7 Tips for Editing to Improve Usage

7 Tips for Editing to Improve Usage 7 Tips for Editing to Improve Usage 7 Tips for Editing to Improve Usage By Mark Nichol How do you make sure you’re writing right? Crafting prose is mostly a matter of using the right words for the job. Here are some steps to help you achieve that goal. 1. Look up the definition of an unfamiliar word and be sure you understand the meaning before you use it. It’s easy to deploy a word you’ve just read or heard, mistakenly believing you understand its definition or its connotation, only to confuse or accidentally mislead your readers. Always double-check a term you’ve never used before. (Consider doing the same with words you’ve used before and think you know.) 2. Search a thesaurus or a synonym finder for the precise meaning, taking care to notice the different connotations of similar words. Flag stock words and phrases, and thumb or click through a print or online resource to select a more exact or accurate synonym. But be alert to seemingly similar words with distinct senses. 3. Keep your writing clear and coherent, and avoid pretentious or overly formal language. Write to communicate, not to impress. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Don’t dumb down, but don’t let your writing get in the way of your message. There’s a fine line between elegance and pomposity. 4. Select the strongest nouns and verbs before you select adjectives and adverbs. Words that modify nouns and verbs can enhance clarity of thought and vividness of imagery, but if they upstage the words they’re supposed to support, strengthen the actor and action words. When you do so, an adjective or adverb may no longer be necessary. 5. Seek opportunities to use repetition for rhetorical effect while, at the same time, you watch for careless redundancy. Take care that you don’t repeat yourself unless you do so to emphasize your point. 6. Read your draft aloud to help you refine grammar and usage. If something doesn’t sound right to you, it probably doesn’t read right to your audience, either. Recitation of your writing is time consuming, but that’s how you find the awkward wording or phrasing you didn’t stumble over in your silent review. 7. Ask someone else to read your writing and critique it. People you draft to read your draft need not offer solutions to problems of grammar, usage, organization, and logic; they can simply highlight problematic words, phrases, sentences, and passages, and offer more detail if necessary while leaving the problem solving to you. This last step isn’t practical for every writing task or assignment, but if a piece of prose is important enough to you, and you have a reliable, word-savvy person on hand, ask to borrow their eyes and the brain attached to them. (You, of course, will reciprocate when called on.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:4 Types of Gerunds and Gerund PhrasesWork of Art TitlesEducational vs. Educative

Learn How to Conjugate Oublier (to Forget) in French

Learn How to Conjugate Oublier (to Forget) in French The French verb  oublier  means to forget. When you want to say I forgot in the past tense or he is forgetting in the present tense, youll need to know the verbs conjugations. This lesson is a perfect introduction to those because well show you how to create the most basic and commonly used forms of  oublier. The Basic Conjugations of  Oublier French verb conjugations can be a bit of a challenge because there are more words to memorize than we have in English. Where English has the -ing and -ed endings, French has a new ending for every tense as well as every subject pronoun. That means you have five extra words to learn for each tense. The good news, however, is that  oublier  is a  regular -er verb, meaning it follows the most common rules for French conjugations. Once you learn the endings for this verb, you can apply those to almost every other verb that ends in -er. This makes studying each new verb just a little easier. You can use this chart to find the proper ending to attach to the verb stem of oubli-. Simply match the subject pronoun with the appropriate tense for the sentence youre using it in. For example, I forget is  joublie  and we will forget is  nous oublierons. Present Future Imperfect j oublie oublierai oubliais tu oublies oublieras oubliais il oublie oubliera oubliait nous oublions oublierons oubliions vous oubliez oublierez oubliiez ils oublient oublieront oubliaient The Present Participle of  Oublier The  present participle  of  oublier  is  oubliant. This was formed by simply adding -ant  to the verb stem. Its a rule that is applied to most other -er  verbs. Oublier  in the Compound Past Tense For the past tense, you can use either the imperfect or the compound known as the passà © composà ©. For the latter, youll need to know the conjugates of the auxiliary verb avoir as well as the past participle oublià ©. It comes together quickly: conjugate  avoir  into the present tense for the subject, then attach the past participle. For example, I forgot is  jai oublià ©Ã‚  and we forgot is  nous avons oublià ©. More Simple Conjugations of  Oublier When you dont know whether you forgot or not, you can use the subjunctive verb mood. In a similar fashion, if youll forget about something if something else happens, the conditional verb mood  is useful. Though they dont need to be a priority, there may also be times when youll need to use either  the passà © simple  or  imperfect subjunctive. Subjunctive Conditional Pass Simple Imperfect Subjunctive j oublie oublierais oubliai oubliasse tu oublies oublierais oublias oubliasses il oublie oublierait oublia oublit nous oubliions oublierions oublimes oubliassions vous oubliiez oublieriez oublites oubliassiez ils oublient oublieraient oublirent oubliassent Brief and very direct sentences in French can be used in the imperative form. For these, skip the subject pronoun entirely and simplify it to oublie rather than tu oublie. Imperative (tu) oublie (nous) oublions (vous) oubliez

Science Fiction, Technology, and Our Modern World Essay - 6

Science Fiction, Technology, and Our Modern World - Essay Example The batch enables him to give back certain Chinese symbols, he will, therefore, give answers to questions. The answers are exactly similar to those of a native Chinese just by looking correlating the symbols and reading instructions in English. The man in the thought experiment does not comprehend Chinese but still produce coherent answers. A computer cannot possibly become conscious because of following code to produce answers, which it does not understand. This experiment proves that computers do not understand communication, and the programs will never be able to create minds or learn. Q2. Factionalism theory is a doctrine that states that what makes something a mental state such as thought, pain or desire does not depend on its internal constitution. It solely depends on its functionality or the role it performs on its cognitive system in which it is part. It explicitly means that its causal relations to sensory stimulations, and not mental state and behavior determine mental state identity. Language of thought theory postulates that thinking and thought happen in a mental language. The language consists of a representation system realized physically in the thinkers’ brain and has combinatorial semantics and syntax such that representation operations are only sensitive to the synaptic properties of representation. The thought is, therefore, a representation token that has a syntactic structure with relevant semantics. Looking at Data in The Next Generation (TNG) on the Star Trek, an Android strives to understand emotions and become a human being. Data and almost all Sci-fi related robots, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and androids that scientists have created are all anchored in the theories of functionalism. Q3. Arguments refuted by Dennett against robotic conscience include an old fashion dualism that robots are purely material while consciousness require immaterial mind-stuff.

Implenting Lean Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Implenting Lean - Case Study Example (Womack and Jones, 1996). USA was the first country where the concept of "Lean" has been adopted in service or non-manufacturing concerns. (Womack and Jones, 1996). The advantages and benefits are now known and accepted by almost all top managers. However, there is still a bit of a hesitation in implementing "Lean" in service and non-manufacturing organizations. The reason is not that they do not want to implement the change but rather because they are unaware of the process involved. This paper seeks to describe the modalities and implications of implementing "Lean" in service and non-manufacturing organizations with a reference to the concept of Kaizen as a Continuous Improvement (CI) agent. Simply stated, Lean thinking is about achieving more with less. It is not about 'sweating the assets' but about carefully analyzing how best to achieve a given result with the purpose of utilizing resources to their best advantage. In broad terms Lean is usually defined as elimination of waste and things that do not add any value as defined by the customer. It is also pertinent to note at this stage that "Lean" principles are alternatively known by a number of synonyms e.g. Lean Manufacturing, Lean Production, Toyota Production System, etc. But whatever the name given to the process, this definition holds well. Advantages of Lean in Service Organizations Lean is not just a concept to be implemented at various tiers; it is also a commitment at all levels that can bring about dynamic and far-reaching changes in the very culture of an organization. Its advantages are more pronounced and identifiable in manufacturing concerns but service and non-manufacturing organizations can also reap the same benefits. Some of the advantages of implementing Lean in service environment are as follows:- It can not only improve the standard of services but also increase the competitiveness of the people involved. It can resolve severe organizational problems by uniting the change efforts

How Modern Medical Technology is Easing Out Standard Physical Examination Essay Example for Free

How Modern Medical Technology is Easing Out Standard Physical Examination Essay In today’s time-constrained society, medical practitioners are noticeably turning to modern technology to pinpoint health problems of patients. Most new-generation doctors who rely a great deal on sophisticated machines in ascertaining medical issues faced by their patients illustrate a startling reality: the standard physical examination stands to be eased out. While science has made possible quicker, more convenient, and non-invasive ways of spotting and treating health disorders, being overly dependent on technology has its drawbacks. The problem with technology arises when doctors rush to order tests without first performing a thorough physical exam†¦ Doctors may be overly reliant on tests because they have confidence in the results; however, tests aren’t always accurate† (Max, 2009, par. 6). A seemingly better approach that redounds to patient benefit is the combination of modern technology with age-old practices that worked, notably a thorough physical examination done prior to tests or possible confinement and as part of the doctor’s hospital rounds. There are several factors contributing to the demise or exclusion of the standard physical examination in modern medical practice. For one, there is the shortage of medical personnel in certain localities. Harried doctors and nurses end up employing measures to maximize time. â€Å"Time constraints also discourage performing a complete physical during routine office visits. The managed care system pushes doctors to see patients as briefly as possible† (Obel, 2003, par. 6). The fact is that the physical examination â€Å"can be a valuable guide in deciding which tests to order and letting specialists know where to concentrate their efforts† (Obel, 2003, par. 7). Hence, the standard physical examination can greatly aid doctors in ruling out certain health issues, thereby saving time and money on unnecessary tests. However, new-generation doctors overlook these, believing that using sophisticated equipment is more effective in reaching an accurate medical analysis than conventional routine practices. Indeed, a professional diagnosis relying first and foremost on the standard physical examination appears to have been displaced by modern devices. The downside is the loss of human contact that most patients may still prefer. â€Å"There is an intangible benefit to the contact afforded by the physical exam†¦(it) can go a long way in establishing and building a good doctor-patient relationship† (Max, 2009, par. 11), something which most patients – from the very young to the elderly – yearn for. The emotional bonding between the healthcare giver and the patient is obliterated with less time allocated to examine patients. As seasoned medical practitioners decry the demise of the physical examination, which â€Å"can be therapeutic in itself† (Obel, 2003, par. 35), concerned medical institutions have instigated efforts to train and retrain medical interns on the vast range of medical approaches – including the routine physical examination. The increasingly important role of nurses, who can assume the vital task of resuscitating the fading practice of conducting a thorough physical examination and promoting human interaction, cannot be underestimated. Well-trained nurses who realize the value of human interaction can play significant role in fostering enhanced patient care and faster recovery. The upsurge in electronic technology users is another phenomenon affecting the demise of face-to-face interaction with physicians and the traditional physical examination. With many doctors nowadays dispensing medical advice online by relying purely on patient history and description of symptoms, thereby eliminating the need for a comprehensive physical examination, it becomes clear that modern trends are taking the place of traditional medical approaches. The inescapable fact is that medical practitioners cannot always totally rely on modern technology alone to ascertain patient needs. Even in modern times, there is a need to go back to basics, ingrain patient-oriented skills among the emerging crop of doctors, and revive conventional medical approaches like the physical examination.

The Reagan Tax Cuts And Foreign Policy Essay -- essays research papers

The Reagan Tax Cuts and Foreign Policy During the 1980's President Ronald Reagan's (our 40th president from 1981 to 1989) domestic policy of a substantial tax cut led to greatly increased economic prosperity for our country. During Reagan's administration marked changes were made to the tax code and economic statistics showed a major change for the better. However, at the same time, the Democrats controlled the Congress and continued increased spending against Reagan's wishes. The Joint Economic Committee stated that an across-the-board tax cut was not new. In the 20's the Mellon tax cuts were implemented by Secretary of Treasury Andrew Mellon during the Administrations of Hoover, Harding, and Coolidge. In the 60's Kennedy introduced tax cuts. In both instances the decrease of high marginal tax rates somehow increased tax payments by the rich. Perhaps a foreshadow of things to come. Debates were raging over the Reagan tax cuts, known as the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (or, ERTA). This act was designed to spur savings, investment, work, and economic efficiency. This policy would impose a 25% across-the-board cut in personal marginal tax rates. In the act of decreasing marginal tax rates, and stimulating economic incentives, ERTA would increase the flow of resources into production, thus lifting economic growth. This policy received much criticism because its opponents argued that ERTA would be a giveaway to the rich, because their tax payments would collapse. Reagan worked hard and skillfully with the congress to obtain legislation to stimulate economic growth and curb inflation, he embarked upon a course to cut taxes and curb inflation. President Reagan was able to sign into law a tax cut in late 1981 even though congressional Democrats tried to block his cuts. All tax payers received these cuts which helped to spur the economy. The cuts were taken over three years with a 5% cut in 1981, a 10% cut for 1982, and in 1983 another 10% cut. Reagan's call for extensive changes in the federal income tax laws helped bring about passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. In 1986 Reagan introduced the Tax Reform act of 1986. The tax reform act of 1986 chopped taxes, and indexed taxes for inflation as well. During Reagan's first term the inflation rate was at -5.7%, unemployment was at1.4%, interest rates were at -.7, and the gross na... ... The aides had then illegally given some of the arms money to contra guerrillas. Conclusion The Reagan Tax cuts showed that reducing excessive tax rates stimulates growth, reduces tax avoidance, and can increase the share of tax payments given by the rich. With respect to foreign policy Reagan's performances especially with Mikhail Gorbachev showed a high approval of performance with the people. Reagan had the highest poll ratings for performance of any president since World War 2. It appears that his leadership helped to make the feeling of the country to have a more confident outlook on the future. References "Iran-Contra Affair," Microsoft ® Encarta ® 96 Encyclopedia 1993-1995. 1996 Grolier Interactive Inc. Edition copyright  © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. http://www.house.gov/joe/welcome.html http://www.reaganhome.com/taxcuts.html http://www.theatlantic.com/atlantic/election/connections/foreign/reagrus.htm Hyland, W.G., ed., The Reagan Foreign Policy (1987). The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Third The Atlantic Monthly, February 1994; Reagan and the Russians; Volume 273. The Joint Economic Committee reports on the Reagan Tax Cuts

Angels Demons Chapter 55-57

55 Langdon and Vittoria exploded onto the courtyard outside the Secret Archives. The fresh air felt like a drug as it flowed into Langdon's lungs. The purple spots in his vision quickly faded. The guilt, however, did not. He had just been accomplice to stealing a priceless relic from the world's most private vault. The camerlegno had said, I am giving you my trust. â€Å"Hurry,† Vittoria said, still holding the folio in her hand and striding at a half-jog across Via Borgia in the direction of Olivetti's office. â€Å"If any water gets on that papyrus – â€Å" â€Å"Calm down. When we decipher this thing, we can return their sacred Folio 5.† Langdon accelerated to keep up. Beyond feeling like a criminal, he was still dazed over the document's spellbinding implications. John Milton was an Illuminatus. He composed the poem for Galileo to publish in Folio 5†¦ far from the eyes of the Vatican. As they left the courtyard, Vittoria held out the folio for Langdon. â€Å"You think you can decipher this thing? Or did we just kill all those brain cells for kicks?† Langdon took the document carefully in his hands. Without hesitation he slipped it into one of the breast pockets of his tweed jacket, out of the sunlight and dangers of moisture. â€Å"I deciphered it already.† Vittoria stopped short. â€Å"You what?† Langdon kept moving. Vittoria hustled to catch up. â€Å"You read it once! I thought it was supposed to be hard!† Langdon knew she was right, and yet he had deciphered the segno in a single reading. A perfect stanza of iambic pentameter, and the first altar of science had revealed itself in pristine clarity. Admittedly, the ease with which he had accomplished the task left him with a nagging disquietude. He was a child of the Puritan work ethic. He could still hear his father speaking the old New England aphorism: If it wasn't painfully difficult, you did it wrong. Langdon hoped the saying was false. â€Å"I deciphered it,† he said, moving faster now. â€Å"I know where the first killing is going to happen. We need to warn Olivetti.† Vittoria closed in on him. â€Å"How could you already know? Let me see that thing again.† With the sleight of a boxer, she slipped a lissome hand into his pocket and pulled out the folio again. â€Å"Careful!† Langdon said. â€Å"You can't – â€Å" Vittoria ignored him. Folio in hand, she floated beside him, holding the document up to the evening light, examining the margins. As she began reading aloud, Langdon moved to retrieve the folio but instead found himself bewitched by Vittoria's accented alto speaking the syllables in perfect rhythm with her gait. For a moment, hearing the verse aloud, Langdon felt transported in time†¦ as though he were one of Galileo's contemporaries, listening to the poem for the first time†¦ knowing it was a test, a map, a clue unveiling the four altars of science†¦ the four markers that blazed a secret path across Rome. The verse flowed from Vittoria's lips like a song. From Santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole, ‘Cross Rome the mystic elements unfold. The path of light is laid, the sacred test, Let angels guide you on your lofty quest. Vittoria read it twice and then fell silent, as if letting the ancient words resonate on their own. From Santi's earthly tomb, Langdon repeated in his mind. The poem was crystal clear about that. The Path of Illumination began at Santi's tomb. From there, across Rome, the markers blazed the trail. From Santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole, ‘Cross Rome the mystic elements unfold. Mystic elements. Also clear. Earth, Air, Fire, Water. Elements of science, the four Illuminati markers disguised as religious sculpture. â€Å"The first marker,† Vittoria said, â€Å"sounds like it's at Santi's tomb.† Langdon smiled. â€Å"I told you it wasn't that tough.† â€Å"So who is Santi?† she asked, sounding suddenly excited. â€Å"And where's his tomb?† Langdon chuckled to himself. He was amazed how few people knew Santi, the last name of one of the most famous Renaissance artists ever to live. His first name was world renowned†¦ the child prodigy who at the age of twenty-five was already doing commissions for Pope Julius II, and when he died at only thirty-eight, left behind the greatest collection of frescoes the world had ever seen. Santi was a behemoth in the art world, and being known solely by one's first name was a level of fame achieved only by an elite few†¦ people like Napoleon, Galileo, and Jesus†¦ and, of course, the demigods Langdon now heard blaring from Harvard dormitories – Sting, Madonna, Jewel, and the artist formerly known as Prince, who had changed his name to the symbol Angels & Demons causing Langdon to dub him â€Å"The Tau Cross With Intersecting Hermaphroditic Ankh.† â€Å"Santi,† Langdon said, â€Å"is the last name of the great Renaissance master, Raphael.† Vittoria looked surprised. â€Å"Raphael? As in the Raphael?† â€Å"The one and only.† Langdon pushed on toward the Office of the Swiss Guard. â€Å"So the path starts at Raphael's tomb?† â€Å"It actually makes perfect sense,† Langdon said as they rushed on. â€Å"The Illuminati often considered great artists and sculptors honorary brothers in enlightenment. The Illuminati could have chosen Raphael's tomb as a kind of tribute.† Langdon also knew that Raphael, like many other religious artists, was a suspected closet atheist. Vittoria slipped the folio carefully back in Langdon's pocket. â€Å"So where is he buried?† Langdon took a deep breath. â€Å"Believe it or not, Raphael's buried in the Pantheon.† Vittoria looked skeptical. â€Å"The Pantheon?† â€Å"The Raphael at the Pantheon.† Langdon had to admit, the Pantheon was not what he had expected for the placement of the first marker. He would have guessed the first altar of science to be at some quiet, out of the way church, something subtle. Even in the 1600s, the Pantheon, with its tremendous, holed dome, was one of the best known sites in Rome. â€Å"Is the Pantheon even a church?† Vittoria asked. â€Å"Oldest Catholic church in Rome.† Vittoria shook her head. â€Å"But do you really think the first cardinal could be killed at the Pantheon? That's got to be one of the busiest tourist spots in Rome.† Langdon shrugged. â€Å"The Illuminati said they wanted the whole world watching. Killing a cardinal at the Pantheon would certainly open some eyes.† â€Å"But how does this guy expect to kill someone at the Pantheon and get away unnoticed? It would be impossible.† â€Å"As impossible as kidnapping four cardinals from Vatican City? The poem is precise.† â€Å"And you're certain Raphael is buried inside the Pantheon?† â€Å"I've seen his tomb many times.† Vittoria nodded, still looking troubled. â€Å"What time is it?† Langdon checked. â€Å"Seven-thirty.† â€Å"Is the Pantheon far?† â€Å"A mile maybe. We've got time.† â€Å"The poem said Santi's earthly tomb. Does that mean anything to you?† Langdon hastened diagonally across the Courtyard of the Sentinel. â€Å"Earthly? Actually, there's probably no more earthly place in Rome than the Pantheon. It got its name from the original religion practiced there – Pantheism – the worship of all gods, specifically the pagan gods of Mother Earth.† As a student of architecture, Langdon had been amazed to learn that the dimensions of the Pantheon's main chamber were a tribute to Gaea – the goddess of the Earth. The proportions were so exact that a giant spherical globe could fit perfectly inside the building with less than a millimeter to spare. â€Å"Okay,† Vittoria said, sounding more convinced. â€Å"And demon's hole? From Santi's earthly tomb with demon's hole?† Langdon was not quite as sure about this. â€Å"Demon's hole must mean the oculus,† he said, making a logical guess. â€Å"The famous circular opening in the Pantheon's roof.† â€Å"But it's a church,† Vittoria said, moving effortlessly beside him. â€Å"Why would they call the opening a demon's hole?† Langdon had actually been wondering that himself. He had never heard the term â€Å"demon's hole,† but he did recall a famous sixth-century critique of the Pantheon whose words seemed oddly appropriate now. The Venerable Bede had once written that the hole in the Pantheon's roof had been bored by demons trying to escape the building when it was consecrated by Boniface IV. â€Å"And why,† Vittoria added as they entered a smaller courtyard, â€Å"why would the Illuminati use the name Santi if he was really known as Raphael?† â€Å"You ask a lot of questions.† â€Å"My dad used to say that.† â€Å"Two possible reasons. One, the word Raphael has too many syllables. It would have destroyed the poem's iambic pentameter.† â€Å"Sounds like a stretch.† Langdon agreed. â€Å"Okay, then maybe using ‘Santi' was to make the clue more obscure, so only very enlightened men would recognize the reference to Raphael.† Vittoria didn't appear to buy this either. â€Å"I'm sure Raphael's last name was very well known when he was alive.† â€Å"Surprisingly not. Single name recognition was a status symbol. Raphael shunned his last name much like pop stars do today. Take Madonna, for example. She never uses her surname, Ciccone.† Vittoria looked amused. â€Å"You know Madonna's last name?† Langdon regretted the example. It was amazing the kind of garbage a mind picked up living with 10,000 adolescents. As he and Vittoria passed the final gate toward the Office of the Swiss Guard, their progress was halted without warning. â€Å"Para!† a voice bellowed behind them. Langdon and Vittoria wheeled to find themselves looking into the barrel of a rifle. â€Å"Attento!† Vittoria exclaimed, jumping back. â€Å"Watch it with – â€Å" â€Å"Non sportarti!† the guard snapped, cocking the weapon. â€Å"Soldato!† a voice commanded from across the courtyard. Olivetti was emerging from the security center. â€Å"Let them go!† The guard looked bewildered. â€Å"Ma, signore, e una donna – â€Å" â€Å"Inside!† he yelled at the guard. â€Å"Signore, non posso – â€Å" â€Å"Now! You have new orders. Captain Rocher will be briefing the corps in two minutes. We will be organizing a search.† Looking bewildered, the guard hurried into the security center. Olivetti marched toward Langdon, rigid and steaming. â€Å"Our most secret archives? I'll want an explanation.† â€Å"We have good news,† Langdon said. Olivetti's eyes narrowed. â€Å"It better be damn good.† 56 The four unmarked Alpha Romeo 155 T-Sparks roared down Via dei Coronari like fighter jets off a runway. The vehicles carried twelve plainclothed Swiss Guards armed with Cherchi-Pardini semiautomatics, local-radius nerve gas canisters, and long-range stun guns. The three sharpshooters carried laser-sighted rifles. Sitting in the passenger seat of the lead car, Olivetti turned backward toward Langdon and Vittoria. His eyes were filled with rage. â€Å"You assured me a sound explanation, and this is what I get?† Langdon felt cramped in the small car. â€Å"I understand your – â€Å" â€Å"No, you don't understand!† Olivetti never raised his voice, but his intensity tripled. â€Å"I have just removed a dozen of my best men from Vatican City on the eve of conclave. And I have done this to stake out the Pantheon based on the testimony of some American I have never met who has just interpreted a four-hundred-year-old poem. I have also just left the search for this antimatter weapon in the hands of secondary officers.† Langdon resisted the urge to pull Folio 5 from his pocket and wave it in Olivetti's face. â€Å"All I know is that the information we found refers to Raphael's tomb, and Raphael's tomb is inside the Pantheon.† The officer behind the wheel nodded. â€Å"He's right, commander. My wife and I – â€Å" â€Å"Drive,† Olivetti snapped. He turned back to Langdon. â€Å"How could a killer accomplish an assassination in such a crowded place and escape unseen?† â€Å"I don't know,† Langdon said. â€Å"But the Illuminati are obviously highly resourceful. They've broken into both CERN and Vatican City. It's only by luck that we know where the first kill zone is. The Pantheon is your one chance to catch this guy.† â€Å"More contradictions,† Olivetti said. â€Å"One chance? I thought you said there was some sort of pathway. A series of markers. If the Pantheon is the right spot, we can follow the pathway to the other markers. We will have four chances to catch this guy.† â€Å"I had hoped so,† Langdon said. â€Å"And we would have†¦ a century ago.† Langdon's realization that the Pantheon was the first altar of science had been a bittersweet moment. History had a way of playing cruel tricks on those who chased it. It was a long shot that the Path of Illumination would be intact after all of these years, with all of its statues in place, but part of Langdon had fantasized about following the path all the way to the end and coming face to face with the sacred Illuminati lair. Alas, he realized, it was not to be. â€Å"The Vatican had all the statues in the Pantheon removed and destroyed in the late 1800s.† Vittoria looked shocked. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"The statues were pagan Olympian Gods. Unfortunately, that means the first marker is gone†¦ and with it – â€Å" â€Å"Any hope,† Vittoria said, â€Å"of finding the Path of Illumination and additional markers?† Langdon shook his head. â€Å"We have one shot. The Pantheon. After that, the path disappears.† Olivetti stared at them both a long moment and then turned and faced front. â€Å"Pull over,† he barked to the driver. The driver swerved the car toward the curb and put on the brakes. Three other Alpha Romeos skidded in behind them. The Swiss Guard convoy screeched to a halt. â€Å"What are you doing!† Vittoria demanded. â€Å"My job,† Olivetti said, turning in his seat, his voice like stone. â€Å"Mr. Langdon, when you told me you would explain the situation en route, I assumed I would be approaching the Pantheon with a clear idea of why my men are here. That is not the case. Because I am abandoning critical duties by being here, and because I have found very little that makes sense in this theory of yours about virgin sacrifices and ancient poetry, I cannot in good conscience continue. I am recalling this mission immediately.† He pulled out his walkie-talkie and clicked it on. Vittoria reached across the seat and grabbed his arm. â€Å"You can't!† Olivetti slammed down the walkie-talkie and fixed her with a red-hot stare. â€Å"Have you been to the Pantheon, Ms. Vetra?† â€Å"No, but I – â€Å" â€Å"Let me tell you something about it. The Pantheon is a single room. A circular cell made of stone and cement. It has one entrance. No windows. One narrow entrance. That entrance is flanked at all times by no less than four armed Roman policemen who protect this shrine from art defacers, anti-Christian terrorists, and gypsy tourist scams.† â€Å"Your point?† she said coolly. â€Å"My point?† Olivetti's knuckles gripped the seat. â€Å"My point is that what you have just told me is going to happen is utterly impossible! Can you give me one plausible scenario of how someone could kill a cardinal inside the Pantheon? How does one even get a hostage past the guards into the Pantheon in the first place? Much less actually kill him and get away?† Olivetti leaned over the seat, his coffee breath now in Langdon's face. â€Å"How, Mr. Langdon? One plausible scenario.† Langdon felt the tiny car shrink around him. I have no idea! I'm not an assassin! I don't know how he will do it! I only know – â€Å"One scenario?† Vittoria quipped, her voice unruffled. â€Å"How about this? The killer flies over in a helicopter and drops a screaming, branded cardinal down through the hole in the roof. The cardinal hits the marble floor and dies.† Everyone in the car turned and stared at Vittoria. Langdon didn't know what to think. You've got one sick imagination, lady, but you are quick. Olivetti frowned. â€Å"Possible, I admit†¦ but hardly – â€Å" â€Å"Or the killer drugs the cardinal,† Vittoria said, â€Å"brings him to the Pantheon in a wheelchair like some old tourist. He wheels him inside, quietly slits his throat, and then walks out.† This seemed to wake up Olivetti a bit. Not bad! Langdon thought. â€Å"Or,† she said, â€Å"the killer could – â€Å" â€Å"I heard you,† Olivetti said. â€Å"Enough.† He took a deep breath and blew it out. Someone rapped sharply on the window, and everyone jumped. It was a soldier from one of the other cars. Olivetti rolled down the window. â€Å"Everything all right, commander?† The soldier was dressed in street clothes. He pulled back the sleeve of his denim shirt to reveal a black chronograph military watch. â€Å"Seven-forty, commander. We'll need time to get in position.† Olivetti nodded vaguely but said nothing for many moments. He ran a finger back and forth across the dash, making a line in the dust. He studied Langdon in the side-view mirror, and Langdon felt himself being measured and weighed. Finally Olivetti turned back to the guard. There was reluctance in his voice. â€Å"I'll want separate approaches. Cars to Piazza della Rotunda, Via delgi Orfani, Piazza Sant'Ignacio, and Sant'Eustachio. No closer than two blocks. Once you're parked, gear up and await my orders. Three minutes.† â€Å"Very good, sir.† The soldier returned to his car. Langdon gave Vittoria an impressed nod. She smiled back, and for an instant Langdon felt an unexpected connection†¦ a thread of magnetism between them. The commander turned in his seat and locked eyes with Langdon. â€Å"Mr. Langdon, this had better not blow up in our faces.† Langdon smiled uneasily. How could it? 57 The director of CERN, Maximilian Kohler, opened his eyes to the cool rush of cromolyn and leukotriene in his body, dilating his bronchial tubes and pulmonary capillaries. He was breathing normally again. He found himself lying in a private room in the CERN infirmary, his wheelchair beside the bed. He took stock, examining the paper robe they had put him in. His clothing was folded on the chair beside the bed. Outside he could hear a nurse making the rounds. He lay there a long minute listening. Then, as quietly as possible, he pulled himself to the edge of the bed and retrieved his clothing. Struggling with his dead legs, he dressed himself. Then he dragged his body onto his wheelchair. Muffling a cough, he wheeled himself to the door. He moved manually, careful not to engage the motor. When he arrived at the door he peered out. The hall was empty. Silently, Maximilian Kohler slipped out of the infirmary.

Establishment of responsibility Essay

While at the counter, the customer can see other employees making the pizzas and the large ovens in which the pizzas are baked Instructions: Identify the six principles of internal control and give an example of each principle that you might observe when picking up your pizza. Note: It may not be possible to observe all the principles. ) 1st Principle – Establishment of responsibility * Only one person is responsible for a given task. * For example, the cashier that exchanges the pizza for cash would be the principle of establishment of responsibility. 2nd Principle – Segregation of duties. Accounting employees balances books * Another personnel has custody of cash on hand (making deposits) * In this principle- segregation of duties one cannot observe this principle in this scenario. th Principle – Documentation procedures * Pre-number documents or invoices * For example, the cashier has pre-number receipts for each order that is picked up by the customer. At the end of the clerk’s shift these invoices are forwarded to accounting to timely record each transaction. 5th Principle – Physical mechanical and electronic controls * Consist of having safes, deposit boxes, and time clocks for time worked. * The clerk has a cashier that controls and safeguards the assets to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the accounting records. th Principle – Independent internal verification * Employees review, compare, and reconcile data that was prepared by them. Three measure are recommended: * An example cannot be provided for this principle because a customer cannot identify if: * 1st – Org. should verify records periodically or on a surprise basis. * 2nd – A manager should make the verification of an employee * 3rd – Discrepancies and exceptions should be reported to mgt. to make appropriate corrective action. Chapter 7: Problem Set B: P7-2B The board of trustees of a local church is concerned about the internal accounting controls pertaining to the offering collections made at weekly services. They ask you to serve on a three-person audit team with the internal auditor of the university and a CPA who has just joined the church. At a meeting of the audit team and the board of trustees you learn the following: A) Indicate the weaknesses in internal accounting control in the handling of collections. There are a few weaknesses in internal control in the handling of collections for the church, such as there is no supervision when the ushers take money. There is a chance that the ushers can take money from the collection plate. In addition, the financial secretary manages three tasks like bank reconciliation, has control and has custody of the cash, and maintains the church records. Moreover, the financial secretary holds out cash ($150-$200) per week; different withhold amounts for cash expenditures. There is not a witness when the head usher or the financial secretary count the money. Last, checks are made payable to cash (Kimmel, Weygandt & Kieso, 2007). B) List the improvements in internal control procedures that you plan to make at the next meeting of the audit team for: Ushers: How churches handle usher operations varies from congregation to congregation, but a consistent set of controls protects the fiduciary integrity of the church, and creates confidence among donors. One problem in the collection process is that only the head usher counts the collection without any accountability to ensure his count is accurate, or that all of the funds donated are transferred to the safe. This can be resolved by having the other ushers count the donations and sign off on the report, so that more than one set of eyes have verified the donations. Additionally, volunteers will need to take a course familiarizing would-be ushers with standard operating procedures, and reporting standards before being qualified to volunteer for usher position. This will help solidify controls for the ushers. Head Usher: While the church may not be currently experiencing anything wrong with the usher selection and volunteer system at the church, some improvements might be considered. The church might consider making the head usher a year-long term, elected by church members to create continuity, but also impose term limits – possibly every 3-4 years a head usher must take a sabbatical. Additionally, because the head usher role is so pivotal in the collection process, and it is a place where mistakes or malfeasance can easily take place; it would be helpful for the ushers and the financial secretary to be present in the collection counts, the day of, so someone outside the usher department can verify tithe counts. Financial Secretary: The most glaring issue, which opens up easy access for, would be embezzlers in the congregations check policy. All checks being written to cash basically enables anyone to cash out the check, the church, a rouge employee or volunteer, or otherwise. All checks need to be made out to the church, not to cash. It would be even better if the church went the route of many churches by allowing donors to have donations processed monthly (or weekly depending on donor preference) through e-commerce, allowing debit or credit payments to be made automatically to the church account. This will add a layer to the recording process, but it also increases security for donors. The financial secretary also needs to stop pulling cash from weekly donations for cash expenditures as cash transactions are harder to track and thus are more easily abused. Instead a petty cash account needs to be started, and cash allocated as needed based on historical records of cash expenditures. Additionally, a church credit/debit card, or reimbursement policy greatly will diminish the need for high levels of cash in the petty cash account. Finance Committee: The first thing the finance committee needs to do is to follow its own policy, and conduct annual audits. The church’s 501 (C)(3) nonprofit designation demands this. Often the most â€Å"trusted† employees are the ones who are found to have committed improprieties. Regardless of trust, regular audits, and reporting is essential. The second major priority is for the financial committee to purchase a fidelity insurance policy that will protect the church in the case of financial impropriety or massive fraud on part of those who handle finances. In addition to the need for an overhaul in policy (discussed below), the financial committee needs to inculcate a culture of financial vigilance and rigor to keep the church from even the perception of financial impropriety. C) What church policies should be changed to improve internal control? The church board of trustees is responsible of make sure that the church runs smoothly, from assigning the right ministers to the right ministries and making sure that the tithes and offerings are accounted for after each service. The first and most important thing that the church needs to do is getting some fidelity insurance. This type of insurance will protect the church of losses that may result of fraudulent acts by specified individuals. Protecting the church of any dishonest employee or member who may steal money, securities, and other property that once belong to the church. The second thing is to have an audit conducted because there has not been an audit performed in 15 years. Highly recommend using an outside source of performing the audit, this way every rock and stone will be turn over. The church financial management department should be responsible for counting and recordkeeping of the tithes and offering received but in separate offices, one office for counting the money and the other office for recordkeeping purposes The head usher responsibility should be making sure that the tithes and offering plates are accounted for and immediately delivering the plates (with one member from the board of trustee) to the financial management office (the financial office manager, and one individual from the board of trustees are the only ones with keys to both offices). The financial management recordkeeping personnel and the financial secretary should first come to an agreement on how much cash is needed for the week expense. Also the two will count the money with the intention to be deposit along with a deposit slip; the financial secretary will be responsible of making the deposit and afterward returning the deposit receipt to the recordkeeping office for recording purposes.

Free Essays on Summary Of A Midsummer Nights Dream

The play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare is about three different groups of characters. The first group is consists of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, who is preparing to marry Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. Egeus, mother of Hermia, arrives at Theseus’ s home with Hermia and two suitors, Demetrius and Lysander. Lysander and Hermia are deeply in love, but Egeus wishes Hermia to marry Demetrius. Egeus then asks Theseus for the full penalty of law to fall on Hermia’s head if she refuses to marry Demetrius. Theseus gives Hermia until his wedding to consider her options, warning her that if she disobeys her mother, she could be sent to a convent or even executed. After that, Hermia and Lysander make plans to escape Athens and marry at Lysander’s aunt’s house. Lysander and Hermia tell Helena, who is in love with Demetrius, of their plans to elope. Helena then tells Demetrius of Lysander and Hermia’s planned elopement, and Demetrius storms into the woods after his love, and Helena follows him; as much as he hates her. The second group of characters consists of a bunch of fairies, the fairy king, Oberon, and his queen, Titania. The third group of characters is a band of Athenian craftsmen rehearsing a play that they hope to perform for Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding. Oberon and Titania are fighting over a young prince given to Titania, by the prince’s mother. Oberon wishes to make him a knight, but Titania refuses. Seeking revenge, Oberon has Puck, his court jester, find some flower that when you spread its juice on the eyelids of a sleeping person, that person will be in love with the first thing he or she sees upon waking. Puck obtains the flower and Oberon tells him of his plans to spread its juice on Titania’s sleeping eyelids. Oberon had seen how horribly that Demetrius was to Helena and ordered Puck to spread some if its juice on Demetrius‘s eyes. Puck goes out to find Demetrius... Free Essays on Summary Of A Midsummer Night's Dream Free Essays on Summary Of A Midsummer Night's Dream The play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare is about three different groups of characters. The first group is consists of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, who is preparing to marry Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. Egeus, mother of Hermia, arrives at Theseus’ s home with Hermia and two suitors, Demetrius and Lysander. Lysander and Hermia are deeply in love, but Egeus wishes Hermia to marry Demetrius. Egeus then asks Theseus for the full penalty of law to fall on Hermia’s head if she refuses to marry Demetrius. Theseus gives Hermia until his wedding to consider her options, warning her that if she disobeys her mother, she could be sent to a convent or even executed. After that, Hermia and Lysander make plans to escape Athens and marry at Lysander’s aunt’s house. Lysander and Hermia tell Helena, who is in love with Demetrius, of their plans to elope. Helena then tells Demetrius of Lysander and Hermia’s planned elopement, and Demetrius storms into the woods after his love, and Helena follows him; as much as he hates her. The second group of characters consists of a bunch of fairies, the fairy king, Oberon, and his queen, Titania. The third group of characters is a band of Athenian craftsmen rehearsing a play that they hope to perform for Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding. Oberon and Titania are fighting over a young prince given to Titania, by the prince’s mother. Oberon wishes to make him a knight, but Titania refuses. Seeking revenge, Oberon has Puck, his court jester, find some flower that when you spread its juice on the eyelids of a sleeping person, that person will be in love with the first thing he or she sees upon waking. Puck obtains the flower and Oberon tells him of his plans to spread its juice on Titania’s sleeping eyelids. Oberon had seen how horribly that Demetrius was to Helena and ordered Puck to spread some if its juice on Demetrius‘s eyes. Puck goes out to find Demetrius...

Booker T. Washington, Early Black Leader and Educator

Booker T. Washington, Early Black Leader and Educator Booker T. Washington (April 5, 1856–November 14, 1915) was a prominent black educator, author, and leader of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into slavery, Washington rose to a position of power and influence, founding the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881 and overseeing its growth into a well-respected black university. Washington was a controversial figure in his time and since, criticized for being too accommodating on the issues of segregation and equal rights. Fast Facts: Booker T. Washington Known For: Born a slave, Washington became a prominent black educator and leader during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, founding the Tuskegee Institute.Also Known As: Booker Taliaferro Washington; The Great AccommodatorBorn: April 5, 1856 (the only record of this birthdate was in a now-lost family Bible) in Hales Ford, VirginiaParents: Jane and unknown father, described in Washingtons autobiography as a white man who lived on one of the nearby plantations.Died: November 14, 1915 in Tuskegee, AlabamaEducation: As a child laborer, after the Civil War, Washington attended school at night and then school for one hour a day. At 16, he attended the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. He attended the Wayland Seminary for six months.Published Works:  Up From Slavery, The Story of My Life and Work, The Story of the Negro: The Rise of the Race from Slavery, My Larger Education, The Man Farthest DownAwards and Honors: First black American to receive an honorary degree from Harv ard University (1896). First black American invited to dine at the White House, with President Theodore Roosevelt (1901).Spouses: Fanny Norton Smith Washington, Olivia Davidson Washington, Margaret Murray WashingtonChildren: Portia, Booker T. Jr., Ernest, adopted niece of Margaret Murray WashingtonNotable Quote: In all things that are purely social we [blacks and whites] can be separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress. Early Life Booker T. Washington was born in April 1856 on a small farm in Hales Ford, Virginia. He was given the middle name Taliaferro but no last name. His mother Jane was a slave and worked as the plantation cook.  In Washingtons autobiography, he wrote that his father- whom he never knew - was a white man, possibly from a neighboring plantation. Booker had an older brother, John, also fathered by a white man. Jane and her sons occupied a tiny, one-room cabin. Their dreary home lacked proper windows and had no beds for its occupants. Bookers family rarely had enough to eat and sometimes resorted to theft to supplement their meager provisions. Around 1860, Jane married Washington Ferguson, a slave from a nearby plantation. Booker later took the first name of his stepfather as his last name. During the Civil War, the slaves on Bookers plantation, like many slaves in the South, continued to work for the owner even after the issuance of Lincolns 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1865 after the war ended, Booker T. Washington and his family moved to Malden, West Virginia, where Bookers stepfather had found a job as a salt packer for the local salt works. Working in the Mines Living conditions in their new home were no better than those back at the plantation. Nine-year-old Booker worked alongside their stepfather packing salt into barrels. He despised the work but did learn to recognize numbers by taking note of those written on the sides of the salt barrels. Like many former slaves during the post-Civil War era, Booker longed to learn how to read and write. When a black school opened in a nearby community, Booker begged to go. His stepfather refused, insisting that the family needed the money he brought in from the salt packing. Booker eventually found a way to attend school at night. When he was 10, his stepfather took him out of school and sent him to work in the nearby coal mines. From  Miner to Student In 1868, 12-year-old Booker T. Washington found a job as a houseboy in the home of the wealthiest couple in Malden, General Lewis Ruffner, and his wife Viola. Mrs. Ruffner was known for her high standards and strict manner. Washington, responsible for cleaning the house and other chores, impressed Mrs. Ruffner, a former teacher, with his sense of purpose and a commitment to improving himself. She allowed him to attend school for an hour a day. Determined to continue his education, 16-year-old Washington left the Ruffner household in 1872 to attend Hampton Institute, a school for blacks in Virginia. After traveling over 300 miles- by train, stagecoach, and on foot- Washington arrived at Hampton Institute in October of that year. Miss Mackie, the principal at Hampton, was not entirely convinced that the young country boy deserved a place at her school. She asked Washington to clean and sweep a recitation room for her; he did the job so thoroughly that Miss Mackie pronounced him fit for admission. In his memoir Up From Slavery, Washington later referred to that experience as his college examination. Hampton Institute To pay his room and board, Washington worked as a janitor at Hampton Institute. Rising early in the morning to build the fires in the school rooms, Washington also stayed up late every night to complete his chores and work on his studies. Washington greatly admired the headmaster at Hampton, General Samuel C. Armstrong, and considered him his mentor and role model. Armstrong, a veteran of the Civil War, ran the institute like a military academy, conducting daily drills and inspections. Although academic studies were offered at Hampton, Armstrong placed emphasis on teaching trades. Washington embraced all that Hampton Institute offered him, but he was drawn to a teaching career rather than a trade. He worked on his oratory skills, becoming a valued member of the schools debate society. At his 1875 commencement, Washington was among those called upon to speak. A reporter from The New York Times was present at the commencement and praised the speech given by 19-year-old Washington in his column the following day. First Teaching Job Booker T. Washington returned to Malden after his graduation with his newly acquired teaching certificate. He was hired to teach at the school in Tinkersville, the same school he had himself attended before Hampton Institute. By 1876, Washington was teaching hundreds of students- children during the day and adults at night. During his early years of teaching, Washington developed a philosophy toward the advancement of blacks. He believed in achieving the betterment of his race by strengthening the character of his students and teaching them a useful trade or occupation. By doing so, Washington believed, blacks would assimilate more easily into white society, proving themselves an essential part of that society. After three years of teaching, Washington appears to have gone through a period of uncertainty in his early 20s. He abruptly and inexplicably quit his post, enrolling in a Baptist theological school in Washington, D.C. Washington quit after only six months and rarely ever mentioned this period of his life. Tuskegee Institute In February 1879, Washington was invited by General Armstrong to give the spring commencement speech at Hampton Institute that year. His speech was so impressive and so well received that Armstrong offered him a teaching position at his alma mater. Washington began teaching night classes in the fall of 1879. Within months of his arrival at Hampton, night enrollment tripled. In 1881, General Armstrong was asked by a group of educational commissioners from Tuskegee, Alabama for the name of a qualified white man to run their new school for blacks. The general instead suggested Washington for the job. At only 25 years old, former slave Booker T. Washington became the principal of what would become Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. When he arrived at Tuskegee in June 1881, however, Washington found that the school had not yet been built. State funding was earmarked only for teachers salaries, not for supplies or the building of the facility. Washington quickly found a suitable plot of farmland for his school and raised enough money for a down payment. Until he could secure the deed to that land, he held classes in an old shack adjacent to a black Methodist church. The first classes began an astonishing 10 days after Washingtons arrival. Gradually, once the farm was paid for, the students enrolled at the school helped repair the buildings, clear the land, and plant vegetable gardens. Washington received books and supplies donated by his friends at Hampton. As word spread of the great strides made by Washington at Tuskegee, donations began to come in, mainly from people in the north who supported the education of freed slaves. Washington went on a fundraising tour throughout the northern states, speaking to church groups and other organizations. By May 1882, he had collected enough money to construct a large new building on the Tuskegee campus. (During the schools first 20 years, 40 new buildings would be constructed on campus, most of them by student labor.) Marriage, Fatherhood, and Loss In August 1882, Washington married Fanny Smith, a young woman who had just graduated from Hampton. A great asset to her husband, Fanny became very successful at raising money for Tuskegee Institute and arranged many dinners and benefits. In 1883, Fanny gave birth to the couples daughter Portia. Sadly, Washingtons wife died the following year of unknown causes, leaving him a widower at only 28 years old. In 1885, Washington married again. His new wife, 31-year-old Olivia Davidson, was the lady principal of Tuskegee at the time of their marriage. (Washington held the title administrator.) They had two children together- Booker T. Jr. (born in 1885) and Ernest (born in 1889). Olivia Washington developed health problems after the birth of their second child and she died of a respiratory ailment in 1889 at the age of 34. Washington had lost two wives within a period of only six years. Washington married his third wife, Margaret Murray, in 1892. She, too, was the lady principal at Tuskegee. She helped Washington run the school and care for his children and accompanied him on his many fundraising tours. In later years, she was active in several black womens organizations. Margaret and Washington were married until his death. They had no biological children together but adopted Margarets orphaned niece in 1904. The Growth of Tuskegee Institute As Tuskegee Institute continued to grow both in enrollment and in reputation, Washington nonetheless found himself in the constant struggle of trying to raise money to keep the school afloat. Gradually, however, the school gained statewide recognition and became a source of pride for Alabamans, leading the Alabama legislature to allocate more funds toward the salaries of instructors. The school also received grants from philanthropic foundations that supported education for blacks. Tuskegee Institute offered academic courses but placed the greatest emphasis on industrial education, focusing on practical skills that would be valued in the southern economy such as farming, carpentry, blacksmithing, and building construction. Young women were taught housekeeping, sewing, and mattress-making. Always on the lookout for new money-making ventures, Washington conceived the idea that Tuskegee Institute could teach brick-making to its students, and eventually make money selling its bricks to the community. Despite several failures in the early stages of the project, Washington persisted- and eventually succeeded. The Atlanta Compromise Speech By the 1890s, Washington had become a well-known and popular speaker, although his speeches were considered controversial by some. For instance, he delivered a speech at Fisk University in Nashville in 1890 in which he criticized black ministers as uneducated and morally unfit. His remarks generated a firestorm of criticism from the black community, but he refused to retract any of his statements. In 1895, Washington delivered the speech that brought him great fame. Speaking in Atlanta at the Cotton States and International Exposition, Washington addressed the issue of racial relations in the United States. The speech came to be known as The Atlanta Compromise. Washington expressed his firm belief that blacks and whites should work together to achieve economic prosperity and racial harmony. He urged southern whites to give black businessmen a chance to succeed in their endeavors. What Washington did not support, however, was any form of legislation that would promote or mandate racial integration or equal rights. In a nod to segregation, Washington proclaimed: In all things that are purely social, we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress. His speech was widely praised by southern whites, but many in the black community were critical of his message and accused Washington of being too accommodating to whites, earning him the name The Great Accommodator. Tour of Europe and Autobiography Washington gained international acclaim during a tour of Europe in 1899. Washington gave speeches to various organizations and socialized with leaders and celebrities, including Queen Victoria and Mark Twain. Before leaving for the trip, Washington stirred up controversy when asked to comment upon the murder of a black man in Georgia who had been strung up and burned alive. He declined to comment on the horrific incident, adding that he believed that education would prove to be the cure for such actions. His tepid response was condemned by many black Americans. In 1900, Washington formed the National Negro Business League (NNBL), with the goal of promoting black-owned businesses. The following year, Washington published his successful autobiography, Up From Slavery. The popular book found its way into the hands of several philanthropists, resulting in many large donations to Tuskegee Institute. Washingtons autobiography remains in print to this day and is considered by many historians to be one of the most inspirational books written by a black American. The stellar reputation of the institute brought in many notable speakers, including industrialist Andrew Carnegie and feminist Susan B. Anthony. Famed agricultural scientist George Washington Carver became a member of the faculty and taught at Tuskegee for nearly 50 years. Dinner With President Roosevelt Washington found himself at the center of controversy once again in October 1901, when he accepted an invitation from President Theodore Roosevelt to dine at the White House. Roosevelt had long admired Washington and had even sought his advice on a few occasions. Roosevelt felt it only fitting that he invite Washington to dinner. But the very notion that the president had dined with a black man at the White House created a furor among whites- both northerners and southerners. (Many blacks, however, took it as a sign of progress in the quest for racial equality.) Roosevelt, stung by the criticism, never again issued an invitation. Washington benefited from the experience, which seemed to seal his status as the most important black man in America. Later Years Washington continued to draw criticism for his accommodationist policies. Two of his greatest critics were William Monroe Trotter, a prominent black newspaper editor and activist, and W.E.B. Du Bois, a black faculty member at Atlanta University. Du Bois criticized Washington for his narrow views on the race issue and for his reluctance to promote an academically strong education for blacks. Washington saw his power and relevance dwindle in his later years. As he traveled around the globe giving speeches, Washington seemed to ignore glaring problems in America, such as race riots, lynchings, and the disenfranchisement of black voters in many southern states. Although Washington later spoke out more forcefully against discrimination, many blacks would not forgive him for his willingness to compromise with whites at the cost of racial equality. At best, he was viewed as a relic from another era; at worst, a hindrance to the advancement of his race. Death Washingtons frequent travel and busy lifestyle eventually took a toll on his health. He developed high blood pressure and kidney disease in his 50s and became seriously ill while on a trip to New York in November 1915. Insisting that he die at home, Washington boarded a train with his wife for Tuskegee. He was unconscious when they arrived and died a few hours later on November 14, 1915, at the age of 59. Booker T. Washington was buried on a hill overlooking the Tuskegee campus in a brick tomb built by students. Legacy From a slave to the founder of a black university, Booker T. Washingtons life traces the vast changes undergone and distances traversed by black Americans after the Civil War and into the twentieth century. He was an educator, prolific writer, orator, adviser to presidents, and considered the most prominent black American at the height of his career. His accommodationist approach to advancing the economic lives and rights of black in America was controversial even in its own time and remains controversial to this day. Sources Harlan, Louis R. Booker T. Washington: The Making of a Black Leader, 1856–1901. Oxford, 1972.Wells, Jeremy. â€Å"Booker T. Washington (1856–1915).† Encyclopedia Virginia.

Jump Ship and Shop Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Jump Ship and Shop - Case Study Example The second way is hosting events for customers with decorations and background carols (Mill 314). It allows customers to spend more time in the resort, explore the various products and services offered, and ask questions and clarifications where necessary. The third way to market is using the internet for the resorts with websites. The resorts design the home page to reflect the Christmas season and email any deals to their customers in the mailing list. Many shoppers would want to buy things for themselves and their friends and families. Resorts draw attention to larger groups of young people and families and especially between twenty-five years to fifty years and hence they direct any marketing activity to this age bracket. The resort needs also to target website visitors and make their home pages stand out to attract the attention. If we market resorts properly, they may receive customers from all over the world who are looking for exclusive and unique products and services. Proper marketing enhances increased sales returns and in return, customers expect efficient

How should we live on the earth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

How should we live on the earth - Essay Example Hence, land is valuable to man and even biblically â€Å"since the days of Ezekiel and Isaiah†. The question of how we should live on earth has been there since the early civilization of man. Through his works, Leopold can be referred to as the founder of establishing how man and the environment should coexist. This is because he is regarded as the first person to invoke the topic on land ethic in the 21st century. He came up with this terminology through his book ‘A Sand County Almanac’. He referred to land ethic as a theory that directs human beings actions in land utilization or when making changes to land (Leopold). It is wise for human beings to safeguard and conserve the land as he lives on earth. Leopold argued that Land ethic is a limitation of the freedom to use land when trying to exist. Further, ethics have developed with evolution of man and ecology. Ethics mean that there are socially acceptable and unacceptable ways of dealing with or utilizing land. The use of land ethics starts from an individual whereby, the individual should cultivate ways of coexisting with the environment. Secondly, land ethics can be exercised by the community that can develop instincts and rules of how it should coexist with land. Therefore, there are various inspirations, theories and explanations that explain how we should live on earth and some of them are highlighted in this essay. ... When we relate this to the current world, these members are all that makes up the earth we live in. Each of these members should live in coexistence with others in a big community. Land ethic in this community inspires changes in the role of human beings on earth from being conquerors of the community, to being members in the community (Leopold). Therefore, human beings should respect the other members of the community to ensure there is coexistence. Secondly, we should ensure that there is harmonious living between the earth and us. As human beings, we should have knowledge and use it to ensure that the earth is in a state of harmony. Humans should embrace education that is focused towards conservation so that they can ensure harmony in the earth. To promote harmony, we should seek to ensure that the ecology in our environment is conserved. To support this, People should join in organizations so that they can step up education about the environment. The knowledge gained through such education should be used to conserve the earth and hence, ensure harmony (Leopold). For example, farmers should be educated on soil conservation methods in order to prevent soil erosion, learn how to use machinery on their fields and good crop farming techniques. They should use this knowledge to ensure that the community (the earth) also benefits from their activities. To live in harmony, we must perceive the earth as a friend, therefore, this will help us to see that the earth provides for our needs, and we should care for it. In addition, we should perceive the earth as one complete living organism, which has various parts that include all the members, who must all cooperate with each other. Thirdly, we should live in the earth by first identifying our position in the