Likelihood

Likelihood mit_hopefulgirl asks, I was wondering if MIT actually sends out likely admit letters for RD applicants before the actual deadline? I know some other top colleges do. For those of you not up to speed on what a likely letter is, you should check out this Wall Street Journal article from two years ago. In increasing numbers, colleges are wooing their top choices with notes of praise and hints of acceptance letters and scholarship money to come. The idea is to win their affections by getting them some good news before the competition does. This courtship, which can take place up to several months before formal acceptance letters hit students mailboxes, comes in various forms: everything from likely letters which tell students that theyre likely to get admitted to love letters, or handwritten notes from admissions offices complimenting a students essay or some other aspect of the application. The short answer, mit_hopefulgirl, is MIT doesnt send these likely letters. One reason why likely letters arent a part of our process is that our process differs from many of the schools who employ them. At MIT, we read and summarize the applications over the course of a number of weeks, and we dont admit anyone until all of the reading is done and we come together as a committee. At some other schools, some admitting is done on the spot when the admissions officer sees a clear admit come across his or her desk, they can admit the student right then and there. The problem is that admissions offers for these schools wont be sent out for a long time, sometimes months. A regular action applicant at one school might be reviewed and admitted in the beginning of January, but the formal decision might not go out until April. So, in a sense, I can understand the urge to not have people wait. In the WSJ article, Dartmouth Dean of Admissions Karl Furstenberg is quoted as saying, We do these letters to try to introduce some humanity into the pressured admissions proce ss. Another reason we dont have any early notification is that MIT does its notification pretty early anyway. Last year, I believe our regular action letters were mailed on Pi Day. I dont know when well mail this year yet, but it will be sometime in the middle of March, probably a good two weeks before the Ivies. I think its a good thing that we can finish our admissions decisions in mid-March to give students more time before the May 1 reply deadline to be able to make their college decision (I know I needed every last day to make my decision). I do think these likely letters, though, in addition to the stress they can relieve, also can add a bit of stress to the process. Why not straight-out admit the student rather than send a potentially confusing letter telling someone theyll probably be admitted (probably? why not definitely? what would have to happen to not get admitted?)? And what of the students who dont get likely letters? I wonder if these schools that send likely letters might be better served by going to a Rolling Admissions model. This is the model used a number of schools, including at the only other college Im aware of that has an admissions officer blog, Loyola Marymount University you can read about their Rolling Admissions in the January 3 entry in Chris blog. Anyway, for those of you applying to schools that use likely letters, I hope you get one in your mailbox. And for those of you applying to MIT, I wish you the all best for getting our big envelope in March.

Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay examples - 798 Words

Frankenstein The novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley portrays two characters, Victor Frankenstein and the monster. Despite their drastically different appearances and lives, Victor and the monster have many similarities. Although, Victor Frankenstein and the monster share many similarities, there are four significant qualities. These include a need for family, a love of nature, a great want for knowledge, and an isolation from society. Though theyre different in many ways, these similarities bond the two. Victor and the creature also share the similarity that they both desire a family and a companion. They both feel loss and are very lonely. Both are abandoned by their creators at a young age. The creature is abandoned and rejected by†¦show more content†¦Another similarity both Victor and the creature share is a hunger to gain knowledge. The both seek knowledge for their own benefit. Victor goes to college for psychology to educate himself. He made the creature to show that he has learned more than anyone. The monster educates himself on how to do the basic things in life like walking and talk. He teaches himself the French language so he is capable to approach the humans. Frankenstein and the monster are also similar in that they are isolated and outcasts of society. Frankenstein became an outcast when he consumes himself in work. After he creates his creature he is afraid he will be looked at differently when the creatures outcome is ugly. He is also isolated when the creature kills those he loves. The creature is obviously an outcast because of his hideous appearance. He is also isolated because no humans will accept him because of his appearance. More similarities that are less important include both Frankenstein and the creature starting out with good intentions. Frankenstein starts out with good intentions by seeking a gain in knowledge of natural philosophy. The creature only has good intentions. All he wants is to be accepted. For example in the novel he brings the villagers firewood at night when he relizes he was stealing their food. Another similarity is they both desire immorality. Victor is willing to bring the dead to life by digging up graves.Show MoreRelatedMary Shelleys Frankenstein1689 Words   |  7 PagesGreat Expectations Fathers and Son, Frankenstein. The novel I have chosen to discuss is Frankenstein. Written in 1818 by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein is classified as a gothic novel, however, Shelly uses both realist and non-realist techniques. I will be looking at her reasons for writing the novel and what influenced her, as well as the realist and non-realist techniques used. I will be looking at some of the contemporary social issues that affected Shelley’s life at the time she wrote her novelRead MoreMary Shelleys Frankenstein1179 Words   |  5 Pagesbecome determined to perfect at what they do. They eventually become tragically doomed through creating their own individual moral codes by struggling with their internal battles within their minds. Mary Shelley presents us the first persona of a romantic hero through Victor Frankenstein in her book Frankenstein. Shelley fabricates Victor as the main narrator throughout the book, along with Captain Walton and the creature, which Victor creates. Another hero during the Romant ic era is the Ancient MarinerRead MoreMary Shelleys Frankenstein Feminism1429 Words   |  6 PagesRobert Youshock Prof. Matthew Gerber HIST 1012 10/19/18 Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: Feminism before it was mainstream? Writing a paper on the topic of Frankenstein days before Halloween might give you the wrong idea- lets clear something up straight away Frankenstein is the doctor not the monster and the monster doesn’t have a name (which we later learn is mildly important to the story). You see, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is arguably a story of creation, murder, love, and learning amongst manyRead More Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay929 Words   |  4 PagesMary Shelleys Frankenstein The characterization of Victor’s creature, the monster, in the movie although somewhat dramatically different from Mary Shelley’s portrayal in the novel Frankenstein also had its similarities. Shelley’s views of the monster were to make him seem like a human being, while the movie made the monster out to be a hideous creation. The creature’s appearance and personality are two aspects that differ between the novel and movie while his intellectual and tender sidesRead More Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay1312 Words   |  6 PagesMary Shelleys Frankenstein In order to illustrate the main theme of her novel â€Å"Frankenstein†, Mary Shelly draws strongly on the myth of Prometheus, as the subtitle The Modern Prometheus indicates. Maurice Hindle, in his critical study of the novel, suggests, â€Å"the primary theme of Frankenstein is what happens to human sympathies and relationships when men seek obsessively to satisfy their Promethean longings to â€Å"conquer the unknown† - supposedly in the service of their fellow-humans†. ThisRead More Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay1622 Words   |  7 PagesMary Shelleys Frankenstein Nineteen-year-old Mary Shelley didn’t know when she began it that her â€Å"ghost story† would become an enduring part of classic literature. Frankenstein is an admirable work simply for its captivating plot. To the careful reader, however, Shelley’s tale offers complex insights into human experience. The reader identifies with all of the major characters and is left to heed or ignore the cautions that their situations provide. Shelley uses the second person narrativeRead MoreEssay on Mary Shelleys Frankenstein1643 Words   |  7 PagesMary Shelleys Frankenstein In 1818 a novel was written that tingled people’s minds and thrilled literary critics alike. Frankenstein was an instant success and sold more copies than any book had before. The immediate success of the book can be attributed to the spine-tingling horror of the plot, and the strong embedded ethical message. Although her name did not come originally attached to the text, Mary Shelley had written a masterpiece that would live on for centuries. Read MoreEvil in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein1462 Words   |  6 PagesMary Shelleys Frankenstein is very much a commentary on the Enlightenment and its failure to tame the human condition through reason. The human condition can be defined as the unique features which mold a human being. The creature is undoubtedly a victim of this predicament. He grapples with the meaning of life, the search for gratification, the sense of curiosity, the inevitability of isolation, and the awareness of the inescapability of death. These qualities and his ceaseless stalking of hisRead MoreMary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay1086 Words   |  5 Pages Mary Shelley wrote the book Frankenstein sometime in the 1810s. She was born in London in 1797 (Biography). Her mother was an author of prime literary stock who was trying to encourage women to pursue their ideas and strive to earn the status as equals. The Scientific and Industrial Revolutions that were taking place around Mary Shelley certainly influ enced her while she was writing the book. The creation of machines and experiments at the time made people wonder what the limit of human technologyRead MoreMary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay846 Words   |  4 Pages Shelley’s Frankenstein does an excellent job at demonstrating the ideas and accomplishments of the enlightenment period. Shelly expresses these ideas and thoughts through the character of Victor Frankenstein who is an aspiring scientist seeking an intellectual challenge. Victor Frankenstein live s his hometown of Geneva and leaves in quest of a valued education in Ingolstadt. When Victor arrives at college he is lonely and finds himself in a new world in which he lives by himself. He than meets

Finding the Best Best Argumentative Essay Topics .0

Finding the Best Best Argumentative Essay Topics .0 Writing is a really grueling undertaking for most students. Students don't know how to write properly as they are simply getting familiar with the basic sorts of writing. They lead busy lives and often forget about an upcoming deadline. Since you are able to see, students are sure to face many challenges should they need to turn into a member of the buy essay club. Life, Death and Best Argumentative Essay Topics.0 In the event that you don't comprehend exactly how to start with your informative article or at which to hunt for supporting data, we're likely to be delighted to permit you to. You may take a look at the extra info on the best way to compose an eye-catching essay introduction with a hook. Order an excellent case of argumentative essay online! Find more information and suggestions on how to compose an argumentative essay. Best Argumentative Essay Topics.0 - Overview Don't forget that you will want to analyze a rguments and evidence for your essay to seem good. Therefore, arguing statements in an essay gets easy and additionally, it makes it possible to in picking a particular position that you are able to support with sufficient evidence. As an issue of fact, the content of your essay is dependent on what you're likely to write about. Before you commence working on the paper, you must go through several topics to compose a persuasive essay on. Locating good essay topics which you could discuss effectively and create powerful argumentative essays is a tough work. Furthermore, studying such debates will supply you with open sources that it is possible to use as the references of your essay. Moral argumentative essay topics are a few of the simplest to get carried away with. A more concise and very clear topic will make it possible for you to readily craft a focused essay. Again, in case there are not any counterarguments that may be raised about the subject, your topic isn't an argumentative essay topic but an exposition essay topic. In this kind of situation, it's more convenient to discover ready-made essays and use them as an example. The true leadership essay isn't tough to learn and discover out. An argumentative paper is part of the persuasion. It's a certain sort of essay that presents clear arguments about each side of a problem. The ideal thing about an argumentative essay which contains social issues is that you could describe your private experience on the instance of the real-life case. It is a special type of essay which requires students to argue with the existing points of view in order to prove the truth of their own position. Ok, I Think I Understand Best Argumentative Essay Topics.0, Now Tell Me About Best Argumentative Essay Topics.0! Strong curiosity about the topic is vital. Relevant Topics that are related to your society will engage the reader in the very best possible method. News is an excellent supply of inspiration since they present info in a particular angle. Read the tips at our site. The Best Argumentative Essay Topics.0 Chronicles If you still hesitate and don't understand what topic to select, make a list. A wide topic will ask that you compose a good deal. Choosing argumentative essay topics has a great deal of tact. Taking into account that lots of persuasive essays concern controversial topics, before writing, you might want to sit down and think of what your opinion on the topic actually is. When prior brainstorming is finished, you might begin drafting your essay. Before writing argumentative essay, a suitable comprehension of the subject needs to be developed, and relevant and authentic material ought to be used. Only as soon as you make your decision about the subject, y ou can move to the five-paragraph essay structure. The structure of your paper's outline is just like the structure of your whole essay. The Honest to Goodness Truth on Best Argumentative Essay Topics.0 After conducting some research, you're come across the best topics that can help you to find something you'd love to talk about in your undertaking. Some nice topics are collected under to have the ability to help you come up with your very own personal. The multiple topics could be found, for instance, in the dissertation abstracts international database. All things considered, there are several similar topics which are extremely interesting to make people.

Learning how to act my personal journey in discovering my acting process Free Essays

string(87) " a number of times and try to assess if I was able to get the whole picture correctly\." Many perceive the work of an actor as a lot of fun and that it is easy as saying the alphabet. After all, who among us have not acted at one point in our lives? Haven’t we put up an act when faced with daunting situations in our lives? Haven’t we said lines that weren’t really part our true personality? All of us have acted one part or another at different times in our lives. But to be an actor is not just about putting up an act. We will write a custom essay sample on Learning how to act: my personal journey in discovering my acting process or any similar topic only for you Order Now What many people do not understand is the fact that acting is just like any other job –you have to put a lot of work in it to perfect it. It is not just a talent you have. It’s a skill that must be developed over time and practice. In theater and in acting, it is true that practice makes perfect. With this thought, it necessarily follows that a real actor must continue to learn how to act and make it as natural as it possibly can. It is thus very useful that many books have been written about how one can best capture the art of acting and how one is able to play a role and not just merely act it. I have used these books in my own personal journey in discovering my very own acting process. And I must admit that doing so has made my work, and my life, as an actor even more meaningful. Let us first take, for instance, the book written by the Members of the Atlantic Theater Company called A Practical Handbook for the Actor. In sum, this book outlines and explains the Practical Aesthetics Technique where emotions are explored through the use of the imagination and the pursuit of a physical action. Practical Aesthetics is an acting technique developed by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet. The book is co-written by Melissa Bruder, Lee Michael Cohn, Madeleine Olnek, Nathaniel Pollack, Robert Previto and Scott Zigler. It is based upon a series of workshops by acting coach David Mamet. According to this book, Bruder, et. al. postulate that â€Å"acting, like carpentry is a craft with a definite set of skills and tools† (Bruder, et. al., 1986). The book mainly aims to teach up and coming actors like me to find the truth in every scene they are to perform and to be able to identify the specific actions in the production and why they are doing them. I must say that I agree with the book when it said that the process of an actor begins before any acting is offered. To do this, I agree that that actors like me must learn to always keep themselves in a state of optimal conditioning. Doing this will allow us to immediately connect to any character that are assigned to us to portray as well as to discover the essence of character. To move in this direction, I start evaluating and considering all given circumstances of the character. I try to familiarize myself with the character or role I am to play as well as make every effort to explore their world. In addition, I try to see any parallelisms between the role I play and the real me. I’ve learned that this is an important aspect in my acting process since it will allow me to understand where my character is coming from or why they might tend to feel a certain way. Personalizing a role has become an integral part of my job as an actor. I believe this is the only way where one actor can bring a particular character to life. Another aspect that must be highlighted in carrying out the tasks of an actor is memorization. Without a doubt, memorizing the lines –knowing what to say and when to say it—is an integral part of being an actor. As noted in the book, an actor can learn much about the play and the role in the process of memorization. As we learn to memorize the words out of context, the book noted, we realize the importance of giving each and every word the attention and focus it deserves. The reason by which the character must say those lines should also be sought (Bruder, et. al., 1986). I also have learned that memorization is much more than learning the lines. It is also learning the perfect delivery of each line of the character. This is where vocal training comes into play. Delivering your lines in a clear, crisp and understandable manner is a very important facet in the life of an actor. Just like other actors who have read and experienced the book A Practical Handbook for the Actor, I have learned that the voice is a system, with layers of muscles, bones, tissues, and fibers that must be maintained in performance shape if expected to respond on command.   My vocal chords are actually the way by which my characters are able to speak what they want. With this realization comes the decision to include a basic vocal workout into my daily routine so that each word that I say on behalf of the character I play comes through in the way it should. As I earlier noted, timing is just as important as learning the words to say. To get into character, an actor must learn to always know what the character needs and wants and why they are inclined to say a particular line at a particular time. To be able to do this, I have learned the importance of reading through the script over and over and over again. As noted in the book A Practical Handbook for the Actor a script and character analysis requires sharp and thorough thinking skills and insight. As much as possible, I try to go over the script quite a number of times and try to assess if I was able to get the whole picture correctly. You read "Learning how to act: my personal journey in discovering my acting process" in category "Essay examples" I try to make notes of how I understand each emotion being felt by the character and try to see if the same analysis will hold true the next time I read through the script. I aptly call this text analysis whereby I assess if I have covered everything I need to cover in terms of knowing my character and his lines. I believe this is very helpful in getting to know my character in a deeper level. I believe that only when an actor knows his character in a deep and meaningful level can an actor will be able to react naturally in all situations –scripted or otherwise. I agree with the book when it noted that text analysis is the skeleton of the character. It provides the actor some baseline information on which reviews can be made to hone a certain technique. This process also helps me stay on the objectives at hand and allows me to make use of various tactical ranges. In trying to approach acting, I have tried to remember the words of the famous Konstatin Stanislavski when he said that one should always approach a role as directly as possible and see if it lives. He noted that if the role and the actor has a connection, then there would be no point in applying a certain technique towards acting. But, as an actor, I also know that this does not happen often. Hence, learning a certain technique towards improving one’s craft is very important. Many actors today admit that Stanislavski’s System is a complex method used to produce realistic characters. When using the Stanislavski’s System, an actor is required to deeply analyze his or her character’s motivations. The actor must learn to discover the character’s objective in each scene and the so-called super objective for the entire play. To do this, I have learned to also apply Stanislavski’s â€Å"magic if† where an actor is able to ask questions about their characters and themselves such as â€Å"what if I were also in the same situation?† How would I act then? This thinking gives me a deeper understanding of the actions of my characters as well as an insight of what is going through in his mind. One other important aspect that I find interesting in the Stanislavski’s System is his focus on the Method of Physical Action. I find this interesting because he placed as much emphasis on the physical aspect of acting as he does on the emotional part. Many actors, including yours truly, have this thought running in our heads that emotions form the better part of how acting should be. But Stanislavski says otherwise. He notes that physical action is just as important as the emotional aspect of a scene. According to Stanislavski, the Method of Physical Action has brought him to a complete dealing with the instrument of the actor. But what exactly is this so-called Method of Physical Action? The Method of Physical Action is said to be based on the idea that emotional life is a kind of two-way street and that the only thing an actor will ever have control of in his life as regards himself is his body, nothing more. There is never a direct line to emotions in performance, only to the body. Quite simply, the body must be used to convey the emotions. Stanislavki stressed on the need for the actor and the director to work hard in using the actor’s body –the body being the primary material of creation. He added that the purpose of rehearsal is how to come to physical actions that affect the actor and bring life to the scene at the same time. In fine, Stanislavski noted that the art of performance cannot be learned from literature alone but also from action; from performance and not just mere observation. As a result, I have learned to be more conscious of my physical action in converying emotions to the audience. After all, an audience will not necessarily feel my sadness unless I am able to phyiscally convey it to them by means of tears and a sad facial expression, among others. Another important thing I have learned in my journey to discover my personal acting process is the idea or concept of growth. I realized that an actor, just like anyone else, must continue to grow in each and every role that he plays. As noted in the same book, an actor must learn how to embrace the importance of the never-ending process of growth. The journey of acquiring additional knowledge, filling and refilling the artistic tank, humbling oneself to a point that permits an explosion of growth or even one good â€Å"Ah Ha† moment is not only important, but also essential to one’s life as an actor and as a person (Bruder, et. al., 1986). As an actor I must continually grow and always be on the look out to better my craft. To do this, I must learn to immerse myself in a creative environment –one that will complement the skill and talent that I have as an actor. I now understand the importance of being in a group where I can let my creativity flow free and at the same time, learn from the people I am with. It has been said that the day you stop learning is the day you start dying. As an actor, and as person, we must not let that happen. I have learned the importance of learning while working and working while learning. When I say learning, I don’t just mean it to be a classroom-type of learning. I also talk about learning through observation. We must learn to observe the environment we move in, the people around us, the places we go to. I must say that I agree with Alice Ripley when she said that acting all is about experiencing life and then carrying that experience with you on stage. It is also in this concept that I have learned to make bold choices in my life as an actor. I have learned not to be afraid of unconventional roles or ways of acting out a part. Making bold choices is, I believe, an integral part of learning. I have realized that I will grow as an actor if I can take on roles that are new to me or if I can step out of roles that are stereotyped.   Doing something different each day is the spice in an actor’s life and I have learned to look forward to every opportunity in spicing up my career with bold moves. Using presence of mind and common sense is also an important part in carrying out my acting process. As an actor, one must be ready for anything –a missed line, a prop that is not in its right place or a miscued entrance. When these things happen, common sense is the one thing that will save an actor from a disastrous scene. Coming up with adlibs or learning how to subtly put the misplaced prop in its rightful place is a skill that must also be honed as an actor. I believe that presence of mind can be assured when an actor is focused on the play at hand. I would like to call it simply as â€Å"being in the moment†. Being in the moment is more than just being in character. It involves being aware of the entire acting environment and learning how to cope with unexpected events whenever needed. As actors, it is not rare to find ourselves in situations where we are so focused in our roles that we tend to miss some of the difficulties encountered by our co-actors. In situations like these, we must learn to salvage the scene by helping our co-actors find their groove again, so to speak. Lastly, I have learned that I have to learn to enjoy what I do as an actor. I must enjoy the variety of roles I play –knowing full well that not everyone is able to live in a world separate from their own reality. I have learned, in my own acting process, the idea of making acting as fun as it can possibly be for me and my fellow actors. I agree when they say that acting should be fun, challenging but fun. My acting process, I realize, will change over time. It will adapt to the environment I am moving in and the roles I will be playing. But one thing should remain the same: it must always be fun. I must find a way to make it a fun learning experience each time. After all, when we enjoy what we do, the audience feels it. And the audience deserves nothing less than the best of ourselves as actors when we go up on that stage. References: Bruder, M., et al. (1986). A Practical Handbook for the Actor, New York: Random House, Vintage Books. Stanislavski, C. (1936). An Actor Prepares, New York: Routledge. How to cite Learning how to act: my personal journey in discovering my acting process, Essay examples

Shakespeares Sonnet 18 Essays (590 words) - Sonnet 18,

Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 William Shakespeares Sonnet 18 is part of a group of 126 sonnets Shakespeare wrote that are addressed to a young man of great beauty and promise. In this group of sonnets, the speaker urges the young man to marry and perpetuate his virtues through children, and warns him about the destructive power of time, age, and moral weakness. Sonnet 18 focuses on the beauty of the young man, and how beauty fades, but his beauty will not because it will be remembered by everyone who reads this poem. Shakespeare starts the poem with a metaphoric question in line one asking if he should compare the man to a summers day. This asks if he should compare the beauty of a summers day to the beauty of the young man about whom Shakespeare is writing. Line two of this poem states Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Temperate is used as a synonym for moderate by the author. In line two the speaker is describing the man as more lovely and more moderate than a summers day. This emphasizes the mans beauty and how the man is viewed by the speaker. Line three, Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, tells why the mans beauty is greater than that of a summers day. Shakespeare uses rough winds to symbolize imperfections. The speaker is implying that there are no imperfections in the young man, but there are in the summer, so the man cannot be compared to a summers day. In line four the speaker adds to this thought by saying that the summer also does not last as long as the mans beauty therefore it cannot be compared to it. Line five states another imperfection of the summer. Shakespeare uses the eye of heaven as a metaphor in this line to describe the sun. In line six Shakespeare uses the phrase gold complexion dimmed to describe the sun again which means that sometimes the sun is not hot enough, and that, as said in line five, sometimes the sun is too hot. In lines seven and eight the speaker ends the complication by describing how nature is never perfect. Line nine starts the resolution of the poem by using the conjunction but. Eternal summer in line nine is referring back to the mans eternal beauty, using summer to symbolize beauty, and saying that the mans beauty will never fail like the summers beauty. In lines ten, eleven, and twelve the speaker says that the man, When in eternal lines to time thou growst (line 12) or when he grows old, will not lose possession of what is fair to him, and Nor shall Death brag thou wanderst in his shade (line 11) or he will not be poor in health and close to dying. Lines thirteen and fourteen say that as long as this poem is read, the mans beauty will never go away, because every time someone reads the poem they will be reminded of his beauty. This poem that Shakespeare wrote, in the octave, describes how all beauty fades except for the man about whom Shakespeare is writing. The octave also tells of how great the mans beauty is compared to everything else that is beautiful. In the sestet, the poem tells about how the mans beauty stays alive and out lives all other beauty. The poem is written in iambic pentameter. Shakespeare makes use of much symbolism and many other figurative devices in this poem that contribute and emphasize to the overall theme of the poem. English Essays

Acts of Faith

Acts of Faith Introduction Religious multiplicity is among the greatest challenges faced by today’s world (Eboo, 2007). â€Å"Acts of Faith† is a compelling story that gives inspirations from Eboo Patel, who lived with a vision of unity.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on â€Å"Acts of Faith† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The book takes us through his journey in life from childhood up to adulthood, including his founding mission of a youth interfaith movement, which would cultivate harmony and togetherness among the youth. â€Å"Acts of Faith† is an excellent piece that is written with a beautiful flow that gives chronicles of confidence and self discovery. The author, Dr. Eboo Patel writes about his journey of faking identity, to portray himself as an Indian, an American, and a Muslim. In the process of trying to forge his identity, he came up with a comprehensive conclusion about the similaritie s between all faiths. As a result, he developed an interfaith group that was responsible for helping the youth understand, and embrace the commonness of their humanity through their different faiths. Through this movement, the author proves that educating a young nation to ignore religious differences and work for the bosom of everyone is the only way for the world to escape violence and interpersonal conflicts. Themes of the Book The main theme of this book is religious fundamentalism. Through this book, Dr. Eboo, the author, covers three main religions that he experienced. He gives to his readership an account of the similarities and differences between the three religions. He then comes up with a general comment to summarize his findings from his experience with different religions. He also covers the theme of unity among people of different religions and races. The author effectively brings out the theme of unity by working to promote oneness in the society, so that everyone can eliminate religious and racial differences and work for a common interest. He initiates this by supporting an interfaith movement among the youth, which he hopes will bear abundant fruits in future. Author’s Background Knowledge that equip him to Author this Book The author of the book, â€Å"Acts of faith† has lived a life that has equipped him with relevant experience and skills to write this book. He is an American Muslim from India, possessing three identities but with one body. He lived an adolescent life that offered him a chain of subsequent rejections of various levels of heritage, as he believed that the three religions in him could never co-exist.Advertising Looking for book review on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He believed that he could not be an Indian, an American, and a Muslim at the same time; he had to serve one master at a time. He grew up outside Chicago, where he had to succumb to a series of constant barrages of racism that exposed him to bullying and mistreatment. He found himself excluded from the rest of the society because of religion and race. During his high school life, he ignored everything concerning his heritage from the Indian and Muslim religions and worked for his educational success. He did this in a bid to be like the White Native Americans who were around him. When he joined college, he learnt about the â€Å"liberatory† force of politics and the hypocrisies that existed in America. He realized that anger is not a person’s identity. When Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated, Patel watched how young people with raw emotions were recruited by religious extremists who manipulated them into murderers full of hatred (Eboo, 2007). On the other hand, he was facing distinct ideas at different levels of understanding: an American fighting for equality and openness; a Muslim striving to go back to his original teachings of mercy and forgiveness; an Indian with diversity added to the original material. The Author’s main Points and Supporting Evidence The author mainly dwells on how to live with oneness and work for a common interest, despite having a multiplicity of religions and races. He points out that we are all human beings with intrinsic dignity and require to be treated with respect. We are hence the same despite the little physical differences that we may have. He emphasizes on eliminating discrimination against each other. He convincingly shows how young men with bitterness and hatred can be transformed successfully through the society’s faith, and their own efforts into profound leaders who will advocate for peace in the society rather than war and bloodshed. He supports his arguments by saying that by faith peace can be achieved even in societies that have had a lot of unrest. This is through instilling the correct values among the youths so that they can grow up learning to l ive together in peace and work in togetherness. By starting a successful interfaith movement among the youth, he proves his findings about his idea of creating unity and oneness in the society.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on â€Å"Acts of Faith† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He says that figures like Osama bin Laden were once troubled youths but ended up as terrorists because they did not find a suitable mentor; instead, they met people who taught them hatred and fed them with bitterness. If they had met a good mentor, they would have never been terrorists; instead, they would have been among the world’s most honored leaders. How the Author Argues his Points Dr. Eboo, the author of â€Å"Acts of Faith† is a convincing author. He argues out his points with sufficient evidence. He employs a persuasive language that can potentially transform his entire readership that has been living with hatred and discrimination of any kind. The author argues his point from a societal point of view. He uses common examples that are likely to be familiar to almost all his audiences. He portrays them in a comprehensive manner, covering each detail, to give his readers the real picture of his meaning, and convey the right message to his target audience. He builds persuading stream of ideas that create a mood of self-reflection to the readers, which help to sink his point home. Ideas that Link to Other Readings in the Course The main themes of this book link with several other readings in the course. The ideas of racial and religious discrimination are also brought out in â€Å"Dreams from My Father† by Barrack Obama. The book by Obama also talks about racial discrimination in America. The author shares an experience with Dr. Eboo; he was born of parents from two different cultures, Kenya and Hawaii, he grew up in Hawaii, in a humble family and later in America. Just like Dr. E boo, Obama lived a life of hope and faith as he wished for a society that did not know any racial and religious differences. Implications for Cultural Diversity and School Leadership Learnt from the Book This book teaches about the need to live peacefully in a society of cultural and religious pluralism. Most schools host students from varied ethnic groups and religious backgrounds. Through this book, school leaders learn to live with other students from a diversity of societies keeping in mind that all human beings are the same; that our physical differences cannot be suffice to justify or cover any level of discrimination. It is hence necessary for school leaders to promote peace among students of different backgrounds.Advertising Looking for book review on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Audience to direct this book This book best suits ethnics and racists. It is a marvelous book for people whose souls are filled with hatred and bitterness. Acts of Faith will help such people realize their identities. They will also learn how to find fulfillment in these identities as they work towards the common goal. The book can also be directed to leaders who make their decisions and judgments basing on their personal interests and race or religion. Strengths and Weaknesses of this Book Strengths This book effectively and persuasively covers the idea of pluralism among religions and races. It is a fantastic book that advocates for togetherness and oneness of the human race. The author uses a diversity of styles and diction to create the desired mood and convey his message in a way that is convincing to his audience, as he attempts to achieve his goal of authorship. Weaknesses The author makes a general conclusion about the similarities that different races and religions have. He does this basing on only three identities. He does not consider the cultural differences that people have, which are also a cause of discrimination among different groups. He should have considered such factors in his book and provide a lasting solution to them. The book has many story lines, which are incomplete. It covers some ideas at shallow levels. Reference Eboo, P. (2007). Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation. Boston: Beacons Press.

A Cigarette Butt is One Thing…

A Cigarette Butt is One Thing†¦ A Cigarette Butt is One Thing A Cigarette Butt is One Thing By Maeve Maddox In standard English usage, the word butt has numerous meanings as both a noun and a verb. The OED offers 14 entries for butt as a noun. The meanings vary from â€Å"barrel† to â€Å"a type of one-horse cart.† Perhaps the most common definition is a. The thicker end of anything, esp. of a tool or weapon, the part by which it is held or on which it rests; e.g. the lower end of a spear-shaft, whip-handle, fishing-rod, the broad end of the stock of a gun or pistol. Butt meaning â€Å"barrel† gives us the expression to be the butt of a joke. This use stems from the custom of setting up archery targets on barrels. The butt of a joke is the target of a joke. The meaning â€Å"remainder of a smoked cigarette† was first recorded in 1847. The sense of â€Å"human posterior† has been in use from 1450, but ancient use does not necessarily confer acceptability in standard speech. To my ears, butt as a word for the human posterior is for informal use, more or less on a par with bitch as used by some speakers as a generic term for â€Å"woman.† That’s why I was startled to hear it used in a television commercial the other night: Better legs and better butt with every step. To my ears the ads that use this phrase are more offensive than the ones with the baby bear who can’t wipe his bottom without leaving behind scraps of toilet paper. At least those ads use the word â€Å"bottom† for the anatomical area under discussion. In mulling over my reaction to this use of â€Å"butt† in an ad intended to be aired in every living room in America, I reviewed the many expressions in English that can be used to refer to a person’s backside. I’ve probably used them all at one time or another, but not indiscriminately. Some words for the human posterior seem to me to be acceptable in ordinary speech, no matter who is present. For example, rear backside bottom seat behind derrià ¨re posterior Some I’d use only if I felt some irritation with the person whose anatomy was being referred to. For example, butt hind end tail rump keister bum fanny (Caution: this one does NOT refer to the same bit of anatomy in British English as it does in American English.) ass (arse in British usage) Some words I’d reserve for moments of jocularity or perversity: buttocks cheeks booty tush buns heinie caboose fundament haunches gluteus maximus As a copywriter I might use â€Å"butt† in an ad to be placed in a specialized publication read by young people, but not for one intended to be run during national television prime time. It’s a generational thing, I’m sure. I hear plenty of young people use it as if it were perfectly acceptable in polite company. Still, advertisers might think twice about using it in ads intended for a general audience. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:12 Greek Words You Should KnowDawned vs. DonnedCapitalizing Titles of People and Groups