The Aeneid Essay Example

The Aeneid Essay The Aeneid is considered as the single most important poem ever written and has continuously guided and inspired billions of readers.Its popularity today remains the same as it was back in the time when it was published.Virgil, a Latin poet, devoted the final 11 years of his life to write this masterpiece book length poem.After completing it, but before revising it, Virgil left Italy for a trip to Greece.There, he fell mortally ill and returned to home to Italy.Unable to complete his work, Virgil commanded his companions to burn the unedited Aeneid.Augustus, a close friend of Virgil, ordered Virgils fellow poets not to burn the epic, but instead to edit and publish it.Upon its publication, the poem was labeled as a masterpiece, becoming extremely popular, a popularity the poem still has today. Virgils masterpiece epic poem is divided into twelve books.The books follow the legend of Aeneas from the last day at Troy, to Carthage to meet Dido, and to Aeneas victory resulting in the fusi on of Trojans and Latin;s.The fourth book of The Aeneid, ;The Passion of the Queen,; begins immediately following the banquet after all the guests have departed.Aeneas has just completed telling the story of his journey from Troy to Carthage.Cupid has already put a spell on Dido, causing her to fall in love with Aeneas. The queen for her part, all that evening ached With longing that her hearts blood fed, a wound The manhood of the man, his pride of birth, Came home to her time and again; his looks, His words remained with her to haunt her mind, And desire for him gave her no rest.(IV 1-7) She confides these feelings to her sister Anna, telling her that Aeneas is the only man who has ever tempted her.While describing her feelings, Dido becomes confused.She wishes to be loyal and faithful to the memory of her departed husband, yet she still has immense feelings for Aeneas.Anna se

Lateral Thinking Essay Example

Lateral Thinking Essay Example Lateral Thinking Paper Lateral Thinking Paper 1. Introduction As human beings, people have different ways of thinking. The way they think will influence their decisions. Nowadays, some people try to improve their potential to think uniquely. This type of thinking can be called Lateral thinking. This concept is very useful for people who are working in business organisation especially when they make a decision. This report will illustrate more about lateral thinking, the method to improve lateral thinking, and how to use this concept in corporate world. 2. Lateral Thinking There are three basics ways of thinking, which are logical thinking, common sense, and puzzles science. Logical thinking is where people do not over look to the reason why they consider thing as correct. For example, a car will not run without fuel and most people know it without comprehend this problem. The second basic method is common sense. In this method where people find solution for their problems based on their experience. The third method is Puzzles and science where people try to find solution for certain problem. (Mero 1990, pp. 11-36) Mero has overlooked a new method of thinking which called Lateral Thinking was first introduced by Edward de Bono. He stated that lateral thinking is the way of thinking which approach different principles and ideas (Lateral thinking 2006). An example to describe Lateral thinking: â€Å"You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper. † (de Bono 1992, p. 52) From this example, Edward de Bono emphasized that people should look at things from different alternatives and perception. Thinking of different alternatives will help people to eliminate conventional way of thinking and find new solution to their problems. (de Bono 1992, p. 53) 3. Lateral Thinking in relation with creativity and Innovation Altering concepts and perception lead people to think laterally. This changing process involves creativity to generate new ideas. According to De Bono (1992, p. 55) assert â€Å"The term â€Å"lateral thinking† is very precise. Lateral thinking is based on behavior of self-organizing information system. † Even though the basic pattern of lateral thinking is focusing on searching of perception and concepts, its still considers the shifting of its process. In other words, creative thinking is a process of finding new concepts and ideas to solve a problem. (de Bono 1992, p. 5) Characteristics of creative thinkers are innovative and creative, imaginative in problem solving, arranged mind, positive thinking, and hard working (Tanner 1992). The first characteristic is creative and innovative which means creative thinkers dislike of being stagnant and they will do creative act to make changes. Their creative way of th inking may contribute to the benefit of themselves and their community. Second characteristic is imaginative in the way of searching alternatives for problem solving, â€Å"They do not grab at the first idea to solve a problem but take the time to search for alternatives†. Third characteristic is arranged mind. At this point, creative thinkers will adopt the situation and try to get the idea from that situation. Fourth characteristics of creative thinkers is positive thinking, it means they see things even problems in positive way. The last characteristics is hard working which means creative thinkers always focus and concentrate their mind and put effort on their goal. (Tanner 1992) 4. Access to Understand Lateral Thinking There are several accesses to understand lateral thinking which are â€Å"reading materials, seminars and lectures, group and individual practice. (Bono 1971, p 158-163) Reading materials is the first access to understand lateral thinking, where people can find the information from book. However, there will be misunderstanding of this subject when people only read and try to understand from books. The second access is attending seminars and lectures which only cover the background of lateral thinking theory because seminars and lec tures only concentrate to one technique (de Bono 1971, p. 158). The last accesses that people can use are group and individual practice. According to De Bono (1971, p. 58), group practice will give pictures about lateral thinking methods. Moreover, people can learn lateral thinking by individual practice. â€Å"The purpose of individual practice in lateral thinking is to acquire skill and confidence in this type of thinking. † (De Bono 1971, p. 158) 5. Methods to Improve Lateral Thinking Nowadays, people have to improve their skill to think laterally. There are many methods to develop lateral thinking that were introduced by Edward de Bono. Particularly, this report will only concentrated on six thinking hats method and the creative pause method (Bono 1992). . 1 Six thinking hats method Six thinking hats method is â€Å"a model that can be used for exploring different perspective towards a complex situation or challenge. † (Bono 1985) The purpose of this method is to h elp individuals directly accept the difference point of view of one thing. Edward de Bono uses different colors to explain this method. For example, white represents objective facts, red represents justification, black represents logical negative views, yellow represents looks for benefit, green represents new ideas and blue represents organizer. Trained employees who attend this training wear one hat to put them selves in other person’s position. From this process, employees can learn to see one subject from different point of view. The advantages of this system can develop communication skill among the employees within organisation and help decision making. (de Bono 1979 and de Bono1985) 5. 2 The Creative pause method This method is the easiest way for people to train their lateral thinking skill. However, in order to make this method effective people should give special attempt and high commitment to learn the method. de Bono 1992) â€Å"The creative pause is an interruption in the smooth flow of routine in order to pay deliberate attention at some point. † (De Bono 1992, p. 86) When using this method, people will focus to some objects or problems and many questions will come into their minds which respond intention the situation that occur. For example, â€Å"Why we eat in the restaurant? †, â€Å"Wh y we do not eat at home? †, â€Å"How about if we do not eat anything tonight†. (de Bono 1992, p. 86) Motivation plays an important role in learning the method, when people have the right motivation it will give them benefits, and that is being able to think creatively. In addition, hope also gives a significant impact since there is a new possibility for a solution. (de Bono 1992, p. 87) As mentioned above, this method is the easiest way to learn lateral thinking; therefore it does not require any special system. De Bono (1992, p. 88) stated, â€Å"the main point of the pause is to give attention to something and to place that point in your mind as being worthy of attention. † To think creatively, people should think slowly in order to concentrate on particular point. For example, when drawing it is important to take time in order to get a good inspiration to be applied on the painting. (de Bono 1992, p. 88) People should understand the difference between creative pause and selecting important parts of the problem. Essentially, creative pause only concentrate in creating new idea about the problem. (de Bono 1992, p. 89) 6. Application of lateral thinking in Business Organisation Today, many large business organisations are trying to look at creative thinking method which founded by Edward De Bono. This method becomes famous in UK and many companies send their representatives to take advantage of this method. Several companies that have been applying lateral thinking within the organization are IBM, Federal Express and British Airways. Those companies are implementing the theory of lateral thinking by establishing program of thinking creatively and systematically using six thinking hats method which already explained above. (Evans 1994) Another company that has applied Lateral thinking is NDS (Norse Dairy System) which based in Columbus, Ohio. They were applying lateral thinking method by creatively made various types of ice-cream cones in 2003. NDS was the first ice-cream cones supplier that created cones in flavors, iced oatmeal cookies, and chocolate vanilla cookies covered with chocolate. That kind of innovation in the ice-cream industry was created by thinking outside the box because at that time, there was no other competitor who had the same innovation. (Be a Trend Setter 2003, pp. 6-7) Implementation of Lateral thinking in business organisation has made many companies succeed and become more effective and efficient. More over, the most important of applying this method is making modern corporate world more innovative and creative (Evans 1994). 7. Conclusion In conclusion, lateral thinking is very important for problem solving in modern world because with lateral thinking people can observe one thing in different perspectives and try to find new solution for the problem. The founder of lateral thinking, Edward de Bono, has made significant changing in corporate world which lead many organisations to be successful by implementing lateral thinking.

Francisco Pizarro, Spanish Conqueror of the Inca

Francisco Pizarro, Spanish Conqueror of the Inca Francisco Pizarro (ca. 1475–June 26, 1541) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador. With a small force of Spaniards, he was able to capture Atahualpa, emperor of the mighty Inca Empire, in 1532. Eventually, he led his men to victory over the Inca, collecting mind-boggling quantities of gold and silver along the way. Fast Facts: Francisco Pizarro Known For: Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca EmpireBorn: ca. 1471–1478 in Trujillo, Extremadura, SpainParents: Gonzalo Pizarro Rodrà ­guez de Aguilar and Francisca Gonzalez, a maid in the Pizarro householdDied: June 26, 1541 in Lima, PeruSpouse(s): Inà ©s Huaylas Yupanqui (Quispe Sisa).Children: Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui, Gonzalo Pizarro Yupanqui Early Life Francisco Pizarro was born between 1471 and 1478 as one of several illegitimate children of Gonzalo Pizarro Rodrà ­guez de Aguilar, a nobleman in Extremadura province, Spain. Gonzalo had fought with distinction in wars in Italy; Franciscos mother was Francisca Gonzalez, a maid in the Pizarro household. As a young man, Francisco lived with his mother and siblings and tended animals in the fields. As a bastard, Pizarro could expect little in the way of inheritance and decided to become a soldier. It is likely that he followed in his fathers footsteps to the battlefields of Italy for a time before hearing of the riches of the Americas. He first went to the New World in 1502 as part of a colonization expedition led by Nicols de Ovando. San Sebastin de Uraba and the Darià ©n In 1508, Pizarro joined the Alonso de Hojeda expedition to the mainland. They fought the natives and created a settlement called San Sebastin de Urab. Beset by angry natives and low on supplies, Hojeda set out for Santo Domingo in early 1510 for reinforcements and supplies. When Hojeda did not return after 50 days, Pizarro set out with the surviving settlers to return to Santo Domingo. Along the way, they joined an expedition to settle the Darià ©n region: Pizarro served as second in command to Vasco Nuà ±ez de Balboa. First South American Expeditions In Panama, Pizarro established a partnership with fellow conquistador Diego de Almagro. News of Hernn Cortà ©s audacious (and lucrative) conquest of the Aztec Empire fueled the burning desire for gold among all of the Spanish in the New World, including Pizarro and Almagro. They made two expeditions from 1524 to 1526 along the western coast of South America: harsh conditions and native attacks drove them back both times. On the second trip, they visited the mainland and the Inca city of Tumbes, where they saw llamas and local chieftains with silver and gold. These men told of a great ruler in the mountains, and Pizarro became more convinced than ever that there was another rich Empire like the Aztecs to be looted. Third Expedition Pizarro personally went to Spain to make his case to the king that he should be allowed a third chance. King Charles, impressed with this eloquent veteran, agreed and awarded Pizarro the governorship of lands he acquired. Pizarro brought his four brothers back with him to Panama: Gonzalo, Hernando, Juan Pizarro, and Francisco Martà ­n de Alcntara. In 1530, Pizarro and Almagro returned to the western shores of South America. On his third expedition, Pizarro had about 160 men and 37 horses. They landed on what is now the coast of Ecuador near Guayaquil. By 1532 they made it back to Tumbes: it was in ruins, having been destroyed in the Inca Civil War. The Inca Civil War While Pizarro was in Spain, Huayna Capac, Emperor of the Inca, had died, possibly of smallpox. Two of Huayna Capacs sons began fighting over the Empire: Huscar, the elder of the two, controlled the capital of Cuzco. Atahualpa, the younger brother, controlled the northern city of Quito, but more importantly had the support of three major Inca Generals: Quisquis, Rumià ±ahui, and Chalcuchima. A bloody civil war raged across the Empire as Huscar and Atahualpas supporters fought. Sometime in mid-1532, General Quisquis routed Huscars forces outside of Cuzco and took Huscar prisoner. The war was over, but the Inca Empire was in ruins just as a far greater threat approached: Pizarro and his soldiers. Capture of Atahualpa In November 1532, Pizarro and his men headed inland, where another extremely lucky break was awaiting them. The nearest Inca city of any size to the conquistadors was Cajamarca, and Emperor Atahualpa happened to be there. Atahualpa was savoring his victory over Huscar: his brother was being brought to Cajamarca in chains. The Spanish arrived in Cajamarca unopposed: Atahualpa did not consider them a threat. On November 16, 1532, Atahualpa agreed to meet with the Spanish. The Spanish treacherously attacked the Inca, capturing Atahualpa and murdering thousands of his soldiers and followers. Pizarro and Atahualpa soon made a deal: Atahualpa would go free if he could pay a ransom. The Inca selected a large hut in Cajamarca and offered to fill it half full with golden objects, and then fill the room twice with silver objects. The Spanish quickly agreed. Soon the treasures of the Inca Empire began flooding into Cajamarca. The people were restless, but none of Atahualpas generals dared attack the intruders. Hearing rumors that the Inca generals were planning an attack, the Spanish executed Atahualpa on July 26, 1533. After Atahualpa Pizarro appointed a puppet Inca, Tupac Huallpa, and marched on Cuzco, the heart of the Empire. They fought four battles along the way, defeating the native warriors every time. Cuzco itself did not put up a fight: Atahualpa had recently been an enemy, so many of the people there viewed the Spanish as liberators. Tupac Huallpa sickened and died: he was replaced by Manco Inca, a half-brother to Atahualpa and Huscar. The city of Quito was conquered by Pizarro agent Sebastin de Benalczar in 1534 and, apart from isolated areas of resistance, Peru belonged to the Pizarro brothers. Pizarros partnership with Diego de Almagro had been strained for some time. When Pizarro had gone to Spain in 1528 to secure royal charters for their expedition, he had acquired for himself the governorship of all lands conquered and a royal title: Almagro only got a title and the governorship of the small town of Tumbez. Almagro was furious and nearly refused to participate in their third joint expedition: only the promise of the governorship of as-yet undiscovered lands made him come around. Almagro never quite shook the suspicion (probably correct) that the Pizarro brothers were trying to cheat him out of his fair share of the loot. In 1535, after the Inca Empire was conquered, the crown ruled that the northern half belonged to Pizarro and the southern half to Almagro: however, vague wording allowed both conquistadors to argue that the rich city of Cuzco belonged to them. Factions loyal to both men nearly came to blows: Pizarro and Almagro met and decided that Almagro would lead an expedition to the south (into present-day Chile). It was hoped that he would find great wealth there and drop his claim to Peru. Inca Revolts Between 1535 and 1537 the Pizarro brothers had their hands full. Manco Inca, the puppet ruler, escaped and went into open rebellion, raising a massive army and laying siege to Cuzco. Francisco Pizarro was in the newly founded city of Lima most of the time, trying to send reinforcements to his brothers and fellow conquistadors in Cuzco and organizing shipments of wealth to Spain (he was always conscientious about setting aside the royal fifth, a 20% tax collected by the crown on all treasure collected). In Lima, Pizarro had to fend off a ferocious attack led by Inca General Quizo Yupanqui in August of 1536. The First Almagrist Civil War Cuzco, under siege by Manco Inca in early 1537, was rescued by the return of Diego de Almagro from Peru with what was left of his expedition. He lifted the siege and drove off Manco, only to take the city for himself, capturing Gonzalo and Hernando Pizarro in the process. In Chile, the Almagro expedition had found only harsh conditions and ferocious natives: he had come back to claim his share of Peru. Almagro had the support of many Spaniards, primarily those who had come to Peru too late to share in the spoils: they hoped that if the Pizarros were overthrown that Almagro would reward them with lands and gold. Gonzalo Pizarro escaped, and Hernando was released by Almagro as part of the peace negotiations. With his brothers behind him, Francisco decided to do away with his old partner once and for all. He sent Hernando into the highlands with an army of conquistadors, and they met Almagro and his supporters on April 26, 1538, at the Battle of Salinas. Hernando was victorious, while Diego de Almagro was captured, tried, and executed on July 8, 1538. Almagros execution was shocking to the Spaniards in Peru, as he had been raised to nobleman status by the king some years before. Death For the next three years, Francisco mainly remained in Lima, administrating his empire. Although Diego de Almagro had been defeated, there was still much resentment among late-coming conquistadors against the Pizarro brothers and the original conquistadors, who had left slim pickings after the fall of the Inca Empire. These men rallied around Diego de Almagro the younger, son of Diego de Almagro and a woman from Panama. On June 26, 1541, supporters of the younger Diego de Almagro, led by Juan de Herrada, entered Francisco Pizarros home in Lima and assassinated him and his half-brother Francisco Martà ­n de Alcntara. The old conquistador put up a good fight, taking down one of his attackers with him. With Pizarro dead, the Almagrists seized Lima and held it for almost a year before an alliance of Pizarrists (led by Gonzalo Pizarro) and royalists put it down. The Almagrists were defeated at the Battle of Chupas on September 16, 1542: Diego de Almagro the younger was captured and executed shortly after that. Legacy The cruelty and violence of the conquest of Peru is undeniable- it was essentially outright theft, mayhem, murder, and rape on a massive scale- but it is hard not to respect the sheer nerve of Francisco Pizarro. With only 160 men and a handful of horses, he brought down one of the largest civilizations in the world. His brazen capture of Atahualpa and decision to back the Cuzco faction in the simmering Inca civil war gave the Spaniards enough time to gain a foothold in Peru that they would never lose. By the time Manco Inca realized that the Spanish would not settle for anything less than the complete usurpation of his empire, it was too late. As far as the conquistadors go, Francisco Pizarro was not the worst of the lot (which isnt necessarily saying much). Other conquistadors, such as Pedro de Alvarado and his brother Gonzalo Pizarro, were much crueler in their dealings with the native population. Francisco could be cruel and violent, but in general, his acts of violence served some purpose, and he tended to think his actions through much more than others did. He realized that wantonly murdering the native population was not a sound plan in the long run, so he did not practice it. Francisco Pizarro married Inà ©s Huaylas Yupanqui, the daughter of the Inca emperor Huayna Capa, and she had two children: Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui (1534–1598) and Gonzalo Pizarro Yupanqui (1535–1546). Pizarro, like Hernn Cortà ©s in Mexico, is honored sort of halfheartedly in Peru. There is a statue of him in Lima and some streets and businesses are named after him, but most Peruvians are ambivalent about him at best. They all know who he was and what he did, but most present-day Peruvians do not find him much worthy of admiration. Sources Burkholder, Mark and Lyman L. Johnson. Colonial Latin America. Fourth Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.Hemming, John. The Conquest of the Inca. London: Pan Books, 2004 (original 1970).Herring, Hubert. A History of Latin America From the Beginnings to the Present. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1962Patterson, Thomas C. The Inca Empire: The Formation and Disintegration of a Pre-Capitalist State. New York: Berg Publishers, 1991.Varon Gabai, Rafael. Francisco Pizarro and His Brothers: The Illusion of Power in Sixteenth-Century Peru. trans. Flores Espinosa, Javier. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1997.

Emerging Market-The Challenges And Opportunities Investing In China Essay

Emerging Market-The Challenges And Opportunities Investing In China - Essay Example It is evident that the emerging markets have flexed their muscles in the global arena, and their effect is expected to increase the more. Companies that have invested in these markets have enjoyed and are continuing to enjoy revenues that emanate from these transactions. China is among the emerging markets that has contributed a great mile to the spending of a huge clientele-base, and that has also attracted numerous multi-national companies (MNCs). With the country expected to dominate the global market by the year 2030, challenges are also not devoid from these transactions. This essay shall attempt to discuss the concept of ‘emerging markets’ using the case study of China. Additionally the essay shall keenly analyze the opportunities and threats facing the investors that are likely to invest in this emerging market. 2.0. Body 2.1. Definition of ‘emerging market’ In the thought of Beridze (2008), emerging markets refer to the nations that have actively bee n involved in business activities that have seen their fast growth as well as a huge development in the industrialization process. Among these countries that are termed to be emerging range from Brazil to China. As seen in the research conducted by Palepu & Khanna (2010), China has retained her position as the third in the list of the emerging markets. ... A good example is China that is export-driven with strong capital inflows and investments from well-capitalized banking institutions. Jain (2006) indicates that the markets are expected to stabilize by the day. Additionally, the growth of the world’s economy is expected to emanate from the emerging markets, and 70% of the growth is anticipated according to the economists (Kvint, 2009). Despite the varying interpretations of the term, the fact about the entire aspect is that emerging markets have been instrumental in recording an increase in the capital share in the world economy, and that their GDP is on the increase. As seen in figure 1, China may be defined as an emerging market as emerging markets are ones that are undergoing transformations from third world countries to developed countries, whilst their markets are now reduced to free markets from the state dominated ones (Enderwick, 2012). On another viewpoint, Mody (2004) says that emerging markets are slowly freeing up both internally and externally, due to the processes of economic reforms, that need to incorporate the rapid economic growth. It is evident that the country has opted to increase their role in the market, and minimize the chances that the government will have avenues to control the planning of the market. Pragmatic ideologies have in this case taken the day in the case of China’s economy. Its emergence cannot be alienated from the fact that the country has shed more energy in perfecting its contribution in the manufacturing industry as opposed to other countries that have opted to focus on the service industry whilst others in the agricultural sector. Figure 1: Real GDP growth (%) in the BRIC and US economies Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook (International Monetary

Hedge Funds and Their Role in 2008 Financial Crisis Essay

Hedge Funds and Their Role in 2008 Financial Crisis - Essay Example They are not regulated in the same sense as mutual funds. Mostly, high net worth individuals and some pension funds invest in hedge funds. It is not mandatory for them to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission because they are not supposed to provide information regarding their operation and valuation in public. The paper tries to explore the early history of hedge funds and how prima facie they are different from mutual funds. The paper also focuses on their role and the impact they created during 2008 financial crisis and also what regulatory measures are currently in force to regulate them. Genesis of Hedge Funds Mallaby emphasizes that Alfred Winslow Jones was the first global hedge-fund manager starting his operations in 1949 without any formal qualification and perhaps he set the tone and style of the functioning of hedge funds that are in vogue today. His way of charging the performance fee was different wherein a straight 20 percent cut was made on net gain s while distributing the profits. This deduction was over and above the management fee and even today most hedge-funds continue to have their performance fee policy in the same line. The fund was called so because all along investments were hedged simultaneously – short-selling some of the weaker stocks to mitigate the systemic risks. He used leveraging as a tool to hedge investments. It is worth noting that Jones’s firm made an astounding return of around 5000% during the year 1949 through 1968. Investopedia states that in 1968, around 140 hedge funds were in operations in the US though most of them were out of business due to slump in subsequent years. The hedge funds saw renaissance in the early 1990s but again, many of them including high-profile hedge funds such as Robertson's were in trouble during dotcom crisis of 2000. Hedge Fund Is Not a Mutual Fund Hedge funds are not mutual funds and they differ in several ways. Mutual funds have a large number of retail inv estors while hedge fund is not interested in a retail exposure and limit itself to a few high-net worth investors. After a minimum lock-in period, investors are free to withdraw the funds in mutual funds but hedge funds usually have a longer lock-out period during which investors cannot withdraw their investments. A mutual fund needs to register with Security Exchange Commission while hedge fund does not have such compulsion. Mutual funds do not undertake speculative activities and focus on returns relative to the bench-mark index. For example, if the bench-mark index goes down by 7 percent but the mutual fund investment goes down by only 4 percent then that will imply that mutual fund has performed better. In contrast, hedge funds focus on absolute returns regardless of the movement of market index. That is why hedge funds employ numerous strategies to earn high returns such as long or short positions on derivative instruments, options and futures. Mutual funds do not resort to suc h strategies to enhance their returns as they are governed by a host of regulatory measures (Investopedia). Role of Hedge Funds in 2008 Financial Crisis Chung argues that hedge funds were not behind the financial crisis of 2008; however, there is no guarantee that they will not cause one in future. Regulatory authorities, fund managers and lawyers believe that banks and financial institutions were largely responsible for the recent financial crisis because they invested heavily in subprime mortgages. The study also revealed that short-selling done by hedge funds did not aggravate the crisis. Hedge funds are not required to be brought under the scanner of policy makers; nevertheless, it is suggested that regulators need to keep a watchful eye on their activities. Accordingly, now hedge-funds firms are needed to register

Returning to School Essay Example for Free

Returning to School Essay Returning to school was one of the important decisions, I have made about my future. I will be discussing my reasons for returning to school. Such as setting a good example for my children and getting a higher education. Returning to school was a very important decision for many reasons that include setting a good example for my children and carrier advancement. I firmly believe in leading by example, and I want them to see that if I can do it, they can do it as well. I am determined to be the best role model that I can possibly be. My decision in obtaining a Higher education is the key for my present and future as it will be for them. Without it I have gotten about as far as I can with my current employer and I would be left with the feeling as if I have sold myself short. If I get a college education, I will have something to help me get the job that I want and deserve. Even though higher education, Reasons on returning to school because Setting an example for my children and Getting a higher education. I have had several jobs over the years. The majority of them have been in nursing in one form or another, my current job is a Certified Nursing Assistant at a nursing home, and prior to that I was a Certified Nursing Assistant doing private duty for over ten years. I am working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration in Long Term Care. I know that once I receive my degree I will be qualified for a variety of jobs. The job that I would like the most would be a Administrator in a nursing home. I want to help others who don’t have the means to help themselves. Most of all I can’t stand seeing elderly people who are not properly cared for, especially those who just don’t seem to care about their well being. This is not the first attempt I have made to return to school, this is actually the second. I tried returning to school once before while working and partying before I had kids. At first everything went fairly well but over a short period of time I realized the work load would prove to be too much. I was working eighty plus hours every two weeks which did not allow for me to have the proper amount of time to spend studying so I had to end up dropping out. Pursuing a degree in Healthcare Administration in Long Term Care can help in many ways. It will help me develop communication skills. After reviewing the description of Healthcare Administration in Long Term Care and talking it over with my academic advisor, I decided to go with it. With this degree I could start my own business. Work for a non-profit organization. Also I could simply decide to pursue a management position with my current employer. I have a wide range of work I can find with this degree. I know I picked the right degree and the right time to return to school. The benefits of obtaining a college degree have been obvious. Getting a higher education to get a better job and higher salary is definitely a benefit. Setting an example and being a role model for my four children is reward enough.

Those Winter Sundays Essay -- Literary Analysis, Robert Hayden

Distance is a problem in many homes whether it be through emotional distance or physical Distance or it may just be that the word love is not spoken enough, in both Robert Hayden’s poem â€Å"Those Winter Sundays† and Rita Dove’s â€Å"Daystar† is a distant parent are they selfish or mean or is the love they do show just not understood? In Robert Hayden’s poem â€Å"Those Winter Sundays† show that children have a hard time understanding why a parent is distant the speaker says â€Å"Sundays too my father got up early and put his clothes on/ in the blueblack cold,†(Line 1-2) the father even gets up very early on Sundays as in the â€Å"blueblack cold† the speaker seems to not understand why the father does this why does he get up so early day after day? He seems to ask himself. The speaker observes that â€Å" †¦With cracked hands the ached from labor in the weekday weather/ banked fires blazed†(Line 3-5) the father works hard for his family his hands are cracked and sore and he still gets up earlier then the rest of his family and makes the fire blaze to warm the house for them. Distant parents even if they mean well and try to convey their love to their families through actions or deeds as the speaker states â€Å"No one ever thanked him† the father not seen as loving to the child. (Line 5) The speaker says â€Å"I will rise and dress, fearing the chronic angers of that house,† there is usually a lot of tension and fear in a house hold with bad communication skills, the mother and father may fight or argue often or the distant parent if not both of them may be angry that the child does not understand their love and compassion The children grow to be uncaring and unresponsive to the actions that the parents do for the family as the speake... ...e that was hers for an hour†(Line 16-20) when they are making love she day dreams of her time with her self and the only thing she has is her thoughts she has no desire to love her husband as the speaker explains she thinks of the place â€Å"where she [is] nothing, pure nothing, in the middle of the day.†(Line 20-22) In Robert Hayden’s poem â€Å"Those Winter Sundays† there is a father who loves his cild and does kind things for his family he works hard getting up early everyday and â€Å"No one ever thanked him† (Hayden Line 5) and in Rita Dove’s â€Å"Daystar† there is the mother who is deeply depressed and is not happy with the life she has she is unhappy was being a mother and goes through the motions of everyday life because she has to as a mother. Children never benefit from distance in the home they rarely understand it and they never feel loved.

Company Of Interest Library Assignment

They have wonderful bed side manner and the staff has always been compassionate, patient, and extremely helpful. Another reason chose Concentrate is because of their many locations. Although would prefer to work at the 12 Mile and Hoover location because it is about a mile from my house, unfortunately, they are not hiring medical assistants at this time. However, the Sterling Heights location located at 40732 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights, MI. 4831 3, is hiring. That facility is only 8 miles from my house.Upon research, did find out that Concentrate requires their employees to have a minimum of 12 months direct work experience, current medical assistant irredentist, as well as one year of continuous experience in clinical operations or medical office work after extrinsic. I possess all of the requirements except one year of clinical operations or medical office work after extrinsic. Will be on my way to meeting that requirement upon completion of this program. The reason I want to work there is because Concentrate is a fast paced environment, and there are strict deadlines.Also, compassion and good bed side manner is a quality I have. In my opinion, it is one of the most important qualities a health care worker can have. Concentrate offers 401 (k) with employer match, Medical/Vision/Prescription/ Dental Plans/Life Insurance/Disability Sick Leave/Vacation/Heydays/Personal Days, as well as Colleague Referral Bonuses and Live Healthy Incentives. That is a strong benefit package, comparable to what other companies offer in my experience. According to the web site Michigan. Gob, a medical office assistant middle range salary is from $9. 93 to $12. 18 per hour in East Central Michigan.

Descriptive Writing in Literature

Literature indulges us in a different world by using descriptive writing that paints a vivid picture in our mind. Every author has a different way to accomplish that, but the main purpose is to draw the reader into the desired place and time of the literature. I will compare two poems and one story that capture the imagination by a descriptive writing. First we will take a closer look how these authors accomplished their transition of us into their world and then we will compare if those works have something in common. Grabbing the attention of a reader is not an easy thing especially that each person has a different view of the world, and one thing that can be understandable to some can be an enigma to others. In the poem â€Å"The Fish† written by Elizabeth Bishop we can see a simple act of catching a fish that is translated into a powerful descriptive poem that shows how this catch not only defined time, but is also a renewal of life after the release. When we hear a person describing a fish it is usually pretty simple: small, big, long, had large teeth, heavy etc†¦ In the poem Elizabeth Bishop uses great synonyms and metaphors (change the words) that grab our attention from the first verse:† I caught a tremendous fish and held him beside the boat half out of the water, with my hook fast in a corner of his mouth. † We can clearly imagine the fish that has just been caught still breathing being held next to the boat. Next she uses synonyms that start to describe the appearance of it: â€Å"He hung a grunting weight, battered and venerable and homely. But the great description does not end on those couple lines she goes into details about its skin and how it looks like an old wallpaper, discolored, faded, torn apart: â€Å"his brown skin hung in strips like ancient wall-paper, and its pattern of darker brown was like wall-paper: shapes like full-brown roses stained and lost through age. † Just from reading this couple lines we can see that the fish was old, because of its skin and the color of it, some fish can even grow up to a hundred and now we can see that the catch could be even older that the fisherman. The author goes into further detail about the age of the fish when he writes: â€Å"hung five old pieces of fish-line†¦ with all their five big hooks† and â€Å"Like medal with their ribbons frayed and wavering, a five-haired beard of wisdom trailing from his aching jaw. † These lines have great power of showing us that the fisherman realized that the fish had fought many battles throughout his years, and the reminders that were left in his jaw look like medals worn by soldiers after their fights. The image that we can develop thanks to this descriptive writing is bright and clear this metaphor of medals is a great way to picture the old, tired fish that has overcame many obstacles on its path (Bishop, 2007). The story that we will look at that has also caught my imagination through its playful and colorful writing is â€Å"The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky† by Stephen Crane. In this short story not only the surrounding is described to details, but characters feeling and thoughts are written in a way that we can place ourselves in their shoes. This way we can accomplish a greater similarity with characters and also show some emotion that we have never felt before â€Å"She continually twisted her head to regard her puff sleeves, very stiff, straight, and high. They embarrassed her. † In those two lines we can see that the character is not used to this king of attire and it is making her uncomfortable. Same thing probably happened to everybody in their life once, when we had to wear something that was not chosen by us, but the dress code or the occasion required it, like a bridesmaid who wears a dress that thinks it is the ugliest in the world only to please the bride. Those simple feeling transferred to paper can make the reader transfer in time and place to the action of the story. For example when Stephen Crane describes the drunken challenger and his eagerness to pick a gun fight with anybody he shows us how determined and fearless the man felt â€Å"Often he yelled, and these cries rang through a semblance of a deserted village, shrilly flying over the roofs in a volume that seemed to have no relation to the ordinary vocal strength of a man. It was if the surrounding stillness formed the arch of a tomb over him. These cries of ferocious challenge rang against walls of silence. † We can picture a man who is screaming so loudly that his voice can be heard across town almost begging to find a challenger, but his calls are unanswered and the silence of the town shows how serious this man is. Descriptive writing is a great way to narrate a story that way there is no room for misplacing the feeling that the author is trying to show us (Crane, 2007). The second poem that I have chosen is â€Å"I dwell in the Possibility† by Emily Dickinson. This poem is much different than other two literature works, because it leaves more room for our imagination to fill in the gaps. Emily tells us through her poem how much she loves poetry and how limitless it is. She compares it to a house â€Å"A fairer House than Prose-â€Å"and with this single line she burns an image of a house in our mind, but how does it look? How big is it? In that split second after reading that line we can imagine a house of our dreams without limitations. She goes on comparing windows to opportunities and endless options that can be achieved through poetry. Our house starts taking a sharper and clearer image in us, and to achieve her desired influence on us she paints an extraordinary picture in our imagination. The second stanza holds the key to the incredible descriptive writing that took us on a journey: â€Å"And for an Everlasting Roof The Gambrels of the Sky-â€Å". No house could be complete without a roof; or could it? How could we imagine a house without a roof, or could the sky be our roof? The options are limitless the metaphor is excellent and the descriptive writing although not detailed still fulfilled its purpose of invoking a vivid picture that will last in our mind forever (Dickinson, 2007). Each author used different method of descriptive writing; some left us more room to play with our imagination than others. What matters the most is that not only a colorful picture is painted in our mind, but also emotions are clearly portrayed. To indulge the reader all three authors use the power of words. In poem â€Å"The Fish† I stared and stared and victory filled up the little rented boat†¦ until everything was rainbow, rainbow, rainbow! † We can imagine the sight of a fisherman that caught a tremendous fish and is really happy, and more importantly in those few lines we can fell that joy and positive energy that illuminates this image in our head. The emotions are almost screaming through the fisherman and the renewal of life after releasing the fish can be felt in us the readers as well. Also the author accomplished sympathy toward the fish without ever mentioning fear or agerness to escape the terrible future that was meant for it. He accomplished that through descriptive writing of its appearance when he compared hooks left in his jaw to medals of soldiers which sway in the wind or when he looked into his eyes that were larger than fisherman’s. Those few moments subconsciously build sympathy in us toward the catch and also build some tension when we read from line to line in hope that it will somehow survive (Bishop, 2007). Stephen Crane also portrays great emotions in his story. This story builds up a tension that was heading towards a gunfight were the main character Jack Potter could not even live long enough to enjoy his first day of marriage. When we compare typical Western movies to â€Å"The Bride comes to Yellow Sky† we can see allot of differences. Nobody has died or even been shot and most importantly even the tough Sheriff is scared of something; people’s reaction to his marriage. The author uses descriptive writing while narrating through the train ride, saloon, and mad gun slinger on the path for blood. What might be a surprise from the first page we can see the emotions of Jack Potter which normally we did not see in Westerns where all lead characters are tough, emotionless, and invincible. The author wants to show real emotions even in a feared man like Jack that was freshly married on his way with the bride to his hometown. The emotions shown between the newlyweds are a big part of this story â€Å"A sense of mutual guilt invaded their minds and developed a finer tenderness. †(p. 484). The joy and happiness that people receive after their marriage is incredible; so many thoughts and feeling are experienced at the same time that are hard to describe and thanks to describing those feeling we become sympathetic with the couple. As we read we develop almost friendship with them and we can start envisioning the unstoppably gunfight which builds even greater emotions in us. Page after page Stephen Crane paints a clearer picture of tension in the town before the main battle erupts â€Å"Oh, there’ll be a fight fast enough, if any one wants it. Anybody can get a fight out there in the street. There’s a fight just waiting. † The description of the gunslinger shows that the man is serious and eager to kill which might be Jack Potter â€Å"His eyes, rolling, and yet keen for ambush†¦. He walked with the creeping movement of the midnight cat. As it occurred to him, he roared menacing information. † Tension reaches climax at the end where both men collide unexpectedly. This story not only transferred us in time and place to a small Western town, but also painted a clear picture of emotions that even toughest man goes through when they get married (Crane, 2007). Descriptive writing is one of the most creative ways to indulge the reader in literature’s world. Thanks to descriptive writing the authors can stimulate reader’s imagination that will leave an everlasting imprint. The proper usage of words can transfer us in time and location, and also into a different emotion that we might have never experienced. This method brings heart into any work that pumps blood which is so vital at keeping the reader interested and on the edge of their seat. We could see it clearly in story â€Å"The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky† where tension builds up with each page turned and the closer we get to the end the closer we get to a tragedy than somehow never happens. Even in poem â€Å"The Fish† emotions are building up to sympathies readers with the fish although usually we do not associate feeling with fishes. The final literature work â€Å"I Dwell in the Possibility† incorporates a different descriptive writing. It is not guided by usual details that are followed, but single lines that are just as powerful, and are left to roam our mind and take on shapes and forms that only readers can see and feel.

Multiculturalism in Canada

Multiculturalism in Canada Introduction Canada as a nation has incorporated people from various backgrounds and ethnic diversities. In addition, the Canadian government has played its role in motivating and fortifying the coexistence of the different cultures present in Canada.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Multiculturalism in Canada specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Multiculturalism is suggested to have started in England and French nations; however, in Canada, the multiculturalism policy has incorporated the various diversities of Canadians by upholding social integration in terms of active participation in social, cultural, political, and economic activities. In the modern time, these activities are facilitated by the modern technology through the internet (Sugimoto University of Toronto 1). In Canada, multiculturalism concept pervades in the day-to-day life despite its meaning varying significantly in relation to its context. In the 1987 report which was referred to as Multiculturalism: Building the Canadian Mosaic, multiculturalism was defined as â€Å"recognition of diverse cultures of a plural society based on three principles: we all have an ethnic origin (equality); all our cultures deserve respect (dignity) and cultural pluralism needs support (community)†. In 1989, a government pamphlet published to educate the public on Multiculturalism act defined multiculturalism in a simpler manner by describing it as the daily working and living undertaken by Canadians in their day-to-day life (Sugimoto University of Toronto 5). History of multiculturalism Multiculturalism in Canada was not an official policy until in 1971, it has however been identified as a historical and social fact since the Canadian West settlement. The Canadian government had vigorously started promoting large-scale immigration during the nineteenth century second half. The sole aim of the immigration was to undertake development of the unsettled land and in particular in the Canadian West. As the Ontarian and French-Canadian migrants moved towards the west, some European groups also followed suit among which the Icelanders were part of. The groups were convinced to stay in Canada with the promise of attaining large tracts of land for their settlement as well as the promise of their culture and language been preserved (Neijmann 357). It took the First World War to initiate Canada into an era of strongly increased nationalism and self-awareness. High expectations surrounded the emerging Canadian nation that would include the best of Europe’s past. Publications in 1938 were used to enlighten the Canadian population on their cultures and customs (Neijmann 358).Advertising Looking for research paper on canada? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The revolutionary ethnic revival of the 1960s slowly took roots following a widespread of equality calls by the social movements. In Canada wave of Quebecois nationalism had begun sweeping the country and was led by Charles de Gaulle. This wave promoted an increase of awareness of Canadians of different backgrounds. These Canadians felt that it was their right to have their cultural preservations to be officially recognized. It was this time that Canada’s unity was considered to be invested in its diversity and its cultural reality was in fact a mosaic. The report that was published in 1969 on The Cultural Contributions of the Other Ethnic Groups by the royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism was used by the Canadian government to announce a policy of multiculturalism in 1971. From that year on, numerous boards have been established as well as provision of funds by the government in order to promote multiculturalism. In spite of generating a debate, it is now desirable and possible to have pride in one’s heritage of culture, immigrant background and above all take pride in voicing this pride in the public domain (Neijmann 358). The identification of forms and social cohesion of immigrants and minority communities that are racialized is normally a response that is complex in nature attributed to numerous factors. This therefore indicates that the state mediates them as well as its cultural practices. The mediation is undertaken by reality of exclusion and discrimination. The two mediations are indicated in the first and second faces of multiculturalism in Canada. The policy on multiculturalism has helped the state to undertake substantial steps in determining the nature of state and minority coexistence in a liberalized tradition that enhances equality and promotes communities’ social cohesion (Nelson Nelson 416). Multiculturalism in modern Canada In the modern Canada, social networks and connections are at the core of the integration system of Canadian community. The urban areas are comprised of mixed ethnic groups; this mak es it increasing difficult to create stocks of social capital as compared to rural areas that are less diverse. According to Dickerson et al, diverse community individuals in one way or the other reveal less trust in others as well as possess less willingness to integrate with their society. This therefore means that urban residents have a high possibility of isolating themselves from the rest of the community especially in societies whose diversity is high. The issue of integration of diverse cultures and immigrants is not a simple subject to address.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Multiculturalism in Canada specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In Canada, multiculturalism policies have assisted cultural groups in overcoming the difficulties that prevent them from integrating fully into the community. Assistance has been established is ensuring one of the two official languages is learnt thereby making it the corner stone of the policy. Canada has one of the highest levels of per capital immigration in the world. The 2006 census indicated that for every five Canadians that are born one is normally a foreign born. The fact that 95 percent of the immigrants normally settle in urban areas means that national unity and integration are the dominant issues in the political domain (Dickerson et al 55 56). According to Good, StatsCan predicted that by 2017 with the ongoing trend of immigration, the percentage of visible minority Canadians will have grown to 19 to 23 percent up from the 16.2 percent recorded during the 2006 census. The statsCan report also noted that immigration was the critical factor that will reflect the rise in population of Canada’s visible minority. From a policy dimension, the impact of multiculturalism will strongly depend on its ability to undertake ethno cultural diversity that is brought about by immigrant cultural practices. Although extensive research is stil l needed to comprehend the existing relationship between immigrant integration and public policies, the research on multiculturalism that has already been undertaken clearly indicates that success has been achieved so far in immigrant and ethnic integration (Good 9). According to Wilson and Dissanayake, the practice and discourse of multiculturalism has been an integral operation of administrative normalization. This is because various types of traditions are indicated as necessarily contradictory which means that there is need for regulation. The state extends its power by identifying these traditions as norms that need to be embraced and managed. In the last two decades update forms of production and deregulation have resulted to countless movement of people, commodities and as well as capital across different nation’s borders (Wilson Dissanayake 219).Advertising Looking for research paper on canada? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conclusion In Canada, the Pierre Trudeau’s Liberal government undertook the multiculturalism policy in 1971. This was attributed by the report of Royal commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, which was portrayed by a cross section of the people as putting much of its efforts on English-French issues that had little significance to other elements that have an impact in the Canadian population. In 1982, multiculturalism was also given recognition in section 27 of â€Å"Canada’s Charter of rights and freedom†; the Charter was to be interpreted as in a way that will be â€Å"consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians† (Dewing and Leman Para. 17). The conservative government of Brian Mulroney passed the multiculturalism act in the year 1988 and later on established a department of multiculturalism. The functions of this multiculturalism department were later transferred to Department of Canadian heritage. In the modern time, multiculturalism is a different entity of program in the department of Canadian Heritage. One of its major functions is to extend grants to ethnic societies associations for their numerous types of public discussions, cultural performances, French and English training and above all integration into the Canadian community. The main objective declared by Multiculturalism in line with their Canadian Heritage is to prevent nourishment of different identities but rather to assist immigrants develop their lives in Canada by ensuring their own cultural heritage is part and parcel of the mainstream of the social Canadian Community. The various usage of multiculturalism, has led to uncertainty among the Canadian citizens on what the concept really means. Dewing, Michael and Leman, Marc. â€Å"Canadian Multiculturalism.† Parliamentary information and Research Service. 16 March 2006. 03 April 2011. https://lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ Dickerson O. M et al. An Introduction to Government and Politics: A Conceptual Approach. Toronto: Nelson Education Ltd. 2010. Good, Kristin. Municipalities and multiculturalism: the politics of immigration in Toronto and Vancouver. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 2009. Neijmann, Daisy. The Icelandic voice in Canadian letters: the contribution of Icelandic-Canadian Writers to Canadian Literature. Carleton: Carleton University Press. 1997. Nelson, Charmaine and Nelson, Antoinette C. Racism, Eh? a critical inter-disciplinary anthology of race and racism in Canada. Ontario: Captus Press Inc. 2004. Sugimoto, Sayaka and University of Toronto. Multiculturalism: A discourse analysis of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Canadian Heritage websites. Ottawa, Heritage Branch.2008. Wilson, Rob and Dissanayake, Wimal. Global/local: cultural production and the transnational imaginary. NY: Duke University Press. 1996.

Analyzing the Financial Statements of the Worlds Retailer

Students can be asked to make this analysis in class, or to prepare the case outside the classroom, and to present it. Ideally, the case work is conducted in groups of 4 to 6 students, and it typically takes between 1 to 1. 5 hours (for the analysis itself – obviously, drafting a written report or presentation is more time consuming). The Wal-Mart case is aimed at both undergraduate and graduate students, and for general management programmes/MBAs as well as finance students – obviously, for the latter group, a much more fine-grained analysis, extensive discussion and adequate linking among various financials and between the numbers and Wal-Mart’s business is required. Evidently, the lecturer should highlight many more details in a class of finance students. In the teaching note, the authors first provide a detailed discussion of Wal-Mart’s balance sheet, profit and loss account and cash flow statement, mainly based upon common base and common size analysis. While the focus is on 2009 figures, conclusions for 2008 would be broadly similar. Furthermore, they also provide an overview of some key financials’ evolution over the past 10 years. Next, they calculate and interpret liquidity, profitability and solvency ratios for 2008 and 2009 and link these to Wal-Mart’s business model and operating activities. They summarize the main findings in a concluding section. Finally, the authors include a slide show that can be used while teaching this case. Analyzing the Financial Statements of the Worlds Retailer Students can be asked to make this analysis in class, or to prepare the case outside the classroom, and to present it. Ideally, the case work is conducted in groups of 4 to 6 students, and it typically takes between 1 to 1. 5 hours (for the analysis itself – obviously, drafting a written report or presentation is more time consuming). The Wal-Mart case is aimed at both undergraduate and graduate students, and for general management programmes/MBAs as well as finance students – obviously, for the latter group, a much more fine-grained analysis, extensive discussion and adequate linking among various financials and between the numbers and Wal-Mart’s business is required. Evidently, the lecturer should highlight many more details in a class of finance students. In the teaching note, the authors first provide a detailed discussion of Wal-Mart’s balance sheet, profit and loss account and cash flow statement, mainly based upon common base and common size analysis. While the focus is on 2009 figures, conclusions for 2008 would be broadly similar. Furthermore, they also provide an overview of some key financials’ evolution over the past 10 years. Next, they calculate and interpret liquidity, profitability and solvency ratios for 2008 and 2009 and link these to Wal-Mart’s business model and operating activities. They summarize the main findings in a concluding section. Finally, the authors include a slide show that can be used while teaching this case.

Structuring Your MessageUNIT4DB Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Structuring Your MessageUNIT4DB - Essay Example In this paper, we will address why the opening of a presentation is crucial and some ways to prepare an effective one. The opening, beginning or introduction of a presentation tells the audience what is to come and what to expect. According to Mary Munter (2002), one must remember to â€Å"set the stage†, â€Å"grab attention†, â€Å"use humor with caution† and â€Å"state recommendations† in preparing for the opening. (p. 43-44) She underscored the fact that this is the part where the presenter introduces the topic, sets the pace, and establishes credibility. There are several styles in doing so, but it is recommended to use a formal introductory device. Effective formal openers include anecdote, humor and involving question. Steve Mandel (2000) explained these extensively in his book, The Effective Presentation Skills. Anecdote, which is usually humorous though not always, tells of a short story to illustrate a point. Humor, on the other hand, uses a joke as a springboard to seize attention and break the ice. Mandel, however, warned against humor that has something to do with sex, race, religion, or any other personal topic. According to him the humor must be linked to the speaker, topic, audience, or the occasion. It should be conservative. Involving question is a bit tricky, so if one does not know his audience, he could ask for a show of hands after asking an open-ended question. This is a safe way since audience might give a wrong answer or crack a joke at the presenter’s expense. (Mandel, p. 24) Informative presentations do away with these devices and instead call for introductions that state facts and figures. (Asha, p. 96) In this case, statistical data or citing the agenda is used to open the presentation. Confidence adds up to the impact of a presentation. That is the reason why practice and preparation is important. I have seen a very good presentation ruined because the presenter