Service and Operational Excellence Essays - Mobile Phone, New Media

Service and Operational Excellence Essays - Mobile Phone, New Media BPP Coursework Cover Sheet Please use the table below as your cover sheet for the 1st page of the submission. The sheet should be before the cover/title page of your submission. ProgrammeBSc Business Management Module nameService and Operational Excellence QAA Level Schedule TermSummer term 2015 Student Reference Number (SRN)1045555 Report/Assignment TitleBusiness Operations (Mobile shop) Date of Submission (Please attach the confirmation of any extension received)18/08/2015 Declaration of Original Work: I hereby declare that I have read and understood BPPs regulations on plagiarism and that this is my original work, researched, undertaken, completed and submitted in accordance with the requirements of BPP Business School. The word count, excluding contents table, bibliography and appendices, is 2542 words. Student Reference Number:1045555Date: 18/08/2015 By submitting this coursework you agree to all rules and regulations of BPP regarding assessments and awards for programmes. Please note, submission is your declaration you are fit to sit. BPP University reserves the right to use all submitted work for educational purposes and may request that work be published for a wider audience. BPP Business School Table of Contents Operational Challenges3 4 Vs Model3 The 5 performance objectives4 Processes & Layout5 Improvements in Service Delivery6 Bibliography7 Is a small independent mobile shop located in the hub of Ilford high street, a 4 minutes walk away from Ilford station, surrounded by all types of different and businesses of the same sector. The high street is visited by all types of customers local and tourists, day to day customers and long term customers too. The business timings are 11:00- 21:00 Monday to Sunday. (the business) is visited by regular customers and even walk by customers which is certain due to the nature of the business itself. (the business) offers a wide range of services and products related to mobile phones. They buy and sell used and new phones (mainly smart phones), they provide mobile phone accessories such as headphones, chargers, portable rechargeable chargers, screen protectors, phone covers, selfie sticks and all that you can think of related to mobile phones. (the business) also repairs damaged mobile phones with instant repairing service and even provide unblocking services. The shop is divided into three sections, mobile accessories, mobile repair/unblocking and mobile purchasing and selling. The retail shop is mainly supervised by the manager who tends to be flexible in terms of his job, however they have three more salesmen that work according to their rotating shifts. Operational Challenges 4 Vs Model In every operational process of a sector, the input is transformed into outputs (products and services.) This could be done in various ways, however the main one known is the 4 Vs mode which compiles with, Volume, Variety, Variation and Visibility. Volume could be defined as the degree of how many products or services are made by the operation in terms of quantity. Variety in simple words could be explained as the range of different products or services made by the operation. Variation is basically change in demand over time, and visibility can be understood as the extent to which the operations internal working are exposed in front of the customers. Since, (The business) is a retail mobile shop which delivers finished products and also provides aftersales services, in terms of volume, if the business is divided in to three parts which are buying and selling phones, accessories and repairs, each operation has a different level of contribution to the volume. For instance, buying and selling phones, the volume is low, not every customer decides to buy or sell a phone randomly on a high street, besides mobile phones could be bought easily elsewhere due to competitors. The demand is relatively low which causes a result of high cost as the business has mobile phones on display to be sold however sale is not guaranteed. Since its a small mobile shop located on the high street it cannot offer a wide range of mobile phones, variety on mobile phones is very low, the business would not be able to afford providing a range of different brand phones with different specifications and features, it would be almost impossible to fulfil anyones de mand, unless they can order and it for the customer making it more of a bespoke facility. Speaking of variation, since its technology the business is dealing with which gets updated every three month at least, it will be hard

The Definition of an Essay Including Writing Resources

The Definition of an Essay Including Writing Resources Essays are brief, non-fiction compositions that describe, clarify, argue, or analyze a subject. Students might encounter essay assignments in any school subject and at any level of school, from a personal experience vacation essay in middle school to a complex analysis of a scientific process in graduate school. Components of an essay include an introduction, thesis statement, body, and conclusion. Writing an Introduction The beginning of an essay can seem daunting. Sometimes, writers can start their essay in the middle or at the end, rather than at the beginning, and work backward. The process depends on each individual and takes practice to figure out what works best for them. Regardless of where students start, it is recommended that the introduction begins with an attention grabber or an example that hooks the reader in within the very first sentence. The introduction should accomplish a few written sentences that leads the reader into the main point or argument of the essay, also known as a thesis statement. Typically, the thesis statement is the very last sentence of an introduction, but this is not a rule set in stone, despite it wrapping things up nicely. Before moving on from the introduction, readers should have a good idea of what is to follow in the essay, and they should not be confused as to what the essay is about. Finally, the length of an introduction varies and can be anywhere from one to several paragraphs depending on the size of the essay as a whole. Creating a Thesis Statement A thesis statement is a sentence that states the main idea of the essay. The function of a thesis statement is to help manage the ideas within the essay. Different from a mere topic, the thesis statement is an argument, option, or judgment that the author of the essay makes about the topic of the essay. A good thesis statement combines several ideas into just one or two sentences. It also includes the topic of the essay and makes clear what the authors position is in regard to the topic.  Typically found at the beginning of a paper, the thesis statement is often placed in the introduction, toward the end of the first paragraph or so. Developing a thesis statement means deciding on the point of view within the topic, and stating this argument clearly becomes part of the sentence which forms it.  Writing a strong thesis statement should summarize the topic and bring clarity to the reader. For informative essays, an informative thesis should be declared. In an argumentative or narrative essay, a persuasive thesis, or opinion, should be determined. For instance, the difference looks like this: Informative Thesis Example:  To create a great essay, the writer must form a solid introduction, thesis statement, body, and conclusion.Persuasive Thesis Example:  Essays surrounded around opinions and arguments are so much more fun than informative essays because they are more dynamic, fluid, and teach you a lot about the author. Developing Body Paragraphs The body paragraphs of an essay include a group of sentences that relate to a specific topic or idea around the main point of the essay. It is important to write and organize two to three full body paragraphs to properly develop it. Before writing, authors may choose to outline the two to three main arguments that will support their thesis statement. For each of those main ideas, there will be supporting points to drive them home. Elaborating on the ideas and supporting specific points will develop a full body paragraph.  A good paragraph describes the main point, is full of meaning, and has crystal clear sentences that avoid universal statements. Ending an Essay With a Conclusion A conclusion is an end or finish of an essay. Often, the conclusion includes a judgment or decision that is reached through the reasoning described throughout the essay.  The conclusion is an opportunity to wrap up the essay by reviewing the main points discussed that drives home the point or argument stated in the thesis statement. The conclusion may also include a takeaway for the reader, such as a question or thought to take with them after reading. A good conclusion may also invoke a vivid image, include a quotation, or have a call to action for readers.

Review the business proposal submitted by other Learning Team Essay

Review the business proposal submitted by other Learning Team - Essay Example This statement is apparently used to remove the idea of the tacit collusion that is generally associated with price leadership in oligopolistic markets. The paper also assumes applicability of the Kinked demand curve model for this case. The paper states that the Chrysler Group LLC’s revenue can be increased by escalating the efficiency of its operations and the quality of its products, services, and marketing strategies. This is a generic statement that needs to be elaborated. Secondly, the paper assumed applicability of the Kinked demand curve which argues that where a â€Å"kink† does exist then a marginal change in cost structure or marginal change in revenue structure will not be immediately reflected in a new quantities sold or price for the given item. The paper does not use the Kinked demand curve model in its argument. It is true that in oligopolistic markets firms have mutual interdependence. Also, a major downside of using the Kinked demand curve model is that the model does not show us what causes a new equilibrium price and quantity to be achieved, and how that happens. Nevertheless, we disagree with the paper’s analysis that because of the above two reasons, the company cannot determine the price and output level for which it can maximize its profit. The paper could have used other models such as the Cournot-Nash model that looks at firms competing on the basis of quantity. The paper therefore does not clearly state its way to establish the profit maximization quantity. The automobile industry is a typical example of a differentiated oligopolistic market. Naturally, this would mean firms have to compete on their products differentiated attributes. The author’s example of the Pentastar V6 engine illustrates this. Patenting the Pentastar V6 engine is a great example of creating an entry barrier to firms seeking to enter the market. These firms will be forced to invest heavily in Research and Development in order to come up with

Global Branding Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Global Branding - Assignment Example And no other company carries that laurel except our company - Coca-Cola Company. It is in this spirit that I am asking your office to allow me to attend the said conference. For it will not only be a proper venue to allow other companies to learn from what we have gained in our vast experiences as the number one manufacturer of carbonated beverages in the world today. But, that it is a moment also our company to re-learn many things from the experiences of other companies as they embark in global market. This is very important since it is in fact considered as one of the fundamental benefits that the global world is gaining from the global market, global economy - it is the exchange of ideas among and between nations. It is the possibility of getting hold of the newest and most innovative ideas and concepts in any place in the world. And it is in this context that I am asking your office to please allow me to attend the conference. For, it is not only the venue where the old meets the young and the neophyte but it is also the forum where legitimate exchange of i nformation among competing organizations can be achieved. Thus, fostering and enhancing not only the well-stocked reservoir of knowledge that we gain in our gargantuan experiences. Innumerable data and information under the research and development section of our company that we used as we compete globally. But that it is the sphere where competitors do not eat and tug each other's tail, but it is the place where they meet eye to eye to exchange with one another viable information that may be utilized in their companies. In the end, though it may appear that Coca-Cola has already much to offer in terms of experience and knowledge with regards to the theme of the conference, it will still be worthwhile to attend the said conference on Global Branding in the 21st Century for the age old belief still has not lost its power. It has not lost its esteem - "knowledge is power." And in a global world like ours, the one who has the most information, possess the most dynamic and important power of all. ON GLOBAL BRANDING INTRODUCTION The contemporary period is marked by one characteristic that is simply unknown prior to this period - globalization. Globalization is a term that has been defined in many ways and interpreted and understood in various forms. Since, globalization as a contemporary phenomenon permeates not only the economic, financial, market and business developments but it has also penetrated culture, tradition, communication, ideas and the likes. But in all of these it can be claimed that the salient feature of globalization is the fact that "it allows financial capital to move around freely" (Soros, 2002: 3). And in this framework we will try to address the challenges posed to Coca-Cola Company of global branding in the 21st century. Being such, this report will not look into the strategic positions and organizational effectiveness that Coca-Cola has used as it meet the global demand of the 21st century. But rather we will look into the Coca-Cola brand, a century old brand, that has survived and defied the many challenges of market itself and the formidable task that it faces as it compete in the global market, in the global village. THE COMPANY "Coca-Cola Company, founded on l896, is the world leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of non- alcoholic

Assessment test Essay Example for Free

Assessment test Essay Assessment is a vast topic that is a continuing process that educators use to observe, gather, and evaluate evidence to determine what students have learned, as well as, making informed, and dependable decisions to enhance student learning. It encompasses a broad range of testing from nationwide accountability tests to everyday classroom observation and quizzes. In order to take control of what appears to be an excess use of testing, assessment should be looked upon as a tool for information. The more information we have about students, the more closely we can look at  instructional strategies that are effective and which ones need to be modified. There are two main types of assessments that I will be discussing, formal and informal. Informal assessments or in other words â€Å"assessment of learning†, are used to evaluate students during the learning process. Formal assessments are conducted as a tool to evaluate student’s completion of work or the final product. There are many advantages and disadvantages to these types of assessments techniques that I will be discussing for measuring student progress. I will begin by discussing two formal assessment types along with its  advantages and disadvantages. The first type of assessment that I would like to address would be the statewide-standardized test under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The statewide standardized test is considered a high-stakes test because of the important consequences it has on passing or failing the test. It mandates yearly testing for grades 3 through 8 and once in high school for reading and math. Science was recently added in the mix to test students at least once in elementary, middle and high school. The underlying principle for this type of testing was intended to reach great  academic achievement for all students, especially those from lower socioeconomic classes. Advantage #1 It ensures that no child—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or status is trapped in a consistently low-performing school. If a school does not make adequate progress towards set standards, parents have the option of sending their children to a better performing school or are provided free tutoring. This assessment helps determine if the student is receiving high-quality education at different grade levels. Advantage #2 Teachers are held accountable. If a student is not advancing with one  method of teaching, the teacher must use a different technique for a more favorable outcome. They must use research-based methods of teaching. This high-stakes test determines how to use assessment results to plan effective instruction. Disadvantage #1 This statewide-standardized test does not recognize student growth. It does not offer a realistic picture of how a student or school is performing as a whole. The extent of what a student actually learned is not known. Students that start out at a disadvantage are not given recognition for progress in achievement. Disadvantage #2 Teaching to the test. The growing concern with this high-stakes test is that it has become the curriculum and instruction has been narrowed to focus on results. Disadvantage #3 States set their own standards and can make tests unusually easy to compensate for inadequate student performance. The second type of formal assessment I would like to discuss is the aptitude test. It is a norm-reference test and is administered under timed testing conditions. It measures a student’s overall performance across a wide range of intellectual capabilities. These test are useful to determine the current level students are at and to adjust classroom curriculum  accordingly. Advantage #1 Aptitude tests are excellent predictors of future learning or performance. Advantage #2 Aptitude tests help students understand their own strengths and weaknesses. Advantage #3 Aptitude tests are useful tools for working with students with special needs because it can help teachers form realistic expectations of the student. Disadvantage #1 Since this is a multiple-choice type test, it does not allow for creativity or an alternative way of thinking. Disadvantage #2 Since this is a norm-reference test, students do not know how well they individually mastered the material. They only know how well they did compared to other students. Informal assessments is an important tool for teachers to use to monitor students’ progress throughout the learning process. The first type of informal assessment I feel is crucial in monitoring student performance is observation. I feel this method would be valuable to use in my classroom because I can observe students immediate reaction to my instruction especially during a pair-share or group setting. As I walk around the classroom, I would document my assessment of students’ performance and then provide feedback. Advantage #1 As I observe and listen, it will allow me to know how many students remembered and processed the information given, as well as using it to solve problems. Advantage #2 As I observe and listen, it can help me to immediately clarify any confusion and address the problem. Disadvantage #1 Not all students may be verbally participating at the time of observation. Disadvantage #2 Some students become nervous when being observed, and their performance may suffer. A second type of informal assessment that I would use in the classroom would be student portfolios. Through the portfolio process,  students develop goal-setting and self-directed learning techniques. It helps students value themselves as learners. It also allows students to compete with themselves rather than with other students. Advantage #1 Students can plan and manage their own time to complete their work. This can benefit the students by teaching them responsibility for their own learning goals. Advantage #2 Students know their own strengths and weaknesses as they assess and analyze their progress. Disadvantage #1 Portfolios take a lot of planning and organization. Gathering all the information can make it difficult to manage. Disadvantage #2 Evaluating and scoring a student’s portfolio evolves a wide range of subjective evaluation procedures, which can limit reliability. A third method of informal assessment is through student oral presentation. This technique provides the student an opportunity to present information through verbal means in lieu of a written form. It allows the student to show their knowledge on a particular subject. To assess this type of method I would use a rating scale to grade student performance. It is very important to use a detailed rating scale for students to know the  aspects of the presentation that are to be considered in the assessment. Advantage #1 This method of assessment is instant and immediate in the transmission of information. Feedback can be given instantly. Advantage #2 Oral presentations provide maximum preparation. This can allow the students to practice to achieve perfection. Disadvantage #1 Some students are timid and more introverted than others. Oral presentations can be very intimidating and nerve-racking. Disadvantage #2 English language learners or those students who have a disability might affect their ability to speak fluently. Disadvantage #3  Students might find it easier to organize information through written communication. The final informal assessment method I would use would be pop quizzes. This type of assessment is usually quick, given without prior warning and can be completed in 15 minutes or less. Teachers can use this method to determine if students have grasped recent information. Advantage #1 Allow students to build on previous information and strengthens concepts which may have been unclear to them. Advantage #2 It is a great way to reinforce material that may be covered on a standardized type assessment test. Disadvantage #1 It does not allow for accommodation for those students who need extended time on examinations, tests and quizzes. It can cause undo stress for those students. Disadvantage #2 It doesn’t really tell the true picture of a student’s level of knowledge. Some students may be lucky enough to guess the majority of the questions correctly. Having a mixture of written and oral types of informal assessments services a wide range of students. It allows the teacher to evaluate and recognize student’s learning needs and determine the appropriate level and pace of workflow. It offers the students the best chance to excel in one or more formats.

Inclusion :: essays research papers

Educational Psychology Inclusion What a society feels about it’s diverse membership, particularly about citizens who are different, is expressed in the institutions of that society. A close look at the major institutions of our society the schools, the legislatures, and the courts should tell us a lot about the place of exceptional children in our society. In the category of exceptional children one would find a list of any and every child that requires education in academic matters as well as life skills. These children must work at things that average society takes for granted. Out of this group of exceptional children has risen a disability that is drawing more and more attention known as Down Syndrome. The obvious reason for Down Syndrome children to come to the forefront is their parents. By this I mean that studies have shown that a couple with two or more college degrees among them are more likely to have a Downs baby then that of a couple of high school drop outs. This odd occurrence has lead to more affluent families to give birth to one or more Downs babies. The limitations facing a Downs child will affect the child’s whole life and it is the environmental circumstances around him that determine how he fares in life. Included in these circumstances are his family and their unity and maybe most importantly his level of education. In our society education plays a big part in all we do and this serves no difference for the Downs child. As we look back in time, we find that the notion of educating every child to achieve his or her greatest potential is a relatively new concept. The current use of the term exceptional is itself a reflection of the radical changes in societies views of people whom differ from the norm. The world has come along way from the Spartans’ practice of killing infants who did not meet their standards of normalcy, but the journey has been slow, moving from neglect and mistreatment, to pity and overprotection and finally to acceptance and integration to the fullest extent possible. The phrase "Acceptance and integration into society to the fullest extent possible† has been the topic of the most heated arguments in education today. The term integration has grown to include such devices as inclusion and mainstreaming. Although the U.S. has come a long way from the 1850’s when 60 percent of people living in poor houses would today have been classified as exceptional.

Organizational Citizenship Behavior

What is organizational citizenship behavior (OCB)? Describe in your own way. Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is behavior that goes beyond the basic requirements of the job, is to a large extent   left to one's own discretion, and is largely beneficial to the organization. OCB comes about as a result of job satisfaction. As employees that are highly satisfied with their jobs are more likely to think that they are being treated fairly , therefore trust in the organization and their employer is likely to arise . This then leads employee's to be more willing in helping out during extra hours voluntarily, volunteering for extra job activities, avoiding unnecessary conflict etc†¦ This is OCB. How is OCB different from normal working behavior? OCB is different from normal working behavior in the sense that the â€Å"employee goes out of his normal working behavior to get involved† (Allen, T. D. , 2006 ) into helping others and go beyond the normal expectations of their jobs. As a normal working behavior would be doing the tasks being asked of you and forced upon you as it is in your job description, but OCB differs from normal working behavior as â€Å"OCBs are employee behaviors that, although not critical to the task or job, serve to facilitate organizational functioning† (Lee and Allen, 2002, p 132). If you are a manager, how do you motivate your subordinates to exhibit more OCBs? Use the theories you have learned from different chapters. Firstly I would like to emphasize the importance of OCB to managers and the organization as a whole as successful organizations need employees who will do more than their usual job duties and provide performance that is beyond expectations and as I have mentioned before OCB describe actions in which employees are willing to go above and beyond their prescribed role requirements. Therefore reiterating the belief that these behaviors are correlated with indicators of organizational effectiveness, therefore showing us that OCB's are crucial for managers. Now, how to motivate subordinates to exhibit more OCB's, using Herzberg's two-factor theory that suggests that motivation factors (which include achievement, recognition, responsibility, growth, and work itself) are strongly related to job satisfaction. I can then say that if I was a manager I would have to make the jobs of my employees challenging, exciting , interesting and satisfying as employees who find their jobs to be such things, â€Å"tend to tolerate demanding supervision, avoid complaining, focus more on positive sides, and forgive organization’s minor faults. These kinds of behaviors are typically related to OCB. † (Herzberg et al. ’s 1959) Since hygiene factors are related to an individual’s job dissatisfaction, one can expect that hygiene factors may also influence an individual’s OCB. Therefore as a manager I would focus on placing hygiene factors such as job security, fringe benefits, and good work conditions so that dissatisfaction from the lack of these factors doesn't occur and OCB is therefore encouraged. Allen, T. D. (2006). Rewarding good citizens: The relationship between   citizenship behavior, gender, and organizational rewards. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36, 120-143. Lee, K. , & Allen, N. J. (2002). Organizational citizenship behavior and workplace deviance: The role of affect and cognitions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(1), 131-142. Herzberg, F. , Mausner, B. , & Snyderman, B. (1959). The motivation to work. New York: Wiley.

Personal Computers Essay

Background. The Personal Computers at their advent were simple machines with less number of parts and limited capabilities. Less power was required to operate the computers and computer heating was never a major problem. However with the development in microprocessor and solid state technologies there was a revolution in how people used computers. The computers today can be configured according to ones needs and many add on components like graphics cards, Modems, USB devices etc. can be fitted on computers . Motherboards today also come with an increased number of components. However with the increase in components a new problem of heating has surfaced in computers. Problems and Motivation Although these components have increased the functionality of computers tremendously it has raised a serious problem of heating. With the increase in number of components the demand for power supply has increased. The components consume more energy and generate large amount heat. Electronic devices perform inefficiently or even get damaged as a result of excessive heat. Hence new challenges to protect these components from getting damaged by proper cooling of heat has emerged. Though the components have increased in numbers the size of PCs has kept reducing. People today prefer smaller PCs for space constraints and aesthetics. In order to keep in line with the reducing sizes the Power supply and the cooling system should also go transformation in sizes. One needs to design cooling systems with greater performances yet at a reduced scale. As the power supply and cooling are the components of PC case there is a need to renovate these cases to protect computer components from getting overheated and damaged. At the same time the it should be scaled down and match the aesthetics of other parts such as monitors, keyboards etc which come in designer shapes today. Research Aims and Objectives With reference to the above discussed problem there is a need to develop PC cases which are responsible for computer cooling. The aim of the project is to create simulation in order to find a better solution over the existing PC Cases and prevent spreading of heat to other components. The project will achieve three main objectives The initial objective would be to understand the principle of fluid dynamics and apply it to the PC Case problem. Secondly we will design a model to convert humid air by applying Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) The final objective would be to provide recommendations for the PC Case. Literature Review The preliminary literature was done on the existing problems in PC Cases and the sources of heat in computer system . The current methodologies implemented for cooling were also studied. Basic literature on application of fluid dynamics and use of Computational Fluid Dynamics to solve problems was also reviewed Methodology The Research will be experimental in nature. simulation model of the existing PC Cases will be developed in CFD. The models will be simulated again with modification for the proposed air cooling. The comparison between the two simulation will help in developing the cooling system and designing of the PC Cases. The results obtained will be experimental in nature and the problem is achievable theoretically with the help of CFD. As the project intends to suggest changes over the existing models the use of Simulation is justified to obtain outcomes as the existing systems are already simulated for cooling by making use of CFD. Triangulation: Mathematical models for the fluid dynamics of air can be constructed and solved for various conditions and the outcomes of these can be cross examined with the that of computer simulations. An experimental set-up can be created to check the prototype of cooling system and the results can be compared. Reliability : The prototype and the simulated models can be tested over a number of systems/components from different manufacturers and checked for reliability. Ethics: The project will adhere to all the guidelines and protocols of electronic manufacturing devices in terms of manufacturing, quality and safety. Environment : The proposed PC cases will be environment friendly. It may be manufactured from environmental friendly recycled materials to reducing global warming. Noise reduction will be achieved considerably with the improved change in design. Analysis The outcomes of the project will help in analyzing the reduction achieved in heat generated and the prevention of components. It will also analyze the cost of implementation and its economic feasibility. Conclusion With correct implementation of fluid dynamics modification in the existing PC cases can be achieved to cool heat efficiently and prevent components from overheating. Although the project is experimental in nature and relies mainly on simulation there may be a variation in its actual implementations. Whether the PC Cases behave as recommended can only be judged only by their practical application the project can be a strong foundation to extend this future scope.

Describe an Important Idea in Macbeth and Explain How the Author Communicates This Idea

Describe an Important Idea in Macbeth and Explain How the Author Communicates This Idea In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the author is communicates very strong and important ideas about ambition. He communicates this idea through the protagonist of the play, Macbeth. Shakespeare communicates ambition through the actions of the main character and through the thoughts of this infamous character.Ambition is an important idea in Macbeth. Ambition is both good and bad. In Macbeth, ambition is more vividly expressed as a dark and evil trait shown by Macbeth but it is also communicated subtlety as an honourable trait. Macbeth is one of the greatest and most respected generals in King Duncan's army. He got to his position of respect and honor because he was ambitious, this is the only part of the play where Macbeths ambition as seen as good. After the witches' prophecy, Macbeth's ambition is only seen as evil and deceitful this has significantly changed from how ambition was portrayed by the same character earlier.Macbeth and Banquo Meeting the Three Witches by Jo...

Relevance Questions on ACT English Strategies + Practice

Relevance Questions on ACT English Strategies + Practice SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips In high school, I had a history teacher who was known for going off on tangents- he would start giving us his lesson on the French Revolution butend up telling us all about the Peregrine falcon. These facts were interesting, but they were hardlyrelevantto the issue at hand (how Marie Antoinette got her head chopped off). Similarly,ACT English tests your ability to spot places where a passage veers off topic. Of course, it does so in it's own special way, which this post will cover! Here's what you'll need to understand to approach relevance questions with confidence: Whatrelevance means on the ACT English section How you can spot relevance questions How todecide whether information is relevant Key ACT strategies for relevance questions What is Relevance on the ACT? ACT English prizeswriting that is clear and concise, sothe passages shouldn’t includeany unnecessary information. Occasionally, questions will appear that test your ability to determine whether phrases or sentences are extraneous- these are relevance questions. Keep in mind that relevance questions arevery similar to redundancy questions, which are much more common. The two types of question operateon the same basic principle- cut anything you don't need- but relevance questions are aboutwhether information adds to the point of the paragraph, while redundancy questions are about whether a word or phrase is repeating something that's already been said. How to Spot Relevance Questions Relevance questions aren't formatted any differently from the majority of ACT English questions, so they can be a bit tricky to spot. However there are two main clues you should watch for:some of the answers have a lot more words than others and the answers provide information that doesn't appear elsewhere in the passage. Let's look at an example question from a real ACT: There's nothing obviously wrong with this sentence, so we need to look at how the answer choices are different from each other: they all add information about the Navajo. Given that the information provided by the three answer choices is basically the same but the phrasing is different, it would be easy to conclude that this is a wordiness question. However, we first need to determine whether the extra information is relevant. The additionalphrases in answers B, C, and D all describe the size of the Navajo- this information isn't given anywhere else, so it isn't redundant, but that doesn'tmean it's necessary. The size of the Navajo has nothing to do with theircreation of a linguistic code, which is what the paragraph is about. As such, this information is irrelevant and shouldn't be included. A is the correct answer. Now that we've established that relevance questions are ones in whichsome of the answers introduce new information, let's talk about how to decide whether the information is relevant. How to Determine Relevance The key to relevance questions is that you must not assume that more information is necessarily better. Though you may find providing as many details as possible a good strategy for your essays in school, doing soon the ACT English section will hurt your score. So how do you determine if a piece of information is relevant? There are two issues to consider: Is the info related to main topic of of the sentence or paragraph? Does the sentence or paragraph still make logical and grammatical sense without it? If the answer tothe first question is no, then don't even worry about the second one- the information isn't relevant and should be omitted. (This principleapplies tomost of the relevance questions on the ACT, including the example above.) Test items thatdo require youto considerthe second question are a bit more challenging. If a piece ofinformation seems like it might be relevant, consider whether it's necessary for your understanding of the passage. Does it clarify a previous point or introduce a key detail? If not, it probably isn't relevant. This concept may seem complicated, but it's actually not too bad. Let's look at anexample of relevantversusirrelevant information: Irrelevant: Leonardo da Vinci, who is played by Patrick Godfrey in the movieEver After, is the quintessential Renaissance man. Relevant:Leonardo da Vinci, a famous artist, inventor, and scientist, is the quintessential Renaissance man. The first underlined section adds information, but the actor who played da Vinci in a movie is not relatedto the fact he was a Renaissance man (someone who has great expertise across a variety of topics). The underlined portion of the second sentence, on the other hand, provides information that clarifies why da Vinci is a famous Renaissance man. An example of da Vinci's work. Let's work through this process onan ACT-style practice question: Julia wanted to move into her brother's room afterhe graduated from high school, but she wasn't able to because he ended up living at home for his first year of college. A. NO CHANGE B. because he ended up living at home. C. because he decided to major in biology. D. OMIT the underlined portion, ending the sentence with a period afterto. At fist glance, this question might appear to be a wordiness question, since choice B shortens the original underlined portion. However, if you look closely at the different answers you'll see that they each provide different information- this fact makes it a relevance question. Our next step is to summarizethe main idea of the sentence: Julia wanted to take her brother's room but couldn't because he was still living in it.We can eliminate choice C, since the brother's choice of major isclearly not relevant to this topic. The remainingchoices involve deciding how much of the information in the original version is relevant: all of it, the first half of it, or none of it. Let's start by deciding whether we should omit the whole underlined portion. What does this section of the sentence tell us? Why Julia can't have the room.The sentence would still make grammatical sense without this part, but it would be lacking a key piece of information, so we can eliminate D. Finally, we have to choose between A and B. The correct choice is A because the phrase "for his first year of college" connects back to the fact that Julia was planning on taking her brother's room after he finished high school and helps to explain why she wasn'table to do so. Most ACT English relevance questions will be much simpler than this one, but the process you use to answer them is the same. It's important to keep in mind that even though most of the time the extra information will be irrelevant and need to be cut out, it will sometimes be necessary, so you always have to read the informationcarefully and decide. Key ACT English Strategies for Relevance Now that we've covered in depth how to spot and approach relevance questions, let's quickly review the main strategies you will need on the test. #1: Watch for underlined sections where some of the answers include extra descriptive information. #2: Omit information that isn't related to the main idea of the sentence or paragraph. #3: Keepinformation that clarifies an important point or introduces a key detail. If you follow these basic rules, relevance questions will be a snap! Practice Your Skills! After all that discussion, it's time for you to try out some relevant ACT English practice. Post yourquestions in the comments! 1. Because owls rely on their wings to hunt, wing injuries aremajor issues for the birds, which are nocturnal. A. NO CHANGE B. the nocturnal birds. C. the birds. D. the birds, which hunt at night. 2. Emily, who'd never been on a roller coasterbefore, was frightened by the height of the ride. F. NO CHANGE G.who loved amusement parks H.a young woman J.OMIT the underlined potion 3. Holi is an Hindufestival duringwhich revelers throw colored dye into the air. Yom Kippur is the Jewish New Year. This practice, which results in participants skin and clothes being temporarily colored, has been adopted in the US for large parties and fun runs. A. NO CHANGE B.Another Hindu holiday is Diwali. C. Everyone has a lot of fun. D.OMIT the underlined portion. Answers: 1. C, 2. F, 3. D You made through that lesson! Onwards! (Image: Xiaojun Deng/Flickr) What's Next? Take a look at some of our other posts about rhetorical skills on ACT English: author intent questions and main goal questions. Make sure you understand the quirksof ACT English and have a solid approach for the passages. Check whether you need to study any grammar concepts with this handy guide to what's actually on the ACT English section. Practice makes perfect- test your skills on one of these free practice tests! Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this English lesson, you'll love our program.Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands ofpractice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial:

The Current Health Status of Aboriginal Australian Population Essay

The Current Health Status of Aboriginal Australian Population - Essay Example It has constantly been emphasized that the poor health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Australians is brought about by economic and social factors such as higher unemployment levels, poor nutrition and sanitation, congested housing, lack of access to education, and poverty. As a result, it has been proposed that the additional health risks of obesity, diabetes, and substance misuse make mortality rates among Aboriginal Australians significantly higher than that of the overall non-Aboriginal Australian population (Lawrence & Worsley, 2007). This paper discusses the factors that contribute to the current health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Australians, factors that increase the prevalence of diabetes, and potential community-focused solution. Contributing Factors to the Current Health of Australian Aboriginal People As stated in the National Aboriginal Health Strategy Working Party report, â€Å"health to Aboriginal peoples is a matter of determining all aspects of their life, including co ntrol over the physical environment, of dignity, of community self-esteem, and of justice. It is not merely a matter of the provision of doctors, hospitals, medicines or the absence of disease and incapacity† (Connor-Fleming & Parker, 2001, 210). Customarily, in Indigenous communities there was no term or word for ‘health’ as recognized by non-Indigenous people, and it would not be easy for Aborigines to view ‘health’ as part of their existence (Eagar & Garrett, 2001). This traditional belief is one of the major determinants of Aboriginal health. Health advocates engaged in programs for Aboriginal communities should be sensitive to this culturally oriented perception of health. Apparently, the Aboriginal perception of health should shape the context for any program supporting Aboriginal health. Second contributing factor is social disadvantage. It is well documented that social disadvantage has the ability to endanger individual health and wellbeing. The connection between poor health and social disadvantage is demonstrated in the health condition of Aboriginal people (Larkin, 2006). As revealed in the National Health Strategy Research paper No. 1, and substantiated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Health and Welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples research in 1999, there have been several improvements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on wider social determinants, especially education (Connor-Fleming & Parker, 2001, 210). Nevertheless, according to Larkin (2006), on determinants of housing, economic standing, and employment status, these people were below Australian standards. Several scholars, like Thomson (1991) and Couzos and Murray (1999), claim that considerable economic and social disadvantage, political subjugation, and a history of cultural displacement and bigotry lead to seriously poor health and wellbeing for Aboriginal Australians. Matthews (1992) argued that a diverse paradig m that recognizes both the medical and social aspects of poor health is important. Where social circumstances are most unfavorable, the necessity for useful healthcare initiatives is