Death of Salesman essays

Marketing Inteligence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Advertising Inteligence - Essay Example This is a phase whereby a purchaser understands that he needs new garments for instance. The following stage is data search whereby the customer breaks down all the potential organizations selling garments, for example, Tesco and its rivals. The elective assessment stage is the third stage wherein the buyer assesses the nature of garments and costs charged by different organizations. For instance, a buyer can look at the costs of Asda and those of Tesco. In the fourth stage, buy choice, the buyer settles on his choice on which store to buy garments from and goes for the organization that offers quality garments at moderate costs. The last stage is post-buy conduct whereby the buyer examines if the garments he bought from Tesco for instance fulfilled his needs or not and taken important activities. Maslow’s hypothesis of requirements This hypothesis traces that individual have certain necessities that he needs to fulfill every single through howdy life. In the purchasing practices of buyers, they initially consider fulfilling the most earnest needs important for their endurance and great living (Kelly, 2002). Customers start with fulfilling essential needs then security needs followed by social needs then confidence needs and in conclusion self-realization needs. Dispersion of development hypothesis This hypothesis plots how progressions, for example, new innovations spread all through societies and social orders from prologue to more extensive selection. The costs, openness and recognition with the innovative change impact that purchasing conduct of customers (Lehman, Ramsey and David, 2000). On the off chance that the expense of new propelled items and administrations is a lot higher than those of the old ones, buyers will favor buying the old ones since they fulfill similar requirements. Social and strict variables The consumer’s purchasing conduct is profoundly affected by the social and strict convictions of a customer. For instance Muslims can't buy pork items being offered by

Essay Writing Tips

Essay Writing TipsThe students who are having trouble with their writing samples often ask me for tips on writing effective arguments in essays. Some of the answers may surprise you, especially if you've been asked by someone for advice.The most important thing when asking for help with student writing samples is to not to ask your adviser or instructor for help, even though they are often the most qualified to give you tips on essay topics. They have already gone through the material that you will be reading and so do not know the best way to approach the topic.When a student asks me for help with essay writing, he or she should not try to get their papers evaluated by their lecturer as the teacher cannot see what the student has written and assess it objectively. On the other hand, the lecturer's comments may be biased and they may give a wrong interpretation of the student's paper. Students are encouraged to write a second draft if needed after taking into account the comments of the lecturer.It would be best for students to get advice from an essay or speech writer or someone who has recently read the topic, as this will give them ideas on how to write an argument. This may mean that they will be required to rewrite or revise their essay at some point in their academic career. It is quite difficult for most students to write a convincing argument in any topic, especially when a topic involves time or money, so take advantage of the opportunity to learn this skill in the summer holidays or during the holiday break. Since it is very rare that a student has enough time to rewrite their essay for every school subject, it is best to learn the skills of good writing and revise your paper as soon as possible.Another issue to consider is the writer's ability to use argumentation, descriptive writing and argumentation. A persuasive essay will use all three of these forms. When writing an argumentative essay on the topic must first be well defined, the writer must be able to construct an argument from that topic. Once the topic is defined, the argument must also be laid out in a logical sequence.It is therefore wise to choose an interesting topic for your persuasive essay and write about it for at least two weeks. There must be no second thoughts, no hesitations, no doubt in the writer's mind that he or she can actually write an interesting essay on the topic. One of the advantages of writing essays is that they can be challenging, so once the topic is chosen, a writer can proceed to creating a convincing argument.Writing is a lifelong learning process and the writer will progress quite a bit in this area over the years, but as any child knows, a book will never go as far as a person's knowledge can go. That is why, if the topic of the argumentative essay is related to a new concept, or has implications on a new type of theory, it is much better to base the arguments on the new theory. The student will then be able to understand it better, and make more sense of it.Finally, I hope that students will make a decision when they are writing their argumentative essay, rather than guessing about the topic they will be tackling next. An interesting topic, which makes sense to the writer and the one which he or she can present persuasively will ensure that the essay will be of the highest standard.

Spiritual Awakening By Flannery O Connor - 1479 Words

Spiritual Awakening in Flannery O’Connor: â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† In the story â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† by Flannery O’Connor, spirituality and grace is the underlying theme as much of her works reveals. Without this premise most of her work would be impossible to interpret and understand. With her Christian background at the forefront, the reader can interpret and synthesis her story out rightly. In life’s spiritual journey it often takes a personal crisis to awaken the spiritual senses. On the mission to eternal spiritual truths, the crises encountered, despite their threatening outward concealments, take on a lesser significance than the spiritual truths that these crises often unearth. These interpretations truly describe the journey that the grandmother takes in â€Å"A Good Man Is Hard to Find.† and the faith embodied by the characters and their experiences. In this story, the grandmother s journey from controlling self-absorption to grace denotes a Christian s journey towards redemption. As we begin to l ook at the grandmother, it is important to note that she has no name. The story opens by, â€Å"The grandmother didn’t want to go to Florida† (276). She is one of three main characters made mention of in this story who are not given a name, followed by the children’s mother and the Misfit. In the opening four paragraphs the grandmother is been referred to three times, but always with her title rather than her name. Since the grandmother has no name and only aShow MoreRelatedEssay on A Good Man is Hard to Find: The Cross of Two Spiritual Paths2192 Words   |  9 PagesThe Cross of Two Spiritual Paths: The Characterization of the Grandmother and the Misfit and How Their Rendezvous Connects Them Both to a Religious Awakening of Faith, Grace, and Salvation. Obeying Pontius Pilates orders, the Roman soldiers nailed Jesus onto a cross but not before ridiculing and physically beating him. At nine o clock in the morning, the men proceeded to crucify him along with two robbers. One of the robbers joined the soldiers in lampooning Jesus while the other one asked for

Violent Video Games Lead to Violence Essay - 1175 Words

In today’s day and age it has been suggested that teens are becoming more violent. Some worry that certain aspects of our technology, including the intenseness of violent video games, are affecting the violence among America’s youth, while others don’t see this as an issue at all. A study done in 2004, Factors Correlated with Violent Video Games Use by Adolescent Boys and Girls, reported that boys in grades seventh and eighth played violent video games to either release their anger or help them relax. According to the suggestion that video games act as a stress reliever, violence in video games should not be blamed for violent behavior. Even though many views about the effect of violent video games are negative, I argue that they don’t†¦show more content†¦Research done on the effect of violent video games also shows that video games increase the ability for humans to process information quickly and make faster decisions. In order for the players to advance and win the games, they have to be able to assess, make decisions, and react quickly. Bell (2013) stated, â€Å"We now have numerous studies on how playing action computer games, as opposed to puzzle or strategy titles such as The Sims or Tetris, leads to an improvement in how well we pay attention, how quickly we react, how sensitive we are to images and how accurately we sort information†(p 2). Whether they’re talking into their headset to other players, shooting people or trying to dodge a bullet, gamers are always multi-tasking. Bell also stated that TV, as well as violence in the news, have been found to have a similar effect. These violent video games not only increase the gamers accuracy of making informed decisions faster than a non-gamer, they also have a direct impact on how gamers interact with and navigate our world. In my personal experience, violent video games have little effect on the gamer’s actions toward violence. Many of my friend s, as well as my brother, play violent video games and aren’t looking to be violent toward the world. My friends say that they play the games because it helps them relieve stress from work or school and the gamesShow MoreRelatedViolent Video Games1485 Words   |  6 PagesHow does violence in video games affect people? Sometimes people think about video games and think oh no big deal but there is a lot that goes into them and they can have different effects on people. Violent video games have the most effect on people and most of them are negative. Educational games tend to have the best effect on people and can help them. Many people argue both sides and do not see them for what they are and think my kids won’t be affected but they will as more articles state andRead More Video Games Violence Essay1580 Words   |  7 Pageschild has played video games once in their lives. There are various genres and types of video games such as action, first person shooters, advent ure, education, role-playing, strategy, and many more. 89% of video games contain some violent content (Slife, 2008). The most addictive, common, and popular video games among children are the violent video games (Slife, 2008). A lot of video games these days depict â€Å"real-life violence† meaning that the settings and plots of these video games are taken fromRead MoreVideo Games : Video Game Violence Essay1693 Words   |  7 PagesVideo Game Violence Blood and gore, intense violence, strong sexual content, use of drugs. These are just a few of the phrases that the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) uses to describe the content of several games. The future of entertainment revolves around technology. Along with the evolvement of technology, video games are also changing. More ways of playing violent video games are created each year, but most of us have this question in mind; do violent video games influence peopleRead MoreViolent Video Games: Closing the Doors to Success688 Words   |  3 PagesAn increase in violent outbreaks may be linked to violent video games. There has been an increasing amount of crime in the age groups involved violent video games in some way. In turn, watching and/or participating in violent video games can increase violent behavior. Violent outbreaks are more common with age groups that are actively participating in violent video games, or have an active role within the community of violent video games. An article states Sales of video games have more than quadrupledRead MoreThe Effects of Video Games on Violence1642 Words   |  7 PagesVideo game violence has remained a controversy for numerous years. With the advancement of technology, video games have progressed in its practicality and genres. Technology has allowed video games to become very sophisticated and lifelike. This development has brought video games to a multi-billion dollar industry. Nevertheless, with the level of practicality, there are also negative affects to humanity. Since the manufacture of violent video games, there has been a constant quarrel whether or notRead MoreDo Video Games Inspire Violent Behavior?1713 Words   |  7 Pageseffects of violent video games and the development of today’s youth. Many people believe that the vi olence in video games promotes aggression. According to Doctor Brad Bushman’s article, Do Violent Video Games Increase Aggression? he claims that violent video games leads to aggression because it is interactive process that teaches and rewards violent behavior. Yet others believe that this not the case. Gregg Toppo of the Scientific American, writes in his article, â€Å"Do Video Games Inspire Violent BehaviorRead MoreCensoring of Violent Video Games1152 Words   |  5 PagesThere has always been controversy as to whether violent video games should be censored. Video games should be censored for the good of society. Video games do harm to teens and society due to making teens accumulate frustrations,makes teens think violence is acceptable in problem solving, and makes them very unhealthy but it also does some good, such as helps teens control their emotions, makes them conscious of what is good from what is bad, and helps them get rid of stress. This controversy mayRead M oreViolent Video Games Cause Violence : Cause Of Violence And Video Games1377 Words   |  6 PagesLit. 27 November 2017 The Blame Game Statistically, 2017 has become the year with second lowest crimes rates since 1990, assuming there isn’t a big resurgence in violent crime between now and the end of the year (Bump). However, violent crimes continue to be a problem in modern-day America. Many have sought out to find out the root of these crimes and what causes them, and as a result, many different things have been cited as a cause for violence. Violent video games are said to be a possible sourceRead More Violent Video Games did Not Cause the Columbine High School Shooting1634 Words   |  7 PagesHarris’ violent tragedy. The question is: did playing Doom lead to him being a violent child, or did being a violent child lead him to playing Doom? Proceeding my perusal of articles and research, written by authors with scientific credentials or otherwise, I have concluded that video games are no more to blame for the ebullition found in today’s society than any other possible cause. However, the incessant brouhaha as well as the negative notoriety surrounding media and video games refusesRead MoreVideo Game Violence And Its Effects On Gamers1205 Words   |  5 PagesVideo Game Violence and its effects on Gamers In recent years there has been a significant increase of shooting incidents, specifically in America. When there is a shooting event the media is quick to question if the suspect had a history of playing violent video games. There is already the initial connection between video game violence and aggression; but is this connection scientifically correct? This topic interests me because of the increase in school shootings and violence. I have personally

Performance Measurement and Sustainable System †MyAssignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about the Performance Measurement and Sustainable System. Answer: Introduction Performance measurement can be considered as a procedure of acquiring, assessing and reporting specific information as regards the performance of a particular individual, system/component, organization and group. In essence, performance management system can also be considered as a system of communication that can be designed to assist members of the staff to succeed and help them perform principle functions, meet expected levels of performance, acquire timely feedback and receive ratings of performance as well as rewards. The current study elucidates performance measurement and management system with special reference to the operations of the corporation Tesco Plc. The company reference of Tesco plc necessarily refers to a British transnational grocery as well as general merchandise retailer headquartered in England, United Kingdom. Performance measurement system can be regarded as an iterative procedure that essentially have the need to be repeated on a regular basis with special focus on customers and undertaking the right things. The measurement cycle necessarily starts as well as ends at activities and functionalities of a specific corporation and passes through four different stages. The stages namely include measurement of performance, reporting performance, learning and improving. In essence, the first step involves usage of key performance metrics or in other words performance indicators for determining progress of a corporation in attainment of strategic as well as operational goals/objectives. Thereafter, the second stage involves utilization of a specific customer metric that is necessarily a simple measurement technique that can be used to assess what matters most to all the customers (Leyer et al. 2015). Thus, the corporation might have an appropriate strategic plan in a bid to attract as well as maintain customers and meet the needs of the customers. Additionally, this process also includes usage of process metric that refers to measurement techniques and instruments that can help in monitoring, ev aluating and enhancing performance. Furthermore, people metric also refers to measurement technique that can be used for determination of value as well as effectiveness of initiatives of people. The management of Tesco Plc utilizes 6 big Key performance indicators/measures for the entire business. Increasing volume of sales can be considered to be an important factor towards success of business model. Reports reveals that both volumes as well as business transactions is used as performance dimension indicating enhancement of customer purchases as more number of products and more frequent purchases at Tesco Plc (Leyer et al. 2015). Group operating profit of Tesco Plc helps in understanding profitability of corporation Tesco Plc. In addition to this, retail cash that is generated from Tescos operations indicates performance from the perspective of cash flow. The group net promoter score helps in understanding customer centricity of Tesco that helps in understanding the extent to which customers recommend shopping from Tesco Plc In addition to this, the management of Tesco plc also implements Group Supplier Satisfaction for understanding Tesco Plcs commitment towards strong partnership (Bennett et al. 2014). Moving further, the performance measurement system of Tesco Plc also involves development of a strategic plan for the same. Essentially, the management of the corporation has developed a strategic plan that focuses on both alignment and concentrates on selecting the right actions for better delivery to customers and attainment of success for business. In addition to this, the business also has performance measurement dimension for monitoring performance. The findings deduced from the dimensions include the following: Repeated recommendation by Customers (for example, frequency of shopping) - This measure can help in delivering indication regarding progress in attaining competitiveness (Bennett et al. 2014). Recommendation by colleagues as a good place of work as well as shop This measure helps in monitoring openness, transparency along with responsiveness of business environment. Building Trusted Partnerships This measure helps in understanding relationship of Tesco with diverse suppliers, objective of restoring trust as well as transparency. Grow sales The growth in sales helps in monitoring performance of corporation from the perspective of growth in sales and attainment of stronger financial condition (Bennett et al. 2014) Delivering Profit- The process of delivering profit can assist in understanding level of profitability of corporation The monitoring procedure helps in explaining the extent of effectiveness of operational performance. Subsequently, this can help in controlling and improving the performance by rectification. Influence of performance measurement system on operations of corporation Analysis of the reports on Tesco Plc reveals the fact that in a bid to deliver superior strategy and enhance performance of business the management of Tesco Plc designed a strategic performance management structure. Performance framework tools helps in aligning corporate vision of Tesco Plc and permit corporations to make certain monitoring of delivery strategy and management. Nevertheless, it is significant to make the frameworks proper documents that can be regularly revised as well as updated to replicate the altering nature of the entire business (Leyer et al. 2015). However, at the time when the strategic priorities of a corporation shift, the strategic performance structure needs to be altered too. Originally, the performance measurement framework of Tesco counting the Steering Wheel consisted of four different perspectives namely Finance, People, Customer as well as Operations. The operation perspective of Tesco mainly contains four different goals: Shopping can be considered to be superior for different clientele Work is necessarily simpler for members of the staff The manner in which company operates is necessarily cheaper for the company Tesco The manner in which company operate is very responsible and at the same time safe The management of Tesco has updated framework of performance and replicate alterations as per the revised goals. There are several corporations that develop great framework of performance and then allows getting the framework stale (Bennett et al. 2014). Therefore, the framework fails to alter them in order to replicate alterations in the companys strategy. However, management of the firm Tesco Plc evolved the performance framework in line with the organizations strategic goals. Essentially, appropriate analysis of performance framework revealed the fact that the performance measurement structure fails to identify and take into account the perspective of the community. However, one of the primary alterations is to add the community perspective to the existing performance framework of Steering Wheel of Tesco Plc. In itself, it can be hereby mentioned that the Tesco realised that issues namely climate alterations and the influence its presence has mainly on the regional community can be considered to be significant challenges that required strategic concentration as well as focus (Teeratansirikool et al. 2013). Analysis and elaborate review of the performance framework reflects the iteration of the particular Steering Wheel along with the community perspective that mainly two specific objectives mentioned below: The addition of the new community perspective has necessarily led to initiatives that include reduction of the usage of carrier bags by around 50%, use of more regionally sourced raw materials and products and decrease in the overall carbon footprint. Thus, in this connection it can be hereby stated that the new operational perspective in the framework help the company Tesco plc to achieve the objectives of doing it right in the first time, delivering consistently, making jobs easier, understanding importance of jobs, saving time as well as money (Micheli and Mari 2014). Evaluation of efficacy and efficiency of performance management practices in the light of academic framework The SMART framework also known as strategic as well as reporting system pyramid that refers to a results determinants structure and input output and process framework. In addition to this, balanced scorecard can be regarded as an important performance measurement structure implemented within corporations. This framework is involved in the process of assessing individual level as well as department level performance. This mainly includes cycle time, waste management and ensuring delivery as well as quality. Analysis of the SMART framework thereby helps market as well as financial units of the business of Tesco Plc in measuring flexibility, level of productivity along with level of satisfaction of customers (Ttil et al. 2014). The corporate vision of Tesco plc is to attain long term success that is mainly focussed on business. Essentially, vision of the company is to become highly valued business by way of serving the customers, enhancing the communities, serving loyal colleagues and shareholders. The management of Tesco helps in recognizing the main role that mainly mission, vision as well as stratagems play in attainment of success and utilize a wide range of performance indicators for monitoring and evaluating the performance. The management essentially utilizes indicators such as frequency of shopping that can be used for defining loyal customers and customer satisfaction (Melnyk et al. 2014). As rightly indicated by Pekkola et al. (2016), the results determination framework refers to a construct of mainly causality, stressing that the present business outcomes are primarily the product of prior business performance in regard to specific determinants. Furthermore, the results-determinant model primarily meets all the necessities of business to detect primary drivers of organizational performance for attainment of favourable results. Input-Process-Output-Outcomes Framework As correctly mentioned by Keong Choong (2013), Brown first introduced the notion of effect as well as cause associations in a specific performance measurement structure. In this case, there is a distinct linkage between five diverse stages of business procedures and their performance dimensions. In essence, inputs, system of processing, business outputs, business outcomes along with goals can be regarded as five diverse stages that can assist business concerns in distinguishing both input as well as output dimensions. This in turn can help in the process of identification of different factors that lessen or reduce the level of organizational performance and thereby hinder the progress. In itself, satisfaction level of employees, performance level of suppliers, financial dimensions can be regarded as input dimensions and system of processing. In essence, input along with system of processing along with output dimensions intend to attain higher level of satisfaction among diverse custo mers and maintain contented base of customers. Becker et al. (2013) asserts that the balanced scorecard framework can be regarded as the most extensively utilized performance measurement structure in corporations. This helps in assimilating four different dimensions for the evaluation of performance of corporation. In essence, internal business perspective, customer perspective, financial perspective along with the learning perspective has the need to be enumerated for the purpose of determination of real performance of a specific corporation. Fundamentally, the structure reflects the fact that the internal operations along with financial performance, diverse drivers of business performance need to have equal weight (Rosemann and vom Brocke 2015). As such, different perspectives of this framework is said to be interlinked. However, for the purpose of maximization of advantages of implementing the balanced scorecard tactic, corporations need to be associated to diverse measures through clear recognition of important facets that ca n help in driving the overall performance of the corporation. The management utilizes the balanced scorecard approach for management of operations of corporation. Again, Tesco intended to deliver its strategy and needed to present a performance management structure that can outline companys goals (Jeston and Nelis 2014). Thus, Tesco plc came up with a customised version of the balance scorecard also known as the steering wheel. Analysis of operations of firm reveals the fact that the five different sections of Tescos steering wheel help in balancing out both the effort along with resources that in turn can assist in operating as per the requirements of the stakeholders. Again, the steering wheel of Tesco essentially contains 20 objectives across five different perspectives that have helped in tracking and monitoring the firms performance. As a result of enhanced performance management system as well as practices, the company Tesco plc has recorded increase in sales, increase in price of shares along with greater share in stiffly competitive mar ket of UK. Performance Management Theories Wheelen and Hunger (2017) assert that issues due to inadequate productivity mainly stem from inefficiencyof performance management system. This is so because appropriate performance management can be referred to as the a persistent process of detecting, enumerating as well as developing a specific benchmark/yardstick for mainly individual performance and bringing into line individual performance with specific strategic goals. Fundamentally, reward system is founded on performance outcomes of diverse members of the staff and feedback is provided to diverse individuals for carrying out any further augmentation in organizational performance. Essentially, in this connection, prior academic theories namely goal setting theory as well as the expectancy theory can be considered as two important theories of performance management that can be implemented within a specific corporation. Brocke and Rosemann (2014) asserts that the goal setting theory elucidates in detail the significance of esta blishing objectives of performance for different members of the staff since these objectives inspire the members of the staff to enhance their performance. Again, the expectancy theory can be regarded as a theory centred around a specific hypothesis that states that individual performance can get hugely affected by the anticipations as regards future outcomes (Jenkins and Williamson 2015). However, in a bid to eliminate the issues related to productivity at the level of organization, it is essential to eradicate the same from the individual level by persistently motivating employees to execute better performance. References Becker, J., Kugeler, M. and Rosemann, M. eds., 2013.Process management: a guide for the design of business processes. Springer Science Business Media. Bennett, W., Lance, C.E. and Woehr, D.J., 2014.Performance measurement: Current perspectives and future challenges. Psychology Press. Brocke, J.V. and Rosemann, M., 2014. Business process management.Wiley Encyclopedia of Management. Jenkins, W. and Williamson, D., 2015.Strategic management and business analysis. Routledge. Jeston, J. and Nelis, J., 2014.Business process management. Routledge. Keong Choong, K., 2013. Understanding the features of performance measurement system: a literature review.Measuring Business Excellence,17(4), pp.102-121. Leyer, M., Heckl, D. and Moormann, J., 2015. Process performance measurement. InHandbook on Business Process Management 2(pp. 227-241). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Melnyk, S.A., Bititci, U., Platts, K., Tobias, J. and Andersen, B., 2014. Is performance measurement and management fit for the future?.Management Accounting Research,25(2), pp.173-186. Micheli, P. and Mari, L., 2014. The theory and practice of performance measurement.Management accounting research,25(2), pp.147-156. Pekkola, S., Pekkola, S., Ukko, J. and Ukko, J., 2016. Designing a performance measurement system for collaborative network.International Journal of Operations Production Management,36(11), pp.1410-1434. Rosemann, M. and vom Brocke, J., 2015. The six core elements of business process management. InHandbook on business process management 1(pp. 105-122). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Szabo, S. and Sidor, J., 2014. The performance measurement systempotentials and barriers for its implementation in healthcare facilities.Journal of Applied Economic Sciences,9(4), pp.728-735. Taticchi, P., Garengo, P., Nudurupati, S.S., Tonelli, F. and Pasqualino, R., 2015. A review of decision-support tools and performance measurement and sustainable supply chain management.International Journal of Production Research,53(21), pp.6473-6494. Ttil, J., Helki, P. and Holmstrm, J., 2014. Exploring the performance effects of performance measurement system use in maintenance process.Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering,20(4), pp.377-401. Teeratansirikool, L., Siengthai, S., Badir, Y. and Charoenngam, C., 2013. Competitive strategies and firm performance: the mediating role of performance measurement.International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management,62(2), pp.168-184. Wheelen, T.L. and Hunger, J.D., 2017.Strategic management and business policy. pearson.

Mystic River Movie Paper for Psychological Disorders free essay sample

Here are the requirements for this exercise. You are to use the Librarys databases in Psychology (see the topic above on Finding Psychological Research-based Articles). Then, please post the following: 1. Tell us your search topic and how many results you found. i used PsycARTICLES and my search topic was PTSD and Sexual Abuse. First i just put PTSD and 673 results came up, so i put in sexual abuse which narrowed it down to 46 results. 2. Is the article you selected an empirical research study*? How do you know? The article is an empirical research study because it is based on a collection of data and i put selected to only look up empirical full text researches. 3. How does this topic apply to your Media Review Paper? The movie i selected is mystic rivers. The main character is dealing with ptsd from his childhood past event. So the topic i chose to research definitely apply to my media review paper. We will write a custom essay sample on Mystic River Movie Paper for Psychological Disorders or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 4. Please post the reference for your article here in APA style. i dont think i really understand how to do this correctly.

Development of Psychology essays

Development of Psychology essays John Wilson Psychology Essay (Development of psychology) In the following essay I will explain the development of major schools in terms of distinguishing features and historical context. Scientific study is a valid way of coming to an understanding of life, and can be very useful in every area of life. Science develops theories based on what is observed. It examines each theory with rigorous and scrupulous tests to see if it describes reality. The scientific method works well in observing and recording physical data and in reaching conclusions which either confirm or nullify a theory. During the mid-19th century, scholars (although at that time probably termed philosophers) wanted to study human nature with the aim of applying the scientific method to observe, record, and treat human behaviour that was deemed as unnatural. They believed that if people could be studied in a scientific manner, there would be a greater accuracy in understanding present behaviour, in predicting future behaviour, and, most controversially, in altering behaviour through scientific intervention. There are many areas of psychology, each attempting to explain behaviour from slightly different perspectives; Social psychology is concerned with the effects of social situations on human behaviour. Personality theorists study individual behaviour. Comparative psychologists study animal behaviours across the range of species Physiological psychologists are concerned with the biological basis of behaviour. Cognitive psychologists investigate memory, thought, problem solving, and the psycholo gical aspects of learning. Analysis of behaviour studies the conditions under which a behaviour can be learned and the situations that cause that behaviour to occur. Learning is an area of psychology exploring how new behaviours are learned and maintained. Clinical psychologists study ways to help individuals and groups of individuals change their behaviour. ...

SAT Writing Word Choice and Diction Errors

SAT Writing Word Choice and Diction Errors SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Mark Twain famously once wrote in a letter that the â€Å"difference between the almost right word the right word is really a large matter - it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.† The SAT agrees with good old Mark, and tests students on their ability to recognize when the almost-right word has been subbed in for the right one. Are you confident in your ability to not be tricked by the SAT's unusual diction questions? Read on for some strategies and tips for this section. In this guide, I will: explain what diction is and why the SATasks about it tell you when to look for diction errors on the SAT and how to approach these questions show you examples of this kind of question similar to those on the SAT give you a master list of commonly-confused words in English What does â€Å"diction† mean, anyway? Diction is a fancy way of saying â€Å"word choice† - you may have heard your literature teacher talk about this idea when analyzing a famous author’s writing style. When used by the College Board, however, it refers to something on a slightly lower level. A lot of words in the English language are easy to confuse because they look or sound similar but have quite different meanings. For example, can you spot which words are incorrectly used in the sentences below? When Allen heard that the SAT would be changing, the news was difficult for him to except. He had spent allot of time studying for the old test, and now he wondered if that had been a total waist. How would these changes effect his scores? There are actuallyfour diction errorsin the above passage, but they can be difficult to spotbecause they sound like the correct words that should have been used. Exceptshould be accept Allotshould bea lot Waistshould bewaste Effectshould beaffect Why diction errors? Most of the questionsyou will see on SAT Writing tests your ability to spot basic grammar errors. As such, learning the grammar rules that the SAT thinks areimportant will usually go a long way in helping to improve you score. Diction errors are verydifferent: there's no clearrule you can learn that will help you out or even a set list of easily-confused words that the SAT might use, makingthis section particularly difficult to prepare for. SAT Writing is all about your ability to edit and spot when something doesn't make sense. Can you only catch errors that follow strict grammar rules or can you also see when something doesn't make sense because the wrong word is being used? Where will I find diction questions? Since these question are fairly different fromthe others you will encounter on this part of the SAT, they are considered to be more difficult.The more difficult questions usually appear towards the ends of sections. You are most likely to find diction questions in theIdentifying Errors section of the test because they don't give you answer choices to correct the errors on this part of the test. These questions would not be nearly as difficult to catch if the correct word were given in the answer choices - in fact, that would be an easy giveaway that one of the original words was incorrect! Diction questions will rarely, if every, appear in the Improving Paragraphs section. Keep in mind thatnot every SAT will have diction errors.Sometimes they don't appear on a test at all! Other times, there will be a few of them. This uncertainty is another reason that they are difficult to prepare for and even harder to recognize. It seems that diction errors are becoming a little more common on recent tests than they were in the past, but they still don't make up a large amount of the questions on SAT Writing. The June 6, 2015 SAT, as an example, hadtwo diction questions. Strategies for Diction Questions Always have a plan. When diction questions do appear on the SAT, they're very unpredictable. You never know which commonly confused word the College Board will choose to test, and they tend to not repeat themselves. Spend a bit of time reviewing the list of commonly confused words below and see if there are any words that jump out at you as things that you might confuse.Limit your studying on this section to just what's trickiest for you. When you get to the final questions on the Identifying Errors or Improving Sentences section, pay particular attention to any questions that seems to have "No Error" or correct as is as an answer.This is where you will most likely find a diction question. Go back and double check everything that is underlined. Is each word correct? Did you read too quickly and mentally sub in a similar word for what is actually written? Does anything jump out at you that you can remember from the list below of commonly-confused words? If you can see a diction error, choose that as the answer. If not, keep your answer as "No Error." And keep in mind that you're statistically more likely to have "No Error" as an answer, or a totally different grammar mistake that you just didn't spot the first time, than a diction error! Let's look at one together Though Joe was not implied in(A) the cheating scandal at the school (B), he stillwas questioned (C) by theprincipal (D).No Error. (E) As always when you are reading through a question on SAT Writing, you should start by looking for themost common grammar errors.(Not sure what the most common mistakes are? We have a guide for that coming soon!) Looking at this sentence, I don't see any problems in verb tense and form or subject-verb agreement, and the sentence is correctly formed (meaning it's not a fragment or a run-on). "At the school" is fine as a prepositional phrase. So far I don't see anygrammar errors, and so I'm leaning towards No Error. But not so fast! At this point, I have to go back and double check that all of the underlined words are used correctly. "At the school" and "was questioned" are both phrases with words I'm very familiar with - there's no way these are being used incorrectly. However, I remember that "implied" and "principal" are both on the list of commonly-confused words. "Principal" sounds a lot like "principle." One word means a person who runs a school, while the other refers to an ideal or belief. If I had been unsure about which is which when looking over the list below, I would have found a way to remember which is which - such as thinking, "At school, your principal is yourpal."Therefore, principal is correctly used in the sentence. What about implied? That's also on the list, as a word that's commonly confused with "implicated." If I had been having trouble with these two words, I would have had to memorize the definitions or come up with another way to remember the difference between them. From looking at the list below, I knowthat "imply" means "to suggest" and "implicate" means "to suggest involvement in something." When I sub those definitions back into the sentence, it's clear that "implied in" doesn't make sense. I should be "implicated in." Therefore, (A) is the correct answer. Here are some more to do on your own! Some of the following questions have No Error, and others have diction errors. Can you spot them? 1. Due to human interventions,the Alaskansalmon nowstruggle(A) to reach their spawning grounds, a situationthat has(B) adverselyeffected(C)the area's(D) mammals. No error (E) 2. Most warning signs of cancer are not alarming individually, though several of the symptoms(A) added together(B) are seen(C) as(D) a signal of the disease.No error (E) 3. Only by using(A) unconventional methods were(B) the doctors able to successfully complete(C) what had been(D) a difficult surgery. No error (E) 4. The public has excess(A) to an economical and efficient(B) recycling center that is responsible tocommunity needs and complies with(C) current federal regulations governing(D) waste disposal.No error(E) 5. The report is essentially(A) a vague and extremely lacking(B) record of what(C) happened to each of(D) the victims. No error (E) 6. In(A) American letters,Rachel Carsonis aprime example of a reporterwho, by assuring(B) public interest in(C) an important topic, achieved immortality for herself. (D) No error (E) 7. Love is one of our most indiscriminate(A) emotions; it can(B)unexpectedly(C) strike you or me (C), millionaires or paupers (D), cynics or romantics. No error (E) 8. As(A) exotic petsmature, they develop destructivebehaviors(B) that their owners, who wanted(C) adorable, furry companions, often find difficult to except (D). No error (E) Answers: 1. C; 2. E; 3. E; 4. A; 5. E; 6. B; 7. E; 8. D List of commonly confused words WORD MEANING WORD MEANING accept to receive, take except excluding access entrance; opportunity excess more than needed addition something added edition a certain production of something adopt to legally take on, accept adapt to change to be more suitable advice a recommendation advise to give a recommendation adverse bad; unfavorable averse opposed to affect to influence effect a result afflict to cause suffering inflict to force something harmful aisle space between rows isle island allude to make an indirect reference elude to avoid allusion an indirect reference illusion a false idea or vision already happened before now all ready to be entirely prepared altar table for religious ceremony alter to change altogether completely; entirely all together all things with each other a lot a large number of something allot to give out an amount of something ambivalent to have two different feelings about something ambiguous having more than one possible meaning amoral having no sense or right and wrong immoral having intentionally bad morals anecdote a short personal story antidote a substance or activity that stops something bad angel a spiritual creature angle space between intersecting lines measured in degrees apart separated, into pieces a part a piece of something appraise to examine and judge apprise to tell someone of something are 3rd person plural of â€Å"to be† our belonging to us accent how someone pronounces words ascent movement up assent agreement/approval assistance help assistants helpers attribute a quality/characteristic contribute to give something auditory related to hearing audible able to be heard aural related to hearing oral spoken or related to the moth balmy pleasantly warm barmy crazy or silly bare not covered bear to carry or accept something bated in suspense; excited baited to harass (past tense) bazaar a market bizarre very strange and surprising berth a bed on a boat/train birth time when a baby is born beside next to something besides in addition to something boar a wild pig bore a dull person board a long, flat piece of wood bored feeling uninterested born to have been birthed borne carried bough a large branch of a tree bow bend upper body forward breath air that comes from lungs breathe to take air in and out brake part of a vehicle that stops it break to separate into pieces buy to purchase by shows a person who does something canvas a strong cloth canvass to ask people their opinions censure to criticize formally censor to remove offensive things from public capital city where government is based OR money capitol state legislature building choose to decide or pick chose past tense of choose climactic an important or exciting time climatic relating to the weather coarse rough and thick course a series of lessons collaborate to work together corroborate to provide supporting information command to order commend to praise complacent feeling you don’t need to try hard complaisant willingness to please others complement something that goes well with something else compliment saying something to show praise comprehensive thorough comprehensible easy to understand conscience the part of you that makes you feel guilty conscious aware; awake contemptuous showing contempt contemptible extremely bad corps a group of people or military force corpse a dead body council an elected group of people counsel to give advice credible able to be believed credulous gullible dairy milk products diary a book of personal thoughts descent a movement down dissent disagreement desirous wanting something desirable attractive dessert sweet food desert hot, dry area device equipment used for a particular purpose devise to design or invent something discreet secretive discrete separate and different disinterested impartial uninterested not interested do a helping verb dew drops of water due expected or planned dominant most important or wanting control dominate to control or have power over die to stop living dye substance used to change color dyeing to change the color of dying present participle of â€Å"die† elicit to get info or a reaction from someone illicit not legal eminent respected imminent about to happen immanent permanent part of something emit to send out gas/heat/light omit exclude envelop cover something envelope what letters go in everyday consecutive days every day used a lot exhaustive repetitive use exhausting tiring expandable gets bigger expendable to leave out explicit gratuitous implicit complete fair reasonable fare cost farther far further more flaunt exaggerate flout intentionally formally properly formerly before foreboding over-powering forbidding not allowed forth forwards fourth first, second, third†¦.. gorilla large monkey guerrilla unofficial military group hear sounds here present heard noise herd flock/gaggle/group hoard collect/store horde large group hole hollow space in something whole complete human people/person humane kind implicit complete complicit involved in imply suggest implicate suggest someone is involved in something infer guess something based on the information you have incur experience something unpleasant occur to happen indeterminate impossible to know interminable lasting a long time, in a boring way influence make an impression affluence wealth ingenious really clever ingenuous honest its belongs to it’s it is knew knowledge you have new not old know knowledge no denied laid the past of lay lain lied down later in the past latter near the end of a period lay to put something down lie horizontal lead to take charge led had taken charge lessen to weaken lesson what a teacher teaches lightning weather lightening not as dark loose not fitting tightly lose to not win maybe perhaps/possibly may be accepting something as true despite your opinion on it meat flesh meet assemble mete punish metal hard, shiny substance medal metal object given as a prize mettle determination when doing something miner someone who works in a mine minor not important moral right and wrongs morale the meaning passed to qualify past something that’s happened patience to stay calm patients sick people peace tranquility piece a part of peak the top peek a quick look pique annoyed pedal foot operated part of machine petal part of a flower peddle to sell perpetrate do something bad perpetuate elongate personal relating to a person personnel staff persecute treat someone unfairly prosecute to convict perspective viewpoint prospective potential buyer plain ordinary plane flying vehicle pore small hole for sweat to pass through pour make liquid flow from a container precede to happen before something else proceed to go forward precedent to set an example for others president the head of prescribe give medical treatment proscribe to not allowsomething presence being in a place presents gifts principal most important principle basic rule quiet no noise quite completely rain precipitation reign to rule rein straps that control a horse raise to lift raze completely destroy rational reasonable rationale the reason reluctant unwilling reticent saying little about what you feel respectfully showing respect respectively in the same order reverend Christian official reverent showing respect right correct rite traditional religious ceremony write produce words road surface built for vehicles rode to have ridden scene a view seen to have looked sense logic since from a time in the past sensible well behaved sensitive to be dealt with carefully sensory connected to the physical senses sight vision site a place of importance cite mention something as proof simulate to mimic stimulate to make something happen stationary still motion stationery office supplies straight not curved strait narrow area of sea suppose think something is true supposed to expected to do something taught educated, instructed taut stretched very tight than used to compare two things then at that time their belongs to them there used to show something exists they’re they are through from one end to the other threw to have thrown thorough completely to used to give the reason too as well as two comes after one track narrow path tract large area of land visual relating to seeing visible able to seen waist around the middle of your body waste a bad use of something waive allow someone to break the rules wave move hands from side to side weak not strong week 7 days weather conditions in the air above the earth (wind, rain etc) whether if, or not wether a castrated ram where to, at, or in what place were past tense of be which determining pronoun witch woman with magical powers whose which person owns or is responsible for something who’s who is your belonging to the person being spoken to you’re you are yore a long time ago What's next? Familiarize yourself with some other errors you're likely to see on the Identifying Sentence Errors questions, like pronoun agreement, adjectives vs. adverbs, and subject-verb agreement. More concerned about the big picture? Make sure you know the best way to approach Identifying Sentence Errors and Improving Sentences. If you're a member of the class of 2017, determinewhether you should study forthe current SAT or the redesigned version with this guide. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this Writing and grammar lesson, you'll love our program.Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands ofpractice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial:

Business Management Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Business Management - Literature review Example In the current study, the focus will be on role of power in the organisation. The objective will be to find out what constitutes power, what are the several external and internal influences and how power in related to the overall performance and success of an organisation. Critical Review of Literature The relationship between organisation and power is critical and intimate. The organisations exist to the degree to which they are powerful. This power, in turn affects beliefs, behaviours as well as opportunities of groups, individuals, businesses and societies. Organisations endure as a result of various social practices especially those which are repetitive, socially constructive and controlling. As a result power has become an increasingly influential tool to control and manage societies as well as organisations. The relationship between organisations and power can also be called as bi-directional. ... Incorporation of power is critical in understanding how organisations operate in society and how they are interrelated. Workplace is a setting where individuals show a working relationship as well as are independent in accomplishing present as well as future outcomes. Power in organisations is critical as individuals often need particular influences in order to accomplish their objectives and goals. Researchers have also found slight variation on the perspectives of power in workplace and study approaches. The literature has suggested that power can be seen from various perspectives such as structure or system, individual or dyadic relationship. The existence of power in an organisation is the result of its structure or system and its mechanism to control and influence behaviour. According to this approach, power can be described as the capability to mobilise resources and people to get the work done (Katz, 1998). Thus, perceived capacity of the power can be examined against its real influence on the productivity of employees. According to Second, Lawrence and Robinson (2007), organizational power reflects the actions of an individual or an organizational system controlling the beliefs or behaviour of organizational members. This perspective is considered to be more complete as it recognizes organizational power as well as importance of personal power. According to this view per has the ability to get the work done without the occurrence of any resistance. It is believable that leaders can use these perspectives in order to be able to counter resistance from employees and workers during various workplace situations such as takeover, downsizing and union disputes. This perspective also concludes

What is the Ideal Job Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

What is the Ideal Job - Essay Example In some organizations, the employee is forced to work independently and is unable to build social connections with others in their environment. The high level of independent demands, such as meeting short deadlines, do not give the employee any free time to find out about their colleagues’ lives, desires, principles or values. An ideal job has the manager making efforts to build more teamwork and builds opportunities for group meetings so all employees can come to know one another. These efforts build better social belonging to help the employee gain colleague support, a very important emotional need to find the right amount of personal and professional happiness. The ideal job considers the importance of giving employees a sense of security. In many businesses, it is common to outsource to foreign countries as a means of saving costs. It is also common for businesses to try to merge job roles to reduce the number of workers currently on the payroll. Not all jobs are free of t he risk of job loss through layoffs and consolidation especially when staff members are having their jobs sent overseas to low-paying labor environments. An ideal job has the manager reinforcing that their job will not be lost to outsourcing or blending of job roles. Security should be provided by the manager in the form of bonus structures to improve motivation and this shows that the business will try hard to retain their employees. Providing security fulfills an emotional need in the employee and reduces anxiety or constant worry that they will suddenly be without a paycheck or forced to look for a different job. In ideal job works to build self-esteem and self-confidence in the employee. It is one where decision-making is shared through the entire organization and does not just come from high ranking officials.  

Antigone :: Essays Papers

Antigone When reading anything it is usually to the benefit of the reader if the author leaves the ending of the story at the end. So when I started to read Antigone and figured out right away that she would die I wondered what purpose it served to read the rest of the play. Had I not finished the play, however, I would not have ever known how Antigone was to die. Nor would I have know if Ismene would also die or if Polyneices would ever get a proper burial. Needless to say I finished the play. Following the story line I was extremely impressed by what I thought was courage and family loyalty on the part of Antigone to risk death just to bury her deceased brother. I wondered if I, faced with the same situation, would choose the same. I tend to think that I would be more like the timid Ismene who did everything she could think of to dissuade Antigone from what she was destined to do. I can't be sure though because I don't believe in or worship the same gods Antigone did. Continuing on I started to glean more of Creon's personality. I learned that he was not the humble and merciful person I thought he was but rather he was a prideful and maybe even a tyrant king. I say this because why else would you leave someone that has already been defeated and is dead, left unburied and then threaten death to anyone who tries to bury him? To mean this personifies cruelty and yet I can see that maybe he had a hidden agenda in doing this. This act, instead of being used as an unjust punishment, might be seen as a tool of deterrence. I certainly wouldn't want to be killed just to bury someone else. Further on in the play, through Teiresias, I started to realize that Creon's ruling would backfire on him in a most fitting way. I don't wish death on anybody but isn't it justice served that Haemon should die because of Creon's killing Antigone. No one can say that Creon wasn't warned, both by Haemon and Teiresias. However, the deaths didn't stop there because after learning of Haemon's death Eurydice kills herself and so Creon is hurt twice over. After a while all this death gets depressing and I started to wonder if anyone would be left alive by the end of the story.

Pointed Arch (Architecture)

Ride Alias Mr.. Invaded Sheikh Materials and Construction 2nd Semester, Architecture April 16th, An arch is an architectural structure which helps support a structure and the weight above that structure. Arches appeared as early as the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamia brick architecture. The systematic use of Arches started with ancient Romans. They were the first to have applied the techniques of arch too wide range of structures. Pointed arch is one of the most important types of Arches. It is an arch with a pointed apex. Another name for pointed arch is â€Å"jovial arch†. ‘Give' meaner a pointed curve.Today, the pointed arch remains a common feature in the European churches. It is a very important feature of European Gothic architecture and Islamic Architecture. The question is where did the pointed arch originate from? Early historians of architecture such as Have (1913) and Riviera (1914) thought that the pointed arch occurred in India carved out of a solid block o f some seventh century temples. However, this information has been dismissed by a famous historian, Hill (1993). Hill believed the Muslim origin of the invention of the pointed arch, which is today, believed to be the truth.Before the discovery of Pointed arches, round arches and barrel vaults were used to make ceilings. These arches had a great weight. Another problem faced with the use of round arches in the churches was, the issues with the shape and weight distribution. For making round arches over a church bay, the bay had to be square in shape because if two sides of a bay measured one width and tow of the other sides measure another width, the tops of the arches across these widths would not be at the same height. Rounded arches could not support the increased height, width and weight of new building designs.Similarly, problems were raised with the use of vaults. Pointed Arches solved these problems. Pointed arches were used to help support the weight of vaulted ceilings. The concept of the pointed arch operates in a similar manner as two leaning objects. Two sides off pointed arch lean against each other for support and the increased force and loads placed on the arches from the ceiling is displaced onto the flying buttresses, which are supported by the ground. The increased roof support provided by the pointed arches allowed building walls to be thinner. Decorative details seen on arches were a natural consequence of Gothic sign.They also made it easier to make more windows and taller heights. -A pointed Arch The first appearance of the pointed arch in the Muslim World was traced to the Al- Ass Mosque (780), however the first building where the pointed arch was used constructively and systematically is the Palace of Shadier in Iraq. Bin Tulle Mosque was a source for the transfer of the pointed arch to Europe. It was built by Mad bin Tulle the semi-independent ruler of Egypt in 870. Due to its good state of preservation the Bin Tulle Mosque provides an excellent example of ninth-century decoration and structural techniques.The central courtyard fade consists of slightly pointed arches resting on rectangular piers with engaged collocates. This was an unusual arrangement for Cairo where marble columns were usually considered for use. There are rectangular arches with engaged collocates between the arches. A band of sunken rosettes divided into eight lobes on either side of each niche forms a cornice running around four faces of the courtyard. Carved stucco work decorates the interior of the mosque. Coffins of the arches of the sanctuary are the best examples where geometric interlace patterns are filled with stylized leaf armament like Samara stucco style.

The Theme of Survival in Life of Pi - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 804 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2019/08/08 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Life of Pi Essay Did you like this example? Life of Pi is a novel by Yann Martel that illustrates man’s will to survive and an unlikely alliance that rises as a result. This is a story that plunges deep into every aspect of human nature, giving the reader an experience that is hard to forget. I recommend this book for those who need a new adventure in their life, as the mesmerizing words, phrases, and heart-stopping moments woven within the pages of this story are a blessing to the mind and soul. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Theme of Survival in Life of Pi" essay for you Create order The story opens on the colorful life of Piscine Patel, an Indian boy whose family owns a popular zoo. Although his family business already gives him a remarkable title to bear, Piscine is quite the character all on his own. For instance, at only age fourteen, he practices Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, melding the three religions together by finding what connects them all to each other. He is as equally faithful to one practice as he is to another. Although this is frowned upon, Piscine is content with his faith and his life, with one exception: his name. It is often misheard, said incorrectly, or made fun of. When Piscine begins attending a new school, he introduces himself as â€Å"Pi†, and that is how he is known or the rest of the story. Over time, Pi’s parents grow unhappy with the Indian government. They wish to find freedom and a new life, and so they make plans for their many species of animals and set out on a ship to Canada, taking the creatures with them. But on the third night, Pi is awoken by a sound that is alien to him. Searching for an answer, he makes his way up to the main deck, where a state of pandemonium occurs. The ship’s crew are all hustling and bustling about. When Pi finally has a chance to recollect himself, he asks a few crew members what is going on, only to have a life jacket thrust into his hands and be thrown overboard, landing on one of very few lifeboats. There are no other human survivors. Pi’s family is lost. Pi is now trapped on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific, along with one hyena, one zebra, one orangutan, and one bengal tiger, who is called Richard Parker. Before Richard Parker, who has been hiding under the lifeboat’s tarpaulin, even shows himself, the hyena soon has both the zebra and the orangutan dead within several days. Pi leads himself to believe that it is only himself and the hyena left aboard, until Richard Parker brings the creature’s life to a sudden and violent end. Terrified, Pi constructs a raft out of supplies found on the lifeboat, and attaches it to the end of the boat, putting as much distance between himself and Richard Parker as possible. For a while, Pi accepts the inevitable probability of his imminent death. And then he discovers something within himself; a fighting warrior who drives him to face his fear, and place his life back into his own hands. From then on, he decides to become dominant over Richard Parker, realizing he has nothing to lose. He works every day to show that he is superior, while also using some of his resources to keep Richard Parker alive. Soon, his fear is vanquished, and he and Richard Parker seem to be living in a civil manner, a relationship that, although rocky, depends on mutual trust. They grow not only to tolerate each other, but to need each other as well. Remarkably, Richard Parker becomes the only thing keeping Pi’s sanity in check. Things are going well, until they find land. Their relationship, or alliance, or whatever it might be called, was unfortunately at an end. Pi was quickly rescued from the island, whereas Richard Parker, his only companion for months, stayed behind to begin a new life in the vast jungles of the island they had discovered. Confused, half out of his mind, and heartbroken, Pi watches with weary eyes as his last friend, the last connection to his past life, grows farther and farther away. For the rest of his life, he is forever grateful for this unexpected friend, who turned out to be the only thing keeping him alive through the tragic accident. Even as an old man with a family, he knows with every fiber of his being that Richard Parker is the reason he is still standing there today. Life of Pi may be fiction, but its effects on the human spirit are very real and very beneficial. If you love to read, and even if you don’t, this story is one that will keep you intrigued and intellectually stimulated. Yann Martel has created a masterpiece that will remain timeless forever.