What aspects of Charlotte Brontes Essay - 876 Words

What aspects of Charlotte Brontes What aspects of Charlotte Brontes depiction and use of the character of Bertha Mason are most clearly illuminated by Jean Rhys depiction and use of her parallel character of Antoinette? In Wide Sargasso Sea, written by Jean Rhys in the 1960’s, is a radical critique of the context of English Imperialism and male dominated society within which Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre. In order to both expose and oppose the parallels inherent in Jane Eyre, Rhys intertwines in her novel the two reading positions of feminist and postcolonialist criticism. Rhys demonstrates how both social and narrative conventions mandate that certain categories of women must be devalued if other categories of†¦show more content†¦In Bronte’s novel, Bertha is a silent character. She has no voice in the novel although she is pivotal in the lives of its two main characters. In Wide Sargasso Sea, Bertha is given a chance to speak and be heard. Rhys was convinced in the writing of her book that Bertha â€Å"must be at least plausible with a past, the reason why Mr Rochester treats her so abominably and feels justified, the reason why he thinks she is mad and why of course she goes mad†. Antoinette’s husband in Rhys’ novel, although he is the narrator for the largest section of the novel, remains to the reader unnamed. Rhys has cleverly used this strategy so that the character (in the reader’s eyes) becomes merely a representative of England itself and takes away any personal characteristics to which the reader may feel sympathy for. Also through using him as a narrator, we can see the otherness of the West Indian culture from the English Imperialist culture. The technique also further highlights of one of the key points Rhys was demonstrating in her story, that there is always another side to any story. Rhys explicitly demonstrates to the reader through Antoinette, who tells her husband (regarding Daniel Cosway’s letter to him) â€Å"he lies about us and he is sure that you will believe him and not listen to the other side†, to which her husband replies â€Å"is there another side?† and she retorts, saying â€Å"there is always another side, always†. This is in contrast to Bronte’s story inShow MoreRelated Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre - A Romantic Ending In An Anti-Romantic Novel1166 Words   |  5 Pagesliterature in general to conclude that, yes, it is indeed a good ending because it both fits the prevailing realism of the main character’s worldview, and conforms to the predominant literary trends of the period. The climate in which Charlotte Bronte wrote her magnum opus was one that had almost fully recovered from the rationalist excesses of the Enlightenment. The existing climate had replaced ‘scientific’ realism with Romanticism of the Byronic sort, drawing on the ancient ideals ofRead More A Plea for Help in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre1563 Words   |  7 Pagesearly as 1689 (Spignesi 7). One early example of anorexia is present in the novel Jane Eyre. Written in the mid-nineteenth century by Charlotte Brontà «, this book describes a young girl whose personality bears striking similarities with that of a diagnosed anorexic. The life of the main character, Jane, has also been shown to share innumerable similarities with Brontà «s own life. Biographical information from researchers and autobiographical information from Jane Eyre (whether intentional or not) verifyRead MoreJane Eyre vs Wide Sargasso Sea Essay example1635 Words   |  7 Pagescan ever be written on the flea, though many there be that have tried it,† stated Herman Melville. As implied, without theme, no novel can be considered â€Å"mighty† or have any depth. Theme is essential in any work of art. Jane Eyre is a novel by Charlotte Brontà « that takes the reader through the experiences of Jane Eyre, from childhood to adulthood. This includes her love for Mr. Rochester, who is the master of Thornfield Hall, the school in which Jane works at as an adult. Wide Sargasso Sea, aRead More Discuss Charlotte Bronte’s portrayal of childhood in Jane Eyre.1074 Words   |  5 PagesDiscuss Charlotte Bronte’s portrayal of childhood in Jane Eyre. Charlotte Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s ‘Jane Eyre’ was a controversial novel for its time. It traces the heroine from an orphan child to a contented adult woman. Through the trials Jane experiences Brontà « highlights many hypocritical aspects of Victorian society, mainly focusing on the religious hypocrisy of the era. Subtitled ‘An Autobiography’, the novel in parts closely resembles Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s own childhood and her evocation of Jane’s experiencesRead MoreHow Does Jasper Fforde s The Eyre Affair Testify?1419 Words   |  6 PagesHow does Jasper Fforde’s The Eyre Affair testify to the importance of reading in the formation of one’s self-identity? Many aspects contribute to the formation of a person’s self-identity. Whether it be their surroundings, their culture, their language, or even other’s personal identities, they all shape one’s perception of the world, the self-imposed rules surrounding them, and where they believe they belong within it. This world is encompassed with stories, and they contribute to the fabricationRead MoreExplore How Bronte Has Created an Anti-Christian Theme in Jane Eyre1677 Words   |  7 Pageschallenges to the ideal christian way and faith throughout the novel. The eccentric romantic gothic genre and the surrounding supernatural presence lurks around crowds of chapters. The contrastive saint Helen Burns used as a reverence to the good aspect and purity of christianity. Banned after it was originally published.Questioning christianity was highly seen as blasphemous.This novel was considered controversial at the time of its original production, as the victorian England were engulfedRead MoreThe Victorian Century Woman And A Victorian Woman Essay1079 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is the difference between a 21st century woman and a Victorian woman? Most women in the 21st century are exhilarating, lively, intelligent, passionate, and full of life, but who is to say that Victorian women were not? It is said that the typical Victorian woman must have â€Å"inherent qualities of femininity [such as:] emotion, passivity, submission, dependence, and selflessness† (Historical). Most of the Victorian women abode by these social standards and therefore could not speak their true thoughtsRead More Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre as a Coming of Age Story Essay1664 Words   |  7 PagesJane Eyre as a Coming of Age Story   Charlotte Brontes classic, Jane Eyre, is a coming of age story. The main character, Jane, travels from the innocence of childhood through the maturity of adulthood. During this journey, Jane goes through the battle of education vs. containment, where she attempts to learn about herself and about the world. She must constantly battle a containment of sorts, however, whether it be a true physical containment or a mental one. This battle of education vsRead More Poverty and Charity in Jane Eyre Essay1141 Words   |  5 Pagescold, and in need of help. It is St. John Rivers who aids in helping Jane back to health. Through her experiences at Gateshead Hall, Lowood Institution, and Whitcross, Jane Eyre becomes the recipient of the positive and negative aspects of the New Poor Law depicted by Charlotte Bronte in nineteenth-century England. Under the care of Mrs. Reed, Janes aunt, Jane is treated as though she is a wicked and abandoned child (60; ch. 4). Her father had been a poor clergyman (58; ch. 3) and both her parentsRead More Biblical Allusions in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre Essay1007 Words   |  5 PagesBiblical Allusions in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre One Sunday evening, shortly after Jane arrives at Lowood School, she is forced to recite the sixth chapter of St. Matthew as part of the daily lesson (70; ch. 7). This chapter in Matthew states, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? / (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. / But

The Problem Of Divorce Parents - 853 Words

Divorces are a very common for child today in elementary and all the way through high school. Many things carry on from both parents to affect their kids at school and in their future relationships. Divorces do not just affect the parents it affects kids a lot as well because sometimes they are stuck in the middle on what to do. During a divorce parents are not the only ones involved, children are just as important. Parents still have to communicate after the divorce for the homework and other school activities. †Much of what divorced parents need to communicate about is logistical: Who has homework? When is it due? Who needs a permission slip signed? It can be tough the first year of divorce when parents are focused on creating arrangements and dealing with lawyers. But it’s important to be aware of what’s happening with your child.(Kids, divorce, and school success, n.d., para. 5) Communication is the biggest problem in divorce parents. They think that they are not together anymore they shouldn’t have a say in what happens with the child. If parents can agree on the same pattern for homework it creates less stress on the child when they are at moms or dads so they know that they have the same routine everyday doesn’t matter who’s house they are at. Communication is key in every relationship, young or old, dating or married. You once loved that person communicating with them will not be that hard when you are making the child’s life better at school and at home. NoShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Divorce On Children And Children1255 Words   |  6 Pageseffects of divorce on children Throughout time, people from all over the world have chosen to live together, or â€Å"get married†. Marriage is a beautiful thing, but there are some couples who are unable to maintain their relationship, because they choose divorce as a solution to cope with the problems between husband and wife. Although divorce can be solution to cope with problem between the husband and wife, it still has dangerous effects especially on their children. Children with divorced parents are vulnerableRead MoreThe Struggle of Divorce1040 Words   |  4 PagesThe Struggle of Divorce By definition, divorce is to break the marriage contract between oneself and one’s spouse by a judicial declaration dissolving a marriage in whole or in part. This is a result of tension which is a mental or emotional strain of a relationship between individuals. When going through the process of divorce, most of children’s opinions are left out of the process. This causes a great deal of tension for the children. Many children become very stressed during this process becauseRead MoreMarriage and Divorce1303 Words   |  5 PagesThese days, people are taking the issue of marriage and divorce very casually and not comprehending the actually consequences of these events, especially the effect it leaves on children. More like married couples get a divorce faster and easily than getting married. To add on to other extra problem, they have children without planning out and not being stable enough to even have extra member in the family. According to Oxford Dictionary, divo rce is â€Å"the legal dissolution of a marriage by a court orRead MoreParents Are Responsible For Their Child s Well Being1251 Words   |  6 Pages Parents are responsible for their child’s well-being, however, what situation should allow for others to step in and enforce this responsibility? Divorce can create a situation where parents no longer are able to work together and every member in that household is affected. Each situation of divorce is different and every family needs help in a different way. Too often, the people who are forgotten during the divorce are the children. These children go through the same five stages as their parentsRead MoreEffect Of Divorce On Children Essay1400 Words   |  6 Pageshave been there for some time before the divorce, impact the now divided family. Children in particular are vulnerable to the effects of divorce. Sol R. Rappaport, clinical and forensic psychologist, claims there are five factors as to why children have difficulti es post divorce; exposure to parental conflicts, mental health of parents, the involvement of the now secondary parent, financial impact of the divorce, and the child’s perception on why the divorce occurred. With their brains not fully developedRead MoreDivorce And Its Effects On Children978 Words   |  4 PagesDivorce is a touchy subject for some people to discuss, although it is an issue that is occurring very often in people’s lives today. A divorce can affect everyone involved, including the children, unfortunately. Divorce and its effects set a bad example to children and their future lives as young adults, along with having life-long effects from the divorce because of things that they experienced during it. The different causes of a divorce have multiple effects on the children who are experiencingRead MoreFamilial Support For Children During The Stressful Period Of Divorce Essay1605 Words   |  7 PagesFamilial support for children. In many cases, parents or other family members are not able to be as supportive to their children during the stressful period surrounding divorce. One study by Amato (1993) noted that divorce is one of the life’s most stressful occurrences, and adults experience significant difficulty in their life adjustment after the divorce, which may impact their interactions with their children. Parents are less emotionally available during this time (Riggio Valenzuela, 2011)Read MoreDivorce And Its Effects On Children1296 Words   |  6 Pagesof all the children born to married parents today, will experience the divorce of their parents’ before they are eighteen years old. Divorce in and of itself doesn’t necessarily harm a child, but the conflict between parents does. A child’s behavior correlates directly with the effects of their parents’ separation. Deep emotional wounds are created before, during, and after divorce and separation. It is rare that you fi nd a child that actually wants their parents to separate, unless the marriage wasRead MoreDivorce Is A Win And A Loss For Parents And Children1287 Words   |  6 Pages Divorce is a Win and a Loss for Parents and Children The divorce rate in today’s society according to Barbara Dafoe Whitehead is higher than ever. Although people have a legal right to file for divorce, it is still viewed as an ethical problem. Barbara Dafoe Whitehead writes in â€Å"The Making of a Divorce Culture†, that divorce has become an ethical problem in the United States. In today’s society, divorce is viewed as a social norm, and that couples should have a right to file for divorce withRead More Divorce Essay812 Words   |  4 Pages Divorce among Americans is rampant. Anymore, divorces are as common as marriages themselves. Couples marry and then something goes wrong in their relationship, so they divorce. Although a divorce may be hard on the adults involved, what about the children? What happens to the kids of these broken marriages? Some parents who are going through a divorce wonder what the effects of their divorce will be on their children. They worry that the divorce will cause their children emotional problems that

Self Awareness free essay sample

Very often to work on a relationship, it requires us to first have self-awareness. Not understanding the way we feel or how we react to our emotion is like being in a strangers mind. It is challenging to live and not know where we are heading. For many professionals working in the helping field, it is required to be able to have a clear perception of our own personality, which includes our strength, weaknesses, emotions and our beliefs. Being aware of our emotions would help in managing counter-transference during therapy sessions. The first step to personal development and maximizing our potential as a skilled helper is to be more aware of ourselves. Self-awareness allows us to understand other people better, improve our judgment, how they perceive us and our attitude and response towards them in that moment. To have clarity of what we are and what we want in life allows us to actively make those wants turn into reality. We will write a custom essay sample on Self Awareness or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It opens us up to making positive changes in life that can relate to emotional growth. It is important to have clarity of our clients’ background but it is equally important to know ourselves. It is said, â€Å"Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment† (Tao Zhu). To be in denial of our issues might hinder the process of therapy as we will not be able to know what might trigger our emotions and when it does how do we manage it. Without self-awareness, counter-transference during counseling/therapy session may be damaging if not managed well. It happens when we are interacting with someone and they trigger thoughts and feelings from the past and we tend to treat this person just like we did with our past relationship.

Rigoberta menchu Essay Example For Students

Rigoberta menchu Essay Category:BiographiesPaper Title:rigoberta menchuText:An Indian Woman In Guatemala: Without A Trace Of Bitterness In Her VoiceStacye RothbardTranscultural perspectivesNovember 11, 1996Guatemala is the land of Eternal Springs and the home of the richly culturedandhistoric Mayan people. It it also the country of Rigoberta Menchu, anilleterite farm worker, turned voice of oppressed people everywhere. Guatemalaalso has the sad distinction of being home to Latin Americas oldest civilwar. For more than three decades, left-wing guerrillas have fought a seriesofrightist governments in Guatemala. The war has killed an estimated 140,000 inthe country, which has 11 million people. (N.Y. Times June 14, 1996 pA4col 2)This is a story of a people in crisis, and one womans struggle to use truth,asa means of setting her people free. The majority of the population are Indians, and much of the struggles ariseoutof the ashes of the past. Spain conquered Guatemala in 1524, which was thestart of the oppression of the native people of Guatemala. Since this timethenative people have been ruled by the Spanish speaking minority, the Ladinos,many of which are descended from the Spanish colonists. Beginning in 1954, when Guatemalas elected government was overthrown by thearmy, the military began a brutal war against the Indian people. This type oftorture and oppression continued, and during the 1970s the repression wasespecially harsh; during this time more and more Indians began to resist. Itwas during this time that Rigoberta Menchus family became involved in theresistance. The situation in Guatemala is similar to South Africa, where the blackmajorityare ruled with absolute power by the white minority. Like South Africa, theIndians in Guatemala are lacking in even the most basic of human rights. Indeed the so-called forest Indians are being systematicallyexterminated inthe name of progress. But unlike the Indian rebels of the past, who wanted togo back to pre-Columbian times, Rigoberta Menchu is not fighting in the nameofan idealized or mythical past. (Menchu xiii) Rigoberta is workingtowarddrawing attention to the plight of native people around the globe. Once an illiterate farm worker, she has taught herself to read and writeSpanish,the language of her oppressor, as a means of relating her story to the world. She tells the story of her life with honesty and integrity in hopes ofimpressing upon the world the indignation of the oppressed. In addition totheSpanish language, Rigoberta borrows such things as the bible and trade unionorganization in order to use them against their original owners. There isnothing like the bible in her culture. She says, The Bible is written,andthat gives us one more weapon. ( Menchu xviii ) Her people need to basetheiractions on the laws that come down from the past, on prophecy. Her own history and the history of her family is told with great detail inthebook I, Rigoberta Menchu. Not only does one learn about the culture of herpeople and about the community in which she lives, but an understanding isgained as to impetus to react against ones oppressor. Born the sixth child toan already impoverished but well respected family, Rigoberta remembersgrowingup in the mountains on land that no one else wanted, spending months at atimegoing with her family to work on the fincas (plantations). A lorry owned by the finca would come to their village, and the workers,alongwith their children and animals, would ride together, in filthy andovercrowdedconditions. Each lorry would hold approximately forty people, and the trip tothe finca took two nights and one day, with no stops allowed for thebathroom,it is easy to imagine the unsanitary condition that resulted. Each workerwouldtake with them a cup and a plate and a bottle for water when they worked inthefields. The youngest of the children that were not yet able to work had noneedfor their own cup and plate since, if they did not work, they would not befedby the finca. These childrens mothers would share with them their own rationof tortilla and beans, though many of the children were severelymalnourished,and two of Rigobertas own brothers died while on the finca. .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 , .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 .postImageUrl , .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 , .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13:hover , .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13:visited , .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13:active { border:0!important; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13:active , .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13 .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uefd8d63645b7d0bf55506e25316f7f13:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: 27 Years of Influential 60 Minutes EssayAt the tender age of eight Rigoberta was earning money to help her family,andas proof of her own personal fortitude, by age ten she was picking the quotasofan adult and was paid as such. Her first experience in the city was at twelveyears old in the capital of Guatemala where she worked as a maid. She

Laozi Essays - Taoism, Laozi, Tao Te Ching, Tao, Chinese Philosophy

Laozi Laozi created Daoism, a well-known Chinese philosophy, but very little is known about his mysterious figure. It is said the he was born in the province of Henan in 570BCE (Encarta). Before becoming a philosopher, he worked as a court librarian at the imperial court. He also went by the name Lao-Tzu, which means Old Master. Very little is known about Laozis early life, but he is credited with creating Daoism and writing the Daode Jing, the most widely translated Chinese text. Laozis strong opinions and eccentric beliefs would lead to the formation of Daoism. Laozi overcame many obstacles before gaining followers. His wise council attracted followers, but he refused to set his ideas down in writing. He believed that written words might solidify into formal dogma (Internet 5). Laozi wanted his philosophy to remain a natural way to live life with goodness, serenity and respect. At age 80 he set out toward what is now Tibet, saddened and disillusioned that people were unwilling to follow his path to natural goodness (Grolier). Legend says Laozi set off into the desert on a water buffalo leaving civilization behind (Internet 5). When he arrived at the final gate at the great wall protecting the kingdom, the gatekeeper persuaded him to record the principles of his philosophy for posterity. The result was the Daode Jing. This ancient Chinese classic was translated more than any other book ever; except for the Bible (Internet 6). Laozi gained many followers after writing the Daode Jing. Laozi saw past everyday worries to focus on the dao, or the way of the universe as a whole (Ellis 91). The Daode Jing teaches that the dao is realized through recognition and acceptance of nothingness. Laozi thought that by doing nothing one could accomplish everything. He did not mean to literally do nothing, but to discern and follow the natural forces (Internet 6). First and foremost to be spontaneous in ones actions. He laid down no rigid code for behavior. He believed a person's conduct should be governed by instinct and conscience. Laozi believed that human life, like everything else in the universe, is constantly influenced by outside forces. He believed simplicity to be the key to truth and freedom. Laozi encouraged his followers to observe, and seek to understand the laws of nature; to develop intuition and build up personal power; and to use that power to lead life with love, and without force (Internet 5). Laozis teachings allowed fellow Daoists to have interesting views on the natural world. Laozis legacy will live on forever. His beliefs and opinions about the world as a whole are like none others. Scholars continue to study his teachings and find out more about this mysterious individual. Daoism will always remain one of the most interesting philosophies. Philosophy

Brave Enemies essays

Brave Enemies essays In the novel, Brave Enemies, the setting is during the Revolutionary war, specifically the War in the South. This particular novels main character was a priest who believed war was wrong in every perspective. Towards the middle of the book, the priest and his wife (Josie, who dresses up as a man and joins the American military after she her house is burned by Tories and she fears she will never see her husband again) get separated and end up of opposite sides of the war. Since the priest is opposed of war the General for the British allows him to provide proper funerals and other religious needs for the British Army. Josie on the other hand is trained to fight for the American Army the best she can while keeping it a secret that she is a girl. Josies view on this part of the war is that the Americans should win and kill as many British as possible because the British destroyed her life. The thing she didnt know was that her beloved husband was being forced to preach for the British a nd was getting to know the British soldiers. She believed her husband to be killed by the Tories after they captured him. During one of the last battles during the war in the south, Josie lay in the mud of the end of a raging battle in which the Americans were victorious and many of the British lay dead around her. Josie was also during one of her first phases of labor. As she lay in pain on the ground, she began to hear the voice of a man who sounded exactly like her dead husband. As it turns out, it was her husband. He was preaching for the dead British soldiers. As he came closer to her he realized it was her wife who lay on the ground. Since Josie was now reunited with her husband all the things she was fighting for on the American side were now for no reason at all. This changed her view on the war completely. She realized that her husband was right about war in that all it does is take lives and tear people apart. ...

Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 18

Research Paper Example Further, Walmart has the advantage of a wide scale of operations, with its stores extending beyond the boundaries of the US and in global markets. But Walmart’s weaknesses include little differentiation, high labor turnover, and legal lawsuits. Costco is a discount retailer dealing in electronics, furniture, hardware, home dà ©cor, office supplies, grocery, and so on. Its target market belongs to low to medium income groups as it is positioned a wholesale discount retailer. Costco generated revenues of $112,640 million in 2014 (Costco Wholesale Corp, 42). Costco’s strength is its large employee pool and brand equity. The retailer has loyal customers and a large membership club chain. In addition, Costco is also a large retailer of wine. However, it offers absolutely no protection to its employees. Due to competition, its market share has remained stagnant which is why the retailer must expand its customer base. Target is a retailer and merchandiser which sells a variety of items – apparel, accessories, shoes, electronics, grocery, and other household items – at a discounted price. In 2013, Target made total revenues of $72,596 million (Target, n.pag.). Target has its presence in the US, Canada, and India reflecting that its market is segmented based on countries. Its market offerings are targeted towards a wide range of people including children, men, women, families, and so on. As such, its consumer segment is quite diverse and spans all age groups. Target has a positive image among the stakeholders for having a diverse culture, being clean and design-centered, and providing high quality products. However, Target lags behind in terms of its reach unlike Walmart which has international presence worldwide. Although Target brands itself as a value retailer, its products are highly prices relative to Walmart. Walmart focuses on growth strategy as it is evident in the retailer’s

Management of Working Capital Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management of Working Capital - Essay Example A discussion relating to working capital cycle, methods of managing working capital, working capital management in UK companies and suggestions for improvement has been presented below. The working capital of the business is defined as the net of current assets over current liabilities. It is an important liquidity measure of the firm. The current assets include not only cash, receivables but also inventories as it can be easily liquidated whereas the current liabilities include short term loans and creditors (University of California, n.d.). A business with scarce working capital faces difficulty in meeting its short term obligations from the available cash resources if there is a sudden or continuous fall in sales. Therefore, it is important to maintain an optimum amount of working capital in the business and it must be carefully monitored by the managers (Nix & McFetridge, n.d.). Working capital forms an important part of a firm’s operations. Maintaining an ideal level of inventory ensures that the firm does not have to face the problem of material deficit in meeting its production targets. Similarly the receivables figure in the balance sheet indicates the willingness of the firm to extend goods on credit. As credit sale is risky the management must be careful in the choice of debtors. Working capital consists of current assets like cash, inventory and current liability like creditors and short term loans. The pattern of all the above components of working capital varies with the business cycle. When there is a fall in the market demand there is a rise in the stock of finished goods. Later when this fall in demand takes the form of recession the firm lowers the stock of inventories, delays the payment of loans and accelerates the realization of receivables. This implies that with the worsening of the recession there is a decrease in the working capital. Therefore the efficient management of working

The lack of suitable rehabilitation for young offenders Essay

The lack of suitable rehabilitation for young offenders - Essay Example Lack of material, social and psychological support at the time of release, make it difficult for juvenile offenders to break the cycle of re-arrest and release. Extended and short-terms in a correctional facility provide limited chance for interventions and treatment to avert future recidivism. Community safety makes it crucial that communities, as well as governments, must develop effective interventions, which rehabilitate juveniles successfully. It is critical to developing interventions designed to achieve suitable rehabilitation for young offenders and that lower rates of re-offending. The social control theory highlights that a strong attachment of young persons to their families help in controlling and discouraging offending cases among them. Failed family attachment coupled with parental abuse increases the vulnerability of the young individuals to offending (Rees-Jones et al., 2012). Second, social learning theory stresses that the delinquency among juveniles occurs through a learned phenomenon that encompass imitation, modelling as well as reinforcement. Therefore, the juveniles learn and adopt the behaviour patterns that their abusers display. In addition, the theory points that the incidence of reoffending can escalate especially if the rehabilitation system does not sufficiently deal with the underlying causes of such juvenile offences. The social-psychological strain theory highlights that negative treatment generate backward emotions including frustration, anger and resentment. Therefore, juveniles are likely to offend especially if they had negative tre atment in the past. Juvenile delinquents confined in rehabilitation centers are faced with a number of personal, economic and social challenges, which tend to become obstacles to a lifestyle that is free from crime. Most of the challenges are consequences of experiences that the offender had, whereas some have connection to the

WordPress Plan for My Gaming Site

WordPress Plan for My Gaming Site Dami Olayemi Introduction The purpose and rationale behind my gaming site will be discussed. To start with, the purpose of this website is to help gamers learn the strategies for this game and also enjoy playing the game. As well as have a way for people to discuss the game and confirm if the strategies work. Target Audience I am going to run a WordPress site that is targeting males and females gamers who are in their 18 to 25 years old. They are males and females who desire to know more strategies for the game they play; as well as how to improve their scores. Other people might also follow this account, and see the value of it. It would or could include young/inexperienced gamers in their 18 to 25 years of age to want to learn more about the game. Layout / Design The page layout for each of the web pages is as follows. First of all, the home page has rollovers, so people can scroll to what will be focused on the site. In addition, the home page will have a design, so there will be simple look to it. On the other hand, the about us page will have a slightly different layout. It will have a mix of two to three columns in each. There will be a slider showing the website owner and other aspects of the blog. In addition, in certain boxes discussing how the site came to be, and the person who owns the site. For the strategies page there will be codes discussed for each of the different games in different boxes. On another note, the blog pages will have three posts showing a Top 5, checklist, and a tutorial. People who check out the site can comment for this page and the strategy page. Also, for all the pages there will be a Facebook feed at the bottom, logo at the top, and along the social media icons. Finally, the contact page will allow people to either subscribe to the website or voice their concerns and suggestions. Therefore, this is the layout for the web pages. The colours I will be using are red and black for a few different reasons. To begin with, red is a very eye catching color and this makes it useful in case I want to draw some attention to my website theme. Furthermore black will be the main colour of the font, so it will easier for readability for people who are looking through the website. Altogether, these are the colours for the website overall. The types of images that I will be using are as follows. Firstly, the home page will have images of the game that will be discussed on the website. The about us page will have images of the website owner and pictures of each character on the game discussed on the website. The blog page will have images that are incorporated into the blog posts in the web page. Also, the strategy page will have some tactics to winning the game which it could be difficult. Finally, the contact page will have an image of where to find us. For all the Webpages at the top there will be the logo and social media icons on the bottom. All in all, these are the images that I might be using on my gaming website. The font size and type I will be using are as follows. The font type that is going to be used is Open Sans. It is easy to read, so individuals that have vision difficulties can have an easier time. The main size for the font is 16px. Also, the site title font size is 36px, so people can identify the web page they are looking at. In addition, there are similar fonts to this in the games discussed on the website. So, that will create a theme to connect everything together. All in all, Open Sans will be a suitable font for the website. The overall ideas of what I am trying to achieve with this layout will be discussed. First I will try to interest the target market that I am attracting. Also, trust the colour scheme to motivate my interest to the genders and ages I chose. Furthermore, grow my interest from males and females who play more video games, PC games, and mobile games. Lastly each web page will have a slightly different style to the website. Therefore, this will hopefully help to achieve the overall idea for my layout. Page Content Home Home page for gamers who like to use all the great champions for their strategy. When the public comes to the site, the first thing they will see is the homepage. Which there will be pictures in the slider of the game that will be discussed? This page will give a rundown of what will be on each of the page such as the strategies and the blogs. Also I will have a Facebook feed attached to this page to let individuals know other ways to find out about the site. Furthermore it will be an interesting and eye-catching experience for people who are going to look at this website. In addition, there will be a social media link and a logo of the game. Additionally, there will be a navigation bar on the right side of the page for the other webpage. All in all, this will be the public facing content on the Home page. Blog Blog that will show you all the tutorials, Top 5s, and checklists for certain champions to use in the game. Furthermore, when customers come to this page of the website, they will also see the Blog page. Which there will be a slider at the top below the logo and the social media symbol? Also, there is a title to interest my target audience to look through the posts. Additionally, the first post will have a How-to build up your ranking in the game that is going to be discussed. As well as, the next post will be a Top 10 of the champions for the game discussed on the website. To close with, the final post will be a video that shows one of the champions moves. All in all, the content on this page will definitely interest my target market. Story   Story of how this website started to help out gamers who love fierce competition. When customers come to this page of the website, they will be able to see all the stories of the game. Also there will be a slider at the top of the page, where the picture is included in that slider of the website. Furthermore there will be more information about the owner and pictures of the heroes from the game. Next there will be a title and a paragraph of how the website came to be. Lastly, to end with, I will show where to purchase the game. Altogether, the public facing content for the Story will be exciting and enlightening. Contact Contact the website owner and the way to subscribe to our emails. Finally, on the contact us page, the public will be able to see the companies phone number, address, and email. Also for the address part there will be a Google maps to show the location of the business. Right beside it will be the contact form to let people make suggestions, or raise some concerns, which it will have a very simple, yet professional look for this webpage.   Blog Posts Social Media

Major League Baseball :: essays research papers

A Winning Hand In all professional athletics a team’s general manager is a huge piece of their overall success. In this particular situation we are dealing with baseball, where a team’s general manager is huge. There are some excellent general manager’s in Major League Baseball such as the Dodgers Paul Depodesta and the Red Sox Theo Epstein. But in this article the author specifically focused on the one GM who everyone that is familiar with sports knows of, the Oakland Athletics Billy Beane. Beane has always been a big time GM of the A’s Sandy Alderson. Alderson was the general manager of the Athletics back in the early 90’s when Billy Beane was just an Oakland scout. Beane has always been a part of big time free agent pick ups, trades, bring in rookies, or unloading franchise players. In 1992 while being a scout he and Alderson following an American League West title unloaded pricey free agent super stars, no wait resigned them. Now that does not sound like the B illy Beane of today. Ron Darling, Mark McGwire, Ruben Sierra, and Terry Steinbach all were given long term deals. So why to this day does Beane get rid of high priced star players rather than resign them like he and Alderson did in the past. Well maybe it’s because their decision to resign those players was merely an emotional decision, or maybe it’s because the team suffered six consecutive sub .500 seasons since all those re signings. That was chapter one of three in the Billy Beane era. Chapter two occurred a few A Winning Hand 3 years back when the A’s climbed back out of the AL West cellar and became a first place team again. Oakland now had a new GM, (Billy Beane) who succeeded alderson. Boy has he done an incredible job since acquiring that position in rank. Beane and the Athletics payroll is about $60 million, which is considered to be very small market. Billy Beane first created a star in now New York Yankee’s first baseman Jason Giambi. Giambi’s career sky rocketed in Oakland where he won the American League MVP award with Oakland. Now you would think a GM with any brains would resign a player like that immediately, not Beane. Giambi left and is now a Yankee, battling parasite sickness, and busy apologizing to the sport and fans of baseball because he used steroids.

Learning outcomes assessment Essay

In order to capture the full attention of the audience, the speaker should be sensitive enough in communicating with his audience. I have learned the suitable voice and tone that you should use in order to express the content of what you are trying to say. It was also discussed that the speaker should convey the content of his discussion by figuring out what the audience needs to know and providing them what they need to know. The best way to disseminate this information is by using proper communication strategies and techniques. Using the right words at the right time is one of the essential components that you should always keep in mind. Whether you’re speaking in a formal or informal manner, proper usage of words should always be taken into consideration. Knowing your target audience will also keep you on track in terms of writing. The student will understand how to tailor their writing to readers of different cultures, with different background knowledge and expertise. If you’re able to decipher this and apply it to your written material, your target audience will appreciate the outcome. Moreover, I was able to generate ideas and practices that I should use in writing. Contemplating and arranging my thoughts are basically part of it. But in terms of working with others, I should be aware of their ideas and how to collate it to be able to come out with a better product. I also learned the techniques on how to write aiming for clarity, coherence, correctness, and conciseness. Achieving these factors will make my written material more reliable and interesting rather than writing without direction. Editing my own work is also an important thing that I learned and will apply whenever I will write. If I have incorporated peer and instructor feedback on my work, I will be able to determine in which I should improve. Through this, I can find my strength and weaknesses and build my own goal in terms of writing. Writing isn’t a complex process, it just tests your ability to express your ideas and organize it into a readable material.

Microeconomic Principles essays

Microeconomic Principles essays In studying economic activities and concepts, there are two dominant modes of thought that come to the forefront; neoclassicism or the mainstream view and Austrian economics. These two schools of thought have points of contention on many different issues and theories found in the analysis of economic events. Several literary works have been written detailing the differences between the two approaches, although they have been subject to much criticism by the Austrian school. The major distinctions outlined by many authors include: praxeology, indifference, cardinality, continuity, probability, mathematical analysis, and public goods. Praxeological analysis is the basic foundation for the entire Austrian approach to economic observation. Human action is the most important and defining concept in Austrian economics. Human beings act, and the choices they make are based on motives or not-yet realized parts which explain the behavior and thoughts that they exhibit. This basic notion allows for the Austrian school to build an approach based on human action, and the means they use to get to an end. Neoclassical economics differs in the sense that they seek to explain human action in terms of value and choice with their foundation firmly embedded in utility. In short, neoclassical value theory not only stresses that what we feel determines how we behave. It presupposes that there are constant relationships between our feelings on the one hand, and our behavior on the other hand that can be studied and described by the neoclassical consumer theory. (Hulsman, 5) The Austrian school maintains that neoclassic ec onomics waste their time in calculating maximization and equilibrium to describe human behavior. They contend that there are no laws that govern what any one person will do in a given situation. Indifference is a simple concept that has brought about many heated debates in economi...

Semi- Detailed Lesson Plan Essay Example

Semi Semi- Detailed Lesson Plan Paper Semi- Detailed Lesson Plan Paper SOCIAL DIMENSION OF EDUCATION ARTICLE 21: SOCIAL SCIENCE THEORIES OF EDUCATION Education is one of the major institutions that constitute society. There are various various social science theories that relate to education. These are; consensus, conflict, structural functionalist and interactionist theories. Conflict theory deals with the emergence of conflict within a particular human society and the larger issue for this theory is the role the education plays in maintaining the prestige, power and economic and social position of the dominant group in society. The conflict theorists are interested in how society’s institution like –family, government, religion, education, and the media may help to maintain the privileges of some groups and keep others in subservient position. The Consensus theory is seen as the equilibrium state of society based on a general or widespread agreement among all members of a particular society. This theory in which social order and stability/ social regulation form the base emphasis. It emerged out of the society of social order and social stability / social regulation. The consensus and conflict theories are reflected in the works of certain dominant social theorist such as Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber and other social theorist. Structural functionalism is concerned with the functions of schooling in the maintenance of social order. It asserts the society is made up of different institutions or organizations that work together in cooperation to achieve orderly relationship and to maintain social order and social stability. It has four functional imperatives for all â€Å"action† system- ADAPTATION,GOAL ATTAINMENT, INTERGRATION, LATENCY- to be used at all levels of theoretical system ( includes action system, personality system social system and cultural system). Interactionist theory about the relation of school and society are critiques and extension of the functionalist and perspectives. Symbolic interactionism is interested not simply in socialization but in interactions between students and students and between students and teachers. All types of interactions refine our ability to think. It views the self as socially constructed in relation to social forces and structures. The learners are necessary to examine individual decisions in the context of a set of needs, preferences an individual has and values they seek. The critical decision process must be regarded as a continuous process integrated in the interaction with the environment. The analysis of individual decisions is concerned with the logic of decision making and rationality and the invariant choice it leads to. [2]Structural Functionalism makes 7 main assumptions. These assumptions focus on several levels of analysis [society, community, individual, social unit (e. . family, organizations)]: Systems have a property of order and an interdependence of parts oSocieties and social units are held together by cooperation and orderliness Systems tend toward self-maintaining order, or equilibrium oSocieties and social units work best when they function smoothly as an organism, with all parts working toward the â€Å"natural† or smooth working of the system The system may be static or involved in an ordered process of change The nature of one part of the system has an impact on the form that the other parts can take Systems maintain boundaries within their environments Natural (external) environments are separate but adapt to each other. The same dynamic occurs within societies and/or social units – if one or more parts significantly conflicts with others, others must adapt Allocation and integration are two fundamental processes necessary for a gives state of equilibrium within a system oDivision of labor and positions help maintain balance; each part interrelates to create efficiency and harmony; the most capable individuals must be motivated to fill the most important roles/positions Systems tend toward self-maintenance involving control of boundaries and relationships of parts to the whole, control of the environment, and control of tendencies to change the system from within You, the Teacher, as a Person in Society To become a teacher is no joke; your influence on your students and on the people with whom you work and live depends a great deal on your philosophy as a person and as a teacher. The teacher philosophy in life and our philosophy of education serve as your window to the world and compass in the sea of life. The teacher teaches the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA)-paragon of values. Why teach? Reshape the society in an instant Education in charge of change Reformed the people through education Transmit the traditional moral values and intellectual knowledge Teach the children to become model in the community Teachers are loco-parentis of the students. Teaching may not be a laucratic position. It cannot guarantee financial security. It even means investing your personal time, energy, and resources. Sometimes it means disappointments, heartaches and pains. But touching the hearts of people and opening minds of children can give you joy and contentment which money could not buy. These are the moments we teach for. These are the moments we live for. â€Å"A teacher is a facilitator of learning and of the development of the youth. He shall, therefore, render the best services by providing environment conducive to such learning and growth† quoted by: Code of Ethics of Professional Teacher Article 3. These Pillars of Education are crucial to peace and mutual understanding. They emphasize the value of education as a manifestation of the spirit of unity. These stern from the will to live together as active members of a global village and contribute to attainment of a culture of peace. LEARNING TO KNOW   that is acquiring the instruments of understanding. It implies learning how learn by developing one’s concentration, memory skills, and ability to think. If the teacher has been helping students to develop their skills that would make them independent learners, you are doing well on the first pillar of education because you have prepared them for life in the knowledge society in which we all now live. A truly educated person nowadays needs a broad general education and opportunity to study a small number of subjects in depth. LEARNING TO DO   represents the skillful, creative and discerning application of knowledge. One must learn how to think creatively, critically, and how to deeply understand the information that is presented. LEARNING TO LIVE-together in peace and harmony requires that quality of relationship at all levels is committed peace, human rights, democracy, and social justice in the ecology sustainable environment. LEARNING TO BE   refers to the role of Education in developing all dimensions of complete parson: the physical, intellectual, and ethical integration of individual into a complete man. Why teach? So that students will understand that they are unique person who are willing to accept responsibility based on their thoughts, feelings, and aspiration. What to teach? Open to wide option, let explore by giving activities, they have unique personality, provide students vicarious experiment, to unleash their own creativity and self-expression, they have focus upon the actions of historical individual, they encourage vocational courses, learning is self-paced, self-directed and values clarification. Addressing Students Needs: Students of Different Backgrounds quoted in Adapted with permission from Shari Saunders and Diana Kardia; Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, University of Michigan, adapted from Chism et al. , 1992. â€Å"It is vital that you view every student as a unique individual regardless of the students cultural background, while at the same time respecting multiple cultural heritages and their impact on learning styles and classroom expectations. This is not a simple task, and there is no simple way to accomplish it. You cannot be prepared for every possible situation that might arise. Instead, focus on being open to different perspectives, being aware of stereotypes and prejudiced behavior in your class, and being ready to help every student in your class become engaged in the material and learn. For instance, you would do well to try incorporating the achievements of Latino scientists into your curriculum to encourage and inspire Latino students. However, if the approach appears to be an act of tokenism, some of your students might feel as if they are being singled out or patronized. A better approach is to try and make the material relevant to students of many backgrounds whenever possible even if your class does not contain every single demographic. Such an approach will benefit all of your students in expanding their knowledge and perspective. You also should remember that the fact that a student is African American does not mean she or he will be able to or desire to speak about famous African Americans in science. Allowing students to express their views is beneficial whenever possible, but you should never expect someone to speak for their people. Every student is a different person, and should only be asked to speak for him or herself. † Factors Affecting Social Development TERM PAPER IN PROF. ED 3 IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE SOCIAL DIMENSIONS IN EDUCATION SY: 2012-2013 (2ND SEMESTER) Presented to Mrs. Consuelo C. Abadiez Instructor By Patrocinio Cael Gamboa Jr. There are cultural changes that influence the behavior and ways of life of the people in different countries throughout the world such as Multiculturalism and students subcultures. Teachers one of the best position to understand and recognize that students have diverse cultural backgrounds and can adapt their instruction to meet these diverse learning needs Factors Affecting Social Development By C. Seefeldt Pearson. Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall Children’s development of social skills is affected by the nature of their family and early educational experiences (NRC, 2001). Whether in a nuclear, blended, or extended family; a communal arrangement; or a single-parent family, the child learns social patterns and skills within this context. Children find love and security and form attachments with people who protect and care for them. In the family, children become socialized through interactions with parents, siblings, relatives, and neighbors; once in a school setting, they need new ways of acting, relating, and socializing. Children who have had a strong attachment to a nurturing figure and see themselves as separate from this nurturing figure are ready for a group situation. Children who have not fully developed strong attachments to another person may have a more difficult time adjusting to the complexity of the social system of the school.

Public Relations Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Public Relations - Assignment Example Researching of famous personalities and their job descriptions proves helpful as it highlights the related areas for application (Andrews, 2009). I started my job hunt online by searching for a list of jobs under public relations covering media and journalism. I came up with a list of jobs I researched online. They include; The search gives the range of jobs with general specifications on the qualifications. However, I establish direct chat with the online operators for further assistance on the specifications of the public relation jobs (Andrews, 2009). Direct online chats with the various targeted companies confirm the job availability and the terms of the firms. Online job research for public relations gives a wide range of jobs. It is effective and easy. One has to know the various internet links and how to upload resumes in applying for jobs (Davis, 2003). Various questions still arise on the proper steps for online research in public relations. The qualification each job requires is still in

Criminal Justice System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Criminal Justice System - Essay Example Modern day jury comprises of 12 members selected randomly and sits for indictable offences in the Crown Court only if the defendant pleads â€Å"not guilty† does a full trial by jury commence. After the summing up of the case the judge clarifies and highlights relevant points of law and summarizes the evidence and events impartially to help the jury. The verdict has to be unanimous but concerns over jury ‘nobbling’ led to accepting 11:1 or 10:2 verdicts as representing legal majority . The problem arises when weighing the pros and the adequacy of the checks placed to vet the cons of jury trial procedure in the interest of justice and whether Article 6 (right to fair trial) is being complied with. To reach any conclusion to that effect the jury selection procedure should be considered and it should be appreciated that only the gravest of offences reach the Crown Court filtered by the Crown Prosecution Service for the strength of the case and the Magistrate’s Court. ... e what may be complex and technical points is an absurd one but has been supported by eminent judges such as Lord Devlin as a bastion of liberty against the state and a fundamental of a democratic society. As a jury is not expected to give reasons for their verdict or follow precedent of past cases, the verdict is based on â€Å"subjective fairness† referred to as jury equity sometimes. Ponting’s Case3 being one such illustration of its importance, where the jury refused to convict a civil servant who had violated s.2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 claiming his actions had been in the public interest. The case prompted the Government to reconsider and amend the law in s.2. No matter the trial by jury instills public confidence in the system, boasts about impartiality, transparency of the system of justice and that the jury pool has not been ‘case-hardened’ like the judges, the important question remains is it a ‘fair’ trial? The pros are ther e at a huge cost of keeping them so, the argument of impartiality of the jury is justified by the mere presumption that random selection of jurors with no direct interest in the case â€Å"should† cancel out any bias and since it is an offence under s.8 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 to obtain or solicit information regarding discussions in the jury room there is no way of knowing if the person whose freedom is being decided has been sacrificed on racial bias as in the case of Sanders v UK4, misunderstanding of the trial proceedings as in R v Mirza5 or mere presumption of guilt and pressure of co-jurors for time delay as in R v Connor and Rollock6. In all these cases one of the jurors had written to the judge explaining their concern at the co-juror’s behavior at the expense of fairness. Where the House of Lords held

EssayOn the short story, Woman Hollering Creek, by Sandra Cisneros pp Essay

EssayOn the short story, Woman Hollering Creek, by Sandra Cisneros pp 43-56 - Essay Example Despite some act of defiance from most women, there are still a lot of cultures who practice the tradition of arranged marriage. As a trade-off, women sacrifice their personal feelings and emotions for the sake of pleasing their family and following what tradition dictates. Love is deeply compromised in an effort to bridge the gap between an aging custom and family pride and dignity. Cleà ³filas is no exception to this rule when she agreed to marry Juan Pedro, a man whom she hardly knew but nonetheless has a decent disposition. Just like most Latin, Asian, and European women, Cleà ³filas is also agog with telenovelas and soap operas as it acts as an outlet over one’s frustrations in real life. This imaginative imagery also serves as their emotional outlet and standard for the meaning of true love. Betrayal, acts of deceit, and broken heartedness are only a few of the events that are being taught in these telenovelas towards the conquest of true and eternal love. This had made Cleà ³filas believe and accept that love is not always perfect, and that to suffer for love is good; that a woman must sacrifice her freedom, endure physical abuse, and emotional battery – all in the name of love. Such connection, between true love and telenovelas, may sound absurd, but this is the reality for most women. Mexican women for one can attest to this, hence the powerful presence of soap operas that has continued to dominate television screens since time immemorial. All the pain, grief, shame, rage, and joy being portrayed in these â€Å"soaps† have made Cleà ³filas realize that â€Å"to suffer for love is good. The pain all sweet somehow. In the end†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (45). Before, she had always thought of fighting back if and when a man would strike her. But when this moment came, â€Å"he slapped her once, and then again, and again†¦but she didn’t fight back†¦as she imagined she might when she saw such things in the telenovelas† (47). The inability to

Foreign Exchange Service of Bank Asia Limited Essay Example for Free

Foreign Exchange Service of Bank Asia Limited Essay 1. Introduction The banking sector in Bangladesh comprises of four categories of scheduled banks. These are, nationalized commercial banks (NCBs), government owned development finance institutions (DFIs), private commercial banks (PCBs) and foreign commercial banks (FCBs). Performance of these banking sectors under CAMEL framework, which involves analysis, and evaluation of the five crucial dimensions of banking operations, the five indicators used in the rating system are (I) Capital adequacy (ii) Asset quality (iii) Management soundness (iv) Earnings and (v) Liquidity. In addition, foreign Exchange Service is one of the major considering factors regarding these indicators. The bank acts as a media for the system of foreign exchange policy. The principles of foreign exchange service involve the entire system, the media used, and the monetary unit. According to Mr. H.E. EVITT Foreign Exchange is that section of economic science which deals with the means and methods by which right to wealth in one countrys currency is converted into rights to wealth in terms of another countrys currency. So bank should be aware about this section for the overall development of the economy. 2. Background of the study An internship program’s necessity is originated for implementing the theoretical knowledge in particle field. Therefore, internship program is included in BBA program. The goal of this report is to identify the contribution and the effect of foreign exchange service in Bank’s net profit. 1.3 Rational Of the Study The rational of the study is to know more about the course in practical life. This study also helped me to know the banking system. From this study I learned about the different functions in the bank like offering online banking, pay order, foreign remittance, foreign trade, investment etc. I also learned how the banks perform these functions, what problems they face, and their benefit in offering different services to their clients. Then I was assigned in foreign trade department, so I have learned about L/C Files, register and over all L/C mechanism. In this section, how they provide their services to the clients I have also learned about it. As a student of Finance, it is very important for me to acquire proper knowledge in this course to get better result in the future. 1.4 Objectives of the Study 1) The prime objective of the study is to understand various functions of Banks. I tried to evaluate the present condition of the banks. 2) To know about various products services of this bank, and to know about the banking terms as well as habituate with banking environment. 3) To know how they find out the risk of the foreign trade. 4) To know how they identify these types of risk and minimize them. 1.5 Methodology of the study For preparing the report, I followed the following steps: âž ¢ Primary Information: First, I collected data about the Foreign – Exchange Service in Bank Asia ltd. MCB Dikusha Branch by tenting to personnel working in the bank. âž ¢ Secondary Information: Then in the second stage, I analyzed the collected data, working in Foreign Trade Department. Again, †¢ Personal Observation †¢ File Finding †¢ Annual Reports of BAL †¢ Articles of BIOM helped to prepare this report. 1.6 Limitations of the Study Not all the information of a Bank can be disclosed. It is very much essential for a bank to provide security to the customer. So the perfect information might not be shown in all places. The Employees of the Bank are also very busy. Therefore, the employees of the bank do not have enough time to provide me help regarding preparing report. Therefore, it was very hard for me to collect the data and bring out the proper information in order to make report look good. I had to go through many obstacles in order to make it presentable. 1.7 Scope of the Report The scopes of the report are as follows: †¢ The report would help the top management to identify the key areas of weakness and strength in foreign exchange service. †¢ The scope of the study is based on brief description of BAL has been furnished. †¢ The study may help top management in planning and decision making regarding foreign exchange service. CHAPTER 2: AN OVERVIEW OF THE PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES OF â€Å"BANK ASIA LIMITED† 2.1 OVER VIEW OF BANK ASIA LIMITED: Bank Asia Limited (Ltd) has been launched by a group of successful entrepreneurs with recognized standing in the society. The paid up capital of the Bank is 1395 million. The management of the Bank consists of a team led by senior bankers with decades of experience in national and international markets. The senior management team is ably supported by a group of professionals many of whom have exposure in the international market. Bank Asia Limited is one of the third generation private commercial banks (PCBs), incorporated in Bangladesh on 28 September 1999 as a public limited company under the Companies Act 1994, and governed by the Banking Companies Act 1991. The Bank went for public issue of its shares on 23 September 2003 and its shares are listed with Dhaka Stock Exchange Ltd and Chittagong Stock Exchange Ltd. Bank Asia Limited acquired the business of Bank of Nova Scotia (incorporated in Canada), Dhaka, in the year 2001 and at the beginning of the year 2002, the Bank also acquired the Bangladesh operations of Muslim Commercial Bank Limited (MCBL), a bank incorporated in Pakistan, having two branches at Dhaka and Chittagong and one booth at Dhaka. In taking over the Bangladesh operations, all assets and certain specific liabilities of MCBL were taken over by Bank Asia Limited at book values. Within a short span of time Bank Asia Ltd has established itself as one of the fast growing local private banks. It has at present a network of Thirty three branches serving many of the leading corporate houses and is gradually moving towards retail banking. Another significant delivery channel is its own as well as shared ATM Network. Bank Asia has a network of 25 ATMs out of which 6 it owns. The other 19 ATMs are shared through ETN with eleven other banks. Since its humble beginning in 1999, it set milestone by acquiring the business operations of the Bank of Nova Scotia in Dhaka, first in the banking history of Bangladesh. It again repeated the performance by acquiring the Bangladesh operations of Muslim Commercial Bank Ltd. (MCB), a Pakistani bank. In the year 2003 the Bank again came to the limelight with oversubscription of the Initial Public Offering of the shares of the Bank, which was a record (55 times) in our capital market’s history and its shares commands respectable premium. The asset and liability growth has been remarkable. By Dec 2007 the total asset of the Bank grew to Tk 38436 million, increase of almost 26% comparing to 2006. As of Dec 2007 deposits increased to Tk 30004 million, an increase of 19% over that of 2006, and Loans Advances reached Tk 28456 million, an increase of 28% over that of 2006. Bank Asia has been actively participating in the local money market as well as foreign currency market without exposing the Bank to vulnerable positions. The Bank’s investment in Treasury Bills and other securities went up noticeably opening up opportunities for enhancing income in the context of a regime of gradual interest rate decline. Bank Asia Ltd is maintaining its competitiveness by leveraging on its Online Banking Software and modern IT infrastructure. It is the pioneer amongst the local banks in introducing innovative products like SMS banking, and under the ATM Network the Stelar Online Banking software enables direct linking of a client’s account, without the requirement for a separate account. 2.2 VISION STATEMENT OF BANK ASIA LIMITED: Bank Asia’s vision is to have a poverty free Bangladesh in course of a generation in the new millennium, reflecting the national dream. Our vision is to build a society where human dignity and human rights receive the highest consideration along with reduction of poverty. 2.3 MISSION STATEMENT OF BANK ASIA LIMITED: To assist in bringing high quality service to our customers and to participate in the growth and expansion of our national economy. To set high standards of integrity and bring total satisfaction to our clients, shareholders and employees. To become the most sought after bank in the country, rendering technology driven innovative services by our dedicated team of professionals. 2.4 CAPITAL STRUCTURE: Banks generally do their business with other’s fund, so Bank Asia Ltd is not in exception. Bank Asia Ltd uses 24% equity and 75% Debt source of capital. The capital structure is following:

Capital Punishment :: Essays Papers

Capital Punishment The death penalty is the most severe penalty in the United States judicial system. It is administered only for the most brutal of crimes. Three out of every four Americans are in favor of the death penalty. Opponents believe that the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Because the death penalty engenders such fervid debate among interested individuals, politicians often use the controversy to garner public support. There are many pros and cons pertaining to capital punishment. In 1972, the Supreme Court abolished the death penalty because it inflicted cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. The number of people executed and later found to be innocent disturbed the Court. The Court also felt that the death penalty was being unfairly applied to minorities and poor people. In 1976, after the advent of lethal injection and additional laws to protect the innocent, the Supreme Court reversed its decision and reinstated the death penalty. Many of the same arguments that were used to abolish the death penalty are still being asserted today. People favor capital punishment for numerous reasons. First, capital punishment is believed to deter crime. Criminals may think twice before committing crimes, knowing that their actions could cost them their lives. Second, the victims relatives and friends may feel greater relief and closure if the perpetrator pays for the crime with his or her own life. People close to a victim are often upset by the fact that someone who took away a loved one can continue to live and even inflict more pain by being outspoken and unapologetic. Capital punishment can relieve fears that a killer will escape or be granted parole and return to harm someone else. Third, the death penalty saves money. Why should taxpayers support vicious criminals throughout their incarceration? Why should these criminals add to the serious problem of prison overcrowding which forces less serious violators to be released before their full sentences is served? Lastly, rough justice demands that someone who takes a life should not be allowed to live his or her own life. This principle dates back to the Bible, which provides an eye for an eye. The arguments against capital punishment are equally compelling. For one, the death penalty is biased against African Americans. Statistical evidence shows that African Americans are four times more likely to receive the death penalty than Caucasians.

Banned Books

According to Dosomething. org, more than 60% of teens are doing or have done drugs at one time. Go Ask Alice should be banned from middle school and elementary libraries and only permitted at the high school level because of the use of vulgar language, the use of illegal substances, and the explicit descriptions of the activities being done throughout the book. One reason this book should be banned is the use of vulgar language. The foul language used in this book is not appropriate for middle school nor elementary ibraries, but acceptable to more mature audiences like high school.An example of this occurs toward the middle of the book when, the main character, Alice and her friend are at a party that gets out of hand and she's talking about it the next day, â€Å"Last night was the worst night of my shitty, rotten, stinky, dreary, f*cked up life. † (Sparks, 58) Another example toward the beginning of the book when she's expressing her feelings about that day, â€Å"l feel aw fully bitched and pissed off at everybody†¦ I Just want to puke all over the shitty world. † (Sparks, 82, 83) Next, nother reason Go Ask Alice should be banned is the excessive use of illegal substances.The drug use written throughout the book is not appropriate for middle school or elementary, but should be permitted for high school level. In Go Ask Alice there are many illegal substance references throughout the entire book. An example happens toward the beginning when she's at a small hang out and is unknowingly consuming a spiked drink. â€Å"Then I noticed the strange shifting patterns on the ceiling†¦ I watched the pattern change to swirling colors, great fields of reds, blues, ellows. (Sparks 25) Another example toward the middle is when she and her friend are roped into selling drugs to young kids, â€Å"†¦ so Chris and I have both had to push pot†¦ I convinced Richie that it would be easier to push acid than pot†¦ † (Sparks, 45) This u sage continues throughout the book. A third, and final, reason why this book should be banned is because of the explicit descriptions. The explicit descriptions used are not acceptable for middle school or elementary libraries, but can be deemed appropriate for high school.This whole book is very detailed and explicit in its descriptions. One of the many examples is when she is waking up after a wild party, â€Å"Well last night it happened. I am no longer a virgin! † (Keep in mind she is only 14) (Sparks, 27) Then she talks about her boyfriend, â€Å"Richie is so good, good, good to me and sex with him is like lightning and rainbows and springtime! † (Sparks, 44) Still talking about her boyfriend, â€Å"He teases me and says I am oversexed because I have been bugging him to let me try sex without being stoned first. Sparks, 46) A final example is toward the ending of the book discussing the death of her grandmother, â€Å"Gran died in her sleep last night. I tried t o tell myself that she's gone to Gramps, but I am so depressed all I can think about is worms eating her body. † (Sparks, 115) This book has sparked controversy in whether or not it should be banned to middle school and elementary. Go Ask Alice should be banned to middle school and elementary because it is not appropriate to expose them to the contents in the book.But reasons it shouldn't be banned for high school libraries is because they are a more mature most worldly things that this book shouldn't corrupt them too much. So this book should be banned for middle school and elementary but permitted to high school because of the usage of vulgar language, the use of illegal substances, and the explicit descriptions written throughout the book. Just think, would you want your young child exposed to this type of literature and have it possibly have an influence in their behaviors?

Ethics in the Workplace Essay

The case study provided in Craig E. Johnson’s book, Ethics in the Workplace , is a moral and valuable lesson regarding the blurred vision between a for profit and a nonprofit. This example, while it may be considered severe, is an excellent one that leads the reader to more important questions. The question of whether nonprofits should operate as businesses encourages the reader to think about the pros and cons of each. If a nonprofit were to operate as a business, it would basically eliminate the unending concern about funding. Nonprofits, operating as a business, would be able to reap the benefits of for profit companies making more money for the organization but not necessarily the mission. However, this would ultimately lead to more expenses as the budget would have to include higher amounts in staff pay, marketing, and benefits. Another con of operating as a business is taxes. Nonprofits would no longer be exempt from paying taxes and once again, the cost would greatly increase the budget. Probably the most dangerous aspect of a nonprofit run as a business is the loss of the mission and vision. One may be concerned that the need for money and greed will usurp the original mission of the nonprofit. Should businesses operate more like nonprofits? This question is a difficult one to answer. Nonprofits exist for social justice, in many cases nonprofits pick up where the government has left off. While our economy is based on supply and demand, there is societal pressure to be charitable and giving. If businesses were to be as charitable as a nonprofit, they would undoubtedly lose money and perhaps close due to lack of funding, yet, their sense of social justice would be fulfilled. Since there will always be consumers, thus a demand for goods and services, businesses should not operate as nonprofits. As cited in the case study in the introduction by Johnson (Johnson, Ethics in the Workplace, 2007), the Goodwill Branch in Portland, Oregon does compete on the same level as businesses in the area. The Branch pays their top staff over $100,000 with the CEO’s salary at a whopping half a million. Yet, because they are registered as a nonprofit, they are exempt from paying taxes on goods and services, people utilizing the nonprofit get services for free, and they are able to pay their staff lower than competitive wages. If, as cited in the case study, a nonprofit competes on all levels with a for profit business, then the competition must be fair. Either the nonprofit has to begin to pay taxes or taxes for the business should be eliminated. It is important to note, however, that the elimination of taxes would devastate the economy. When it comes to salaries, businesses definitely have the upper hand. Because businesses operate to make money, they can afford to hire only the best in the fields. Nonprofits, relying more on government funding, are unable to afford those astounding costs. Furthermore, nonprofits operate under the definition of social services. For a nonprofit to lose sight of that and pay top dollars for staff, is a vision they can not afford to lose. Thus, executives of nonprofits should in no way be compensated or expect to be compensated at the same rate as their business counterparts. The services offered are meant to be taken advantage of by disadvantaged citizens and pay rates should reflect that mission. In the case study previously mentioned, Michael Miller, the CEO of the Goodwill Branch in Portland Oregon, is receiving a salary of $500,000 not including benefits and expenses. Moreover, some of the workers at that same branch are making below minimum wage. It is immoral for Mr. Miller to receive such a high salary, not only because his staff is making considerably less but more importantly because the salary is not in line with the overall charitable mission of Goodwill. It is unreasonable to believe that staff pay will remain the same as a nonprofit expands. However, certain standards must be in place to substantiate higher salaries. Standards may include: overall budget of the nonprofit and allocation of funds, effective service of the nonprofit based on data taken from all available programs, how the nonprofit compares to others in its region or state, and how well they are fulfilling their mission. The question as to whether this writer would charitably donate to the sight mentioned in the study can best be answered by weighing morals against greed. This writer believes that they would not donate to the sight unless there was documented proof that at least 90% of the donation was going to the people it was intended to help. Since this branch is more likely to document exaggerated salaries such as the CEO’s, it is unlikely a donation would be made to that particular branch.

Successful women share their best career advice

Successful women share their best career advice Everyone- women, men, old, young- can use some guidance in their careers. Mentorship has long been established as a huge difference-maker, especially for people just starting out or people embarking on a new professional path. This level of support has proven especially beneficial for professional women, who do best when they’re able to get insight and advice from other professional women. Yet according to a study of professional women by talent scouting firm Egon Zehnder, only 54% of women have access to that kind of mentorship by other women. That doesn’t mean that those of us without those resources have to go it alone- rather, we can take inspiration from successful women who have been willing to share some of their hard-won knowledge and insights. Let’s look at some of the most inspiring career advice out there, from women who’ve made it.Be open to opportunities.â€Å"Be prepared to spot growth opportunities when they present themselves- because they are the key learning opportunities. You’ll know because they make you uncomfortable, and your initial impulse may be that you’re not ready. But remember: Growth and comfort never co-exist.†- Ginni Rometty, chairman, president, and CEO of IBM  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Always take on new challenges- even if you at not sure you are completely ready.†- Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook  Ã¢â‚¬Å"If a job’s not scary, it’s not worth doing.†- Jasmine Whitbread, Chief Executive at London First  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Don’t cut off your career branches too early. Don’t step away from your career based on what ‘might’ happen.†- Mary Barra, chairman and CEO of General Motors  If you wait around for the exact right opportunity, you might find yourself waiting around while your skills and experience go to waste. If you’re a new grad, or looking for a new job, it can be tempting to not go for opportunities that aren’t exactly like you envisioned your career, or that feel like a stretch for the experience and skills you have. But really, what do you have to lose by stretching a little? The worst possible outcome is the word â€Å"no,† which is rarely fatal. And in the best case, you could be hired for a job that challenges you and makes you grow as a professional.Be resilient.â€Å"Life’s a marathon, not a sprint. When things go wrong, dust yourself off.†- Kate Grussing, Founder and Managing Partner at Sapphire Partnership  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Take criticism seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you.†- Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State  Failures and disappointments are going to happen occasionally, no matter who you are and what industry you’re working in. Sometimes these will be your fault, and sometimes they won’t. The one thing that all failure scenarios have in common is that you can move on from them. No matter how embarrassing it may feel, or how dire, all you can do is accept that things happened the way they did, understand why things happened what they did, and learn what you can do next time to help avoid the same kind of catastrophe.Build your team wisely.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"You are only ever as good as the team you build, so be a talent magnet and surround yourself with the best and the brightest.†- Marianne Lake, CFO of J.P. Morgan Chase  Ã¢â‚¬Å"†Never be afraid to recruit people brighter than you are, and never be afraid to recruit people who are different than you. That is sometimes hard to do, but incredibly powerful if you want to create a team that is really effective.†- Judith McKenna, COO of Walmart  Think of it as career #squadgoals. Every successful person has worked as part of a team at some point in their careers- and in fact, teamwork is one of the qualities most prized by employers. The important part is making sure that your team is able to support your goals. That may mean being a more engaged and supportive colleague yourself, or if you’re in a management role, it means recruiting the best possible people to help you grow achieve your own goals.Everyone has his or her own career goals in mind, and it can feel like we need to step on others to achieve those, but things will go much more smoothly- not to mention more easily- if you focus on building ways to work together instead of taking everything on yourself.Be yourself.â€Å"Be who you are. You’re unlikely to be first or last- your journey is your journey.†- Desiree Clarke-Noble, Director, Head of Brand and Marketing at Royal Bank of Canada  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Sit down and ask yourself, ‘What is the most important thing to me?’ What grosses me out the most? What makes me the most upset - is it healthcare? Is it so many people being hungry in our culture? Is it sexual abuse? Mix that with doing somet hing you love, something you could keep doing forever and ever. For me, it was ending violence against women, and I mixed it with music. And I’ve had a 25-year career. So that’s my advice: Find something you really care about and mix that with something you love doing.†- Kathleen Hanna, musician and activist  If your professional self is more aspirational than authentic, you’re likely to find yourself dissatisfied with the career path your persona has chosen for you. Whatever choices you make- job, relationships, skill-building- should be ones that fit with who you are, not necessarily who you think you should be.Find your focus.â€Å"The thing people want most is your focus and attention. You destroy that when you think you’re multitasking, because you’re not accomplishing either.†- Wendy Clark, president and CEO of DDB North AmericaMultitasking can be seen as a prized skill, in a world where there are about 40 digital distractions every minute and ever-increasing demands. Instead of focusing on the number of things you can do this minute, try thinking about the quality of what you’re doing and learning in the moment. Being able to send an email while half-listening to a colleague and compiling a report will get more things checked off on your to-do list, but how many of those things are you actually doing well? If you try to bring mindfulness and thoughtfulness to your to-do list, you are upping the quality factor of your work.Project confidence in all you do.â€Å"Speak slower; be more executive and more authoritative. When you speak quickly it’s hard to distil big messages and put a good case forward to your customers and your team.†- Helen Sutton, Vice President of Enterprise in Northern Europe at DocuSign  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Don’t be afraid to ask questions; that’s one thing that differentiates women from men.†- Claudia Palmer, Chief Business Officer and Chief Financial Offi cer at ReutersOne of the best things you can do for your career is to take control and ownership of your professional path. That means expressing yourself clearly, and being an advocate for your own interests. Whether it’s negotiating a salary increase or trying to get ahead, being timid or hesitant is unlikely to get you what you want. The more you can project confidence and competence, the more you’ll be able to build confidence in your abilities.If you have any of your own favorite pieces of career advice for or from women, we’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Mutually Exclusive

Mutually Exclusive Mutually Exclusive Mutually Exclusive By Maeve Maddox A reader asks, Could you write a piece on the use of the term â€Å"mutually exclusive†? I always get a little befuddled when someone says, â€Å"This and that are not mutually exclusive.† I have to stop and do the math to make sure I follow. The expression â€Å"mutually exclusive† is used in statistics to refer to events that cannot occur at the same time. For example, with $10 in my pocket, I go into a store intending to buy a battery and a jump drive, but each item costs $10. I can buy the battery or I can buy the jump drive, but not both. The purchases are â€Å"mutually exclusive.† Writers use the term when discussing subjects that seem to be so opposed in nature as to be incapable of coexisting but which, in their opinion, can in fact do so. For example: Feminism and Christianity dont have to be mutually exclusive. Interpretation: Feminism, which advocates the equality of the sexes, is being contrasted with Christianity, a patriarchal religion that teaches female submission. Privacy and Security Are Not Mutually Exclusive. Interpretation: Security, in the sense of government defenses that rely on surveillance and data gathering, is being contrasted with privacy, the condition of being free from public attention. Are Religion and Science mutually exclusive? Interpretation: Religion, which requires adherents to believe in events that defy the laws of physics, is contrasted with science, which insists on physical proofs before belief. The Germans don’t see brains and brawn as mutually exclusive. Interpretation: â€Å"All brawn and no brains† is an idiom that reflects the popular belief that athletic qualities and intelligence are not to be found in the same person. The statement, from a sports site, posits the idea that intelligence can be expected of athletes. Three other common expressions that use the adverb mutually to mean a reciprocal action or status are: mutually beneficial: good for both parties. Example: After 1940,  Mexico  and the  United States  slowly crafted a  mutually beneficial  relationship. mutually delighted: good feelings on each side. Example: By the end of their first term together, in the spring of 1874, it was  clear  that teacher and pupil were  mutually delighted.   mutually assured destruction: a state of hostility in which two equally strong opponents are capable of destroying one another in open conflict. Example: Fifty years ago this week the idea of mutually assured nuclear destruction was outlined in a major speech. But how did this frightening concept of the Cold War fade from peoples psyches? Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Passed vs Past"Gratitude" or "Gratefulness"?Supervise vs. Monitor

Purchasing a Rock Collection

Purchasing a Rock Collection Boxed sets of rock specimens can be a good start for a child interested in geology. These rock collections are handy, small, and not too expensive. Books, maps, a good rock hammer, a magnifier, and the guidance of local experts will take your child much further. But a modest rock set, especially one that includes a pamphlet and some basic information, is all you need to begin. The most important part of a boxed set is your personal commitment to the child; otherwise, the whole experience is sterile. Rock Collection Box Skip the fancy, intimidating wooden box; cardboard or plastic is sturdy enough. You can always buy a better box later, and more of them to fit a growing collection. Dont buy collections that are glued to a card, as it discourages close examination. A true geoscientist will pull the rocks off for hands-on learning. Other Items in the Rock Collection Many sets include streak plates and items to test hardness, like a glass scratchplate and a steel nail. Those are a plus. But the magnifiers that come with boxed collections are generally not trustworthy; they are the most expensive item and are the first place a dealer will cut costs. Children should have a decent 5x magnifier or loupe, purchased separately, that rewards them with a high-quality visual experience. If a pamphlet comes with the set, review it yourself in case the child needs help with it. Start Small You can get huge collections, but a box with about 20 specimens covers the most common rock types, with maybe a few extras for color or exotic interest. Remember, the point of buying a rock collection is the pleasure of learning to recognize, pursue and cherish the rocks found in your own outings.   Get Rocks, Not Chips A useful rock specimen is at least 1.5 inches or 4 centimeters in all dimensions. A proper hand specimen is twice that size. Such rocks are big enough to scratch, chip and otherwise investigate without spoiling their appearance. Remember, these are for learning, not admiring. Igneous, Sedimentary or Metamorphic Theres merit in getting a set of rocks that reflect your own region, but a set of exotic rock types might fascinate someone who travels or dreams of traveling. Are your local rocks igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic? If you dont know, its easy to learn yourself. Use an identification table to identify your rocks. A specialized rock collection would have fewer specimens than a general one, of course. Mineral Collection Rocks are more popular than minerals, and theyre easier to learn about, but for the right child, especially in a locality with notable mineral occurrences, a boxed mineral collection may be just the thing to start with. For most budding rockhounds, a mineral collection is the ideal second step after getting a rock collection. Becoming a real expert in rocks requires strong skills in mineral identification. Another aspect of mineral collecting is the possibility of visiting rock shops, near home as well as on the road, to buy more specimens inexpensively. Reading Matters A rockhound of any stripe must be able to read texts and maps as well as rocks. If youre buying a rock collection for a child, for best results be sure he or she is comfortable with print and has a basic grasp of maps. Without reading skills, a child will always be limited to gazing and dreaming. Scientists need to gaze and dream too, but they also must read, observe, think, and write. A rock kit is only a start.