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Major Tax Structure: Quantifying Property Tax for Housing for Humanity Houses in a Municipality

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Major Tax Structure

Quantifying Property Tax

In order to compute the property tax liability for a property owner within a given municipality, a number of factors are considered. The first step in determining the percentage of a tax element paid by an individual entity with regard to total property tax for a given municipality is to get the working figure for the total tax revenues for the entire municipality and identify the property tax obligation of the entity under consideration. In determining the working figure, calculations can be based on historic revenues for a past income period for the tax authority or projections for an anticipated income period may also be applied. Alternatively, a particular class of property tax may be considered for every tax units that the entity under consideration may be having across the entire municipality. Consideration of property tax classes will be important due to the fact that there may be different properties in different localities which imply that they will be subjected to different taxation regulations (Abhijit, 1992). Factoring in heterogeneous tax liability aspects of an individual property owner is important in the quantification of the property tax since tax regimes are usually diversified for a number of reasons such as nature of properties and the locality factors.

For the case study of determining the percentage of tax element for a municipality due from Habitat for Humanity houses, I would first identify the municipality, types and the number of houses owned within the municipality. It will also involve valuation of the other tax allowances as well as other tax related charges for the respective properties applicable within the municipality that have an impact on Habitat for Humanity houses tax obligations. Municipal rates will be applied during the computation of the actual tax obligation owed by Habitat for Humanity with respect to the various houses owned. Final percentage property tax computation for the Habitat for Humanity with respect to the entire municipal property tax revenues will be performed after consideration of the applicable property tax rates, allowable deductions as well as other charges on each of the houses owned by Habitat for Humanity within the municipality. This procedure will be conducted based on the updated assessment of the actual housing units owned for anticipated incomes, in case there are disposals from the previous ownership. In addition, projections will be dependent on the currency of applicable rates in case there are adjustments from the tax authority in the municipality (Peppit, 2009).

There are a number of difficulties expected to be encountered in the actual computation of property tax obligation on a particular entity for consideration in the computation of percentage tax for the entire municipality. One of these challenges will touch on the overall tax obligation for all the houses owned by the Habitat for Human. Various house classes and their allowable deductions as well as charges will be used to determine the actual tax liability for comparison with the total municipal property tax revenue (Cordes, Ebe and Gravelle, 2005).. In light of the computation of all houses owned by Habitat for Human, it will be a complicated procedure to ascertain the actual position of the tax obligation under the regulations’ circumstances. The collection of individual tax obligations for every house owned would require a lot of resources to be deployed in order to ensure that the available information is accurate and updated. In case there is information available for the same computations, reliance on the data will require an assessment to ascertain their accuracy and validity.

There is another concern in terms of collection of data to constitute the overall property tax value for the entire municipality for computation of the relevant percentage. While it is necessary to have the total tax value for the entire municipality, it would appear an enormous task to compute the tax obligation on all the houses or properties in the municipality merely for the Habitat for Humanity houses. It would therefore increase the need to rely on available information on the same raising reliance issues on the credibility of the data.

Advantages of Property Tax Break

Tax breaks and allowances for special types of properties are made available to the property owners as facilitated by tax regulations. It is important for the tax authority to extend preferential treatment to different entities based on their operations in order to act as an incentive or a deterrent regarding the regulation under consideration. In light of the operations of the Housing for Humanity organization, tax breaks would firstly be extended to exempt it of certain tax burden in order to facilitate certain positive impacts in the housing sector by the authorities. It is therefore an advantage on the part of the organization since the waivered tax element is directed to other housing projects and reduces operation costs when compared with other entities.

Secondly, tax breaks acts as a development catalyst for the municipality since the incentive element will attract more investments in the housing industry. Through provision of preferential treatments in tax breaks to organizations such Housing for Humanity, the residents are guaranteed housing services as an integral social service provision agenda. By ensuring such benefits to roll back to the residents, it is possible to spur economic growth in the municipality.

Disadvantages of Property Tax Break

Discriminating against tax entities may be negatively perceived among the taxpayers since every taxpayer would want an equitable treatment before the law (Peppit, 2009). It is possible to derive disadvantageous impacts of tax breaks extended to certain property owners form such a perspective in a tax jurisdiction. First, it is detrimental for the tax authorities to introduce tax breaks to certain sections of the taxable population while treating the rest differently. It may appear punitive to the category of property tax payers who do not qualify to the tax break, which may result in negative perceptions about tax obligations. Such perceptions may provoke tax evasion attempts which results in reductions in revenues.

Secondly, the breaks results in reduced revenues and the process implies that special treatments are in form of cuts on the tax element. It can be argued that by allowing the private sector to offer services at a reduced cost is a measure of how the authorities avoid their mandate to directly serve the people. Collecting the revenues and taking charge of the amenities would make the authorities to be more answerable and protected from the insensitive private sector. However, for no-profit making entities, the correct categorization of tax rates would not be questionable.

Resolving the Case Problem

In order to quantify the percentage tax owed by an entity with regard to the total tax revenues, it is important that the tax structure has mechanisms of identifying the updated tax liability for every property owner (Cordes, Ebe and Gravelle, 2005). By having a comprehensive database for the properties owned by the various property owners, it would be easy to compute the actual tax obligation for all tax payers. It is therefore an important tax structure policy to have the entire tax system based on an updated database from which the actual tax obligation can be followed. Most tax systems have their databases completely automated and integrated into a central monitoring position from where they are followed up. In a comprehensive tax system, the creation of various tax classes must be publicized in order for the tax payers to understand the mechanism of the tax system (City of Ottawa, 2011). Through such information, it will be easy for the computation of tax liability by individual tax payers on the various pieces of property that they have. Alternatively, publicizing the applicable tax rates for the various property categories will facilitate an easy computation of the tax obligation thereby raising reliability confidence.

References

Abhijit, D. (1992) “Local Government Finances: Trends, Issues and Reforms,” in Amaresh, B.. et al. (Eds.), State Finances in India, New Delhi, India: Vikas Publishing House

Carter, C. (2006) Tax breaks, they don’t want you to know about: what you don’t know will hurt you. Retrieved from: Lulu.com

City of Ottawa (2011) “Ontario’s Property Tax System,” Retrieved from: HYPERLINK “http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/proptaxes/general_info/on_tax_system_en.html” http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/proptaxes/general_info/on_tax_system_en.html

Cordes, J., Ebel, R. & Gravelle, J. (2005) Encyclopedia of taxation and tax policy. Washington DC: The Urban Institute

Peppit, M. (2009) Tax due diligence. London, UK: Spiramus Press Ltd.,

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Part 1 – Organization

Consider combining ideas from both of the last two sentences of the introduction into one thesis sentence with ethos, pathos, and logos only mentioned once. Furthermore, the order of ethos, pathos, and logos should be listed in the order they are written about in the body paragraph. Finally, the restated thesis of the conclusion should also list them in that order as well.

Part 2 – Development

In the last sentence of the ethos section of the paper, consider using transition in that sentence that shows that all of the factors before that sentence contribute to ethos being used successfully in the writing.

Part 3 – Formatting and Style

Review the punctuation rules when two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction. I like to read books, and I like to write stories. This example sentence has two complete ideas that can stand alone as sentences that are joined by a coordinating conjunction. Review thow the title of the article, Ever Wonder if You Could Kill What You Eat? We Did the Other Night, is written in a paper. Should this title be in italics? Review the website name needed after the online article title and before the publisher name for the works cited entry. Review the use of the informal usage “Worth noting” a couple of times and consider a more formal phrase.

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Chandni Patel

Professor Gillian

Eng112

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Use of Pathos, Ethos, and Logos in Ever Wonder if You Could Kill What You Eat? We Did the Other Night [Review the rules for writing article titles.]

Introduction

Makenna Goodman’s article titled Ever Wonder if You Could Kill What You Eat? We Did the Other Night [Review the rules for writing article titles.] is about how killing the animals that people eat make them feel. The speaker notes that after watching farming animals get slaughtered in front of his eyes, he did not feel the urge to pat himself on his back. The article insists on the need to offer animals a good life even if humans facilitate their death in one way or another. This essay probes the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in the afore-mentioned article. Without a doubt, the article successfully employs ethos, pathos, and logos throughout the text. [Consider combining ideas from each sentence into one thesis and only mention ethos, pathos, and logos once and not twice in a row. Furthermore, consider writing the order of the list items in the order that they are presented in the body paragraph. For example, pathos is the first topic.]

Use of Pathos

To begin with, there is a successful use of pathos in Goodman’s article Ever Wonder if You Could Kill What You Eat? We Did the Other Night. On several occasions, the author has evoked the readers’ emotions to appeal to them. The author has connected to the emotions and senses of the readers. The main reason why the author does this is that she wants the readers to see beyond the food that they have. She wants them to wonder about the life the animals lived before it was killed and turned into a meal. For instance, the author talks about chicken killing at home in the third paragraph. She writes that “chicken killing at home is deep.” This way, she is appealing to the emotions of the reader and pushes into thinking whether it is ethical. The text notes that when it comes to the idea of taking away life at the homestead, people do not do it to show power other the animal. This prompts the readers into thinking beyond the chunk of meat they purchase at the supermarket. Goodman wants the readers to know that the meat does fall from the sky but rather comes from breathing and living being. In essence, although chicken killing is deep, it is necessary. Additionally, the author mentions Joel Salatin, at the front of the farming movement. Salatin is a supporter of home processing food methods (Goodman 03). To him, at-home food processing is the ultimate foundation of showing respect for animals. This shows that he has a deep connection for animals and in this manner, he urges the readers to buy-in to his ideologies. Goodman employs emotions to appeal to his readers.

Use of Ethos

Secondly, the author successfully employs ethos as a persuasive technique to appeal to the readers. Readers tend to associate the author’s character with their content. Readers will trust the content if the writer demonstrates that they are reliable. The article successfully employs ethos leaving the readers in a position to trust the content of the article. Worth noting [Review this informal usage and consider a more formal opening phrase.], Makenna has had a successful career as an author over the years and is well-renowned for her writing prowess. Goodman has written essays, short fiction and literary criticism for international publication. These include the Harvard Review, New York Review of Books, Electric Literarture, the Los Angeles Review of Books, Catapult, and the Bomb. Additionally, she has appeared on interviews in various shows, including the Millions, Paris Review, the Rumpus, Guernica, Commonplace Podcast by Rachel Zucker, and EcoTheo. Worth noting, she is the brains behind the Shame, which was voted Harvard Review Favorite Book of 2020. The book was also named Literary Hub Recommended Read, a White Review Recommended Read, a Boston.com Book Club Pick, and Bustle Most Anticipated Book. The successful author is also an educator of literature and writing and has taught at graduate and high school levels in various institutions including the Center for Fiction based in Brooklyn, New York. Being this successful means that she is not only good at what she does but also a reliable professional. Throughout her career, she has never had any ethical issue which means that the readers can trust her works as reliable. Another reason why ethos are employed successfully in this article is that the publisher; Chelsea Green Publishing is also a reknowned American publishing organization. The fact that it specializes in publishing texts to do with organic farming, sustainable living, integrative health, and progressive politics means that they work with reliable professionals that can be trusted. Publishing Goodman’s content means that they have conducted research and find her thoughts valuable which speaks to her ethics. This shows those ethos are used successfully in the article. [Consider using transition for this last sentence that indicates that all of the factors before this sentence show ethos being used successfully.]

Use of Logos

Thirdly, the author of the article also employs logos as a persuasive tool to push her agenda. Logos have to do with logic, and Goodman uses facts and figures to persuade the readers. For instance, in the first paragraph, Goodman narrates that she had fourteen people for dinner the previous night who all wanted chicken. In this context, the number of people is an indication of the emotional joy and turmoil that comes with having family around. Goodman says that there was plenty of activity with people running around, enjoying farm life and looking forward to balanced meals. It shows people’s thoughts as far as killing what we eat is concerned. It was an opportunity for Goodman to understand other people’s thoughts on at-home processing foods. The author also uses logos when she says that the joy of having many people around is that no one sits around without pitching in. This is true because people always help with tasks around. The use of logos is effective in showing the need to know the backstory of animals.

Conclusion

In closing, Goodman employs various tools of persuasion including, pathos, logos, and ethos, in her article Ever Wonder if You Could Kill What You Eat? We Did the Other Night. [Pathos, logos, and ethos should be listed in the order they are discussed in the body paragraphs for the restated thesis. Also, review the rules for writing article title. Are italics needed, or should they be done another way?] Pathos are effective in appealing to the readers’ emotions. It makes them want to know a backstory of the animal’s life. The ethos speaks to the credibility and reliability of the author and logos use facts and figures to push across their message. [Review the punctuation rules when two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction.] Without a doubt, the author is successful in employing them as tools of persuasion throughout the text.

Works Cited

Goodman, M. “Ever Wonder if You Could Kill What You Eat? We Did the Other Night.” [Review the website name needed after the article and before the publisher name in MLA 9th edition.] Chelsea-Green-publishing, 28 Aug. 2009, www.alternet.org/2009/08/ever_wonder_if_you_could_kill_what_you_eat_we_did_the_other_night/.

Iago’s actions and soliloquies in Othello

A tragedy without meaning ‘Othello’ is not, as the very genre of tragedy seeks to imitate action and life, both of which have an inherit meaning. In some ways, Shakespeare’s work can be considered didactic as in the case in classical tragedy, the hero’s falls arises as fault of a hamartia on his part, a fault which plagues humanity. In fact, throughout the work, Othello is revealed to have many more faults and weaknesses than a man of his stature should posses, providing a reason for his downfall. The work’s main protagonist, the scheming Iago, ultimately has his own reasons for his actions; actions which on surface value might appear to be inherently evil and motiveless. A third variable here, the role of the setting, and its part in the tragedy also helps to explain the reasons for it. Through Iago’s motives, and Othello’s inherit weaknesses, the tragedy of the play is meaningful for the audience.

By examining Iago’s actions and his soliloquies the audience is able to discern that Iago does indeed have motives for his actions, however weak they may be. Despite Iago recognising that indeed the moor ‘is of a free and open nature’ (Oth Act 1 Sc. 3 ll. 381), he still does despise him. Iago has to be examined closer to discover his motives: of course, he is jealous of Cassio’s appointment as Othello’s lieutenant and this is an ultimate irony in itself as he later mocks Othello for his own jealousy, having succumbed to the ‘green-eyed monster’. There is also of course Iago’s blatant racial slurs and hatred towards Othello, and his paranoia regarding the supposed infidelity of his wife, ‘And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets he’s done my office’ (Oth Act 1 Sc. 3 ll. 369-370). However, the latter excuse may seem less reasonable, considering that Iago also utters later that he believes that Cassio has also slept with his wife. Iago’s attitude to the subject, contrasting with Othello’s view of sex as a unifying force, is that it is something inherently dirty and revolting, increasing his paranoia .

Iago’s main vice however is his lust for power. Ultimately, his aim is not to rise to the rank of lieutenant, but to go as far as he is able to. This point is justified by his plotting not only against Cassio, the man who holds his coveted position, but Othello, the general of the Venetian army himself. Ultimately, Iago is surprised by how easy it becomes to manipulate Othello and by the end of the play is even a little sorry for the ease at which his plan has come to fruition. No man without a clear motive, as has been often suggested for Iago, could have devised such a plan, that struck the victim blow by blow, with no time to recover to rational thought in between. Iago’s main motive then becomes a classic case of tall-poppy syndrome as he seeks not only to dethrone the ‘god of war’ and the ‘goddess of love’, but to also make them suffer.

The setting in the play also plays a significant role in the explanation for the reasons for the tragedy. The play opens in Venice, the epitome of western civilization and culture in Shakespeare’s time. Under the influence of Venice’s culture, there does exist imaginary bonds of control and order , which keep characters’ emotions in check. In Act 2, following the move to Cyprus, these bonds are gradually released, freeing the way for chaos to rule over order in a way not possible in the first Act. The characters have now reached the frontier. Evidence of this is found with reference to the poor weather encircling Cyprus at the time. In this case there is both a literal and metaphorical storm brewing, as Iago’s plot begins to shape in his mind.

‘The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds;

The wind-shaked charge, with high and monstrous mane,

Seems to cast water on the burning Bear

And quench the guards of th’ever-fixed Pole.’ (Oth Act 2 Sc. 1 ll. 12-15)

The fact that Othello fails to note the power of the brewing ‘storm’ condemns him to his fate. It must be noted that Othello is a soldier, a general, by profession. In war, rules and conventions apply, but once these bonds of control are taken away, he does not know how to react or behave, considering he has lived his life as if he were fighting a battle. Indeed, these ‘bonds of control’ are released even further as Othello orders celebration and revelry to mark the destruction of the Turkish fleet. Little does he know that nearby, Iago is using the occasion to plot a destruction of a different kind?

The faults that are found in Othello’s character are sufficient to demonstrate that, although he may not be deserving of his eventual fate, there is some justification for what has happened. At the start of the play, Othello is portrayed as the ‘god of war’, his wife the ‘goddess of love’. However, during the play it is proved that Othello has too many flaws, and has the basic hamartia of the classic tragic hero. He is not a god, but merely a man, which enables the audience to feel sympathy and pathos towards the lead character.

From the very beginning of the play the audience is told that Othello is an outsider. He does not seem to belong to our world, nor do we know how he managed to arrive. He is not even a European, much less an Italian. This racial and cultural difference is explored throughout the play, mainly in the opening Act. Eventually, his lack of knowledge regarding the customs of Venetian women helps to contribute to his downfall. In short, Othello seems to suffer from an acute form of virgin/whore dichotomy, a condition which means in practice that he is only able to see women, in particular his wife, as either absolutely pure and holy, or otherwise foul and wretched depending upon their fidelity or lack of it. Othello is unable to accept the fact that his wife can make mistakes, and if she does, she can only be considered whore : there proves to be no middle ground. In fact, at the time, although Venice was considered Europe’s cultural capital, it was seen to have certain drawbacks, especially regarding promiscuity and the diminished role of fidelity in marriage. Add to this the fact that Iago is dealing with a man who has only recently been engaged in wedlock and therefore is less certain when questioned about his wife’s character. Othello has seen the way in which Desdemona has deceived her father and eloped, what is to say that such a consummate actress could not be using the same skills to exploit her own husband?

Othello’s weakness in his communication skills and his expression of inner feelings is further testament to his lack of perfection. Although he is being modest before the Duke and Brabantio regarding his limitations with his speech, these very qualities are evidenced later in the play.

‘Rude am I in my speech

And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace’ (Oth Act 1 Sc. 3 ll. 81-82) and,

‘And little of this great world can I speak

More than pertains to feats of broil and battle;’ (Oth Act 1 Sc. 3 ll. 86-87)

Othello knows how to communicate with men, through obvious and direct means, but lacks the subtle charms to persuade women. In Act 1, we discover this as his biggest weakness so far. Michael Cassio is in fact made a model of how Othello should behave in front of, and when referring to women, through his charming of Desdemona and unwillingness to give in to Iago, as he tries to tempt him with Desdemona’s virtues in Act 2. Cassio make no illusions of perfection, in contrast to Othello. He admits his vices (such as his weakness for drinking), proving he knows his own human qualities. One of the main reasons therefore for Othello’s downfall and Cassio’s realisation of power at the end of the play is that whilst Cassio’s own view of himself and that of others are aligned, Othello’s are askew. Cassio’s communicational behaviour contrasts strongly with Othello’s. When Othello ultimately cannot cope with women, he reverts to the only way he knows how: violence: revenge through blood (note this contrasts with Iago’s ‘wife for wife’ revenge mentality). This point is proof that eventually Othello is not able to cope with playing more than one role at the same time: in Cyprus he is forced to play both the passionate lover, and governor at various times, whilst his wife’s personality proves much more flexible. At various times Desdemona plays the role of the seductress, loving daughter, the sexually aware woman, and the caring wife. All along there are signs appearing that Othello can anticipate his fall, and Iago will have his way.

Othello’s gullibility also proves a reason for his downfall. He places absolute trust in Iago, believing in his past virtues and his supposed devotion to his wife Emilia. This all-or-nothing approach ultimately transpires to accentuate his jealous rage. He is not prone to introspection, to examining himself from within, but instead is lent to blindly believe the foibles of others, especially Iago. His gullibility enables his self-control, once so evident, to unravel, and be placed in the hands of others . For example, Lodovico cannot believe the changes in his character:

Is this the noble Moor whom our full Senate

Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature

Whom passion could not shake? Whose solid virtue

The shot of accident nor dart of chance

Could neither graze nor pierce? (Oth Act 4 Sc. 1 ll. 255-258)

The fact is that although Othello’s passionate emotion helps to fire his imagination; it ultimately leads to blind all reason and rational thinking (take 1:3:128-169 as Othello recounts the stories of his adventurous past in order to win Brabantio’s daughter from him).

Ultimately the reason behind all the madness is demonstrated in the last scene of the play. What Othello plans to commit is not a murder, but instead a sacrifice . He does this through love for Desdemona, to save her from herself, and for his own honour. This act helps establish a new Othello, an Othello even nobler and braver than the Othello of Act 1, an Othello that arrests his previous decline.

‘O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade

Justice to break her sword! One more, one more!

Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee

And love thee after. One more, and this the last.’ (Oth Act 5 Sc. 2 ll. 16-19)

The audience is left not with a feeling of rage for a senseless, meaningless tragedy, but a knowledge that this has taken place for a reason, for a hamartia on the part of the lead character. As Othello dies ‘upon a kiss’, briefly we are left with no pain, but with only a feeling of redemption.

The reasons for the tragedy are all too plain to see. Iago has his own motives for bringing down Othello and Desdemona, and ultimately he is surprised by how easily he is able to prise apart two people so completely in love with each other. The role of the setting contributes towards the lead character’s downfall as the bonds of continuity are broken with the shift to Cyprus. Othello’s own imperfections are evident from early on in the play, from his gullibility, to his jealousy, to his limited communication skills. It is here where, as in all tragedy, the play contains a certain didactic element as the author seeks to explain the reasons that a great man such as Othello can fall. As Iago ultimately recoils with the ease at which he attains his foul ends, there comes a warning for us all: for if Othello was the greatest the world had to offer, then what hope do we all have?

“Boyhood” Reflection

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Boyhood (2014) Reflection

“Boyhood” is a movie film by Richard Linklater. The film analyzes the life of Mason (main character) over 12 years, from childhood to the time he joins college. The director is inspired to film how young people grow with high expectations, love, and the cycle of the moments until adulthood. Other characters included are Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette, Mason’s parents, and Samantha as his Sister. The film covers all our childhood memories from adolescence when we enjoy most of our time on road trips, those family times during dinners, to celebrating birthdays until we graduate. I enjoyed watching the film because of its clear time events filming of the recent past and children growing up life while also filming parenting styles.

In 2002, the film reflected on how work disconnects parents from their children. This scene demonstrates that our childhood misses an opportunity for a proper family union; many male parents are always working away from home. The Mother’s love is more felt, as seen when Olivia is working hard to seek a better life for the two children while also trying to satisfy her emotions. The director is trying to tell the perceptions of divorce in the eyes of the kids. Children are innocent of the reasons that cause the separation. Mason and Samantha want their parents to live together. Still, the two parents are seen trying to move on with their separated lives with open signs that they will never reconcile. The environment the parents create for the children affects their thinking and emotions. Mason is seen in the film being affected by the circumstances and doesn’t enjoy enough time with his family like other kids. This destroys his relationship with family members and evolves him into an emotional kid. The times his father takes him and his Sister out, the tough ones when as young as a 12-year boy, Mason Jr must focus on chasing his own life and career and face the harsh conditions set by his parents. He has seen his parents remarrying, and he has to face the ugly truths of life.

The dark times and happy moments are seen through the eyes of Mason Jr, his parents, and Sister Samantha. Just like the moon, our life is full of phases. In 2002, six-year-old Mason was lying outside in the grass, staying in the blue sky after being detained at school for breaking a sharpener machine which made his class teacher call the Mother. The conditions he faces at home are reflected by his acts, where he doesn’t put much effort into academics and behaves differently after the divorce. The scene is a perfect example of how kids’ schoolwork is dependent on the situations around them. Kids learn and do what adults around them do. Therefore, this movie is a perfect example of why bright kids suddenly start failing in simple school quizzes.

We then see Mason character affected life when he is hugging out with his friend Tommy; they are spraying graffiti on the walls and checking our adult pictures of women in magazines. I can relate the acts to a lack of parent’s observation and attention to the point that the children are free to do this thing without fearing somebody might be around to warn them. The better part of this part is that Samantha enjoys messing up with his brother, the relationship between this two is so strong, and I see it as an excellent way to make fun of and take away the stress for Mason Jr.

The childhood friendship is also affected by relocation; when Olivia tells Mason Jr and Samantha about the new house in Houston, Texas, the two kids are not excited, but they have to follow the decision made. Olivia is a woman of sacrifice; she sacrifices her social life to take care of her kids after declining to go out with her boyfriend, Ted. She saws the kind of sacrifices mothers make for their children’s safety. She takes responsibility for her children. The film is full of the harsh times kids face as a result of their parent’s decisions; Mason has grown up seeing his Mother marrying and remarrying multiple times. Every moment of argument and unhappiness hits Mason and changes his emotion when he sees his Mother being criticized by the men.

This movie has different marriage, family, politics, and education themes. The movie mostly filmed how marriage is built on fights and arguments. The family theme is portrayed everywhere and Mason loves his Sister, visits his Mother at college, and the connection with the new family members, Mindy and Randy. The better part of this film is portrayed in the education theme. The movie has many scenes of school activities from an early age, where Mason is taken to school to his Mother rejoining Campus to become a lecturer at Texas State College, and ends when Mason and Samantha Join College.

The film also puts out a political theme, and Mason Sr had one day talked about the war in Iran to his kids and advised his children not to vote for Bush once of voting age. In the year 2008, in the script, the political theme explodes when Mason and his kids go around putting on Camping posters for the Presidential elections. I see this film as a way that the directors wanted to tell how the situations and seasons change over time. People are now focused on politics, schools are closed, and the kids can have fun at home. This movie has most scenes filmed in locations that make it more realistic to the boyhood theme. The life of children, from irresponsible ones to career people, is well acted. The children go through most phases, from being in toxic situations to youths, attending colleges, and getting themselves into a relationship.

To sum up, “The boyhood “highlights the stages of a young person in a family full of controversial situations. Not every person is lucky to be in a perfect family. Education has been outlined to be essential for a better life. The director has used drunken Bill as an example of parents ruining children’s lives. They cause pain to innocent kids, like how Bill orders Mason to shave his hair unwillingly. The film’s story short follows growing up as a child and how kids deal with the typical travails of childhood like parents’ divorce, evil stepparents, falling in love, finding an artistic voice, and fighting other life struggles.

References

IMDb.com. (2014, August 15). Boyhood. IMDb. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1065073/

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Brainstorming: First Formal Essay

Thesis Statement

Video games contribute significantly to the development of an individual and have proven to improve social, communication, problem-solving, survival, and decision-making skills needed in the real world. Thus, video games better prepare people to develop the skills they need in the real world.

Topic Sentences for the Body Paragraphs

I. Video games provide a suitable medium for enhancing social skills, specifically collaboration and teamwork.

II. Video games provide a means for improving decision-making skills.

III. Video games serve as a means for improving verbal communication skills.

IV. Video games such as Minecraft assist an individual in developing survival skills.

V. Video games allow gamers to improve their problem-solving skills.

VI. While video games better prepare people to develop skills they need in the real world, they also have some harmful impacts such as poor mental health and dopamine addiction.

Sample of Intext Citation

(Barr 87).

(Brooks et al. 36).

(Ashinoff 3).

Citations for Research Sources

Ashinoff, Brandon K. “The potential of video games as a pedagogical tool.” Frontiers in Psychology 5 (2014): 1-5.

Barr, Matthew. “Video games can develop graduate skills in higher education students: A randomised trial.” Computers & Education 113 (2017): 86-97.

Brooks, Fiona M., et al. “Video gaming in adolescence: factors associated with leisure time use.” Journal of Youth Studies 19.1 (2016): 36-54.

Questions regarding how to develop the paper

I do not have any questions regarding how to develop the paper. Thank you.

A Teacher Considered To Be a Public Intellectual

Introduction

Teachers are indeed public figures to admire. Some may define a teacher as someone who nurtures the mind of a student, and some may argue that a teacher has not one but multiple dimensions. A teacher not only makes you have the thought and the admiration of going to school but also has the consideration of viewing people fairly while caring for someone’s insecurity. Teachers are the paramount cornerstone of a person’s intellectuality as they work enthusiastically and tirelessly inorder to serve the society with future leaders. In this paper we are going to discuss about Mahatma Gandhi who was one of the most profound teachers of all time as he was regarded as a public intellectual.

A public intellectual

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, or by his popular name “Mahatma Gandhi” which beard the meaning of a “great soul” was of Hindu origin, born in Porbandar, north west of India on October 1869 (History, 2014). Keeping into line with Hindu principles which were vegetarianism and sexual abstinence, he also showed a keen interest in other religions like Christianity and Buddhism by studying their physiological aspects.

During his tenure to work on contract in an Indian company in South Africa, he was at the forefront in fighting segregation and discrimination that was there in South Africa, as that facilitated his prolonged stay contrary to the one year contract the company had offered him. The “apartheid” rule that existed in South Africa served as a clear catalyst for his fight of fairness for his fellow citizens. He had a rather different tactic in presenting his voice as he facilitated the non-violent mode of approach under his newly formed Natal Indian Congress. Mahatma was very well known for his peaceful demonstration and his wise quotes all over the world that he got many followers who were impressed by his techniques and his teachings as he proved his gentle approach on a day to day routine life, and the unmatched wisdom he had was a true testament that an intellectual strength does not equal the physical capacity. According to Zoe D (2012) he quoted “Be the change that you want to see in the world”. His teachings and inspirations spread all over the world like a plague touching many mindsets that existed at the time.

This demonstration of intellectuality standards are to be adhered to whenever one is in a position of evaluation the quality or the mindset of an individual. Critical thinking involves possession of all this standards (Linda and Richard, 2013). Once a student ventures into a classroom, the teacher has the most significant influence than the parent as a larger percentage of the day he spends teaching and nurturing the student. Methods that Gandhi used were purely non-violent as this was seen even in the Second World War where he advocated that the Indians should not go and fight for the British and at the same time be oppresses at home (History, 2012). His efforts were not confined to a classroom as he was the teacher of the world. His ideologies are some of the factors that lead to India’s independence against the British.

This clearly proves that teaching is a gift where the bearer must possess the passion of tackling and trying to solve issues in a manner acceptable. This mode teaching should be inducted to students both in the confines of the classroom and the environs of the world for the betterment of the future endeavors. As Gandhi continued educating the world and at the same time spearheading for the end of oppression in South Africa and India, so must the sense of brotherhood flourish among people of different races across the universe.

If all valuable teaching and ways of intellectuals are undocumented, they disappear for future implementation and application of use for aspiring teachers and tutors to get insights from. The life lived by Mahatma Gandhi was very admirable and selfless as his teachings continue to reflect in our day to day existence in this world. His works have even be included in some of the teaching syllabuses of the world which is a paramount thing to be done.

Teacher’s recognition as public intellectuals

Tutors have shown as a major resource for information, as their skills are indispensible both the private and public sector. In our current system, teachers hardly get appreciated for their duties as some of their efforts go unnoticed, many are the one that bear the mentality the a teachers daily routine of coming and sharing his knowledge is one of the least activities or duties that are supposed to be performed by them. This should be substituted by teacher appraisal programs inorder to encourage the teachers to teach effectively and fill the gaps in a student’s achievements, which may be carried out in schools as an effort of appreciation for their duties and services carried out in the society. The bodies in charge of governing teachers relations should enlist and promote the teachers level of education by offering free seminars, discussion forums and also offer bursaries to teachers who want to improve their studies in both local and foreign universities. An assessment and appraisal notification should be offered be given to teachers concerning their performances and salary increases and progression.

This appreciation processes are supposed to be done as often as possible inorder to develop a sense of satisfaction to the mindset of the teachers who in turn will have a higher possibility of improving his services offered in the schools and in the society at large. Honorary certifications are supposed to be awarded to best teaching staff in a school annually, as a form of recognition of their work. Annually the teachers performance is supposed to be rated and assessed to ensure sustainability of their efforts over the years to come.

Excellent working conditions are to be observed by the school committee to ensure that the teachers find ease while teaching in the classroom and wile accessing social amenities in the school surrounding. In pursuit of that, teachers are to be given manageable hours during teaching and, and also shifts should vary during the teaching period as they should be given time to rest within their teaching schedule. A manageable number of students should be given to teachers, to ensure that they can be able to give each and every student the attention required at ease.

Conclusion

With much said, the efforts of regarding teachers as intellectuals lies in the hands of the society and the bodies that are concerned with teachers relations. As the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi, inspired the world, so should we be inspired by the efforts made by teachers in the society to educate future leaders for the betterment of our lives.

References

History (2012). “MAHATMA GHANDI”. Accessed on March 4, 2014, retrieved from < http://www.history.co.uk/biographies/mahatma-gandhi>

D, Zoe,. (2012). “ Intellectuality”. Acessed on March 4, 2014, retrieved from < http://www.goodreads.com/intellectuality >

Elder, Linda. Paul, Richards. (2012), “Universal intellectual standards”. Accessed on March 4, 2014, Retrieved from < http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/universal-intellectual-standards/527 >

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A Trip to South Korea

One of the greatest experiences I have ever had in my life is my tour to Korea. I purposely went there to get exposure and learn more about the culture and aspects of the cultural traditions of these people. My journey was to take only one week. By the time I was coming back, I had learnt the Korean language. It was so interesting because I liked their accent.

As a teenager, my trip to South Korea was a very illuminative and good experience that left other travelers yearning for more. For one travel to South Korea from China, nothing much is actually involved after checking the relevant aspects of the weather and taking any necessary precautions. In this regard, several airlines are available from China, which operates direct flights to South Korea. I used Cathay Pacific in this trip considering that the airline offered relatively proper passenger treatment than the other airlines of the city. It is one of the airlines that I used and had a pleasant experience. Seoul is one of the cities that have a bustling metropolis that is effectively inundated with a very rich heritage that truly impresses travelers. Typical of most Korean cities, culture plays a significant role in the history and affairs of this financial center. Since the trip started on 1st May 2012, one week in Seoul offered me sufficient time to explore the city and learn about its history and culture apart from enjoying its beautiful sceneries.

Landing in Korea was both exciting and overwhelming. The first thing I noticed stepping out of the airport was the weather, it was hot and humid, something that I have never quite experienced. Several taxicabs were available at the airport that charged modest fares to the various guestrooms around the city. Being one of the largest cities in Korea, accommodation in Seoul is generally much expensive, unlike most cities in China. Apart from taxis, the city has a number of public transport facilities that can effectively serve the travelers on their operations in the city. These include trolleybuses and the rapidly expanding metro system that covers most parts of the city. From the airport to the hotel I was staying wet and sticky all over with sweat. I was not certain whether it was from the heat or the excitement. That did not matter at that point; I was in Korea one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

My perception of Korea was based on Korean drama. There were similarities with the architecture and the food that was found there, and the crowds were something that I found fascinating too. Apart from the language barrier that did not bother me much I found out that the city was not that different from drama. Some of the things I found fascinating include reading the children bed time stories; in fact, western story has something for the child to learn. The Korean people also love their country and their culture and do strive to make the country better for them and their children. Most of the things they did were almost similar to what we did back at home. The time to eat, the number of meals in a day, and the time they go to work and how the run their day-to-day life was not different.

Most of the Korean cities offer varieties of accommodation services that can effectively suite any traveler to the cities. Some of the hotels operate as chains of other international hotels in other cities across the world. In this regard, the travelers will have the possibility to enjoy the comfort of the city while experiencing the best opportunities. In terms of food in the Korean cites the travelers will have the opportunities to experience the true taste of Korean cuisine, which certainly offers a lot of variety. Fish, crab, and dog are some of the foods that are in abundance, in the city of Seoul. People might really face a lot of challenges enjoying some of these foods. However, the huge variety of foods in the city will certainly make anybody feel at home. In this regard, foods such as oysters and seaweed offer a lot of delicacies.

Some of the things that were not similar were their eating habits, for example, they do not allow people to smoke while eating. I found this different because even in public places, they prohibit people from smoking. They place the dish on a central place at the table and people serve the amount they want into their plates. Families are carried as sacred; no one can abuse or misuse another person’s family. Therefore, they traditionally live together as one large family, taking care of each other. In China larger family lives together because of the high price of the house that young people cannot afford. Respect has been emphasized in Korea, the young respect the old, and the women respect their husbands. Even the way they salute each other differs from the old to the young.

In downtown, they do not judge people by their wealth or poverty, strength or weaknesses. They believe that God was the one who provided for them, and they should be thankful of what they have and share with those who are less fortunate. They also hold their ancestors close to their hearts and believe that they protect them from wherever they are. I admired tourist attraction sites where my breath was taken away by the walls of the Forbidden City, and I can never forget walking at the top of the Great Wall.

Korean people are known for showing off especially in their hometown. Showing off what one has achieved is part of their tradition. They also love glorification and to be better than the rest. A given example of an ancient tradition is someone returning to their hometown or even their own house wearing “golden clothes”. Korean people detach from the rest once they think they have enough to sustain them. They do not like sharing information that might make other people superior to them. I found this quite the opposite. The people I met in Korea were down to earth and did not seem to be looking for praises. In fact, they were humble and assisted wherever they could. This trip was so successful because I came to learn more about this beautiful calm nation.

Major Issues in Microeconomics

Thesis: Elasticity and utility are some of the strongest themes in microeconomics.

Elasticity

Elasticity in an economic view defines proportional variation of a variable dependent on or influenced by changes of another variable. Elasticity in microeconomics focuses on the responsiveness of the market demand and supply to fluctuations in certain conditions, for instance price elasticity of demand. According to Investopedia (2011), elasticity clarifies the apparent generalization contained in the law of demand, by explaining the measure of impact of changes in price occasioned by demand or supply fluctuations. The author mentions that elasticity gives specific detail such as percentage increases or decreases in quantity demanded or supplied. The application of elasticity in practical economics involves decision making regarding how sensitive the market will react to commodity price changes. Elasticity is therefore a very important microeconomics theme. Quantity sales techniques such as in holding sale offers target to reduced prices to induce proportionate number of extra sales. It follows that pricing strategies must bear in mind the responsiveness of the market regarding demand and supply intricacies. To be specific, price elasticity of demand and supply are usually used.

Price Elasticity of Demand

The impact of changes in price to quantity demanded are depended on slope of the demand curve, where steep and gentle slopes experience the impact differently. A steep demand curve experiences relatively smaller impact of quantity demanded changes than a gentle curve, under an equal price change. Changes in prices will proportionately induce changes in quantity demanded depending on the sensitivity of demand curve to changes in price.

Under price change Y in the illustration below, D1 is price inelastic while compared to D2 since it causes the smaller change in quantity demanded X1 while D2 causes relatively more change in quantity demanded (X2). These changes create an inverse relationship as explained by the law of demand. Perfectly inelastic demand curve would be vertical while perfectly elastic demand curve will be horizontal lines.

1600200391160D2

D2

952500111760D1

D1

85725174625Price per Mug

Price per Mug

4762509525Y

Y

1314450260985Quantity Demanded

Quantity Demanded

248602522225X2

X2

180975022225X1

X1

Price Elasticity of Supply

Changes in prices of commodities cause proportionate changes in the quantity supplied in a direct relationship. In the short run, producers respond to prices by either reducing quantity supplied or increasing it proportionately with changes in the market price of the commodity. Commodities with a steep slope will experience slight changes in quantity supplied than gentle slopes under the same price changes. Elasticity determines the impact created by changes in price and the subsequent behavior of the suppliers. An illustration similar to the one above illustrating demand but using a direct relationship explains the mechanism of the elasticity of demand to price.

Utility

In economics, utility is the estimate of the measure of satisfaction that a human being obtains from resources. Human beings are in an incessant quest to increase utility in the resources they have access to. Utility therefore presents itself as a very important microeconomics theme. Consumer behavior is guided by the need to increase utility in various ways. If a commodity has utility, it can be said to possess utility (wikipedia, 2011).

Total Utility

Total utility is an expression of the total satisfaction obtained by consuming a certain quantity of a commodity. For instance, after taking two ice-creams, total utility can be defined as the measure of satisfaction thereby obtained.

Marginal Utility

Marginal utility is the measure of utility obtained upon consumption of an additional unit of a commodity. It is therefore the measure of total utility divided by the measure of consumed commodities. In economics, marginal utility decreases with every additional consumed commodity.

Conclusion

Microeconomics can not be exhausted without covering utility and elasticity, which are very important concepts in macroecomics as well.

References

Arnold, R. (2008) Macroeconomics. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning

Boyes, W. & Melvin, M. (2007) Microeconomics. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning

Investopedia, (2011) “Microeconomics,” investopedia.com. Retrieved from: HYPERLINK “http://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/microeconomics.asp” http://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/microeconomics.asp

Wikipedia, (2011) “Elasticity: Economics,” Retrieved from: HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elasticity_%28economics%29” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elasticity_%28economics%29

Major theme in the Book of Revelation

In an island known as Patmos, an apostle known as John wrote the Book of Revelation. It is referred to as an apolyptic book, which makes use of imagery. It mostly focuses on how God will have the final triumph among his people. When the world is about to come to an end, there will be persecutions all over the world. This book does not follow patterns of chronology, but rather those of literary (Fortner 2002). There are two major parts in this Book of Revelation. The first one is addressed to churches, and is in the form of letters. It was through a vision from God, that John wrote about churches and they were seven in total. A lot of information is provided concerning things that God does not appreciate and want. They include leniency, immorality and lovelessness, among others. The other part of the Book of Revelations is about the messages the church needs to hear and it is from God. It is meant to make Christians aware of the fact that they need to keep away from evil. Also, Christians are reassured that in the end they will conquer when God comes for them.

The major theme in the Book of Revelation is the one concerning Judgment. It is evident in many chapters of the book, such as in six, nine, eleven and twenty. It claims that God will unleash his anger completely and fully on those who commit sin. This will occur on the day, which he chooses to do so. Agents as well as the devil will all be defeated on that day. There will be eternal life for those who are granted favor by God. Also, eternal condemnation and punishment will be the destiny for those who were evil and did not follow his teachings. This means that the end of injustice and evil would have reached. It is through the last judgment, which God will proclaim, that everything of no importance will come to an end. Those who wish to escape punishment should be committed to Jesus Christ. People who do not adhere to the teachings of Jesus or those who reject him will definitely be punished (Fortner 2002).

According to this book, God will come to earth on a cloud, and every human being will see him. This means that those who died will rise up, in order to meet him and this is regardless of whether they are evil or pure. The churches, which exist, will not be rescued, but rather they will be judged. When God comes to earth, the Holy Spirit will manifest itself in many ways. The various kingdoms and governments, which exist, will be judged according to how they lived. In order to escape punishment, people will be given a chance to repent. This shows that God is just and wants everybody to enter into his kingdom in Heaven. On the day, which God will come, there will a loud trumpet, which will be heard by everyone on earth. Even the devil will be judged together with the other evil people (Fortner 2002). On this day, nothing evil will ever exist on earth. In the end, only the righteous will live together with God.

There are some questions, which arise after reading the Book of Revelation. There is a need to know the exact time God will come to earth. The other is to know whether God will establish his kingdom on earth or in heaven. Lastly, the other question that needs to be known is whether, God is human or in spirit form. This is because the book reveals that every human being will see God, yet it is known that no one can ever see God’s face. The three questions will help me in gaining a deeper understanding of the book. This book applies to society in that people should not judge others, as only God should do so. Lastly, people should live righteous lives and refrain from evil, in order to be granted Gods favor. In conclusion, the Book of Revelation proclaims about Judgment by God.

References

Fortner, D. (2002). Discovering Christ in Revelation. New York: Evangelical Press.

MFAH RESEARCH PAPER OUTLINE:

INTRODUCTION:

Introduce the work(s) of art(s) that you picked and the artist(s) that created it if known. Then make a clear statement of your thesis.

SECTION1: HISTORY

Write about the history of the piece and the artist. What have you discovered about the piece through your research? What is the theme of the work?

SECTION2: VISUAL ANALYSIS

SHAPE

LINE

FORM

VOLUME AND MASS

TEXTURE

VALUE

DEPTH

COLOR

TIME AND MOTION

UNITY

VARIETY

BALANCE

SCALE

FOCAL POINT

PATTERN

SECTION3: MEDIA

What medium did the artist(s) utilize? What is the history of that media?

DRAWING

PAINTING

PRINTMAKING

SCULPTURE

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOCOLLAGE/ COLLAGE

SECTION4: REPRESENTATIONAL, NON-OBJECTIVE, ABSTRACT

And why?

SECTION5: CONCLUSION

Close your paper. Re-state your thesis and re-evaluate your research.