Know Thy Neighbors

Know Thy Neighbors Do you know your neighbors? I mean, do you really know your neighbors? I lived in a condo development in which there were roughly 80 units, and I really didn’t know any of the people living there other than a few of their names and faces. I didn’t value the relationships, or potential relationships. When I first moved into the neighborhood, I looked at the situation like any other single bachelorâ€"it was an opportunity to live in a nice place virtually maintenance-free. With a busy life, I enjoyed the thought of not spending hours on upkeep every week, doing maintenance work that people who own houses do regularly. Or so I thought. After the first few months of living there, I realized there were a plethora of issues with the condo association. They hardly did anything around the place other than mow the grass and keep up on small odds and ends (roof leaks, siding repairs, etc.). With the tough economic times they had not been able to add much value to the property. At one point I was solicited by several board members to impeach other members on the board. I was asked to pick sides and support the election of a new board. Since I didn’t know any of my neighbors it was hard to choose which side was right, and it was difficult to decipher who was right and who was wrongâ€"it felt like everyone was being negative (including myself). After just a year of living there I wanted to leave because of this, and after adopting a minimalist lifestyle I especially wanted out of there, realizing I had this gigantic place all to myself. It was overwhelming. I spent many days frustrated and blamed the board for the bickering and inability to manage the budget. This was their fault, not mine. I fell into this “why me”  stage, which only exacerbated my frustration. One of my neighbors (who was on the board) sent out an email asking for everyone in the community to pitch in and volunteer to do some upkeep around the communityâ€"to make the place a little nicer and increase morale. My first thought when I saw this email was, “Why do I pay condo dues if I have to do the upkeep myself?”  Then I realized that this attitude toward the board, and the “why me”  attitude, was only worsening the situation. So I did the opposite of what I wanted to do: I replied and said I would help. When the workday rolled around there were six owners including myself (out of roughly 80) who showed up to help. I did not let this discourage me, because, again, I was sick of fueling my frustration. I worked my ass off and did what needed to be done for the day. As we worked, I got to know my five neighbors and I realized they were just as frustrated as me. I also developed a good relationship with the board member who arranged the community workday. I felt better about the changes he was trying to make. It took the board about five years to sink the association, and after talking with him, I realized it was probably going to take a few years to repair the damage. Until I actually got to know my neighbors that day I honestly thought everyone was out for themselves (which may still be the case with some of them), but they were just like me. After we all spent the day with each other, we felt much closer and formed a bond that was beneficial to our entire community. Read this essay and 150 others in our new book, Essential.

Know Thy Neighbors

Know Thy Neighbors Do you know your neighbors? I mean, do you really know your neighbors? I lived in a condo development in which there were roughly 80 units, and I really didn’t know any of the people living there other than a few of their names and faces. I didn’t value the relationships, or potential relationships. When I first moved into the neighborhood, I looked at the situation like any other single bachelorâ€"it was an opportunity to live in a nice place virtually maintenance-free. With a busy life, I enjoyed the thought of not spending hours on upkeep every week, doing maintenance work that people who own houses do regularly. Or so I thought. After the first few months of living there, I realized there were a plethora of issues with the condo association. They hardly did anything around the place other than mow the grass and keep up on small odds and ends (roof leaks, siding repairs, etc.). With the tough economic times they had not been able to add much value to the property. At one point I was solicited by several board members to impeach other members on the board. I was asked to pick sides and support the election of a new board. Since I didn’t know any of my neighbors it was hard to choose which side was right, and it was difficult to decipher who was right and who was wrongâ€"it felt like everyone was being negative (including myself). After just a year of living there I wanted to leave because of this, and after adopting a minimalist lifestyle I especially wanted out of there, realizing I had this gigantic place all to myself. It was overwhelming. I spent many days frustrated and blamed the board for the bickering and inability to manage the budget. This was their fault, not mine. I fell into this “why me”  stage, which only exacerbated my frustration. One of my neighbors (who was on the board) sent out an email asking for everyone in the community to pitch in and volunteer to do some upkeep around the communityâ€"to make the place a little nicer and increase morale. My first thought when I saw this email was, “Why do I pay condo dues if I have to do the upkeep myself?”  Then I realized that this attitude toward the board, and the “why me”  attitude, was only worsening the situation. So I did the opposite of what I wanted to do: I replied and said I would help. When the workday rolled around there were six owners including myself (out of roughly 80) who showed up to help. I did not let this discourage me, because, again, I was sick of fueling my frustration. I worked my ass off and did what needed to be done for the day. As we worked, I got to know my five neighbors and I realized they were just as frustrated as me. I also developed a good relationship with the board member who arranged the community workday. I felt better about the changes he was trying to make. It took the board about five years to sink the association, and after talking with him, I realized it was probably going to take a few years to repair the damage. Until I actually got to know my neighbors that day I honestly thought everyone was out for themselves (which may still be the case with some of them), but they were just like me. After we all spent the day with each other, we felt much closer and formed a bond that was beneficial to our entire community. Read this essay and 150 others in our new book, Essential.

College Admissions Diversity Essay Sample and Critique

This example of a college admissions personal essay fits  option #1 of the current Common Application: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it.  If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Carrie focuses on the issue of diversity and how her Goth identity could contribute to the richness of her campus community. Carries Common Application Essay on Diversity Give Goth a Chance When I sat down to write this essay, I tried, as my high school English teacher always instructed, to imagine the audience for my writing. The more I thought about it, the more I pitied the college admissions screeners who would be reading a thousand essays on diversity. Along with the expected takes on race and ethnicity, how many of those essays would present their authors as outcasts, loners, kids who didn’t fit in at his or her school? How could I present myself as someone unique and interesting — strange, even — without falling prey to the clichà © of the self-pitying social misfit? Let me be direct: in some ways, I am the antithesis of what one might picture as a student who contributes to campus diversity. I am white, middle-class, and heterosexual; I have no physical handicaps or mental challenges apart from a tendency towards sarcasm. But when I receive college brochures picturing smiling, clean-cut teens dressed in the latest from Abercrombie Fitch and lounging on a blanket in the sun, I think, those people are not like me. Simply put, I am a Goth. I wear black, lots of it. I have piercings and ear gauges and tattoos. My hair, naturally the same sandy blonde that the rest of my family shares, is dyed jet, sometimes highlighted in streaks of purple or scarlet. I rarely smile, and I don’t do sun. If I were inserted into those brochure photographs of typical college students, I would look like a vampire stalking her wholesome prey. Again, I am imagining my reading audience, and I can almost see my readers’ eyes roll. So you’re a little weird, kid. How does that contribute to campus diversity? Well, I think I contribute plenty. Diversity goes beyond the physical; race or ethnicity might be the first things one thinks of, but really, it is a question of what makes someone the person that he or she is. Diversity might be considered in terms of economic or geographical background, life experiences, religion, sexual orientation, and even personal interests and general outlook. In this respect, my Goth identity contributes a perspective that is far different from the mainstream. Being Goth isn’t just about physical appearance; it’s a way of life that  includes not only individual tastes in music, literature, and popular culture, but also particular beliefs about philosophy, spirituality, and a range of other human issues. To give just one example, I am planning to major in Environmental Studies, and while it might seem odd to picture a ghoulishly-dressed girl who adores the natural world, it was my Goth outlook that led me to this academic interest. I read voraciously, and am drawn to subject matter that is somewhat dark; the more I read about humanity’s impact on the planet and the near-apocalyptic dangers posed by global climate change, pollution, overpopulation, the manipulation of the food supply and other environmental threats, the more interested I became, and the more determined that I should become involved. I, along with other members of my school’s Environmental Club, started a campus recycling program, and lobbied our superintendent to install in all classrooms power strips that are used to easily shut down equipment such as printers and computers at the end of the day, thereby conserving energy and generating significant savings for our school. I was drawn to this dark subjec t matter of environmental crisis, not to wallow in it or savor the Schadenfreude, but to change it and make the world a better place. I know Goths look a little funny, as we wear our ebony trench coats in seventy-degree weather. I know we seem a little odd as we gather in shady nooks to discuss the latest episode of True Blood. I know professors may sigh as we swell the enrollments of poetry and art classes. Yes, we’re different. And we — I — have a lot to contribute. Critique of Carries Essay on Identity or Diversity Writing about identity or diversity for the  Common Application essay presents a writer with specific challenges. In broader terms, however, all college admissions essays must accomplish a specific task: the admissions folks will be looking not just for good writing skills, but also evidence that the writer has the intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and strength of character necessary to be a contributing and successful member of the campus community. Carries essay succeeds on this front. Essay Title In general, Carries title works fine. It clearly captures the subject of the essay — approaching Goth with an open mind. Also, the allusion to John Lennons Give Peace a Chance  is appropriate given the songs message about acceptance and understanding. Its not a title that is highly original, and it isnt the best hook for grabbing the readers attention, but it is still a solid title.  The best essay titles  often strive for clarity, not cleverness. Essay Topic Carrie takes a risk in her essay. When you read advice about college admissions interviews, youll often be told to dress somewhat conservatively, get rid of the pink hair and remove all but the most innocuous piercings. The danger of looking too far out of the norm is that you may encounter an admissions officer who isnt open-minded or who feels disturbed or uncomfortable with your appearance. While you dont want to cater to peoples biases, you also dont want to diminish your chances of getting into college. Carrie, however, isnt one to tone down her identity during the admissions process. Her essay blatantly states this is who I am, and she makes it the job of the reader to overcome his or her preconceptions. There is a slight danger that she will get a reader who refuses to accept the Goth culture Carrie describes, but most readers will love the way Carrie approaches her topic as well as her straight-shooting style. The essay has a level of maturity and self-confidence that the reader will find attractive. Also, the reader is likely to be impressed by the way that Carrie imagines her audiences reaction. She has clearly encountered prejudice before, and she preempts it when she imagines the admissions folks reading her essay. Choice of Essay Prompt The current Common Application essay option #1  is a smart choice for Carries topic, for the essay certainly is about a central part of her identity. Carrie clearly shows how she will add an interesting and desirable element to the campus community. The essay demonstrates that she has thought about identity and diversity, that she is open-minded, and that she has a thing or two to teach others about their preconceptions and biases. She weaves in enough details about her passions and accomplishments to debunk any knee-jerk assumptions a reader might make about a Goth. The share your story essay prompt is wonderfully broad, and it can lead to a range of topics. An essay on ones love of crafts to ones non-traditional home situation can all work with Common Application option #1. Essay Tone Carries essay approaches her topic seriously, but it also has a pleasing smattering of humor. Little phrases like I dont do sun, and, a tendency towards sarcasm capture Carries personality in an economical manner that will also get a nice chuckle from her readers. In general, the essay has a great balance of seriousness and playfulness, of quirkiness and intellect. The Quality of the Writing The quality of the writing in this essay is superb, and it is even more impressive because Carrie is going into the sciences, not the humanities where we might expect to see stronger writing. The essay has no grammatical errors, and some of the short, punchy phrases reveal a high level of rhetorical sophistication. If you take apart the essay sentence by sentence, youll notice a huge variety in sentence length and structure. The admissions officers will immediately recognize Carrie as someone who has a mastery of language and is prepared for college-level writing. The length of the essay is right near the 650-word limit, but thats fine. Her essay is neither wordy nor repetitive. The essays by  Lora  and  Sophie  are both strong, but both could use some cutting and revising to get the length down. Carrie writes economically; every word counts. Final Thoughts Think about the impression you have when you finish reading Carries essay. You feel that you  have gotten to know her. She is someone with an offbeat appearance, but she is wonderfully comfortable with who she is. The self-confidence and self-awareness demonstrated in the essay will certainly impress her readers. Carries essay teaches her reader something, and the mastery of language is remarkable. Admissions officers are likely to finish the essay thinking three things: They want to get to know Carrie better.They think Carrie would make a positive contribution to the campus community.Carries reasoning and writing skills are already at the college level. In short, Carrie has written a winning  Common Application essay. Carrie comes across as an intelligent and likable woman who will contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways. Also, her essay gets at the heart of her unique personal story — theres nothing generic about what she has written, so the essay will stand out from the crowd.

Teaching Vocabulary - 8385 Words

Contents INTRODUCTION 3 Chapter One 5 Methods of Teaching Foreign Language 5 Chapter Two 8 Teaching Vocabulary 8 Textbook analysis†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.....................20 CONCLUSION ...22 INTRODUCTION It seems almost impossible to overstate the power of words; they literally have changed and will continue to change the course of world history. Perhaps the greatest tools we can give students for succeeding, not only in their education but more generally in life, is a large, rich vocabulary and the skills for using those words. Our ability to function in today’s complex social and economic world is mightily affected by our language skills and word†¦show more content†¦Another way is to derive a word meaning with the help of 4 steps. And the last but not least way of learning vocabulary is through a word play. This is the most efficient and from the students’ point of view most enjoyable way. Vocabulary learning should be closely connected with dictionaries. We will give examples how students can use them. In the vocabulary learning process the role of remembering is also important. Here we will define short-term store, working memory and long-term memor y. To sum up this chapter we will discuss some factors in the language system, which make some words difficult to learn. In this chapter we will make the textbook analysis of the 5th grade, finding all the exercises based on vocabulary and trying to find the strong and weak points of this book. Chapter One â€Å"Methods of Teaching Foreign Language† While referring to our main topic Teaching Vocabulary, it is worth mentioning the main methods of the past century in the field of teaching foreign languages. By saying method we mean the set of procedures which teachers follow in the classroom to achieve linguistic objectives. Primarily they are concerned with teacher and student roles and behaviors and secondarily with linguistic and subject matter objectives and materials. Methods of foreign language teaching are closely related to sciences such as psychology,Show MoreRelatedImplicit Versus Explicit Vocabulary Teaching Practices2374 Words   |  10 PagesExplicit Vocabulary Teaching Practices Sarah Sherman Bridgewater State University Abstract This study examines the teaching methods of individuals who provide English instruction to speakers of other languages. Two classrooms of similar makeup will be studied in order to determine whether implicit or explicit vocabulary instruction most benefits English Language Learners. These two classrooms will participate in pretests and posttests to determine the growth of their vocabulary knowledgeRead MoreJumbled-Letter Game for Vocabulary Teaching3358 Words   |  14 PagesIMPROVING STUDENT’S VOCABULARY BY USING JUMBLED-LETTER GAME IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CONTEXTS By: Nora Fudhla A. Background For some language teachers, teaching vocabulary is challenging, especially in English Language Teaching classroom. Nowadays, the teacher should provide a vocabulary teaching which avoiding vocabulary list memorization or vocabulary translation. Besides, the teacher also should consider about the students’ different ability to master vocabulary. Some language studentsRead MoreStudent-Centered Activities for Teaching Vocabulary3573 Words   |  15 PagesApplied Foreign Languages English Methodology Student-Centered Activities for Teaching Vocabulary Student: Emilija Georgievska Academic Supervisor: Senior Lecturer Iskra Stamenkoska, MA December, 2012 Skopje Table of contents Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.3 Useful Student-Centered Vocabulary Strategies and Activities†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦......................4 Applying the Suggested Strategies and Activities at Upper-Intermediate EnglishRead MoreTeaching and Learning Language: Grammar and Vocabulary900 Words   |  4 PagesTeaching and Learning Language: Grammar and Vocabulary This essay will focus on the subject of learning and teaching languages. More specifically it will deal with two different, but intrinsically related topics. The first topic investigates the deductive and the inductive approaches to teaching grammar, and the positive and negative aspects of them both. The deductive approach is the more teacher-centered approach, where the teacher explains rules and so forth to the students, while the inductiveRead MoreTeaching English Vocabulary Using Games4620 Words   |  19 Pages | |For Vocabulary Presentation and Revision | | | |by Agnieszka Uberman | | | | |Vocabulary acquisition is increasingly viewed as crucial to language acquisition. | | | | | |However, there is much disagreement as to the effectiveness of different approaches for | | | | | |presenting vocabulary items. MoreoverRead MoreTeaching Vocabulary to Young English Learners3602 Words   |  15 PagesTeaching English vocabulary to young learners A crucial component of learning a foreign language is the acquisition of vocabulary. For young learners, the very first words that they acquire could lay the profound basis for a better later learning of the children. This study is intended to investigate the specific application of techniques in teaching English vocabulary to young learners. I strived to investigate the current techniques in teaching vocabulary to young learners and studiedRead MoreTechniques for Teaching Vocabulary2485 Words   |  10 PagesThe demand of learning for communication is very necessary and vocabulary plays an important role in daily speeches. Lacking of vocabulary can lead to difficulties in communication. Learners cannot master four skills of English if they have a very limited vocabulary. According to a survey of 42 college students, students have problems with learning vocabulary. Another survey of 13 English teachers says that their vocabulary teaching also meets with difficulties. Theref ore, this research was designedRead MoreTeaching Vocabulary For Children Learning2835 Words   |  12 Pages ELLs and Vocabulary Erica Villarreal Concordia University Educational Research 5305 Dr. D. Hastings â€Æ' TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter One: Introduction...............................................................................................................3 Purpose Statement..................................................................................................4 Chapter Two: Literature Review..........................................................................Read MoreA Research Study On Teaching Vocabulary Essay802 Words   |  4 Pagesin words that begin with it. I have been applying my own practitioner’s insights on the compositionality of phonaesthemes in teaching vocabulary. As it received great feedback, I realized that it would have greater pedagogical value if it maturated more theoretically. The research is to raise the importance of the compositionality and systematicity internal of vocabulary by looking at specifically how phonaestheme is constructed. Before the rekindled research interest on phonaesthemes after Firth’sRead MoreLearning and Teaching Vocabulary for a Second Language751 Words   |  4 Pagespeople studying and teaching it, but is there one way of teaching a language that is the right way? There are many aspects to learn a language, for the sake of the assignment I have been appointed only one aspect namely: Learning and teaching vocabulary. In this report I will be comparing my views on teaching with those of an experienced teacher ,a learner and three experts, using: Concept maps, interviews and pre-assigned articles. I’ll explore a little of second language vocabulary acquisition, theories

Surprising Info About Argumentative Essay Topics Organizational Exposed

Surprising Info About Argumentative Essay Topics Organizational Exposed Argumentative Essay Topics Organizational Ideas Speaking about something you understand well makes it a lot easier and enjoyable! Parents must be at fault for providing a wholesome diet. They should talk to their children about drugs at a young age. Parents of bullies should need to pay a fine. You should explain your position, taking into consideration views from various sources that show either side of the matter. When first trying to find a subject you might feel overwhelmed by the sum of information you find. Ally you must do is to correctly submit your order instructions and create the payment. When you're selecting your subject, you ought to keep in mind you will be more successful in writing about things you really enjoy even when you are not a specialist in these types of problems. New Ideas Into Argumentative Essay Topics Organizational Never Before Revealed Moreover, in-text citations will present your awareness of the various papers formats. Students need to be careful about posting on social networking. Most Noticeable Argumentative Essay Topics Organizational Very similar to what you did in your introduction, you wish to restate the reason why this topic is crucial. Figure out which of the topics, you presently have a fairly good background on which will make it possible for you to have a relative edge. The next portion of your intro is devoted to offering some in depth background information on your topic. It's possible to also restate the ideas which you've discussed in the body paragraphs in order to make your point valid. Consider the subsequent speech ideas, a few of which are easy, and others might be a bit difficult yet relevant. You may use several examples that can be found on the net at no cost. Use transition words in order to connect the paragraphs and produce the point flow. Argumentative Essay Topics Organizational Help! Students ought to be permitted to pray in school. School tests aren't powerful. Textbooks are obsolete and must be replaced by iPads. They should be free. The Argumentative Essay Topics Organizational Cover Up The very first step is where a large number of students become stuck. It's conceivable that each student is going to be expected to compose an argumentative essay at the same point or another in their academic career. Prospective parents ought to be asked to take parenting classes. A minumum of one parent should work at home. Argumenta tive essays are frequently more philosophical and synthetic essays are devoted to a specific matter. Persuasive essay isn't very good location for them, attempt to opt for a great topic. An argumentative essay is among the most typical sort of essays in the academic world. It requires you to decide on a topic and take a position on it. Argumentative Essay Topics Organizational Can Be Fun for Everyone So as to demonstrate decent leadership behaviour, the leaders might have to ensure they develop their very own non-verbal communication abilities. Doing research on this issue you really like will let you find out more about things that fascinate you and you are certain to take pleasure in the procedure. Generally speaking, your final research project should give the organization with the best path of action to deal with their problem or issue, depending on the application of critical principles, concepts, and theories of organizational behavior. It will provide you with the opp ortunity to examine a problem or issue of concern in a real organization. The writer should show a superior understanding of each side of the argument so as to refute the opposing point of view with the evidence. This statement of the way the evidence supports the topic does not necessarily must be based on anything solid. Prior exposure or knowledge about a specific subject provides better hindsight that may bring far better arguments on the issue. Even if you think in a specific argument very strongly, if you lack the evidence to show your point, then your argument might just be as great as lost. The Basic Facts of Argumentative Essay Topics Organizational The absolute most important role of the introductory paragraph, nevertheless, is to present a crystal clear statement of the paper's argument. Anyway, a topic for synthesis essay shouldn't be too broad so you could develop an appropriate argument. Each paragraph ought to be restricted to the discussion of one general id ea. Such a paragraph might incorporate a succinct overview of the ideas to be discussed in body of the paper together with other information related to your paper's argument. The Secret to Argumentative Essay Topics Organizational Schools should not have a thing to do with ads. Life is far better than it was 50 decades ago. When you're prepared to submit your work, click Browse My Computer and locate your file. Children should be asked to read more.

Costco Presentation free essay sample

1. What is Costco business model? Costco business model is to generate high sales volume and rapid inventory turnover by offering fee paying members attractively low prices on a limited selection of nationally branded and selected private-label products in a wide range of merchandise categories. Is the company’s business model appealing? Why or why not? I do agree that the business model is appealing because people want to feel like they are exclusive with VIP treatment and they would be able to buy the name brand items they love for exceptionally lower than average price. 2. What are the chief elements of Costco’s strategy? Ultra low prices Limited selection of nationally branded and private label products â€Å"Treasure Hunt† shopping environment Strong emphasis on low operation cost Geographical expansion How good is the strategy? The low prices keeps the customers coming back Costco offers more product selection than the avg supermarket Keeping overhead cost down allows Costco to offer better value eliminating cost history associated with conventional wholesalers and retailers The growth of the company was intended to show 5% growth, however, the existing warehouses grew by an avg. We will write a custom essay sample on Costco Presentation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page of 10% 3. Do you think Jim Sinegal has been an effective CEO? What grades would you give him in leading the process of crafting and executing Costco’s strategy? What support can you offer for these grades? Refer to figure 2.1 in developing your answers. Yes, I do think that Jim Sinegal has been very effective as CEO. For grading, I would give Jim Sinegal an A because of the increase of profits to 4. What core values or business principles has Jim Sinegal stressed at Costco? Obey the law Take care of members Take care of employees Respect suppliers Reward shareholders 5. What is the competition like in the North American Wholesalers Club? Competition among the warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale Club) are based on such factors as price, merchandise, quality and selection, location and membership services. The competition becomes much greater because of the attraction to small business owners, family households, churches, non-profit organizations, caters and small restaurants 7. Is Costco financial performance superior to that at Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale? Yes, Costco financial status has 57% share of warehouse club sales across US and Canada, Sam’s Club has 35% share and BJ’s Wholesale has 8% along with several small warehouse club competitors. 10. Are Costco prices to low? Why or why not? Yes, Costco prices would be considered too low because the revenue does not fully cover the operating expenses of the company and generate only a modest contribution to operating profits. 70% of Costco operating profits were attributed to membership fees and the membership fees were larger than the company’s net income. 11. Costco Compensation Practices Costco compensation is what the company thinks about its employees and how they value them. Employees will work to their highest potential and go above and beyond the call of duty for greater compensation either tangible or non-tangible. Its not surprising that the employees are well compensated because the company understand that good compensation comes with lower turn over employee rates, the employees are more loyal and the work relationship between the employee and employer are better valued. 12. What recommendations would you make to Costco top management regarding how best to sustain the company’s growth and improve its financial performance? Recommendations: Customer loyalty: Lower the prices of the customer memberships and increase markups for pricing to have more increase in revenue Increase membership by offering discounted membership rate to those customers that switch from Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesalers Review inventory and items that are not customer driven should be eliminated which would keep funding either towards another merchandise or will be able to keep the funds to stay as apart of the companies revenue. Build competitive advantages by increasing advertisements to broadcast the company via television, radio and internet for increase in customer membership.

Unraveling A Midsummer Night’s Dream an Example of the Topic Literature Essays by

Unraveling A Midsummer Night’s Dream Love. Fantasy. Intrigue. These are the elements that make A Midsummer Nights Dream one of the most popular of all Shakespearean plays. Written sometime in the 1950s, it is a romantic comedy which circled on the love farce of four Athenian lovers, the quarrel between Oberon and Titania, and the journey of Quinces company. Need essay sample on "Unraveling A Midsummer Nights Dream" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The play started with Hermias reluctance to marrying Demetrius, whom Egeus wants for Hermia. Under the Athenian law, she has to marry whom her father chooses for her or either vow to single blessedness or be executed. Apparently, Hermia decided to elope with Lysander, the man she loves. The two told Helena, Hermias friend, their plans of escaping to the woods the next day, who then tells Demetrius. The four went to the woods where their farce begun. Our Customers Frequently Tell EssayLab support: I'm don't want to write my essay. Because I want to spend time with my friends Essay writers recommend: Calculate The Price Meanwhile, Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the fairyland, are quarrelling over whom shall keep an orphaned Indian boy. Oberon summoned Puck to get a juice from the magical flower so that he can enchant Titania to falling in love to an ugly creature and thus give the boy to him. He also asked Puck to put some love juice to Demetrius so that he will pursue Helena instead of Hermia. But then Puck put the love juice to Lysanders eyes mistaking him for Demetrius. Oberon seeing Demetrius still pursuing Hermia, ordered Puck to put some love juice to Demetrius eyes. Turning things upside down, the two men, Lysander and Demetrius followed Helena and quarreled over her instead. Hermia was left behind. Helena could not believe what was happening because she knows not one of them loves her originally. On the other hand, a company is rehearsing for their play Pyramus and Thisbe for the celebration of the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta. Bottom, the weaver, was chosen to play the role of Pyramus. Puck saw Bottom near Titanias bower and turned his head into that of an ass. Titania heard him sing and looked for him. Titania, still with the love juice in her eyes, fell in loved with Bottom. She treated him like a noble man despite his appearance. Titania forgets about the orphan boy and gave him to Oberon. Apparently, Titania was released from the enchantment and Puck also removed the ass head from Bottom. In order to fix things up, Oberon ordered Puck to remove the love juice on Lysanders eyes but not on Demetrius. Theseus found the two couples at the wood and since Demetrius is in loved with Helena, Hermia was freed of marrying Demetrius. All confused with the nights happenings, they thought that everything was a just a dream. They had a triple wedding and watch the horrible play of Pyramus and Thisbe. Shakespeare, in this story, played on the theme of love. Friedlander writes, The theme of a daughter who wants to marry against her fathers desires was a common theme in Roman comedy. Shakespeare pursued this theme as he allowed Hermia to be with Lysander at the end. Even there was love chaos between the four lovers; it ended with the right person being with the right lover. It manifested the strong power of love as Hermia chooses to be with Lysander, fleeing to a land where the Athenian law could not persecute them and leaving the place to which she considered as heaven. It also revealed the irrationalities of love like Helenas love for Demetrius makes him hate her while Hermias hate for him, makes him love her more. It shows that with love, the impossible could be a reality. Furthermore, it is because of this love that Demetrius was forced to love Helena through the love potion which was initiated by the fairies. It was as if nature and its natural forces was the one making things right by intervening to this love feud. The fairies could be a symbolism of fate or destiny as they put things to where they supposed to be. Nevertheless, Benedotto Croce says that despite the chaos and love farce, it was still a comedy. He writes, Love is sincere, yet deceives and is deceived; it imagines itself to be firm and constant, and turns out to be fragile and fleeting (386-3877). Hermias love for Lysander and the other way around could have had stopped in that wood, but then, at the end of the play it is their love that stood out. Lovers may be deceived by their emotions but it is the unique characteristic of love. Another theme found in the play was fantasy. Shakespeare gave significant roles to the fairies. It was Oberon and Titanias quarrel that started it all. It is also them that fixed everything up at the end. Likewise, fairy magic was one of the strong points of the play. This might be based on old folk traditions where mysterious creatures are thought to live on forests like fairies, elves, dwarves and goblins. People might believe or not believe on this supernatural realm but it certainly added a spice on the play making it more magical and unique. Friedlander further writes, the play focuses on how emotions, however irrational color perception. Shakespeare is writing about how fantasy and imagination influence how we see the world and how we see and behave toward each other. This was manifested when Helena said that Demetrius was stupid and has no good taste when in fact she loves him. At the same way Hermia complains that his father should see Lysander in her eyes and Theseus replies that she should see with her fathers judgment look, though, no two person see things at the same way. It reveals that emotions greatly affect judgment and insight. Emotions at most times make the mind narrower and irrational. Moreover, it is the reason why at times humans have impulsive decisions. They act and talk with their feelings and not with their minds. The play had also intrigue. A Midsummer Nights Dream had kindled the minds of the readers as it suggests feminism. In the setting, there is the dominance of Theseus and Egeus in Athens as shown in the first scene where Hermia was brought to the Court. It was the reason why Hermia and Helena fled to the woods and supposedly to the land where they could not be reached by Athenian law. Theseus and Egeus illustrated power and control over the female making the Hermia and Helena clamor for freedom. At the same time, when the couples arrived at Athens, they were married. It was believed that marriage is one of the societal achievements of women. In the book of Leonard Tennenhouse entitled Power on Display, he said that in the play, there was authority gone archaic (73). He further differentiated the patriarchal rule of Theseus in Athens with Oberons carnivalistic and enthusiastic supernatural world. He also explained that the carnivalistic atmosphere in fairyland breaks down the male power since it destroys the order that is previously maintained in Athens. But at the end of the play, Theseus forgives the lovers and thus, according to Tennenhouse, contrasted Theseus monarch rule to Egeus patriarchal rule (74-76). A Midsummer Nights Dream is definitely one of the best plays of Shakespeare. It is not only because of the great plot and storyline but its impact to the readers and even to the society. It had brought awareness to the readers on love, fantasy and intrigue. A Midsummer Nights Dream also introduced us to the world of imagination where we can be who we are, be with whom we want and achieve what we want. As Friedlander says, Even if we pride ourselves (as Lysander does) on being "rational", there are important facets of our humanity that are both non-rational and beyond our control.A Midsummer Night's Dream" celebrates this essential fact of life. Since it was written it has had many versions in books, theatre, and cinema. It made us realize that nothing is impossible with love. And because of this love, there could be times that you could not differentiate a dream from reality. Citations Croce, Benedetto. Comedy of Love. A Midsummer Nights Dream. Eds. Judith M. Kennedy and Richard F. Kennedy. London: Athlone Press, 1999. 386-7. Friedlander, Ed (1999) Enjoying "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare Tennenhouse, Leonard. Power on Display: The Politics of Shakespeares Genres. New York: Methuen, Inc., 1986. 73-76