Learn About Gothic Literature With Elements and Examples

Learn About Gothic Literature With Elements and Examples The term Gothic originates with the ornate architecture created by Germanic tribes called the Goths.  It was then later expanded to include most of the medieval style of architecture. The ornate and intricate style of this kind of architecture proved to be the ideal backdrop for both the physical and the psychological settings in a new literary style, one that concerned itself with elaborate tales of mystery, suspense, and superstition. The height of the Gothic period, which was closely aligned with Romanticism, is usually considered to have been the years 1764–1840, but its influence extends to the present day in authors such as V.C. Andrews. Plot and Examples The plot of Gothic literature novels typically involves people who become involved in complex and oftentimes evil paranormal schemes, usually against an innocent and helpless heroine. One such example is the young Emily St. Aubert in Anne Radcliffe’s classic Gothic novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794). This novel would inspire parody in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey (1817). The most famous example of pure Gothic fiction is perhaps the first example of the genre, Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto (1764). Although rather short, the setting certainly fits the description given above, and the combined elements of terror and medievalism set a precedent for an entirely new, thrilling genre. Selected Bibliography In addition to The Mysteries of Udolpho and The Castle of Otranto, there are a number of classic novels that those who are interested in Gothic literature will want to pick up. Here is a list of 10 titles that are not to be missed: The History of the Caliph Vathek (1786) by William Thomas BeckfordThe Monk (1796) by Mathew LewisFrankenstein (1818) by Mary ShelleyMelmoth the Wanderer (1820) by Charles MaturinSalathiel the Immortal (1828) by George CrolyThe Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831) by Victor HugoThe Fall of the House of Usher (1839) by Edgar Allan PoeVarney the Vampire; or, the Feast of Blood (1847) by James Malcolm RymerThe Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) by Robert Louis StevensonDracula (1897) by Bram Stoker Key Elements In most of the examples above, one will find certain key elements ascribed to Gothic fiction.  They  include: Atmosphere: In the Gothic novel, the atmosphere will be one of mystery, suspense, and fear, the mood of which is only enhanced by elements of the unknown or unexplained. Clergy: Often, as in The Monk and The Castle of Otranto, the clergy play important secondary roles. They are often weak and sometimes outrageously evil. The paranormal: Oftentimes Gothic fiction will contain elements of the supernatural or paranormal, such as ghosts and vampires. In some instances, these supernatural features are later explained in perfectly natural terms, but in other works, they remain completely inexplicable. Melodrama: Also called â€Å"high emotion,† melodrama is created through highly sentimental language and overly emotional characters. The panic, terror, and other emotions can seem overwrought in order to make the characters and setting seem wild and out of control. Omens: Typical of the genre, omens- or portents and visions- often foreshadow events to come. They can take many forms, such as dreams. Setting: The setting of a Gothic novel is typically a character in its own right. Gothic architecture plays an important role, so the stories are often set in a castle or large manor, which is typically abandoned. Other settings may include caves or the wilderness. Virginal maiden in distress: With the exception of a few novels, such as Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla (1872), most Gothic villains are powerful males who prey on young, virginal women. This dynamic creates tension and appeals deeply to the readers pathos, particularly as these heroines tend to be orphaned, abandoned, or somehow severed from the world, without guardianship. Modern Critiques Modern readers and critics have begun to think of Gothic literature as referring to any story that uses an elaborate setting, combined with supernatural or super-evil forces against an innocent protagonist. The contemporary understanding is similar but has widened to include a variety of genres, such as paranormal and horror.

Example of Effective Communication in a Business Environment essay

Example of Effective Communication in a Business Environment essay Example of Effective Communication in a Business Environment essay Example of Effective Communication in a Business Environment essayCommunication is an essential part of human life and has a notable impact on all spheres of human life. In business, communication plays a key role in all types of interactions: top-down interactions, bottom-up interactions, interactions of two equal parties, negotiations, etc (Hartley Bruckmann, 2008). All three types of communications are important for business written communications, verbal communications and expressed communications, also referred to as body language (Hartley Bruckmann, 2008). Business performance and outcomes strongly depend on the effectiveness of communication, because all business transactions include the transmission of information between various stakeholders.One example of effective communication in a business environment took place when I assisted a top manager who was responsible for negotiating with suppliers. I was present at the negotiations and provided various assistance to the top manager. The top managers way of conducting the negotiations and his methods of communication were very efficient.The purpose of the negotiations was to achieve an agreement on the terms and pricing of supplying spare parts for automobiles. The top managers goal was to get discounts or to convince suppliers to offer lower prices; furthermore, it was desirable to reach an agreement that would allow our company to pay for the spare parts after the parts were shipped. Initially, it seemed that it would not be possible to achieve the goals of the communication because the initial conditions offered by the suppliers included higher prices and required sending payment before the orders were assembled and prepared for shipping. However, the top manager managed to convince the suppliers to provide 5-8% discounts for bulk orders. Furthermore, the agreement between our company and suppliers allowed for 80% of payment to be sent after the order was actually shipped.In my opinion, the communic ation was very effective because the top manager managed to move ahead on each objective of the negotiations, so the new agreement created notable financial benefits for our company compared to the previous conditions. In addition, such agreement allowed to set lower prices for our customers, therefore gaining a market advantage over competitors.I believe that the communication was effective because of the following reasons. First of all, the top manager was very well-prepared for the conversation and remembered a lot of market information that he used to convince the suppliers. For example, he made a comparative analysis of the conditions offered by other suppliers and showed the projected order volumes to the suppliers. The second factor contributing to the success of the communications was the focus on win-win solutions: the top manager analyzed the situation from the point of view of the other party (the suppliers, in this case), and clearly demonstrated the advantages of reachi ng an agreement with our company on their side. The third factor that made these negotiations effective was the top managers attentiveness to the reactions and arguments of the other party; the top manager did not push on the supplier representatives to get maximal discount or maximal payment delay, but instead worked together with them to create a mutually convenient solution.According to Hartley and Bruckmann (2008), the effectiveness of communication can be evaluated using five criteria: communication fidelity (preciseness), economy (compact use of symbols, time and energy), congruence (the match between verbal and non-verbal signals), influence (the communicators ability to change the decisions of the other party) and relationship building (creation of trust and improvement of relationships due to communications). In terms of this criteria, the top manager was successful in at least four categories: fidelity the top managers communication was up to the point and informative, co ngruence his nonverbal signals demonstrated confidence and supported his strong position, influence the representatives of the supplier were impressed by the arguments and took them into account, and relationship building   the other party demonstrated respect and positively perceived the results of the negotiations.

Point of View Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Point of View - Essay Example The weather is so bright and white like an ocean. A sparrow comes flying from nowhere and rests at the branch of the bottlebrush tree. As it sits, the delicate branch slightly sways in the air with the impact of the sparrow’s weight and a bottlebrush flower falls down into my lap, as if it is a gift of nature to make my experience more memorable. The sparrow inflates its body filling air in its feathers to make a shield against the cold air of the atmosphere. I have never felt as close to and drawn toward the beauty and innocence of Mother Nature as I feel in these moments. My line of sight takes a 60 degree shift in the vertical plane as it moves from the sparrow up on the tree’s branch to the two girls holding hand in hand jumping their way up to the school over the road in front of me. Their sight takes me back to the time when I was their age and used to go to school with Lisa, my best friend and neighbor. They giggle as they pass by. Their laughter breaks the quiet ness and calmness of the surroundings and adds more life and pleasure to it. Soon after that, I hear the sound of bells approaching from a nearby Church, forming a soothing melody. It has been half an hour and the bus has not arrived yet. The fog in the air increases. My vision is obstructed by heavy mist in the air. I am red in the nose and finger tips and white in the face with cold. I seem to be catching flu. The fragrance of the pink roses and the bottlebrush that I enjoyed 30 minutes ago seems to be receding. I blow my nose but can’t really feel the friction of the tissue paper against my nose because of numbness. I throw the tissue paper away. I need another tissue paper but I have no more. I start feeling hungry as I have not had my breakfast since I got ready for the school in a hurry. I take the biscuits out of their pack in my bag, but they have become soggy and have absorbed moisture from the atmosphere. I miss the crunchiness of a dry biscuit and the

The Impact of Television on the 2008 Canadian Elections Essay

The Impact of Television on the 2008 Canadian Elections - Essay Example It i a very good mean of entertainment. It i a ource of entertainment for all age group,right from children to the aged. One can watch colorful animated cartoon for children a well a health how and port for adult. One can even watch movie at home and thu the time and train one ha to take to buy ticket or go to the theater i aved. A peron who i worned out from office can come home and relax himelf to watch hi favorite TV program. Televiion can never bore anyone and erve a a good time pa. Televiion i alo a good TV for a peron to be upgraded with the knowledge of what i happening around the world. Televiion or I can ay ' The Fifth Etate ', next to newpaper can tell people of the recent event happening around u. People now can ee the Iraq war in their drawing room through private TV channel like CNN, BBC, FOX etc. hown on TV, which would never be poible without the televiion. Cinema award and important port pogramme are being watched live nowaday by million of viewer through TV. Thi TV can even change the political life and ha changed it in many countrie. People can upgrade themelve about the government epecially during day of election and budget eion. For example,the downfall of Rajiv Gandhi in India due to the Bofor' crii wa becaue of different type of ma TV like the televiion. Through televiion one can know the detail of recent dicoverie,innovation ,invention and achievement viually happening around the globe. ... Hence,apart from telephone and airplane,I feel televiion are an innovation that ha changed our live and i one of the main reaon for making the world a 'global village'. The introduction of televiion and it component into the political proce ha greatly influenced politic. Televiion ha given politician a whole new way to communicate and expre their belief to voter. There are a few ignificant effect that thi form of TV ha had on the political proce. Firtly, televiion tend to make political life more fluid and volatile. Outcome are much harder to predict with campaign now becaue a ingle performance before a huge audience can eaily end or precipitate iue almot intantaneouly. For intance, during the 1988 federal election, John Turner' TV debate performance reurrected the Liberal party and almot made them win the election. If it wan't for the televied debate, the Liberal would have urely been doomed. Televiion alo force much of the backtage machinery of political life to endure extremely heavy expoure, making it much more open than it ued to be. Prior to the TV, politician and their aociate were only known by their public appearance and campaign, leaving what happened outide thee appearance in the dark. Becaue of TV and the candid camera, the politician and the election can be looked at in more depth now. Political party convention and other 'behind the cene' event can now be televied and hown to the general public. The nationalization of politic i alo a reult temming mainly from televiion. Becaue the party leader i the main peron een on TV, politic at the riding level tend to uffer greatly. Voter do not really care about who i running in their riding; they are more concerned about the party

The Most Dangerous Game Literary Analysis Essay Example for Free

The Most Dangerous Game Literary Analysis Essay In the short story â€Å"The Most Dangerous Game†, Richard Connell uses conflict to create a suspenseful mood. When Rainsofrd is struggling to swim in the ocean it shows man v. nature conflict. â€Å"For a seemingly endless time he fought the sea† (42). Suspense really shows in this scene because its really nailbiting to see if he is going to give up and let himself drown, or if he is going to push and swimm to the island hes heard has a bad reputation. Man v. man conflict is shown when Zaroff challenges Rainsford to the hunt. Zaroff said, â€Å"Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess! † (52). The reader feels a lot of suspense in this part because Rainsford is in an unfamiliar place, in the dark, at night, being chased by an expert hunter, his huge servant/guard Ivan, and a pack of wild dogs. The suspenseful mood reaches a turning point when Rainsford chooses to jump off the cliff instead of continuing the hunt. Rainsford also has a lot of man v. self conflict during the hunt. Rainsford has to repeat a motivational phrase to himself so he will keep calm and collected under the stressful hunt. Rainsford repeats, â€Å"I will not lose my nerve. I will not† (54). This adds suspense because it really makes the reader anxious to know whether or not he will keep his cool. In â€Å"The most Dangerous Game† man v. nature, man v. man, and man v. self conflicts are shown to create a suspenseful mood.

Education Essay -- History, Educational Needs, Curriculum

The reasons we educate our children have changed over time. However, some of the core values remain the same. One of the most important purposes of schooling is the transmission of a culture from one generation to the next. It is important to pass on our culture, values, and beliefs to our children so we continue to have a cohesive population. Schooling offers opportunity to our children by teaching them valuable skills that allow them to be self-sufficient and lead successful lives. Schooling also serves to decrease the social ills those without an education suffer from. A final purpose of education is to create people who are active in civic life. All societies have used formal education to pass on their culture. Schools have been used for centuries to pass on religion, values, and other culturally significant principles. Our culture and curriculum are fully intertwined. When the colonists came to America they brought with them their culture and the way they educated their children reflected that. The first colonists were very religious people and their curriculum was very faith-based. It complimented the instruction they received at church and home. As immigrants flooded into the country, life changed dramatically. As the population spread west, the typical family and social dynamics rapidly changed. People became widely dispersed, and the church’s authority and influence was no longer as important. People soon realized the way they were used to educating their children needed to adapt to their new way of life. Initially only wealthy male children were educated. People might teach their girls to read and write their name, but many believed girls and women lacked the mental capacity to learn much beyond that. In the seve... ...re being piloted at the early grades in a widespread manner† (Feldman, 2007, pg.4) This is a step in the right direction and hopefully with time, there will be an increased awareness and importance placed on civic education. The purpose of schooling can be highly subjective, but some core purposes have persisted through time. These core values are important and will continue to be the driving force of education. Unfortunately, many times the idealized purposes of education are vastly different from the reality. Our education system is not perfect but it is constantly improving. Despite its flaws, our current school system does teach our children many important skills, both socially and academically. School gives our children a chance to reach their full potential and succeed in life. As our culture changes, so will our purposes behind educating our children.

Daydreams Essay: Exam Question

Daydreams A day dream is defined as ‘a series of pleasant thoughts that distract one’s attention from the present’. In my opinion, a daydream is not a frivolous activity practiced only by a doe eyed schoolgirl during an unendurable French lesson. A daydream acts as a subconscious portal which allows one to escape from ones everyday life of stress and negative circumstances. One could almost say it is chewing gum for the mind. Of course, some differ in that view.A critically acclaimed author Ian McEwan said â€Å"The cost of oblivious daydreaming was always this moment of return, the realignment with what had been before and now seemed a little worse. †   his opinion is that daydreaming is a self depressant and that it would only make the persons view of their own life disappointing. He believes that it is a pointless to waste ones time on imaginings of alternative lives that will never become reality. But I wonder if it was these ‘oblivious’ daydreams which lead to him writing many of his books like ‘sweet tooth’ and ‘atonement’.Where is the fine line between daydreaming and simply thinking of possibilities? I myself am a keen daydreamer, sometimes I just lie on my bed and I quietly slip into a dreamtime of my own imaginings. I don’t directly imagine some event or situation I drift between scattered thoughts in search of that perfect possibility. That perfect possibility which fills me with an unconscious serenity and extracts me from my reality to show me a fictional circumstance.When I carefully draw that perfect possibility from the shadows of my mind, like picking an eyelash from my cheek, I examine it cautiously so as not to miss a moment of the fabricated thought. My daydreams can vary from the most extravagant and outlandish events to very trivial thoughts formed by my imagination. I often daydream about my future and what it could be like. My mind becomes completely consumed by t his image and the steps I would need to take to make it a reality. I very much enjoy watching movies where you see projections of the characters daydreams.These daydreams normally vividly depict what that character would love to do in that moment; it is usually an action that would not be acceptable in society. For example, an employee humorously insults their boss or a mother-in-law imagines shoving her daughter-in-laws face into a cake. These amusing daydreams provide a comedic outlet. But when I am watching these movies I can’t help but wish my daydream was that vivid. I never get a completely clear image; all I get is a serious of quick flashes of images.My daydreams are not fluid they are choppy they don’t possess a natural flow like my sleeping dreams have. I often wonder if the fluidity of day dreams and dreams changes for each person. Some psychiatrists believe that the imaginings of one’s mind is associated with mental health and stability, so my questi on is ‘if people’s mental health varies does their way of dreaming vary? ’ Many famous people have become famous because of their daydreams. Einstein is believed to have begun his theory of relativity while he daydreamed about riding or running beside a sunbeam to the edge of the universe.This tiny moment where Einstein’s mind accidentally wandered resulted in a huge scientific breakthrough. Einstein’s theory of relativity which contributed to the development of the atomic bomb. Many famously inspired people praise daydreaming, a well known American poet named Rita Dove celebrates daydreaming. She once said â€Å"I want to discuss an activity which is barely tolerated in adolescence, never encouraged in school – but without which no bridges would soar, no light bulbs burn. † She found that daydreaming was like a creative outlet where one can discover something beautiful without attention.Mozart also believed that daydreaming was a proc ess of greatness â€Å"All this inventing, this producing, takes place in a lively dream† I find it amazing that one daydream, just one, can create a ripple effect and change the world. This tiny thought which is considered insignificant, at first look, can cause an action which is very much significant, in the long term. The positive effects of daydreaming are limitless but of course, daydreaming also has its negative aspects. There is a time when daydreaming can be useful and productive, but other times it can cause you to lose focus and you can miss out.There is a time for fantasy but there is also a time for reality. But overall, my opinion is that daydreaming is positive when one is not daydreaming constantly and about bad things, which can result in depression. Daydreams can be very influential on a person’s mental health. If one is only thinking about negative possibilities, their outlook on life becomes cloudy and hopeless. I once heard someone say ‘How m any of our daydreams would darken into nightmares, were there danger if their coming true. ’ Just because one imagines something it does not mean they want it to come true.The fact that daydreams are just daydreams makes them free to anyone with an imagination. Daydreaming is an activity for all ages; one does not have to be of a certain height to daydream. One does not have to be a particular age to daydream and one does not require three forms of identification to daydream. When one is daydreaming they are free of judgment and worry. Some say, one man’s daydream is another man’s day, but neither will ever know, I think it is the fact that our daydreams are private that makes them our own personal unwritten diary of hope.Just like one’s diaries our daydreams change, our handwriting improves and our thoughts become slightly more grounded. When we are young our daydreams consist of imaginary friends from exotic places and tea parties on the moon with the E aster bunny and Santa Clause. Daydreams as a child are not recognised by the daydreamer. Children can often confuse their fantasies with reality and think their daydreams actually happened. We can openly express our daydreams with others and it is accepted in society and cast off as the sweet imaginings of children with active imaginations.When we are older our daydreams become more refined and closer to reality. The more mature daydreamer imagines what their life would be like if they had taken a different path , some also imagine situations that they are presently in and how they would change if they said or did something. Of course every now and then the inner child in everybody takes charge and we succumb to our childlike fantasies. But these fantasies are not confessed to others often. We never become too old to dream but I wonder at what age one becomes too old for the publication of one’s daydreams.

Nurse-patient ratio

Nurse-patient ratio laws are state mandates requiring hospitals to keep to a maximum sealing limit of the ratio of nurses to patients. At the moment, states that have yet to apply any nurse-patient ratio limits typically charge each of their nurses the care of at least 6 nurses and even as high as 8 to 10 (Churchouse, 2002). Barnes-Jewish hospital for example has a ratio of 1 nurse to 10 patients (St. Louis, 2004). California's Assembly Bill 394 is one of the forerunning legislations that mandated the regulation of nurse-patient ratios across hospitals. This bill had been largely contested by hospital lobbyists who are now bartering with state officials on the most flexible regulations that could be imposed. While nursing associations and nursing labor unions all over the country are proposing the ideal 1:2 ratio, hospital management firmly claim this to be impossible. In some other states such as Illinois, staging progression procedures have been introduced as a viable means to improve nurse-patient ratios over a period of 5-10 years (Bartolomeo, 2001). Since after the Second World War, the problem of increasing nurse-patient ratios have begun to accrue. By the mid-80s the pressing need for more nurses became even more drastic when the academe saw a decline in the local demand for the profession. This eventually led hospitals to searching for nurses abroad which continued to persist to the present day. However, outsourcing the nurse supply was also coupled by hospital management cutbacks on staffing which still resulted to poor nurse-patient ratios. Hospitals also allegedly implemented management regulations preventing nursing staff from discussing and objecting to nurse-patient hospital policies. However by the late 90s, nursing unions have begun to seek help from media institutions, local communities, and contract negotiators to help them bargain less congested working conditions with hospital management. This led the nursing unions to asking help from their respective state governments. Finally in January of 2002, California’s AB 394 mandated the issue of staffing ratios in hospitals throughout the state, but this victory of the nursing unions was short-lived as hospital management immediately bargained with legislators for staffing ratios that were most advantageous for them. While nursing organizations persisted with a 1:2 to a 1:4 ratio, hospital lobbyists led by the California Healthcare Association, a consortium of 500 hospitals insisted that the acceptable nurse-patient ratio could be no less than 1:6. Currently, one of the country’s largest Health Management Organizations, Kaiser Permanente broke away from the bulk of institutions opposed to lower nurse-patient ratios and advocated a 1:4 ratio that it currently implements in its facilities. Kaiser discussed further ways of lowering the ratio with nursing unions and agreed to have the approved recommendations of such discussions implemented on all Kaiser owned establishments (Bartolomeo, 2001). Current working conditions lead nurses into compromising situations wherein their work suffers because of the immense number of tasks that they have to do all at once. While some hospitals implement â€Å"fair† policies that allow nurses enough room to breathe in their work, a lot more hospitals and health care organizations are run by profit oriented groups whose main concern includes minimizing costs. What’s worse is that since health care in various parts of the country has been transformed into a corporate affair between gigantic businesses who buy health care plans from HMOs who sell them, competition has become a matter of who can provide the better corporate deal over who can provide better hospital service. Since the patients don’t have much choice with respect to which health care deals their employer will take, this rules out quality by competition from ushering hospitals to make nurse-patient ratio improvements on their own. Thus, a state mandated regulation is the only way to force these hospitals to provide an appropriate working environment for their nurses. There are several controversial aspects to the legislation of nurse-patient ratio regulation. One popular controversy is the actual capability of today’s supply of nurses to fill in the vacancies that would be created by such legislation. The Illinois Hospital Association contends that current nursing programs of the state are not viable to handle the demand for the number of nurses required to maintain the ratios mandated by laws like California’s AB394. Another criticism is insensitivity of a rigid nurse-patient ratio to patient’s individual medical differences. Critics also point out differences between hospitals, resources and even nursing units which could be blurred out in the implementation of a state mandate indiscriminately throughout all hospitals. I believe that hospital policies at the moment are more profit-oriented than health oriented. It is this slippery slope that leads to understaffing and overly high nurse-patient ratios. However, I also think that an inflexible legislation on nurse-patient ratios would do little to solve the problem. Nurses from different units are very different and there needs to be more extensive needs analysis studies conducted before a proper legislative action could be taken. Therefore while I am in favor of state legislation in order to curb inherent profit-oriented biases of hospital management, I am not in favor of haphazardly implementing one at the moment without considering factors forwarded by institutions like the Illinois Hospital Association. Like I said, I believe that while the California legislation is a victory for the labor rights of nurses in the state, it does not ensure an increase in nursing quality. I would consider the act positive with respect to labor rights but neutral with respect to patient care. Extensive scrutiny should be placed on the issues that arose after the legislation such as the differences among hospitals, resources, and nursing units. References: Churchouse, C. (2002). Senate Community Affairs References Committee Inquiry Into Nursing. Retrieved: July 19, 2007 from: http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:uQtMh4POYlUJ:www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/completed_inquiries/2002-04/nursing/submissions/sub04.doc+current+nurse-patient+ratio;hl=tl;ct=clnk;cd=3;gl=ph Bartolomeo, C. (2001). â€Å"Mandated staffing ratios: Health care professionals see the benefits and pitfalls.† Journal of the American Federation of Teachers. Vol. 30 Issue 2. P.114-118. Barnes-Jewish Hospital seeks to lower nurse-patient ratio. Retrieved July 19, 2007 from St. Louis Business Journal Website: http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2004/11/29/daily50.html ;

Consumers Warned of Online Payday Loan Sites

Consumers Warned of Online Payday Loan Sites As you look at the automated ads that surround this article, keep in mind that the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has long advised consumers to exercise extreme caution when using internet payday loan web sites, where loans due by the next payday, can cost up to $30 per $100 borrowed and borrowers typically face annual interest rates (APRs) of 650%. According to a CFA survey of one hundred Internet payday loan sites, small loans involving electronic access to consumers checking accounts pose high risks to consumers who borrow money by transmitting personal financial information via the internet. Automatically Zapping Your Bank Account Internet payday loans cost up to $30 per $100 borrowed and must be repaid or refinanced by the borrowers next payday, said Jean Ann Fox, CFAs director of consumer protection. If payday is in two weeks, a $500 loan costs $150, and $650 will be electronically withdrawn from the borrowers checking account. Many surveyed lenders automatically renew loans by electronically withdrawing the finance charge from the consumers checking account every payday. If consumers fail to have enough money on deposit to cover the finance charge or repayment, both the payday lender and the bank will impose insufficient funds fees. Where Payday Loans Lurk Online payday loans are marketed through e-mail, online search, paid ads, and referrals. Typically, a consumer fills out an online application form or faxes a completed application that requests personal information, bank account numbers, Social Security Numbers and employer information. Borrowers fax copies of a check, a recent bank statement, and signed paperwork. The loan is direct deposited into the consumers checking account and loan payment or the finance charge is electronically withdrawn on the borrowers next payday. High Cost, High Risk Internet payday loans are dangerous for cash-strapped consumers, stated Ms. Fox. They combine the high costs and collection risks of check-based payday loans with security risks of sending bank account numbers and Social Security Numbers over web links to unknown lenders. CFAs survey of 100 Internet payday loan sites showed that loans from $200 to $2,500 were available, with $500 the most frequently offered. Finance charges ranged from $10 per $100 up to $30 per $100 borrowed. The most frequent rate was $25 per $100, or 650% annual interest rate (APR) if the loan is repaid in two weeks. Typically loans are due on the borrowers next payday which can be a shorter term. Only 38 sites disclosed the annual interest rates for loans prior to customers completing the application process, while 57 sites quoted the finance charge. The most frequently posted APR was 652%, followed by 780%. Although loans are due on the borrowers next payday, many surveyed sites automatically renew the loan, withdrawing the finance charge from the borrowers bank account and extending the loan for another pay cycle. Sixty-five of the surveyed sites permit loan renewals with no reduction in principal. At some lenders, consumers have to take additional steps to actually repay the loan. After several renewals, some lenders require borrowers to reduce the loan principal with each renewal. Contracts from Internet payday lenders include a range of one-sided terms, such as mandatory arbitration clauses, agreements not to participate in class action lawsuits, and agreements not to file for bankruptcy. Some lenders require applicants to agree to keep their bank accounts open until loans are repaid. Others ask for voluntary wage assignments even in states where wage assignments are not legal. CFA advises consumers not to borrow money based on giving a post-dated paper check or electronic access to a bank account as security. Payday loans are too expensive and too hard to repay on the next payday. CFA advises consumers never to transmit bank account numbers, Social Security numbers or other personal financial information via the Internet or by fax to unknown companies. Consumers should shop for lower cost credit, comparing both the dollar finance charge and the APR to get the lowest cost credit available. For help with financial problems, CFA urges consumers to seek credit counseling help or legal assistance.

The Three Musketeers Book Report Profile

The Three Musketeers Book Report Profile The first step in writing an excellent book report is reading the book and marking interesting phrases or notable features in the margins. You should use active reading skills to retain the most from the text. Your book report should contain all of the following, in addition to the plot summary. Title and Publication The Three Musketeers was written in 1844. It was published in serial form in the French magazine, Le Siecle over the course of 5 months. The novel’s current publisher is Bantam Books, New York. Author Alexandre Dumas Setting The Three Musketeers is set in 17th century France during the reign of Louis XIII. The story takes place predominantly in Paris, but the protagonist’s adventures take him across the French countryside and as far as England. Though the novel is based on historical information, and many of the events, such as the siege of New Rochelle, really occurred, Dumas has taken artistic liberties with many of the characters. It should not be looked at as a factual account of this period. Instead, the novel should be recognized as a fine example of the genre of Romance. Characters D’Artagnan, the protagonist, a poor but intelligent Gascon who has come to Paris to join The Musketeers and make his fortune. Athos, Porthos, Aramis, the Musketeers for whom the novel is named. These men become D’Artagnan’s closest friend and share in his adventures, his successes, and his failures.Cardinal Richelieu, the second most powerful man in France, the Cardinal is the enemy of D’Artagnan and the Musketeers and the chief antagonist of the novel. He is great statesman and strategist but is driven by a need for control to commit devious acts designed to advance his own cause.Anne de Breuil (Lady de Winter, Milady), an agent of the Cardinal and a woman devoured by greed and bent on vengeance. She becomes a particular enemy of D’Artagnan.Count de Rochefort, the first enemy D’Artagnan makes and an agent of the Cardinal. His destiny is closely tied to that of D’Artagnan. Plot The novel follows D’Artagnan and his friends through several court intrigues and amorous encounters. These accounts are entertaining adventures that not only advance the plot but, perhaps more importantly, describe the fundamentals of court society as well as revealing character. As the story develops, its focus narrows to center on the struggle between Milady and D’Artagnan; the heart of the story is the war waged between good and evil. D’Artagnan and his friends, even considering their immoral actions, are cast as protectors of King and Queen while Milady and the Cardinal represent consummate evil. Questions to Ponder The questions to follow will help you detect important themes and ideas in the novel: Structure of the novel: This book was first published as a serial. How may that have dictated the exposition of the plot?Dumas engages his readers by addressing them directly throughout the novel. What reasons might the author have had for doing this, and how does it affect the overall success of the story? Consider the conflict between individuals: How do D’Artagnan and his friends differ from what we expect of our heroes?Can you find any sympathy for Milady? Why or why not? Examine the traditional roles of this society: What is chivalry?Dumas tells his readers that â€Å"Our modern ideas of pride had not yet come into fashion.† How is the morality of this time different from our own?How does life at court drive the characters toward their destinies? Possible First Sentences Consider these examples as possible first sentences for your book report: â€Å"The genre of Romance always contains the thematic elements of love and chivalry and The Three Musketeers is no exception.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Milady is a woman centuries ahead of her time.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Friendship is the most valuable asset one can possess.†

Storm Chasing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Storm Chasing - Assignment Example Prior to the beginning of a tornado, forecasters are concerned about the potential of a tornado outbreak. These are called the ingredients of a tornado outbreak or the classical elements of a tornado production. Among of which includes a very warm and humid air near the surface with colder air aloft, strong variations of winds with height (vertical wind shear), an upper-level storm system plowing into the Southeast, and a cold front (Henson, 2011, n.p.). Tornadoes developed in a condition that spawns atmospheric setting for severe thunderstorm. The warm, humid air is overlain by a cooler, drier air aloft that leads to atmospheric instability and when a low level jet and polar jet stream provide strong vertical wind shear, the surface air is forced upward and large super cells thunderstorms spawning tornadoes may form. Most tornado outbreaks occur in Tornado Alley (from West Texas northeast through the western and central portions of Oklahoma and Kansas and across most of Nebraska) an d during the spring and summer due to the presence of warm surface air ground (Rafferty, 2011, 170). Mortalities and case fatalities from tornado outbreaks are extremely high. ... Please make a list of your recommendations and provide justification for each. After the disaster brought by the typhoon Katrina, a number of structural defects and personnel failures were noted. These have made the city of New Orleans at risk for the aftermath of another Katrina-like disaster. The structural defect being pointed out is the design, foundation, and composition of the New Orleans and Gulf Coast communities’ protection against raging storms (Fischetti, 2005, n.p.) while personnel failures include neglect of duties, insufficient actions or poor decisions, systems failure, and lack of effective leadership (Collins et al., 2006, 2). Instead of redesigning a single levee which can compromise the safety of New Orleans residents, the author recommends the construction of floodwalls which require less land than a levee and can stand on earthen foundations. In addition, constructing flood walls are much better because levees starved the wetlands south and east of the cit y of the sediment, nutrients and freshwater they need to thrive, cut off sediment flow that builds barrier islands ringing the delta, and impact economy because of rebuilding costs and food price hike due to food shortage. Meanwhile, recommendations to address personnel failures include: development of an effective response emergency/disaster preparedness headed by the chief executive to centralize and coordinate emergency actions; initiating a planning exercise or drill from federal, state, local officials, media, and citizens featuring a storm-like scenario to determine and address faults in the system and inform the public of things to do in case of a disaster; devotion of sufficient

Supply and demand, why demand is better Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Supply and demand, why demand is better - Article Example One of the two factors in economics is dependent on the other and therefore the independent factor is the most important in economics. According Blaug, supply depends on demand in the market. The article is titled, Economic Theory in Retrospect and was published by the Cambridge University Press. The article is authored in English as the original language of the author and the target group. The major subjects covered in the article are economics and history within the concepts and discipline of economics. The economic history contained in the book is linked to the fathers of economic and the concepts they applied to explain economic. This book covers the historical situation and concepts economics and the current thoughts including the relationship between demand and supply. The author outlines the equations of demand and supply curves and it is from this point that the reliance of supply on demand in the economical perspectives reveals the significance of demand over supply. The impact of demand on the central factor of both demand and supply that is the price implies a course of effect on supply. The author argues that the increase in the demand of a given product at a given price increases the motive to supply the customers with the commodities demanded. When demand increases the prices in the market increases too prompting the need to meet the demand that is desired in the market and the producers are forced to increase the supply. Supply in market is linked to the possibility and surety that the market will be able to buy the products. Higher prices caused by increase in the demand in the market inspire the producers to increase the supply into the market. Higher prices indicate the times when the producers are targeting the market and this is the time they increase the supply into the market. This therefore reveals that demand is independent of supply while supply