50 Redundant Phrases to Avoid

50 Redundant Phrases to Avoid 50 Redundant Phrases to Avoid 50 Redundant Phrases to Avoid By Mark Nichol In conversation, it’s easy in the midst of spontaneous speech to succumb to verbosity and duplication. In writing, redundancy is less forgivable but fortunately easy to rectify. Watch out for these usual suspects: 1. Absolutely certain or sure/essential/guaranteed: Someone who is certain or sure is already without doubt. Something that is essential is intrinsically absolute. A guarantee is by nature absolute (or should be). Abandon absolutely in such usage. 2. Actual experience/fact: An experience is something that occurred (unless otherwise indicated). A fact is something confirmed to have happened. Actual is extraneous in these instances. 3. Add an additional: To add is to provide another of something. Additional is extraneous. 4. Added bonus: A bonus is an extra feature, so added is redundant. 5. Advance notice/planning/reservations/warning: Notices, planning, reservations, and warnings are all, by their nature, actions that occur before some event, so qualifying such terms with advance is superfluous. 6. As for example: As implies that an example is being provided, so omit â€Å"an example.† 7. Ask a question: To ask is to pose a question, so question is redundant. 8. At the present time: â€Å"At present† means â€Å"at this time,† so avoid the verbose version. 9. Basic fundamentals/essentials: Fundamentals and essentials are by their nature elementary, so remove basic from each phrase. 10. (Filled to) capacity: Something filled is done so to capacity, so describing something as â€Å"filled to capacity† is repetitive. 11. Came at a time when: When provides the necessary temporal reference to the action of coming; â€Å"at a time† is redundant. 12. Close proximity/scrutiny: Proximity means â€Å"close in location,† and scrutiny means â€Å"close study,† so avoid qualifying these terms with close. 13. Collaborate/join/meet/merge together: If you write of a group that collaborates or meets together, you imply that there’s another way to collect or confer. To speak of joining or merging together is, likewise, redundant. 14. Completely filled/finished/opposite: Something that is filled or finished is thoroughly so; completely is redundant. Something that is opposite isn’t necessarily diametrically opposed, especially in qualitative connotations, but the modifier is still extraneous. 15. Consensus of opinion: A consensus is an agreement but not necessarily one about an opinion, so â€Å"consensus of opinion† is not purely redundant, but the phrase â€Å"of opinion† is usually unnecessary. 16. (During the) course (of): During means â€Å"in or throughout the duration of†), so â€Å"during the course of† is repetitive. 17. Definite decision: Decisions may not be final, but when they are made, they are unequivocal and therefore definite, so one should not be described as â€Å"a definite decision.† 18. Difficult dilemma: A dilemma is by nature complicated, so omit difficult as a modifier. 19. Direct confrontation: A confrontation is a head-on conflict. Direct as a qualifier in this case is redundant. 20. End result: A result is something that occurs at the end, so omit end as a modifier of result. 21. Enter in: To enter is to go in, so throw in out. 22. Estimated at about/roughly: An estimate is an approximation. About and roughly are superfluous. 23. False pretense: A pretense is a deception, so false is redundant. 24. Few in number: Few refers to a small number; do not qualify few with the modifier â€Å"in number.† 25. Final outcome: An outcome is a result and is therefore intrinsically final. 26. First began, new beginning: A beginning is when something first occurs, so first and new are superfluous terms in these cases. 27. For a period/number of days: Days is plural, so a duration is implied; â€Å"a period of† or â€Å"a number of† is redundant. It’s better to specify the number of days or to generalize with many. 28. Foreign imports: Imports are products that originate in another country, so their foreign nature is implicit and the word foreign is redundant. 29. Forever and ever: Ever is an unnecessary reduplication of forever. 30. Free gift: A gift is by definition free (though cynics will dispute that definition), so free is extraneous. 31. Invited guests: Guests are intrinsically those who have an invitation, so invited is redundant. 32. Major breakthrough: A breakthrough is a significant progress in an effort. Though major is not directly redundant, the notable nature of the event is implicit. 33. [Number] a.m. in the morning/p.m. in the evening: The abbreviations a.m. and p.m. already identify the time of day, so omit â€Å"in the morning† or â€Å"in the evening.† 34. Past history/record: A history is by definition a record of past occurrences, and a record is documentation of what has already happened. In both cases, past is redundant. 35. Plan ahead: To plan is to prepare for the future. Ahead is extraneous. 36. Possibly might: Might indicates probability, so omit the redundant qualifier possibly. 37. Postpone until later: To postpone is to delay. Later is superfluous. 38. Protest against: To protest is to communicate opposition. Against is redundant. 39. Repeat again: To repeat is to reiterate an action, so again is unnecessary. 40. Revert back: Something that reverts returns to an earlier state. Back is superfluous. 41. Same identical: Same and identical are just that (and that). Omit same as a qualifier for identical. 42. Since the time when: Since indicates a time in the past; â€Å"the time when† is superfluous. 43. Spell out in detail: To spell out is to provide details, so â€Å"in detail† is repetitive. 44. Still remains: Something that remains is still in place. Still is redundant. 45. Suddenly exploded: An explosion is an immediate event. It cannot be any more sudden than it is. 46. Therapeutic treatment: Treatment in the sense of medical care is by nature therapeutic, so the adjective is redundant. 47. Unexpected surprise: No surprise is expected, so the modifier is extraneous. 48. Unintended mistake: A mistake is an inadvertently erroneous action. The lack of intention is implicit. 49. Usual custom: A custom is something routinely and repeatedly done or observed, and usual is redundant. 50. Written down: Something written has been taken down. Down is superfluous. 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 Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Punctuating â€Å"So† at the Beginning of a SentenceHow Long Should a Paragraph Be?Honorary vs. Honourary

The Most Popular Argumentative Essay Topics of 2017 The List

The Most Popular Argumentative Essay Topics of 2017 The List Top-50 topics you would love to work on PLUS useful tips on writing a flawless argumentative essay. As you may already know, an argumentative essay is a writing genre where the student establishes a position on a given or chosen topic and then uses evidence to persuade the audience to see things from his/her point of view. To write a great argumentative essay, the student first has to investigate several sides of the argument, which allows making an educated stance. Then, one has to collect evidence, including facts, statistics, and claims from experts in the topic’s field. Generally, the primary objective of writing an argumentative essay is to learn how to convince people to change their mind about things which many of them are pretty sure about. What Substitutes a Good Argumentative Essay Topic? When you are asked to choose a good topic for your argument, start with something you are familiar with. Even if you hire a professional writer to help you with this assignment, speaking about something you know will be a much better sounding presentation of your arguments. Choosing an emotional topic is also a good idea. Appealing to the readers’ emotions connects them to the side of the writer and draws them in. One of the best ways to change anyone’s mind is with an emotional investment. Pick Your Favorite Topic or Get Your Essay Done For You We offer a great list of topics for writing your argumentative essay. Did you also know you can get your essay written for a small fee? We employ hundreds of professional writers who specialize in essay, dissertation and research writing. They have written hundreds of academic papers for students worldwide. Therefore, we know how to write a perfect custom-written argumentative essay that will meet your requirements and help get you the grade you want. Contact us now to request professional essay writing help! If you want to write the paper on your own, take a look at the full list of argumentative essay topics along with the samples below: Middle/High School-Level Argumentative Essay Topics   Should teenagers be required to get their parents’ permission to obtain contraceptives?   Should the number of passengers be limited in cars driven by minors?   Should high school education be mandatory? College-Level Argumentative Essay Topics When is military force justified? Should parents hold responsibility for the crimes of their children? Should academic achievement be a primary consideration for college admission? Argumentative Topics to Avoid Is our political process fair? Do athletes make too much money? Can science go too far? Funny Argumentative Essay Topics Should you believe every word in an infomercial? Should funny cat videos be allowed on YouTube? What is the worst song in the world? Classic Argumentative Essay Topics Computer games harm individuals Sex education is the only way to eliminate many issues, including teenage pregnancy Are abortions legal? Arguments on Bioethics Is the use of animals for research purposes justified? Cloning should be banned Arguments on Issues in the IT Area Some of Google services raise privacy and security concerns for people Download sites violate copyright rules Should YouTube comments be regulated? The Internet has been overly commercialized. Agree or disagree?   Argumentative Topics for Legal Discussions Is gun control an effective method of reducing crime? Is the death penalty justified?   Do you believe euthanasia (assisted suicide) is right?   The book â€Å"Twelve Angry Men† represents democracy with its flaws Should same-sex marriages be made legal? Torture is never justified Smoking in public places should be banned Society is becoming over-regulated Legalization of marijuana in some states is wrong Production and sale of cigarettes should be made illegal Argumentative Topics on Social Concerns Cross-cultural marriages contribute to racial tolerance Single-parent children behaviour is different than that of children with both parents Women are less engaged in criminal activity than men Young people are predisposed to negative influence because they are more rebellious by nature Violence in the media destroys children Sexual content on TV harms teenagers Homeschooling is an ideal way to obtain a quality education Ecological Issues Forests are the lungs of the Earth. Should rainforests destruction be prohibited? Should countries drill for oil in protected areas to reduce gas prices? Global warming is a myth   To what extent are electric cars a solution to global pollution? Society and the Media Media influences the female perception of the body image. Agree or disagree. Violent video games directly correlate to violence in schools. Agree or disagree. Other Topics Should cities preserve old buildings? Diets don’t help to lose weight Financial rewards are the only way to gain employee`s loyalty Life-long learning is no longer required for career success Correspondence Theory of Truth appears to be plausible and defendable Dokdo islands are Korean property and should not be claimed by Japan Ghost hunting is pure fiction Now, once you have chosen a good topic from the list, try to lay down your thoughts on your screen or paper. Here are some tips on how to do it properly: Adhering to the above structure of an argumentative essay will keep your creative process together: The first paragraph offers a brief review of the topic, explains its importance, and shares the essay’s clear and concise thesis statement. After the introduction come the body paragraphs, in which the writer develops his/her arguments and supports them with valid and reliable evidence. The support should be anecdotal, logical, statistical, or factual, depending on the essay’s topic. Following the argument paragraphs, the writer shares the opposing views. Ending the paragraph is the conclusion. This paragraph is quite important since it leaves the reader with the most immediate impression. The writer should synthesize the information shared in the body of the essay, as they restate the topic’s importance, review main points, as well as review the thesis. No new information should be shared in the conclusion. Here is another cool tip to make your arguments sound stronger: use connection words! How To Use Connection Words While Writing an Argumentative Essay? Transition or connection words and phrases hold your essay together. They provide flow as they connect thoughts and ideas. Function Connection Word Addition additionally; also; and; as a matter of fact; as well as; equally; equally important; furthermore; identically; in addition; in the first place; like; likewise; not only†¦but also; not to mention; similarly; together with; too Contrast above all; after all; albeit; although; although this may be true; as much as; be that it may; besides; but; conversely; despite; different from; even so/though; however; in contrast; in reality; in spite of; nevertheless; nonetheless; notwithstanding; of course†¦, but; on the contrary; on the other hand; or; otherwise; rather; Cause or Purpose as; as/so long as; because of; due to; for fear that; for the purpose of; given that; granted (that); if†¦then; in case; in view of; in order to; in the event that; in the hope that; lest; only/even if; owing to; provided that; seeing/being that; since; so as to; so that; unless; when; whenever; while; with this in mind Examples or Support another key point; as an illustration; by all means; chiefly; especially; for example; for instance; for this reason; in fact; in other words; notably; specifically; surprisingly; to point out; truly Consequence or Result accordingly; as a result; because the; consequently; due to; for; for this reason; hence; in effect; in that case; since; so that; therefore; with the result that Conclusion / Summary / Restatement after all; all things considered; as a result; as can be seen; as shown above; consequently; for the most part; generally speaking; given these points; in conclusion; in fact; to summarize; How Is This Information Going to Help Me Write My Essay? Writing a good argumentative essay develops your argumentative thinking. It is a useful skill that you will need in your life not only to survive among your peers today but also to have a successful future in general. Most of the businesses and partnerships prosper through argument. Getting the right arguments will help you prove your point and win. The intellect rules the modern world. Those who stay focused on becoming stronger in chosen profession win. It requires no distraction on things of little importance. To succeed, you need to stay focused on what you feel is right for you and what you are willing to devote your life to. And it should take up most of your time. Seriously. The more research you can do to get better at your future profession, the better. Our professional ghostwriting company has been writing papers for students since 2005. You are welcome to use our essay writing service as a helpful tool for your career success strategy. Here is a fun fact: Most of the world-known geniuses are college drop-outs. They were too focused on what mattered to them most and couldn’t get their homework done on time. However, it is a bad example to follow. No matter if you run a successful business, have a busy job, need to visit your family or have an emergency – failing your module is a horrible possibility. That is why our writers are here to help you 24/7. If Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates knew about our service, we bet they could have gotten their degree on time and without problems.

Legal Status of Marihuana in the USA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Legal Status of Marihuana in the USA - Essay Example Several decades of prohibition of marijuana proves that its illegal status does not work, so the state should legalize drugs and instead teach people to use them responsibly and properly. Â  Legal status of marihuana will benefit the society and the state as it will solve the problem of criminal responsibility and black market operations. Medical marijuana is a point to consider. Some states have legalized medical use of marijuana and do not penalize patients who have a doctor's recommendation. These states are.Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Maine, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, and Maryland. In the case of marijuana, especially of smoked marijuana, the scientific difficulties are compounded by the fact that the substance has a recognizable psychoactive effect (Belio 2007). A herbal mixture similar in taste and aroma to marijuana might not produce the psychoactive effect and make many of those who are test subjects reasonably sure they are not receiving actual marijuana, which could skew perceptions and the results of any test. On the other hand, the main problem is that politicians and moralists speak about two opposite issues: medical use of marijuana and its legal status. ... Â  Marijuana smoke does contain many of the same harmful substances as tobacco smoke does, including known carcinogens, and there a laboratory and cellular research indicating that marijuana can cause cellular damage and disorders (Nadelmann, 2004. Medical Marijuana 2007). Â  Legal status of medical marijuana will benefit the government and allows to collect taxes, control black market, and illegal operations. Crop production uncertainties are just one perturbing factor in gauging the number of illegal drugs being produced. Medical marijuana will create the certain problem for society and the state. The main problem is that marijuana policy does not only affect marijuana users, but also the rest of society. Criminalizing marijuana use, on the one hand, can lead to higher costs of law enforcement and a black market while decriminalizing could lead to public disturbance caused by unwanted marijuana use in public. Similar to alcohol and other illicit drugs, prohibition does not work and does young from its usage (Nadelmann, 2004). It is possible to oppose these arguments stating that legal status of marijuana will worsen the problem of drug addiction and give free access to the wide target audience to marijuana. Fines, cautions, probation, exemption from punishment and counseling are favored by most justice systems. It is important to keep in mind that cannabis policies at all levels of government could affect the prevalence of cannabis use and the related social consequences. While this is the case for the cocaine and heroin market, the cannabis market is not associated with violence (Belio 2007). Â  

100 Years of Broadway Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

100 Years of Broadway - Assignment Example Broadway dates as ancient as Sophocles and Shakespeare eras, which translates to about three millennia. It forms the foundation of all drama. As a result, this American history can hardly be forgotten, despite the technological revolution in the film and television industries. When one mentions ‘Broadway’ in America, what comes to mind is not just the location, the history coupled with dreams and ideas. It represents a place where many great Americans had gathered and performed before, and still do to date. Because of this, many people identify with it as it saw the dreams of great Americans in theater and musicals come true (Everett & Laird, 2009: 200). To elaborate the cultural importance of Broadway, the best Broadway shows over the last one hundred years are recreated to honor this show. In his event, shows acted by great American personalities like Dreamgirls, Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera are redone. In musicals, ‘standard’ refers to thos e musicals that are older and more established compared to the rest. Just like contemporary musicals, standard musicals also help in propelling the story or action in theatrical performances. They assist the audience in understanding the flow of the performance. Examples are All that Jazz by Bob Fosse, and Oklahoma by Rodgers and Hammerstein. ‘World Blues’ refer to the celebration of the global influence of America’s blues (Spurrier, 1979). Standard musicals help the audience in understanding the flow of a performance.

Macbeth Coursework Essay Example for Free

Macbeth Coursework Essay Refer ring to the three main scenes that the witches appear in, write about the effect they give to the play as a whole and also how they influence Macbeth to behave as he does. Macbeth, a tragic story of how greed can corrupt the mind. Written in 1606 for King James the first, people did actually believe in witches. I my-self believe that William Shakespeare used the witches as the fuel for his play, I think this led to the massive success of Macbeth. When people thought of King James the first they may have also thought of witches. After all James did publicise his beliefs and thought in witches. He believed that they had an effect on his life. The people of his countries (England and Scotland) would have thought it was completely normal. Now a day, if someone accused someone of being a witch, the accuser would be looked upon in society as insane. The idea of witches over the years has simply dried out. In class we have watched and studied two different films based on Macbeth. One was Macbeth on the Estate. This was extremely different to what I expected. Produced in 1996 its quite a modern film. I thought it was incredible how they managed to use every word from Macbeth, (the play its-self) and fit it into a modern set. The film was filmed on an estate on Birmingham and the main characters were young street yobs! Personally I think it must have been a hard job for the film producers to re-film Macbeth into a modern time. Another film was just called Macbeth produced in 1971 its quite an old film. It was though exactly what I expected. It was a brilliant film and only a few features let it down. Music which I think plays a big role in films and plays because it allows us to understand the mood and feeling of the play/film. I think technology was to blame for this though! Did the witches have an effect on the audience? Yes of course did. Why? Simply because witchcraft played an big part in the lives of the people who lived during the period of the 1500s to the 1600s. I mean, going out to town, bowling is all normal but what about going to see the local witch been executed publicly? 300 years ago this would as normal as any of the activities above. Back then I think people were fascinated with witches. Witches held so much mystery and had a force of fear surrounding them. Of course this is what people thought, if people went to see Macbeth at the theatre in Leeds, obviously I dont think people would have as much interest as people 300 years ago. There would be interest in the witches Im not saying the opposite, but not as much as back then. I think it would make the audience wonder how and why the people of the 1600s lived like they did. The witches appear in three main scenes in Macbeth: Act 1 scene 1 Act 1 scene 3 Act 4 scene 1 In act 1 scene 1 they, to me, introduce the play. Although we often forget that the play is all about witchcraft, thinking about it, the witches do play an important part in Macbeth. I think when Shakespeare wrote act 1 scene 1 his intentions were to grip the audience at the very beginning. The witches do not appear to do anything in this scene it seems as if theyre there to introduce them-selves, they dont really appear for a reason. I think its just to hype the audience up for the rest of the play. In act 1 scene 3 the witches tell us basically what Macbeth is about. Shakespeare grips the audience even tighter when they say: FIRST WITCH: All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Glamis. SECOND WITCH: All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Cawdor. THIRD WITCH: All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter. I think Shakespeare here uses repetition really well. It adds mystery and feeling to the play. A Victorian audience at this moment must be really into the play. The mystery deepens even more when less than a few scenes away a messenger arrives to tell Macbeth that he is now Thane of Cawdor. A modern audience at this point must shiver with excitement. A Victorian audience may have done the same, after all these people did fear witches in their day. In act 4 scene 1 I dont really feel that this scene does much for the play. Some people may disagree and I can see why. I mean people sat their reading the book must be thinking, how the hell can a tree move? This is because Macbeth says: MACBETH: Who can impress the forest, bid the tree Unfix its earth-bound root? This will keep the reader wondering, I wonder when this prophesy will come true? I think they would think this because they want to see how the tree ends up moving this was clever on Shakespeares part this would have helped keep the audience interested. There are three prophesies all which tell Macbeth when to start worrying. The language the witches use is strange even for Shakespeares time! Another thing is that the lines are shorter than the lines in other parts of the play. I dont think this is a coincidence, I personally think Shakespeare did this to keep the witches rhymes simple. I think he did this to keep the audience interested and not put them off. The use of rhyme people often forget that poetic writing doesnt have to rhyme, in fact in the play there isnt really much rhyming going on, but when the witches speak in Macbeth therere speeches do rhyme unlike most parts of the play. To add even more mystery to the witches they use strange ingredients in their potions! I mean we all expect strange items but not that strange. Cats tongues, guts, eyes what more do we want? I think this would have helped Shakespeare with his audience. I think they would have loved the idea of witches around a cauldron especially James! Going back and looking at these two scenes: Act 1 scene 3 Act 4 scene 1 We see that Macbeth is involved in both scenes. In act 1 scene 3 we see Macbeth as a worrier for his country, a gentleman. In this scene he bumps into the witches with Banquo his best friend. From what I can tell Macbeth is a bit shocked I think this because he basically asks them what they are, I think he doubts that they are human. I think this because Macbeth says: MACBETH: Speak if you can: what are you? The witches then tell Macbeth that he shall be Thane of Cawdor then King. Banquo interrupting seems more enthusiastic about talking to the witches who then tell Banquo his children shall be Kings. Maybe Macbeth is trying to take in what hes just been told. I think Macbeth wants to believe the witches but he doesnt want to get his hopes up. Thats why hes looking for a reason, he asks: MACBETH: By Sinells death I know I am Thane of Glamis, But how, of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives A prosperous gentleman; The witches then vanish and Macbeth is left talking to Banquo. I think Macbeth is still avoiding taking about him been King, he says: MACBETH: Your children shall be Kings. In Act 4 Scene 1 we see Macbeth as a murderer and a evil man or should I say King. He barges onto the scene and demands answers from the witches I know this because he says: MACBETH: Howeer you come to know it, answer me: Three apparitions then go on to tell Macbeth three things: One that he should be aware of Macduff, Two that he should he should be aware of anyone not born from a womens womb and Three that he should we weary when the woods begin to move. I think at this point in the play Macbeth is worried about Banquos children and what the witches told Macbeth at the beginning of the play. I think this because he says: MACBETH: Can tell so much-will Banquos issue ever Reign in this Kingdom? The witches do not give Macbeth his answer. I think the reason for this is because if the audience know the answer to this question then they can figure out the end of the play. As Ive already said, I do think the witches played an enormous part in Macbeth. I also think that they play a rather big part in Macbeths life after all arent they really the ones responsible for King Duncans death? I think they are. I think this because at the end of the day the witches gave Macbeth the idea of killing the witch. I think as soon as the third witch says: THIRD WITCH: All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter. I think this is, in a way the poison been injected into Macbeths blood. Its only a matter of time before it begins to kick in, and when it does Macbeth will think up his plans to murder King Duncan. Another reason I think the witches are to blame is because Macbeth wouldnt have done it with out them I think this because Macbeth says to his wife when she pushes him into murdering Duncan: MACBETH: We will proceed no further in this business He also says: MACBETH: So foul and fair a day I have not seen. I think the above proves he wouldnt have murdered Duncan if he had not met the witches. I dont think the witches are all to blame though, I dont think Lady Macbeth helps either shes always trying to push Macbeth into committing murder. Some people in the audience may wonder if Lady Macbeth is a witch or perhaps the witches have put a spell on her? I have seen two different versions of the witches on screen and both were extremely different. Obviously the two versions were Polanskis version and Macbeth on the Estate. In Polanskis version the witches were what you would expect, old ugly women who lived in a dirty smelling cave but in Macbeth on the estates version the witches were played by three children who lived in an old abandoned flat. I thought this was a rather interesting (and clever) concept. Both films were very good but if I had to choose one which I thought was the most effective (concerning the witches only) I would choose Polanskis version. This is because the witches were exactly what I expect and want. You dont want sweet little children playing the part of horrible witches. It just isnt Macbeth. It rips the whole idea of witches into shreds or to be more precise it doesnt follow the stereotype. Some people may think this is a bad thing but I would have to disagree with them. However in Polanskis version the witches are brilliant theyre ugly, theyre old, theyre dirty and theyre naked. I also think Polanskis version was better because we saw the witches using magic. For example when they faded out into thin air. It was what I expected and the reasons above are the reasons I choose Macbeth over Macbeth on the Estate.

Madness and Fear in Assignation, Cask of Admontillado, Fall of the Hous

Madness and Fear in Assignation, Cask of Admontillado, Fall of the House of Usher, and Masque of the Red Death Poe’s madmen are all obsessed with death. Existence within reality eventually becomes impossible. Poe usually places his madmen within a room or other enclosure, but they are rarely ever outside. When we do come across an exterior, nature does its best to repress, confine and enclose the man. The protagonist in Poe’s â€Å"The Assignation† sums up the combination of time and space within Poe’s stories and says, â€Å"I have †¦ framed for myself †¦ a bower of dreams. Properties of place, and especially of time, are the bugbears which terrify mankind from the contemplation of the magnificent† (301). The mental state of the character produces the setting and atmosphere, which usually results in the manifestation of that which is feared. The character manipulates his environment and uses tangible buildings and their contents as talismans or charms to outwit death. However, while the madman may try to circumvent death, it is actually the experi ence of dying that he fears, and despite his best intentions, death comes anyway. â€Å"The Cask of Admontillado† features the madman Montressor who seeks relief from his tormentor, and plans the perfect crime, â€Å"to punish with impunity† (274). Montressor painstakingly formulates the plan to rid himself of Fortunato, his tactless and unsuspecting friend. The fact that the crime is detailed meticulously in â€Å"Cask† is odd considering the narrator’s obsession with planning the perfect crime and his equal obsession with the absence of detection. Does the anxious tone in the confession-like story indicate that Montressor falls victim to his own perfect crime and awaits execution? In his confession, Mo... ...sity Press, 1987. 177-214. Kinkead-Weekes, Mark. â€Å"Reflections On, and In ‘The Fall of the House of Usher.’† Edgar Allan Poe: The Design of Order. Ed. A Robert Lee. New Jersey: Barnes & Noble Books, 1987. 17-65. Poe, Edgar Allan. â€Å"The Assignation.† The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Hervey Allen. New York: Parkway Printing Company, 1938. 293-302. Poe, Edgar Allan. â€Å"The Cask of Admontillado.† The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Hervey Allen. New York: Parkway Printing Company, 1938. 274-79. Poe, Edgar Allan. â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher.† The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Hervey Allen. New York: Parkway Printing Company, 1938. 231-45. Poe, Edgar Allan. â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death.† The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Hervey Allen. New York: Parkway Printing Company, 1938. 269-73.

The Greeks and gods Essay

The Greeks looked at their gods with attributes they only wished they could attain. They developed stories of extraordinary people that were the offspring of immortals such as Nymphs or gods like Hermes or Zeus. Most of these stories consisted of labors, quests, or bloody wars, where the heroes were at the epicenter of the tale. What made these heroes so great was not just the fact they had godly attributes or completed monumental tasks, but endured more tragedy or more bliss than any common Greek would undergo. One tale commonly told was that of a demigod named Achilles. His mother Thetis was a Sea Nymph, and his father was Peleus, was the king of the Myrmidons. Most stories of Achilles revolved around war, where either his gift was at his greatest or worst. Every Greek sought him for battle so his skills would tip the balance to their favor. No myth exemplified this more than that of the ten-year Trojan War. An excerpt from a translation written by Apollodorus that accounts this time state, â€Å"He also took Lesbos and Phocaea, then Colophon, and Smyrna, and Clazomenae, and Cyme; and afterwards Aegialus and Tenos, the so-called Hundred Cities; then, in order, Adramytium and Side; then Endium, and Linaeum, and Colone. He took also Hypoplacian Thebes and Lyrnessus, and further Antandrus, and many other cities. † (Frazer) By many accounts, you could argue that Achilles was the dealer of death and that he relished in every moment of his adventures. By his own words, this was not the case. For example, in the textbook the Classical Mythology it states, â€Å"The now dead Achilles laments, I should prefer as a slave to serve another man, even if he had no property and little to live on, than to rule all those dead who have done with life† (Morford, Lenardon, Sham, 2011). Another hero that many spoke of during that day an age was Odysseus. He was a descendant of Hermes who became king of Ithaca. The real stories of Odysseus that Greeks and many others embrace were of the Trojan War and Homers poem the Odyssey. Some Greeks would argue Odysseus came second only to Achilles as a hero due the trials he endured. Odysseus’s story began at the start of the Trojan War where he stood and fought for ten years. After nine years of failure, Odysseus was enlightened by Athena to trick the Trojans and capture its city. He erected a symbol, he knew only the Trojans would accept and embrace. He hid the strongest Greeks inside a giant wooden horse who laid and waited until nightfall. Once inside impenetrable walls the Greeks were able to sake the city. Once war was all but over, Odysseus  sailed for home. â€Å"Come then, do as I say, let us all be won over; let us run away with our ships to the beloved land of our fathers since no longer now shall we capture Troy of the wide ways. † (Lattimore, 1999) During this voyage, he encountered a man eating Cyclops named Polyphemus who he ended up blinding to escape. Unbeknownst to him Polyphemus was the son of Poseidon, god of the sea, who became enraged. The consequences of these actions did not lead him home to his kingdom and beloved wife, but astray for another ten years of wars and adventures. The one hero that endured more pain and suffering than any other was Heracles. He was the bastard son of the god Zeus and a beautiful Greek woman named Alcmena. Hera, the wife of Zeus, always showed distain for Zeus’s infidelities, yet took a close personal interest in Heracles. There are several instances where she intervened to cause him great tragedy. First, she tried to stop his birth. This was only overcome by tricking Ilithyia, the goddess of birth, who Hera had sent. Months after that Hera sent serpents to his cradle, but he grabbed them by the neck shacking them as if they were just one of his toys. The next obstacle came when he was a man after he was to wed the King Creon’s daughter, Megara. Seeing that Heracles had found his piece of happiness with his new wife and daughters Hera drove Heracles mad. In his fit of rage, he killed them. Overwhelmed with grief Heracles searched for a way of redemption. He came across the King of Tiryns, Eurystheus, who told him the only way he could cleanse his soul was to endure 12 impossible labors. One of his labours was to kill the Nemian lion, which was ironic. â€Å"The Nemeian Lion whom Hera, the queenly wife of Zeus, trained up and settled among the hills of Nemeia, to be a plague to mankind. There he preyed upon the tribes of the indwelling people, and was as a king over Tretos and Apesas and Nemeia. Nevertheless, the force of strong Heracles subdued him† (Evelyn-White, 1914). After completing the 12 labours, Heracles enjoyed many adventures. He saved Olympus from the Gigantes and assisted in conquering Troy. For a moment, life for him was peaceful until Hera drove him mad again. During that fit of rage, he threw his closest friend Iphitus over a wall to his death. After this tragedy, Heracles knew he would have to cleanse his soul again. Queen Omphale offered him a choice. A task that would require him to endure one of the worst shames a man could. Her proposal was for him to wear women’s clothing and conduct the tasks as one of her female servants. For the next three years, Heracles completed his servitude in shame without ever being honored for any of his previous glories. In conclusion, all these heroes had godly attributes which enabled them to complete monumental tasks, but at the same time endure more tragedy or bliss than any common Greek would undergo. Achilles was a great warrior but found no peace with what he had accomplished in his life. Heracles also endured much strife and ended up dying a gruesome fate. On the other hand, Odysseus left his home, endured many obstacles, but returned from twenty years of servitude with rejoices from all of Greece. One common fact remains, despite each hero’s fate no Greek would endure so much, but could look to these myths as a testament to great achievements or failures. References: Frazer, J. G. (1921) Apollodorus, Epitome 3. 33. Retrieved from http://www. theoi. com/Text/ApollodorusE. html Morford, M,Lenardon, R, Sham, M, (2011) Greek Mytholodgy 9th Ed. Oxford University Press Lattimore, R (1999). The Odyssey of Homer. New York, NY: Harper Perennial Modern Classics. Evelyn-White, H. The Theogony of Hesiod. (1914). Retrieved from http://www. sacred-texts. com/cla/hesiod/theogony. htm

Why Women Should Not Be Assigned to Combat Positions

Throughout history, women have played a role in the defense of their nations. In 1429, Joan of Arc successfully led the French Army into battle against the English at age 17. In 1588, Queen Elizabeth I traveled to Tilbury, Essex to fight beside her Army during the Spanish raid. And in 1788 at the Battle of Monmouth, Mary Ludwig Hayes, also known as â€Å"Molly Pitcher†, took over her husband’s cannon position and continued to engage the enemy after he had fallen in battle. While these are extraordinary accomplishments made by these most admirable women, should this level of close combat be expected, or possibly even required of women in the military? Many will argue that the ban on women in combat is a discrimination issue, and that it creates a structural barrier that can hurt their chances of promotion or advancement. The Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services actually found that â€Å"women serving in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan have had a positive impact on mission accomplishment. But these women were not assigned to an actual combat position in a unit that has a primary mission of direct ground combat engagement of the enemy. They were either assigned to a combat support unit that was engaged by the enemy, or they were attached to the combat arms unit. There is a vast difference, and this essay will explore why placing women in direct combat roles in the military would have a negative impact on combat readiness. All male units in the field experience bonding that enhances readiness and cohesion. When women are introduced, men stop relating to each other and begin trying to attract the women. This puts them in direct competition with each other and becomes a severe distraction from the mission at hand. Morale cannot be maintained if accusations of harassment are a threat, and Commanders are unable to keep the males focused on the mission when they are at war with each other over a female unit member. â€Å"Helen of Sparta was perhaps the most inspired character in all literature, ancient or modern. A whole war, one which lasted for ten years, was fought over her† (Bell, 1991, p. ). King David of Israel ordered Uriah the Hittite into battle to fight in order to commit adultery with Uriah’s wife in his absence. He would even wage war against another nation in order to eliminate any competition for his women. But a relationship with a supervisor or a co-worker is detrimental to teamwork and fairness in the workplace. A lack of trust or possible resentment toward another soldier can possibly result in poor judgment in the heat of battle when someone decides they are mad at the man that got the girl. Disrespect among the ranks, mistreatment of fellow unit members, and destruction of professional reputations will surely affect the career progression of everyone involved. And what happens to the effectiveness of the unit when a female combat soldier gets pregnant? Naval ships at war must return to shore because of the pregnancy of female sailors, thus hindering the combat mission. Infantry units must evacuate the female soldier out of the war zone and reassign her to a support position back in the States. The disruption to combat readiness is extreme and can be costly. Chivalry is not dead. The basic, instinctual nature of males is to protect females. This is true of any species of animal. Parents raise their sons to protect women, and to ensure their safety because they are less capable of protecting themselves. While this may not be true of all women, it is certainly true of all men. In the New York Times article, Female POW is Abused, Kindling Debate, by Ellaine Sciolino, Army Major Rhonda Cornum was interviewed regarding her captivity during the Persian Gulf War. She said â€Å"Everyone's made such a big deal about this indecent assault,† she said, in her first interview since the war. But the only thing that makes it indecent is that it was nonconsensual. I asked myself, ‘Is it going to prevent me from getting out of here? Is there a risk of death attached to it? Is it permanently disabling? Is it permanently disfiguring? Lastly, is it excruciating? ‘ If it doesn't fit one of those five categories, then it isn't important. † But the male so ldier that was with her had a different opinion. The 22-year-old specialist from Fort Rucker whom Iraqis slapped and beat during interrogations said he had not changed his opinion that omen should not be in combat, despite what he described as Major Cornum's stoicism. â€Å"I worried about her all the time,† he said, â€Å"and being a P. O. W. and going through the torture, the pain, you shouldn't also have to worry about what's happening to the female soldier all the time. † While the women may be able to endure such atrocities that come with war, the men are not psychologically prepared to deal with listening to the screams of their women being raped, sodomized, and tortured by the enemy. Then there is the moral question behind women in combat units. The question isn’t necessarily whether a woman can do it, but whether she should do it. Assigning them into these positions would â€Å"require training men and women to regard the brutalization of women, and a woman’s brutalization of others, as normal and acceptable† (Kirkwood, 2003, p. 1). According to Vietnam War hero Ron Ray, â€Å"Women should only be used in combat if national security depends on it. † This means that all of our men have been killed or captured, and the only possibility of survival is left with the women and children. Even then it should be a last resort. There is something unsavory in the mouths of society in turning a woman into the kind of person that is capable of performing such heinous actions that are required in close ground combat against another human being, while being expected to nurture our children once she returns from such brutal actions. Women by nature are the nurturing gender. What will this do to our society of civilized humans if we turn our women into barbaric warriors? Women certainly play a significant role in today’s armed forces. On a grand scale they have been instrumental in improving the readiness of their organizations, better enabling them to perform on the asymmetrical battlefield. But placing them into close ground combat positions will not improve the readiness or performance of the armed forces. The presence of women in combat units creates sexual tension that eventually puts one man against another in direct competition for her, thus affecting morale and cohesion. As prisoners of war, women will put their male counterparts at risk because a man’s instinct is to protect the woman rather than complete his mission and overcome the enemy. As a civilized society, it is morally wrong to place a woman into a position where she could be brutalized, or where she would have to brutalize another. They simply are not emotionally or psychologically equipped to do that, and nor should they be. But in the quest for equality of the sexes, placing women in combat units isn’t the answer. It should still remain more important to maintain military tradition and combat effectiveness than it is for social experimentation.

Burrhus Frederic Skinner essays

Burrhus Frederic Skinner essays Burrhus Frederic Skinner was born on March 20, 1904. His parents were the typical lawyer and housewife. As Skinner went off to college, he received his Bachelors Art Degree in English from Hamilton College. He didnt fit in very well there and decided to write for the school paper. By doing so, he came to the conclusion that his ultimate goal in life would be a writer. He sent off many examples of his poetry and short stories to newspaper articles, which landed him in Greenwich Village in New York City. After some traveling there, he decided to go back to school, this time at Harvard. He got his masters in psychology in 1930 and his doctorate in 1931, and stayed there to do research until 1936. (C. George Boeree, 1998) That same year, Skinner moved to the University of Minnesota and taught there. He met his wife, Yvonne Blue. Together they had two daughters; the second daughter became famous as the first infant in Skinners inventions. This invention was a combination crib/pl aypen with glass sides and air conditioning; some referred to it as a baby in an aquarium. In 1945, Indiana University welcomed the new chairman of the psychology department, Burrhus Skinner. Three years later, he accepted his invitation to Harvard where he stayed the rest of his life. During his stay in Harvard, he wrote many psychology books, including Walden II and Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Skinner had many theories, though his entire system was based on operant conditioning. During this operating, the organism encounters a reinforcing stimulus. This stimulus has the effect of increasing the operant the behavior occurring just before the reinforcer. The behavior is followed by a consequence, and the nature of the consequence modifies the organisms tendency to repeat the behavior in the future. (C. George Boeree, 1998) Skinner is very famous for his Skinner box. He kept a rat...

10 Fun 5th Grade Math Games to Help You Learn

10 Fun 5th Grade Math Games to Help You Learn SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Looking for a fun and effective way to reinforce the math skills learned in 5th grade? Try playing a game! Games are a great way to solidify the key lessons fifth graders learn in the classroom while also having fun. In this article, we'll talk about the key skills students learn in fifth grade, why games are so important for mastering those skills, and give you a list of 10 games you can start playing right now. Key Math Skills Learned in 5th Grade Fifth graders put together the skills they've learned throughout elementary school to solve complex problems using complex numbers. While they work on building their fluency for these skills, they also learn how to apply them to real-world problems about time, measurement, and money. Most states in the United States have their own unique educational standards, but the basic fifth grade math curriculum and the skills fifth graders learn are fairly standard. Fifth graders learn: How to divide whole numbers with and without remainders How to make connections between decimals, fractions, and percentages How to multiply and divide fractions How to compute the area and volume of basic geometric shapes like rectangles and squares Fifth graders will also start to investigate basic algebraic equations, as well as the relationship between circumference and diameter. Each of these skills can be reinforced with games to help students master them. How 5th Grade Math Games Can Help Master Key Skills Games are a great way to help students learn key skills. There has been tons of research about how effective games are in helping students not only learn how to master a concept, but also have a safe space to explore and fail. Here are a few reasons why 5th grade math games should be an important part of your student's practice: Games are a fun way to practice. Fun math games for 5th grade students help them practice needed skills in a way that feels fun, not frustrating. Students won't feel like they're wasting their time learning, they'll feel engaged and excited about their practice. Games teach important skills. Games are a great way to introduce new skills to students. A 5th grade math game about basketball, for instance, can be a good way to get students to think about diameter or circumference before actually teaching them the skill. Likewise, once students have learned about a skill in the classroom, games can help them apply the skill in a real world setting. Aside from the educational skills students learn, games also teach students how to deal with failure, work together, and overcome obstacles. Games form positive memories of learning. Learning math can be frustrating for a lot of kids. If they experience failure or frustration learning in the classroom, games are a great way to reclaim their sense of worth and help them actually have while learning. 5 Fun Math Games for 5th Grade You Can Play in the Classroom There are tons of fun math games for 5th grade students that you can play in the classroom. Here are ten of the best. #1: Multiplication/Division War Students will build fluency with multiplication and division problems by working to figure out which student has the highest sum or product quickly. This is a great way to reinforce the basic skills students need for other 5th grade math problems. All you need for this game is a few sets of math fact flash cards. For fifth graders, use multiplication or division cards. Link to detailed instructions: here #2: The Amazing Equation Game This game helps students become more familiar with basic algebraic in a fun, competitive way. Students will learn to get comfortable with variables like letters standing in for numbers, as well as figuring out how to manipulate equations. For this game, you'll need scrap paper and pencils for your students and white paper (or index cards) and markers to prepare the game. Link to detailed instructions: here #3: Percent Flash Students will learn how to easily calculate percentages. They'll pull a card and add a "0" to the end. For instance, if they pull a "2" card, they'll be working with 20%. Then, they'll roll the dice and calculate the percentage of the numbers they rolled. This game will help students become more excited about percents. For this game, you'll need a deck of cards, dice, one calculator per player, paper, and pencils. Link to detailed instructions: here #4: Graph Puzzles Geometric shapes can make many students uneasy. This 5th grade math game can help students become more confident with their graphing skills. Students will learn to draw shapes using positive and negative numbers and ordered pairs to create fun shapes- just like solving a puzzle. For this game, you'll need graph paper, pencils, and rulers. Link to detailed instructions: here #5: Lego Area and Perimeter This skill teaches students the basics of figuring out area and perimeter for rectangular shapes. You'll have students to figure out area and perimeter by placing the legos on the graph paper and counting the squares. For this game, you'll need small legos, graph paper, a pencil, and paper. Link to detailed instructions: here 5 5th Grade Math Games Online There are tons of 5th grade math games online that your student can play. Here are five 5th grade math games online that cover a wide variety of 5th grade math skills. #1: Multiplying Fractions Soccer Game This game has student solve fraction problems in order to have the chance to score a goal for their soccer team. The game has students interpret the products of different fraction multiplication problems. The game is great because it can be played on computers and tablets without installation and can be played alone or in teams. It's fun for students to kick the soccer goals, but the game is more about the math than the soccer. #2: Papa's CupCakeria This game helps students persevere in the face of problems, as well as manipulate fractions. The student has to fulfill cupcake orders and work quickly to staunch the flow of customers in a shop. This game is fun, with brightly colored graphics and a fun soundtrack. It can only be played on a computer, which limits the number of students that can interact with it, and it's focused more on real-world problem solving than fractions, with students spending more energy balancing fulfilling order than actually figuring out the fractions. #3: Math Games This online math game database has tons of different practice problems built into an online platform. You can practice basically every skill your fifth grader will need to master during the year, broken down into standards. This database is great because it has hundreds of problems for every single 5th grade math skill. Unfortunately, the skills are more drills than games - they're really just straight practice. Still, this is a great way to get lots of practice on lots of skills in quickly. #4: Boat Coordinates This fun and simple online math game has you help navigate a boat down a river full of obstacles by selecting the proper coordinates to steer to in four quadrants. This game is great because it can be customized to a single quadrant or four quadrants to help students master the skills at different levels. This is a solid game for many students, with the one caveat that it has to be played on a desktop, not an app. #5: Algebra Meltdown The game starts simple but gets increasingly difficult as it progresses. Unfortunately, the game isn't responsive to student progress, so it gets more difficult whether or not your student is ready for it. However, a student who does well at linear equations will find this game fun and challenging. Go Play! There are thousands of 5th grade math games that you can use to reinforce math skills for your student. You can play games online or in-person- either way, the games will help them learn while having fun. What's Next? Before you play some of these games, you'll need to know some basics about graphing. Learn about the four graph quadrants (and where numbers are positive/negative) here! Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa). Are you learning about logarithms and natural logs in math class? We have a guide on all the natural log rules you need to know. Did you know that water has a very special density? Check out our guide to learn what the density of water is and how the density can change.

Social policy development for the aged in the modern day context Dissertation

Social policy development for the aged in the modern day context - Dissertation Example Over the past couple of decades, the senior citizens have become contributing members of the society in their own way (Chung, McLarney and Gillen, 2008). The complete change in the perception about the elderly in the past few decades warranted for a change in the way policy makers devised policies to meet their meets. In 2002, under the aegis of United Nations, the Second World Assembly was conducted in Madrid and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging was declared. The conference proposed a strong plan for providing social care and social development for the elderly, and for providing supportive environments for the same (DESA, 2002). This plan forms the basis of several countries own policies. Though the awareness regarding the need for a social policy for the elders is a recent development, many nations have already formulated policies regarding this. For most developed nations, these policies for the elderly revolve around improving the social status that the senior cit izens have and ensuring that they continue to function at their optimum (Voit and Vickers, 2012). Policies continue to focus on their safety and healthcare, but also endeavor to enhance participation in cultural and social activities. The overall aim is therefore to improve the quality of life for the elderly members of the society. Most nations like the United States and Canada have active Elderly Assistance Programs that function with the help of the government and the non-governmental organizations and help provide a supportive environment to the elderly citizens (Litwin, 2000).On the other hand, in the developing nations, such policies are in a nascent stage only. However, much of the policymaking related to the aged is undertaken in a normative manner with the government paving the way to develop new benefits or incentives for the elderly in a bid to make their life more comfortable. There appears to be little focus on understanding the perceptions of the elderly and their opin ions on what social policies related to them need to imbibe. The current research therefore endeavors to fill this gap by exploring the perceptions and opinions of the elderly and hence to present an assessment of their needs from their perspectives. The following research questions will guide the research: Research Questions 1. Are the senior citizens of XYZ satisfied with the quality of social policy aimed at them? 2. What are some of the changes that are needed for social policy so that the needs of the older citizens are adequately met? Literature Review A review of the available literature has highlighted the fact that The Elderly Assistance Programs of several countries are found to have become more and more responsive to the needs of the overall development of the seniors (Everard et al 2000). For example, in the European Union (EU), several innovative policies have been implemented that provide for the elderly to engage themselves more with their lives. Countries in the EU p rovide facilities that enable the elderly to have free or subsidized access to the cultural institutions. Also, there are several initiatives and programs that the elderly can participate in or lead, like the EU environment care programs that