Filinvest Company Background Essay

Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) is one of the leading real estate developers in the Philippines. It is a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), which has more than 40 years of experience in real estate development. Founded by Mr. Andrew L. Gotianun, Sr., FDC is the holding company of the Gotianun Family. Originally engaged in the small-scale financing of second hand cars in 1955, the Gotianun Family’s business later expanded into consumer finance in partnerships with foreign institutions such as Chase Manhattan Bank, Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Ford Philippines. By the early 1980’s, the Gotianun Family’s Filinvest Credit Corporation had become one of the leading consumer finance companies in the Philippines in terms of assets, and the â€Å"Filinvest† name had become well recognized in the Philippines. The Gotianun Family entered the real estate business in 1967 through the incorporation of Filinvest Realty Corporation, which engaged in the development of residential subdivisions. In 1984, the Gotianun Family consolidated their real estate interests in FDC after divesting their shares in two family-owned banks, Family Bank and Trust Company and the Insular Bank of Asia and America. By 1990, FDC expanded its products line to include the development and sale of low-cost and medium-cost housing units. FLI was incorporated on November 24, 1989 as Citation Homes, Inc. and changed its name to FLI on July 12, 1993. It began commercial operations in August 1993 after FDC spun off its MISSION AND VISSION The primary responsibility of Filinvest Land is to the people that inhabit the cities, communities, and homes it has created. Filinvest will continually contribute to the economic development of society and will function as a good corporate citizen. II.View point Based on the researcher’s opinion, Filinvest Alabang Incorporated is a well established enterprise in the Philippines. In fact, Filinvest Alabang Incorporated was ranked as high as number 5; Top Real Estate Companies in the Philippines. Although it’s a well established company here in the Philippines, still, they do encounter minor and major problems depending on the situation and due to some environmental factors. Since Real Estate is the main source of profit for the company, it is very important that the management will hire highly qualified employees who possess a quality that can help the company grow. And to make the employees perform better, the management should provide rewards that will help motivate the employees to function effectively and efficiently. Overview Although Filinvest Alabang, established a stable place in the market; it should be always equipped with â€Å"contingency plans† in case of crisis or if any problems will rise. And in this paper, the researchers will provide a concrete analysis of the problems of the said company, and might will provide solutions for the given problem. III.Time context Filinvest Alabang, Inc. (FAI) was incorporated on August 25, 1993 in connection with the development of Filinvest Corporate City (FCC) in Alabang, a joint venture with the government’s Public Estates Authority. FAI is 80% owned by FDC and 20% owned by FLI. FAI’s primary project is FCC, a 244-hectare mixed-use development project located at the southern end of Metro Manila and adjacent to the South Expressway in Alabang. FAI uses modern, ecological urban planning and design in developing FCC as an alternative to Metro Manila’s business districts. Since the start of its development in 1995, FCC has grown to become a major destination in southern Manila that services all segments of the population with a wide array of retail, office and residential developments. It is home to key anchors such as Insular Life, Asian Hospital and the fast-growing Northgate Cyberzone BPO hub. The second busiest transport terminal in Metro Manila is in the immediate vicinity, making FCC a major gateway for commuters going into and out of Metro Manila from the south. The extension of the Skyway elevated road to Alabang significantly enhances the value of FCC and further increase its attractiveness as the location of choice for offices and residential living in the South of Metro Manila IV. Statement of the problem MAIN PROBLEM: Relationship basis inside the corporation MAJOR PROBLEM: †¢Low recruitment process †¢Lack communication inside the industry MINOR PROBLEM: Relationship basis inside the corporation †¢Reward and benefits of the employees are small and little in hand †¢Salaries and wages are not accommodated well V.Statement of objective †¢To identify the cause of the slow recruitment process in Filinvest Alabang Inc. †¢To provide possible solutions for the slow recruitment process. †¢To analyze problems occurring inside the cooperation and providing solutions to patch-up the problems of employees regarding the delay of their salaries and having less rewards and incentives. †¢To provide solution for improvement of employees and worker’s skills regarding in handling customers service and maintaining good image of the industry. * Specific †¢To identify the different demands and problems of the employees inside the organization’ which they think is affecting their performance. That way, the firm will be able to provide any possible solution so to trim down those types of problems affecting the employee. The study will cover the common types of problems that employees encounters: Salary and Wages, working hours and relationship among other employees. * Measurable †¢The company could provide seminars once or twice a month to address all the concerns that i bothering the employee. That way, the manager will be able to point out what exactly is the problem within the organization. And by providing seminars for the employee, they will be able to know more how to interact with their co-employees. With this type of structure, most probably, the organization will be able to solve any ongoing long term problems within a year. * Attainable †¢The objectives of this study are indeed attainable as it will focus more on solving the problems of the employees. Although it will take some time to discuss, know and solve their problems, still it is very important for the part of the management to address all the employee concerns so that they will be able to function well. * Realistic †¢The plan is bound to be effective if it’s implemented, although it will take some time to execute it properly. * Time bound †¢The target audience of this study is mainly the employees of this organization. And this plan should be implemented for a year. VI.SWOT analysis Strength Filinvest Alabang Incorporated has been one of the leading Real Estate developers here in the Philippines. Boasting a total of 70 Billion assets and earning an all-time high of 20 Billion of sales the year 2011, this year, they aim to earn higher; 30 Billion of sales, so to provide Filipinos a chance to experience a dynamic living in a vibrant master planned city. What gives Filinvest Alabang Inc. an edge compared to other Real Estate developer? Simple, they bounded their project in a very good location, wherein the city is connected to 5 major road points; giving them maximum exposure to businessman, commuters and even prospect buyers. In terms of their recruitment routine, applicants undergo a series of observations, interviews and training so to identify if they are well qualified for the job and somehow has the ability to achieve the given job description. With this type of assessment, Filinvest Alabang Incorporated accepts highly qualified sellers to help the company achieve its target mark for this year, making sure that the ones they accept will be able to function really well. Weakness Given the amount of time that the recruitment process takes to finally hire employees, there is a possibility that they might miss out other highly qualified applicants due to the long process of interviews and series of training. Some applicants might lose their interest given the time that the training process eats. And due loss of interest of applicants, there’s a blink of probability that other Real Estate companies will snatch the chance of getting those type employees and definitely that gives Filinvest a slight margin of disadvantage. Opportunities With a well renowned name in the industry of Real Estate, that puts Filinvest Alabang Inc. in a good position as a top of mind priority for businessmen and job applicants. Knowing that selling real estate requires a huge workforce, evidently the corporation is in search of many inspiring job applicants who want to earn big money. And Filinvest Alabang give those kinds of opportunities to unemployed individuals who wants to make a living. They actually have a very flexible standard when they hire applicants, because they can’t throw away the fact that they need an individual with great talent, given that he/she wasn’t able to meet one of the required standards to be hired be swatted away. Threats Obviously, Filinvest ALabang Inc. is not only the renowned RealEstate developer here in the Philippines. Other top competitors Ayala Land and SMDC for example use different kind of strategies to lure prospect buyers to buy their luxurious properties and of course, they have a different style of training used to hone the skills of their employees. With the presence of other top real estate companies, that makes the stakes of hiring highly qualified employees divided among those corporations. VII.Alternative courses of action Detailed Background Check. ( Past Employment ) To make the process of recruitment shorter, the Human Resource management could use a background check with regards to the individual’s past employments (if available), whether he/she has background working on a sales team which will help clarify points if the individual is capable of being part of the Filinvest Alabang sales team. Putting a little bit of emphasis on the applicant’s background would help shorten the period of training knowing that he/she is capable of being a seller. That will definitely help cut the expenses that the company supply for training and seminars as part of the training program Experience Experience is definitely a plus when you apply for a job. And for Human Resource managers, an applicant with plenty of experience makes the job easier. Knowing that the individual is already knowledgeable of the job description and knows what are the functions of being a seller, those type of statistics may lead to fewer training and interviews. But the management definitely should not rest easier; they should conduct a detailed background check regarding the past performance of the applicant like consulting the previous company where he/she worked for about how he/she dealt with the stress of the job and etc. VIII.Recommendation †¢Conduct seminars for improvement of customer relationship and as well as the employee to employee relationship. †¢Conduct monthly meeting to be aware of the status of each organization of the corporation. †¢Get feedback from customer to distinguish the quality and satisfaction of service and products the Filinvest offers. IX.Action plan / time constraint The Human Resource management could make a proposal to be sent to the higher level management regarding the issue of slow recruitment process and suggest that they should focus more on analyzing and looking briefly at the individual’s experience by conducting background check so to lessen the time that the training and interviews are taking. That way, the recruitment process would somehow speed up, and in case they get better results, they should continue to do it or perhaps improve the system more. And in case that the strategy is not working out, they should try to evaluate on what seems to be out of sync and once they were able to point out the problem, they should be able to come up with good solutions to the problem. X.Conclusion The researcher recommends that the management of Filinvest Alabang Incorporated should speed up the process of hiring highly qualified employees without sacrificing their thoroughness in selecting the best among the job applicants. They could focus more on looking briefly at the resume of the employee and perhaps, they could perform through background check on the individual to ensure that they are qualified for the job. That way, they could cut the cost allotted for many sessions of trainings and undying interviews.

Blue Streak Essay

What suggestions would you offer to Art to improve his operation? It seems as though, Art prematurely opened the two locations in neighboring states. Because Art was a constant figure in his other locations from inception, the vision that he had for those locations were taught and able to be practiced to his standards. There are at least three areas in which this operation can be improved. It is clear that art believes that the common denominator in the success of all his other locations is his presence. At the locations in neighboring states his managers feel as though, he frequents the locations too much. There is a clear disconnect in his intent and their out look of the situation. His manager likely believe that he doesn’t trust them to effectively manage, and do the job in which they were hired. They likely seem his as a micromanager. I believe that this problem can be solved with simple communication. He explains the reasoning behind his constant visitations and I’m sure his manager will be able to understand his reasoning and that will relieve some of the tension. Also, his managers do not seem to know what Art is expecting of them as managers. This problem can be handled with training. Art may want to think about closing down his locations for a limited period of time in order to teach his managers what is expected of them. When Art visited these locations, it seems as though he never effectively What management skills must Art master if he is to resolve his problems and continue to grow? Conceptual skills may help him to understand that in order for the company to succeed he needs to plan and organize his goals. Using these skills increases the ability to see the organization as a whole. It would help Mr. Benton to understand the relationships among the different offices and see how the organization fits into its broader environment. These skills are cruel for the top management and will the company will grow and it will also allow Mr. Benton to grow as a person. Mr. Benton can apply the skills mastered in his company by realizing how the out-of-state offices are connected to the other offices. By understanding this he can understand the business as a whole and decide on the objectives and then proceeding to plan and organize management task. Therefore, mastering conceptual skills are recommended to learn since it will help the CEO understand the company as whole making better decisions and resolving the problems at ease.

Comparison Between Erec and Enide and Don Quixote Essay

The famous Spanish novel, Miguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixote is a parody for epic. It mimics traditional epic in a funny way so as to destroy the conventional expectation behind this serious genre. Therefore, its plot structure can be compared with Chretien de Troyes’ Erec and Enide ,a classic romance epic in Late Middle Ages. In Erec and Enide, the value of chivalry, courtly love and guest and host relationship may be found in this work. Speaking of chivalry, it starts from Erec’s adequate qualities of knighthood: handsome, valiant, noble, young and wealthy. He is qualified as a knight perfectly in appearance, social position and personality. Thereafter, Erec goes through two adventures. In the first one, he experiences a dishonored event, humiliated by a dwarf, the knight named Yder’s servant, and he fights and gains his honor back. In this combat, the dwarf’s physical imperfect may suggest his mental shortage, since he didn’t go hunting as other knights do, but he chose to accompany the queen with casual dress. This behavior and his lack of equipment may indicate that he may not fulfill his obligation of chivalry well. Therefore, the retribution means not only for the return for his honor but for the correction for his uncourtly behavior. After that, Erec becomes so attached to his wife , Enide, that he quits hunting with other knights. Afterwards, he goes on to the second journey. In the second one, he encountered a giant, Guivret, who symbolizes his overacting of courtesy. Guivret is also defeated, showing that Erec has corrected his behavior of overdoing. These two adventures tell that chivalry should be followed neither lacking nor exceeding. When it comes to courtly love, it may be shown from the relationship between Erec and the queen. At the beginning of the story, Erec’s undressing and his accompany with the queen may suppose his unusual relationship with her. When he triumphs over Yder, he commands Yder to go back to the queen to honor her. Since Erec can’t make this love toward her be revealed for the difference of social status, he puts this love into his heart and reveals it in this way. As for the relationship between guest and host, Erec meets the father of Enide and he shows his hospitality to Erec, and he in the end was rewarded for honor and wealth. Although Don Quixote has similar structure, its context reverses audience’s expectation of traditional epic and makes fun of it. First, speaking of chivalry, Don Quixote’s appearance may not be adequate: he is an old and lean person with a meager face. Besides, he is praised by getting up early; apparently it is not a description for a good knight. Cervantes makes Don Quixote funny by these portrayals. Later, he has several adventures, and in one of them he encounters the Biscayan, a servant of the ladies. Don Quixote’s fight with him mimics the combat between knights, and that it ends with Don Quixote’s victory and his request for the Biscayan to beg for mercy in front of his beloved lady, Dulcinea del Toboso. Second, as to courtly love, Don Quixote imagined a farm girl, Aldonza Lorenzo, to be the Princess Dulcinea del Toboso. Even though every time Don Quixote calls her name before he is going to fight, he never talks to her, nor did her know his name. Besides, unlike the noble ladies in traditional chivalry work, Dulcinea is described as â€Å"the best hand of any woman in all La Mancha for salting pigs†. Third, when it comes to the relationship of guest and host, in Don Quixote’s first journey he breaks the law of guest and host. He enters the inn and troubles the landlord to the degree that the landlord wants him to leave without charging him. In conclusion, Cervantes doesn’t only mimic the romantic epic badly for mocking it. He also wants to criticize it by putting a knight to the 17th century. The value of chivalry may differ from the value in 17th century society so much that the originally normal behavior of knights seems ridiculous in people’s eyes from different time.

College degree Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

College degree - Essay Example One of the core benefits is that I will gain from a college degree is the KSAs associated with it. When an individual attends college he/she is able to develop and polish various significant KSAs that are required to perform various jobs in the corporate world. Some of these KSAs include communication, time management, and interpersonal skills. These skills are developed during the course of a college education. For example, students are awarded several assignments during a particular semester which helps them in learning how to manage their time while working on several assignments within a limited period of time.  One of the core benefits is that I will gain from a college degree is the KSAs associated with it. When an individual attends college he/she is able to develop and polish various significant KSAs that are required to perform various jobs in the corporate world. Some of these KSAs include communication, time management, and interpersonal skills. These skills are develope d during the course of a college education. For example, students are awarded several assignments during a particular semester which helps them in learning how to manage their time while working on several assignments within a limited period of time.  Another major benefit of attaining a college degree is that a college degree increases the probability of an individual to gain employment. Employers nowadays desire to hire those individuals who are ready for the corporate world and its stressful conditions. A college education is a means to which an individual is prepared to meet the stress of working in a particular position and that is why employers give preference to those individuals who have undergone college level education. Adams has reported a study that states that employers are looking forward to hiring 8.6% extra individuals who are college graduates during the period of 2014 as compared to the period of 2013. This clearly depicts that employers are willing to consider c ollege graduates over those who have not attended college.  A third major benefit of gaining a college degree is that it helps in increase living standards.

Analyse how types of assessment are used in lifelong learning Essay

Analyse how types of assessment are used in lifelong learning - Essay Example Another form of assessment is interim assessment which takes place occasionally for a larger period of time. The feedback may be quick but not as immediate as formative assessment. It is a more formal type of assessment and is done using projects, tests and written assignments. In this assessment, the learner is given opportunity to re - demonstrate his/her understanding once the feedback is given. Interim assessment gives a chance to the teacher to analyze the differentiation of understanding among students. Summative assessment takes place at the end of a long learning process. The results of such an assessment will be used by the teacher or school. The result may take time to reach the student or parents. However, the feedback is limited and students are not re – assessed. Also, this assessment has the least impact on the improvement in the learning process of a

Math Edu Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Math Edu - Essay Example First, students can be shown a square along with the length of its sides. Ask students to calculate its area. Next, pass out several cubes to the class so that there are enough for everyone to look at. These cubes should preferably have the same approximate side measurements as the square previously displayed. After explaining that surface area is the total area of the surface on the outside of an object, ask students how many sides there are, and what the shape of each side is. Ask them to make the connection themselves as to how to find the surface area of the cube. If they do not get it at first, hold up a picture of the square they just found the area of and compare it to the sides of the cube. They should be able to recognize that to find the surface area of the cube you multiply the area of the square by the number of squares/sides on the cube. Another good introduction or way to reiterate an understanding of how to find the surface area of a cube is to transform a two-dimensional drawing into a three-dimensional object. Pass out pieces of paper with six large squares on them. These squares should be arranged in a way that four are next to each vertically and one square is on each horizontal side of the third square. (It should resemble a cross).

Argument Against Wearing Uniforms in School Research Paper

Argument Against Wearing Uniforms in School - Research Paper Example These students, whose creative voices are stifled by the school by not allowing them to express themselves artistically in their mode of dress more often than not end up being the problem students who are under constant observation and meetings with guidance counselors and the school principal for being â€Å"problem students†. Courtney Williams (â€Å"Why Student's Shouldn't Have to Wear Uniforms†) who runs a petition site against her school's move to impose uniforms explained it best in the following statement:   Teenagers, these days, have such a great sense of their own unique style and they should be   able to show this but, schools are making us wear uniforms. How are we, as students, going to   express our style?   This is an argument supported by Alistair Endersby who explained in his argumentative paper (â€Å"Should School Uniforms Be Got Rid Of?†) that uniforms are a violation of a student's right to Freedom of Expression. He explains:   We a ll have a right to individuality, to make personal choices and to express our personality. This   right of   free expression includes the way we choose to dress. Making everyone wear the same   school uniform   infringes on (goes against) our rights and is a misuse of authority.

Pandoras Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pandoras Business - Essay Example As the paper outlines, it also offers advertising and premium subscription where companies can put advertisements to target certain people. Customers can also buy subscriptions for a few dollars a month to omit the ads. High cost of operating and other costs such as inconsistency costs means that Pandora does not have full market control. In time, Pandora will not enjoy market advantages since it will have less control of the market due to the evolution of the mobile era. More of the music downloaded is normally done illegally without the knowledge of the artists or the music labels. This has turned into a normal type of crime. Most people download songs for free and see no harm caused to the artists and record labels who normally incur losses for their work. With time, mobile revenues will improve since the world is moving to a more digitalized era. This means that the company should sell it premiums directly rather than relying on 3rd parties who are normally associated with other costs. The copyright law which is the body protecting artist’s work from being copied without their authorization should intensify and rise with good legislation which would see the reduction in piracy. The legislation is good for the music industry since Pandora is able to pay the artists and record companies. Pandora pays hundreds of millions to artists and labels. At least of the royalty rate is fair and reasonable of which both parties do benefit. Pandora can make a profit, and the artists and music labels also generate some income. Record labels are things of the past. Music labels and online stores should be able to pay artist much more fairly. They should not rely on producing CDs since they are things of the past and the world is changing. Hopefully more and more artists will bypass getting record contracts.

Implementing a Logical Plan on Changing Management in Business Research Paper

Implementing a Logical Plan on Changing Management in Business - Research Paper Example Many industries in different sectors use different strategies in ensuring they are performing to their best. Some firms ensure they concentrate on making the best products which are attractive to the market. However, these products attract a higher price tag. On the other hand, some firms use the economies of large scale production. In such a case, the firm produces bulky products and services that are retailed at a lower price. In business terms, this strategy is known as scalping. The firm ensures it gets low profits on bulky products and services, which results to high profits in the end. However, the Zappos experience is different from the aforementioned firms. Zappos uses a number of strategies which are evidently enhancing the performance of the firm. The collective efforts from these strategies have been a success in the firm as it has grown over the years (Joseph, 2012). Apparently, the credit is given to the managers of Zappos as they have used technical and personal skills to accrue this success. It is a reward to their commitment and dedication to the firm. However, without such dedication, the positive results would not be realized. First, Zappos ensures all the strategies are applied across all their industries and business. Using such a criterion in all the sectors of the firm ensures there is leveled performance. Though the performance will vary, the difference is not much and this will not affect the business. All the industries under the Zappos umbrella have to implement all the stated strategies in making success (Chopra, 2012). Since the strategies are proven to accrue success, the Zappos firm will not have a hard time in attaining its stated goals. For instance, all the organizations have to ensure they are following the laid procedures in approaching a market. This will instill the needed demand in the market. Therefore, the industries and business will make substantial profits which are needed. Secondly, the Zappos experience is heightened by the fact that the firm has a soft spot for diversity. Diversity is where different people are employed in different department to work on particular tasks. The people that are delegated duties in the different departments have credibility and specialization in the stated sector. As such, they will employ all their technical and practical skills to make sure the firm is performing to the best outcomes (Stokes and Wilson, 2006). For instance, financial managers are employed in the financial department to deal with finance issues. Since they have ample training in the stated subject, it is almost obvious that the firm will be performing well. Similarly, the firm adores

NAEYC article assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

NAEYC article assignment - Essay Example The United States is a diverse country and an early education centre is likely to have many children with different linguistic backgrounds. The inability of early child educators to speak all the home languages of children makes it difficult to preserve those languages. The lack of programs focusing on instilling early educators with relevant languages makes it impossible for the teachers to respond appropriately to the call of preserving home languages of children. The design of early education program still makes it a huge challenge for early educators to meet the needs of children and families in terms of linguistic and cultural diversity. Early childhood programs are basically designed with the main language as English, which does not reflect the diverse nature of the American population. The implementation of the NAEYC recommendations requires complete dedication of the early childhood educator. As such I will actively engage with parents and strive to gain knowledge about all the children in order to ensure that each child is served better. I will ensure coherent working relationship with parents in order to ensure that I provide quality care and education for every child under my

Globalization of North America, South America and the Caribbean Essay Example for Free

Globalization of North America, South America and the Caribbean Essay Globalization is the result of a development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets (http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/globalization). Not everyone is a proponent of globalization. This is especially true for North America. Although the textbook says North Americans have become a highly affluent society by means of transforming the environment and by extending their global, economic, cultural and political reach, the fact remains, that many citizens of North America are not wealth by any stretch of the imagination. The same can also be said about Latin America. The affluence has spread so unevenly, particularly in the United States, that many of the previously middle class have lost their homes and many are now living in tent cities. Recent college graduates are finding it very difficult to obtain employment in their chosen field. Many people have been unemployed long enough that their unemployment benefits have run out. These people are considered to be not actively seeking employment – this is hardly a fair opinion to form. Much of this can be accounted to work being outsourced, mainly to places like Mexico, or even as far as India. â€Å"Multinational corporations are often accused of social injustice, unfair working conditions (including slave labor wages and poor living and working conditions), as well as a lack of concern for the environment, mismanagement of natural resources, and ecological damage. † http://www. manufacturing. net/articles/2010/06/the-pros-and-cons-of-globalization. However, there are some benefits of globalization. Some people argue that money is now able to flow freely across boundaries that were once limited. An article found in Forbes Magazine explained how Sony could sell a Playstation game console or TV just as easily in the United States as Tokyo. The same goes for Apple with its iPhones and other tech toys. (http://www. forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2011/09/10/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-side-of-globalization/). The textbook points out how uneven development is in Latin America. Frustrated workers, whether highly skilled or low skilled look to emigration as their only hope. Migrants frequently relocate to the United States, Europe and Japan looking for work. Remittances are sent back to their native countries, which results in billions of dollars annually directed to Latin America.

Vendlers Explication of Poetry Essay Example for Free

Vendlers Explication of Poetry Essay Additional Step-by-Step Method of Thoroughly Explicating a Poem In addition to the sections, which are mentioned in the basic explication de texte, please review these divisions to further assist you in the complex work of analysis. Meaning: can you paraphrase in prose the general outline of the poem? Do not simply answer yes or no; attempt a brief paraphrase. Antecedent scenario: What has been happening before the poem begins? What has provoked the speaker? Poets make certain stanza-forms their own. Dante wrote the whole of the Divine Comedy in three-line pentameter stanzas with interlaced rhyme, and ever since, anyone writing in this form or one of its modern adaptations—from Percy Bysshe Shelley in the nineteenth century through Wallace Stevens and Seamus Heaney in the twentieth century—evokes Dante (Vendler 74). 1. How does the information contained in this statement aid us in our interpretation of poetry? What does it tell us into utterance? How has a previous equilibrium been unsettled? What is the speaker upset6 about? 2. Division into parts: How many? Where do the breaks come? 3. The climax: How do the other parts fall into place around it? 4. The other parts: What makes you divide the poem into these parts? Are there changes in person? In agency? In tense? In parts of speech? Look for any and all dynamic changes within the poem, rather than consider that the poem is a static structure. 5. Find the skeleton: What is the emotional curve on which the whole poem is strung? (It even helps to draw a shape—a crescendo, perhaps, or an hourglass-shape, or a sharp ascent followed by a steep decline—so you will know how the poem looks to you as a whole.) 6. Games with the skeleton: How is this emotional curve made new? 7. Language: What are the contexts of diction; chains of significant relation; parts of speech emphasized; tenses; and so on? 8. Tone: Can you name the pieces of the emotional curve—the changes in tone you can hear in the speakers voice as the poem goes along? 9. Agency and its speech acts: Who is the main agent in the poem, and does the main agent change as the poem progresses? See what the main speech act of the agent is, and whether that changes. Notice oddities about agency and speech acts. 10. Roads not taken: Can you imagine the poem written in a different person, or a different tense, or with the parts rearranged, or with an additional stanza, or with one stanza left out, conjecturing by such means why the poet  might have wanted these pieces in this order? 11. Genres: What are they by content, by speech act, by outer form? 12. The imagination: What has it invented that is new, striking, and memorable—in content, in genre, in analogies, in rhythm, in a speaker? Sound Units:The sound units of a poem are its syllables. The word enemy has three successive sounds, en-eh-mee. Readers are conscious of a sound effect when they hear two end-words rhyme; but poets are conscious of all the sounds in their lines, just as they are of the rhythms of a line. Word Roots: These are the pieces of words that come from words in earlier languages, often Greek, Latin, or Anglo-Saxon. Poets usually are aware of the roots of the words they use. When I consider everything that grows Holds in perfection but a little moment, That this huge stage presenteth naught but shows Whereon the stars in secret influence comment; When I perceive that men as plants increase, Cheered and checked even by the selfsame sky, . . . . then the conceit of this inconstant stay Sets you most rich in youth before my sight . . . In Sonnet 15, Shakespeare makes poetic use of words such as con-sider (from the root stars) a word he later uses in the same poem. He also expects them to notice that the word consider is composed of two parts, con- and -sider, and that the next I verb (perceive) is followed by a noun (conceit) which combines the con- of consider with the -ceive of perceive. Perhaps he also expected at least some of his readers to see how the con—of consider and conceit is repeated in inconstant (and that the word you is contained in youth). Words: The meaning of a word in a poem is determined less by its dictionary (a single word like stage can have many definitions in a comprehensive dictionary) than by the words around it. Every word in a poem enters into relation with the other words in that poem. These relations can be of several kinds: Thematic relation—as we would connect stars and sky in the quotation above. Phonemic relationâ₠¬â€as we would connect stage, stars, secret, selfsame, sky, and stay in the quotation above by their initial ss and sts. Grammatical relation: as cheered  and checked are both verbal adjectives modifying men Syntactic relation—as When I consider and When I perceive introduce dependent clauses in I both modifying the main clause Then the conceit . . . sets you. Each word exists in several constellations of relation, all of which the reader needs to notice in order to see the overlapping structures of language in the poem. Sentences: Note predicate and subject. Tenses. Track who is saying what to whom. Implication: Poets often expect you to think concretely as he speaks abstractly, since his words are to be yours. Because a poem can only suggest, not expatiate, it requires you to supply the concrete instances for each of its suggestions. Remember that implication can be present in rhythm as well as in words. The Ordering of Language: Language gives you the manner of the poem, as well as its matter. History and Regionality: In thinking about history poems, there is always a tension between the copiousness of history and the brevity of lyric. Often the generalized space of lyric gives way to a particular climate, geography, and/or scenery of a particular poem. Identity of the speaker: for the writer, the answer to this is never simple. Examine the various facets of identity in the poem and how these change and offer varying views of the world. Attitudes, Judgments, Values: You are under no obligation to like or freely accept all the remarks or attitudes you come across in art. Closely examine the stylized language to make sure that you understand the values suggested by the poem. Can you separate the persona from the author? Rhythm: The first and most elementary pleasure of poetry is its rhythm. Distinguish between the various formal types of rhythm that you find in the poem. Knowing the musical weight of every possible syllable in the language is the gift of great poets. Rhythm: Look for sounds that match. Keats thought of a kiss as a rhyme. Structure: The structures of a poem are the intellectual or logical shapes into which its thoughts are dynamically organized. Any overarching structure can have many substructures. We sometimes express this by saying that the structure of the poem enacts by way of dynamic evolution of form what the poem says by way of assertion. Images: A word is not the same thing as a picture. Words refer; images represent. Arguments: Arguments in poems are miniature imitations of real arguments. Wisdom, A New Language, Poignancy, Poems as Pleasure: no single poem offers all the pleasures of poetry. Exploring a Poem: What follows are a series of things to note when you run through a poem to see what its parts are and how they fit together. Let us use this list on a sonnet by John Keats, called On First Looking into Chapmans Homer. The anthology will tell us, in footnotes, a few things we have to know to understand the references in the poem: Keats did not know Greek, and so he first read Homers Odyssey in the Renaissance translation by George Chapman; Apollo is the Greek god of poetry; Keats believed (mistakenly) t hat it was the Spanish conquistador Cortex who, in exploring Panama (Darien), discovered the Pacific Ocean (in reality it was Balboa, but the historical error doesnt matter for the imaginative purposes of the poem). Keats tells us what it is like, even for a reader as experienced in poetry as he, to come across Homers Odyssean epic (from which he draws his opening travel imagery) for the first time: Much have I travelld in the realms of gold, And many goodly states and kingdoms seen; Round many western islands have I been Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold. [allegiance] Oft of one wide expanse had I been told That deep-browd Homer ruled as his demesne;[domain] Yet did I never breathe its pure serene;[atmosphere] Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold: Then felt I like some watcher of the skies When a new planet swims into his ken;[view] Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes He stard at the Pacific—and all his men Lookd at each other with a wild surmise— Silent, upon a peak in Darien. John Keats, On First Looking into Chapmans Homer How do we go about exploring such a poem? Let us try a series of steps. 1. Meaning: This is the usual sort of information retrieval reading that we do with any passage of prose or verse. We come up with a summary of greater or lesser length giving the import of the passage as we make sense of it. Here, we might arrive at something like The speaker says that he had  traveled through a lot of golden terrain—had read a lot of poems—and people had told him about the Homeric domain, but he had never breathed its air till he heard Chapman speak out. Then he felt like an astronomer discovering a new plant; or like the explorer who discovered the Pacific, whose men, astonished by his gaze, guessed at his discovery. This sort of meaning-paraphrase is necessary, but less useful in poetry than in prose. In many poems there is rather little in the way of plot or character or message or information in the ordinary sense, and that little can be quickly sketched (perhaps initially, especially in the case of a complex poem, by the teacher to the class). Hoping to learn things about the poem that are more interesting than simply what it says in prose, we try to construct its 1. Antecedent Scenario: What has been happening before the poem starts? What has disturbed the status quo and set the poem in motion? Here, we know what has happened: the speaker has picked up Homer (in Chapmans translation) for the first time, and has had a revelatory experience. But the antecedent scenario is not always given to us so clearly. If it is not evident right away, one moves on hopefully to 2. A Division into Structural Parts: Because small units are more easily handled than big ones, and because the process of a poem, even one as short as a sonnet, cant be addressed all at once with a single global question like Whats going on here? we divide the poem into pieces. One way of dividing this poem up is to notice that it falls, by its rhymes, into two large parts: I never knew Homer till I read Chapman (abbaabba) and Then I felt like this (cdcdcd). The first part takes up the first eight lines, connected by the two rhyme-sounds represented by –old (rhyme a) and -een (rhyme b); and the second part takes up the last six lines, connected by a new set of rhyme-sounds, represented by –ies (rhyme c) and –en (rhyme d). There are other ways, besides this 8:6 division, to divide this poem into parts, as we shall see, but let us work first within this 8:6 division-by-rhyme. In order to suggest a meaningful relation of the parts, it is useful to look at 3. The Climax: In Keatss [please note that this is the correct MLA format for possession by a person whose name ends in s] sonnet, the climax seems to come when Cortex stares at the Pacific—the high point of the poem. What is special about his experience? Why does it replace the image of the  astronomer discovering a new planet? In lyric poems, the various parts tend to cluster around a moment of special significance—which its attendant parts lead up to, lead away from, help to clarify, and so on. The climax usually manifests itself by such things as greater intensity of tone, as especially significant metaphor, a change in rhythm, or a change in person. Having located the climax, one can now move back to 4. The Other Parts: About each part, it is useful to ask how it differs from the other parts. What is distinctive in it by contrast to the other members of the poem? Does something shift gears? Does the tense change? Does the predominant grammatical form change? (For example, does the poem stop emphasizing nouns and start emphasizing participles?) Is a new person addressed? Have we left a general overlook for certain particulars? Here, we notice that the first four lines talk in general about states, kingdoms, and islands. The next four lines talk about one special wide expanse, the one ruled by Homer. The next part says, I felt like an astronomer discovering a new planet. And the last part produces anew comparison: I felt like an explorer discovering a new ocean, accompanied by his companions. Some questions immediately arise: Why doesnt the poem end after the poet says, I felt as though I discovered a new planet? Why does he feel he needs a second comparison? And why, in the second comparison, does he need not only a single discoverer comparable to the astronomer, but a discoverer accompanied by a group of companions (all his men)? Once these four parts (general realms; Homers expanse; solo astronomer/ planet; Cortez and men / Pacific Ocean) have been isolated, one can move on to the game called 5. Find the Skeleton: What is the dynamic curve of emotion on which the whole poem is arranged? I am much traveled, and have visited [presumably by ship] many islands; however, I had never visited the Homer-expanse till I heard Chapman; then I breathed the air of the Homer-expanse, and it was like finding—like finding what? The first stab at comparison (like finding a new planet) isnt quite right—you cant walk on a planet and explore it and get to know it the way you get to know islands and states. Well, what would be a better comparison? And the speaker realizes that whereas other poets seem feudal lords of a given piece of earth—a state, a kingdom, an  island—Homer is different not just in degree but in kind. He is, all by himself, an ocean. A new ocean, unlike a planet, is something on one s own plane that one can actually explore; yet it is something so big that it must contain many new islands and realms within it. When we understand this, we can identify the curve of astonishment in the poem when the Homer-expanse (a carefully chosen word that doesnt give away too much turns out to be not just another piece of land, and not some faraway uninhabitable body in the sky, but a whole unexplorable ocean, hitherto unguessed at. The tone has changed from one of ripe experience (Much have I travelled) to one of ignorance (the speaker has never breathed the air of the vast Homeric expanse, though others had, and had told him about it), to the revelation of the wild surmise—we have found not just another bounded terrain, but an unsuspected ocean! This curve of emotion, rising from an almost complacent sense of experience to an astonished recognition, is the emotional skeleton of the poem. We can then ask about 6. Games the Poet Plays with the Skeleton: If OFLCH by its content, is a then/now poem (I used not to know Homer / Now I do), what is the event bridging the then and the now? It is reading Homer in Chapmans translation. Reading is not an event in the usual sense: most then/now poems (like A slumber did my spirit seal) are about some more tangible event (a death, an absence, a catastrophe). Keats plays a game, then, with the then/now poem in making its fulcrum an experience of reading. By saying that reading too is an Event, Keats makes the then/now poem new. If this is a riddle-poem (and it is: What is Homer-land like?), how is the riddle prepared? It is prepared by a series of alternatives: I have seen realms, states, kingdoms, islands. Some expanse is ruled by Homer, but I have not seen it yet. Will it be a realm? A state? A kingdom? Another island? The first answer to the riddle is, none of the above; Homer land is a new planet! But that is the wrong answer (one cant travel to and explore a new planet, and the speaker is exploring Homer), so the poem tries again to answer the riddle, and this time does it correctly: None of the above; Homer-expanse is a new ocean! The poet has played a game with our sense of the poem as a riddle by answering not in the category we anticipated from his former travels but in an unexpected one, thus making the riddle-poem new. Keats plays  another game with the ignorance/discovery skeleton by making his poem a hero-poem. He makes the reward at the end of the emotional curve—the discovery of the new ocean—not a solitary experience but a communal one. We normally think of reading as an uneventful private act. Why did Keats make it heroic? Furthermore, why did he show the heroic discovery being made not by a single explorer but by a company of explorers? Cortex is not alone on the Isthmus of Panama, but is accompanied by all his men / Look[ing] at each other with a wild surmise. When one discovers the Homeric expanse one reads alone, but one becomes thereby a member of a company of people who have discovered Homer—those people who had oft . . . told the speaker about Homer. A feat like Homers writing the Odyssey is as heroic as the exploits of Achilles: mastery of such an intellectual discovery is itself a presence of Cortezs men, is collective, not private. Keats thought of himself as a poet among poets: a reader of Homer among readers of Homer, an explorer among explorers. And in this way he made the hero-poem both newly intellectual and newly communal and democratic. One can go on to ask about 8.Language:We have been looking at language all along, but now we can do it more consciously. How many sentences does the poem have? 2. Where does the break between sentences come? After line 4. This gives us, a new division into parts: not the 8:L6 of the then/now structure, but the 4:10 of the knowledge/discovery structure, which locates for us the moment i n which traveled complacency turns to longing for Homeric acquaintance. Poems often have several overlapping internal structures. It is one of the signs of a complex poem that its rhymes may be dividing the poem one way, its theme another way, its action from inception through climax another way, its grammar another way, its sentences yet another way. Each of these divisions has something to tell us about the emotional dynamic of the poem. What parts of speech predominate in the poem? In Keatss sonnet, the chain of nouns of space—realms, states, kingdoms, islands, expanse, demesne, planet, Pacific—stands out as one unifying link. What other words, regardless of whether they are different parts of speech, make a chain of significant relation? Your might notice how words of seeing and watching—seen, watcher, ken, eagle eyes, stared, looked at—connect the parts of the poem as do the nouns of space. What contexts are expressed in the diction?We notice traveling sailing, exploring, astronomical observation, feudal loyalty, and  so on. Is the diction modern or ancient? Keats uses archaic words like realms of gold, goodly, bards, fealty, demesne, pure serene, and ken which help us sense how long Homer has been alive in our culture. A close look at language always leads to 7. Tone: The calm beginning, in the voice of ripe experience (much have I travelled) mounts to the excitement of the wild surmise, which then suddenly is confirmed by the breathless silent of the last line, and by the image of the peak corresponding to this heightened moment. Reading a poem aloud as if it were your won utterance makes you able to distinguish the various tones of voice it exhibits, and to name them. At this point, we can turn to 10. Agency and Speech Acts: Who has agency in this poem? We notice that the main verbs are all governed by the I who speaks the poem: I have traveled . . . and seen . . . [and] have been . . . [and] had been told. . . .yet never did I breathe . . .I heard . . . Then felt I. But we notice that in the subordinate clauses a great many other subagencies are present. Bards hold island, Homer rules an expanse, Chapman speaks out, the new planet swims into ken, Cortez stares at the Pacific, and his men look with wold surmise at each other. It is by the interpenetration of the rather colorless main verbs denoting the sedentary activity of reading and the other more public or active actions of the agents, that Keats draws his new acquaintance with the Odyssey into large realms of cultural activity. The speech act of this poem is a single long narration of the speaker’s more remote and recent pasts. The unusual thing about the speech act (narration) and agency (single main agent) is that they stop so soon: the last narrative verb by the agent is then felt I in line 9. After that, the attention of the poem never comes back to the speaker, but instead expands out to the most exalting sorts of cultural discovery—that of an astronomer, that of explorers. 11. Roads Not Taken: What are the roads not taken in the poem? The sonnet might have ended with the comparison of the self to an astronomer. Would this have been satisfactory? Or the expanse ruled over by homer might have been shown as a new continent rather than as a new ocean. Would this have been equally revealing? Or the poem might have been written in the third person instead of the first person: Many have travelled in the realms of gold And they have goodly states and kingdoms seen Round many western islands have they been Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold. Is this as dramatic as the first person? Or the poem might have begun with the reading of Chapmans Homer, instead of leading up to it: I once heard Chapman speak out loud and bold; He told me of a wide expanse unseen, Better than other states and realms of gold That deep-browd Homer ruled as his demesne. Then felt I like stout Cortez on his peak, When with his eagle eyes he saw the sea. . . . We can see how these examples show us just how dynamic Keatss version is. With the clear idea of the function of each piece of the poem within the whole, and of the dynamic curve of emotion governing the order in which the pieces appear, we can then pass on to 12. Genre, Form, and Rhythm: What is the content genre of the poem? A dramatic change between then and now; a poem about reading; a poem about a hero; a poem about collective experience. What is the speech act genre of the poem? A narration in the first person of a significant event marking one life-period off from another, and an asking-a-riddle: What is reading Homer like? What is the formal genre of the poem? A sonnet, using the usual five-beat rising-rhythm line found in sonnets, rhyming abbaabba cdcdcd. It can be compared to other sonnets rhyming the same way. About form, we always need to ask how it has been made vivid. We can then move on to the last issue which is always 13. The Imagination: What has the poets imaginati on invented that is striking? Memorable? Or beautiful? We can tell, from the metaphors of sailing, that before writing his poem Keats had been reading Homers Odyssey, and had been thinking about what Odysseus had discovered as he sailed from realm to realm, from island to island. Wanting to describe his own first reading of Homer, Keats imaginatively borrows from the very book he has been reading, using the image of travel, saying that reading poetry in general is like voyaging from Shakespeare-land to Milton-kingdom to Spenser-state, but that reading Homer is not like finding just another piece of land to visit: it like finding a new planet, or, even better, a whole unexpected new ocean to sail in. Keats imagined these large  analogies—sailing, astronomical observation, discovering an ocean—for the act of reading in general, and for reading Homer in particular; they enliven the sonnet. What makes the poem touching is the imagined change from the complacency of the well-traveled speaker to the astonishment of the discovery of Homer, and the poets realization that in reading Homer he had joined a company of others who have also discovered the Homeric ocean, sharing his wild surmise. It is characteristic of Keats to see poetry as a collective act: he said in a letter, I think I shall be among the English poets after my death, not I think I shall be famous after my death. But the imagination is not invested in themes and images alone. The imagination of a poet has to extend to the rhythm of the poem as well. What the imagination has invented here that is rhythmically memorable is the change from the steady first ten lines—because even the astronomer doesnt have to do anything but look through his telescope—to the strenuous broken rhythms of the heroic last four lines with their four sharply differentiated parts: Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes he stared at the Pacific— And all his men lookd at each other with a wild surmise— Silent, Upon a peak in Darien. The intent, piercing stare of stout Cortez: the amazed mutual conjecture of his men; the sudden, short, transfixed silence of the whole group; the summit of foreign experience on which the action takes place—each of these four facts is given its own rhythmically irregular phrase, so different from the undisturbed and measured pentameter narration in Then felt I like some watcher of the skies / When a new planet swims into his ken. A poem needs imaginative rhythms as well as imaginative transformation. You will, of course, read most poems without investigating them in this detailed way for their inner processes. But as soon as you want to know how a poem works, as well as what it says, and why it is poignant or compelling, you will find yourself beginning to study it, using methods like the ones sketched here. Soon, it becomes almost second nature for you to notice sentences, tense-changes, speech acts, tonal variants, changes of agency, rhythm, rhymes, and other ingredients of internal and external structure. Poems are very rewarding things to study as  well as to read, to learn by heart as well as to study. They keep you company in life. To give the poem its due, although we often understand its message, the reason for our response is the arrangement of the message on many intersecting planes into a striking and moving form. We need to be able to see it as an arranged message. Vendler, Helen. Poems, Poets, Poetry: An Introduction and Anthology. Boston: Bedford, 1997 http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/patten/vendler.html

Leading In the Affective Domain

Leading In the Affective Domain Describe the effect behaviors have on productivity. Contrast the cognitive and affective domains. Research What is the relationship between the domains and learning? Identify a cognitive skill and an affective skill? The concept for learning domains and educational taxonomies evolved from the 1948 American Psychological Association Convention (Menix, 1996). There are three domains involved in the process of learning which exist as separate yet interactive processes involved in the Human learning outcomes. The cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains epitomize the different aspects and degrees of learning complexity (Menix, 1996). The cognitive domain is often described as what we know, but is more the interaction of knowledge, understanding, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation (Jensen, 2003). This encompasses the psychological and intellectual functions that facilitate comprehension and subsequent formation of rational judgments and includes perception, memory, imagination, thought and language (Brà ¼hlmeier, 2010). An example of a Cognitive skill is comprehension-to successfully interpret the meaning in order to develop an understanding of what is required. The affective domain concerns empathy and behaviour by the interaction of receiving, responding, valuing, organization and characterization by a value or value complex (Gronlund, 1991, p. 34). Emotions stimulate our learning and determine whether we are confident in this learning. Only when we have strong feelings about it do we believe something and give significance to it (Gazibara, 2003). An example of an affective skill is Value- to attach values to concepts and express an opinion as to its worth. Between the domains which one has the greatest impact on productivity? I feel that affective domain has a more significant impact on productivity in that the cognitive domain imparts the knowledge of how to do the task and the psychotic domain gives us the manual dexterity however the intention to do the task is carried out by the affective domain-attitude and motivation. Koul et al (2004) suggested that students perceptions of biology and physics classroom learning environments and their biology and physics classroom anxiety are conditioned by their motivational goal orientations Contrast the tasks, obstacles and goals of the Bully versus the Charismatic Leader. The authoritarian leadership style is the historical model of leader, based on the power being held exclusively by an individual leader who dictates policies and procedures, determines goals and strategies and directs without input by the subordinates, possibly modelled on historical feudal leadership where the word of the leader is absolute. It is largely dismissed as a leadership style. Smither (1991) wrote that it is not advocated in any management textbook recommends it. Many people who have under an authoritarian leader, describe their experience as a nightmare. Authoritarian methods of operation are dysfunctional, causing breakdown in the organization, in work accomplishment, and in interpersonal relations (Fisher, 1978). It is not without advocates however, in certain situations. Smither (1991) wrote about cases where a team management approach has been ineffective, and that authoritarian leadership as a management style has seen some revival. Researchers have found that there are cases where teams respond well to this management approach. The article suggests essentially that some people like to be led, and do not want responsibility of decision-making concerning organisational operations. Many individuals favour the structure and order of an authoritarian workplace. Additionally he writes that changing ones leadership style to fit the situation -has been found ineffective by a great many managers. While it is important to remember that authoritarian management is not a synonym for oppressive or punitive management, there is no cause to assume that teamwork or quality circles in themselves will result in higher productivity (Smither, 1991). Clegg et al (2003) described three forms of authority-charismatic authority as authority denoted due to the attractiveness and power of the leader, in that the leader is effectively owed homage through personal magnetism, grace and bearing. Traditional authority where the authority is owed by birthright e.g. the clas s system. Rational-legal authority holds that authority is given due to the position held by the leader in that it is not the individual but the office that commands authority. Kuhn (2012) described a charismatic leader as a person who creates the belief that anything is possible, via the command of three elements-branding, articulation and affection of the team. Tuomo (2005) wrote that a charismatic leader is effective when the leader behaviours are motivated by altruism as opposed to ego. Raelin (2003) warned that though charismatics can charm employees with their rhetoric and can draw the big picture, they can display such traits as grandiosity and suspicion. This was further tempered with the lack of availability with born leaders, and the requirement to recruit the capable. Traits required included innate intelligence, a desire to learn and work with others, giving them the ability to become effective leaders. The key issue with an authoritarian leader is one of staffing retention and low morale. The key issue with the charismatic leader is to perform and produce the promises. Describe a memorable leader: How did they impact Stress, Control and Satisfaction? Greg Dyke amongst other achievements served for a short-lived tenure as the director general of the British Broadcasting Cooperation. This was terminated following a disagreement with the government of the time concerning an edition of the current affairs programme Today questioning the justification from the government for the role of the United Kingdom in the conflict. During his tenure, Greg Dyke achieved several significant victories overseeing the transition from analogue to digital television, the rise of the MTV phenomena. He significantly reduced costs by terminating consultancy and agency staffing which was a contributory factor to the cooperations lack of success, as was the extant management style at the time which was responsible for eroding the BBCs Creativity (Schlesinger, 2010). Overturning this and effectively empowering his staff helped to regain creativity within the cooperation which effectively defines his tenure. Additionally, he had a management style that one many allies within the cooperation in that he was an approachable individual who interacted with all levels of staff. Such was his popularity that when he was forced to resign the cooperation saw industrial action as workers went on strike in protest. His success as a leader was according to him, down to making sure staff who worked closely with him, broadcasted the right message to others. References Clegg. S., Kornberger. M., Pitsis. T. (2011) Managing Organisations An Introduction to Theory Practice. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Fisher, J. (1978). The Authoritarian as Anti-Manager. Public Personnel Management. 7.1 (Jan./Feb. 1978): 33. Gazibara, S, (2003) Head, Heart and Hands Learning. A challenge for contemporary education. Journal of Education Culture and Society No. 1_2013 Gronlund, N. E. (1991). How to write and use instructional objectives (4th ed.). New York : Macmillan Publishing Company. Jensen, E. (2003). Super teaching: Over 1000 practical strategies. Zagreb: Educa. Koul, R, Roy, L, Lerdpornkulrat, T. (2012) Motivational goal orientation, perceptions of biology and physics classroom learning environments, and gender. Learning Environments Research; Dordrecht15.2(Jul 2012): 217-229. Kuhn, M Alexander. (2012) Charismatic Leaders. Leadership Excellence; Aurora29.7 (Jul 2012): 20. Menix, K,. (1996) Domains of Learning: Interdependent Components of Achievable Learning Outcomes. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing; Thorofare27.5 (Sep/Oct 1996): 200-208. Raelin, J (2003) The myth of charismatic leaders. Profile. T + D; Alexandria57.3 (Mar 2003): 46-54. Schlesinger, P. (2010) The most creative organization in the world? The BBC, creativity and managerial style. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 16(3), pp. 271-285. (doi:10.1080/10286630903302766) Smither, R. (1991). The Return of the Authoritarian Manager. Training. 28.11 (Nov 1991): 40. Tuomo, T (2005) Problems and Perspectives in Management, 3/2005 45 Charismatic Leadership and Power

The U.S. Marines and the 19th Century :: Marine Corps War Essays

The U.S. Marines and the 19th Century In the beginning of the 21st Century the U.S. Marine Corps stands at a strength of approximately 200,000 personnel. The Marines are also equipped with tanks, helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and specialized ships, manned by the U.S. Navy, to transport them to various destinations. These numbers constitute a larger force than the entire armed forces of many countries and the U.S. Marine Corps is considered the junior service of the U.S. military. The Defense Act of 1947 guaranteed the continuing existence of the Marine Corps as law. All this happened in the 20th century. During the 19th century the Marines not only fought the enemies of this country, foreign and domestic, but had to fight for their very existence. â€Å"In 1806 Marine Corps registers showed a paid strength of only eleven officers and 307 noncommissioned officers and enlisted men. Its main duties at sea focused on guarding against mutinies on U.S. Navy ships. In combat, marines fired their muskets at enemy ships’ officers and crew during battle, formed contingents to board enemy ships or attack enemy shore installations, and repelled enemy boarders. On shore, marines guarded U.S. Navy yards in several American cities.† (With Fidelity and Effectiveness: Archibald Henderson’s Lasting Legacy to the U.S. Marine Corps, Joseph Dawson, p. 271) The early 19th century saw the United States as a small agrarian society trying to build a unified country. After the Revolution the Army, Navy and Marines were disbanded as they were believed to be not needed. No one planned to go to war with anyone and any possible land conflict could be handled by the various state militias. This changed with the influx of pirac y by the French and a few North African Arab kingdoms, commonly called the Barbary pirates. The United States had a thriving mercantile marine that proudly sailed across the world to find new markets. This made them perfect targets. John Adams, the 2nd president, reconstituted the Navy and with that the Marines. New ships were built and sailors and Marines were recruited to man them. They fought against pirates in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. This had the un-intended effect of preparing them for the 2nd war with Great Britain from 1812 to 1814.

The Pros and Cons of Affirmative Action Essay -- Pro Con Essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Affirmative action has been the topic of debate for many years. It has been controversial because it has been said to be a form of reverse discrimination. This paper will discuss the purpose behind affirmative action, as well as, its various strengths and weaknesses. Also, this paper will look at the following issues surrounding affirmative action such as the incompetency myth ( are companies hiring less qualified people?), the impact on employment (what has changed in the work place?), the impact on women (how have their lives changed?) and the impact on employment law (what documents back up affirmative action?). Lastly, a discussion of affirmative action on an international scale, and what international documents have to say about the topic. The purpose of this paper is to bring to light all the issues, and then make an educated statement of whether affirmative action is a worthwhile activity or if there is a better solution.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Affirmative action or positive discrimination can be defined as providing advantages for people of a minority group who are seen to have traditionally been discriminated against. This consists of preferential access to education, employment, health care, or social welfare. In employment, affirmative action may also be known as employment equity. Affirmative action requires that institutions increase hiring and promotion of candidates of mandated groups. (Rubenfeld, 1997, p. 429)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The purpose ofAffirmative Action is a simple one, it exists to level the playing field, so to speak, in the areas of hiring and college admissions based on characteristics that usually include race, sex, and/or ethnicity. A certain minority group or gender may be underrepresented in an arena, often employment or academia, in theory due to past or ongoing discrimination against members of the group. In such a circumstance, one school of thought maintains that unless this group is concretely helped to achieve a more substantial representation, it will have difficulty gaining the critical mass and acceptance in that role, even if overt discrimination against the group is eradicated. For this reason, more effort must be made to recruit persons from that background, train them, and lower the entrance requirements for them. (Goldman, 1976, p. 179) Proponents of affirmative action argue that affirmative action is the best way to corre... ...of Management Journal, Vol. 40, No. 3, 603-625. Holzer, Harry J.& David Neumark. (Jan. 2000) What Does Affirmative Action Do? Industrial and Labor Relations Review, Vol. 53, No. 2, 240-271. Holzer, Harry J.& David Neumark. (Sept. 2000) Assessing Affirmative Action Journal of Economic Literature, Vol. 38, No. 3, 483-568. Leonard, Jonathan S. (1989) Women and Affirmative Action The Journal of Economic Perspectives, Vol. 3, No. 1, 61-75. Lockheed, Marlaine. (1998) International Perspectives on Affirmative Action in the 1990s Educational Researcher, Vol. 27, No. 9, 6-7. Loeb, Jane W, Marianne A. Ferber & Helen M. Lowry. (1978) The Effectiveness of Affirmative Action for Women The Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 49,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  No. 3, 218-230. Nacoste, Rupert W. (1987) Affirmative Action in American Politics: Strength or Weakness? Political Behavior, Vol. 9, No. 4, 291-304. Reed, Rodney J. (1983) Affirmative Action in Higher Education: Is It Necessary? The Journal of Negro Education, Vol. 52, No. 3, Persistent and Emergent   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Legal Issues in Education: 1983 Yearbook, 332-349. Rubenfeld, Jed. (1997) Affirmative Action The Yale Law Journal, Vol. 107, No. 2, 427-472.

An Analysis of Blake’s The Wild Swans at Coole Essay -- Wild Swans at

An Analysis of Blake’s "The Wild Swans at Coole"  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   "The Wild Swans at Coole" is a poem that deals with the aging process of William Butler Yeats. It is a deeply personal poem that explores the cycle of life through nature. The poem is set in Coole Park in autumn, which is located on Lady Gregory’s estate. The poet is on or near the shore of a large pond, and is observing the swans. It has been nineteen years since the first time he came to this place, and it is on this visit that he begins to realize that he is getting older. The poet parallels nature in the poem, as it represents his present state while, in the poem, there is a contrast between the poet and the swan because the swan is used as a metaphor for the poet’s youth. The poem is written in iambic pentameter and consists of five pairs of stressed and unstressed syllables. The use of nature in the poem serves to illustrate the poet’s age. The first line of the poem, "The trees are in their autumn beauty", presents the reader with a sense of maturity. The trees are ready to complete their yearly cycle by losing their leaves. A vision of bare branches comes to mind after reading this line, representing vulnerability in a bare tree. The leaves that the tree has shed protected the "skeleton" of the tree. Like the tree, the poet will lose something as well when his own cycle nears completion. The leaves can also be associated with the poet’s youth; like a tree, without its leaves, man without his youth is vulnerable. The poet will lose his youth, and in his old age, he too will be exposed to the harshness of the world. The use of the line "The woodland paths are dry" in line 2 reinforces the first line of the poem by presenting the reader with an image of dried... ...eping, but he is in fact waking from his death. "The Wild Swans at Coole" is a poem dominated by the ideas of the poet’s youth, and the presence of death in his future. Yeat’s uses symbols such as nature to represent his present self, and the swans to represent his youth. On this, the poet’s nineteenth visit to Coole, he becomes aware of his age. He parallels himself with much of what he sees in nature, and envies the swans because they represent a permanence that the poet could not achieve. It is as if time has stood still at this pond because it is the same as Yeat’s remembers it to be nineteen years ago. The ending of the poem foreshadows the poets demise, and it can be assumed that this visit will be his last to Coole Park on Lady Gregory’s estate. Works Cited: Parrish, Stephen The Wild Swans at Coole (Ithaca & London: Cornell University Press, 1995)

Client Paper Essay

Human service professionals, or helpers, will likely work with many different clients, each with their own set of problems. These problems can range from physical abuse and neglect, aging issues including death and dying, and a number of other issues concerning the basic needs of life. Problems can also encompass the many different situations people find themselves in either as a result of life choices or out of no fault of their own. These problems may include homelessness, combat veteran issues, and mental illness. Whatever the problem or problems are, it is the responsibility of the helper to use a wide range of skills to assess client needs, create a treatment plan, and offer resources and emotional support to the client as they accomplish the goals included in the treatment plan. These skills include communication, empathy, compassion, patience, analytical skills, and teamwork. A range of problems faces human services clients â€Å"Problems for clients are rarely single issues, and the human service professional should approach each client with the expectation of more than one problem.† (Woodside & McClam, 2011, p. 131) Every problem that a client presents with cannot be predicted. In fact, client problems encompass a wide range of needs and circumstances. For example, a client who is struggling with domestic violence may also have a need for mental health support. A client with mental health issues may also be experiencing a lack of food, clothing or shelter. The problems facing clients are very broad and it is helpful to better understand them. Problems facing children and families include physical and sexual abuse, poverty, lack of a healthy home, or little education. Children are especially vulnerable as they cannot provide for themselves. Although â€Å"[t]he best place to serve kids is in their home and with a family,† there may be a necessity for placement in foster care or, in some c ases, adoption (Moffat, 2011, p. 5). The elderly also face  unique problems such as lack of mobility, losing their independence, and end of life issues. When the elderly can no longer care for themselves, finding in-home care or placement in assisted living or nursing home facilities becomes the focus. In addition, the elderly may struggle with some of the basic needs of life such as food, shelter and clothing. Immigrants, veterans, and people with disabilities face other problems in the human service field. Immigrants struggle with adapting to a new culture in a new country as well as learning a new language. Immigrants may have problems with finding employment, housing, and legal help, as well. Veterans need assistance with adjusting to civilian life including adjusting their skill sets to match employment opportunities. Combat veterans especially struggle with physical and mental disabilities and are in need of appropriate services for rehabilitation. Disabled people face challenges in personal care as well as employment, including issues with rehabilitation and adapting to their disabilities. The need for residential or group care facilities may also be at issue for the disabled community. Problems with substance abuse and addiction, mental illness, and clients with criminal records also exist. Many of these problems co-exist in a client’s life and need to be addressed as a whole. â€Å". . . the client is an individual comprised of psychological, social, economic, educational, vocational, and spiritual dimensions and possibly will have needs in many of those areas.† (Woodside & McClam, 2011, p. 132) Specific helping skills can be used with clients Essential to the helping process is knowledge and practice of professional and interpersonal skills that help the human service professional in effectively addressing the needs of clients. These skills include communication, empathy, compassion, patience, analytical skills, and teamwork. â€Å"Chief among these are interpersonal and communication skills, because more workers deal directly with a variety of people† (Moffat, 2011, p.9). The work of human service professionals centers on building relationships of trust with the client. It is the responsibility of the helper to facilitate effective communication. Listening is vital to the process. In order to fully grasp the client situation, the helper needs to observe both the verbal and nonverbal messages. Listening involves paying  attention to both words and actions as they go hand in hand in understanding the total message being given. G.E. Egan introduced the SOLER concept for responsive listening. Learning this concept c an be very useful to the human service professional (Egan, 2010). Details of the SOLER concept are illustrated in the following table: S Face client Squarely O Adopt an Open posture L Lean toward the person E Maintain good Eye contact R Try to be relatively Relaxed In addition to the SOLER method, paying attention to vocal tone and speech rate, and verbal tracking of the client’s message will exhibit attending behavior and help the communication process (Ivey, Ivey & Zalaquette, 2009). The helper can encourage the client to discuss their issues openly by not changing the subject they have chosen. Effective listening shows compassion for the client and creates an opportunity to show empathy and patience, additional skills that are essential to the success of the human service field. Clients in the human service field come from a variety of situations. Their values and belief systems vary widely as much as their problems do. In order to effectively help people, helpers need to develop acceptance and understanding of these differences. Unconditional acceptance of the client is essential to the success of treatment. Helpers need to see the situation and experience feelings from the perspective of their client. Patience is necessary for the h elping process as there are likely to be setbacks or resistance to the treatment plan. Helpers should learn to adapt their approach as the situation changes; which leads to the skill of critical thinking. â€Å"The ability to think creatively helps workers determine ways to get around hurdles that interfere with clients’ efforts to succeed† (Moffat, 2011, p.10). Throughout the helping process, a variety of changes is bound  to occur. Whether these are positive or negative changes, client and human service professional must work together to deal with them and continue to move forward with the assistance process. Using analytical and problem-solving skills, helpers can overcome the roadblocks to treatment and continuously work towards solutions. Treatment often involves networking with a number of other professionals and utilizing a variety of resources. Being able to work well as a team is another essential skill for human service professionals. Psychologists, Social Workers, Mental Health Facilitators and Counselors are all participants in the work of h uman services. Using communication, empathy, compassion, patience, analytical skills, and teamwork, the helper can effectively recognize and define the variety of client problems that exist and work with them towards accomplishing the goal of the helping process, which is to encourage responsibility and promote self-help. References Egan, G.E. (2010). The skilled Helper: A problem management and opportunity development approach to helping (9th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M. B., & Zalaquett, C. P. (2009). Intentional interviewing and counseling: Facilitating client development in a multicultural society (7th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Moffat, C. (2011). Helping those in need: Human service workers. Occupational Outlook Quarterly, 55(3), 22-32. Woodside, M., & McClam, T. (2011). An introduction to human services (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage.

Original Course work †Urban Myths Essay

The scream rang through the trees. Pounding footsteps thudded their way through the wood. Twigs snapped and cracked like brittle bones. She slowed down to a trot, trying to make sense of where she was. Her ears pricked. Listening for following footsteps. Realising she had been holding her breath, she gasped and air flooded her body. Only half an hour before she had been sat perfectly happy with her boyfriend. Her vision glazed over as silent drops fell to the ground, remembering how Josh had got out of the car to investigate a noise they had heard. She sank down to the bottom of the tree, as she recalled how ten minutes later, when he hadn’t returned, she had got out, only to find his pale form hanging from the tree above. Blood stained the top of the car where it had spilt from his neck, draping down over his shoulder like a carpet of scarlet. Whoever done this mustn’t be too far away. They could be watching her, waiting for her†¦ â€Å"The bodies of two teenagers have been found in Thornby Woods early this morning by a local dog walker. The bodies have been described as horrifically mutilated and the result of a brutal murder. At the moment police are investigating leads including the name â€Å"Aidan† spelt in blood on the roof of the car. Hopefully this will bring the monster to justice.† â€Å"I can’t believe something like that could happen here, it’s just so unbelievable†, said Diana. The others nodded in agreement. The four were sat around a table in their local cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½. There was Diana, Jack and the twins, Kerry and Kevin. The twins with their unique coppery red hair and blue startling eyes, stood out from Diana and Jack with his plain name, and fairly plain features. â€Å"You know what this sounds like†, said Jack then hesitated, â€Å"the urban legend about the guy in the car with his girlfriend†. The others looked at him. â€Å"But they’re made up stories, they would never come true†, argued Diana. The twins, who had a habit of speaking in unison, started speaking but then fell silent, as the television in the corner of the cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ flashed on again and more about the murders was broadcast. Later that night, Kerry was sat in the library. The essay she was trying to write was starting to give her a headache. The ticking clock, mounted on the wall, showed her it was nearly midnight. As she stifled a yawn, she pulled the books shut and gathered up her stuff. Silently, she made her way down the deserted corridors and up the stairs to her room. When she arrived she turned the key slowly in the lock, so as not to wake her roommate, Stacie. She climbed into bed and her eyes shut as her head rested on the pillow. The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows. It was a Monday morning and everyone was trying to stay in bed as long as possible. Suddenly, the silence was broken as a scream rose from Kerry’s room. Kevin and Diana were first there. As they pushed the door open, they saw Stacie’s dead body surrounded by bloodstained sheets. Kerry was whimpering softly, slouched against the bed. Kevin noticed the mirror out of the corner of his eye. Smeared across the glass in blood-red lipstick were the words, â€Å"Bet you’re glad you didn’t turn on the light†. It was signed ‘Aidan’. Kevin rushed over to Kerry, trying to comfort her, glancing over his shoulder at Diana. She stood like a statue, a shocked expression spreading across her face. Jack came rushing into the room. â€Å"What’s happened†¦?†, he broke off. He had seen the body. The four friends sat bewildered, silently hugging each other. Kerry couldn’t concentrate. Everyone had thought it best if she went to her lessons and tried to forget about it, but she couldn’t. Her mind kept going back to that morning when she had opened her eyes. The first thing she had seen was the body. The bloody image flashed before her. Finally, after what had seemed like hours, the end of college bell rang. Kerry slowly made her way over to the cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ where she was going to meet Jack and Kevin. When she arrived, no one else was there, so she pulled a magazine out of her bag. As she did so, a plain envelope came with it and dropped to the floor. Curiously, she tore it open and jerked the paper out. â€Å"You’re next†, it spelt out, in carefully cut out letters from a newspaper headline. Kerry crammed the paper back in the envelope, as Jack and Kevin came through the door. â€Å"You feeling any better?† asked Jack, concerned. Kerry nodded her head and had to force a smile. â€Å"You know, this murder also sounds like an urban legend, don’t you think?† Jack continued, ignoring Kevin’s warning look. â€Å"Who do you suppose is behind it?† Drew, the class swot, came over. â€Å"Have you not heard? The police are looking for a man with the name Aidan, round about 20 years old†, he recited, sounding like a news reporter. â€Å"Why?† asked Kerry, turning her head towards Drew. â€Å"The name has been found at both the murder scenes, so it’s likely it was left by the killer† â€Å"But I don’t know anyone called Aidan†, said Kerry puzzled. â€Å"Could be an outside job, it doesn’t have to be anyone on campus. Do you know anyone that would do something that sick?† â€Å"I suppose it makes it more likely to be some lunatic,† half-whispered Kerry, but Drew had already turned away and had started telling the news to the table next to them. â€Å"Hey guys.† Their conversation was interrupted by Diana’s arrival, which was always noticeable. Her slim figure and blonde hair made her popular with the boys. She joined them at the table. â€Å"So has everyone has a nice day?† she said with a smile. The others just looked at her. Kerry looked as though she was about to cry. â€Å"Oh sorry, I forgot about this morning,† she answered cheerfully. Kerry’s chair scraped back as she got up to go. She pulled her bag onto her shoulder and left without saying a word. â€Å"What’s up with her today?† questioned Diana. â€Å"Well maybe she’s upset ‘cos one of her friends was murdered right underneath her nose and she found the body!† exclaimed Jack. Kerry had gone to the library. She couldn’t stand being in her room after what had happened. As she sat, staring at the open book infront of her, but not taking one word in, a voice called out her name. Turning sharply around, thinking it could easily be the killer, she saw, to her relief, it was Jack. â€Å"I just came to see if you were all right.† He muttered his apology for scaring her. â€Å"Yeah. I’m okay†¦ well sort of,† she smiled back. â€Å"I just thought, well Diana wasn’t exactly being sympathetic before and when you walked out, you looked upset to me. I though someone had better come after you.† He paused and looked at her, â€Å"You sure you’re all right?† Kerry looked away and sighed. â€Å"Well not exactly, I got this letter, someone must have planted it in my bag.† She handed over the letter to Jack. His eyes scanned the letter and his expression turned into that of alarm. â€Å"You really should take this to the police,† he said, his eyes piercing her own with serious anxiety. She turned her head so she wouldn’t have to stare into his hazel eyes, so caring, so tender, so†¦ â€Å"What’s the point?† her voice shuddered, â€Å"It doesn’t mean its necessarily from him. It’s probably some dumb kid playing a sick joke to upset me† â€Å"Well, if you’re sure. But come on, don’t you think you should call it a day?† Jack said, standing up and taking Kerry’s bag. â€Å"Where am I going to sleep? I mean, I don’t want to sleep in my room tonight,† she shivered. â€Å"I’m sure you can share Diana’s room. Come on we’ll go up there now.† Kerry followed Jack and together they walked up the three flights of stairs to Diana’s room. Ten minutes later, Kerry sat on the spare bed, while Jack said his good byes. Finally they were left alone. â€Å"Look I’m really sorry about before you know. I really shouldn’t have said that,† apologised Diana, humbly. â€Å"Its okay,† said Kerry smiling at her friend and laying back on the bed. A large sigh rose from her chest. She looked around the room, so much different from her own. The walls were a soft shade of purple with various famous prints dotted around. Cream curtains hung at the windows, drawn back gracefully, allowing the orange, golden sunlight to stream in. Her eyes moved around the room and stopped at the desk placed in the corner. There, lying on a pile of schoolbooks, was a newspaper, maybe a day or two old. Kerry could clearly see off-cuts and torn pages nestled on top. â€Å"Have you been working on a project?† she asked, the sarcasm stung her words. â€Å"What do you mean, project†¦?† Diana’s eyes followed her gaze. Her laugh rang through the room. â€Å"Yeah, it’s a project all right.† Kerry instantly sat up on the bed and turned to face Diana. â€Å"You†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she spat accusingly. Diana let out a jeering laugh. â€Å"I wondered how long it would take you to realise,† she half laughed, half spoke. â€Å"Realise what exactly? That you sent me that letter? How could you be so cruel?† cried Kerry, scrambling off the bed and onto her feet to face Diana. â€Å"Cruel? You don’t even know the meaning of the word, cruel!† â€Å"What†¦What precisely do you mean?† questioned Kerry, her throat tightening. â€Å"When I saw that girl and boy in the car, I though that it was you and Jack†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"You mean, you†¦you didn’t, did you?† Kerry stared in disbelief. â€Å"Yeah, I followed them, then killed them, if that’s what you’re trying to say. The stupid thing was, I didn’t realise it wasn’t Jack until he was dead. And of course the girl had to go in case she saw anything,† sneered Diana, boasting about her serial killing. She quickly strode to the door and locked it before Kerry even had a chance to move. Kerry noticed for the first time, that even though Diana was pretty, she was tall, fit and could probably easily manage to hold someone in a struggle. Kerry caught her breath and inhaled deeply. â€Å"But why did you kill them because you thought they were Jack and I? Why did you want to kill us?† Diana hesitated. â€Å"You don’t understand anything? Do you? Well†¦ I suppose we have a few minutes before I have to kill you.† Her hand rose from behind her back. The sharp point of the knife sparkled in the autumn light, sending spears of the reflected spark, dancing on the walls. With the knife poised, ready for action, she continued. â€Å"I thought I could have anyone I wanted. But I didn’t want anyone I wanted Jack.† Her eyes flashed, dangerously. The knife still held, it’s flickering gleam reflected into Kerry’s eyes, dazzling her. Kerry swallowed, her heart beating faster, yearning to escape this torture. â€Å"I wanted Jack badly,† Diana continued, walking in circles around Kerry, as though she the predator and Kerry the prey. â€Å"But, he didn’t want me, did he? Oh no, he wanted you!† she hissed. â€Å"Me?† stammered Kerry, â€Å"I didn’t know.† â€Å"Of course, you, wouldn’t, spat Diana, â€Å"so I thought, well if I can’t have him, no one can. Especially you! So I came up with a nice, simple plan to kill you both. You could rot in hell together for all I cared.† â€Å"So when you killed Stacie, you thought†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I was killing you,† Diana finished. â€Å"Yeah! Stupid mistake really, but I made up for it by making it look like it was to scare you. Funny really how urban legends can come true, isn’t it.† By now Diana was stood face to face with Kerry. â€Å"Anyway, enough talk! Now you get what’s been coming to you.† She laughed and thrust the knife down infront of her, ripping the air apart. Kerry stumbled backwards to the other side of the room. Her sweaty palms clambered at the door handle. â€Å"Looking for this?† taunted Diana holding the key out. Staring blindly around, Kerry picked up a chair and threw it at Diana. It narrowly missed her and smashed into the wall. Diana was moving forward, knowing that Kerry didn’t have anywhere to go. Only the bed stood between Kerry and her attacker. Diana drove the knife into the bed, ripping the duvet and shredding the sheets. In the commotion of feathers from the pillow, Kerry ran to the door and started banging and shouting for help. Surely someone would hear. In the meantime, Diana continued to pursue her. Kerry grabbed at anything; books, furniture, pens went flying. Some managed to hit Diana, obstructing her. Trying not to get injured by the knife, Kerry attempted to take it off Diana. Diana stood up, her eyes blazing like the fires of hell. â€Å"One thing I don’t understand,† said Kerry, trying to buy more time, â€Å"is why the name ‘Aidan’ was found at the murder scenes.† â€Å"Ever though of rearranging my name?† panted Diana, â€Å"Diana spells ‘Aidan’. No one was clever enough to guess that. It even managed to put the police off. Now stop this idle chit-chat and let me kill you, nice and slowly,† her voice cackled as she flew at Kerry, the knife close to her throat. Kerry tried to push her arm away. She couldn’t keep her off for much longer. She battled with Diana and they both lost their balance. Tumbling over Diana had the better position, holding the knife inches away from Kerry’s neck. â€Å"Goodbye Kerry†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The door to the room flew open. The surprise stopped Diana as she looked up. Jack and Kevin stood gaping in horror at the scene. Rapidly, they ran over and pulled Diana off Kerry. The knife dropped to the floor with a clang. Five policemen were standing in the entrance and with Kevin’s help, carried the screaming Diana away. Jack was left helping a very shaky Kerry to her feet. â€Å"I heard screaming,† he mumbled, â€Å"I rushed to help with Kevin.† Kerry didn’t say a word. Tears swept from her eyes, as she realised the terror was over, and she was still alive. A far away shriek disturbed the comforting silence surrounding Kerry and Jack. The wail of sirens echoed into the distance. â€Å"It’s all over now, I promise you,† Jack, holding Kerry, â€Å"I promise†