Saturday, August 22, 2020

Module 4 - Case Training and Appraisals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Module 4 - Case Training and Appraisals - Essay Example what's more, advancement of aptitudes in the long run making business pioneers having uncommon business discernment with the capacity to move individuals and set them up for future difficulties. The control of Human Resource Management presented different strategies for overseeing worker execution, these devices went from execution examinations dependent on rating scales to target setting and later on execution reviews were presented. A basic component of these evaluations was the presentation input given to the representative after the real examination dependent on which improvement endeavors were arranged by the occupant bolstered by the Human Resource division (Greenhaus et al., 2009). The appropriation of remunerations after the exhibition evaluation or coming about advancements made this territory a significant viewpoint for the representative henceforth the human component of biasness weakened the customary examination process. To evade the shades of malice of biasness for the most part displayed by the chief and coming about differences from the subordinates, execution input was taken from different sources and 360 degree criticism strategy was embraced by various ass ociations. The 360 input process uncovers the vulnerable sides in conduct attributes of the subject by gathering mysterious criticism from numerous sources normally named as director (s), subordinate(s), companions and clients. The procedure gives a powerful record of one’s execution, featuring the advancement zones without much biasness and since the criticism is originating from numerous sources there is a lesser likelihood that the subject would differ with the outcomes. The procedure itself is made out of three phases, readiness and inception, assortment of input and advancement stage. The primary stage incorporates ID of working connections inside the association deciding the significant factor of ‘who would rate who’, social bunches are related to each having a lot of examining inquiries alongside rating measures;

Thursday, July 16, 2020

How to Relieve Stress With Bathtub Meditation

How to Relieve Stress With Bathtub Meditation Meditation Print How to Relieve Stress With Bathtub Meditation By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Updated on December 05, 2019 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living stevecoleimages/Getty Images Meditation is a powerful stress reliever and a habit that can lead to resilience to stress and increased inner peace. While this may not come as a surprise, if youre like most people, youre aware that meditation can be helpful but you have trouble making it a daily habitâ€"life gets in the way! This is okay to an extent; practicing meditation once can be helpful. However, to gain the full benefit of meditation in terms of creating resilience and a lasting sense of peace, it should be practiced regularly. There are many different ways to experience the benefits of meditation, and having more options at your disposal can mean that the practice is easier to maintain on a regular basis. One soothing method is to meditate in the bath. The Benefits of Meditation for Stress Management Steps and Tips for Performing a Bathtub Meditation A bath meditation combines the standard benefits of meditation with the benefits of a relaxing, hot bath, which can soothe tired muscles, provide a calming atmosphere, and allow a temporary feeling of escape from stressors. This is a habit thats easy to practice on a nightly basis. How do you make a bath meditation effective? Here are some things to keep in mind. Make Time Block off at least 15 minutes where you won’t be interrupted. That means creating a few extra minutes in your schedule, putting the phone straight to voicemail, telling others in your household not to disturb you unless it’s an emergency. Whatever you need to do to set personal boundaries and block off the time, it should be worth the effort.   Use Aromatherapy Bath Products As you run the bath, you may want to incorporate some of the benefits of aromatherapy by using bubble-bath or bath oils scented with lavender (shown to be relaxing), peppermint (if you want to feel more alert), or another scent that you really like (studies show that subjectively pleasing scents bring stress relief benefits, too). This way you can add another layer of stress relief with no additional effort. Get in and Relax Let your breathing become slower and deeper, allowing your belly to rise and fall with each breath (instead of your shoulders or chest). This type of breathing is more natural and can help turn off your stress response if it was still triggered from earlier in the day. Focus on Sensations Now just focus on the sensations you feel in your bodyâ€"the warmth of the water on your skin, the pressure of the tub against your backâ€"and let go of all other thoughts. Try to keep your mind quiet and your attention focused on only the present moment. Stay In The Present If you find thoughts of the past, the future, or any form of internal dialogue happening, gently redirect your attention to the present moment. Continue for several minutes, and you should feel soothed and relaxed quickly. Tips If you’re new to meditation, you may want to try the meditation part of it for 5 or 10 minutes at first and work your way up. (Time spent in the tubâ€"in meditation or notâ€"should still be relaxing enough.)If you find it difficult to keep your mind completely clear, you may want to try a mantra meditation. This is a form of meditation where you focus on repeating a sound or phrase over and over. It can be a nice alternative for those who become frustrated by a mental voice that wants to keep talking.You can also add music as a focal point for your meditation with the Musical Bath Meditation.  This can increase your relaxation, as music brings its own benefits for stress management. If youre really tired, you may want to choose a different type of meditationâ€"you dont want to risk falling asleep in the tub. A Word From Verywell Experimenting with different types of meditation can help you to find multiple favorite stress relief strategies, and can make it easier to make meditation an ongoing habit, reaping the resiliency benefits in the process.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Han And Roman Perspective Of Technology - 1375 Words

Han and Roman Perspective of Technology The Han and Roman people were two different societies during the classical period. The documents highlighted Han and Roman attitudes towards technology. The Han documents displayed excerpts from it’s people that explain how the Han people relied on technology daily and respected the inventors of the technology. The Roman documents portrayed the Romans weak reliance on technology, however they do emphasize a beauty to the aesthetic side of technology. Han China’s attitude towards industrial as well as labor driven technology was much more open and appreciative than Rome’s attitude. Rome’s attitude was influenced by their more social class-driven society, which causes more negative attitudes towards labor driven technology. Han people had a positive and supportive attitude about technology. To start, a Han government official (Document 1) states â€Å"I request that you establish water conservation offices in each dis trict and staff them with people who are experienced in the ways of water.† In this quote, he shows that technology is an essential part of the empire. This government official has a leadership role and uses technology as an essential resource to ensure the safety of the empire. In document 2, another Han government official, Huan Guan, implies that technology is essential. The official states that technology is essential to peasant production. He also doesn’t support the government s actions in forcing peasants to use iron,Show MoreRelatedSimilarities Between The Han And Roman Empire1027 Words   |  5 Pages The Han and Roman empire were both built with the hard work of the laborers. The laborers being the common people of the Empire. Both the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire had different outlooks on how the common folk influenced their societies technology. The Romans thought lowly of their common people, thinking they were not as smart as the people in upper cl ass. While in the Han Dynasty the upper class were grateful of the work the people did and knew that the common people was the base ofRead MoreHan and Roman Views on Technology1065 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Han and Roman Views on Technology† The Hans and Romans understood the importance of technology, but unlike the Hans, the Romans viewed anyone who worked with tools or with their hands to be a person of lowly status. The Romans only showed appreciation for technologies that could hold some benefit for the upper-class. The upper-class Romans thought that craftsmen, people who made a living out of making tools, was hardly an occupation that deserved any respect. The Hans appreciated the use of toolsRead MoreRoman Empire Vs. Han Dynasty939 Words   |  4 PagesCompare and Contrast Essay Roman Empire vs. Han Dynasty Bethany Corl HIEU 201-B11 September 29, 2014 Compare and Contrast Essay The Roman and Han empires flourished in culture, wealth, and technological advances at their pinnacle, leading not to future stability, but to greed, corruption, and ultimately their downfall. The Roman and Han empires were different with respect to how each came to gaining their power. However, each held several similarities within their governmentsRead MoreChina s Ancient Silk Road908 Words   |  4 PagesChina’s Ancient Silk Roads The Silk Road, a name given to the ancient trade routes linking China and Central Asia, was started in the second century BC when the Han Emperor, Wu the Great, sent his representative Zhang Qian to the west to start business. In 1877 CE, Ferdinand von Richthofen, a German geographer and traveler, called it the Silk Road (Hansen). The Silk Road is the most important trade route in history. It connected people from different continents, and it shaped the lives of peopleRead MoreThe Three Empires963 Words   |  4 PagesJian brought China back to an un-centralized rule after their collapse during the Han dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty they came up with the â€Å"bureaucracy based on merit† (Bentley and Zeigler, p. 378) or by recruiting government officials. As in terms of economics, China grew prosperous through trade, military expansion, invention of tools and other means of convenience and through the market economy. From the Han Dynasty China began to build again. The Sui Dynasty constructed the Grand Canal. TheRead MoreThe Roman And The Chinese Empire1191 Words   |  5 PagesThe Roman and the Chinese Empire Introduction The Roman and the Chinese Dynasty were two existing entities that were separate and never had relations with each other basically because for the great distance that set them apart. Despite the considerable distance and lack of association, the two dynasties experienced common factors in their existence ranging from unrests that led to their fall. Both empires rose with many challenges and operated with some resistances that involved fighting off itsRead MoreEarly Renaissance And The Renaissance1205 Words   |  5 Pagespolitical stability accompanied by new technologies, the printing press, astronomy and the exploration and discovery of new continents was supplemented by a blossoming of philosophy, literature, and art. Painting style, decorative arts, and sculpture arose in Italy in the 14th century, reached its peak in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. These were the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo and others. Renaissance expressed classical Greco-Roman tra ditions and captured the experienceRead MoreAn Investigation Into Different Theories Of Modern Curriculum1031 Words   |  5 Pages2015) Our aging curriculum has taught many thousands of students important facts and skills to make them successful in life after their time at CFB. However, it is apparent that a number of our curricular guides teach from a largely Euro-centric perspective. While this may appeal to the culture of our white students, it may not be as effective as possible with our minority students. As our goal is â€Å"High Achievement for all Students† (Burns, 2013) a shift in mindset may be necessary to hit that markRead More Global Citizen Essay1381 Words   |  6 Pagesthe term that is widely used for different purposes and meanings. There is no single consensus on the meaning of global citizenship. â€Å"The concept of global citizenship arose during the days of ancient Greece and during the era of the Roman Empire† (Dower, p.6). Hans Schattle als o measures that not only has â€Å"global citizenship† emerged as a variant within the concept of citizenship, but the concept of â€Å"global citizenship† contains many variants and sources of internal division†. â€Å"During the pastRead MoreThe Great Achievements Of The Italian Renaissance2197 Words   |  9 Pagesgreat achievements of the Italian Renaissance is the application perspective, which is the product of the combination of science and art.The early perspective is invented by the early Renaissance painter.Perspective enabling artists to scientific accuracy in the reproduction of a two-dimensional surface having a three-dimensional space and figures. Art is not a simple art activity but a scientific activity. An artists use of perspective can create a realistic effect represented (Bouleau 1963). Leonardo

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Cannibalism Essay examples - 714 Words

There are so many bad things in the world but according to many, cannibalism is considered just about the worst. Depending on your point of view, it rises above even such criminal abominations as, rape and genocide. Then again, we live in a culture, in which people would run vomiting to the bathroom if they saw what went into making their McDonalds hamburgers. Cannibalism, also known as anthropophagi, is defined as the act or practice of eating members of the same species. The word anthropophagi comes from the Arawakan language name for the Carib Indians of the West Indies. The Caribs are well known for their practice of cannibalism. Among humans, this practice has been attributed to people in the past all over the world, including†¦show more content†¦Among humans, cannibalism has been widespread in prehistoric societies on all continents. It is still believed to be practiced in remote areas of the island of New Guinea. It existed until recently in parts of West and Central Africa, Sumatra, Melanesia, and Polynesia. It also existed among various Indian tribes of North and South America and among aborigines of Australia and the Maoris of New Zealand. The reasons for cannibalism have varied. Sometimes there was simply limited food. Some groups liked the taste of human flesh. However, mostly the reasons had to do with revenge or punishment for crimes, ceremony and ritual, or magic. Some victorious tribes ate their dead enemies to absorb their strength. In come rituals, the deceased were eaten by relatives, as a manner of reverence or honor for their ancestors, or as a desire for the soul of the dead to be reborn in the body of the consumer. This is called endocannablism. Civilized people have to resort to cannibalism from time to time, as a mean of survival, under desperate circumstances. The story of the Donner Party is one of the more tragic incidents in American frontier history. A group of about 90 immigrants led by George Donner was caught in a blinding snowstorm in the Sierra Nevada range of California in October 1846. Survivors, who made their way out early in 1847,Show MoreRelatedThe Horrors of Cannibalism605 Words   |  2 Pages Cannibalism to say the least is a very taboo word. Cannibalism is known to be very disturbing and sets off a certain set of powerful emotions when spoken about. One thing about cannibalism is that it used to be considered a normal part of life, and has only recently been seen as taboo in the recent centuries. Many people believe Cannibalism should be legal world-wide, but only have reasonings of culture and religions. Cannibalism should be illegal because of immorality, diseases , and murderRead MoreCannibalism E ssay1136 Words   |  5 Pages ABSTRACT Cannibalism is an act that is thought to be heinous and inconceivable in the minds of men. But, contrary to what many people think, cannibalism is very much alive and still being practiced within the continental United States of America; the thing is†¦the government just hasnt found out about it yet. This report will take you through the history of cannibalism, the different types of cannibalism, and the different cases of cannibalism. Cannibalism is one of the strangest and most horrificRead MoreEssay Cannibalism2296 Words   |  10 PagesCannibalism Cannibalism has been around since the beginning of time. Mainly as an act of defense or as an alternate, last resort, for food. Cannibalism is also used as an act of violence among animals to preserve their genetics. Human cannibalism however, was not used as an act of violence to cause pain and anguish amongst other human beings. Cannibalism within the human race is widely known throughout the world, though you may not know it. From New Guinea to the high deserts of ArizonaRead MoreEssay about Cannibalism1512 Words   |  7 PagesCannibalism is the consumption of human flesh by other human beings. The concept of people eating other people is highly debatable, but it has been proven to occur throughout history. The word â€Å"cannibalism† comes from the Carib Indians of the West Indies, which were called â€Å"Caribalesquot; or â€Å"Canibales† (Spier 543). The Spanish word â€Å"canibales† translates to thirsty and cruel in English. Another known term for cannibalism is the Latin form â€Å"anthropophagy† (Bell). Anthropophagy derives from the GreekRead MoreThe History and Evolution of Cannibalism659 Words   |  3 PagesCannibalism generally connotes savagery, devouring a fellow human is, since the enlightened period, looked down upon. In fact, the Enlightenment period was obsessed with the â€Å"self-abhorring†¦ figure of the cannibal† (Cottom 2001). However, the modern cannibal is drastically different from the cannibals from the past. Cannibalism has evolved from a cultural norm in prehistoric history, to medicinal use in the middle ages to finally sexual cannibalism in the present. One of the most famous cases ofRead MoreCannibalism And Its Impact On Society1814 Words   |  8 Pagesscientific community. Based on this acceptance, one would expect the topic of cannibalism to be met with the same understanding within academia. Astoundingly though, the discussion of cannibalism within our ancestral past encounters much controversy and is greatly looked down upon within the general population (White, 2001). For those who study this highly provocative practice, like paleoanthropologist Tim White, the idea of cannibalism is as significant to the holistic study of anthropology as the idea ofRead MoreCannibalism Is Not Illegal ( Eveleth )1881 Words   |  8 Pagesexperience with cannibalism. Cannibalism is the consumption of a member of the same species. Consuming human flesh is not against the law in the United States, therefore cannibalism is not illegal (Eveleth). In the eyes of the law, murdering someone to eat is wrong, but the act of eating a human is not. To Americans the simple thought of eating another human is sickening. To most that is true, but to others consuming human flesh is a way of life. Some cultures practice cannibalism for their own spiritualRead MoreEssay on The Truth about Cannibalism717 Words   |  3 PagesThe Truth about Cannibalism Typical Western thought directs people to examine the practices of cannibalism as savage and primitive. More often than not, this type of association exists because the people viewing the action are frightened and confused by that which they do not understand. In fact, some would even claim that, â€Å"cannibalism is merely a product of European imagination† (Barker, 2), thereby completely denying its existence. The belief that cannibalism goes against â€Å"human instinct†Read MoreCannibalism : Myth Or Reality? Discuss1647 Words   |  7 PagesCannibalism. Myth or Reality? Discuss I INTRODUCTION (156) Cannibalism, also more formally known as anthropophagy, can be defined as the act of ingesting human flesh, blood or internal organs by a human being. The reasons behind cannibalism vary from being ritualistic to psychopathic and the practice manifests itself in many different forms. Often profoundly fantasised by Western society as â€Å" the man-eating myth† (Arens 1979, in King 2000, p.106), cannibalism as a result has become subjectRead MoreNative Ancestors Practice Cannibalism For Ritual Purposes Or For Survival?1090 Words   |  5 PagesOur prehistoric ancestors practiced cannibalism not because of cultural expectations, but for survival. Our oldest taboo has been the source of many debates, with researchers having different ideas about why our ancestors would partake in such a barbaric activity. Evidence of this practice can be found throughout the world, but in some cases the reasons differ. This presents a difficult question to be answered, did our prehistoric ance stors practice cannibalism for ritual purposes or for survival

Quinte Mir Free Essays

The immediate issue is that Benton-Cooper Medical Centre’s MRI clinic has been open for 6 weeks and not performing to expectations and to the promises made by their new MRI provider, Quinte MRI. With referrals to the clinic, doctors expect to receive MRI transcription reports within two days and the current backlog exceeds 14 days. As a result there is a loss of patient referrals from doctors within the hospital and surrounding community which means a loss of revenue for BCMC. We will write a custom essay sample on Quinte Mir or any similar topic only for you Order Now Quinte MRI must determine what is causing the backlog and how to fix it. Secondary Issues A secondary issue in the clinic is that the MR Technologist is putting in a lot of overtime even though the maximum number of patients each week is not being met. Quinte MRI personnel need to examine and analyze the interaction between the capacity, the process flow and the bottleneck and provide a resolution and action plan back to the CEO, Dr. Syed Haider within 2 days. Environmental and Root Causes Quinte MRI, an international service provider specializing in medical diagnostic technologies signed an agreement in February 2002 with Benton-Cooper Medical Centre (BCMC) for the outsourcing of their MRI services. BCMC believed that they could competed successfully if they had a third MRI machine as they anticipated continued growth in this area by 15% through doctor’s referrals from the hospital and surrounding areas. BCMC also believed that they could generate enough revenue and promotional support through advertisements with local print and radio stations to be able to own their own fixed MR system and be recognized as a top rated hospital for the area. Quinte MRI promised the avenue for BCMC to be able to accomplish these goals through its service reliability and access to diagnostic equipment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at a reasonable cost. However, these expectations are not being met and David Wright has gone to the MR Technologist, Jeff Sinclair to examine and analyze what was causing the backlog (bottleneck) in the operation. Jeff indicated that due to poor communication between the hospital and the clinic, mistakes were being made due to a manual process for recording information. Patients were being booked at wrong time, cancelling or not showing up, wrong tests were being requested or recorded, and patients were not being screened properly for an MRI scan. An assessment was being done when the patient came into the clinic. A patient preparation process has not been implemented in the new facility, whereas the previous MRI provider scheduled all appointments. Jeff felt that wasted time was being spent on delivering scans to the radiologist after each patient. Jeff also accounted for the fact that during May, the clinic used a Siemens unit, which took some time to get used to, however, now that the GE machine was in place (Jeff was originally trained on this machine), things were improving. David next examined the cycle time on for a 30 minute procedure. The table below shows the current cycle time of the patient, the MR Technologist and the MRI machine. 15 minutes was dedicated to patient preparation for an MRI while only 27. 5 minutes was spent in the Magnet Room. 42. 5 minutes was being spent on a 30 minute procedure. This was where the bottleneck was in the process. Staying with this current process and resources, the maximum capacity of this process can only be 8 procedures if all other inputs into this process ran smoothly (i. . no cancellations). Exhibit 1 Patient Check in until entrance into Magnet Room Minutes MR Technologist escorted the patient to the Magnet Room (asks questions to determine if any health risks/conflicts and if any patient has any metal components internally or on clothing) 59Patient – 42. 5 minutesMR Technologist – 42. 5 minutes Changing Room for patients wearing metal on their clothing (25% of patients) Magnet Room Patient Orientation and paperwork verification 127. 5 Positioning of Coil 4 MRI Scan time based on a 30 minute scheduled MRI scan)16. 5MRI Machine – 16. 5 minutes Data Entry (happened during scan)1 Printing MRI Scans (average 8 sheets at 45 seconds each)6 Patient back to reception Escort the Patient back to Front Desk 26 Changing Room 4 Monica Zimmerman, radiology department manager was pressuring Quinte MRI to hire another MR technologist to lighten Jeff’s workload and improve the process flow. David needed to review the cost of hiring an additional person to make the process flow better. He knew that the 1. Tesla MRI machine rated capacity was 2 patients per hour, however the actual scans in a day, would be based on the type of scan required. David used the 30 minute and the 1 hour procedure to determine what the potential spend per day was and what the annual spend would be. Note that any lost appointments resulted in a $700. 00 per scan loss, however this also could be a $700. 00 increase for unscheduled (walk-in) appointments. By looking at the potential projected income, hiring another person was a possibility. Exhibit 2 Time – Min/Hour# performed$ scan suppliesper scan Daily RevenueBCMC chargeDaily revenue – BCMC chargeAnnual Revenue25% Tax $Income 3016145$700 $ 11,200$2,320$8,880$2,800,000$700,000$2,100,000 18145$700 $ 5,600$1,160$4,440$1,400,000$350,000$1,050,000 Alternatives and Options Criteria 1. Increase the process flow, machine capacity and change the position of the bottleneck 2. Increase revenue 3. Repair relationship and reputation with BCMC Alternative 1: (Strategic) Quinte MRI has found out that the manual process for taking appointments is creating many errors. If the system was computerized MRI test requirements could be input into the system and throughput could be maximized based on MRI procedure time required in order to maximize time slot available. Quinte MRI also realized that the MRI Technologist was performing administrative tasks that could be assigned to an assistant. By removing these tasks from the technologist, more time availability would become available for scheduling additional MRI tests. In order to process patients faster, a form could be developed that specifies what the patient must do prior to arrival at the MRI Clinic. Another form could be developed for when that patient arrives at the clinic that asks questions regarding health risks and indicating what restriction would prevent a patient from having an MRI. The assistant could take the patient all the way through the process until the Magnet room at which point the MR technologist would take over. There are necessary requirements that the MR technologist must do prior to completion of the scan, but the collection of the MRI scans and delivery of them back to the radiologist could be done by the assistant that is escorting the patient from the Magnet room. If we assume that most of the MRI scans are a half an hour, than patients could be scheduled every half hour in order to maximize both the capacity of the machine and the capacity of the technologist. Pros: By implementing the computer, there is more accuracy being collected for appointments and test requirements. By hiring the MR assistance, there is increased flow capacity because the technologist will handle only the MRI scans and not the administration task that were previous being done him. This takes the bottleneck out of the administrative task and aligns it to the maximum capacity of the machine thereby increasing revenue which provides the ability to hire the assistant. This would create reliability with the clinic again so that doctors will send their referrals to the clinic. Cons: A second MR technologist will not be hired and when it comes time for vacation of illness, there will be no one to step into the technologist position and ensure continuous flow. Quinte MRI would need to hire from a temporary agency in order to fulfill their requirement which means addition dollars will be spend. Alternative 2: (Tactical) Quinte MRI could hire a second MRI Technologist to perform MRI scans alternating times with the first MRI Technologist to increase the flow and capacity of the process. This would take away the backlog and doctors could send their referrals to the clinic with a sense of reliability that the clinic will get it turnaround within 2 days. Pros: This would allow Quinte MRI to always have a back up in the event that one of the technologists is on vacation and / or ill. The increase revenue being generated due to increased MRI procedures could pay for the second MR Technologist. Cons: Based on the current practices, hiring a second technologist would alleviate some of the workload, however given that no effort has been made to correct the communication issues between the hospital/patient and the booking department, there is a strong possibility, that patients will still continue to be booked at the wrong time, cancel or just not show up. Without a procedure to hand how patients are dealt with from checking to magnet room, people could still be turn away due to health reasons, clothing that is not appropriate for scanning purposes. Recommendation The recommendation is to take Alternative #2 as it addresses all of the criteria by increasing the process flow, machine capacity and changes the bottle neck to the maximum machine capacity. It increases revenue and repairs the relationship and reputation with BCMC. How to cite Quinte Mir, Papers

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Paragraphs and essays free essay sample

Paragraphs are the building blocks of papers. A paragraph is a group of sentences that develops one main idea. A paragraph may stand by itself as a complete piece of writing, or it may be a section of a longer piece of writing, such as an essay. No single rule can prescribe how long a paragraph should be the unity and coherence of ideas among sentences is what constitutes a paragraph, but a paragraph that is too short can make a reader think that some basic information is missing. On the other hand, a paragraph that is too long will likely make a reader lose interest. An effective paragraph must be long enough to develop the main idea the writer is expressing, usually six or seven sentences in length, but no more than ten or twelve sentences. While it is true that newspapers or magazines take liberties with the paragraph form and often have paragraphs as short as a single sentence, a well-developed piece of writing will seldom present a single sentence as a paragraph (unless the sentence is a piece of dialogue). We will write a custom essay sample on Paragraphs and essays or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Basic paragraph structure A paragraph consists of several sentences that are grouped together. This group of sentences together discusses one main subject. Paragraphs have three basic principal parts. These three parts are the topic sentence, body sentences (supporting sentences), and the concluding sentence. A topic sentence is a sentence whose main idea or claim controls the rest of the paragraph. It consists of a topic and controlling idea, which is the point the writer makes about the title. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of a paragraph, but not necessarily. It may come, for example, after a transition sentence; it may even come at the end of a paragraph. Topic sentences are not the only way to organize a paragraph, and not all paragraphs need a topic sentence. For example, paragraphs that describe, narrate, or detail the steps in an experiment do not usually need topic sentences. Topic sentences are useful, however, in paragraphs that analyze and argue. Topic sentences are particularly useful for writers who have difficulty developing focused, unified paragraphs (i. e. , writers who tend to sprawl). Topic sentences help these writers develop a main idea or claim for their paragraphs, and, perhaps most importantly, they help these writers stay focused and keep paragraphs manageable. Topic sentences are also useful to readers because they guide them through sometimes complex argum 5eents. Many well-known, experienced writers effectively use topic sentences to bridge between paragraphs. Topic sentences often begin with transitional clauses referring to the previous paragraph and the other part of the sentence shapes and controls what follows. Because of this topic sentence is sometimes called controlling sentence. Supporting sentences as their name indicates support or explain the idea expressed in the topic sentence. A supporting detail is a piece of evidence used by a writer to make the controlling idea of the topic sentence convincing and interesting to the reader. A piece of evidence might be a descriptive image, an example taken from history or personal experience, a reason, a fact (such as a statistic), a quotation from an expert, or an anecdote used to illustrate a point. Of course, paragraphs in English often have more than two supporting ideas. Whenever possible, you should include enough details in your paragraphs to help your reader understand exactly what you are writing about. The Concluding Sentence In formal paragraphs you will sometimes see a sentence at the end of the paragraph which summarizes the information that has been presented. This is the concluding sentence. You can think of a concluding sentence as a sort of topic sentence in reverse. You can understand concluding sentences with this example. Consider a hamburger that you can buy at a fast-food restaurant. A hamburger has a top bun (a kind of bread), meat, cheese, lettuce, and other elements in the middle of the hamburger, and a bottom bun. Note how the top bun and the bottom bun are very similar. The top bun, in a way, is like a topic sentence, and the bottom bun is like the concluding sentence. Both buns hold the meat, onions, and so on. Similarly, the topic sentence and concluding sentence hold the supporting sentences in the paragraph. Not all academic paragraphs contain concluding sentences, especially if the paragraph is very short. However, if your paragraph is very long, it is a good idea to use a concluding sentence. Characteristics of a paragraph Every paragraph in a paper should be Unified—all of the sentences in a single paragraph should be related to a single controlling idea (often expressed in the topic sentence of the paragraph). Clearly related to the thesis—the sentences should all refer to the central idea, or thesis, of the paper (Rosen and Behrens 119). Coherent—the sentences should be arranged in a logical manner and should follow a definite plan for development (Rosen and Behrens 119). Well-developed—Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain the paragraph’s controlling idea (Rosen and Behrens 119). 5-step process to paragraph development Step1. Decide on a controlling idea and create a topic sentence Paragraph development begins with the formulation of the controlling idea. This idea directs the paragraph’s development. Often, the controlling idea of a paragraph will appear in the form of a topic sentence. In some cases, you may need more than one sentence to express a paragraph’s controlling idea. Step 2. Explain the controlling idea Paragraph development continues with an expression of the rationale or the explanation that the writer gives for how the reader should interpret the information presented in the idea statement or topic sentence of the paragraph. The writer explains his/her thinking about the main topic, idea, or focus of the paragraph. Step 3. Give an example (or multiple examples) Paragraph development progresses with the expression of some type of support or evidence for the idea and the explanation that came before it. The example serves as a sign or representation of the relationship established in the idea and explanation portions of the paragraph. Here are two examples that we could use to illustrate the double meanings in slave spirituals: Step4. Explain the example(s) The next movement in paragraph development is an explanation of each example and its relevance to the topic sentence and rationale that were stated at the beginning of the paragraph. This explanation shows readers why you chose to use this/or these particular examples as evidence to support the major claim, or focus, in your paragraph. Continue the pattern of giving examples and explaining them until all points/examples that the writer deems necessary have been made and explained. NONE of your examples should be left unexplained. You might be able to explain the relationship between the example and the topic sentence in the same sentence which introduced the example. More often, however, you will need to explain that relationship in a separate sentence. Look at these explanations for the two examples in the slave spirituals paragraph: Step 5. Complete the paragraph’s idea or transition into the next paragraph The final movement in paragraph development involves tying up the loose ends of the paragraph and reminding the reader of the relevance of the information in this paragraph to the main or controlling idea of the paper. At this point, you can remind your reader about the relevance of the information that you just discussed in the paragraph. You might feel more comfortable, however, simply transitioning your reader to the next development in the next paragraph. An essay is a piece of writing that develops a topic in five or more paragraphs, including an introductory paragraph that states the thesis, three or more supporting paragraphs that develop the topic, and a concluding paragraph. KINDS OF PARAGRAPHS IN THE COMPLETE COLLEGE ESSAY 1. The introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of the essay. Its purpose is to lead the reader to the thesis statement in an inviting and interesting way that will encourage the reader to continue reading. A thesis statement is usually found at the end of the introductory paragraph. Support paragraphs (sometimes called body paragraphs) provide evidence that the thesis is valid. An acceptable college essay must have at least three well-developed support paragraphs. (You have studied these types of support paragraphs in Part 4 of this book. ) Each support paragraph should flow logically to the next support paragraph. This is often accomplished by the careful use of transitional expressions. 3. The concluding paragraph is the final paragraph of the essay. Its purpose is to give the reader a sense that the essay has come to a satisfying conclusion. By this point, the reader should have the feeling that everything the essay needed to say has been said. Brief Overview of the 10 Essay Writing Steps Below are brief summaries of each of the ten steps to writing an essay. 1. Defining the topic: Student writing suffers when the chosen topic is too general. A good writer must recognize when the topic needs to be narrowed or qualified so that the material will fit the length of an essay and also fit the writer’s knowledge and experience. 2. Research: Begin the essay writing process by researching your topic, making yourself an expert. Utilize the internet, the academic databases, and the library. Take notes and immerse yourself in the words of great thinkers. 3. Analysis: Now that you have a good knowledge base, start analyzing the arguments of the essays youre reading. Clearly define the claims, write out the reasons, the evidence. Look for weaknesses of logic, and also strengths. Learning how to write an essay begins by learning how to analyze essays written by others. 4. Brainstorming: Your essay will require insight of your own, genuine essay-writing brilliance. Ask yourself a dozen questions and answer them. Meditate with a pen in your hand. Take walks and think and think until you come up with original insights to write about. 5. Thesis: Pick your best idea and pin it down in a clear assertion that you can write your entire essay around. Your thesis is your main point, summed up in a concise sentence that lets the reader know where youre going, and why. Its practically impossible to write a good essay without a clear thesis. 6. Outline: Sketch out your essay before straightway writing it out. Use one-line sentences to describe paragraphs, and bullet points to describe what each paragraph will contain. Play with the essays order. Map out the structure of your argument, and make sure each paragraph is unified. 7. Introduction: Now sit down and write the essay. The introduction should grab the readers attention, set up the issue, and lead in to your thesis. Your intro is merely a buildup of the issue, a stage of bringing your reader into the essays argument. (Note: The title and first paragraph are probably the most important elements in your essay. This is an essay-writing point that doesnt always sink in within the context of the classroom. In the first paragraph you either hook the readers interest or lose it. Of course your teacher, whos getting paid to teach you how to write an essay, will read the essay youve written regardless, but in the real world, readers make up their minds about whether or not to read your essay by glancing at the title alone. ) 7. Paragraphs: Each individual paragraph should be focused on a single idea that supports your thesis. Begin paragraphs with topic sentences, support assertions with evidence, and expound your ideas in the clearest, most sensible way you can. Speak to your reader as if he or she were sitting in front of you. In other words, instead of writing the essay, try talking the essay. 8. Conclusion: Gracefully exit your essay by making a quick wrap-up sentence, and then end on some memorable thought, perhaps a quotation, or an interesting twist of logic, or some call to action. Is there something you want the reader to walk away and do? Let him or her know exactly what. Format your essay according to the correct guidelines for citation. All borrowed ideas and quotations should be correctly cited in the body of your text, followed up with a Works Cited (references) page listing the details of your sources. 10. Language: Youre not done writing your essay until youve polished your language by correcting the grammar, making sentences flow, incoporating rhythm, emphasis, adjusting the formality, giving it a level-headed tone, and making other intuitive edits. Proofread until it reads just how you want it to sound. Writing an essay can be tedious, but you dont want to bungle the hours of conceptual work youve put into writing your essay by leaving a few slippy misppallings and pourly wordedd phrazies. The relationship between a paragraph and an essay is symbiotic; you cant write an essay without using paragraphs, and four or more consecutive paragraphs about the same subject matter become an essay. Both paragraphs and essays have a distinct beginning, middle and end. A paragraph is a mini-essay. Both have a limited subject with (a) precise opinion(s) In writing either a paragraph or an essay writers do three things: 1. Writers tell the readers what they are going to tell them 2. Writers tell this to them and illustrate/prove it, giving details to explain or develop the support 3. Writers then tell readers what they have just told them. 1. Both paragraphs and essays begin with a topic sentence, or a thesis statement that explains to the reader what the paragraph or essay is about. Paragraphs and essays both require supporting details that elaborate on the statements made in the topic sentence or thesis statement. Both paragraphs and essays must end with a conclusion. Â  Both paragraph and essay fulfill those four characteristics these are unity, coherence, cohesion and completeness. A thesis statement for an essay is longer and more detailed than the topic sentence at the beginning of a paragraph. In a paragraph, each subsequent sentence builds upon the point made in the topic sentence; in an essay, the first sentence in each paragraph discusses points made in the thesis statement. In a paragraph, the sentences following the topic sentence are called supporting details. In an essay, the paragraphs following the thesis statement are called supporting paragraphs. Each supporting paragraph has its own supporting details. Paragraphs must end with a concluding sentence that states the basic point of the paragraph. It should not rephrase or reiterate the topic sentence. Essays end with a conclusion paragraph that summarizes the content of the essay and reiterates the thesis statement with different phrasing. The conclusion paragraph usually revisits the points introduced in the supporting paragraphs to prove to the reader that, from the writers point of view, the thesis statement was correct. 2. Paragraphs and essays differ in their length. Paragraphs are typically between five and six sentences long. Theyre composed of a topic sentence and four or five supporting details. Essays contain at least five paragraphs; theyre composed of an introductory paragraph (which includes the thesis statement), at least three supporting paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph. 3. Besides having transitional phrases essays have transitional paragraphs.