A Foolproof Way to Write a Press Release (with Samples)

A Foolproof Way to Write a Press Release (with Samples) Whether you are announcing a new product or novel, improving your brand or author image, or looking for search engine optimization, a press release is a great way to achieve these aims and more. What once was simply a way to communicate a message to journalists has become something with a far greater reach- a viral reach, in fact- and can be used to jumpstart your brand, business, or novel marketing. Using a simple inverted pyramid style of writing, the press release offers a way to advertise everything from an event to a new product to publication of a book, and theres a foolproof method to write it. If youre looking for that method, youve come to the right place.What is the point of a press release?If were going to discuss method- we should first discuss purpose. Before the growth of Internet marketing, press releases were sent to journalists to obtain media coverage. In keeping with the rules of journalism, the style was focused on sharing the news quickly and effectively via head line strength and a powerful lede, otherwise known as an opening paragraph and hook.Now, this purpose has evolved into a highly effective way to distribute information online- through company websites, email campaigns, social media, or press release publishing platforms- and achieve SEO (search engine optimization) goals for an organization, brand, or author. This results in a compact, power-packed punch of information dissemination that reaches audiences in the most succinct way possible.In essence, a press release now has viral possibilities. What once was limited to a shot-in-the-dark attempt to catch a journalists attention is now a medium offering great potential in landing a website in top spots for search engine results and building brand identity, whether for an author or a business.A press release offers viral marketing possibilities for your brand, business, or book. Photo by Dominika Roseclay from Pexels.How do I make the most of a press release?In consideration of the mu ltiple aims that a press release can now achieve, its time to rethink what should go into one in the planning and writing stages. Ideas like readability, keywords and effective headlines- although always a part of writing an effective press release- are even more pertinent now.This means that if you have an hour to plan and write a press release, a large percentage of that time (20 minutes, at least) should go into determining a catchy headline and the right keywords to be included. While its impossible to cover this topic in depth for the scope of this article, you can learn more about creating a compelling headline by reading this piece about writing headlines that increase online traffic potential.You can also run several headline possibilities through this headline analyzer, although there are a few steps youll have to go through (entering your name, email address, and company information) to get a readout. The readout you receive, however, is a great breakdown of important aspe cts of your headline, such as the emotional appeal, power words, and generic word choice youve used. Youll also receive a score on the headline youve chosen and be offered instructions regarding how to tweak it to get a higher score.What are the components of a press release?Beyond a catchy headline with important keywords included, the other components of a press release are:Contact information for media to get in touch with youThe city and state where this news is happeningBody copy, ordered by level of importanceBoiler Plate with information about your organization or brand. If youre unsure of how to write the boilerplate for your business or author brand, this website offers several great examples to guide you through the process of writing it. Basically, your boilerplate should include the following details:The name of your organizationYour mission statementFounding dates (if applicable)Company size (if applicable)A brief statement on what your organization is doing today to fu lfill the ideas in your mission statementThe outline of a press release is simple. This graphic from CoSchedule is a great resource to use to make sure you are following the correct format and including all necessary elements when planning and writing your press release. As you can see from the graphic, the outline you should use is:HeadlineStatement of For Immediate Release and date of publicationPress contact information, including contact name, email and phone number (if applicable)Summary bullet pointsAn introductory paragraph (otherwise known as the lede), including a hook and the who, what, when, where, and why of your content.A second (and possibly third) paragraph offering additional information that supports your lede.The boilerplate of your organization or brand.So how do I write a great introductory paragraph/lede?As youll see from the graphic mentioned above, following the summary points of a press release, the introductory paragraph is the most important part of the con tent youll provide. If youve ever heard of the inverted pyramid strategy of writing, a press release follows it precisely, with the most important information at the beginning of the copy.Who, what, when, where, and whyThis means that the basic details of your press release- who, what, when, where, and why- should be all included in the first paragraph. You should write this paragraph assuming that your reader will read it alone, and none of the paragraphs that will follow. In journalists terms, this paragraph is called a lede, and is meant to entice the reader to read further. In other words- out of the three or more paragraphs you write in your press release, this one should get the most attention.In the lede, you should include the following aspects of your story:Who is the story about?What is happening?Where is it taking place?When will it take place?Why is it important?Follow these five Ws with a hook, which is a sentence informing the reader why they should be interested in th is event. All of these together will be the first paragraph of your press release.What about the other paragraphs?If youre following the inverted pyramid format mentioned earlier, the second and additional paragraphs of your press release are simply additional information to offer your reader about the five Ws. This is the part where youll want to include quotes from important people involved with the project, product, or campaign. If you are writing a press release for a book that youre publishing, youll want to include your own quotes in these paragraphs, while writing the rest of the release in third-person point of view.Its important to keep in mind that any quotes used in this part of the press release should be beneficial for the reader. In other words, any quotes that you use should offer more detail for anyone interested in learning more about the focus of the press release, including insider information about the product or service being offered. You should use these paragr aphs to tell your reader what they can gain from what youre advertising, rather than just random details about the speakers background or experience.How do I write a press release for a book?If youre writing a press release for a book, youll want to follow most of the same guidelines mentioned above. If youre using the press release for SEO purposes or simply as a viral marketing technique on social media, following the steps Ive mentioned above will get the job done. Just keep in mind that the 5 Ws- who, what, when, where, and why- might take on additional meaning in this context. Specifically, if youre writing the press release to announce a book signing, youll need to include the details related to that book signing in the introductory paragraph.A press release should include the details related to an event, specifically who, what, when, where, and why. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.However, in the case of a press release related to a novel, its important to also include details abo ut the book itself- thus, the second set of 5 Ws. In the second paragraph, immediately following the introductory one stating the details of the actual signing event, youll want to clue readers in on the summary of the book. This might include its genre, main characters, setting, and a brief one- to two-sentence summation of the plot of the book.Other things you might want to include within a press release for a book signing or publication date include:Interesting details about the author or the authors storyAny award or recognition that the book has wonAny endorsement that a celebrity or well-known person has given for the bookAny buzzwords that might attract a certain audience to your book, i.e., millennials, working mothers, or spirituality.This article goes into more detail about specific points to focus on when writing a press release for a book and/or book signing event.Sample press releasesAs promised, here are some sample press releases written across a variety of industries .GameStop Announces Limited Supply of Nintendo Switch SystemsApple Expands Global Recycling ProgramsVail Resorts Acquire Stowe Mountain ResortA sparkling romantic comedy about one womans decision to tinker with the horoscopes of the (Aquarian) man of her dreams- with far-reaching consequences*.*Notice that on the author press release, the bulleted summary quotes are reviewer quotes, while the who, what, when, where, and why are all information about the books plot. This is because the purpose of the press release is to announce the book itself, rather than a signing or event surrounding the book.

Does Black Seed Oil Really Work Scientific Analysis of Benefits

Does Black Seed Oil Really Work Scientific Analysis of Benefits SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The world of natural supplements can be confusing because there are so many misleading claims about their benefits floating around the internet. Black seed oil is one of the more intriguing natural supplements on the market because of its rich history as an herbal medicine. In this article, I'll provide all the most current information on black seed oil, including what it is, black seed oil benefits, what it can't do (according to recent scientific research), and the best places to buy black seed oil. Unlike other guides, we don't want to dwell on hype and false promises- we only want to give you clear, scientifically-supported information. What Is Black Seed Oil? Black seed oil is a substance derived from the small, black crescent-shaped seeds of the Nigella sativa plant. The plant grows in southwest Asia. Black seed oil is usually taken orally, either taken straight as an oil or in a gel capsule. Black seed oil also goes by many other names, including: Nigella cretica oil Black cumin seed oil Roman coriander oil Nutmeg flower oil Fennel flower oil Ajaji oil Kalonji oil Black caraway oil Black sesame oil Onion seed oil The active ingredients found in black seed oil are the following three chemicals: thymoquinone (TQ), thymohydroquinone (THQ) and thymol. TQ has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it also may help promote healthy liver functioning. Researchers are in the process of testing its viability as a cancer treatment. THQ is a natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, meaning it increases the level of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine can help improve memory and motor function through stimulation of the muscles, glands, and the central nervous system. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative conditions. THQ is also being investigated for potential in treating cancer. Thymol has antimicrobial properties, so it accounts for black seed oil’s potential viability as a natural antibiotic. Thymol also has anti-tumor properties that are still being investigated. The flower of the nigella sativa plant How Is Black Seed Oil Typically Used? Though many people in the western world are less familiar with black seed oil, it has been used in the Middle East and Asia for thousands of years as an herbal remedy. It is said to treat varied ailments including asthma, hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, bronchitis, headache, eczema, and the flu. In the face of these big claims, it's important to focus on what's been scientifically proven. You’ll see many people promoting black seed oil based on the fact that it’s been used in medicine since ancient times, but this doesn’t prove anything about its effectiveness in a modern context. While black seed oil has shown some promise in lowering triglycerides and blood pressure, treating allergies, improving memory in older people, and treating certain infections, it will not solve serious medical problems. As far as we can tell from the research that’s been conducted, black seed oil has very mild positive effects on a variety of different human health conditions. Black Seed Oil: Benefits and Limitations Are you thinking about buying black seed oil as a dietary supplement? First you should know what these types of supplements can really do for you and why it’s important to remain wary of the dramatic claims sellers make about their effects. Why Should You Be Skeptical of Natural Supplements? The companies and individuals that sell supplements have every incentive to exaggerate their positive effects. Doctors often get monetary incentives for pushing these types of products as well. Always, always look at the research before allowing anyone to convince you that a supplement will cure your medical problems. Ideally, the supplement should have been tested in randomized control trials and shown to have a statistically significant impact on the ailment in question. This is the gold standard for making a strong argument that a substance has a particular effect- if it hasn't been put to this test, then all you're trusting is hearsay. While it’s unlikely that most natural supplements will do harm to your health, in many cases they are a waste of money that could be spent on more effective treatments. Some people make a living by preying on the public's tendency to trust their self-proclaimed "expert" opinions. Verified Uses for Black Seed Oil There are many who claim that black seed oil has hundreds of uses and can treat almost anything under the sun. Although it may be beneficial for some conditions, its health effects aren’t as wide ranging as some people want you to think. There are quite a few scientifically supported black seed oil benefits, but most of them have been shown to produce only minor effects. Here’s a list of various uses in order of how viable they are according to scientific research: #1: Alleviating Allergy Symptoms Several studies have shown black seed oil to aid in the reduction of allergy symptoms like asthma, eczema, and overall congestion. These studies were conducted on people of both genders in varying age groups, so they show wide-ranging validity. #2: Improving Lung Function Black seed supplements have been shown to improve pulmonary function in asthmatics and people who have been exposed to agents of chemical warfare. This evidence is pretty solid because the effects of the seed were compared to a placebo and shown to be statistically significant. Asthmatics were even able to take less anti-asthmatic medication following the treatment. However, these studies had very small sample sizes, so more research still needs to be conducted. #3: Improving Memory and Cognition There is some evidence that black seed oil can mildly improve attention, memory, and cognition in older individuals. This is based on one study conducted on a small group of older male subjects, so more research still needs to be done to confirm the effects of the supplement. #4: Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain from arthritis has shown to be mildly reduced through the use of black seed oil supplements in a small group of test subjects. Stiffness, swelling, and joint pain all decreased modestly with a 1000 mg daily supplement of black seed oil. #5: Treating Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver. One small study showed a 38 percent reduction in the presence of viral RNA in the livers of patients treated with 1350 mg of black seed oil a day for three months. This was without the addition of any other medications. Though this is promising, more research on a higher volume of test subjects must be conducted before any major conclusions can be drawn about black seed oil's effectiveness as a treatment for Hep C. #6: Reducing Blood Pressure, Triglycerides, and LDL Cholesterol There is some evidence that black seed oil can play a very small part in reduction of these risk factors in people who already have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. However, this is so minor that it would likely have almost no effect on overall health, so black seed oil isn’t a valid overall treatment for any of these issues. There is evidence that black seed oil can help you manage all of your most annoying allergy symptoms. Things Black Seed Oil DOESN'T Do There are some commonly-advertised black seed oil benefits that are not strongly supported by scientific evidence. As far as we know, black seed oil will NOT treat cancer in any significant way. It has shown potential for reducing tumor growth based on studies in rats, but we don’t know yet whether it can treat cancer in humans, and it may not interact favorably with other more aggressive cancer treatments. Always consult with your doctor before supplementing your treatment with herbal medicines. There have also been studies done on black seed oil as a potential treatment for diabetes. However, the effect of black seed oil on blood glucose levels has been overall negligible. Positive effects were only noticeable if people were also medicated in other ways or if no placebo group was used for comparison. This is not a viable treatment for diabetes on its own. Black seed oil also doesn’t help with weight loss. In general, you shouldn’t let anyone sell you a supplement that they advertise as a weight loss miracle drug. The only way to accomplish long term weight loss is to reduce your food intake gradually over time and try to exercise more frequently. Just taking black seed oil won't help you lose weight- you gotta put in the work in other areas. Side Effects and Interactions While black seed oil is pretty benign in terms of its side effects and interactions with other drugs, there are a couple of potential problems that you should know about using it. Skin Irritation Some people get what’s called â€Å"contact dermatitis† from black seed oil, which essentially means their skin becomes mildly irritated. You may experience itching, blistering, pain, and tenderness along with a red skin rash. Allergic Reaction As with any other herbal supplement, you may experience an allergic reaction from ingesting nigella sativa. This could cause swelling, hives, and other common allergy symptoms. (Potential) Kidney and Liver Damage Rats given high doses of nigella sativa experienced kidney and liver damage. We don’t know yet whether these findings can also be applied to humans, but to be safe you should avoid taking more than the recommended daily amount of the supplement. Interaction with Blood Pressure Medications Use of black seed oil in conjunction with medication that lowers your blood pressure could potentially lead to hypotension (excessively low blood pressure). This can be dangerous because your body is unable to get enough oxygen to your vital organs. However, since studies have shown that black seed oil only has a minor effect on lowering blood pressure, this seems like it shouldn’t be a huge concern. Discuss this with your doctor before supplementing your treatment. Risks Associated with Pregnancy You should also avoid taking these supplements if you’re pregnant just because there isn’t enough information on the effects they might have on the child’s development. If you're worried about a natural supplement interacting with medications you're taking, talk to your doctor first to find out about the potential risks. Purchasing Options Here are a few of the best options for supplements in either gel or oil form. The recommended dosage for black seed oil is 250-1000 mg daily. The oils are more expensive, but they also contain a lot more doses in each bottle. An 8 oz bottle of oil will last you at least three times as long as a bottle of softgels, so you get much for your money. It’s a matter of your personal preference - many people just find it easier to take supplements like this in pill form. Softgels Best Naturals Black Seed Oil (90 500 mg softgels for $14.99) Contains gelatin It says to take two softgels twice daily for a total of 2000 mg a day, but I would advise taking just one or two pills a day. Health Logics Black Cumin Seed Oil (100 500 mg softgels for $14.49) Contains gelatin It says to take one softgel 2-4 times a day as a dietary supplement, but as with the other softgels, 1-2 should be sufficient. Oils Amazing Herbs Black Seed Cold-Pressed Oil (8 oz for $19 or 16 oz for $29.95) Organic Non-GMO The recommended dose is 1-2 tsp (500-1000 mg) Sweet Sunnah Black Seed Oil (16 oz for $30) Vegan Non-GMO Organic Glass bottle The recommended dose is 1-2 tsp (500-1000 mg) How to Use Black Seed Oil (And How Not To) Black seed oil is a substance derived from the seeds of the nigella sativa plant, and it has been used in herbal remedies since ancient times. It is also commonly known as black cumin seed oil or kalonji oil. Medical uses for black seed oil that have shown some promise in scientific studies include: Alleviating allergy symptoms Improving lung function in asthmatics and those exposed to chemical toxins Improving memory and cognition in the elderly Treating pain from rheumatoid arthritis Treating Hepatitis C Reducing blood pressure, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol in those who already have elevated concentrations of each (very minor effect) Black seed oil will not cure cancer or diabetes or make you lose weight without other lifestyle changes, so be wary of dramatic claims about its extraordinary health benefits. If you do choose to take black seed oil supplements, remember that 250-1000 mg is the recommended daily dosage.

Should technology be use in classroom Research Paper

Should technology be use in classroom - Research Paper Example The paper outlines all pros and cons of using modern technologies at schools. Technology is an alternative to the teacher; in instances when the teacher in not available or there is a shortage of them technology can be used instead of the teacher. Technology in the classrooms will reduce use of chalks that is associated with causing breathing problems caused by chalk dust. This will improve hygiene to the teachers and students and also make work easier. The teacher will not have to write on the board as the writings will be displayed on the screen. The use of internet will help teacher share information and develop the timetables and curriculum ad share among themselves without coming meeting. It is also possible for student to get instructions from the teachers while they are still in the staffroom or when they are far. This is made possible by use of intranet and internet. With technology, it will encourage student to learn more as they have more freedom. They can also learn what t hey want to learn and at the time they like. This reduces boredom and dependence on the teacher for education. Also, we find that the students can get their teachers work without coming into contact with the teacher. This is made possible by using technology like internet. Technology use does not require use of special classes. Students can learn their subjects from one point without shifting to another area. They only require the presence of a computer that will provide the necessary concepts of the subject.

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

Operating System Concepts - Assignment Example 2. Methods and Object Synchronization (mutual exclusion): One process should be able to use only one resource at a time. The request by another process should be delayed until the resource has been released. 3. Deadlock prevention: Deadlock can be prevented by using different schemes or by avoiding the necessary conditions (mutual exclusion, hold and wait, no preemption and circular wait (Stalling, 274)) which hold true for it. The different schemes are: 2. (20 points) Given that the first three necessary conditions for a deadlock are in place, provide detailed comments on the feasibility of the following strategy and the potential outcomes based upon its application. All processes are given unique priorities. When more than one process is waiting for a resource and the resource becomes available, allocate the resource to the waiting process with the highest priority. Now, in the given scenario all processes have their unique priority. Let us assume there are two resources R1 and R2 and process P1 has higher property than P2. Consider P1 holds R1 and P2 holds R2 and P2 is requesting for R1. Now, if P1 requests for R2 it will not get the resource even if it has the higher priority, because resources are not preemptive. So deadlock is still possible in this condition. There exists one CPU in this system, which may run one program at a time. Should information be allowed to move from any level to any level or should transfers only occur from adjacent levels? Explain in detail.

Robert Browning and his poetry Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Robert Browning and his poetry - Research Paper Example It would appear that Browning was greatly influenced by this review because after Mill’s criticism, he rarely wrote about his own emotions or used a subjective tone in his poetry. As a teenager, Browning was greatly influenced by the poet Percy Shelley. His earliest poetry efforts reflected Shelley’s views and style. Shelley’s writings inspired Browning to be an atheist for a short amount of time. Later he would say that his short-lived atheism was just a phase that he passed through in his life. His first published poem, entitled â€Å"Pauline: A Fragment of Confession† was thought to be inspired by a religious music composer named Eliza Flower. (Liukkonen). In 1969, he wrote what is known as his greatest poem, â€Å"The Ring and the Book,† which was a tribute to his wife Elizabeth who had passed away eight years before. Browning’s first critical praise came after he published â€Å"Paracelsus† in 1835. William Wordsworth and other di stinguished writers praised the poem and thought him a very promising young poet. For the next 30 years, however, a majority of his works were harshly criticized until the late 1860s when he wrote the much praised â€Å"The Ring and the Book.† Later, in 1873, he wrote â€Å"Red Cotton Night – Cap Country.† The Examiner called the work â€Å"the most useful of all the good poems that he has written† (Johnson). Browning’s Work as a Whole Overall, Browning’s poetry could accurately be described as narrative and dramatic. More specifically, his major works are best described as dramatic monologues. A dramatic monologue features a single character narration. The monologue style allows for the audience to judge the narrator’s worth and the value of what he is saying. Also, the narrator is not generally speaking to the audience in this type of poem but merely musing to themselves. In general, Browning’s poetry is difficult to read and understand and, as Encyclopedia Brittanica states, â€Å"certain [Browning] poems require a considerable acquaintance with their subjects in order to be understood† (Brittanica). As mentioned earlier, Browning departed from the self-conscious tone of his first poem and adopted the narrative structure. He is often known for giving the poem’s audience an unanticipated point of view. He also frequently uses irony in his poems and is able to shift the focus of his poems as well. Many Christian themes and sentiments can also be observed in Browning’s work. His poetry also reflects his changing religious views throughout his life. He frequently deals with the topics of love, faith, and death. Also, his works occasionally reveal his uncertainty and skepticism about religion (Johnson). However, by today’s standards they are viewed as quite optimistic as well as spiritual. The rhythm of Browning’s poetry is mostly irregular. He employed a wide variety of m etrical forms in his writing. He was able to create very interesting rhythms and melodies by using these varied metrical forms and rhythms. A good illustration of this technique can be observed by reading the following extract from Browning’s poem Abt Vogler: And one would bury his brow with a blind plunge down to hell, Burrow awhile and build, broad on the roots of things, Then up again swim into sight, having based me my palace well, Founded it, fearless of flame, flat on the nether springs. Browning also wrote

Meeting Organizational Aims and Commitment in Healthcare

Meeting Organizational Aims and Commitment in Healthcare Managing a healthcare facility or a healthcare organization with diverse and multicultural employees requires an exquisite and well updated policies and procedures. These would become the governing principle and plan that guides every action, stating what should and how should an action be done. But before an organization put up these policies and procedures, it should first have clarified its organizational aims and with the help of these policies and procedures, fulfilment of these aims will follow. Organizational aims are the goals or objectives that an organization seeks to achieve. It is something that an organization has envisioned to happen. And in order to meet its aim the organization then has to establish the mechanisms it will use in order to achieve those ends, draw up some plan and come up with a strategy. By setting aims or objectives, organizations give themselves a sense of purpose and direction. This provides a frame of reference around which to create their plans. With an overall plan in place, a company or organization can set particular targets and monitor its progression towards reaching them.[1] In a healthcare setting, one of the most important factors to consider in setting up an aim is that everybody’s right would be equal especially in a healthcare institution with differences in employees’ culture and with diverse nationalities. The best example of an aim with this kind of setting would be to provide diversity and equality to all in employment regardless of their gender, ethnic origin, age, nationality and national origin, disabilities, sexuality, religion or belief, social class as well as marital status. Organizational aim should also include opposition to any form of unlawful and unfair discrimination. Example of this would be the fair or equal treatment to all employees, whether part-time, full-time or just temporary. Even those with disabilities, male or female or anyone with different gender orientation should be treated with respect. Another important aim of an organization that promotes equality is giving the same opportunities for employment, prom otion, training or any other benefit to everybody. Everybody will be justified on the basis of their ability and disposition not because of the differences in age, races and other areas of discrimination. For example is that age shouldn’t be a matter in choosing who the organization will employ. Everybody in different ages should be welcomed and given opportunities because it doesn’t always mean that the older the age, the lesser the ability to learn new things or the older the greater experience. It should be the organization’s purpose to encourage and help all the employees to develop their full potential for them to exercise their talents and resources. This will lead to full utilization of the workforce and creative innovations of employees will be fully utilised and also, the efficiency of the organisation will be maximised. Having these aims and objectives in an organization will definitely address disparities in every individual and will lead to a cultura lly sensitive and globally competitive organization. Addressing inequalities and disparities in a workplace is not an easy task but as long as the organization or institution sticks or would not lose sight to its goal of promoting equality and diversity then everything will fall to its place. Reaching organizational aims requires organizational commitment. The level of employee’s commitment greatly affects the system of the whole organization. Organizational commitment to promote employees’ well-being in a workplace should be a must for every organization. It serves as the guide of an organization of its obligation to every employee with which, should be leading to equality and diversity principles and policies. Moreover, this also has an effect on whether the employee will remain with the organization and to perform with greater effectiveness. A healthcare organization commitment should be based on its organizational aim. Its commitment is to build an environment in which individual disparities and the contributions of all the staff are acknowledged and are given importance. Every employee is entitled to a work in an environment that uplifts the dignity and respect to all and no form of coercion, bullying or persecution will be tolerated. The healthcare organization should also be in charge of continuity of progress and development of employees through provision of trainings or in house seminars. This would help them become more confident and knowledgeable in every aspect of the organization system which will then make them an effective part of it. WRITING EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY Equality policy reflects the commitment of an organization to equal opportunities. It is an assurance for all employees and also to potential employees that they will be treated fairly and considerately. Developing equality policy is one of the important factors in building a sustainable organization. It gives forth on rich diversity of society and provides equal favourable circumstances for everyone involved. What is an equality policy? An Equality Policy is a written statement showing that an organisation actively opposes discrimination. It demonstrates commitment to making the organisation a fully accessible and inclusive place that welcomes and respects diversity.[2] All organisations must be apprehensive of their legal obligations regarding discrimination by reviewing it in various Acts of Parliament. In writing equality and diversity policies, the management committee should engage employees and everyone involved in an organization. It should be developed in consultation with them and it should be supported by everyone in the organization. This will enable the organization to develop a more inclusive and comprehensive policy addressing equality issues which will also make its implementation easier. The policy of the organization should have four distinct parts. The policy should contain a statement of the organization’s aim to encourage, value and manage diversity, specifically there is no harassment and bullying; the commitment to provide equality for all and also the intention to take constructive ways to encourage cooperation. Moreover, the list of objectives that the organization seeks to achieve and the procedures to take the aims into action should also be included in the policy. Most importantly, it should be monitored, evaluated and reviewed upon certain amount of times. The areas of discrimination that an organization will counter should then be identified. These are usually age, disability, physical appearance, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including ethnic origin, colour, nationality and national origin), religion or belief (including philosophical belief), sex and sexual orientation.[3] In the organization ’s policy statement, it should recognize that there are certain people or group of people in the society who are discriminated and that it is opposed to it and will take steps to counter it. Objectives in every organization may vary but it may include ensuring that all workers and management committee receive training on issues about equality and diversity and no one experiences discrimination, bullying or harassment of any sort. What about the action plan? Without an action plan with regular monitoring and reviews to back it up, no matter how well-written the policy is, there is no way of ensuring it has any significance. The action should be detailed on about what will be done, when it should be done and by whom. The organization should set dates on when they will do monitoring, reviewing procedures, and training. Setting out minimum standards of behavior and making sure everyone is aware of them is an important procedure. The organization should also develop procedures for dealing with breaches of the code like grievance policies, harassment or bullying policies and if somebody had breached it, there should be a corresponding consequence. The organization should also establish programs providing equality and diversity training to everyone and they should be aware and be familiar with the procedures so that they will also know what is expected of them when they are implemented. Equality and diversity policy must be monitored continually by which statistical information is collected and results are evaluated. The purpose of monitoring is to enable you to examine how the policy and action plan are working and if they are not working well the organization can make necessary revisions to put it right. Monitoring involves gathering individual personal information on the diversity of potential recruits or existing employees and comparing and analyzing this against other groups of employees in the organization. This monitoring poses a problem as workers are not obliged to provide information about them so one way to gather information could be done through confidential surveys and questionnaires. Policy should clearly state as who will be responsible for monitoring, evaluating and reviewing the policies and how often it should be done. REFERENCES: Acas (2014). Delivering equality and diversity. Retrieved from  http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=818 Beyond Barriers. Equality and diversity, how to write an inclusive equality policy.  Retrieved from http://www.stonewall.org.uk/beyond_barriers/information/equality_and_diversity/1134.asp#1 Liff, S.(2006). Diversity and equal opportunities: Room for constructive  compromise?. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-8583.1999.tb00190.x/abstract;jsessionid=3D5E2E8F40E7E3AFD2127B49BDB290AE.f03t02?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=userIsAuthenticated=false Michellin (2014). Business aims, objectives, and values. Retrieved from  http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/michelin/business-aims-objectives-and-values/aims-and-objectives.html#ixzz34ODthJ95 Owitzy, S. O. (2014). The impact of organizational commitment on effectiveness of  banks in Nigeria: A study of selected banks in Makudi Metropolis. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/2928313/THE_IMPACT_OF_ORGANISATIONAL_COMMITMENT_ON_EFFECTIVENESS_OF_BANKS_IN_NIGERIA_A_STUDY_OF_SELECTED_BANKS_IN_MAKURDI_METROPOLIS University of Florida College of Medicine (2014).Research and intervention program-aims and objectives. Retrieved from http://ufhealthdisparities.med.ufl.edu/about/aims-objectives/ [1] Michellin (2014). Business aims, objectives, and values. Retrieved from http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/michelin/business-aims-objectives-and-values/aims-and-objectives.html#ixzz34ODthJ95 [2] Beyond Barriers. Equality and diversity, how to write an inclusive equality policy. Retrieved from http://www.stonewall.org.uk/beyond_barriers/information/equality_and_diversity/1134.asp#1 [3] Acas (2014). Delivering equality and diversity. Retrieved from http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=818

Use of Repetition, Word Choice, and Imagery in Neuromancer :: Neuromancer Essays

Use of Repetition, Word Choice, and Imagery in Neuromancer While reading "Neuromancer", one may become extremely baffled if he or she cannot interpret the terminology used or the framework in which the book is written. Hence, the use of the formalistic approach is necessary in order for the reader to actually understand the concepts trying to be declared by Gibson. Through the formalistic approach one can begin to see that Gibson uses repetition, and specific word choice to set the tone for the novel, and imagery to relate the content of the book to the lives of his readers. Gibson chooses words to aid the reader in imagining the "dystopia" of the Freeside, a place where the main portion of the book takes place: "For Case, who'd lived for the bodiless exultation of cyberspace, it was the Fall" (6). "The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel" (3). Gibson describes Freeside as if it is one of the worst places to go. Katie Cooper also describes the dystopia portrayed in this book as well. Gibson also uses words out of the science fiction terminology such as "jack-in and flatline" to encourage the reader to feel as though he or she is actually in the mist of cyberspace. Even the title of the novel depicts a certain characteristic of the book: "'Neuromancer,' the boy said, slitting long gray eyes'The lane of the land of the dead. Where you are, my friend Neuro from the nerves, the silver paths. Romancer" (243). Through Gibson's use of specific words he creates a constantly depressing mood and he allows the reader in many ways to visualize cyberspace themselves. William Gibson is able to project a clear-cut conception of human communication and exactly how we interact with one another through imagery. He symbolizes this relationship through the use of the two Artificial Intelligence's (AI), Wintermute and Neuromancer. In the book, the AIs live completely different contexts than the other characters such as Case, Molly, or Linda. "No. I saw her death coming. In the patterns you sometimes imagined you could detect... My methods are far more subtle than Wintermute'. I brought her here. Into myself" (259). Neuromancer, one of the AI's, uses Case's close friend, Linda, to try and deceive Case into staying on the beach. Hence, the AI's speak through old friends of the characters to communicate with them.

Diplomatic History Essay

Operation Rolling Thunder refers to an intense onslaught carried out by the United States against the North Vietnamese in the period between 1965-1968. The rationale behind this attack was not clear, as even its chief architects believe it was not clear-cut. No one had put into consideration the political costs and loss of lives. President Johnson hoped that with this onslaught, he would boost the dying morale of the southern Vietnamese by impressing upon them the Americans might. This however achieved the opposite by diminishing his political standing at home and did not help to bring the North Vietnamese to the negotiating table as was hoped. The Six-Day War is a war that pitted Israel on one side against Jordan, Egypt and Syria. These countries had vowed not to recognize the legitimacy of Israel and wanted it destroyed, however Israel victory dealt these countries a huge blow and they retreated after it became apparent that Israel would reach their capital. This war brought a near clash between two superpowers then, the United States and the Soviet Union, with the U. S behind Israel and USSR behind the Arab states. This war had put the U. S in a tight spot as it did not want to sour its relations with the Arabs or its diplomatic ties with Israel. This is seen as the reason why the U. S exercised restrain and only aided Israel with weapons but no direct intervention. The Iran Contra Scandal occurred in 1987 and refers to a deal entered into by president Reagan’s administration and Iran. The United States was to supply Iran with weapons so that it would facilitate and press for the release of American hostages held by the Hezbollah. This scandal tarnished the U. S stand abroad of not negotiating with terrorists and also led to the plummeting of Reagan’s popularity. It would also see the conviction of some high-ranking officials. Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev of Russia was the last president of the United Soviet Socialist Republic before it collapsed in 1991. He is hailed for having initiated the move that led to the end of cold war. He introduced reforms in Russia and tightened the relations with President Ronald Regan, ending the cold war and consequently the breaking up the USSR. It is during this tenure that the relations between the USSR and the U. S were improved. Core to his reforms was re-introduction of ties with the west. Kosovo, Yugoslavia, had been rocked by fighting between Albania guerillas and Serb forces. The United States and NATO forces stepped in to help quell the fighting resulting to what came to be known as Operation Allied Forces that initiated an onslaught against Serbia till Slobodan Milosevic withdrew from Kosovo. The United States over the years was actively involved in the process meant to restore peace although the congress did not expressly authorize the air strikes nor block them. To date The UN Resolution 1244 has failed to establish the status of Kosovo. The United States has been supporting what is referred to as the Ahtisaari plan that seeks to have Kosovo supervised. Russia is opposing the plan and vows to use the Veto power should the situation demand. The Dayton Accords refer to the peace agreements that saw the end of the Bosnia war in 1995. This agreement was the culmination of a series of negotiations that had before been unfruitful. The United States and Russia had been mounting pressure for the warring sides to accept negotiations. These negotiations held in Ohio brought together a cross section of leaders from the region. This was done under the tutelage of the U. S secretary of state Warren Christopher together with the representatives of European Union. The Official peace pact was to be signed in France by Clinton, John Major, and Jacques Chirac amongst others. This pact was to see the international community lead the implementation of the treaty backed by the NATO forces. Ngo Dinh Diem was born in 1901. He went to the United States due to political turmoil at home. In the US he would meet the then influential leaders where he reiterated his opposition to colonialism and communism in his bid to gain their approval. He succeeded and the United States installed him as the president hoping he would become a U. S puppet. This however did not happen and he was oppressive of the Southern Vietnamese. He rigged the elections that were to follow and imprisoned opposition leaders and critics. The United States was torn between a rock and a hard place, it risked being stuck with an unpopular leader who was unable to unite Vietnam and in turn lose the country to the communists. This is what led CIA to sanction a plot to have Diem assassinated by failing to offer the protection they were giving him before. Consequently he was assassinated in 1963 and his place taken by Nguyen Van Thieu. The relationship between the United States and PLO can only be described as that of perpetual hostility towards each other. To the United States, PLO represented a major threat to its interests and ally in Middle East. PLO also saw the U. S as a threat and that is why it aligned itself with the USSR and took a strong anti-American stance. In spite of this standoff, the United States initiated a dialogue between the two in 1988. PLO accepted the status of Israel and agreed to denounce terrorism hence triggering the dialogue. All along there had been a long stand-off between the two as PLO had refused to acknowledge the existence of Israel while in turn the U. S had not recognized PLO as the voice of the Palestine people. By accepting to negotiate with the PLO, PLO saw this as a form of recognition and it felt that it had won against the U. S’ hard stance. The U. S stand against PLO and the initiation of the talks has always been a defining moment in Middle East because it gave an international recognition, in line with the UN resolutions, a nation it considered a terrorist movement. The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) fronted by President Reagan, aimed at developing a system that would use ground and space systems to defend the United States in case of a nuclear ballistic missiles attack. This system did not succeed as it was intended to, but it is hailed as being the basis under which the current anti-ballistic missiles were made. All these efforts and research was put under the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization that was brought together in 1984 to oversee all matters relating to missile defense. The Taliban are a Sunni Islamic movement that was at the helm of leadership in Afghanistan for a period of five years up to 2001 when they were removed from power by a coalition of forces led by the united states. It has a rather interesting history as in its early days it was supported by the United States to fight off the communists who wanted to take over Afghanistan. After taking over power in 1998, the Taliban hard stance, Sharia law, suppression and persecutions did not endear it to many countries including the United States which saw it as harboring terrorists such as the Al Qaeda. It was ousted from power by a coalition of forces and the Northern alliance in what came to be known as war on terror. Part 2 President Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger remain the two of the most important figures in the United States as far as foreign policy is concerned. No doubt that Nixon’s administration was riddled with a scandal that would lead to his resignation. Critics agree however that his tenure was not without some important accomplishments. Appropriately President Nixon came into power when the cold war had intensified and the world was at the brink of war with the United States and the Soviet Union rocked into a perpetual duel that was threatening a peaceful co-existence between the West and East. President Nixon was elected on a platform of ending American forces engagement in Vietnam. This, he achieved although his withdrawal was rather slow much to the consternation of many Americans. It had seemed that Nixon rather believed that he could correct the mess he had inherited in Vietnam, snatch victory and withdraw the troops honorably. This however did not happen and the events that followed remain his lowest moments in leadership. Nixon and Kissinger were advocating a foreign policy that would see the United States pursue an effort to limit the expansion of the Soviet bloc influence, support militarily and economically any governments that would aid their course whether or not such governments were repressive or had poor ratings as far as civil rights are concerned. This would explain why this tenure was characterized by overthrowal from power popularly elected regimes and supplanting them with dictatorial leaderships. Iran and Chile serves as good attestation to this. The key objective of Nixon administration was to keep communism in check at whatever cost even if it meant trampling on the civil rights of the citizens and dropping hundreds of bombs. The Vietnam War still remains the biggest to both Kissinger and Nixon’s profiles. Faced with growing opposition and plummeting opinion ratings, Nixon remained aloof and initiated attacks in Vietnam while hoodwinking the American public by withdrawing the forces bits by bits. To his administration ‘place with honor’ remained the key strategy. It is Detente that remains the hallmark of his achievements, on top of his ability to limit and finally withdraw American forces from Vietnam. In Detente he promised to ease relations with the former archrivals of America. It was a new type of diplomacy that would see a permanent relaxation of relations between the superpowers, even the nations that were perceived as enemies before. This, he accomplished by improving the relations between the United States and China. Kissinger was Nixon’s key operative. He was highly secretive to the extent that his meeting with Chinese officials was unknown to the ambassador of the U. S to China, George Bush snr. However he was able to improve the sour relation that existed. This was in the Nixon’s bid to woo China after it had fallen out with the Soviet bloc and consequently tilt the balance to his advantage. Aided by the Kissinger, Nixon introduced what was referred to as the Nixon Doctrine; this is what formed the basis of his foreign policy. The United States, to maintain its influence would provide military support to its allies but not in any way provide troops. In wooing China, Nixon and Kissinger who were realists, had reconciled that China was far much important to be ignored in the international scene being the most populous. This also gave impetus to his re-election bid especially as the Ping Pong diplomacy had drawn a perception that he identified with the common voter. Through the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty of 1972 (SALT), the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to curtail further production of high range ballistic missiles as well as their defense systems. This ‘strategic parity’, as many scholars refer to it, was to be a substitute to the arms race. The Soviet bloc agreed to this immediately probably fearing the improved relations between China and the United States. To wrap up Nixon achievements in foreign policy was his visit to China, where he became the first president to do so; this had privately been arranged by Kissinger. He also went to Moscow where he and Brezhner signed the SALT and trade agreements. The shuttle diplomacy also said off relatively where Henry Kissinger was able to broker a peace deal with Israel an Arab in the Yom Kippur war. In this war the U. S had been torn between a rock and a hard place. It sought to protect Israel and did not want to scuttle its friendship with the Arab states. Although Nixon had the above achievements, his mistakes or miscalculations further outweighed the accomplishments. Many people in U. S and internationally remember him for his misdeeds more that these achievements. His administration single handedly put the image of the United States as a champion of civil rights and peace into disrepute. To start with was his handling of the Vietnam War. He was unable to come to terms with the fact that the United States could lose the war and was willing to put the lives of American soldiers on the line to drive this point home, but to no avail. Despite cutting his stature in the international limelight as a statesman by establishing ties with china, the question of Vietnam is still very troublesome to both Nixon and Kissinger. Nixon had vowed to win peace. Vietnamization or the concerted attack in Laos and Cambodia put a permanent dent on his reputation. He hoped that these would paint an image of a ‘madman’ and compel Hanoi to reach a favorable agreement. These attacks prompted Americans to take to the streets in protest especially as it became apparent that he had dropped all pretext of diplomacy. Although Kissinger was able to bring the warring parties into negotiations, the terms were not any different from the ones that north Vietnam had brought to the table in 1969, an indication that all those years of attack and loss of lives had not borne fruits especially to the United States. It is the Watergate scandal however that broke the camels back and forced Nixon out of office. The Watergate scandal remains the greatest evidence of the atrocities committed by the United States where both Kissinger and Nixon undermined democracy in the third world and brought bloodshed. It is these atrocities that led to calls by civil and human rights activists to have Kissinger investigated for crimes against humanity. After the scandal, the United States was not credible in its self-proclaimed international role. Oil crises would loom in the U. S as the Middle East placed embargoes. There was also a political re-alignment with disillusionment characterizing the Republican Party. Kissinger however was left unscathed and went on to serve as the secretary of state in Ford and Carters administration. Nixon’s presidency is a tenure that many Americans would wish to put behind.

anthro research essays

anthro research essays In a March 26, 1999 issue of Science G. A. Clark contributed an article entitled Highly Visible, Curiously Intangible, subtitled modern human origins research. This article tackles the issues surrounding the two competing models of human evolution: the continuity model and the replacement model. Clark borrowed the title from the geneticist Henry Harpendings phrase-a highly visible, yet intangible field, which Harpeding used to describe the controversial endeavor to trace the modern human origins. Clark states that until scientists make explicit paradigms for both replacement and continuity models, each model supporter camp will interpret common variables differently, to make them fit each respective model. Clark (1999) wrote, We are, in effect, consumers of one anothers research conclusions, but we select among alternative sets of research conclusions in accordance with our biases and preconceptions. These biases and preconceptions must be subjected to critical scrutiny. As long as t here is no explicit concern with the logic of inference-how we know what we think we know about the past-there can be no consensus (Clark, 1999, p. 2029). This paper will trace the origins of hominids, from the 4.4 mya Australopithecine period to the 100 tya Homo sapien period. It will side with the multiregional continuity model of hominid evolution, however, several sittings from works that support the replacement model will be incorporated into this paper in order to compare and contrast the significant differences in the two models. Most experts in the field of anthropology agree that the first erect bipeds, called the early hominids appeared in East Africa about four million years ago. They were given the name Australopithecus-being very primitive hominids, with small craniums and elongated arms, they were not known to have used fire or made tools. Researchers are aware of a few species o...

Coles English Q W1 Essay

Coles English Q W1 Essay Coles English Q W1 Essay On the weekend of January 7-9, more than 30 peaceful protestors from throughout California joined forces in the California desert’s Chuckwalla Valley at the Corn Springs Road exit/overpass along Interstate 10, east of Desert Center, to register their opposition to the 46,000-acres of public desert lands, including a large area of Chuckwalla Valley, approved for construction on public California desert lands under the Obama Administration’s federal â€Å"fast-track† renewable energy program, as well as to the hundreds of thousands of acres pending approval for similar projects. Included among the protestors were representatives from La Cuna de Aztlan Sacred Sites Protection Circle; Citizens for the Chuckwalla Valley; Mojave Desert Watch; the Sierra Club; Desert Survivors; and Basin and Range Watch, which sponsored the protest. The protest featured desert residents and visitors from afar, and offered educational materials to the many people who visited the protest. In addition, a colorful assemblage of Aztec Dancers from Needles, along with Native American singers and drummers from the Chemehuevi Nation performed for several hours atop the Corn Springs Road overpass. Concerns registered by the sponsors and participants in the protest included: the impending destruction of 17,000 known archaeological sites in the California desert; threats to endangered wildlife species, such as the California Desert Tortoise - large numbers of which have been â€Å"re-located† at Ivanpah, where construction has already begun - and widespread disturbance of desert topsoil, a major CO2 generator. Protestors also voiced concerns over threats to air quality, a severe strain on already-limited water supplies, and irreversible threats to the fragile desert ecosystem. â€Å"What the fast-track energy program threatens to do to the remaining pristine areas of the California desert is the equivalent of clear-cutting old-growth redwood trees in the Pacific Nor thwest,† says Ruth Nolan, desert author/scholar and Professor at College of the Desert. â€Å"Those of us at the protest were registering our concerns and hoping to forestall imminent plans to turn the California desert into a massive industrial zone, leading to an inevitable ecological collapse.† Protestors emphasized that they are not opposed to renewable energy, but to the environmentally, culturally, and archaeologically threatening potentials of the massive-scale wind and solar approved or pending approval on the fast-track program. Laura Cunningham, one of the protest organizers, noted that an important focus in the Chuckwalla Valley gathering was to raise awareness of the opportunities for smaller-scale renewable energy programs. â€Å"When people are educated with the facts to the alternatives that are truly green instead of raping the desert, they agree,† she says. â€Å"We reached a lot of people this weekend with our protest, and education is so impor tant in forming an opinion.† Alfredo Acosta Figueroa, founder of La Cuna de Atzlan, which recently filed a lawsuit against the federal government - along with CARE (Californians for Renewable Energy) and six individual Native Americans - was also at the protest. â€Å"We have a MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the BLM for the protection of sacred sites, including geoglyphs that are threatened by Big Solar. We had to sue the government to halt construction of the Blythe proposal.† A separate lawsuit has also been filed by the Quechan Indian Tribe against the U.S. government on behalf of a renewable energy project proposed in the Imperial Valley. Other already-approved renewable energy sites spread across a large area of public California desert lands, primarily in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, include the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating Project, the

An Organizational Ethical Dilemma of NIKE Essay

An Organizational Ethical Dilemma of NIKE - Essay Example According to the research findings Nike’s supply chain has flaws in contract negotiations and supplier oversight. The company’s dispersed nature of operations has created opportunities as well as posed challenges to the corporate reputation, to the brand and most importantly to the stakeholders at large. The dilemma that arose from Nike’s internationally disbanded manufacturing factories mainly focus on the poor labor practices, child labor, unsafe and inhumane working environment, discriminating wages, environmental hazardous operations and processes etc. All of these issues point towards Nike’s unconcerned social and corporate behavior. This indicates the absence of business ethics at Nike. 1. Nike was negligent towards its own factories and their practices. 2. There was neither established labor employment and working standards nor a code of ethics for conducting business overseas. 3. Nike not only failed to control overseas production activities but it was also failed to provide and maintain compliance of its international operations with the law. The ethical issues at Nike points out the company’s irresponsible business conduct towards its major stakeholders. The employees at Nike’s outsourced Asian factories were confronted with bad working conditions which were not only unsafe but also immoral and unethical to a great extent. These factories were using child labor, withholding due wages, extended working hours, harmful working conditions, no health and environmental concerns. All of this was done to keep the operating cost of Nike products as low as possible which was the primary goal of Nike’s production outsourcing. ... The company was only focusing its own management interest for low cost and profitability; and on the other hand it was ignoring even the basic rights and interests of rest of all its stakeholders. The internal customers i.e. the employees of Nike were confronted with malpractices and substandard working conditions. The company is so irresponsibly uninformed and unconcerned about what is going on in the overseas factories (DeTienne, and Lewis, 2005). Moreover, the company is pioneering the consumer market for its competitive products across the globe but it has no intentions or motivations to serve labor market the same leader’s way. It shows that the company was more concerned about cash inflow resources than about cash outflow sources. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE Nike’s environment unfriendly business practices were responsible for deteriorating surroundings in the localities where Nike’s apparel and textile industries were established. Nike was not taking any notice of these environmental losses to the local community (DeTienne, and Lewis, 2005). In this way Nike became critics’ prime target for unethical business attitude. Relevant Individuals and Groups (Stakeholders) Are Affected By the Dilemma? The main victims of Nike’s unethical business conduct were its own employees. Generally called as human assets; employees were being exploited by Nike. The customers and the consumers were also affected by Nike’s unethical practices, because they had trusted Nike products and the brand has established deep consumer connections (Williams, 2006). The consumer confidence over Nike was shattered. There was disappointment and distrust in consumer imagery for Nike. The community at large was also influenced by the negative externalities

Filmmaking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words - 1

Filmmaking - Essay Example I got to learn that the reflected-light meter does not always measure the light accurately because of the difference in reflectance and the result we thus get is underexposed. I learned that when I attempt to take a photo of a sunset, its brightness causes the reading of the light meter to become incorrect. This leads to the generation of an underexposed photo. In the still exercise, I realized that the camera’s aperture can be set as per the individual’s will. The setting of the aperture can be played with to generate stylish and artistic images. In the exercise, I found that one thing that is incredibly important for a director is the camera’s lenses. I was also taught the function of camera lenses. Learning the functionality of lenses was very interesting. One whole lecture was based on the filming exercise. During this exercise, I used a 50mm lens to get a medium close up, but the diameter of the lens decreased the depth of field and made the character isolat ed. Then I used a 12mm lens and took the camera closer to the character. This increased the depth of field and altered the composition of the shot altogether. As a result of this exercise, I learned that different lenses can be used to produce different images, and can totally change the significance of the background in a picture. Lenses are thus of prime cinematographic value. Lenses play a big role in making the photography adorable and the director can use them according to his/her style. Although I have learned quite a lot from the exercise, yet I have not sufficiently practiced what I have learned. Before directing the movie in the first term, I had a clear idea of what lenses to use when and I had also written some notes regarding use of lenses for different kinds of shots.