Laptops replace textbook Essay

The initial reaction to this question by many people is, â€Å"What a ridiculous question!† However, there are many key issues to consider, like cost, ease of use (is the computer screen too hard on our eyes for extensive reading?), maintenance and repair (if students carry them from class to class, will they break?), but most importantly, student learning (what is the best way to help students learn?). In order to come to a conclusion on the subject, all of these issues must be explored. Cost First let’s look at cost. Publishers can create a CD of their textbooks, and at a greatly reduced price because there is no need for paper, printing and binding. However the costs can be spread to the purchasers in other ways. The need for the technology to use the CDs is the largest expense. However, most districts spend money on technology already, and with the purchase of a laptop for each student, the need for computer labs should eventually become minimal or obsolete as laptops are purchased. This should be considered when looking at costs of purchasing laptops and text CDs. Another side effect of giving, renting or requiring student purchase of laptops is that other computer functions like word processing and PowerPoint should be included with the initial purchase, and all students will have similar ability to access programs to complete homework assignments. Reading a computer screen can be difficult for long expanses of text, so I think that the cost of printing saved by the publishers will be passed on to the owner of the printer to which student computers are connected, though the cost will be considerably less than binding a textbook. Some students may not be organized in keeping pages in order, or throw away the chapters after they are finished, so if students want to refer to the book in the future, they may find a need to reprint parts of the book. Paper will inevitably be wasted. The actual cost difference may be hard to discern, but it is likely that a laptop with digital text combination, in the end, will be more expensive. The question is, what are the priorities of the school district? Should school districts sacrifice student learning in the interest of a cost savings? Some computer companies offer special programs, or quantity discounts. Some districts may require parents to purchase laptops. Henrico County Public Schools in ia, offers insurance on laptops, which the school system owns, to parents for $50. Tracy Unified School District in California at their charter school, Discovery Charter School, has implemented a laptop program, and replaced their textbooks with laptops for 20% more than the cost of textbooks. They expect the costs to decrease because, in the future, they will only need to replace laptops that are broken, and purchase new discs for their textbooks Ease of use Next, consider ease of use. If a school can hook up a wireless network, students should be able to access online sources from most places in the school, including study hall. Teachers should no longer hear that students could not get into the library or lab to complete assignments, and students will be free to explore the ability of the technology more completely. In fact, teachers may find themselves changing their method of teaching to best utilize the technology. Schools that implement a laptop program should employ technology people to teach students and teachers how to use them, to maintain the machines, as well as keep networks in order. This is very important to help minimize frustration on the part of students and teachers. It is very frustrating to have a lesson planned and not be able to go forward because things out of your control are not working properly. Student learning Student learning is the most important thing to consider when deciding teaching methods. Laptop computers allow for more interactivity with subjects by using multimedia methods. Publishers Holt, Rinehart and Winston show concepts like photosynthesis using animation which enhances printed words on the subject. Students can also reach WebQuests and other simulations such as frog dissections on the Internet. Students can create projects using PowerPoint and many other programs to illustrate what they have learned. All these things support a constructivist atmosphere which has been shown to enhance learning. Pros and cons A good way to analyze the question is to create a list of pros and cons on the subject. In the category of pros: The ability to replace outdated and incorrect information quickly and inexpensively. Computer literacy, which can be important in the job world, becomes second nature to students who have constant access to a computer. Interactivity is enhanced with laptops and a constructivist atmosphere is fostered. Use of laptops allow a student led atmosphere by instituting a more project-based method of learning, also promoting a constructivist atmosphere. Concepts are easier to grasp when presented in a multimedia way. A laptop for each student builds a bridge across the digital divide. Giving students an expensive piece of equipment encourages responsibility for the equipment. Many students and teachers who have been part of laptop programs in schools report increased organization capability. Students can â€Å"trade† places with teachers, offering new information that was not known to the teacher or class, fostering a sense of pride and self-esteem. Some texts offer students the ability to highlight and annotate while studying. Teachers in laptop schools report that students create longer and more well written assignments because they need not use resource books to locate spelling and grammar mistakes. Students report that they learn about writing styles better because of the instantaneous corrections. If the district uses digital texts, students will not need to carry huge and heavy textbooks from class to class. Backpacks will be lighter and damage to spines will be less likely. Students also may need to spend less time in their lockers. The cons are not as numerous, but contain more â€Å"weighty† items: The possibility of theft (will the laptops make students a target?) Breakage and maintenance are expensive and can cause students to lose time on projects. The laptops themselves are expensive, although some vendors offer huge discounts to schools and for quantities purchased. There is a need to have a good connection to the Internet, preferably a wireless one. The teachers must be on board, or they will not utilize the laptops and the resource will be wasted (and the money spent will be wasted). Plagiarism is a greater temptation with easier access to the Internet. Students may become distracted and get off task more easily. Technology failure, of all types. In fact, on a survey given to teachers at Piscataquis Community High School in Maine on their One-to-One Laptop Program, there were only three main complaints after two years of involvement in the program: 1) Laptops causing distractions, 2) inappropriate use of the computers, and 3) technology failure. One perspective to consider is that when school districts buy textbooks, students have a few activities they can accomplish using them. They can read and study to learn. They may find practice quizzes and further resources in textbooks but they must take the initiative to go to the library, or search for information, and grade their quizzes. The functions of a textbook are few, though important. When a school districts buys a laptop and digital information for a student, the student finds him/herself able to not only read and study to learn, but able to fully synthesize the information with interactive quizzes, and links for further information, as well as an ability to produce a paper or other end product. Students will not need to have a computer at home, or visit a public library or computer lab to complete their assignments. As well, all students will be using the same programs. The most useful places to find information about laptop programs is from schools that have implemented them for three years or more, so the Hawthorne affect has diminished, since most of them have been in the news, studied or scrutinized in some way. Also by then, the novelty of using new technology, which can inspire students to study more, has worn off. In Maine, standardized test scores for eighth graders have been only slightly elevated or the same over non-laptop schools. In an article by Andrew Speyer called â€Å"Technology in Schools: Why Laptops?†, Mr. Speyer states that â€Å"A laptop in a classroom will not result in students having higher SAT scores. It will not guarantee that students will have higher grades, better attention, or learn the daily material more completely. . . Control will shift from a teacher-based experience to a collaborative experience. If there is any single argument for the use of laptops in a classroom this would be it.† Even with no significant improvement in scores, laptops are still worth having because they support constructivist methods, which has been shown to improve learning. In fact, the question that arises in the newest literature is not â€Å"Should schools use laptop computers?†, but â€Å"Can hand helds replace laptops?† Conclusion Laptops can not only replace textbooks, but can enhance student learning overall. Using computers on a consistent basis can move a classroom toward a more collaborative method of learning. With laptops students would be  able to have access to the Internet for research, word processing, and PowerPoint programs anytime, even in study hall. If a school district can take the money they would normally spend on textbooks and add some of their technology money, they may be able to achieve a goal of providing a laptop computer for each student over time. Even if standardized test scores remain the same, there are still advantages to having a laptop for each student. Regular Ed students write longer, more complete assignments, possibly due to ease the of using word processing and better resource searching ability. Buying laptops and digital textbooks may be a huge step to take, but a district may be able to work their way into them slowly by introducing laptops a grade level at a time, or in various other ways. If the goal of the district is to maximize student learning, individual laptops may be a good way to do it. Laptop learning supports constructivist activities, which have been shown to improve learning. Activities which students have a say in choosing for themselves, and choosing their own methods to complete, allow them to become more enthusiastic and involved with their learning. They can become more like partners in their own learning, rather than fairly inactive absorbers. With a laptop a complete project can be accomplished, but with a textbook, only half of a project can be accomplished. AUTHOR: Alisa Humphrey References Curtis, D. (2003, December 16). The Maine Event. Edutopia Online. Retrieved October 10, 2004 from http://www.glef.org/php/article.php?id=Art_1119. Chapman, G. (1998, June 15). Push to trade class textbooks for laptop PCs is a misuse of technology. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 6, 2004 from http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/21cp/laptops.htm. Cook, G. (2002, July). Laptop Learning. ASJB.com. 189 (7). Retrieved October 9, 2004 from http://www.asbj.com/2002/07/0702coverstory.html. Harris, Walter J. & Smith, Lori. (February 2004). Laptop use by seventh grade students with disabilities: Perceptions of special education teachers. Maine Education P

The Evaluation of TOEFL test

The test is used in college admissions for non-native English speaking students to an English- peaking country purposes. Although it provides scores of test takers so that college administrators can know their English proficiency directly, the test is not aim at ranking. The test divides criteria into four parts: reading, listening, speaking and writing. According to process, reading comprehension is the first part should be measured. This part tests test takers' ability to comprehend academic reading materials.In this section, the format of questions Is multiple choices and content of test questions Involves In various ways such as testing vocabulary, details, and mall Ideas. To avoid creating an advantage to examinees In any one field of study, sufficient context Is provided so that no specific subject can be used to answer the questions. It is a big advantage of the test. Moreover, other advantage is like that, due to diversified questions, it helps learners to know how to get inf ormation effectively in a limited time.It also encourages test takers to read more academic materials involving in different area and critically think how to read deferent academic articles when they are learning. However, the questions of reading test mostly adopt multiple choice rather than short answer. It may limit takers to think more about their own opinion. For example, when testing about vocabulary, the question Just gives four choices and asks examinees to choose the best one. Actually, there are also have a lot of words can be selected.The goal of the question Is to assess test takers about their understanding of this word. Therefore, I think If questions may ask examinees to write down their own words based on their comprehension that Is better. In the listening section, it involves in dialogues and academic talks. The purpose of this section is to test listening comprehension in academic environment. In other words, it measures test takers' ability of listening for basic comprehension, listening for pragmatic understanding and to connect and combine ideas presented in multiple information sources.Like reading section, the formats of questions also adopt various ways. Moreover, examinees' note taking can be practiced and improved from the listening test. Dialogues and lectures talking will last more than one minute. To most of them, they cannot memorize the whole content without noting. Therefore, how to write down key information in a limited time can be a skill for test takers who will study In an academic atmosphere. Furthermore, diverse formats provide a good opportunity for them to realize how to master essential Information with thinking different ways.The speed of listening Is normal speed and sometimes, the listening test involves in different voices of pronunciation to make test takers know and listening test as we discussed above. I think the way that listening test needs to improve is similar to reading test. It also means that using open questions replace multiple choices can be thought. Next part is speaking test. This section will test ability to communicate effectively in a variety of situations.The ability of synthesizing and summarizing what test takers have read in their textbooks and heard in and outside of the class, the skill of forming their own opinions in response to the information they have processed, well-developed, coherent and clear idea with effective use of grammar, and good pronunciation and intonation these are main goals to assess speaking ability. The strength of this part is to combine reading with speaking and to provide opinion-based questions. Moreover, the degree of each question be tested is gradually harder.The topic for examinees may also from familiar to a little hard to understand. In my opinion, the speaking test can be a bad section as well as a good one in TOEFL. The good way is that it not Just evaluates speaking ability in academic way but also involves in common environment. I t not just has output but input first such as reading, and then speaking. Nevertheless, due to the test is based on Internet, that is, speaking section also needs to be tested in the computer, and it brings a problem.Compared with talking to examiners, it is not flexible. It has no communication between examinees and examiners. For my perspective, test takers also may feel anxiety because there has no response when hey speak and feel nervous or without good preparation to speak due to time limited. The last component in TOEFL is the writing section. It measures ability to write in standard academic English. It divides into two parts: integrated writing task and independent writing task.The goal of the first part integrated writing task asks examiners to demonstrate that they have understood material coming from different sources (reading and listening) and to combine the information from those sources in a coherent, well organized, summarized written form to draw conclusions of the important points. The independent writing task aims to measure the students' ability to state their opinions or express their comments on topics which are based on their personal knowledge and experience. In general, if test takers want to get a higher score, they should know steps of essay and practice more in academic ways.The good thing of this TOEFL writing test is using academic materials to integrate reading and listening to write a summary. Although topic of independent writing task is not necessary referring to academic issues, the writing steps should follow in academic steps. Moreover, owing to computer-based writing, the score is not influenced by handwriting. Nevertheless, it may also be a problem due to time limit especially for some people who are not good at typing or have not well speediness. It is a little hard to deal with except encouraging these persons to practice more about their typing.To sum up, I think TOEFL test is a good test though it brings some challeng e to me. There have a lot of benefits of this test. Firstly, it ensures that test- takers are being measured objectively on the same material. The grading is standardized based on rubrics provided by TEST, so test scores are the same no matter whom or what is scoring them. Secondly, there is no age, no gender and no nationality limit for taking the test. Anyone who wants to assess their English language performance especially for people who need to study aboard in English feedback.When persons received their result, score will definitely appear in their paper and evaluation of each section will be provided so that examinees are able to know the strength and weakness of themselves in general ways. Finally, the speaking and writing parts integrate some input tasks such as reading and listening to test rather than be measured separately. The integrated tasks may be considered more Hellenizing in the test will help learners build the confidence needed to communicate in the academic envi ronments they plan to enter because students need to be able to combine their language skills in the classroom.Appropriate challenge will improve learners to more think about their weakness of language learning and hence to find effective ways they can develop. However, there still have some limitations in the test. In the first place, although test takers can be offered some feedbacks from the organization, the feedbacks of scores Just simplify the degree of their performance. They cannot get more individual feedback about the strength and weakness they have according to the test. Likewise, each level still has its deviation.Even though examinees can get same level of sections for each test, they may confuse about the score why last time they can get a high score whereas this time is a low score. In the second place, I feel the time arrangement also has its problem. In general, the test will last three hours at least but Just ten minutes for break from morning to afternoon. For man y test takers, the time may make them feel exhausted and influence their performance more or less. In the third place, the procedure of the test may also have its weakness.In order to avoid cheating in the test, examiners require learners to answer extra section such as reading or listening based on different individuals randomly. Hence, it will result in the time of speaking section beginning different. It is unfair to the individuals who are doing speaking earlier while others who are still doing reading or listening part can have a chance to listen others' speaking and have more time to prepare during the break. The final point I want to mention is that there have a lot of test preparation for each section test.Learners will make more focus on searching or studying methods in order to get a higher score rather than improve their language ability. As we discussed above the limitation, not all can get right solution. But I think we still are able to find some ways to improve. First ly, the examiners can provide rubrics of each specific score for test takers instead of the level of performance. That is, I think they need to list more details of each point and make learners more better understanding about why they can get this point and why they cannot get. The feedback should mainly reflect individual's strength and weakness instead of general errors.The general problem also can be placed in the reflection but not in the domain way. Secondly, when talking about dealing with the procedure, I think administers may provide another place for test takers about test speaking. In other words, when finishing their reading and listening part, examiners need to go the place which dedicated to speaking test after having a rest. Finally, due to various test preparation, in my opinion, I believe that form of diversification can be a good way to assess. For example, applying more open questions instead of multiple choices may be helpful for improving learners high order thin king.

Exposition universelle of 1889 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Exposition universelle of 1889 - Essay Example Nonetheless, the period had a significant effect on the natural sciences, education, and historiography. Also, this period is presumed to have complex and considerable impact on politics. It is associated with radicalism and liberalism and later on nationalism (Breckman 10). This paper will look at the Romantic era or Romanticism and compare a painting and a musical work. The Romantic era authenticates tough emotions as a genuine basis of aesthetic understanding, putting emphasis on emotions, for example, awe, horror and terror, and apprehension. This is especially that which is encountered in tackling the sublimity of wild nature and its charming features, both current aesthetic groups. This period progresses ancient custom and folk art to something gracious. Moreover, the Romantic era makes spontaneity an attractive feature and advocates for a natural performance of human beings activities as habituated by natural processes in the context of customary usage and language. The Ration al era reaches past the classicist and rational ultimate models to raise a revitalized element of art and narrative and medievalism presumed to be realistically medieval in an effort to get away from the boundaries of industrialism, urban sprawl, and population growth (Breckman 19). This period also tries to embrace the distant, unfamiliar, and exotic in forms more genuine than Rococochinoiserie, utilizing the power of the imagination to escape and to envision. Painting The Romantic era first appears in landscape painting, in the visual arts. One of the most prominent artists of the Roman era is the pioneer of The Hudson River School, Thomas Cole, from America (Powell 6). This school concentrates on developing landscapes of the United States continent in a pastoral location where human beings are perceived to be connected with their land. These artists appreciate the diversity and beauty of the American landscape as coming from God’s grace. Moreover, these artists’ wor ks establish a visual depiction of the thoughts of American transcendentalism. The painting of focus is The Course of Empire. This is a painting containing five pieces. This painting is one of the most recognized paintings of Thomas Cole. The Course of Empire shows the artist is trying to argue against religion that is not concurring with nature. The painting was developed between 1833 and 1836. The five sizeable paintings are a symbol of an unreal realm and its process from creation to destruction and revival. Thomas Cole illustrates the whole painting series because of the exclusive landscapes that act as the location and subject of each empire stage (Powell 13). The painting can also be presumed to be representing the five stages of civilization. This society builds to magnificence and then crumbles. The paintings highlight the Romantic worry that the progress of contemporary life is intruding on the peaceful life of the past and will end up weakening the structure of civilizatio n. The Savage State This is the first painting. It depicts the valley from the shore adjacent to the crag. It is a dawning stormy day with a dim light. There is a hunter dressed in skins, he is in a hurry, and he is hunting a deer. There are also canoes moving up river. On the shore, there is a fire surrounded by a cluster of wigwams (Powell 18). This is a visual reference of Native American living. The Arcadian In this painting, the sky is clear, and it is morning of

Bipolar Disorder Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Bipolar Disorder - Research Paper Example With bipolar disorder comes many complications, but there are equally as many treatments in the ongoing battle against this disorder. Causes and Risk Factors Bipolar disorder is among the emotional disorders that has no definite cause. Regardless of the advances made in understanding this disorder, concrete causes are still being questioned and further investigated. However, there is an array of potential causes and risk factors that are believed to play a role in the development of bipolar disorder. Such factors include biological differences, hormones, neurotransmitters, inherited traits, and an individual’s environment. Biological differences, hormones, and neurotransmitters are vital aspects to the workings of an individual’s mind. If even one detail is off mark, the individual can experience a plethora of disorders, including bipolar disorder (Miklowitz & Cicchetti 229). It has been noted that many people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder have physical alterations to their brains that do not exist in the brains of people who do not have the disorder. It has not been determined as to what causes these changes, but they are one of the characteristics that many bipolar disorder sufferers have in common. Likewise, an imbalance of neurotransmitters, which occur naturally in the brain, are thought to play a part in the causation of bipolar disorder. This imbalance can come in the form of too many or not enough neurotransmitters, or neurotransmitters that are not reacting as they should. The same can be said about an imbalance of hormones. Should an individual have too many or too few hormones, they risk developing bipolar disorder. Since these two features of the brain are important in defining one’s mood, any off-set can trigger many mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is also believed to be a result of genetics, though the genes connected to the disorder are still to be determined. All the same, it has been shown that bipolar disorder is more common in individuals whose blood family, such as a parent or sibling, has a history of bipolar disorder or other mood disorders. Indeed, if there is a history of mood disorders, the risk of an individual developing the disorder themselves increases significantly. This connection has become too common to be just a coincidence, and doctors and scientists continue to look for the gene that may be linked to bipolar disorder. Finally, an individual’s environment is thought to be associated with the onset of bipolar disorder. â€Å"Genes are the bullets, but environment is the trigger† (Grieco & Edwards 63) is the agreement when it comes to most mood disorders. An individual might be prone to bipolar disorder, but they may not show symptoms of this disorder until their environment takes its toll. Stress, abuse, or a significant loss can trigger the start of bipolar disorder. Someone may have the makings for a mood disorder, though qu ite a few people go their entire lives without realizing it because they are not subjected to certain trigger events in their lives. There are also factors that can increase one’s risk of developing bipolar disorder. As previously mentioned, having blood relatives who have been diagnosed with a mood disorder increases one’s chances of developing bipolar disorder. Being subjected to periods of high stress or major life changes can drastically alter

Bioengineering in Food Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Bioengineering in Food - Research Paper Example 262). Hybridization, on the other hand, refers to the process of cross-breeding genetically dissimilar crops, both within and between species (Aheto, 2008, p. 77). Genetic engineering and hybridization differ in origin: genes from genetic engineering originate from any living organism, virus, or even chemical synthesis while genes from hybridization may originate from genetically different plant genera and families. Genetic engineering enabled food and crop scientists to manipulate the DNA of plants at molecular level. It has allowed possible transfer of DNA between two distantly species, unlike the traditional hybridization. Organisms that have been transformed using genetic engineering are often called transgenic organism, genetically engineered organism, or genetically modified organism (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 1); hybrid is the term used for organisms that underwent hybridization. The major differences of genetic engineering and hybridization in agriculture are noticeable in terms of results and economic impact. No matter how good the breeder is in choosing the best parents to cross or hybrid, the result is still unpredictable in the genetic levels. DNA of parent crops recombines randomly and may exhibit desirable traits such as pest resistance but the hybrid may also exhibit undesirable traits such as poor quality and lower yield. Because of the possibility to produce a crop which has undesirable characteristics and the great deal of effort required to separate undesirable from desirable traits, hybridization or traditional breeding is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and is not economically practical. Meanwhile, genetic engineering is economically practical as it allows segmentation of specific characteristics of DNA to be selected and removed unwanted traits, making the desired gene controlled, precise, and of high quality (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 1). Advantages of Bioengineering Wieczorek (2003) identified a few examples of benefits or advantages of bioengineer ing to the agriculture, among of which are: increased crop productivity, enhanced crop protection, improvements in food processing, improved nutritional value, better flavor, and fresher produce (p. 2-3). Genetically engineered crops increased crop productivity because it introduced qualities such as disease resistance and increased drought tolerance to the crops (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 2). Examples of which are the cases in University of Hawaii and Cornell University that developed two varieties of papaya resistant to papaya ringspot virus. The used of genetic engineering in agriculture has also increased crop productivity by developing drought-resistant plants that are capable of using water efficiently. Genetic engineering also enhanced crop protection and can make cost-effective solutions to pests’ problems (Wieczorek, 2003, p. 2). The research from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis has made protein in the crops such as corn, cotton, and potato into a protein that ki lls certain insects when they feed on the plants. This technological breakthrough is also the protein used in natural insecticides. The similar case applies to Bt engineered into a corn crop, making pest control more cheaply, more effective, and less expensive, but Bt crops are considered inacceptable because the entire

Management of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Essay

Management of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System - Essay Example Other concerns have been expressed about the fact that SEVIS system information is kept by record number and not names. Some students have more than one record and this can make it difficult to update the database. Additionally, some contend that SEVIS has placed an added burden on schools, as they are now responsible for noting in the SEVIS system changes of those accompanying the students such as spouses and children. They are required to report on people who are not enrolled in their institutions. Schools are required to note in SEVIS when a student has entered the country, but has not shown up for classes. Thus, schools are supposed to be notified when a student enters at a port of entry, but, reportedly, this does not always happen. Through SEVIS, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should be able to identify students who have violated the terms of their visas; however, some have questioned whether DHS has the staff to locate all student visa violators, and whether it is a beneficial use of DHS resources to do so. There are also concerns that SEVIS errors will lead to unwarranted enforcement action taken against innocent students. Concerns have been raised about the fact that immigration ser

History--Alamo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

History--Alamo - Essay Example People with a strong knowledge of the historical events at the Alamo were also able to point inaccuracies in parts of the film (McCrisken & Pepper, 2005 p. 22). The earlier Western films starring John Wayne such as Rio Bravo, Fort Apache, and also Rio Grande were in many ways typical examples of the milieu of the Western, and how that genre portrayed the white settlement of the Western states during the 19th century. These motion pictures were not however generally based upon actual historical events (McCrisken & Pepper, 2005 p. 23). John Wayne often played the role of the brave gunfighter attempting to make things better, or the lawman fighting (often alone) the less savoury gunfighters that brought anarchy to the West. John Wayne in the majority of his Western roles plays heroic characters from his youth in Fort Apache through to his later middle age in films such as True Grit (Carter, 2008 p. 83). Occasionally the milieu of the Western would throw up a film that intended to be a highly accurate portrayal of real life historical events, such as The Alamo, starring and also directed by John Wayne. Though John Wayne was not overtly attempting to be very patriotic the film arguably generates the ideological meaning that the successful breakaway of Texas from Mexico was a significant event in the history of the United States itself. As well as a beneficial development for the people of Texas because they escaped the misrule of the Mexicans and went on to gain greater freedom as part of the United States (Carter, 2008 p. 166). Naturally enough John Wayne cast himself as the main figure in the story, Davy Crockett, the man that American folklore most readily identifies with the brave resistance against the Mexican army despite being heavily outnumbered, and easily overcome in the end. The Alamo was made during the golden era of the milieu of the Western, its

Book Review How Did That Happen by Roger Connors and Tom Smith 2009 Coursework

Book Review How Did That Happen by Roger Connors and Tom Smith 2009 - Coursework Example Something we go to when we are very close to pulling all our hair out from sheer frustration. Summary In most cases, we just need a surefire way to fix our problem, something that will guide us to the step of recovery, to save us from what has gone incredibly wrong and probably made us lose more than just our money. In such situations, more than the financial losses, we are worried about the amount of time, effort and energy we had put into the project. More often than not, we stress over our projects and spend sleepless nights wondering if our plan will be accepted by our targets and if we would achieve the success we had set out to. And when our project fails even a little bit, we can all but hang our heads in shame and disappointment. In How did that happen Roger Connors and Tom Smith address such situations. In the scene of the global economic crisis and where it was born, all managers have at some point or the other asked how all their plans went awry and how everything they had done was washed down the drain. But it’s not often that one can get answers to such questions. For one, the answer to every how did that happen is completely different. And another, no one will take the onus to explain to you what went wrong when you executed a particular plan. It is almost always up to you, the designer of the plan, to figure out what went wrong in your master plan, and where. In this day and age, we have the option to outsource our problems to consultants. They do an in-depth study of our plans and arrive at what went wrong and give us suggestions on how to rectify it. â€Å"Successfully holding others accountable to deliver on expectations, and doing it in a way that make others feel good about it, requires real effort and skill.† (Connors & Smith, 2009, pg.15-16). In spite of this, organizations may find it quite embarrassing to hand over their failures to random strangers. It makes the most sense to find the loopholes in the plan we have worked s o hard on. Review They say prevention is better than cure. But when the disease strikes, we cannot sob over not having taken the prevention. It is time for action. However, in most cases, when such crises strike, we have no clue where to begin to clean up the mess. We know that we have to do something to save our company from drowning, to keep ourselves afloat, but when disaster strikes, we lose our cool in all the panic. We need guidance, someone to tell us exactly what to do, when to do and how to do it. The only problem is, no one ever wants to take the responsibility to be that someone, probably out of fear of flopping out again. This is when smart people decided to write about foreseen crises when they were in a sober state of mind, so that when the problem showed its ugly face, people would have somewhere to turn to - a guide, a direction to move in to rectify what has gone horribly wrong. In How did that happen, Connors and Smith have defined in a very simple and comprehensib le manner what one must do in case of such outbreaks. Rather than giving us vague illustrations and long, complex instructions that no one will understand and confusing us even more, they have managed to break down the whole concept and give us step-by-step instructions that are definite, as opposed to the ambiguity one usually finds in such books. This may be the most important factor of this book, that even in spite of being a self-help book, it actually

God Does Exist Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

God Does Exist - Research Paper Example What makes man the most superior to everything in the world is his brain. It is our senses that fundamentally make us stand out and distinguished from all other organisms. Since humans’ common sense has led them to achieving all they have today, if common sense says the God is there, God must be there. God does exist. This is self-evident. Nothing gets made unless it has been intended and somebody has done it. We want a chair and we go to the carpenter. We want a skyscraper and we approach the engineers and the architects. We want a treatment for some medicine and we go to the doctor. All of this is done purposefully because we have a belief that when somebody tries, there is an outcome. So we tend to approach the right people for the task at hand. So this is understood that there has to be a creator for everything. There is definitely a limit to what humans can create. Through research, we have come to know that man has the maximum brain as compared to all other organisms and this is the reason why man is able to create much more and far better things than all other plants or animals. While there is a limit to human brains and so to the humans’ creations, there is somebody who has got more brains than the humans and is thus able to create the whole universe. Like we create buildings, airplanes, trains, computers, internet and all the technology, there is somebody who has created us, the plants, the animals, the sun, the moon, the stars and everything that we see around us and are not able to create no matter how much we try. That somebody is God. If we place a piece of paper upon a table, it would stay there for centuries and centuries unless someone comes and removes it. When a piece of paper cannot move on its own, we are bound to think of someone that is moving the sun, the moon and the Earth and is taking care of the whole solar system. There is somebody that is transforming the day into the night and the night into the day, and that is God. Whatever happens in this world, happens for a reason. Nothing is meaningless. A woman’s breast doesn’t milk unless she gives birth to a baby. We know that in the nascent stage, milk is all that a baby asks for, and there is somebody who is not only intelligent enough to understand this, but is also powerful enough to provide the baby with the milk from the source that is the most authenticated and the best well-wisher of the baby i.e. the baby’s mother. Witnessing all this, man that has been made with brains is bound to think of somebody who understands everybody’s needs and provides everybody with them. It is not the mother who can ever produce the milk unless there is someone who intends it and is powerful enough to do, and that is God. This universe has one rule. W hat is right feels right and what is wrong feels wrong. Nothing bad that one does makes one feel good. One lies and one feels bad about it. One cheats and one feels bad about it. One steals and one repents. One murders and one faces the consequences. All these acts i.e. lying, cheating, stealing and murdering are strictly forbidden by religion that comes from God. If there is one entity that abstains us from doing everything that we know is wrong, that entity is bound to be right and just. Not only this, we have even stronger reason to believe in God. After every sin, when we make apology to God, it makes us feel good. While only good things make

The cruel treatment Essay Example for Free

The cruel treatment Essay Miss Havisham, her dream is rather alarming as she wants too seek revenge on all male sex the reason for this is because of the cruel treatment she received from her fian. Since that day she has been wearing the same bridal clothing and has not removed anything out or out of place in her home. She lives her life vicariously through Estella whom she adopted and is used to break every males heart. She invites males from when they are young so slowly there hearts may be broken, eventually her dream also fails as many know about her plans and they tend to ignore her. Well, I thought I overheard Miss Havisham answer- only it seemed so unlikely- Well, you can break his heart.' (Pg. 59) Another instance of foreshadowing, this is the first point in the story when the reader can see Miss Havishams plot with Estella. Further on her plans come to an end as Estella is married to Drummel who is a cold hearted man and now she is beaten and treated the same as his animals as drummel states in the novel also Estella says he whips his horses, in comparison Im spared. Now Estella ends back at Satis house alone just like Miss Havisham, neither the two have succeeded in there dreams. Abel Magwitch, who is at first a gruesome prisoner that escapes on the marshes where he meets pip. for he gave me a look that I did not understand, and it all passed in a moment. But if he had looked at me for an hour, or a day, I could not have remembered his face ever afterwards, as having been more attentive. (Pg. 37) Pip is talking about his convict after the soldiers catch him. This passage is important to the story because it foreshadows all that is to come. Pip could not interpret what the convict felt for him. He was sent down to Australia where he made a fortune by farming but after all that time he still risked his life and came back to England so he can be pips benefactor, because of the favour pip had done him. Pip does not know who his benefactor is as he couldnt even imagine it would be Magwitch. Yes, Pip, dear boy, Ive made a gentleman on you! (Pg. 315) Magwitch tells Pip this the first night he comes to his house. It reveals that Magwitch is his benefactor and this one statement totally changes Pips outlook on his good fortune. His dream comes to an end as he is sophisticated and does not realise that he is a convict, the novel ends where he began it as a convict, no improvements has been made in his life also. All the characters did not go far with there dreams as they too hasty into doing things, firstly pip with all the money he has he squanders it all, Miss Havisham relies on Estella when she is married and beaten and Magwitch who is an escaped convict doesnt realise that pip cannot become a gentleman as Magwitch himself is not a noble person. All three characters inhabit imperfection in their own personalities and are ruined matters beyond their control. Pip tries to become a gentleman when his benefactor is not a nobleman and his origin is a blacksmith, Miss Havisham adopts Estella to take her revenge through Estella and Magwitch is trying to be pips father which he can never be, none realise and are expecting too much of themselves. All characters are linked in this way that they could try to use any means to make there dreams come true but it will not work as somewhere at some point there will be a tun over as they are imperfect in some ways. All their dreams are unreal and because of this they act unusually and behave the way they shouldnt. Their expectations are far too great for them too control over and from this they fail into fulfilling their dreams and aspirations. This novel is a mirror image of dickens and from this he wanted for the middle and upper classes to understand the lifes of the working class people and also children along with the difficulties and hardship they had to go through.

Customer Relationship Management

Customer Relationship Management This study aims to examine the causal relationships among customer relationship management and customer retention. This paper will follow the main aspects, characteristics, dimensions and processes of Customer Relationship Management, and will analyze the challenges that the local companies will have to face. There is one independent variable (customer relationship management) and one dependent variable (customer retention) with sample size 100 as convenience data collection. In this study will test the targeted customer satisfaction to gain customer loyalty as well as. This study will be examining the effect of customer relationship perceptions and relationship marketing on customers relations. Customer relationship perceptions are considered evaluations of relationship strength and suppliers offerings. Research marketing instruments are aimed at to evaluate the relationship and help to differentiate between loyalty or reward programs promotions. The subjects for the proposed study were bank customers. A self administered questionnaire had been used for the proposed study. Introduction: This part will be helping reader to introducing the bigger picture of related topic which will be discussed in this study. The topic is related to customer relationship management and customer retention to study what would be the impact of good relationship between marketers and the final consumer and along with this drive to follow the topic. The capability of customer relationship management on customer retention in other words how it will has an impact to retain customer and to make him or her loyal this is the main purpose to study this topic and this will be the main focus of this research. We are conducting this research to study that either the customers would be influenced by good relationship management and how much the relationship management would be help them out to retain customers loyalty as well. Basically the main concept of customer relationship is relationship between the customer and the organization in other words how a company can achieve large number of potentia l customer who is willing to buy a particular brand of same company and then how they are going to retain in the long run. Nowadays companies are willing to deliver right brand or service to the right customer with right features and benefits or attributes when the wanted. To become a good organization it should to manage good relationships with its customer in order to make more customers or to attract them and also keep in view with companys changing environment. Consumers willing to buy benefits and also interested to get good services as well as if we are talking about here the tele communication industry so we have lots of examples of different companies services which they are providing innovatively to satisfied their customers needs, wants and requirements also. All the companied are coming up with different and innovative ideas and using as a method to compete with their competitors successfully and because of that consumers are getting more aware with different and lots of services which are also increasing customers needs. This research is actually focusing on two areas, first is to test is there significant impact of customer relationship perception on customer retention or not? And second is, there is significant impact of relationship marketing instruments on customer retention or not? Because every company has aim to retain their current customer as long as much and also try to steal away from their rivals, so this study is testing the impact of customer relationship perception and relationship marketing instruments on customer retention. I took tele-communication industry to test customer retention that how much good relationships and marketing instruments have an impact to retain customers on the long term basis. The current expansion in customer relationship marketing has more and more paying attention towards the valuable impacts of consumer retention. The idea of structuring customer relationships and providing good quality service to maintain or persuade reliability is possibly of specific si gnificance in the service segment where it is frequently discussed that consumer appeal costs are considerably more than retention costs. The main purpose of investment in the expansion of service quality and consumer relationships is the faith that these investments will improve loyalty, retention and productivity. This study will discover the relationship between service quality consumer relationships and consumer loyalty and retention. Customer relationship is playing an important part within the organization as they are the keys in order to increase the sales, market shares and net profit, marketers are more focused nowadays to attracting and making more customers and plus to retain them forever, customer relationship process is very significant strategy to retaining, pertaining and acquiring quality customers or potential customers to make superior quality for the organization and for the customers. Marketing productivity can be achieved by create marketing efficiency and creat e marketing effectiveness. Customer relationship management is playing a key role to improve organizations well known name also. The main idea of this study is to test the impact of marketing instruments and customer relationship perception and to test how these two techniques are effective to influence customers, either it works truly or maybe it is not. Through data collection and market research we will be able to finalize this argue. Customer relationship management must be understand the difference between the high value customer and low value customer on the basis of lifestyle, perception, preferences, age, culture background and education also. Being a marketer we should focused on loyal customers because they are more profitable key customers company should has to invest more on loyal customers to give them high quality service, benefits and incentives also to retain them and this would be good way to be a positive impact on customers perception. Companies nowadays are diligently working on this sector to improve companys services in order to attract more customers. Customer relationship management is simply a philosophy that keeps the customers in the heart of the business organization, as we all know that consumer is a king of marketing companies should have serve them as best as they can. A successful customer relationship management process can be done by understanding customers needs and requirements and to integrate them according to the organizations internal strategy changings time to time and also according to the external changings analysis. Therefore the main aim is should be to start customer relationship management initiatives is to look what company is doing right now and what it should be doing in future to improve its interface with its customers. Purpose of This Study This study is focused on the impact of customer relationship management on customer retention. In this research there will be multi nominal logestictechnique using to identify the impact of customer relationship management on customer retention, there is one independent variable (customer relationship management) and one dependent variable (customer retention) with sample size 100 as convenience data collection. In this study will test the targeted customer satisfaction to gain customer loyalty as well as. The organizations look for paths to deal with consumer relationships in the long term basis and to find the service providing ways customer to manage targeted customers relationship which becomes a key main concern. This study will be examining the effect of customer relationship perceptions and relationship marketing on customers relations. Customer relationship perceptions are considered evaluations of relationship strength and suppliers offerings. Research marketing instruments are aimed at to evaluate the relationship and help to differentiate between loyalty or reward p rograms promotions. Literature Review According to author nowadays in marketing the fashion to constructing or maintaining of relationships between the customers and the marketers is now become a continues process to build and grow to be strong and marketers have become gradually more involved to retaining consumers for the long time in future to make them loyal. Not amazingly, a lot of realistic and theoretical models of consumer retention have discover fulfillment of their needs as a way to addressed in consumers judgment to keep or leave or discontinue to the specific manufactured goods or service relationship or association. Certainly, fulfillment of needs can be measure have accounted for up to 40% of the difference in models of Consumer retention. (Lemon, 2002) Managers of many multinational companies are strongly believed that there is a wide and rising subject of study explores on consumer fulfillment that center of principally on person level of fulfillments of desires with specific merchandise or services. Moderately slightly concentration Is paying to the determinants of marketplace level of satisfaction, which is distinct here as the collective fulfillment of those who buy and use a specific good presenting. The researcher objective is to build and experiment an approach to reproduction satisfaction that connects to the market place prospect, supposed performance or worth and consumer satisfaction over time (Johnson, Anderson, Fornell) According to a researcher of this study that the main purpose of this study is that the consumer Gaining procedure has an effect on the consumer retention procedure. This study shows a method for discovering consumer retention which determinant for the effect the consumer gaining procedure has on the retention procedure infect although information on non obtain prediction are not accessible. In other words if we are talking about statically so this means that the planned technique at the same time addresses information will be editing. This is very significant to code that the center of this technique is not to address how companies should Obtain consumers. In its place, the purpose of this technique is to accurate for the partiality in the consumer retention study that answer from imagining that consumer attainment and retention Are independent procedure. evaluating the technique with a normal technique used in retention study, this study illustrates that the normal approach disregard the connection among attainment and retention, guides to wrong conclusion concerning the period of the consumer company connection and the productivity of a consumer and mystification concerning the effect of marketing strategy on the period of the consumer company association (Thomas, 2001) Now a days the fashion in marketing in the direction to making associations with consumers keep on to raise and managers have been now more and more paying attention in retaining consumers during the time. Not amazingly, a lot of realistic and academic representation of consumer retention has discovered fulfillment since an input determinant in consumers choices to remain or fall that is discontinued. In other words a known manufactured goods or service relationship. Certainly, fulfillment of desires procedures have determinant at least 40% of the variation in representation of consumer retention. In this study, we search for to know which further aspects might manipulate the consumers choices to remain or go down a manufactured goods or service, over and above satisfaction level (Lemon, White, Winer) Customer relationship management Customer relationship management (CRM) is a grouping of individuals, processes, and technology intended to recognize and deal with a companys affairs with consumers by emphasizing on relationship development and customer retention. Its intention is to increase profit by achieving a most favorable equilibrium among corporate investments and customer satisfaction. CRM applications help organizations analyze customer loyalty and profitability on measures such as repeat purchases, dollars spent, and longevity (Chen Popovich, 2003). CRM also analyzes its roots to relationship marketing, which is objected at improving profitability in the long run by deemphasizing captivating fresh consumers and emphasizing customer retention through efficient management of customer relationships (Christopher, Payne, Ballantyne, 1991). Relationship marketing refers to all marketing activities aimed at forming, increasing, and maintaining winning relational contacts. The management of customer relationships is precious for the company (Morgan Hunt, 1994; Webster, 1992). Customer Relationship Management has been around for the last 30 years, but it became very significant when companies altered their approach towards marketing function. These days, the cross-functional approach to marketing needs an organizational climate and culture that appreciates teamwork and support among departments. Individuals within the business must value their part in helping clients, internal or external one. CRM builds on the values of relationship marketing and recognizes that clients are a business asset and not just a commercial audience, implies the structuring of the company from functions to Processes, information are used proactively rather than reactively and form the one-to-one marketing approaches (Payne, 2006) chiefly CRM allows the company to realize who their purchaser is, isolate the best client (those with whom you wish to have old associations), form relationships stretching over time and linking multiple interactions, handle the bond to shared benefit, search for to obtaining more of those best clients. Inputs like marketing tactics, products and customer base, and regulation, competitors and staff skills are synthesized in a CRM programmer which forms outputs as customer service, customer retention, more share of wallet, customer referral, more expected revenues streams, better profitability, lesser costs and better fulfillment (Russell-Jones, 2003). CRM has its roots in Relationship Marketing, that is an over effort of exchange associates to make a long-term relationship, characterized by purposeful support and shared reliance on the growth of social as well as structural association (Pulde, 1999). Light (2003) acknowledged that CRM originated from business processes such as relationship marketing and the increased highlighting on better customer retention through the efficient management of customer relationships. A CRM system can be observed as an enterprise information system that includes all business processes in marketing, sales, , and after-sale service that entails the client. Levine (2000) points out that CRM systems use customer-related information or knowledge to convey related products or services to the companys clients. One of the most important definitions of a CRM system has been put forward by Davenport et al. (2001), stating that CRM systems are all the tools, technologies and actions to direct, progress or assist sales, support and linked relations with clients, prospects, and business associates all through the enterprise. In the same way, Parvatiyar Sheth (2002) speak of CRM systems as a co partnering with choosy clients to create better worth for the company and the clients. It involves the integration of marketing, sales, customer service, and the supply-chain functions of the organization to attain better efficiencies and competence in delivering customer value. CRM is about captivating and keeping clients and increasing your business. To do so, you must recognize and achieve insight into your most valuable clients so you can aim and personalize relations with them. You have to alter products and services based on their requirements and Preferences and construct long-term, beneficial relations with them. To encourage beneficial growth, your corporation must become a customer focused enterprise. You do so by designing and constantly improving business processes and communication channels to build and convey greater customer value and outstanding customer experiences across all touch points. You know that loyal customers are your most vital assets and that your business practices must hold and maintain such relationships. Your business must understand individual customer requirements, react rapidly to customer desires and altering wants, and offer high-quality service. You must also lessen the cost of interacting with clients and allow your workers to focus on doing what they do most excellent. Customer relationship management (CRM) is a mixture of individuals, processes, and technology designed to recognize and control a companys relations with clients by focusing on relationship development and customer retention (Chen Popovich, 2003). Its intention is to increase profit by obtaining an optimum equilibrium among corporate investments and client contentment. CRM applications assist organizations assess customer loyalty and productivity on Measures such as repeat purchases, dollars spent, and longevity (Chen Popovich, 2003). CRM traces its roots to relationship marketing, which is targeted at improving long run profitability by deemphasizing captivating fresh clients and emphasizing customer retention through efficient management of customer relationships (Christopher, Payne, Ballantyne, 1991). Relationship marketing refers to all marketing activities aimed at establishing, budding, and maintaining booming relational exchanges (Morgan Hunt, 1994). The management of customer relationships is precious for the corporation (Morgan Hunt, 1994; Webster, 1992). Dwyer, Schurr, and Oh (1987) points out those customer relationships grow over different phases that are associated to the customer lifecycle. Greve and Albers (2006) identify three customer lifecycle phases: Initiation, Maintenance and Retention. These phases are characterized by differences in attitudes and orientations and thus need different management relationship approaches at each phase (Srivastava, Shervani, Fahey, 1998). Many organizations chartered with implementing CRM are confused as to what CRM in reality means (Payne, 2006). Persons, teams and managers might be struggling with where to start on in the CRM process. In a lot of cases they might have acknowledged a directive to implement a CRM solution with slight direction on what this in reality means. Payne (2006) points out that some of this uncertainty may be due to the fact that there are many vendors who recommend CRM-based solutions for information management therefore skewing the definition of customer relationship management away from fostering customer relationships and on the way to technology. Customer retention is very vital for businesses to continue to be competitive. It has lately become more significant compared to customer acquisition. In this Study the customer retention was calculated by four proportions i.e. overall firm contentment, repeat purchase intentions, positive words of mouth and loyalty to the firm. Earlier researches showed that when clients were pleased with a firm quality of services, (Maxham III, 2000) clients delivered positive words of mouth and suggested the firm services to other potential and prospective clients ( Soderland, 1998; Susskind, 2000 ). They also come back more regular to the firm to purchase in bigger amounts or in another words the tendency to repeat purchase was very high ( Palmer et al, 2000 ). In addition pleased clients were loyal to the firm even though they were given better perks, discount and other promotional incentives by competitors. Pleased clients are loyal and tough to defect to competitors ( Foster Cardogan, 2002 ; Zins, 2001) Relationship management is superfluous if customers defect since there is further no relationship to deal with. To retain clients, merchants must carry on satisfying them. When consumers are pleased, they continue to stay loyal longer, purchase more, chat thoughtfully about the company and its goods, and price fewer to service since the transactions become more regular. In order to Keep customers content is price effective, as it outlays extra money to tempt a customer away from the rivalry than to maintain the present one (Kotler, 2000) Acquiring new customers can cost five times more than the costs engaged in pleasing and retaining existing customers (Reichheld, 1996). Further, there seems to be a direct association among retention and company profitability and customer worth, which is explained as an exclusive blend of benefits received by targeted buyers. These benefits include quality, cost, handiness, in time delivery, and both before-sale and after-sale service (Kerin, Hartley, Rudelius, 2007). Also, a content purchaser tends to tell at least three other individuals regarding their shopping experience while a discontented purchaser tends to complain to at least nine other individuals. Content buyers also tend to become loyal customers (Sheth, Mitral, Newman, 1999). Relationship marketing is suggested as an approach to beat service intangibility (Berry 1983) and may be suitable for credibility services that are the, services which are hard for consumers to counseling services are in this group. The customer may have an association with a firm itself and/or a particular contact individual, but personal relationships are assumed to result in larger commitment (Liechty and Churchill 1979). Customer Relationship Management (Payne, 2006) is based on the idea that in order for a company to make the most of long term profit, client requirements have to be understood and Leveraged (String fellow, Nie Bowen, 2004). Payne and Frow (2005) report that the definition of CRM differs broadly. One end of the range deals with very planned and targeted technology solutions while the other end considers customer relationship management a holistic and strategic approach in order to increase shareholder value (Payne Frow, 2005). Firms use relationship marketing instruments (RMIs), such as loyalty programs and direct mailings (Hart et al. 1999; Roberts and Berger 1999). Firms also aim to build close relationships with customers to enhance customers relationship perceptions (CRPs). Although the impact of these tactics on customer retention has been reported (e.g., Bolton 1998; Bolton, Kannan, and Bramlett 2000), there is skepticism about whether such tactics can succeed in developing customer share in customer markets (Dowling 2002; Dowling and Uncles 1997). Relationship marketing is in reality Database marketing with a pleasant, more intellectual face. Many database marketing types just utilize the database as a list and mail things to it; relationship marketing implies a deeper knowledge of the client and some sort of give and take. In relationship marketing, there is acknowledgement of a clients life cycle, and marketing is viewed as a practice rather than a sequence of apparently unrelated proceedings. The process is typically explained as a series of customer stages, and there are many different names specified to these stages, depending on the marketers viewpoint and the kind of business. For instance, working from the start of the association to the end of the association: Interaction > Communication > Valuation > Termination Awareness > Comparison > Transaction > Reinforcement > Advocacy Suspect > Prospect > Customer > Partner > Advocate > Former Customer in this process, you attempt to modify programs for individual customer groups and the stage of the process they are going all the way through; as opposite to some forms of database marketing where everyone would get nearly the same promotions, with possibly a vary in offer. The phase in consumer lifecycle determines the approach used in marketing. An uncomplicated example of this would be delivering fresh clients a greeting Kit. And in relationship marketing, you pay attention to the data and attempt to listen to what its telling you. OK, if you pursue the techniques in the book, you are doing relationship marketing, no hesitation about it. Relationship marketing with a currency, a store of value that attempts to maintain the client locked up with a business. In loyalty programs, customer profiling is used broadly to encourage to clients, apart from points are used in its place of discounts as the incentive for activity. Loyalty programs are costly and hard to do right, but can be successful, as long as these things are true: The rewards are desirable to the particular customer base. Generic loyalty programs with blah awards nearly all the time do not succeed. If you are doing a sports loyalty program and you suggest tickets to big games in place of over-priced cameras for rewards, you will do okay with the clients. The program is kept new and thrilling, with a continuous diversity of stuff to entail the client with, as well as refreshing of the rewards directory, point auctions, etc.The marketing does not focus on thoughts forming subsidy costs between finest clients. In the ideal world, you need to utilize points to create activity from little value clients, and you do not need your high value clients spending down their points to zero every time. Some marketers persuade the opposite and bankrupt their programs. Loyalty programs have extensively been a significant component of customer relationship management for firms in travel related industries such as airlines, hotels, and rental cars. Information technology that enables firms to put into practice individual level marketing has facilitated the extend of loyalty programs into such diverse industries as gaming, financial services, and retailing (Deighton 2000). Some academic researchers have started to analyze loyalty programs. Behavior leaning researchers, such as Soman (1998) and Kivetz and Simonson (2002), have study the consequences of postponed incentives on consumer decisions. A unique feature of loyalty programs is that their attractiveness might alter with dynamism with respect to a customers decisions. As purchases are being made, all together the customers investment in the program and the customers probability of earning an incentive also enhances. on the other hand, when a customer decides not to buy in a specified time, the probability of earning an incentive minimizes, as the customer moves no closer to the incentive threshold, and the time left to earn rewards shrinks. The evaluation of a programs attractiveness becomes more complex because customers usually have inadequate awareness of their future necessities and of the marketing policies of the firm. These dynamic factors are a challenge in the modeling of customer reaction to loyalty programs. Customer satisfaction has for several years been a key determinant in analyzing why clients Disappear or go on with with an organization. Each organization wants to know how to retain their clients, even if they show to be satisfied. Richards refers that a few unsatisfied clients may wish not to defect, because they do not look forward to be given improved service somewhere else and that some satisfied clients may look for other options if they think they can get improved services in another place. Customer satisfaction is viewed a significant indicator of customer retention but customer satisfaction is not all the time a guarantee of customer retention. Retaining customers is also dependent on various other variables such as choices, conveniences, prices, and incomes (Richards, 1996; Jones and Sasser, 1995). Understanding the association among organizational strategy and customer loyalty is the Next region of examination. Oliver (1999) describes that customer loyalty will keep up a customer coming back for upcoming buying in spite of situational influences and marketing Efforts having the probability to cause switching attitude. Several researchers consider that customer satisfaction is a principal driver of customer loyalty (Kotler Keller, 2006), on the other hand Oliver (1999) and McAlexander, Kim and Roberts (2003) caution that contentment is only one driver of customer loyalty and that other factors must be well thought-out, together with potential obstacles to creating and maintaining loyalty (Gurau, Ranchhod Hackney, 2003). Customer satisfaction For customer satisfaction to be far above the ground, promises and hopes must be met. This involves the firms capability to recognize customer prospect. The ability to deal with problems as they arise is a key ingredient to success. Also, the organization needs to consider complaints as a gift! Why? Customers who have an issue dealt with to their satisfaction have a 95% likelihood of repurchasing and telling 5 people about their experience; if they dont complain (as 96% of people do) they will tell at least 10 other people about their problem. The occurrence of problems can cause a 15-to-30-point drop in high-satisfaction responses and in loyalty indicators. This puts revenue at risk to the average tune of 11%. So, some techniques to maintain and improve satisfaction must be considered. An effective complaint handling system is an excellent defensive tool. Ongoing surveys to measure customer satisfaction and loyalty, and capture the voice of the customer are also essential. The biggest problem, however, is that companies do not manage the customer contact experience with sufficient detail. Therefore I often recommend my Customer Experience Workshop as an effective analytical and improvement tool. It is practical and leads to speedy outcome. Customer retention Havent we all heard the now-clichà ©d quote Customer is the king? Not only is this true for all service oriented businesses, but also increasingly relevant for all types of businesses like manufacturing, product based businesses etc. Never has been the customer more relevant to an organizations success than todays essentially buyer focused markets. It, therefore, makes immense business sense to keep your customers from choosing other providers (your competitors) over you. Not only does this ensure you the advantages of repeat business, but also creates a comfort zone for the customer, where they can predict the quality of products and / or services theyll receive from you. It thus pays to manage and effectively retain satisfied customers. Customer retention is a series of activities and/or strategies aimed at keeping customers from defecting to your competitors. Customer Retention marketing is the kind of approach that is tactically-driven and is based on customer conduct or attitude. It is the central activity going on at the back the scenes in relationship marketing, loyalty marketing, database marketing, permission marketing, and so forth. Here is the fundamental viewpoint of a retention-oriented marketer: 1. Earlier and Current customer conduct is the best analyst of Future customer conduct. imagine about it. Generally, it is more frequently right than not right, and when it comes to action oriented behavior like going for purchases and visiting web sites, the thinking truly shines all the way through. We are discussing about real conduct here, not implied conduct. For instance a 35 year old lady is not a conduct; it is a demographic trait. Acquire these two groups of prospective buyers who visit the Net: Individuals who are a perfect demographic match for your site, but have not at all purchased online anyplace. Folks who are outside the center demographics for your site, but have bought online often from various different web sites. Suppose if one sends a 20% o

Anatomy of a False Confession Essay -- essays research papers

Anatomy of a False Confession   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Depending on what study is read, the incidence of false confession is less than 35 per year, up to 600 per year. That is a significant variance in range, but no matter how it is evaluated or what numbers are calculated, the fact remains that false confessions are a reality. Why would an innocent person confess to a crime that she did not commit? Are personal factors, such as age, education, and mental state, the primary reason for a suspect to confess? Are law enforcement officers and their interrogation techniques to blame for eliciting false confessions? Regardless of the stimuli that lead to false confessions, society and the justice system need to find a solution to prevent the subsequent aftermath.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the adversarial justice system, when the offender admits to the criminal act, there is no further controversy and the case promptly proceeds to sentencing. Physical evidence and victim or witness statements may often be overlooked and not considered. The confession is considered unequivocal evidence of guilt and a conviction is ensured. Indeed, the interrogation process’ sole purpose is to obtain a confession. Zimbardo (1967) estimated that â€Å"of those criminal cases that are solved, more than 80% are solved by a confession.† (Conti, 1999) Without the confession, convictions may be reduced significantly. So why does a person falsely confess to a crime if the likelihood of a conviction is eminent? A false confession to any crime is self-destructive and counterintuitive.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The mental state of the suspect can give explanation to a false confession. If a person is inebriated and is questioned before she is sober, that may lead to easier manipulation by the police. A suspect under the influence of alcohol or drugs may not remember all the events leading up to her arrest. This mental state allows police officers to give misleading information, which may imply that the suspect did commit the crime and does not remember the incident. Mental retardation or suspects with low intelligence quotients (IQ) are easily manipulated by police comments and interrogation tactics. Those suspects usually do not understand the law or the consequences of a confession. They may want to please the police officer by being accommodating or agreeable. They may just wa... ...p;The power of innocence. Law and Human Behavior Vol.28, No. 2, p. 211. Kassin, S.M., & McNall, K. (1991). Police interrogations and confessions:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Communicating promises and threats by pragmatic implication. Law and   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Human Behavior Vol. 15, No. 3, p. 233 – 251. Kassin, S.M., & Sukel, H. (1997). Coerced confessions and the jury: an experimental   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Test of the â€Å"harmless error† rule. Law and Human Behavior Vol. 21, No. 1, p.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  27 – 28. Kassin, S. (2004, April 26). Videotape police interrogations. Retrieved August 21, 2005,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  From The Boston Globe. Meissner, C.A., & Kassin, S.M. (2002, October). â€Å"He’s guilty!†: investigator bias in   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Judgments of truth and deception. Law and Human Behavior Vol. 26, No. 5,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  469 – 479. Osterburg, J.W., & Ward, R.H. (2004). Criminal Investigation: A Method For   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reconstructing The Past. (4th ed.). Anderson Publishing: LexisNexis Group. Perina, A. (2004, March 1). â€Å"I confess.† Psychology Today Vol. 36, Issue 2.

Essay --

Death Sentence is not an Effective Deterrent Experts have shown that the death penalty has not proved to be a strong deterrent (Michael, 2009). They also believe that life imprisonment is better deterrent than capital punishment as it spoils the whole life of the criminal that way instilling the fear in other possibility criminal (Michael, 2009). Some criminologists states that â€Å"society is brutalized by the use of the death penalty, and this increases the likelihood of more murder† (Michael, 2009). This means that it increases the chance of future murders in societies. Statistics expose that states that do not have the death penalty in the US have lower murder rates compared to other states(Michael, 2009). On the other hand likewise, murder rates are higher in the US states that practice the death penalty than they are in Canada or Europe where the death penalty is not practiced (Parks,2009). The reason for its inefficacy as deterrence may be because there are some holes in the legal system of many countries. There are several examples when murders are committed in anger and without thinking of the consequences. Prominent politicians believe that the death penalty may be ineffective as a deterrent because murders often happen under the influence of drugs or alcohol; "It is my own experience that those executed in Texas were not deterred by the existence of the death penalty law. I think in most cases you'll find that the murder was committed under severe drug and alcohol abuse (Hood &Hoyle, 2008)". A survey done by the criminologists in US shows that the majority argued against the death penalty on deterrence. It was based on the questionnaires and 88 percent of responders stated that ... ...ountries have abolished the death punishment, while other countries still practice this penalty. This essay has argued that there is an urgent need to abolish capital punishment in all countries. Possible reasons for retaining the death penalty, including the idea of revenge , effectiveness of the death penalty and the right to life have been examined. This paper has also explored arguments that support abolishing death penalty. These include the failure of this punishment to deter criminals, the right to life and the social balance. Whether the death penalty is abolished or not depends on the legal system of any country. However, human life and safety should be respected by government. It is clear that further research is needed in this area, there would seem to be considerable evidence that all governments in the world should abolish the death penalty.

Policing History Essay

During the late 1700s and early 1800s, a breakdown in social control led to disorder, crime, riots, and public health issues in England. The 1780 Gordon riots brought a 50-year debate on how to provide better public safety. One man fighting to improve law enforcement was the home secretary, Sir Robert Peel. In 1822, Peel’s first task as home secretary was to meet the demands of Parliament for a reform of the criminal laws. During this time of rising crime statistics, Peel was convinced that legal reform should be accompanied with improved methods of crime prevention (Gash, 2012). It was not until Peel returned to the home office in 1828 with the Wellington government that he began working toward the creation of an adequate police force. In 1829, peel introduced a bill that was to improve the police in and around the Metropolis (Lyman, 1964). Fearing the introduction of a military-style force, Peel’s ideas were initially resisted. Eventually Parliament passed the bill as the Metropolitan Police Act and provided funds to establish a force of 1000 officers (Grant & Terry, 2012). The Metropolitan Police were different from any previous law enforcement. The officers were direct employees of the state and organized like the military. They were subject to clear chains of command and rules of conduct. Officers were to wear uniforms and carry badges with their identification number inscribed upon it (Grant & Terry, 2012). Peel believed it was important for the new police to win public acceptance. The moral character of the police had to be above suspicion (Lyman, 1964). Many officers were dismissed for non-appearance and drunkenness within the first few days (Metropolitan Police, 2012). Peel believed that prevention of crime could be accomplished without intruding into the lives of citizens. The principles supporting Peel’s theory on policing are as relevant today as they were in the 1800s. Faced with similar elements of social disorder, American leaders â€Å"borrowed† some of the fundamental tenets of the London police. The American forces were to model the London police with preventive patrol to be the major facet. The structure of political control of the police was very different. London residents had no direct control over their police and American citizens exercised direct control over government agencies. Instead of being disciplined and separate from the political machine, American police were serving the interests of the politically powerful. There were close ties between the police and public officials (University of Phoenix, 2011). Politics influenced every aspect of American policing, and is why the period from the 1830s to 1900 is called the â€Å"political era.† Officers were selected by their political connections. There were men with no education, in bad health, and some with criminal records hired. The officers were handed a badge, a baton, and sent out on patrol duty with little or no training. Officers had no job security and when an election was lost, an entire force would be replaced by the winning party (Williams, 2003). Many reports indicate that many police officers drank on duty and used excessive physical force. Citizens became disrespectful and often fought back when arrested (Walker & Katz, 2011). In response to increasing citizen violence, officers began to carry firearms. Police corruption was rampant. The police took payoffs for not enforcing laws on drinking, gambling, and prostitution. Officers paid bribes to get promotions but the promotion allowed greater opportunities of corruption. The New York commissioner, forced to resign in 1894, admitted he had a personal fortune of over $350,000 (Walker & Katz, 2011). In the early 1900s came the reform era where emphasis was put on solving â€Å"traditional† crimes and capturing offenders. The citizens calling for reform and removal of politics from policing brought the development of police professionalism and the professional organization of Fraternal Order of Police (University of Phoenix, 2011). In the 1970s, police departments realized that effective community partnerships help prevent and solve crimes. Known as the community era, police departments work to identify and serve the needs of their communities (University of Phoenix, 2011). Today there are many different law enforcement agencies in the United States. Policing organizations today have different roles and functions at the federal, local, and state level. The government plays a major role in assisting policing throughout the United States. The first federal agency established by the U.S. government was the U.S. Marshall Service. Since then there have been eight government departments with 21 agencies created that deal with issues of law enforcement (Grant & Terry, 2012). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are the two most important federal departments involved with law enforcement. Each government agency provides policing organizations throughout the United States with assistance. When different organizations operate within overlapping areas, they can duplicate information. The two organizations may not readily share information or one holds the information creates linkage blindness. Since September 2011, the government restructured many agencies so that coordinating intelligence and law enforcement resources effectively. Today, police organizations model the principles established by Sir Robert Peel into their own mission statement. References Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. (2011). Sir Robert Peel. Retrieved from http://ebscohost Gash, N. (2012). Peel, Sir Robert, 2nd Baronet. Retrieved from http://ebscohost Grant, H. B., & Terry, K. J. (2012). Law Enforcement in the 21st Century (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Lyman, J. L. (1964). The Metropolitan Police Act of 1829: An Analysis of Certain Events Influencing the Passage and Character of the Metropolitan Police Act in England. Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, & Police Science, 55(1), 141-154. Retrieved from http://ebscohost Metropolitan Police. (2012). History of the Metropolitan Police: Metropolitan Police 175 years ago. Retrieved from http://www.met.police.uk/history/175yearsago.htm University of Phoenix. (2011). CJi Interactive. Retrieved from http://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/UC/CJ/index.html Walker, S., & Katz, C. M. (2011). The Police in America: An Introduction (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Williams, K. L. (2003). Peelà ¢â‚¬â„¢s Principles and Their Acceptance by American Police: Ending 175 Years of Reinvention. Police Journal, 76(2), 97-120. Retrieved from http://ebscohost

Cal by Bernard Mac Laverty †Critical Evaluation Essay

â€Å"Cal† is a romantic-tragedy novel written by the Irish author, Bernard Mac Laverty. It is a fiction story about a young man living in Northern Ireland during the troubles of the 1970s. The writer conveys a number of significant themes through skilful writing and the novel’s plot, such as guilt, hypocrisy and bigotry. In this essay, I will be focusing on the themes of the story, the purpose of why the novel was written and the author’s use of imagery to enhance his writing. The events of this story take place in Northern Ireland in the 1970’s. During the period of time in which this story is set in, Northern Ireland was going through what we would now refer to as being â€Å"The Troubles†. This was a period of conflict involving republican and loyalist paramilitary organisations and included conflicts and violence. â€Å"Cal† is about a young adult named Cal who is living in Northeren Ireland at this time. He is a Catholic living in a Protestant area with his father, Shamie. This leads to him being the victom of many bigotry driven attacks, such as his house being burnt down and to him being insulted on his own street. He starts to fall in love with a woman named Marcella, which, from the very beginning, is a doomed relationship. This is because a year earlier Cal was reluctantly involved in the murder of a Protestant policeman, who was, in fact, Marcella’s husband. Cal becomes closer and closer to Marcella as the novel goes on, and you find out more about the murder as the plot develops. He then lands himself a job at Mrs. Mortons farm, the mother of Marcella’s husband, Robert. This brings him even closer to Marcella and they start to have a relationship with each other. This relationship becomes even more intense when Cal is offered to stay in Mrs. Morton’s outhouse (as his house had been burnt down). He is then arrested at the end of the novel, for the murder of Robert. The ending of the story was very skilfully done. Near the end of the story, Mac Laverty builds up massive tension through certain events in the plot. It is then all concluded in a small, yet effective, paragraph. It tells us enough information to feel satifsfied, yet wanting to know more. It leaves key questions in the reader’s mind such as whether he deserved it or not and what will be his fate. I believe that the plot is a very important aspect of the story as it develops the mood and atmosphere and it is the events which take place which allow the themes to be conveyed. All the characters in â€Å"Cal† have complicated lifes. Most of them have good and bad sides and are all affected in different ways by the troubles. Cal is nineteen years old. He lives with his father and he is a Catholic. He is caught up with the IRA (Irish Republican Party) and takes part in a number of crimes which he does not want to be part of. After he joined, he had to do what they asked, such as when Cal thinks of the things the IRA do: â€Å"They shoot deserters – even deserters who protested that they had never joined in the first place.† This quotation shows that Cal is scared of Crilly and Skeffington (members of the IRA) and that he is in danger. It also shows that Cal never wanted to take part in the violence – making it sound stupid that they would shoot him. This whole section shows that Cal is vunerable. The writer makes out that Robert is a hard working loving man throughout the story. For example, when Marcella is telling Cal about her husband: â€Å"He was so plausible – one of those people that everybody likes in company.† This quote shows that Robert was popular and was a worthy man, and there is also evidence showing that â€Å"he was witty and intelligent†. However, we later find out that he was not all what he was meant to have been, as Marcella confesses to Cal: â€Å"He told lies, Cal. All the time. About his affairs I know he had two or three at least – about his drinking and the money he spent† This is an example of how the characters have both good and bad characteristics. Despite this, Marcella still loved him and was distraught when he was murdered. This also makes the characters more realistic, which lets the reader relate to the different characters in â€Å"Cal†. It also creates the question of ‘who was too blame for The Troubles’ which relates to the theme and purpose of the novel, which I will be discussing later in this essay. All of the characters are affected by the troubles as well, as most of their problems are due to that situation. For example, if it was not for the troubles, then Cal would not have been involved with the IRA and Robert wouldn’t have been murdered, taking problems out of all of the characters lives. All of the characters’ features reflect the themes, such as Cal’s characteristic of being vunerable, leading to his self loathing and guilt. There are many themes in the novel ‘Cal’. One of these themes that I will be focusing on is the theme of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy means the pretence of possessing virtues, beliefs or qualities that one does not really have, especially in matters of religion or morality. One way in which the author displays this theme is via specific characters, such as Crilly. Crilly is part of a gang who are fighting for independence from Great Britain. For example, when Skeffington is talking about Crilly: â€Å"There are not many aspects of our culture which interests Mr Crilly. But he’s a useful man.† This quote shows that Crilly does not care about Irish independence and culture but is only in the gang as he likes the thrill of violence. It also shows that the IRA are not offended about his beliefs – but just want him to help with their struggle. This shows them being hypocritical as they kill people who do not believe or reject their views, but someone who does not care about Irish independence can help with the violence. Another way in which hypocrisy is showing is through thoughts of characters and their dialogue. This is taking from a part where Dunlop (Cal’s Protestant employer) is talking to Cal about the situation in Northern Ireland: â€Å"Would you do the same to the Loyalist prisoners every time a Catholic was murdered?† Dunlop thinks that for any Protestant policeman who is murdered by a Catholic, two Catholics should be shot. This quotes shows that Dunlop is a hypocrite as he would shoot two Catholics every time a Protestant policeman was murdered but not if it was the other way around. This also shows that Dunlop is a bigot, which ties in with my next theme, bigotry. A bigot is a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to their own religion, or opinion. Bigotry is the main cause of fear and violence in the story. One night, Cal and his father receive a note stating: â€Å"GET OUT YOU FENYAN SCUM OR WE’LL BURN YOU OUT. THIS IS YOUR 2ND WARNING, THERE WILL BE NO OTHER UVF† This clearly diplays pure bigotry. Cal and his father are being threatened to leave their home of many years, just because of their religion. This quote also shows how ignorant the UVF are, as they have spelt â€Å"fenyan† wrongly. This leads to Cal and his father being fearful, for example: â€Å"†¦Shamie was putting the gun beneath his pillow and climbing into bed† This shows that Cal’s father has to keep a weapon underneath his pillow as there is a constant threat of violence. Another theme which has been cleverly developed is the theme of guilt. Cal feels guilty about his involvement in the killing of Robert, which leads to his self-loathing. At the start of the novel, the writer makes this very obvious: â€Å"Merde. Crotte de chein. Merderer.† Cal hates himself so much, that he makes up words to describe himself. The word â€Å"merderer† has a possible two meanings; it shows that he is guilty and secondly it shows his self loathing. As he becomes more and more involved with Marcella, his guilt increases: â€Å"Now that he felt safe from the world outside he was being attacked from within his own head† This quote is taken from the section where he is living and working with Marcella. It shows that guilt is eating him up and is destroying him and his life. The author also uses writing techniques to convey the theme of guilt: â€Å"It was as if idleness had allowed dirt to accumulate on his [Cal] soul, to clog his mind, and work moved him through it untouched† Mac Laverty uses this metaphor to show how Cal was brooding over Morton’s death and his involvement. It also shows that he thinks that he deserves to go to hell for what he has done. When Marcella tells Cal about what Robert was really like, it complicates his guilt as he now knows that Robert sometimes brought misery to Marcella, and maybe it was good that Robert was murdered. All of these themes show the writer’s purpose in writing. He shows bad and good sides to both Protestant and Catholic organisations, leading to us to wonder which is the good side in the novel. The story also shows us how difficult and violent Northern Ireland was at that time in history, and how deeply everybody was affected. To an extent, the way the author writes also shows aspects of him being a bit ashamed of his country, due to the negative details and feelings he writes about. Mac Laverty uses a range of techniques to create the mood and atmosphere in the novel. One of these techniques, is his use of imagery. The story starts with this mood with the author describing the scenes taking place in an abattoir: â€Å"It was immediately winched up by one of the hind shanks and its throat cut† The author uses a lot of violence and blood imagery at the start of the novel to set the tone of the book. Other evidence which shows this use of evidence is that there are a lot of deaths and murders mentioned in the novel. An example of this is when Cal and his father are watching the news and the author describes the events that had happened, which were mainly murders and violence, in a way which seemed to be normal. Death permeates the novel as does religion. There are often references to the Bible and to religious symbols throughout the novel. Symbolism is another technique that Mac Laverty uses. There is also symbolism to certain fairytales, such as when Marcella is talking to Cal about her daughter, Lucy: â€Å"Lucy’s favourite story at the minute is Repunzel† This is significant as Marcella feels like she is trapped because she tries to do the right thing. The plot has been structured in a sophisticated way. The story has two climaxes: one in the middle and the other at the end. The first one occurs when the writer tells you about the death of Robert. This is significant as there is a huge tension built up before you find out. The author does this via short clues which are spread out throughout the novel and short sentences. The second climax is done in a similar way, but the paragraph in which it concludes, is quick and snappy and tells of only the most significant point, which is Cal being arrested. The dialogue of the novel is very realistic. The author does this by using Irish forms of slang, such as ‘da’ instead of dad, and explicit language. The writer also uses great techniques to enhance his writing: â€Å"His sin clawed at him, demanding attention† The writer personifies the idea of the sin, describing the feeling of it clawing, to give the idea of Cal’s guilt and how is is destroying him and is eating him up. The verb ‘clawing’ is associated with violence and adds to the imagery that the author uses to enhance his novel and to create the atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Cal’. It made me realise how lives can be ruined due to situations which do not even involve them. The themes of the novel also made me more aware about some people’s views and how they can sometimes be full of violence and hatred. It showed me what life was like in Ireland in those days and how we have to try to avoid anything so destructive from happening again.