Aristophanes Theory Of Love In The Symposium Essays -

Aristophanes' Theory Of Love In The Symposium 2. Aristophanes' Theory of love: from Plato's Symposium The love as discussed by the characters in the Symposium is homosexual love. Some assumed that homosexuality alone is capable of satisfying ?a man's highest and noblest aspirations?. Whereas heterosexual love is placed at an inferior level, being described as only existing for carnal reasons; its ultimate purpose being procreation. There are differing views in these dialogues, Aristophanes contradicts his peers by treating heterosexuality at the same level as homosexuality, arguing that both are predestined. Aristophanes considered himself as the comic poet and he began his discourse as such. Yet as the speech continued, he professed to open another vein of discourse; he had a mind to praise Love in another way, unlike that of either Pausanias or Eryximachus. ?Mankind?, he said, ?judging by their neglect of him, have never at all understood the power of Love?. He argued that if they had understood him they would have built noble temples and altars, and offered solemn sacrifices in his honor. He sought to describe his power and wanted to teach the rest of the world what he was teaching at that moment. Aristophanes spoke first of the nature of man and what had become of it. He said that human nature had changed: The sexes were originally three in number; there was man, woman, and the union of the two. At one time there was a distinct kind, with a bodily shape and a name of its own, constituted by the union of the male and the female: but now only the word 'androgynous' remains, and that as a term of reproach. Aristophanes proceeded by telling an anecdote about the terrible might and strength of mankind and how ?the thoughts of their hearts were so great that they made an attack upon the gods?, leaving the celestial councils to decide whether or not to kill them. Zeus found a solution, and decided to cut them in two so as to divide their strength. As he cut them one after another, he bade Apollo give the face and the half of the neck a turn in order that man might contemplate the section of himself: he would thus learn a lesson of humility. He made all the forms complete except in the region of the belly and navel, as a memorial of the primeval state. Aristophanes continued his discourse in a vein of seriousness and brought forth an important truth. He related the division the two parts of man, each desiring his other half and dying from hunger and self-neglect because they did not do anything apart, to love as a need. Since when one of the halves died and the other survived, the survivor sought another mate, man or woman. The anecdote continued with Zeus, in pity, inventing a new plan: having males generating in the females so that by the mutual embraces of man and woman they might breed, and the race might continue. Or, equally so, if man came to man they might be satisfied and go about their ways to the business of life. Aristophanes was trying to demonstrate that our original nature was to search for our other half, to make one of two and to heal the state of man. Aristophanes thus demonstrated that man was always looking for his other half and this need was perhaps more than purely physical. There was also a longing to regain some lost happiness. ?Such a nature is prone to love and ready to return love, always embracing that which is akin to him.? Aristophanes described that when one half met with his other half the pair became lost in an amazement of love, friendship and intimacy, and spent their whole lives together. Yet they could not explain what they desired of one another. He added that the intense yearning which each of them had towards the other was not that of the lover's intercourse, but of something else which the soul of either evidently desired and could not explain. The reason Aristophanes gave to this need was that human nature was originally one and we were all a whole, and the desire and pursuit of the whole is called love. It was because of the wickedness of mankind that God had dispersed us. Aristophanes eventually adopted a sober tone in his speech and asks to be taken seriously. He applied his anecdote to include men and women everywhere, and proposed that if mankind's love were perfectly accomplished, and each being

Free Essays on Personal Worth In Remains Of The Day

Mr. Stevens’ journey across the countryside coincided with his journey through his career in search of affirmation of dignity and having served a noble cause- or rather, a noble man of dignified morals. Stevens, like the majority of society, wants to find purpose in his life. Just as everyone looks back on their careers hoping that they did something worthwhile with their life, Stevens does as well- hoping that he made a difference. During his drive, Stevens begins to recall his time under Lord Darlington’s service and thinks back about what kind of employer he was. Stevens encounters and recalls several individuals during his journey who make assumptions about Stevens and instead of being outright honest, Stevens blatantly deceives these people. While there are consistent points of deception throughout Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day, they are primarily those of Stevens deceiving himself about his time and service under Lord Darlington. It is only at three major points in the novel which Stevens blatantly deceives others. Stevens’s ideas about dignity and his service under Lord Darlington must be examined in order to gain a better understanding of why he felt the need to reminisce- evaluating his career- and why he blatantly deceived others. According to both the Hayes Society and Mr. Stevens â€Å"‘great’ butlers are distinguished by their ‘dignity’† (p. 33). Although one of Stevens’ colleagues claims that dignity is comprised of something one either possesses or does not simply by a ‘fluke of nature’, Stevens’ disagrees, arguing, â€Å"dignity is something one can meaningfully strive for throughout one’s career† (p. 33). Stevens looks at his career, wondering if he strove hard enough to achieve the status of a ‘good butler’ and if he was dignified. As he journeys cross-country Stevens attempts to analyze his greatness, â€Å"It is surely a professional responsibility for all of u... Free Essays on Personal Worth In Remains Of The Day Free Essays on Personal Worth In Remains Of The Day Mr. Stevens’ journey across the countryside coincided with his journey through his career in search of affirmation of dignity and having served a noble cause- or rather, a noble man of dignified morals. Stevens, like the majority of society, wants to find purpose in his life. Just as everyone looks back on their careers hoping that they did something worthwhile with their life, Stevens does as well- hoping that he made a difference. During his drive, Stevens begins to recall his time under Lord Darlington’s service and thinks back about what kind of employer he was. Stevens encounters and recalls several individuals during his journey who make assumptions about Stevens and instead of being outright honest, Stevens blatantly deceives these people. While there are consistent points of deception throughout Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day, they are primarily those of Stevens deceiving himself about his time and service under Lord Darlington. It is only at three major points in the novel which Stevens blatantly deceives others. Stevens’s ideas about dignity and his service under Lord Darlington must be examined in order to gain a better understanding of why he felt the need to reminisce- evaluating his career- and why he blatantly deceived others. According to both the Hayes Society and Mr. Stevens â€Å"‘great’ butlers are distinguished by their ‘dignity’† (p. 33). Although one of Stevens’ colleagues claims that dignity is comprised of something one either possesses or does not simply by a ‘fluke of nature’, Stevens’ disagrees, arguing, â€Å"dignity is something one can meaningfully strive for throughout one’s career† (p. 33). Stevens looks at his career, wondering if he strove hard enough to achieve the status of a ‘good butler’ and if he was dignified. As he journeys cross-country Stevens attempts to analyze his greatness, â€Å"It is surely a professional responsibility for all of u...

OSHA Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

OSHA - Research Paper Example OSHA input in the working sector has seen the U.S employment doubled to over 130 million employees within the 7.2 or more worksites. The rate of recorded serious workplace illnesses and injuries has significantly dropped from10 per 100 employees in 1972 to about 3.5 per 100 employees in 2010. OSHA has a set of standards which cover the following cases: fall protection, asbestos, cotton dust, trenching, benzene, machine guarding, lead and blood borne pathogens. However, U.S still experiences many preventable fatalities and injuries linked to numerous hazards and unsafe condition that continue to exist within work places. This works serves to detail on OSHA fines, stricture and organization. Any individual operating in a construction or manufacturing industry should certainly be aware of Occupational Safety & Health Administration, or simply OSHA. OSHA exists to ensure safe working conditions as well as inform both the employer and employees, through citations, of the various regulations and standards that have supposedly been violated. It goes further to propose time limits for parties involved to correct the supposed hazards or, otherwise, they face the concomitant fines and penalties. Discussed below are some of the citations, penalties that they attract, and a case of Philadelphia building collapse where OSHA proposed some heavy fines to the responsible contractor (Hunter 12). In the event an OSHA officer discovers a violation that has a one to one linkage to job safety and health, but perhaps would not result to death or life-threatening physical harm, the maximum fine for this violation is $7000. Secondly, if the violation is significant to the extent that it may result to death or severe physical harm, and that the employer was aware of the violation, or should have been aware of the danger, the maximum proposed fine stands similar to the previous one at $7000. However, unlike the previous violation,

Wedding.com Case Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Wedding.com Case Analysis - Essay Example There are four major aspects that Jessica needs to re-evaluate in website design and market strategy: Effective Website layout; SWOT analysis; brand creation; and effective marketing with focus on Porter’s 4Ps. The wedding website needs to be vibrant and colourful so that it sends the message of great romance. While interactive and e-commerce features should be intrinsic part of the website, Jessica needs to incorporate more pictures of the happy couples in the honeymoon destinations to attract prospective brides and grooms. Honeymoon packages at discounted price should become one of the important features of the website. It should also cater to various other requirements of the couple as well as for those who need to get wedding gifts. The website needs to showcase the products and services to attract the future customers and meet their individual demand through customised features of the interactive website. Jessica needs to research the details regarding the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that the wedding events come across and then incorporate them into her website. The brand creation has been another successful strategy that would bring in committed customers. ‘Brand building is needed because products are the same’ (Kotler, 2005). Market strategies try to promote their goods and services by creating brands that guarantees the customers of getting high quality goods and services at a price that a customer is willing to pay for. Today the concept of market has changed so much so that instead of customer going to the ‘product’, the product ‘comes’ to the customer. In other words, virtual markets have facilitated the availability of the product much easier with the concept of ‘home delivery’ becoming a reality. Though the localized market still has scope but the unlimited potential of the internet market must be tapped in order to remain afloat in the fast

Parking at uncg Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Parking at uncg - Essay Example This has meant that students have to pay substantially high charges (up to 2$ for the first hour then 1$/hour, and all day 7$) if at all they are very lucky to find an available parking space (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1-2). The result of this dire situation has been the incessant lateness to classes as students struggle to find empty spaces to park their vehicles. Even as the university strives to achieve its growth and expansion objectives, I strongly believe that the expansion of parking spaces should go in tandem with the overall growth of the university (Ison& Rye 23-29). There is a need for a new thinking on how people get into and out of the university. According to a survey conducted on commuting students and staff, it was found that about 80% of people now drive alone into the university. The fact that the university allows any person to purchase a permit and secure a parking slot in the university parking facilities means that there is stiff competition among freshmen, on-campus students and individuals residing near the campus. The lack of parking has affected student participation in extra-curricular activities. Nevertheless, the problem of parking has no effect on the performance of student in class. For example, a recent study have shown that lack of parking space has been causes the cancellation memberships to recreational clubs. The problem of parking spaces in campus can be attributed to the conduct of parking officials. Student do blame parking officials for mismanaging parking slot for students. As personal testimony, my experience with these officials has demonstrated to me that the officials are completely unprofessional and incapable of addressing the problem with uttermost care and diligence. My finding has shown that the parking officials are not supervised by anyone. Indeed, they have engaged in

The Meanings Of A Racist Word English Language Essay

The Meanings Of A Racist Word English Language Essay In the essay The Meanings of the Word, Gloria Naylor discusses the essence of the word nigger and how it can mean many different things to different people in an endless list of situations. Depending on the individuals race, social status, gender, and age Naylor outlines how a word such as nigger can have different meanings within ones own environment. Naylor discusses how one word can go from having a positive to a negative effect merely due to how it is spoken and by whom. Naylor shares a personal experience with her readers as she describes the very first time she really heard the word nigger. A young white boy in her third grade class spit in her face. Naylor states, I didnt know what a nigger was, but I knew that whatever it meant, it was something he shouldnt have called me. (Naylor 109) Naylor writes about her own personal experiences clearly showing she is prejudice about how and when the word is acceptable. Even though her experiences are powerful, they can also be seen as a limited view of the subject. Her readers can only understand the situation through her eyes and her experiences. Naylor is trying to educate her readers by sharing her personal experiences. I think she wants her readers to sit and think about the words they use, how others may use them, and how those words affect others around them. Naylor wants her readers to understand how deeply she was affected by a young boy but also by how she didnt really think about the word nigger until the moment is was used in a hurtful manner towards her. Her main objective is to make her readers think about the words they choose to use and hear and how the context of these words is embedded in can change the meaning of them. To be a part of Naylors target audience one must have had experience with language and how people use it. She is targeting those who have heard or used the word nigger before. Naylor wants her readers to take on her experience and be empathetic towards her feelings. She does not do this in a pathetic way, as Naylor seeks no pity from anyone. She outlines in detail her experience and wants her readers to understand her views and how they came to be. Naylor assumes the role of a teacher in her writing. She assumes a person of a young girl experiencing a new way of understanding a word. Naylor wants her readers to understand how important the context in which one word is used, so she writes about her own personal experience, of which she is the sole authority. Naylor assumes a straight forward tone in her writing. She does not demand or point her fingers at any one group of people. She simply relays her experience in such a way that you cant help but to think about what it must have bee n like for her as a young girl experiencing a new meaning of a word in such a racial way. She does not take on a superior or subordinate tone; rather it is like she is having a conversation with her readers as her peers. I find this very powerful because she achieves what she wants is a very subtle manner. Naylor does not lecture or blame anyone; she is simply sharing her experiences. The introduction of The Meanings of a Word, is a frame for the rest of the writing to fill. Naylor discusses how language is the subject of her writing, and although the written word is what has kept her going throughout her life she still feels that the written word is inferior to the spoken word. Her arguments in the introduction of her writing are clear and easily understood. She is portraying just how powerful she feels the spoken word can be. Naylor states, Dialogue achieves its power in the dynamics of a fleeting moment of sight, sound, smell and touch. (Naylor 108) This helps the readers understand the power of a spoken word such as nigger. Naylors position is that words either written or spoken do not take on meaning until a consensus assigns one. Naylor states, Words themselves are innocuous; it is the consensus that gives them true power. (Naylor 109) As a writer Naylor feels that the spoken word has a greater impact than the written word by stating, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦much of the frustration experienced by novelists in the awareness that whatever we manage to capture in even the most transcendent passages falls far short of the richness of life. (Naylor 108) She introduces her readers to just how powerful the spoken word can be which is what the rest of the piece emphasizes. Naylor uses chronological organization in writing The Meanings of a Word. She starts with a childhood experience and then transitions into how her thoughts on the word nigger evolved into what they are today. In her conclusion Naylor sums her point of view up nicely. She wants to bring awareness to how words can take on different meanings depending on how, when and by whom they are used. She gives an example of how one word can take on an entirely new meaning and the fact that one may not really hear a word or take notice of it until it takes on that new meaning by stating, There must have been dozens of times that the word nigger was spoken in front of me before I reached third grade. But I didnt hear it until it was said by a small pair of lips that had already learned it could be a way to humiliate me. (Naylor 111) Naylor creates a conversational atmosphere where she puts her ideas together nicely in chronological order. She seems to develop a smooth relationship between her ideas in this way. Naylor uses personal experiences as her evidence. She uses conversational a tone that goes together nicely with the readers. My reason for saying this is because Naylor draws her readers in and t hey can easily understand and accept her experiences. Naylor uses her experiences to serve as an example and to offer credibility. The readers are drawn in by her experiences as a young girl, and her evolution of understanding. Naylor makes her readers think about what it would be like to really hear a word for the very first time, to look back and realize you had heard the word many times in a different context. The language used by Naylor is commonly used. She does not use big words that people do not understand or have to search for in the dictionary. She writes in a low style that is effective for her argument. This use of language brings to mind a seemingly friendly relationship with her readers, like she is sitting down with you sipping on a cup of tea discussing how context can change your understanding of a word. She is sharing a vital part of her life and experiences with the readers in order to make you aware and understand her argument.

Decline of Amphibians Essay -- Animal Research

Introduction When researching the population decline of amphibians as a global issue, it is evident that there have been drastic changes in the past 30 years. Mike Lannoo from the U.S. Declining Amphibian Task Force says that there have been significant losses in amphibian populations for an extensive period of time (No Single Reason, 1999). Stuart et al. (2004) stated that according to scientists at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), at least 427 species, roughly 7.4%, are at a dangerously high risk of extinction (Kaylor, 2006). The problem of amphibian decline cannot be linked directly to one single cause (No Single Reason, 1999). Instead, scientists have related the decline to disease, habitat loss, changes in climate, and pollution (Hayes, Falso, Gallipeau, Stice, 2010; Brooks et al., 2002; Dunson et al., 1992). It is concluded that many of these factors are related to and possibly caused by human interaction (McCallum, 2007). The declines could be caused by pathogens, climate change, or wildlife toxicology, says Dr. Ashley Mattoon from the Worldwatch Institute (Kirby, 2000). Amphibian decline is a serious global topic and is especially harmful in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Specifically, there are many causes of amphibian decline in Virginia. The Weldon Cooper Center at the University of Virginia ranks Virginia 12th in population at an annual growth rate of 7% (Kelhart, 2006). Of Virginia’s 79 species of amphibians, four species are classified as near threatened, three species are classified as vulnerable, and one species is classified as endangered (Amphibians in VA, n.d.). The problem of amphibian decline can be traced back to many sources, which can either be classified as n... ...ander (Desmognathus fuscus) of southern Appalachia. Retrieved from ScienceDirect website: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306456500000528 No Single Reason for Amphibian Decline. (1999, November 19). ScienceDaily. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/11/991119075426.htm Sexton, O. J., Phillips, C., & Bramble, J. E. (1990, September 19). The Effects of Temperature and Precipitation on the Breeding Migration of the Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) [Press ]. Retrieved February 14, 2012, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/info/1446443#ufo Stuart, S. N., Chanson, J. S., Cox, N. A., Young, B. E., Rodrigues, A. S. L., Fischman, D. L., & Waller, R. W. (2004, October 14). Status and Trends of Amphibian Declines and Extinctions Worldwide. Abstract retrieved from Science Mag website: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/306/5702/1783

Death Penalty Essay Introduction Essay

A death penalty is one of the oldest corrections familiar to mankind. Strictly speaking, it was applied even before the criminal law appears in a modern sense of the word. One of the problems worries not only lawyers but a whole society, causing a lot of discussions, disputes and debates, was and still is an issue of execution. At the moment, its relevance is also connected with the fact that now a lot of states are going to soften own legislation, abolishing the supreme penalty. In this connection, a question arises as to validity and admissibility of its application. The presence or absence of the capital punishment is a kind of indicator of culture and quality of life, security and public mentality. That is why in socially and economically well-off countries, the death is much calmer, philosophically, not as exaggerated as in unsettled states. The relevance of such an investigation is due to the matter that much is said and written, confirmed by judicial and extrajudicial practice regarding severe punishments as never frightening things. This is explained, first of all, by the fact they were most frequently applied to criminals who, for various reasons, either did not fear death or ignored it. An attitude of mass consciousness to the capital punishment and scale of its usage serves as a barometer of the community’s morality, its social and mental health. To date, 111 countries have abandoned it, but there are still many governments that have resorted to it so far. Each state faces such dilemma: should the death penalty be applied as discipline for especially serious crimes or adhere to the principles of humanism? How effective is it? How does the public opinion influence the abolition or retention of similar penalty? A modern society was divided into two camps. Each of the groups has enough weighty arguments, which it is difficult to disagree. The main motives of supporters of execution are its preventive nature, economic feasibility, and justice of retaliation. In other words, a lot of citizens consider the rule of mutual murder as justified. An alternative point of view also has its justifications and deserves no less attention. Opponents of capital punishment point to an imperfection of the judicial system and its frequent mistakes, an inconsistency of the indicated problem in the context of international law, financial costs, as well as doubtfulness of a preventive effect. In light of increased terrorist attacks, there was another argument like suicide bomber did not scare death. Perhaps, only organizers of the attacks themselves are not in a hurry to part with life. And for them, an execution is a quite likely outcome. However, outraged public opinion requires a fair impact on the offenders and does not want to tolerate the facts of insufficiently severe sentences or an abandonment of life by dangerous, incorrigible criminals. And no matter how incompetent, uncivilized it may be, it cannot be ignored. Otherwise, instead of verdicts, according to the law and the court, a â€Å"punitive presumption† of the population begins. Thus, there can be no unequivocal decision on the issue of death penalty. It affects political, legal, socio-economic, moral-religious, cultural-psychological and other spheres of activity. There are criminals who do not deserve life, but punishment is not all-powerful. Since criminality is of a multilateral and deep nature, the measures to struggle against it must also be complex.

Meaning of Auto Prefix Used in Biology

Meaning of Auto Prefix Used in Biology The English prefix auto- means self, same, occurring from within, or spontaneous. To remember this prefix, which was originally derived from the Greek word auto meaning self, easily think of common words that you know that share the auto- prefix like automobile  (a car you drive for yourself) or automatic (description for something spontaneous or that works on its own). Take a look at other words used for biological terms that begin with the prefix auto-. Autoantibodies Autoantibodies are  antibodies  that are produced by an organism that attacks the organisms own cells and tissues. Many autoimmune diseases like lupus are caused by autoantibodies. Autocatalysis Autocatalysis is catalysis or the acceleration of a chemical reaction that is caused by one of the products of the reaction acting as a catalyst. In glycolysis, which is the breakdown of glucose to form energy, one part of the process is powered by autocatalysis. Autochthon   Autochthon refers to the indigenous  animals or plants of a region or the earliest known, native inhabitants of a country. The Aboriginal people of  Australia are considered autochthons. Autocoid   Autocoid means the natural internal secretion, such as a hormone, that is produced in one part of the body and affects another part of the organism. The suffix is derived from the Greek acos meaning relief, for example, from a drug. Autogamy Autogamy is the term for self-fertilization as in the pollination of a flower by its own pollen  or the fusion of gametes resulting from the division of a single parent cell that occurs in some fungi and protozoans. Autogenic The word autogenic literally translates from Greek to mean self-generating or it is produced from within. For example, you can use autogenic training or self-hypnosis or mediation in an attempt to control your own body temperature or blood pressure. Autoimmunity   In biology, autoimmunity means that an organism cannot recognize its own  cells  and  tissues, which may trigger an immune response  or attack of those parts. Autolysis Autolysis is the destruction of a cell by its own enzymes; self-digestion. The suffix  lysis  (also derived from Greek) means loosening. In English, the suffix lysis can mean  decomposition, dissolution, destruction, loosening, breaking down, separation, or disintegration. Autonomic Autonomic refers to an internal process that occurs involuntarily or spontaneously. It is used in human biology prominently when describing the part of the nervous system which controls the bodys involuntary functions, the  autonomic nervous system. Autoploid Autoploid relates to a cell that has two or more copies of a single haploid set of chromosomes. Depending on the number of copies, the autoploid can be categorized as  autodiploids  (two sets), autotriploids  (three sets), autotetraploids  (four sets), autopentaploids  (five sets), or  autohexaploids (six sets), and so on. Autosome An autosome is a chromosome that is not a sex chromosome and appears in pairs in somatic cells. Sex chromosomes are known as allosomes. Autotroph An autotroph is an organism that is self-nourishing or capable of generating its own food. The suffix -troph which derives from Greek, means nourishing. Algae is an example of an autotroph.

How to Get a Literary Agent For Your Book

How to Get a Literary Agent For Your Book How to Get a Literary Agent for Your Book Many first-time authors want to find a literary agent as soon as they put the finishing touches on their debut masterpiece. And if you’re in a similar situation, it’s only natural to feel that way as well! But before we snap off a fresh roll of quarters and start dialing the numbers of some New York agencies (so to speak), let’s answer a few basic questions about what agents do and whether you actually need one. Then, once you’re ready, we’ll reveal a professionally endorsed process for finding and evaluating agents who could be perfect for you.Should I get a literary agent?Fiction writers who want to be traditionally published generally do need a literary agent, while only some non-fiction will need to pursue literary representation. Writers Artists editor Alyson Owen explains: "Nearly all fiction authors do require representation of a literary agent if their book is to be produced by a traditional publishing house, and that is also true with some forms of general non-fiction too - such as histories, memoirs, and biographies."For tips on how to write an effective book proposal, check out this article and its companion piece on submission best practices.Who doesn't need a literary agent?It’s important to note that not all literary forms typically require the representation of an agent. Poetry is a good example of this. Also, academic, professional, and the vast majority of educational books are usually commissioned direct from the publisher. If you’re writing in any of these fields, it is possible - provided you have the right credentials as an author, a well-argued proposal, and quality script - to get your non-fiction book accepted by a publisher without being represented by an agent.If you do fall into one of the categories above and you wish to pitch directly to publishers, it’s essential that your book has an easily identifiable market or niche so publishers know what they’re dealing with r ight away. You also need to know who actually publishes the type of book you’re offering and which of those publishers accept unsolicited proposals. Firing off emails to every publisher under the sun will not only waste your time but potentially earn you a reputation as someone who doesn’t understand the publishing game.And of course, if you’re choosing to self-publish, then you definitely don’t need a literary agent to get your book out into the world.What do literary agents do?A literary agent represents your book to acquiring editors who might want to buy it. In other words, they get an author's foot into the door of a publishing house.In addition to having regular contact with editors within the publishing houses and championing you and your writing to the hilt, agents will understand an editor's tastes and the types of books they are looking to add to their list - a crucial component in getting a publishing house to invest in your work.â€Å"Quite simply, being represented by a literary agent may be the only realistic route to getting a foot on the first rung of the publishing ladder,† says Owens. â€Å"Most publishers of fiction do not accept unsolicited manuscript submissions from debut writers.†In addition to getting your foot in the door, here's what a literary agent does:They are expert negotiators, combining financial acumen with a nose for the value of good, sellable writing;They act as useful buffers between you and your publisher (when you don’t want to taint your working relationship with an editor by talking brass tacks);They manage the financial and marketing side of things while you concentrate on the writing;They also tend to have strong editorial skills, working with you to help refine your manuscript before it’s even submitted to a publisher.All of this can only work to your advantage as an author, helping you secure a more lucrative deal with the most appropriate publisher - much m ore than you may have been able to acquire yourself, without any contacts or knowledge of the industry. Ideally, their negotiations alone should offset their commission (ideally).How to get a literary agent in 6 stepsWhen we say ‘finding a literary agent,’ we really mean finding the ideal representative for your book - someone who is perfectly primed to help you develop your writing career. You’re basically on the hunt for a long-term business partner and creative soulmate. Ready to start looking?1. Locate a pool of literary agents who work in your nicheMost agents are always on the lookout for new authors to represent. They’re dying for their dream client to reach out to them. To help make their dreams come true, it’s your job to find out a) who these agents are and b) how best to get through to them. So start putting together your shortlist.You can begin your search by going to agent databases such as Agent Query or Query Tracker and filtering by genre. You can also look through the acknowledgments pages of books similar to yours: you can bet that the authors thank their agents in there. Or, this being the 21st century, you can just Google † agent† and see what comes up.Reading recommendations: Writers’ Artists’ Yearbook (for the UK) and its US equivalent Writer’s Market are invaluable tools that you should consider putting on your Christmas list. Tip for finding an agent: use Agent Query and Query Track to start your search 2. Thoroughly research and evaluate each agentHere are the four main questions you want to answer in your research about individual literary agents:Do they represent books in my genre?Are they currently open to queries?Would I work well with them?Are they a scam artist?How do you go about answering these questions? Well, checking out the submission guidelines of the agent's website should answer #1 and #2 fairly easily. In regards to #3 and 4, Caitlin Jans, the  founding editor of Authors Publish, has a few tips:â€Å"I always research the agent outside of their website first. I find that one of the best ways to tackle this is to head again over to the Absolute Write Water Cooler Forum. I use it to vet agents and publishers. The forums are active and get a lot of use: if an author has a good or bad experience with an agent, they’ll share it.I can’t emphasize this enough: one of the most important steps is to make sure the agency isn't on Writer Beware’s Thumbs Down Agencies List. At this point, I almost have the list memorized. Writer Beware (a volunteer organization that works on behalf of writers) also has a terrific section on dishonest agents, so be sure to check that out.†No matter what, as an ironclad rule: avoid agents who ask for an upfront fee. It doesn’t matter whether they call it ‘professional development’ or say it’s to cover the costs of editing your manuscript: an agent who asks for preemptive payment is not legitimate.After due research, if you find an agent who seems to tick all the right boxes, then add them to your final shortlist and proceed to step three. Tip for finding an agent: avoid agents who ask for an upfront fee 3. Send a personalized query letterA good portion of every agent’s week is spent on ‘slush’ - what they call the never-ending pile of letters they get from hopeful authors seeking representation. On one hand, you might think, Geez! How do I stand a chance of being seen in a pile that big? But you should really look at it from the attitude of, Wow! These agents are really keen to find their next client!With that in mind, your query letter (your first point of contact with an agent) must be perfect. We have a detailed guide to writing query letters (that comes with a super-sweet template), but if you don’t want to head down the rabbit hole right this second, here are three top-line tips:Always read an agent’s submission guidelines. Some might ask for a sample chapter, others might not. One might want you to double-space, another might require single. Apart from ensuring that they get what they need to make an assessment, the submission guidelines also serve as a rudimentary idiot test: If this author doesn’t follow our standards, it either means that they haven’t read them (and is lazy) or they haven’t been able to comprehend simple instructions (which is not exactly what you want in a business partner).Make sure to personalize each query letter. You’ll want to contact as many agents as possible, and it’s tempting to create a standard query letter that starts with Dear Sirs and features no specific language whatsoever. But remember, agents have read countless boilerplate query letters and can sniff them out from a mile away. That’s why the research you do in step 2 will serve you so well: it’ll show each agent that you actually care. (For more detailed tips on personalizing your query letter, check out this transcripted replay of our webinar with former agent Rachel Stout.)Start with the hook. Ultimately, it’s the book that agents want to know about. While you might think i t’s best to introduce your book by first talking about your own background, the quicker you get to the exciting pitch for your book, the better. Tip for finding an agent: always personalize your query letters 4. Always follow up if you don’t hear anythingWe’ve all had that experience of looking at an email and thinking, â€Å"I’ll get to that later,† only to forget about it until someone reminds you. Well, the same thing happens to agents as well! If you don’t hear back from the after several weeks, it’s not impolite to follow up and ask whether your query may have been lost in the shuffle. Often, the agent will be grateful that you reminded them.Again, read the agent’s submission guidelines. In many cases, they’ll even tell you how many weeks to wait before you follow up. But if they don’t, then four to six weeks is a good rule of thumb (erring closer to six, perhaps). Tip for finding an agent: wait 4-6 weeks before following up 5. Don’t just say yes to the first agentAssuming agents dig your query letter, get intrigued by your sample, and adore your full manuscript after they request and read it†¦ what happens next? In broad strokes, the two of you will discuss how the agent might help develop your book and career, and then they’ll offer you representation.Very exciting, right? But before you frantically search for a pen to sign on all those dotted lines, make sure that they are the right agent for you. It’s not considered impolite to query multiple agents at the same time, so you don’t need to lie about it or cover it up. An agent will not be insulted that you’re daring to consider other options. After all, if they like your book enough to want to represent it, it stands to reason that others might as well.Of course, you can always choose to leave an agent at any time if things aren’t working out. But keep in mind that if you’re at the start of your car eer, you don’t want a reputation as someone who switches agents every book. It’ll make editors, agents, and other publishing gatekeepers assume that you’re hard to work with.So be polite, stay candid, and don’t rush into any decisions.Now that you have a rough idea of how to find a literary agent, we want to leave you with some resources that will help you in your search.

Free Appropriate Public Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Free Appropriate Public Education - Essay Example Free and Appropriate Public Education is, within the context of the stated, an affirmation of the right of disabled children to receive an education which meets their specific and special needs, without extra cost to them or to their families. Given the legislative roots of the defined right, schools are obligated to provide special needs students with an education which is tailored to meet their specific requirements, even as it prepares them for future independent living and employability. It is interesting to note that even though Free and Appropriate Public Education is clearly delineated by legislature as a right owed to disabled children, the constituent elements of FAPE are not clearly outlined. Questions regarding precisely what constitutes a free and appropriate public education persist. This paper will try to answer these questions. Free public education has long been recognized as a responsibility owed by governments, not just to citizens, but to their societies and nations. As Chief Justice Warren noted in Brown v Board of Education: Public education is a principal instrument for awakening the child to cultural values, in preparing him or her for later training, and in helping them adjust normally to their environment. It is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he or she is denied the opportunity of an education (Brown v Board of Education, 1954). The above statement, made in 1954, underscores the importance of free, public education, insofar as it identifies it as the foundations of citizenship, acculturation, socialization and success. Whether on the individual or the collective/societal level, free public education is a fundamental concern since its availability is one of the primary determinants of national progress and development. Free public education is important but, of greater importance, is

Registration System Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Registration System - Assignment Example And the costumer can avail this discount inform via his email account. Also, the main HQ and local admin can send to the costumer's email the latest offers if there is. The main HQ administrator has the access in controlling the system, the HQ can either add or remove motel. Both of the main HQ and the local Administration can update the room type, availability and pricing of their rooms. 1. The personal information of the customer includes his ID, name, address, contact information, age and other personal detail with his email address. The customer can access through web, he can check the availability, type and pricing of the room. Also he can check seasonal offers of the company. 2. With his personal email address he can send his messages and other inquires about his booking. He can receive special the other offer, be informed for special discount and other newsletter from the company. And also he can be informed if ever the payment and booking transactions is successful or not. 4. Costumer's history includes with the customer's booking number, the total of booking the customer made the other details of his booking from this the company will base their decision if they will give a special discount of not. The Main flow: Payment 1. Payment transactions must include the customer's ID, the date and amount he paid off. The payment of the customer may be in the form of cheque or card payments. 2. If the transaction was done by cheque then the transaction must include the payment number, cheque no., sort code, account number and other banking information. 3. IF the transaction was done by card payments the detailed information must include the card number, the date when it is issued and the expiration date. 4. All the payment transaction between the customer and the company. The company and the customer must be informed by the electronic banking system if the card or cheque is accepted or rejected. The Main flow: Motel 1. Both the main HQ motel administration and other local administrations can check their customer's history. 2. The HQ and other local administrations can update the rooms' availability, type, and pricing. Only the Main administrator can add or delete rooms. 3. The main HQ administrator can add and remove their local motel branches. Also they can remove, add or transfer their staffs.