Analyze a Foreign Song Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analyze a Foreign Song - Essay Example (â€Å"Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna – Part 8†). â€Å"Mitwa† is a typical instance of popular Bollywood film music in contemporary times. It has a catchy, lighthearted tune, fuses Western and Indian styles of music and even has a few lines of English lyrics. E.g.: â€Å"Love will find a way† is part of the refrain verse. The time signature is a simple 4/4. There are three main singers: Shafqat Amanat Ali, Shankar Mahadevan and Carolisa. The texture is therefore a polyphonic one. The leading voice is a tenor. The orchestra and chorus are present throughout the song and contribute significantly to the song. The orchestra comprises instruments of both the Indian classical music tradition as well as the Western music tradition. For instance, the Indian Tabla and the electric guitar are both discernible in the refrain (ref. 1:47 of the song). The form of the song, like most mainstream Bollywood music, is strophic. The tune of the first stanza is repeated for later sta nzas; there is a common refrain as well. The device of counterpoint is also used at times, notably around 2:15 when the singer sings a taan, or a rapid progression of melodic notes. â€Å"Mitwa† is different from the typical Western popular song in several ways. The instruments it puts to use, like the Tabla and the Indian keyboard Harmonium, are not heard in mainstream pop music in America. If one were to compare it with something like Eminem’s â€Å"Lose Yourself†, the difference emerges right away. â€Å"Lose Yourself† is entirely a rap song with words that are spoken rather than sung to a repetitive percussion. Melody and harmony are not integral parts of a rap song. In â€Å"Mitwa† however, the orchestral music and melody of the songs are crucial to the song. â€Å"Mitwa† also has musical interludes and refrains that are very different from the refrain in â€Å"Lose Yourself† which is primarily rap. Bob Dylan’s â€Å"The Times They Are A-Changin’† belongs firmly to the traditions of Folk and Country & Western music. Comparing it with â€Å"Mitwa† also reveals differences. Dylan’s song relies primarily on the content of his lyrics to carry it through. The song itself is sung simply with a minimalist acoustic guitar accompaniment. This is in stark contrast with â€Å"Mitwa† which uses an extravagant orchestra throughout. â€Å"Mitwa† can be contrasted against a Bluesy track like Cream’s â€Å"Crossroads† too. â€Å"Crossroads† has an eight-note riff in its rhythm section whereas â€Å"Mitwa† has a refrain that is dominated by the percussive sounds of the Tabla and the Interlude music. This song has several eclectic features. The uses of an orchestra ensemble, the fusion of Western and Indian music and the use of English words in the lyrics are all its defining features. In this it is similar to the Western tradition of the musical an d call-and-response urban gospel music. In both these styles there is the presence of a chorus, usually there is also an orchestra ensemble. The polyphonic texture and importance of melody are also common features. â€Å"Mitwa† can be compared to a song like â€Å"I Will Follow Him† from the Sister Act soundtrack which has a similar buildup. It starts out with just the vocals; then there is the introduction of the percussion and accompanying instruments and finally the climax with the entire chorus and orchestra. I liked the song because of its lilting tune that slowly builds up into a catchier beat. I

Review and evaluation of information security program Term Paper

Review and evaluation of information security program - Term Paper Example Introduction 3 2. Information security governance and its strategy 4 3. Regulations for information security in banking software industry and their influence on governance of the security program 4 4. Information security governance model and framework 6 5. Implementation of company’s security program, challenges and their remedies 12 6. Measuring the company’s information security program success 13 7. What is working well within the company’s security program? 14 8. What is not working well within the company’s security program? 16 9. Improvement of information security governance 17 10. conclusion 18 Review and evaluation of information security program 1. Introduction An IT oriented company is more prone to information security risks than a regular institution. The company in consideration provides banking software services which is a complex task requiring complete security to its clients. The company consists of several departments such as administra tion, finance, software development among others making the total workforce to be over 200 individuals. The company Information security governance formulates strategic goals, ensures achievement of goals, manages risks; make use of resources, and carefully assesse the achievement of the information security program. ... Previously the company has not had well-structured procedures to evaluate attainment of the set information security objectives in order to take appropriate intervention measures. As of now the company has an efficient approach to management of security threats and risks. This approach has been made possible by implementation of some aspects of security management. Information security policies According to Monaghan (2009), there are various security policies that ensure effective information security governance and provide a way of protecting organization’s information assets (information and  information systems) from destruction, disruption, unauthorized access, use or disclosure. Personal Communication Devices and Voicemail policy describes Information Security's requirements for usage of Personal Communication Devices and Voicemail that include all handheld wireless devices, wireless cards and pagers for an organization. Bluetooth devices and voicemail boxes are issued to authorized personnel upon approval. This policy further dictates that files containing data that is deemed sensitive shall never be stored on these devices. Physical security policy governs access to facilities housing critical information systems and back-up systems like the company server rooms. These facilities are subject to access monitoring enabling the capture of identity of the person entering or exiting as well as the timestamp. This policy ensures secure location of network devices, servers and storage media are accessed by authorized personnel and that entry codes are changed periodically where locking mechanisms with keypads are used. It gives

The Factors Influencing Procurement Strategy Construction Essay

The Factors Influencing Procurement Strategy Construction Essay Masterman described project procurement as the organizational structure needed to design and build construction projects for a specific client. This is very true to an extent because the process of obtaining a building by a client involves a group of people who are brought together and organized systematically in term of their roles, duties, responsibilities and interrelationship between them. After assessing all options and confirming the need for a construction project, a more detailed case for the project should be developed. A strategic approach to procurement should be based on understanding the clients business needs and drivers, and to fully appreciate the market in which it operates. This is absolutely fundamental in establishing how efficient the construction project can assist the client in achieving business success. The bespoke nature of many construction projects increases the inherent risks. These risks include completing a project which does not meet needs, which is delivered late or costs more than the client can pay or fund. All these risks can impact the clients core business, seriously. The procurement strategy developed should balance risks against project objectives at an early stage. Even at this early stage, initial concept designs can be developed to enable the client and those who will use the new facility to look at how initial designs will respond to business needs. FACTORS INFLUENCING PROCUREMENT STRATEGY The selection of an appropriate procurement strategy has long been identified as a major contributor to project success but which route is the most appropriate depends on the goals, requirements and resources available. Many procurement strategy selection techniques have been developed, with a view to assisting clients in their choice of the most appropriate procurement approach for their projects (Kumaraswamy and Dissanayaka, 2001; Luu et al., 2005; Perng et al., 2006; RICS, 2007). Most conventional procurement selection techniques are based around the concepts of time, cost and quality. While the use of such criteria can be used as a guide to assist decision-makers with an initial understanding of the basic attributes of a particular procurement method they should not be used as the sole basis for selecting the procurement method. This is because of the underlying complexity associated with matching client needs and priorities with a particular procurement method. An array of variables can influence the choice of a procurement method. Once the primary strategy for a project has been established, then the following factors should be considered when evaluating the most appropriate procurement strategy (Rowlinson, 1999; Morledge et al. 2006): External factors consideration should be given to the potential impact of economic, commercial, technological, political, social and legal factors which influence the client and their business, and the project team during projects lifecycle. For example, potential changes in interest rates, changes in legislation and so on. Client characteristics a clients knowledge, the experience of the organization with procuring building projects and the environment within which it operates will influence the procurement strategy adopted. Client objectives are influenced by the nature and culture of the organization. The degree of client involvement in the project is a major consideration. Project characteristics The size, complexity, location and uniqueness of the project should be considered as this will influence time, cost and risk. Ability to make changes Ideally the needs of the client should be identified in the early stages of the project. This is not always possible. Changes in technology may result in changes being introduced to a project. Changes in scope invariably result in increase costs and time, especially they occur during construction. It is important at the outset of the project to consider the extent to which design can be completed and the possibility of changes occurring. Cost issues An assessment for the need for price certainty by the client should be undertaken considering that there is a time delay from the initial estimate to when tenders are received. The extent to which design is complete will influence the cost at the time of tender. If price certainty is required, then design must be complete before construction commences and design changes avoided. Timing Most projects are required within a specific time frame. It is important that an adequate design time is allowed, particularly if design is required to be complete before construction. Assurances from the design team about the resources that are available for the project should be sought. Planning approvals can influence the progress of the project. If early completion is a critical factor then design and construction activities can be overlapped so that construction can commence earlier on-site. Time and cost tradeoffs should be evaluated. Risk The unique and bespoke nature of building projects means that clients who decide to build are invariably confronted with high degrees of risk. The risk inherent in every construction project can be assumed by another party. The principal guideline in determining whether a risk should be transferred is whether the receiving party has both the competence to fairly assess the risk and the expertise necessary to control or minimize it (Harman, 1996). Hartman (1996) found that both parties must have a clear and similar understanding of the risk. The selection of a procurement method should be viewed as an iterative process whereby project objectives and constraints are constantly compared with possible procurement solutions. Turner (1990) says that the key to procurement is to identify the priorities in the objectives of the client and to plan a path, a procurement route that will be most appropriate. It is emphasized that priorities must be put in order of precedence, each in order before other, because by definition there can be only one priority. SELECTING THE PROCUREMENT ROUTE A good number of procurement methodologies are available to satisfy a clients priorities in the project objectives. There are procurement methods that will achieve: Certainty of cost and time for a design developed by an architect employed by the client. However, this is a sequential and consequently slow process (known as the traditional procurement process or design-bid-build). Relative speed and cost certainty. However, the design will usually be the responsibility of a contractor and consequently the client will lose some control over the design process (known as design-build). Relative speed for a design developed by an architect employed by the client. However, cost is uncertain almost until completion (known as either management contracting or construction management). Here, we look at each of these strategies in a little more detail. TRADITIONAL PROCUREMENT This is probably the most commonly used method of procurement and it is suitable for: all clients (experienced or inexperienced), complex projects and/or projects where functionality is a prime objective, time predictability, and cost certainty. However, it is not suitable for fast track projects. The client develops the business case for the project, provides a brief and budget and appoints a team of consultants to prepare a design, plus tender documents. The client appoints the building contractor to construct the works to the design, by the contract completion date and for the agreed price. Usually much of the work is sub-contracted to specialist firms but the contractor remains liable. The consultants administer the contract on behalf of the client and advise on aspects associated with design, progress and stage payments which must be paid by the client. The separation of the contractor from the design can mean missed opportunities for contractor or specialist contractor to input on buildability. This strategy is a low-risk option for clients who wish to minimize their exposure to the risks of overspend, delays or design failure. However, the exposure to risk will increase where the design phase is rushed, where unreasonable time targets are set or where the tender documents are not fully completed. There is a variation of this method which involves two-stage tendering contractors tenders are based on a partially developed consultants design (stage 1 tender). The contractor then assists with the final development of the design and tender documents, against which tenders for the construction works are prepared (stage 2 tender). Whoever put forward the first stage tender has the opportunity to tender or negotiate the second (construction) stage. This approach increases the risks of an increase in overall price and a less certain completion date but contractor involvement is likely to increase the likelihood that both these criteria are realistically established. DESIGN BUILD This method of procurement involves the contractor being responsible for design as well as construction, and it can be suitable for: all clients, including inexperienced clients and those requiring distance from the project, faster track and where cost certainty is desired. However, it is not suitable for uncertain or developing client brief as well as complex buildings. Responsibility for both design and construction is borne by the main contractor and will either use in-house designers or employ consultants to execute the design whiles specialist or sub-contractors execute the bulk of the construction work. The contractor tenders against a client brief and will often follow an initial concept design prepared by consultants appointed to advise the client. The design will be developed by the contractor and the works will be completed, usually for a fixed price. Tendering is more expensive so it carries more risk for the contractor than the traditional approach. This is because the contractor has to develop an outline design and a detailed price. Tender lists will probably be shorter than for traditional contracts. The Design Build approach gives the client a single point of contact. However, the client commits to the cost of construction, as well as the cost of design, much earlier than with the traditional approach. Whilst risk is shifted to the contractor, it is important that design liability insurance is maintained to cover that risk. Changes made by the client during design can be expensive, because they affect the whole of the Design Build contract, rather than just the design team costs. Noteworthy is the high design/quality risk associated with this approach as the contractor develops the design. To overcome this, we can have a refinement to this approach where the client has the design prepared to concept or scheme design stage and the contractor takes on finishing off the design and construction (develop construct). Furthermore the contractor may re-employ the original designers to complete the design in a practice known as novation. MANAGEMENT CONTRACTING This is suitable for fast track projects, complex buildings, and a developing brief. However, it is less suitable for inexperienced clients, clients wanting to pass risk to the contractor, and where cost certainty is desired before starting construction. Here, the client appoints designers and a contractor (management contractor) separately and pays the contractor a fee for managing the construction works. A feature is the early appointment of the contractor to work alongside the design team to develop a programme for construction and contribute to the design and costing of the works. The works are let competitively by the management contractor to subcontractors and specialists in appropriate works packages. This approach often means that design and the start on site overlap, with the design and tender packages becoming available just-in-time to suit the construction programme. The management contractor will not carry out construction work. This preserves the management contractors independence and reinforces a consultancy relationship with the client. Payment is made to the management contractor on the basis of the cost of the works packages plus the agreed fee. Much of the success of this approach depends on the contractors team. Unless the team is drawn from companies which are experienced in this kind of team working, the benefits are not always realised. There is less price certainty at the outset, because construction tends to start ahead of completion of all design stages and at a point when many of the work packages have yet to be tendered. This often means adjustments are made to the design and specification of works packages later in the programme to keep the project within budget. However, the overall process of design and construction tends to be shorter than in either traditional or design build situations. CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT This approach is similar in concept to Management Contracting. Contractors are contracted directly to the client and the construction manager manages the process for the client on a simple consultancy basis. Although in a sense this gives the client a greater measure of control, it also means that the client accepts a considerable amount of risk. The management contractor is simply an agent, and usually cannot guarantee that the project will be finished to time and cost. As it requires constant involvement by the client this approach is really only suitable for experienced clients.

photosynthesis :: essays research papers

Organisms Depend Upon Photosynthesis A. Organisms Depend Upon Photosynthesis 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Photosynthetic organisms (algae, plants and a few other organisms) serve as ultimate source of food for most life. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Photosynthesis transforms solar energy into chemical bond energy of carbohydrates. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Most food chains start with photosynthesizers. Solar Radiation Key Discoveries of Photosynthetic Process Structure of Chloroplasts Function of Chloroplasts A. Solar Radiation 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Solar radiation is described in terms of its energy content and its wavelength. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Photons are discrete packets of radiant energy that travel in waves. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of types of solar radiation based on wavelength. a.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gamma rays have shortest wavelength. b.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Radio waves have longest wavelength. c.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Energy content of photons is inversely proportional to wavelength of particular type of radiation. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation has photons of a higher energy content. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Long-wavelength infrared light has photons of lower energy content. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  High-energy photons (e.g., those of ultraviolet radiation) are dangerous to cells because they can break down organic molecules by breaking chemical bonds. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Low-energy photons (e.g., those of infrared radiation) do not damage cells because they do not break chemical bonds but merely increase vibrational energy. d.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  White light is made up of many different wavelengths; a prism separates them into a spectrum. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Only 42% of solar radiation that hits earth’s atmosphere reaches surface; most is visible light. a.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Higher energy wavelengths are screened out by ozone layer in upper atmosphere. b.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lower energy wavelengths are screened out by water vapor and CO2. c.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Consequently, both the organic molecules within organisms are processes, such as vision and photosynthesis, are adapted to radiation that is most prevalent in the environment. 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Earth’s Energy-Balance sheet a.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  42% of solar energy hitting atmosphere reaches earth surface; rest is reflected or heats atmosphere b.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Only 2% of 42% is eventually used by plants; rest becomes heat. c.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Of this plant-intercepted energy, only 0.1 to 1.6% is incorporated into plant tissue. d.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Of plant tissue, only 20% is eaten by herbivores; most of rest decays or is lost as heat. e.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Of herbivore tissues, only 30% is eaten by carnivores. 6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Photosynthetic pigments use primarily the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. a.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Two major photosynthetic pigments are chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. b.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Both chlorophylls absorb violet, blue, and red wavelengths best. c.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Very little green light is absorbed; most is reflected back; this is why leaves appear green. d.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Carotenoids are yellow-orange pigments which absorb light in violet, blue, and green regions. e.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When chlorophyll in leaves breaks down in fall, the yellow-orange pigments show through.

Developmentally Appropriated Practice For Preschoolers Education Essay

Nowadays more and more parents are looking for appropriate attention for their kids. DAP gives an chance realize all wants and outlook of parents. Developmentally Appropriate Practice ( DAP ) is a attention that takes into history each kid ‘s degree of physical, social-emotional, linguistic communication, rational, and adaptative development. Children provided with the chance to prosecute in DAP are better set up for success in school and society. The subject of DAP is discussed in the book â€Å" Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Course of study and Development in Early Education † , by Carol Gestwicki. The book explains what DAP is and touches such subjects as developmentally appropriate physical, societal, emotional, cognitive and linguistic communication environments. The methodic and plan of DAP differ for every age group ( Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, Primary-Aged Children ) . The preschool age kids develop larning activities that include linguistic communication, motor physical activity and motions. Such activities normally include mystifiers and blocks, wheel playthings and climbers, dramatic drama moving and narrative relation. Preschoolers enjoy different experiences and activities such as cutting paper and fabric some cookery and other art activities. Children of this age already can acknowledge forms, colourss ; they can even utilize simple math and problem-solving accomplishments. At this age kids combine thoughts, their memory is turning and their motor accomplishments are bettering. Children show a large involvement in the written linguistic communication. Kids besides develop an involvement in the universe around them, are fond of particular events and trips. Adults should listen to kids, promote originative drama, fall in them in activities, aid to construct self-esteem, and set consistent bounds. Preschoolers need grownups to promote and back up their originative drama, articulation in their activities, assist them to understand societal norms, and set consistent bounds with them. Three and four-year-old kids should be given ample chances to derive experience with linguistic communication, big motor physical activities, motion, and all right motor activities. Adults who work with kindergartners should hold warm, fostering personality with appropriate behaviour, willing to larn, be dependable, to understand the emerging demand for the kindergartner to set up friendly relationships and have. Adult should accept different attention giving methods and techniques, besides read, talk and listen to the kid. Developmentally appropriate patterns include social/emotional, cognitive, physical and linguistic communication development. Social and emotional development of kindergartners. It is really of import for kindergartners to develop their accomplishments in societal and emotional domains which are keys to their success in life, every bit good as, school. The surveies of scientists explain how necessary societal and emotional preparedness is to a kindergarten activities, success in school, and their ulterior grownup achievements. There are three cardinal ends for societal and emotional development. The first is the Sense of Self. It deals with a fact of how childs feel valued and accepted by the people whom they love. The 2nd is the Responsibility for Self and Others. It deals with developing wonts and character qualities such as duty, and independency, autonomy of a kid, and following regulations and modus operandis. The 3rd key is the Prosocial Behavior, which works with qualities such as empathy and sharing that that will assist kids to collaborate in the universe. Cognitive development of kindergartners is the procedure of larning how to believe and happen a ground. Such accomplishments are connected with literacy and mathematics. Such domains as scientific discipline and societal surveies, are besides includes the same as the humanistic disciplines, and engineering. Such development is non merely memorising facts. Preschool kids are â€Å" larning to larn. † Such accomplishment is of import for future acquisition. The three ends are: acquisition and job resolution, logical thought, representation and symbolic thought activity. Learning and Problem Solving teaches small kids how they should information, resources, and stuffs they have. Kids learn how to believe about their thoughts, how to do anticipations, and besides how to prove possible solutions. The qualities such as wonder, continuity, and using cognition, make larning more of import than merely larning new facts about the universe. Logical Thinking helps kindergartners to understand the information they are garnering. Children attempt to compare and contrast things, to screen and sort. Besides kids learn to number, step and so on. Representation and Symbolic Thinking aid kids to concentrate on how they use symbols in idea. Symbols can be objects, people or representations through drawings. Symbolic believing besides includes. Physical accomplishments are besides really of import for the bettering accomplishments in reading, composing, scientific discipline, and math. Physical development affects societal and emotional development because childs gain assurance while they learn what their organic structures can make. The more childs can make, the more their want to seek new and more hard undertakings appear. The two ends for motor accomplishments are: gross motor and all right motor. Gross motor development involves the motions that are controlled by the organic structure ‘s big musculuss while all right motor development wage attending to commanding, coordination, and sleight of the little musculuss in the kids ‘s custodies. Environment for activities should be clean and safe ; the plaything and stuffs should be displayed on unfastened, low shelves. There should be countries for the undermentioned types of acquisition centres or infinite for kids to play with the following types of stuffs: dramatic drama, blocks, art: colouring, picture, pulling, pasting, etc. The country should include sand and H2O district for playing games. Working stuffs should include books. Activities should include music and motions, while the manipulatives would be mystifiers, nogs, little building points scientific discipline. There besides need to be included some sort of big motor country for throwing, siting, mounting, jumping, running ; are for separate cot/mat for single sleeping ; some private, getaway infinites. All countries ought to be soft. The stuffs that are normally used in DAP with kindergartners are siting playthings, balls/bean bags to throw, mounting equipment, books, blocks ( different forms, textures, weights, colourss, sizes plus vehicles, animate beings ) . Such dramatic drama stuffs as vesture, theme points ( house, physician ‘s office, food market shop, etc. ) are besides used. Teachers and parents should utilize art supplies: assorted sorts of pigments, crayons, markers, chalk, assorted sorts of paper, drama dough, gum, paste, scissors, etc. while the composing supplies should include: pens, pencils, paper, stapling machine, paper cartridge holders, envelopes, following letters and Numberss, etc. Language development plays a great function in development of kindergartners because a foundation in linguistic communication development gives childs accomplishments needed to go successful scholars. The researches show that kids who have large linguistic communication experiences in preschool are more volitionally to do stronger their linguistic communication and literacy accomplishments. The ability of kids to listen, compose, read and talk is developed interdependently. The ends for linguistic communication development are: hearing, speech production, reading and composing. Listening and Talking involves spoken linguistic communication. Such accomplishments as holding a big vocabulary and ability to show oneself are of import for kids. Reading and Writing involves the aid of grownups to do sense of written linguistic communication for kids as they enjoy reading. Such development additions kid ‘s ability to manage books and understand the intent of book and how it works, it besides teaches how to recite a narrative. Preschoolers learn the alphabet and words while playing games. Developmentally appropriate pattern for kids should be alone for every kid, because all kids are different and have different abilities. Parents should cognize that the acquisition and development of their kids depends on heed to all facets of a kid ‘s wellbeing. Attention should be paid to physical, societal, emotional and cognitive dimensions of kid development.

Big Fat Tax Analysis

In the article â€Å"Big fat tax is no gut buster† author Susie O’brien attacking the new tax on the fast food industry. By the opening slogan, â€Å"DON’T tax the big mac† she asserts her position on the tax. Written in bold the slogan immediately catches the eye and as it cleverly rhymes is very memorable. The author continues in cementing her standing on the issue by saying that a junk food tax is not the answer and the rhetorical question that, â€Å"why should reducing our weight start with our wallets? Her target audience with this piece would be those for the tax as she argues that there are downsides to a tax on fast food as well as alternatives that could be better. The image plastered in the centre of the article shows a man made of fast food. It relates to the subject of the article yet despite the amount of greasy fast food also seems appetising. The author also states that she is definitely for helping overweight Australians however that a fa t tax is not the answer.We see colloquial language which creates a feeling of comfortability with the author when she states a fat tax is such a, â€Å"one-pronged solution† whilst also dismissing the idea as small-minded. The tone she has written in persuades readers to agree as she says, â€Å"it (government) can remove every damned junk food vending machines from gyms, sport club houses and schools. † The power in which the author says this makes her statement a real rallying point as if she is part of a protest.Whilst loaded language like â€Å"damned† and the rhetorical/loaded question of â€Å"why do so many parents reward kids for playing sport with a packet of chips? † This sentence gives readers who do this a sense of guilt whilst those who don’t may find it amusing. She then goes on to give the audience someone else to blame for their fat with the rhetorical question of, â€Å"Why not start by cracking down on irresponsible food labellin g? She continues on with fact and research as she states that all our foods are, â€Å"choc-full of toxic ingredients like saturated fats, trans fats, palm oil and high-fructose corn syrup, which is one of the leading sweeteners in food, but is very hard for the body to effectively break down. † This makes the author seem knowledgeable on the subjects which can persuade readers into trusting her as she clearly knows what she’s talking about. The author gives many alternatives to a fat tax which seem simple to impose as well as logical to reducing obesity rates.The author proposes ideas such as setting up safer pedestrian walkways so that people (especially kids) may walk to places such as the local shops/schools. Inside these alternative solutions she can now turn it back on the fat tax by using loaded sentences such as, â€Å"Why does every social solution seem to involve taking money out of my pocket and putting it into Treasury? † as well as, â€Å"In short, if it (the government) wanted to, it could stop this problem in its tracks. But instead it's being told merely to increase taxes.Talk about punishing the victim. † The author befriends her audience and makes it seem like she’s one of us/on our side so that it persuades readers to come round to her view. Her use of rhetorical questions makes readers come to assumptions that she wants them to. Whilst also giving them someone to blame in the government alluding that they are simply out for out money. Her powerful final sentence, â€Å"So let's forget fads like tax on fast food, that will just make takeaways more expensive and will do nothing to change the way people live their lives.Let's do more to change every single day to make life healthier for everyone. † leaves readers with a sense of duty and that the author’s aim is simply to help us, the people persuading us to be against the fat tax. Susie O’brien uses rhetorical questions and loaded langua ge to coax readers into making assumptions about the government and the fat tax. Clever slogans and imagery helps her arguments be memorable as well as logical. She creates someone to blame as well as alternative solutions which makes a fat tax seem small-minded. This persuades readers to agree with her postion.

Impact of Testing Research Paper

Impact of Testing Research Paper Introduction The government of the United States of America is charged with among other roles the responsibility to ensure that its citizens receive adequate services. Such include good health care and education. Special emphasis has been to these two sectors since they are the backbone of the economy. Provision of quality education to students makes the country achieve significant progress. This is because when people study they are able to get jobs and thus become independent. This further ensures that poverty is eradicated before it takes a toll on the nation. The educated group of citizens also contributes to nation building through useful engagements other than engaging in malicious activities such as theft. They are able to provide labor in the various sectors; both government and private. Federal Initiatives relating to testing It is for this reason that the government initiates certain decisions and policies which directly affect testing in education in the U.S.A. Testing is important because it defines the student’s level of understanding of a particular matter. The government has initiated policies to this effect since it is a sensitive matter that requires care when being administered. Testing has both advantages and disadvantages. Such initiatives include the No Child Left Behind initiative, adequate yearly progress and FCAT in Florida (Wilberforce, 2005). The No Child Left Behind Act The no child left behind initiative that came to place through an act of the congress. The initiative upholds that high standards be established so as to establish quality education delivered to students. The initiative has seen increased funding go towards education. The initiative further maintains that adequate yearly progress be performed on the students in the course of their education. This refers to the use of standardized tests which are then used to determine how every school performs. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is yet another initiative aimed towards helping boost performance in schools. The Bureau of K-12 Assessment is responsible for the assessment of students using these tests. These assessments provide useful information about students learning in Florid. This is as required by law (Wilberforce, 2004). Adequate yearly progress This is a measurement by the United states Department of Education. It analyzes how every public school and school district performs. This is done through administration of certain tests which are standardized. Private schools however do not conduct adequate yearly progress Policies to incorporate the admission tests These are tests used in the process of admission at elite/ private school. It also includes admission to colleges and universities. These are used as a prediction on how likely a student is to succeed in academics. The National assessment of Education progress policies This is an assessment carried out at national level and is used to find out the level of development of a student n his progress academically. This assessment is important since it gives statistics to the government and other stake holders in how the students are performing academically. Elementary and Secondary Education Test This amendment was made in 1988. This test is issued to students to test their ability academically when placed on the same conditions. All students therefore take the same test. General Education development test policies. This test is developed by the American Council on Education. The test is done by students as individuals. A certificate is issued to graduands to this effect. California Achievement Admission Test legislations These legislations led to the establishment of the National standardized examination for grades K-12. It tests the achievements of a student. The service is available all year round. Negative Impact of Testing on Learning in the Classroom Testing is known to have certain disastrous effects on students and schools generally. The students may for example suffer emotionally when preparing for examinations. This is because tests are used to gauge a student’s ability and his or her understanding of scope. This makes the student feel anxious and at times suffer from fear of failure. The student certainly knows that by failing that examination, he will not proceed to the next level and may suffer scorn. The feeling of fear and emotional insecurity is worse during the examination period. Cases have been reported in the past of students who faint in the examination room as they sit for their examinations. This depicts a feeling of fear in the student (Watson, 2011). The method of testing students is in itself not sufficient. Using testing as a method of condemning a student to fate is not sufficient at all. If we take an example of a student who has all the years been good academically then he or she fails to perform in the last exam, it is unfair to say that the student is not fit to proceed in the next level. The parameters of measuring his or her ability in this case can only be termed as flawed and without basis. It is important that a different method be used other than just administering tests otherwise the real meaning of education will fade away sooner than later (Luckzak, 2005). The method of testing also encourages cramming among students. Students read voraciously putting a lot of effort and spending time in the library just to pass exams. The true meaning of education is lost whereby it is supposed to produce all rounded students who can work with results. Students who cram to pass examinations therefore get it wrong because they lose out on important bits. Such is what would have made that student to be among the top professionals who can possibly be there. Testing is also insufficient since teachers teach to the test. Teachers want their students to pass examinations not because they want them to fit in their profession well but because they want them glory to come back to them (teachers). This makes testing lose the meaning it was intended for since teachers end up leaking the exam to the students and some even teaching it in class. The process of leaking examinations to students and them being given the same examination is actually a contravention of ethics. Teachers who leak tests to the students do it oblivious of the fact that these students are becoming wasted. Standards of unfairness are at times also exercised by teachers in the process of marking. Some teachers intentionally fail students in their exams simply because they failed to conform to a favor they possibly wanted. This again makes testing lose the intended meaning. Such students end up failing not because they are poor in that particular area but because the teacher f elt they should not pass that particular exam (Afflerbach, 2007). How Testing Influences School Funding Tests are also used by schools as a means of extorting money. They charge very high examination fees to cater for the tests and thus end up exploiting parents. The method has therefore faced a lot of opposition from parents who feel it is a petty fraudulent scheme. To add salt into injury the money received is sometimes not properly accounted for (Paul Watson, 2011) The schools are supposed to administer test which will depict how the students have been performing. The government then uses this analysis to determine how much it will give to schools. Where improvements are not made, the schools receive reduced funds. They are also given alternative punishments which make the people concerned to be more accountable. Testing as a disadvantage to non-performing schools The method of testing also discourages schools that fail to do well. This is because the schools feel they are being sidelined in terms of performance. This is especially so where the performance of different schools compared. The performance index of different schools is compared and ranking is done accordingly. This may discourage the schools at the bottom while the students feel like they are not good enough (Pearson, 2001). Effect of testing on teachers Testing gives undue pressure to the teachers who are required to mark and give timely reports. A class that does not do well in the tests may also demotivate the teacher who may feel like he or she did not teach well. This could however not be the reason why the students did not perform well. They probably did not do their part. The teacher may however be blamed by the school administration for the poor performance (Pearson, 2001). Testing is also a disadvantage in the sense that it leads to less funding to poorly performing schools. Such schools appear as if they have been sidelined which is often interpreted as unfair to them. Effect of Testing on parents Testing may have certain effects on parents. For the students who fail to do well, their parents may feel the students did not put in as much effort as required. Some may go to the extent of punishing their sons and daughters in schools while others may feel they are wasting money paying for school fees. Wrangles are common between children and their parents over poor performance while in school.