Tuesday, November 26, 2019
The Hottest Reading List for Summer 2015
The Hottest Reading List for Summer 2015 Family reunions, road trips, and barbecues. Whatever your favorite part of summer vacation, itââ¬â¢s exhilarating just to have so much time and freedom on your hands. And, as the days get longer and the nights get warmer, there is nothing more relaxing than finding that perfect summer book to inspire and excite you. Here are some of the most exciting books of this season. Whether youââ¬â¢re a horror aficionado or a historical romantic, youââ¬â¢re sure to fall in love with at least one of these incredible summer reads. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee Genre: Literary Fiction The incredibly talented and reclusive Harper Leeââ¬â¢s buzz-worthy sequel has had every English teacher giddy for the summer to arrive. In this sequel to the 1960 To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee picks up the story 20 years after the famous racial trial of Tom Robinson. The book focuses on the political upheaval during the 60s and 70s and Scoutââ¬â¢s relationship with her father, Atticus Finch. Maximum Ride Forever by James Patterson Genre: YA SciFi/Fantasy The worldââ¬â¢s number one bestseller releases the last installation of the Maximum Ride series. The heroine, Maximum ââ¬Å"Maxâ⬠Ride is a teen who has escaped a classified lab facility known as ââ¬Å"The School.â⬠She and her friends have been developed as human-avian hybrids and use their newly-found wings to save the world. An engrossing series that may leave you wanting to finish all nine books in one sitting. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion Genre: Romantic Comedy When left-brained geneticist Don Tillman is told that he would make a good husband, he logically concludes that there is a statistical probability he should get married. Thus, the Wife Project is born. Despite his best efforts to find the perfect, logical mate, he ends up with Rosie Jarman. Flighty, fun, and out-of-control, Rosie is trying to find her biological father with Tillmanââ¬â¢s help ââ¬â and they both fall in love in the process. Full of heart and humor. Finders Keepers by Stephen King Genre: Suspense/Horror King has recently been stepping back into the world of sequel after his long departure following the finale of the Gunslinger mega-series. Now, he brings readers back into the strange, obsessive world of Det. Ret. Bill Hodges who took down the Mercedes Killer in Mr. Mercedes. This time he and his band of misfit detectives are tasked with solving the case of a murdered writer after his killer is released 35 years later. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari Genre: Humor Rising King of Comedy Ansari uses his unique voice and unparalleled wit to highlight how romance is changing in the digitally-charged 21st Century. With the help of New York University sociologist Eric Klinenberg, he conducted a worldwide research project that is both hilarious and poignant. Not only is this a funny book for those who are looking for love, it is a sociological phenom, with insights from todayââ¬â¢s top social scientists. Paper Towns by John Green Genre: YA Fiction As young children Margo and Quentin discover the dead body of man who commits suicide in a local park. Flash forward a decade later and both teens are dealing with issues, although they have drifted apart as friends. That is, until one night when Margo comes to Quentinââ¬â¢s bedroom and asks him to help her complete a revenge plan against people who have slighted her over her high school career. A compelling and provocative read that will keep you turning pages. Woman with a Secret by Sophie Hannah Genre: Thriller/Suspense From the bestselling author of The Monogram Murders, this novel follows the strange tale of Nicki Clements. As a terrible murder is discovered on her street, Nickiââ¬â¢s strange behavior tips the cops off that something is wrong. Although she is not a murderer, she has a dark history that reveals over the course of the novel, making the reader question what is means to be innocent. A gripping and compelling read. Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh Genre: Thriller/Suspense Eileen Dunlop is working in a boysââ¬â¢ prison outside of Boston in the 1960s. This story, full of dark, stunning prose, tells the story of how Dunlop becomes involved in a strange crime. She herself is no angel, though. Haunted by her own issues with shoplifting, perverse sexual fantasy, and stalking a prison guard, she befriends the sunny Rebecca St. John. This friendship ultimately leads to a crime that surpasses even her own dark imagination. The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson Genre: Humor On Allan Karlssonââ¬â¢s 100-year birthday, he climbs out of the window and heads for an unknown adventure. On this last great escape, the reader learns all about Karlssonââ¬â¢s past ââ¬â helping American presidents, thwarting Russian spies, and acting as the integral motivator for some of historyââ¬â¢s most watershed moments. The unique and hilarious voice of the protagonist will keep you engrossed and the history will feed your brain. Do you have one more book to complete our list? Your suggestions are always welcome!
Friday, November 22, 2019
What Makes an Author Bundle Successful
What Makes an Author Bundle Successful What Makes an Author Bundle Successful? Itââ¬â¢s no secret that we at Reedsy like to explore the power of communities and what they bring to authors and publishing professionals (maybe because weââ¬â¢re building one ourselves!). I firmly believe that authors grow stronger when they unite and work together, a prospect thatââ¬âlike indie publishing itselfââ¬âonly gets easier with new and better technologies.While the notion that ââ¬Å"like attracts likeâ⬠brings independent authors together with other indies, and hybrid authors in commune with other hybrid authors, the next wave of online community-building is a frontier awaiting those eager to experiment and explore new opportunities. Outside the Box: Women Writing Women is the perfect example of that: 7 indie and hybrid authors (all members of the Alliance of Independent Authors) launchingà a ââ¬Å"contemporary fictionâ⬠bundle, available for purchase on Amazonà for a limited time.Sharing resources, sharing readershipsThe idea behind such a co llective effort is simple: explore the power of the group. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve admired the power that author collectives like Triskele Books have,â⬠says Jane Davis, author of the novel An Unchoreographed Life, which is included in the Women Writing Women project. Creating a bundle, is, in a way, like forming a collective for a limited period of time.Boxsets usually have an ââ¬Å"expiration dateâ⬠that functions for two reasons: First, it creates a sense of rarity. This, coupled with the uniting of several prominent voices, makes it easier to generate excitement both among readers and in the media. Or as writer, editor, and bestselling ghostwriter Roz Morris told us in an email:ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ve already been interviewed by The Guardian books pages, Books + Publishing (the Australian counterpart of Publisherââ¬â¢s Weekly) and have interest from the arts programmes of BBC Radio 4. If any of us had approached them on our ownââ¬â impressive though our CVs might lookâ â¬âwe probably wouldnââ¬â¢t have got even a reply.â⬠More importantly, a bundle aggregates reader bases. While itââ¬â¢s likely that some of Davisââ¬â¢s readership already knows a couple of other authors in the bundle, they probably havenââ¬â¢t heard of a majority of authors included. So itââ¬â¢s still a bargain for them to get the bundle and the 4-5 books they havenââ¬â¢t read yet for $12.Cumulated reader bases usually result in cumulated sales. Though sales arenââ¬â¢t usually the #1 objective of forming a bundle, they can unlock additional discoverability potential. Letââ¬â¢s take the example of the Deadly Dozen. This boxset was released in March of last year by The Twelve, a consortium of thriller authors who joined their marketing and promotion efforts and managed to sell over 100,000 copies in the first six weeks, hitting both NYT and USA Today bestsellers lists.Though the boxed set was priced at a mere $0.99, appearing on both bestseller lists tre mendously increased the profile and discoverability of The Twelve, and gave its participant authors access to new readers they might have never have found on their own.The Twelveââ¬â¢s Deadly Dozen was pulled a few months after its release. The 7 authors from Outside the Box have also set an expiration date to the bundle: it will be available for 90 days, and not one more.Why run bundles on a limited period of time if they sell so well? First, thereââ¬â¢s the rarity factor that comes with a ââ¬Å"limited editionâ⬠. But more importantly, bundles usually record most of their sales in the first few weeks (as do most single books); box sets are more about aggregating existing readerships than finding new ones, unless you hit a list or special ranking or get exceptional PR ââ¬â which all bring immediate results anyway. Once these readerships have purchased the bundle, there arenââ¬â¢t necessarily many more sales to be made.David Gaughran also shared a similar experienc e with me when I asked him about The Indie Author Power Pack, a box set he released in October 2014 together with Joanna Penn and Sean Platt/Johnny B. Truant:ââ¬Å"The primary aim with the box was to shoot for the NYT. The original plan was to leave it up only for November and December for two reasons. 1) All the promo was front-loaded to try and hit the NYT so sales were naturally going to tail off anyway, and tail off faster than if we were aiming to, for example, maximize sales or maximize income. 2) Plan B if we missed the list was to slowly raise the price as it fell in the rankings and make some money out of it. And 3) Sales of the box set were cannibalizing sales of the individual titles, so it was always going to be a temporary thing.â⬠Raising the voice and standard of self-publishingThere is something even more interesting in the Outside the Box initiative. When I asked the authors about their goals, they didnââ¬â¢t mention hitting lists or even making sales. Inste ad, they focused on the excitement this new projects brings both to them and to readers. Kathleen Jones expressed it perfectly in a recent email:ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m intrigued by the contrasts and resonances that are set up when you put seven very different books and authors together. You know your work is going to be read by readers who wouldnââ¬â¢t normally have bought it. Thereââ¬â¢s an edge to that and itââ¬â¢s very exciting.â⬠The main message that comes from this initiative, though, is really the desire to brandish and wave the indie flag as high as possible. By uniting 7 critically acclaimed works of indie contemporary fiction, their authors hope to demonstrate that author publishing is a valid quality route even in a genre that is still perceived by many as a traditional publishing chasse guardà ©e, according to Jane Davis:ââ¬Å"I would like to change readersââ¬â¢ perception of self-published fiction, particularly those who are clinging to the belief that it i s the preserve of amateurs. I too was sold that line.The fact is that there is a new breed of hybrid authors who look at each writing project and decide if it is one to submit to their publisher or one to go it alone. With the Society of Authors advising their members that publishing contracts are no longer fair or sustainable, my belief is that the predicted growth in self-publishing will now come from authors who are currently under contract.â⬠Roz Morris goes on to express a similar concern, which she hopes this bundle will continue to tackle:ââ¬Å"We want to prove that fine, original authors are self-publishing as a mark of independence and integrity, and doing work of value and quality. You might ask: is that still necessary? Does anyone still consider self-publishing to be ââ¬Ëvanityââ¬â¢ or second rate? They clearly do, because this is one of the issues weââ¬â¢ve been asked about most frequently.â⬠To achieve this noble goal, the authors spared no effort whe n it came to giving the bundle the polished feel readers expect from sets managed in traditional publication. Each author contributed to production and promotion according to her strengths. Far from a collaboration in name only, the effort seems to have made a bona fide community of these writers that can only serve to better this project and the womenââ¬â¢s individual endeavors.Finding the right balanceWhen we think about bundle success, a lot depends on pre-launch marketing and promotion, and on the number of authors involved. But I believe there is one inherent quality to a bundle that the author-partners absolutely must get right: the diversity balance.The books in the bundle must be diverse enough to make the box set interesting for readers (and to reduce their likeliness of having already read all its books). On the other hand, all books in a box set also have to be written in such a way that they appeal to the same target marketââ¬âgrouped either by genre, theme or cor e topic (non-fiction).Even within fiction, the landscape for bundles has become much more competitive. In his 2015 predictions for the publishing industry, Mark Coker announced that he believed this year would be one of collaboration between authors. If that is the case, we are about to see many more bundle efforts across all genres, which might threaten, in time, the ââ¬Å"rarityâ⬠factor that has so much to do with their effectiveness.In that regard, the 7 authors of Outside the Box: Women Writing Women are ahead of their time; ââ¬Å"contemporary fictionâ⬠bundles are rare due to the broadness of the generic distinction. But Outside the Box has been structured around an original common core that Joni Rodgers describes as ââ¬Å"artistic integrity, serious craft chops and an unshakable belief that books by and about women are important.â⬠Says Jane Davis:ââ¬Å"I think itââ¬â¢s an incredibly strong set of books without borders. I donââ¬â¢t insult my readers b y assuming they only like to read one type of fiction. Visit any book club and youââ¬â¢ll see that readers welcome variety. But the irony of fighting against labels is that, ultimately, it was necessary to define what the box-set was about. Our decision was to focus on our characters and the boundary-breaking nature of our fiction.ââ¬Å"It might very well be that OutsideThe Box: Women Writing Women is setting the template for indie author bundles in 2015. Hereââ¬â¢s to their success.- - - We want to personally thank all the authors of ââ¬Å"Outside the Boxâ⬠, and David Gaughran, for their answers to our numerous questions on their respective experiences.This post was edited by our lovely editor Becca!You can find Ricardo (author of this post) and Reedsy on Twitter: @RicardoFayetà and @ReedsyHQ à Whatââ¬â¢s your take on author bundles? Have you ever contemplated doing similar? Whatââ¬â¢s been your personal experience? Do let us know what you think in the comm ents below!
Thursday, November 21, 2019
King Tut Tomb object 21a-yy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
King Tut Tomb object 21a-yy - Research Paper Example King Clothing presents a puzzle to many researchers. The clothing is among the few artifacts that can give details related to the appearance and physique of the young king. The king clothing was kept in a box that was sealed and kept in the museum, and a little research has been done concerning the same. There have been indications that the king has feminine looks by some researchers. The king clothing showed measurement that was indicating that he had wide hips.Clothing was an important aspect of the king. The clothing was designed in a specific manner for the king and worn in occasions. The king used royal robes during his tenure as king depending on the occasion. The collars were made of precious gems as well as gold. The waist was covered with a white cloth which made a short skirt like the dress. In their bodies, they wore no shirt. The pharaoh armbands and armlets were made of gold and had specific crowns, which were related to their kingdom. This clothing was significant in th eir lives as they showed their power and position.Egyptian kingdom worshipped gods. The pharaohs were given the status of god this happened even after their death. The pharaoh being a god figure was expected to dress in a manner that made him significant among his people. This is the reason why most of the pharaohââ¬â¢s clothing and other adornments were made of gold.Some of the clothing that was found in King Tut tomb was his personal royal clothing while others were buried with him for different purposes.... The collars were made of precious gems as well as gold. The waist was covered with a white cloth which made a short skirt like dress. In their bodies, they wore no shirt. The pharaoh armbands and armlets were made of gold and had specific crowns, which were related to their kingdom. This clothing were significant in their lives as they showed their power and position (Maggie, 2013). Religious purpose Egyptian kingdom worshipped gods. Each god had its own purpose in the citizenââ¬â¢s life. The pharaohs were given the status of god this happened even after their death. The pharaoh being a god figure was expected to dress in a manner that made him significant among his people. This is the reason why most of the pharaohââ¬â¢s clothing and other adornments were made of gold (Maggie, 2013). Symbolism Some of clothing that was found in King Tut tomb was his personal royal clothing while others were buried with him for different purposes. The ceremonial robe was one of his royal clothi ng which was used by all pharaohs. His sandals were made of beads and leather. There was a leopard skin cloak and pad of fine linen. Appearance of archerââ¬â¢s gauntlet was an indication that he was a trained archer. This was supposed to help him as he was on his way to the new world. The king was supposed to be buried armed with all requirements for survival in his journey to the next world (Potter, 2011). gods represented in tomb King Tutankhamenââ¬â¢s tomb had a painting of Hathor who was conceived as the goddess of the West. The goddess was supposed to welcome pharaoh to the underworld. Including the cloth in the pharaoh tomb was to make sure that he had sufficient clothes for his journey into the underworld. Other objects that were included in this box included
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Thougt it Was Safer Than Starting His Own Business Case Study
Thougt it Was Safer Than Starting His Own Business - Case Study Example Secondly, since he rose through the ranks, having retired as a senior execute from the previous firm makes Fred highly skilled in terms of possessing the knowledge, abilities and skills needed to operate a franchise within the same industry. However, there is disparity in the specific service offered by the previous organization he was employed with (automotive parts) and that of his franchise (car repair). Therefore, in terms of having direct and previous experience on operating a car repair business, Fred seemed to start as a neophyte in this kind of business endeavor. 2. Evaluate Fredââ¬â¢s misconceptions about being a franchisee. Speculate how common these misconceptions may be for all new franchisees. As indicated in the case facts, Fred perceived that there were apparent misconceptions in terms of ââ¬Å"being his own boss and running his own companyâ⬠(The Franchise Handbook, 2000, par. 5). According to Gappa (2012), ââ¬Å"there are many misconceptions about franchising, but probably the most widely held is that you as a franchisee are "buying a franchise." In reality you are investing your assets in a system to utilize the brand name, operating system and ongoing support. You and everyone in the system are licensed to use the brand name and operating systemâ⬠(Gappa, 2012, par. 5). ... redââ¬â¢s assertion that one of the misconceptions of franchising is thinking that when one enters into a franchising agreement, the franchisee would be his own boss and would run his own company. As a franchise, all the terms of the franchisor would be followed and adhered to. Likewise, it was emphasized that ââ¬Å"as a franchisee you own the assets of your company, which you have chosen to invest in someone else's brand and operating system and ongoing support. You own the assets of your company, but you are licensed to operate someone else's business systemâ⬠(Gappa, 2012, par. 11). It could be therefore common for new franchisees to assume that by entering into a franchise agreement, the new venture would give one the opportunity to own a business and be oneââ¬â¢s own boss ââ¬â since one would invest considerable amount of funds that could be parallel with investing on establishing a practically new business venture. The only difference in franchising is that one opted to invest in a previously established business with previously established historical performance to gauge customerââ¬â¢s response to the product (or service) and therefore provide a plus factor in terms of image, core competence and competitive advantage. 3. Suggest what Fred could have done differently to be better informed and advise Fred on action he can or should take now knowing his situation. For new entrepreneurs and business practitioners who are thinking of starting a new business venture or opting to enter into a franchising agreement, to be better informed, there must have been a more comprehensive and extensive research undertaken on the alternative courses of action: to establish a new business venture or to enter into a franchising agreement. There are advantages and disadvantages to both
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Film Theory Outline Essay Example for Free
Film Theory Outline Essay From the very beginning of film, theorists have tried to dissect or understand the nature of the new medium of art. As a result various theories of film have emerged, such as feminist, auteur, psychoanalytical, Marxist, Editing and Structuralist. This essay attempts to give an outline of these various theories. One of the first theories to emerge is Editing theory, coming from the context of early Russian cinema. A key event in this regard is the experiment carried out by the film-maker Lev Kuleshov in 1918, in which he demonstrated that what the viewer perceives depends on how images are juxtaposed with each other through inter-cutting. See more: essay apa format Thus, when a human close-up is juxtaposed with a bowl of soup, the perception is of hunger, but when juxtaposed with a shot of a coffin the same close-up is perceived to express grief. Kuleshov concluded that juxtaposition was crucial towards the effect, and thus advocated the use montage in film-making. Other film-makers like Sergei Eisenstein played close attention to these findings, and made use of them in his masterpieces of montage, such as Battleship Potemkin and October. He also spelled out a comprehensive film theory based on editing in a highly influential essay from the late twenties. In it he outlined he various categories of editing, such as metric, rhythmic, tonal, overtonal, and intellectual. For example, with intellectual montage a scene may be inter-cut with something immediately unrelated, but which nevertheless works as metaphor is a more profound sense. The above came to constitute soviet montage theory, which was in contrast to the Hollywood system of continuity editing. Montage is a very visible component of film, whereas continuity editing aims to make inter-cutting invisible, so that the viewer may concentrate on the flow of the narrative in an easy way. Since the fifties a parallel theory of editing has emerged in the West which embodies the Hollywood ethos. In the same essay Eisenstein proposed a Hegelian interpretation of film montage, and which came to form the basis of Marxist film theory. He suggested that montage worked by the principle of the Hegelian dialectic, where thesis is said to beget antithesis, and are resolved in the end through synthesis. For example, when human close up is inter-cut with a glass of water, the viewer interprets this as thirst. If the face is the subject, then its antithesis is the object of vision, i. e. the glass of water. ââ¬ËThirstââ¬â¢ is merely the synthesis of the two. It is present in neither of the two shots in consideration, yet emerges form the inter-cutting of the two. Of course, it was through the Hegelian dialectic that Marx had derived his famous concept of the proletariat revolution, and Marxism was the avowed principle of the Bolshevists. Therefore, it is not surprising that Eisensteinââ¬â¢s theories found a favorable audience in the Soviet Union. Indeed, it was instrumental in forming of Socialist realism, which became the state sponsored ideology in art. Marxist film theory soon found itself as defined in opposition to capitalistic and bourgeoisie art, in which the narrative of the protagonist finds prominence. Eisensteinââ¬â¢s films attempt to obliterate the presence of the protagonist, concentrating instead on the clash of images towards creating a larger ideological narrative. Even then he was accused by the authorities for not championing the workers, and for indulging in the internal mechanics of film, which was deemed to be a kind of formalism. Marxist theory held that the purpose of art is to overcome all ââ¬Ëformsââ¬â¢ towards dialectical purification. Formalism was felt to be a bourgeoisie component. Marxist theory, as it has flourished both in the East and the West, concerns itself with dissecting films in order discredit bourgeoisie forms, usually those emerging from the Hollywood system. A native western theory of film was late in developing, and a crucial starting point was the theories developed by Andre Bazin, as editor of the French film magazine Cahiers du cinema. Up to that point films were seen as merely commercial vehicles, and Hollywood had evolved into a mighty and well groomed machine that churned films for the pleasure of the masses. Analyzing these films Bazin came to the conclusion that it was the director who left the most characteristic stamp, and as illustration he held up the work of directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Howard Hawks. He advocated that directors infuse their personal vision into the films under their charge, in order that they become the complete authors, which is the ideal state. This came to be known as the Auteur theory of film, which was given a more formal presentation by Francois Truffaut. Directors were described as using the camera as a pen towards composing their films. Another significant idea of Bazinââ¬â¢s was that film should aim for ââ¬Å"objective realityâ⬠. This was in opposition to prevalent theory based on montage, which said that object of film is to manipulate reality. This instrumental approach led to the formulation of Structuralist film theory, which examines the structure of the components of film as they come together meaningfully. Instead of the dialectical approach of Eisenstein, the analysis takes into account conventional devices that have come to acquire meaning. The components that come into play are camera angle, lighting, juxtaposition, shot duration, cultural context etc. Meaning is usually accounted for by convention, and conventions change according to social and economic circumstances. For example, the highly commercial nature of Hollywood films has created the Institutional Mode of Representation, in which cinematic devices are used that make film viewing easy and exciting. For this reason it incorporates the established ideology with little departure from the norm. Other interpretations overlook the mechanics of production and instead considered the viewer as the focus of study. Psychoanalytic film theory offers such an interpretation. It is largely influenced by the views of the French philosopher Jacques Lacan regarding the childââ¬â¢s ââ¬Ëmirror stage of developmentââ¬â¢. According to this theory the developing child endeavors to see a reflection of itself in all the objects it encounters. Psychoanalytic film theory replicates this situation with the viewer of film. The viewer is always looking for self-identification in the process of watching a film, and in this sense uses the medium as a mirror. It is usually the male protagonist who provides the focus of this identification, and functions as a conduit by which the desires of the viewer are played out. The film is said to have constructed a ââ¬Ëgazeââ¬â¢ for the benefit of the viewer. Sometimes the gaze is simply the viewpoint of the protagonist; at other times, in the more graphic sequences, the viewer is allowed to gaze directly. Psychoanalytic theory is careful to point out that such identification is merely illusion, and therefore it differs from the identification of the child growing up, whose identifications come to form tangible character. Feminist film theory takes psychoanalytical theory a step further, in that it interprets the gaze as scopophilia, or ââ¬Ëthe desire to observe in secretââ¬â¢, which is also known as voyeurism. Such desire is sexual in origin, and feminist theory is framed in the context of the man wanted to gaze at the woman. Such a theory provides a ready explanation of the objectification of woman in film, a phenomena that has been noticed from the very beginnings of the medium. As in psychoanalytical theory, the male protagonist provides the focus of identification, but his specific desire is to objectify the women in the film, a desire which is vicariously shared by the viewer. There are three levels of objectification. First there is the cameraââ¬â¢s point of view, then that of the protagonist, and finally that of the viewer himself, who is allowed to gaze at the women directly. Critics of this theory point out that the female viewer is not taken into account, for women also go to see the same films, and they enjoy them too. However Laura Mulvey has given convincing arguments to explain female enjoyment. She says that it is either through a masochistic identification, or a transsexual one. In the first the female takes secret pleasure in male domination. In the second, the female identifies with the male protagonist, and thus shares in the pleasure that men take. However, she is also continuously slipping back into her female identity, which is said to be a mask that she wears. Identification with the male pushes her uncomfortably close to the image of the subjected women, and the masquerade allows her to maintain a distance from it. Feminist film theory is a harsh criticism of the norms of cinema, which is also blamed on the patriarchal norms of society. The advocacy is to make films that overcome the norms, and therefore to make films that are free from female objectification.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
McDonaldization Essay examples -- essays research papers
McDonaldization About seven months ago, I met an American guy who had arrived at New Zealand just a few days before. While exchanging our sentiments (I am from Japan) on New Zealand and its culture, the guy told me how he was surprised to see the country is so Americanised, mentioning McDonaldââ¬â¢s as one of the examples. Now, in a different sense, this was surprising to me, too. I had never had the idea that having McDonaldââ¬â¢s is being Americanised. In fact, McDonaldââ¬â¢s is nearly everywhere in the world so that many people think it has already become part of their own cultures. But then the question arises: How did this come to be the case? Here is a brief outline of its history (based on Hebert, 1997; McDonaldââ¬â¢s Corp., 1997; Mclennan, 1996). History In 1937, McDonaldââ¬â¢s was founded as a small local restaurant by two brothers, Maurice and Richard McDonald in Pasadena, California. In 1948, the brothers then converted their barbecue drive-in with car hops into limited-menu, self-service drive-in, in San Bernardino, California - the first advent of quick service restaurant industry. It is in April 1955, however, that the real ââ¬ËMcDonaldââ¬â¢s Corporationââ¬â¢ launched, by a salesman called Ray Kroc, who gained exclusive US franchising rights from the brothers. Starting with Des Plaines, Illinois, McDonaldââ¬â¢s rapidly extended its outlets first over the Chicago area, then the US and eventually all over the world, including two largest restaurants in Moscow (1990) and Beijing (1992), both with 700 seats. There are currently over 21,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries (and about 100 in New Zealand), and the 1996 year-end systemwide sales reached 31.812 billion dollars, 59 percent of which came from the outside of the US. McDonaldization The worldwide business of McDonaldââ¬â¢s is not just a globalisation of its economy. In his book, ââ¬ËThe McDonaldization of Society,ââ¬â¢ the American sociologist Dr. George Ritzer (1993, cited by Allan, 1997) contends that it also represents the process of rationalisation - ââ¬Å"... the master concept of Max Weberââ¬â¢s analysis of modern capitalism, referring to a variety of related processes by which every aspect of human action became subject to calculation, measurement and controlâ⬠(Abercrombie, Hill & Turner, 1988, p.902, cited by Allan, 1997). According to Ritzer, McDonaldization can be understood in terms of the following aspects: (1) Eff... ...t Since I am not a sociology-major student, my understanding of McDonaldization may not be accurate, and I certainly do not have a clue on whether such phenomena are good or bad. Still, the point I want to make here is clear: Our societies are increasingly reigned by global standards, which profoundly affect the way we think, process information, and interact with others. (Yes, I know this is a kind of clichà © in psychology.) Without doubt, McDonaldââ¬â¢s and its ideas define part of our lives, and across cultures, we definitely share certain commonalities, both materially and psychologically. The only concern that remains, however, is the fact that the standardisation is typically based on the fashion preferred by those who are socially affluent or culturally dominant. In this regard, the same is true for the ââ¬Ëinternetââ¬â¢ system. Surely, this technology is a revolutionary tool that not only removes boundaries from the realms of our social interactions, but also pushes further the potential of human cognitive development. Nonetheless, information found on the net is the product of people who have access to computers, with inevitable reflection of their own personal or social viewpoints.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
An Inconvenient Truth Summary 3 – Essay – Deng1993
Director Davis Guggenheim eloquently weaves the science ofà global warmingà with Mr. Gore's personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change. A longtime advocate for the environment, Gore presents a wide array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way. ââ¬Å"Al Gore strips his presentations of politics, laying out the facts for the audience to draw their own conclusions in a charming, funny and engaging style, and by the end has everyone on the edge of their seats, gripped by his haunting message,â⬠said Guggenheim.An Inconvenient Truth is not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry to protect the one earth we all share. ââ¬Å"It is now clear that we face a deepening global climate crisis that requires us to act boldly, quickly, and wisely,â⬠said Gore. Written byà Plantation Productions e host, was the vice president of the USA in the Clinton administration. He has been interested in climate change is sues since grade school and has continued to takeà interestà in this subject as a politician. In this documentary, he highlights some very important points regarding global warming in his discussion.We will take a look at some of these. Some very important effects include illustrations of the impact ofglobal warming. He does this by first pointing out the relationship between the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and the corresponding temperature over a 650,000 years period. For example, he indicated some pictures of the ice melted in big Mountain in Africa called Kilimanjaro. He also talked about the increase of the ocean Temperature that guided to many Hurricanes and Tornadoes. To clarify, Florida in US got a very bad hurricane in September 2004 and that called Ivan.Then he focused on the Sea levels which are rising because of the amount of ice melting in the Arctic Sea and ice shelves by 1. 5 million km2 during the last forty years. For instance, Ice caps melts as the the te mperature of water raise and these can destroyed the ice species. Finally, He also mentioned that many people have died in different parts of the world because of high temperatures and heat waves. For example, the temperature in India raised and about 1400 people died in 2003.The extinction rate of many species is increasing and more than 30 diseases have appeared To sum up, Al Gore says that although the situation regarding global warming appears dire, he does speak fervently looking forward to the future with hope. His presentation concludes with parting nuggets of practical advice as to how man can play a role in curbing climate change. Posted byà J Al Gore, the one who was going to be the next president of the United States of America has dedicated his life to let the people around the world to be aware of the problem which threat life on the earth.In the next lines Iââ¬â¢m going to outline a brief summary about his movie ââ¬Å"An inconvenient truthâ⬠. Global warmingà is the catastrophe which threats life on earth. Al Gore explained how the atmosphere works; sun ray comes from the sun everyday then some of the rays stay inside the earth with the help of ozone layer to keep it warm. The crazy increase of carbon dioxide ratio has made the layer thicker so more rays are trapped more than we normally need. As a result, a lot of temperature changing can be seen around the world such as heat wave.Another problem the global warming is causing is that the ice is melting which is a very serious danger. The level of the sea, constructions and the weather itself all can be affected if the ice or permafrost starts to melt down because of the increasing of heat. At the end of his discussion, Al Gore confirmed that most of the scientists around the world agree that we are the main reason for the global warming. What will the future generation think of their parents if this problem gets more and more serious? Posted byà Khalid
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Tartuffe: Truth and Religious Teachings
Dana Epstein Professor Morris ENG 2850 TR54C October 13, 2009 The Illusions That Define Us: Appearance versus Reality ââ¬Å"Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration. â⬠That quote by Nicollo Machiavelli is simply defined as, what you see is not always what you get and few men have the gift of being able to see through an appearance. In Tartuffe and Monkey, appearances are far from reality in many instances. Even though both texts were written in different milieus both societies focus strongly on religion and material value.Both characters are deceived by power, desires and the need to prove themselves. Spiritually is used to enlighten and religious teachings help Monkey to see the truth. However, Orgon needs to trust his senses because spirituality is used to deceive. The realization that is difficult for the audience to distinguish the difference between appearance and reality in both stories is very evident. In Tartuffe, Orgon is deceived by the holy zealous Tartuffe solely based on his false piety of religion. His need for power and prestige blinds his ability to see the truth about Tartuffe.He is so enthralled by Tartuffe because he enriches Orgon with power by appealing to his desires. Tartuffe is claiming to be a traditional figure of authority by presenting himself as a holy man and Orgon foolishly goes against everyoneââ¬â¢s feeling towards Tartuffe and falls for his act. The audience is not told that Tartuffe is a liar or hypocrite but, through his words and the actions that follow, it allows the audience to differentiate between the lying Tartuffe and the honest family. In the first scene, Dorine states her feelings toward Tartuffe. You see him as a saint. I'm far less awed; In fact, I see right through him. He's a fraud. â⬠Tartuffe, the hypocritical fraud, does no appear until act three, allowing the audience to see the other characters as honest witnesses to Tartuffe lies. As soon as he arrives, he over zealously informs Dorine that she is showing too much cleavage. His actions are seen as forced rather than genuine. Orgon is so blinded by Tartuffe that he does not even believe his own son when he tells him that Tartuffe is trying to seduce his wife Elmire.Orgon responds with ââ¬Å"Ah, you deceitful boy, how dare you try to stain his purity with so foul a lie? â⬠Orgon finally needs to perform a scientific experiment by hiding under the table to actually hear Tartuffe try and seduce his wife. Orgonââ¬â¢s mistake is that he needed to trust his senses rather then his spirituality and need to prove himself. His desire to be all powerful Orgon and control his childrenââ¬â¢s lives ended him in a bind where all his belongings were in the hands of Tartuffe. Orgon was deceived by religion and his desires to be all knowing and all powerful.The appearance of a ââ¬Å"holy manâ⬠that Tartuffe presented completely blinded the reali ty that he was a con artist. Orgon chose to go against the intuitions of those he loves and trusts and is left struggling to define his own reality and truth in what spirituality means to him. The religious teachings and spirituality in Tartuffe leave Orgon to pick up the pieces of his fallen life and proves that trusting his senses was the key to defining reality. On the contrary, the religious teachings in Monkey help him to see the truth and define reality.Monkeyââ¬â¢s journey consisted of many encounters where appearance is deceiving. The evil wizard is one of the most deceiving characters throughout the story. Through changing his appearance, he is able to disguise his true self as a lion of the gods to complete his task in teaching the king a lesson for being unkind to a beggar who was asking for help. The evil wizard pretended to help the king of the Crow-Cock Kingdom but instead shifts his form into the king and steals his throne. When Monkey confronts the evil wizard abo ut this change he then again shifts his form into Tripitaka so that Monkey cannot attack him.Through these appearances, the evil wizard was able to hide the reality that he was truly a lion on a mission. Though the evil wizard was one of the most manipulative characters, Pigsy and the Dragon both deceived reality with their appearances. Pigsy fooled those of the woman he married into believing he was a hard working young man, but once his true identity of a pig was known they soon became fearful of him. Another instance was when the white dragon was punished for eating the white horse so he was then transformed into Tripitaka's white horse for the journey.The appearances that deceived were all to complete their own missions and ultimately teach a lesson. Throughout the stories Monkey by Wu Ch`eng-en and Tartuffe by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Moliere, appearance versus reality is a key theme. The audience can see the demise that Tartuffe had in store for Orgon all along. As for Monkey, t he reality throughout the story is layered between illusions and the supernatural, reality and truth. Both characters were deceived by opposite forces in which the quest for power and to meet their desires blinded their inability to decipher truth from false.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Evidence-based Interventions for a Patient Suffering from Dementia The WritePass Journal
Evidence-based Interventions for a Patient Suffering from Dementia Introduction Evidence-based Interventions for a Patient Suffering from Dementia ). This is done to ensure that interventions are supported by current evidence in healthcare and have been found to be effective for most patients (Pearson et al., 2009). The use of evidence-based practice is rooted in the belief that patients should only receive quality care (Pearson et al., 2009). The same approach is used when caring for patients with mental health conditions. In the policy, No Health without Mental Health (Department of Health, 2012), the NHS has emphasised that patients suffering from mental health conditions should receive quality and evidence-based care. This brief aims to critically discuss the case of an 80-year old woman who is suffering from dementia and the different forms of interventions that could be applied to the case. Consistent with the Nursing and Midwifery Councilââ¬â¢s (NMC, 2008) code of conduct, a pseudonym will be used to hide the identity of the patient. This brief discusses the purpose of evidence-based practice in managing patients with a progressive condition such as dementia. An investigation on the different forms of evidence-based interventions and their potential impact for promoting inclusion would also be presented. A discussion on interventions as means to develop a shared understanding of the patientââ¬â¢s needs would also be done. Legal, ethical and socio-political factors that influence the intervention process would also be explored. Finally, the last part discusses my role as a nurse in the intervention process. Using Evidence-based Interventions for Patients with Dementia The Nursing and Midwifery Councilââ¬â¢s (NMC, 2008) Code of Conduct has stressed the importance of delivering quality evidence-based care that is patient-centred. Fitzpatrick (2007a) emphasised that the past model of evidence-based intervention relies only on current evidence from literature to support clinical decisions. Current studies that are of high quality are often used to inform current practices. Fitzpatrick (2007b; 2007c) exmphasised that nurses and other healthcare professionals should have the skills to critically assess the quality of a study and determine whether the findings are applicable to oneââ¬â¢s current and future practice. Evaluating the strength of the evidence presented in a research study would require understanding of the search process and whether themes or findings from the study are credible or trustworthy (Polit and Beck, 2010). In recent years, this definition has included best practices, personal experiences of healthcare professional on providi ng care, experiences of colleagues, opinions of experts and current guidelines on a health condition (Fitzpatrick, 2007a; 2007b, 2007c; Greenhalgh, 2010). This new definition embraces other sources of evidence that could be used to help healthcare practitioners and patients make decisions regarding their care. Greenhalgh (2010) specifically points out that while there is reliance on good evidence from published studies, including the experiences of nurses, expert opinion and best practices to aid decision-making would ensure that patients receive quality care. Communicating evidence from published literature is also essential in helping patients decide on the best form of intervention. Morrisey and Calighan (2011) emphasises that effective communication is needed to convey findings of a study in a manner that is understandable to the patient. Successful use of evidence depends first on the quality of relationship between the healthcare providers and the patients (Croker et al., 2013. Kizer (2002) argued that for better care, the relationship between the healthcare professionals and the patients should be strengthened first. Kizer (2002) observe that, ââ¬Å"this intimate relationship is the medium by which information, feelings, fears, concerns, and hopes are exchanged between caregiver and patientâ⬠(p. 117). In the UK, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE, 2006) and the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (2007) have provided evidence-based guidelines on how to care for patients with dementia. These guidelines along with current literature, my own and my colleaguesââ¬â¢ experiences, expert opinion and the experiences of my patient and her carers will form evidence on the best form of interventions for the patient. My patientââ¬â¢s name is Laura (not her real name). She is 80 years old with dementia, a condition that is progressive and characterized by deterioration of mental state, aggressive behaviour and agitation (Department of Health, 2009). A psychiatric consultant oversees the management of her condition. She has been receiving medications for her dementia but her GP and psychiatrist are discussing alternative drugs to reduce her anxiety level and regulate her sleeping patterns. She is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and is mobilised with a frame following a broken hip. While she is still lucid and can communicate clearly, it is a challenge to care for her during nighttime when she becomes more anxious and shows signs of confusion. Patients with dementia suffer from progressive cognitive impairments (Department of Health, 2009) that could have an impact on how they receive information from their healthcare professionals and carers and in their adherence to medications. In the case of my patient, she is now showing signs of advanced dementia (NICE, 2006). This could be a challenge since her ability to refuse treatment or engage in healthcare decisions is severely reduced (Department for Constitutional Affairs, 2007). In the UK, the Mental Health Act 2007 (UK Legislation, 2007) and the Mental Capacity Act (Department for Constitutional Affairs, 2007) serve as guides on how to care for patients with mental health conditions such as dementia. These acts serve to protect the rights of the patient by locating a representative of the patient who could decide on her behalf. Hence, any interventions introduced for the patient should be agreed by the patientââ¬â¢s immediate family members or appointed guardian (Depart ment for Constitutional Affair, 2007). Since dementia is a progressive condition that could eventually lead to palliative care, the nurses have to ensure that the patient receives appropriate support during the trajectory of the condition. In my patientââ¬â¢s case, she needs immediate interventions for anxiety and sleep disturbance. She is also currently taking medications for her type 2 diabetes. The NICE (2006) guideline has stated the use of psychological intervention for patients with dementia. These include cognitive behavioural therapy, which will include the patientââ¬â¢s carers, animal-assisted therapy, reminiscence therapy, multisensory stimulation and exercise. Evidence-based Interventions and Potential Impact for Promoting Inclusion A number of studies (Casartelli et al., 2013; Monaghan et al., 2012; Ewen et al., 2012) have shown that exercise could improve the mobility of patients following hip surgery. Most of these studies use the randomised controlled trial study design, which ranks high in the hierarchy of evidence (Greenhalgh, 2010). This type of design reduces selection bias of the participants and increases the credibility of the findings of the study (Polit and Beck, 2010). The NICE (2013) guideline for fall also supports exercise intervention for improving patientââ¬â¢s mobility. My patient Laura is using a frame to aid her walking following a fall and an exercise intervention would improve her mobility. Considering that Laura is also suffering from anxiety, I counseled with the carer that we might consider an exercise intervention to both manage anxiety and improve mobility of the patient. This was well-received by the carer who expressed that they could help the patient with a structured walking e xercise. Meanwhile, cognitive behavioural therapy (Kurz et al., 2012; Hopper et al., 2013) has also been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety amongst patients and in regulating sleep behaviour. This form of intervention was also introduced to Laura and her carer. A programme was created where she would receive CBT on a weekly basis. It should be noted that the psychiatrist and the GP in the healthcare team are considering on alternative pharmacologic therapy to regulate sleeping behaviour and anxiety of the patient. While this might have a positive effect on the patient, it should be noted that medications for anxiety have side effects. For instance, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as rivastigmine, galantamine and donepezil are known to have side effects on the cognition of patients (Porsteinsson et al., 2013; Moncrieff and Cohen, 2009). As a nurse and part of the team, I suggested to the team to consider the effects of pharmacologic interventions on the patient. Further, the NICE (2006) guideline also states that only specialists, that include GPs specialising in elderly care or psychiatrists, should initiate pharmacologic interventions. This guideline also emphasises that the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of the patient should be between 10 to 20 points. In Lauraââ¬â¢s case, she is pro gressing from moderately severe dementia to its severe form. Introducing pharmacologic interventions might only worsen the cognitive state of Laura. Meanwhile, there is strong evidence from a systematic review (Filan and Llewellyn-Jones, 2006) on the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in reducing psychological and behavioural symptoms of dementia. A systematic review also ranks as high as randomised controlled trials in the hierarchy of evidence (Greenhalgh, 2010). Findings of Filan and Llewellyn-Jones (2006) also reveal that it can promote social behaviour amongst patients. This form of therapy was initially considered in Lauraââ¬â¢s case due to its possible effects on the sleep behaviour of the patient. However, current evidence is still unclear on whether the effects could be sustained for prolonged periods. In application to my patientââ¬â¢s case, the use of animal-assisted therapy might be difficult to carry out since the patient has to depend on a carer for her daily needs. However, our team decided on using music therapy for the patient. Similar to animal-assisted therapy, there is also strong evidence on the e ffectiveness of music therapy in managing anxiety, depression and aggression amongst patients with dementia (Sakamoto et al., 2013; Wall and Duffy, 2010). Importantly, cognitive behavioural and music therapies and exercise interventions all promote inclusion of the patient in the care process (Repper and Perkins, 2003). In cognitive behavioural therapy, the patient and her carer receive support on how to manage anxiety and sleeping behaviour. Since carers are highly involved during CBT, there is a higher chance that the intervention would be successful (Hopper et al., 2013). It has been shown that carers of patients with chronic conditions such as dementia are also at risk of developing depression and anxiety (Department of Health, 2009). Smith et al. (2007) explain that this might be due to the realisation that the patient would not recover from the illness. Further, these carers have to prepare themselves for the patientââ¬â¢s end-of-life care. All these realisations could influence the carerââ¬â¢s own mental health (Smith et al., 2007). Hence, it is important that interventions are not only holistic for the patient, but should also include the carers in the process. Hence, implementing CBT would promote inclusion in practice (Wright and Stickley, 2013). The patient in my care is also suffering from type 2 diabetes. Pharmacologic interventions would include metformin and insulin therapy (NICE, 2008). Non-pharmacologic interventions include exercise, behavioural modification and diet. This presents a complex problem for Laura since it has been shown that elderly patients are also at greatest risk of malnutrition due to the aging process (Department of Health, 2009). Patients with dementia could experience feeding behavioural problems. When patients are admitted in hospitals, the new environment and lack of social interaction with peers could act as triggers in behavioural problems (Department of Health, 2009). Since patients might lack the cognitive ability to express themselves, this might present as aggressive behaviour (NICE, 2006). Hence, ensuring that Laura receives appropriate nutrition during her hospital stay could be influenced by changes in her behaviour. It is important that patients with type 2 diabetes do not only receive pharmacologic interventions but should also have sufficient diet. This is seen as a challenge in Lauraââ¬â¢s case since she could experience feeding problems due to loss in cognitive abilities. For instance, she might be reminded on how to chew food or why she needs to eat (Department of Health, 2009). In patients with severe forms, the main aim of feeding is now focused on comfort feeding rather than allowing patients to eat the proper amount of food (Department of Health, 2009). Hence, managing Lauraââ¬â¢s type 2 diabetes through proper feeding would be an added challenge to her care. Legal, Ethical and Socio-Political Factors that Influence the Intervention Process Decisions on the care and interventions received by the patient are influenced by several factors. First, the Mental Health Act 2007 (UK Legislation, 2007) states that patients with mental health condition could seek voluntary admission to hospitals and leave whenever they want. This Act also states that patients could only be forced to receive treatment in hospital settings if they are detained under this Act. Laura and her carer could refuse treatment or interventions at any point of her care and my team and I would respect her decision. Observance of this provision under the Mental Health Act would also be consistent with patient-centred care where patients are empowered to act for own benefit and to choose appropriate interventions. Apart from the legal aspects that influence the delivery of interventions, ethical issues should also be observed. In the ethics principle of beneficence, nurses and other healthcare practitioners should ensure that the interventions would be benefici al to the patient (Beauchamp and Childress, 2001). In Lauraââ¬â¢s case, all the interventions cited previously have been shown to be beneficial to the patient. Only the pharmacologic interventions are associated with adverse and side effects for the patient (Popp and Arlt, 2011). Hence, as a nurse, I lobbied for inclusion of non-pharmacologic interventions instead of reliance on anticholinergic drugs to control the patientââ¬â¢s behaviour. In addition to beneficence, Beauchamp and Childress (2001) also add the ethics principles of autonomy, non-maleficence and justice. In Lauraââ¬â¢s case, her autonomy would be respected. Allowing patients to participate in the decision-making process is crucial. However, patients with dementia suffer from cognitive impairments that could influence their decision-making ability (Wright et al., 2009). In accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Department for Constitutional Affairs, 2007), the carers of Laura could be appointed to act on her behalf. In non-maleficence, the main aim of the interventions is to promote the health of the patient. There are no known side effects of the psychosocial and exercise interventions. Justice will be observed if Laura receives tailored-interventions that would address her needs. It is important that regardless of the patientââ¬â¢s background, religion, race, gender, ethnicity, she should receive healthcare interventions fit for her needs. This ethics principle is observed since a healthcare team has been addressing Lauraââ¬â¢s healthcare needs. While all interventions are patient-centred, socio-political issues that could influence the interventions include the recent changes in the NHS structure where local health boards are primarily responsible for allocating funds to healthcare services (Department for Constitutional Affairs, 2007). Hence, if dementia care is not a priority in the local health board, health programmes for dementia might not receive sufficient funding. This could pose considerable problems for the elderly who are dependent on the NHS for their care. Laura has been receiving sufficient support for her mental health condition. This demonstrates that dementia care remains a priority in my area of care. A survey of the support system in my community reveals that support groups for carers are available. This is essential since supporting carers is also a priority in the NHS (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2007). Role of the Nurse in the Intervention Process On reflection of the case, I have a role to coordinate care with other team members and to ensure that the patient receives patient-centered care. As a nurse, I have to adhere to the NMCââ¬â¢s (2008) code of conduct and observe patient safety. Recognising that dementia is a progressive condition, I should also focus on interventions that not only addresses the current behavioural problems of the patient but also on preparing the carer and Lauraââ¬â¢s family members on palliative care. The NICE (2006) guideline has stated that nurses have an important role in preparing patients of dementia and their family members on end-of-life care. This could be a highly stressful stage in the patientââ¬â¢s disease trajectory or could be one of acceptance and peace for the family. As a nurse, I have to ensure that interventions are appropriate to the stage of dementia that the patient is experiencing. Since nursing is a continuing process, I have to inform the family members that the patie nt will increasingly lose her cognitive abilities and would have difficulty feeding in the last stages of the condition (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2007). I have to ensure that the patient receives both spiritual and physical support at this stage. Evidence-based care is crucial in ensuring that patients receive the appropriate intervention. In my role as a nurse, I have to ensure that interventions are acceptable to the patient. I should also consider the preferences of the patient, their past experiences and their own perceptions on how to best manage their condition. Since I would be caring for a patient with declining cognitive abilities, I should ensure that her dignity would be maintained (Baillie and Gallagher, 2011). As part of my future learning development, I will attend courses on how to conduct end-of-life care for patients with dementia. Through Laura, I realised that a patientââ¬â¢s dignity should always be observed. It is recommended that in my future and present practice, I will continue to rely on literature on the best form of interventions of my patient. I will also consult with my colleagues, seek expert opinion and the patientââ¬â¢s experiences on how to choose and deliver interventions. Conclusion Evidence-based practice is important in helping patients achieve quality care. In this case, Laura is an 80-year old patient with dementia. She exhibits the moderate form of the condition but is beginning to show signs of advance dementia. As her nurse, I have the duty to observe ethics in healthcare and to seek for interventions that are evidence-based. However, I also realised that other factors also influence the delivery of interventions. These include socio-political, legal and ethical factors. As a nurse, I have to protect the patientââ¬â¢s rights, act as her advocate and ensure her safety during the trajectory of the condition. For future practice, I will continue to practice evidence-based practice. I will also encourage others in the mental health profession to always consider the patientââ¬â¢s preferences when caring for patients with dementia. When patients are unable to decide for their own care, the carer of the patient could act on her behalf. Finally, as a mental health nurse, I should constantly update myself with the best form of interventions for patients with dementia. This will ensure that my patients will receive evidence-based interventions. References Baillie, L. Gallagher, A. (2011). ââ¬ËRespecting dignity in care in diverse care settings: Strategies of UK nursesââ¬â¢. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 17, pp. 336-341. Beauchamp, T. Childress, J. (2001). Principles of biomedical ethics. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Casartelli, N., Item-Glatthorn, J., Bizzini, ., Leunig, M. Maffiuletti, N. (2013). ââ¬ËDifferences in gait characteristics between total hip, knee, and ankle arthroplasty patients: a six-moth postoperative comparisonââ¬â¢. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorder, 14:176 doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-14-176. Croker, J., Swancut, D., Roberts, M., Abel, G., Roland, M. Campbell, J. (2013) ââ¬ËFactors affecting patientsââ¬â¢ trust and confidence in GPs: evidence from the national GP patient surveyââ¬â¢, BMJ Open, 3(5). Pii: e002762. Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002762. Department of Health (2012). No Health Without Mental Health. London: Department of Health. Department of Health (2009). Living Well with dementia: A National Dementia Strategy. London: Department of Health. Department for Constitutional Affairs (2007). Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of Practice. Norwich: The Stationery Office. Ewen, A., Stewart, S., St Clair Gibson, A., Kashyap, S. Caplan, N. (2012). ââ¬ËPost-operative gait analysis in total hip replacement patients- a review of current literature and meta-analysisââ¬â¢. Gait Posture, 36(1), pp. 1-6. Filan, S. Llewellyn-Jones, R. (2006). ââ¬ËAn animal-assisted therapy for dementia: a review of the literatureââ¬â¢. International Psychogeriatrics, 18(4), pp. 597-611. Fitzpatrick, J. (2007a). ââ¬ËFinding the research for evidence-based practice: Part one- The development of EBPââ¬â¢. Nursing Times, 103(17), pp. 32-33. Fitzpatrick, J. (2007b). ââ¬ËFinding the research for evidence-based practice: Part two-selecting credible evidenceââ¬â¢. Nursing Times, 103(18), pp. 32-33. Fitzpatrick, J. (2007c). ââ¬ËHow to turn research into evidence-based practice: Part three- Making a caseââ¬â¢. Nursing Times, 103(19), pp. 32-33. Greenhalgh, T. (2010). How to read a paper: the basics of evidence-based medicine. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley and Sons. Hopper, T., bourgeois, M., Pimentel, J., Qualls, C., Hickey, E., Frymark, T. Schooling, T. (2013). ââ¬ËAn evidence-based systematic review on cognitive interventions for individuals with dementiaââ¬â¢. American Journal of Speech and Language Pathology, 22(1), pp. 126-145. Kizer, K. (2002). ââ¬ËPatient centred care: essential but probably not sufficientââ¬â¢. Quality and Safety in Health Care, 11, pp. 117-118. Kurz, A., Thà ¶ne-Otto, A., Cramer, B., Egert, S., Frà ¶lich, L., Gertz, H., Kehl, V., Wagenpfeil, S. Werheid, K. (2012). ââ¬ËCORDIAL: Cognitive rehabilitation and cognitive-behavioral treatment for early dementia in Alzheimer disease: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trialââ¬â¢. Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders, 26(3), pp. 246-253. Monaghan, B., Grant, T., Hing, W. Cusack, T. (2012). ââ¬ËFunctional exercise after total hip replacement (FEATHER): a randomised control trialââ¬â¢, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorder. 13:237 doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-13-237. Moncrieff, J. Cohen, D. (2009). ââ¬ËHow do psychiatric drugs work?ââ¬â¢. British Medical Journal: 338 [Online]. Available from: bmj.com/content/338/bmj.b1963#alternate. Morrissey, J. Callgahan, P. (2011). Communication skills for mental health nurses. Maidenhead: Open University Press. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (2007). Dementia: The NICE-SCIE Guideline on supporting people with dementia and their carers in health and social care. London: The British Psychological Society and Gaskell and Social Care Institute for Excellence and NICE. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2013). Falls: assessment and prevention of falls in older people: NICE clinical guideline 161. London: NICE. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2008). Type 2 Diabetes: The Management of type 2 diabetes. London: NICE. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2006). Dementia: Supporting people with dementia and their carers in health and social care. London: NICE. Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2008). The Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. London: NMC. Pearson, A., Field, J., Jordan, Z. (2009). Evidence-Based Clinical Practice in Nursing and health Care. Assimilating Research, Experience and Expertise. Oxford. Blackwell Publishing. Polit, D. Beck, C. (2010). Essentials of nursing research: appraising evidence for nursing practice. 7th ed. London: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Popp, J. Arlt, S. (2011). ââ¬ËPharmacological treatment of dementia and mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimerââ¬â¢s diseaseââ¬â¢. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 24(6), pp. 556-561. Porsteinsson, A., Drye, L., Pollock, B., Devanand, D., Frangakis, C. Ismail, Z., Marano, C., Meinert, C., Mintzer, J., Munro, C., Pelton, G., Rabins, P., Rosenberg, P., Schneider, L., Shade, D., Weintraub, D., yesavage, J. Lyketsos, C. (2013). ââ¬ËEffect of citalopram on agitation in Alzheimer disease: the CitAD randomized clinical trialââ¬â¢. JAMA, 311(7), pp. 682-691. Repper, J. Perkins, R. (2003). Social inclusion and recovery: A model for mental health practice. London: Balliere Tindall. Sakamoto, M., Ando, H. Tsutou, A. (2013). ââ¬ËComparing the effects of different individualized music interventions for elderly individuals with severe dementiaââ¬â¢, International Psychogeriatrics. 25(5), pp. 775-784. Smith, G., Greogry, K. Higgs, A. (2007). An integrated approach to family work for psychosis. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. UK Legislation (2007) Mental Health Act 2007 [Online]. Available from: legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/12/contents (Accessed: 13th May, 2014). Wall, M. Duffy, A. (2010). ââ¬ËThe effects of music therapy for older people with dementiaââ¬â¢. British Journal of Nursing, 19(2), pp. 108-113. Wright, N. Stickley, T. (2013). Concepts of social inclusion, exclusion and mental health: A review of the international literature. London: SAGE. Wright, J., Turkington, D., Kingdon, D. Basco, M. (2009). Cognitive-behaviour therapy for severe mental illness: An illustrated guide. USA: American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
How to Write a Discussion Section of a Research Paper
How to Write a Discussion Section of a Research Paper How to Write a Discussion Section of a Research Paper The discussion section of a research paper is dedicated to interpretation of your findings and their significance. Here, you discuss what has already been found about the problem by other researchers, and present your fresh view on the issue, taking into consideration all evidence and facts. This part of a research paper is very indicative of your progress as a student. The discussion section can be considered the most important part of the research paper, because it demonstrates your analytical skills. A good discussion section needs a critical approach to the question, and your ability to synthesize the findings of your research. If it has revealed any gaps in the field, this is also a good section to highlight these gaps, and give your suggestions on the possible improvements. Also, your discussion should be logically structured. There are several types of text structures, so you need to decide which one will be the most suitable, considering the type of research you are conducting. How to Structure Your Discussion Section We can allocate two types of structures you can use to organize the discussion section ââ¬â vertical and horizontal. Vertical structure of the text is comprised of information presented in a hierarchical manner, relating to general elements and more specific ones. The topic unfolds into subtopics, subcategories and separate arguments. You have to keep in mind, that from your point of view, the argument and facts are arranged in a descending manner, taking into consideration how you intend to communicate your thoughts, speculations and conclusions. On the other hand, your reader will perceive all information in an ascending manner, from more specific elements to the general understanding of your topic. The horizontal structure is formed by creating cohesion between your findings. This cohesion is achieved by means of language devices, such as conjunctions, references and omission of words or phrases that can be logically derived from a sentence. All facts, arguments and speculations should be presented consistently, using logical connectives and references. Which Type of Structure is Better There is no right or wrong, it just depends on your findings. The horizontal structure is especially relevant when you are conducting an interdisciplinary research. There is no hierarchy between independent disciplines, so you need a structure which will highlight the relations between facts that belong to different fields. Vertical structure employs the deductive approach to research. If you start proving your thesis statement from a generalization and build your way to a conclusion by analyzing separate element of the general notion, then a vertical structure is more suitable for you discussion section. Points to Consider Whichever structure you decide to choose, your discussion section should have a brief summary of the importance of your findings for the field you study. You can also give your opinion on possible directions for future research, but add only those, that could not be researched in this particular paper. If you give recommendations for further research, remember to avoid repeating your statements in the conclusion section of your research paper. There is no use in wasting space with repetitions, and it can give an impression that you were careless with your final edit of the paper. And finally, on account of the overall research paper, avoid using first person too much. It can distract the reader from the main point of the paper ââ¬â research.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Ancient Egyptian and Nubian Civilizations Essay
Ancient Egyptian and Nubian Civilizations - Essay Example The Old Testament refers to it as the kingdom of Cush and the Romans called it Nubia referring to its gold mines( Kasule 34). Excavations by the French archaeologists yielded exquisite ceramic figurines, funeral bric-a-brac and bowls that were dated at least during 8000 BC. Other archaelogists dug up great Nubian monuments such as parts of a magnificent temple, statues, pottery, jewelries and hosts of artifacts that convinced them that Nubia was the cradle of African civilization and the first black African civilization (Macleod, New York Times). Excavations in the Qustul cemetery by Keith Seele brought forth incense burners depicting a royal palace and a portrait of a king with the god Horus hovering above him. Other artifacts showed a monarchy that was even older than Egypt's and was perhaps the oldest recognizable monarchy in human history and was dated at 3300 BC or 3 generations before the first Egyptian king Scorpion in the 1st Dynasty. Many considered this Nubian civilization to be the Ta-Seti referred to in Egyptian writings (Renseberger, New York Times). So it is evident that the River Nile produced not one but two great civilizations. Later in this paper, we will prove that both civilizations were modified and perfected by the intermingling and influencing of one with the other and vice-versa. The Egyptian Civilization The River Nile was both a boon and a bane to the ancient Egyptians. Annually, between July and October, the Nile Valley, which is a ribbon of narrow, alluvial land measuring 2 to 3 miles in width from both banks of the Nile and extending some 12,000 sq. mi. from the Mediterranean to today's First Cataract, experiences inundation that washed away landmarks and destroyed properties. After the destruction loomed rich, fertile black land that stimulated3 agriculture(Grolier Universal Encyclopedia 77). Thus, the Nile represented a challenge and a development of all engineering, arithmetical, geometrical, surveying and other skills needed to control its unruly and temperamental nature. Thus, even during the predynastic Naqada period, papyrus writings showed that mathematical calculations including the use of decimals, fractions and the Pythagorean theorem were widely used. Because of the annual Nile deluge, Egyptians braced themselves from it and in the
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