Personal Response, explanatory and critical reactions on the book by Essay

Personal Response, explanatory and critical reactions on the book by Sebastien Japrisot 'A Very Long Engagement' - Essay Example Throughout Mathilde’s search, the reader is provided with reminders about the theme of enduring love. A Very Long Engagement starts with a chapter entitled â€Å"Saturday evening.† In this chapter, the readers are introduced to the setting, which is a French trench during World War I. The author is introduced to five men that have committed self mutilation in order to be sent home, but these men have been convicted of this as a crime. Four of the five men admit what they have done, but Eskimo insists that his injury was accidental. Each of the men’s personalities and backgrounds are provided in order to present the reader with the necessary character information. The reader is also introduced to Mathilde, the finacee of the most youthful of the men, Manech. The reader is presented to her with the sense that she will become a very important character in the book; in fact, her relationship is where the title of the book derives. The next chapter in the book entitled â€Å"Bingo Crepuscule Analysis† moves the story forward about two and a half years. The focus of the story shifts to Mathilde. Manech is now dead and Mathilde is still trying to learn about what really happened to him prior to his passing. She therefore travels to a veteran’s hospital in order to find a man who had spoken to Manech the day before he died. Mathilde’s search introduces one of the prominent themes of the novel; that of enduring love and hope. This man is Daniel Esperanza, who is dying. He informs Mathilde that Manech did not perish in combat as the death announcement had stated. What in fact did happen was that Manech planned to have his hand intentionally shot because he was so depressed by the war, and this did occur. He was then convicted of self-mutilation and sentenced to death along with the other men. These men, though, were not shot by the firing squad; instead, the men they fought with were told to th row them over the top of

The Influence of Using YouTube to Improve English for EFL Students Essay

The Influence of Using YouTube to Improve English for EFL Students - Essay Example According to the paper access to great positions and attractive pay rates requires English capability to communicate. In countries where English is not, the first or main language used there has been a growth in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Due to this worldwide demand, there has been a growth in teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) in countries where English is not first or main language. Therefore, the education system in Saudi Arabia is containing English as one of the most significant majors nowadays. This study highlights even though the government through its Ministry of Education has outlined the objectives of the English language, the goal is yet to be achieved. The ministry aims to ensure improvement in students’ listening, reading, writing and speaking skills abilities. Furthermore, the ministry endeavours to assist students acquire the necessary linguistic competences relating to life. However, these and other objectives encounter challenges as the one stated above. The ministry’s goal is to equip and develop development skills to the students rather than just the role learning. In essence, EFL implies that the English language is not viewed as a primary language, and that the locals have their first language. In these cases, countries tend to use their first language even in the learning, meaning students seldom perform well in English-related tasks, including speaking and writing. When learners become less acquainted with the English language, the end-result is that their competitive advantage especially in the international affairs is adversely affected. Surprisingly, some countries use the first language in the education sector up to university level.  

Cost Accounting and Management Decisions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cost Accounting and Management Decisions - Essay Example Company Description Alcoa is an American manufacturing organisation which deals in producing primary aluminium and fabricated aluminium. Furthermore, the organisation is also known as one of the biggest drillers of bauxite and refiner of alumina in an international context. The primary products of Alcoa are divided into two major categories which are aluminium products and non-aluminium products. Aluminium products of Alcoa comprise alumina, primary metals, flat-rolled products and engineered products and solutions. On the other hand, non-aluminium products of Alcoa include industrial fastenings, precision casting and aerospace products (Alcoa Inc, 2013). Impact of Changes in the Variable Cost / Fixed Cost Structure of Alcoa on Cost- Volume Profit Analysis Decisions by Managers Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) analysis is often argued to assist in taking decisions about business operations for any manufacturing organisation. It is applied as a method of inspecting the link between fixed and variable expenses with respect to number of manufacturing units and related profits. In order to use the CVP analysis, there is need for analysing the business operations obtaining an unambiguous understanding of fixed expenses incurred by the business in comparison to variable expenses. Therefore, any kind of changes in the fixed expense and variable expenses can impact on CVP analysis and product manufacturing decisions of a particular business like Alcoa. For instance, through CVP analysis, Alcoa can determine the cost of its products more accurately than the traditional method. As a CVP analysis develops a clear understanding of the fixed and variable costs incurred by a manufacturing firm, accountants and managers are likely to gain better control on the total costs of any product comprising certain fixed and variable components. With a better control on the total cost, these components can be used in order to clarify variations in product price as well as variations in expense s. As the number of quantity produced increases, per unit variable and fixed expenses are quite likely to decrease to a certain extent. Hence, per unit expenses will also reduce with respect to a decline in fixed and variable expenses rewarding the company with greater opportunity to serve its customers either with increased supply quantity or at a competitive price maintaining its profitability. Stating precisely, by understanding the fixed and variable expenses structure of Alcoa, the managers of the organisation can determine the level to which minimisation of prices of products would not compromise the profit gain per unit (Wiley, 2004). Analysis of the Current Cost System of Alcoa There are two major types of costing system which can be used by an organisation namely traditional costing system and Activity Based Costing (ABC) system. In this context, it has been observed that Alcoa uses the ABC costing system in its business operations for determining the cost of products as we ll as for framing its budgeting strategies (Krishnan, 2006). ABC system divides every manufacturing activity explicitly and determines the portion of overhead expenses which are used for manufacturing one unit of a product. Contextually, the ABC system makes possible for Alcoa to establish more comprehensive factory management structures. With an apparent view of cost of products grounded on ABC system, the managers of Alcoa are

Eddington and Everyday Experience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Eddington and Everyday Experience - Essay Example Often though it is something that is lacking a foundational source, the idea, 'it is there because it is' often falls into place, especially in a philosophical sense. For example Arthur Eddington's interpretation of the existence of the world is a key interpretation of this type of thinking. In his following statement it is obvious how he utilizes the areas of philosophy to try and make sense out of the universe surrounding him. "The world, which spontaneously appears around me when I open my eyes," is "a strange compound of external nature, mental imagery, and inherited prejudice". Factual knowledge is not as simple or self-evident as it so often seems to be. Thus, the process of learning cannot be taken for granted. Several different theories of the learning process have been established in Western philosophy and the memes of culture. One of these is Skepticism. Skepticism itself questions everything and places doubt where none should exist. The main message it relays to mankind is one of a negative nature, claiming that man will never reach a heightened sense of knowledge about any certain issue in life or the world in particular (Hooker 1996). So, it is found within the realm of skepticism nothing is for certain and the foundational sustenance of the utilization of epistemologies themselves finds doubt in anything and everything. Although skepticism is admonished by those who don't follow the theorization in behind it, it still shows some crude evidence as to why some doubt so much, in even the simplest of things. The reason for these doubts within this the ory is due to the imperfections of the human mind, which can possibly include: faultiness in reasoning and judgment, poor memory, limited accessibility to an object of scrutiny, a lack in the accuracy of the senses, the possibility of mistaking illusions (such as dreams) for reality, and the possibility of misinformation. The issue then, with skepticism is that it finds fault with everything, even those that take simple, common sense notions where the majority of people would find to be, "self evident". Although scientific people are typically described as taking the sceptical view of a new idea that seems "wild", the scientific method is most accurately rooted in the philosophy of Empiricism. To Empiricists, the senses are indeed highly accurate and, moreover, they are our foremost tool for acquiring knowledge about life, the universe, and everything. In stating "which spontaneously appears around me when I open my eyes", Arthur Eddington indicates that our environment is perceived by our senses. There exists an outside world to which we are only connected through our senses and construct a mental image of it. There exists a disparity between what is perceived to be and what reality essentially is. Even in an ordinary view of the world, it is sometimes dubious if we can rely entirely on our sensory data. Some simple examples are illusions, in which we can not trust our senses since they mislead us to draw odd conclusion. Most Empiricists, however, recognize the existence of a prior i truths, which are those of mathematics and logic. In Eddington's claim of "inherited prejudice", the interpretation of it can go in several directions. Prejudice is neither knowledge nor belief, although it is rooted in the latter. The word prejudice comes from the Latin word

Human Rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Rights - Essay Example Raising the voice for an independent and free form of government is the basic right of each individual. Besides this, civil rights are being violated all over the world which is against the charter international of human rights. Injustice on domestic and international level, lack of freedom of speech, and expression are few of the issues being faced in terms of human rights. Gender and human rights are usually co related in terms of their relevance to each other. The fair gender is often subjected to inhumane treatment, sexual abuses, and physical assaults. Protection against all these aforementioned factors is possible through the fulfillment of the human rights accords. The human rights laws entail all those necessary steps and proceedings which ensure protection of the weak. Besides the physical aspect, the weak gender is often subject to number of restrictions and confined to four walls. It is totally against the human rights. Hence, protection of the weaker gender can be ensured through the presence and practicing of human rights laws and principles. The concept of capability approach pertains to the transformation of a society with regard to its economic position, social improvement, political maturity and other variables that affect the society. It aims at identifying and mitigating the factors that result in the imbalance amongst various components of the society. This approach in broader perspective is termed as an element that helps determining causal relationship amongst the various segments of society and the tools under use. This concept is often loosely termed as the continuation of the concepts of Karl Marx, Adam Smith and Aristotle. However in modern times the man behind this concept is Amartya Sen who came up with this economical proposition with regard to the various elements of the society in a generic manner. Capability

Digital multimeter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Digital multimeter - Essay Example The user guide could be used by a number of individuals in order to achieve high performance and full control of various electrical installations. The research was undertaken in a school setting by involving students in active participation with the aid of user guides. The students were then assessed and the outcome recorded. The outcome was later used to upgrade the user guide. Multimeter which is also known as multitester is an electronic gadget that integrates several measurement function of a unit. A multimeter has several features that have the ability to record current, voltage and resistance using the relevant electronic instruments. In the current world multimeter has been upgraded and may use digital and analogue technologies. In that case, they can be referred to as Analog Multimeter (AMM) and Digital Multimeter (DMM). Analogue technology measure signal in non-continuous form while digital measure signal in discreet form. Thus Analog instruments such as micro ammeter usually have a pointer which moves over a scale attuned for all the dissimilar measurements that can recorded while Digital instruments on the other hand display digits which are sometimes shown on a bar of a length relatively proportional to the magnitude being measured. (Mazur, 2008). In real life situation, Multimeters can be used to correct faults that occur in electric circuit. This is because they posses high degree of accuracy. For example galvanometer is used to detect the presence of electric current and the direction of flow of electricity. This has helped over the years in various households and offices to prevent fire outbreak due to early detection of these faults. Background Men had a quest of acquiring a tool that he could use conveniently to measure and detect electric current thereby having full command of his environment regarding electricity. A lot of inventions were made by many inventors in order to quench this thirst ; with the first ever moving pointer to be invented which had these abilities was the galvanometer. This was used across the board to measure resistance and voltage since it was the only device. It functioned with the aid of Wheatstone bridge. The device was known to be too slow when used in labs and in the fields. It was also bulky and delicate. Man then adopted the premise that there were more than were known to them, therefore he kept the fire blazing by conducting more research to acquire more practical and convenient devices. A meter which used fine metal spring was then discovered. Besides it detecting current it also had the capability of recording measurements by use of its magnetic properties. It was quick and easy to use. Multimeters were then invented in the early 1920s. They consisted of separate devices necessary for to maintaining telecommunication. As time went by, people became tired with carrying these separate instruments and this was a clear indication that a more convenient device was needed. Macadie invented a device which could record amperes, volts and ohms. It was later called Avometer since it was a multipurpose. His idea was later borrowed

The balanced scorecard Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7250 words

The balanced scorecard - Dissertation Example Research Methodology 16 Qualitative Research 16 Data Collection 17 Research Limitations 17 Research Findings- Empirical Evidence 17 Conclusion 30 Reference 33 Bibliography 36 Introduction 3 Literature Review 5 Overview of the Balanced Scorecard 5 Development of the Balanced Scorecard 8 Benefits of using the BSC 11 Balanced Scorecard Implementation in large enterprises and SMEs 12 Criticisms of the Balanced Scorecard Methodology- challenges of implementing the Balanced Scorecard 14 Research Methodology 16 Qualitative Research 16 Data Collection 17 Research Limitations 17 Research Findings- Empirical Evidence 17 Conclusion 30 Reference 33 Bibliography 36 Introduction Emerged as the most commonly used strategic performance management tool supported by proven automation tools and design methods, the balanced scorecard is extensively used by managers in organizations today for keeping track of activities undertaken by staffs and monitor and control the consequences resulting from these activities. Today’s organizations are amidst a revolutionary transformation in the business environment which is gradually transforming itself from industrially competitive structure into an information competitive one. Arising out of this cut throat competition organizations have been increasingly looking at improving their businesses further and thus the importance of initiatives like just-in-time system, total quality management systems, Re-engineering, employee empowerment etc have gained prominence. Even though such initiatives were successful in bringing about improvement in shareholders’ value, their disjointed structure primarily looked at short term growth and performance. The demand for creating long range competitive capabilities and improving the model of the historical cost financial accounting triggered the creation of the Balanced Scorecard. Widely used in industries and businesses the scorecard acts as a strategic management and planning system used the government and non profit organizations with the aim to align business activities of the organization with its strategic vision and mission, improve its internal and external communications and finally to monitor performance of the organization against strategic objectives. Originated by Dr. Robert Kaplan and David Norton this performance management frame successfully adds the no financial performance measures with the financial metrics and allows managers to have a comprehensive and balanced view of the organization performance. Kaplan (1994) has particularly used the example of Rockwater Company for explaining the developmental process of the balanced scorecard for ensuring that companies are able to realise their goals and objectives. Industries such baking and insurance have been particularly benefitted through the implementation of the process. Kaplan has explained the management structure of connecting the business units’ strategies with the entire interest of the company. Martinson (1999) has also made use of the case study method for exploring the impact on a corporate information system operation department through the adoption and implementation of the balanced scorecard in four different perspectives such as user orientation, corporate value, internal process and future preparation for the measurement and evaluation of the performance of information systems. The results have clearly shown that balanced scorecard can be effective in serving as a successful measurement system in a strategic information system (Chi & Hung, 2011, p.226). On the other hand Chia and Hoon (2000) has tried to study the procedures for the promotion of the balanced scorecard and the criteria establishment process in two of the largest merchandise circulation firms based in Singapore. The results have shown that the promotion of the system has been particularly effective in clarifying the vision of these companies and in the preparation of the strategy to be practiced. Numerous other empirical evidences have shown positive results with the implementation and use of balanced scorecard in organizations. The project brings forth an analysis of the effectiveness of the balance