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Essay on The Challanges Faced by the Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company distributing the Coca-Cola product has faced many macroeconomic variables that indicate trends in the economy. A reduction in consumer confidence in the United States, resulting in lower product sales, has been offset by rising sales in overseas markets. Coca-Cola has combated problems such as unemployment, global warming, and rising interest rates. The Coca-Cola Company looks to new programs to encourage employment, additional ways to provide water for their product, and good management to maintain a healthy credit rating. Impact of Economic Variables on the Coca-Cola Product With an American economy that often tethers on the brink of recession, a study of the variables that affect supply and demand of the†¦show more content†¦It is believed that unemployment of our youth can threaten the overall global economy. Kent feels by reducing that number of 75 million by 1%, it could boost the economy by $75 billion and challenges other business to reach out to the future – our youth (Moye, 2014). Coca-Cola is committed to addressing the problem of unemployment of younger workers by starting a program call Global Shapers that can help with education and employment of the youth in hopes of stabilizing the economy. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) â€Å"The gross domestic product (GDP) is one of the primary indicators used to gauge the health of a country’s economy† (What is gdp, n.d.). It is the monetary value of goods and services (â€Å"What is gdp,† n.d.). The value can be determined by adding what everyone earned or what everyone spent (â€Å"What is gdp,† n.d.). Global droughts have put a damper on Coca-Cola in the past decade (Davenport, 2014). They have caused a shortage of water, which is needed in the production of soda (Davenport, 2014). This has had a negative effect on Coke’s balance sheet (Davenport, 2014). Due to the increasing negative effect, â€Å"the company has embraced the idea of climate change as an economically disruptive force† (Davenport, 2014). Global warming is being cited as being a contributing factor to GDP. â€Å"Coca-Cola reflects a growing view among American business leaders and mainstream economists who see global

Drugs and athletes Essay Example For Students

Drugs and athletes Essay In many schools athletes are required to sign a contract in order to play sports. The contracts include of many rules and regulations that prohibit activities that will jeopardize the athletes performance. The use of drugs and alcohol are strictly forbidden. Vandalism and other actions that would result in any type of illegal happenings is also banned. The main problem with the contracts is that the students dont always obey them. Many athletes will still go out and party and drink and smoke and get into other activities that will harm their minds and bodies. Stimulants are drugs that stimulate the central nervous system and produce an increase in alertness and activity. They include caffeine, cocaine, and the amphetamines. The amphetamines are composed of three closely related drugs that stimulate the central nervous system and promote a feeling of alertness and an increase in speech and general physical activity. Some people take these drugs under medical supervision to control their appetite, but many of these drugs are used at parties to get high. Overuse and abuse have been associated with all of the stimulant drugs, but risks are the greatest with the amphetamines and cocaine. Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain and often induce sleep. Narcotics include opium and drugs derived from opium, such as morphine, codeine, and heroin. Narcotics also include certain synthetic chemicals that have a morphine-like action, such as methadone. Most of these drugs will leave a lasting effect for more then one day. Like a hangover from alcohol, th ese drugs will make you extremely tired or even sick the next day. Drugs are prohibited by athletic departments because they alter your performance. If an athlete uses one of these drugs they can have lasting effect on them sometime during a game or at practice. All drugs are illegal, and by athletes using them they set a bad example. Many younger students look up to the star athletes in a school and if they use drugs that is not a good impression to make. Schools do have punishments for athletes caught violating the contract but most of the time they arent harsh enough. Drugs are a very serious problem in all students lives, but if athletes use them they can have a even worse effect. They could even jeopardize possible scholarships that an athlete could achieve. Drugs in any shape or form have soo much of a seriouseffect of the body that noone should even want to do them and if they do theyre only wasting their own lives away. Bibliography:

Management of Academic Form free essay sample

The academic grade of a student is a scale which determines students who need more improvement and require more assistance which will help teachers in guiding them towards their development. It also shows where students excel most so they can be honed and encouraged to continue their good work, improve more, and aim higher. Form137 is an academic form that contains grades of the student from 1st year to 4th year; this will be the reference for the judgment of whether a student can step up to a higher level of learning or remain to be polished. From these reasons, it is clearly concluded how important it is to make sure that the grades of the students are accurately calculated and safely stored in a well-founded database. Knowing grades especially at the end of the semester is the most awaited and most important part of individual student because it’s a way of measuring he’s/her performance whether he or she passes the subject or not. We will write a custom essay sample on Management of Academic Form or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Unfortunately, the most common problem encountered by these students is the delay in releasing their grades and their form 137. Of course, there are many factors affecting the delay of releasing their grades. First, this is due to the manual procedure in releasing the grades of the students to the registrar. Secondly, grading system is present but it is designed locally and lastly, Teachers are not uploading their grades to the registrar on time. Remember that we in the era of high technology that are mandated to improve efficiency in the delivery of services to our clientele. It is the obligation of the school or university to release the grades of the students immediately by using a computerized system that is why the researcher came up with the idea to develop a system entitled â€Å"E-Form 137 Management Information System of Isulan National High School†. Objectives of the Study This study aims to develop E-Form 137 Management System of Isulan National High School. Specifically, this study aims; 1. Provide a system that can manage student’s information. 2. Provide a system that can manage academic grades of students from 1st year to 4th year. 3. Generate report such as; a. Student’s Form 137 b. Student’s List 4. Evaluate the system by its; a. Functionality b. Effectiveness c. Accuracy Conceptual Framework of the Study The figure 1 above shows the conceptual framework of the study The figure above shows the conceptual framework of the study through Input, Process, and Output presentation. The input shows the basic manual requirements for developing the system. In the manual requirements the researcher must have the knowledge in the following areas in order to understand the problem and also be able to determine the problem or improve conditions. The process shows the pace of activities and procedure in order to develop the output which is the proposed project entitled â€Å"E-FORM 137 MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF ISULAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL†. Afterwards, the output, the main functionality of the program has been done and a percent of the program has been finished its time for testing and if there were no problem that is foreseen it’s time to implement. Significance of the Study The proposed system is very helpful to the registrar office In-charge personnel. The aim of this project is to provide a quick processing of the student’s grades to produce academic form-137. It is to ensure that all student grades have been added to a certain database. This study is designed to achieve affectivity in collecting and retrieving of students’ form-137 records. Since the registrar’s office at Isulan National High School has not yet established a computerized system. Scope and Limitation The study will focus on creating a computerized system for managing student’s grades to easily produce academic form-137 and quick process of transactions in the office of the registrar of Isulan National High School. The proposed system major software requirements are; programming language of Visual Basic 6. 0 SP6 and MS Access as the backend of the system, a system unit with operating system for Windows XP. Operational Definition of Terms Accuracy (description) Clients An application or system that accesses a remote service on another computer system. Computer It is computing device that performs mathematical and logical calculations, processes, retrieves and store programmed information. Database A database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated. In one view, databases can be classified according to types of content: bibliographic, full-text, numeric, and images. Effectiveness the quality of being able to bring about an effect and also the capacity to produce strong physiological effects E-Form 137 form contains the grades of the students from first year to forth year high school. Functionality Capable of serving a purpose well Grades A body of students who are taught together Manage Handle effectively and to achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods Organize Arrange by systematic planning and united effort Student A learner who is enrolled in an educational institution System It is an organized set of related components established to accomplish a certain task System Design It is the process of developing a plan for an improved system, based on the result of the system. System Analysis It refers to the process of studying an existing system to determine how it works and how it meets user needs. CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES School Management System Fed up with struggling with a system, which seems to add to your workload, which doesnt work the way your school does? Do you want a scalable computerized system with plenty of timesaving features that help to get jobs done accurately and quickly? Do you want professional-looking reports and correspondence? Then look at School Management System. The appearance of your student records says a lot about the quality of your school. Other educators and registrars make judgments based on student records that can permanently affect a students life. SMS capabilities include the basics such as transcripts, report cards, attendance, and discipline as well as many other specialized capabilities, including parental access to real time student grades on the Internet. This means that not only administrators but also parents, teachers, and students have access to real-time data. With traditional reporting methods parents may not find out how their student is performing in school until the end of the quarter or semester usually too late to correct a problem situation. SMS allows parents to know how their student is doing on a continual basis by using the internet. SMS can even send electronic progress reports to parents via email on a weekly, monthly, or even daily basis. You operate a quality program—NOW you can be sure your records communicate that quality. Here realizes the need for an effective school management system and that is exactly what we are striving for! The School Management System (SMS) will replace the paper-based data collection and information exchange system among the various departments of a particular school. The School Management System provides an innovative solution for Today’s school record-keeping challenges. This school management software will give you room to handle your responsibilities whether you’re just starting or are an experienced professional. (http://www. papercamp. com/essays/SchoolManagement-System-973638. html) Computerized Grading System of Romblon State University Cajidiocan Campus Grading System is designed to provide incentive reward for achievement and assist in identifying problems of the student. Grading System is the most commonly used in computing and analyzing the performance, talent and skills of students? It is the important record to keep even for the longest time for the referral and credentials of the student to enter their next level of attaining their goals. It is the tract record that recognizes of one student, this maybe use for analyzing of your attitude and values. Based on the research the school of Romblon State University Cajidiocan Campus is using a manual computation of grades of each student, which is the traditional use when technology is not yet developed. Manual computation is very prompt to risk for any circumstances. It is time consuming in terms of recording grades, computation using of calculator. If some records are lost, they never retrieve it in case of unexpected calamity. Accuracy and security is not been so defined. 1. The computerized grading system is more significance than the manual as follows: 2. No using of paper and pencil. 3. Rush hour submission of grades. 4. A slow process of retrieving and releasing of records. 5. All the results from the gathered by teacher from the students grades has capable to enter efficiency and has a friendly used. 6. The teacher will lessen their time and effort for computing of grades. (http://www. studymode. com/essays/Thesis-Computerized-Grading-System-644114. html) Quality Management System Quality is a word which has been used for a very long time, lots of books have been written about it, and many of the world scientists have defined it in many different ways. In this research paper, I will emphasis on the Quality Management System, why is it important? What is it used for? What is the importance of having a Quality Management System? Many people think implementing QMS costs a lot and all the benefit is a piece of a paper which say that your company is certified in having QMS so you can only hang this picture or certificate on the wall and tell your smart customer that you have it. In fact, no blames on them, they have not used this system yet, they do not know that this system save a lot and a lot of money for companies. They do not know that this system create a dynamic motion within the companies so everyone know what he/she is doing, everybody understands his/her role, and everyone can feel being an important part of the process then everybody can work towards a clear and unified target. However, having a lot of benefits requires a reasonable cost and in the same time it worth. There are several organizations which are concerned and involved in this issue, those organizations have produced unified standards and those standards have its requirements. The International Standardization Organization which located in Switzerland which has a contribution of 157 countries has produced a standard which is concerned about the QMS. It is known as ISO 9000 family and the ISO 9001 is the one which is concerned about the requirement of the QMS. Of course, that creates the needs for understanding these standards in order to get the certificate from the organization which is authorized by the ISO. That also creates the need for the training which is very important for companies to implement the QMS. The standards have been developed the course of the quality history from needing a quality control to a quality assurance. http://www. studymode. com/essays/Quality-Management-System-136860. html New Grading System and Academic Performance of Third Year Nursing Students of Naga College Foundation The study aims to create understanding of the relationship between the New Grading System to Students Academic Performance. The study will addressed whether the New grading System affects the Academic Performance of the Student. It will show how the New Grading System trigger the Students to study harder. This may change their study habits. And this study may show if the students with the New Grading System levels up the standard of their performance to become a board passer even a topnotch. The Respondent of the study will be centered from student of Nursing Health Science Department of Naga College Foundation who undergo with the new and old grading system. Other data will come to the past and present records of academic performance of the students. This part of the study is important data needed to fulfill the objectives of this study which will be only be supplied with the Nursing Students who undergo with the said grading systems. Grading system enable student achievement to be recognized formally and communicated meaningfully beyond the institution while maintaining an atmosphere in which a spirit of inquiry, personal challenge, and commitment to excellence can flourish. Academic performance generally refers to how well a student is accomplishing his or her tasks and studies. It will be a tool to determine whether the student performs well in the academically. As a sample; almost one half of the class of Nursing Student, level three, Block B failed in major subjects since New Grading System was implemented. This study will show how the different factors might bring them failed, if it is because of the new grading system or its just in their study habit. (http://www. studymode. com/essays/New-Grading-System-And-Academic-Performance-585586. html) Assessment of Registrars Office Education has been a vital role in a person’s development. As an institution of higher learning, University of Cebu is committed to an authentic education that is founded on the principles of humanity, nationalism and academic excellence. It provides students different opportunities to attain success. Various institutions offer different kinds of services from high class teachers, good teaching methodology, down to hard working janitor. These institutions have different styles and standards. Each has its own individuality and appeal to the people. Furthermore, among their many differences would be in how they manage and provide their clientele with value added transactions through positive customer service interactions. The customer’s expectation is to feel important and assisted during the interactions that ultimately lead to their desired end result. Registrar’s office of UCLM is one of the departments of the university who provide services to the students, parents, and inquirer who needs information. Students, whether they like it or not, can always experience how registrar’s offices provide services. Grade information, students 201 file, TOR, evaluation and adjustment of subjects, changing of grades and correction of name, preparing study loads, giving of diploma, and enrollment verification are some of the services that registrars’ office can provide. This research study assesses the customer satisfaction of students’ services of registrars’ office because some problems regarding the registrars’ services has been observed. One of the researcher experienced bad interaction of registrar personnel that includes the working scholar assigned. She processed her correction of name. She went to registrars’ office for an update that it came to the point that she visited the registrar five times for a follow up of her correction of name. (http://www. studymode. com/essays/Assessment-Of-Registrars-Office-526763. html) San Isidro Elementary School Computerized Grading System (Sies-Cgs) Researches in learning assessment, especially in terms of academic performance, have long criticized traditional rating schemes that provide feedback to students. Because learning is multi-faceted, most critiques of such formats tend to see these as superficial and inadequate arguing that they tend to cover only the areas in learning that are widely rated, leaving other areas in learning under-assessed. As a result, different systems were proposed and varying rating structures were employed by different schools in the country such as point system averaging and weighted averaging. This school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) will be using a new grading system in public elementary and high schools in connection to the implementation of K to 12 BEC (Basic Education Curriculum) program. The traditional numerical values in report cards will be replaced by letter-scheme grading system, with â€Å"A† (abbreviated â€Å"Advanced† level of proficiency) as the highest grade and â€Å"B† (short for â€Å"Beginning†) as the lowest. In the event that this format will be fully implemented in the target school, which in this proposal will be San Isidro Elementary School, the workload of the teachers will be increased because they will have to compute for the numeric equivalent of each letter grades. The proponents of this proposal wish to reduce their workload by eliminating the need for manual computation and recording of each grade. The common problems encountered in manual recording and computations are error- and file-handling, and redundancy. As the workload gradually increases with growing amounts of grades and student lists that need to be attended, it becomes tedious on the part of the teacher to proficiently manage them in time for documentation and file submission to higher education authorities. As such, this paper aims to produce a workable computerized grading system that will address these issues. (http://www. studymode. com/essays/San-Isidro-Elementary-School-Computerized-Gr ading-1099105. html? topic) Chapter III Methodology This chapter presents the methods that the researcher will undertake to conduct the study with the system of development life cycle as basis. Project Development Materials Processor Intel Pentium II H61m-DS2 R3/P8H61-m LX3 R2. 0 Memory 4GB DDR3 Hard Disk 500GB HDD Power Supply ATX Casing w/ Power Supply 600W Monitor 15. 6 LED Monitor KB, Mouse, Mouse Pad, AVR Printer Table 1: Minimum Hardware Requirements Programming Language used Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Database Application MS SQL 2008 Operating System Windows XP/7 Table 2: Minimum Software Requirements Methods to be used in Developing the System System Development Life Cycle is developing to ensure satisfaction of the requirements among existing computerized system. It is a methodology construction to make sure that the design system follows logical approach and technical ways. The figure below shows the five phases of System Development Life Cycle used in developing the proposed system. Sets of related activities are organized into phases: (1) Planning phase (2) Analysis phase (3) Design phase (4) Implementation phase (5) Support phase A. Planning Phase In this phase the researcher will provide a letter of permission to the head of the school wherein the study will be conducted as an initial step. A received copy will then be given back to the adviser as a proof of permission from the administration office. Initial details about the project will then be discussed with the school principal or the assigned personnel. The researchers will come up with a specific plan to follow during the course line of the study In this phase the researchers recognized and identified the problem arising in the construction of the proposed system entitled â€Å"E-Form 137 Management System of Isulan National High School. † The purpose of this phase is to determine the feasibility of the study. B. Analysis Phase The researchers will discuss the system requirements as the analytical in this step through interview, observation, library research and Internet research. Through interview, the researcher were able to identify the problems encountered in the manual system through observation method, the researchers learned and understand to process flow of the present system and able to determine the necessary improvement of the school procedures. The library method was also used to make the researchers understand better and wider about the study. In the analysis stage, the researchers came up with the flow of the present system from which the description of the proposed system was based. The researchers in this phase came up with the cost benefit analysis that describes such plan to acquire any hardware and system needed to build or operate the proposed system. C. Design Phase The next stage is the design, wherein the researchers came up with the design output of the proposed project entitled â€Å"E-Form 137 Management System of Isulan National High School†. In this phase, the researcher will be using the following tools: Context Diagram Data Flow Diagram File Structure Database Structure D. Implementation Phase In this phase, the researcher will implement the specifically to the Registrar’s Office of Isulan National High School with the identified training of the system user as follows. How to run the system How to register on the system How to login using valid username and password How to use the features of the system The results determine and will be observed by running the system in a long period of time. E. Support Phase Primary objective is to keep the system running after its installation The support phase includes two activities: Provide support to end users Maintain and enhance the computer system Budgetary Requirements No. Qty Item Description Unit Cost (Php) Total Cost (Php) A. Hardware 1 1 unit Printer (Canon) Php 1,200. 00 Php 1, 200. 00 B. Software 2 1 pckg. MS Visual Studio 2008 MS SQL 2008 Operating System Php 3,000. 00 Php 3,000. 00 C. Supplies and Materials 3 3 Reams Long couponed bond (substance 20) Php 156. 75 Php 486 . 50 Contingency (10% of the Grand Total) Grand Total Php 4, 199. 85 Table 3. Budgetary Requirements EVALUATION METHODOLOGY Evaluation of any system is crucial part in its development. This will determine if the system works properly, meets the objectives and satisfies the users. Methods of Research This study uses the descriptive method of research to evaluate the system’s functionality, effectiveness in attaining its objectives, accuracy in delivering the outputs on the system Respondents of the Study The respondents of the study are selected Faculty, Staff and Students of Isulan National High School. The numbers of respondents are determined using the following formula. Sloven’s Formula: n = N 1+ Ne2 Where n = number of respondents N = total number of population/users e = margin of error (usually equal to 5% or 0. 05) Data Gathering Procedures and Statistical Tools This study uses a checklist and a rating scale questionnaire to gather the needed data and responses to evaluate the system. The checklist used to evaluate the functionality contains a list of all the buttons, links, forms, and dials, pages etc. included in the system, and for effectiveness, contains the list of all system objectives and deliverables that the

Accounting Problem Maynard Case (B) Essay Example

Accounting Problem: Maynard Case (B) Essay Statement of the Problem Case 3-1 Maynard Company (B) Diane Maynard was grateful for the balance sheets that her friend prepared. In going over the numbers, she remarked, â€Å"It’s sort of surprising that cash increased by $31,667, but net income was only $19,635. Why was that? † Her friend replied, â€Å"A partial answer to that questionis to look at an income statement for June. I think I can find the data I need to prepare on for you. † In addition to the data given in the (A) case, her friend found a record of cash receipts and disbursements, which is summarized in Exhibit 1. She also learned that all accounts payable were to vendors for purchase of merchandise inventory and that cost of sales was $39,345 in June. Questions: 1. Prepare an income statement for June in proper format. Explain the derivation of each item on this statement, including cost of sales. 2. Explain why the change in the cash balance was greater then the net income. 3. Explain why the following amounts are incorrect cost of sales amounts for June: (a) $14,715 and (b) $36,030. Under what circumstances would these amounts be correct cost of sales Given 1. Cost of Sales = $39,345 2. June 1 Balance Sheet [pic] 3. June 30 Balance Sheet [pic] 4. Cash Receipts and Disbursements for the month of June [pic] Solution Question 1. Prepare an income statement for June in proper format. Explain the derivation of each item on this statement, including cost of sales. a) Income Statement: [pic] b) Derivations i. Sales revenue: [pic] ii. Cost of sales: [pic] iii. Operating expenses: [pic] iv. Provision for income tax: [pic] Question 2. We will write a custom essay sample on Accounting Problem: Maynard Case (B) specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Accounting Problem: Maynard Case (B) specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Accounting Problem: Maynard Case (B) specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Explain why the change in the cash balance was greater than the net income. [pic] Change in cash balance was greater than the net income because the company received cash payments (for their sales, receivables and bank loan) more than they paid in cash their payables/liabilities (difference = 31,677): [pic] -Also, looking at the change in non-cash assets vs. the change in liabilities for the month: Change in non-cash assets lt; the change in liabilities, with a difference of $23,742 Question 3. Explain why the following amounts are incorrect cost of sales amounts for June, and under what circumstances would these amounts be correct cost of sales amounts: a) $14,715 $14,715 is the cash purchase of merchandise. This is incorrect because this is only a part of the total merchandise acquired and consumed within the accounting period. Inventory at the start and end of the month must be considered. Also, merchandise purchases even not yet paid must also be considered. This will be correct cost of sales amounts if ) the company has no merchandise inventory at the start of the period b) all purchases of merchandise were paid in cash within the period c) there is no inventory at the end of the period. b) $36,030 $36,030 is the total purchase of merchandise within the period of June. This is incorrect because there is beginning inventory and month-end inventory. This will be correct cost of sales amounts if a) the company has no inventory at the start of the period b) there is no inventory at the end of the period

Leadership theory and practice

Leadership theory and practice Leadership is a social influence process in which a person supports and aids a group of people to accomplish or achieve a common task and goal (Northouse, 2004). Effective leadership is essential in every organization for any task or goal to be successfully achieved.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Leadership theory and practice specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The main function of a leader in every organization is to work towards cohesiveness and unity to see that all the members of the organisation go through an experience that is satisfactory. According to Killan, leadership involves making decisions, achieving results, rendering services, willingness to be different and finally lead others by providing sufficient motivation and understanding which will lead to accomplishment of set tasks and goals (Killan 1952). Personality traits and managerial skills are necessary for any leader to be equipped with for him/her to be able to achieve successful performance in all the tasks he undertakes. A good leader should possess technical skills which he can use to refer to understanding and proficiency of certain kind of activities which involve processing, techniques and procedure. Technical skills enable leaders to be more concerned with how to deal with things and situations. Human skills which include the potentials possessed by the leader which involve his ability to cooperate and work with other people, those whom he manages. Conceptual skill is the ability of the leader to visualize the entire organization (Northouse, 2004). This skill normally enables the leader to recognize and perceive interrelationships of different factors which involve operations carried out within the entire organization. It also involves ability to solve problems of an organization. John Buford who was the Commander of Union Calvary possessed technical skills which enabled him to save the union. He managed to hold back American’s enemy for a long period which saved the favoured union position on the first day. Buford managed to involve his ability and skills to cooperate and work with the military to save Union Calvary from the enemy’s hands.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Leadership concepts strongly relate to power. Socialist such as Weber classified power into three different forms which include tradition, charisma and legal power (Weber 1947). Power can also be categorized into personal power and position power. However, the most widely recognized bases of power in many organizations include coercive, reward, referent and legitimate power. Position power is usually regarded as power that dwells on position regardless of the person holding it. Coercive, reward, referent and legitimate power normally result in position power (Phillips1996). One can say that posi tion power resembles authority. A leader who possesses position power has control over all the activities that take place within the organization; he directs and controls all the activities that take place within the organization. This kind of leader also has a strong say in disciplining and punishing the workers. However, leaders with position power are also limited in some ways. They cannot control or give order on those activities that are not within the organization. On the other hand, personal power is that power that is within an individual regardless of the position he/she holds in the company. Personal power can be related to coerciveness, reward, charisma and expert. A person who possesses personal power has the ability to inspire greater dedication and loyalty among the followers. This strong influence usually comes from the fact that there is a necessity which the followers have to respond to more readily than appeals and requests (Yukl 2009). However, one of the limitati ons of personal power is that the followers can either choose to freely accept or decline the orders of the leader. There are various leadership theories that have been developed, some of which include trait approach theory, behavioural theories, situational theories and transformational theories. Trait theory is set to find characters that are shared by most leaders (Northhouse 2004). This theory tends to find out what makes certain leaders great. It mainly identifies the innate characters and traits possessed by great political, military and social leaders. There are some traits that differentiate leaders from their followers. Such traits include sense of direction and purpose, friendliness, enthusiasm, integrity, decisiveness, faith, intelligence and action (Tead1938).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Leadership theory and practice specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More General Robert E. Lee possessed trait theory and that is why he is considered to be a true legend in America. He had a sense of direction and purpose; he was faithful, intelligent and friendly. Behavioural theory on the other hand concentrates more on the observed behaviours of leaders. This approach mainly considers the manners and the way in which most leaders behave based on subordinates view on the task and relationship the two have. Task behaviours mainly involve goal accomplishment; the ability that leaders have to achieve the set objectives; the leader’s ability to influence the subordinates. Situational theory concentrates on the impact that leadership and followers roles, behaviour and skills have on satisfaction and performance. It mainly emphasizes on environment and behaviour; the leaders are responsible for training subordinates to adopt leadership styles and behaviours in various situations. Organizations such as governmental, business, educational and military greatly demand different types of leadership. Lea ders should adopt the styles of leadership he possesses to solve different situations that demands his attention. Lastly, transformational leadership emphasizes on change and transformation of individuals. General Lee had great confidence in his commanders and left them in the field with orders to follow. Situational theory entails ability of a leader to use his ability to implement and develop a clear vision for the organization. It also involves the ability of workers to perform as self-leaders what is termed as super leadership- â€Å"leading other people to lead themselves. These kinds of leaders are described as heroic or charismatic (Phillips1996). Transformational leadership is also concerned with ethical standards, long term goals and organizational goals. Transformational leaders do have a dynamic vision and personal attraction which normally brings total change in the organization. Leaders are able to motivate, satisfy the needs of the employees and treat them fairly as h umans. General James Longstreet did not manage to perform as self-leader and that means that he did not possess any strong personality as a leader. Longstreet failed to follow Lee’s orders instead he chose to follow his own commands and that made them fail.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Gettysburg is an American film on war which tells of how the Union and Confederate armies tried to fight back to take control of America. Gettysburg was the largest Civil War that involved casualties and combatants. It represented Americans Confederacy best in winning their independence back. However, the full details of Gettysburg war are only known by few historians. This movie achieved good balance in filmmaking and also provision of historical knowledge. The film also captured handful of key concepts not only in battle but also leadership concepts as depicted by three characters: General Robert Lee, General James Longstreet and Lt. Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain. General Robert E. Lee who was the Commander of Army of Northern Virginia was the best and most loved military leader America has ever had; he is considered as a true legend. Lee had unrealistic infallibility and this was seen after the war when some southern historians decided to adopt Lee’s theory which was known as lost cause (Maxwell 2006). This failure was either due to subordinates failure or impossible circumstances. General James Longstreet who was Lee’s favourite and valued Corp Commander was highly blamed for the failure. The story depicts the tension that the two had and which probably led to Gettysburg. Longstreet did not agree with Lee’s strategy during the war at Gettysburg; he failed to execute Lee’s orders in time and in effective manner. He is described in the movie as futile. However, the movie overplayed futility in Longstreet which means that they supported his detractors. Nevertheless, other subordinates were also to blame for the failure since they made lots of mistakes. Lee however took the responsibility for all the failures of the war which brought out the greatness in him. He decided to become accountable for all the loses which made him a great leader. Lt. Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain the commander of Union’s 20th Maine Volunteer Infantr y Regiment used his position power and personal power to defend against the hazards of the war. He fought to death to ensure that the regiment became the flank of the whole Union Army by rushing it to the top and on time. When Chamberlain and his troop reached the battle field, they discovered that the left side of their union line had made a mistake by moving forward leaving space (Maxwell 2006). This position was crucial and tactical which left some parts unoccupied putting them at a great risk of losing the war. However, he used his technical skills to rearrange the team. The militants also followed Chamberlain’s orders and made everything become possible by giving their all even if it meant dying for the sake of gaining freedom for America. This depicted transformational leadership in the story which emphasized on change and transformation of individuals. It entails ability of a leader to use his ability to implement and develop a clear vision for the organization. Chambe rlain employed the tactics known as refusing flank. He refused to bend the line back to form a right angle to prevent outflank. Despite the fact that Chamberlain was overcome by fatigue, he ordered pinwheel pivot bayonet counter to be charged since there was no other option, the ammunition had to be kept running. He had dynamic vision and personal attraction which enabled him to win. Chamberlain is depicted in the movie as a charismatic leader and a real hero as he led his troop into extraordinary actions. In conclusion, Gettysburg not only provides historical knowledge and filmmaking, it also presents leadership concepts and theories which are well evident in some of the great leaders such as Lee and Chamberlain in the movie. Gettysburg leaves the viewer’s think about their own teamwork, leadership and decision making since the three great leaders in the movie presented heroism in leadership. References Killan, M. (1952). The Leadership Challenge. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Northouse, G. (2004). Leadership theory and practice. London: Sage Publications, Inc. Maxwell, F. (2006). Gettsburg. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Routledge. Phillips, D. (1996). Lincoln on Leadership; Executive Strategies for Tough Times. New York: Warner Books, Inc. Tead, K. (1938).Organization Behaviour: Human Behaviour at Work. New York: McGraw-Hill. Yukl, G. (2009). Leadership in organizations 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Weber, M. (1947).Organizational Behaviour and Management. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

Response #2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response #2 - Essay Example When generating a response to this article one must realize the assumption that Americanization has realty increased the commercial industry in the country. In an argument by Outhwaite Americanization defines the true commercial industry in the United States (41). The author further argues that Americanization is responsible for the growth of industries in the United States and around the world that have experienced Americanization (Outhwaite 41). In support to the article, Americanization has now found its roots across the globe as nations like china experienced commercial battles for American industry. Additionally, it is an obvious assumption that major business entities with great histories have their origin in the United States. This is due to the fact that Americanization quickly became an international vice after full dominance of the America market. Outhwaite also argues that it took a less significant time for Americanization to fully dominate the Americas (78). In the article on nationalism, the author fails to identify the true definition of the term. This is because they believe in more than just one definition from a historical point of view. Methodological Nationalism in America dates back to the historical approaches of nationalism. Outhwaite argues that one cannot define nationalism in the United States without considering the fact that the historical definition has a significant weight in defining the term (102). The article however, disregards the argument and focuses on the argument on whether methodological nationalism united or divides the United States. Additionally, the author focuses on the ability of the modern American citizen and government to appreciate the historical approaches to nationalism (Outhwaite 102). In creating a response to the article, one must recognize the fact the article does not provide a true definition of methodological nationalism. The

Does Hand Hygiene Hompliance Increase among Staff Members Aware of a Essay

Does Hand Hygiene Hompliance Increase among Staff Members Aware of a Population of Immuno-Compromised Patients - Essay Example This Challenge is an international reality: no clinic, no hospital, no health-care system, no health post and no dispensary can presently say that compliance with hand hygiene suggestions is not an issue. â€Å"WHO Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in Health Care prepared with the help of more than 100 international experts, are in the testing and implementation phases in different parts of the world. Pilot sites range from modern, high-technology hospitals in developed countries to remote dispensaries in resource-poor villages† (World Alliance for Patient Safety: Who Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (Advanced Draft); A Summary 2005, p. 5). In October 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the campaign for hand hygiene importance worldwide, with the theme â€Å"Clean Care Is Safer Care† (Patient Safety 2012) as part of the Hand Hygiene Health Care draft. This program has already caused many people and organizations to participate, the Ministries of Health from 124 countries agreed to collaborate to lower infection due to poor hand hygiene and support the efforts of WHO. (Allegranzi et al. 2009). Most pathogens transmitted by the hands of health care workers. (Doebbling et al. 1992). All patients on the department develop a side effect of they’re treatment called neutropenic sepsis. Neutropenic sepsis is defined as drop in the white blood cell count, which are the bodies major defense against infections. As some research has found that as little as 47% compliance of hand hygiene in health care workers (Randle et al. 2010). Identification of Research Question/Objectives/Problem/Hypothesis: The research question to be focused on this paper is: â€Å"Does hand hygiene compliance increase among staff members aware of a population of immunocompromised patients’’? Selection and Rationale for the Research Methodology: There are Two Methods of Research: By definition quantitative research deals with quantities and relat ionships   between attributes; it involves the collection and analysis of highly structured data in the positivist tradition (Bowling 2002). Whereas qualitative research can be described as a study of people in there natural social settings and to collect naturally occurring data (Bowling 2002).  Ã‚   Design Method Used: The researcher proposes to utilize the method of quasi experimental design , the method is, nevertheless, a very useful method for measuring social  variables. (Parahoo 2006). The inherent weaknesses in the methodology do not undermine the  validity  of the data, as long as they are recognized and allowed for during the whole  experimental process. Firm statistical analysis can be very difficult due to the lack of proper controls (Polit and Beck 2008). Quasi-experimental design includes choosing groups, upon which a variable is tested, with no any random pre-selection procedures. â€Å"For example, to perform an educational experiment, a class might be arbitrarily divided by alphabetical selection or by seating arrangement. The division is often convenient and, especially in an educational situation, causes as little disruption as possible† (Quasi-Experimental Design 2008). Differences of Quasi Experiment and a True Experiment:

An Investigative Study on the Effectiveness of Incentive Remuneration Research Paper

An Investigative Study on the Effectiveness of Incentive Remuneration - Research Paper Example The research found that majority of the FSCs were inclined to like a larger time period for which incentives are calculated as this allows them to schedule work better. The research recommends that the organizations should have flexible options for incentives remuneration, should enlarge the amount of incentives available to the FSCs and should lengthen the time period to a quarterly period. Incentive remuneration has been traditionally used by organizations to motivate the employees to perform better and has directly been linked to the increased corporate performance (Murphy, 1985). Research has found that incentive remuneration leads to better revenue generation, better sales and overall better performance of the organization (Murphy, 1985; Bartol, 1999; Jordan, 2010). The advent of globalization and liberalization of the financial markets across the globe has resulted in an intense competition between the financial institutions – to not only profit from the business opportunities, but also to recruit and retain top talents. Retaining consultants have often been difficult for financial institutions in a competitive environment (Tan, 2009). This is also stated by Sigler (1999) in the challenges companies face in retaining productive performers. Retaining productive consultants are crucial for financial institution as they are the profit centers of it. However, incentive remunerations are not always embraced enthusiastically by all consultants (Schmidt, 2005). In many instances, management of companies painstakingly plan and set aside budget for such incentive, only to fail with the lack of participation from the employees. The problem that is detected by the researcher is that the employees in the financial institutions are not enthusiastic about the incentive remunerations, in spite of the great amount of time, energy and money that these organizations put in developing and managing the incentive

The Job Interview Process English Language Essay

The Job Interview Process English Language Essay Professor Dennis Mohle, of The Craig School of Business at Fresno State University has authorized this report. The issue is that unemployment in Fresno has gone up in the recent years and finding a good job or internship can be very difficult and stressful. Knowing how to interview well can help to get you the job of your dreams. This report will shed some light on the job interview process and will not stop there; it will also include how to write cover letters and resumes and will show how to properly manage social networking sites, while applying for a job. All of these steps are essential to being successful during the job interview process. The purpose is to carefully and thoughtfully explain to the readers exactly what steps to take in order to do well in the interviewing process. The methodology used for this research assignment spanned a wide variety of business outlooks. These outlooks ranged from business textbooks, published research and surveys. These methods were used because they seemed to be the most informative and provide ample amount of data and statistics. The first source used in this report was textbook, Business Communications: Process Product. The second source was a survey that was done by a writer for AOL Jobs called, What You Wish Youd Known before Your Job Interview. Thirdly, was the MGT110 lecture book titled, Managing Organizational Behavior: What Great Managers Know and Do. For published research, I have an article called Making the Job Interview Work for You. A source used to fully understand the employers perspective was an article from, IUP Journal of Soft Skills titled What to Expect From Across the Table. Another sources used to find statistics is, InternetSafety101.org, where they review and publish statistics on the internet and its safety. Lastly, is an article from About.com that is titled How (and How Not) to Use Social Media to Job Search. JOB INTERVIEW PROCESS Interviewing, whether it is a job interview or an interview for an internship is vital to the existence of the business world. However, the interview is not the first stepping-stone in the road to employment. Surrounding yourself with the necessary resources to succeed is essential. Who is interviewing? Figure 1: Interview Waiting Room (Google 2009). http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/wavebreakmediamicro/wavebreakmediamicro1106/wavebreakmediamicro110601234/10094684-business-people-sitting-and-waiting-for-a-job-interview.jpg With the downfall of the economy and no turn-around in sight, more and more people are flooding to interviews anywhere they can. This includes high school kids, college students, college graduates, recently unemployed adults and retired adults being forced to work again. To sum up, everyone is interviewing. Therefore, it is imperative that everyone knows how to hold a successful interview and knows the dos and donts of interviewing. http://www.soulseeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/aff-surround-yourself-with-the-things-you-love-2-300196.jpg Having the right professional contacts and by surrounding yourself with people who build you up professionally and not down are just two of the recommend activities. Figure 2: Surrounding Yourself With The Essentials (Soul Seeds 2011) Dressing Professional Typically, in the job process, the initial piece of information that starts the ball rolling is either the application or the resume. However, how you present yourself is what should be viewed as the most important thing. Whenever the applicant walks through the office doors of the employer is immediately performing a preliminary interview, without even noticing. This is because professionalism is back, in the sense that how you dress is how you are choosing to promote and market yourself. It is also a since of pride. If a job applicant were to walk into an interview with: hair a mess, loaded with jewelry, tattoos that are visible and just lacking a professional issue it would show their unprofessional attitude (Baldwin and Bommer 2013). C:UsersToriDesktopbusiness professional.jpg Figure 3: What to Wear to an Interview (TSU Career Services 2010). The general rule for clothing, when it comes to interviewing it is that the more solid the color, the better. For instance, a young woman by the name of Ana, was skipped for a job because of that fact that she wore a club bright colored dress that resulted in people in the office to begin to stare at things that are inappropriate. Therefore, to remain on subject and for the employer to remain on track, the person would have to wear those basic, solid colors such as black, navy, brown and tan. In addition, they were asked by several business executives to dress modestly, not like you are going to a club (Bockanic 2012). When it comes to jewelry and accessories, less is more. Wearing the minimal amount of jewelry has actually been hard for women to accomplish, but they must remember that it is not about the number of earrings or pieces of jewelry , it is instead about who you are as a person. Huge issues for most employers these days are tattoos. Many people believe today that getting a tattoo is not a big deal and it will not affect the likeliness of a person getting a job, which is completely false. According to AOL Jobs writer, David Shepp, having tattoos that are visible decrease your chances of getting the job 35% instantly. However, there are some rare cases in which, the company is looking for someone with tattoos to represent them and therefore tattoos are not only a plus, but also a necessary item. Acting Professional The average interview, begins with the interviewer asking the job applicant a couple questions about the company like Why this company and What made Such and Such Marketing different from all of the others? This area specifically is an area where most job applicants fall short. They do not come prepared with short personal stories, or examples and reasons for why they picked this company. The average response to a question similar to this one, contains approximately five umms or Im not sures (Akhtar 2012). Imagine that you were conducting an interview and it took a person awhile to come up with a few reasons as to why your company beats out all the others. It may question whether or not you want to hire someone who doesnt have strong emotional ties to his previous or future places of work. In addition, before going into an interview it is always nice to reflect on this list of dos and donts: research the companies for which you are applying, give a firm handshake, do not fidget or answer phones during the interview, show interest in the interviewers questions, maintain a good posture and behavior throughout and also be respectful. Use of Social Media Social media websites share personal information, and the sites seem to be adding more and more in-depth questions or options to such sites. This is making personal information more readily available to people who do not need access to such information. According to a recent study done in 2011, 26% of Americans say they are sharing more information on social networks today than one year ago (Combs 2011). Social Networks are not regulated and anyone is allowed access to these sites unless a specific user has strict privacy setting. Except, most users are not aware of how to update their settings and make their sites inaccessible. Although, Social Networking has allowed many people to seek the help and aid that they may need. Many cases have been reported where, a person who is signed up with a social networking site, has not been able to find a job because of their subscription to the media (Doyle 2009). These days 1in 5 jobs are found using social media, while the age old concept of knocking on the door and simply asking are you hiring? is still a scenario that is still out there. Although more and more people are being to utilize this social media and networking tool to job search and some are even using the online job search sites (Doyle 2009). Social Media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are some of the tools that are being used to search for a job. Nevertheless, some people forget that although social media is a good tool, it can also jeopardize your job opportunity if used incorrectly or in an inappropriate manner. Now of course your Facebook account is your personal account, so you feel as if you have some sort of immunity and right to keep your private life private. Moreover, while that is true, depending on the settings that the person has on their social medias allows future employers to browse all they please. Using these social medias in the right way, is vital to success in the interview process. The first amendment does give every person the right to free speech, however that does mean that you exercise your right by posting extremely religious articles, political views and/or mean and hatred comments are your boss. Refrain from anything that may cause a future employer to question to character. Social media has given us tremendous amount of power in terms of job searching capabilities, but it has also made everything we do much more vulnerable and easy to target. The saying à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"choose your words carefullyà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚  might be true now than ever bef ore (Schepp 2011). Before you publish anything on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or any other social media, make sure you havenà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t friended one of your colleagues or bosses before you make a rude remark about them. A golden rule would be to refrain from posting things that you would not want the person to know. Because even though you are not friends with the person youre posting about directly, that person may be the friend of a friend and find out just as easily. Even though social medias sell you on transparency, it does not mean that it is the right thing to do. Being transparent comes with a cost and could eventually lead to the loss of your job. COVER LETTERS A cover letter is written directly for the eyes of the interviewer and is sole purpose is to introduce both yourself and your resume in the future hope of getting the job. In reality, your resume may never be read without it being accompanied by a profession cover letter. One must think of the cover letter as a sales letter. It is working to sell your resume to the interviewer. Some general guidelines for writing a cover letter are: only use white bong paper (any color or scented paper will not be taken professionally), should be only one page in length, both the cover letter and resume should maintain the same format and it should consist of three paragraphs. This cover letter should open with a professional salutation to the hiring manager for the open position and should move into the three-paragraph format. The first paragraph should re-state the position that you are applying for, why you are applying and how you learned about the position. Then you should move on to mention something that you love about the company or business; the main reason why you are applying for the position. Then move to stating that you are great candidate because of your qualifications, experience, education and interests. The second paragraph should now expand in greater detail your qualifications, experience, education and interests that directly correlate with the employers needs. You want to make yourself sound like the perfect candidate, therefore they must give you an interview to see what youre all about. The closing paragraph should be ended with a bold statement, such as one saying that you are the ideal candidate and a strong match for the company. Also, mention that you are looking forward to meeting with him or her and finish will a slightly aggressive touch that if 7-10 business days pass without a word, you will follow up yourself (Gueffy and Loewy 2011). Figure 4: Example of Cover Letter for a Resume (Yahoo, 2008). http://www.squawkfox.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/sample-cover-letters-cover-letter-examples-classic.png RESUME The resume will be one of the only things that the interviewer will look at to decide whether you deserve an interview. Therefore, it is very important. First of all the resume needs to be consistent, concise and clear. It should also be extremely easy to read. To stick with traditional standards the resume should be no longer than one page. This goes off being short and concise. You only have an 8.5 x 11 sized paper to inform the interviewer of why you should be picked for the job over everyone else (Baldwin and Boomer 2013). There are several different types of resumes that are generally used to apply of job openings. Any of the formats are fine, it just depends on how what information you have to place on your resume and what type of information it is. If you have expansive job history, which is your selling point, chronological is the best style of resume. However if you are still in school and working towards your degree, an educational focused resume would be the most beneficial because you are highlighting your strong point (Gueffy and Loewy 2011). Each type of resume can be found with a quick Google search, they even show up as templates for easy use. Therefore, you can begin to build your resume by simply replacing the sample information with your own personal information. Make tweaks to the layout or placement depending on your personal preferences to highlight your skills and abilities. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to write a resume. As long as your follow the general guidelines, anything is acceptable. Today, many large companies or corporations are usingrecruiting management software that helps to better screen candidates. The hiring manager inputs into the software certain keywords that he is looking for and this software will then mine through the database of resumes searching for potential matches. If you would like to be found, the resume needs to contain keywords that directly target the jobs in your field of interest. Figure 5: Example of Traditional Experience Based Resume (About.com 2012). http://new-cdn.financialsamurai.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/good_resume3.gif SUMMARY In summary, although many people are afraid of getting out there and interviewing for jobs. This is understandable because, job interviews can be challenging, in part because there is so much that can go wrong. However, when a person is surrounded with the right skills, interviewing is a piece of cake. It is very important to remember the value of dressing, and acting professionally, maintaining professional social medias, the importance of writing both good cover letters and resumes. You also will need to explain who you are and why the organization needs you. Being able to concisely describe the skills that you can bring to the position and to the company is a definite way to engage the interviewer while also making the case for why you are the right person for the job. Although winging it in an interview might work, but chances are that, a lack of preparedness will come out during the test process and you will be left stumbling and racing in circles to answer questions. Moreover, that will not win you any points with any manager. Always come prepared.

Interpersonal communications improvement plan Essay

Problem: I have developed a bad habit of not having confidence in myself at college, in my study habits, and expressing myself. Goal: To improve my self-confidence, I will keep a good self-image. I will imagine myself as a strong, confident and decisive person. I will think and act positively. I plan to learn new study habits. I will be able to speak with my teachers and advisors about my problems. Procedure: First, I will have the confidence to ask for help. Next, I will not waste time, energy and effort by worrying about my weakness and deficits. I will seek help and ask more questions to better myself. I will be more open about my problems. Finally, I will stop worrying about problems and work through them. Test of Achieving Goal: I will know I have achieved this goal, when I become more comfortable asking for help to develop better study habits. The proof will be seen in my test scores and research papers, which will show me that I can improve my grades in college through perseverance. Journal Entry 1 Date: Oct. 4, 2006 Results: I talked to my English teacher about my research paper that is due next week. She helped me with my mistakes. She said it was a good paper overall. Journal Entry 2 Date: Oct. 4, 2006 Results: I talked to my baseball coach and explained my problems with my grades. He wants to help me in any way possible. Journal Entry 3 Date: Oct. 5, 2006 Results: I talked with my advisor. I opened up to him by explaining that I can’t believe my tests scores, after doing so much studying. He led me in directions that should increase the effectiveness of my study habits. He knows that I can do it. Journal Entry 4 Date: Oct. 6, 2006 Results: I emailed all of my teachers. I asked them how to improve my grades. I also requested study tips from them. Journal Entry 5 Date: Oct 7, 2006 Results: I put to use the study tips from Dr. Bommarito. I didn’t get frustrated with all of the information that I needed to learn for my history test. I had to do it, so I did. Journal Entry 6 Date Oct. 8, 2006 Results: I asked my parents to see how my studying was coming along. They asked me questions from flash cards that I made. They were very supportive. They were very happy to see the new methods I have been using. They could see how I was not getting as frustrated while studying and writing research papers. Interpersonal Communications Improvement Summary My original intention was to use confident behavior to improve my study skills, so that I may get better grades. I feel that I accomplished this, even in such a short time. Emailing my teachers was a small step, but I believe it will pay off in the long run. Each time I talked to one of my teachers and coaches, it gave me more confidence to try again. They were all receptive to my needs, and gave me good advice to help improve my grades and my study habits. I would have to say that my biggest concern was asking for help from my parents. However, by the time I talked to my parents, my confidence level was up from my interactions with my teachers and coaches. I do not get as frustrated as I have in the past. I also felt concern over how my coach would view me after I opened up to him. His reaction was very supportive, as were my parents. I now feel a lot of encouragement from the people who are most important to me. It means so much to me that they were all willing to sit down and go over assignments with me and give me many good study tips. I am now more comfortable talking to them because I know they believe in me. I was surprised about how much easier studying has become since applying the tips I have received, especially from Dr. Bommarito. I am anxious to see the results in my improved test scores and research papers. My self-concept has greatly improved. I feel confident that I can get the help I need by just asking for it. I feel confident in my new study skills. I feel confident that I can continue to learn more study skills, and that I can improve my grades by applying what I have learned. This has been a good experience for me overall.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Twenty-six

Jon Jon was showing Dareon how best to deliver a sidestroke when the new recruit entered the practice yard. â€Å"Your feet should be farther apart,† he urged. â€Å"You don't want to lose your balance. That's good. Now pivot as you deliver the stroke, get all your weight behind the blade.† Dareon broke off and lifted his visor. â€Å"Seven gods,† he murmured. â€Å"Would you look at this, Jon.† Jon turned. Through the eye slit of his helm, he beheld the fattest boy he had ever seen standing in the door of the armory. By the look of him, he must have weighed twenty stone. The fur collar of his embroidered surcoat was lost beneath his chins. Pale eyes moved nervously in a great round moon of a face, and plump sweaty fingers wiped themselves on the velvet of his doublet. â€Å"They . . . they told me I was to come here for . . . for training,† he said to no one in particular. â€Å"A lordling,† Pyp observed to Jon. â€Å"Southron, most like near Highgarden.† Pyp had traveled the Seven Kingdoms with a mummers' troupe, and bragged that he could tell what you were and where you'd been born just from the sound of your voice. A striding huntsman had been worked in scarlet thread upon the breast of the fat boy's fur-trimmed surcoat. Jon did not recognize the sigil. Ser Alliser Thorne looked over his new charge and said, â€Å"It would seem they have run short of poachers and thieves down south. Now they send us pigs to man the Wall. Is fur and velvet your notion of armor, my Lord of Ham?† It was soon revealed that the new recruit had brought his own armor with him; padded doublet, boiled leather, mail and plate and helm, even a great wood-and-leather shield blazoned with the same striding huntsman he wore on his surcoat. As none of it was black, however, Ser Alliser insisted that he reequip himself from the armory. That took half the morning. His girth required Donal Noye to take apart a mail hauberk and refit it with leather panels at the sides. To get a helm over his head the armorer had to detach the visor. His leathers bound so tightly around his legs and under his arms that he could scarcely move. Dressed for battle, the new boy looked like an overcooked sausage about to burst its skin. â€Å"Let us hope you are not as inept as you look,† Ser Alliser said. â€Å"Halder, see what Ser Piggy can do.† Jon Snow winced. Halder had been born in a quarry and apprenticed as a stonemason. He was sixteen, tall and muscular, and his blows were as hard as any Jon had ever felt. â€Å"This will be uglier than a whore's ass,† Pyp muttered, and it was. The fight lasted less than a minute before the fat boy was on the ground, his whole body shaking as blood leaked through his shattered helm and between his pudgy fingers. â€Å"I yield,† he shrilled. â€Å"No more, I yield, don't hit me.† Rast and some of the other boys were laughing. Even then, Ser Alliser would not call an end. â€Å"On your feet, Ser Piggy,† he called. â€Å"Pick up your sword.† When the boy continued to cling to the ground, Thorne gestured to Halder. â€Å"Hit him with the flat of your blade until he finds his feet.† Halder delivered a tentative smack to his foe's upraised cheeks. â€Å"You can hit harder than that,† Thorne taunted. Halder took hold of his longsword with both hands and brought it down so hard the blow split leather, even on the flat. The new boy screeched in pain. Jon Snow took a step forward. Pyp laid a mailed hand on his arm. â€Å"Jon, no,† the small boy whispered with an anxious glance at Ser Alliser Thorne. â€Å"On your feet,† Thorne repeated. The fat boy struggled to rise, slipped, and fell heavily again. â€Å"Ser Piggy is starting to grasp the notion,† Ser Alliser observed. â€Å"Again.† Halder lifted the sword for another blow. â€Å"Cut us off a ham!† Rast urged, laughing. Jon shook off Pyp's hand. â€Å"Halder, enough.† Halder looked to Ser Alliser. â€Å"The Bastard speaks and the peasants tremble,† the master-at-arms said in that sharp, cold voice of his. â€Å"I remind you that I am the master-at-arms here, Lord Snow.† â€Å"Look at him, Halder,† Jon urged, ignoring Thorne as best he could. â€Å"There's no honor in beating a fallen foe. He yielded.† He knelt beside the fat boy. Halder lowered his sword. â€Å"He yielded,† he echoed. Ser Alliser's onyx eyes were fixed on Jon Snow. â€Å"It would seem our Bastard is in love,† he said as Jon helped the fat boy to his feet. â€Å"Show me your steel, Lord Snow.† Jon drew his longsword. He dared defy Ser Alliser only to a point, and he feared he was well beyond it now. Thorne smiled. â€Å"The Bastard wishes to defend his lady love, so we shall make an exercise of it. Rat, Pimple, help our Stone Head here.† Rast and Albett moved to join Halder. â€Å"Three of you ought to be sufficient to make Lady Piggy squeal. All you need do is get past the Bastard.† â€Å"Stay behind me,† Jon said to the fat boy. Ser Alliser had often sent two foes against him, but never three. He knew he would likely go to sleep bruised and bloody tonight. He braced himself for the assault. Suddenly Pyp was beside him. â€Å"Three to two will make for better sport,† the small boy said cheerfully. He dropped his visor and slid out his sword. Before Jon could even think to protest, Grenn had stepped up to make a third. The yard had grown deathly quiet. Jon could feel Ser Alliser's eyes. â€Å"Why are you waiting?† he asked Rast and the others in a voice gone deceptively soft, but it was Jon who moved first. Halder barely got his sword up in time. Jon drove him backward, attacking with every blow, keeping the older boy on the heels. Know your foe, Ser Rodrik had taught him once; Jon knew Halder, brutally strong but short of patience, with no taste for defense. Frustrate him, and he would leave himself open, as certain as sunset. The clang of steel echoed through the yard as the others joined battle around him. Jon blocked a savage cut at his head, the shock of impact running up his arm as the swords crashed together. He slammed a sidestroke into Halder's ribs, and was rewarded with a muffled grunt of pain. The counterstroke caught Jon on the shoulder. Chainmail crunched, and pain flared up his neck, but for an instant Halder was unbalanced. Jon cut his left leg from under him, and he fell with a curse and a crash. Grenn was standing his ground as Jon had taught him, giving Albett more than he cared for, but Pyp was hard-pressed. Rast had two years and forty pounds on him. Jon stepped up behind him and rang the raper's helm like a bell. As Rast went reeling, Pyp slid in under his guard, knocked him down, and leveled a blade at his throat. By then Jon had moved on. Facing two swords, Albett backed away. â€Å"I yield,† he shouted. Ser Alliser Thorne surveyed the scene with disgust. â€Å"The mummer's farce has gone on long enough for today.† He walked away. The session was at an end. Dareon helped Halder to his feet. The quarryman's son wrenched off his helm and threw it across the yard. â€Å"For an instant, I thought I finally had you, Snow.† â€Å"For an instant, you did,† Jon replied. Under his mail and leather, his shoulder was throbbing. He sheathed his sword and tried to remove his helm, but when he raised his arm, the pain made him grit his teeth. â€Å"Let me,† a voice said. Thick-fingered hands unfastened helm from gorget and lifted it off gently. â€Å"Did he hurt you?† â€Å"I've been bruised before.† He touched his shoulder and winced. The yard was emptying around them. Blood matted the fat boy's hair where Halder had split his helm asunder. â€Å"My name is Samwell Tarly, of Horn . . . † He stopped and licked his lips. â€Å"I mean, I was of Horn Hill, until I . . . left. I've come to take the black. My father is Lord Randyll, a bannerman to the Tyrells of Highgarden. I used to be his heir, only . . . † His voice trailed off. â€Å"I'm Jon Snow, Ned Stark's bastard, of Winterfell.† Samwell Tarly nodded. â€Å"I . . . if you want, you can call me Sam. My mother calls me Sam.† â€Å"You can call him Lord Snow,† Pyp said as he came up to join them. â€Å"You don't want to know what his mother calls him.† â€Å"These two are Grenn and Pypar,† Jon said. â€Å"Grenn's the ugly one,† Pyp said. Grenn scowled. â€Å"You're uglier than me. At least I don't have ears like a bat.† â€Å"My thanks to all of you,† the fat boy said gravely. â€Å"Why didn't you get up and fight?† Grenn demanded. â€Å"I wanted to, truly. I just . . . I couldn't. I didn't want him to hit me anymore.† He looked at the ground. â€Å"I . . . I fear I'm a coward. My lord father always said so.† Grenn looked thunderstruck. Even Pyp had no words to say to that, and Pyp had words for everything. What sort of man would proclaim himself a coward? Samwell Tarly must have read their thoughts on their faces. His eyes met Jon's and darted away, quick as frightened animals. â€Å"I . . . I'm sorry,† he said. â€Å"I don't mean to . . . to be like I am.† He walked heavily toward the armory. Jon called after him. â€Å"You were hurt,† he said. â€Å"Tomorrow you'll do better.† Sam looked mournfully back over one shoulder. â€Å"No I won't,† he said, blinking back tears. â€Å"I never do better.† When he was gone, Grenn frowned. â€Å"Nobody likes cravens,† he said uncomfortably. â€Å"I wish we hadn't helped him. What if they think we're craven too?† â€Å"You're too stupid to be craven,† Pyp told him. â€Å"I am not,† Grenn said. â€Å"Yes you are. If a bear attacked you in the woods, you'd be too stupid to run away.† â€Å"I would not,† Grenn insisted. â€Å"I'd run away faster than you.† He stopped suddenly, scowling when he saw Pyp's grin and realized what he'd just said. His thick neck flushed a dark red. Jon left them there arguing as he returned to the armory, hung up his sword, and stripped off his battered armor. Life at Castle Black followed certain patterns; the mornings were for swordplay, the afternoons for work. The black brothers set new recruits to many different tasks, to learn where their skills lay. Jon cherished the rare afternoons when he was sent out with Ghost ranging at his side to bring back game for the Lord Commander's table, but for every day spent hunting, he gave a dozen to Donal Noye in the armory, spinning the whetstone while the one-armed smith sharpened axes grown dull from use, or pumping the bellows as Noye hammered out a new sword. Other times he ran messages, stood at guard, mucked out stables, fletched arrows, assisted Maester Aemon with his birds or Bowen Marsh with his counts and inventories. That afternoon, the watch commander sent him to the winch cage with four barrels of fresh-crushed stone, to scatter gravel over the icy footpaths atop the Wall. It was lonely and boring work, even with Ghost along for company, but Jon found he did not mind. On a clear day you could see half the world from the top of the Wall, and the air was always cold and bracing. He could think here, and he found himself thinking of Samwell Tarly . . . and, oddly, of Tyrion Lannister. He wondered what Tyrion would have made of the fat boy. Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it, the dwarf had told him, grinning. The world was full of cravens who pretended to be heroes; it took a queer sort of courage to admit to cowardice as Samwell Tarly had. His sore shoulder made the work go slowly. It was late afternoon before Jon finished graveling the paths. He lingered on high to watch the sun go down, turning the western sky the color of blood. Finally, as dusk was settling over the north, Jon rolled the empty barrels back into the cage and signaled the winch men to lower him. The evening meal was almost done by the time he and Ghost reached the common hall. A group of the black brothers were dicing over mulled wine near the fire. His friends were at the bench nearest the west wall, laughing. Pyp was in the middle of a story. The mummer's boy with the big ears was a born liar with a hundred different voices, and he did not tell his tales so much as live them, playing all the parts as needed, a king one moment and a swineherd the next. When he turned into an alehouse girl or a virgin princess, he used a high falsetto voice that reduced them all to tears of helpless laughter, and his eunuchs were always eerily accurate caricatures of Ser Alliser. Jon took as much pleasure from Pyp's antics as anyone . . . yet that night he turned away and went instead to the end of the bench, where Samwell Tarly sat alone, as far from the others as he could get. He was finishing the last of the pork pie the cooks had served up for supper when Jon sat down across from him. The fat boy's eyes widened at the sight of Ghost. â€Å"Is that a wolf?† â€Å"A direwolf,† Jon said. â€Å"His name is Ghost. The direwolf is the sigil of my father's House.† â€Å"Ours is a striding huntsman,† Samwell Tarly said. â€Å"Do you like to hunt?† The fat boy shuddered. â€Å"I hate it.† He looked as though he was going to cry again. â€Å"What's wrong now?† Jon asked him. â€Å"Why are you always so frightened?† Sam stared at the last of his pork pie and gave a feeble shake of his head, too scared even to talk. A burst of laughter filled the hall. Jon heard Pyp squeaking in a high voice. He stood. â€Å"Let's go outside.† The round fat face looked up at him, suspicious. â€Å"Why? What will we do outside?† â€Å"Talk,† Jon said. â€Å"Have you seen the Wall?† â€Å"I'm fat, not blind,† Samwell Tarly said. â€Å"Of course I saw it, it's seven hundred feet high.† Yet he stood up all the same, wrapped a fur-lined cloak over his shoulders, and followed Jon from the common hall, still wary, as if he suspected some cruel trick was waiting for him in the night. Ghost padded along beside them. â€Å"I never thought it would be like this,† Sam said as they walked, his words steaming in the cold air. Already he was huffing and puffing as he tried to keep up. â€Å"All the buildings are falling down, and it's so . . . so . . . â€Å" â€Å"Cold?† A hard frost was settling over the castle, and Jon could hear the soft crunch of grey weeds beneath his boots. Sam nodded miserably. â€Å"I hate the cold,† he said. â€Å"Last night I woke up in the dark and the fire had gone out and I was certain I was going to freeze to death by morning.† â€Å"It must have been warmer where you come from.† â€Å"I never saw snow until last month. We were crossing the barrowlands, me and the men my father sent to see me north, and this white stuff began to fall, like a soft rain. At first I thought it was so beautiful, like feathers drifting from the sky, but it kept on and on, until I was frozen to the bone. The men had crusts of snow in their beards and more on their shoulders, and still it kept coming. I was afraid it would never end.† Jon smiled. The Wall loomed before them, glimmering palely in the light of the half moon. In the sky above, the stars burned clear and sharp. â€Å"Are they going to make me go up there?† Sam asked. His face curdled like old milk as he looked at the great wooden stairs. â€Å"I'll die if I have to climb that.† â€Å"There's a winch,† Jon said, pointing. â€Å"They can draw you up in a cage.† Samwell Tarly sniffled. â€Å"I don't like high places.† It was too much. Jon frowned, incredulous. â€Å"Are you afraid of everything?† he asked. â€Å"I don't understand. If you are truly so craven, why are you here? Why would a coward want to join the Night's Watch?† Samwell Tarly looked at him for a long moment, and his round face seemed to cave in on itself. He sat down on the frost-covered ground and began to cry, huge choking sobs that made his whole body shake. Jon Snow could only stand and watch. Like the snowfall on the barrowlands, it seemed the tears would never end. It was Ghost who knew what to do. Silent as shadow, the pale direwolf moved closer and began to lick the warm tears off Samwell Tarly's face. The fat boy cried out, startled . . . and somehow, in a heartbeat, his sobs turned to laughter. Jon Snow laughed with him. Afterward they sat on the frozen ground, huddled in their cloaks with Ghost between them. Jon told the story of how he and Robb had found the pups newborn in the late summer snows. It seemed a thousand years ago now. Before long he found himself talking of Winterfell. â€Å"Sometimes I dream about it,† he said. â€Å"I'm walking down this long empty hall. My voice echoes all around, but no one answers, so I walk faster, opening doors, shouting names. I don't even know who I'm looking for. Most nights it's my father, but sometimes it's Robb instead, or my little sister Arya, or my uncle.† The thought of Benjen Stark saddened him; his uncle was still missing. The Old Bear had sent out rangers in search of him. Ser Jaremy Rykker had led two sweeps, and Quorin Halfhand had gone forth from the Shadow Tower, but they'd found nothing aside from a few blazes in the trees that his uncle had left to mark his way. In the stony highlands to the northwest, the marks stopped abruptly and all trace of Ben Stark vanished. â€Å"Do you ever find anyone in your dream?† Sam asked. Jon shook his head. â€Å"No one. The castle is always empty.† He had never told anyone of the dream, and he did not understand why he was telling Sam now, yet somehow it felt good to talk of it. â€Å"Even the ravens are gone from the rookery, and the stables are full of bones. That always scares me. I start to run then, throwing open doors, climbing the tower three steps at a time, screaming for someone, for anyone. And then I find myself in front of the door to the crypts. It's black inside, and I can see the steps spiraling down. Somehow I know I have to go down there, but I don't want to. I'm afraid of what might be waiting for me. The old Kings of Winter are down there, sitting on their thrones with stone wolves at their feet and iron swords across their laps, but it's not them I'm afraid of. I scream that I'm not a Stark, that this isn't my place, but it's no good, I have to go anyway, so I start down, feeling the walls as I descend, with no torch to light the way. It gets darker and darker, until I want to scream.† He stopped, frowning, embarrassed. â€Å"That's when I always wake.† His skin cold and clammy, shivering in the darkness of his cell. Ghost would leap up beside him, his warmth as comforting as daybreak. He would go back to sleep with his face pressed into the direwolf s shaggy white fur. â€Å"Do you dream of Horn Hill?† Jon asked. â€Å"No.† Sam's mouth grew tight and hard. â€Å"I hated it there.† He scratched Ghost behind the ear, brooding, and Jon let the silence breathe. After a long while Samwell Tarly began to talk, and Jon Snow listened quietly, and learned how it was that a self-confessed coward found himself on the Wall. The Tarlys were a family old in honor, bannermen to Mace Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden and Warden of the South. The eldest son of Lord Randyll Tarly, Samwell was born heir to rich lands, a strong keep, and a storied two-handed greatsword named Heartsbane, forged of Valyrian steel and passed down from father to son near five hundred years. Whatever pride his lord father might have felt at Samwell's birth vanished as the boy grew up plump, soft, and awkward. Sam loved to listen to music and make his own songs, to wear soft velvets, to play in the castle kitchen beside the cooks, drinking in the rich smells as he snitched lemon cakes and blueberry tarts. His passions were books and kittens and dancing, clumsy as he was. But he grew ill at the sight of blood, and wept to see even a chicken slaughtered. A dozen masters-at-arms came and went at Horn Hill, trying to turn Samwell into the knight his father wanted. The boy was cursed and caned, slapped and starved. One man had him sleep in his chainmail to make him more martial. Another dressed him in his mother's clothing and paraded him through the bailey to shame him into valor. He only grew fatter and more frightened, until Lord Randyll's disappointment turned to anger and then to loathing. â€Å"One time,† Sam confided, his voice dropping from a whisper, â€Å"two men came to the castle, warlocks from Qarth with white skin and blue lips. They slaughtered a bull aurochs and made me bathe in the hot blood, but it didn't make me brave as they'd promised. I got sick and retched. Father had them scourged.† Finally, after three girls in as many years, Lady Tarly gave her lord husband a second son. From that day, Lord Randyll ignored Sam, devoting all his time to the younger boy, a fierce, robust child more to his liking. Samwell had known several years of sweet peace with his music and his books. Until the dawn of his fifteenth name day, when he had been awakened to find his horse saddled and ready. Three men-at-arms had escorted him into a wood near Horn Hill, where his father was skinning a deer. â€Å"You are almost a man grown now, and my heir,† Lord Randyll Tarly had told his eldest son, his long knife laying bare the carcass as he spoke. â€Å"You have given me no cause to disown you, but neither will I allow you to inherit the land and title that should be Dickon's. Heartsbane must go to a man strong enough to wield her, and you are not worthy to touch her hilt. So I have decided that you shall this day announce that you wish to take the black. You will forsake all claim to your brother's inheritance and start north before evenfall. â€Å"If you do not, then on the morrow we shall have a hunt, and somewhere in these woods your horse will stumble, and you will be thrown from the saddle to die . . . or so I will tell your mother. She has a woman's heart and finds it in her to cherish even you, and I have no wish to cause her pain. Please do not imagine that it will truly be that easy, should you think to defy me. Nothing would please me more than to hunt you down like the pig you are.† His arms were red to the elbow as he laid the skinning knife aside. â€Å"So. There is your choice. The Night's Watch†Ã¢â‚¬â€he reached inside the deer, ripped out its heart, and held it in his fist, red and dripping—†or this.† Sam told the tale in a calm, dead voice, as if it were something that had happened to someone else, not to him. And strangely, Jon thought, he did not weep, not even once. When he was done, they sat together and listened to the wind for a time. There was no other sound in all the world. Finally Jon said, â€Å"We should go back to the common hall.† â€Å"Why?† Sam asked. Jon shrugged. â€Å"There's hot cider to drink, or mulled wine if you prefer. Some nights Dareon sings for us, if the mood is on him. He was a singer, before . . . well, not truly, but almost, an apprentice singer.† â€Å"How did he come here?† Sam asked. â€Å"Lord Rowan of Goldengrove found him in bed with his daughter. The girl was two years older, and Dareon swears she helped him through her window, but under her father's eye she named it rape, so here he is. When Maester Aemon heard him sing, he said his voice was honey poured over thunder.† Jon smiled. â€Å"Toad sometimes sings too, if you call it singing. Drinking songs he learned in his father's winesink. Pyp says his voice is piss poured over a fart.† They laughed at that together. â€Å"I should like to hear them both,† Sam admitted, â€Å"but they would not want me there.† His face was troubled. â€Å"He's going to make me fight again on the morrow, isn't he?† â€Å"He is,† Jon was forced to say. Sam got awkwardly to his feet. â€Å"I had better try to sleep.† He huddled down in his cloak and plodded off. The others were still in the common room when Jon returned, alone but for Ghost. â€Å"Where have you been?† Pyp asked. â€Å"Talking with Sam,† he said. â€Å"He truly is craven,† said Grenn. â€Å"At supper, there were still places on the bench when he got his pie, but he was too scared to come sit with us.† â€Å"The Lord of Ham thinks he's too good to eat with the likes of us,† suggested Jeren. â€Å"I saw him eat a pork pie,† Toad said, smirking. â€Å"Do you think it was a brother?† He began to make oinking noises. â€Å"Stop it!† Jon snapped angrily. The other boys fell silent, taken aback by his sudden fury. â€Å"Listen to me,† Jon said into the quiet, and he told them how it was going to be. Pyp backed him, as he'd known he would, but when Halder spoke up, it was a pleasant surprise. Grenn was anxious at the first, but Jon knew the words to move him. One by one the rest fell in line. Jon persuaded some, cajoled some, shamed the others, made threats where threats were required. At the end they had all agreed . . . all but Rast. â€Å"You girls do as you please,† Rast said, â€Å"but if Thorne sends me against Lady Piggy, I'm going to slice me off a rasher of bacon.† He laughed in Jon's face and left them there. Hours later, as the castle slept, three of them paid a call on his cell. Grenn held his arms while Pyp sat on his legs. Jon could hear Rast's rapid breathing as Ghost leapt onto his chest. The direwolf's eyes burned red as embers as his teeth nipped lightly at the soft skin of the boy's throat, just enough to draw blood. â€Å"Remember, we know where you sleep,† Jon said softly. The next morning Jon heard Rast tell Albett and Toad how his razor had slipped while he shaved. From that day forth, neither Rast nor any of the others would hurt Samwell Tarly. When Ser Alliser matched them against him, they would stand their ground and swat aside his slow, clumsy strokes. If the master-at-arms screamed for an attack, they would dance in and tap Sam lightly on breastplate or helm or leg. Ser Alliser raged and threatened and called them all cravens and women and worse, yet Sam remained unhurt. A few nights later, at Jon's urging, he joined them for the evening meal, taking a place on the bench beside Halder. It was another fortnight before he found the nerve to join their talk, but in time he was laughing at Pyp's faces and teasing Grenn with the best of them. Fat and awkward and frightened he might be, but Samwell Tarly was no fool. One night he visited Jon in his cell. â€Å"I don't know what you did,† he said, â€Å"but I know you did it.† He looked away shyly. â€Å"I've never had a friend before.† â€Å"We're not friends,† Jon said. He put a hand on Sam's broad shoulder. â€Å"We're brothers.† And so they were, he thought to himself after Sam had taken his leave. Robb and Bran and Rickon were his father's sons, and he loved them still, yet Jon knew that he had never truly been one of them. Catelyn Stark had seen to that. The grey walls of Winterfell might still haunt his dreams, but Castle Black was his life now, and his brothers were Sam and Grenn and Halder and Pyp and the other cast-outs who wore the black of the Night's Watch. â€Å"My uncle spoke truly,† he whispered to Ghost. He wondered if he would ever see Benjen Stark again, to tell him.

Recognizing Impressionistic Art essays

Recognizing Impressionistic Art essays In terms of style it is relatively easy to recognize an Impressionist painting. There are certain characteristics that make this form of art stand out, such as the rough brush strokes and colors that often tend to blend into one another. However, in order to identify an Impressionist painting, who has to be aware of the underlying philosophy and intention of this style of art. In essence Impressionism was both a new style in the development of art and a new approach to the interaction between the artist and the subject. The most obvious characteristic that distinguishes an Impressionist painting from other styles and types of art can be derived from the word impression. The term Impressionistic was a description of this style which was intended as a critique by earlier critics. The first characteristic of an Impressionistic work of art is its deviance from the more objective and representational forms of art. The philosophy behind Impressionism was that the artist should capture a fleeing impression of nature; which was translated into art through a more casual and less photographic copy of nature or an object. Therefore an Impressionist painting is an attempt at creating a painting that captures the mood or feeling of a certain subject, rather than an exact copy. This also implies that Impressionistic art is more subjective in its approach and focuses on the interaction between the object being painted and the artists feelings or impressions. The Impressionists also tended to focus on scenes from nature, especially landscapes, and they tended to paint not in the studio but in the open air. In order to achieve these ideals the Impressionists used certain distinguishing techniques and this led to the artistic style that we associate with Impressionism. One of the first aspects that distinguish an Impressionist painting is the loose and short brush strokes. This is indicat...