Can a Company Eliminate Inventory Essay

Irrespective of the type of business that a company engages in, whether manufacturing, distribution or services, maintaining a certain quantity of inventory is inevitable. The quantum will depend on the operations of the company as well its policies relating to inventory storage and accounting. However advances in technology and new techniques of production have made it possible for companies to reduce inventory, albeit not eliminate it completely. Technological innovations and developments including barcode readers, asset tracking devices, inventory management software and Point of Sales (POS) systems, among others, aid greatly in reducing excess inventory. With the help of these devices a company is made aware of the exact quantity and type of stock it possesses. Sales, purchases and stock-in-progress are readily recorded and the resulting final stock value can be determined immediately. As a result, the company can identify the excess stock present and choose to either reduce production or increase deliveries to customers. This will decrease the inventory. Moreover, with the use of inventory management software, a company can plan and schedule the production process in a manner so as to manufacture the quantity of goods that will match the demand for the same. Various new techniques of production that reduce inventory, and thereby costs, have also been developed. The most popular one is the Just-in-Time (JIT) method of production or the Toyota Production System. The JIT system integrates various areas of production and management to reduce inventory and the costs associated with its storage and supervision. It relies on signals called â€Å"Kanban† that notify when the next part of the process must be implemented. Production is driven by demand and the system stresses upon such inventory-reducing methods as reducing lot-sizes, ensuring frequent deliveries and reduction of number of parts. Thus, advances in technology have allowed companies to significantly reduce their inventory. With the use of these innovations, a company can discern the actual need for inventory and plan its production and other operations accordingly. Wastage of stock as well as money will be diminished. Nonetheless it must be noted that no company can survive with zero inventory. Every company will have to maintain a certain amount of stock to continue operations without interruption. Thus, advancements in technology can help a company to reduce inventory to a large extent, but not to eliminate it completely.

Yaxchilan - Classic Maya City-State in Mexico

Yaxchilan - Classic Maya City-State in Mexico Yaxchiln is a Classic period Maya site located on the riverbank of the Usamacinta river that borders the two modern countries of Guatemala and Mexico. The site lies within a horseshoe meander on the Mexican side of the river and today the site can only be reached by boat. Yaxchiln was founded in the 5th century AD and reached its maximum splendor in the 8th century AD. Famous for its more than 130 stone monuments, among which include carved lintels and stelae depicting images of royal life, the site also represents one of the most elegant examples of classic Maya architecture. Yaxchiln and Piedras Negras There are many extant and legible inscriptions in Maya hieroglyphs at Yaxchilan, which provide us a nearly unique glimpse into the political history of Maya city-states. At Yaxchilan, for most Late Classic rulers we have dates associated with their births, accessions, battles, and ceremonial activities, as well as their ancestors, descendants, and other kinsmen and companions. Those inscriptions also allude to an ongoing conflict with its neighbor Piedras Negra, located on the Guatemalan side of the Usumacinta, 40 kilometers (25 miles) upriver from Yaxchilan. Charles Gordon and colleagues from the Proyecto Paisaje Piedras Negras-Yaxchilan have combined archaeological data with information from the inscriptions at both Yaxchilan and Piedras Negras, compiling a political history of the intertwined and competing Maya city-states. Early Classic 350-600 AD: Both communities began as small cities during the Early Classic in the 5th and 6th centuries AD, when their royal dynasties were established. As early as the 5th century, a neutral zone existed between Piedras Negras and Yaxchilan that was not controlled by either polity; and warfare was limited to a few, unusual episodes of direct conflict.Late Classic 600-810 AD: During the Late Classic, the neutral zone was repopulated and transformed into a contested frontier. Warfare was most frequent in the 8th century AD  and involved the governors of secondary and tertiary centers loyal to each combatant.Between the 7th and 8th centuries AD, Yaxchiln gained power and independence under the rulers Itzamnaaj B’alam II and his son Bird Jaguar IV. Those rulers extended their dominion over other nearby sites and started an ambitious construction program that included most of what is visible on at Yaxchilan today. At about 808, Piedras Negras lost its ruler to Ya xchilan; but that victory was brief. Terminal Classic 810-950 AD: By 810, both polities were in decline and by AD 930, the region was essentially depopulated. Site Layout Visitors arriving at Yaxchiln for the first time will be mesmerized by the tortuous, dark passageway known as â€Å"the Labyrinth† leading into the main plaza, framed by some of the most important buildings of the site. Yaxchiln is made up of three major complexes: the Central Acropolis, the South Acropolis, and the West Acropolis. The site is built over a high terrace facing the Usumacinta river on the north and extending beyond there into the hills of the Maya lowlands. Main Buildings The heart of Yaxchilan is called the Central Acropolis, which overlooks the main plaza. Here the main buildings are several temples, two ballcourts, and one of the two hieroglyphic stairways. Located in the central acropolis, Structure 33 represents the apex of Yaxchiln architecture and its Classic development. The temple was probably constructed by the ruler Bird Jaguar IV or dedicated to him by his son. The temple, a large room with three doorways decorated with stucco motifs, overlooks the main plaza and stands on an excellent observation point for the river. The real masterpiece of this building is its nearly intact roof, with a high crest or roof comb, a frieze, and niches. The second hieroglyphic stairway leads to the front of this structure. Temple 44 is the main building of the West Acropolis. It was constructed by Itzamnaaj B’alam II around 730 AD to commemorate his military victories. It is decorated with stone panels depicting his war captives. Temple 23 and its Lintels Temple 23  is located on the southern side of the main plaza of Yaxchilan, and it was built about AD 726 and dedicated by the ruler Itzamnaaj B’alam III (also known as Shield Jaguar the Great) [ruled 681-742 AD] to his principal wife Lady K’abal Xook. The single-room structure has three doorways each bearing carved lintels, known as Lintels 24, 25, and 26. A lintel is the load-bearing stone at the top of a doorway, and its massive size and location led the Maya (and other civilizations) to use it as a place to exhibit their skill at decorative carving. Temple 23s lintels were rediscovered in 1886 by the British explorer Alfred Maudslay, who had the lintels cut out of the temple and sent to the British Museum where they are now located. These three pieces are almost unanimously considered among the finest stone reliefs of the entire Maya region. Recent excavations by the Mexican archaeologist Roberto Garcia Moll identified two burials under the temple floor: one of an aged woman, accompanied by a rich offering; and the second of an old man, accompanied by an even richer one. These are believed to be Itzamnaaj Balam III and one of his other wives; Lady Xooks tomb is thought to be in the adjacent Temple 24, because it features an inscription recording the queens death in AD 749. Lintel 24 Lintel 24 is the easternmost of three door lintels above the doorways in Temple 23, and it features a scene of the Maya bloodletting ritual performed by Lady Xook, which took place, according to the accompanying hieroglyphic text, in October of 709 AD. The king Itzamnaaj Balam III is holding a torch above his queen who is kneeling in front of him, suggesting that the ritual is taking place at night or in a dark, secluded room of the temple. Lady Xook is passing a rope through her tongue, after having pierced it with a stingray spine, and her blood is dripping onto bark paper in a basket. The textiles, headdresses and royal accessories are extremely elegant, suggesting the high status of the personages. The finely carved stone relief emphasizes the elegance of the woven cape worn by the queen. The king wears a pendant around his neck portraying the sun god and a severed head, probably of a war captive, adorns his headdress. Archaeological Investigations Yaxchiln was rediscovered by explorers in the 19th century. The famous English and French explorers Alfred Maudslay and Desirà © Charnay visited the ruins of Yaxchilan at the same time and reported their findings to different institutions. Maudslay also made the fist map of the site. Other important explorers and, later on, archaeologists that worked at Yaxchiln were Tebert Maler, Ian Graham, Sylvanus Morely, and, recently, Roberto Garcia Moll. In the 1930s, Tatiana Proskouriakoff studied the epigraphy of Yaxchilan, and on that basis built a history of the site, including a sequence of the rulers, still relied on today. Sources Edited and updated by K. Kris Hirst Golden C, and Scherer A. 2013. Territory, trust, growth, and collapse in Classic period Maya kingdoms. Current Anthropology 54(4):397-435.Golden C, Scherer AK, Muà ±oz AR, and Vasquez R. 2008. Piedras Negras and Yaxchilan: Divergent Political Trajectories in Adjacent Maya Polities. Latin American Antiquity 19(3):249-274.Golden CW, Scherer AK, and Muà ±oz AR. 2005. Exploring the Piedras Negras- Yaxchilan Border Zone: Archaeological Investigations in the Sierra del Lacandon, 2004. Mexicon 27(1):11-16.Josserand JK. 2007. The Missing Heir at Yaxchiln: Literary Analysis of a Maya Historical Puzzle. Latin American Antiquity 18(3):295-312.Miller M, and Martin S. 2004. Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya. Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco and Thames and Hudson.ONeil ME. 2011. Object, memory, and materiality at Yaxchilan: The reset lintels of Structures 12 and 22. Ancient Mesoamerica 22(02):245-269.Simon, M, and Grube N. 2000, Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering the Dynasties of the Ancient Maya. Thames Hudson, London and New York. Tate C. 1992, Yaxchilan: The Design of a Maya Ceremonial City. University of Texas Press, Austin.

What Peasants and Laborers Wore in the Medieval Ages

What Peasants and Laborers Wore in the Medieval Ages While the fashions of the upper classes were changing with the decade (or at least the century), peasants and laborers stuck to the useful, modest garments their progenitors had been clad in for generations during the Middle Ages. Of course, as the centuries passed, minor variations in style and color were bound to appear; but, for the most part, medieval European peasants wore very similar clothing in most countries from the 8th to the 14th century. The Ubiquitous Tunic The basic garment worn by  men, women, and children alike was a tunic. This appears to have evolved from the Roman tunica of late antiquity. Such tunics are made either by folding over a long piece of fabric and cutting a hole in the center of the fold for the neck;  or by sewing two pieces of fabric together at the shoulders, leaving a gap for the neck. Sleeves, which werent always part of the garment, could be cut as part of the same piece of fabric and sewn closed  or added later. Tunics fell to at least the thighs. Though the garment might be called by different names at different times and places, the construction of the tunic was essentially the same throughout these centuries. At various times, men and, less often, women wore tunics with slits up the sides to afford more freedom of movement. An opening at the throat was fairly common to make it easier to put on over ones head; this might be a simple widening of the neck hole; or, it might be a slit that could be tied closed with cloth ties or left open with plain or decorative edging. Women wore their tunics long, usually to mid-calf, which made them, essentially, dresses. Some were even longer, with trailing trains that could be used in a variety of ways. If any of her chores required her to shorten her dress, the average peasant woman could tuck the ends of it up in her belt. Ingenious methods of tucking and folding could turn the excess fabric into a pouch for carrying picked fruit, chicken feed, etc.; or, she could wrap the train over her head to protect herself from the rain. Womens tunics were usually made of wool. Woolen fabric could be woven rather finely, though the quality of the cloth for working-class women was mediocre at best. Blue was the most common color for a womans tunic; though many different shades might be achieved, the blue dye made from the woad plant was used on a large percentage of manufactured cloth. Other colors were unusual, but not unknown: pale yellow, green, and a light shade of red or orange could all be made from less-expensive dyes. All these colors would fade in time; dyes that stayed fast over the years were too expensive for the average laborer. Men generally wore tunics that fell past their knees. If they needed them shorter, they could tuck the ends in their belts; or, they could hike up the garment and fold fabric from the middle of the tunic over their belts. Some men, particularly those engaged in heavy labor, might wear sleeveless tunics to help them deal with the heat. Most mens tunics were made of wool, but they were often coarser and not as brightly colored as womens wear. Mens tunics could be made from beige (undyed wool) or frieze (coarse wool with a heavy nap) as well as more finely woven wool. Undyed wool was sometimes brown or gray, from brown and gray sheep. Undergarments Realistically, there is no telling whether or not most members of the working classes wore anything between their skin and their woolen tunics until the 14th century. The contemporary artwork depicts peasants and laborers at work without revealing whats worn underneath their outer garments. But usually the nature of undergarments is that theyre worn under other garments and are therefore ordinarily unseen; so, the fact that there are no contemporary representations shouldnt hold much weight. In the 1300s, it became the fashion for people to wear shifts, or undertunics, that had longer sleeves and lower hemlines than their tunics, and therefore were plainly visible. Usually, among the working classes, these shifts would be woven from hemp and would remain undyed; after many wearings and washings, they would soften up and lighten in color. Field workers were known to wear shifts, hats, and little else in the heat of summer. More affluent people could afford linen undergarments. Linen could be fairly stiff, and unless bleached it wouldnt be perfectly white, though time, wear, and cleansing could make it lighter and more flexible. It was unusual for peasants and laborers to wear linen, but it wasnt altogether unknown; some of the clothing of the prosperous, including undergarments, were donated to the poor upon the wearers death. Men wore braes or loincloths for underpants. Whether or not women wore underpants remains a mystery. Shoes and Socks It was not at all uncommon for peasants to go about barefoot, especially in warmer weather. But in cooler weather and for work in the fields, fairly simple leather shoes were regularly worn. One of the most common styles was an ankle-high boot that laced up the front. Later styles were closed by a single strap and buckle. Shoes were known to have had wooden soles, but it was just as likely for soles to be constructed of thick or multi-layered leather. Felt was also used in shoes and slippers. Most shoes and boots had rounded toes; some shoes worn by the working class might have somewhat pointed toes, but workers didnt wear the extreme pointy styles that were at times the fashion of the upper classes. As with undergarments, its difficult to determine when stockings came into common use. Women probably didnt wear stockings any higher than the knee; they didnt have to  since their dresses were so long. But men, whose tunics were shorter and who were unlikely to have heard of trousers, let alone wear them, often wore hose up to the thighs. Hats, Hoods, and Other Head-Coverings For every member of society, a head-covering was an important part of ones attire, and the working class was no exception. Field workers often wore broad-brimmed straw hats to keep off the sun. A coif, a linen or hemp bonnet that fit close to the head and was tied under the chin,  was usually worn by men undertaking messy work such as pottery, painting, masonry,  or crushing grapes. Butchers and bakers wore kerchiefs over their hair; blacksmiths needed to protect their heads from flying sparks and might wear any of a variety of linen or felt caps. Women usually wore veils, a simple square, rectangle, or oval of linen kept in place by tying a ribbon or cord around the forehead. Some women also wore wimples, which attached to the veil and covered the throat and any exposed flesh above the tunics neckline. A barbette (chin strap) might be used to keep the veil and wimple in place, but for most working-class women, this extra piece of fabric may have seemed like an unnecessary expense. Headgear was very important for the respectable woman; only unmarried girls and prostitutes went without something covering their hair. Both men and women wore hoods, sometimes attached to capes or jackets. Some hoods had a length of fabric in the back that the wearer could wrap around his neck or his head. Men were known to wear hoods that were attached to a short cape that covered the shoulders, very often in colors that contrasted with their tunics. Both red and blue became popular colors for hoods. Outer Garments For men who worked outdoors, an additional protective garment would usually be worn in cold or rainy weather. This could be a simple sleeveless cape or a coat with sleeves. In the earlier Middle Ages, men wore fur capes and cloaks, but there was a general view among medieval people that fur was worn only by savages, and its use went out of vogue for all but garment linings for quite some time. Though they lacked todays plastic, rubber, and Scotch-Guard, medieval folk could still manufacture fabric that resisted water, at least to a degree. This could be done by fulling wool during the manufacturing process, or by waxing the garment once it was complete. Waxing was known to be done in England, but seldom elsewhere due to the scarcity and expense of wax. If wool was made without the stringent cleansing of professional manufacturing, it would retain some of the sheeps lanolin and would, therefore, be naturally somewhat water-resistant. Most women worked indoors and didnt often have need of a protective outer garment. When they went out in cold weather, they might wear a simple shawl, cape, or pelisse. This last was a fur-lined coat or jacket; the modest means of peasants and poor laborers limited the fur to cheaper varieties, such as goat or cat. The Laborers Apron Many jobs required protective gear to keep the laborers everyday wear clean enough to wear every day. The most common protective garment was the apron. Men would wear an apron whenever they performed a task that could cause a mess: filling barrels, butchering animals, mixing paint. Usually, the apron was a simple square or rectangular piece of cloth, often linen and sometimes hemp, which the wearer would tie around his waist by its corners. Men usually didnt wear their aprons until it was necessary and removed them when their messy tasks were done. Most chores that occupied the peasant housewifes time were potentially messy; cooking, cleaning, gardening, drawing water from the well, changing diapers. Thus, women typically wore aprons throughout the day. A womans apron often fell to her feet and sometimes covered her torso as well as her skirt. So common was the apron that it eventually became a standard part of the peasant womans costume. Throughout much of the Early and High Middle Ages, aprons were undyed hemp or linen, but in the later medieval period, they began to be dyed a variety of colors. Girdles Belts, also known as girdles, were common accouterments for men and women. They might be made from rope, fabric cords, or leather. Occasionally belts might have buckles, but it was more common for poorer folk to tie them instead. Laborers and peasants not only tucked up their clothing with their girdles, but they also attached tools, purses, and utility pouches to them. Gloves Gloves and mittens were also fairly common and were used to protect the hands from injury as well as for warmth in cold weather. Workers such as masons, blacksmiths, and even peasants cutting wood and making hay were known to use gloves. Gloves and mittens could be of virtually any material, depending on their specific purpose. One type of workers glove was made from sheepskin, with the wool on the inside, and had a thumb and two fingers to offer a little more manual dexterity than a mitten. Nightwear The idea that all medieval people slept naked is unlikely; in fact, some period artwork shows folk in bed wearing a simple shirt or gown. But due to the expense of clothing and the limited wardrobe of the working class, it is quite possible that many laborers and peasants slept naked, at least during warmer weather. On cooler nights, they could wear shifts to bed,  possibly even the same ones theyd worn that day under their clothes. Making and Buying Clothes All clothing was hand-sewn, of course, and was time-consuming to make compared to modern machine methods. Working-class folk couldnt afford to have a tailor make their clothes, but they could trade with or purchase from a neighborhood seamstress or make their outfits themselves, especially since fashion was not their foremost concern. While some made their own cloth, it was far more common to purchase or barter for finished cloth, either from a draper or peddler or from fellow villagers. Mass-produced items like hats, belts, shoes and other accessories were sold in specialty stores in big towns and cities, by peddlers in rural areas, and at markets everywhere. The Working-Class Wardrobe It was sadly all too common in a feudal system for the poorest folk to own nothing more than the clothes on their back. But most people, even peasants, werent quite that poor. People usually had at least two sets of clothes: everyday wear and the equivalent of Sunday best, which would not only be worn to church (at least once a week, often more frequently) but to social events as well. Virtually every woman, and many men, were capable of sewing, if only just a little, and garments were patched and mended for years. Garments and good linen undergarments were even bequeathed to heirs or donated to the poor when their owner died. More prosperous peasants and artisans would often have several suits of clothes and more than one pair of shoes, depending on their needs. But the amount of clothing in any medieval persons wardrobe, even a royal personage, couldnt come near what modern people usually have in their closets today. Sources Piponnier, Francoise, and Perrine Mane, Dress in the Middle Ages. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1997.Kà ¶hler, Carl, A History of Costume. George G. Harrap and Company, Limited, 1928; reprinted by Dover.Norris, Herbert, Medieval Costume and Fashion.: London: J.M. Dent and Sons, 1927; reprinted by Dover.Netherton, Robin, and Gale R. Owen-Crocker, Medieval Clothing and TextilesBoydell Press, 2007. Jenkins, D.T., editor. The Cambridge History of Western Textiles, vols. I and II. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.

2018-19 Common Application Essay Sample for Option #3

2018-19 Common Application Essay Sample for Option #3 Jennifer wrote the essay below in response to the 2018-19  Common Application essay option #3. The prompt reads,  Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? Gym Class Hero I’m not really an athlete. I’m all for a rousing game of badminton or tennis, and I enjoy cross-country skiing and hiking, but I enjoy these activities as recreation. I don’t find enjoyment in testing my physical limits to the point of pain. I’m not competitive by nature; I rarely challenge others, or find myself face-to-face with an opponent. Except, to my surprise, if that competitor, that challenger, is simply myself. â€Å"Ok, I need some folks to run a mile,† Mr. Fox, the PE Teacher, bellowed over the 40-odd preteens loitering around the playing fields behind Lafayette Middle School. We were working through a unit on track and field events. Up to this point, I had managed to avoid participation. â€Å"It’s four times around the track. Any takers?† A couple people raised their hands and began assembling at the make-shift starting line. â€Å"Well, let’s get a few more out there,† he continued. Looking over the rest of us, he made a quick assessment and called out, â€Å"Johnson. Patterson. VanHouten. And, uh, Baxter.† I froze. Were there any other Baxters in my class? No. Only me. And, to my dismay, I heard myself saying â€Å"Ok!† as I made my way to the track, my heart already pounding, my stomach in knots, with zero confidence in myself. I couldn’t do this. Where did my doubt come from? No one ever said to me, â€Å"Oh, you can’t run a mile.† I don’t even remember any askance looks, any raised eyebrows implying I was out of my depth. Middle-schoolers can be a cruel bunch, but not that day. There was just that voice in my head, as clear as a bell: â€Å"You’ll never be able to run a mile. You can’t even climb stairs without getting winded. It’s going to hurt. You’ll probably pass out. You could never run a mile.† A whole mile? That voice was right. It was, in my mind, impossibly long. What was I going to do? I ran a mile. There was nothing else to do; I didn’t have time to question it, or come up with an excuse. Sometimes challenging a belief is as easy as just doing something. It wasn’t a conscious â€Å"I’m going to challenge this doubt and insecurity I have.† I just started running. Four laps around the track- it took me thirteen minutes. Which, as I research it now, is not particularly impressive. But at the time, I was pretty proud. For someone who never ran, I was just happy I finished. I didn’t feel great; my legs were shaky and there was something rattling around in my chest, but I had proven myself wrong. I could run a mile. Of course, I ended up throwing up about five minutes later. Even if I had new-found confidence and a sense of accomplishment, my body wasn’t quite ready for it yet. I’m sure there’s some lesson to be learned there- something about not pushing ourselves too far, too fast. About knowing and assessing our limitations. But that’s not the important moral of the story. I discovered I wasn’t always right. I learned that I was too critical of myself, too cruel, too unforgiving. Yes, I’m not going to the Olympics anytime soon. Yes, I’m not going to set any records for track. But- once I stopped telling myself no, and just got on with the task at hand, I surprised myself. And that’s something I’m carrying with me into my future: the ability to shut off those doubting voices, and sometimes just going for it. I may surprise myself by discovering I can do much more than I thought possible. Critique of "Gym Class Hero" In general, Jennifer has written a strong Common Application essay. Is there room for improvement? Of course- even the best essays can be made stronger with effort. Below youll find a discussion of some of elements of Jennifers essay that make it strong as well as some comments on areas that could use some revision.   Jennifer's Topic As the tips and strategies for option #3  state, the vagueness of the terms belief or idea allow an applicant to steer his or her essay in a wide range of directions. When asked about beliefs or ideas, most of us will immediately think in terms of politics, religion, philosophy, and ethics. Jennifers essay is refreshing in that she explores none of those things. Instead, she zeros in on something both commonplace yet remarkably important- that nagging internal voice of self-doubt that nearly everyone has experienced at one time or another.   Far too many college applicants feel that they must write about something profound, some amazing accomplishment, or some experience that is truly unique. In fact, many applicants get overly stressed because they feel they have had unremarkable lives and have nothing worth narrating in their essays. Jennifers essay is a beautiful example of the fallacy of these concerns. She writes about something millions of teens have experienced- that awkward feeling of inadequacy in gym class. But she succeeds in taking that common experience and turning it into an essay that lets us see her as a unique person.   In the end, her essay really isnt about running a 13-minute mile. Her essay is about looking inward, recognizing her sometimes paralyzing self-doubt, examining what it is that often holds her back, and ultimately growing in confidence and maturity. Those four laps around the track arent the point. What stands out is that Jennifer has learned an important lesson: to succeed, one needs to first step up and try. The lesson she learned- to stop telling herself no and just get on with the task at hand- is one that the admissions committee will admire, for it is a key to college success. Jennifer's Title, "Gym Class Hero" When the admissions staff first read Jennifers title, they are likely to have concerns. If you read the list of 10 bad essay topics, the hero essay is one of the topics applicants would be wise to avoid. As meaningful as that amazing touchdown or game-winning home run may have been to the applicant, the admissions folks are tired of reading essays about these moments of athletic heroism. The essays tend to all sound the same, too many applicants write that essay, and the essays are all too often more about gloating than self-analysis and introspection. Thus, the title Gym Class Hero could immediately have the reader in the admissions office thinking,  This tired essay. Here we go again.  But the reality of the essay turned out to be something quite different. We quickly learn that Jennifer is no athlete, and her essay is not about heroism in any typical sense of the word. On one level, the title is ironic. A 13-minute mile is certainly not athletic heroism. Or is it? The beauty of Jennifers title is that she takes the overused word hero and recasts it so that it is something internal, a sense of personal accomplishment that few people outside of herself would see as heroic. In short, there is a slight danger in Jennifers title. Its quite possible shell evoke an initial reaction from the admissions officers, and it may not be a wise strategy to have a title that is going to shut down her readers before they even begin the essay. On the flip side, the beauty of Jennifers essay is the way that it redefines the concept of the hero. There are plenty of strategies for writing a good title, and Jennifer could certainly take a safer approach. At the same time, the play on that word hero is so central to the essay something important would be lost with a different title. The Length Common Application essays need to be between 250 and 650 words. Youll hear different opinions on length from different counselors, but theres no denying that much more can be accomplished in an engaging 600-word essay than a well written 300-word essay. The ideal college application length depends on the writer and the topic, but going too short is often a lost opportunity to highlight who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Always keep in mind why the college wants an essay in the first place: the school has holistic admissions and wants to get to know you as an individual. The school will know you better if you say more. Jennifers essay comes in at 606 words, and they are 606 good words. Theres little deadwood, repetition, or other problems of style. She tells an engaging story without digression or unnecessary detail. A Final Word Jennifer is not going to win an athletic scholarship, and no college is going to recruit her for her 13-minute mile. Her essay is not without minor flaws (for example, she uses the word enjoy three times in the first three sentences). But anyone who reads her essay will admire both her writing ability and her ability to look inward, analyze, and grow from an awkward moment in gym class. The big test of an admissions essay is whether or not it answers a couple key questions for the admissions folks: Does the essay help us know the applicant better? Does the applicant seem like someone who we want to invite to share our academic community, and is she likely to contribute to our community in meaningful ways? In Jennifers case, the answer to these questions is yes. Jennifers essay isnt typical of responses to option #3, and the reality is that she could have submitted this same essay under some of the other options. Gym Class Hero would work for option #2 on facing a challenge. It could also work for option #5 on an accomplishment that sparked personal growth. Be sure to look carefully at the tips and strategies for all seven of the Common Application essay options to figure out which would be the best match for your own essay. In the end, however, it wouldnt really matter if Jennifer submitted her essay under #2, #3, or #5. Each is appropriate, and the quality of the essay is what most matters.

Project Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Project Management - Research Paper Example The project management institute defines project management as application of skills and knowledge along with tools and techniques to meet the project requirement (Barkley, 2006). Hamilton, (2004) divided project management into 5 components i.e. initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control and lastly closure of project. This report discusses some of the most important concepts related to project management. The report starts with defining the project life cycle management and its benefits. Then the report discusses about project organizations and project team building. Moreover, important concepts such as project scope, work breakdown structure and contingency planning have been discussed. Also the report analyzes the importance of reviewing the project and need for an integrated project management software for project management organizations. Then the researcher shares his own experience about a project in which he was involved. Project life-cycle indicates all the project phases that a project has to go through in order to be completed. In other words, it is a collection of project phases that are divided so that the project can be controlled and managed accordingly. According to Kerzner (2009) project life-cycle is divided into four phases that indicates the beginning and ending point of a project. Furthermore, according to Kerzner (2009), the first phase of project life-cycle is the initiation phase followed by project planning, project execution and project closure. Each of the phases mentioned by Kerzner (2009) is further divided into activities which need to be done to accomplish the goal of project management. In order to further elaborate the project life-cycle, each of the phases is separately presented along with the activities involved within the particular phase. The aim of this phase is to identify the problems along with the opportunities that the business could focus upon. This phase also includes solutions to the

How does globalization affect cultural imperialism and communities in Research Paper

How does globalization affect cultural imperialism and communities in regard to immigration - Research Paper Example Arguably, western powers have continued to extend their grip all over the world politically, economically and culturally. Labor is very important in our lives as it assures individual survival and the life of species (Arendt 8). This paper presents a very thoughtful discussion on how globalization affects cultural imperialism and communities concerning immigration. The first section provides the negative and positive aspects of cultural imperialism resulting from globalization, and the second part explains whether cultural imperialism has a positive or negative effect on communities of citizens and immigrants. With the increasing globalization and creation of global cities, may people shift to the cities; therefore, population change seen in these cities is as a result of globalization (Martinez-Fernandez et al 214). Arguably, the process of globalization was promoted by the expansion of the humanitarian system since the end of the Cold War (Barnett 723), and with the ongoing globali zation, the major aim of this process is to bring in cultural uniformity all over the world, and leaving no space for diversities. Globalization focuses on imposing American culture and way of life to accepted or embraced throughout the world. Globalization interferes with cultural imperialism and various communities as well as individuals’ lifestyles. Many people are afraid that the spread of globalization leads to the homogenizing different societies across the globe. Globalization entails accepting American culture as the dominant one, for instance, American multinationals such as Coca-Coca and McDonald are some of the most powerful corporations that have spread globally and influenced global consumer culture. These corporations have exerted a strong influence on local character and lifestyle. Arguably, American values have been embraced in various parts of the world, that is, their Hollywood movies, food, clothing, and many more, and this can be described as cultural impe rialism. More so, the spread of globalization through global media and multinational dispensations has promoted the erosion of local cultures and traditions, and this has greatly interfered with individual’s cultural identity. It is in the interest of the United States to encourage the development of a world where their economic and political interests would prevail, a common language is English, and the common values are developed to be in line with the values which Americans are comfortable with. Creating a global culture entails the promotion of a particular lifestyle, and globalization has strengthened the dominance of the world capitalism leading to elimination of local cultures and traditions through a global culture. Arguably, globalization brings about a homogenized global culture and the native cultures eroded, and this global culture leans heavily towards the West; therefore, from a cultural perspective, the process of globalization is largely the spread of American ization. Furthermore, today, we live in a consumers’ society where labor and consumptions is part and parcel of our lives (Arendt 126), and so, globalization has enabled the distribution of high tech machines to various places worldwide so as to make labor and work activities easier,

Discrimination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discrimination - Essay Example My friend has been under the impression that attractive people are more popular in the society and it is fundamental to confirm to society’s standards of physical beauty, by reducing overweight by means of strenuous exercises and dieting. Significantly, my friend is just another victim of the discrimination against or chauvinism towards individuals on the basis of their appearance. However, undertaking undesirable methods such as strenuous exercises and dieting in order to confirm to the society’s standards of physical beauty is most objectionable and disagreeable. First of all, it is essential to maintain that the misconception about standards of physical beauty can lead people to adopting the most unacceptable methods of weight loss and good looks. The best way to maintain physical beauty is to switch on to healthy way of living and positive means of controlling bodyweight. My friend John has been blindly following the unpleasant methods of weight loss such as strenuo us exercises and dieting in order to confirm to the society’s standards of physical beauty.