Ivory Trail Analysis Essay Example

Ivory Trail Analysis Essay The front cover of The Ivory Trail, by Victor Kelleher, reveals quite a lot about what the novel is about. It also attracts the attention of the reader using color, images and text. The text reveals that the novel involves a long journey made by the protagonist. The main colors used are orange, red, and black. These colors suggest eeriness and mystery. The color red suggests anger and rage, which is possibly felt by the main character at some point in the novel. The four graphics on the cover are a sphinx, a pyramid, a temple and the close up of a man’s face. The sphinx and the pyramid immediately grasp hold of the reader’s attention because of the brightness and location of the images located right in the middle of the text. Also, these images show that the story is set in Egypt. The difference between the light and the dark gives a sense of mystery. The temples at the top of the page represent an Indian or Arabian culture. The man’s face at the bottom of the page looking up indicates a feeling of question and wonder. The text â€Å"Not all Journeys have an ending† adds more mystery to that the reader already acquires from the graphics. We will write a custom essay sample on Ivory Trail Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Ivory Trail Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Ivory Trail Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This phrase also leaves the reader wondering what it means. The reader can only assume that the journey that will be taken is not only going to be physical, but spiritual as well. The title â€Å"The Ivory Trail† immediately catches the reader’s eye against the black background. The word ‘Trail’ suggests a long and rough road that the protagonist must take on his Journey. The word ‘Ivory’ is related to elephants in Africa, and illegal trade of ivory. This also adds to the sense of mystery and abstruseness. In conclusion, the cover reveals a lot about the journey the main character is about to embark and the discoveries he is going to make.

Alphonse Gabriel Capone Summary Essay Example

Alphonse Gabriel Capone Summary Essay Example Alphonse Gabriel Capone Summary Paper Alphonse Gabriel Capone Summary Paper Alphonse Gabriel Capone was born In Brooklyn New York to Gabriele Fitzgerald (December 12, 1864 – November 14, 1920) and his wife Teresina Raiola (December 28, 1867 – November 29, 1952) in Brooklyn, on January 17, 1899. [2] Gabriele was a barber from Castellammare di Stabia, a town about 15 miles (24 km) south of Naples, Italy. Teresina was a seamstress and the daughter of Angelo Raiola from Angri, a town in the province of Salerno in southwestern Italy. Gabriele and Teresena had nine children: Vincenzo Capone (1892 – October 1, 1952), Raffaele Capone (January 12, 1894 – November 22, 1974), Salvatore Capone (January 1895 – April 1, 1924) Alphonse Gabriel Capone (January 17, 1899 – January 25, 1947), Erminio Capone (born 1901, date of death unknown), Umberto Capone (1906 – June 1980), Matthew Capone (1908 – January 31, 1967), Rose Capone (born and died 1910) and Mafalda Capone (later Mrs. John J. Maritote, January 28, 1912 – March 25, 1988). The Capone family emigrated to Canada for some time before returning in 1894 and settling at 95 Navy Street,[3] in the Navy Yard section of downtown Brooklyn, near the Barber Shop that employed Gabriele at 29 Park Avenue. [3] When Al was 14, the Capone family moved to 21 Garfield Place[3] in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Capone left school in the sixth-grade at age 14, after being expelled for punching a teacher at Public School 133. He then worked at odd jobs around Brooklyn, including in a candy store and a bowling alley. [4] During this time, Capone was influenced by gangster Johnny Torrio, whom he came to regard as a mentor figure. 5] After his initial stint with small-time gangs, including The Junior Forty Thieves, Capone joined the Five Points Juniors, and then the notorious Five Points Gang. He was mentored by and employed as a bouncer by racketeer Frankie Yale. [6][7] It was in this field that Capone received the scars that gave him the nickname Scarface;[8] he inadvertently insulted a woman while working the door at a Brooklyn night club, provoking a fight with her brother Frank Gallucio. Capones face was slashed three times on the left side. Capone apologized to Gallucio at Yales request and would hire his attacker as a bodyguard in later life. 9][10] When photographed, Capone hid the scarred left side of his face and would misrepresent his injuries as war wounds. [9][11] According to the 2002 magazine from Life called Mobsters and Gangsters: from Al Capone to Tony Soprano, Capone was called Snorky by his closest friends. [12] On December 30, 1918, Capone married Mae Josephine Coughlin, an Irish woman. [10] Earlier that month she had given birth to their son, Albert Francis (Sonny) Capone. [10] The date of Capones departure from New York, with his family, to Chicago is usually set around the year of 1920. 13] Capone came at the invitation of Torrio, who was seeking business opportunities in bootlegging following the onset of prohibition. Torrio had acquired t he crime empire of James Big Jim Colosimo after the latter refused to enter this new area of business and was subsequently murdered (presumably by Frankie Yale, although legal proceedings against him had to be dropped due to a lack of evidence. )[14] Capone was also a suspect for two murders at the time, and was seeking a better job to provide for his new family. [15]

12 Career Options for Political Science Majors

12 Career Options for Political Science Majors Political science majors are popular for a reason: theyre interesting, theyre current, and they open a lot of career opportunities for graduates. Fortunately, political science majors can apply their academic and, often, their political training in a wide range of jobs. 12 Careers for Political Science Majors 1. Work on a political campaign. You majored in political science for a reason. Put your academic interests to the test by working on a political campaign for a candidate youd love to see- and help- make a difference. 2. Work for the federal government. The federal government works in a variety of fields with people of all backgrounds. This offers many opportunities to develop subject matter expertise. Find one branch that interests you the most and see if theyre hiring. 3. Work for the state government. Federal government too big? Give back to your home state, or a new one, by working for the state government. Also, because of federalism, there are certain areas in which states have more control, so some areas of expertise may be a better fit at the state level. 4. Work for the local government. You may want to start off a little smaller and closer to home in your political career. Consider working for the local government, its a great place to get your foot in the door. City and county governments are a good place to start. 5. Work in advocacy for a nonprofit. Nonprofits are often busy working toward their missions- helping kids, fixing the environment, etc.- but they need a lot of help behind the scenes. That includes getting political support for their cause and thats where your degree can help. 6. Work at a politically based website. If you like to write, engage in online discussion, and help create a virtual community, consider working for a politically based website. You could also write for the political section of a website that is broader than politics. 7. Work in government relations in the for-profit sector. Working for a private (or even public) companys government relations department will allow you to blend your interests in politics with the dynamics of working for a specific company. 8. Work in government relations in the nonprofit sector. Interested in government relations but also in helping promote a cause? Many nonprofits, especially larger, national ones, need staff to help with government relations and advocacy. 9. Work for a school. You may not think of working at a school as political in nature, but many institutions- including colleges and universities, as well as K-12 schools- need help with your special skill set. This includes coordinating government relations, advocating for funding, managing regulations, and a whole host of other, interesting responsibilities. 10. Work at a magazine. Many magazines admittedly (or very clearly) have a political tilt. Find one you like and see if theyre hiring. 11. Work for a political party. Consider, for example, checking into whether the Republican or Democratic Party is hiring for its local, state, or national offices. You might surprise yourself with what you end up getting to do! 12. Teach.  Teaching is a great opportunity for the politically minded. You can help inspire a passion for political science and government in your students while also having summers off for your own political work.

Ethics of the Sale of Body Parts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Ethics of the Sale of Body Parts - Essay Example So, what is the cross-section where these two areas meet? Is it ever ethical to, in effect, â€Å"sell† body parts? Blood and semen are bodily fluids that are donated for money—so what would make donating body parts that much more different? For one thing, the sale of body parts in the U.S.—or anywhere else, as a matter of fact—is ethically questionable, at best. According to Wilkinson (2003), â€Å"Many of the arguments [we will] address†¦apply equally to all body parts and, indeed, to all body products† (pp. 101). Legally speaking, the sale of body parts is strictly forbidden in the United States. According to Gunning and Holm (2007), â€Å"For example, property right in human body or body parts is forbidden in the United States† (pp. 169). This is for many reasons, one of them being that the idea of trading body parts for cash could lead to the poor and disadvantaged selling their body parts for money. Also, people might sell these bo dy parts wholesale, making the black market for body parts even greater. Section II. Five Ethical Issues Associated With the Sale of Body Parts Five ethical issues with regard to the sale of body parts—outside of the biomedical ethical standpoint—is that such a practice would be morally wrong, it would take away the human dignity of the sellers, it would take away the human dignity of the person whose body part would be taken, it would take away from the dignity of the doctors, and also create greed within the buyers. The mere practice of selling body parts would be wrong—not to mention the donation of an organ—in Judaism and Islam. The importance of the body being whole is emphasized due to the fact that going to the afterlife depends upon how one took care of one’s body. According to Holland and Johnson (1998), â€Å"For it may be thought that the human body has a significance that is incompatible with treating its parts as items for sale in a b ody shop or that such treatment is an affront to human dignity and respect for self† (pp. 192). Sellers’, doctors’, and recipients’ dignity would also be compromised. The dignity of the person whose body part would be taken would definitely be diminished by donating a body part for cash. According to Miller (2010), â€Å"It doesn't follow, though, that the sale of body parts is good for the parties or for the rest of us. Such sales—or gifts—might unduly alienate the seller from parts of his or her body that are and should remain so integral to [oneself]† (pp. 235). Section III. The Position of a Biomedical Products Engineer on the Sale of Body Parts, Using Two Ethical Theories (Utilitarianism and the Golden Rule) The two ethical theories that were selected were utilitarianism and the Golden Rule. Both of these ethical theories could both be applied to the pro as well as the con sides of the argument. With regard to utilitarianism, biom edical products can be used expediently for the greatest good of all. That may seem to endorse the sale of organs or body parts, but actually it doesn’t, therefore it shouldn’t be allowed. The sale of organs is actually prohibited for the good of everyone, because such sales would ultimately create a larger black market for body parts, and murders would skyrocket in number. Utilitarianism is generally regarded as â€Å"the greatest good for the greatest number.† Of course, utilitarianism does not always end up being the best deal out fo the bunch. According to Brandt (1992), â€Å"

Germany's Market economy as a Model for Europe Research Paper

Germany's Market economy as a Model for Europe - Research Paper Example However, the long run effects of the treaty might not seem to be as fruitful as expected owing to the divergent ideologies prevailing within the EU member states, where most of nations are argued to follow a neo-conservatism policy unlike Germany (Amable, 2011; Abrahamson, 2010). Even though the leadership performances of Germany has been praised by other EU nations, it has also been criticised on the basis of the recent financial crisis and free trade policies between the US and EU as one of the major constraints to channelize the instability within the member states (Mà ¶ller & Parkes, 2012). Thus, in light of the current economic ideological differences persisting within Germany and other EU member states and also with the US, a question arises that â€Å"Will the negotiated TTIP between the EU and the US impose significant impacts on the international trade affairs of Germany within EU and outside, causing alterations in Germany’s position in the near future of global po litics†. In the current milieu of global politics, effects of the recent economic downturn can be witnessed apparently in the reasons acting behind international treaties. A similar aspect can be witnessed in relation to the proposed TTIP treaty promoting free trade between EU member states and the US. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008, both the US nation and the member states of EU had been facing inevitable disruptions in terms of economic stability and growth. As was apparently noted, the GDP rates in all over EU countries were dipping rapidly creating a strong negative influence on its monetary policies. The effects of financial crisis 2008 were apparent in the EU housing market and also in its stock market which indicated a steeply declining growth rate [refer to figure 1 and 2] (European Commission, 2009). Evidently, the performance of almost every sector in the EU member states began dipping,

Play and sportsmanship Essay Example for Free

Play and sportsmanship Essay In my opinion a sport in which levels of fair play and sportsmanship have totally been abandoned is American Football. With the amount of spectators the game gets, the coaches and chairpersons of the clubs like to put out their best players every game. Regardless of their physical health. There are countless times that players have been seen to go off with horrific groin strains and shoulder injuries, but the medical staff and coaches put them right back onto the pitch doped up with huge amounts of pain killers and drugs that will affect their performance. If a player of a sport that has the nature of American football, (being very physical and tough) goes on the pitch to play hyped up on pain killers then are clearly going to perform differently to that of a player who plays with spirit and strength. The other thing about this sport is the way in which each team is always reading the lips of the other teams coach to see what their next move is about to be. Surely if the oppositions know each others moves all the time then the fairness of the sport is lost. Todays top athletes all use dietitions, health advisors and personal trainers to become the best at their particular sport. They all use performance enhancing techniques to improve their sporting ability and performance in competition. But is this against the Sportsmanship/Gamesmanship theory? With the production of illegal performance enhancing dugs being more and more common in the sporting environment of today , the governing bodies for the particular sports are having more and more trouble detecting whether athletes have used illegal stimulants to help them to train. To conclude. In todays sporting world. Nations will use sport as a platform for political power. This can sometimes lead to sportsmanship being thrown aside and made way for other styles of gaming like gamesmanship. In my own opinion sportsmanship is still strong in many of todays sports and athletes, but if the values of sportsmanship are not upheld, by the governing bodies of the sport, such as the FA then the sport is likely to become worse to be a spectator of and less fair to play in. If the bodies who govern the game do not maintain strong levels of justice and fair play within their own rulings then players will become less sportsmanship and the levels of the sports fair play will drop.

We Must Revitalize Downtown Los Angeles :: Argumentative, Persuasive

Downtown is the commercial center of city or town. Downtown is a main target for employment and a great place to live in most cities. It should be the biggest attraction and most beautiful place of the city. Los Angles downtown is voted to be one of the dirtiest downtowns and Los Angles is a big attraction to tourist. Cleaning up downtown would leave better impressions on tourist and also residents. The crime rate would get lower and their wont be any homeless people around. One of the most beautiful music centers is the Disney Hall. Walt Disney Concert Hall is the fourth and most recent addition to the Music Center of Los Angles County. It is situated on 3.6 acres- a full-city block at the intersection of First Street and Grand avenue in the historic Bunker Hill area of downtown Los Angeles. Walt Disney Concert Hall encompasses two outdoor amphitheatre, including Keck Children Amphitheatre seating 300 and a second performing space that accommodates an audience of 120, as well as a space for pre-concert events. A large portion of the site has been dedicated to an urban park with expensive public gardens and ornamental landscaping and water elements. The Disney Hall attracts people all over to come down to see an outstanding show there. It is amazing and has the best shows and concerts showing there. Downtown LA voted 1 of the dirtiest downtowns ever but has the most beautiful music center. Around Disney we have some nice buildings. The cathedral is just across from Disney. The environment is very clean and it attracts rich and wealthy people. It is a very clean and safe area to be in downtown. When u go just a little bit west from Disney you see the real downtown. The Fashion District is a very large area where they only sell clothing and fabric for very low coast and wholesale price. The LA Fashion District spans 90 and is the center of the apparel industry on the West Coast. Retailers, wholesale buyers, designers, stylist, students, shopper and residents all converge here. The Clean Team keeps the LA Fashion District looking its best with daily sidewalk cleaning and graffiti removal. Other Clean Team services including the regular removal of visitor street trash, weeds, ally and storm drain cleaning. The Clean Team washes over 14.5 million square feet of sidewalk per quarter and collects and disposes We Must Revitalize Downtown Los Angeles :: Argumentative, Persuasive Downtown is the commercial center of city or town. Downtown is a main target for employment and a great place to live in most cities. It should be the biggest attraction and most beautiful place of the city. Los Angles downtown is voted to be one of the dirtiest downtowns and Los Angles is a big attraction to tourist. Cleaning up downtown would leave better impressions on tourist and also residents. The crime rate would get lower and their wont be any homeless people around. One of the most beautiful music centers is the Disney Hall. Walt Disney Concert Hall is the fourth and most recent addition to the Music Center of Los Angles County. It is situated on 3.6 acres- a full-city block at the intersection of First Street and Grand avenue in the historic Bunker Hill area of downtown Los Angeles. Walt Disney Concert Hall encompasses two outdoor amphitheatre, including Keck Children Amphitheatre seating 300 and a second performing space that accommodates an audience of 120, as well as a space for pre-concert events. A large portion of the site has been dedicated to an urban park with expensive public gardens and ornamental landscaping and water elements. The Disney Hall attracts people all over to come down to see an outstanding show there. It is amazing and has the best shows and concerts showing there. Downtown LA voted 1 of the dirtiest downtowns ever but has the most beautiful music center. Around Disney we have some nice buildings. The cathedral is just across from Disney. The environment is very clean and it attracts rich and wealthy people. It is a very clean and safe area to be in downtown. When u go just a little bit west from Disney you see the real downtown. The Fashion District is a very large area where they only sell clothing and fabric for very low coast and wholesale price. The LA Fashion District spans 90 and is the center of the apparel industry on the West Coast. Retailers, wholesale buyers, designers, stylist, students, shopper and residents all converge here. The Clean Team keeps the LA Fashion District looking its best with daily sidewalk cleaning and graffiti removal. Other Clean Team services including the regular removal of visitor street trash, weeds, ally and storm drain cleaning. The Clean Team washes over 14.5 million square feet of sidewalk per quarter and collects and disposes

Demonstrative Communication Paper Essay

Demonstrative communication consists of accepting and sending messages that can be silent; this can help give attention for the start of verbal communication even though a non verbal communication can transmit the message all by itself. An example of this would be facial expressions, which can be used to express most non verbal communications. According to Nayab body language along with facial expressions represent 55% of all communication. With demonstrative communication it can highlight the verbal communication for instance appropriately dressed, a nice firm handshake and conducting oneself in a professional manner while on employment interviews. Another example would be when two people meet for the first time; demonstrative communication can either show that the other person is either friendly or unpleasant by just saying the word hello. The facial expression of a smile can demonstrate whether the person is in good spirits and have a friendly personality. A good way to figure this out without the verbal communication would be the smile and other gestures through the nonverbal communication of the other person. An example of this would be a two people doing business together and when they meet for the first time and both business men smile at each other. This would be a nonverbal communication. The way that a person’s personality is shown is through their nonverbal communication. Demonstrative communication can go both ways in being effective and negative. There are many different facts that play into the nonverbal communication, like the clothes that people wear, their tattoos and possibly their hairstyles. Although these types of communications are nonverbal it does make some people a little uneasy about how they handle their business with someone with this type of communication. It does not matter what the tattoo is of. It can be misunderstood by the person that is viewing the symbol and the person with the tattoo will be labeled as a thug or someone that you should not do business with. That is why body language and facial  expressions can be very important when it comes to demonstrative communication. An example of body language that can be misunderstood would be when two people are talking and one person has their arms folded across their chest. This can be perceived as the person not listening or being considered overprotective of themselves and will not take criticism lightly. The person with the folded arms could just be cold or it is a learned gesture from their parents and that is how they listen. This is why many people would agree that demonstrative communication should not only have the nonverbal but also the verbal to go along with it so that people do not have any misunderstandings and the issue can be handled properly. According to Sutton, a person cannot fully deliver the anecdote of the day to anyone lacking words, except if the person can mime the entire tale (Sutton, 2011). Even if the person is able to mime they cannot express the entire issue perfectly. There has to be some degree of distance. This type of communication cannot always be expressed perfectly. An example of this would be that a person cannot convey the nonverbal communication over the phone and the person on the other end only has the verbal part of the communication and might take something the wrong way because they are not able to see the nonverbal part of the communication and that is where misunderstandings come in. Just like all other types of communication demonstrative communication requires listening and responding. It has been said time and time again that people receive more knowledge from someone’s actions more than their words. There are times when a person needs to listen not only with their ears but also with their eyes. An example of this would be when a new student has to get up in front of the class and introduce themselves, at first the new student may roll their eyes like so many do because they already know that it is hard enough to start school as the new kid but to have to stand up in front of everyone makes things even more intense. So the other kids have seen the new student roll their eyes but they also have to listen to what is being said because the action was just an annoyance for having to stand up in front of everyone. It is important to remember to listen as well as taking in the scene of what is going on around them. Both the verbal and nonverbal communication will create the listening and response aspect of the  communication. In today’s world all around us there are people unknowingly using demonstrative communication. Just by smiling at their neighbor or waving at someone they are using demonstrative communication. Even though this communication can be misinterpreted or misunderstood it is still wise to try and listen to see if there is anything that the person is also saying. References: ReferencesCheesebro, T., O’Connor, L., & Rios, F. (2010). Communicating in the workplace . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Nayab, N. (2010, July 26). Different types of communication . Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com/office/project-management/articles/79297.aspxSutton, N. (2011, March 26). Pros and cons of nonverbal communication.

Equality in Mare’s War Essay

Any normal grandmother would visit you with open arms, chocolate chip cookies, and comment on how amazing you look. However, in Mare’s War, by Tanita Davis, Mare is not your average grandma (unless you consider normal grandmas to wear auburn wigs, stiletto heels, and padded push up bras). Therefore, Mares granddaughters, Octavia and Tali, are dreading to accompany their 80 year old grandmother on a road trip across the country. As the three travel further into their journey, they begin to build a closer relationship and understand Mare’s past. Mare’s War was written in a particular fashion to express two different point of views. One is in the past representing Mare’s perspective, while the other is given from her 15 year-old granddaughter Octavia, during the present. Ultimately, both sides represent the struggle of equality: Mare’s battle of racism in the past, and Tali’s judgemental thoughts of her sister, today. In Mare’s War the 6888th battalion wasn’t the only battle Mare was fighting in, but also the battle of discrimination. Throughout the novel, prejudice between blacks and whites were clearly expressed during the 40’s. However, the most expressed struggle regarding equality is when Mare’s Army Corporation is stationed to another location. This new area yells out discrimination by having separate tables to eat at between blacks and whites and having separate water fountains. After vigorous training, all the black girls are lined up to get their drinks at the water fountain. Mare happens to notice the white fountain is empty. Although she knows it is wrong, Mare bravely stepped out of her line and goes straight to the white water fountain. After doing so, other black women decide, they too, would drink out of the white water fountain. This daring move made by Mare shows other black women that it is possible to express subtle ways of yearning for equality. Steps similar to this have shaped our generation today to have an equal foundation for any ethnicity or race. Fast forwarding to the future, 17 year-old Tali always finds a way to make Octavia feel worthless. When they were younger they had a close relationship with one another, but once Tali grew older she made her friends a priority and treated her sister like a stranger. This unfair rank between friends and family makes Octavia wistful for her sister to make her higher, or at least equal, to her friends. As the road trip continues to proceed, Octavia tries different ways for her sister to look highly of her. One night when Mare falls asleep in another room, Octavia agrees for Tali to put on makeup and dress her up for dinner. Although Octavia is a goody good, she plays it cool when Tali orders an alcoholic beverage. Although Tali is very judgemental, that night she looked at her sister highly and treated her equivalent to how she would treat her friends. From there on out Octavia and Tali began creating a connection as sisters. Whether it being a widespread problem like racism, or an individual conflict, Mare’s War presented how to deal with overcoming and expressing equality. Overall, this novel shares many life lessons and has a unique structure for portraying the past and the present.

Ozone Layer and Its Problems essays

Ozone Layer and Its Problems essays Some of the worlds brightest scientists have come up with the theory, that the human race is slowly depleting the ozone layer. By depleting the ozone layer the planet becomes warmer. Ozone depletion has been one of the most discussed issues in the past twenty years, when it comes to the environment. Many of the theories today say that if ozone depletion continues the planet will become warmer and the polar ice cap will melt. Anywhere from five to twenty-five miles above the earth is a protective blanket of gases know as the atmosphere. This atmosphere helps to hold in the air that we breathe and to protect the earth from the full effect of the suns ultraviolet rays (Emmel 22). The upper part of the atmosphere is called the stratosphere; this is where the ozone layer is located. The ozone layer is the main tool for filtering out most of the suns ultraviolet rays and only makes up one-millionth of the atmosphere. The ozone layer has one of the most important jobs in entire atmosphere. Its job is to absorb, reflect, or get rid of as many ultraviolet rays possible. Even with all of this some of the UV rays still get passed the ozone layer. But, because of the ozone layer there are not enough UV rays to hurt the earth. If not for the ozone layer life is it is today would not be possible. About thirty or forty years ago scientists noticed the beginnings of a small hole. In the last thirty year the hole has become bigger each and every year. Now the hole is as big as the United States and is sitting over Antarctica (Biggs 8). Special measuring devices show that the ozone layer is letting in twice as many UV rays as normal. In these last thirty year scientists believe the ozone layer has been depleted by two percent (Erratic 2). Many scientists have voices that extra radiation getting through to the earths surface may lead to problems further down the line. Scientists suggest th ...

Gratitude and Congratulations

Gratitude and Congratulations Gratitude and Congratulations Gratitude and Congratulations By Mark Nichol Gratitude and congratulations, along with some other words with the element grat and associated with giving thanks, are related. Such words, and a couple of disguised cognates, are listed and defined in this post. Gratitude, and the other words discussed here, derive from the Latin adjective gratus, meaning â€Å"pleasing† or â€Å"thankful.† Gratitude is the state of being thankful, and a synonym for thankful is grateful. The antonym of that word is ungrateful, but someone who withholds gratitude is an ingrate. Gratify, though stemming from the same origin, has a different sense; it means â€Å"give pleasure or satisfaction,† and, depending on context, it can have a positive or negative connotation. For example, the noun form in â€Å"instant gratification† refers critically to an undesirable personal or cultural trait associated with seeking short-term satisfaction to the detriment of more productive habits or pursuits. Similarly, though gratuitous originally meant simply â€Å"free,† that sense has largely been overtaken by the meanings â€Å"unearned† and â€Å"unwarranted,† as in a reference to gratuitous sex or violence in a film; the element or scene is not integral to the plot and is therefore considered exploitative. A gratuity, however, is always welcome: It is something given voluntarily. (Often, the word is simply employed as a formal alternative to tip in the context of rendering services.) Centuries ago, when one expressed pleasure in the achievements of another, one offered gratulation. However, that form was superseded by congratulation, and now it is customary to pluralize that word. (Congrats is a slang truncation.) Unfortunately, thanks to the punning exclamation â€Å"Congradulations!† in the context of graduation from school or college, seen on greeting cards and the like, congratulations is sometimes inadvertently misspelled. Grate, meaning â€Å"grill† or â€Å"scraper,† is unrelated, but grace, meaning â€Å"mercy,† â€Å"elegance,† and â€Å"virtue,† and the identical verb form, meaning â€Å"show favor,† are descended from gratus. Something exemplifying grace in the sense of â€Å"elegance† is graceful, while something lacking that quality is graceless. Disgrace is the loss of favor or honor, and something that brings (or should bring) shame to someone is disgraceful. Meanwhile, scapegrace, on the model of scapegoat, means â€Å"someone who falls out of favor with God.† Another disguised descendant of gratus, by way of French, is agree, meaning â€Å"give assent or consent† or â€Å"coincide.† Something agreed on is an agreement. Something is said to be agreeable when it is acceptable, in harmony with what is desired, or pleasing, and a person with a pleasing or positive disposition is agreeable. In all cases, the antonym is represented by attaching the prefix dis-. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:70 "Home" Idioms and Expressions75 Idioms and Expressions That Include â€Å"Break†When Is a Question Not a Question?

The US Presidential Electoral System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

The US Presidential Electoral System - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the United States Electoral College system is the method that is used to translate the individual votes for a candidate into votes for the office of the presidency. While the system of electoral votes generally reflects the national will, it has the capacity to elect a president with a minority of the popular votes. Since its inception at the birth of our constitutional government, the Electoral College has been an issue that has been widely debated. While some see it as a stabilizing force in our two-party system, others see it as a vehicle that promotes unfair spending and inappropriate voter pandering. Intuition will tell us that in a democracy the popular vote should be the all-important component in the presidential election. Yet, the popular vote can bring the risk of chaos and splintered political parties. The US electoral system is in need of reform, and simple popular vote would be a move towards eliminating the current system 's inadequacies. The Electoral College system of electing a president uses a system where each state has a number of electoral delegates that are equal to the number of the members of the House of Representatives plus two. The voters then vote for a bloc of delegates that represent the individual candidates. After the election, the delegates cast their electoral vote and the winner is decided. This system was necessitated at the birth of the nation when counting a national popular vote was impractical.