rainforest expert Rhett Butler, who wrote the book A Place Out of Time: Tropical Rainforests and the Perils They Face: The outlook for  the regions rainforests  is not promising. Many countries have agreed in principle to conventions of biodiversity and forest preservation, but in  practice, these concepts of sustainable forestry are not enforced. Most governments lack the funds and technical know-how to make these projects a reality.Funding for most conservation projects comes from foreign sectors and 70-75% of forestry in the region is funded by external resources....Additionally, a population growth rate exceeding 3% annually, combined with the poverty of rural peoples, makes it difficult for the government to control local subsistence clearing and hunting. An economic downturn in important parts of the world has many African nations re-examining their forest product harvesting policies. African and international organizations alike have initiated local programs addressing the sustainable management of rainforests. These programs are showing some potential but have had minimal effect to date. The United Nations is putting some pressure on African governments to abandon tax incentives for practices that encourage deforestation. Ecotourism and bioprospecting  are  believed to have potential as they add much or more value to local economies when compared with wood products.

Composite Materials in Aerospace

Composite Materials in Aerospace Weight is everything when it comes to heavier-than-air machines, and designers have striven continuously to improve lift to weight ratios since man first took to the air. Composite materials have played a major part in weight reduction, and today there are three main types in use: carbon fiber-, glass-, and aramid- reinforced epoxy.; there are others, such as boron-reinforced (itself a composite formed on a tungsten core). Since 1987, the use of composites in aerospace has doubled every five years, and new composites regularly appear. Uses Composites are versatile, used for both structural applications and components, in all aircraft and spacecraft, from hot air balloon gondolas and gliders to passenger airliners, fighter planes, and the Space Shuttle. Applications range from complete airplanes such as the Beech Starship to wing assemblies, helicopter rotor blades, propellers, seats, and instrument enclosures. The types have different mechanical properties and are used in different areas of aircraft construction. Carbon fiber, for example, has unique fatigue  behavior  and is brittle, as Rolls-Royce discovered in the 1960s when the innovative RB211 jet engine with carbon fiber compressor blades failed catastrophically due to bird strikes. Whereas an aluminum wing has a known metal fatigue lifetime, carbon fiber is much less predictable (but dramatically improving every day), but boron works well (such as in the wing of the Advanced Tactical Fighter). Aramid fibers (Kevlar is a well-known proprietary brand owned by DuPont) are widely used in honeycomb sheet form to construct very stiff, very light bulkhead, fuel tanks, and floors. They are also used in leading- and trailing-edge wing components. In an experimental program, Boeing successfully used 1,500 composite parts to replace 11,000 metal components in a helicopter. The use of composite-based components in place of metal as part of maintenance cycles is growing rapidly in commercial and leisure aviation. Overall, carbon fiber is the most widely used composite fiber in aerospace applications. Advantages We have already touched on a few, such as weight saving, but here is a full list: Weight reduction - savings in the range of 20%-50% are often quoted.It is easy to assemble complex components using automated layup machinery and rotational molding processes.Monocoque (single-shell) molded structures deliver higher strength at a much lower weight.Mechanical properties can be tailored by lay-up design, with tapering thicknesses of reinforcing cloth and cloth orientation.Thermal stability of composites means they dont expand/contract excessively with a change in temperature (for example a 90 °F runway to -67 °F at 35,000 feet in a matter of minutes).High impact resistance - Kevlar (aramid) armor shields planes, too - for example, reducing accidental damage to the engine pylons which carry engine controls and fuel lines.High damage tolerance improves accident survivability.Galvanic - electrical - corrosion problems which would occur when two dissimilar metals are in contact (particularly in humid marine environments) are avoided. (Here non-conductive fiberglass pla ys a role.) Combination fatigue/corrosion problems are virtually eliminated. Future Outlook With ever-increasing fuel costs and environmental lobbying, commercial flying is under sustained pressure to improve performance, and weight reduction is a key factor in the equation. Beyond the day-to-day operating costs, the aircraft maintenance programs can be simplified by component count reduction and corrosion reduction. The competitive nature of the aircraft construction business ensures that any opportunity to reduce operating costs is explored and exploited wherever possible. Competition exists in the military too, with continuous pressure to increase payload and range, flight performance characteristics, and survivability, not only of airplanes but of missiles, too. Composite technology continues to advance, and the advent of new types such as basalt and carbon nanotube forms is certain to accelerate and extend composite usage. When it comes to aerospace, composite materials are here to stay.

MOVIE ANALYSIS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

MOVIE ANALYSIS - Essay Example rrios in Los Angeles, US where football was not given much importance hence, he felt that his dream to be a professional footballer would not be fulfilled and will remain a dream. Even his father felt that it will be an impossible task for him to become a professional footballer and hence, forced him to join the gardening business. With the turn of events, Glen Foy, an ex-footballer an a well wisher of Santiago manages to convince the Newcastle boss to watch Santiago’s play and give him a chance to play for the Newcastle team in England. The boss of Newcastle liked Santiago’s play and they wanted him to go to England to join the club but Santiago did not have the sufficient fund to go to England. His father had stolen his hidden fund to invest in his gardening business, but Santiago’s grandmother arranged the fund by selling off some of her jewelry. He had few initial failures in joining the club but eventually, joins the club but for that he had to hide the fact that he had asthma from the club officials. The asthma problem led him to lot of trouble and even his performance became poor. He was dropped from the club but with support of one of his teammates he regained his position in the club. He practiced very hard and finally got the chance to play for the team in a match against Fulham owing to the injuries of many key players. He utilized the opportunity and scored a goal from a penalty, which finally led Newcastle to win the match. His performance was watched by his father back home in US, who felt very proud about his son’s success. But unfortunately, Santiago’s father died of heart attack just before the important final match of Newcastle against Liverpool. This incident completely demoralized Santiago but he decided to stay back so that he can play in that match. Roz Harmison, who was the nurse of the club also became Santiago’s girlfriend, informed him that his friend Jamie had tore a ligament, and will never be able to play football anymore.