The Idiots Handbook to Propaganda Essay Topics

The Idiot's Handbook to Propaganda Essay Topics Stories of the jungle are a few of the most entertaining stories that were written over recent years. When instructed to compose compositions on the book, there are many topics which students may explore. Books ought never to be banned. The book has a lot of minor characters. Students ought to be permitted to pray in school. They are likely to get a prompt on how to write their essay. Parents should speak to kids about drugs at a youthful age. Parents of bullies should need to pay a fine. People were and are still discussing the movies. Life is much better than it was 50 decades ago. Experts suggest to compose the essay in the very first individual. Home schooling is crucial. The Fundamentals of Propaganda Essay Topics Revealed Folks develop all of the time as life is continuously changing, so in order to programme yourself to how you wish to change is a critical and acute ability which you can learn how to do with self-hypnosis. Yearly driving tests ought to be mandatory over a particular age. Because people are somewhat more prone to suggestion in trance, behavioural change can occur easily and speedily. Positive suggestions and mental exploration can be utilized in a trance to assist a person move forward in whatever direction is suitable for them. The greatest task we're dealing with is finding a skilled body of workers. The urge to seek out the truth isn't there if one is unaware that there's an untruth to start with. Our duty is to help you become prepared and place on an actual show that will impress the audience and your professor. The most important mission is to convince your listeners your point is the sole right even if it's not. One of the most frequent mistakes accomplished by students is an effort to make up information and present it as facts. At length, an Austrian poster demonstrates how a youngster is putting in money for the war. While planning how to present the story, students may need to make few changes to the specifics of a real event only to create the story more appealing. In the long run, a student will have planned notes to utilize in creating a paper. A persuasive speech resembles a difficult challenge for many students. You have to keep in mind that the thesis statement is usually a kind of introduction to the assigned subject issue. Essay writing is definitely thought to be part of academic life and essay writing demands certain abilities or the region of the writer. In school, it is been made to be a part of our learning activity. In the corporate world, 1 sort of propaganda is an easy testimonial. While it's true that lots of the techniques related to propaganda are also utilized in the tradition of advertising or public relations, the expression propaganda is usually applied to efforts to promote a specific political viewpoint. The fourth sort of propaganda tactics that is used is repetition. To accomplish the propagandist's intent, there are many types and techniques employed. Utilizing propaganda to manipulate the masses isn't a new phenomenon. There's a whole lot of propaganda on the internet, and in print and TV advertisements on treatments out there for diseases and the aches and pains related to the aging procedure. Your duty is to convince prospective buyers they need your goods. So, Weasel word technique has been made by Pepsi to entice the consumers. When you've identified the topic and fashion our writers are able to help you shape your propaganda essay for a fantastic price. There are many different ways of writing an essay but the fundamental structure stays the same. There are various kinds of propaganda essays. In the same way as any other essay, the narrative essay should begin with choosing an appropriate topic. Otherwise, sponsors might not be in a position to quantify their funding in music that's outside the mainstream. The speeches he has addressed contain several means of persuasion also called propaganda. A vast selection of topics could possibly be raised to create an outstanding essay on propaganda.

Use Of Discussion As An Instructional Method - 863 Words

I would use discussion as an instructional method because it is a great interactive learning tool and facilitates listening, teamwork, confidence, critical thinking, critical listening and critical reading. Moreover, classroom discussions can help students sharpen their communication and speaking skills. Classroom discussion helps to dispel myths and preconceived prejudices about others and students tend to develop mutual respect for one and others. Above all, discussions foster better understanding as students share their â€Å"take† on the subject, additional knowledge is shared. Hence, discussions require keen listening skills. I would say from my personal experience, classroom discussions opened up my own understanding on many subjects and helped me to navigate toward â€Å"right† thinking. The best way to express my love of this teaching method is to tell the story of how much I hated it when I started Mercer University. My second semester at Mercer, I had sur gery and had to take two online classes. This was when I was first introduced to the discussion method. As with most things new, it was frustrating. It grew more challenging because the responses that I had to reply to did not make sense 80% of the time. Many of the students did not write very well and we were required to respond. It was extremely difficult to respond to something that did not make sense. So, I became a critical reader. I made sense out of nonsensical writing and responded to the studentsShow MoreRelatedStudent Centered Instruction And Teacher Centered Essay1557 Words   |  7 Pagesand limitations of each. Also include several examples of effective student-centered instruction and effective teacher-centered instruction in your content area. Effective teachers alternate instructional strategies in consideration of the most appropriate pedagogical methods for a specific task. Instructional strategies that are used in the classroom include student-centered, indirect instruction and teacher-centered, direct instruction. Student-centered instruction, or indirect instruction, reliesRead MoreResearch On Students Learning1100 Words   |  5 Pagesthe challenges of traditional instruction by developing new instructional methods and materials in order to teach more effectively (McDermott Redish, 1999). Several studies reported that alternative instructional approaches resulted in the enhancement of students’ learning gains (Hake, 1998). Based on the constructivist view, they build the knowledge through interacting with instructor and their peers, participating in group discussions, and exchange ideas (West, Paul, Webb, Potter, 2012). Students’Read MoreEffective Educators Alternate Instructional Strategies Essay1486 Words   |  6 PagesEffective educators alternate instructional strategies in consideration of the most appropriate pedagogical methods for a specific subject or task. Instructional strategies that are used in academic environments include student-centered, indirect instruction and teacher-centered, direct instruction. Student-centered instruction relies on two common elements: social interaction and problem solving. These strategies require students to critically think about subject matter, discuss their ideas withRead MoreIncluding Students with Special Needs893 Words   |  4 Pages To begin, it is important to consider the areas of importance regarding the classroom environment: classroom management, classroom grouping, instructional materials, and instructional methods. Classroom management consists of not only the physical mechanics of one’s classroom but also the classroom routi ne, classroom climate, behavior management, and use of time in the classroom. As an instructor I will set concise guidelines at the beginning of the school year and continuously practice them. IRead MoreAnalysis Of The Case Study On Homework Essay1040 Words   |  5 Pagesnumber of students, the teacher should explain it explicitly. The teacher in the case study took out one question that was mostly missed by students and explained it in detail on the white board. She considers students’ mistakes as a way of learning and uses them as useful examples to enhance students’ understanding of the knowledge. Cognitive Apprenticeship Cognitive apprenticeship refers to the relationship in which an expert provides guidance for a less experienced learner to achieve a specific learningRead MoreIntructional Strategies for Ell Classrooms1426 Words   |  6 PagesInstructional Strategies for ELL Classrooms Grand Canyon University SPE-523N English Language Teaching Foundations and Methods November 17, 2010 There are many different strategies that an instructor can use in ELL classrooms or in classrooms in which ELL students have been mainstreamed. As always, instructors are called upon to constantly modify their curriculum and instruction in order to meet the needs of each individual learner. This is made more possible if the instructor has more knowledgeRead MoreThe Theory Of An Interactive Classroom Essay1704 Words   |  7 Pagesscience through discussions, hands-on activities, and peer-to-peer interactions have been effective and instrumental in creating student-led classrooms. In an effort to create an interactive classroom wherein students engage to enhance their learning experiences, I decided to work with elementary school students, and introduced them to science and in an inquiry based science class. After introducing a science unit in a classroom, I often encouraged students to engage in discussions, and it is oftenRead MoreThe Danielson Framework For Teaching1378 Words   |  6 Pagesteachers. Prior to the Danielson framework teachers we evaluated through a district created evaluation system. The change to the Danielson evaluation too was very tumultuous as the administrator as well as the teachers had to become acclimated to the new method. Unlike the previous measurement tool Danielson divided teaching practice into four domains. Each domain address different aspects of teaching practice that once achieved is supposed to resulting in more effective teaching and higher student academicRead MoreLiteracy Instruction Data Collection Tool Essay1275 Words   |  6 Pagesdata tool is for the observation and support of literacy instruction and learning. Any data collected is to be used for instructional planning, modification, and/or reflection upon instructional practices. Data collected is based upon observation of a single literacy lesson. Teacher: _________________________________ Date: _________________________________ Instructional Objective(s): 1. Evidenced in Daily Instruction Phonemic Awareness Fully EvidencedRead MoreTeaching And Learning Styles And Teaching Essay1610 Words   |  7 Pagesstyles and use different learning strategies to help them process the information. When teachers receive evaluations and feedbacks from students, they revise, reconstruct and re-enact their teaching mode in order to match students’ learning styles. Teaching refers to different teaching approaches such as lecturing, practice drills, directed questioning, discussion, constructivism and problem solving. Marsh, Clarke and Pittaway (2015) mentioned that effective teachers are capable to use a wide range

Marketing concept Essay Example For Students

Marketing concept Essay The marketing concept is a managerial philosophy that an organization should try to satisfy customers needs through a coordinated set of activities that also allows the organization to achieve its goals. The marketing concept strives to satisfy customers by determining what buyers want and then by using that information. Businesses also have to alter, adapt, and develop new products to continue earnings profits. By being customer oriented, objectives of a business, such as, increasing profits, market sharing, sales, or a combination can be achieved. This philosophy is aimed at helping the customers, but if the customers objections are not met the business may not stay open very long. The local business that I have visited is Table DArt, which is located in Roslyn Heights on Glen Cove Road. The store sells many unique and elaborate items that could be given as gifts or for your own home. Although they are luxury items they are a good asset to a home. There were also more types of products that may appeal to customers more. I have been here before and noticed that they have many new and unique items. The store is located in a very nice area, and the shoppers usually have a lot of money to spend on nice things. This is what the buyers want. They want to fill their homes with beautiful things, and Table DArt can certainly do that. Some of the items sold in this shop can also be found in Bloomingdales. The customers are willing to spend the money for something that is of high quality, but they dont have to go to department stores. After conducting my research on Table DArt I think that they are implementing the marketing concept. Not only are their prices competitive, but they also have a large selection of hard to find items. Their unique assortment offers many exclusive varieties for gifts. They also have several other locations. One location which is in West Port, Connecticut has just opened. There is also another location in Southampton. Many of the customers from Roslyn Heights enjoy their summers in the Hamptons. The customer is being satisfied by having the convenient locatio ns of this close store. They also dont have to deal with the parking and large stores that are associated with the mall. These stores are also able to transfer items from one location to another. Therefore if one store is out of particular items they can quickly and easily still receive the item if its available at another location. They will also ship purchased items anywhere in the country for the customer. This is very satisfying to the customer because they dont have the hassle of packing and going to the post office for payment and insurance. They also wrap free of charge whether its for shipping or for a gift. They are also currently preparing their website for online shopping. You can visit the website, which is under construction by visiting www.tabledart.com. I also noticed that they write down each customer that comes into the store by identifying if it was a women, men, or child. When I asked about that, they basically said it is for target marketing. Since most of the sh ops customers are women, the store had mainly items that would satisfy women. They also had a small selection of baby gifts, which included frames, gift certificate holders, albums and baby books, silver cup and spoons. There was also a small section for men that consisted of humidors, golf clocks, and some other items that might be alluring to men. By satisfy the customers objectives the business is also satisfying its own needs which is seen by observing the amount of sales. Not only do they acquire new customers, but they are able to satisfy their existing customers. This business which just opened two years ago seems to know how to comply with their customers needs. .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 , .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 .postImageUrl , .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 , .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0:hover , .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0:visited , .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0:active { border:0!important; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0:active , .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0 .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u6cba1b5ab17505cafb1519cf87fc08c0:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Hoes and bitches EssayWords/ Pages : 683 / 24

Physical/Cognitive Development Communication Cda Competency Essay Example

Physical/Cognitive Development Communication Cda Competency Essay Working with diverse groups of infants, preschoolers and school age children has been an integral part of my life for the past 11 ? years. A lot can be learned from observing the almost magical transformation children undergo in their first few years of life. It takes a curious tot to point out the trail of ants crossing a crack in a pathway. They take the time to stop and notice the little things. They are scientists, mathematicians, artists and have little problems communicating their most basic needs. During the first five years of life children develop at an astounding speed. Allowing the infant a safe clean area to practice rolling and scooting will encourage gross motor development, offering infants rattles and different textures will help him develop fine motor skills. The infant who was once immobile eventually picks himself up and begins to walk. The preschooler is more sophisticated in his gross and fine motor skills. They can run, jump and climb; they can hold crayons and begin to form basic shapes. Allowing children opportunities to play in open spaces with climbing apparatuses and providing opportunities to practice pouring juice from a pitcher can help them develop both their gross and fine motor skills. Cognitive development refers to the acquisition and use of thinking skills, young children are active participants in the learning process. For example, an infant who is hungry or wet may stop crying when he sees his care giver get a bottle or diaper; the infant has learned that when his care giver does this his discomfort will end soon. We will write a custom essay sample on Physical/Cognitive Development Communication Cda Competency specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Physical/Cognitive Development Communication Cda Competency specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Physical/Cognitive Development Communication Cda Competency specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Preschool children are like little scientist and mathematicians, they are curious about what they observe, they ask questions and make predictions. Providing activities such as sorting and stringing beads can help children develop their cognitive skills. Communication is the sharing of ideas and feelings with others; we communicate using gestures, facial expressions, touch, pictures, speech and writing. Infants show theyre able to understand language early on by responding to directions, understanding words or pointing to family members. Preschoolers use their growing vocabularies and communication skills to express feelings, ideas and curiosity about the world around them. We can promote children’s communication skills by reading to them daily and by offering an environment that encourages children to make connections and understand the differences between speech and print. Creativity is an important aspect of helping children develop. Cognitive, socialization, communication and physical skills are just a few areas of development that are greatly enhanced when creativity is brought to the classroom. Displaying the children’s creations to show to friends and relatives can boost their self esteem. Providing dress up clothes, props, puppets and letting them use their imaginations help children become confident in themselves because they have had an opportunity for self expression. Although having a classroom that consists of mixed-aged children can be difficult to handle, I’ve learned that children learn from each other. Younger children try to model the older children’s behavior such as developing an early interest in using the bathroom as well as in printing and reading. Older children tend to be more sensitive to the needs of the younger children and feel a sense of pride when they can help a younger peer in distress. Overall, having a positive attitude, being informed, planning ahead, seeking support when needed and maintaining a consistent routine are the most important ingredients in successfully cultivating an environment in which children will excel.

5 Fluctuating Forms of Gender-Specific Language

5 Fluctuating Forms of Gender-Specific Language 5 Fluctuating Forms of Gender-Specific Language 5 Fluctuating Forms of Gender-Specific Language By Mark Nichol The English language is riddled with suffixes that specify gender, and efforts to mirror the slow-but-sure improvement in gender equality are reflected in shifting usage in this area. Such progress, however, is inconsistent. Here’s where we stand with various treatments: 1. -ess Words altered to include an -ess ending to specify reference to a woman are generally going by the wayside: Often, a female movie, television, or theater performer is identified as an actor (though performing-arts awards retain best-actress categories), whereas terms for female members of royalty such as princess and duchess, in keeping with the anachronistic survival of the concept, persist. Likewise, there’s no reason to genderize host or waiter, or author or poet, but we hold on to enchantress, goddess, and mistress. (And, if we have any sense, we hold on to enchantresses, goddesses, and mistresses.) In addition, as you know, stewards and stewardesses were transformed into flight attendants long ago. (The U.S. Navy, by the way, no longer uses steward as an official term for an officers’ attendant.) 2. -e English preserves a few terms derived from French in which an e is appended to the end of the masculine form of some words to refer to a woman, including fiancee and confidante. Conversely and obscurely a man who divorces his wife is a divorce (like the feminine form, pronounced â€Å"di-vor-say† and, in print, with an acute accent mark over the e). 3. -trix Another French form, -trix, is obsolete when referring to a female aviator, but English preserves the form in dominatrix, even though one rarely refers to a dominator (not in polite company, anyway). 4. -ine and -ina Hero applies to male and female do-gooders alike (and retiring heroine avoids the accidental misspelling as heroin). But what about those heroes of the US government, the drug czars and the energy czars and their ilk? (The word czar is the more modern Russian form the older variant is tsar of Caesar.) No president has appointed a female czar, but if that happened, would we refer to her as a czarina? Not likely, except in jocular usage. 5. -woman and -person The same folks who bristle at being scolded when they refer to humankind as mankind will no doubt fuss about this next point, but don’t use the suffix -man unless you’re referring to a man: It’s not necessary to employ the cumbersome term chairperson to refer to a female presiding or administrative officer or the position itself, or to distinguish between a chairman and a chairwoman; just say chair. (No, chair is not just the word for a piece of furniture; it’s the time-honored term, on its own, for an elected or appointed position.) Unfortunately, no such shortcut exists for referring to members of legislative bodies, but congresswoman and assemblywoman are no-brainers. The nonspecific terms congressmember and assemblymember are attested but fairly rare; the open forms (with Congress and Assembly capitalized) are more common. (â€Å"Member of Congress† is also frequently employed, but â€Å"member of the Assembly† is not.) But what do you call a woman who likes to fish (other than, um, a great catch?). Fisherwoman may seem awkward, but that’s just because we’re not used to it yet. As is the case with chairwoman or congresswoman, it’s a matter of only one more small syllable inserted in an already lengthy word. If you’re a man who washes clothes for a living, do you want to be referred to as a washerwoman, just because that’s the dominant usage? By rejecting gender-neutral language, you’re subjecting half the population to the same indignity. This isn’t political correctness run rampant; it’s inevitable and inexorable usage correction, part of the evolution of language (with the obligatory Neanderthal-like branch stubs on the evolutionary tree like waitron and waitperson as gender-neutral forms of waiter). Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:36 Adjectives Describing LightAcronym vs. InitialismTreatment of Words That Include â€Å"Self†

Tarpan - Facts and Figures

Tarpan - Facts and Figures Name: Tarpan; also known as Equus ferus ferus Habitat: Plains of Eurasia Historical Period: Pleistocene-Modern (2 million-100 years ago) Size and Weight: About five feet tall and 1,000 pounds Diet: Grass Distinguishing Characteristics: Moderate size; long, shaggy coat About the Tarpan The genus Equuswhich comprises modern horses, zebras and donkeysevolved from its prehistoric horse forebears a few million years ago, and flourished in both North and South America and (after some populations crossed the Bering land bridge) Eurasia. During the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago, the North and South American Equus species went extinct, leaving their Eurasian cousins to propagate the breed. Thats where the Tarpan, also known as Equus ferus ferus, comes in: it was this shaggy, ill-tempered horse that was domesticated by the early human settlers of Eurasia, leading directly to the modern horse. (See a slideshow of 10 Recently Extinct Horses.) Somewhat surprisingly, the Tarpan managed to survive well into historical times; even after millennia of interbreeding with modern horses, a few pure-bred individuals roamed the plains of Eurasia as late as the early 20th century, the last one dying in captivity (in Russia) in 1909. In the early 1930sperhaps inspired by other, less ethical eugenics experimentsGerman scientists attempted to re-breed the Tarpan, producing what is now known as the Heck Horse. A few years earlier, authorities in Poland also tried to resurrect the Tarpan by breeding horses with noticeably Tarpan-like traits; that early effort in de-extinction ended in failure.

Impact of Educational and Drug Prevention Programs Research Paper

Impact of Educational and Drug Prevention Programs - Research Paper Example From the discussion it is clear that  community policing on the other hand is the partnership of civilians with the law enforcers to curb criminal activities. In this endeavor, the civilians are key players in ensuring that the law is followed and play as allies of the police. This happens at the most basic neighborhoods and is therefore at a small scale. The Deterrence Theory brings forward the notion that human beings abide by the law because of the fear of prosecution for failure to adhere. This brings about the matter of Specific Deterrence which refers to a crime prevention technique which operates on instilling fear on the individual receiving punishment.This study stresses that  the Narconon program from 1966 to the present day has played a role in getting people off drugs and it has centers in averagely 45 countries worldwide. The Narconon drug prevention and education curriculum intends to bring forth more risk factors than benefits of using drugs to young people. The pu rpose of this is to provoke a certain line of reason that the youth are intended to capture. Keeping in mind that among the uses of drugs there is the beneficial aspect like fitting in with a popular crowd or overcoming shyness. This program means to provide an alternative that will effectively counter the drugs.  The Narconon drug prevention staff can boast of educating an aggregate of 5 million school going children on this issue.

Sustainability and the Green Supply Chain Essay

Sustainability and the Green Supply Chain - Essay Example This can be justified with reference to the fact that contemporary organisations intend to develop green supply chain related procedure in order to sustain in this competitive landscape and thereby, preserve their leadership positioning. The notion of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) is often identified as the key attribute in such measures applied by contemporary organisations, fundamentally described as â€Å"the process of using environmentally friendly inputs and transforming these inputs into outputs that can be reclaimed and re-used at the end of their lifecycle thus, creating a sustainable supply chain† (Cognizant, 2008). It is worth mentioning that a sustainable supply chain is typically observed as a sole entity instead of a sequence of fragmented constituents that encompass various significant aspects such as manufacturing, procurement and distribution among others (Rushton & et. al., 2010). It can thus be apparently observed that the focus of a sustainable GSCM is to support modern organisations through increased customer value, profitability along with overall productivity and attaining superior competitive positioning over their chief business market participants (Christopher, 2012; Wisner, 2011). The major facets of a sustainable GSCM include safeguarding the environment, value creation, fostering innovation in every operational procedure of the organisation, forming as well as developing effective interrelation with every organisational member and minimising any sort of hazards that are likely to arise while performing diverse operational functions. Specially mentioning, the modern organisations tend to prioritise forming a sustainable GSCM, owing to certain significant benefits that it delivers to them in this present globalisation and technological era. These benefits are usually recognised in the form of enhanced brand image, lessened logistics, manufacturing or other related costs, optimised manufacturing procedures, expansion to n ew business markets and developed SCM process among others (Morana, 2013; Dai, 2011; Cognizant, 2008). With this concern, the essay intends to describe the imperative aspect of sustainability and green supply chain by considering a particular real organisation, which has an international profile. In this regard, BP plc has been taken into concern as the organisation. The major concerns of sustainability along with green supply chain relating to BP plc have also been described in this essay. A Brief Background of BP plc BP plc, which was formerly acknowledged as British Petroleum, is currently regarded as one of the foremost global oil and gas companies throughout the globe. The company conducts its operational functions in numerous nations, employing a substantial number of personnel that stood at nearly 85,900 during the year 2012 (BP plc, 2013). The company mainly deals with various sorts of business functions ranging from delivering fuel to customers for transportation, energy fo r light along with heat and lubricants for keeping diverse kinds of machines to petrochemical products that are used for preparing daily items (BP plc, 2013). The mission of the company is to become a worldwide leader in the respective industry. The company focuses upon maintaining certain values that are coined as one team, respect, safety, excellence and respect in order to attain its predetermined business targets (BP plc, 2013). Assessing its recent sustainable strategies, it has been recognised that BP is often regarded as one of the well-known brands, which has been operating since its commencement in the 19th century. One of the major strengths of the company can be apparently observed in terms that it

Ethics Social Justice Essay Example for Free

Ethics Social Justice Essay The ethical issues that were identified in the case study of Guerrilla Government in EPA’s Seattle Regional Office were cumbersome. The first of many to create unethical situations was the administrator of EPA’s Seattle regional office in 1981, John Spencer. His staff remembers his tenure for all the unethical actions he took such as using tax payer’s money to buy a membership for the EPA in the Chamber of Commerce (O’Leary, 2014 p. 48). His actions continued even after numerous attempts to advise him that his actions were against federal guidelines and caused serious conflict of interest questions. He also allegedly took several personal trips to Alaska to handle affairs related to his previous job on public expense. In addition, he requested as personal driver to take him to and from and requested modifications to the EPA office building without getting prior approval from the General Services Administration thus violating federal law (O’Leary, 2014 p. 48-54). There was also unethical conduct displayed by Ernesta Barnes ‘successor, Robie Russell. In March of 1987, Russell made his unethical behavior known when the local media announced that a veteran engineer had quit his job due to being angry that he was being transferred involuntarily to another job. At that point, Russell began making decisions that had once been a group effort behind closed doors. Workers who were once performing analysis, were cut out of the decision making process. He was even believed to have removed important comments in reports before they were released to the public. He was also known to back out of his support for the development of oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and then recall that support later in a testimony to the U.S House of Representatives who were considering the proposal. He stated that â€Å"The EPA does not oppose the environmentally acceptable development of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge†.

Success is in the Attempt :: Graduate College Admissions Essays

Success is in the Attempt    I may not know exactly what I'm going to be when I grow up but I have embarked on a path of self-discovery and I have discovered that I am a writer.    I am a writer! It took a long time for me to admit that writing was more than a hobby, it was a passion. Writing is what I was meant to do. I was so afraid that my desire to make writing into a career was a frivolous, unrealistic fantasy. I never took any risks to make it happen.       When I started thinking about college and a career I filled my journal with ideas and desires. And as I wrote I imagined a lifestyle with the flexibility to work at home, getting paid to do a job that I loved. But through all of my writing, I was always grasping to figure out what it was that I would be doing at home. I never realized the answer was right in front of me - I would write.    Writing in my journal nourished my spirit and made me feel alive. In my journal I shared my deepest desires, shared thoughts I'd been keeping inside and got lost in the rhythm of my words. And as I began to write, stories emerged. Ideas came to life for more stories and articles and essays. I felt whole.    I wanted the feeling of wholeness to continue forever. To do that, I had to take an enormous leap of faith and share my work with others. I began searching for avenues to submit my work, the entire time worrying that I wasn't good enough.    I was fortunate to receive support and encouragement from editors who read my work. After submitting several pieces of writing to different websites, I received some very wonderful news. My work would be published. To date my work has been published on several websites. I have a short story appearing in an upcoming edition of BeRealMag.com, and I continue to submit stories and queries for publication. Recently, when an editor approached me to write a piece for her website, I knew I had succeeded - I am a writer!    I believe that writing is my life's work and I'm actively seeking ways to make a living writing.

Kowloon Motor Bus Co. Analysis

The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. (KMB) is the largest public bus company in Hong Kong. KMB carries over 2. 8 million passengers per day and operates some 4,000 buses on 400 bus routes cover and across Kowloon, the New Territories and Hong Kong Island. KMB is the only local bus company to hold both ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 certification and has earned the distinction of being one of the few public bus companies in the world to operate profitably without a government subsidy.Innovation – The Way Forward. As a leader in public bus operations, KMB pioneered the development of super-low-floor easy access buses in 1996 to provide comfortable access for people in need. To extend the company's service network without increasing the number of buses on the road, and to offer passengers the convenience of point-to-point travel, KMB operates 61 Octopus Bus-Bus Interchange fare discount packages comprising about 250 bus routes. Cost advantage: To streamline operations and track cos ts, the company uses a computerised Bus Maintenance Management System and an electronic Traffic Operations Management System.These in-house innovations have won acclaim from the Hong Kong Computer Society. Brand loyalty: Outstanding Customer Communications KMB has developed web-based and face to face communication channels to complement the company's widely used award winning Customer Service Hotline. The 24-hour KMB Customer Service Hotline uses geographic information technology in the form of a digital map Passenger Enquiry (PEQ) System to uphold its pledge of first contact resolution for customer enquiries.The system is equipped with 3-D images of over 100,000 landmarks to provide prompt and personalized bus route information. Since its launch, the digital map has won wide acclaim in local, regional and international awards for technology innovation, and the KMB Customer Service Hotline was recently named as the best contact centre of its class in the world. KMB, the winner of th e CILT A ward 2007 – Passenger Transport Excellence organised a Depot Visit and Presentation Session to share their environmental protection works with CILTHK members on 29th March 2008.At the event, KMB was presented with the logo of CILT Award 2007 for use throughout the year to strengthen their reputation as well as a corporate image for their quality service provided to the community. Competitors: Taxi services We observe that in the past 10 years or so, rail, franchised and non-franchised bus and PLB services have all been extended and improved. Against this background taxi services (the vehicle, passenger facilities and the driver's service and driving skills) have changed little. The earlier competitive advantage taxis had as convenient, air-conditioned services has been substantially eroded.Furthermore, the fare is no longer competitive on longer journeys, leading to fierce competition between taxi drivers through discounted services. A better operating environment fo r taxis, thereby allowing them to provide better service to passengers in accordance with the policy objective of providing a personalized, point to point, public transport service. The flexibility and personal service provided by taxis make them ideal for this purpose, provided a suitable vehicle can be found. Once introduced, subsidies may be made available to facilitate those in wheelchairs using the service.

Company Profile Essay

Introduction BAYO is example of a specialty store that now competing to other leading specialty store. We aim to meet the following objectives upon conducting this study: To Identify the retail format of BAYO and its competitors, To study and understand the company’s retail format, To identify the advantages and disadvantages of BAYO with its competitors, To identify the strength and the weaknesses of BAYO and aTo help improve the service provided by BAYO to its customers. Brief history of the company BAYO started out as a made-to-measure dress shop in Makati. The need to expand grew bigger when BAYO launched its ready-to-wear line. In 1992, the growing demand triggered the establishment of Lyncor, Inc., then a manufacturing firm, to support BAYO. â€Å"BAYO,† an ilonggo term which means, â€Å"dress† in English was chosen by the owners of the company since they are from Bacolod. BAYO reflects a clean, classic image. BAYO caters to women who embody the laid-back, casual lifestyle who have preference for stylish yet classic apparel. BAYO is a testament of what the Filipino can do in today’s competitive environment. BAYO is proud of what it has achieved as a Filipino retailer and it expresses its full pride in being Filipino. This is what set the brand apart, its devotion to staying true to its roots as a Filipino brand. It has no pretensions on what the brand image is all about and rather keeps in tune with the brand’s origin, which is still Filipino. BAYO revolves around who the Filipina truly is in all her different facets and how she evolves with time but still maintaining her distinct cultural attributes. Company profile People behind the company: Lyn Agustin and Corcor Bitong, the owner of BAYO. What the company does: BAYO, a ready-to-wear clothing company that now has a total of 53 branches – 18 franchised and 40 company-owned – within Metro Manila and Bacolod City. When the company started: Agustin and Bitong started their business in 1992 and started franchising in 2001. How the company grew: Agustin and Bitong started out a simple made-to-measure dress shop in Makati City. But when their demand and clientele grew, the sisters, together with their husbands, established Lyncor Inc., a manufacturing firm and began market their women’s clothing designs in earnest. BAYO philosophy BAYO has always taken pride in our continuous effort to provide the Filipino people with the following: †¢ Quality Merchandise. †¢ Quality Service. †¢ Reasonable Prices. †¢ Comfortable and world class shopping experience. †¢ Fair labor BAYO started out as a made-to-measure dress shop in Makati. The need to expand grew bigger when BAYO launched its ready-to-wear line. In 1992, the growing demand triggered the establishment of Lyncor, Inc., then a manufacturing firm, to support BAYO. â€Å"BAYO,† an ilonggo term which means, â€Å"dress† in English was chosen by the owners of the company since they are from Bacolod. BAYO reflects a clean, classic image. BAYO caters to women who embody the laid-back, casual lifestyle who have preference for stylish yet classic apparel. BAYO is a testament of what the Filipino can do in today’s competitive environment. BAYO is proud of what it has achieved as a Filipino retailer and it expresses its full pride in being Filipino. This is what set the brand apart, its devotion to staying true to its roots as a Filipino brand. It has no pretensions on what the brand image is all about and rather keeps in tune with the brand’s origin, which is still Filipino. BAYO revolves around who the Filipina truly is in all her different facets and how she evolves with time but still maintaining her distinct cultural attributes. BAYO’s strength lies in its ability and skill to create classic and stylish apparel and keeping in tune with what its market demands. Its focus is centered on its products, making them of good quality at very affordable prices. BAYO offers classic pieces of ready-to-wear apparel from blouses, tees, pants, jeans, skirts, accessories such as footwear, bags, jewelry and other merchandise, which can be easily be mixed and matched. BAYO aims to create a lifestyle for women by providing them with diverse range of products. BAYO’s corporate structure has a very casual environment as well as a friendly atmosphere between management and employees. People treat each other like family, which makes it easy to communicate and deal with each other. This contributes greatly to the success of BAYO because it paves the way for a better working environment, which in turn promotes teamwork. BAYO’s national commitment is to be able to provide employment and to be able to raise the local industry to higher levels. Its goal is to be able to penetrate the global market and promote it as a Filipino brand. Statement of the problem: 1. What is their merchandise? BAYO is focused on providing wide variety of merchandise assortment and other accessories. They did not only focus on clothing but also offer complementary accessories to have overall makeover. 2. What is their Store Design? BAYO arranged and designed their products according to color. This is one way to attract customer’s attention. The store’s wall is made of glass so that customers can see the products through the glass. They also have chairs for customers to sit on while waiting. They also have a separate rack for accessories and every week they have a new set of design of their product. 3. What is their Market Segment? Geographic City and Municipality: Makati City and Taguig City Population Density: Urban and Suburban Demographic segmentation Age: 17-22 and 23 up Gender: female Family life cycle: Single, young, married, in a relationship, married with children, separated and others. Occupation: Young urban professionals, students, housewife, white collar jobs. Psychographic Segmentation Females usually go to mall to seek for a need or to window shop realizing that females are innately sophisticated. Because of this reason probably they are the possible target audience. As clothing stores the focuses on women’s apparel, we are targeting females that are willing to submit or adopt the latest fashion. Instead of targeting females in the upper class, we focused on the market segment in the middle class realizing that upper class would prefer to visit stores having more expensive products. Behavioral Segmentation Females generally provide sufficient time in visiting malls to look for products that will make them feel more beautiful. They give more effort in choosing, scrutinizing and deciding on which product they want to purchase from the factors of price, design, fashion and quality. Usually, females buy a product to have self-esteem and be in. Primarily, females who seek for job, already workers and students probably have the intention to go to BAYO store as well as using it for applying for a job and hang-outs. Need Segmentation †¢ Females that are looking for classical but casual wear †¢ Accessories that will complement in the casual wear that will fully satisfy the taste, preference, occasion, professions and social activities for the customers †¢ Apparel with good and high quality materials that can be used in applying in profession and occasionally purpose. 4. Why did they situate on that Location? BAYO’s location in MARKET-MARKET TAGUIG is advantageous because it’s located near at activity center which you can find a customer, and their location of the store is easy to be seen because it is near at entrance and it is good for competition. BAYO location in Market-Market has a 96.50 square meter and they are one of the branches of BAYO. 5. What is their marketing approach and their market positioning? sss Based on observation, BAYO intensified their advertisement by having lots of billboards. Also, BAYO strategically use well-known artists to promote their products so that it will be attractive and convincing. These appeal made the products easy to remember. They also have a company sale which is held every whole month of July and the other sales promotion of their store is depending on the mall sale. BAYO Company have a color campaign, those are Yellow for Happiness, Pink for Sweetness, Orange for Creativity and Purple for Sophistication. 6. Who are their competitors? Their competitors are penshoppe, folded and hung, forever 21, kamiseta, tribal. 7. Who are their target markets? Their target markets are the teenagers or middle ages. 8. What is their customer service? BAYO is giving a high customer service by means of providing free iron and fold for purchased apparels. There is also a salesperson assisting the customers in the dressing area. 9. How do you handle your customer’s complaints? BAYO should know first their complaint about their product and give them possible solution to satisfy their customers. 10. Do you have your regular customers? BAYO have their regular customers like teens and middle ages.

Essay Sample on the Tragedy of the Commons Is It Inevitable

Essay Sample on the Tragedy of the Commons Is It Inevitable This is a situation in which a few individuals try to reap the greatest benefit from a given situation neglecting the well being of the society. In our society today there are several tragedies of the commons as described by Garrett Hardin. One of the most popular is the ever increasing population and the resources are still the same. The current world population is estimated at seven billion. All these people need resources like air, water and food to eat which are among the most essential needs to any human being. The only problem is even with the increase in population these resources have not changed but have actually been polluted as for the case of the air and water (Ostrom et al 56). As a result some individuals in government top positions have taken advantage of the positions and neglected the common man. They have set up industries which are emitting harmful gases into the environment making the air to be polluted. As a result of the mining of oil which at times is done at sea, has spilled to the ocean as a result of negligence. Also the common people at times don’t really mind about themselves, especially those involved in the fishing industry, they tend to carry out their fishing activities thought the year thus not giving time for the young fish to grow and in the end they end up being depleted and no fish at all to anyone. Garrett Hardin did a study of this and he found out that technical solutions to this problems and that the tragedy is inevitable. So he defined a technical solution as one that requires verly little or no change. That is the only solution is privatizing the activities since if left to the commoners, they will not be able to take control (Hardin 32). Milton Friedman and Elinor Ostrom are some of the scholars who opposed the tragedy of the commons by Garrett Hardin by proving that the common people can be responsible of the resources available, other than privatization. In her case Ostrom has documented how various communities manage common resources, irrigation waters, fisheries equitably and sustainably over the long term.Milton Friedman advocated for unrestricted markets where there is freedom for the common people. These two scholars would offer different solutions to the population problem, instead of trying to fight the increasing population they would embrace it and look for solutions which would even work in future thus saving time which would have been spent to look for further solutions(Hardin 34). In my opinion, Ellinor Ostom’s approach would work because this makes every person responsible for each and ever action one makes and he or she is responsible of the outcome of their deeds .If the privatization continues, the common people tend to be rebellious to authority and will continually oppose and feel degraded. Another solution would be giving the people full responsibility but set rules and regulations so that whoever breaks them is punished so as to protect the majority. In conclusion the tragedy of the commons should be one issue which is discussed in a wider perspective because it affects all the stakeholders involved and eventually we are the people who suffer the consequences.

Writing a Character Reference Full Template

Writing a Character Reference Full Template SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Thoreau once wrote, â€Å"The language of friendship is not words but meanings.† In the case of a character reference, the language of friendship involves both words and meanings. If you’re tasked with writing a character reference, then your mission is to write about your friend and all her amazing qualities. How exactly can you fulfill this mission of writing an outstanding character reference? This guide will help you through the writing process with a template for your letter. To begin, let’s go over the purpose of a character reference. What’s the Purpose of a Character Reference? You might have a friend, relative, or neighbor ask you to write a character reference. You usually base this reference on your personal, rather than professional, relationship with the subject. There are a few different reasons why someone might need you to write her a character reference. In the Professional World... Some people need a character reference for a job. Hiring managers could ask for one as a way to get to know the candidate on a more personal level. They might also want to make sure the candidate is trustworthy, particularly if the job calls for a high level of ethics. My friend, for instance, recently provided a referencefor his friend applying to the U.S. State Department. If the applicant didn’t provide at least three great character references, then there was no way he was gettinghigh level security clearance. Another reason that a job candidate might seek a character reference is to use it as a supplement to her application. If she’s young and hasn’t had many jobs before, then she may add a personal letter to support her cause. Outside the Professional World... Outside of job applications, there are other circumstances that call for a personal recommendation. Someone might be applying to a position in the community, like membership in a local club. Students could need a character reference as they apply to scholarships or awards. People looking to adopt or provide foster care for a child often need character references. They also seek them when trying to buy a house or condo. Finally, character references can also be used to support someone in court. The purpose of your letter will shape what you say to some extent. For this article, I’ll focus on a character reference that gives insight into someone’s personal attributes and could most realistically be used for a job or volunteer-type position. In a general sense, all character references share the same mission: to reveal the subject’s personal strengths and to show support. If you’ve taken on this mission, how can you produce a memorable character reference? This guide will lead you through the writing process, step by step. Whether your friend wants to get a job, buy a house, or go on the next mission to Mars, your character reference should explain why she's the best person for the role. Writing a Character Reference: 4 Steps While there are several ingredients that go into producing a strong letter, there are two in particular that stand out. The first is organizing your thoughts in a clear and meaningful way. The second is giving specific examples to paint a picture of the subject. These are two of the most important lessons in crafting a strong letter, but also two of the most challenging to carry out. To help you meet this challenge, I’ve broken down the writing process into four steps. The first, you might be happy to hear, doesn’t require you to do any writing yet! Step 1: Speak to theCandidate The responsibility for this first step of the letter writing process actually falls on the shoulders of the person asking for the letter. She should share details of the letter’s purpose, whether it’s for a job, community position, or house, for example. She might have ideas for qualities or stories you could share in your letter. If the position seeks someone with a strong code of ethics, then the candidate should let you know to highlight instances when she showed honesty and integrity. The subject of your letter might also share her resume or any other relevant materials. By getting all the important details, you can make sure your character reference is customized and relevant. You both might brainstorm ideas together, too, which brings us to the next stage of the reference writing process. Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas for Your Reference This second stage of your character reference writing process is all about preparation. Take a few moments to gather your thoughts and sort through your ideas for the letter. What qualities jump out when you think about the candidate? What anecdotes could you share to support your evaluation? Why does she deserve to get the position or move into the neighborhood? Some qualities that could jog your thinking include, Ethical, honest, trustworthyDetermined, goal-oriented, hard-workingFair, honestGenerous, giving, helpfulCreative, curiousConsiderate, empathetic, kindLoyal, committed, reliableResponsible, matureCharming, funny, lighthearted, charismaticEasygoing, lightheartedIntelligent, studiousOrganizedPatient, supportive, sensitiveGood listenerGood communicator, well-spokenIndependentResilient Once you’ve brainstormed qualities, pick out three or so to highlight. These should really capture the subject, as well as be relevant to the situation. If you’re writing a letter for a babysitting job, then you might want to zoom in on the candidate’s caring and responsible nature. If you’re supporting someone’s application to buy a house, then you might focus more on her reliability or neighborlyqualities. Once you’ve chosen your top three, think about specific anecdotes you could share when the candidate demonstrated those qualities. As you’ll see in the template below, you should share two to three specific examples to really illustrate the person and validate your description. Once you’ve thought of some ideas, you’re ready to start drafting! Ready to start drafting? Use the roadmap below to reach your destination! Step 3: Draft Your Character Reference with this Template Once you’ve arrived at the drafting stage, you should have some idea of what you want to say in your character reference. You know what the letter is for and have thought of some ways to describe your friend. Once you have yourideas, you can follow a pretty straightforward structure for producing your letter. The following template will go over this structure, piece by piece. To begin, let’s start with basic contact information. Insert Contact Information at the Top Ideally, you can address your reference to a specific person. Writing to a specific person is more personal than, â€Å"To Whom It May Concern.† If it’s not possible, though, then a more generalized greeting is fine. If you have official letterhead with your contact information at the top then you should go ahead and use it. If not, then you might write out your contact information on the top left margin, followed by the addressee’s contact information. Your contact information could look something like this: Joe SmithSchool DirectorFun Among Us Daycare5 Main St.Anytown, CA 90210 Below your contact information, insert the details for the person to whom you’re writing, like this: Stella McKayDirectorA+ Tutoring60 School St.Booktown, TX 73344 Below this contact information, start your letter with a salutation of, â€Å"Dear [name].† Once you have your contact information set, you can start in on the introduction. Paragraph 1: The Introduction Now you’re ready to start your letter. You should start out strong with a statement of support. Some positive phrases include, I am honored to support...I am pleased to provide a reference for...I am delighted to be called upon...I am happy to recommend...I have no hesitation in recommending...It’s my pleasure to recommend... Here are a couple examples for starting your letter: 1. It’s my pleasure to recommend Jackieto the position of Intelligence Operations Officer with the U.S. Secret Service. 2. I’m very happy to recommend Aaronfor membership in the Hometown Community Service Club. 3. I’m pleased to provide a reference for Alishaas she seeks a nannying position with your family. In addition to starting out strong, you should also explain who you are and how you know the candidate. Qualify the nature of your relationship so that the reader understands why your opinion is a valuable one. Here are a fewexamples for your next sentence. 1. I met Jackie, my assigned roommate, on the first day of college, and we continued to live together for the next four years. Despite living in different cities aftergraduation, we've remained close friends. 2. Aaron and I developed a strong friendship since he moved in next door four years ago. 3. As Alisha's aunt, I've watched her grow up into a mature and responsible young woman who's always her cousins' first pick for Saturday night babysitter. Once you’ve introduced yourself, you could give a brief summary of what qualities you’ll touch on in the rest of your letter. For example, these lines set up the content in the next couple of paragraphs: 1. Jackie inspiredme with her ethics, intelligence, and ambition throughout our college years and beyond. 2. Aaron's an exceptional neighbor and friend whoactively contributes to the well-being of our community. 3. Alisha's a reliable, warm, and creative person who's skilled atcaring for children of all ages. Overall, your introductory paragraph should consist ofthreeto five sentences. Show your support right off the bat, and make sure to explain who you and why your reference holds weight. Indicate the reason for the reference, and give a brief description of the candidate. Then you can flesh out this description in two to three body paragraphs. Body Paragraphs You couldinclude two to three body paragraphs, depending on what qualities you want to touch on. Each paragraph should have a specific focus; for instance, you could highlight one facet of the person’s character and pair it with an anecdote. You should order the body paragraphs starting with the most relevant point. Consider what qualities the reader of your letter is looking for. What will be most helpful and impressive? Put that quality first. Here are a couple examples for body paragraphs. 1. Jackie is a person of high moral character. Her strong sense of ethics came through in discussions in and out of our political science classes. A real-life ethical test came along junior year, when she found a wallet with hundreds of dollars of cash outside. Keeping any of the money didn’t seem to occur to Jackie for a second, and she tracked down its owner and mailed it back first-class. She’s always someone I can trust to do the right thing and is the first person I think to call when confronted with my own moral dilemmas. 2. Aaron is motivated by a strong sense of social responsibility. He makes a difference everyday in his position as physical education teacher at the middle school and volunteer coach of the soccer and wrestling teams. Last year, the district recognized his contributions with the Coach of the Year award. One of his soccer players, who’d been identified as an at-risk student, said a few touching words about how Aaron believed in him and helped him feel reconnected to school. Aaron's a much-lovedteacher and coach who’s committed to the well-being of his students. 3. Alisha is a creative person who’s able to keep even my energetic kids engaged and happy. She’s chock full of ideas for art projects, sports competitions, and make-believe games. Last time she watched her cousins, they ended up putting together and acting out their own production of Frozen. She’s great at devising activities that are fun, safe, and surprisingly effective at getting kids active and away from their iPads. Of course, your body paragraphs will be customized to the individual. The basic formula of â€Å"description + anecdote† is useful to keep in mind as you draft these. You’ll find a summary of a basic template for the body paragraphs of your character reference below. First, though, let’s consider the final paragraph of your letter, the conclusion. Conclusion and Signature After wrapping up the body paragraphs, you’ve reached the end of your character reference. Your conclusion can just be three to five sentences long, and its content is pretty straightforward. First, you can reiterate your support or high opinion of the candidate. Here are a couple examples of how to do this: 1. In closing, I'd like to reiterate my unequivocal support for Jackie as she seeks appointment to the Secret Service. 2. As you can tell, I think the world of Aaron and recommend him for membership in Hometown Community Service Club without hesitation. 3. Alisha has my highest recommendation as a childcare provider and all-around great human being. Then, you might summarize the points you’ve made or add a few more descriptive words. Remember that the conclusion is your final chance to communicate your recommendation, so you want to leave the reader with a lasting good impression. For instance, you might say something like this: 1. Jackie is not only brilliant,but also a highly ethical person and loyal friend. 2. Aaron's made countlesscontributions to our community and will be able to extend his reach as a club member. 3. Alisha is responsible, patient,and sensitive to the needs of children. Finally, invite the reader to contact you for any further information. Show that you’re happy to confirm your character reference or add anything else via email or phone. You can also thank the reader for her time. 1. Please don't hesitate to contact me for any further information. Thank you for your time. 2. Please feel free to get in touch with any questions. Thank you. At the end, sign your name and print it beneath, perhaps with your phone number and email if they're not at the top of your letter. Then, you’ve reached the end of your character reference! To review, let’s put all the pieces together into this final template. Use the template below to shape your letter from a rough ball of clay to a polished final product. Drafting your Character Reference: Final Template The personal recommendation letter template below reflects the above structure, including the contact information, introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, conclusion, and final signature. YourNamePosition [if relevant]Workplace [if relevant]Street AddressCity, State, Zip Code Addressee's NamePosition [if relevant]Company [if relevant]Street AddressCity, State, Zip Code Dear [Addressee'sName], It's my great pleasure to provide this character reference for[name] for [purpose of letter]. I've been close friends with[name] for the past [number of years]. [Name of candidate] is [two to three descriptors], and I have no doubt that he/she would make an outstanding addition to [company, club, etc]. Please allow me to give threeexamples of her personalstrengths. Body Paragraphs 1 - 3: [Name] stands out for his/her [quality]. Last year, for example, he/she [specific example]. He/she consistently [description of personal attributes]. [Name] is uniquefor his/her [specific qualities].* *Present 2-3 main characteristics of the candidate in the body paragraphs, each with a specific example if possible. Put them in order of importance andrelevance. Usestrongly positive language, but try not to soundover the top. In closing, I'd like to restate my wholeheartedsupport for [name's] as she seeks [purpose of letter]. He/she is [most important qualities]. I have no doubt that she will continue to have great success with [company, club, etc]. Please don't hesitate to contact me for any further information. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, [Signature] NamePosition [if relevant]EmailPhone Number Of course, the body paragraphs leave a lot of space for customization. This space allows you to make your personal recommendation letter unique to the candidate. Once you’ve drafted your letter, you just have one more important step in the writing process. Step 4: Edit for Clarity Before sending off your character reference, take a few minutes to edit and revise. First, make sure there are no spelling or grammar errors. Beyond fixing any mistakes, take a look at your writing and make sure it’s clear. Whoever’s reading your letter may not have a ton of time to look closely at every word. Your letter should leave a powerful impression without requiring a big time commitment from the reader. In other words, your goal isto be concise. If you can make the same impact with fewer words, do so. Eliminate unnecessary adverbs and adjectives that add bulk but not meaning.If a sentence feels cluttered, try your best to clean it up. Once you’ve tightened up your writing, your letter is ready to submit! You’ve produced a well-structured reference that compliments the candidate and gives specific examples that speak toher character. In closing, let’s review the key points to remember about drafting a character reference. This wary cat has no reason to worry. Her canine roommate just finished writing an excellent character reference. He didn't even mention her habit of clawing the couch or knocking over glasses of water. Key Points: Writing a Character Reference If you’re writing a character references, chances are you’re writing about a friend, neighbor, or relative. Your task is to write about this person’s favorable attributes and describe what makes him/her special. The content of your letter will largely be shaped by what it’s being used for. If you’re writing for a job, then you may want to shed light on the subject’s personality and relevant qualities, like ethics and trustworthiness. If you’re writing for membership in a community club, then you might talk about the subject’s community connections or leadership. Whatever your letter’s purpose, it should be strongly positive and use specific examples. Rather than turning into a list of adjectives, your letter should have anecdotes that reveal positive things about the subject. By telling stories and using a clear and concise structure, you can produce a stand-out character referenceandimpress yourreaders! What’s Next? Are you interested in professional letters of recommendation for jobs? This guide contains a recommendation letter template to help you through the writing process. Ready to read some referenceletter samples? This article has nine free samples of recommendation letters, including a character reference! Interested in recommendation letters for college? This guide has four amazing recommendation letter samples written by high school teachers.

(Marketing) Q) how did the rise of technology invation benifit Essay

(Marketing) Q) how did the rise of technology invation benifit marketing communication ( Use HSBC BANK AS THE MAIN EXAMPLE) - Essay Example 2003)state in their analysis of the impact of technology-mediated sales on the customer behaviour. According to them, the adoption of technology-mediated communication on channel partner relationships really influences the customer satisfaction since this technology is found to have significant, positive, direct effects on future intentions. In order to illustrate the above stated as well as the power on technological innovation applied to marketing, this paper will focus on the HSBC bank latest marketing and communication campaigns, offering a brief but comprehensive review on the achievements of this marketing initiative, as well as the coherence and accordance of their strategic marketing campaign, the use of new technologies and HSBC core values. Bearing in mind HSBCs motto "We are the world's local bank", it is easy to understand the banks effort to address and reach every one of their potential customers. Headquartered in London, HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world, with an international network that comprises over 10,000 offices in 83 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With listings on the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by around 200,000 shareholders in some 100 countries and territories. The shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American Depositary Receipts. Through an international network linked by advanced technology, including a rapidly growing e-commerce capability, HSBC provides a comprehensive range of financial services: personal financial services; commercial banking; corporate, investment banking and markets; private banking; and other activities1. It appears to be logical that such an international and new technology-oriented company seek for the perfect marketing strategy within the newest communication tools. This corporate features have led the Hong Kong Bank to put in practice one of the most comprehensive and celebrated Marketing Communication Campaign in the past couple of years. It happened to be not only logical but also coherent and even expected that a company that always proudly offers the latest and trendiest way of financial services as commercial banking; corporate, investment banking and markets; or private banking, resort also to the most innovative manner to present them to the customer. In the last two years, HSBC Marketing and Communication responsible have turned to Mail-listing, Bluetooth, You Tube, Facebook or Google to advertise its services, in a wise attempt to touch their clients wherever they are, following their corporative slogan. 2. Technological Innovation, a Marketing approach Technology innovation has always been a hot issue as it is continuously attracting the attention of trend setters or new markets discoverers, boosted for a increasingly competitive market with limited customers. Even thought, many of the inventions we take for granted today lay unused and unappreciated for years before they finally made it to the marketplace. For example, it was just in the 1980's when Steve Jobs2 took a 1960's invention (the computer mouse) and

Social week 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Social week 6 - Essay Example Mortgage rates spiked up and stock prices fell when the news of tapering hit the market. The Fed though is denying such charges. It is very much unlikely that the Fed will begin its tapering anytime in the near future. But if we assume such an event occurs in the near future, it will put an end to the low interest rates in the mortgage market. The private market will then come back in and come back in strong. There is a huge gap of $85 billion a month and that has to be filled up by someone. When the news of tapering hit the market back in May, 2013, mortgage REITS which made profits by borrowing short term and lending long term mortgages, fell endangering the $ 40 billion industry (The Department of Treasury and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2011). So if the Fed begins its tapering anytime in the near future, mortgage REITS have to raise their rates or rather will be forced to raise their rates or else their business will liquidate. The housing market will then t ake a big hit by the rise in the mortgage rates. The May, 2013 news had already made home buyers stop paying their mortgages and the home owners stopped refinancing. The housing market has clearly slowed down since May, 2013 and has showed no signs of regaining the past momentum (Wallison and Pinto, 2012). The US is the only country in the developed world to have such a troubled housing market. It is also probably the only developed country to have a major government role in housing policy. â€Å"Affordable housing† and other policies related to housing has turned the healthy US market into a financial ruin. Moreover the factors that caused the financial crisis are still in force and until those and the government’s role in housing are eliminated, it is very difficult for the US housing market to return back to normalcy (Wallison and Pinto, 2012). Housing finance is largely handled by the private sector in most

Interview Report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Interview Report - Assignment Example To me, I view him as a perfect example and a living demonstration that age is just but a number (Neugarten, 2006). His case is interesting because the society perceives the old as people with no energy, should not work and probably should rest in care homes. However, he disapproves the stereotypes. Besides, Antony’s capacity at work is usually a preserve of the young and energetic people who can serve client’s demands with precision. Interestingly, he narrates to me that he is people’s favorite at the bar. He points out that most of his customers are young people, but he manages to mix his services with life advice. An attribute that makes him stands out from other workers. Antony points out that he felt the odd one out when he started the work. However, the kind nature of Americans and the equal opportunity that the American society provides to all the citizens and the foreigners motivated him. I find Antony to be an excellent person. His passion, vigor, and desire to achieve even in severe environments are attributes I value most in my life. Therefore, my interaction to change my perception about work. It also enabled learn the importance of knowing different peoples culture as a mechanism for promoting world

The Impact Of Tourism On Water Consumption Tourism Essay

The Impact Of Tourism On Water Consumption Tourism Essay Tourism is the major economic sector for many countries around the world especially for small island developing states. . The major growth of the tourism industry started in the 1980s culmination increasing coastal development with major investments in hotels Mauritius is now a well established high class tourist resort destination and tourism is the third pillar of the Mauritian economy after the export processing zone manufacturing sector and agriculture. It contributes significantly to economic growth and has been a key factor in the overall development of Mauritius. In the past two decades tourist arrivals increased at an average annual rate of 9% and in 2000, gross tourism receipts contributed about 11% of the GDP of Mauritius. (CSO, 2007)) The plan of the government is targeting 2.0 million tourists from 2015 to 2020. The strategy for the development of the Tourism sector takes its base in the Tourism Development Plan (2002). It presents a twenty year vision which sees the tourism industry growing but ensuring that environmental and social issues are addressed to the benefit of the people of Mauritius (Min .of Environment and NDU). The Action Plan includes private sector investments in tourist accommodation, tourist attractions, and ancillary facilities, public sector investment in tourism support programmes (e.g. roads, car parking, water and sewage schemes), infrastructure and critical tourism product improvements, diversification and innovations, human resource development/social projects and environmental management support. There will be an accompanying demand for services for high quality up-market tourists with specially trained staff and hotel rooms including trained tour guides and support services such as flight bookings, airline operations, etc. Tourism and water The industry is also a major consumer of water resources and impacting heavily on water demand of island states. The problem of water supply is further exacerbated by the impact of climate change. Tourism industry relies also on a safe and reliable supply of water. With the goal of attracting 2M tourists by 2015 in Mauritius the intensive tourism development that will follow will have a major impact on our natural resources (CSD, 1996). It has been growing rapidly and impacting on the natural resources of the host countries. Overexploitation of water resources can impact negatively on ecosystems which are major components of its tourism industry. Competition for water resources by the tourism sector and domestic population is a global problem exacerbated by the climate change (Goodwin, 2007). Mauritius is facing each year prolong drought problems during the dry season where it is also the peak tourist period. Over extraction and lowering of ground water table can lead to eventually the depletion of aquifers as it is not replenished as rapidly it is consumed. Pollution from sea water intrusion will further limit the availability of freshwater. The latter will be more apparent with sea level rise due to global warming (Goodwin, 2007). The tourism industry faces two issues with regards to water as a resource namely how it affects distribution of water and secondly the impact of the industrys consumption on the environment and the availability of water (Goodwin, 2007). For the development of large resorts, especially in water scarcity areas, the water available for the local people is deviated to provide for these resorts (Goodwin, 2007). In many places water is diverted to provide for tourists and thus leaving indigenous population short of water. European Environment Agency (2003) in its assessment reported that tourists consume up to 300 Litres (up to 880 Litres for luxury tourism) and generate around 180L of wastewater per day. The number of tourists visiting particular places is season dependent and is not constant all year round and tends to be concentrated in places which have limited water resources (Garcia and Servera, 2003). There are conflicts of interests as the tourism industry is able to buy water at higher prices whereas the poorer population will have more frequent water shortage (Goodwin, 2007). In Tunisia groundwater resources that were important for agriculture were diverted to provide for the tourism industry and thus creating a new problem of dried out land that are unarable and had to be abandoned. The European Tourism Study Group report 2007 conclude that hotels are high consumers of water, as a tourist staying in a hotel uses on average one third more water per day than a local inhabitant. The desalination of sea water on a large scale is a measure affordable to countries with high revenues such as United Arab Emirates and Maldives which have oil resources (Dluzewska, 2008). LAND USE PATTERNS in Tourism: Tourism is being given special attention with respect to its actual and potential impacts in land use (Rico-Amoros, et al., 2008). The tourism distribution is not homogenous for many countries and the different forms and types of tourism have different water requirement (Gossling, 2001). Water consumption by the tourism sector is not well documented by statistics at present. More complete information on water demand of tourism and its different subsector ( second homes, facilities, activities etc,) is needed by state and local authorities to define priorities for water conservation or demand management programs ( Hof. et al, 2011). Rico-Amoros et al. (2008) mentioned that the development of tourism in Mediterranean region is enhancing pressure on water demand because there high numbers of tourists at specific period and summer droughts which further decrease the availability of water. However, from closer study of the different type of tourists, Rico-Amoros et al (2008) found out tha t concentration of tourists such as in hotels tend to use comparatively less water than disperse, low density residential resorts. Hof and Schmitt (2011) found out that increase water consumption is directly related to the low-density residential tourist land use due to outdoor uses such as swimming pools and gardens comparing with tourists in hotels. The research of Hof and Schmitt (2011) concluded that in summer 70% of the total water consumption in the residential tourist areas is used for gardens irrigation which has been identified as the main cause for increase in water consumption. The additional pressure on water use is from individually own swimming pools which accounts for 22 litres/person/day as shown by Hof and Schmitt (2011). Hotels with golf courses were analysed for their water consumption patterns and regression analysis demonstrated that the size and price were important factors that will influence the water use by golf courses (Gopalakrishnan, 2003). Resorts and ho tels golf courses are heavy water users and for small islands the problem is urgent as there is limited resources of drinking water, and thus the water must be judiciously managed ( Graefe and Vaske, 1987). Benchmarks for water use in guest rooms in litres per guest night Good Fair Poor Temperate 250 250-300 >300 Mediterranean 270 270-320 >320 Tropical 300 300-350 >350 Source IBLF WWF-UK (2005) p.19 Mauritius as SIDS: its vulnerability Small Island States are mostly dependent on their natural environment for promoting tourism development but paradoxically the tourism development appear to be a fast track to social and economic development and thus little care is given for the ecosystem (CSD, 1996). The environment impacts of tourism are more consequent in Small Island States due to its limited land space and freshwater resource. Land is use to build infrastructures and facilities for tourists along with hotels and the new trend of residential houses or apartment. Rising prices of building land increase the pressure to build on agricultural land as the tourism sector is more lucrative. In many countries including Mauritius, there has been unchecked construction along the coast whereby the original pristine beauty of these areas has been changed in favour of urbanization since the development of the tourism sector (CSD, 1996). It is only recently that governments are taking measures through legislations to protect th e natural resources and promote sustainable. development. Over the past years, there has been a drastic increase in water demand from the different economic and demographic sectors, which in general is leading the country to a water stressed situation. Mauritius and its water resources According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report, Mauritius is already facing a situation of water stress because it has a supply of 1083 m3 per person per year (based on actual population), which is below the norm of 1 700m3 per person per year. Mauritius is expected to suffer from water scarcity by 2020 with a projected supply of 974 m3 per person per year (based on a projected population of 1 335 000). Although the figures can be interpreted in various ways, they provide an indication of the problems that Mauritius may face in the future regarding water supply. The water sector faces a number of challenges resulting from increasing demand from the different sectors. New dams are planned to be built and reduction in unaccounted for water are being envisaged with big investment in new pipe networks. Diversification of the tourism product-IRS in Mauritius In view to attract more foreign investment Mauritius has recently introduced a new type of development namely the Integrated Resort Schemes (IRS) whereby resorts are being constructed that include hotels, residential villas and golf courses. Since 2005 there has been an increase in the number of resorts and golf courses though the financial crisis has put a halt to this rapid increase. These developments have put further pressure to the scarce water resources. In Mauritius strategies are being put in place to manage the water resources the demand as well as the supply sides. The IRS promotes the concept of residential tourism with second permanent homes for rich retired or rich celebrities. This market diversification has therefore allowed the development of golf, villas, spas and also permanent second homes or residential that have increased the demand of water from the tourism sector. In encouraging this type of development and targeting more and more tourist this will again have a consequences on the water resources. Mauritius depend on a few number of reservoirs and are already under pressure to supply for the domestic, industrial, agricultural and tourism sector. The tourist hotel mainly the large ones have started to have desalination plants to have constant supply of water. Due to high water demand Mauritius has reached almost its limits in terms of underground resources. The table below shows the water requirements till 2050. Table 1:Water requirements in Mauritius (Proag, V., 2006, Water Resources Management in Mauritius. European Water 15/16: 45-57) Available Water resources and climate change could however have an impact on the diversification strategy thereby causing a decline of growth in the tourism sector especially if these water crises are not well managed. (Essex et al, 2004) Residential Tourism or second homes The different types of tourist accomodation and new type of residential tourism do not consume water resources similarly. The golf courses are consuming more and more water for irrigation purposes. A.Hof et al (2011) have shown that outdoor uses such as swimming pools, garden irrigation are also have a high impact on water resources. As determined by a study (Gopalakrishnan and Cox 2003) shows that number of units of swimming pools and golf courses will determine the consumption of water. Aim of paper To develop appropriate strategies for the management of the water resources information on the tourism sector demand for water and the different usage will be required. There is however an information gap with regards to its impact on water resources . This paper will try to show the influence of tourism: hotel, non hotel and residential on the scarce water resources and thereby assist in developing a strategy for a sustainable tourism.

Windows NT Essay -- Computers Technology Operating System

Windows NT The history of Windows NT: The history of Windows NT goes back to the early 80's, when Microsoft was working on the original Windows system to run on top of DOS. They joined forces with IBM in order to create a more powerful DOS replacement that would run on the Intel x86 platform. The resulting operating system was to be known as OS/2. At the same time OS/2 was being developed, Microsoft was busy working on a new OS, more powerful than the Windows system they already had. This "New Technology" operating system would run on different processor platforms. They planned to accomplish this by writing most of the operating system in the C programming language, which is a language that is portable across platforms. In late October of 1988, Microsoft hired a man named David Cutler who was a respected operating systems guru from Digital Equipment Corporation, to help them design their new operating system. The original planned name was OS/2 NT because at the time, Microsoft was helping to develop OS/2 and was integrating parts of it into its new operating system (NT). After almost two years of work, the first bits of OS/2 NT ran on an Intel i860 processor. Around the same time, David Cutler projected to Bill Gates that NT would ship around March 1991, which turned out be more than two years off the mark. In early 1990, as teams dedicated to NT were formed within Microsoft, Bill Gates criticized NT for being "too big, and too slow" during a review. The decision was eventually made in early 1991 to base NT's "personality" on Microsoft's current Windows system, version 3.0, and not OS/2. In o... ... up retrieval. Windows NT utilizes SCSI disk drives to implement RAID. Increased Stability / Robustness over Windows 95/98 More attention was paid to the stability of Windows NT 4.0 when Microsoft was designing and coding it. It was essential that NT be very stable in order to be a viable alternative to UNIX as a desktop and server operating system. Windows 95 and 98 are notoriously unstable and not acceptable for very high performance hardware (multiple processors, Gigs of RAM), and high demand TCP/IP applications, such as that seen in high volume Internet servers. Blue screens of death are also few and far between compared to Windows 9x. So in summary, NT 4.0 is much more stable and reliable than Win9x due to how it was designed and due to its heritage, which is entirely different from Windows 9x.

Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 7

Then you must have had a reason,† Poppy saidflatly. When he looked at her, she shrugged. â€Å"I know you.† She knew him in a way she'd never known anyone. James looked away. â€Å"I didn't have a reason, but there were some †¦extenuating circumstances. You could say I was set up. But I still have nightmares.† He sounded so tired-so sad.It's a lonely world, fullof secrets, poppythought. And he'd had to keep the biggest secret of all from everyone, including her. â€Å"It must have been awful for you,† she said, hardlyaware that she was speaking out loud. â€Å"I mean, all your life-holding this in. Not telling anybody. Pretending†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Poppy.† He gave a shiver of repressed emotion.†Don't.† â€Å"Don't sympathize with you?† He shook his head. â€Å"Nobody's's ever understood before.† After a pause he said, â€Å"How can you worry about me? With what you're facing?† â€Å"I guess because -I care about you.† â€Å"And I guess that's why I didn't treat you like Michaela or Jacklyn,† he said. Poppy looked at the sculpted planes of his face, atthe wave of brown hair falling over his forehead like silk †¦and held her breath. Say â€Å"I love you,† she ordered mentally.Say it, you thickheaded male. But they weren't connected, and James didn't givethe slightest sign of having heard. Instead he turned brisk and businesslike. â€Å"We'd better get started.† Hegot up and drew the window curtains shut. â€Å"Sunlight inhibits all vampire powers,† he said in a guest lecturer voice. . Poppy took advantage of the pause to go to the CDplayer. The music had changed to a Dutch club song,which was fine for doing the Netherlands skippydance to, but not very romantic. She punched a but ton and a velvety Portuguese lament began. Then she twitched the sheer hangings around the bed dosed. When she sat down again, she and James were in their own little world, dim and secluded, enclosed in misty eggshell white. â€Å"I'm ready,† she said softly, and James leaned inclose to her. Even in the semidarkness Poppy felt mesmerized by his eyes. They were like windows tosome other place, someplace distant and magical. The Night World, she thought, and tilted her chinback as James took her in his arms. This time the double sting at her neck hurt good. But best was when James's mind touched hers.The feeling of oneness, of suddenly being whole-it spread through her like starshine. Once again she had the sense that they were melting together, dissolving and merging everywhere they touched. She could feel her own pulse echoingthrough him. Closer, loser†¦ and then she felt a pulling-back. James? What's wrong? Nothing,he told her, but Poppy could sense that itwasn't quite true. He was trying to weaken the growing bond between them †¦ but why? Poppy, I just don't want to force you into anything.What we're feeling is-artificial†¦. Artificial? It was the realest thing that she'd everexperienced. Realer than real. In the midst of joy, Poppy felt a surge of hurt anger at James. I don't mean it like that,he said, and there was desperation in the thought.It's just that you can't resist the blood-bond. You couldn't resist it if you hated me. Itisn't fair†¦. Poppy didn't care about fair.Ifyou can't resist it,why are you trying?she asked him triumphantly. She heard something like mental laughter, andthen they were both clinging together as a wave of pure emotion swept them. The blood-bond, Poppy thought when James raisedhis head at last. It doesn't matter if he won't say he loves me-we're bonded now. Nothing can changethat. And in a moment or so she would seal that bondby taking his blood. Try and resistthat,she thought, and was startled when James laughed softly. â€Å"Reading my mind again?† â€Å"Not exactly. You're projecting-and you're verygood at it. You're going to be a strong telepath.† Interesting. . . but right now Poppy didn't feelstrong. She suddenly felt kitten-weak. Limp as a wilting flower. She needed †¦ â€Å"I know,† James whispered. Still supporting her, he started to lift one wrist to his mouth. Poppy stopped him with a restraining hand. â€Å"James? How many times do we have to do thisbefore I-change?† â€Å"Once more, I think,† James said quietly. â€Å"I tooka lot this time, and I want you to do the same. And the next time we do it †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I'll die, Poppy thought. Well, at least I know howlong I have left as a human. James's lips slid back to reveal long, delicate fangs,and he struck at his own wrist. There was something snake like in the motion. Blood welled up, the colorof syrup in a can of cherry preserves. Just as Poppy was leaning forward, lips parted,there was a knock at the door. Poppy and James froze guiltily. The knock came again. In her muddled and weakened state, Poppy couldn't seem to make herself move. The only thought that resounded in her brainwasOh,please. Please don't let it be†¦ The door opened. Phil. Phillip was already speaking as he poked his headin. â€Å"Poppy, are you awake? Mom says-â€Å" He broke off abruptly, then lunged forthelightswitch on the wall. Suddenly the room was illuminated. Oh,terrific,Poppy thought in frustration. Phil waspeering through the filmy draperies around the bed. Poppy peered back at him. â€Å"Whatis going-on?† he said in a voice that would have gotten him the lead role in The Ten Com mandments.And then, before Poppy could gather enough wits to answer, he leaned in and grabbed James by the arm. â€Å"Phil,don't,† Poppysaid. â€Å"Phil, you idiot†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"We had a deal,† Phil snarled at James. â€Å"And you broke it.† James was gripping Phil's arms now, as ungentlyas Phil was grasping him. Poppy had the dismayed feeling that they were going to start head-buttingeach other. Oh, Lord, if she could onlythinkstraight. She feltso brainless. â€Å"You've got the wrong idea,† James said to Philthrough clenched teeth. â€Å"The wrongidea? Icome in here and find the two of you in bed, with all the curtains drawn, and you're telling me I've got the wrongidea?† â€Å"Onthe bed, Poppy interjected. Phil ignored her. James shook Phil. He did it quite easily and withan economy of movement, but Phil's head snapped back and forth. Poppy realized that James was not athis most rational right now. She remembered the metal chair leg and decided it was time to intervene. Letgo,†she said, reaching in between the two boys to grab for hands. Anybody's hands. â€Å"Come on,you guys!† And then, desperately, â€Å"Phil, I know youdon't understand, but James is trying tohelp me-â€Å" â€Å"Help you? I don't think so.† And then to James:†Look at her. Can't you see that this stupid pretending is making hersicker? Every time I find her with you, she's white as a sheet. You're just making things worse.† â€Å"You don't know anything about it,† Jamessnarled in Phil's face. But Poppy was still processing something several sentences back. â€Å"Stupid? Pretending?† she said. Her voice wasn't very loud but everything stopped. Both boys looked at her. Everyone made mistakes then. Later, Poppy wouldrealize that if any of them had kept their heads, what happened next could have been avoided. But noneof them did. â€Å"I'm sorry,†Philsaid to Poppy. â€Å"I didn't want totell you-â€Å" â€Å"Shut up,†James said savagely. â€Å"But I have to.This-jerk-isjust playing with you.He admitted it to me. He said he felt sorry for you,and he thinks that pretending he likes you makesyou feel better. He's got an ego that would fill Dodger Stadium.† â€Å"Pretending?† Poppy said again, sitting back. Therewas a buzzing in her head and an eruption gathering in her chest. â€Å"Poppy, he's crazy,† James said. â€Å"Listen-â€Å" But Poppy wasn't listening. The problem was thatshe couldfeelhow sorry Phil was. It was much more convincing than anger. And Phillip, honest, straightforward, trustworthy Phillip, almost never lied. He wasn't lying now. Which meant†¦ that James must be. Eruption time. â€Å"You. . .†she whispered to James.,†You . . .†She couldn't think of a swear word bad enough. Some how she felt more hurt, more betrayed than she hadever felt before. She had thought sheknewJames;she had trusted him absolutely. Which made the betrayal all the worse. â€Å"So it was all pretending? Isthat it?† Some inner voice was telling her to hold on andthink. That she was in no state to make crucial decisions. But she was also in no state to listen to innervoices. Her own anger kept her from deciding if shehad any good reason to be angry. â€Å"You just feltsorryfor me?† she whispered, and suddenly all the fury and grief that she'd been suppressing for the last day and a half flooded out. Shewas blind with pain, and nothing mattered exceptmaking James hurt as much as she hurt. Jameswas breathing hard,speaking rapidly.†Poppy-this is why I didn't want Phil to know-â€Å" â€Å"And nowonder,† Poppyraged. â€Å"And no wonderyou wouldn't say you loved me,† she went on, not even caring that Phillip was listening. â€Å"And no wonder you would do all that other stuff, but you never even kissed me. Well, I don't want yourpity-â€Å" â€Å"Whatotherstuff?.Allwhatotherstuff?†Philshouted.†I'mgonna kill you, Rasmussen!† He tore free of James and swung at him. Jamesducked so that the fist just grazed his hair. Philswung again and James twisted sideways andgrabbed him from behind in a headlock. Poppy heard running footsteps in the hall. â€Å"What's happening?† her mother gasped in dismay, regarding the scene in Poppy's bedroom. At almost the same instant Cliff appeared behindPoppy's mother. â€Å"What's all the shouting?† he asked, his jaw particularly square. â€Å"You'rethe one who's putting her in danger,†James was snarling in Phillip's ear. â€Å"Right now.† Helooked feral. Savage. Inhuman. â€Å"Let go of my brother!† Poppyyelled. All at onceher eyes were swimming with tears. â€Å"Oh, my God-darling,† her mother said. In two steps she was beside the bed and holding Poppy.† You boys getoutof here.† The savagery drained out of James's expression,and he loosened his hold on Phillip. â€Å"Look, I'm sorry. I have to stay. Poppy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Phillip slammed an elbow into his stomach. It might not have hurt James as much as it woulda human, but Poppy saw the fury sweep over his face as he straightened from doubling up. He lifted Phil off his feet and threw him headfirst in the general direction of Poppy's dresser. Poppy's mother let out a cry. Cliff jumped in between Phil and James. â€Å"That's enough!† he roared. Then, to Phil: â€Å"Are you all right?† And to James: â€Å"What's this allabout?† Phil was rubbing his head dazedly. James saidnothing. Poppy couldn't speak. â€Å"All right, it doesn't matter,† Cliff said. â€Å"I guesseverybody's a little jumpy right now. But you'd better go on home, James.† James looked at Poppy. Poppy, throbbing all over like an aching tooth,turned her back on him. She burrowed into her mother's embrace. â€Å"I'll be back,† James said quietly. It might have been meant as a promise, but it sounded like a threat. â€Å"Not for a while, you won't,† Cliff said in a military command voice. Gazing over her mother's arm, Poppy could see that there was blood on Phillip'sblond hair. â€Å"I think everybody needs a cooling-off period. Now, come on, move.† He led James out. Poppy sniffled and shivered, trying to ignore both the waves of giddiness that swept over her and the agitated murmuring of all the voices in her head. The stereo went on blasting out madcorestomping music from England. In the next two days James called eight times. Poppy actually picked up the phone the first time.It was after midnight when her private line rang, and she responded automatically, still half-asleep. â€Å"Poppy, don't hang up,† James said. Poppy hung up. A moment later the phone rangagain. â€Å"Poppy, if you don't want to die, you've got tolisten to me.† â€Å"That's blackmail. You'resick,†Poppy said, clutching the handset. Her tongue felt thick and her head ached. â€Å"It's just the truth. Poppy, listen. You didn't takeany blood today. I weakened you, and you didn't get anything in exchange. And that could kill you.† Poppy heard the words, but they didn't seem real.She found herself ignoring them, retreating into afoggy state where thought was impossible. â€Å"I don'tcare.† â€Å"You do-care, and if you could think, you'd knowthat. It's the change that's doing this. You're completely messed up mentally. You're too paranoid andillogical and crazy toknowyou're paranoid and illogical and crazy.† It was suspiciously like what Poppy hadrea!izedearlier. She was aware, dimly, that she was acting the way Marissa Schaffer had after drinking a sixpack of beer at Jan Nedjar's New Year's party. Making a ranting fool of herself. But she couldn't seemto stop. â€Å"I just want to know one thing,† she said. â€Å"Is ittrue that you said that stuff to Phillip?† She heard James let his breath out. â€Å"It's true thatI said it. But whatI said wasn't true. It was just toget him off my back.† By now Poppy was too upset to even want tocalm down. â€Å"Why should I believe somebody whose whole lifeis a lie?† she said, and hung up again as the first tears spilled. All the next day she stayed in her state of foggy denial. Nothing seemed real, not the fight withJames, not James's warning, and not her illness. Especially not her illness. Her mind found a way toaccept the special treatment she was getting from everyone without dwelling on the reason forthetreatment. She even managed to disregard her mother's whispered comments to Phil about how she was going downhill so fast. How poor Poppy was getting pale, getting weak, getting worse. And only Poppy knew that she could now hear conversations held in the hallway as clearly as if they were in her own room. All her senses were sharpened, even as her mindwas dulled. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she was startled by how white she was, her skintranslucent as candle wax. Her eyesso green and fierce that they burned. The other six times James called, Poppy's mothertold him Poppy was resting. Cliff fixed the broken trim on Poppy's dresser.†Who would have thought the kid was that strong?† he said. James flipped his cellular phone shut and banged a fist on the Integra's dashboard. It was Thursday afternoon. I low you.That's what he should have said toPoppy. And now it was too late-,she wouldn't even talk to him. Whyhadn'the said it? His reasons seemed stupid now. So he hadn't taken advantage of Poppy's innocence and gratitude †¦well, bravo. All he'd donewas tap her veins and break her heart. All he'd done was hasten her death. But there wasn't time to think about it now. Rightnow he had a masquerade to attend. He got out of the car and gave his windbreaker a twitch as he walked toward the sprawling ranch style house. He unlocked and opened the door without callingto announce his presence. He didn't need to announce it; his mother would sense him. Inside, it was all cathedral ceilings and fashionablybare walls. The one oddity was that every one of the many skylights was covered with elegant custom made drapes. This made the interior seem spacious but dim. Almost cavernous. â€Å"James,† his mother said, coming from the back wing. She had jet-black hair with a sheen like lacquerand a perfect figure that was emphasized rather thandisguised by her silver-and-gold embroidered wrap.Her eyes were cool gray and heavily lashed, like James's. She kissed the air beside his cheek. â€Å"I got your message,† James said. â€Å"What do youwant?† â€Å"I'd really rather wait until your father gets home†¦.† â€Å"Mom, I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry. I've got thingsto do-I haven't even fed today.† â€Å"It shows,† his mother said. She regarded him fora moment without blinking. Then she sighed, turning toward the living room. â€Å"At least, let's sit down†¦.You've been a little agitated, haven't you, these last few days?† James sat on the crimson-dyed suede couch. Nowwas the test of his acting ability. If he could get through the next minute without his mother sensingthe truth, he'd be home free. â€Å"I'm sure Dad told you why,† he said evenly. â€Å"Yes. Little Poppy. It's very sad, isn't it?† The shadeof the single treelike floor lamp was deep red, and ruby light fell across half his mother's face. â€Å"I was upset at first, but I'm pretty much over itnow,† James said. He kept his voice dull and concen trated on sending nothing-nothing-through hisaura. He could feel his mother lightly probing theedges of his mind. Like an insect gently caressing with an antenna, or a snake tasting the air with its black forked tongue. :†I'm surprised† his mother said. â€Å"1 thought youliked her.† â€Å"I did. But, after all, they're not reallypeople,are they?† He considered a moment, then said, â€Å"It's sort of like losing a pet. I guess I'll just have to find another one.† It was a bold move, quoting the party line. Jameswilled every muscle to stay relaxed as he felt the thought-tendrils tighten suddenly, coiling aroundhim, looking for a chink in his armor. He thought very hard-about Michaela Vasquez. Trying to project just the right amount of negligent fondness. It worked. The probing tendrils slipped away fromhis mind, and his mother settled back gracefully and smiled. â€Å"I'm glad you're taking it so well. But if you everfeel that you'd like to talk to someone †¦ your father knows some very good therapists.† Vampire therapists, she meant. To screw his headon straight about how humans were just for feeding on. â€Å"I know you want to avoid trouble as much as Ido,† she added. â€Å"It reflects on the family, you see.† â€Å"Sure,† James said, and shrugged. â€Å"I've got to gonow. Tell Dad I said hi, okay?† He kissed the air beside her cheek. â€Å"Oh, by the way,† she said as he turned towardthe door. â€Å"Your cousin Ashwillbe coming next week. I think he'd like to stay with you at the apartment-and I'm sure you'd like some companythere.† Over my unbreathing body, James thought. He'dforgotten all about Ash's threat to visit. But now wasn't the time to argue. He walked out feeling likea juggler with too many balls in the air. Back in his car he picked up the cellular phone,hesitated, then snapped it shut without turning it on. Calling wasn't any good. It was time to change hisstrategy. All right, then. No more half measures. A seriousoffensive-aimed where it would do the most good. He thought for a few minutes, then drove toMcDonnell Drive, parking just a few houses awayfrom where Poppy lived. And then he waited. He was prepared to sit there all night if necessary,but he didn't have to. Just around sunset the garage door opened and a white Volkswagen Jetta backedout. James saw a blond head in the driver's seat Hi, Phil. Nice to see you.When the Jetta pulled away, he followed it.