6 Simple Tips for Writing an Amazing Fight Scene

6 Simple Tips for Writing an Amazing Fight Scene If youve reached the point of writing a big fight scene in your novel and are struggling, dont worry. Thats just your intuition as a writer telling you to take a minute and really think about what you want to do here.Conflict in literature isnt just a plot point- its a vehicle to move a story forward, to reveal important character traits, and eventually, to achieve catharsis at the end. Knowing this, when its time to write a scene involving major conflict, particularly a fight scene, its important to take a minute to step back and evaluate what needs to happen with that scene to make it effective. And beyond effective- you need to take a step back to consider what needs to happen to make it memorable.What makes a memorable fightAnyone who has ever read the fight scene between Inigo Montoya and Westly in William Goldings The Princess Bride has read one of the most memorable fight scenes in literature.The man in black stood.You seem a decent fellow, Inigo said. I hate to kill you.You s eem a decent fellow, answered the man in black. I hate to die.But one of us must, Inigo said. Begin.And so saying he took the six-fingered sword.And put it into his left hand.William Goldings The Princess BrideWhat follows is a series of specialized sword attacks and subtleties that, across approximately seven pages, is one of the most memorable fight scenes of modern literature. And since Golding wrote the screenplay to the movie adaptation of the book, its just as good on film.Obviously, writing a fight scene can be one of the most intimidating parts of your story to write. So, lets look at a few tips for making your fight scene memorable.1. Make it more than just a fightYour fight scene should, above all else, be a moment when your protagonist confronts the antagonist (or minor henchmen/bad guys) and reveals important information about them both. As youll notice in the scene from The Princess Bride, the dialogue that occurs between the two characters is a kind of meta, fairytale- esque example of what makes all memorable fight scenes stand out from the rest.Consider the final fight between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back. The famous No, I am your father line not only changed the protagonist- it revealed something startling about the antagonist, thus developing both characters significantly within fight dialogue.2. Choose a great settingThe fight scenes in The Princess Bride and The Empire Strikes Back have something else in common- they both take place in great settings.This tip is a little tricky because in addition to choosing a great setting, you have to avoid too much description of the setting while the fight is taking place. Too much description not only slows the pace (which is usually the last thing you want to do when a confrontation is taking place), but it detracts the readers attention from the character development that needs to happen.Youll notice in both The Princess Bride and The Empire Strikes Back, we see the setti ng of the epic fight scenes before the actual fights take place. This gave the writer (and director) time to reveal details about the great location that would soon be the setting of the upcoming fight scene.3. Dont over-describe movementsIn the same sense that using the fight scene to write a lot of setting description will slow down the action, over describing the fight itself will have the same effect. Instead of doing this, use as many action words (verbs) as possible while keeping descriptive words (adjectives and adverbs) minimal.Youll also want to avoid giving your readers a blow-by-blow account of every moment in the fight. Keep in mind these simple rules- make it powerful and quick, choosing emotion over extensive setting or movement description. Let your reader fill in some of these details in their own imaginations and it will keep the pace of your fight scene on track.4. Include emotion and dialogueYour first impression when reading that heading might be, but wait, wont emotion and dialogue slow the pace during fight scenes? Again, think back to the pivotal fight between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker when Vader finally admits that Luke is his son. Think about the pauses for effect and how dialogue- in small doses- increased the tension during the fight in ways that only emotional dialogue can.As for emotion, dont falsely assume that the only way to show emotion is to describe it. Here is a moment when it is even more important than ever to show, dont tell, when you write. Think about the ways your characters can show their emotions through physical response- heart pounding, blood racing, grip tightening responses.5. Be realisticWith the almost meta moments happening throughout Goldings novel, realism wasnt his goal. We all know that in the real world, two opponents wouldnt carry on such witty banter as they try to win against the other. However, unless youre writing a Golding-esque Fantasy with elements of satire, keep your fight scenes as realist ic as possible to keep your readers turning pages.Here are a few ways to ensure that your fight scenes are written as realistically as possible:Research the weapons your characters would most likely be using based on their job/role. If youre going to be using sophisticated weaponry or black-market technology, make sure you know it well by doing as much research as possible. While you dont want to go overboard on descriptions of these weapons or hi-tech gadgets, realistically mentioning them during the scene will make your fight more believable.Avoid over-use of dialogue and make sure that what is said has a purpose of either advancing the plot forward or revealing important character traits.Dont allow your character to have superhuman traits (unless its a superhero story), such as fighting off 12 guys at once or dodging bullets. This kind of unrealistic fighting should only take place when characterization requires it, such as stories of people with superhuman strength or science fi ction, in which an alternate universe or setting allows the laws of physics to be avoided.6. Know the purpose of the fightFinally, lets discuss the fights purpose and why youve chosen to write one in the first place. Before we do this, however, ask yourself this very important question: Am I throwing in a fight just to make the book exciting?If your answer to that question is yes, youd be better off thinking of other ways to ramp up the tension in your book. Sometimes a simple, menacing conversation between the antagonist and protagonist is all it takes to create conflict and tension. If your fights sole purpose is to build tension rather than the other tips Ive covered, it could very well be a distraction that doesnt do anything for your plot building and should be avoided.A fight is the perfect moment to reveal important things about your characters and create reader excitement, especially in interesting settings. However, its also a literal representation of conflict, and should be used with the utmost caution if you want your book to be a bestseller that readers cant put down. A fight for the sake of a fight gets old fast- give your readers more in your fight scenes and theyll turn out better than you ever expected they could.

Directions for a Burning Bubbles Science Project

Directions for a Burning Bubbles Science Project Bubbles are fun no matter what, but bubbles you can burn just has that added extra appeal. Heres an easy science project you can do that proves propellants in common products are flammable and allows you to burn some bubbles. Materials for the Burning Bubbles Project Soapy water or bubble solutionSpray can containing a pressurized flammable propellantLighter or match (preferably long-handled)Cup or bowl A lot of the products you use that come in spray cans use a flammable propellant to disperse their product. Examples include hairspray, canned air, spray paint, antiperspirant, and bug spray. Common flammable propellants include various alcohols, propane, n-butane, methyl ethyl ether and dimethyl ether. You know you have a can containing a flammable product by reading the label. It will include a hazard statement warning you that the contents are under pressure and to keep the can away from heat and flame and that the contents are flammable. Some cans use non-flammable carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide as a propellant (whipped cream and cooking sprays), which wont work for this project. Once you have identified a flammable propellant, one fire-related project is to spray the product and ignite the aerosol, creating a sort of flamethrower. This is not particularly safe. Blowing flammable bubbles and igniting them illustrates the same point without the risk of blowing up a pressurized ca n. Blow Bubbles and Burn Them Pour soapy water or bubble solution into a container.Immerse the nozzle of the can in the liquid.Spray the can, forming bubbles.Remove the can from the liquid and set it a safe distance from the container.Ignite the bubbles, preferably using a long-handled lighter. Do you see why it would be a bad plan to smoke while using hairspray? The effect you get depends on the flammable propellant. The flames dont last long enough (at least in my experience) to set off a smoke alarm or melt a plastic container. Safety Warning This is one of those projects which should only be attempted under adult supervision. Do not get carried away and blow a big mass of bubbles. Igniting flammable materials is associated with risk. Use of proper eye and skin protection is advised. Disclaimer: Please be advised that the content provided by our website is for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Fireworks and the chemicals contained within them are dangerous and should always be handled with care and used with common sense. By using this website you acknowledge that ThoughtCo., its parent About, Inc. (a/k/a Dotdash), and IAC/InterActive Corp. shall have no liability for any damages, injuries, or other legal matters caused by your use of fireworks or the knowledge or application of the information on this website. The providers of this content specifically do not condone using fireworks for disruptive, unsafe, illegal, or destructive purposes. You are responsible for following all applicable laws before using or applying the information provided on this website.

Compare the concept of Adam and Eve and the original sin in Research Paper

Compare the concept of Adam and Eve and the original sin in Christianity and Judaism - Research Paper Example ( Penny Catechism, Article15, undated) The same document went on to say that:- All mankind has contracted the guilt and stain of original sin, except the Blessed Virgin and her Divine Son, through whose foreseen merits she was conceived without the least guilt or stain of original sin.( Penny Catechism , Article 117, undated) ) . There are two accounts of creation recorded in Genesis. These represent two strands of a very old story based upon long standing oral traditions. These have become the creations myths of both Christianity and the Judaism in which they had their founding. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are described in Judaism as the Pentateuch, and these five books are traditionally said to be the work of Moses. His is death is however actually recorded in Deuteronomy 33, and it is generally considered that a number of different strands wrote theses books in the form we now have them in the 6th or 7th century B.C.E., round about the time of King Solomon . In Genesis Chapter One man is created and in Genesis Chapter Two the creation of Adam is described in more detail. He is made from the earth or clay. The word for ‘formed’ is one which would be used to describe how a potter creates a pot form clay ( Genesis 2 v 7, commentary, Bible New International Version, 2008). The word Adam is linked to the Hebrew word ‘Adamah’ which mean red and it is suggested that this means he was created from red clay ( Mandel 2013) . The story describes how God bought each animal to Adam, who gave then their names. He could not find a suitable helper among them. In Genesis 2 v 18 God says :- It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. Genesis 2 v 21, 22 describe the creation of Adam. She is made form part of Adam. Eve is called in Hebrew ‘Haya’ which means ‘live ‘ or ‘to live (Meaning and etymology of the name Eve, undated) . In Genesis 3 v 20 it states :- Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. In one version the two appear to be created simultaneously, but in the second version she come later. By the time both stories were written down each would have carried its own authority and could not be discarded. Living in the Garden of Eden with her husband, Eve is approached and then tempted by the serpent. She yields to the temptation offered and eats the forbidden fruit, as well as some to her husband. After this it as if they have woken up, as become aware of their nakedness and make themselves clothes. Later ( Genesis 3 v 12) Adam puts the blame on Eve. As a result God tells Eve that she will have pain in childbirth and will become subject to her husband ( Genesis 3 v 16. It is often interpreted that only Eve who is admonished, but in Genesis 3 v 17ff Adam, too is told what will happen to him as the result of his disobedience. According to Jewish teaching Eve was not created at the same time as Adam becaus e God knew that she would become a reason for complaint ( Eve, Jewish Encyclopedia ,1906). These is also a tradition of another help meet being created before Eve , Lilith , but she goes her own way and refuses to be the wife of Adam ( Hampshire County Council, undated) . According to another Jewish rabbinic tradition Eve was tempted first, as women were more likely to give in than men. Despite Eve’

Routine in Business Organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Routine in Business Organizations - Essay Example A routine is defined as a habit of doing something in a particular order. The pattern of routines in a family calls for a core routine which is followed daily such as waking up, taking breakfast, getting ready for work or school. These routines become almost automatic and take a lot of discipline. Routine is usually considered as a plane or a timetable that determines your day, week or yearly activities. One can take note of the time and the activities that need to be accomplished during those planned times. Therefore, routines are commonplace tasks, chores or duties that must be done regularly, or at specified intervals, typical or in everyday activities. In this literature review a critical examination of the context of routine, its use and application in business organizations as well as in the field of psychology where routine is sometimes integral to the intervention strategies, is explored. Also included in this review is the model of routines applied in management and psychology. It is imperative that a clear understanding of the concept of routine be derived from previous research. Hodgson, in his critical analysis of Nelson and Winter's "Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change" (1982), found that the authors sometimes defined routine as genotypes or attributable to dispositions and sometimes it is defined as phenotypes or attributed to behavior (363).. He presents genotypes as "the generative rule" that includes "the forms, rules, procedures, conventions, strategies, and technologies" that are "inherent in ingrained individual habits and in organizational routines." (364) Hence, habits and dispositions are conditional, dependent on the generative mechanisms that produce behavior. The appropriate definition for routine would be: "A routine is an executable capability for repeated performance in some context that [has] been learned by an organization in response to selective pressures." Therefore, routines in the management case are potentialities, not behavior. In the world of psychology today, psychoanalysis is specifically and centrally about those 'murky concepts'. Over the last couple of years cognitive psychology has become focused of the study of emotion made by philosophers, psychologists and neuroscientist rather than traditional cognitive scientists. Another alternative to psychoanalysis is socio-biology; a subtler and more promising form called Darwinian Psychology, also uses evolutionary variable to explain human behaviour which focuses on emotion though their descriptions are ingrained from intuition theories and are articulated from different ways of reacting to struggle for survival. These explanations are all speculation, which are not necessarily true factors (Young, 2008). Another down point with psychology and routine is that psychologists seem to have no greater interest in routine and scheduling, when they should have because of the high impact it plays on human's life and behaviour. One can learn a lot concerning the hu man mind, behaviour, and the social aspects of behaviour as well. But there are no focuses on how routine can affect ones' behaviour, life style, and even the impact of stress. Surprisingly, the bulk of research deals with only a small number or routine- related topics. Many of today's psychology articles on routine focuses on broad topics like the impact of routine in the work

The Views of Hilary Clinton and Barrack Obama Essay Example for Free

The Views of Hilary Clinton and Barrack Obama Essay Hilary Clinton and barrack Obama are the two Democrat presidential candidates who are on the race to the White House. They latest reports indicate a tightly held contest and an equally intense campaign to clinch the Democratic Party nominations. Both hold almost similar views as far as how the economy should be and issues about war and mostly on terrorism. They also hold different opinions in health matters. The candidate that musters more delegates is the one that will be the Democrat presidential candidate facing Mc Cain, the Republican presidential candidate in the 2008 election. My main interest in this essay is to analyze on their views on the economy, war and health issue. The two candidates have tried to portray themselves as different from each other, they are however both protectionists when it comes to the trade agreements. Clinton is sounding to be more anti-trade than how Obama sounds. Already Clinton is opposed to the proposed economic terms on trade on Colombia, Panama and South Korea. There are times where both agree on some points, for example they are both opposed to the idea of having a free trade with the Dominican Republic and the Central America in 2005. Obama is for the idea of America doing business with other nations. He believes that this is the only way through which the American economy would be strengthened . He promised that if he were elected as the president of U.S.A. he would try his best to provide and protect the free trade. He will open up more job opportunities by creating foreign markets. He will also set proper job and environmental standards for all nations in the world to follow and resist the idea of free trade that is being advanced by the Central American nations. Obama also promised to review the North American Free Trade Agreement if he will be elected the US president. He is not opposed to the idea of making Mexico and Canada to cooperate with American workers. This will address the issue of workers so that they could adapt to the dynamics of the economy. He will also make amendments to the trade adjustments assistance if elected the president come this 2008 presidential election so that workers would have refresher courses to live up to the times, giving them a competitive edge and job security. On the other hand, Hillary Clinton pledged to strengthen the small enterprises that she believes are the economy’s growth engine. She will dedicate her efforts towards creation of jobs for Americans. Hillary Clinton said that if elected the president, she would strengthen the manufacturing industries as the country is dependent on them and by doing this, Americans will have better living standards. She said that she would fully utilize the nation’s innovation and capital investment to widen economic base for the country. Clinton also pledges to strengthen the rural economy to reverse the trend of urban migration as these areas also contribute to the economy. To achieve this she said she would initiate programs that would enhance the rural economic growth. She also pledged to increase research and technology funding. She would ensure schools; homes and libraries will be equipped with the latest technologies so that they would be competitive in the global market. She criticized Bush’s administration of mismanaging the economy making the gap between the rich and the poor to widen but she promised to solve this problem once elected. She will also help the middle class Americans to stabilize in the economy. On the issues of health care both have similar opinions although in some issues they differ. According to Hillary Clinton she will ensure that every American will be entitled to health insurance but Barrack Obama does not share the same sentiment, as he believes the focus should be on children who should be provided with free insurance. He will also extend health care for the adults who are currently uninsured. Clinton estimates that the cost of implementing her plans would be a hundred and ten billion U.S dollars while Obama’s proposal ranges from 50 to 65 billion U.S dollars. The truth of the mater is that neither of them will provide full insurance cover for every American but both aspire to make this work. While attacking Obama, Clinton criticized his plan saying it is only targeting fifteen million Americans while hers will ensure most of the Americans have free health care. She said most Americans die because they cannot afford quality health care. In her plan, all drivers will be required by law to have auto insurance and promised that all families will be given tax credits so that they would meet their health insurance. If she will be voted in, all households would be able to meet the required health premium. The federal government according to Clinton will subsidize the health insurance for all those families that cannot afford it while businesses and organizations will be required to provide their workers with health insurance. She is quick to add that this plan will not affect small businesses but what will be required is that they will provide these businesses with tax credits to motivate them to do so. The health care providers will be required to pay for those people with huge bills without asking them for more money. Americans, according to Clinton, will be provided with similar private health care that the congress receives and this will be provided to citizens through the employees benefit program that will be a public program similar to that of Medicare. Obama on the other hand pledged to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid so that they would continue taking care of the vulnerable members of the society. These programs mostly target those citizens that are poor and uninsured. He pledged to amend the National Medic Act so that patients who are injured as a result of medical negligence would be compensated. He will also increase funds on research and development so that HIV/AIDS would be contained both in USA as well as in other parts. Both Clinton and Obama have taken issues with the Iraq war. Clinton is currently accusing Obama of not being consistent with opposing the Iraq War, as he was when he assumed the post of a senator. Obama has promised to withdraw American troops from Iraq if he becomes the next president in 2008 election. Obama was not opposed to all wars but was particularly opposed to the Iraq war. He accused president Bush of starting another war instead of finishing that on Osama but Clinton supported Bush to resort to military action if other methods such as diplomatic means failed to restore order in the nation. Currently, she is also advocating for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. We have seen that the two Democrat presidential candidates do agree and disagree on some issues. For example, they both agree that health care for all Americans would be vital but they differ in how the program would be implemented. They both promised to strengthen and widen the country’s economic base so that the quality of life of the Americans would improve and to end the war on Iraq and they both promised to end it once they will assume power. Work Cited. Associated Press. Hillary Clinton blasts Bush economy. May 29, 2007.Accessed at http://www.politics.com/news/stories/0507/4230.html on March 25, 2008 Friel et al. Obama: Most liberal senator in 2007. National Journal 31st Jan 2008; 16 Accessed at http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings on March 25, 2008 Kelly P. Politics. New York Times. January 22, 2008.Retrieved an http://www.nytimes.com/2008/0122/us/politics/22clinton.html on 25 March 2008 Johnson G. Obama-Clinton politics of Health Mandate now playing in mass. Associated Press. Insurance Journal. 2008. Sklar R. Micro Debate: Clinton and Obama on Health care. Huffington Post

Proliferation :: Politics Environmental Economics Essays

Proliferation There are legitimate concerns that people can have about a reliance on nuclear power. The biggest problem being that we need to find a place to put all of the waste. However the amount of waste that is the result of one person in their lifetime could be held in one’s hand. If residents got over their NIMBY complex then waste disposal could go by much quicker. It is imperative that the government officials choose adequate sites to store the waste but residents need to realize what must be done and allow them to do what they need to do. It will benefit everyone if residents around Yucca Mountain realized that the future of this country relies on nuclear power. However, it is necessary that we not rely solely on non-renewable energy sources. John Kerry wanted 20% of our nation’s electricity generation to come from renewable sources. This is currently the percentage that nuclear energy provides right now. Although nuclear energy may be a better alternative than coal, it is necessary that we utilize nature’s natural power as well. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power should all play a role in the future of this country as well. One of the biggest problems with these three kinds of energy is that they are not constant providers of energy and cannot adjust well to changing demands. While hydroelectric power can always be provided from Hoover Dam, this is not true for dams in the frozen Northeast of the country. However, they can dramatically bolster our energy needs. The government should encourage utilities to offer incentives to customers to use less power. Although this may seem to be counter-productive for the utilities if they want to make money, it is a necessary step that our society must take if we want to have a sustainable future. Solar panels or a wind turbine could be used for private use as a way to supplement the power that they receive from the local power-plant’s grid. Every little bit can help if it was a nation-wide movement. Coal is not that bad. We are continuing to make advances in coal technology and scrubbers have greatly reduced the amount of Sulfur and Nitrous Oxides along with particulates that enter our atmosphere. We can even control the amount of CO 2 that we emit. By pumping it into aquifers under the ground it will stall the gas into entering the atmosphere for the time being.

Exploring the essence of self in the western context Essay

Statement of authorship I certify that this literature review is my own work and contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any degree or diploma in any institute, college or university. Moreover, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the text of the dissertation. Name Signed _________________________________________________ Date ___________________________________________________ The most fundamental of the questions man asks himself in his lifetime are, â€Å"what/who am I ?†and â€Å"what is my purpose?† The curiosity over this issue of ‘the self’ has spanned human thought for millennia rooting from societal notion that â€Å"life cannot be just bricks and cement†. Due to the inherent nature of these fundamental curiosities mankind has struggled from ancient times to uncover these mysteries. In the western-context, this brief essay will try to explore the dimensions of the â€Å"essence of self† ranging from medieval to the modern conception of self. It will review the theories of self starting with Aristotelian science and Christian doctrines and their eventual marriage by St. Thomas Acquinas’ moral theory. In effect, it then explores critical viewpoints and traces the development of Scientific Rationalization. Progressively, it debates Rene Descartes’ rationalist views  shaping his dualistic conception of the self. Furthermore, it poses the contrasting empiricist views of John Locke where he places self-consciousness and memory as the variables to comprehend self. In addition, it contests David Hume’s proclamation of the self as fiction (Robinson, H., 2012). The theories of self and identity gradually developed over a historical timeline resulting in modern thought on the subject. In this regard, it is important to understand its development initiation from religious conception in the west. Curiosity on these issues can be traced back to accounts of Aristotle, where he is of the view that everything in nature has a purpose and everything can be rationalized based on its intent and the purpose it served (Greetham, B. 2006, p.213). This is referred to as the ‘teleological’ view, which contributed to the formation of medieval world view formed by Christian dogma and the Catholic church (Cavalier, G.,1989). This Christian conception viewed the world as being God’s creation and expression of his will which was cosmologically meaningful and structured. The purpose of things under this theology is God given and is a part of the ‘grand plan’ (Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy). This categorises the medieval belief of self, where humans have a certain place and purpose and the self is understood in terms of the role it plays in the grand plan of things. The medieval Christian conception of self was greatly inspired by the work of 13th century theologian St. Thomas Acquinas. In his opus he bridged the gap between faith and reason by linking Christian dogma and Aristotelian thought (O’Callaghan, R., 2010). In essence, he lived in a crucial juncture of western culture when the Latin translation of Aristotelian corpus was made available which in effect reignited the debate on relating faith and reason. His theories borrowed from Aristotle and Christian dogma and ethi cs which were consistently reaffirmed by the church over the centuries (auquinas from stanford). The aforementioned medieval religious conception of self forms the basis Acquinas’ ethical premise on how we ought to act (Greetham, B., 2006). Right and wrong actions based on their compliance with human nature and its place â€Å"God-given natural order†, categorized as natural or unnatural. Hence, the self bounded and confined to serving a purpose. However, this religious world-view came under intense criticism  with the advent of scientific advancement and rationality in the 16th and 17th centuries. Scientific thinking developed under the likes of Descartes and Locke and was reasoned based on the accomplishments of Galileo and Newton(Zalta, E., 2011). They disregarded the place of divine-will in their conception of self, basing it on mere experience, empirical evidence and mathematical formulations. This shift of conception is termed ‘demythologization’, where everything works without a purpose and results from mechanical interaction of particles regulated by universal laws which can be mathematically formulated (Greetham, B., 2006). Consequently, began the search of the self by looking within for purpose and meaning. The modern view of self is articulated in the works of 17th century philosopher Rene Descartes. He pioneered the dualistic understanding of the human being, which is made up of the â€Å"mental substance (mind) and the physical substance (body)† (Warburton, N., 1992). Here, the body has physical properties like having weight and using space, whereas the mind is a non-material substance, responsible for thought and experience and hence is the abode of consciousness. In his view, the self is a spiritual â€Å"subject of experience† which is fundamentally different from the body and nature, where the body inessential and the mind can exist independently. His radical scepticism led to the formation of the â€Å"Illusion argument†, where the bodily senses are deemed unreliable and thus the existence of the external world and body is uncertain. The only thing one can be certain of is that ‘I exist’. This is categorized under his famous proclamation -â€Å"Cogito ergo sum†, meaning â€Å"I think, therefore I am† (Cavalier, G., 1989). In essence, â€Å"the self is essentially mental† and the search for purpose and meaning should be searched within ourselves instead of classifying it under totality of nature. In his endeavours, Descartes used the â€Å"rationalist approach† to knowledge, which solely relies on logic and scepticism . In contrast, his contemporary, English philosopher John Locke relies on the â€Å"empiricist approach†, where knowledge is acquired by the means of watchfulness and experience. His theology of self underlines the role of reason, consciousness and self-consciousness. As for Locke, he sees self-consciousness as a  inseparable element in the conduct of any conscious action, like thinking and observing. The perception of the world by the senses, awareness of personal identity, actions performed and its retention (memory) over time is what constitutes self-consciousness (Robinson, H., 2012). Personal identity here is quintessentially the self, in which memory is decisive variable as the consciousness of past actions is critical to being the same person; and selfhood is reliant on the consciousness and not the body. For instance, if a person has memories from a past life as Salvador Dali, then he is the same person in the current life with a different body. These arguments however appear ambiguous upon correlation with Descartes’ accounts. However, Locke’s accounts differ where cites that it is not necessary that thinking, observation etc. to be the products of a non-material substance and leaves a prospect open that they could be of material origin. The self, Locke argues, is resultant from â€Å"continuity of consciousness† and not a ‘substance’ as proposed by Descartes (Greetham, B., 2006). Then again, there is a fallacy in these arguments; if the self is continuity of consciousness and memory retention then without the memory of past actions accountability for the actions is cannot be held (Cavalier, g., 1989). For instance, it could be hypothesized in Locke’s view, that a person who committed murder as a child, who grew up to become a doctor and then as an old man he cannot remember his crime as a child, hence in effect, he cannot be held responsible for the murder. Eighteenth century philosopher David Hume continued in the empirical approach, maintaining that authentic knowledge is solely acquired on the basis of direct experience (Robinson H., 2012). He borrows from Locke, however, he reaches drastic conception where he conceives the self as fiction. Thereafter, he entirely disregards the â€Å"substance view of the mind†. He bases his conception strictly on experience or ‘perception’ and maintains that the existential claim for the inner substance should be discoverable by experience (Greetham, B., 2006). Through his experience, Hume, found no such substance but instead only a variety of perceptions where there is no identity or self binding them. Academics refer to this view as the â€Å"bundle theory of substance†, where different perceptions are in eternal flux (Robinson H., 2012). However, Hume fails to identify a unifying  factor and puts forth a vague understanding of the mind just being a bundle of perceptions. Consequently, the Cartesian theory of self gained an upper hand as it offers the unifying substance of mind in the conception of the self (Greetham, B., 2006). The aforementioned theories of self significantly influence the post-modern conception of the self, as the subject has a tendency to develop over time (Cahoone, L., 2003). These western theories have borrowed from Eastern conceptions of self, which indicates ancient interaction between the west and the east. (Cavalier, G., 1989). In the contemporary world, the twentieth century has been the fore-bringer of brisk industrialization in the western world, begetting fast-paced consumer societies, where the people have little or no time for personal fulfilment (Cahoone, L. 2003). This along with advent of cultural pluralism, scientific rationalization and secularization of notions of religion has led to burgeoning interest in the conception of self (Olsen and Timothy, 2006, p.139). On a personal basis, the theories of self explored here provided a clearer picture on the gradual development of understanding of self with a historical context and an insight into how these theories have shaped post-modern notions on the same (Collinson, P. et al, 2000). Descartes’ accounts and his emphasis on the soul substance worked as a bride between my eastern thought origin and modern western conception on the subject. However, Locke’s and Hume’s empirical approach and their emphasis on discovering self through experience is also profound to my conception of self. Their conclusions however appeared radical and absurd especially in the case of Hume where proclaims the self as being fictional. References: Cahoone, L. (2003). From Modernism to Postmodernism: An Anthology. Carlton: Blackwell. Cavalier, G. &. (1989). Ethics in the History of Western Philosophy. New York: St. Martin’s Press. Collinson, P. &. (2000). Fifty Eastern Tihnkers. London: Routledge. Greetham, B. (2006). Philosophy. Norwich: Palgrave Macmillan. Jamal, T. a. (2009). The Sage Handbook of Tourism Studies. London: Sage. O’Callaghan, R. et al. (2010, December 21). Saint Thomas Aquinas. Retrieved May 1, 2012, from http://plato.stanford.edu/: Olsen, D.H. and Timothy, D.J. (2006). Tourism, Religion and Spiritual Journeys. Oxford: Routledge. Robinson, H. (2012, Demember 21). Dualism. Retrieved May 1, 2012, from http://plato.stanford.edu/: Warburton, N. (1992). Philosophy. Abingdon: Routledge. Zalta, E. (2011, September 21). Aquinas’ Moral, Political, and Legal Philosophy. Retrieved May 1, 2011, from www.http://plato.stanford.edu/:

Behavioral Genetics Essay

When I’ve learned about Behavioral Genetics in Chapter 8, the first thing that came across my mind was the fantasy of having a twin. It’s crazy but it occupied my mind for quite some time. What if I had a twin? Would she be like me? I’ve always believed that identical twins share the same qualities and traits. So I surfed the net and came across Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS). Conducted at the University of Minnesota by competent researchers, it is by far the largest twin study in the US. One particular case of the MTFS caught my attention: ‘The Jim Twins Study’.  The twins were separated four weeks after birth to different adoptive parents who live 45 miles apart. Reunited 39 years later, the twins (both named Jim) find uncanny similarities. This incident, among many others, supports the theories of Behavioral Genetics. It couldn’t have been mere coincidence that the twins married twice, left love notes to their wives, and even suffered from migraine. Because they were raised in different adoptive families, it couldn’t have been the environment that shaped the Jim twins to have the same preferences and behavior, even ailments! Time magazine cites that in a study of 44 twins reared apart, â€Å"a high of 61% of what they call ‘social potency’ (a tendency toward leadership or dominance) is inherited† (Leo & Taylor, 1987). The biological aspect of the Jim twins’ personality has played a great part in the development of these resemblances. If I had a twin separated from me at birth, I’d like to think that she is compassionate and enjoys music and golf as well as I do. It’s in the genes, as they say. However, as much as I believe on Behavioral Genetics, I must also note that the environment also plays a central role in the development of personality. With regards to my own, it is a blend of nature and nurture. I want to be a nurse since I was a kid because I want to help people. I always thought it’s innate in me†¦that compassion for other people. But later on as I learned things in Psychology, it made me realize that it could have also been the environment I’m living in. I remember my mom taking in three extra homeless people into our household during the economy spiraled down. I am surrounded by loving and compassionate people. Another would be my love for golf and technology. My father does too, and I think he must have influenced me unconsciously to develop these preferences. Now I understand that yes, it might be the genes but likewise, it is the things that I see and observe in my everyday experiences that made the desire to help people a trait in me. Both nature and nurture have been working in me. I believe personality in general is a mix of both genes and environment. Meanwhile, there is this one particular line from Chapter 11 that I need to quote. It goes, â€Å"A joke is not funny when the forbidden impulse it disguises is not shared, or the disguise is insufficient. It is written technically but gives me a learning I will remember. Sometimes, when we joke about things, we have to make sure that the forbidden impulse must be known and shared by the listener because we might end up either sounding a loser or hurting the person concerned. I must also point out one last thing about the controversial Sigmund Freud. Sir Freud, as I’ve known him through researches and from the discussion in class, should be given due credit for his accomplishments in the field of Psychology. His theories may be controversial but there is no denying that these same thoughts helped shape, in one way or another, modern Psychology. We also have to understand that the controversy behind his sexually-oriented theories can be justified because the psychological problems of his time (early 20th century) mostly had association to sexuality. From what I’ve learned, apparently most patients who came to him had marital problems of infidelity and sex life. His encounters with these patients perhaps helped shape his theories. It would be very unfair to refer to him as an ‘ancient history well forgotten’. In fact, I find it surprisingly interesting to read about his theories that contradict some things I believe in because it opens me up to possibilities and good learning. I even think that the idea of using Freud’s theories and techniques in present day will be much useful and less controversial if there is more emphasis on the human personality rather than sexuality. The techniques of psychoanalysis, concepts of ego & id, and life & death drives, among many others are major contributions in the field of Psychology and no matter the controversies and all, we all should be thankful for Sir Freud.

Fashion helps us to define and show who we are and what we do

Fashion helps us to define and show who we are and what we do Introduction Fashion is like a kind of visual arts: people come to Karl Lagerfeld’s fashion show and express their excitement the same way they do at the Louvre when looking at da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Fashion is like sports: everybody wants to outstrip competitors and be the best.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Fashion helps us to define and show who we are and what we do specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Fashion is like a magic wand: it seems to one that he/she just needs to put on a new splendid outfit, and his/her life will change completely. Funny as it may seem, these words are hardly an overstatement: today, fashion is constantly in the spotlight in media and remains one of the most discussable things in society. Scholars give different evaluations to the influence of fashion on contemporary people emphasizing both positive and negative social impacts; however, the fact of this influence is evident. That is why it is reasonable to continue the study of how fashion trends influence an individual’s life and how they are perceived by people. The paper aims at describing the influence fashion has upon our lives. The key notion of this discussion is identity. It is quite broad and can be defined in different ways; there are several levels of identity, and each of them requires particular discussion (Schwartz and Pantin 4). This approach seems to be appropriate for investigating fashion: as Loughran (4) marks, on the one hand, when people make decision about what to put on, they focus on their own principles, interests, and preferences. On the other hand, fashion trends find their origins in culture, traditions, social processes etc. and thus promote people’s integration. The study embraces three levels of identity and implies discussion of several questions, such as: How can be the notion of one’s identity defined? What is the mechanism of influence o f fashion on an individual’s identity? For an individual who demonstrates interest towards fashion trends and adjusts his/her style to them, is fashion a means of demonstrating belonging to some group, or, backwards, the way to highlight his/her exceptionality? How does the communicative function of fashion work? What expectations do individuals have about the results of efforts they make to follow the fashion trends? Fashion helps us to define and show who we are and what we do, and the research below aims at understanding how this help comes to be. The study includes analysis of scholars’ works and study of the cases from history and contemporary media.Advertising Looking for research paper on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Levels of Identity Scholars offer different schemes of an individual’s identity depending on the identity levels they mark out. Based on Erikson’s and Marcia’s models, Schwartz and Pantin (1-40) describe five levels of identity, which are: Ego identity; Personal identity; Social identity; Ethnic identity; Cultural identity. Hall (cited in Kirchner 3) offers a generalized model of one’s identity, which includes three levels: Individual; Collective; National. It is possible to state that the individual level included into this scheme corresponds to the ego identity and personal identity from the abovementioned model; the collective identity is similar to the social identity; national identity is similar to ethnic identity and cultural identity. For the aims of this study, the three-level identity model is used in analysis of the link between fashion and identity. Below, the role of fashion at each of identity levels is discussed. Individual Identity It is reasonable to begin the study with the level of an individual identity, which can be defined as â€Å"a kind of self-identification as a human being with co gnitive and social capabilities† (Kirchner 3). An individual’s appearance is considered to be an important element of his/her identity: as Craik (137) argues, â€Å"†¦Our body image forms the basis of our idea of self and identity as an individual, shaped both by our bodily performance and by how others perceive us†. This corroborates the reasonability of studying the â€Å"individual-fashion† link. The notion â€Å"individual identity† includes a set of characteristics that outline who an individual is and how he/she is perceived by the other people. It seems reasonable to say that one’s identity is a priceless and inalienable asset he/she is lucky to possess. Not accidentally, an individual feels the desire to â€Å"communicate† his/her individual identity to the society (Kellner 264). Oscar Wilde highlighted the importance of this â€Å"communication† with humor and at the same time very precisely, â€Å"It is only shal low people who do not judge by appearances. The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible† (quoted in Davis 1). The â€Å"messages† about one’s individual identity are numerous: style of life, interests, masculinity/femininity, ambitions, good taste, intelligence, profession, wealth, any kinds of personality traits etc. At the same time, a range of devices used in expression of these characteristics is also very wide: color and color combinations, silhouette, cut, fabric, length, style, texture and oth. (6)Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Fashion helps us to define and show who we are and what we do specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Different combinations of these devices provide one with an opportunity for eloquent self-expression and endless experiments. Fashion is able to express any â€Å"dramatic type† one chooses: conservative, cool, glamorous, successful, t ender, intelligent, charismatic, â€Å"snobbish†, passionate and oth.; fashion specialists are always ready to offer the audience the corresponding style. In her (2005), Reynolds provides a broad range of â€Å"fashion personality† types, for example: the â€Å"classic type† preferred by women who â€Å"want to make a good impression†, â€Å"think long term†, and â€Å"self-monitor†; the â€Å"creative sparkler† type offered to bright females who â€Å"have many different sides and like to express them all, mixing colors, moods, and textures†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ; the â€Å"nature girl† type which is for women who want to emphasize their inner world and â€Å"prefer comfort over fashion†, etc (157-159). However, keeping in mind the fact that every individual is unique and inimitable, it is reasonable to assume that a number of such â€Å"fashion personalities† is incredibly big. Evolution of one’s identity starts at the moment of his/her birth; some characteristics are formed under the influence of the external environment (Schwartz and Pantin 8). Thus, it is interesting to answer the following question: how do one’s dressing habits form? Craik (136) offers an interesting term â€Å"prestigious imitation†: it reflects a young individual’s desire to â€Å"imitate† people whom they consider to be authoritative. Small children copy the actions their parents take and â€Å"absorb† the knowledge about what is good and what is inadmissible. Fashion also becomes an object of â€Å"prestigious imitation†: a child understands what he/she can put on for different occasions; being provided by the external environment, this knowledge is extending. However, this may give birth to a question: does this mean that the way an individual looks is formed by the environment only, regardless of his/her personality? Kellner disproves this statement (263) and refers to an interesting example of Madonna, a famous American singer. Madonna’s extravagant style was not created as a means of drawing attention of the audience; the singer began forming it during her young years: being pushed by the teenage â€Å"rebel spirit†, the future star began experimenting with her clothes – as Madonna herself says, â€Å"Only because we knew that our parents didn’t like it† (265).Advertising Looking for research paper on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The abovementioned example can be evaluated from the perspective of fashion’s communicative function. Craik (137) talks about social â€Å"performing† and â€Å"projection† of bodies: an individual has a desire to communicate to the society who he/she is. Fashion â€Å"equips† one with a choice â€Å"of clothes, style, and image through which one could produce an individual identity† (Kellner 264). Thus, Madonna makes her original choice in clothes and style in order to brightly and precisely demonstrate to the society who she is and how she perceives herself. Fashion and other industries use the idea of â€Å"choice† to address customers’ individual identity and increase sales. Providing different â€Å"modifications† of the same goods, brands give customers an opportunity to show who they are thus fulfill their self.† African Arts 36.1. (2003): 52-65. Mendis, Patrick. Glocalization: The Human Side of Globalization as if the Washington Consensus Mattered. Morrisville, N. C.: Lulu Press, 2007. Reynolds, Susan. Change Your Shoes, Change Your Life: Strut Your Way to a Fabulous New You! Avon, MA: Adams Media, 2005. Rolley, Katrina. â€Å"Love, Desire and the Pursuit of the Whole.† Eds. Ash, Julieth, and Elizabeth Wilson. Chic Thrills: A Fashion Reader. Berkeley Calif.: University of California Press, 1992. 30-39. Sevanen, Erkki. â€Å"The Study of Cultural Identity: Development and Background of a Multi-Disciplinary Field of Research.† Eds. Kupianen, Jari, Erkki Sevanen, and John A. Stotesbury, Cultural Identity in Transition: Contemporary Conditions, Practices and Politics of a Global Phenomenon. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, 2004. 33-63. Schwartz, Seth J. and Hilda Pantin. â€Å"Identity Development in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: The Interface of Self, Context, and Culture.† Ed. Columbus, Alexandra, Advances in Psychology Research. Volume 45. Huntington , N.Y.: Nova Science Publishers, 2006: 1-40.

Stress and Accent Marks in Spanish

Stress and Accent Marks in Spanish Knowing how letters are pronounced is only one aspect of learning Spanish pronunciation. Another key aspect is knowing which syllable should be stressed, that is, the one that gets the most vocal emphasis. Fortunately, Spanish has only three basic rules of stress, and there are very few exceptions. Rules for Spanish Stress and Accent Marks Spanish uses the acute accent mark (one that rises from left to right) to indicate stress in certain words. The grave and circumflex accent marks are not used. Essentially, the accent mark is used if following the first two rules below dont correctly indicate which syllable is getting the stress: If a word without an accent mark ends in a vowel, n, or s, the stress is on the penultimate (next to last) syllable. For example, toro, computadora, joven. and zapatos all have their accent on the next-to-last syllable. Most words fit this category.A word without an accent mark that ends in other letters has the stress on the last syllable. For example, hotel, hablar, matador, and virtud all have the accent on the final syllable.If a word isnt pronounced according to the above two rules, an accent is placed over the vowel of the syllable that gets the stress. For example, comà ºn, lpiz, mà ©dico, inglà ©s, and ojal all have the stress on the indicated syllable. The only exceptions to the above are some words of foreign origin, generally, words adopted from English, that retain their original spelling and often their pronunciation. For example, sandwich is usually spelled without an accent over the initial a, even though the stress is as in English. Similarly, personal names and place names of foreign origin usually are written without accents (unless accents are used in the originating language). Note also that some publications and signs do not use accent marks over capital letters, although for clarity it is better to use them when possible. How Making a Word Plural Can Change the Accent Mark Because words ending in s or n have an accent on the next-to-last syllable, and an -es sometimes is used to make singular words plural, making a word singular or plural can affect the accent mark. This can affect both nouns and adjectives. If a word with two or more syllables and without an accent mark ends in an n, adding -es to the word will require an accent mark to be added. (Nouns and adjective ending in an unstressed vowel followed by s have identical singular and plural forms.) Words in this category are infrequent. joven (singular, youth or young), jà ³venes (plural)crimen (singular, crime), crà ­menes (plural)canon (singular, rule), canà ³nes (rules)aborigen (singular, indigenous), aborà ­genes (plural) More common are singular words that end in n or s and have an accent on the final syllable. When such words or two or more syllables are made plural by adding -es, the accent mark is no longer needed. almacà ©n (singular, warehouse), almacenes (plural)talismn (singular, lucky charm), talismanes (plural)afiliacià ³n (singular, affiliation), afiliciones (plural)comà ºn (singular, common), comunes (plural) Orthographic Accent Marks Sometimes accent marks are used only to distinguish two similar words, and they dont affect pronunciation because the marks are already on a syllable that is being stressed. For example, el (the) and à ©l (he) are both pronounced the same way, even though they have quite different meanings. Similarly, some words, quien or quià ©n, use accent marks when they appear in questions, but usually not otherwise. Accents that dont affect pronunciation are known as orthographic accents. Here are some of the common words that are affected by an orthographic accent: aun (including), aà ºn (still, yet)como (as, I eat), cà ³mo (how)de (of), dà © (form of dar)que (that), quà © (what)se (reflexive pronoun), sà © (form of saber)si (if), sà ­ (yes) Key Takeaways Spanish words without written accent marks have the stress on the last syllable unless the word ends in s or n, in which case the accent goes on the next-to-last syllable.An accent mark is used to indicate that the stress goes on that syllable where the pattern above isnt followed.Sometimes, an accent mark is used to distinguish meanings between two words that are otherwise spelled alike.

Business Commutations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business Commutations - Essay Example Also, it will prepare employees for future positions with greater responsibility. The problem with the culture is that part time employees are not eligible as its only full-time employees who work 40 hours a week. Another problem encountered is some employees may want to do courses in unaccredited institutions. The management at times gets some hard times as employees may choose courses that are not aligned with their profession. Rogers Corporation has come up with the solutions to these challenges. One is that the tuition assistance program will be suitable to the employees that will have worked for 90 days. The institutions where the employees are to take their courses it must be accredited for quality purposes. To curb irrelevant courses the employee’s department manager must pre-approve the courses to be done. It is apparent that employees who do well in the courses tend to have a positive impact in the company due to the skills obtained. Rogers Corporation has embraced a tuition assistance program for their employees to have that competitive edge in the business world. The formal education taken by the employees is also classified as online courses and special technical courses that are not offered by higher education institution. The reason Rogers Corporation encourages such courses is for the employees to be empowered with more skills that will upgrade the performance of the company in service delivery. Also, it helps the employees to be diverse and ready for the future positions they will hold. The employees also get to add value in the decisions they make at their departments. One problem that is expected is that some employees may claim that they will spend much on the books and course related materials. The corporation has set up a cover to the books and course related materials. As for those employees who find it difficult to go back and study. The Corporation is to provide $5000 in reimbursement for completed courses as a motivation. One