The hidden meaning of the movie Avatar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The hidden meaning of the movie Avatar - Essay Example The film gives an insight to cultural and religious trends that give rise to the film and the reasons those trends are feared, criticized and resisted enabling them to fight with their own views about the controversy. Like the film itself, Avatar and Nature Spirituality gives a prospect for considering the ongoing struggle to decide how we should live on the home planet and sort sorts of spiritual values and practices in terms of politics and economics would best guide us. The cultural ethnocentrism inherent in the movie is Hinduism. Hinduism believes that Avatar is sent to us for very specific jobs and he is the God Vishnu; the following quote from Gita tells us more about Vishnu; â€Å"Whenever righteousness wanes and unrighteousness increase I send myself forth, for the protection of good and for the destruction of evil †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Gita: 4.7–8) Apart from sharing the same instincts of Vishnu in the movie, it also considers Shiva and Ganesha because according to the Hindu mythology they are also described as the descending in the form of avatars. Bron Taylor, a professor of ecology founded the journal for the study of Religion, Nature and Culture published in 2007, which illuminated the questions like; what are the relationships among human beings and what does the terms religion, nature and culture signify and what is the relationship between species and places which we inhabit etc. This journal illuminated James Cameron, director of Avatar with various facts and elements associated with nature and its meaning.

The Positive Behavioural Support Education Essay

The Positive Behavioural Support Education Essay The last twenty has seen the emergence from Applied Behavioural Analysis of Positive Behavioural Support.ABS was Established in the 1960s as a science which produces behavioural changes from its learning principles. They are then systematically applied in order to bring about behavioural changes which are socially important (Cooper. Heron Heward,1987).In the late 1980s and early 1990s PBS was being developed using methods and concepts in a generalised concept of strategy of support and intervention from ABA. This strategy was intended to reduce behavioural problems and enhance a persons quality of life ( E.Carr et al.,2002).PBS owes a lot of its methodological, conceptual and technological roots from ABA, and so is indebted to ABA for this and this is well understood (E.Carr et al ., 2002).A lot of behavioural analysiss who are conspicuous contributors in ABS initially trained in ABA and they still maintain very close links with ABA.PBS is still in terms of data required and the for mation of new theoretical frameworks as it tries to establish it self as a fully distinct science in its infancy. Although due to the unique and substance of PBSs critical features it warrants a separate identity (E.Carr et al.,2002;Dunlap,2004).The links are vital and numerous between ABA and PBS ( Risley,2003).At an individual level is the debt that PBS owes to ABA at its most oblivious especially in the direct intervention practices at procedural level. With the use of the principles of instrumental methods , the use of stimulus control and positive reinforcement. And even extends to intervention technology and the considerable assessments that were developed by the ABA, in the early years. This technology includes contingency management, antecedent manipulations, refined strategies of instruction, Functional assessment and functional analysis.PBS have also adapted times series designs and methods of direct observations which are used extensively in ABA. While PBS embraces perspe ctives and traditions beyond ABAs, its service delivery is indisputably similar (J.Carr Sidener,2002;Dunlap,2004;Wacker Berg,2002).In 1968 the Journal of Applied Behavioural Analysis was founded. With its founding editor Montrose Wolf 1968-1970, and Todd Risley as editor 1972-1974,these two editors were responsible for the innovative and dynamic characteristics that were in that journal. And were in turn with their colleges were largely responsible for the shaping ABA as a discipline. Through their own research publications and the early years at the Journal of Behavioural Analysis, Risley and Wolf led the way in the development of the model of action oriented field research (Fixsen Dunlap,2004).This model is based on experimental methods and rigorous measurements, a great deal of this models uniqueness is associated with these seven appealing characteristics. 1.To solve serious human problems with a complete focus on practical solutions. 2.Messages from research should be direct and simple, Quest for Parsimony. 3.Solutions identified in research should benefit individuals in life altering ways, or large portions of society in a quest for meaningful impact. 4.Obliging research design to conform to situations and to putting solutions before the strictures of the science. 5.Recognise that in anolog contexts solutions are not real solutions in real human problems, ecological validity. 6.Having a commitment to collaborate with the community, colleges research participants and students in understanding that solutions and ideas are communal and a social phenomena. 7.Ideas are more important than any ideology. With this model of applied research the message is clearly that its important to be completely open to hopefully useful perspectives, and to be restrained by disciplinary and conceptual insularity is counterproductive. Wolf and Risley with the use of these seven characteristics in applied science, enabled them to answer critical problems.Strenghthen the vigour and potency of interventions, by the development of the achievement place group home model. And with the idea of social validation. Wolf with his colleges changed the previous restrictions of hard direct observation data (Wolf,1978).The achievement place group members with the use of systematic consumer imput to supplement the usual evidence .Where then able to refine the residential service model, and also able to replicate their findings successfully many times due to its robustness (Fixsen,Blasà ©,Timbers Wolf,2001).Without the use of social validation data this scaling up would not have been possible. Risley although a founding member of ABA showed the same ability to move beyond his disciplines limitations in his quest for answers to critical questions. Risley with Betty Hart (Hart Risley,1995) used unconventional descriptive statisti cs and data collection techniques to produce very important findings, associated with the development of young childrens language. Risley also conceived of behavioural support happenings at a larger life arrangements level. With interventions being formulated on whom and where a person on a daily bases interact with. And what they do in terms of play, work and social commerce (Risley,1996).The scientific precepts of ABA did not foresee the conceptualisation, but it shows the spirit and dynamic model of action oriented problem solving of Wolf, Risley and others created in the 1960s and 1970s.The cornerstone of PBS is the life arrangements approach by Risley. The experimental analysis of behaviour and the scientific techniques of behaviour by the early founders of ABA provided a valuable service (Sidman,1960;Skinner,1953) in the field of real human problems. Some of the founders of ABA created a dynamic and creative model of problem solving field based research, by going beyond the th is act of tranlation.whilst at the same time maintaining the many benefits and scientific orientation that were produced by early ABA. By creating additional strategies or adopting some, to defeat barriers in their way that were diminishing their effectiveness or understanding. Risley and Wolf are oblivious examples although there are and were others. The techniques and methods of ABA are essiential.But the pioneers that used the dynamic problem solving approach in ABA has also been adopted by people in PBS and should be maintained by them in order to help find new solutions that affect human well being. There is mounting concern over the challenging behaviours displayed by the numbers of young children in early childhood settings (Squires Bricker,2007).Behaviours such as tantrums,biting,yelling,hitting,withdrawal or noncompliance. Which are major barriers to effective social networks and their development of social compliance (Campbell,Specker,Burchinal,Poe The NICH, Early Child Care Research Network; Dunlap et al.,2006;Wood,Cowan Baker,2006).A childs typical development consists of these challenging behaviours in the early years, for instance a two year old child will yell when refused a biscuit or sweet. A three year old child will take a toy and then hit the other child. But these behaviours should then diminish as the child develops emotional and social regulation, language and their skills at cognitive problems increase (Campbell,1995;Tremblay et al.,2004).Approximately 10% of children continue in their preschool years to exhibit these challenging behaviours (Kuperschmidt,Br yant Willoughby,2000).This figure rises if the children are from low income families (Qi Kaiser,2003).For children who exhibit severe and/or sustained challenging behaviours the outcome is bleak. Challenging behaviours long term negative outcomes may not be limited to and can include social rejection, drug abuse, academic failure and the commission of crime in adulthood (Patterson, Reid Dishow,1992). The development pathway that leads to anti social behaviours and social conduct disorders has been shown by research to be established in the preschool years (Webster-straton,2000).Young children who are at risk of displaying patterns of challenging behaviour in preschool have a need for early intervention. In America there is such a federally funded programme called P.L. 99-457 which came about in 1986.This is an early childhood special education service or intervention. In where a child is at risk or has disabilities. But this service are not always provided for all of the chidren, who display emotional and/or social behavioural problems. Due to idiosyncrasies with the lack of assessment methods and/or systematic screening (Conway Brown,2004;Powell,Fixsen,Dunlap,Smith Fox,2007).These services when they are provided have been reactive rather proactive (Conway brown,2004).Interventions have been based on a response to a single childs disruptive behaviour. Without taking steps to reduce the likelihood of other children in the classroom developing challenging behaviour patterns. Whilst this is important for remedying severe problem behaviour in one child, it does little to reduce similar patterns of behaviour in other children. as it doesnt address their needs.Families,researchers and preschool teachers are looking for the implementation of a research based comprehensive intervention programmes. To prevent the emergence of problem behaviours by young children (Gillam Shaber,2006;Joseph Strain,2003). Preschool teachers however continue to voice the opinion tha t a childs challenging behaviour is their biggest concern (Alkon,Rambler MacLennan,2003;Joseph Strain,2003) In a recent report (Gilliam Shaber,2003) demonstrated that teachers do not have the support for early interventions that they need. The figure that rates for expulsion in preschool children are 3.2 times higher than for school age children shows this (Gilliam Shaber,2006).Child expulsion rates dropped though when preschool teachers had access to mental health consultants who are based in the classroom. These rates dropped specifically if this support was available on an ongoing bases. Other research has also supported these results, that it is important to have access to mental health specialists and the support they offer to preschool teachers. As the teachers try to manage social emotional development and challenging behaviours of young children 9Alkon et al.,2003;Duda,Dunlap,Fox,lentini Clarke,2004). A Consultant will work with a teacher in consultation for preschool children, in order to strengthen teaching strategies. With the use of environmental arrangements that are associated with childrens emotional functioning and social skills (Dougherty,2000).In a comprehensive multi systems level approach, the consultant may also work with other service related personnel and administrators. In a system level approach such as in procedures and policies for example, teachers schedules, data management and referral practices. This can help support the assessment, identification and the prevention of and intervention for challenging behaviours.Teachers,young children and early childhood service delivery arrangements can benefit from a fully comprehensive system wide model. That involves consultation in order to prevent challenging behaviour by young children, through preventative support. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is one such multi comprehensive approach which is team based. That sh ows promise and has been well tested especially in preschool settings (Conroy Brown,2004;Fox,Dunlap Powell,2002).PBS is a multi system wide model used in the reduction of challenging behaviours. The PBS model consists of three levels of prevention and intervention, within a programme setting or a school setting, depending of the needs of the children (Carr et al.,2002).At the first level of prevention all the children are provided with a predictive and safe environment. The focus being on trying to build relationships which are positive (Fox,Dunlap,Hemmeter,Joseph strain,2003).The physical design of the classroom also gets attention, the schedule which is followed regulary.Then there is also verbal interactions with the families, children and other teachers (Fox,et al.,2003).Along with this the children are shown clearly defined expectations. Such as the use of listening ears, safe hands and the use of quiet voices inside. These techniques are taught specifically in a large group instruction class, such as circle time (Stormont et al.,2005).These are often displayed on posters placed in the classroom walls for the children and others to look at and refer too. Then these may become classroom rules, normally there would be three to five classroom rules with accompanying posters or pictures. Which is the recommended amount, then normally every day the children are especially taught these expectations with nonexamples and examples of rule following behaviours (Stormont et al .,2005).At the second level of support which involves targeted interventions of a small group of children, who have displayed some deficits in challenging behaviours and/or social skills (Howken Horner,2003).In a classroom of young children, the programme consists of small group activities such as buddy or peer group programmes. Or strategies that are implemented by the teacher, that are used throughout the day. For instance by offering support by the teacher to the child when they are usi ng self regulation strategies (Fox et al.,2003). And in the low risk group, for children who display low intensity behaviours. Second level strategies operate in the most efficient way with small groups of children. It is at the tertiary or top level of intervention, where children are not responding to preventive attempts. Or who display severe and/or chronic challenging behaviours is individualised interventions offered. These individualised interventions should be culturally and socially appropriate, practical and come form Functional Behaviour Assessments FBA (Lewis Sugai,1999,Sugai et al.,2000).Another key feature of PBS can include the use and formation of leadership teams. Who should use in order to monitor progress data based procedures (Albin,Lucyshyn,Horner Flannery,1996).This team should consist of assistant and lead classroom teachers,families,mental health specialists, related service personnel and administrators. All of whom should work frequently with preschool teac hers to support childrens emotional and social development. The procedures used to collect data must look at the organizational structure, that is the routines and schedules that they use (Fox Little,2001;Stormont et al.,2005).PBS is a model that has a continuum of supports such as the first, second and then tertiary or top levels of prevention and intervention. Research seems to show that it needs at least 80% implementation to be effective (Scott Martinek,2006).What this means in effect is piecemeal or partial implementation may put the whole programme at risk. And its effectiveness to make targeted change and then to maintain this change over time. In conclusion looking at the research PBS can offer real help and support for the children displaying this challenging behaviour. Their teachers and importantly the families as they try to cope with this, in what can be a very disruptive and hard to deal with problem behaviour. But like every thing in this current climate, its trying to find the necessary resources for programme. which is going to be a major set back for any school that wants to implement this programme. Especially as the programme needs at least an 80% implementation rate to be fully effective.

Shylock as Villian in Shakespeares Merchant of Venice :: Free Merchant of Venice Essays

Shylock as Villian in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice In Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice the antagonist of the play is Shylock. Shylock is a wealthy Jewish moneylender. Shylock is probably the most memorable character in the play because of Shakespeare's excellent characterization of him. Shylock is the antagonist in the play because he stands in the way of love, but this does not necessarily make him the villain of the play. Shylock can be seen as both the villain of the play and as a man who is very human. The villain that we see in Shylock is the greedy moneylender. Shylock charges high interest rates and when he is not repaid he insists on revenge. In the play Shylock loans Antonio money, and out of jest he suggests that should the loan not be repaid in time Shylock may cut off one pound of flesh from Antonio's body. Soon after Shylock's daughter runs away from home with Lorenzo, a Christian, and takes her father's ducats with her. When Antonio's ships do not come in and he is not able to repay the loan Shylock is no longer interested in getting his money back. Shylock want revenge for the loss of his daughter through the fulfillment of the bond. In court Shylock is defeated because of his selfishness. Shakespeare also shows the human qualities of Shylock throughout the play. Shakespeare brings out these human qualities by causing us to feel sympathy for him. After the loss of his daughter Shylock ran through the streets crying "My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!" as children followed him, mocking him. This causes us to feel sympathy for Shylock, even though we may feel him to be a villain. Besides the loss of his daughter and his ducats, after the trial Shylock also looses his property and his religion.

Computer Virus and World Wide Web Essay

1. Workstation and desktop devices are prone to viruses, malware, and malicious software, especially if the user surfs the Internet and World Wide Web. Given that users connect to the Internet and World Wide Web, what security countermeasures can organizations implement to help mitigate the risk from viruses, malware, and malicious software? Organizations can restrict specific sites, key words like blogs, mirror sites and such. Organizations can also make sure specific ports are shut down; this can prevent back doors when accessing a site. There are a lot of web sites out there that do not need accessibility, especially for a work environment. 2. Your employees e-mail file attachments to each other and externally through the organization’s firewall and Internet connection. What security countermeasures can you implement to help mitigate the risk of rouge e-mail attachments and URL Web links? The basic step would be to not allow hyperlinks to automatically work when in an e-mail. Some times when a link is in a user can click and it will automatically launch it. Another step would be for the e-mail to have the user’s signature. This is usually verified through the user’s machine, for example in the military we have a Common Access Card. This card is a form of identification on multiple levels, in order for you to access your e-mail you need to log in with your CAC and enter your pin. When you send an –mail it has a signature on it based on the code in your CAC, this way the person receiving the e-mail knows it is from you. Another way of doing it is by having public keys and private keys, this way both users know it is from the individual. 3. Why is it recommended to do an antivirus signature file update before performing an antivirus scan on your computer?  From what the lab showed me and from my understanding it is because the scan will not scan encrypted files. The signature file would have been able to pick it up and it would work in tangent with the scan. 4. Once a malicious file is found on your computer, what are the default settings for USB/removable device scanning? What should organizations do regarding use of USB hard drives and slots on existing computers and devices? Some devices have serial numbers associated with them, and this string is optional. This is defaulted with thumb drives, USB hard drives and PDAs. Most scanning and tracking details would be of most use with the USB mass storage devices. Organizations should immediately remove the AUTO run feature! This is basic in the military, any one would be able to come in and throw a thumb drive and automatically run whatever it is on it making it a vulnerability. 5. If you find a suspect executable and wish to perform â€Å"dynamic analysis† what does that mean? Dynamic analysis is the testing and evaluation of a program by executing data in real-time. The objective is to find errors in a program while it is running, rather than by repeatedly examining the code offline 6. What is a malware and malicious code sandbox? This can be potentially dangerous but it is looked like as a sandbox. This is by running the virus, preferably in a machine with limited access to a network and something that isn’t much of a use and executing the virus in real time. This way you can debug the virus and see what is it doing so you can detected and prevent it. 7. What are typical indicators that your computer system is compromised? It is slow, everything you do takes a lot longer to perform. You are missing data, your peripherals are not responding or they are performing automatic actions. Your computer starts up during odd hours and it is used as a zombie computer. You have additional items on your browser, you have an entirely different browsers, items are opening up and there are a lot of pop ups. 8. Where does AVG Business Edition 2012 place viruses, Trojans, worms, and other malicious software when it finds them? According to the lab it is quarantined, it is isolated and then removed by the user’s request. I am assuming it is then directed to the AVG corporations for further analysis fir updates.

Indentured Servants Vis-a-Vis Slaves

a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   INDENTURED SERVANTS Landless Europeans agreed to work under a form of contract labor for several years to pay off travel costs. During that time (indentured period) they received no compensation but food, room, and clothing were provided. The Masters could administer punishment and otherwise abuse to them, similar to the owners’ treatment of their slaves. The servants lack full political and civil rights. The indenture servant can sue when planters failed to fulfill their parts of the bargain. Servants who completed their years of labor became free and most indentured servants became landowners. )  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   SLAVES The Slaves on the other hand was forced to work, threatened of physical punishment, and little freedom. Slaves were bought and sold like commodities; therefore they are personal property of the owner. The slaves have no civil rights at all. Slaves can not sue their owners, slaves punishments were severe from whipping, hanging or by be ing burned alive. Slaves as part of their owners’ personal property have no labor contracts; they can not make demands upon their owners for humane treatment, justice, and even land. Source: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Indentured_servant CHAPTER 1 1. ?In thirty-three days I passed over to the Indies with the fleet which the most illustrious King and Queen. . . gave me; where I found very many islands peopled with inhabitants beyond number. And, of them all, I have taken possession for their Highnesses. . . To the first which I found, I gave the name San Salvador . . .? The author of this statement was E) Christopher Columbus 2. The map, ? Voyages of Discovery,? depicts the circumnavigation of the world in 1519-1521 by D) Magellan and del Cano. 3) In ? Debating the Past: How Many Indians Perished with European Settlement your text concludes that C) millions of Indians probably died, although no numerical estimates are reliable. 4) According to your text, the organizing force in the effort to found English colonies came from D) merchant capitalists. 5) The Pilgrims left England primarily because they B) believed the Church of England was too corrupt to save. 6) Many Puritans left England around 1630 to settle in Massachusetts Bay because B)  Anglican cleric William Laud was removing ministers with Puritan sympathies and tightening his centralized control of the church. 7) ? The blood of so many hundred thousand souls of Protestants and Papists, spilled in the wars of present and former ages, for their respective consciences, is not required nor accepted by Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. . . An enforced uniformity of religion throughout a nation. . . denies the principles of Christianity. . . .? The author of these statements was D) Roger Williams. ) She was banished from Massachusetts for claiming that she regularly received divine insights. E) Anne Hutchinson 9) ? Our first concern was to keep up and maintain our religious worship. . . And, . . . we have nothing but love and good will in our hearts, one to another. . . And as our worthy Proprietor treated the Indians with extraordinary humanity, they became very civil and loving to us. . .? The colony described above was E) Pennsylvania 10) According to your t ext, the cultural chasm between Europeans and Indians was most evident in the area of D) warfare because Europeans fought in large groups to destroy their enemies, whereas Indians fought more often to display their courage or avenge a wrong. CHAPTER 2 11) According to your text, the answer to the question, ? What is an American is that Americans E) have an identity deeply rooted in their history, but still incomplete and evolving. 12) According to your text, white women in the colonial Chesapeake region D) found it easy to remarry if they were widowed. 13) The ? headright? was commonly used in the southern colonies and some of the middle colonies to C) award tracts of land to new arrivals in the colonies. 14) The most accurate statement about tobacco during the seventeenth century is that it B) grew on semicleared land, but required a lot of human labor. 15) The main supporters of Virginia? s royal governor, Sir William Berkeley, during Bacon? s Rebellion were the B) well-established, powerful planters. 16) Which statement about black resistance to slavery is true? D) Whites wildly exaggerated the danger of slave rebellions, depicting blacks as savage beasts. 7) Compared to the early colonists in the Chesapeake , those in colonial New England had B) a far healthier habitat. 18) The main evidence presented against the accused witches in Salem Village was the D) raving testimony of young girls. 19) Because of their ethnic and religious heterogeneity, the colonies which possessed traits that later would be seen as distinctly ? American? were B) the Middle Colonies. 20) Both Leisler? s Rebellion and the ? Paxton Boys? uprising D) ca used violent, long-term civil wars in their respective colonies.

Hormones have a central role to play in regulating body function The WritePass Journal

Hormones have a central role to play in regulating body function Introduction Hormones have a central role to play in regulating body function IntroductionHyperthyroidismBlood glucoseHypoglycaemiaKidneysOsmoregulationHomeostasisBibliography Related Introduction All hormones in the body play a central role in the body, and quite a few of them regulate body function and help keep homeostasis. One gland that makes and stores important hormones is the Thyroid gland, which is located at the lower part of the neck, below the Adams apple and is wrapped around the trachea. The hormones it produces and stores help regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and the rate at which food is converted to energy. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The thyroid gland also makes the hormone calcitonin, which is involved in calcium metabolism and stimulating bone cells to add calcium to bone. The production of thyroid hormones is controlled by another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This is made by an endocrine gland in the brain called the pituitary gland. The thyroid gland can become overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism). Hypothyroidism usually develops gradually. The symptoms are mild some of the symptoms are, tiredness, dry skin, thinning hair, sore muscles, weakness, depression, weight gain and a slow heart rate. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroiditis, this is an autoimmune disease, which is caused by antibodies attacking the body, rather than attacking foreign bodies like bacteria. The Antibodies destroy the thyroid gland cells and this prevents the thyroid gland from working properly. Hypothyroidism can be treated with a thyroxine replacement medicine, called levothyroxine. Hyperthyroidism The thyroid gland is overactive and produces excess thyroid hormones; Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Its is another autoimmune disease. In Graves disease, the antibodies mimic the activity of TSH, causing the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone, leading to the symptoms of hyperthyroidism some of the symptoms are, shaking, being hot and sweating more than usual, losing weight, having increased appetite, tiredness, muscle weakness, palpitations and shortness of breath. Medical treatment of hyperthyroidism can be anti-thyroid medicines such as carbimazole and propylthiouracil, to reduce the production of thyroid hormones. However, over time anti-thyroid medicines can lead to hypothyroidism. Blood glucose Controlled by hormones; these hormones are controlled by the pancreas. The pancreas has glucose receptor cells, which monitor the concentration of glucose in the blood, and it also has endocrine cells (called the islets of Langerhans), which secrete hormones. The alpha cells in the islets secrete the hormone glucagon, while the beta cells in the islets secrete the hormone insulin. In a healthy person blood glucose levels should be 80-120mg.100cm- ³. Insulin is secreted when blood glucose levels are high to make it fall and glucagon is secreted when blood glucose is low to make it rise. As shown in the diagram: The most common disorders involving blood glucose and the hormones are diabetes type 1 and type 2; Type 1 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is caused by a lack of insulin either by a faulty insulin gene so there is no functioning insulin or by an autoimmune attack on the beta islets cells that produce the insulin so there are no cells left to produce it. This type of diabetes mainly occurs in children and young adults, onset is usually sudden. The main Symptoms of this are fatigue and copias quantities of urine which contains glucose. If this goes undiagnosed and treated then a coma may result from hyperglycaemic or hypoglycaemic, hyperglycaemia is where too much blood glucose is in the body, there is no insulin so no removal of the glucose from blood, the kidney then cant reabsorb all the glucose and the glucose in the urine takes water with it by osmosis, cells also can’t take the glucose in the blood up quick enough so start using fats and proteins in respiration, all this causes Dehydration, loss of vital salts and low blood pH which results in a coma. Hypoglycaemia Where there is not enough blood glucose, and no glycogen stores in liver because of the lack of insulin, glucagon has nothing to act on and blood glucose is too low to supply respiring cells which results in a coma. The treatment for type 1 is diet and insulin injections. Type 2 none insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is caused by a resistance to insulin and usually comes later on in life, a contributing factor to type 2 is also obesity, treatment is diet and exercise, tablet that increase cell sensitivity to insulin and in extreme cases insulin injections. Additional glands that make hormones are the adrenal glands (also called suprarenal glands), these are small glands located on top of both kidneys. The adrenal glands work with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Both adrenal glands are composed of two parts that have different functions and structures. The outer part is the cortex and is essential to life, where as the inner part is the medulla and is not essential to life. The adrenal cortex makes three groups of steroid hormones from cholesterol, collectively called adrenocorticocoids these are, glucocorticoids, minerslocorticoids and sex hormones (androgens). The medulla is completely surrounded by the cortex, and it is part of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. It is stimulated by its extensive sympathetic nerve supply to produce the hormones adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). One of the main disorders of the adrenal cortex is hypersecretion of glucocorticoids or Cushing’s syndrome, symptoms of this syndrome include; weight gain and fatty deposits, skin changes, depression, brittle bones, muscle weakness, headaches and high blood pressure. Cushing’s syndrome can be caused by an over use of a steroid medication or by a tumour that causes your body to produce more cortisol. Treatments for these causes could be reducing the dose of steroid medication or for tumours surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. With the adrenal medulla the main disorder is hormone secreting tumours, which cause excess adrenaline and noradrenaline, the symptoms of which are; hypertension, weight loss, nervousness, headaches excessive sweating, hyperglycaemia and glycosuria. Kidneys Important functions to do within the body, there functions are; the formation of urine, filtration and selective reabsorption. Each kidney is associated with a different group of structures, the right kidney is associated with; the right adrenal gland, the right lobe of the liver, the duodenum, the hepatic flexure of the colon, the diaphragm and the muscles of the posterior abdominal wall. The left kidney is associated with; the left adrenal gland, the spleen, stomach, pancreas, jejunum, the splenic flexure of the colon, the diaphragm and the muscles of the posterior abdominal wall. The kidney is extremely flexible in its working. It excretes large amount of hypotonic urine when water intake is very high, while it excretes small amount of hypertonic urine when water is deficient and needs to be conserved. This is very useful in Osmoregulation. Osmoregulation control of the levels of water and mineral salts in the blood.   The water potential of the blood must be regulated to prevent loss or gain of water from cells. Blood water homeostasis is controlled by the hypothalamus. It contains osmosreceptor cells, which can detect changes in the water potential of the blood passing through the brain. In response, the hypothalamus controls the sensation of thirst, and it also secretes the hormone ADH (antidiuretic hormone). ADH is stored in the pituitary gland, and its target cells are the endothelial cells of the collecting ducts of the kidney nephrons. These cells are unusual in that water molecules can only cross their membranes via water channels called aquaporins, rather than through the lipid bilayer. ADH causes these water channels to open. It works as the diagram below shows. All these hormones that have been mentioned are working to help keep homeostasis. Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment and is important because it results in our cells being bathed in tissue fluid which has the correct amount of water, mineral salts, glucose and temperature, a great deal of the hormone system is dedicated to homeostasis. Temperature homeostasis is controlled by the thermoregulatory centre in the hypothalamus. It receives input from two sets of thermoreceptors: receptors in the hypothalamus itself monitor the temperature of the blood as it passes through the brain (the core temperature), and receptors in the skin monitor the external temperature. Both pieces of information are needed so that the body can make appropriate adjustments. As stated previously Blood glucose concentration is controlled by the pancreas. The pancreas has glucose receptor cells, which monitor the concentration of glucose in the blood, and it also has endocrine cells (called the islets of Langerhans), which secrete hormones. Homeostasis Controlled by our nervous and endocrine systems. The endocrine system is all the glands that secrete hormones (proteins or steroids) some glands that have been mentioned and a lot more that haven’t, the main glands are; Thyroid, Pituitary, Pancreas,   Adrenal, Hypothalamus, Testes and Ovaries. The endocrine system relies on negative feedback to maintain control. This works as shown in the diagram, Negative feedback means that whenever a change occurs in a system, the change automatically causes a corrective mechanism to start, which reverses the original change and brings the system back to normal. It also means that the bigger then change the bigger the corrective mechanism. Bibliography Bupa (2011) [Online] Available at: www.bupa.co.uk (02/04/2011) MedicineNet (2011) [Online] Available at www.medterms.com (01/04/2011) Scott, D. (2004) [Online] Available at www.biologymad.com (02/04/2011) Tutorvista (2010) [Online] Available at www.tutorvista.co.uk (02/04/2011) University of Maryland Medical Centre (2010) [Online] Available at www.umm.edu/endocrin/adrengl.htm (02/04/2011) Waugh, A. And Grant, A. (2006) Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. 10th edn: Elsevier Limited.

The 20 Poetic Devices You Must Know

The 20 Poetic Devices You Must Know SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Looking to spice up your writing? Poetic devices are the salt and pepper (and, if you get really into them, the saffron and caraway) of writing; when deployed effectively, they add flavor and texture to your work. But what is a poetic device? Do they only work in poetry? In this article, we’ll cover what they are, when you can use them, and how to better understand their function in any literary form! What Is a Poetic Device? At its most basic, a poetic device is a deliberate use of words, phrases, sounds, and even shapes to convey meaning. That sounds so broad that it could basically encompass any form of written expression, but poetic devices are generally used to heighten the literal meaning of words by considering sound, form, and function. There are a lot of poetic devices, just as there are a lot of literary and rhetorical devices. Anything that impacts the way a poem or other written work looks or sounds is a type of poetic device, including devices that are also classified as literary or rhetorical devices. Consider your writing- whether it’s an essay, poem, or non-fiction article- as a meal you’re cooking. You use good ingredients and put a lot of care into the dish, so you know it’s going to taste good. But there are ways to make it taste even better, little additions that can bring out the taste of each ingredient to make it even tastier- a pinch of salt, a touch of cumin. That’s what poetic devices do. Like the metaphor I used in the last paragraph, poetic devices infuse literal meanings (what words actually say) with figurative meanings (implications, unexpected connotations, and so on). You might have gotten the point that poetic devices improve writing without me comparing them to spices, but that metaphor added flavor and enhanced the meaning that was already there. But metaphors are only one method of enhancing your writing. A poem about a horse may use a hoofbeat rhythm (otherwise known as an anapest or dactyl, depending on which syllable is stressed- da-da-DUH for the former and DUH-da-da for the latter) to really draw the reader in. The reader doesn’t have to notice the hoofbeat rhythm for it to be effective, either; often, a rhythm helps readers remember what they’ve read without them necessarily realizing it. One important thing to remember is that literary devices, like spices, are great in moderation, but overpowering if overused. Nobody wants to eat a bowl of pepper, just like nobody wants to read something if its meaning is totally obscured by flowery language. You don’t have to hold back entirely- many wonderful poets, essayists, and authors can use flowery language to great effect- but do make sure that your poetic devices are enhancing rather than overshadowing your point. Writers commonly use literary devices in poetry to help make their points memorable or their language more evocative. You’ve likely used poetic devices without thinking about it, but deliberate use can make your writing even stronger! A little skillful use of spices and poetic devices goes a long way. 20 Top Poetic Devices to Remember There are tons of poetic devices out there- it would be nearly impossible to list all of them. But to get you started, we've compiled some of the most common poetry terms, along with a few of the more interesting ones! Allegory An allegory is a story, poem, or other written work that can be interpreted to have a secondary meaning. Aesop’s Fables are examples of allegories, as they are ostensibly about one thing (such as â€Å"The Ant and the Grasshopper†) but actually have a secondary meaning. Fables are particularly literal examples of allegories, but there are many others, as well, such as George Orwell’s Animal Farm or Christina Rossetti’s â€Å"Goblin Fruit.† Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of a sound or letter at the beginning of multiple words in a series. â€Å"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary†¦Ã¢â‚¬ -Edgar Allen Poe, â€Å"The Raven† Poe uses alliteration with the â€Å"wh,† sound at the beginning of multiple words. The repetition here mimics the sound of the wind (something you might hear on a dreary night), and also sounds a little soothing- something that’s interrupted in the next couple of lines by a different sound, just as Poe interrupts his soothing, round vowel sounds with repetition of the ‘p’ sound in â€Å"suddenly there came a tapping, / As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door†¦.† Allusion An allusion is an indirect reference to something. â€Å"The Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them hardest.† - Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird Lee isn’t speaking of a literal crash- she’s referencing the stock market crash of the late 1920s, which left many people without money. Scout, To Kill a Mockingbird’s narrator, references the stock market crash in a way that’s appropriate for her context, which readers can gather from the novel’s setting. Using this allusion allows Lee to do some quick scene-setting. Not only does it establish the novel firmly within its setting, but it also shows that Scout herself is a clear part of that setting- she speaks to the audience in the way that a child of that era would speak, giving the story a greater sense of realism. Apostrophe An apostrophe is a poetic device where the writer addresses a person or thing that isn’t present with an exclamation. â€Å"O stranger of the future!O inconceivable being!whatever the shape of your house,no matter how strange and colorless the clothes youmay wear,I bet nobody there likes a wet dog either.I bet everybody in your pubeven the children, pushes her away.†- Billy Collins, â€Å"To A Stranger Born In Some Distant Country Hundreds Of Years From Now† Though we know from the title that Collins is addressing a stranger from the future, in the final stanza of the poem he addresses that stranger directly. Apostrophe was particularly common in older forms of poetry, going all the way back to Ancient Greece- many works of Greek literature begin with an invocation of the Muses, typically by saying something like, â€Å"Sing in me, O Muse.† Because the narrator of Collins’ poem is calling out to someone in the future, he mimics the language of the past and situates this poem in a larger context. Assonance Assonance is the repetition of vowel or diphthong sounds in one or more words found close together. â€Å" Hear the loud alarum bells- Brazen bells!/ What tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells! In the startled ear of night How they scream out their affright! Too much horrified to speak, They can only shriek, shriek, Out of tune†¦.†- Edgar Allen Poe, â€Å"The Bells† When Poe talks about alarm bells, he uses sharp, high-pitch vowels to echo their sound: notice the repetition of long â€Å"e† and â€Å"i† sounds, both of which sound a bit like screams. Blank Verse Blank verse refers to poetry written without rhyme, especially if that poetry is written in iambic pentameter. â€Å"But, woe is me, you are so sick of late,So far from cheer and from your former state,That I distrust you. Yet, though I distrust,Discomfort you, my lord, it nothing must. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ - William Shakespeare, â€Å"Hamlet† Many of Shakespeare’s plays are written in blank verse, including much of â€Å"Hamlet.† Here, the dialog is without rhymes, which makes it sound more realistic, but it still follows a strict meter- iambic pentameter. This lends it a sense of grandiosity beyond if Shakespeare had tried to mimic natural speech, and the deliberate space of stressed and unstressed syllables gives it a satisfying sense of rhythm. Consonance Consonance is the repetition of specific consonant sounds in close proximity. â€Å"Tyger Tyger, burning bright,In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye,Could frame thy fearful symmetry?† - William Blake, â€Å"The Tyger† Black repeatedly uses multiple sounds in the first stanza of this famous poem. One of the most prominent is ‘r,’ which shows up in every line of the first stanza, and almost every line of the poem as a whole. As Blake is writing about the tiger, he’s musing on its fearsome nature and where it comes from, with the repeated ‘r’ sound mimicking the tiger’s growl like a small, subtle threat in the poem’s background. Enjambment An enjambment is the continuation of a sentence beyond a line break, couplet, or stanza without an expected pause. â€Å"What happens to a dream deferred?Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore- And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over- like a syrupy sweet?Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.Or does it explode?† - Langston Hughes, â€Å"Harlem† Hughes plays with multiple methods of ending lines in this poem, including enjambment. The first two lines of the second stanza and the second-to-last stanza are examples of enjambment, as the thought continues from one line to the next without any punctuation. Notice the way these lines feel in comparison to the others, especially the second example, isolated in its own stanza. The way it’s written mimics the exhaustion of carrying a heavy load, as you can’t pause for breath the way that you do with the lines ended with punctuation. Irony Irony has a few different meanings. The most common isthe use of tone or exaggeration to convey a meaning opposite to what's being literally said. A second form of irony is situational irony, in which a situationor event contradicts expectations, usually in a humorous fashion. A third form is dramatic irony, where the audience of a play, movie, or other piece of art is aware of something that the characters are not. Basic irony, where what someone says doesn't match what they mean, might look something like this: "Yeah, Ilove dogs," she said dryly, holding the miniature poodle at arm's length as hives sprang up along her arms. Situational irony would include things like a police station getting robbed or a marriage counselor getting a divorce- we would expect police to be able to resist getting robbed and a marriage counselor to be able to save their own marriage, so the fact that these unexpected things occur is darkly funny. One of the most famous examples of dramatic irony is inRomeo and Juliet. The audience knows that Juliet isn't dead when Romeo comes to find her in the tomb, but obviously can't stop Romeo from killing himself to be with her. Unlike other forms of irony, dramatic irony often isn't funny- it heightens tension and increases audience investment, but doesn't necessarily have to make people laugh. Metaphor A metaphor is when a writer compares one thing to another. â€Å"An emotional rollercoaster† is a common example of a metaphor- so common, in fact, that it’s become cliche. Experiencing multiple emotions in a short period of time can feel a lot like riding a roller coaster, as you have a series of extreme highs and lows. Meter Meter refers to the rhythm of a poem or other written work as it’s expressed through the number and length of the feet in each line. â€Å"But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,Who is already sick and pale with grief†¦Ã¢â‚¬ - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare famously wrote frequently in iambic pentameter, a specific type of meter containing five iambic feet. Iambs are a foot- a unit of rhythm- consisting of one unstressed and one stressed syllable. In the first line of this passage, you have five iambs, which produces a sort of heartbeat-esque rhythm. â€Å"But soft / what light / through yon- / -der win- / -dow breaks?† Meter like this gives readers expectations about how each line will go, which can be very useful if you want to subvert them, such as how Shakespeare does in Hamlet: â€Å"To be / or not / to be / that is / the ques- / -ion.† Because we expect iambic pentameter, the rule-breaking here clues us in that something isn’t right with Hamlet. Ode An ode is a short lyrical poem, often in praise of something. â€Å"Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness, Thou foster-child of silence and slow time,Sylvan historian, who canst thus express A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:What leaf-fring'd legend haunts about thy shape Of deities or mortals, or of both, In Tempe or the dales of Arcady? What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape? What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?†- John Keats, â€Å"Ode on a Grecian Urn† Keats’ â€Å"Ode on a Grecian Urn† covers all the required bases of the ode- it’s short at just five stanzas, it’s lyrical (the language is clearly elevated above regular speech), and it’s written in praise of a scene on an imagined Grecian urn, which preserves the beauty of several scenes for eternity. Though Keats’ ode here may be in earnest, the deliberate use of language far outside our normal method of speaking often makes the form ripe for satire. In this case, Keats is using this language to discuss beauty and truth, two rather lofty themes that work in tandem with the lofty language. Pun A pun is a play on words, using multiple meanings or similar sounds to make a joke. "Mine is a long and a sad tale!" said the Mouse, turning to Alice, and sighing. "It is a long tail, certainly," said Alice, looking down with wonder at the Mouse's tail; "but why do you call it sad?" And she kept on puzzling about it while the Mouse was speaking...." - Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Here, Alice clearly misunderstands what the mouse is saying- he says ‘tale,’ referring to his long and sad story, and she hears ‘tail,’ referring to his literal tail. The result is a misunderstanding between the two that ends with Alice looking rude and uncaring. Though it makes Alice look bad, it’s quite entertaining for the reader. The world of Wonderland is full of strangeness, so it’s not really a surprise that Alice wouldn’t understand what’s happening. However, in this case it’s a legitimate misunderstanding, heightening the comedy as Alice’s worldview is once again shaken. Repetition Repetition is fairly self-explanatory- it’s the process of repeating certain words or phrases. â€Å"Do not go gentle into that good night,Old age should burn and rave at close of day;Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Though wise men at their end know dark is right,Because their words had forked no lightning theyDo not go gentle into that good night.Good men, the last wave by, crying how brightTheir frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,Do not go gentle into that good night.†- Dylan Thomas, â€Å"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night† Throughout this poem, Thomas repeats the lines, â€Å"Do not go gentle into that good night,† and â€Å"Rage, rage against the dying of the light.† The two lines don’t appear together until the final couplet of the poem, cementing their importance in relation to one another. But before that, the repetition of each line clues you in to their importance. No matter what else is said, the repetition tells you that it all comes back to those two lines. Rhetorical Question A rhetorical question is a question asked to make a point rather than in expectation of an answer. â€Å"Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?† - Sojourner Truth, â€Å"Ain’t I a Woman?† Sojourner Truth’s question to the Women’s Convention of 1981 in Akron, Ohio isn’t a question that needs an answer. Of course she’s a woman- she, as well as everybody else in the audience, knew that perfectly well. However, Sojourner Truth was a black woman in the time of slavery. Many white women wouldn’t have considered her to be part of the women’s rights movement despite her gender. By asking the question, Sojourner Truth is raising the point that she is a woman, and therefore should be part of the conversation about women’s rights. â€Å"Ain’t I a woman?† isn’t a question of gender, but a question of race- if it’s a conference about women’s rights, why weren’t black women included? By asking a question about an undeniable truth, Sojourner Truth was in fact pointing out the hypocrisy of the conference. Rhyme A rhyme is a repetition of syllables at the end of words, often at the end of a line of poetry, but there are many unique kinds of rhymes. â€Å"It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea,That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee;And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me.†- Edgar Allen Poe, â€Å"Annabel Lee† Poe’s poem starts off with a fairly typical ABAB rhyme scheme- the first line rhymes with the third, the second with the fourth. However, in line five, we get a jarring line that does not rhyme, which is carried through the rest of the poem. The rhyming sounds hearken back to classic songs and stories, but is undone by something that doesn’t sound right, just as the classic love story of the narrator and Annabel Lee is undone by tragedy. Rhythm Rhythm refers to the pattern of long, short, stressed, and unstressed syllables in writing. â€Å"Double, double toil and trouble;Fire burn and caldron bubble.Fillet of a fenny snake,In the caldron boil and bake†¦Ã¢â‚¬ - William Shakespeare, Macbeth In this scene from Macbeth, the witches are positioned as being strange and unnatural, and the rhyme scheme Shakespeare uses is also unnatural. It lends the passage a sing-song quality that isn’t present in other parts of the play, which is easy to get stuck in your head. This is important, because their prophecies also get stuck in Macbeth’s head, leading him to commit his horrible crimes. Sonnet A sonnet is a fourteen-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme, often written in iambic pentameter. â€Å"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.I love thee to the depth and breadth and heightMy soul can reach, when feeling out of sightFor the ends of being and ideal grace.I love thee to the level of every day’sMost quiet need, by sun and candle-light.I love thee freely, as men strive for right;I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.I love thee with the passion put to useIn my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.I love thee with a love I seemed to loseWith my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,I shall but love thee better after death.†- Elizabeth Barrett Browning, â€Å"How Do I Love Thee† Sonnets were a standard poetry format for a long time- Shakespeare famously wrote sonnets, as did poets like Browning. As with blank verse, sonnets are often written in iambic pentameter, which gives the writing a sense of realism, as it’s not quite as affected as other rhythms, but also makes it feel purposeful and different from natural speech. Because sonnets have a rhyme scheme, they feel removed again from realistic speech. But that works in form’s favor- the rigid structure encourages unconventional word use (hence the memorability of â€Å"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.†) and marks poems in this style as having a kind of heightened reality. Because blank and free verse arose later, writing sonnets in modern times gives poems a classic or even intentionally antiquated feeling, which can work in the poet’s favor. You probably don't need to light a candle and bust out your magnifying glass to understand poetic devices, but nothing's stopping you! How to Identify and Analyze Poetic Devices It’s nearly impossible to remember every poetic device, but teaching yourself to identify and analyze them is a great way to increase your vocabulary and writing ability. To learn more about them, you can: Read More Reading widely in a variety of literary forms- poetry, prose, essays, non-fiction, and so on- is one of the best ways to learn more poetic devices. You may not notice them all, but challenge yourself to find one example of a poetic device every time you read. Remember, there are lots of kinds of poetic devices; they don’t always have to be things you’d only find in poetry. The more you read, the more exposed you are to different kinds of writing styles. If you read widely, you’ll see more people using language creatively- when you see something interesting, make note of it and see if it’s a poetic device you can use in your own writing! Use Them In Your Own Writing Identifying them is great, but to really understand poetic devices, try using them. Not every device is right for every situation, but playing a little with your language can reveal to you exactly how these devices work. Challenge yourself to use new devices to get a better appreciation for how they can elevate your writing. Question Poetic Devices When you come upon a poetic device in something you’re reading, ask yourself what the author is doing with it. What purpose does alliteration serve in a specific context? Why did I choose to use that spices metaphor earlier in this article? Was it effective or confusing? The more you think about these devices, the more you’ll get a feel for how they work and why writers use them. Understanding the different ways they can be used will help you discover how to use them better, so don’t be afraid to start questioning how and why professionals do it! Key Tips for Literary Devices in Poetry Enhancing your writing with poetic devices is great, but there are a few things to keep in mind to be sure you’re doing it right. First, don’t overuse them. Poetic devices can be great for making your writing sound more interesting or to deliver information in a more impactful manner, but too much really stands out. Alliteration is great, but an alliterative sonnet that’s an allusion to Greek literature can feel a little gimmicky. Even too much alliteration can quickly feel hackneyed if it’s not done with a purpose. Ask yourself why you’re using these devices and trim them if you can’t think of a reason- restraint is as much a part of good writing as the skillful use of a poetic device. Don’t forget that poetic devices are good for more than just poetry. A well-written essay can use a great metaphor. A sonnet can be written in plain English for a great effect. An article for your school newspaper might be improved with a little alliteration. Feel free to experiment with how and when these devices are used- adding in an unexpected poetic device is a great way to elevate your writing. What’s Next? Poetic devices are just one of the many kinds of tools you can use to enhance your writing. Check out this list of rhetorical devices for even more things you can doto liven up your work! Want even more poetic devices? Check out this article on personification, which covers examples of this device in both poetry and literature! Dylan Thomas' "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night," is a great example of repetition, but there's a lot more to it than that! This article will give you some in-depth information on the meaning of Dylan Thomas' poem, including how to analyze it!

The Taklamakan Desert in China

The Taklamakan Desert in China In the Uigur language, Taklamakan may mean you can get into it but can never get out, according to Travel Guide China. We cant verify whether or not the translation is accurate, but the label fits such a large, dry, dangerous place for humans and most animals. Large lakes, including Lop Nor and Kara Koschun, have dried up, so over the millennia, the area of the desert has increased. The Taklamakan Desert is an inhospitable approximately 1000x500 km (193,051 sq. mi.) oval. It is far from any ocean, and so hot, dry, and cold, by turns, with shifting sand dunes covering 85% of the surface, propelled by northerly winds, and sandstorms. Alternate Spellings:  Taklimakan and Teklimakan Lack of Rainfall Wang Yue and Dong Guangrun of the Desert Research Institute in Lanzhou, China, say that in the Taklamakan Desert the average annual rainfall is less than 40 mm (1.57 inches). It is about 10 mm- thats just over a third of an inch- in the center and 100 mm at the bases of the mountains, according to Terrestrial Ecoregions- Taklimakan desert. Bordering Countries While it is in China, and bordered by various mountain ranges (Kunlun, Pamir, and Tian Shan), there are other countries around it: Tibet, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and India. Ancient Inhabitants People would have lived there comfortably 4000 years ago. Mummies were found in the region, perfectly preserved by the arid conditions, are presumed to be Indo-European-speaking Caucasians. Science, in a 2009 article, reports: In the northeastern edge of the desert, archaeologists from 2002 until 2005 excavated an extraordinary cemetery called Xiaohe, which has been radiocarbon-dated to as early as 2000 B.C.E.... A vast oval sand hill covering 25 hectares, the site is a forest of 140 standing poles marking the graves of long-lost society and environment. The poles, wood coffins, and carved wooden statues with pronounced noses come from the poplar forests of a far cooler and wetter climate. Silk Road Trade Routes One of the worlds largest deserts, the Taklamakan, is located in the northwest region of modern China, in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. There are oases located on two routes around the desert that served as important trading spots on the Silk Road. Along the north, the route went by the Tien Shan Mountains and along the south, the Kunlun Mountains of the Tibetan Plateau. Economist Andrà © Gunder Frank, who traveled along the northern route with UNESCO, says the southern route was most used in ancient times. It joined up with the northern route at Kashgar to head into India/Pakistan, Samarkand and Bactria. Sources Archaeology in China: Bridging East and West, by Andrew Lawler; Science 21 August 2009: Vol. 325 no. 5943 pp. 940-943.News and Short Contributions, by Derrold W. Holcomb; Journal of Field Archaeology.On the Silk Road: An Academic Travelogue Andre Gunder Frank Economic and Political Weekly Vol. 25, No. 46 (Nov. 17, 1990), pp. 2536-2539.Sand Sea History of the Taklimakan for the Past 30,000 Years. by Wang Yue and Dong Guangrun Geografiska Annaler. Series A, Physical Geography Vol. 76, No. 3 (1994), pp. 131-141.Ancient Inner Asian Nomads: Their Economic Basis and Its Significance in Chinese History, by Nicola Di Cosmo; The Journal of Asian Studies Vol. 53, No. 4 (Nov. 1994), pp. 1092-1126.

Islamic Art Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Islamic Art - Research Paper Example The main topic of the essay "Islamic Art" is the profound analysis of islamic architectural style and mosques in particular. For example, The Selimiye Mosque (1569-75), an Ottoman mosque in the city of Edirne in Turkey, has been one of the most magnificent illustrations of Islamic architecture and the mosque was commissioned by Sultan Selim II. Selimiye has been the most important monument in the historic city of Edirne, which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire before the conquest of Istanbul. In conclusion the author considers that, a reflective exploration of the various processes in the construction of the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne confirms that it is one of the most magnificent illustrations of Islamic architecture in general and Ottoman architecture in particular. It is the masterpiece by the celebrated Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan who has been effective in both outdoing the size and grandeur of the venerable Byzantine monument and in continuing a dialogue with his own Suleymaniye Mosque that was built twenty years earlier. In a profound understanding of the architectural and technological quality of this magnificent mosque, one comes to recognize why most modern historians regard it as the culminating achievement of Sinan’s distinguished fifty-year career as the chief architect of the Ottoman court. In short, the Selimiye Mosque can best be considered as the most important mosque in the city of Edirne which is well-known for its mosques, the elegant domes and minarets.

Political Concept of Property Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Political Concept of Property - Essay Example This essay outlines the importance of the legal concept of the ownership of a property in a society. That concept is a critical element that defines the difference between communism and capitalism – the two polar political ideologies. The ownership of a property involves the rights and obligations of the owner who claims possession of the property. Property is a possession essentially belonging to an individual or a government. The ownership of property is a major element that defines its legal, social, and economic aspects which itself is underlined by political regimes and policymaking in the field. Political frameworks and legislations exist to protect the rights of individuals. Therefore, property has a political aspect because it involves ownership, transfer of rights, and other variations in rights in which governmental authorities, legislations, and institutions play a vital role. Income and taxation are economic concepts associated with a property. Property in the form of real estate or livestock could earn income for a person. At the same time the income could be liable for taxation. But because property essentially involves a ‘proprietary’ component, it occupies a central place in the politics of rights and governance. It indicates that property is characterized by possession which is fluid in nature. Rights related to ownership and transfer of land remain sensitive issues that are guided by government laws. Another fundamental aspect of property ownership is the political ideology.

Portland Cement Mortar Cubes Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Portland Cement Mortar Cubes - Lab Report Example During the experiment, the temperature of air in the surrounding of the mixing slab, base plates, mixing bowl and the dry material was maintained between. The temperature of the mixing water, room and water in the storage tank were also kept at . The humidity was also maintained at 50%. The specimen were then molded and after molding stored in the moist room with their upper surfaces exposed to the air but protected from the dripping water. After one day, the first specimen was broken into two and its compressive strength recorded. The other specimens were inserted in saturated lime water and then removed during the third day to measure its compressive strength. The remaining specimen was broken into two and tested on the seventh day in the testing machine by applying loads of between 900 and 1800 N/s. The results for compressive strength of Type I cement were close to the standard ones as per ASTM C 150 (Table 3: Standard physical requirements). However, the results of Type III cement differ from the standard results. This shows that type III cement does do have the desired air content unless it is proven otherwise using the fineness model. The experiment was conducted with the highest level of accuracy possible. Errors were expected since the temperature and humidity in the laboratory were not constant. Also, in the preparation of mortar, the ratios were estimated to the nearest decimal point and thus resulted to the deviations for Type I cement. Type III cement deviations for strength show that it does not comply with the ASTM C 150. The experiment should be conducted under constant

Methodological issues with financial ratios Essay

Methodological issues with financial ratios - Essay Example The paper is an attempt to analyze the accuracy of the statement taking the evidence from the last 10 years from the research work published. Use of Financial Ratios Financial ratios are used by the company stakeholders as they have different kind of interest in the concerned company. The shareholders assess the ratios and take the decision whether the performance of the company would be profitable for them, thereby take the investment decisions. The company management analyzes the flaws of the performance of past years and tries to improve it in the future years using ratio analysis tool. The creditors of the company try to find that the company is creditworthy anymore or not (Moyer, McGuigan and Kretlow, 2008, p.58). By doing the comparable analysis of ratios an investor or a prospective investor take the decision that which firm is better to invest, from where they can get the best return when the company management has the interest that how their company is performing with respec t to the industry standard (Hitchner, 2011, p.103). When doing the ratio analysis for the above mentioned various purposes then the user should make sure that he has considered the various factors which affect the variables of the ratio. ... The two companies may be in same industry, but their size and their focus areas can be different, so it would not provide the accurate result by doing the ratio analysis without taking the factors associated with it (Brigham and Ehrhardt, 2010, p.109). Two companies may not follow the same accounting standards, or a company can change the accounting standards they are following in recent years. The taxation rules of different states or countries are different as well as the political condition also. A multinational company has to face different inflation, different taxation rules throughout the world. So whether doing the trend analysis or cross sectional analysis an analyst should consider these factors. There are also technical factors associated with this issue. The analysts use many statistical tools which take the assumption that the data is normally distributed but in reality it doesn’t happen, and the outcome of the analysis not become fruitful. A research study was per formed by taking the data of 66 listed Malaysian firms and the data was of the period 1980 to 1996. The sample firms were taken from 3 different industries. It is seen by the researchers while doing that research that only current asset percentage was conformed to normal distribution, which supports the fact that all data used in the statistical tool for performing ratio analysis is not normally distributed which is assumed by the analysts generally. For doing the ratio analysis effectively the researcher used three types of transformation techniques namely square, square root and natural log. The square and square root process proved as ineffective as they consider the data as normally distributed, which the natural log process don’t. The researchers

Public University Analysis (#2) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Public University Analysis (#2) - Essay Example The current trend is that the organisations only have to report their contributions but the proposal will make their financials weaker since they have to show their share of liabilities. The effect of the proposed GASB will be an increase in the pension liability for public agencies. The income that the institution receives from its activities is an economic factor that affects the organisation’s future growth and success. The higher the income obtained by an entity from its operations, the higher the growth and success of that institution. (The Times 100) The inflation rates being experienced in the economy affect the growth of the institution since inflation rates affects the price of commodities. When these rates are high it reduces the spending power of the institution since there is an increase in the prices of commodities. The recession, like the one in 2008, caused a slow rate in growth of an institution since the economy is experiencing a slump. The recession also limits the success that an organization might have due to it reporting reduced sales. (The Times 100) Interest rates increase the borrowing costs of an institution and reduce the funds that an institution might try to get from borrowing due to the high costs of borrowing. (The Times 100) High borrowing costs also limit the growth of an institution since much of the capital is borrowed and therefore no in the control of the shareholders, which is not an ideal situation. Federal Pell grants are recorded under non-operating revenues (expenses) together with private gifts, state hospital fee grants, Build America Bonds federal interest subsidies and net investment income. All these are accumulated to give the net non-operating revenues. Federal Pell grants are also included in the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards as well as the

Strategic Analysis and Selection of Information Systems Essay - 1

Strategic Analysis and Selection of Information Systems - Essay Example Dichotomies begin to occur when environmental changes do not occur as foreseen or at the rate expected by the strategy makers, as also when the outcomes of IT initiatives are measured independently of the fundamentals in strategy that led to their formulation in the first place. This essay takes up two cases from the May and October 2001 issues of CIO Magazine. It studies the dilemmas, even predicaments faced by pioneers who took far-reaching initiatives in their business and IT strategy and analyzes their success or lack thereof vis--vis their formulation, execution, and goal achievement. In the first instance, (Worthen) Jack Lowry, a much experienced and competent IT professional joined the Goldman Industrial Group of Vermont, a consortium of machine tool manufacturers as VP for IT. It was for him an opportunity to give shape to his dream, "a truly collaborative computing environment", (Worthen) which would integrate all group companies, as also link up with existing and potential buyers and sellers. With the support of Mark Swift, the Group President, Jack and his team burnt two years and four million dollars to put up a well- grounded, state of the art, comprehensively integrated system on an AS/400 platform. The new technology infrastructure connected an abundance of desk PCs and factory workstations with CAD and PDM systems as well as to an ERP system, linked to the Company's e-commerce website. With this investment in effort, time and money, the Company now had the collaborative infrastructure in place for some truly awesome link-ups with partners and customers and, in so doing, cut the manufacturing cycle to a quarter of the original. To everyone's surprise, the collaborations did not happen. While Lowry and Swift, on realizing the predicament, worked hard at getting customers and suppliers to access their brand new system, most of the people reached, though seemingly interested were loath to commit. Reasons for this tepidity in response have ranged from genuine roadblocks in the integrating of disparate ERP systems to the fear of layoffs in mid-level employees, the disinclination to fork out money on expensive software, and the impracticality of expecting a number of companies to collaborate on linked computing at the same level. Lowry and Swift are making steady headway in their mission to reach out to their suppliers and customers but the institutionalization of collaborative computing on a truly grand scale does appear to be some distance hence. The second case (Sawhney) deals with the difficulties faced by B2B trading exchanges and their demise or subsequent re-invention as top end software or process vendors. B2B trading exchanges, which appeared in good number in the late nineties, provided a common electronic platform for buyers and sellers to interact freely and close deals, with a success dependent transaction charge going to the exchange. With time, the exchanges planned to introduce value add-ons like supplier verification, buying credit, settlement and even logistics. The business model did not work. Very few suppliers and buyers came forward to register and with investors backing off, the exchanges, short on cash started exiting the marketplace. Why this Well, Mohanbir Sawhney, McCormick Tribune Professor

Public University Analysis (#2) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Public University Analysis (#2) - Essay Example The current trend is that the organisations only have to report their contributions but the proposal will make their financials weaker since they have to show their share of liabilities. The effect of the proposed GASB will be an increase in the pension liability for public agencies. The income that the institution receives from its activities is an economic factor that affects the organisation’s future growth and success. The higher the income obtained by an entity from its operations, the higher the growth and success of that institution. (The Times 100) The inflation rates being experienced in the economy affect the growth of the institution since inflation rates affects the price of commodities. When these rates are high it reduces the spending power of the institution since there is an increase in the prices of commodities. The recession, like the one in 2008, caused a slow rate in growth of an institution since the economy is experiencing a slump. The recession also limits the success that an organization might have due to it reporting reduced sales. (The Times 100) Interest rates increase the borrowing costs of an institution and reduce the funds that an institution might try to get from borrowing due to the high costs of borrowing. (The Times 100) High borrowing costs also limit the growth of an institution since much of the capital is borrowed and therefore no in the control of the shareholders, which is not an ideal situation. Federal Pell grants are recorded under non-operating revenues (expenses) together with private gifts, state hospital fee grants, Build America Bonds federal interest subsidies and net investment income. All these are accumulated to give the net non-operating revenues. Federal Pell grants are also included in the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards as well as the

Business Ethics & Professinal Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business Ethics & Professinal Ethics - Essay Example This is a broad core value, but becomes a necessity as a law enforcement officer. As a law enforcement officer or FBI agent, I would be investigating homicides, kidnappings, white collar crimes, and various other offenses. I must be prepared to investigate with the same amount of vigor every case I am assigned. For example, if I arrest an African American, white, Arab, or anyone else, I must treat them the same. If I was investigating the kidnapping of the President’s daughter or a homeless man’s daughter, I must put the same amount of effort in to the investigation. Profiles are used to track criminals, especially in the FBI. However, I must not racial profile, only criminal profile. All American citizens or individuals living in America deserve justice. A cop must follow certain rules to achieve justice for all. It is important to understand that justice sometimes cannot be achieved for all, but the goal is to try to achieve justice for all. In order to do this a few rules must be followed. One example is a suspect’s Miranda Rights. These are rights to remain silent, request a lawyer, or have a lawyer appointed to the suspect. If these Rights are not read, justice cannot be achieved for the suspect or the victim. Innocent suspects can be railroaded or guilty ones can go free, if a cop does not follow the rule of reading the Miranda Rights. Another rule to follow, that some police officers do not observe but should, is the keeping of the laws they enforce. Humans, even police officers, are not perfect. A speeding ticket should not strip a police officer from their post, but more serious offences should. For example, DUI’s, bounced checks, and definitely felonies should cause a police officer’s dismissal. An officer’s integrity would be in question if they commit a crime. They would no longer be able to search for justice, because justice needs to be enforced by those that obey the law. Finally, the last rule

Effect of Dispossession on Aboriginal Spirituality

Effect of Dispossession on Aboriginal Spirituality There remains a continuing effect of dispossession on Aboriginal spirituality in relation to the stolen generations. Aboriginal spirituality is based on the encompassment of the Dreaming, the inextricable link with the land, totems and sacred sites and involves ceremonies, story-telling, kinship roles and responsibilities and a strong sense of cultural identity. The stolen generations involved children being forcibly removed from their families and communities and put into institutionalised missions and camps run by both the state government and the Christian Church. It was the cause of dispossession that involved colonisation, missionisation, segregation, assimilation and self-determination policies which significantly impacted Aboriginal spirituality; past, present and future. These were deliberate, calculated policies of the state and are evident in the first YouTube video, Rabbit Proof Fence Stolen Generations (March 24, 2009), where the white official points to the authorisatio n paper, this is the law, and physically removes the three native Aboriginal girls from their mother showing signs of inhumane brutality. Through these policies, Aboriginal land, spirituality, culture and Dreaming were lost never mention Aboriginality. This, along with the crying scenes in video two, Rabbit Proof Fence Documentary forced removal scene, shows the emotional impact that it had on the actors as well as on all the victims of the Stolen Generation. This video depicts the traumatic psychological effects the stolen generation era had on the actors themselves, who emotionally broke down into tears having to act in these roles. This illustrates how the loss of family and spiritual ties caused such devastation. This disconnection from the families, communities and thus, from the elders resulted in the inability to pass down necessary knowledge to the next generation that is needed to keep Aboriginal spirituality holistic, living and dynamic as there is a strong need for oral teaching and learning. The prohibition of practicing Aboriginal spirituality led to the loss of religious traditions, culture, language, ceremonies and identity, was also evident in video three, History in the making: Pain of Stolen Generation lives on, at the age of three, Helen Moran was given a new identity and a new family. Since these children were physically separated from their elders who held their spiritual knowledge along with being physically separated from the land and their sacred sites, there was a loss of identity, from their Aboriginal gender and kinship roles and responsibilities, totemic connection to sacred sites and the inability to perform ceremonies. Helen Moran states, we lost everybody, we lost each other, we lost our grandparents, we lost our whole family, they changed our names, they changed our whole heritage, our identity. This had a continuing effect on Aboriginal spirituality as it broke up families, communities and led to many social and emotional problems. As a result of the continuing effect of dispossession, Aboriginal spirituality has been destroyed overtime, driving them to negative, on-going, long-term problems such as alcoholism, drug abuse, lack of educational achievement, economic opportunity, lowered living standards,; lowered life expectancy, and higher infant mortality rate. Helen Morans personal experience epitomises her emotional trauma the worst thing for me is the idea that this man (Helen Morans biological father) died with his children hating him and blaming him, you lose your children, you struggle through life, mental illness, addiction and you die a lonely sad death with nobody around you. Helen concluded, I wish I had the chance to learn the truth which exhibits how the loss of truth and Aboriginal spirituality had a continuous, effect as Aboriginal family members, victims of the Stolen Generation, still search for their true cultural identity and heritage in the quest to find their spirituality. In summation, such dispossession, violent and physical removal of native Aboriginal children from their parents demolished Aboriginal spirituality since the Dreaming, kinship roles and responsibilities, cultural identity, heritage, language and traditions were lost with disconnection from their elder generations. This drove modern Aboriginals to overwhelming social and emotional problems. The relationship between Aboriginal spirituality and religious traditions require the process of reconciliation. There is a strong need for reconciliation between Aboriginal spirituality and Christians due to the initial contact between the two; full of racism, classism, oppression, inequality, injustice, hate, fear and division. Aboriginal people initially beared the brunt of violence, where they were forced and threatened violently to forget their aboriginal culture, traditions and language. Instead they forcibly were made to integrate into nominal Christianity attending Church services, Sunday school and singing hymns. Western Christianity had a negative impact where falsehoods and heresies were taught to Aboriginal people, for example, The Hamitic Curse, condemning all dark-skinned humans to eternal inferiority. These falsehoods had such an immense impact that most Aboriginals voluntarily denied their Aboriginal heritage, identity, culture, traditions and language because they we re forced to believe in the falsehoods and were concerned with their personal sins rather than the institutionalised sin conducted against them. The awareness that these negative experiences were immoral was the catalyst for the process of reconciliation. A step towards hope for Aboriginal victims to restore their spirituality can be seen in the source, taken from the Lutheran Church of Australia. Aboriginal artwork in the form of a circle is positioned in the centre of the cross to illustrate the continuous existence of Aboriginal spirituality in the heart of those who converted to Lutheranism. If reconciliation is achieved, the future encompasses more hope for these victims. The source is an expression of Aboriginal theology which is the reconciled relationship between Aboriginal spirituality and modern Christianity. The sun rays in the image symbolises the cross significance and how it permeates throughout Aboriginal spirituality and emphasises the need of reconciliation. The symbol of symmetry epitomises the reconciled coexistence of the two religions and the hope for continuous reconciliation. There are some Aboriginal theologians that are part of the liberal tradition. Rev. Dijimiyini Gordarra and Pastor Cecil Grant from Churches of Christ individually helped reconcile Aboriginal spirituality with the Uniting Church in 1970 by contextualising the gospel for Aboriginal people. In 1985, Rev. Arthur Malcolm, the first Aboriginal Anglican Assistant Bishop in Australia was deeply committed to reconciliation and thus, counselled and nurtured Aboriginal people throughout their painful experiences, hopes and visions. The Catholic Church attempted acts of rec onciliation when Pope John Paul II visited Alice Springs in 1986 and stated There is the need for just and proper settlement that lies unachieved in Australia. Aboriginal story-telling theology is another pathway to allow Aboriginal victims to remember their Aboriginal spirituality as well as embrace their Christianity. In this way, Aboriginal people reconcile their heritage with their Christianity as they are taught Biblical scriptures through Dreaming Stories which makes the gospels more meaningful and relevant to the Aboriginal way of life. The reconciliation and unity between Christianity and Aboriginal spirituality can be seen in the source where the cross is made using traditional Aboriginal witchetty grubs. There have been many other movements towards reconciliation. The Uniting Church and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Congress organised an exchange program called About Face, where 150 non-Indigenous people aged from 18 to 30 lived in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. As a sign of reconciliation, a friendship was built when Aboriginal Pastor Ricky Manton and his wife Kayleen were invited to St. Augustines Anglican Church to perform a service. Leaders from many religious traditions gathered in order to fight against Howard Governments attack on the Wik legislation. Other religious traditions, like Judaism and Islam, have assisted in the reconciliation process. A Jewish couple, Tom and Eva Rona, funded the Rona-Tranby project that recorded oral history with the help of Aboriginal Elder Eliza Kennedy. The Muslim community in Australia is most supportive of Aboriginal reconciliation on spiritual, moral, humanitarian and prudential pragmatic ground  [ 1]  is a claim of Islamic assistance in the process of reconciliation. Many faiths like Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism have also assisted in the process of reconciliation. This is evident in The Week Of Prayer For Reconciliation that began in 1993 where they shared the same goal of reconciliation exhibited through dedication to prayer, thought and reflection on acts of unity. In conclusion, there have been many efforts to encourage the process of reconciliation between Aboriginal spirituality and religious traditions and there needs to be continuous support in this subject. The symmetrical elements in the source, taken from the Lutheran Church of Australia, are powerful examples of how artwork has symbolised the co-existence of both traditions. Steps towards reconciliation in the form of proactive movements also provide hope for the victims who had suffered the horrendous effects of spiritual deprivation. Ecumenical developments and interfaith dialogue are of immense significance in Australia. Ecumenical developments are movements that promote cooperation, discussion and unity between different Christian denominations, focusing on what brings sects together, rather than what pulls them apart. Such movements are important to Australia as different Christian denominations unite to solve Australian youth, spiritual, environmental, social and justice issues, spreading peace and harmony. Interfaith dialogue is the cooperative communication between different religious traditions and their adherents. These promoted understanding, peace and a strong sense of belonging between many religious traditions. Non-denominational approach is a method of ecumenical development where it focuses on ignoring differences between different Christian denominations. Such movements can be of great importance to Australia. For example, the Australian college of Theology (ACT) strengthens Australias education system. ACT began in 1898 when Anglicans within Australia gathered resources to produce tertiary courses and exams at every Anglican college. It was linked to universities across Australia and was credited by the NSW Higher Education Board. It became non-denominational when there was more non-Anglican than Anglican students. It was a strong organisation due to the ecumenical movement which increased its efficiency and offered a common program amongst people. Other examples of a non-denominational approach towards ecumenical developments include youth associations such as Girls Brigade and Young Mens Christian Association. Such organisations builds trust between the different denominations involve d. This trust would result in a community that is based on trust, kindness and friendship, creating a stronger witness to the community. Ecumenical developments, in the form of interdenominational approaches, are increasingly evident and significant in Australian culture. Such approaches are those that are collaborative and the goal is to provide opportunities for negotiation between different Christian denominations. This is important to Australia as it creates a sense of unity, belonging, commonality and acceptance on many levels. It begins when Christians from different denominations interact with each other and, hence, leading to communal discussion. An example of this is the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Reconciliation. This is conducted with a united goal to reach a state of complete reconciliation, relieving many denominations from tension, violence and unnecessary conflict. Many denominations hope for denominational dialogue to act as a facilitator to develop new relationships by exchanging ministers to perform services. Such exchanges are known as pulpit exchanges. Christmas Bowl Appeal, Force TEN and the House Of Welcome are other instances of ecumenical movements where many denominations unite to build fundraising programs. These assist Australia by providing it with a positive reputation in charitable work, These projects show how the kindness of Australians can make a practical difference in the lives of people very far from our shores  [2]  Some of these projects, like House of Welcome, are vital in Australia as they support refugees that have been newly released in Australia by providing them with accommodation and employment. Through these charitable organisations, different denominations bond together and form strong relationships. Ecumenism is important in Australia at a family level. It promotes family through interchurch marriages. This is seen when both the Catholic and Uniting Church composed an agreement on interchurch marriages as a gift to the church. Ecumenism is also helpful in reducing duplication of material, which in turn increases efficiency. This is seen in The Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), where the Catholic and Anglicans prepared doctrine works on common beliefs of the faith. In 2001, the Catholic and Protestant churches united in Australia for the National Church Life Survey where 500,000 adherents from 20 different denominations actively participated in. Such union encourages tolerance and reduces aggression and violence. It in the larger scheme of things reduces racial and spiritual discrimination and attack. Australia is a multicultural and multifaith country and, hence, would benefit from embracing unity of different denominations within Christianity. Deeper ecumenical developments are those that embrace differences. With these movements, comes appreciation and recognition of uniqueness in order to enrich the relationship and focus on commonalities, like the common belief in one supreme God. The deepest level of ecumenism involves overcoming differences and primarily aiming for unity between different denominations. These achievements ultimately bring social justice, peace, harmony and understanding in Australia. The common need and view of religion around the world has resulted to an increase in the search for cooperation and unity since 1945 in Australia. Interfaith dialogue is even more important than ecumenism since the people uniting are separated by greater differences. Since WWII, interfaith dialogue has allowed Australia as a whole to change its attitude towards other religious traditions other than Christianity. It has allowed Christianity and its adherents to recognise their faults and mistreatment against other religious traditions errors at best and works of devils at worst. Interfaith dialogue assists in opening interaction between different people and maintains a multicultural Australian society. It also builds harmony in Australian context as it aims to achieve common goals between religious groups. Interfaith dialogue also addresses division, concern and any ongoing religious conflict such as the Cronulla Riots. It supports and embraces differences. Interfaith dialogue depicts the desire of Australias religious traditions to engage with each other and with the world as it is extremely important to do so in the 21st century. There is strong evidence of interfaith dialogue in Australia and this has been depicted in acts of cooperation between religious traditions in Australia. In 2001, Anzac Day, Christian ministers and Buddhist monks both took part in the services at St. Marys Cathedral. This encouraged unity among Australians as they honoured soldiers in the heart of Sydneys CBD. The Victorian Jewish-Christian Dialogue Committee, The Muslim-Christian Council which together prayed for peace in Ambon, Indonesia and the Multifaith Religious Services Centre which ran at the Sydney Olympics are other examples of interfaith dialogue. Leaders of Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and other communities together assisted with the $2 million Grifith University Multi-faith Centre showing how unity expresses great strengths and benefits to the Australian community. It brought peace in Sydney 2001, after the terrorist attack, where Muslim, Hindu, Buddhists and many denominations of Christians united at a multifaith prayer vigil.