Writing assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Writing assignment - Essay Example But I think use of algae as a biofuel among the alternatives is the most economical and practical alternative. Academic research on the uses of algae started over 30 decades ago, and because of its growing importance, research activities are intensified over the years. To date, scientific studies are being done by over 200 universities worldwide on the feasibility of using algae as a substitute. (Algae.com) Research showed that algae could easily meet the demands for 31 million crude oil. Algae is grown on many ocean floors n the United States. In contrast to corn, sugar soy and sunflower used as biofuels, algae does not need much caring to grow(view attached picture of a non-forested area of an algae farm). It does not require clearing of rainforests, fertile farmland or fresh water to grow. As compared to other feed stocks, algae produces more gallons per acre than soya, rape seed, mustard and palm. Algae produces 10,000 US gallons per acre, soya- US 45 gal; Rapeseed – 110-145 us gal; palm oil -650 US gal.(Thurmond, Will. 2009) He claims that algae alone can meet the requirements as a possible substitute for entire global fossil requirements. Algae can be used as biofuel, ethanol, methane, jet fuel and a lot more. Thus, algae provide a wide opportunity for investment. Due to its practicability, 32 countries worldwide serve as collection centers, while 70 companies are involved in energy commercial research. Algae has market potential because US and EU cannot produce enough corn and meet targets while research showed algae has enough capabilities to meet these demands. As potential targets, algae can serve the military that is the number 1 consumer of diesel fuel. Algae biofuel can also serve passenger cars that use gasoline and diesel. Algae production hopes to meet the target of Federal FRS36 billion gallons by 2022. As of 2008, algae

Schizophrenia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Schizophrenia - Research Paper Example Background In this article, the objective was to examine the impacts of using antipsychotic medication to treat individuals with early episode schizophrenia illness. Wu et al. (2005) unfold schizophrenia as a persistent, severe, poorly understood, and debilitating psychotic illness that undoubtedly involves several disorders. The stamp schizophrenia symptoms are psychotic indicators such as delusions and auditory hallucinations. Impaired disturbances or cognition in information handing is not a highly vivid schizophrenia symptom although it can be highly disturbing. For the individuals suffering from schizophrenia, Wu et al. (2005) study has unfolded lower rates of marriage, employment, and independent lifestyle in comparison to the normal people. A neuroimaging statistics collected by Bola et al. (2011) has confirmed anatomical abnormalities that include ventricles enlargement and reduction in the volume of the brain in the medial chronological areas. These observations are of great er study interest than clinical use. The hippocampus is a cortical, minute, supposedly seahorse-shaped brain part curled within the temporal lobe medial edge. Functionally, hippocampus is a limbic system part when processing of the emptions takes place. In the hippocampus, the episodic or declarative memories are formed (memories of events and facts). The Alzheimer diseases (the memory problem preeminent disease) usually affect this hippocampus. A study by Haraldsson et al. (2011) examined the children suffering from schizophrenia as well as their healthy controls and siblings. At the onset of the study, the average age was approximated to be 12 years. The illness hippocampal volume was observed to be less in comparison to that of the siblings and controls and recorded a steady decrease over the 12 follow-up years, although this decrease was not at an increasing rate. For the children suffering from schizophrenia, antipsychotic medications were administered. From the study, Haraldss on et al. (2011) observed a high likelihood of hippocampal volume deficit because of the illness. Therefore, the volume deficit was not linked to utilization of antipsychotic prescription. Additional interests have also evaluated the various connections with the brain as opposed to specifically examining one brain part. Indeed, the neuropsychology reveal impaired processing of information as a result of Schizophrenia. From medical researches, anatomic abnormalities are observed in limbic and neocortical regions network. Method Search Strategy In this study, the Cochrane Schizophrenia group record was examined together with references of the studies that were included. For more data, the authors of some relevant studies were contacted to provide with further statistics. Criteria of selection Randomized experimental trials were included with numerous second-episode and first-episode acute schizophrenia gamut disorders linking the early antipsychotic medication treatment with psychosoc ial, milieu, or placebo treatment. Data collection and analysis Working individually, the records from 18 studies were critically assessed. Out of these records, six were observed to meet toe inclusion standards. When possible, the risk ratios were calculated as well as their degree of confidence at 95% for the weighted mean differences and dichotomous

The Norton Introduction to Literature Essay Example for Free

The Norton Introduction to Literature Essay My Papas Waltz was written by Theodore Roethke in XXXX. Many critics believe that â€Å"My Papas Waltz† lacks the strength of Roethkes later works like â€Å"The Lost Son† and â€Å"The North American Sequence. † However, this particular poem is one of Roethkes most well loved, read, and discussed pieces of poetry. The narrators ambiguous recounting of his fathers waltz causes drastically different interpretations of the exact meaning of the poem. Many people claim that it is a tender poem of a positive interaction between a father and son and a joyful childhood memory. While still others believe that it is a sad retelling of the abuse of a child by his drunken father. â€Å"My Papas Waltz† is a solid example of how poetry can be greatly influenced by the readers past. It was Roethkes goal to create a piece of prose which was not his alone but belong also to the reader and his/her personal experience. He leaves the poem open for interpretation by the use of several literary devices. The duplicity of meaning in â€Å"My Papas Waltz† is supported by Roethkes use of meter, alliteration , and juxtaposition of images. â€Å"My Papas Waltz† offers such strikingly different responses from readers that often the technical grace of Roethke is overlooked. This poem is short in length it is rich in several traditional and strict approaches to poetry. Alliteration is when the initial sounds of words are similar and place together. In line 4, â€Å"Such waltzing was not easy. † Here the repetition of the gentle â€Å"w† contrasts the simile of death used in line 3. The alliteration gives the impression that the waltz peaceful however when combined with the idea of death, it is clear that the waltz is â€Å"not easy†. See more: how to write an academic introduction â€Å"My mothers countenance / Could not unfrown itself† (lines 7-8) has the alliteration of the hard â€Å"c† sound. Compared that hard sound to the joyful stanza it is found in. The â€Å"c† becomes a sign of caution and carefulness. In lines 9-10, â€Å"The hand that held my wrist / Was battered on one knuckle; â€Å" the placement of the words hand and held together create a soft sound which contrasts the image of the â€Å"battered knuckle. † The use of alliteration allows the reader to interpret the actions within the poem as lighthearted or abusive. Image is another literary device used to create duplicity of meaning. The images of â€Å"dancing† together, a positive interaction, juxtaposed by the bruised knuckles is suggestive of violence. This negative interpretation is further supported by the image of the father holding not the sons hand but his wrist. This is a much more aggressive act than hand holding and gives the impression that perhaps the child is being forced to dance. In lines 13-14, â€Å"You beat time on my head / With a palm caked hard by dirt,† is once again an image of violence. It is obvious that the narrator could mean â€Å"keep time† instead of â€Å"beat time†. In which case, the image suggest a father playing the drums lightly on his sons head. However, the introduction of the word â€Å"beat† creates a rough tone to the lines and references in sound the word â€Å"battered â€Å" from line 10. Meter allows the reader a choice of what the poem truly means. The true skill of Rothkes meter is often missed if â€Å"My Papas Waltz† is not read out loud. Roethke uses patterns of syllables to parallel the actual movement of the waltz. For example in line 1-2, â€Å"The whiskey on your breath / Could make a small boy dizzy;† but should be read with the following emphasizes â€Å"The whiskey on your breath / Could make a small boy dizzy†. The meter continues as above and rhyme scheme traditionally known as iambic trimeter. However, in line 11, mid way through the poem and continuing throughout the rest of the poem the meter is slightly different from the waltz. Roethke here is trying to mirror the appearance of a drunk man trying to do the waltz. In line 14, there is a complete break in the rhythm of the poem because there is an extra syllable. The word â€Å"hard† is not necessary at all. Remove hard from the line, and it still makes sense. The interruption of meter which mirrors the units of three that compose the waltz draws attention to that line. The reader must question why is the author giving that line special attention. One conclusion is that the poem is not about a son dancing with his tipsy father but with a child enduring regular physical abuse. Another viewpoint is that it represents another silly misstep by the father that the son enjoys. Through the use of several literary devices Roethke creates a piece of poetry which is technically perfect and thematically ambiguous. Alliteration was used to create dual meaning by pairing soft sounds with harsh images. Images of tender moments between father and son were juxtaposed with violently aggressive words. The poem parallels the actual steps of the waltz which contrasts striking with the slurred actions of a drunk father. With the use of alliteration, images, and meter, Roethke allows the poetry to be unclear which forces the reader to make up his own mind about the content and theme of the poem. One of the goals of modern literature and therefore modern authors was not to merely describe their environments or their emotions. But to inspire, evoke, and tempt the reader. Roethkes wanted to not only reach his audience but include his audience in the creation of the poetry. Certainly, by writing â€Å"My Papas Waltz† which offers dual meaning, he allows for all his readers to gain a different understanding of his writing. He effects readers with a great childhood by writing a poem which is lighthearted and nostalgic for their younger years. He also effects readers who have some form of abuse in their childhoods by assuring them by the retelling of his story that they are not alone in their experiences. The most important influence of â€Å"My Papas Waltz† is its ability to stimulate conversation and debate between different readers. It is in the absence of choice by the author that allows the freedom of choice for the audience. Roethkes breathes new life into the oldest theme in literature – appearance versus reality. In life very few things are ever as they appear. People, relationships, and memory are multi-layered and extremely complicated. Perhaps Roethkes true intention was to create a piece of writing which explores the ambiguous nature of memory and suggests that remembering is neither good or bad and but a simple combination of both. Works Cited Roethke, Theodore. My Papa’s Waltz. The Norton Introduction to Literature. 6th ed. Ed. Carl E. Bain, et al. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 1995. 769.

Differences Between Male and Female Gang Members

Differences Between Male and Female Gang Members Eric Diehlmann   Gangs are not a new phenomenon in American society. As early as the late 1700 gangs emerged on the East Coast because of immigration and poverty (Howell Moore 2010). These early gangs helped people to feed their families and build a sense of belonging in a new country. Nowadays not much has changed individuals still join gangs to make money and feel like they belong. These gangs have kept crime alive in the cities where they exist and make it hard for law enforcement to keep crime rates low. In this paper, we will delve into the history of gangs, the activities of the gangs, and the differences between male and female gang members when it comes to membership and the victimization they experience in a gang. In the late 18th century the United States was established as an independent country and cities in the first states were experiencing the beginnings of gangs. These gangs were not seasoned criminals but youth fighting over local territory. In the 1820s organized gangs started to emerge after large scale immigration to the United States and the subsequent poverty and overcrowding that followed. Most of these gangs were initially white (Irish, Italian, German, etc.) but as Latinos and Blacks started to move to the cities in the 1950s the gangs became more racially diverse. The second period of gang growth also saw in increase in Poles, Italians and Jews in the cities which strengthened the gangs of the corresponding ethnicities. By the 1950s youth gangs have disappeared and a migration of Blacks and Latinos came into the city which sparked interracial tensions. White gangs violently resisted racial integration which led Black and Latino gangs to form as protection groups. Some modern-d ay gangs have their roots in penitentiaries where they were formed for protection from other inmates. In the Midwest gangs began similarly to the east where most gangs were white. Most notably Chicago which saw racial tensions between the white, black, and Latino gangs in the 1950s. Due to these tensions the proliferation of Latino and Black gangs occurred (Diamond 2005). As for gangs in the West the first were Latino due to the high Mexican population there. Like the East the first gangs were formed by groups of boys. As time passed these groups of boys became seasoned criminals recruiting others to join for protection and family. The cultural and physical marginalization of the Latino population helped to strengthen the developing gangs in the West where the Latino population was the majority (Howell Moore 2010). The difference between Latino gangs in the west compared to the Latino gangs in the East is that is gangs in the East arose from social disorganization stemming from the influx of immigrants coming through Ellis Island, whereas in the West the gangs arose from ethnic history and an alienation of the Latino culture. The major gangs that we take into consideration are MS 13, Trinitarios, The Aryan Brotherhood, The Bloods, and the Crips. MS-13 is a Latin street gang that has its origins in the poor neighborhoods of Los Angeles in the 1980s and in El Salvador. They span from Central America through Mexico and the United States all the way up to Canada. Their strongest presence is in Washington DC, California, and New York (Adams Pizarro). They originated in Southern California to protect each other from the violence caused by the Mexican Mafia. After time, they formed an alliance with the Mexican Mafia in 1993 which made them an official Southern California gang. To join the gang you have to be of Latin decent and go through an initiation process which involves a thirteen second beating from three older members or if you are female you have the option to be sexed in by having sex with thirteen members of the gang. Each prospective member is also required to do a trial period where they participate in gang activities. MS-13 is most notably known for their weapon of choice a machete, a number of violent acts committed by the gang are done with a machete. MS-13 is split up into cliques that vary in their own structure with larger cliques having a more military style hierarchy and smaller ones having designated leaders called shot callers. All gang members are required to follow the thirteen rules of conduct which include always obeying a superior member order to not saying mierda due the fact that thats what the rival gang the Eighteenth Street Gang calls them. In addition to the thirteen rules they must bring in profit, prove their toughness, and kill on command. Another famous Latin gang are the Trinitarios they were formed in 1989 by inmates in the Rikers Island Correction Facility and was composed of mostly Dominican inmates who sought protection. When the members were released they set up shop in the Washington Heights area of New York City and they are considered one of the fastest growing gangs on the Northeast. The requirements to be in the Trinitarios are that you must be of Dominican decent or affiliation as well as killing somebody or getting stabbed. The leaders from each regional chapter meet up once a year and other than that they all operate independently there are two main leaders but their identities are unknown. They have no alliances with other Latin gangs declare themselves rivals of those gangs. The Aryan Brotherhood is a prison gang that operates both in and out of prison. The gang formed in 1964 in San Quentin prison as a response to newly desegregated prisons, the founders were Irish bikers who sought protection in prison. The requirement to join the Brotherhood is that they must kill another person in a eye drawing fashion or kill a person of another race. Although they dont have as many members compared to other prison gangs the Aryan Brotherhood makes up for it in pure violence and disregard for authority. For example, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood killing a shot caller of a rival gang in the middle of a crowded prison yard with no concern of the repercussions. The Aryan Brotherhood have certain core values like white supremacy and adorn themselves in Nazi symbols like the swastika and SS patches or tattoos, this gang is also known to work with other gangs of varyi ng races which goes to show that making money comes before their racism. The Bloods arose in the early 1970s in response to the Crips gang becoming a powerful gang terrorizing neighborhoods in Los Angeles. There were other African American that arose in response to the Crips and over time these red gangs banded together to form the Bloods. Later on in the 1970s the Bloods and Crips began to divide up into neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area fervently protecting their territory. As time passed and their membership grew the Bloods are spread throughout the country both in states and their respective prison population. The requirements to be in the Bloods are that you must be African American, as well as survive a beat in by elder members of the gang and commit a crime or murder a member of a rival gang. The Crips arose in the late 1960s on high school campuses throughout to Los Angeles area. These groups were later organized into subsets that had their own leaders and hierarchies. T he initiation process for being a Crip is essentially the same for being a Blood, you must get beat in and kill a rival gang member or commit another crime. Now that we have a good background on the history of gangs and the different groups we will go over the types of crimes these gangs commit. The crimes of these gangs are all similar in a sense they are known for drug trafficking, murder, and human trafficking. If we look deeper we can see what makes each gangs crimes unique to them. To start off the MS-13 more specifically deals in drug distribution, murder, rape, prostitution, robbery, home invasions, immigration offenses, kidnapping, carjacking, and vandalism. All the following crimes are usually carried out as violently as possible where violence is necessary. A crime that sets them apart from the other gangs are immigration offenses, since MS-13 is a gang that requires El Salvadorian heritage many of the members go through Mexico to the U.S. where other gang members can get them into the U.S. illegally. The Trinitarios commit similar crimes to MS-13 except for immigration offenses. Since this is originally a prison gang a decent amount of the offenses may happen in penitentiaries. The Aryan Brotherhood commits crimes like the MS-13 and Trinitarios with the exception of racketeering, arms trafficking, inmate prostitution and some dog fighting. They are known specifically for distributing crystal methamphetamine. For the most part crimes happen in the prison system although they also have members that are not incarcerated that commit crimes and smuggle in money into the prison to give to other members. The Brotherhood also make themselves available as hitmen for hire for the right price. The Brotherhood mostly focuses on seriously organized crime activities which sets them apart from most gangs where the thing that they are about most is territory and not making money. The Bloods and Crips Gang activities are like the MS-13 and Trinitarios. Both gangs made large amounts of money during the crack-cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles and routinely rob and murder innocent people or rival gang members. When most people think of a gang member they often think of male members but there are many female gang members as well. Although they only account for usually 11% of gang member ship according to a study conducted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Since females in gangs are a small minority of the total gang membership we will look at what gangs females are predominantly in. Female gang members can be separated into 3 types, mixed membership gangs where members can be male or female, auxiliary gangs, where a group of females works with a male dominated gang and finally female only gangs. Per the study Gender Dynamics in Youth Gangs: A Comparison of Males and Females Accounts by Jody Miller and Rod K. Brunson they found that females most likely found themselves associated with mixed gangs or auxiliary gangs. When a female is in a gang they are found to assume one of two roles the tomboy or the sex object. The tomboy role is like the male members role in th e gang but is not usually accepted due to the male members viewing it as outside of the normal female behavior. The sex object role is obvious, the male members use a female for sexual purposes as well as using them to entrap male rival gang members and conceal weapons or drugs. In both roles, the females wanted to have the respect of their male peers. There were interesting observances of how a female presence would deter violent acts even in all male gangs. One of the all-male gang members explains Girls keep people from doin things and he goes on to tell a story about how a girl that he used to talk to hid his gun from him an attempt to stop him from getting vengeance on a rival gang member that shot his partner. Miller and Brunson g on to summarize this by stating Young womens presence gave these young men an excuse for avoiding violence, even though they depicted girls as only good for sex.. When looking at the activities that girls in gangs commit one member explains that his fellow member Tia mostly sold drugs and partied with the other members but did not participate in activities that included violence like drive bys and other confrontations with rival gangs. If a girl was involved on a violent act it was fighting another rival female member. When all the members were asked how they protected other members most of the subjects responded that guns were the primary source of protection. It was noted that girls just said guns while boys listed the types of firearms given to the members. A major difference between boys and girls when it came to weapons was that when the girls were asked what kind of weapons girls carried on them 70 percent stated they carried knives or similar instruments while 26 percent carried guns. As for inter-gang relationships between boys and girls it seems that in mixed gangs members for the most part had a sexual relationship with the other opposite sex members since dating can cause unwanted drama and fighting within the gang. As for all male gangs, they will have similar relationships with girls that hang out with the gang where they are only viewed as sex objects. The most apparent example of this sexual exploitation is seen when the initiation process of sexing in is used on new female recruits. If a female member is sexed in usually they do not receive any respect within the gang and are only viewed as sex objects. It was noted that if a female did associate with a mixed gender gang instead of a all-male gang they were afforded protect ion and some status within the gang. There are differences between how female and male members are attacked by other rival gangs. Male and female members both acknowledged that it is easier for males to be targeted by rivals than females mostly because females are allowed to wear whatever colors they want and are not assumed to be in a gang. There was a specific danger for female gang members, being kidnapped and sexually assaulted or beaten by rival gang members to make a point. For the most part females did not agree that they experienced the same amount of dangers that males face being in a gang. It is noted that both male and females agreed that once a violent situation came around the females are not included or they leave the scene. From the interviews with the gang members on their views on gender specific victimization all accounts had the idea that boys were more likely to experience lethal violence and girls were more likely to experience sexual violence. In summary, we can see that gangs have a rich culture in the United States dating back to when the first immigrants settled here. Although the gangs vary by ethnicity it seems that people join gangs for protection, to have some semblance of a family, or to make a living. The crimes of these gangs can vary but all of them commit violent crimes and sell drugs other illegal substances. As far as gender is concerned it is shown that females make up a small amount of membership in gangs and they usually do not participate in violent life threatening acts but they help distribute drugs and lure rival gang members. Just because female gang members arent involved in violent crimes does not mean that that are at less of a risk of danger. Females are at risk of being kidnapped and sexually or physically assaulted by rival gang members to make a point whereas male gang members are at risk of life threatening altercations with rival gang members. Works Cited: Adams, Jennifer J., and Jesenia M. Pizarro.MS-13 Gang Profile(2009): n. pag.MS-13 Gang Profile. Journal of Gang Research, Summer 2009. Web. 1 Mar. 2017. Aryan Brotherhood.Aryan Brotherhood. Southern Poverty Law Center, n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2011 Diamond, Andrew J. Gangs.Gangs. Chicago Historical Society, 2005. Web. 01 Mar. 2017. Dun, J. (n.d.). Los Angeles Crips and Bloods: Past and Present. Retrieved March 02, 2017, fromhttps://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/gangcolor/lacrips.htm Howell, James C., and John P. Moore. The History of Street Gangs in the United States: Their Origins and Transformations.History of Street Gangs in The United States(2010): n. pag.History of Street Gangs in The United States. U.S. Department of Justice, May 2010. Web. 1 Mar. 2017. Miller, Jody, and Rod K. Brunson. Gender Dynamics in Youth Gangs: A Comparison of Males and Females Accounts.Justice Quarterly17.3 (2000): 419-48. Web. Olmstead, Scott.Organization Data Sheet: Los Trinitarios Author: Scott Olmstead Review: Phil Williams A. When the Organization Was Formed + Brief History(n.d.): n. pag.Los Trinitarios. Pittsburgh University, May 2012. Web. 1 Mar. 2017. Survey Results: Gang Member Demographics, Sex.Survey Results: Gang Member Demographics, Sex. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 1996. Web. 13 Mar. 2017.

Devil In The White City Essay -- Literary Analysis, Erik Larson

Erik Larson’s book Devil in the White City is full of magic and madness that has shaped the society of the late 19th century that is specific to in Chicago. The issues that have been handled through this time frame that are addressed in this book is that how Chicago was known to be the black city at first, and how the city hoped that hosting the World’s fair would increase their reputation. Secondly, the magic of a man named Daniel Burnham that did put the plans of the world fair in Chicago into life and the obstacles that he had overcame. Next, once the world fair was complete, it has made Chicago â€Å"The White city,† by its dazzling designs and attractions that made it memorable. Then, the madness of H.H. Holmes and how his evil deeds has seemed to undermine the world fair and the things that are going on within it with his murders and treachery that does grip Chicago once his evil deeds have been found out. Finally, the events that happened in the world fai r that relate to the issues that occur in the late ninetieth century within the United States. The city of Chicago was in a desolate condition before it hosted the World Fair. The city of Chicago was nicknamed â€Å"The Black City,† (P.11) before they had hosted the 1893 fair that had brought the city into life. Chicago was a city that was ridden with much crime and death to the point where young women could have been tempted to fall under the dangers of this city. Death was more commonplace then Chicago then other cities at that time because of murders that were so frequent in this city. The author does point out that â€Å"You can step from a curb and be killed by the Chicago Limited† (P.12). That fact even struck fear into the people who were visiting Chicago just to have fun or eve... ...gic of Chicago, but also the darkening madness of H.H. Holmes. This analysis of the book covers the city of Chicago being â€Å"the Black City,† before it hosted the World’s fair. Secondly, the glorious magic of Daniel Burnham did make this fair possible who all of his men that he worked with. Next, the city of Chicago when the fair was going on was a grand sight that people around the world would remember in history. Also, the unfortunate sight of the crimes and evil intention of H.H. Holmes had committed, that does put a black eye upon the fair. Finally, The Fair and how it has related to the historical trends of nineteenth century America. The Devil in the White City is an important novel that does tell of a great historical fair and a crime that has happened within the city of Chicago, the events there during that time period would be an important part in history.

Madness and Insanity in Shakespeares Hamlet - Hamlet, the Melancholy

Hamlet, the Melancholy Hero  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   The reader/viewer finds in Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet that the protagonist is a melancholy type; this quality remains with him from beginning to end of the tragedy. And this melancholy hero will be the subject-matter of this essay.    Harry Levin explains in the General Introduction to The Riverside Shakespeare how the dramatist employs imagery in the play to enhance the melancholic dimension of the hero:    The sphere of Shakespeare’s images is so vast and rich in itself that it has been investigated and charted for clues to his personal temperament. But though we can follow up associations of thought through his image-clusters, these are subordinated to his controlling purposes as a playwright. The imagery fulfills a structural and a thematic function, linking together a train of ideas or projecting a scheme of values. It enhances the strain of melancholy in Hamlet by dwelling on sickness and decay. . . (14).    The depressing aspect of the initial imagery of the drama is described by Marchette Chute in â€Å"The Story Told in Hamlet†:    The story opens in the cold and dark of a winter night in Denmark, while the guard is being changed on the battlements of the royal castle of Elsinore. For two nights in succession, just as the bell strikes the hour of one, a ghost has appeared on the battlements, a figure dressed in complete armor and with a face like that of the dead king of Denmark, Hamlet’s father (35).    Horatio and Marcellus exit the ghost-ridden ramparts of Elsinore intending to enlist the aid of Hamlet. The prince is dejected by the â€Å"o’erhasty marriage† of his mother to his uncle less than two months after the funeral of Hamlet’s father. There is ... ...999. Rpt. from Introduction to Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Ed. Philip Edwards. N. P.: Cambridge University P., 1985.    Levin, Harry. General Introduction. The Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1974.    Mack, Maynard. â€Å"The World of Hamlet.† Yale Review. vol. 41 (1952) p. 502-23. Rpt. in Shakespeare: Modern Essays in Criticism. Rev. ed. Ed. Leonard F. Dean. New York: Oxford University P., 1967.    Rosenberg, Marvin. â€Å"Laertes: An Impulsive but Earnest Young Aristocrat.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Masks of Hamlet. Newark, NJ: Univ. of Delaware P., 1992.    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html No line nos.         

Developing Professional Practice Essay

1. Briefly explain how the CIPD HR Profession Map defines the HR profession, including the professional areas, the bands and the behaviours. The HR profession Map captures what successful and effective HR people do and deliver across every aspect and specialism of the profession, and sets out the required activities, behaviour and knowledge. It covers 10 professional areas and 8 behaviours, set out in 4 bands of competence. The Map covers every level of the HR profession: Band 1 being the start of your HR career through to Band 4 for the most senior leaders. The bands set out what you need to do and what you need to know for each area of the HR profession. As per the CIPD Website, the bands cover the following areas: Band 1: Supports colleagues with administration and processes. Effectively manages information and date and is customer orientated. Band 2: Advises on and/or manages HR related issues relating to an individual or at team. Has a clear understanding of the evaluation process and the solutions available. Band 3: Leads a professional area acting as a consultant or partner, addresses key HR challenges at an organisational level for the medium and long term. Band 4: Leads and manages a professional area(s) and/or the organisation. Responsible for developing and delivering organisational and HR strategy. The two professional areas, Insight, Strategy and Solutions and Leading HR sit at the heart of the profession and are applicable to all HR professionals, regardless of role, location or stage of their HR career. There are 8 behaviours that identify in detail how professionals need to carry out their activities and make a contribution to organisational success. The behaviours are: †¢ Curious †¢ Decisive thinker †¢ Skilled influencer †¢ Personally credible †¢ Collaborative †¢ Driven to deliver †¢ Courage to challenge †¢ Role Model CIPD website refers to the HR Map as: â€Å"This is a powerful and simple to use personal development tool for professionals operating at all levels in HR. Not only is it free for members to use, we’ve also carefully designed it to ensure that many of the suggested actions to help professionals progress are low-cost or no-cost – which will be particularly welcome at a time when the recession is ensuring resources for development are tight. Professionals can use the tool to develop in their roles and pursue their career plans. We hope the insights it delivers will quickly become a firm fixture in the performance and development reviews of HR professionals in organisations of all shapes and sizes and across all sectors.† (Stephanie Bird, April 2010). 2. Evaluate how the two core professional areas, the bands and any two selected behaviours uphold the concept of ‘HR Professionalism’, giving two examples from the knowledge and activities at band 2. The two professional areas Insight, Strategy and Solutions and Leading HR sit at the heart profession and are applicable to all HR professionals. They underpin the direction of the profession as an applied business discipline with a people and organisation discipline and describe how great HR professionals work for HR’s purpose. HR can only deliver it’s purpose of sustainable organisation performance if it works from a deep business, contextual and organisational understanding to develop actionable insight. This allows us to creative prioritised and situational strategies that make the most difference and build a compelling case for change. It includes: †¢ Building a picture †¢ Developing actionable insight †¢ Delivering situational HR solutions that stick †¢ Building capacity and capability †¢ Working with agility The successful HR professional provides active, insight led leadership. Owning, shaping and driving themselves, others and activity within the organisation. They develop across three main areas of leadership – personal leadership, leading others and leading issues. It includes: †¢ Personal leadership †¢ Leading others †¢ HR function design and service delivery †¢ HR recourse planning and delivery †¢ Delivering value and performance in HR teams †¢ Managing HR budgets and finances This being based as the heart of the profession, there are 8 main behaviours expected, including; †¢ Role Model – Consistently leads by example. Acts with integrity, impartiality and independence, balancing personal, organisation and legal parameters. †¢ Skilled Influencer – Demonstrates the ability to influence to gain the necessary support from drivers stakeholders in pursuit of organisational value. The CIPD (2005a) has stated that: All personnel and development specialists must be thinking performers. That is, their central task is to be knowledgeable and competent in their various fields and to be able to move beyond compliance to provide a critique of organisational policies and procedures and to advise on how organizations should develop in the future. HR professionals have to think carefully about what they are doing in the context of their organization and within the framework of recognised body of knowledge. They have to perform effectively in the sense of delivering advise, guidance and services that will help the organisation to achieve its goals. Legge (1995) made a similar point when she referred to HRM as a process of ‘thinking pragmatism’. Harrison (2007) commented that the ‘thinking performer’ philosophy focuses on the ways in which HR fields of activity should link to produce a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts, on strategic awareness and on evidence based practice. The CIPD ‘The Thinking Performer Concept’ (2007) believes: â€Å"The non thinking performer will privately regard many of the things her or she is required to do as absurd, indefensible, inefficient, even immoral or corrupt, but will say nothing †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ the non thinking performer is a ‘ lifetime liability’ to the organisation.† Looking at the requirements in Band 2 of the HR Map, and taking into consideration the behaviours within this, you need to build strong relationships with your customers. Managers need to feel comfortable approaching your for advise, and confident that you will be able to lead and advise them on the appropriate approach to take. You need to be skilled in influencing the manager to the correct way of thinking, to handle the situation in the correct manner, but also be flexible in your approach and listen to their ideas/requirements. And together, agree on the best action and way forward. The need for HR theory, Ulrich (1997a): To make practices more than isolates acts managers and HR professionals must master the theory behind HR work; they need to be able to explain conceptually how and why HR practices lead to their outcomes. Regardless of the preferred theory, managers and HR professionals should extract from it a higher level of reasoning for their day to day work and thus better explain why their work accomplishes goals. 3. Explain, with related examples, why HR professionals need to be able to manage themselves, manage groups or teams, manage upwards and manage across the organisation. HR professionals provide insight led leadership. They need to own and shape themselves as well as others within the organisation. They need to personally lead themselves, as well as teams and upwards within the organisation. The definition of management as stated by Michael Armstrong is ‘Management is defined as deciding what to do and then getting it done through the effective use of recourses’. The main processes of management are planning, organizing, motivating and controlling. HRMagazine say: HR must turn outside business trends and stakeholders expectations into internal actions, and should focus on both business results and human capital improvement. HR professionals should target both individual ability and organisation capabilities. HR is not an isolated activity, but sustainable and integrated solutions. An effective HR professional melds individual abilities into an effective and strong organisation by helping to define and build its organisation capabilities. Organisation is not a structure or process, it is a distinct set of capabilities. HR professionals can help line managers create meaning, so that the capability of the organisation reflects the deeper values of the employees. HR professionals are credible activists because they build their personal trust through business acumen. Credibility comes when HR professionals do what they promise, build personal relationships of trust and can be relied on. In order to be an effective HR professional, it is important that they are able to manage themselves in order to show their teams and organisation that they can be trusted. They can then go on to manage their teams effectively, through to managing across the organisation. HR professionals make change happen at institutional , initiative and individual levels. 1. Undertake a self-assessment against the specification of HR professional practice capabilities, such as the CIPD Associate Membership criteria, to identify professional development needs. See appendix 1 for SWOT analysis. 2. Evaluate and select at least three development options to meet your needs , explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each, and their fit with your preferred learning style and career aspirations. Continued Professional Development (CPD) is a necessity in the HR environment. The profession is a very high pace with changes to the law and best practise. CPD makes sure your knowledge is up to date and fresh. New ideas and developments are happening all the time and being dedicated to CPD ensures you are professional and consistent. 20 years ago CPD was not widely spoken of, or used in the HR environment. Until recently the profession has not recognised the need to adhere to the requirements of other professional bodies (medical, law etc) as HR was seen as a job anyone could do, but the recent introduction of the HR standards and HR Map means all HR professionals need to continue with CPD to reflect the professionalism of their career. In recent years the concept of ‘a job for life’ has subsided and now employees in all professions need to continue to prove their worth and stay valuable to the organisation. Keeping up to date with CPD means you are actively trying to develop yourself and have an interest in developing yourself to benefit the organisation and profession. I have undertaken a SWOT analysis (Appendix 1) on my current developmental needs. I have also used the HR map to find out where my weaknesses lie as an HR professional. I found this exercise an interesting and useful tool for working out my developmental needs. I have included a Career Development Plan (Appendix 2), this shows my current development needs and I will be referring to them below. My first, and most important need, is an update on HR Law. This is needs so I can give better advice to managers and have the confidence to act on my own beliefs. My second is updating my knowledge on how to deal with Absence Management, a high level of absenteeism can be extremely costly to an organisation and I would like to develop my knowledge so I can help the absent employee and also help the organisation’s statistics and costs in turn. My third developmental need is Reward Strategies. I find the topic fresh and a lot of organisations are not fully using the strategies. I would like to enhance my knowledge and research best practise to see what recommendations I can make for the organisation I am employed by. I intend to satisfy these needs by taking advantage of courses offered by the CIPD, in house training and by attending the Intermediate Certificate in HR Management at Bridgwater College. It is also important for me to use other tools for learning, for example journals, on line resources and many of the books available at local libraries. To satisfy the needs for enhancing my knowledge of HR Law I will be attending the unit on the subject at Bridgwater College and I also regularly attend HR Breakfast’s at FootAnstey Solicitors. They cover a wide range of topics, including sessions on Employment Law. Absence Management will be researched by looking at the media available, for example previous research and best practise. I will also look to attend relevant CIPD courses being held in the South West area. Reward strategies are reasonably new and important when it comes to employee satisfaction and retention. Researching the subject will enable me to make use of best practise and o ffer recommendations.