Turn of the century Vermont literature Essay Example For Students

Turn of the century Vermont literature Essay The later half of the nineteenth century and early half of the twentieth century marked a period of great change in the United States. The demography was drastically affected by the influx of immigrants who left their homelands in search of a new life. People off all nationalities, languages, and colors came together as a newfound community to live work amongst one another, regardless of differences. Men sacrificed their homeland at the expense of providing for their families, their ultimate mission. With this new life brought hopes of freedom, opportunity, and work. In modern society, money and material wealth are always at the center of life. The American dream is no longer characterized by a Leave it to Beaver lifestyle, but rather much larger in scale. The world we live in today is a capitalistic society that targets itself at making enormous profits off the funds of consumers. Americans want to be rich so that they can gain more for themselves to fulfill their greed, which never can be fully satisfied. The majority of people in todays society can be characterized as the Takers of the world. This situation that has grown to be the common way of life has blossomed over time into the mess that we observe today. Greed did not always rule society the way it does today. Literature and memoirs from a by-gone era prove this to be especially true. In reviewing such works, much emphasis is placed upon community and family. The man was conventionally the head of the household and would labor intensely to earn the needed resources to supply for his family. None the less, families tended to be larger in those days with the mother at the forefront of household and child duties. Given this, these early people can be easily characterized as Givers. Marie Tomasis Like Lesser Gods illustrates this way of life through the men that came to Granitetown Vermont from lands far away in search of work at the granite quarries. The infinite amount of work was immeasurable which gave security to the people who came to work in this new land of Vermont. In turn, this brought self-fulfillment to the people who worked there. Mr. Tiff recalled a letter he had received from Pietro while in Italy that characterizes his feelings:It is beautiful, this Vermont granite we work, and its lifetime is that of the pyramidsYou ask me if here I am content? I am happy at my work, and happy with my family. Therefore, according to your own teaching that two united affirmatives can but result in a more positive affirmative-I am happy man, Maestro! (Tomasi 13)The words of Pietro to Mr. Tiff clearly illustrate his happiness for his job and his family in America. However, tucked away in the woodwork of this great new world also lay risks that were not doubt unfixable. Pietros happiness was plagued by the notions of Maria that consistently worried about his health as a result of working with granite that came to be known as dusty lungs. We can dress always in our Sunday best, and you ca n sell bread to the living instead of cutting stones for the dead (Tomasi 14). With his family in immediate concern, Pietro felt strongly that he would be foolish to seek a lower salary when there were five mouths to feed (Tomasi 14). Again, this indicates Pietros role as a Giver. We will write a custom essay on Turn of the century Vermont literature specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The jobs that the Granitetown men held were valuable, rewarding, and risky all at the same time. Young boys saw their fathers marvel at the wonders of their world, yet were deterred from playing in the quarries or dreaming of following in their footsteps. Knives and chisels disappeared from their playroom. They were replaced with other gifts (Tomasi 48). A granite worker at this time was truly living in a two-fold world making the most of the now. Stonecutters were all the same. Men against granite. They hated to admit defeat (Tomasi 165). Pietros quality of work long surpassed the work of the man that simply sells goods in a store for another to consume. His dynamic work not only made him happy, but it also offered many lasting rewards that maintained his balance. For me there can never be anything like cutting a beautiful stone and knowing it will last, as I have fashioned it, long after all of us have gone (Tomasi 20). This reward painted a mental image of Pietro not only as a gra nite worker digging an early death, but that of a skilled artist, a martyr. Dorothy Canfield Fisher made a similar claim in her story The Bedquilt. Mehetabel, a woman of sixty-eight, also became an artist in her home and her community through her work in creating a patchwork bedquilt. The bedquilt was made from old clothes that belonged to various members of her family. Mehetabel did not only execute the very design but she also conceived it. Formerly, no true emphasis was placed on her role in the household, except for quiet old maid taken in by the family out of respect. However, when the family caught sight of her contribution, they all became intrigued by what she had to share. .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 , .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 .postImageUrl , .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 , .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96:hover , .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96:visited , .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96:active { border:0!important; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 { 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; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96:active , .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 .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; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96 .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u9494343e0cf4b46724cfd8b9eee79b96:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Mary Queen of scots- biography EssayMehetabels work indeed took her on a rewarding journey from a nobody to a somebody who gained self-esteem. The old woman sat straighter in her chair, held up her head. She was part of the world at last. She joined in conversation and her remarks were listened to (Fisher 38). The quilt that she worked so hard on was an inspiration to her and gave meaning to her life as well. She treasured every God given minute she had to work on her fine creation. Every time she opened the door, no matter what weather hung outside the one small window, she always saw the small room flooded with sunshine (Fisher 36). The quilt became the center of life for Mehetabel as well as for the local people. This praise was no doubtedly more attention than she had ever received. The simple fact that the finished quilt was going to be displayed at the local county fair was more than this old woman could fathom. But her lips were set in a blissful smile (Fisher 40). With this, she hurried to complete every last snitch until it was at last completed: She had truly created a future heirloom in which to treasure. At completion, the quilt was immediately taken out of the possession of Mehetabel. They took it away so quick! I hardly had one good look at it myself (Fisher 39). In was done in such the similar fashion that a newborn child is taken from his mother after birth. After carrying it for 9 months, it is suddenly taken from the person who lovingly cared for it. The quilt was her baby, just as granite was Pietros baby. This caused a temporary void in the life of Mehetabel who began to feel the fulfillment of her creation. Mehetabel longed to see her quilt at the fair and to journey outside of the home that she had been so stationary at for so many years. Upon arrival, she was greeted by many who bombarded her with questions regarding her artistic talents. It was just perfect! Finer even than I thought (Fisher 40). She fixed her eyes on the quilt and gazed at her newborn baby for the first time. Mehetabel worked very hard and was finally enjoying the rewards of fulfillment and gratifying self worth. The Washed Window, a story that Dorothy Canfield Fisher heard several times while growing up in Vermont also deals with the nature and meaning of hard work to create rewards. It is the story of a young Negro Booker T. Washington coming of age after the Civil War had concluded. At that time, he was working at a mine owned by General Ruffner. Education was very limited seen as though public schools were not open to colored people. The only option was to learn their letters in a very crowded, unequipped room full of Negroes. After learning his letters, Washington caught word that Mrs. Ruffner took an interest in the education of the Negroes that worked for her. The pay was five dollars, but he decided to pursue the opportunity regardless. What could be worse than the way I was living and the hopelessness of anything better in the future? (Fisher 206). In this scenario, the character has no one else to please except for himself. Therefore, this reaction symbolizes his earnest desire to better himself. Mrs. Ruffner assigned him the task of cleaning out the shed. Washington had never experienced a clean environment, and therefore did not understand what clean meant to her. After several attempts, she made it clear to him what clean meant. Through this came a sparkling revelation in how to actually make decisions for himself in judging the cleanliness of the shed. What made me sweat was the work I had to do with my mind. Always before, when somebody had given me a piece of work to do, he had stood right ther e to do all the thinking (Fisher 208). Without knowing it, this work that she bestowed upon him may have been the best lesson of all in learningTo complete the cleaning task, he finished by washing the glass window, something he had never experienced living in a hut of squalor. To me it looked like a parlor. I was proud of it. Till then, I had never been proud of anything I had done (Fisher 210). The final touches on the window exclaimed the new light that had been projected through this poignant learning experience. Lessons of as great value to me as any education I ever had in all my life (Fisher 210). Mehetabel and Pietra similarly felt this fulfillment that marked Washington alike. Each person was incredibly different in nature and background, yet exemplified the nature of meaning and work as it applied to their lives. In turn, it made them stronger people who gave of themselves to form their individual identities. These Vermonters shine on with a unique simplicity and provide i nspiration alike for readers exploring life projected from a day gone by. The are all stories of wonderful people and very beautiful artists as well.

Choosing the Best School for Your Child

Choosing the Best School for Your Child Finding the best school for your child can seem like a chore. Lets be honest, with educational budgets being slashed regularly in the US, you worry about whether or not your child is getting the best education possible. Maybe youre thinking about alternative high school options, which can vary from homeschooling and online schools to charter schools and private schools. The options can be overwhelming, and parents often need some help.   So, exactly how do you go about deciding if your current school is meeting your childs needs? And if its not, how do you go about choosing the right alternative high  school option for your child? Check out these tips.   Does Your Childs School Meet His or Her Needs? When you evaluate your current  school, and when you look at potential alternative high school options, be sure to not just think about this current year, but also consider the years ahead. If your child is struggling now, can the school provide the necessary support to augment mainstream classes?Is the school challenging your child enough? Are there advanced classes offered?Does the school offer the academic and extracurricular programs that your child wants? Its important to make sure that  the school your child attends is the best fit for the long haul.  Your child will grow and develop in that school, and you want to be aware of how the school will change over time. Does the school change from a caring, nurturing lower school to a demanding, competitive middle and upper school? Gauge the temperature of all the divisions before selecting a school. Does Your Child Fit in at His or Her Current School? Switching schools can be a big choice, but if your child doesnt fit in, he wont be successful. Does your child enjoy going to school?Does your child have an active, healthy, and engaged social life?Is your child involved in multiple sports and activities? The same questions should be asked if youre looking at potential new schools. While you may be tempted to gain admission to the most  competitive school  possible, be sure that your child is a good fit for the school and that it won’t be too demanding- or too easy- down the road. Don’t try to shoehorn your child into a school that doesn’t nurture her interests and talents just to say hes enrolled at a name-brand institution. Its also important to make sure that the classes meet your childs needs.   Can You Afford to Switch Schools? If switching schools is becoming an obvious choice, its important to consider the time and financial investment. While homeschooling is usually very low cost, its a major time investment. Private school might require less time than homeschooling, but more money. What to do? Consider these questions as you do some research and make your decisions. How much time do you as the parent have to invest in your childs schooling?Is your home an appropriate place for learning?What costs are associated with your alternative school option?Does a potential  new school have a tuition fee?Are there vouchers you need to obtain?Will switching schools require additional commuting or special arrangements for childcare and transportation?How will switching schools affect your familys daily life?Will you need to apply for financial aid at a private school? These are important questions to consider as you explore the option of finding an alternative school. Decide Whats Best for Your Entire Family While everything might point to private school or homeschooling as the right fit for your child, you need to consider the various implications on the entire family and you. Even if youve found the perfect private school, if you cant afford it, then youre going to do your child and your family a disservice if you head down a path thats not realistic. You may want to provide a homeschooling or online school experience, but if you dont have the proper time to invest in ensuring this form of study is properly carried out, youre putting your child at a disadvantage. The right solution will be a win for everyone involved, so weigh your options carefully.   If you decide that private school, in particular, is the best route for the entire family and the child, then consider these tips for finding the best private school. With hundreds of them available in the United States, theres a school out there that will fit your needs. It can be overwhelming to get started, but these tips will help you make the most of the private school search. Consider Hiring an Educational Consultant Now, if youve decided that switching schools is crucial, and a private school, in particular, is your top choice, you might hire a consultant. Of course, you can research schools yourself, but for many parents, they are lost and overwhelmed by the process. Theres help, however, and it can come in the form of a professional educational consultant. You will appreciate the sage counsel and experience that this professional brings to the table. Be sure to use a qualified consultant, and the best way to make sure of that is to only use those endorsed by the Independent Educational Consultants Association, or IECA. However, this tactic comes with a fee, and for middle-class families, that fee might not be affordable. Not to worry ... you can do this yourself. Make a List of Schools This is the fun part of the process. Most private schools have websites with great photo galleries and video tours, with ample information available about their programs. So you and your child can surf the internet together and find plenty of schools to consider. It is a very efficient way of making that first cut. We recommend saving the schools to your favorites as you find them. It will make a serious discussion of each school easier later on. Private School Finder has thousands of schools with their own websites. It is really important that you and your child understand each others  needs when it comes to choosing a school. By all means, guide the process. But dont impose your ideas on your child. Otherwise, shes not going to buy into the idea of going to a private school or may be resistant to the school you think is right for her. Then, using the spreadsheet mentioned above, make a short list of 3 to 5 schools. Its important to be realistic about your choices, and while you want to aim high for your dream schools, its also important to apply to at least one safe school  where you know your chances of acceptance are high. Also, consider if a competitive school is right for your child; schools that are known for being really competitive arent right for everyone.   Visit Schools This is critical. You simply cannot rely on the opinions of others or a website to tell what a school is really like. So schedule a visit for your child whenever possible. It will give her a good feel for her prospective new home away from home. It can also give parents peace of mind, knowing where their child will be spending their time.   Make sure you personally visit and inspect each school on your list. The schools want to meet you and interview your child. But you need to meet the admissions staff and ask them questions too. It is very much a two-way street. Do not be intimidated by the interview. When you are  visiting the school, look at the work on the walls and get an idea of what the school values. Be sure to visit classes and try to speak with teachers and students. Does the school seem to be the kind of place in which your child will thrive?Do the teachers seem capable of bringing out her talents?Do they seem committed to helping children learn? ​Attend an admission event, like an open house, to hear from top administrators, like the head of school, as well as other parents.  The headmaster can set the tone for a private school. Try to attend one of his or her speeches or read his or her publications. This research will acquaint you with the values and mission of the current school. Don’t rely on old assumptions, as schools change a great deal with each administration. ​Many schools will allow your child to attend classes and even stay overnight if it’s a  boarding school. This is an invaluable experience that will help your child understand what life at the school is really like, and if they can envision living that life 24/7.   Admissions Testing   Believe it or not, admission tests can help you find the best school for your child. Comparing test scores may help you better judge which schools may be the best ones to apply to, as average test scores are typically shared by the schools. If your childs scores are considerably lower or even higher than the average scores, you might want to have a conversation with the school to make sure the academic workload is adequate for your child.   Its important to prepare for these tests, too. Your child may be extremely smart, even gifted. But if she has not taken a couple of practice admissions tests, she will not shine on the real test. Test preparation is important. It will give her that edge she needs. Dont skip this step.   Be Realistic While its tempting for many families to fill their lists with names of the top private schools in the country, thats not the point. You want to find the best school for your child. The most elite schools may not offer the type of learning environment that is best for your child, and the local private school might not challenge your child enough. Spend some time getting to know what the schools offer and what your child needs in order to succeed. Choosing the best private school for your child is crucial. Apply for Admission and Financial Aid Dont forget that choosing the right school is just the first step. You still need to get in. Submit all applications materials on time and pay attention to application deadlines. In fact, wherever possible, submit your materials  early. Many schools offer online portals where you can track the progress of your application and stay on top of missing pieces so you can easily meet your deadlines.   Dont forget to apply for financial aid. Almost every private school offers some kind of financial aid package. Be sure to ask if you feel that you will need assistance. Once you have submitted your applications, thats pretty much it. Now all you have to do is to wait. Acceptance letters are typically sent out in March for schools with January or February admissions deadlines. You need to respond by an April deadline. If your child is wait-listed, dont panic. You shouldnt have to wait too long to hear one way or the other, and there are tips for what to do if you are waitlisted.

Place Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Place - Research Paper Example In the book, Tropic of Chaos, the author, Christian Parenti talks about the core issues and critical problems associated with the harsh environment of East Africa, ‎US borders and mountain region located in Afghanistan, as well as the political turmoil with reference to Rio De Janeiro slums. The book presents quite a compelling description of the bloody war and political turmoil faced by the regions under discussion. This historical analytical account provides insight on episodes of terror and transformation through ‎fact-based knowledge in support of the new worlds where there could be melting glaciers meet beautiful rivers and ‎abundance of refreshing green grass. The author portrays a realistic for the readers that are ‎basically outside of the privileged US class. Parenti’s hardnosed journalism describes the issues ‎related to climate change from a personal perspective and divulges the discussion of the issues that were not explored so deeply by any other writer in such a detailed and analytical manner (Parenti 154). Globalization has impacted both positively and negatively on society and corporations, in which the negative impacts have hindered realization of human dignity and moral values (Nwaogaidu 9). A person’s confirmation of human dignity is influenced by the realization of moral development and its negative causes, and this is what drives an individual to seek achievement a world where an individual’s dignity is entirely valued. The poor in Nigeria thought that because of belonging to a certain ethnic group, a particular neighborhood, or a particular background of education, they were weak to stand up against their poverty. Subsequently, it was a question of whether the poverty was due to overpopulation or vice versa, or individuals became poor because of bearing too many children, or they had created large numbers of responsibilities on their own that they could not

Letrery anaylesis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Letrery anaylesis - Essay Example As the author, John Updike sets the story in an ordinary environment, where people have become accustomed to the monotony of everyday life. Sammy and the other attendants are used to serving grumpy customers, for example that woman who is at the counter when the three girls come in. Sammy describes her as â€Å"†¦one of those cash-register-watchers, a witch about fifty with rouge on her cheekbones and no eyebrows†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Updike 31). This kind of setting makes the girls stand out from the rest of the crowd, thus making Sammy mesmerized (Updike 32). The characters in the story are also well presented to fit their roles. For instance, Sammy is portrayed as a light-hearted teenager who is naturally attracted to the sight of the half-clothed girls. Sammy’s colleague Stokesie is portrayed as a young man who is forced to be responsible due to the fact he is married and has two kids. The most interesting character is Queenie who is the leader of the girls and is the epitome of beauty in a woman. Her beauty and the way she carries herself is enough to cause Sammy to quit his job in protest after Lengel embarrasses the girls because of their dressing. Updike uses a lot of imagery to add flavor to the story. For example, the herring snacks and beer glasses are used to show how rich the girls are, to be able to afford all those items. Updike also uses imagery to give the reader a clear picture of how the old people are stubborn. For example, Sammy talks about the old witch whose feathers he has to smooth. On the contrary, Queenie symbolizes beauty, and all that a woman should have (Updike

Psychology Articles Essay Example for Free

Psychology Articles Essay 1. Glazer, H. R., Clark, M. D., Stein, D. S. (2004). The Impact of Hippotherapy on Grieving Children. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing 6(3), 171-175. This article is a study on the effects of hippotherapy or therapeutic riding on grieving children affected by the death of a family member. The topic focuses on the grieving of children specifically because of the observation that their bereavement often coincides with issues relating to their natural growth and development. Thus, sometimes it is difficult to ascertain whether a child’s reaction should be properly classified as growth or grief (Glazer, Clark Stein, 2004). In order to add substantial information on the literature on childrens bereavement, the authors conducted a study that would determine how a 6-week hippotherapy program would work on grieving children. They sought to determine how stakeholders, such as the parents, children, and adult volunteer would perceive the program (Glazer, Clark Stein, 2004). The study involved a 6-week program where selected children with ages 4 to 14 stayed at the Buckeye Ranch for sessions that taught them how to ride horses. Each session ended with the children telling the things they learned for that session. The parents and adult volunteers were also asked to reflect on their perception of the therapeutic riding session. The authors found positive results from the study, consisting of increased confidence, self-esteem, and trust among the children. The children also gained communication skills as a result of the study. Finally, both guardians and parents found the riding therapy as a positive experience. Thus, they concluded that riding therapy is a good way for finding expression of grief. 2. Andrews, C. R. Marotta, S. A. (2005). Spirituality and Coping Among Grieving Children: A Preliminary Study. Counseling and Values 50, 38-50. This article describes grief as a natural part of human experience. The authors of this paper, however, note that literature on grieving mostly focus on adults coping mechanisms. Particularly, literature on adult bereavement focuses on religious practices and spiritual beliefs as effective coping mechanisms. Therefore, the authors aimed to extrapolate from such literature and attempt to apply major themes among grieving children (Andrews Marotta, 2005). The authors completed a sample size of 6 children between the ages of 4 and 9, coming from various institutions. All participants experienced death within the family in the past 18 months before the period of the study. Parents consent was secured from each participant. During the 3-month study period, children, parents, and main caregivers were given semistructured interviews. Such interviews led to qualitative data. There were also check-in sessions conducted every month. The study utilized a phenomenological approach so that specific aspect so f bereavement could surface (Andrews Marotta, 2005). The authors found that children’s grief are not necessarily similar to that of adults. Children grieve repeatedly as they go from one developmental stage to the next. Certain objects or mechanisms were also found to have been effective in dealing with the grief of children, such as puppets, games, bibliotherapy, and drawings. They also note that certain spiritual aspects like linking objects and connection through metaphorical play may play a huge role in comforting grieving children (Andrews Marotta, 2005). 3. Abeles, N., Victor, T. L. Delano-Wood, L. (2004). The Impact of an Older Adults Death on the Family. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 35(3), 234-239. This article reviews extant literature on issues of death and dying. Specifically, it is concerned with the impact on the death of an older member of a family to surviving members, particularly on surviving adult children. It also aims to derive implications for treatment based on the study (Abeles, Victor Delano-Wood, 2004). The methodology involved a simple review of literature, both on theoretical and empirical levels, on the topic of death and bereavement. Based on such literature review, the authors suggested individual or play therapy, psychoeducation, and different interventions as treatment options for grief. The authors likewise concluded that each individual may cope with loss or death of a family members in different ways. Some may not undergo the usual stages of grief. Thus, understanding of various coping mechanisms could also help surviving family members in dealing with grief (Abeles, Victor Delano-Wood, 2004). 4. Ens, C. Bond, J. B. (2007). Death Anxiety in Adolescents: The Contributions of Bereavement and Religiosity. Baywood Publishing Co., Inc., 169-184. This article aims to determine possible relationships between religiosity, bereavement, and death anxiety levels of adolescents. This is done to achieve greater understanding of adolescents, who face difficult challenges during bereavement (Ens Bond, 2007). The authors conducted a study with 226 adolescents as participants. These participants have ages ranging from 11 to 18 and come from rural and urban private schools. Both the parents and student participants gave written consent before participating in the study. The authors formulated one questionnaire that consisted of several scales that measure bereavement, religiosity, and death anxiety. This questionnaire was administered to participants and the data was analyzed (Ens Bond, 2007). The data showed a strong correlation between death and grief due to death in the family. Consequently, the authors concluded, grief due to bereavement was the only factor found to independently contribute death anxiety for adolescents. Finally, the authors found weak relationship between death anxiety and personal religiosity (Ens Bond, 2007). 5. Papadatou, D., Metallinou, O., Hatzichristou, C. Pavlidi, L. (2002). Supporting the bereaved child: teacher’s perceptions and experiences in Greece. Mortality 7(3), 324-339. This article reports a national survey conducted by the authors, aimed at determining how Greek teachers perceived bereaved children. More specifically, this study aimed to analyze experiences of children who grieved the death of a relative and a classmate. These aims result from the belief that grief is affected by the level of support received by bereaved children (Papadatou, Metallinou, Hatzichristou Pavlidi, 2002). The authors selected participating population by applying a specific criterion on a list of Greek schools provided by the Ministry of Education, National Statistical Service. The authors handed out 3,500 questionnaires among Greek educators, and data was gathered from the responses (Papadatou, Metallinou, Hatzichristou Pavlidi, 2002). The national survey resulted in several important findings. For one, it appears that Greek educators feel that the experience of death in the family or classmate negatively affect the performance of a bereaved child in school. Moreover, educators who had more years in experience as teachers had more opportunity to observe grieving children and the effect of bereavement on them. Finally, most educators appeared comfortable talking to bereaved students and cooperate with their family to help them cope with their loss (Papadatou, Metallinou, Hatzichristou Pavlidi, 2002). 6. Charkow, W. B. Inviting Children to Grieve. Professional School Counseling. This article discusses the importance of grieving for children who have experienced death in the family. It reviews literature and shows how society and families often shield children from the fact of death. This paper aims to establish the importance of grieving for children by showing how shielding children affects them (Charkow). The article basically reviews literature on death and the responses to its experience. These factors affect how the loss of a person through death could be traumatic to a child. For example, the relationship of the child with the deceased is a relevant factor to consider. Through the study of extant literature on bereavement, the author laid down several implications for stakeholders, such as parents, teachers, and counselors. The author concludes that being up front with children about the realities of death would lead them to cope properly through understanding and grieving appropriately. 7. Cohen, J., Goodman, R. F., Brown, E. J. Mannarino, A. (2004). Treatment of Childhood Traumatic Grief: Contributing to a Newly Emerging Condition in the Wake of Community Trauma. Treatment of Childhood Traumatic Grief After 9/11, 213-216. This article is a response to the events of the 9/11 attack in New York City, which resulted in the death of many parents. The authors report that more than 10,000 children lost parents and loved ones on that fateful day. Hence, the authors concern about childhood traumatic grief (Cohen, Goodman, Brown Mannarino, 2004). This article basically reviews extant literature on childhood traumatic grief, particularly those relating to treatment interventions and psychotherapeutic approaches to childhood traumatic grief (Cohen, Goodman, Brown Mannarino, 2004). After reviewing literature on interventions to childhood traumatic grief, such as client-centered therapy, the authors discussed various factors that affect the assessment and treatment of the condition. Finally, the authors provided suggestions for future directions, particularly since the literature on childhood traumatic grief is still in its infancy (Cohen, Goodman, Brown Mannarino, 2004). 8. Crenshaw, D. A. (2005). Clinical Tools to Facilitate Treatment of Childhood Traumatic Grief. OMEGA 51(3), 239-255. This article aims to describe strategies and techniques that address childhood traumatic grief in order to how clinicians how to address youth experiencing such condition. These strategies use themes such as abandonment and attachment (Crenshaw, 2005). This article’s methodology consisted mainly in reviewing and describing various techniques and strategies used in dealing with grieving children. The authors then analyzed how such techniques helped children with their bereavement (Crenshaw, 2005). The strategies described in this article illustrate how themes such as facing unknown dangers and leaving behind loved ones and family help children cope with loss and address unresolved issues (Crenshaw, 2005). References Abeles, N., Victor, T. L. Delano-Wood, L. (2004). The Impact of an Older Adults Death on the Family. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 35(3), 234-239. Andrews, C. R. Marotta, S. A. (2005). Spirituality and Coping Among Grieving Children: A Preliminary Study. Counseling and Values 50, 38-50. Charkow, W. B. Inviting Children to Grieve. Professional School Counseling. Crenshaw, D. A. (2005). Clinical Tools to Facilitate Treatment of Childhood Traumatic Grief. OMEGA 51(3), 239-255. Cohen, J., Goodman, R. F., Brown, E. J. Mannarino, A. (2004). Treatment of Childhood Traumatic Grief: Contributing to a Newly Emerging Condition in the Wake of Community Trauma. Treatment of Childhood Traumatic Grief After 9/11, 213-216. Ens, C. Bond, J. B. (2007). Death Anxiety in Adolescents: The Contributions of Bereavement and Religiosity. Baywood Publishing Co., Inc., 169-184. Glazer, H. R., Clark, M. D., Stein, D. S. (2004). The Impact of Hippotherapy on Grieving Children. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing 6(3), 171-175. Papadatou, D., Metallinou, O., Hatzichristou, C. Pavlidi, L. (2002). Supporting the bereaved child: trachers perceptions and experiences in Greece. Mortality 7(3), 324-339.

SWOT Analysis :: Business Analysis Process

SWOT Analysis What is SWOT Analysis? SWOT analysis is a basic, straightforward model that provides direction and serves as a basis for the development of marketing plans. It accomplishes this by assessing an organizations strengths (what an organization can do) and weaknesses (what an organization cannot do) in addition to opportunities (potential favorable conditions for an organization) and threats (potential unfavorable conditions for an organization). SWOT analysis is an important step in planning and its value is often underestimated despite the simplicity in creation. The role of SWOT analysis is to take the information from the environmental analysis and separate it into internal issues (strengths and weaknesses) and external issues (opportunities and threats). Once this is completed, SWOT analysis determines if the information indicates something that will assist the firm in accomplishing its objectives (a strength or opportunity), or if it indicates an obstacle that must be overcome or minimized to achieve desi red results (weakness or threat) (Marketing Strategy, 1998). Elements of SWOT Analysis Strengths and Weaknesses Relative to market needs and competitors' characteristics, a manager must begin to think in terms of what the firm can do well and where it may have deficiencies. Strengths and weaknesses exist internally within a firm, or in key relationships between the firm and its customers. SWOT analysis must be customer focused to gain maximum benefit, a strength is really meaningful only when it is useful in satisfying the needs of a customer. At this point, the strength becomes a capability (Marketing Strategy, 1998). When writing down strengths, it is imperative that they be considered from both the view of the firm as well as from the customers that are dealt with. These strengths should be realistic and not modest. A well-developed listing of strengths should be able to answer a couple of questions. What are the firm's advantages? What does the firm do well (PMI, 1999)? A customer-focused SWOT may also uncover a firm's potential weaknesses. Although some weaknesses may be harmless, those that relate to specific customer needs should be minimized if at all possible. In addition, a focus on a firm's strengths in advertising is promotion is important to increase awareness in areas that a firm excels in. This method not only evokes a positive response within the minds of the consumer, but pushes the weaknesses further from the decision making process (Marketing Strategy, 1998). Weaknesses should also be considered from an internal and external viewpoint. It is important that listing of a firm's weaknesses is truthful so that they may be overcome as quickly as possible.

ICT AND FILM INDUSTRY

Digital technology in the past decade has totally changed the movie industry. Focusing on the crucial procedures of movie making and the impact that technology had on each of the areas, this research would look at recent reforms in the pre-production part of film making, furthermore we will try to know the new instruments, equipment and storage facilities being used by modern film makers and producers. Film distribution and the adverse impacts that technology has had on the movie industry, majorly on the illegitimate sale and piracy of copyrighted material is scrutinized. Post-theatre film distribution and the revolutionary breakthrough technologies in the industry are explored to look at the continuous changes in education and exercise of professionals in the movie industry. Computer generated graphics and the growing impact ICT has made in the industry is covered and the future of the film industry is predicted. ICT played a lot of positive role in different aspect of the world today. It has touched the medical industries, educational sector, governmental sector and even the movie or film industries. This paper discourse on how ICT have positively impacted the movie/film industry today. If we all remember our young age, we probably think of the 1700s, 1800s, or 1900s when the movie we watch are all cassettes or analog, and probably not durable, with the help of ICT today we can see changes in the video technology in the present world. As revolution continues in the movie industries the impacts of ICT have made the following changes; Technological tools have changed the script writing procedures by making use of the internet, using digital editing tools. The internet is also been used by scriptwriters to forward their scripts to producers, directors and potential cast associates in other to be reviewed by each characters either by peer review in a way of online forums. There has been a crucial increase in the past decade in the use of digital video cameras for film with low budget planning along with high definition video which is set to compete and go beyond the standard 35mm film both in quality and flexibility (culkin & Randle 2003). The post production phase of movie making has possibly been the most important impacted by the new technological inclination. The introduction of non-linear technology has made the use of film edited manually inefficient and time consuming. This procedure involves fixing and putting together film in a virtual screen where the directors, producers, and editors view the output of the film on screen. (culkin & randle 2003. p. 8) The whole course of film making has been completely technology driven, everything from the distribution to the projection of movie to audiences (consumers). However, the absence of commercial agreements between distributors and exhibitors of the films has slowed down the conversion to digital technologies. For instance, only 170 cinemas around the globe have converted to what is recognized as high-end digital (culkin & Randle 2003). Profit margins for the studios are recognizably decreasing, now being out casted or outnumbered by the game industry. So satellite delivery have recently made its first implementation on film industry and reports has shown that upon full execution of film distribution, it can save the film industry of cost of $700 million per year. (markman). A major problem the movie industry has been facing for the past years since the introduction of technology in the industry is the piracy and copyright issue. For this reason copyrighted movies have been easily affordable more than the original film produced for distribution. For movie and music content, these lead to quite a few lawsuits against peer-to-peer networks and individuals as result for stealing and distribution of these movies and music materials. This will always be one of the major industries issues the industry would have to face since the public (consumers) has access to this low cost copyrighted material (peer-2-peer and DVD writers). Nevertheless, the movie industry has endeavored to decrease the risk of piracy of movies by creasing the (CSS) known as content scrambling system in which only authentic DVD or VCD products which contain a certain decryption algorithm can play the particular movie. The same technology also has the capability to rearrange the video and audio on the DVD/CD so that only a DVD with the same decryption algorithm can play the film perfectly. The CSS technology is also designed to prevent users from direct copying of data from DVDs. Though, not long after the CSS technology was introduced, Norwegian teenagers reverse engineered a DVD technology by breaking the code that contain the decryption algorithm and uploaded decryption software for users around the world to use. These means that the movie industry would need to keep updating and also find and option to this difficulties (markman). The post-theatre market accounts roughly for three quarters of movie’s income during its lifetime. The principal of these are ideo rental shops which accounts for nearly half of all profits (). The DVD has completely brought a new dimension to the industry, becoming the fastest growing customer electronics item of all time (culkin & Randle 2003). DVD’s have undeniably increased film studio’s income when it decided to provide movie content to the home consumers with unbelievable picture and sound quality which does not worn out like the old VHS cassettes (markman). A new and rapidly developing area in the dis tribution processes of film industries is â€Å"Movie on demand†. This is a scenario where consumers download their desire movie over the internet instead of going down to their local video store or cinema house. The advantage of this technology is that virtually reduction or no-fees are needed to access the movie and the inconvenience if any when travelling to the video rental store or cinema house (culkin & Randle 2003). Rapid changes in the movie industry in recent years have forced many professionals around the world in audio and graphic industries to acquire new and specialized skills. This is an ongoing development in most industries. An example is that the post-production industries are expected to have continuous upgrades of equipment and software which will lead to continual re-training of employees/crews which in turns increase production costs (culkin & Randle 2003). Future distributions might comprise allowing editors in different countries to editors in various countries to edit film by just gaining access to digitized media on a server without actually leaving the comfort of his or her house. Satellite distributions to cinemas are at the vanguard of future film circulations and distributions. George Lucas, the director of star wars is looking forward to using satellite technology to project the rest of the episode in cinemas. This process of digitally distribution of the film through data projectors is known as E-Cinema (& Randle 2003). It is not expensive and definitely flexible in terms of distribution power; nevertheless Cinemas who wish to implement this new technology would have to acquire substantial expenses when converting to digital projection. This technology is very much still in the development level and the impact is not really seen yet (& Randle 2003). Gregory Huang article titled â€Å"the new face of the movie industry† studies the development in computer animated graphics in past years. Recent blockbuster movies like Spiderman 3 are good examples of how far computer graphics have come in recent years. The movie industry have come to a stage in which every single event in film making process can be computer generated . In past years, the technology illustrations of faces have not looked real when seen a lot closer as it is easier to make non-human objects like dinosaurs real, moreover, improvements in rendering human body or skin, lighting or darkening digital scenes and examining human characters or actors are now allowing animation engineers to manage and take control of every sing movement of pixels in an animated format (skin). Huang (2004) reports that an average budget for a bestseller film cost approximately $150 million where it is exceptional to see more than 50% of funding allocated to just the computer generated effect which in turns raise revenue to about average of $700 million per year. At least we can say that there is no area within the movie industry that has not been impacted by technology over the past years. The major impacts for pre-production phase have been focused on the development of script-writing tools as well as the increase use of internet to distribute script to editors, directors and other important parties within the industry. Generally equipment costs have drastically increased drastically reduced at the same time quality and flexibility of products has increased. The confinement of non-linear technology has all but made hand edited or manually edited movies an extinct and fast-track the whole film editing process (culkin & Randle 2003). The major downside which has increased concerns around film industries around the world is that it has become extremely easy for consumers around the world to copy copyrighted movie material and this keep generating problems in the industries till date. Finally we can say that the advancement in technology would only continue to bring improvement in the movie industries around the world and it is definitely set to revolutionize the industries for years to come.REFERENCECulkin, Nigel & Randle, Keith 2003, Facing the Digital Future: The Implications of Digital Technology for the Film Industry, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire. Huang, Gregory 2004, The New Face of Hollywood, Technology Review, http://www. technologyreview. com/articles/04/09/huang0904. asp? p=0. Markman, David & Vega 2001, Mark, Digital Future: Movie Industry Tries to Keep One Step Ahead of Hackers, Daily Journal, Los Angeles. ICT AND FILM INDUSTRY Digital technology in the past decade has totally changed the movie industry. Focusing on the crucial procedures of movie making and the impact that technology had on each of the areas, this research would look at recent reforms in the pre-production part of film making, furthermore we will try to know the new instruments, equipment and storage facilities being used by modern film makers and producers. Film distribution and the adverse impacts that technology has had on the movie industry, majorly on the illegitimate sale and piracy of copyrighted material is scrutinized. Post-theatre film distribution and the revolutionary breakthrough technologies in the industry are explored to look at the continuous changes in education and exercise of professionals in the movie industry. Computer generated graphics and the growing impact ICT has made in the industry is covered and the future of the film industry is predicted. ICT played a lot of positive role in different aspect of the world today. It has touched the medical industries, educational sector, governmental sector and even the movie or film industries. This paper discourse on how ICT have positively impacted the movie/film industry today. If we all remember our young age, we probably think of the 1700s, 1800s, or 1900s when the movie we watch are all cassettes or analog, and probably not durable, with the help of ICT today we can see changes in the video technology in the present world. As revolution continues in the movie industries the impacts of ICT have made the following changes; Technological tools have changed the script writing procedures by making use of the internet, using digital editing tools. The internet is also been used by scriptwriters to forward their scripts to producers, directors and potential cast associates in other to be reviewed by each characters either by peer review in a way of online forums. There has been a crucial increase in the past decade in the use of digital video cameras for film with low budget planning along with high definition video which is set to compete and go beyond the standard 35mm film both in quality and flexibility (culkin & Randle 2003). The post production phase of movie making has possibly been the most important impacted by the new technological inclination. The introduction of non-linear technology has made the use of film edited manually inefficient and time consuming. This procedure involves fixing and putting together film in a virtual screen where the directors, producers, and editors view the output of the film on screen. (culkin & randle 2003. p. 8) The whole course of film making has been completely technology driven, everything from the distribution to the projection of movie to audiences (consumers). However, the absence of commercial agreements between distributors and exhibitors of the films has slowed down the conversion to digital technologies. For instance, only 170 cinemas around the globe have converted to what is recognized as high-end digital (culkin & Randle 2003). Profit margins for the studios are recognizably decreasing, now being out casted or outnumbered by the game industry. So satellite delivery have recently made its first implementation on film industry and reports has shown that upon full execution of film distribution, it can save the film industry of cost of $700 million per year. (markman). A major problem the movie industry has been facing for the past years since the introduction of technology in the industry is the piracy and copyright issue. For this reason copyrighted movies have been easily affordable more than the original film produced for distribution. For movie and music content, these lead to quite a few lawsuits against peer-to-peer networks and individuals as result for stealing and distribution of these movies and music materials. This will always be one of the major industries issues the industry would have to face since the public (consumers) has access to this low cost copyrighted material (peer-2-peer and DVD writers). Nevertheless, the movie industry has endeavored to decrease the risk of piracy of movies by creasing the (CSS) known as content scrambling system in which only authentic DVD or VCD products which contain a certain decryption algorithm can play the particular movie. The same technology also has the capability to rearrange the video and audio on the DVD/CD so that only a DVD with the same decryption algorithm can play the film perfectly. The CSS technology is also designed to prevent users from direct copying of data from DVDs. Though, not long after the CSS technology was introduced, Norwegian teenagers reverse engineered a DVD technology by breaking the code that contain the decryption algorithm and uploaded decryption software for users around the world to use. These means that the movie industry would need to keep updating and also find and option to this difficulties (markman). The post-theatre market accounts roughly for three quarters of movie’s income during its lifetime. The principal of these are video rental shops which accounts for nearly half of all profits (). The DVD has completely brought a new dimension to the industry, becoming the fastest growing customer electronics item of all time (culkin & Randle 2003). DVD’s have undeniably increased film studio’s income when it decided to provide movie content to the home consumers with unbelievable picture and sound quality which does not worn out like the old VHS cassettes (markman). A new and rapidly developing area in the distribution processes of film industries is â€Å"Movie on demand†. This is a scenario where consumers download their desire movie over the internet instead of going down to their local video store or cinema house. The advantage of this technology is that virtually reduction or no-fees are needed to access the movie and the inconvenience if any when travelling to the video rental store or cinema house (culkin & Randle 2003). Rapid changes in the movie industry in recent years have forced many professionals around the world in audio and graphic industries to acquire new and specialized skills. This is an ongoing development in most industries. An example is that the post-production industries are expected to have continuous upgrades of equipment and software which will lead to continual re-training of employees/crews which in turns increase production costs (culkin & Randle 2003). Future distributions might comprise allowing editors in different countries to editors in various countries to edit film by just gaining access to digitized media on a server without actually leaving the comfort of his or her house. Satellite distributions to cinemas are at the vanguard of future film circulations and distributions. George Lucas, the director of star wars is looking forward to using satellite technology to project the rest of the episode in cinemas. This process of digitally distribution of the film through data projectors is known as E-Cinema (& Randle 2003). It is not expensive and definitely flexible in terms of distribution power; nevertheless Cinemas who wish to implement this new technology would have to acquire substantial expenses when converting to digital projection. This technology is very much still in the development level and the impact is not really seen yet (& Randle 2003). Gregory Huang article titled â€Å"the new face of the movie industry† studies the development in computer animated graphics in past years. Recent blockbuster movies like Spiderman 3 are good examples of how far computer graphics have come in recent years. The movie industry have come to a stage in which every single event in film making process can be computer generated . In past years, the technology illustrations of faces have not looked real when seen a lot closer as it is easier to make non-human objects like dinosaurs real, moreover, improvements in rendering human body or skin, lighting or darkening digital scenes and examining human characters or actors are now allowing animation engineers to manage and take control of every sing movement of pixels in an animated format (skin). Huang (2004) reports that an average budget for a bestseller film cost approximately $150 million where it is exceptional to see more than 50% of funding allocated to just the computer generated effect which in turns raise revenue to about average of $700 million per year. At least we can say that there is no area within the movie industry that has not been impacted by technology over the past years. The major impacts for pre-production phase have been focused on the development of script-writing tools as well as the increase use of internet to distribute script to editors, directors and other important parties within the industry. Generally equipment costs have drastically increased drastically reduced at the same time quality and flexibility of products has increased. The confinement of non-linear technology has all but made hand edited or manually edited movies an extinct and fast-track the whole film editing process (culkin & Randle 2003). The major downside which has increased concerns around film industries around the world is that it has become extremely easy for consumers around the world to copy copyrighted movie material and this keep generating problems in the industries till date. Finally we can say that the advancement in technology would only continue to bring improvement in the movie industries around the world and it is definitely set to revolutionize the industries for years to come. REFERENCE Culkin, Nigel & Randle, Keith 2003, Facing the Digital Future: The Implications of Digital Technology for the Film Industry, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire. Huang, Gregory 2004, The New Face of Hollywood, Technology Review, http://www. technologyreview. com/articles/04/09/huang0904. asp? p=0. Markman, David & Vega 2001, Mark, Digital Future: Movie Industry Tries to Keep One Step Ahead of Hackers, Daily Journal, Los Angeles.