Consumer Behaviour in E

Consumer Behaviour in E Introduction Retailers are increasing focusing on e-commerce as a tool that they can use in order to gain competitive advantage. However, it is notable that in order for e-commerce to be a truly successful medium, the retailers have to identify the consumer behaviours portrayed towards the same in order to encourage spending. Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Consumer Behaviour in E-commerce: Research proposal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Specifically, the retailers have to learn how consumers behave towards online product display, online payment methods, return services, warranties provided by the online retailers, different methods of product delivery and credit facilities offered by the retailers among others. The typical online purchasing decisions are made in a process comprising of the following stages: 1) need awareness; 2) searching for relevant product information; 3) evaluating available alterna tives; 4) implementing the purchase decision; and 5) Post-purchase decision-making. Hadjiphanis Christou notes that understanding consumer behaviour in e-commerce involves gaining insight on how the people search for product information in an online environment (1). Once understood, the retailer can then customize their websites to meet the specific information needs that consumers need in order to make the purchase decision. Since the online environment gives consumer a wider choice of products and product platforms from where to make their purchases, this study seeks to establish the exact consumer behaviour portrayed in an e-commerce environment and the specific factors that influence such behaviour. The study also seeks to highlight aspects of e-commerce consumer behaviours that the researcher considers important towards helping retailers meet the diverse consumer behaviours presented in an online environment. This study acknowledges that consumer behaviour; just like in the tr aditional marketplace is influenced by personal, lifestyle and psychological factors. As such, the paper will seek how each of the factors affects consumer behaviour and how online retailers can meet the consumers needs highlighted in such behaviours. Lowe defines e-commerce as the act of purchasing an online product (363). This involves ordering the product and making the payment for the same.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Literature Review In a research of e-commerce in Canada, Lowe (363-374) notes that though this new way of purchasing products and services gives consumers a wider choice and is more convenient, it is yet to be embraced by a large percentage of consumers as was predicted when the concept began. Most notably, Canada’s e-commerce by individuals in 2001 was estimated to be worth $2 billion only and represented 0.4 percentage of th e total household spending (Lowe 363). Some of the factors affecting e-commerce by individuals include their access to internet, their willingness to use the internet to purchase products and services, and the products available for purchase on an online setup (Lowe 364). Hadjiphanis Christou argue that in order to understand consumer behaviour in e-commerce, one has to look at the consumer as an information processor; they processes information presented to them by marketers, become aware of the different products presented to them, and finally make a purchase decision (2). Typically, the e-consumers will visit a retail store with the intention of either purchasing an item or simply enjoying the shopping experience. Just like in behaviour portrayed by consumers in traditional purchases, Hadjiphanis Christou states that e-commerce consumers make their decisions based on operational, temporal and spatial considerations (3). Operational dimension: This search strategy is observed i n brand conscious consumers. Such use the search engines to purchase brand items that they already know and possibly use. They value reliability, consistency, quality, affection, trust reputation and loyalty. Brand conscious consumers also have specific expectations when thinking, purchasing or using a specific product. The operational dimension is most noted in early adopters (Hadjiphanis Christou 2). When such is the case, the shoppers go directly to a specific site for purchase instead of using search engines. Spatial dimension: This search strategy is used by consumers who mix their consumption history with new information obtained from internet sources. This means that the consumer’s behaviours are influenced by a mixture of internal habits and external information. Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Consumer Behaviour in E-commerce: Research proposal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In an onlin e environment, consumers are able to use the search tools to support information such on both internal preferences and new information on product and services. Shoppers in this category search for items on sites that rate products. They also use compare items on different shopping sites. Temporal dimension: Hadjiphanis Christou defines the temporal dimension as the time that a consumer takes between his/her first thought about purchasing a product or service and the actual purchase. The online platform is used by shoppers who use the internet as both a transactional medium as well as a search tool. A different group of shoppers engage in recreational shopping where they seek as much information as possible about a product before making the actual purchase. Hadjiphanis Christou notes that the consumer’s behaviour towards a product is affected by any prior knowledge they may possess towards the product, level of interest that they have towards the product, and the ease or c omplexity of information access regarding the product (3). Shoppers in this category use search engines, but can also navigate directly to a shopping site. Consumer value is also identified by Hadjiphanis Christou as a major influence to consumer behaviour in e-commerce (4). Just as is the case in consumer behaviour towards products and services sold in the traditional retail outlets, factors such as perceived benefits and the cost of a product affect consumer behaviour in e-commerce. Approach This study will use a literature review approach whereby, credible published work will be analysed for purposes of giving the researcher a clear perspective of the various factors that affect consumer behaviour in e-commerce. This approach was chosen because consumer behaviour especially in the wake of increased online shopping has been discussed widely by researchers. As such, this study opted to avoid doubling the efforts of other researchers who have carried quantitative surveys in differ ent markets. Instead, this study seeks to use findings published by different scholars in order to establish the real factors that influence consumer behaviour in e-commerce.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Through the review of literature, this study will also seek to establish if different consumer behaviour is portrayed by people in different groups in the society. Such include the wealth versus the middle income earners, the middle-aged as compared to the seniors, and the illiterate versus the more educated. The study will also seek to establish whether the proximity of online shoppers to physical retail shops affect their attitude towards e-commerce. This study will also seek to establish how psychological, social and cultural factors among other demographic variables affect consumer behaviour. The study also establishes that intervening variables such as brands, marketing communication by marketers and firm capabilities affect consumer behaviour. Conclusion Consumer behaviour in e-commerce is a reflection of different factors that integrate to influence the consumer’s decision making. In addition to culture, social norms, psychological factors and demographic factors, othe r factors such as product characteristics, consumer skills, firm capabilities, marketing communications, brand, and website features all work together to influence consumer’s purchasing attitudes. Notably, the consumer’s desire to purchase products that offer him/her quality service, or meets some of his/her other needs also affect purchasing behaviour. This then raises the need for detailed information regarding the product or service. Usually, it is the prerogative of the online retailer to provide the information about the specific product to online shoppers. If the shopper feels that not enough information has been provided by the retailer, then he or she is most likely to navigate to other e-commerce sites where more satisfactory information is offered. Other considerations that the retailers need to make in order to impact positively on consumer behaviour include ease of information access and transactions. The retailers also need to guarantee payment security and publish well articulated product purchase policies. Some of other factors that affect consumer behaviour in e-commerce include the status of the online shopper and their esteem towards specific products. Ethics is also increasingly affecting consumer behaviour especially at a time when being environment friendly is being touted as the only way to save earth from self-destruction. The amount of fun associated with a product is however a key consideration to consumer behaviour, just as is the case with aesthetics. This means that the product may not be high quality, but its desirable package may make more consumers attracted to it. Hadjiphanis, Lycourgos Christou, Loizos. â€Å"The Role of E-Commerce on Consumer Behaviour†. The Journal of Business Administration 5.1 (2006): 1-7. Lowe, Robin. â€Å"E-Commerce and Consumer Behaviour†. Statistics Canada (2003):363-374.

The ADL Matrix, Gap Analysis, and the Directional Policy Matrix

The ADL Matrix, Gap Analysis, and the Directional Policy Matrix Continuation. Read the beginning of the article to see the full picture. Here are three lesser-known strategic planning tools that are primarily used for determining a  large-scale  competitive strategy for an organization or a strategic business unit. These particular tools are fairly simple environmental analysis methods, and like other better-known tools such as SWOT  or PEST analysis, do not suggest actions the business should take to reach its objectives. They are best used as a first step in strategy planning, with other more complex tools such as Balanced Scorecards or Key Performance Indicators used to develop and carry out strategic objectives. All the notions listed below may be rather confusing and you should be ready to spend much time on writing. In case you need help with  ADL Matrix, Gap analysis or Directional Policy Matrix turn to our writers and  get professional assistance. The Arthur D. Little (ADL) Strategic Condition Matrix The Arthur D. Little Strategic Condition Matrix was developed by the well-known consulting firm of the same name in the  1970s and is a life cycle-based analysis similar to the Boston Matrix. Unlike the Boston Matrix, which considers a single dimension – product or SBU competitiveness – the ADL has two: competitive position and industry maturity. It was designed mainly for use in assessing SBUs in a large enterprise, but can be easily adapted for use as an analysis covering the entire company or smaller units. The ADL Matrix Competitive position is relatively easy to identify accurately if one thinks of it in terms of product and place: What does the company or SBU offer, and how extensive and diversified are the markets in which it can offer it? Product and place together define the business unit to be assessed. This does not, however, necessarily follow the organizational structure. For example, the sales division of an auto manufacturer provides a product in terms of the cars it sells, but also provides a product in terms of the marketing message supporting the sales effort, customer relations, and value-added components such as service warranties; thus, several organizational units, or parts of them, might make up an SBU for the purposes of strategic analysis with the ADL matrix. Industry maturity is fairly straightforward, and could describe not only an entire industry but a relevant segment of it; for example, our auto manufacturer might consider different vehicle classes such as sports cars, luxury sedans, and light trucks. Once the competitive position and industry maturity are determined, the SBU is assigned the appropriate place in the matrix, from where the company can begin to make strategic decisions. In some guides to the ADL, the 20 potential positions on the matrix are identified with specific generic strategies. In general, the positive strategies involving holding and growing SBUs increase as one moves from bottom to top and right to left across the matrix; the lower-right position representing a weak SBU in an aging market always suggests abandoning or otherwise divesting from the SBU. It is important, however, not to be too strictly bound by predetermined generic strategies. The actions and choices available to the organization depend on the organization’s circumstances and available resources, and may not match generic strategy prescriptions. The biggest weakness of the ADL is that it cannot account for uncertainty about the length of industry life cycles. In an organization’s current industry conditions, it can be difficult to foresee when those conditions might change, since the life cycle is not only affected by external forces but by the activities of competitors as well. Because effective planning requires a definite timeframe, a rapid change in the industry life cycle can make a chosen course of action obsolete and harm the company’s competitive position. Gap Analysis Gap analysis is usually associated with marketing strategy planning, but it can be applied to other types of strategic planning. It is one of the simplest planning tools ever devised, which gives it some distinct advantages and disadvantages. The first step in a gap analysis is to select relevant, measurable indicators that will describe the â€Å"gap†. The fewer the indicators chosen, the less complicated the subsequent analysis and plan development will be; examples of indicators might be gross revenues, profit margin, total sales, or production figures. The â€Å"gap† is the difference between the objectives and the current situation in terms of the selected indicators. Generally, the gap is visualized as a chart: The obvious question is, â€Å"Why would anyone want to conduct a gap analysis?† because the simplicity of the tool suggests it might not be of much use. As a practical tool, it really isn’t. The steps the company needs to take are entirely dependent on the indicators it uses to measure the gap, and their underlying factors; at best, the gap analysis can only tell the company how far off the mark it is in reaching its objectives, not how to reach them. It does have some value, however, as a way to impose some structure on planning processes and give them a clear direction. For example, if the company decides net profit is the indicator that defines the gap, subsequent planning activity will be more effectively focused on factors that contribute to net profit. The Shell Directional Policy Matrix The Shell Directional Policy Matrix is a variation of the Boston Matrix, but is somewhat more detailed and provides clearer generic strategies for SBUs. It relies on two variables, the outlook for sector profitability and the company’s or SBU’s competitive capability, and is arranged in a three-by-three matrix. Knowledge is powerful; we hope that through this article, we have empowered you. If you would like an article like this written for you, we can do that for a token. Our team of professional writers  has  a track record that speaks excellence and perfection! For an article in a related area, simply  place an order here  and get your unique article in no time! At , we provide high quality and  well-written  articles.

Change Plans and Projects with an Organization Essay

Change Plans and Projects with an Organization - Essay Example The first element that should be considered is whether the plan being explored will bring more benefit than problems to the company (Wands, 2001). This might seem a self-evident factor, but at times change plans take on an inertia of their own. Time should be taken to see whether the change is really worth it. The second element will be the influence that the changes will have on the employees of the company, from the lowest entry-level employee to the CEO. As already outlined, such influence is essential to consider. The third element will be to brainstorm possible problems that may occur on implementation and to have contingency plans in place to deal with them. Internal human elements that may force an organization to change are many and varied in nature. First, the retirement or other departure of leading personnel, such as the CEO, a long-term manager or other key personnel, may bring about the need for change. This "forcing" of change should in fact be seen as an opportunity for new ideas, systems and outlooks to be instituted within the company. Another internal element may be dissatisfaction expressed, either individually or as a group, by a large proportion of the employees. External elements, like the internal, are many and... Other external factors may be the availability of workers, maybe locally, but perhaps on the other side of the world, that can offer outsourcing possibilities in order to reduce costs. Thus many IT operations can be handled by offshore, outsourcing options such as the numerous software companies in India. General changes in worker habits outside of the company, including Union activities, may also influence a company to change. As with the internal factors, the changes need should be seen as an opportunity rather than a weakness or necessity. Positive things may come out of apparently negative circumstances. The first task of the leader will be to explain the change in as coherent and sympathetic a manner as possible. It is likely that many employees are largely technically illiterate and so a good degree of coaxing will need to be done. This explanation should not be conducted in a condescending or paternalistic manner, but rather as if the employees were equals within a team. Indeed, this is the way the leader should regard them anyway. Workers who are treated as drones have the natural tendency to act that way. Second, an excellent training program will need to be implemented that will enable all employees to become as efficient as possible on the new technology. One idea would be to have departmental leaders who are trained to train others on the technology. These should not be at the managerial level, but rather be experienced store-level employees who are trusted by the others. This way the employees can 'fail' while learning and not feel the need to hide their failures or not explore the reasons why they have failed. The training program will be developed at the corporate level, but implemented at the

Market planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Market planning - Essay Example For our marketing, we will adopt an Integrated Marketing Communication where all types of marketing tools that is sales promotions, advertisements, direct marketing, below the line activities as well as internet marketing are all synchronized so that there lies no conflict amongst any of them and consumers get the right image in their minds of a purely hygienic and light weight chips. Tyrrell’s Company is re-introducing its CREX light and crispy chips which are not only delicious but available at cheap rates. The company aims not only to increase sales but to enhance customer equity. Our move is to increase recognition especially amongst teenage population of United Kingdom. We also aim to improve our brand image by showing other that in our attempt to sell low fat goods we are showing our environmental friendly and caring attitude towards the people who can fall a prey to obesity. We as a â€Å"TYRELL CHIPS COMPANY† are ambitious to provide our customers the best quality of food at an affordable price. We believe in long term buyer-customer relationship and continue to adapt ourselves to the changing customers needs. Marketing Objectives should have three characteristics of being specific, measurable and should be achievable.(Small Business notes,2009) We plan to increase sales of our low calorie baked potato chips â€Å"Crex† to the teenage group in United Kingdom. With this regard we seek to remind consumers of our product by conveying to them our Unique Selling Proposition and as a result expect sales to increase by 10% in 9 months. Majority of various food manufacturers are in a struggle to produce low calorie products as pressurized by the UK government which stresses on to reduce obesity amongst children.(Red Orbit 2007) .A 10.6% share is held by the bakery products segment in which low-fat potato crisps have a lead. Hence, most of the companies use corn and rice based products to increase dietary element and reduce any chance of gaining

Criticisms Trafficking Perspective Essay Example for Free

Criticisms Trafficking Perspective Essay The pentameter 1 and 2 and the United Kingdoms government Action plan to tackle trafficking have many deficiencies regarding the ability of the victims to access human rights. First, the victims are given minimum care. However, there is minimal concern for women who are trafficked for other reasons other than sexual abuse. The United Kingdom government, through the provisions of the two articles, has shown very little commitment to provide fully for this category of women. In most cases, they just remain in the Poppy project. There is also very little awareness creation amongst the rescued women about men who demand to buy sex from them. This means that they are not fully protected because despite the fact that the women have been rescued from the initial traffickers, they are still in danger of sexual abuse from men who seek to pay for their sexual services. These women mostly give in to such demands because of their lack of finances and employment (USAID, 2006). Besides, because of limited skills and education, the women lack options and just give in to the demands of the men. The understanding and implementation of victim care is very narrow. The victims have limited access to the services that they require. Aspects of employment, education, recreation, interpretation of languages and legal representation are seldom given priority, however basic they sound to be. These victims are also not assisted during documentation procedures especially those from other nations. Hence, they spend more time than they need to in rehabilitation centers. The United Kingdom lacks specialized care for children and young people relieved from human trafficking. The children usually have special needs making them require special support systems. The rescue process hardly provides for this. Besides, special services like education for this category are not availed. Other services include individualized counseling, protection from harm and providing them with special diets (National Childrens Bureau, 2002) There are no provisions of training, education and employment for the rescued individuals. This is considered unfair especially to school going age children. Besides, one of the contributing factors to human trafficking is poverty. This means that the individual may lack adequate skills needed for employment. The United Kingdom system does not provide funds for training rescued individuals, much as it could be a sure way of addressing poverty. Lack of employment or training opportunities has led to the victims escaping from the rehabilitation centers, at times falling back in to the hands of the traffickers and at times just searching for employment away from the rehabilitation centers (Rosenberg, 2004). The system does not specify clear strategies that would ensure that trafficked individuals are united with their families. Family reunification would reduce congestion in the rehabilitation centers. It is also considered as an immediate measure especially when individuals are United Kingdom citizens. Besides, it is cheaper as compared to keeping the victims in to rehabilitation centers. The victims are also not involved in the process of formulating policies that concern them. These policies address their needs and theoretically, they ought to be very vocal during formulation of such policies. This would ensure that their basic needs are considered and addressed accordingly. Belser (2005) argues that it also gives them a sense of security and ownership. These contribute to the sustainability of projects set up to address their concerns. There is stigma usually associated with the trafficked persons. This includes associating the persons with vices like prostitution. The pentameter 1 and 2 and the UK government action plan on human trafficking fails to give clear measures on how they would address this. Stigmatization of the rescued individuals by the entire public contributes to psychological effects including isolation. Isolation causes stress related complications and affects social cohesion. Lack of social cohesion increases tension amongst the group and this makes coping difficult. Clear strategies need to be initiated to educate the public about this. Stigmatization also discourages the rescued victims from adopting socially acceptable behavior. The system also lacks gender sensitive strategies when rescuing individuals. Men, as well as women have different needs and this should be addressed accordingly (Anderson, 2003). The needs of women especially those basic for survival need to be given priority in order to discourage them from escaping from the rehabilitation centers. The identification procedure is also not clear in the two articles. This has led to the victims of human trafficking being treated as immigration criminals in some instances. This makes the individuals more frustrated and the effects associated with this are significant. For example, they develop psychological illnesses and stress. There is also a gap with respect to the provisions of men who fall victims of human trafficking. The two articles do not give any information on how the needs of men would be met, once they fall victims of sexual harassment and prostitution. The documents focus more on women and children. Despite the fact that the number of men is small, they are also victims and their needs should be given equal priority. The security of the human trafficking individuals, even when they are in the rehabilitation centers is not fully assured. ECPAT UK (2004) explains that this has led to the disappearance of some children from the centers, mainly because they are lured away by the initial traffickers or they go looking for jobs to support themselves. The two articles fail to provide clear procedures that would be used to help change the attitudes of women who are victims but are reluctant abandon the practice due to economic and or behavioral factors. Attitudes have a primary role in changing the behaviors of people. Developing positive attitudes ensures that people do and behave as expected. Efforts therefore would need to be channeled to assisting the rescued victims change their attitude. This will also be instrumental in helping them resist the temptation of falling back to prostitution in extreme cases where they lack finances. In addition, positive attitudes would help the victims recover quickly from the shock of being assaulted. REFERENCE Anderson, B. and Davidson, J. O. (2003). Is Trafficking a Human Beings Demand Driven? A Muilti-country Pilot Study. Geneva: IOM. Belser, P. (2005). Forced Labor and Human Trafficking: Estimating the Profits, Working Paper. Geneva: International Labor Organization Office. ECPAT UK(2004). Cause of Concern? London Social Services and Child Trafficking. London: ECPAT. National Childrens Beaureau, (2002). Is Someone Taking a Part of You? London: NCB. Rossenberg, R. (2004). Best practices for programming to prevent Trafficking in Human Beings in Europe and Eurasia. Maryland: Development Alternatives. USAID. (2006). Trafficking in Person: USAIDs Response. Washington DC: USAID

Which Antacid Works the Best? Essay -- essays research papers fc

Which Antacid Works the Best?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Heartburn is a condition characterized by a burning feeling in the chest and a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. Heartburn usually develops when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back, or regurgitate, into the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Approximately one in ten adults experience heartburn once a week. Heartburn is more common in pregnant women because of the pressure the expanding uterus exerts on the stomach. When you swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter, a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus, relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. When it relaxes at the wrong time, stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus, even though you're in an upright position. The acid backup is worse when you're bent over or lying down.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some factors that can cause the sphincter to relax abnormally include:  Fatty foods  Chocolate, caffeine, onions, spicy foods, mint and some medications  Alcohol  Large meals  Lying down soon after eating  Tranquilizers, such as benzodiazepines including diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax)  Theophylline (Slo-Bid, Theo-Dur), an asthma medication  Being overweight  Hiatal hernias  Oral contraceptives  Heart medications The amount of gastric juice produced by the stomach varies from person to person. People that produce more gastric acid are referred to as ‘hyper secretors’. People that produce less gastric acid are known to be ‘hypo secretors’. Antacids can also be used to help heal duodenal ulcers. These ulcers occur in the upper part of the intestines. They can also be combined with other medications to help treat gastric ulcers and acid reflux. Heartburn is generally diagnosed with a complete description of the symptoms. In severe cases, a physician may order a barium X ray of the stomach and esophagus to rule out other problems. A physician may also examine the esophagus with an endoscope, an instrument that can view the interior of the digestive tract, and take tissue and fluid samples. There are several treatments for heartburn. In mild cases, over-the-counter medications such as antacids can ... ...mg of Simethicone. This helps prevent gas. The inactive ingredients are butylparaben, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, flavor, hydroxypropyl methycellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, propylparaben, purified water, saccharin sodium, and sorbitol.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mylanta contains all of the same ingredients as Maalox in the same amounts except for that it does not contain saccharin sodium. In a day, no more than 24 teaspoonfuls can be taken.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If you don’t want to take antacids for heartburn, there are lifestyle changes that you can make. Quitting smoking or losing weight can alleviate or prevent heartburn. Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated 6 in helps prevent the stomach's contents from flowing back into the esophagus. Going to bed on an empty stomach, and cutting back on consumption of alcohol, fat, chocolate, and peppermint also can prevent heartburn. Finally, eating smaller and more frequent meals is another way that you can prevent heartburn. Bibliography www.encarta.msn.com/find/concise.asp?ti=761575197&sid=3#s3 â€Å"Digestive System†. Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1999. â€Å"The Stomach†. Student Reference Library. 1997

Hunting Should Not Be Outlawed Essay

Hunting should not be outlawed. It is still a source of food for people who still live off the land . Hunting can be a very effective method of population control. Hunting is a sport of tradition it offers recreation from everyday life. Hunting animals for food is better for people because it does not have all the hormones that farm raised animals have. There aren’t very many diseases that affect humans in wild animals. Majority of the animals that have seasons are edible. Hunting is a very effective method of population control. If too many animals of one species or several related species live in one area they could possible wipe out there entire food source or sources. Then many of them would starve to death which unknown to the tree huggers that want to stop this is a very painful death, being shot is a very quick painless death. Hunting can save an ecosystem and entire species, by killing some of the animals in the ecosystem you can save the food source for the animals still left living. Hunting is a tradition in most of the world. People have been hunting for tens of thousands of years. Many people still use hunting as their many food source throughout the world. It is also a recreational activity. Tradition’s should not be outlawed. Hunting can help save the environment in which they live in by population control. It is a source of food. It’s an activity that people have been using to get away from society as we know it for several years. In conclusion Hunting should not be outlawed.

Ray Bradbury Comparative Paper Essay

Ray Bradbury, well-known American author, playwright, and poet, created his success on no more than his high school diploma. He did, however, learn many valuable lessons in life which he incorporates in his works. Ray Bradbury uses figurative language such as irony, personification, and imagery to artistically present his vision of life’s morals. Bradbury’s use of irony in his pieces establishes how mankind commonly contradicts himself. In â€Å"The Veldt†, George and Lydia hear screams that â€Å"sound familiar† but ignore them. The couple also finds their wallet and scarf and disregards how these items were chewed and covered in blood when they found them. George and Lydia receive their last clue when they enter the nursery and see the lions in the background feasting on an unknown prey. â€Å"They’ve just been eating†¦ [but they] don’t know what. † Ray Bradbury turns these foreshadowing events into irony when the parents are killed by the lions. It is ironic that they have seen the lions devouring something, saw the wallet and scarf, and heard the screams but do not realize that they were the lion’s meal and it was their screams that they heard and the scarf and wallet were chewed by the lions and covered in their own blood. Bradbury also uses irony in the â€Å"Happiness Machine. † Leo Auffmann created a machine which he claimed brought happiness to the occupant. He convinced his wife to â€Å"try it on† but when she got out she shouted, â€Å"It lies, that Sadness Machine. † This is ironic because what Leo thought was a Happiness Machine is really a Sadness Machine. Leo then finds that true happiness cannot be created by a machine but is found in the heart of his family. In â€Å"There Will Come Soft Rains†, the house reads a poem to the emptiness where a family once was. The poem explains how nature â€Å"would not mind†¦if mankind perished utterly. † It is ironic because the poem is warning the family how the war will destroy them but nature will continue on when that is exactly what has happened. The family has been killed and the house soon after dies but the sun continues to rise and set as if nothing has happened. Personification is another common literary device in Bradbury’s work. It is most prominent in â€Å"There Will Come Soft Rains. † Bradbury describes the house with human like qualities in how it defends itself against the fire which is also personified. The house â€Å"quivered at each sound† and is described as the attic being the brain and the exposed oak beams as â€Å"its bare skeleton† and all of â€Å"its nerves revealed. † The fire was personified when it â€Å"fed upon Picassos and Matisses†¦ [and] lay in beds, stood in windows. † Bradbury also described the fire as being â€Å"clever† as it attacked â€Å"the attic brain† and â€Å"rushed back into every closet and felt of the clothes hung there. † Bradbury also uses personification in â€Å"The Foghorn. † He gives the foghorn human-like characteristics when relating it to the monster. The foghorn made a â€Å"great deep cry† that vibrated in the â€Å"throat of the tower† as the â€Å"light, switching its tail,† shone bright in the distance. Bradbury continues to use personification in â€Å"The Veldt. † The nursery that Wendy and Peter spend most of their time in is described with human-like qualities. The walls changed from blankness to the veldt with a â€Å"purr† and â€Å"reproduced to the final pebble and bit of straw. † It is further personified when the room itself kills the parents. Bradbury also frequently uses imagery in his work. In â€Å"The Pedestrian†, he described the highways as â€Å"only dry riverbeds† empty of vehicles. Bradbury also points out the â€Å"tomblike buildings† and â€Å"gray phantoms† along the sides of the road. These vivid descriptions allow the reader to feel the loneliness and absence of life in the city and its streets. The imagery in â€Å"The Pedestrian† sets the mood and describes the setting. â€Å"The Foghorn† portrays another source of imagery. Bradbury makes the reader visualize the â€Å"long grey lawn of the sea stretching away into nothing and nowhere† with his descriptive vocabulary. He describes how the â€Å"stone tower† emitted a light that flashed red and white out to the â€Å"lonely ships† â€Å"in the cold water far from land. † This makes the reader understand how secluded McDunn and Johnny were out at the lighthouse and intensifies the oddness of the appearance of the sea monster. Imagery is also present when McDunn explains to Johnny how the monster â€Å"hid away in the Deeps. † The way he describes the â€Å"Deeps† makes it all seem magical yet realistic. Bradbury continues to use imagery in â€Å"The Happiness Machine. † Towards the end of the short story, Leo discovers a real happiness machine. When he describes this â€Å"machine,† he makes the reader visualize a pleasant and warm home filled with joy. This example of imagery contrasts how Bradbury typically uses his words to display desolation and despair. Ray Bradbury expresses similar patterns in his work by using irony, personification, and imagery. He writes with these three types of figurative language in different ways in all of his pieces of work. Bradbury takes common techniques of writing and makes them his own by using them in a certain way to present his ideas in a unique style.

Free Essays on The Fight For Woman Suffrage

The Fight for Woman Suffrage From the late 1840’s all the way up until 1920, women across the nation aggressively fought for their right to vote. As time progressed, the requests and/or demands of women supporting the cause changed dramatically and spawned numerous distinct women’s groups and clubs. By 1890, large groups of women emerged out of their private lives seeking to actively participate in the public world. These women were no longer content letting their husbands have all the fun out there in the real world. Huge numbers of women sought the same rights and privileges that their husbands possessed merely because they were men. To many women, the right to vote was a privilege of utmost importance. That same year, the previously split National Woman Suffrage Association and American Woman Suffrage Association merged to form the more moderate, middle-of-the-road National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). This merge was an attempt to take full advantage of women’s newfound desire for social activism and group as many women as was possible into one single association. The NAWSA organized formal political conventions and was far more professional than the previous divergent groups. The now defunct NWSA aggressively fought for a federal amendment for suffrage, whereas the old AWSA chose to go state by state to gain suffrage. The NAWSA also decided to drop efforts to fight for an out-of-reach federal amendment and instead diligently worked on campaigning in the states. The beginning of the NAWSA’s state campaigning seemed to be a disappointing failure. But in this time, the women’s suffrage movement experienced growing membership numbers, new and improved leadership, and a change in argument. Though suffragists were never very powerful in the South, as membership increased, the NAWSA attained a substantial group of southern leaders. The surfacing of other women’s groups brought to the table... Free Essays on The Fight For Woman Suffrage Free Essays on The Fight For Woman Suffrage The Fight for Woman Suffrage From the late 1840’s all the way up until 1920, women across the nation aggressively fought for their right to vote. As time progressed, the requests and/or demands of women supporting the cause changed dramatically and spawned numerous distinct women’s groups and clubs. By 1890, large groups of women emerged out of their private lives seeking to actively participate in the public world. These women were no longer content letting their husbands have all the fun out there in the real world. Huge numbers of women sought the same rights and privileges that their husbands possessed merely because they were men. To many women, the right to vote was a privilege of utmost importance. That same year, the previously split National Woman Suffrage Association and American Woman Suffrage Association merged to form the more moderate, middle-of-the-road National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). This merge was an attempt to take full advantage of women’s newfound desire for social activism and group as many women as was possible into one single association. The NAWSA organized formal political conventions and was far more professional than the previous divergent groups. The now defunct NWSA aggressively fought for a federal amendment for suffrage, whereas the old AWSA chose to go state by state to gain suffrage. The NAWSA also decided to drop efforts to fight for an out-of-reach federal amendment and instead diligently worked on campaigning in the states. The beginning of the NAWSA’s state campaigning seemed to be a disappointing failure. But in this time, the women’s suffrage movement experienced growing membership numbers, new and improved leadership, and a change in argument. Though suffragists were never very powerful in the South, as membership increased, the NAWSA attained a substantial group of southern leaders. The surfacing of other women’s groups brought to the table...

Free Essays on Analysis on Jehovas WItnesses

The events that took place during the Holocaust led to many different controversies. One of these controversies that have been brought up is whether or not the Jehovah’s Witnesses was at fault for their own persecution. Concluding from all the information present, one can conclude that the Witnesses did not cause their own persecution. Hitler and his Nazi party saw the Witnesses as a threat to their regime. At one point her called them a â€Å"brood to be exterminated† (Awake 15). They were put in camps for security reasons which evolved from their American and International ties and their unwillingness to participate in the Nazi activities. The Witnesses refused to take part because they were peaceful people who maintained neutral in the matters of politics and race and it violated all their beliefs. They did not offer any resistance to the Nazis nor offer any reason to be incarcerated. The Witnesses were given a chance to obtain release or avoid imprisonment altogether by signing a document that states they are no longer active on behalf of the organization. However, most refused to sign it. Was it possible that they could have signed the papers and secretly went back to holding meetings and their preaching work? Sure, one could have tried, but in reality the Nazis would have found some way around it. The truth is that the Witnesses shouldn’t have been bothered with in the first place. Another example that shows how they are peaceful people was while they were in camps; Witnesses were viewed highly compared to the other inmates for their order, cleanliness, and discipline. In addition, they did not cooperate with illegal political groups nor tried to escape and offer resistance to the guards. Their actions prove what serene people they are. Even the soldiers within the camps used them for their own purposes. Since they were willing to die because their love for god was so strong, contrary to popular belief... Free Essays on Analysis on Jehova's WItnesses Free Essays on Analysis on Jehova's WItnesses The events that took place during the Holocaust led to many different controversies. One of these controversies that have been brought up is whether or not the Jehovah’s Witnesses was at fault for their own persecution. Concluding from all the information present, one can conclude that the Witnesses did not cause their own persecution. Hitler and his Nazi party saw the Witnesses as a threat to their regime. At one point her called them a â€Å"brood to be exterminated† (Awake 15). They were put in camps for security reasons which evolved from their American and International ties and their unwillingness to participate in the Nazi activities. The Witnesses refused to take part because they were peaceful people who maintained neutral in the matters of politics and race and it violated all their beliefs. They did not offer any resistance to the Nazis nor offer any reason to be incarcerated. The Witnesses were given a chance to obtain release or avoid imprisonment altogether by signing a document that states they are no longer active on behalf of the organization. However, most refused to sign it. Was it possible that they could have signed the papers and secretly went back to holding meetings and their preaching work? Sure, one could have tried, but in reality the Nazis would have found some way around it. The truth is that the Witnesses shouldn’t have been bothered with in the first place. Another example that shows how they are peaceful people was while they were in camps; Witnesses were viewed highly compared to the other inmates for their order, cleanliness, and discipline. In addition, they did not cooperate with illegal political groups nor tried to escape and offer resistance to the guards. Their actions prove what serene people they are. Even the soldiers within the camps used them for their own purposes. Since they were willing to die because their love for god was so strong, contrary to popular belief...

Viruses are living organisms Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Viruses are living organisms - Research Proposal Example Viruses are not as alive as bacteria because bacteria are proven to contain DNA which is missing in Viruses. However Viruses are not dead. They may lie dormant for certain period of time and then become active when they find a host. Thus we can say that viruses are very close to life and are only looking for a suitable host. Once the host is found, viruses can multiply rapidly just like bacteria. Mahy (1998) explains, "Outside a living cell, viruses are unable to multiply; they must enter a living cell - called the host cell - to reproduce. Thus, viruses exist at the threshold of life, and their multiplication is intricately bound up with cellular processes of the host. For this reason, antibiotics, which stop the multiplication of bacteria, cannot be used against viruses, since most substances that stop virus multiplication will also kill the host cells." As mentioned above, another important distinction lies in the presence or absence of DNA that distinguishes viruses from other living organisms like plants and bacteria. For an organism to qualify as living, it must contain both DNA and RNA. DNA is responsible for heredity while RNA aids in cellular functions. In most viruses, only RNA is found while DNA is missing. But interestingly scientists have found some viruses that contain DNA and no RNA. In other words, viruses are still not living organisms in the way bacteria are because to qualify as a living thing, they must have both RNA and DNA. Absence of either one can mean sub-life existence. Viruses are also different on account of the genes present in them. It must be argued that living organisms need a large number of genes to qualify as living things. Based on this presumption, we can say that even the smallest of bacteria are more alive than viruses. This is explained by Oldstone (2000) in these words: "Viruses have relatively few genes compared with other organisms. Measles virus, yellow fever virus, poliomyelitis virus, Lassa fever virus, Ebola virus, Hantavirus, as well as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have fewer than ten genes each, whereas a smallpox virus may contain between 200 and 400 genes. These numbers compare with 5,000 to 10,000 genes for the smallest bacteria and approximately 80,000 to 100,000 genes for a human." (p. 9) These are the reasons why Viruses are neither called dead nor alive. They however qualify for a near-alive status because once they find a host; they can multiply with amazing rapidity and can suddenly become very active. In their dormant state however, they are nothing more than a speck of nucleic acid material. It must then be concluded that viruses cannot be called alive in the true sense of the word though they are almost-alive and act like parasites waiting for a suitable host. It must also be mentioned here that a living organism is one that is not dependent on other organism for its survival. Viruses meet this requirement to an extent because while they depend on a host for multiplication and activity, they do not exactly die when they are left alone. Instead they stay dormant till they find an organism to live upon. "Viruses never really die. If viruses are not actively reproducing, they can indefinitely maintain an inert state." (Goudsmit, p. 5) It would thus not be wrong to say that viruses maintain an almost-alive state but are not as living as bacteria or some other organisms capable of reproduction. They do not both DNA

Oceania Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Oceania - Research Paper Example Polynesia is made up of more than 1000 islands spread over central and South Pacific Ocean. The occupants of Polynesian are called Polynesians. According to the history, the occupants were sailors who used stars to determine night hours. The land is about 70 million sq miles of Pacific Ocean. Polynesia is made up of two different cultural groups, east and west Polynesia. The culture of west belong to high populations, it is made up of well build institutions of marriage, well developed judiciary, financial and trading traditions. The groups that occupy this area are the Tonga, Niue, Samoa and Polynesian outliers. According to the (Richard, 2011) the eastern part is adapted to small islands such as cook, islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Hawaii, and Rapa Nui. The leaders were appointed based on their blood hereditary. The settlement in the area was of two categories, the hamlet and village, the size of an island was the determining factor on whether the hamlet or a village will be build. In the large volcanic islands, the hamlet was mainly built because of many zones; these zones could be divided all over the islands. Villages were established on the coast of small islands and it consist of 40 or more houses. Melanesia extends from Arafura Sea to the western part of Pacific Ocean, and Fiji to the east. The people occupying the region are called Melanesians and are believed to be he ancestors of Papuan speaking people. The number of languages in Melanesia is about 1320 and they are scattered across the land. The leaders were appointed based on the individual personality not through inheritance or blood like the Polynesians. The key components for leadership were power of persuasion, selecting high placed woman as a partner and many other physical factors. Micronesia lies to the Melanesia to the south and to the east is Polynesia; Philippines to the west and Indonesia to southwest. Micronesia is made up of 607 islands and it has four states, Chuuk, Yap, island of Kosr ae and Ponpei. The original languages of Micronesia indigenous people are in a class of Austronesia language family (Richard, 2011). The island was colonized by Spain in 17thcen. Later on the Germans purchased it from the Spanish in 1899. The Japanese fought out the Germans from the island in 1915 but American forces took over from the Japanese during the world war 11. The Micronesia culture is one of the last to develop in the region; it is a mixture of Melanesians, Polynesians, and Filipinos. One of the main ethnic groups in the region is Fijians. Fijians arrived at Fiji when it was already occupied by the Melanesians, but Melanesians was still weak since they were still new in the area. Due to their strong war tools, they managed to fight out Melanesians and occupy the area. Due to the conflict between the two groups, Fiji ends up being a place of relentless and bloody conflict. The early missionaries and traders who visited the islands show the details of extreme violence and ca nnibalism. In the Fijian culture, warfare, cannibalism and religion were interdependent (Richard, 2011). The traditional rights and customs demand bodies and sacrifices to be carried out for the security of the society, at the same time for a war to be carried out successfully; it needs the mediation of priest and the help from