To Build a Strong Brand within the Fashion Industry Essay

To Build a Strong Brand within the Fashion Industry - Essay Example This paper illustrates that interpretivism has been found to be applicable for this particular research study. Interpretivism combines varied approaches together and tries to comprehend the humankind as it is experienced and made considerable by the experiences of human beings. This philosophy takes into account the individual experiences and their beliefs and opinions to form a genuine conclusion that presents a study that lay concealed in such human experiences. In short, this approach takes the individual understanding to reflect the outcomes of the study. Thus this research philosophy has enabled the present study to focus on the details of the research to determine an understanding on building of a strong brand in the fashion industry. The research has been based on a secondary study involving both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Thus the data that have been collected and used for the study have both qualitative as well as quantitative information. For instance, t he business reports included financial status of the fashion companies, hence involving quantitative data. On the other hand, the theories and previous researches concerning build-up of strong brand in the fashion industry were qualitative in nature. Qualitative methods require the research study to describe the types and qualities of people or incidents without expressing them in the form of numerical figures.

Mathematics Book Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mathematics Book Report - Essay Example There are 28 chapters in the book, each one dealing with different aspects of mathematics. It does not deal everything as a story. Rather, it tells about the development of main ideas and gives us a clear understanding of what math and science in general means. The book starts with the origin of number systems through different countries, starting from Egypt, Mesopotamia and its development in the different ages of Plato and Aristotle. Then, the book tells about how math evolved through the eyes of different mathematicians like Newton, Leibniz, Fermat and Descartes and how they applied it in different fields of life. One always wonders about how each and every equation in mathematics was evolved and what made those equations perfectly correct. This book gives you the answers for whatever you think about math. Carl Boyer has given a strong emphasis on the chronological arrangement of the book and the history it refers to. This turns out to be the unique reason for the success of this book. Once you get your sight in, we are entitled to ask ourselves as to why mathematics leaves us with questions we cannot answer. The amazing thing one learns when reading this book is that mathematics evolved not only in Europe but in other parts of the world too. Interestingly, it is not only men who discovered its mysteries.

On the Job Training Essay Example for Free

On the Job Training Essay It also benefits the students to acquire relevant knowledge and skills by performing in actual work setting. Colleges and universities require their students to undergo such training within a specific number of hours as part of the curriculum. It provides opportunities to go through the actual methodologies of a specific job using the real tools, equipments and documents. In effect, the workplace becomes a development venue for a student trainee to learn more about his chosen field and practice what he has learn from university. Supervised Industrial Training is an important opportunity for students to seed their careers in a particular industry; or alternately, it may help students to clarify which sector of the industry they wish to pursue a career in. It works to develop an individual’s sense of professionalism by experiencing firsthand the industrys culture and practices; learning from professionals their roles and responsibilities as active professionals. It is here our technical skills as well as our ability to take on and handle given responsibilities and make sound decisions that will strengthen our prospects. It is therefore not uncommon for us students who rise to the challenge to be offered a continuing position after their initial supervised industrial training period. Alternatively, an efficient OJT program furthermore benefits the companies who accommodate trainees. Initially OJT or intern offer further manpower for a slighter compensation than a regular member of staff. Majority of them are all dedicated to be trained so probabilities are high that they will cooperate. Managers can make use of this internship strategy as a scheme in recruiting new employees. Given that the supervisor can keep an eye on the trainees’ development, he/she can determine based on performance, actions and approach if the trainee will make an excellent recruit after the completion of his internship. In Addition, OJT’s are capable to convey bright fact into the group. Known the chance to verbalize their mind liberally and with no apprehension, they perhaps able to contribute substantially in suggestion gathering or research and sooner or later help develop the company’s productivity. At the same time as teaching the interns, supervisors are actually also training their member of staff to development of guiding the trainees broaden their persistence, widen teaching expertise and make them supplementary aware to the requirements and state of mind of the adolescent. The path of supervision as well explains them how to contribute what they know and be sympathetic to enquiry. For this reason, the internship additionally turns out to be an opportunity in training for the future managers of the company. Obliging on SIT can exceptionally be beneficial not only to the trainees but also to the companies that endow with opportunities for this kind of learning. This is also why trainees should undergo their SIT seriously as it may turn out to be a dominant tool and perhaps even a basis of proposal as soon as they acquire that huge raise for being students to career professionals. But most important of all, it is one of the best training methods because it is planned, organized, and conducted at the actual worksite. SIT will generally be the primary method used for broadening trainee skills and increasing productivity. It is particularly appropriate for developing proficiency skills unique to an employees job especially jobs that are relatively requires knowledge and skills to learn and the attitude and whole personality of the student to deal with his superiors, co-workers and subordinates. Morale, productivity, and professionalism will normally be high in those students that undergone SIT program. Thus, these acclimatized qualities will be used by the students to be successful in life. VNR Construction, a company where I’m assigned to learn and experience the construction/development process. VNR Construction was registered with the Department of Trade and Industries in 1999. It is a company and Industry of Engineering and Architecture. Their main line of business is in building construction, labor supply, and steel fabrications. Their project range from private residential buildings to medium rise office towers. This is owned by ENGR. Nelson Remulla, a licensed Electrical Engineer. Company Vision is to have Professionalism on the system of delivering services, and provide quality, competitive price of every undertakings and to deliver the highest level of satisfaction to the clients. VNR had established its name for its quality of work and excellent after sale service which gained for the company the confidence of its clients, likewise due to its flexible organization the company can offer competitive price for its services. Main Mission is to be known as one of the well systematic Construction Company in the field of Planning and Development, It will achieve only in compliance with its quality management system, dedication to their customer, service enhancement, and commitment to serve. II. Job performed in the Company May 21, 2012, it was the date when I first started my day as an OJT at VNR Construction. It is a construction company which is sited at 4th floor VNR business center, Governor’s drive, Langkaan I, City of Dasmarinas Cavite. I was designated at the department called Purchasing Department. This department serves as the central purveyor of tools, equipments, and materials that is necessary to site. Furthermore, at this department, its major task is to hit upon good supplier which supplies good quality of materials at reasonable cost and need to deliver immediately to not have a delay in construction. It must not have delays to maintain the production stream smoothly and prevent waste of time and money. On the first week of my training, I started my work as an assistant and an aid of Mr. John Paolo Modesto – Head of Purchasing Department. He first taught me the pace of purchasing department, rules and regulation, and what is the blend of coffee that my boss likes. I him help arranging company’s documents, photocopy of files, estimate, and answering phone calls. Being an assistant is bland; assuming that it was the only work that I will do for the rest of my OJT. On the second week of my training, it was an honor for me that Engineer has given me a chance to go along on tour with our client. While we are on the trip, I saw how engineer deals with our client. As time goes by, I get used to be a purchaser. My supervisor was trained me to have good communication skills with our suppliers and visitor. He also trained me how to communicate with other supplier to do business with to lowest price possible we could get from them without sacrificing the quality of material we will purchase from them. It is also my task to encode in my database all the materials that have been delivered, to monitor the materials cost in each site. . It is also our task to do monetary report of all projects. So that Engineer can visualize what is happening on every project. We tried our best to come up with 100% accuracy in our report. On the third week of my training, I feel I already worked just like a regular employee of the company. Starting on that time, I feel I was not an assistant or a helper any longer just like on my first day of OJT, but one of trusted personnel on the department. It was privilege to me that my supervisor has trusted to make material request form, purchase request form, purchase order form, transmittals, cash advance of workers, and endorsed me some of important files. It is also an honor to me that the company teaches me how to handle subordinates appropriately. Sometimes I go along with the driver and helper to monitor their progress, to deliver the cash advance/payroll of the workers, to know the concerns of the site, and site inspection to examine the materials that has to be delivered. On the following week of my training, while I was assigned as a purchaser, the company transfer me in the construction department. At that time, I am very excited to work with site because since the first day of my OJT I wish that I would designate to site. At the first day in the site everything is new, new environment, new task, and new supervisor. Furthermore, I struggled to adopt in my new department because from being a purchaser that I accustomed with, I now work as an assistant of Mr. Junmhar Reyes (one of the three professionals site supervisor of VNR). We are assigned in 3rd floor of VNR business center, 1 floor lower from our office, our task to renovate an existing call center and make it a world class piece. I also have a hard time to fulfil all the responsibilities that was hand over to me like monitoring all the works of the worker to check if their work is followed according to plan and correct, making the daily accomplishment report and attendance of workers, and check our material balances. A month later, we were assigned in a new project in Devine Grace Medical Center located in Rosario, Cavite, again it is an existing 7th floor building but the 6th and 7th floor has no room partition because the said two floors is an extension so that the hospital can accommodate more patients. This time it’s more challenging not only because it is far away from our office, not only the site is much larger than our previous project, but because of we have to impressed and show the board how passionate, motivated, and world class output in our work. My supervisor, which is an expert in his field, taught me different techniques, approach, and all the things that he is knowledgeable with. Time came when my supervisor ask me to handle workers. That time is when I used what was taught to me by the company. Being an apprentice on that kind of department was really remarkable. All the techniques that were shared to me will help me a lot for my future career. III. Experience Earned After finishing the required 640 hours of duty for the company, I had may lessons Learned. The ten guidelines for a successful result of work are: 1. Take Risks   Do not be afraid to take risks. Where is the fun in that? If you want something, go for it! Do not try and justify every action you make. Sometimes, all you have to do is to take that big leap! We usually allow ourselves to settle at what is safe and secure and yet we end up wondering at all the â€Å"what if’s? and â€Å"what could have been’s? This is more logical than waiting for opportunity to knock on your door which may or may never come. 3. Have a Plan   Always have a plan. This is the best way to stay on track with your goals. Set a milestone which will provide as your visual in what you are working for, what you have successfully achieved, and what you need to do better. 4. Stay Motivated   When you’re too busy getting what you want you also exhausts all your energies with it and this becomes critical because this is usually the reason why we lose the battle. Half-way through, we get tired and lose the desire to go on. It is important to stay motivated. Remind yourself with the reasons as to why you are working hard. Read motivational quotes and articles. Assure yourself that every effort exerted will eventually pay-off in the long run. 5. Be Patient   Always remember that attaining goals almost always takes time. Be kind to yourself and the people around you because everything is actually a process in working your way up the ladder each day. 8. Reward yourself   As you surpass every milestone try and treat yourself for a job well done. 7. Do not Stop Learning   You may feel that you have already become an expert in your field when you’ve been working on it for so long. But this shouldn’t be the reason why you should stop learning. Keep innovating! New ideas and new ventures help keep the fire burning! 8. Learn to Delegate   When you are getting close to your goals you will find out that there are many more things to do than hours in the day. Find someone to help take some of your load so you can focus on things that need your full attention. 9. Raise your Standards   Always learn to â€Å"Step-up! † Increase your standard and strive for more! Not only with your accomplishments but also with your trials and your failures. It will keep you humble, which in turn, will help you continue striving for success. Training inside the company the company is a learning experience each day. I learned how to appreciate the lessons studied in school. I was able to realize the important principles, theories, and concepts that were discussed inside the classroom. And also I understand that everything that was thought inside the school especially in our laboratory shops class can be a tool that can be used in future career. Like me as an Architecture Technology student, how can I understand and read a whole plan if I don’t know anything about the basic of architecture. Second, how can I use the Autocad and Google Sketch Up if I haven’t experience them using in school. Lastly, How can I give proper reports if no has tried to teach how to use all the Microsoft office programs. No doubt, my school Technological University of the Philippines – Cavite Campus teaches me to the career I’ve chose. There once told me that the knowledge we learn for our school is only 10% of what we must learn and the 90% is learn in actual job. And that’s what VNR Construction do; it fulfills all the remaining 90%. As I was working as a trainee at VNR construction, I learned to become a hard-working person. Time to complete the output product is not important, but the quality. I also learned to follow the instructions as what the superior’s said and to accept opinion that they suggested. The training served as the stepping stone to me to the real life of an architect. It served as the beginning the real life of being an employee. I realized that learning is a lifetime commitment that is continues even you already have a job. The training gave me more initiative to my chosen career. I was more encouraged to pursue the Architecture Technology course. The training inspired me to enhance my skills and knowledge in the field of architecture technology. I was given some ideas what could be the feeling or situation being an employee. The training enriched my individuality as a beginner and created the foundation of being a good worker. The best thing that I have gained inside the company was the good orientation of the person having the higher positions. As Architecture Technology student, the OJT made me realize the importance of the course that I am taking. It made me realize the essential role of a architect in a company. An architect can take the work of electrical and civil engineering, but, no other course can takes place the work architect in a company. To be a competent one, not only an architect must understand what he/she is drawing with, the process and the underlying principles but also be knowledgeable in the field of construction. An architect must also possess good communication and leadership skill. The students have undergone a good training. The task given to me was an application of my shop subject of my course. The design of the project has a great in connection to the subjects. The anthropometry deals with the study of human dimensions were exactly related to what was discussed inside the classroom. I was technically given actual problems that have a main concern with the architecture technology subjects. The nature of the career course was the main focus of the training. This training will be useful if the nature of their training have the major concern for their chosen career. The trainees would able to use the experiences they have gone through during the training whenever they are already in the field of specialization. At the school, being late is better than absent. But as what I have learned at VNR Construction, being absent is better than being late. Being absent can be a cause of emergency situations like sickness, unpredicted travels and phenomena, while, being late is a cause of misbehaviour and unable to manage the time. I was training at VNR Construction for almost four months, I observed the daily activities and practices that the workers inside the company, as well as rules and regulation that all workers and employees must comply with. I easily observed that all workers inside the construction site must wear their proper uniform during working hours. Even the sweepers who clean the yard must wear complete uniform. Any workers who will notice without in their proper PPE will be given a punishment which may result in lay off the worker out of the company; reminding everyone that those people were violators. Safety inside the company was really strict. Another thing that I observed was the rules and regulation that the company initiated. Before entering the construction site at taguig, regular frisking and baggage inspections were conducted. Car and Delivery truck without gate pass cannot enter inside site except for the visitors. Trainees are not included as a visitor. Another was the NO smoking, sleeping and by standing rule. Any violators who will be caught will fine an amount of one thousand pesos. Gadgets like mobile phones and portable mp3 players are not allowed during working hours. Requests like emergency calls are accepted making sure that the call was important and entertain able. During my training at VNR Construction, I learned to interact with other people. We know that people have different characteristics and attitudes; however, making friends with the trainee’s co-workers doesn’t make difficult. Even though I was only a trainee, they don’t treat me like others. And as a trainee, I don’t feel uncomfortable as I worked with them. From the interaction I made with them, and later I learned to work with patience. Although thoroughly working on something was time consuming, the quality of the output product is the most important. I also learned from my co-worker’s experiences and mistakes and apply them whenever he needed it. They also encouraged me to go on with my studies until I become a professional. Although I worked and interact with them for a short period of time, I learned a lot to them; the skills and techniques that they shared with me that cannot be find on the books. IV. Problem met while on training Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable. While on my training I think no problem has aroused. Our coordinator has visited us in our company to monitor our progress, as they have said in the first day of OJT orientation. I’ve experienced a lot of problems during the first initial weeks of my training, this problems aroused due to the lack of background knowledge about the industry. During the first few initial weeks I was working so slowly, I had problems adjusting to the work environment, that my supervisor got irritated at me and complained about my work etiquette, I explained my side and I gradually got things fix. Yes, I have to admit I did screw up during my training, I broke this and damaged that, but in the end I learned from my mistakes. I remember what the Manager used to tell me, â€Å"That’s why you’re here, to learn. † And I’m proud to say that I didn’t make the same mistake twice. V. Suggestions and Recommendations The company created a good service to their clients and gave the best training for the students. The students must have a good company that would give them a good training ground and would enhance their knowledge and capabilities. The school must have the good coordination for some companies that offer an annual On the Job Training inside their company. The school should provide more budgets given to the OJT coordinators to have the best monitoring of the training the students are taking. One of the best ways of training is the provincial trainings that would give different experiences to the trainees. An out of town training would give more self esteem to the students. The evening students have their training at 4th year and first semester of the year. It is more efficient if they will take it 4th year of their last semester. In some cases having their training during the first semester of their 4th year of school would sometimes affect the rhythm of their schooling because in evening students OJT have their preferred pre-requisite subjects that once not taken would give a big effect to the arrangement of the student’s subjects. Instead of the regular schedule of years of studying, once being affected by the pre-requisite subjects, the students would waste some of the time spending for the subjects affected by the OJT.

Challenges Facing Health Care Providers and Health Insurance

Challenges Facing Health Care Providers and Health Insurance Topic: challenges facing Health care providers while dealing with Health insurances: a case study of a private hospital in Nairobi Kenya Introduction Define health financing (who,2000)world health report ‘ A health system is the sum total of all the organizations, ititutions and resources whoseprimary intent is to promote, restore or maintain health (WHO, 2000).Effectiveness, efficiency andequity of health financing system is determined by interaction of the three health financing functions namely collection of revenues, the pooling of pre-paid revenues and purchasing.Purchasig means the process by which interventions are selected and services are paid for or providers are paid. Healthcare providers are part of health system and re key component of health system strengthening and they play a significant role in determining whether the goals of a health system can be achieved.It is important that the buyers of services align provider payment methods with organizationalarrangements for service providers and other incentives for efficient service provision In Kenya most of the private health insurances operate on a purchaser provider split model with the insurances being directly responsible for entering into purchase agreements with providers and reimbursing them. Most of the provider payment is fee for service with a few health management organizations trying out the capitation mode of payment on outpatient services.Before the claims are approved for payments they have to undergo through the schemes claims process for eligibility purposes. According to S. Sodzi-Tetteyet al (2012) the purchasing function of health financing has been beset with problems of delay in provider payments. A study by Ministry of Health, Ghana, (2009) showed that in 2008 health facilities nationwide were owed a total of USD 32.6M most of it in unpaid claims while health providers themselves reported a 2-6 month delaying having their bills settled. Health insurance schemes are being used as an alternatives funding for health sector (Baltussen et al 2000).Insurance authorities are established to secure improvements in the health of the population by assessing health needs of the population ,determining the most cost effective mean of meeting these needs and contracting with providers to supply the required services. They are different types of health insurance models and one of them is the purchaser /provider splint models .they are many advantages to this arrangement according to ZurnAdams (2004) among them compiling of services providers to offer quality care however this model can also lead to major problems which according to Sakyi et al (2012)could be enormous among them being late reimbursement thus increasing the financial volatility of health providers which may in turn affect service delivery due to lack of finances to buy drugs ,to improve health facilities, to pay health workers to buy commodities among other things .witterGarshong ,(2009) says that providers who depend heavily on subsidies from the insurances could offer poor quality care when they are under billed or a large portion of their claims are rejected. The study will explore the challenges experienced by health care providers dealing with private health insurances especially the claim processing. Problem statements Health providers are offering health services to health insurances clients yet the insurances are not honoring their pledges to pay. There so many rejected bills after clients are discharged; many providers have unsettled bills by the patients because after services were offered the insurances give decline letters or covered bills up to a certain limit. A lot of time and money ,human resource is used in reconciliation of the accounts and in most cases the claims are not paid and as sakyi et al (2012) says this increases financial volatility of the health care providers which may in turn affect service delivery due to lack of finances to buy commodities and pay workers.witter Garshong (2009)continue to say that providers wo depend heavily on subsidies form the insurances could offer poor quality care when they are under billed or a large portion of their claims are rejected. . Research Objectives The study seeks to explore the challenges facing healthcare providers while dealing health insurance companies. The specific objectives of the study will be: To establish the administrative challenges facing health providers in executing operational guidance of health insurances. To establish the challenges healthproviders face from the health insurance during service delivery to their clients. To establish the challenges health providers face from the health insurance after the delivery of service to their client To come up with recommendation’s that would be used by the health providers and health insurance to ensure a workable purchaser –provider splint system Research Questions The study will answer the following research questions: What are the administrative challenges facing health providers in executing operational guidance of health insurances(admission process, scheduled cases ,emergency cases ) What are challenges health providers face during service delivery to health insurance clients(declines,exclusion ,limited covers ,clients not knowing their limits ) What are the challenges health providers face from the health insurance after the delivery of service to their clients.(rejections of claims ,late reimbursements What are the political challenges facing healthcare financing towards universal coverage by NHIF? What are the recommendation’s to health providers and health insurance to ensure a workable purchaser –provider splint system Theoretical framework Health insurance theory Utility theory Behavioral model of utilization Event model of studying health services utilization med care 1998. Conceptual framework Dependent variable- Challenges faced by health providers Independent variable- Operational guidelines (preauthorization process-preadmission process). service provision(admission post service provision (claim and reimbursement process) Significance of the Study Health providers are key in health system strengthening and key stakeholders in attainment of universal health coverage (delloitte ,2012)hence the importance to find out ways of ensuring both the private and public insurance work harmoniously with providers. Help policy makers in making decision like proper ttraining their enrolessabout their benefits ,providers to hve mechanism to carry out operational guidelines, Policy makers need access to knowledge on purchaser –provider splint system dynamics and the appropriate responses. Therefore, the study provides guidance and recommendations instrumental in designing appropriate policies that regulate the healthcare sector and what need to be done to ensure workable /effective and efficient system. The study will also be a reference material to the healthcare insurance firms, healthcare providers/institutions and other stakeholders. Relevant data that could allow for recommendations that could be implemented to strengthen the role of private health insurance players or providers or to strengthen provider and purchaser reltionship Methodology of the Study It will be an exploratory study .Qualitative andquantitative approaches will be used for primary datacollection using interview guides and checklists. References WHO,the world Health report 2000:Health systemsimproving performance ,Geneva ,World Health Organisation,2000

Anarchy vs. Liberalism Essay -- Politics Political Ideologies

Contemporary liberal and anarchist philosophy are both two very different ways of trying to see what would be the best way to run society. While discussing these two ideologies I will try to show how both, in their purist sense, are not able work in today's society effectively. Contemporary liberals are involved in every day politics but through over regulation and dependence on government they loose their chances of running a reliable democracy. Anarchist have very good ideas of how a natural society could function without government or modern institutions but the biggest problem they have is how to get to that point. Both theories look good on paper but once they hit the real world they change due to alternating conceptions and individual influences. The root of the word anarchism comes from the Greek word anarchos, which means without ruler. The main philosophy behind anarchism is that people can reside in an unregulated community with no real authority and maintain a sustainable life. Anarchists see government and capitalism as an institution that creates liberty for the rich and enslavement of the masses. Emma Goldman best describes anarchism as: The philosophy of a new social order based on liberty unrestricted by man-made law; the theory that all forms of government rest on violence and are therefore wrong and harmful, as well as unnecessary. With anarchism there is a belief that once all government is abolished by the people that everyone will come together in a community of mutual aid and understanding without laws or authority to direct. Their philosophy can be considered opposite of most other ideologies, especially that of contemporary liberalism. Contemporary liberalism strives to hold on to the classic liberal's ideals pertaining to political, economic, and social liberties but it tends to look at democratic government as a tool rather than a hindrance. John Stuart Mill, John Dewey, and Franklin D. Roosevelt are established ideologues of contemporary liberalism. Just opposite of anarchism, modern liberalism puts its' faith in government to change and adapt to the failures of capitalism. The emergence of this political philosophy started around the end of the nineteenth century with John Stuart Mill's ideas in his book Principles of Political Economy. The philosophy became an ideology in the twentieth century with the main points of enh... ...Anarchy in theory seems like a very good idea. I would love to live in a society where you just did what was good for you and helped others while they helped you. I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to live in a society like that. The only problem is that to get to this utopian society the whole world would have to spontaneously decide they wanted it and I can guarantee there are many politicians and CEOs that would not like that. Contemporary liberals are right in wanting to reform institutions of today but I can't see how over regulation of government in all areas is going to help fix things. I do see the need for some government action towards the eradication of poverty, equal rights, and unemployment. Bibliography Citations "What is anarchism," An Anarchist FAQWebpage,www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/1931/, Internet Explorer, 5/4/98. Schumaker Paul, Dwight C. Kiel, Thomas Heilke, Great Ideas/Grand Schemes: Political Ideologies in the 19th and 20th Centuries, New York, The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc., 1996. Schumaker Paul, Dwight C. Kiel, Thomas W. Heilke, Ideological Voices: An Anthology in Modern Political Ideas, New York, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1997.

Tender is the Night Essay -- Fitzgerald Literature Essays

Tender is the Night â€Å"Servant trouble†¦political worries†¦almost neurosis†¦drinking increased†¦arguments with Scottie†¦quarrel with Hemingway†¦quarrel with Bunny Wilson†¦quarrel with Gerald Murphy†¦breakdown of car†¦tight at Eddie Poe’s†¦sick again†¦first borrowing from mother†¦sick†¦ ‘The Fire’†¦Zelda weakens and goes to Hopkins†¦one servant and eating out.† (Mayfield 207) A short excerpt from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Ledger provides a small sample of the many hurdles Fitzgerald struggled to overcome while slaving away nine years with Tender is the Night. The labor which accompanied Fitzgerald’s fourth novel was not anticipated by the author. He had first envisioned Tender is the Night to be â€Å"something really new in form, idea, and structure—the model for the age that Joyce and Stein are searching for, that Conrad didn’t find†(Scribner 1). But disease, relative poverty, and heartbreak plagued Fitzgerald and repeatedly interrupted his work on the novel. Tender is the Night finally appeared on April 12, 1934. But despite Fitzgerald’s high expectations of hot reviews, the reception was, at best, luke warm. The novel sold only thirteen thousand copies and left Fitzgerald’s ego bruised and his hopes of its estimable success unfulfilled. Ernest Hemingway offered little praise. The characters, he believed, were â€Å"beautifully faked case histories rather than people† (Mayfield 209). Similarly unimpressed, Hal Borland of the Philadelphia Ledger remarked on April 13, 1934, â€Å"Most of the themes [of Tender is the Night] seem better fitted for clinical studies than for fiction. Fitzgerald’s novel is admirably done, and its dozens of cross-currents are well handled. But it is not the important nov... ...the critics’ reception of Tender is the Night. Though short in length, Scribner reveals several excerpts from Fitzgerald’s letters and personal writings which present for the readers a more personal view of Fitzgerald, the author. http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/fitzgeraldbio.html This website lists Fitzgerald’s published works and offers a detailed biography of the author himself. The highlighted texts serve to differentiate different eras in Fitzgerald’s life. The site also offers several links wherein additional information regarding influential people and events can be researched. http://www.sc.edu/fitzgerald.com This website summarizes Fitzgerald’s life as well as the general reception of his novels. It also touches on the many hurdles Fitzgerald came across during his nine years of struggling with his fourth novel, Tender is the Night.

Persuasive Writing Essay

The next type of writing we will do is the persuasive essay. In this essay, you will be working to convince your reader of the rightness of your point of view on a specific topic. As I have already said, in some ways every type of writing is a form of persuasion: you are always trying to make your reader see the correctness of your opinion. In this assignment, however, you will stake out your position on a particular topic and argue forcefully and explicitly in favor of it. As always, you want to state your opinion explicitly in your thesis statement (of course, without saying, â€Å"I think that. . . .†). As always, you also want to pick a topic that is fairly focused, narrow, and specific: pick a topic that you can adequately discuss in four to five paragraphs. I will say it again: it is always better to say a lot about a small topic than to try to say a little bit about many aspects of a large topic. (For those who are counting, that is the 3,248th time I have said that thi s year.) Use the first paragraph to state and fully explain your thesis. The rest of your essay should then be the marshalling of evidence in support of your thesis statement and an explanation of and commentary on your evidence. Facts are necessary to support your thesis, but by themselves facts are not enough. You need to explain and comment on them fully; show how these facts support your view and not the view of the opposing side. Try to find three or four really strong pieces of evidence to support your opinion. There is no way you can say everything or think of every point; choose the strongest evidence you can. While arguing in favor of your position, you should also include arguments against the opposing view. For example, if I am writing about the wrongness of capital punishment, I should also include arguments showing the wrongness of arguments made in favor capital punishment. Try to anticipate the other side’s arguments. That will show you are thinking and will also strengthen your argument. In general, it is best to work from your weakest to your strongest argument. As usual, conclusions are difficult. End with a strong, powerful concluding paragraph that brings together your various ideas but does not merely restate them. Certainly do not end by saying something like, â€Å"For all these reasons . . . .† I have listed below a few sample thesis statements and a number of possible topics. Please do not be  limited by my suggestions. As with any piece of writing, you will do the best job if you write about something you care about. I will give you a sample essay. Your essay should be 1-2 pages typed or 4-5 sides handwritten, double-spaced either way. The essay is due Tuesday, 30 January. It is worth 100 points. We will work on the essay in class; you can always show me drafts. Do your best. SAMPLE TOPICS the dress code (or, better yet, some more significant and meaningful issue at school!) your allowance or curfew or some other family issue gun control, abortion, capital punishment (or any other political issue) your view on dating or relationships advocating for a particular religious or spiritual practice: for example, meditate everyday the need for more late-night activities for teenagers the war in Iraq of course, anything else you feel strongly about SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS Limiting civil liberties is not an appropriate way to keep this country safe from terrorism. Capital punishment is an unjust and immoral way to punish criminals. A vegetarian diet is a sensible and meaningful response to world starvation and environmental destruction. The dress code provides a meaningful way to minimize the economic competition between students and unite them in their common academic purpose. A vegetarian diet is a sensible and meaningful response to world starvation and environmental destruction. So many Americans are often caught up with finding the â€Å"perfect† diet. While such a diet does not exist, a vegetarian diet provides significant health, environmental, and political benefits. Choosing such a diet is a simple but significant way to make a real difference in one’s own life and the world. First of all, a vegetarian diet is far more healthful than the traditional  American diet that emphasizes meat. A meat-free diet is higher in fiber, lower in saturated fat, and richer in a wide range of vitamins and minerals than a meat-based one. While we do hear conflicting evidence about the various health claims of different diets, nutritionists and scientists seem to agree that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides the greatest health benefits. Some people might say that a vegetarian diet is boring: quite the contrary. Compared to the relatively few kinds of meats and ways to prepare them, there are scores of vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes and almost countless ways to prepare them. A meat-based diet also puts far too much protein into the body, taxing the kidneys and wasting expensive food. As it is, Americans eat too much protein; eating a vegetarian diet is one way to reduce our intake of excessive and expensive protein. Eating a diet based on fruits and vegetables also creates less environmental havoc than a meat-based diet. Raising the animals necessary for the traditional meat-laden diet requires large amounts of land, mountains of processed feed, and the disposal of tons of waste. But a family of four could, if necessary, live for a year off the fruits, grains, and vegetables produced from a few acres of land. And, once the crop is taken, there are few or no ill effects. If the agriculture is done organically, vegetarian eating has even fewer harmful effects upon the land. In an age of diminishing arable land and resources and increasing populations, we need to find ways to get the most nutrition from our land use. A vegetarian diet provides such efficiency. Finally, a meat-rich diet consumes many more scarce resources than a vegetarian diet. It takes about 800 pounds of cattle feed to produce one pound of beef. In a world in which nearly one-fourth of the planet’s population is malnourished or starving, a meat-based diet is simply a luxury we can no longer afford (if we ever could have). In good conscience, it only makes sense to eat lower on the food chain – as we do with a plant-based diet. If everyone in the world ate a vegetarian diet, there would be an immediate surplus of food available to feed people at far lower cost and with wiser use of precious resources. In this way, vegetarianism becomes a moral choice. For reasons of politics, environment, health, and justice, vegetarianism is the only intelligent and compassionate choice in a world of scarce resources and increasing population. It may take some getting used to, but the benefits and rewards of a vegetarian diet – for the planet, the self, and the human race – far outweigh whatever minimal sacrifice may be involved. sentence in bold: thesis statement underlined sentences: topic sentences for each paragraph