150+ Useful Character Quirks (Plus a Few Clichés to Avoid)

150+ Useful Character Quirks (Plus a Few Clichà ©s to Avoid) 150+ Useful Character Quirks (Plus a Few Clichà ©s to Avoid) Writing great characters is a constant balancing act - you want each one to have certain quirks and flaws, but you don’t want them to be SO zany that they’re off-putting to readers. So how can you come up with realistic traits that humanize your characters, without falling into clichà ©?Luckily, this post offers a list of over 150 unique character quirks and traits that avoid clichà © and can help make the people in your story much more relatable! But before we get into that, here are a few notes on what character quirks are in stories and how to use them. Check out this list of over 150 character quirks (that you can steal for your book). What are character quirks? Making sourdough - so quirky! (Photo by  Nathan Dumlao)This section contains suggestions for unique strengths and talents, as well as weaknesses or negative traits one might possess.Strengths/talents:Fantastic cook or bakerSkilled musician (piano, guitar, violin, etc.)Artistic talent (drawing, painting, sculpting, etc.)Model athlete (football, hockey, swimming, etc.)Great at voices/ventriloquyCan do sleight-of-hand - may be a pickpocketSpeaks multiple languages, even obscure onesKnows everything about historyMathematical or scientific geniusBrilliant coder and can hack into any databaseSkilled mechanical inventorCan build or put together anythingSuper-quick logical reasoningExceptional memory/genius IQ (several of the above might fall under this one)Special connection with animalsSuper empathetic and understanding of other peopleExtremely fast runnerContortionist (can twist their body into any shape)Psychic talent (can predict the future)Amazing mechanicSuper strength, flying, in visibility or other superpowersUnusually high tolerance for painSurvival skills like hunting and fishingQuick reflexes, acts fast in a crisisBrave and fearless, not scared of anythingAble to talk their way out of any trouble/invent stories on the flyWeaknesses/negative traits:Awful driverAlways running lateIllegible handwritingTerrible at public speakingSocially awkward - hard for them to make friendsHas tons of credit card debt from online shoppingSelf-destructive and always wants what’s worst for themGets blackout drunk every time they go outExtremely conceited or arrogantCompulsive liarManipulative of friendsGets jealous over nothingOften mean for no reasonUnbelievably self-centeredExtremely passive-aggressiveArachnophobia (irrational fear of spiders)Coulrophobia (irrational fear of clowns)Agoraphobia (irrational fear of leaving the house)Pantophobia (fear of everything)Be careful how you incorporate these strengths and weaknesses, as you don’t want their inclusion to seem unnatural. After all, personality traits tend to reveal themselves on a daily basis, but this may not be true for their special talents and fears.Indeed, sometimes the best way to use quirks like these is to surprise your reader with it at the right moment. Maybe it’s the eleventh hour, and your MC has nowhere else to turn, only for their friend’s special skill to save the day!Also, as you can tell from both lists, there’s quite a range of strengths and weaknesses you can give your characters. Some of those talents require more practice than others, and some of the weaknesses are greater flaws than others - for instance, being a mean or manipulative person is obviously much worse than having bad handwriting. However, it’s good to be familiar with a wide range of both major and minor quirks so you can create more well-rounded characters.MiscellaneousThese are idiosyncrasies that don’t really fit into any of the above categories, but could still be of good use in your story.Dresses all in one colorBedroom is decorated exactly like a Pinterest pictureWon’t drink still water, only sparklingRefuses to use headphones and blasts their music in publicAlways dresses too nicely for the occasionWalks around barefoot, even in stores and other public placesHates being inside, sleeps and goes to the bathroom outdoorsCan’t help but look in every mirror they passWears a small plastic backpack everywherePreps their meals three weeks in advanceDrinks shots of espresso all day longSings opera in the showerMakes their own (terrible) abstract art and hangs it on their wallsGets super excited about Christmas and then really depressed in JanuaryRefuses to wear glasses even though they need themCarries around a secret teddy bearHas been wearing the same friendship bracelet for three yearsFastidiously lint-rolls all their clothingWill a shop or restaurant if someone walks in with a babyExtremely superstitious (knocks on wood, avoids the number 13, etc.)Drops everything other people ask them to holdLikes to go out dancing by themselvesPrefers to have the lights off or dimmed at all timesOnly reads books written before 1900Only watches movies that get really bad reviewsAlways wears multiple sweaters on top of each otherWon’t eat anything that doesn’t have bread (at least on the side)Thinks they’re a time-traveler from the medieval eraGives friends and family excellent homemade presentsLeaves the office last every day so they can push all the chairs inHates jagged numbers (always fills their gas tank to the dollar, sends emails on the hour, etc.)Has an imaginary friend they still talk to, even in adulthoodOwns a lizard that they try and use as a guard dogListens exclusively to Britney SpearsLeaves little notes in library books for future readersUses tissues to hold onto poles on public transportationWears their hair in Princess Leia bunsNever goes a day without talking to their momHums â€Å"In the Hall of the Mountain King† when they get stressedClucks their tongue while walking, so they sound like a horseQuotes Pulp Fiction all the timeLoves hanging out in completely empty placesConvinced they’re going to die in a freak accidentGrows all their own food in their vegetable gardenNever pays for train or bus ticketsCan recite Shakespearean sonnetsRecycles and eats vegetarian, but only out of guiltHas a â€Å"vision board† posted on their ceilingLoves the beach but hates swimmingFlicks people in the forehead when they get annoyedLaughs at everything, even bad jokesCurates a great Instagram feed of street art Sings opera, owns a lizard, plus 50 more original quirks to use in your story 🎠¶Ã°Å¸ ¦Å½ Clichà ©d â€Å"quirks† to avoidGiving your characters interesting tics can cross-over into ham-fisted writing if your quirks are used way too much, like the following:Pale skinCrooked smileâ€Å"Intense† stareRelentless clumsinessArtificial hair colors that are supposedly naturalCharacters thinking they’re unattractive when everyone else thinks they’re beautifulBasically, any archetype that hasn’t been developed enoughWhen readers see these traits on the page, they roll their eyes and think, â€Å"Ugh, not again.† Many of these aren’t even quirks, but fairly common traits that the writer attempts to romanticize. Traits like these signify to the reader that the author has barely put any thought into developing their characters - they’ve just chosen ostensibly quirky features that are actually overused and ineffective. So stay away from them at all costs!As we said, the business of selecting and integrating quirks is more compl icated than it seems. But after reading through this guide, you should have a much better understanding of what they are and how to use them†¦ not to mention a tremendous variety of quirks from which to choose! So will your character be a gum-chewing code genius or a short-tempered contortionist? From here on out, it’s all up to you.What are some of your characters' quirks? Tell us in the comments below!

Capitalization of Names of Academic Disciplines

Capitalization of Names of Academic Disciplines Capitalization of Names of Academic Disciplines Capitalization of Names of Academic Disciplines By Mark Nichol When do you capitalize a word or phrase that denotes an academic discipline? This post details the distinctions between these terms as proper nouns and as generic descriptions. If you’re writing a rà ©sumà © or a biographical blurb for yourself or someone else, or editing one, or you’re otherwise referring to an academic discipline, begin one or more words with uppercase or lowercase letters depending on whether the text pertains merely to the discipline itself or to an entity devoted to the discipline, such as a course, a department, or an institution. Note the following examples: â€Å"My course load includes classes in French and astronomy,† but â€Å"My favorite classes last semester were French III and Introduction to Astronomy.† â€Å"He obtained a degree in Asian studies,† but â€Å"He enrolled in the Department of Asian Studies† (or â€Å"the Asian Studies Department†). â€Å"It has always been her ambition to study architecture,† but â€Å"The building that houses the School of Architecture is a disgrace to the discipline.† When references to academic disciplines are listed, as on a business card or a rà ©sumà ©, or in institutional promotional text such as flyers or in lists, they are labels rather than prose, so capitalization is acceptable. On a related note, take care to distinguish between singular and plural terms. For example, social science is a specific academic discipline, the study of society. However, the social sciences are, collectively, the academic disciplines pertaining to humans, such as archaeology, economics, geography, and so on (including social science). (Likewise, observe the distinction between communications and â€Å"mass communication.†) Again, both terms are capitalized only as part of a proper name (for example, â€Å"the Department of Social Science,† â€Å"the Institute of Social Sciences†). In addition, because they constitute standing phrases, they are not hyphenated as a phrasal adjective. (For example, â€Å"The paper examines athletics from a social science perspective.†) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:60 Synonyms for â€Å"Walk†The Letter "Z" Will Be Removed from the English AlphabetArtist vs. Artisan

Web Content Mining Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Web Content Mining - Essay Example As the research stresses search methods along with their underlying methodologies and supporting implementations have presented us with a great variation in structure. While search engines adopt the least structured methods, portals and directories attempt to adopt a fully structured taxonomy based approach. Wikis have evolved as a semi-structured approach that gained popularity as an effective means of topic-based information retrieval. According to the paper findings web pages (the information resources or documents) can also be searched using more advanced methods that involve the use of Boolean expressions to involve inclusions and/or exclusions, as well as to indicate required terms to appear in results. Not all search engines accept identical means of advanced search. Typically, most users repeatedly try simple keywords until they get an interesting set of documents. No matter how sophisticated the search algorithms are, the searchers’ sifting through text within billions of indexed pages is a highly undeterministic process. There are also commercial factors involved in the relative ranking of pages. Many search engine optimization (SEO) firms now specialize in maintaining good rank in search results for their clients’ sites. It is no simple process for a site or a page to be submitted to search engine that it would be found. SEO has become a discipline that involves statistical, marketing, and fi nancial aspects.

A Critical Role in Deterring Smoking Both in the US and in the UK Research Paper

A Critical Role in Deterring Smoking Both in the US and in the UK - Research Paper Example Particularly, according to statistical data, the number of adult smokers in the U.K went down by approximately one million between 2006 and 2007 (Easton, 2009). However, contrary to this observation, the number of heavy smokers has increased to 29% from 24% during the same period and those who planned to quit reduced by approximately 5% from 72% (Easton, 2009). The fall represents an estimated 1.2 million people. The U.K also required the manufacturers to print health warnings on the cigarette packs in an attempt to deter people from smoking. According to the most recent statistics, the U.K has 22% and 19% male and female smokers respectively. Although the U.K has approximately 10 million smokers, there are 15 million ex-smokers indicating that the ban has been effective (Smoking Statistics, 2013). Nevertheless, the U.K has been receiving some troubling news concerning the number of children starting smoking, which stood at 200,000 annually (Cancer Research UK, 2013). On the other ha nd, the U.S has more smokers than the U.K. According to a 2012 statistic, the U.S has at least 42 million smokers, which represents 18.1% of the overall population (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014a, p. 30-32). This number comprises of adults alone or individuals with at least 18 years of age. Of the overall U.S smokers, 78% were heavy smokers. According to race, the American Indians led the smokers with 21% and the behaviour is more common among the males than females with males taking on almost 21% while females represent 15.8%.

Effective Administration Essay Example for Free

Effective Administration Essay Outline the ways in which the Director of Administration and Corporate services and her team can ensure they provides an effective administration service to achieve Accent’s ‘commitment to excellence.’ For the existence and survival of any business it is pertinent to have visions, set objectives and create strategies to achieve these objectives. Because business objectives are long term and in continuum, a machinery is required to design and implement these plans, this is known as administration. Mullins (2007:414 ) defines administration as† a key part of management process that is responsible for the design and implementation of systems and procedures instigated by management to help meet stated objectives†. Structure of the Business (ACCENT HOTEL GROUP) The business runs a chain of seven hotels in major cities and airports. These hotels include 3 and 4 star hotels. It has 8 directors on its board and Daniel Rycaart the founder also as the CEO. Each hotel runs a semi-autonomous strategic business unit and is headed by a General Manager. All the SBUs report directly to CEO. The units headed by the directors: -Administration and corporate service (includes IT) -Finance -Hospitality and hotel services -Human Resources -Legal Service (company Secretary) -Operations and conferences -Risk Management -Sales and Marketing The hotels together offer accommodation to about 800 guests and employ about 800 staff. As part of its commitment to excellence and the provision of a quality experience for all guests, the hotels offers service which include: -Conference suites for day delegates and function rooms for wedding receptions and parties -Evening entertainment in the bar -Indoor heated swimming pool -Leisure centre (gym, sauna, spas, etc for residents and members) -Outdoor terrace -Two bars (one of which offer 24 hour bar meals) -Two restaurants with top chefs (a la carte and self service buffet style) Due to the CEO Vision and business strategy, aiming to achieve ‘100% occupancy all year round was achieved by 40% increase in gross profits in the last four years, due to the group’s ‘commitment to excellence, ‘which has been underpinned by a number of strategic initiatives, stated below; Culture The Group’s culture has ‘changed’ with the introduction of a new management philosophy which sees everyone’s contribution (not just those managing the hotels) as key to its success. This more ‘inclusive’ culture gave all staff an opportunity to input into the Group’s critical success factors and key performance indicators (KPIs). These include: Commitment to excellence via quality, standards of performance and customer service Terms and conditions of employment Outsourcing and in-house services Health, safety and hygiene Occupancy Sales and marketing Ensuring that KPI were written into their business and operational plans and objectives were set and met accordingly would ensure that the organizations visions and strategies were communicated and understood from top to bottom through the organization. Learning and Development The Group’s commitment to being a ‘learning organisation’ and maintaining the status of an ‘Investor in People’ included the setting up of a new Learning  and Development Unit. A learning organisation as defined by Peter Senge (1990) are organisations where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together. The organisation’s commitment to being a learning organisation will ensure that the learning and development needs of the employees were in line with the business objectives of the organization. Performance Management A report, commissioned by Daniel, identified a number of inconsistencies with the outdated performance appraisal system, including the fact that reviews weren’t taking place at regular intervals, individual objectives weren’t linked to strategic, business and operational plans and some employees (including waiters, porters, chamber personnel and seasonal and casual staff) were not as adept at identifying their own learning and development needs. Performance management entails planning. Organizational overall performance depends on achieving outcomes identified by the planning process. Commitment to Excellence Daniel’s vision ‘commitment to excellence’ is the flagship behind the group’s success. However, with the new culture of ‘team work’ and ‘openness’, Daniel is striving to improve on the already successful ‘quality culture’. Daniels has asked for suggestions and ideas from both managers and staff on how service quality and performance could be improved. By linking the results of the internal feedback to performance management and identification of learning needs will further improve the successful quality culture through continuous improvement. Standard Operating Procedures In January 2005, a new set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were introduced to support the new culture, specific operational activities and good planning and control within the Group. The SOPs developed included: _ administrative management _ corporate governance _ customer satisfaction _ knowledge management _ outsourcing Daniel’s vision of ‘a commitment to excellence and the provision of a quality experience for all guests’ could be achieved through effective administration, this could be provided through the provision of systems, procedures, services and resources to support the business. This effectively will be determined on how effective the administrative management system in place is. â€Å"Administrative management can be defined as the effective and efficient management of the administration function and associated processes that support the organization in the achievement of its day-to-day business activities, objectives and strategies†. (Study Guide, p.49) Fayol’s theory on five function of management can also be used by the group in its strive to achieve its visions: 1. Forecasting and planning: This is analysing the future and drawing a course of action to achieve set goals and objectives. Developing administrative objectives and goals, keeping abreast with new development in external environment, determine human resource requirement for the functions and developing administrative budget. 2. Organising: It is the management function of ensuring that all roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. All skill level and training requirements are adequately in place. 3. Directing: This as an administrative function entails commanding to ensure that organizations’ tasks are carried out efficiently and effectively. 4. Coordinating: This is a very important part of management, it entails that all the resources of the organization are aligned to ensure that input, processing and output functions are supported. It is very important to ensure effectiveness and efficiency. 5. Controlling: Control is an integral part of planning process and involve measuring and correcting the performance of organizational objectives and plans, to ensure that they are implemented efficiently and effectively, within set timescales and  allocated resources (Fayol (1916) cited in study, p151). In conclusion, the onus is on the director of administration and corporate services to ensure achievement of the group’s success in its commitment to excellence through cohesiveness, planning, control and coordination of organization activities through effective management skills and administrative management. PART B In order to achieve ‘commitment to excellence’ and continually improve their business practices and services, organizations must put in place sound business strategies that must be flexible in nature so as to be compatible with the challenges and dictates of the business environment. This forces within the environment in which businesses operate have created the need for organisations to be effective and efficient in their resource allocation and administrative measures, thus; the quest for business excellence. Continuous improvement is an ongoing effort to improve products, services or processes. These efforts can seek â€Å"incremental† improvement over time or â€Å"breakthrough† improvement all at once. Continuous Improvement is a strategic approach to driving a cost competitive method for meeting or exceeding customer expectations. Regardless of customer needs, competition, or business challenges, a well executed continuous improvement program can ensure the success of any organization Different models can be used to illustrate and evaluate how organizations can achieve commitment to excellence and continually improve their business practices and services. Some of the widely used tools are identified below: Peters’ and Waterman’s Eight Attributes of Excellence Peters and Waterman in their submission in 1982 looked at some of the best-managed companies in the United States and found that they had a lot of things in common. They compiled a list of eight qualities that they believed to be present in the companies. Although not all eight were present in every company, these qualities regularly stood out. †¢A Bias for Action: Company gets things done; increases knowledge, interest, and commitments. †¢Close to the Customer: Customer satisfaction is very important throughout all the roles that the business plays. †¢Autonomy and Entrepreneurship: Encourage risk taking and innovation. †¢Productivity Through People: Everyone is respectful and enthusiastic towards each other. This creates an atmosphere that enables good work. †¢Hands-on, Value-Driven: Company philosophy and values are discussed openly. Leaders in the organization are also positive role models. †¢Stick to the Knitting: Company focuses on doing what it does best. †¢Simple Form, Lean Staff: Authority is shared as much as possible between the employees. †¢Simultaneous Loose-Tight Properties: Good planning and controlling that still allows for worker autonomy and a less rigid atmosphere. Source: Kreitner (1992) However, organisations should be weary to consider these principles during strategy formulation as against the view that they are solutions to business problems EFQM Business Excellence Model This model was developed in 1992 by the European Foundation for Quality Management. . According to this body; Organisations can proactively identify areas of strengths and weakness which is allowed through a process of self development and in order to sustain this improvement planning and evaluation has to be continuous. The model focuses on the key elements that sustain business excellence, five of which are enablers (what the organisation does) and four of which are results (what an organisation achieves). The model gives equal emphasis to enablers and result. The five enablers are: Leadership People Policy and strategy Partnership and resources Processes. The four areas focusing on results are: People Customers Society Key performance Source:http://www.ims-productivity.com/page.cfm/content/EFQM-Business-Excellence-Model/ Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle Another tools for continuous improvement is the PDCA cycle. This cycle is a four-step quality mode which aims at achieving continuous improvement by identifying opportunities for change and planning for them, followed by actual implementation, monitoring and re-evaluation. This model is also known as Deming Cycle: †¢Plan: This entails identifying an opportunity and planning for change. †¢Do: This involves implementing the change on a small scale. †¢Check: This requires the use data to analyze the results of the change and determine the impact and effect it has had and whether it made a difference. †¢Act: This entails determining if the change was successful, and if yes, it is implemented on a wider scale and continuously assessment of results. However, if the change did not work, the cycle will begin. Six Sigma Another model that can be used in the evaluation of how businesses can achieve continuous improvement is the Six Sigma Model. This model or technique sees tasks as processes that can be defined, measured, analyzed, improved and controlled. All tasks will have inputs and produce outputs. By controlling the inputs, the outputs would have been effectively controlled. This process or model of continuous improvement emphasizes prevention of errors or variation in quality and standards over detection of them. It drives customer satisfaction and achievement of objectives by minimizing variation in quality and waste, with a view of earning competitive advantage. In conclusion, a review of the models above shows that they are all focused on the efforts to improve products, services and or processes with the aim reducing variations and waste. There is an emphasis on inputs, processes and outputs as well as continuous planning and re-evaluation. The Continuous Improvement Model allows organizations to make incremental change to existing processes, adopt new ways to improve and measure productivity and control, discontinue activity that adds no value and increase emphasis and  focus on the organization’s mission and objectives. Getting a continuous improvement environment institutionalized takes Executive Level support. A collaborative team approach inspires workers to make the extra effort and strive to do what is beneficial for the company and in line with management objectives. Management and administrators work with employees to implement change and ensure standards are in place and controls are functioning to optimize productivity while managing cost. REFERENCES David, B. and John, D. (1999) Understanding Learning At work. Routledge. Kreitner, R. (1992). Management. 5th Edition. Geneva: Houghton Mifflin. McLean, J.E. (2005). Contemporary issues In Administration And Management, International Study Guide. MDP (UK) Ltd. http://asq.org/learn-about-quality/continuous-improvement/overview/overview.html http://www.ims-productivity.com/page.cfm/content/EFQM-Business-Excellence-Model/ Senge, P (1992). The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. Century Business

Contemporary British Culture :: essays research papers

4. What differences are there between American and British higher education and how may these be explained?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before coming to study abroad here in Manchester, I didn't realise how different the two higher education systems were. My parents used to always tell me how it was when they grew up and went to school in India, but the connection between India and England never clicked till I actually got here. The obvious difference that comes to mind is the way the two systems are funded. Another is the way a student picks his course of study. Now these two differences are ones anyone can learn about from books, but there is one huge difference that one can only experience by coming here. That is the social aspect and how diverse the university here really is compared to most in the United States. Let us explore these differences and the causes for them in more detail.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When picking a university to attend in the United States, tuition and room and board costs play a vital role. In most cases, the cost is what makes the final decision because out of state or private schools cost almost double to attend than instate or public schools. This decision making process would never take place here because cost is not a deciding factor. The difference lies in the way the two systems are funded.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the states, government funding plays a very small role. Every student is allowed to fill out a free financial aid form where one must enclose family income, assets, number of children, cost of attending chosen school among other things that the government looks upon and determines how much money will be awarded. Basically, it's award is only need-based. The rest of the money owed can either be paid off or borrowed from the school or banks in the form of interest-cumulating loans. Now in Britain, the government provides all of tuition costs and gives out grants and loans for living expenses. Students used to just need enough money for personal expenses, but the government doesn't provide living expenses anymore so money needs to be secured for that as well by students(Ainley). The grants and loans offered here are usually interest free as well. Some of my friends tell me that their loans don't need to be paid back until they graduate and have a secure job. What are some possible reasons for this difference?

A Memory

Remembered Event A remembered event is when something important and interesting happens in a person’s life. These days will leave good memories and emotions in people’s mind and it will be memorable forever. These days are usually one that people will always want to talk about and remember every moment of it. One of the most remembered events in my life is the birth of my brother. It was March, 2008 when I found out that my mother is pregnant.I was upset at the beginning, because all my life I was the only child in my family and I was kind of mad, because I realized that now my parents will pay attention at the new child, leaving me as the second plan. Up until December, I had bad relationships with my parents, especially with my mother. Then, it was the beginning of December and I went on vacation with my aunt for a few weeks. One day before we had to come back to Moscow, my grandmother called me and said that my mother is in the hospital and that she will most likely have the baby the next day.We already knew that it will be a boy. The next day I had my flight and we stopped half way because we had some problems with the plane, so I decided to call my parents and let them know about this situation. When I talked to my parents and my grandmother they told me that I have a baby brother now. At this moment something happened to me and everything changed inside. I was so happy to hear the good news. I was thinking about this the rest of my flight and I wanted to get home faster to go and see my brother.Next day, when I got home, my grandmother and I decided to go and visit my mother and brother at the hospital. I could not wait to get there, because I was really excited to see my baby brother for the first time. Finally when we got there, I met my mother and after that the doctor brought in my little brother. The first moment when I saw him I was so happy and I took him into my hands. He was so small and he looked like me with his blue eyes and blon d hair. I almost cried at this moment. I realized that now he is the most important person in my life and he will be very close to me all my life.We will be always together now and be able help to each other. Now, my brother is 4 years old. Those years passed very fast. Sometimes I do not like him at all and I can fight with him. He is very annoying sometimes because he has bad character and he is very active. It is too hard with him sometimes, but no matter what I understand he is still very little and of course he will change. I am very thankful to my mother now that I have him. I do not know how my life will be even in the future without him. Now, I will always have support from his side.The past year I spent in America and throughout this time I cannot see how he is growing up like I used to. I am so sad because I cannot see him now, at the most interesting time and age for children. But I still call my parents every day and I can see him and talk with him. December, 2008 change d my life completely with my brother’s birth. I am the happiest person because I have him. It was my big mistake at the beginning, when I was getting mad at my parents and did not want to have a brother or sister. After his birth all my family became more and more important for me.Me and my brother 14 years apart, but this is very good for both of us because he will learn so much from me and I will always protect him. He also will help me with everything and we will be together when we will have problems, help each other and be around our parents when they will be older. I think, it is very important in life to have brother or sister no matter if they are younger, older or same age. Still, this is a person for support, to grow up together with, and to learn something from each other.

Basic Concepts of Effective Communication

Objectives: * Describe the nature of communication in science and technology; * Understand the meaningful process of communication; * Explain the components of communication; * Overcome their difficulties in communication; * Consider the most describable characteristics of an effective style for technical writing; and * Compare and contrast technical writing from nontechnical writing. The nature of Communication Communication comes from the Latin word con-meaning with, munus- meaning a business, communis meaning common, and commonico-to confer or to relate with one another.In layman’s language, communication emanates from the need to share ideas or information from one person to another by the use of symbols such as words, pictures, figures and graphs. Common Concepts about Communication Different authorities have common concepts about communication. Some of these are present hereunder. * Communication is a purposive activity which is prompted by need to express ideas, feeling s, attitude and course of action to attain a predetermined goal * Communication is the process of conveying and exchanging facts, ideas, and research results.Communication is a two-way process which entails a communicator and a receiver. * Communication is a continuing process which Is interactive. * Communication emerges in response to the different functions and contexts that it calls for. Be it oral or written, people communicate to ask and give information explain something, agree or argue with others, narrate or describe an event, report an accomplishment, and so forth. * Communication is needed when recent discoveries, inventions and developments in science and technology are to be disseminated.Its importance is also felt when pertinent information should be imparted through letters, reports and memoranda. People are by nature social beings. They have to interact to attain a common goal. In so doing, use of language to communicate their ideas, opinions and feelings is undeniab ly inevitable. In communication, the skillful use of language can readily influence the opinion beliefs, values and behaviors of the members of an organization. Particularly, the use of simple, concise and accurate language in giving instructions in a certain industry or firm can facilitate mutual understanding between and among employee and employers.Effective communication is one of the determiners of success in any organization. It is an essential instrument in implementing the goals and objectives of a company. It serves as a tool in decision- making , providing permanent record, information from top to bottom level of management, and the like. As such, it plays an important role in the operational efficiency of a form. Written communication, specification reports, could be considered as the prime mechanism by which technical men and businessmen transmit their messages to action. Likewise, jobs to be done in any firm or organization are formally requested through communication.F indings of researches are known through oral and written communication. Oral presentation of reports is usually done in top-level management meetings. Consider the following illustrations: * In the morning, the engineer listens to the weather bureau’s forecast for the day over the ratio. * For a panel discussion, the computer technician presents through Powerpoint each detail of the researcher’s report. * A Veterinary Medicine sophomore writes a research paper on â€Å"The Effects of Rabies on Humans†. Each of the abovementioned situations illustrates the call for communication.The individual, in each of the examples cited, enters the common, shared world of other human beings. Aside from oral and written communication, there are other means of communication like facial expressions, Gestures, nods, signal, marks on paper, electric data and others. However, the raw materials of language are the sounds made by the human voice and the written patterns that are form ed from with them. The Process of Communication The cycle of communication, according to Eugene White , can also be applied in oral communication for science and technology.This is usually done in presenting/reporting periodic activities during meetings with top management. The presentor will undergo eight stages: thinking, symbolizing, expressing, transmitting, receiving, decoding, reacting and monitoring. The speaker will think of what information will be provided to the audience. These ideas which will be transformed into words and sentences will be expressed to the listeners through an organized report. Such will affect the receiver via sound waves. As the message is sent, the reciever’s mind starts decoding the information.The value of the information to the listener/receiver and the clarity of presentation will affect the reactions. Being aware of the audience’s reaction, the presentor and ends with his monitoring activities. Components of the Communication Proce ss The communication process consists of the following components: A. Communication Situation- the particular context by which a need to tell something arises; B. Communicator- the provider of the information; C. Medium- this consist of oral and written modes of communication; D. Information-the message that will be imparted to a particular audience and; E.Receiver- the reader or listener of the information Reports in Communication Process The communication process consists of the following components: A. Communication Situation- the particular context by which a need to tell something arises. B. Communicator- the provider of the information. C. Medium- this consists of oral and written modes of communication. D. Information- the message that will be imparted to a particular audience. E. Receiver- the reader or listener of the information. Reports in the Communication Process How do reports fit into the communication process? It requires a minimum of two persons to communicate.In th e case of superior-subordinate relationship, communication usually emanates from the former if he/she wants a certain course of action to be done. The subordinate, who is the report writer, will research and gather facts in fulfillment of the assignment give to him. If the supervisor is satisfied with the information given, the communication process will stop temporarily. But if it does not meet his standards, additional work will be asked for. Thereby, the process of communication will start again. In sum, communication process is unsending- it’s a continuing process.Suppose the writer developed a description of the three phenomena, all in one paragraph. The paragraph would run quite long. Instead of one long paragraph, write three shorter ones, one on each phenomenon so that the material can be separated into small units. The style which is characterized by objectivity accuracy and conciseness should be utilized to communicate with people who belong to specialized professio ns. Example: Operation was becoming uneconomical both labor and full costs were more than what had been anticipated. -Adapted The word operation has different meanings to different people.In this case, it means a military action or mission. The scientific style of writing uses the third person and the passive voice for an impersonal approach in writing. If possible, avoid using â€Å"I† which will only lead to subjectivity. Technical writing is concerned with the action being done and not the person who has done action. This concept does not imply that the use of personal pronouns and verbs in the active voice is erroneous. However, the adaptation of such will also create another style of writing. Example: Set up the testing equipment in the laboratory and run three tests before I read the conclusions stated in this report. First Person, Singular, Active Voice) The testing equipment was set up in the laboratory and three tests were run before the conclusions stated in this re port. (Third Person, Passive Voice)-Adapted The second example is the style commonly found in technical reports. Qualities of Good and Effective Scientific and Technical Style Some of the qualities that could lead to a good and effective scientific and technical style are the following : * Honesty about facts * Care in obtaining and evaluating the facts * Accuracy in Presenting Data * Dignity and Restraint in Manner Objectivity in Analyzing and Interpreting Information Ways of Presenting Information Different companies have varied ways of presenting information. Some follow standard formats and others adopt their own format. This denotes that all technical writers must consider the usual practice of a certain company and the expectation of the receiver of the message. Hence, the use of formal or informal style is dependent upon context. Personal communication between business associates or personal friends calls for a Personal Writing Style while major reports which are submitted to top management are usually Impersonal in Style.It requires the format of a report. Requisites of a Technical Style The following are the requisites of a technical style in writing: Factual- refers to the orderly presentation of facts and ideas which could be achieved through careful planning. Functional- gives pertinent information and does not amuse or argue with anybody else. Informative- conveys facts and information. Objective- free from biases and prejudices, personal beliefs, emotions and attitudes. Concreteness- tantamount to definiteness, therefore generalizations should be supported by concrete facts or evidences.Consistency- the shift of tense and point of view in presenting a report will lead to inconsistency. Shifting of such will affect the personality of the writer and his style as well. For long and formal reports, it is better to use the third person consistently. Dignity- is achieved when the writer avoids colloquial/slang expressions and contractions. Simplicity- simple and familiar words are more emphatic and striking, hence, highfalutin words are less preferred in technical writing.

Fuel Cell Technology

Fuel Cell Technology Free Online Research Papers This paper investigates the physics behind the fuel cells.Starting from its meaning ,its historical origin,to frequently asked questions associated with it ,then we go into some research work performed on it and try to understand its results .Concluding the paper with discussing our own understanding in the topic. Introduction: Fuel Cell, device in which the energy of a chemical reaction is converted directly into electricity. Unlike a battery, a fuel cell does not run down; it operates as long as fuel and an oxidant are supplied continuously from outside the cell. A fuel cell consists of an anode, the negative end of an electric circuit, and a cathode, the positive end of an electric circuit, separated by an electrolyte. Electrolytes are substances that allow ions (particles formed when a neutral atom or molecule gains or loses one or more electrons) to pass through them. Fuel flows to the anode, and an oxidant flows to the cathode. The chemical reaction between the fuel and the oxidant produces an electric current. Fuel cells are different from conventional electrochemical cell batteries in that they consume reactant from an external source, which must be replenished -a thermodynamically open system. By contrast, batteries store electrical energy chemically and hence represent a thermodynamically closed system. Historical origin: In 1800, British scientists William Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle had described the process of using electricity to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen. But combining the gases to produce electricity and water was, according to Grove, a step further that any hitherto recorded. Grove realized that by combining several sets of these electrodes in a series circuit he might effect the decomposition of water by means of its composition. He soon accomplished this feat with the device he named a gas battery– the first fuel cell. William Robert Grove (1811 -1896), a Welsh lawyer turned scientist, won renown for his development of an improved wet-cell battery in 1838. The Grove cell, as it came to be called, used a platinum electrode immersed in nitric acid and a zinc electrode in zinc sulfate to generate about 12 amps of current at about 1.8 volts. â€Å"Despite their modern high-tech aura, fuel cells actually have been known to science for more than 150 years. Though generally considered a curiosity in the 1800s, fuel cells became the subject of intense research and development during the 1900s.† SOURCE: PR-Inside.com Some FAQS(Frequently Asked Questions): (i) What is so interesting about fuel cells? Ans. Direct energy conversion (no combustion) No moving parts in the energy converter Quiet Demonstrated high availability of lower temperature units Siting ability Fuel flexibility Demonstrated endurance/reliability of lower temperature units Good performance at off-design load operation Modular installations to match load and increase reliability Remote/unattended operation Size flexibility Rapid load following capability (ii) Being so good and energy efficient why can’t I go out and buy a fuel cell? Ans. The basic workings of a fuel cell may not be difficult to illustrate. But building inexpensive, efficient, reliable fuel cells is a far more complicated business.Many of the choices facing fuel cell developers are constrained by the choice of electrolyte. The design of electrodes, for example,and the materials used to make them depend on the electrolyte. (iii) What is the future potential of fuel cells technology? Ans. Fuel cells in vehicles combine very high-energy efficiency with zero exhaust emissions and potentially low noise without diminishing its performance and range. In the medium to long term, fuel cells have a strong energy saving potential for decentralised co- generation in households and buildings and for power production. In the long term they could replace a large part of the current combustion systems in all energy end use sectors. Different Types of fuel cells: Alkali fuel cell Molten carbonate fuel cell Phosphoric Acid fuel cells (PAFC) Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells Solid oxide fuel cell Alkali fuel cells operate on compressed hydrogen and oxygen.Molten Carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) use high-temperature compounds of salt (like sodium or magnesium) carbonates (chemically, CO3) as the electrolyte.Phosphoric Acid fuel cells (PAFC) use phosphoric acid as the electrolyte.Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells work with a polymer electrolyte in the form of a thin, permeable sheet.Solid Oxide fuel cells (SOFC) use a hard, ceramic compound of metal (like calcium or zirconium) oxides (chemically, O2) as electrolyte.Alkali fuel cells have maximum efficiency(70-80%). Fig1.1: Alkali Fuel cell Fig1.2: Molten Carbonate Fuel cell Fig1.3: Phosphoric Acid and P.E.M fuel cell Table 1.1 Electrochemical Reactions in Fuel Cells Fuel Cell Anode Reaction Cathode Reaction Alkaline H2 + 2(OH)(-) ? 2H2O + 2e- H2 + 2(OH)- ? 2H2O + 2e- 1?2 O2 + H2O + 2e- ? 2(OH)- Molten Carbonate H2 + CO3(2-) ? H2O + CO2 + 2e- CO + CO3(2-) ? 2CO2 + 2e- 1?2 O2 + CO2 + 2e- ? CO3 (2-) Polymer Electrolyte and Phosphoric Acid H2 ? 2H(+) + 2e- 1?2 O2 + 2H+ + 2e- ? H2O Solid Oxide H2 + O(2-) ? H2O + 2e- CO + O(2-)? CO2 + 2e- CH4 + 4O(2-) ? 2H2O + CO2+8e- 1?2 O2 + 2e- ? O(2-) In the next section , I am breifly discussing on a major problem related to fuel cell i.e storage of fuel , as we know hydrogen fuel cell is a potent energy source for future but its storage is a big challenge for scientists even today. Research Papers on Fuel Cell TechnologyBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfGenetic EngineeringOpen Architechture a white paperPETSTEL analysis of IndiaRiordan Manufacturing Production PlanIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalResearch Process Part OneStandardized TestingThe Project Managment Office SystemAnalysis Of A Cosmetics Advertisement

How to Write a Research Paper on Breast Cancer

How to Write a Research Paper on Breast Cancer Research Paper on Breast Cancer How to start a research paper on breast cancer Tips on how to start Example of an outline Example of a breast cancer research paper thesis Example of an introduction How to write body paragraphs for a research paper on breast cancer Tips on body writing Example of the 1st body paragraph Example of the 2nd body paragraph Example of the 3rd body paragraph How to finish a research paper on breast cancer Tips on conclusion writing Example of a conclusion Tips on research paper revision How to start a research paper on breast cancer The first is to think about the introductory part of the research paper on breast cancer that aims to catch the eyes of the reader. Researching is important to know more about the prevalence of breast cancer, the cause, the prevalence, and the impact on the population. The rationale is to gain more knowledge about breast cancer that is potentially hazardous to the longevity and the health and well-being of the person. Tips on how to start A research paper must have an introduction to introduce the topic that will try to familiarize the leaders about the topic that will be discussed. The researcher should collect important data to ensure that the research process is ready to consolidate and present it to the audience. There should be an outline for each research study on a certain topic such as breast cancer as one of the most dangerous diseases in the world today. Identify what method of analysis will be applied to the research paper if it is either qualitative or quantitative. A research paper must have at least a thesis statement that provides a formal way to introduce the topic to the readers. Example of an outline I. Introduction A. Background about breast cancer B. Problem statement about breast cancer C. History of breast cancer D. Thesis II. Body Section A. Factors affecting breast cancer B. Why breast cancer is a concerning disease III. Body Section A. Complications of breast cancer B. Pathophysiology of breasts with cancer IV. Body Section A. Diagnostic testing B. Breast cancer treatment C. Prevention against breast cancer V. Conclusion A. Relating the background of the story B. Restating the thesis. Example of a breast cancer research paper thesis Women who fail to conduct breast self-assessment indicate lack of awareness about the risk of developing breast cancer. Others do not undergo a regular check-up to determine if they are either at risk or not for developing breast cancer. Females only notice that they are now suffering if they are already feeling the signs and symptoms until it is already too late to undergo for treatment. Example of introduction Breast cancer is defined as the process of suffering from both benign and malignant tumors on either or both of the breasts of the patient. This is caused by either a modifiable or nonmodifiable risk factor which concerns with the severity and the prevalence on the presence of cancer cells on the affected parts of the body. Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease, especially if the stage of the disease is already on its terminal stage without being screened (Siu, 2016). The cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, causing another form of infection to the affected tissue or organ of the body. This paper will be discussing the prevalence rate, mortality, and morbidity of breast cancer, which affects millions of patients around the world. How to write body paragraphs for a research paper on breast cancer Every researcher should know that the body paragraph of every research paper is important because it seeks to expound the main discussion of the subject. The body is where the main topic is being discussed. Researchers will be able to define, relate examples, and its impacts on the target individuals regarding the issues that are relevant to the research topic. Tips on body writing The body should be segmented into different parts that separately discuss several key issues relevant to the main subject of the study. Each segment should have a literature study to further explain the significance of the main subject matter to different kinds of topics being discussed from the paper. The body needs credible sources as the researcher explains the relevance of the subject matter through specific details that are connected with the research topic. Each discussion from every segment of the research should be supported with examples to narrate the whole scenario of the topic being discussed. Each discussion should be always concise and not be beating around the bush. Example of the 1st body paragraph The modifiable cause of breast cancer is related to the lifestyle of the patient, which affects their health. This includes their sedentary lifestyle, which plays an important role in limiting their proactive lifestyle, impacting their health and longevity. The non-modifiable factor is attributed to their gender as a female because most sufferers of breast cancers are all females. Heredity and age is also an inevitable scenario, impacting the risk of developing similar health care situation to the next generation kin of the patients (Biswas, Oh, Faulkner, Bajaj, Silver, Mitchell Alter, 2015). Example of the 2nd body paragraph Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease of the human body. Visible signs and symptoms include unusual enlargement of the breast, lump on the breast, tenderness of the breast, and unusual discharges from the breast. If left untreated, palliative care is the only applicable treatment applied to the patient (Moyer, 2013). Example of the 3rd body paragraph Surgical removal of the cancerous cyst is recommended for patients suffering from the disease. This includes double mastectomy so that the patient’s affected organs and tissues will no longer infect other parts of the body. Radiation or chemotherapy is the most common treatment applied to the patient along with the medication regimen as well as screening procedures (Gotzsche Jorgensen, 2013). How to finish a research paper on breast cancer It is best to finish the research paper with wrapping up what has been said and giving recommendations. This is to end the conversation between a reader and the presented research. Tips on conclusion writing Provide a detailed outline of the research regarding the pertinent data being discussed. Always use a concise way of concluding each paragraph. State your final thoughts about the main subject of the topic such as the impact of breast cancer on the society. Reveal insight corresponding to the issue is associated with the relevance of breast cancer prevalence to the society. Recommendations should be applied for the concluding paragraph, stating what can be done to prevent breast cancer development to the society. Example of a conclusion It has been concluded that breast cancer is prevalent if the patient was not aware of the proper handling of diet management and having an uncontrollable sedentary lifestyle. Even if you are at risk, breast cancer is still a disease that could affect your health and longevity. We should realize that breast cancer is a life-threatening disease and could happen to anyone who was practicing a poor healthy lifestyle. Preventive measures such as engaging in a productive dissemination and awareness program are important to increase the number of individuals who are willing to cooperate with health care professionals. Tips on research paper revision It is important to proofread before finalizing the paper this is to check all grammatical inconsistencies or grammars. Check if the sources exist online so that it is easier for the audience to have an access to the facts. Refer to your research adviser to know other issues that are needed to be changed or revised. Never consider your paper as the final output prior to your defense. Proofread multiple times as possible before submitting to the adviser or prior to defense. References Biswas A, Oh PI, Faulkner GE, Bajaj RR, Silver MA, Mitchell MS Alter DA (2015). Sedentary Time and Its Association With Risk for Disease Incidence, Mortality, and Hospitalization in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.  Annals of Internal Medicine.  162  (2): 123–32.   Gà ¸tzsche PC, Jà ¸rgensen KJ (2013). Screening for breast cancer with mammography..  The Cochrane database of systematic reviews.  6: CD001877.   Moyer VA (2013). Medications for Risk Reduction of Primary Breast Cancer in Women: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement..  Annals of Internal Medicine.  159: 698–708.   Siu, Albert L. (12 January 2016). Screening for Breast Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.  Annals of Internal Medicine.  164: 279–96.

Retail Branding Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Retail Branding - Essay Example The current interest in retail branding is scarcely to be wondered at, given that, as Ailawadi and Keller acknowledged, ‘’With the growing realization that brands are one of a firm’s most intangible assets, branding has emerged as a top management priority in the last decade’ (p.1). If one looks at a breakdown of the revenue of a major retailer, one will usually find that a large proportion of that revenue comes from the sale of manufacturer’s goods. However, this poses problems for retailers given the incredibly competitive nature of the marketplace – many stores might stock exactly the same goods, and quite probably at similar prices. They thus have to focus on developing marketing strategies which will encourage consumers, when faced with a choice of stores, all of which sell what they want, to choose one over another. As Ailawadi and Keller note, ‘building their [retailers] own equity is a particularly challenging problem, but one wi th big potential rewards. Such equity insulates them from competing retailers’ (p.1). The definition of retail branding offered by the Canadian Marketing Blog supports this, stating that it ‘is about differentiating, a unique personality, a true point of difference’. ... n incredibly wide range of factors, from the assortment of goods on offer in the store, to the level of customer service and comfort they experienced while shopping there, to their pricing and credit policies, and of course the quality of the goods sold. This stands in contrast to a consumer’s opinion of a product brand, which is more likely to have been constructed mostly from their opinions on that product’s marketing campaigns, and any experiences they’ve had of that brand’s goods. Identifying the manifold elements that strongly influence the construction and perception of a retailers’ brand image, we might conclude that the general atmosphere in the store, the prices and presence or absence of attractive promotions or reductions, and the range of products are perhaps the most important. One might think that price is always the most important factor in decisions made by consumers, but Brown highlighted long ago that price perception is more impor tant that actual prices. In short, if a retailer intends to market its brand based principally on its price, Brown found that for consumers, what was important was that they believed a store’s prices to be low, rather than whether they actually were. Therefore, a retailer has to work on getting all of these elements right in order to create the best possible experience for consumers frequenting their stores, in order to build up networks of loyalty and patronage among consumers. The key is winning over large numbers of consumers who believe that a particular retailer offers a superior shopping experience, and will recommend that retailer to their friend and family networks, as well a visiting it again themselves. Of course, manufacturer brands, as Ailawadi and Keller acknowledge, can be useful in creating a

Comparing Between American Education and Saudi Education Research Paper

Comparing Between American Education and Saudi Education - Research Paper Example A comparison between the weakest and the strongest education systems can assist in understanding the benefits of a good educational system and provide guidance for the improvement of the weak educational system. It is for this reason that I want to compare the American Education and Saudi Education to understand the shortcomings of the educational system of Saudi Arabia. America is a nation with a very strong educational system whereas Saudi Arabia lacks in this field and it is for this reason that a comparison of the education in the two countries can highlight the factors that need to be improved in the education of Saudi Arabia. The governments in the United States and Saudi Arabia both work extensively for the promotion of the education in their respective countries. Both the countries are known to spend extensively for improving the educational sector. The countries offer free education to students till the school level. Saudi Arabia also offers financial assistance to students for further education. The two countries have similar sets of schools which include the schools of the public sector, the government sector and the option of home schooling is also available. But there are still many differences in the education imparted in two countries. This can be understood by comparing the literacy rates of the two countries. 99 percent of the males as well as the females in the United States are educated. On the other hand, only 84.7 percent males and 70.8 percent females are literate in Saudi Arabia. The two countries have many similarities in their educational systems but striking differences have also been noted. The education system in Saudi Arabia has a strong role of religion and Islamic studies are a compulsory part of the curriculum in the educational institutions in the country. This is not true in the United States as religious studies are not compulsory in most of the educational institutions. The grading system in the two countries is also differen t. In the United States, students are given grades from A to F where A is the highest grade and F is the lowest one. On the other hand, the grading system in Saudi Arabia is from 5 to 1 with 5 being the highest mark and 1 being the lowest. The two countries also have different policies with regard to attendance in the educational institutions. In the United States, there is a compulsion for the students to be present in their schools. This is implemented in primary and secondary educational institutions. This rule is not implied in Saudi Arabia and attendance in primary and secondary schools is not checked with much strictness (Stevenson). Medical education is extremely important for all the countries of the world. There is a sharp difference between the medical educational system and practicing in the United States and Saudi Arabia. The United States has very good medical institutions that excel in teaching medicine and are marked to be the best across the globe. Furthermore, there are many educational programs for the medical health professionals and there are strictly regulated examinations in the country which ensure the fact that qualified professionals enter the field (Dezee et al 521). On the other hand, medical education in Saudi Arabia lacks these qualities. Many new medical instituti