Tempest By Shakespeare Essays - Operas, English-language Films

Tempest By Shakespeare The Tempest is an interesting play written by the famous, William Shakespeare. It is his official and last accomplishment. This play is thought of as one of Shakespeare's "romance" plays. Shakespeare started to write toward the end of his career about magic and fantasy set in far-off lands. These realms that he created are written about in his plays. This particular play is famous for his usage of magic, which is carried through by the Duke of Milan (a state in Italy), who is also known as Prospero the magician. Prospero rules Shakespeare's creation of an island set far away from all realities and creates ruckus for all that land on the island. Prospero who is on an island with his daughter Miranda and some servants to assist with magic is stranded but he uses his magical powers to his advantage. Prospero is on this remote island because his brother Antonio usurped his position of Dukedom. His evil brother sent Prospero and his baby daughter sailing into sea with a boat full of wholes. Antonio sent Prospero away in such an abused boat that he assumes that Prospero had to died at sea, but this is not so. A kind-hearted man named Gonzalo changes Prospero and his daughter's fate and Prospero in return uses his magic on the island to make it some what livable for them. The play starts out so happily but then Prospero is offered a chance to use his magic and take revenge upon his evil, brother Antonio who took his place in Milan, Italy as the duke to rule. Antonio happens to set sail in waters that are close to Prospero's island. His servant, Ariel who is an airy spirit, which Prospero rescued from imprisonment and now controls can fly, play magical music, misdirect people, turn invisible, and create storms and fire, among other abilities. Also Ariel's gender is uncertain and probably indeterminate; it is referred to sometimes as "he", but also takes on female forms (for instance, the nymph of I.ii.301 and the harpy of III.iii.53ff) and spends much time invisible. It is probably simplest to think of Ariel as androgynous-that is, neither male nor female) So Prospero and Ariel conjure up a huge storm (the tempest), and try and steer the ship towards the island so that his daughter and himself can return back to civilization. The ship wrecks near the island and Prospero uses his magic to make sure that all the passengers manage to make it safely ashore. Many interesting figures wash upon shore. These figures include, Antonio, Alonso, the King of Naples, who conspired long ago to help Antonio get rid of Prospero; the good old counselor, Gonzalo; Sebastian, Alonso's own power-hungry younger brother; and Ferdinand, Alonso's son, the Prince of Naples. The characters basically divide up into two groups, the protagonists and the antagonists. Antonio is an antagonist. He is the evil brother of Prospero, from whom he usurped the position of Duke of Milan twelve years ago. He also plots with Sebastian to kill Alonso and Gonazalo. Alsonso, the King of Naples is one of the figures belonging to the protagonist group. He was long ago involved in Antonio's plot to get rid of Prospero. He has a corruptible, power-hungry younger brother named Sebastian. He is the father of Ferdinand and the heir to the throne and he has a daughter named Claribel, who has just been married to a king fare across the sea. Gonzalo also belongs to the protagonists. He is a well-meaning, good-hearted elderly counselor of Alonso, who helped save Prospero and Miranda's life long ago, when Antonio and Alonso betrayed them. The next character is Sebastian who is an antagonist and he is also the wicked brother of Alonso, King of Naples. He is corrupt and power-hungry, and he plots with Antonio to murder Alonso and Gonzalo. Ferdinand is part of the protagonist group and is the Prince of Naples, and the son of Alonso. He falls in love with Miranda the first time he sees her. When Ferdinand is washed onto the island alone, Ferdinand and Miranda (the young, na?ve daughter of Prospero who has grown up on the island and has seen no other human being than her father for as long as she can remember.) meet and fall in love at first sight. This was Prospero's secret goal all along, although he pretends to dislike Ferdinand at first. Meanwhile, Prospero lets the other noblemen-Alonso and Antonio, accompanied by Sebastian, Gonzalo and others wander around the island

4 Great Going Away Gifts for Coworkers

4 Great Going Away Gifts for Coworkers Ever wonder what to get a coworker who’s leaving your office? This person may have become a real friend outside of work. Or he or she might be a face to nod and smile at in the hallway, with whom you’ve spent very little time outside the office. Either way, it’s nice to commemorate the time you’ve spent working together. It’s just very often hard to think of what to get for the going away gifts. Maybe the most appropriate thing to do is band together as a team and chip in a little (say, $5-10) for a larger, more expensive group gift. If that turns out to not be the best option, you can consider individual gifts. Just keep in mind that whatever gift you give should be something they’d be comfortable with unwrapping in public, in a professional setting.Here are some great ideas for departure gifts.Gifts for the Coworker Moving AwayIf your coworker is relocating, particularly somewhere new where they don’t have roots, consider a gift rela ted to their new locale:  a book about the history or food culture of a place, a local guidebook or restaurant guide, etc. Or, you could try the sentimental route and get a commemorative photo or book or trinket from where you are currently, so they can take it with them to their new life somewhere else.Gifts for the Coworker  Changing CreersMaybe  your coworker is switching fields- or even careers. A gift to commemorate the new job is a lovely gesture of support. A little gift bag of useful items, trinkets, or aspirational things suited for their new job or role can be very much appreciated- particularly if you add a little note of support to send them off with confidence!Gifts for the Coworker  Who Found Success on the JobWas there a particular achievement you shared? Consider having your team find an object or souvenir that symbolizes your work together. Then frame it, or put it on a stand, and make sure to all sign it in permanent marker. Wherever your coworker goes, the y’ll have the memory both of the accomplishment and of your team to brighten their office.Gifts for the Coworker You Don’t Know That WellIf you don’t have the time or energy to put together one of these more specialized gifts, the old standbys are always available! Try a bouquet of flowers and a group-signed card on their desk. A bottle of champagne or their favorite wine. Or even simply slap a bow on a box of chocolates. Remember, it’s the thought that counts.

Choose the Right Setting for Your Play

Choose the Right Setting for Your Play Before you sit down to write a play, consider this: Where does the story take place? Developing the right setting is essential to creating a successful stage play. For example, suppose you wanted to create a play about a James Bond-styled globe-trotter who travels to exotic locations and gets involved with lots of intense action sequences. It might be impossible to effectively bring all of those settings to life on the stage. Ask yourself: Is a play the best way to tell my story? If not, perhaps you may want to start working on a movie script. Single Location Settings Many plays take place in a single location. The characters are drawn to a specific place, and the action unfolds without dozens of scene changes. If the playwright can invent a plot that focuses on a limited amount of settings, half the battle of writing is already won. Sophocles of Ancient Greece has the right idea. In his play, Oedipus the King, all of the characters interact on the steps of the palace; no other set is needed.  What started in ancient Greece still works in modern theater bring the action to the setting.   Kitchen Sink Dramas A kitchen sink drama is typically a single location play that takes place in a familys home.  Often time, that means that the audience will see only one room in the house (such as the kitchen or dining room).  This is the case with such dramas as A Raisin in the Sun.   Multiple Location Plays Plays with a wide variety of dazzling set pieces are sometimes impossible to produce. British author Thomas Hardy wrote an enormously long play entitled The Dynasts. It begins in the farthest reaches of the universe, and then zooms down to earth, revealing various generals from the Napoleonic Wars. Due to its length and the complexity of the setting, it has yet to be performed in its entirety. Some playwrights don’t mind that. In fact, playwrights such as George Bernard Shaw and Eugene O’Neil often wrote complex works that they never expected to be performed. However, most dramatists want to see their work brought to life on stage. In that case, it is essential for playwrights to narrow down the number of settings. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Some plays take place on an empty stage. The actors pantomime objects. Simple props are used to convey the surroundings. Sometimes, if a script is brilliant and the actors are talented, the audience will suspend its disbelief. They will believe that the protagonist is traveling to Hawaii and then on to Cairo. So, playwrights must consider: will the play work best with actual sets? Or should the play rely upon the audience’s imagination? Relationship Between Setting and Character If you would like to read an example of how details about setting can enhance the play (and even reveal the nature of the characters), read the analysis of August Wilsons Fences.  Youll notice that each part of the setting description (the garbage cans, the unfinished fence post, the baseball hanging from a string) represents the past and present experiences of Troy Maxson, the plays protagonist. In the end, the choice of setting is up to the playwright. So where do you want to take your audience?

Henri Matisse's The Dessert Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Henri Matisse's The Dessert - Essay Example The essay "Henri Matisse's The Dessert" discovers the artwork of Henri Matisse. His style also called for the use of flatter shapes to emphasize the use of the canvas, rather than creating three dimensions and offering a window into the scene. To further develop this flat and expressionist theme, he used organic and floral symbols, such as those seen on the table cloth. The chair, at bottom left, has a flatness to it as well—all of this showing that Matisse hoped to achieve independence from realism and his own expression in this painting. Matisse also had some indecision about the color—the painting was first green, then later he changed it and repainted things blue. Finally, before the piece was sent off to a Russian art collector, Matisse painted over the blue to make the painting red. Thus, it is apparent that colors were very important to the artist, and the emotions that colors inspired influenced him in deciding which color was appropriate. Overall, Matisse's ins piration for the painting was a desire to show what was within his own head, rather than to depict reality—he therefore used his own preference in color, light, and shape, and also avoided creating a focal point in the painting. Instead, he made a sort of scene with multiple subjects in it, and left nowhere for the eye to be drawn to as a center—a sort of protest against older styles that tried to be as precise in color, detail, shape, and scale as photographs may be while trying to draw the eye to a center point using proportions. and invisible lines. What I like most about this piece is that it makes a point of using non-traditional methods of expression and illustration. The Impressionist approach to painting creates a painting that offers a look into the artist's mind, and hence we see a far more unique scene or subject than would be possible if the artist was trying to depict the scene realistically. I also like how the scene uses a dominant color. The use of red as a sort of template color allows the addition of other colors to be more magnified, and thus the contrast against red becomes sharper and more impressive. The way the paint is mixed, the colors also appear very soft and simple, without any sort of gradient or overwhelming vividness. The painting also uses shape in a way that pleases my eye. The organic shapes on the table cloth are the obvious ones. If red is the defining color in the painting, then the curves of the vegetation are the defining shape. I also like how the patterns in blue are echoed in the shapes of the fruit, flowers, and also in the plants on the painting on the wall—the shapes all seem to be juxtaposed with little forcing, yet fit together harmoniously. This makes the painting very easy to look at, rather than a harsh clashing of hard, competing lines. The painting on the wall is another element that I like, as it creates a sort of surreal feeling in the paint—the irony of a painting within a paint ing. The painting is enclosed within a gold frame, and it thus has an obvious separation from the main scene, yet it still relates to the main scene both directly and indirectly. The indirect relation to the main scene is that the painting on the wall offers a pleasing contrast in color, in a way that really complements the entire color scheme. On the other hand, it also seems to be part of a larger set of colors across the whole painting that includes some of the fruits as a residual part of the concentration of green in the wall painting, while the red house and blue sky in the wall painting have the same relation to the larger scene. The final part about the painting that I

World War One marked the beginning of the end of the British Empire Essay

World War One marked the beginning of the end of the British Empire. Is it so - Essay Example But Britain had been bled white by the Great War in which the mother country, its colonies and dominions sustained a combined 1.2 million deaths. The British Empire had committed its full weight to the defeat of Germany and the other Central Powers – the cost was its physical and moral supremacy as an imperial power and its practical control over an enormously over-extended collection of overseas possessions. Absolute naval supremacy and a willingness to wage countless â€Å"little wars† around the world enabled Great Britain to build and maintain the largest empire the world has ever known. So long as the British were able to follow this â€Å"blueprint of empire,† it was possible for them to continue doing business as usual. All-out war in 1914 proved to be a fatal scenario for imperial aspirations. It is worthwhile to note that the British Empire reached its zenith only 21 years before the end of World War I. At that time, Queen Victoria ruled over approximate ly 372 million human beings occupying 11 million square miles (â€Å"Imperialism to Post-Colonialism,† 2010). The Royal Navy was the envy of the world, able to respond to flash points in any part of this vast area in a matter of weeks. The Boer War had shaken the notion of British invincibility but, comparatively speaking, did little material damage on a worldwide scale. It is one of the Name 2 most breathtaking facts of modern world history that World War I did so much to hasten the end of a world empire that just two decades before had appeared unassailable. Aftermath and empire Achieving victory over Imperial Germany forced Great Britain into the modern technological age. The British Army had pioneered the tank and a number of other technical innovations in what Niall Ferguson termed â€Å"a huge feat of military modernization† (2002). As has often been the case in British history, need drove advancement but failed to have a lasting impact on the security of the emp ire. â€Å"The stark reality was that, despite the victory and the territory it had brought, the First World War had left the Empire more vulnerable than ever before† (Ibid). The British failed abjectly to apply the lessons learned during the Great War to the need for more efficient management of its colonies. This tendency to fall back on traditional, even outmoded tactics would cost the British much in the years after the war. â€Å"Time and again, in the inter-war period, this was a pattern that would repeat itself†¦a sharp military response, followed by a collapse of British self-confidence, hand-wringing, second thoughts, a messy concession, another concession† (Ferguson, 2002). Ferguson uses Ireland as a prime example. The British had suffered some 1,400 casualties in Ireland by 1921, a toll that the British government and people were no longer willing to tolerate in the interest of empire. British forces in Ireland found themselves overwhelmed because Lloyd George’s government had failed to adopt the advice of Winston Churchill, who called for the utilization of tanks and armoured cars (Ibid). Put simply, the British were content Name 3 to manage circumstances â€Å"on the cheap,† a convenience that cost them dearly in Ireland and would do so repeatedly in subsequent years. Perhaps the most telling sign that Great Britain’s imperial facade was cracking was the loss of its historic edge in naval power. Weapons technology had taken a turn against the Royal Navy during the war. U-boat

Ikea Swot Analysis Essay Example for Free

Ikea Swot Analysis Essay Strengths: * IKEA offers a unique value proposition to its customers. It offers a wide range of well designed, functional products at low prices. The design begins with low costs from the outset, striking an ideal balance between function, quality, design, and price. * IKEA introduced the flat package which can be assembled by customers * IKEA has maintained long-term relationships with its suppliers, ensuring the company has access to high-quality materials at reasonable prices. Because of this, IKEA has some of the largest margins in the industry. * IKEA’s vision is to create a better everyday life for many people, putting the concerns for the environment and people at the heart of the business. Weaknesses: * The need for low cost products could lead to a possible compromise between quality and price. * IKEA is a global company, so product standards may be difficult to maintain. * Furniture needs assembly and not everyone has the tools, knowledge or strength to put the furniture together. The instructions for furniture assembly are just pictures. There are no words to accompany the instructions. Opportunities: * IKEA can further capitalize on the â€Å"green† movement and IKEA’s customer’s desires to have less of an impact on the environment. * IKEA is already reducing their carbon footprint by packing in less material. Threats: * Competition for IKEA comes from traditional furniture stores as well as stores like Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, and other similar stores that also sell household products and small furniture. * Some stores have already mirrored the flat package, low cost packed furniture model. * Slow down in first time home buyers, which is a core market segment for IKEA, as well as the recession will limit the amount of customers that walk into an IKEA store. Questions: 1.) IKEA is already opening stores in many locations all across the globe. IKEA offers low-cost products, mostly furniture that is packaged in low, flat boxes, which the purchaser would take with them to assemble at home. IKEA will also deliver their products and the package design saves on shipping charges as well as shelf space at the store. Customers enjoy the experience of shopping at IKEA. The restaurant allows IKEA customers to make a day of the shopping trip. The average customer drives 50 miles round trip to IKEA. The furniture comes in low, flat packaging that is relatively easy to take with you. When it comes to assembly however, the instruction usually only have pictures. This saves the company money, since IKEA is global and would need to print instructions in multiple languages. 2.) IKEA has a one-way design to it store. Customers walk through the different displays and can experience the entire store. At the end of the trip is the warehouse, which has the furniture packaged in the low, flat boxes. Customers can grab a cart and choose the items that they need or liked as they walked through the store. The displays are set up so you can see how the matching furniture looks together. You can sit in the chairs, open and close the drawers, and test out the furniture before you buy. IKEA does offer delivery for a low fee. The salesperson told me that I would have to buy one of everything in the store before the shipping price would increase; I believe the shipping price was $60 for everything in my order. One can also purchase the service of having someone come to your home to put the furniture together. However, customers looking to go in and grab something quickly will find the design and layout of the store cumbersome. Customers may also see something on display that they really enjoy, however, when they get to the warehouse, they might find the shelf empty. IKEA is able to find the sold out items at other locations, however customers need to travel to the other store to make the purchase (at least this was my experience). When the sold out item is not available, the customer might want to go back to the display and find a different set of match-able items, making the shopping experience even longer and more cumbersome.

Much Ado About Nothing - The Importance Of Noting Essay -- essays rese

Discuss The Importance Of Noting In Much Ado About Nothing Noting, or observing, is central to many of the ideas in Much Ado About Nothing. The word nothing was pronounced as noting in Elizabethan times, and it seems reasonable to presume that the pun was intended by Shakespeare to signal the importance of observation, spying and eavesdropping in the play. As a plot device, these occurrences propel the action and create humour and tension. The perils of noting incorrectly are portrayed and this leads naturally to the investigation of another major theme, the discrepancy between appearance and reality. Shakespeare uses the problems of illusion, deception and subjectivity of perception to examine the Elizabethan patriarchy, and he shows how adhering to convention can distort the views of society’s leaders. Plot development and comedy in Much Ado rely heavily on the use of noting. The play appears to have a simple plot; the romantic couple, Claudio and Hero, are denied marital joy by the evil Don John while the sub-plot, Beatrice’s and Benedick’s resisted but growing love, provides us with some humour until order and happiness are re-established in Messina. However, Shakespeare cleverly employs the many forms of noting (observation, misunderstanding, misreporting) to move the dramatic action forward. The main plot and the sub-plots are laced together with this device and, to emphasise the importance of noting, the audience is denied viewing the vital episode where Claudio and Don Pedro witness what they think is Hero’s debauchery – we observe the watch eavesdropping on Borachio recounting the event to Conrade. This eavesdropping reminds us of the orchard scenes where Beatrice and Benedick are tricked into loving each other. They both come closer to a position of self-knowledge and this enables the â€Å"merry war† of Beatrice and Benedick to move a step further to its conclusion. The orchard scenes, along with the scenes involving The Watch, are a major source of humour in the play. Eavesdropping leads to Beatrice’s and Benedick’s most hilarious lines and Dogberry’s continued misunderstandings and malapropisms help soften the tone of the play as they follow the more sinister sections. Dogberry’s insistence on others noting that Conrade called him an ass is especially funny: â€Å"Oh that I had been writ down an ass† (4. 2. 70-71). The audience enjoys the irony tha... ...ty. This can also be said for Beatrice (she is an orphan and does not have Hero’s parental pressure). They both eschew the courtly style and behaviour expected of Hero and Claudio and are able to think and act in a freer fashion. Friar Francis, being a cleric, definitely stands outside of society, and the others to note correctly, The Watch, belong to a totally different class. It seems that Shakespeare is suggesting that only those that are not controlled by patriarchal rules and rituals are capable of an undistorted view of life. The inability of the Messina aristocracy to note correctly points to this reading. Much Ado About Nothing ends with order restored. The masks come off, perhaps to be replaced by the more subtle ones worn every day. It seems unlikely that Claudio’s ability to note correctly will improve but, in Beatrice and Benedick, Shakespeare gives the audience encouragement that self-knowledge and reality will grow in Messina. The importance given to this couple’s superior perception clearly demonstrates that noting is central to this play. The plot relies on it for momentum and humour, and Shakespeare uses it to attack the illusions surrounding patriarchal society.

In Africa, AIDS Has a Woman’s Face

The article In Africa, AIDS Has a Woman’s Face is about how women in rural Africa play a big role in the all around living of their families and how AIDS and H. I. V. is affecting it. What would be the outcome of Africa’s future if woman were no longer able to carry the same duties because of the AIDS epidemic? One of the main things is that woman in Africa are the back bone to the families and communities in general. Women are the ones that make all the decision and do the agricultural work. As we could say it, they are the ones that keep society going. There are many strengths in this income is coming in because of the agricultural and families are healthier for that. The author states, â€Å"When women are fully involved, the benefits can be seen immediately: Families are healthier; they are better fed; their income, savings, and reinvestments go up (Annan 307). But the same way we can see there are strengths, there is also a weakness. Most of the people that get affected by AIDS and H. I. V. are women. The author states, â€Å" A United Nations report released last month shows that women now make up 50 percent of those infected with H. I. V. orldwide- and in Africa that figure is now 59 percent (Annan 307). This just means that we need to help them women especially in the prevention of H. I. V. and AIDS. From personal experiences I strongly believe women are the backbone in any family. For example, I take care of feeding my husband and children as well as the women in this article. As Annan writes, â€Å"Women were the ones who found alternative foods that could sustain their children in time of drought (308). In my case, that is something I tend to do when money is tight. Educating my children in the best way possible, it is one of the things that I pray for over and over. Even that I am constantly letting them know what is right from wrong, as well as inculcating our cultural Hispanic habits. Annan states, â€Å"The recent United Nations report shows that H. I. V. infection rates in Uganda continue to decline (309). This means not only at that particular place, but in many different throughout Africa. That just shows how parents and teachers are getting more involved in the education of prevention of AIDS and H. I. V. I strongly believe that the women in Africa are an essential part of living and life. In Africa, women are the ones that keep everything going for a living. I totally agree with the author on educating the children the different ways of prevention for such a bad infection like it is AIDS and H. I. V. My husband donates directly out from his check to the AIDS foundation. Because I believe people should be educated on diseases and preventions. Women also are the ones that in most cases keep the families together as I do for mine. Many of the things I read on this article like how women are the core of a family in Africa to the education and prevention of AIDS and H. I. V. All these things are what we need to help on, so that Africa’s future won’t look much more affected and dark.

The Philosophy of Supply Chain Management in the New Economy

THE PHILOSOPHY OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN THE NEW ECONOMY: NET READINESS IN THE NET SUPPLY CHAIN The use of Internet in business can bring change in business sector that can lead the traditional enterprise to collapse. Globalization processes, massive implementation of Information Technology and the establishment of virtual enterprises are the basic elements in the era of the Digital Revolution. Net readiness is the ability of the enterprise to adapt to the new technologies.With the vast development of internet technology, there is a tremendous development in the supply chain management and traditional SCM has been transformed into e-SCM. So the new economic system is largely based on the information technology. Based on a huge implementation of Information Technology foundations for the New Economy are laid. D. Tapscott gave 12 principles of the New Economy. A continuous process of adaptation is required to these processes to meet evolving consumers’ needs.New principles o f operation are applied by new economy enterprises. Within the Time Based Management an ever-increasing effectiveness is guaranteed in the implementation of the Internet. Physical, informational and financial flows are present on the logistics pipeline. Virtual organizations are treated as production systems used to create products and satisfy customers’ needs. These virtual organizations utilize a concrete supply that is input and output to satisfy the needs and ensure expected profit.Users, telecommunications businesses and suppliers are the three groups of enterprises that utilize Internet infrastructure. They offer a wide variety of services to both traditional and virtual enterprises, which is based on the ‘5C’. Based on the flow of goods and services the created virtual chain is connected with traditional supply chain. The synergy effect of traditional business solutions and Internet technology applications are the two specific characteristics of the supply chain functioning.The utilizations of the resources and advantages of e-SCM can be directly related to the term called â€Å"Net Readiness† (NR) described by the employees of Cisco which means that the ability of the existing enterprise to adapt to new technologies and conduct their activities using the web. NR evaluation chart is the main NR research tool, which describes the level of involvement of an enterprise in e-business solutions. In relation to the best representative in its group it enables the position of the enterprise to be determined.Enterprises are divided into five groups: Internet visionary, Internet expert, Internet savvy, Internet aware, Internet agnostic. Modern supply chains have many advantages, but they have threats resulting from characteristics of e-economy. Due to a world-wide economic stratification and a clear division into digital civilization and outsiders limits in new opportunities can be noticed. Due to the e-businesses in the new economy, th e society is evolving into information society and a lot of innovative techniques which saves time are being implemented which adds value to the production and customer service.

10 Facts for a Dissertation in Finance and Accounting

10 Facts for a Dissertation in Finance and Accounting To write an excellent dissertation, you are required to have an in-depth understanding of whatever subject matter you intend to discuss, be it finance or accounting this rule is no different. The first step to kick-start your dissertation is getting a clear view of finance, accounting and the relation between both concepts, and these matters will be explored below. Finance involves the aspects of raising money for a reason. In business terms, financial management is concerned with the methods in which funds are raised for a business and how they are invested.   Accounting, in its turn is related to the collecting, analyzing and presenting financial information in a way that helps stakeholders make more effective financial decisions. So in layman terms, finance and accounting is the process of raising money and investing it in business. Accounting provides clear means of communicating or understanding how these funds were invested and returned. All this helps to make better investment decisions in the future. In this article you will find interesting and valuable information about finance and accounting, usage of which will help you form general understanding of the matter. 10 Interesting Facts on Finance and Accounting Accounting originates from a French word. The term accounting like most English words has its origins from a foreign language and in this case, the French language gave a birth to the term. Accounting comes from the French word ‘Compter’ which means to count, counting or keeping scores. Luca Pacioli is the father of accounting. Luca Pacioli was an Italian mathematician who believed in the importance of keeping tabs on a business’s credit and debit activities. To educate the public on how important this was, he wrote the first accounting textbook, ‘Summa de Arithmetica, Geometria, Proportioni et Proportionalita’ which described how to keep account of assets, expenditures, and liabilities in 1494. This book set the tone for the use of ledgers and balance sheets in the field of accounting. Ancient Mesopotamia was home to the world’s first accountants. Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia to be precise has been credited as the cradle of civilization for a couple of reasons and accounting is one of them. In Mesopotamia, the need to keep tabs on temple spending and earnings as well as tax collection led to the development of tax books, bookkeeping, and accounting as a whole. Historians also believe that the art of writing which was first developed in Mesopotamia also developed from a necessity to perform some bookkeeping activities. Financial Accounting is a field in the accounting profession. The field of accounting is divided into multiple areas of study which a practicing accountant can seek a degree in. Some of the more notable subsets of accounting include: financial accounting, management accounting, and auditing and tax accounting. Financial accounting consists of organizing and reporting an organization’s financial information to the public for the use of investors and government agencies. The World’s first financial institution was built in Italy. Finance and accounting have gained a lot from the efforts of the early Italian mathematicians and statisticians and one of these gains is the first bank ever created. The Monte de Paschi di Siena which was built in 1472 takes the enviable position of becoming the first financial institution and bank ever built by man. It was founded by the magistrates of Siena to serve as a ‘mount of piety’ which is basically a pawn broking organization. Currently, Berkshire Hathaway is the biggest financial service institution regarding revenue as it generates $210billion annually. The concept of a share market traces its origin to Ancient Rome. Although the exact moment the stock market got its inception is still disputed, finance scholars agree that the earliest known share market was in ancient Rome. During the Roman Republic era, there were ‘Societates publicanorum’ organizations which took up the financial responsibility of a certain event in the city. In 1602 the founding of the Dutch East Indian Company has been credited as a key point in the formation of a share market because precisely for this event legal rules, regulation and a particular market structure were introduced. Income statement and the statement of financial position serve different purposes. The statement of financial position is a snapshot of the makeup of a business’s wealth at a particular time while income statements are concerned with the flow of capital over a period of time. Both concepts are related to one another, though, an income statement is the link between the statement of financial position at the beginning and the end of a financial reporting year. Finance and accounting play a significant role in law enforcement. Forensic accounting is a field of accounting that places its emphasis on enforcing the law through the research and cross-checking of the financial position of suspected individuals and organizations. Forensic accountants work directly with law enforcement and make careers in the biggest enforcement agencies globally. Financial accounting is guided by both local and International Standards. To practice in the field of finance and accounting, one must have received a higher education degree. A At the same time, higher education is not enough to perform duties of the professional accountant. In the majority of countries accountants need to be additionally licensed and enter particular unions, establishing working standards, which are formed at the international level but can be changed according to the local peculiarities. The first certified public accounting exam was incorporated in the US. In 1896, the state of New York encountered the importance of having a unified level of understanding on the subject of accounting by all accountants. To ensure this was possible, the first certified public accounting exam was enlisted to certify practicing accountants. Here we come to the end of the first article in the series of tutorials that cover dissertation writing on the subject of finance and accounting. For further reading, it is recommended that you go through the other articles in the series for they will provide directions such as 20 topics for a dissertation in finance and accounting to help you come up with topics as well as a guide on making a dissertation in finance and accounting. Also, you can visit our dissertation writing service which is always available online. References: Sangster, A. (2010). Using Accounting History and Luca Pacioli to put relevance back into the Teaching of Double Entry. Accounting, Business Financial History, 20(1), pp.23-39. Lin, S. and Yang, Y. (2016). Is Other Comprehensive Income Reported in the Income Statement More Value Relevant? The Role of Financial Statement Presentation. Journal of Accounting, Auditing Finance. Macve, R. (n.d.). Fair Value vs Conservatism? Aspects of the History of Accounting, Auditing, Business and Finance from Ancient Mesopotamia to Modern China. SSRN Electronic Journal. Chen, H. Jiang, Y. and Lin, Z. (2010). The Role of International Financial Reporting Standards in Accounting Quality: Evidence from the European Union. Journal of International Financial Management Accounting, 21(3), pp.220-278. Howieson, B. and Hancock, P. (1995). Accounting for Risk in Financial Instruments: A Review of Accounting Standards. Managerial Finance, 21(1), pp.26-42. Previts, G., Walton, P. and Wolnizer, P. (2010). A Global History of Accounting, Financial Reporting and Public Policy. 1st ed. Bingley, UK: Emerald. Lyon, B. and Verhulst, A. (1970). Medieval Finance. A Comparison of Financial Institutions in Northwestern Europe. The Economic History Review, 23(2), p.420.

Nursing Research Portfolio Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Nursing Research Portfolio - Assignment Example Indeed, although I had difficulties earlier in the interview and field observation, the hardship I experienced during the creation of the codebook was more difficult because it was much longer. I had to read the transcript over and over again in order to get a â€Å"feel† of the thoughts in the interview, and then I had to read them again in the coding of the transcript, and then again in the creation of the codebook. Looking at the steps, they can be almost considered as easy; however, what made them rather difficult was the fact that I grew tired of my transcript, to the point that I almost could not get new ideas in the succeeding times that I read it. Nevertheless, when I allowed myself some rest and then revisited the paper a few days after, I was able to appreciate the paper better. Somehow, the patterns and the recurrent concepts became more apparent and coding became a little easier. In addition, there were also some methodological/analytical insights that I realized f rom the coding process. One of these realizations is the fact that all the qualitative data are related to each other, although seemingly unconnected. Indeed, a response to one question could actually a supporting idea for another response in a later question. Another realization involves the fact that the researcher affects the way by which the coding is carried out, not only in the selection of methodology but in the actual choice of concepts itself. From my experience in the coding of my interview transcript, I observed that the interpretive process is shaped by my own spiritual beliefs and orientation. An example of this would be my inclusion of the principal characters involved in the maintenance/observation of religion and spirituality. Some people may have overlooked this aspect of the transcript, but because I believed that religion and spirituality involves a collective effort, I included the said principal players. Furthermore, when I compared my codebook with those of my group mates, I observed some significant differences. For example, my group mates included the characteristics of a spiritual person, as well as the different perceptions of spirituality, but these were not included in my code book. Also, my group mates did not include the principal characters involved in the maintenance/observation of religion and spirituality. I also noticed that the transcripts of my group mates did not really explore the role played or the influence of the workplace in the maintenance of religion and spirituality, which was, ironically, supposed to be the main topic of the coding exercise. Perhaps, the most basic explanation for these differences lies in the fact that I am different and unique from my group mates, and that although we share the same religion, we may not have the same spirituality. Week 6: Reflections on the Thematic Analysis If I thought that the creation of the codebook was difficult, then I guess I was greatly mistaken because it would seem th at the thematic analysis was much more difficult. I had two options in making the thematic analysis: I could either present the themes with written summaries and data excerpts illustrating the themes or I could choose to present my thematic analysis with the use of a concept map and a narrative describing the said map.

Decline in the American middle class Research Paper

Decline in the American middle class - Research Paper Example They then define what we come to know as white collar jobs and blue collar jobs. These classifications show the diversity of this social stratum in a way that only emphasizes their vast contribution to the growth of the nation and what they fundamentally embody, the American people. The ruling class, many would argue, pertain to the country’s upper class that holds wealth and a monopoly of power. But rather than being antagonistic against this other class, most Americans aspire to be part of it by becoming rich. Contrary to the privileged few, a survey show that around 45% of Americans identify to being in the middle class. These people include highly educated professionals such as lawyers, doctors, engineers and managers. They are classified into living in the suburbs and partaking of other posh activities including country clubs. Similarly, another face of the middle class includes small business owners also called the ‘petit bourgeoisie’ among others. â€Å"Th us, in subjective terms, the middle class is the largest single class in American society, but in cultural terms, it is highly diverse because so many different lifestyles are represented within it† (Kornblum 275). There is no doubt that there really has been a drastic decline in the country’s middle class. ... This is down by 21% from the 1970 recorded 65% of families as middle income. To show the discrepancy, one-third of the families in the same area classified as affluent or within poverty increased from 15% in 1970. This study was conducted through a census involving 117 of the largest metropolitan areas throughout the United States. It is part of US2010 funded by Russell Sage and Brown University. What this implies, Stanford sociologist Sean Reardon explicates, is that the next generation will see the most effects. More children will have less access to better education and child care. In a sense, the affluent families will be isolated to their own class with less interaction coming from public amenities such as schools and transportation. This could perceptively affect future investments and public policies for the benefit of mostly the middle class population. The gap between the rich and the poor is also seen in test scores and consequently college education. More children from wel l to do families are able to complete college compared to low income earners (Tavernise, n.p.). The disparity in education is an easily apparent effect of the continued decline of the middle class. As the gap between income increases, more and more of those from the higher strata are able to afford the increasingly high cost of university education. The bulk of the middle class are in turn become unable to support sustained tertiary education in expensive private institutions. This then becomes a vicious cycle as those from lower income families often begin their career without college education. Education is universally known as a determinative factor in professional success. More