How to Find a Good Business Idea

How to Find a Good Business Idea When I talk to people about generating a business idea, most of them tell me that they find it hard to come up with a good business idea. © Shutterstock.com | Brian A JacksonI want to show you two approaches that improve your chances to come up with a business idea worth executing. The bottom-up approach finds a good business idea by looking at individual business models while the top-down approach first finds interesting industries to enter and then identifies promising business models in that specific industry.THE BOTTOM-UP APPROACHThis is the most often used method for generating a business idea and works by looking at individual ideas that can be found via the following channels.1. STARTUP RELATED WEBSITES AND BLOGS there are tons of websites out there that cover startup stories, innovative business models or funding news. Here is a short list that might be helpful for you.Techcrunch international startup news and interviewsVenturebeat international news on startups and venture capitalGruenderszene German startup monitorDeutsche Startups German startupsMashable international startup newsTech in Asia focus o n Asian tech startupsThe Next Web international startup newsArctic Startup Startup news from Finland, Sweden and Norwayventureburn Startups in emerging marketsavc thoughts on startups and venture capitalIf you have further suggestions for websites or blogs that identify new and upcoming startups, then please share them in the facebook comment box at the bottom of this post2. TALK TO INDUSTRY INSIDERS by talking to people about what business models and companies are disrupting their industry or at least which of them have a very non-standard go-to-market approach you can come up with a business idea.THE TOP-DOWN APPROACHMost people dont know about this method, except when they are working in venture capital or private equity. ?? Basically, you look at  BROAD INDUSTRY SEGMENTS and  define distinct industry segments and their sub-segments. See the following examples:Classifieds (e.g. cars, real estate, jobs)Dating (e.g. young people, people older than 45, academics)SaaS (e.g. cust omer relationship management, HR, accounting, online marketing)Advertising (e.g. mobile advertising, banner advertising, in-game advertisingRestaurants (e.g. Mexican food, Italien food, Chinese food)1  INDUSTRY SEGMENT ECONOMICS the next step is looking at each sub-segments economics.Market size (e.g. €1 billion); this means how much money is spent by businesses and consumers in this specific sub-segment this yearMarket growth (e.g. 5% per year); by how much are the purchases expected to increase over the next yearsProfit margins (e.g. gross margin of 60%, total contribution margin of 20%); how much profit are you making with every sale, what is the total contribution margin, or what is the net income marginFixed asset structure; here you need to check whether operating in this sub-segment required you to heavily invest in fixed assets (machinery, buildings)Required investment to enter the market; you need to ask yourself how much money you will need for entering the sub-segment successfully. The amount is determined by your fixed asset structure and by other required investments (e.g. inventory, excessive advertising, sales force) to create a value proposition2 INDUSTRY SEGMENT DRIVING FORCES in addition you need to understand what is basically driving each sub-segment, so you know which factors are important for building successful companies.Legal requirements; some industries like insurance, pharmaceuticals and banking require compliance with many laws which also apply to you as an entrepreneur.Business relationships; some industries like mergers acquisitions, private equity and consulting require extensive relationships with key industry players which makes it harder for new businesses to enter.RD and Intellectual property; some industries like pharmaceuticals are heavily driven by intellectual property meaning that they wont sell their products without intellectual property which requires spending a lot on research and development of new products.Onc e you are done with understanding the economics and driving forces of each sub-segment you know which markets look promising. The next step then is to identify unique business models within the choosen sub-segment that have a promising comparative advantage over existing competitors.NO MATTER WHICH APPROACH YOU CHOOSE; NEXT STEP FOR FINDING A GOOD BUSINESS IDEACongratulations! Whether you followed the bottom-up or top-down approach, now you should have a list of promising startup ideas.In order to further enhance these business models, I strongly recommend using a technique that I call COMBINATORICS and works like this.1. IDENTIFYING MODULES IN THE VALUE CHAIN you need to deconstruct the current value chain of the promising business idea including the associated costs and value to the customer which might look like this.Sourcing (Costs: $25, Value: $40)Manufacturing (Costs: $70, Value: $75)Storage (Costs: $5, Value: $3)Advertising (Costs: $20, Value: $25)Customer service (Costs: $4 0, Value: $70)TOTAL COSTS $160 TOTAL VALUE $213 = PROFIT $532. EXCHANGING MODULES now the creative part of finding a good business idea starts. Lets have some fun ?? Now, you want to find options for exchanging modules in the current value chain. Lets assume you found the following modul options via brain storming, exchanging ideas with industry experts and doing research.Just-in-time delivery with associated costs of $1 and value to the customer of $3 might dominate our storage module.Online customer service would cost us only $10 while the perceived value to the customer would decrease to $60.When we exchange the related modules from the current value chain, we will have a unique business model with the corresponding value chain and improved profitability.Sourcing  (Costs: $25, Value: $40)Manufacturing  (Costs: $70, Value: $75)Just-in-time delivery (Costs: $1, Value: $3)Advertising  (Costs: $20, Value: $25)Online customer service  (Costs: $10, Value: $60)TOTAL COSTS $126 TOTAL VALUE $203 = PROFIT $77Short summary:The bottom-up and top-down approaches helped you to identify a promising business idea while COMBINATORICS helped you to create an unique business model that has a competitive advantage. Yiehaa! How did you come up with your business idea? Please tell us on our facebook fan page  or on linkedin.ENTREPRENEURIAL INSIGHTSHeiko Hubertz, founder of  BigPoint (1) How I found my business idea?Im a huge football fan, so when I was still at university, I started coding a small football management game to play with my friends. Since we needed to cover server costs, I came up with the idea that every player transfer would cost a small amount of money for a famous football player. This was how the idea of virtual item selling started. To my own surprise, this made the whole game very compelling and soon we had more and more friends joining us. It was obvious to me that this is a concept that could work in a much broader scale, and with many different games and genres. A couple of years later, Im very happy to say that the success I had with Bigpoint proved me right!(2) My advice for people interested in finding a good business idea?On the one hand, I believe you really need to have a st rong passion for something. This is crucial to know the in and outs of your future product or service and to cope with the long work hours, the setbacks and challenges you might face on your road to success. On the other hand it is important to be able to reflect on your work and make your decisions with a down-to-earth approach so you dont invest in something you personally love when there is no market. So, in a nutshell: Be passionate about something! Be willing to take risks! Always reflect yourself. And dont surrender easily.

Peculiarities of Quality Management

Peculiarities of Quality Management Quality management is a sort of innovative phenomenon. It is based not only on the quality of the service or product but also on all possible methods of its achievement. It is well-known that quality management has three key components: quality control, quality improvement and quality assurance. Therefore, quality management includes quality assurance and process control to ensure high quality. Quality management is considered to be one of the hardest aspects to control. A number of goals are set behind the concept of quality management, such as: improvement of the business process, optimization of the business performance and maximization of profit. Definition of quality is based upon the explanation that quality is an excellence degree. When the question is about management, the conducting or supervising of anything is meant. Therefore, we can define the notion of quality management itself. Thus, quality management is the process of supervising of the excellence degree. The majority of companies try to achieve a certain excellence degree without wasting a lot of money. Since the quality management is the coordinated activity which consists of the guiding and controlling of the quality organization, it covers a number of management principles presented below: Customer focus. Leadership. People participation. Process approach. Management system approach. Steady improvement. Firm decision making. Favorable supplier affairs. Consequently, we can draw a conclusion that quality management is an integral part of the general management aspect which helps your business to carry on and for the customers to stay satisfied. It is highly important to develop a steady balance of cost and quality in order to achieve success. If good and experienced management quality staff is at your disposal, your business will go up and no fail will ever be observed. Every company decision should be made in strict accordance with the principles presented above. Keep in mind that a great number of factors can influence the outcome of the decision. Moreover, there is no doubt that good management involves the ability to balance these aspects by means of the established and tested processes and sound logic.

The American Civil Liberties Union - 1418 Words

When Americans first set their eyes on the 20th century, they hoped for a better life without war and a prospering economy. This vision of freedom and liberty in America was quite bold, knowing there were challenges ahead. There’s always a price to pay and obstacles to go through when the circumstances are not ideal. During the early 1900s, our country was evolving and starting a new era. An era where blacks were no longer slaves, civil rights movements were occurring, and citizens were having issues with the law. It was a moment in time that helped us understand why these events occurred. From those events, wars, and movements, we can learn and improve from any flaws we may encounter. As a nation, we will be better prepared and aware of these scenarios because we reflect on our country’s past. During World War I, the Progressives, who are a political party later called the American Civil Liberties Union, talked about our individual rights as citizens and the liberty we fought for. Before we entered the war, our legal rights were taken away, and left many in the U.S very upset and worried. â€Å"In 1917, a group of Pacifists, Progressive shocked by wartime attacks on freedom of speech, and lawyers outraged at what they considered violations of Americans’ legal rights formed the Civil Liberal Bureau.† (The Fight for Civil Liberties, pg. 135). With no one saying anything or speaking up, it put people in the position to be concerned because they weren’t allowed to say whatShow MoreRelatedThe American Civil Liberties Union1714 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Civil Liberties Union is a large and influential non-profit organization that was founded in 1920. The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonpartisan group that serves to protect the individual rights and liberties of American citizens and is considered a powerful interest group, especially within movements that advocate civil rights and civil liberty. Ginsberg, Lowi, W eir, and Tolbert define interests group as â€Å"individuals who organize to influence the government’s program and policies†Read MoreThe American Civil Liberties Union1639 Words   |  7 Pagesgoverned on what white men could do. It had no rights for men of different races. This went on to show that we needed a section that could relate to the people of the states, so that their freedom was protected in this new Constitution. (American Civil Liberties Union) This debate of do we need to include a Bill of Rights for the everyday citizens of the states went on for four years. The Federalists did not think we needed a Bill of Rights because they did not believe in giving the people of the statesRead MoreThe American Civil Liberties Union1155 Words   |  5 Pages According to Carl Takei, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, ICE has somewhat complied with President Obama’s mandates. They have released documents on cases of medical negligence leading to deaths but only to people who ask under the Freedom of Information Act. The purpose of President Obama’s mandated reviews was to improve the medical care of the next person. Through investigation by the American Civil Liberties Union, ICE was found to not use these reviews for betteringRead MoreThe American Civil Liberties Union1233 Words   |  5 Pagesthe judicial system is the obvious bias in criminal sentencing in the court. Many studies support the conclusion that people of color are sentenced longer in prison for the same crime as a white person (McElrath, Tran, and Taylor 2). The American Civil Liberties Union released data and specific cases that contribute to this topic. Kenneth Rouse, a Black man, was tried by an all-white jury after the prosecutor eliminated every eligible Black juror from the panel. This is a common discrepancy in theRead MoreThe American Civil Liberties Union1630 Words   |  7 Pagesin incarnations by placing many people in jail more than the last four decades. Mostly because of the war on drugs. So far whites and blacks have been involved in many drug offenses, possession and sales, at a very comparable rate. â€Å"While African Americans comprise 13% of the US population and 14% of monthly drug users they are 37% of the people arrested for drug offenses† (Marc Mauer). The police usually stop blacks and Latinos at rates higher than whites. Within New York City, the people of colorRead MoreAmerican Civil Liberties Union Of Michigan ( Aclu )1378 Words   |  6 Pagesinterest groups is the Flint water crisis. Although many local and global organizations seek to provide support and resources for the city of Flint, the three non-economic interest groups that will be discussed in this paper include the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU), the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF). The approaches, stances, and effectiveness of these organizations will be interpreted, while recommendations aboutRead MoreAmerican Civil Liberties Union: Study Notes1252 Words   |  5 Pagesin American history. The African American community in particular has worked very diligently over the years to end segregation as a means to achieve equal rights for its entire constituent base. Body paragraph #1 - Topic Sentence #1- To begin, the African American community has obtained equal rights through collectivism. The African American community has always been close knit in response to oppression. Instead of disbanded as a result of turmoil and mass confusion, the African American communityRead MoreBlack Men And The American Civil Liberties Union1088 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to to the American Civil Liberties Union, California’s research shows that black men are three times more likely to be stopped and frisked than whites. (Quigley) Some may say that this topic is based on nothing but opinions. That is not true. There are facts behind the accusations made by so many people accusing law enforcement agents of being racist. The job of law enforcement is to serve and protect the people, showing no bias towards any specific race, but this is not always the caseRead MoreRacial Profiling And The American Civil Liberties Union1081 Words   |  5 Pages but the community may never know the whole tru th. The pain and misery caused by racial profiling greatly outweighs the positive aspects. Racial profiling is vastly different from criminal profiling. Racial profiling, as stated by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), â€Å"refers to the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual s race, ethnicity, religion or national origin† (â€Å"The Reality of Racial Profiling†). RacialRead MoreRacial Profiling And The American Civil Liberties Union998 Words   |  4 Pageshold a variety of meanings. As defined by the American Civil Liberties Union, however, racial profiling is the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual s race, ethnicity, religion or national origin (â€Å"Racial Profiling†). Every day, blacks are stopped much more frequently for aimless searches and minor infractions than their white counterparts. Several African Americans share experiences like these, such as Roscoe

Unique Photographers Their Lives and Their Art Free Essays

From 1979 to present there have been many famous photographers, but there are three who really stick out: Jerry Uelsmann, Freeman Patterson, and Annie Slivovitz. These three photographers had very distinct photography and viewed photography as more than pictures but as pigments of emotions and feelings. These photographers are very famous for their pictures and one photographer is known for her help in third world countries. We will write a custom essay sample on Unique Photographers: Their Lives and Their Art or any similar topic only for you Order Now The first photographer that I would like to mention in my research paper will be Jerry Uelsmann. Uelsmann was born in Detroit on June 11th, 1934. Uelsmann acquired school degrees and actually went on to teach classes. He was an intelligent man, who knew exactly what he wanted to do in his life. When Uelsmann was 23 years old (1957) he received his B. F. A degree at the Rochester Institute of technology. When he was 26 (1960) he received his M. F. A at the Indiana University. In 1960 he received his first job offer to teach photography at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Jerry Uelsmann is also a member of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain. Jerry Uelsmann founded The American Society for Photographic Education. Jerry Uelsmann did mostly double exposures. When working a day in the darkroom Uelsmann would go through 50 sheets of photo paper, trying to find at least one or two prints that he liked. During a year, Uelsmann may produce one hundred and fifty images, and only fifteen of those one hundred and fifty images last through out the year. The fifteen prints that are left are the prints that had meaning to him. Sometimes he would draw sketches of the pictures he would like to develop, just to give him an idea of the kind of image he would like to create in his next photo. Jerry Uelsmann is not known for computer images but on a couple of his photographs he has used his Mac Intosh computer to enhance the prints. One photograph that he has computer enhanced is (â€Å"Man Walking on the Deskâ€Å"). Uelsmann decided to use a computer to alter this print because it amazed him; all the possibilities/creations that are available to him through a computer. The print that he altered with his computer is one of his most famous prints (â€Å"Man Walking on the Desk†) which was created in 1976, and then resurrected in the year 2000 to modify he print by scanning it on to his computer and dding a shadow to the man walking on the desk. He didn’t make a really big change to the photo but he could not have added the shadow in the darkroom so his computer gave him that possibility. The image (â€Å"Homage to Man Ray†) was completely done on his computer in 1999 and he printed it out on an Iris printer to give a shinny professional finish. Uelsm ann has done over one hundred solo shows in the United States in the past thirty years alone. In the past twenty-five years, Uelsmann has had over ten books devoted to him and his artwork. He has more than 15 museums around the world that display his art work, these include: The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Bibliotheque National in Paris, The National Gallery of Canada, and The National Galleries of Scotland. Other museums show casing his artwork are located in Paris, Australia and New York. Some of his work has been reproduced and put into international journals, magazines, books, newspapers and television shows (The Outer Limits) . Some books produced about Jerry Uelsmann and his art are Jerry N. Uelsmann Millerton, and Jerry Uelsmann: Silver Meditations by Dobbs Ferry. Jerry Uelsmann is experienced in his art and has created memorable and unique photos and has displayed them so that the world can see what kind of imagery he can produce. Freeman Patterson is another interesting photographer currently lives in Shamper’s Bluff, New Brunswick. As a child Freeman grew up on a farm in New Brunswick. This is one of the reasons why he won’t photograph vegetables; he’s seen to many of them and they have boundaries. Freeman has acquired school degrees including a honours degree in philosophy from Acadia University in Wolf Ville, Nova Scotia in 1959; and a Master of Divinity degree from the Columbia University in New York. At Alberta College, Freeman was the dean of religious studies, and in Toronto Patterson, worked at Berkley studio in 1966. In 1984 Freeman co-founded the Namaquland Photographic Works Shops in Africa. Freeman has given many workshops around the world, including countries such as the United States, New Zealand, Israel, and Australia. Since 1973 Freeman has also given many seminars in countries such as Canada, United States, New Zealand, Israel, and Australia. These seminars are about music, art, ecology, and education. Freeman Patterson produces his own books on photography and his artwork. Some books that he has published are â€Å"Photography for the Joy of itâ€Å", â€Å"Shadow Light: A Photographers Lifeâ€Å", â€Å"Photographing the World Around You and Portrait of Earthâ€Å". The books that he has made are not just to show off his artwork but also to demonstrate and give guidelines to new photographers. Patterson’s work has been in exhibitions, magazines, books and calendars. Photography is an interest to Patterson because pictures excite him. Patterson feels that he needs to be at ease with his camera in order to take good pictures, without the technicality of rules and formulas made by equipment. He also believes that good images are made carefully and take time, they don’t just happen. Patterson states that â€Å"In these images, subject matter is like potters clay – you mould it however you want†#. The pictures he likes best are those pictures where he can discover himself and those pictures that have no rules. Patterson thinks that a good photograph portrays the photographer and the image and for him most of his subjects have a symbolic meaning to him and he feels free to take any approach to the subject to make them a visual statement. Patterson believes that emotions and feelings come out in photography, so if the photographer is happy, they would take pictures of the warm colours from a sunset. He truly believes that photography is an expression of feelings. Many of Patterson’s photographs are plants like trees and wild flowers, which make him feel happy, and they are free and have no limitations. Patterson thinks that photography starts with subjects such as wild flowers, sunrises, children, motorcycle gangs, gothic cathedrals etc†¦ Freeman Patterson does both coloured and black and white prints. He also ventures into some double exposures. Patterson does a lot of his photographic work at his home in New Brunswick, but does travel to take photos and to teach others about photography. So Freeman Patterson is interactive with many of his admirers due to him giving seminars and producing his own books about photography, all of which also makes his photos unique and organized, with a sense of freedom in his prints. The next famous photographer is Annie Leibovit’s, who was born in West Port, Connecticut, in 1949. When Annie was 22 she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute. At the age of 20 Annie was living in Israel and was helping in an archeologically dig near the famous Temple of King Solomon, where she took some photos of. After she received her BFA she continued to study with another photographer by the name of Ralph Gibson. Ralph Gibson taught her a few things about photography and he was an inspiration to the way she took some of her photographs. In Washington D. C Annie owns her own show called â€Å"Women†, which is located at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. In the past, Leibovitz has taken pictures of famous actresses such as a pregnant pose by Demi Moore and Jerry Hall breast-feeding her child. Annie photographed many people such as a former governor, two Supreme Court justices, an astronaut, a drag racer, and many more. Most of her artwork contains pictures of rock stars, fashion and advertising, and women. One of her most memorable photos is a naked picture of John Lennon and his fully clothed wife Yoko Ono in bed. This picture was taken two hours before John Lennon’s death in 1980. Since the 1980’s, Annie Leibovitz has taken many photographs of people living with Aids and photographs from a study of Sarajevo and its people. Leibovitz took pictures for magazine companies that she worked for such as: â€Å"Rolling Stonesâ€Å", â€Å"Vogue†, and â€Å"Vanity Fair†. Annie’s Photography career started in 1970 when she gave some samples of her work to the â€Å"Rolling Stone† magazine. Later on in the mid 1970’s she became the chief photographer for â€Å"Rolling Stone Magazine† as well a concert-tour photographer for â€Å"The Rolling Stones†. One of Leibovitz photographic projects was the book â€Å"Olympic Portraits†. This was an on going two-year project for her, that showcased athletes practicing for the Olympics. This book was published in 1996. Another project was a book published in 1999 of women’s photographs. Leibovitz artwork consists of using the whole subjects body captured in action (physically). One of the great things that Annie Leibovitz has experienced is that she is the first woman ever, and only the second living photographer to have her work shown in the National Gallery of Smithsonian Institute, in Washington D. C. which took place in 1991. Annie Leibovitz captures her effects with artificiality, flair and outrageousness, and that is what makes her artwork different from other portrait photographers. These photographers have lead remarkable lives and have evolved and developed throughout their lives. These changes are shown through their amazing photography work. Jerry Uelsmann, Annie Lei bovitz and Freeman Patterson’s unforgettable photos make them all so much different from any other photographers. Bibliography Ames, J. , Uelsmann Process and Perception, Florida: University Presses Of Florida, 1985. Anderson, J. , â€Å"Leibovitz, Annie†, Leibovitz, Annie An Encarta Encyclopaedia Article, [Internet], Sept 19, 2001. Available: http://www. encarta. msn. com/find/concise. asp Freeman, J. , â€Å"Jerry N. Uelsmann†, Jerry N. Uelsmann, [Internet], Sept 17, 2001. Available: http://www. arts. uf/edu/art/creative_photography/faculty/jerry_uelsmann/portfolio. shtml Ozeroff, W. , â€Å"Camera Looks Both Ways†, Freeman Patterson: Shadow Light – A Photographers Life, [Internet], Sept 19, 2001. Available: http://www. canoe. ca/jambooksreviewss/shadowlight_patterson. shtml Patterson, F. Photography For The Joy Of It, New York: Key Porter Books Ltd. , 1989. Squiers, C. , The Importance Of Women, American Photo: Hachette Filipacchi Magazines Inc. , March/April 2000. Unknown Author, â€Å"Annie Leibovitz Biography†, Annie Leibovitz Biography, [Internet], Sept 19, 2001. Available: http://www. shinegallery. com/anniebog. shtml Unknown Author, â€Å"Biographyâ₠¬ , Jerry Uelsmann’s Biography, [Internet], Sept 19, 2001. Available: http://www. uelsmann. com/bio. shtml Unknown Author, â€Å"Biography Freeman Patterson†, Freeman Patterson Biography, [Internet], Sept 19, 2001. Available: http://www. freemanpatterson. com/biograph. shtml Unknown Author, â€Å"Books By Freeman Patterson†, Photography Books By Freeman Patterson Presented By Webphoto. com, [Internet], Sept 19, 2001. Available: http://www. webphoto. com/book/patterson/ Unknown Author, â€Å"Jerry Uelsmann†, Apple – Apple Masters – Jerry Uelsmann, [Internet], Sept 17, 2001. Available: http://www. apple. com/applemasters/juelsmann Verzia, S. , â€Å"Annie Leibovitz Lou†, Annie Leibovitz, [Internet], Sept 19, 2001. Available: http://www. kuttara. gratex. sk/krajavicova/leib/annie_a. htm How to cite Unique Photographers: Their Lives and Their Art, Papers

Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet Essay Explain how Shakespeare makes act 1, scene 5 such a memorable experience for the audience. To what extent does this scene confirm the status of Romeo and Juliet as star-crossed lovers? Act 1, scene 5 is a particularly memorable experience in Romeo and Juliet. Most importantly it marks the first meeting of the title characters to which the play has been building up too all the way till now. Shakespeare has put off the two lead characters meeting up till this point to heighten the expectancy and thus make it a more memorable scene. Shakespeare uses a sonnet to show hoe the characters are in harmony, again adding to the unforgettable nature of the scene. This scene also affirms the status of the characters as star-crossed lovers due too the two characters finding that there the person they have just fallen in love with is actually there sworn enemy. We will write a custom essay sample on Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Language in this scene plays a big part in making it so memorable. Shakespeare uses imagery to show how Romeo feels about Juliet; he expresses his wonder upon seeing her in lines 43-52: Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear This line shows that Romeo clearly thinks Juliet is a beautiful woman and thinks of her as a thing too beautiful for earth. Romeo also says how dazzled he is by her beauty and can only stand in awe; As a rich jewel in an Ethiops ear This compares Juliet in the night too being as impressive and beautiful as that of a Jewell on black skin. Tybalts reaction, however, could not be more be more different when he spots Romeo. Tybalt uses short, blunt and too the point sentences in contrast to Romeos rich imagery. His words of insult create an extremely memorable point in the scene: fetch me a rapier, boy Line 53-58 show that Tybalt is harbouring great hatred for Romeo and will go too extreme lengths to see him off. Tybalt also attempts to insult Romeo, by using words such as slave, villain and our foe. Again Tybalt uses strikingly blunt language to portray his feelings of anger about Romeos presence: Ill not endure him This clearly illustrates that Tybalt is far from happy with Romeo being there, despite the fact that his uncle, Lord Capulet, describes Romeo as, virtuous and well governed Finally in lines 90-91 Tybalt utters his strongest words yet: I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall Here Tybalt issues a threat to Romeo that he will exact his revenge which latter in the play he tries to do leading to Mercutios and his own death, the banishment of Romeo which inevitably leads to the plays tragic ending. This, in turn, makes the scene very important but also very memorable. Shakespeare, however, saves the best use of his language for the two main characters first meeting. This first exchange of words is in the form of a perfect Shakespearian sonnet and adds to the ease at which this scene is remembered: If I profain with my unworthiest hand Then move not while my prayers effect I take The lines 95-109 form the sonnet. This is particularly impressive as it is the first time the characters have met and along with their speech forming this sonnet it also forms rhyming couplets. All this only emphasise the fact that the two characters are star-crossed lovers. Shakespeare also creates a spiritual bond between the two using religious imagery such as pilgrims, saints and sinners. Shakespeare also utilises structure to add to the drama of the scene. Shakespeare takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster which again adds to how memorable the scene is. The scene opens with a light-hearted atmosphere. The serving men appear with some humorous moments: Save me a piece of marchpane This humorous opening adds to the importance of the more important issues of love and hate, and makes them more memorable when they come along. Following on from this Tybalt change the feel of the scene by threatening Romeo with revenge for him coming to their party I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall This is particularly memorable due to the sudden change in mood of the scene Finally, Shakespeare ends his scene with the two characters being in love with their only hate My life is my foes debt (Romeo) My only love sprung from my only hate (Juliet) Upon learning the family name of the one that they have just fallen in love with, their thoughts echo each others sentiments: the one thing in life they are forced to hate (each others family) is now the only thing in life they can love; and thus the journey towards the plays tragic end begins. Memorably, Shakespeare has brought together the plays two key themes, love and hate, in this scene. Romeo and Juliets reaction at the end of the scene reminds the audience of the ancient grudge which will act as an insurmountable barrier between the two lovers. This scene also confirms how Romeo and Juliet are star-crossed lovers. The audience Shakespeare would have written this for would be the Elizabethan audience of his time. The audience would be particularly wary of these forces and perfectly aware of mans struggle against them. In the prologue for the play this aspect of the play is illustrated vividly; a pair of star-crossed lovers This would show the audience clearly that the stars were not in favour of these two and something tragic would happen at some point. Romeo also comments about something in the stars at the end of Act 1 Scene 4; My mind misgives some consequence, yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin this fearful date This ominous and prophetic closing statement again suggests something is not right about him going to this party. When Romeo and Juliet discover that their new love is in fact their sworn enemy they seem to predict a tragic end to there relationship: My life is my foes debt (Romeo) I must love a loathed enemy (Juliet) This confirms that Romeo and Juliet are not meant to be, however, they cannot stop loving each other and the journey to the storys tragic end has unstoppably begun. Undoubtedly Shakespeares audience would have been familiar with the force of fate and this scene clearly show that the two characters are I fact star-crossed lovers. Furthermore, Romeo and Juliets impulsive actions in this scene, together with their impact on those around them, confirms there status as tragic heroes. Shakespeares audiences, both today and at the time of writing, would have been familiar enough with the dramatic notion of tragedy to realise that, sadly, as a result of this scene, the forces of fate will mean that the play will end, as indeed it does, with Romeo and Juliet paying the ultimate price for their death-markd love

Graduate School Recommendation Letter From Professor

Graduate School Recommendation Letter From Professor Every recommendation letter is unique, written for a particular student. But good recommendation letters share similarities in format and expression. Below is a template showing one way of organizing a recommendation letter for graduate study. Here the emphasis is on the students academic work. The letter begins by explaining the context in which the student is known, followed by details of the work that forms the basis for the writers recommendation. It is the details that count. December 19, 201x Dr. SmithDirector of AdmissionsGraduate School University101 Grad AvenueGradTown, WI, 10000 Dear Dr. Smith: I am writing to you in support of Mr. Stu Student and his desire to attend Graduate School University for the Basket Weaving program. Though many students ask me to make this request on their behalf, I only recommend students whom I feel are well-suited for the program of their choice. Mr. Student is one of those students and therefore, I highly recommend that he be given the opportunity to attend your university. As professor of the Basket Weaving Department at Undergrad University, I work with many students who have substantial knowledge of basket weaving. Mr. Student has consistently shown such a strong desire to learn basket weaving that I simply could not turn down his request for a recommendation. I first met Mr Student in my Intro to Basket Weaving course during the Fall 2010 semester. Compared to the class average of 70, Mr. Student earned a 96 in the class. Mr. Student was evaluated on [explain basis for grades, e.g., exams, papers, etc.], in which he performed exceptionally well. Stu is an outstanding individual with a strong character. He has the ability to produce impressive results in a wide variety of areas. Stu is/has [list of positive traits/skills, e.g. organized, motivated, etc.]. I have seen astonishing results on complex projects that offered great attention to detail where quality was never compromised. Additionally, he has a very positive attitude and truly embraces learning all there is to know about basket weaving. Though Stu has consistently exceeded in all areas of his coursework, the best example of his intelligence shone through a [paper/presentation/project/etc.] on theories of basket weaving. The work clearly showed his ability to deliver a clear, concise, and well-thought presentation with a new perspective by demonstrating [embellish here]. In addition to his coursework, Stu also dedicated some of his] time volunteering at [Club or Organization Name]. His position required him to [list of tasks]. He felt volunteering was an important leadership role, in which he learned [list of skills]. The skills acquired through volunteering will be beneficial to all of Stus future endeavors. Stu has the ability to manage and organize his time and schedule around different activities without having them interfere with his work. school. I believe Stu is destined to be a leader in basket weaving, and therefore is an excellent candidate for your school. I highly recommend that you consider his application, as he will be a great asset to your program. Im sure you will find him to be a student whose talents will only grow. If you would like further information, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Tea Cher, Ph.D.ProfessorUndergrad University

Biography of Sociologist George Herbert Mead

Biography of Sociologist George Herbert Mead When fields such as psychology and sociology were still new, George Herbert Mead became a leading pragmatist and pioneer of symbolic interactionism, a theory that explores the relationships between people in societies. More than a century after his death, Mead is widely considered to be one of the founders of social psychology, the study of how social environments influence individuals. Having taught at the University of Chicago for much of his career, he is also associated with what is now known as the Chicago school of sociology. Early Years and Education George Herbert Mead was born on  Feb. 27, 1863, in South Hadley, Massachusetts. His father Hiram Mead was a pastor of a local church but moved the family to Oberlin, Ohio to become a professor at Oberlin Theological Seminary in 1870. His mother Elizabeth Storrs Billings Mead also worked as an academic; she taught at Oberlin College and would go on to serve as president of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. In 1879, George Herbert Mead enrolled in Oberlin College, where he pursued a bachelors degree focusing on history and literature, which he completed four years later. After a brief stint as a school teacher,  Mead worked as a surveyor for the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company for a few years. Following that, he enrolled in Harvard University, where he studied psychology and philosophy, but he left in 1888 without a graduate degree. After Harvard, Mead joined his close friend Henry Castle and his sister Helen Kingsbury Castle in Leipzig, Germany, where he enrolled in a Ph.D. program for philosophy and physiological psychology at the University of Leipzig. In 1889, Mead transferred to the University of Berlin, where he began to study economic theory. The University of Michigan offered Mead a teaching position in philosophy and psychology two years later and he stopped his doctoral studies to accept this post, never actually completing his Ph.D. Prior to taking on his new role, Mead married Helen Castle in Berlin. Career At the University of Michigan, Mead met sociologist  Charles Horton Cooley, philosopher  John Dewey, and psychologist Alfred Lloyd, all of whom influenced the development of his thought and written work. Dewey accepted an appointment as the chair of philosophy at the University of Chicago in 1894  and arranged for Mead to be appointed assistant professor in the department of philosophy. Together with James Hayden Tufts, the three formed the nexus of American pragmatism, referred to as the Chicago Pragmatists. Meads Theory of the Self Among sociologists, Mead is most well known for his theory of the self, which he presented in his well-regarded and much-taught book Mind, Self and Society (published in 1934 after his death and edited by Charles W. Morris). Meads theory of the self maintains that the idea people have of themselves stems from social interaction with others. This theory opposes biological determinism  because it holds that  the self does not exist at  birth and may not be present at the beginning of a social interaction, but it is constructed and reconstructed in the process of social experience and activity.​ The self, according to Mead, is made up of two components: the â€Å"I† and the â€Å"me.† The â€Å"me† represents the expectations and attitudes of others (the generalized other) organized into a social self. Individuals define their behavior in reference to the generalized attitude of the social group(s) they occupy. When people can view themselves from the standpoint of the generalized other, self-consciousness in the full sense of the term is attained.  From this standpoint, the generalized other (internalized in the â€Å"me†) is the major instrument of social control, for it is the mechanism by which the community exercises control over the conduct of its individual members. The â€Å"I† is the response to the â€Å"me,† or the person’s individuality. It is the essence of agency in human action. So, in effect, the me is the self as object, while the I is the self as subject. According to Meads theory, the self is developed through three activities: language, play, and game. Language allows people to take on the â€Å"role of the other† and respond to their own behaviors through the symbolized attitudes of others. During play, individuals take on the roles of different people and pretend to be them to express their expectations. This process of role-playing is key to the generation of self-consciousness and to the general development of the self. People must comprehend the rules of the game and internalize the roles of everyone else involved. Meads work in this area spurred the development of symbolic interaction theory, now a major framework within sociology. In addition to Mind, Self, and Society, his major works include 1932s The Philosophy of the Present and 1938s The Philosophy of the Act. He taught at the  University of Chicago until his death on  April 26, 1931. Updated  by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.