Strategy of Apple Brand free essay sample

When a firm decides to go international with their business they must face many competitive decisions. Two of the most important decisions a company will face are the pressures for cost reduction and pressures for local responsiveness. The pressure of cost reduction forces a firm to lower their value of the cost of creation. Firms can outsource to places where costs of their products are much cheaper or they can mass-produce a standardized product in one location. A firm must have the feeling of local representation. Every country has its own way of life. If a company does not adhere to each country’s differences in traditional business practices, distribution channels, and the demands from the host government, there will be no reason going international. Customers in different countries all hold to their own ways of doings things. It is important for a multinational firm to become aware of all traditions and rules in the countries of entry. We will write a custom essay sample on Strategy of Apple Brand or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page There are four different strategies an international corporation can choose from. They are global standardization, localization, transnational and international. Each strategy leads to the deciding factor that firms will use to determine the amount of pressures for cost reduction and local responsiveness. Global standardization is used to increase profitability by obtaining cost reductions through economies of scale. A firm whom wants to pursue a low-cost strategy on a global scale will normally offer a product that can be mass-produced at a low cost. A localization strategy offers a product that is custom to the host country. The product satisfies the countries preferences and taste. The third strategy is transnational. It is used when the firm is faced with strong pressures for both reduction and localization. This strategy is hardly used when competitors are in the market because it is hard for a firm to please the local tastes and preferences of its customers at a low cost. The last strategy is international. This strategy is used when firms are confronted with low pressures for both cost reductions and local responsiveness. This strategy is scarcely used when competition enters the market. With each strategy, business can find which one works best for their organization. Companies will decide to go international depending on the country it chooses to enter and the amount of profit it can earn. In corporate strategy there are two types of diversification, linked and constrained. â€Å"Companies using linked diversification, enter new businesses when it relates in some way to another business they are already in but it does not necessarily have any connection to their other businesses. If they are using constrained diversification, they only enter a new business if it is based on their core resources or competencies. Companies based on linked diversification have little coherence to their overall corporate strategy, while companies using constrained diversification tend to be more focused. Constrained diversification allows companies to maximize the effect of their resources because they are shared (100). † Apple is a personal computer, hardware and software company, inherently leading to use constrained diversification because they utilize their competition and they share resources between businesses. For example iPods, iPads, iPhones, MacBooks and Apple TVs all run on the same operating system. This intends customers to link their music with laptops, TVs, cell phones and other Apple products. This allows for a more appealing product to the customer. Apple is saving money by sharing resources throughout their multinational business. The product of Apple has such a distinct business that competitors have not been able to match their techniques. Each electronic device is unique, allowing for them to be used anywhere in the world and each is different from any of its competitors. Apple’s goal for a mobile business is to be fundamentally innovated and differentiable. It does not concentrate on the size of its industry because it maintains strong profit margins that have high percentages in the industry’s profit share. Apple does not focus on the quantity of its products but the quality and relevance. â€Å". Peter Drucker wrote that â€Å"What makes the future happen is always a business’s embodiment of an idea of a different economy, a different technology, a different society. It need not be a big idea; but it must be one that differs from the norm of today†. This means defining what the devices are (e. . , a pocket-sized device, or a tablet-sized device), and what they do. Apple must do this through constant innovation. † Apple has secured itself as the industry innovator and a position of strength by constantly defining what their products are and what their products do. Since Apple is continuously redefining the industry, they do not need an overwhelming market share. Apple can dominate the market through their in telligence of inventing new electronics and the respect they have for their customers. Apple’s basic business model is to sell hardware; every other product, iTunes, Apps, operating systems, is to make their hardware more valuable. The main goal of this strategy is to maximize the value of the firm. Customers are willing to pay high prices to obtain products of high value and high quality. Within an international business setting, firms are competing to receive the highest profit against one another. Apple is competing at a differentiation strategy. They increase the attractiveness of their products, making the products stand out so customers will purchase their products over another. Apple’s strategic positioning choice is to have high valued electronics that all customers want. Apple products are unique compared to the rest of the world. This allows Apple to charge a higher price. Many people are willing to buy Apple products because they are well produced, have a high quality and are known as a luxury item to the customers of Apple. Apple’s main goal is to maximize all values for the firm. This includes increasing shareholder value in a legal, ethical and a socially responsible manner. Managers can increase the profitability of a firm by pursuing strategies that lower costs or by pursuing strategies that add value to the firm’s products. Managers can also increase the rate at which the firm’s profits grow over time by pursuing strategies to sell more products in existing markets or by pursuing strategies to enter new markets†. Apple is always looking at new ways to increase its value and shareholder profit. Our main strategy to increase profit is to add value, raise prices and to enter new markets.

Compound Terms That Start with Half

Compound Terms That Start with Half Compound Terms That Start with â€Å"Half† Compound Terms That Start with â€Å"Half† By Mark Nichol By now, you have observed that compounds of two words can be closed, like paperback, hyphenated, like light-year, or open, like â€Å"ice cream.† This inconsistency (sometimes persisting, sometimes differing as the prevailing style changes) is one of the maddening vagaries of the English language, but the puzzlement intensifies when the style differs even among compounds beginning with the same word. Take compounds that start with half, for instance. The variability exists regardless of which part of speech the compound represents. Consider these sample nouns: In field sports such as football and soccer, one of the positions is halfback. But a brother or sister related to one by only one parent is a half brother or a half sister, and when the moon is half full, it is called a half-moon. Further inconsistency prevails, for example, in classes of similar terms: A fifty-cent piece is a half-dollar, but several other numismatic terms beginning with half â€Å"half crown,† â€Å"half dime,† and â€Å"half eagle† are open. (These are all discontinued values of currency, but the discrepancy persists.) Adjectives incorporating the word half also vary in style: Something that is lacking in effort is halfhearted the adverbial and noun forms, halfheartedly and halfheartedness, are also closed while something incomplete or lacking in some quality is half-baked. (I know of no adjectives beginning with half that are open compounds.) The compound verbs beginning with half that I found listed in one dictionary are consistently hyphenated, but there are only three: half-mast, half-sole, and half-volley. Adverbs are rare, too, but they follow the style of the adjectival forms. The form for a given compound may differ depending on part of speech or on meaning: For example, a book cover consisting of two distinct materials is half-bound, but the style is called half binding, and â€Å"half hour† is open, but half-hourly, as an adjective or adverb, is hyphenated. Meanwhile, the term for the intermission of a competition, whether used as a noun or an adjective, is halftime (â€Å"I walked around the stadium to stretch my legs during halftime†; â€Å"The halftime show seemed interminable†), but in the adjectival or adverbial sense of working half of the normal workweek, it is styled half-time. I could use another hyphenated compound beginning with half to describe my feelings about this imperfect system, but I’ll just say that the inconsistent nature of terms that belong in this broad category requires that I often do what I recommend you do whenever you plan to use one: Look it up. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Arrive To vs. Arrive AtYay, Hooray, Woo-hoo and Other AcclamationsI wish I were...

Organization Strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Organization Strategies - Essay Example Key environmental factors are predicted and their influence on the organization looked at and then optimum measures are taken so the organization can benefit from these environmental factors (Mintzberg 1976). Strategy looks at long-term direction and guides short term plans. It is understood at the top and middle levels of the organization. A strategy is as such clear that there is no way delicate. The results are defined; this is involved with the translation of strategies in to realities of the organizational structure, operations, policies and products. This in essence closes the gap between the companies' current position and where it would like to be. At last significant matters are identified and prioritized. Outcomes are positive statements of the changes the company needs to make to it and the results that it must carry out in its environment to fulfill strategic requirements. Outcomes are the steps for an organization towards strategic closure. Organization strategic plans are in general prepared of many interconnected elements; Vision, mission, Values, assessment, goals/objectives, strategy and outcomes. They have also major role in integration of strategic management principles and models. A feasible example of a strategic plan follows: The Vision gives a proposal about the objectives of the organization and broadly capture future services, markets and structures but do not go in to great detail. The Mission statement delineates customers, competitors and markets. It demonstrate a preferred location in a predicted future world" and a "bulls eye or target of the strategy."A mission should not consign a firm to what it must do in order to survive but what it chooses to do in order to thrive. Values are what the company believes to be true; values offer guides for staff on how to act within the company and ethical standards for all the stakeholders. Values set the company independently from its competitors and show the reliability of the organization. Measurements of the organization are the external and the internal forces, which will affect the company in making its mission and vision successful. These can be carried out in an environmental scan, which includes the following components; 1. Internal analysis of the firm 2. Analysis of the firm's industry (task environment) External macro environment (PEST analysis) A SWOT (Strengths/Weaknesses/ Opportunities/Threats) task can also capture the overviews of a business. Outside factors can vary from economic condition to changing technology and competition and are shown as threats and weaknesses. Inside factors can be anything which may belong from assets to liabilities and are usually shown as threats and weaknesses. Then the transition to the future is assessed with regard to industry and competitive environment, general and organization specific environment. PEST stands for political, economic, environmental and technological. The PEST analysis and explain the components of a macro environment within the organization and these can also be converted to fir in with a SWOT analysis. To create competitive advantage for an organization, it is identified that there are three strategies, Cost Leadership, Differentiation and Focus. The suitable standard strategy will make location of the firm to leverage its strengths and defend against the adverse effects of the five forces (Porter 1980). Cost Leadership comprehends

Government Contracting Company Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Government Contracting Company - Assignment Example There are very many methods that can be used in cost estimation, such method may be relevant depending on the projects. Some methods may favors given projects while others may not be encouraged to be used in particular projects. The best cost estimating method may also depend on the available data or any resources such as the financial resource. The methods are: Scatter graph is method of estimating fixed and variable costs. It provides a visual picture of the total costs at different activity levels. Its demerit is that hard to visualize the cost equation line through the data points, especially when the data is differs. It also requires multiple data points and requires five It’s a statistical method used to calculate both the fixed and variable data. Its advantages are it is very accurate. The disadvantage is that it requires a lot of calculation which may be very tiresome. It uses the highest and lowest activity levels of a data to estimate the portion of a mixed cost that is variable and the portion that is fixed. It disadvantage is that it may be misleading if the activity levels are not representative of the normal activity. For example when there are many outliers. The advantage is that it is very easy and do not require a lot of calculations. Various costs estimating method requires various resource, Government as a bigger organization is in a position to require enough resources. For example Government may easily require finance and the required data. The Government contract requires a lot of accountability due to the public interest therefore the best and accurate cost estimation method need to be considered.

Wireless Networking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Wireless Networking - Essay Example Individuals with desktop computers connected to Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Local Area Networks (LANs) in their places of work may need to be connected while away, which is literary impossible with the concept of wiring. Here is where wireless networking comes in. A wireless network is a system that receives and transmits radio signal through the air from one point to another. The term wireless network often refers to a Wi-Fi or 802.11 networking, from the protocols that control the wireless network concept (Kumar, Manjunath & Kuri 2). Wireless networks are consistently proving their worth in today’s world, with coverage of important services like FM radio, AM radio, satellite television, broadcast television, and satellite internet, which all form a basic part of our lives. The history of wireless networking discovery takes us back to 1888 when Heinrich Herz discovered the first radio wave. In the years that followed, other scholars were further developing the radio frequen cy concept. Marconi was the first known man to successfully transmit and receive a message using radio waves in a distance of two miles, labeling him the â€Å"father of radio†.... The resultant second generation WLAN was upgraded and was four times faster, with an operational speed of 2Mbps. Further developments led t the design on the third generation WLAN, which are in use currently (Kumar, Manjunath & Kuri 23). The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802 committee in 1990 set up the 820.11 Working Group that would be the foundation of the WLAN standard. Among the specifications of the standard was an operating frequency of 2.4GHz ISM band, and consequently approved the IEEE 802.11 to be the first WLAN standard with frequency of between 1and 2 Mbps. Building a wireless network will require an access point, which receives and sends radio signals, as well as acting like a repeater. Another vital device required in all the devices in the wireless network is the wireless network card. A desktop computer usually has an internal card, and may or may not have antennas. Notebooks have a PCMCIA extension slots for the card, if not installed from t he manufacturer. There are two basic forms of configuration for a wireless network: infrastructure and Ad-Hoc. An infrastructure wireless configuration constitutes more than one access point connections to an already existing single wireless network. This will enhance the sharing of resource among the devices in the network, like the internet and printers. Here, a computer acts like a hub that provides connectivity for the other computers in the network, hence connecting a wireless LAN to a wireless LAN (Kumar, Manjunath & Kuri 54). On the other hand, an Ad-Hoc wireless network configuration connects one device directly to another device on the network, hence the common reference to peer-to-peer network. All devices can connect directly to each other, but there must be one that is

The Pros And Cons Of Exporting Marketing Essay

The Pros And Cons Of Exporting Marketing Essay This report talks about what exporting is and why many countries take part in exporting, the strategies used in Exporting, the types of methods of exporting and the advantages and disadvantages of exporting. Countries with advanced economies and services are usually the ones who have the largest economic activity. These service producing industry firms market their offerings in foreign countries. These include industries such as education, engineering, construction, architecture, travel, transportation, insurance, banking, finance, professional business services information and entertainment. An example could be construction firms who usually send their employees to other countries to go and work on major projects. Service professionals such as accountants engineers and business consultants often provide their services via the internet, the telephone by mail and by visiting customers in their own countries. Also entertainment like Hollywood who export their movies and videos earn billions of dollars. PMI mortgage is a small Insurance firm who mortgage insurance packages to foreign markets. Insurance packages can be created in a central location such as London and then exported via mail a nd the internet to customers located in other countries. The firm enjoys considerable success in Asia and various European countries.Cavusgir, Knight, Riesenberger Pearson International Business Edition: page 388-389. These sales are different from other domestic sales from the side of the seller. Its someone else who decides that the product can be sold to customers located in foreign countries because theres demand for it. This would lead to the original seller not being aware of exporting details. However, many countries take a huge interest when they discover that their product has demand overseas and are actually being exported. Seeking out domestic buyers who represent foreign end users or customers Many general contractors, foreign corporations, foreign trading companies, foreign distributors and agents just purchase for exports. These purchase a wide variety of goods and services. In this case some companies may know that their products are being exported but it is still the buyer who handles any risk involved and details of exporting. Exporting Indirectly through Intermediaries. This is when a company engages the services of an intermediary who is capable of finding foreign buyers in foreign markets for its products. International trade consultants, Export Trading Companies or Export Management Companies can give an exporter access to good trade contacts. But yet the exporter can still retain some control over the process and can still realize some of the other benefits of exporting such as market opportunities, new technologies and foreign competitors. Exporting directly This is an approach where a company directly exports to foreign markets. This strategy is difficult and ambitious because it requires the company to handle every aspect of the exporting process from market research and planning foreign distributions and collections. There needs to be a lot of involvement of mangers because it needs their time and attention. However such an approach is good because maximum profits are gained as well as long term growth. 2.2 INTERMEDIARIES USED IN EXPORTING Sales Representatives This intermediary uses the companies products which are then made present to potential buyers. Sales representatives usually work on commission basis, assume no risk or responsibility and are under contract. The contract defines territory, terms of sales, methods of compensation and procedures to terminating the agreement. Agents This is a representative who has authority to make decisions or commitment oh behalf of the firm they are representing. Its important to have a contract that states whether the agent does or does not have the legal authority to obligate the firm. Distributors This when an individual or company purchase goods and re-sells it for profit. The distributor provides support and service for the product. Distributors usually handle a range of non conflicting products. Foreign Retailers This is when companies directly sale to foreign retailers. This method relies on traveling sales representatives who directly contact foreign retailers. 2.3 ADVANTAGES OF EXPORTING It increases economies of scale and reduces per unit cost of manufacturing. It diversifies customers base and reduces dependency on home markets therefore risk is spread. An example can be if a product is not selling in selling country a firm can have back up because the same product may be doing so well and selling in other countries. It increases market share, increases profit and sales volume better than the domestic market. It increases flexibility and reduces the risk if they face circumstances beyond their control, they can easily withdraw from an export market share. The cost of entering a foreign market is so less because they are not investing or creating any physical presence there. So its easy for a firm to use exporting to test new markets before deciding to commit to greater resources through foreign direct investment. Leverage the capabilities and skills of foreign direct distributors and other business partners located abroad. Enhance domestic competitiveness: Most companies become competitive in the domestic market before they venture in the international arena. Being competitive in the domestic market helps companies to acquire some strategies that help them in the international arena. Gain global market share: By gaining international companies a firm will participate in the global market and gain a piece of their share from the huge international market place. Compensate for Seasonal Demands: Companies whose products or services are only used at certain seasons domestically may be able to sell their products or services in different foreign markets during different seasons. Create potential for company expansion: Companies who venture into exporting business usually have a presence or representation in the foreign market. This might require additional personnel and thus lead to expansion. Sell excess production: Companies who have excess production for any reason can probably sell their products and not be forced to give deep discounts or even dispose of their excess production. Gain Knowledge and Experience: Going international can yield valuable ideas and information about new technologies, new marketing techniques and foreign competitors. The gains can help a companys domestic and foreign business. Expand Product life cycle: Many products go through stages of the product life cycle. Once the Product reaches the final stage, maturity in a given market, the same product can be introduced in a different market where the product was never marketed before. 2.4 DISSADVANTAGE OF EXPORTING Exporting does not require the firm to have a physical presence in the foreign market and this would lead to management havening fewer opportunities to learn about customers and other aspects of the market. Not having direct contact with customers from a foreign market would mean the exporter would fail to perceive opportunities and threats and may not acquire the knowledge that it needs to succeed in the long term. Exporting requires management to spend time and effort to learn about freight forwarders, documentation, foreign currencies and new financing methods this usually puts a strain on firm resources. Exporting is sensitive to tariffs and other trade barriers as well as fluctuations in exchange rates. Extra costs: It takes more time to develop extra markets and the payback periods are longer, the up-fronts costs for developing new promotional materials allocating personal to travel and other administrative costs assuasive to market the product can strain the major financial resources of small size companies. Production modification. When exporting companies need to modify their products to meet foreign country safety and security codes and other import restrictions. At a minimum, modification is often necessary to satisfy the importing country labeling or packaging requirement. Financial Risk: Collections of payments using the methods that are available (open account, prepayment consignment, documentary collection and letter of credit) are time consuming and can be complicated, countries have to carefully weigh the financial risk involved in doing international transactions. Market information: Find information on foreign markets is unquestionably more difficult and time consuming. Before a firm decides to export it first has to go through certain steps in order for them to know if they would be doing the right thing or not for example by assessing potential markets, acquiring appropriate skills and competences. 3.0 TYPES OF EXPORTING The two types of ways an organization can export are through indirect of direct exporting. An organization can choose between the two depending on what they want to achieve in terms of market share, increase of customers and quantity of products. They can also choose according to what management can handle. For example a company that produces tie and die outfits can decide to export through indirect or direct export. If they feel that management can not be able to mange exporting directly they can use indirect export as a means of entering into a foreign market. 3.1 INDIRECT EXPORTING This is when a firm contracts with intermediaries that are located in their own home market. The intermediarys then sale the products to customers located in foreign markets on behalf of the company. An example is Lafarge Zambia PLC who deals in cement and distributes their products to a local client within Zambia. The client then decides to re sale the product across borders to customers located in countries like DRC, Angola, Mozambique and Malawi. There are different indirect exporting options which are available and these are: International trading companies These are companies that buy and sale products internationally. They establish branches in certain countries around the world and each branch operates as a separate business unit buying from local markets and selling the products to other branches which are located in other countries. Like the Japanese who are well known and active in countries like South Africa and have companies like Mitsui and Itochu .As well as Gerber Goldschmidt Group. These companies go beyond buying and selling, they may even by a stake in a local market and in the end they become Trading companies or Export Trading Companies. Multi National Companies These are companies who have subsidiaries located in different foreign countries. Usually countries in the motor vehicle industry like Toyota, Ford of BMW buy raw materials and components and use these inputs in their manufacturing process. These companies then export their products around the world. So components that they used from their home country are found in overseas countries and yet to the supplier in the local market saw this as a local purchase. Tourist Purchase These are foreigners who travel and visit new countries depending on where they are like in South Africa they can purchase products likes wines, fruits and gifts that they take back home. To the supplier this was seen as a local purchase. Piggybank Exporting This is when companies sell their goods internationally and who already have a market network abroad. In order to maximize the power or popularity the company decide to have complimentary products to their existing range of products which they sale through their networks to their foreign customer base. 3.2 ADVANTAGES OF INDIRECT EXPORTING It not a risky strategy Depending on the intermediary used indirect exporting requires minimal involvement because they dont concern themselves with shipment and other logistics. It allows firms to focus on their home country rather than focus on other countries which make the work become hectic. An example can be Trade kings limited who produce sweets, soaps and washing powder. Exporting in indirectly is good for them because it allows them to pay more attention to their domestic customer needs which help them to serve them better and come up with quality products. You can easily point at someone else incase theres a problem or error so it limits their liability. Selling through an intermediary is cheap and it saves up on time. The intermediary sometimes answers questions from the consumer and provides technical support. 3.3 DISSADVANTAGES OF INDIRECT EXPORTING Theres no direct contact with the end user which can cause a firm to not knowing how they can improve their product and how the consumer feels about their product. An example can be a shoe making company who exports indirectly cannot be able to know what customers feel about their product and what they can do to make a better product and to gain more customers. The intermediary used will still require sales support from the firm that they purchase from. Firms who export indirectly have less control on the final transactions made. When an intermediary is used firms do not get the whole hundred percent the intermediary also get a margin. Using intermediaries slows down a firms expansion in the long term around the world because they would not get to learn about the different types of markets. An intermediary cans sometimes sale similar products as to the one a firm has as well as a product that is directly competitive to a firm. An example is when someone when the intermediary sales Black Opal make up and MAC make up these two compete with each other which can cause conflict. When an intermediary is selling the product they may not do it as well as the actual firm because putting a product in another persons hands means that the other person can sale it they want to and some sales wont reflect the goodness of an organization. 3.4 DIRECT EXPORTING This involves the direct selling of products using intermediaries located in foreign markets. Firms who usually export directly to foreign markets usually make some internal changes to their organization and these internal changes they make have to support more complex functions than that the ones that were there before. Direct exporters normally choose the markets where they think they can easily operate, easily give them profit and can increase their market share as well as which one would have good distribution channels. When a firm decides to sale to customers it prevents other businesses taking part of their margins. However this approach requires a large commitment of financial and human resources and takes some time to gain good relationships with customers, negotiate deals and understand the market. 3.5 ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT EXPORTING The firm is in control of their pricing, they decide how much to sale the product for. An example can be a firm who makes hair products. If they can export directly they can easily come up with a price that suits them rather than letting someone else sell the product for them and coming up with their own price. The firm takes total control of their brand and brands it according to what suits them. They get to have direct contact with their customers who help them come with ways of how they can satisfy their customers and come up ways of how to produce high quality products which will suit the needs of the customer. Its easy to identify opportunities. Customers prefer to deal with producers directly so this in the end becomes easy for the customer and producer and in the end a customer relationship is made. 3.6 DISADVANTGES OF DIRECT EXPORTING Its expensive because it needs s of time and energy, staff resources and requires a lot of money. Sometimes they would not be able to respond to customers as quickly as the way the local agents to do it They have to handle all logistics and risks. Depending on which country they export to the may have a problem because of the language barriers and cultures. 4.0 CONCLUSION Exporting is one of the best ways of entering foreign markets. In the world that we live in today many countries have now engaged themselves into exporting rather than depending on their domestic market. Exporting also gives a chance to consumers in a local market because they would not have to travel to find a product because through exporting they get to find the products in their home market. Exporting has given lots of firms and countries a huge increase in profit and has developed many economies.

Buddhist view on Abortion Essay -- essays research papers

It is quite clear from a variety of sources that abortion has been severely disapproved of in the Buddhist tradition. It is also equally clear that abortion has been tolerated in Buddhist Japan and accommodated under exceptional circumstances by some modern Buddhists in the U.S. The situation is similar to that of Roman Catholicism, where abortion, though disapproved of in the strongest terms by Church authorities, is still practiced by a large number of devoted Catholics and defended by at least a few. As a Buddhist, I would most likely still be for abortion. Buddhism itself speaks with more than one moral voice on this issue against abortion. The core belief in Buddhism is against abortion, but there are commonly people of this religion that don’t agree with that. For the time in which I will be writing this essay, I am one of those people. Most of my fellow Buddhists believe in the point that you should not be able to choose one life over another. For this reason, abortion cannot be rightly practiced. Although there are exceptions, Buddhism is still an antiabortion religion, it’s just somewhat lenient. Unlike Roman Catholicism, abortion isn’t just a flat out â€Å"no† in this religion. â€Å"The abortion issue usually hinges on whether the fetus is indeed a life in the relevant sense.† (Michael Barnhart) In its early stages, a fetus is not considered a human yet to Buddhists. It is alive, but not a human being. Therefore in some cases abortion can be appropriate. â€Å"One cannot say t...

English commentary creative writing Essay

I based the beginning of my story on a physical but also mental journey a man goes on while he is on his own hitchhiking home. I felt this was suitable for the topic journeys and pilgrimages which also liked in with the book Chaucer. As it is the beginning of a story the audience could really be any age. As it is a piece to entertain I would say it is suited better for the young. The purpose of my story was to entertain people, but also informing people about how one man is able to hitchhike. In order for me to write a story about hitchhiking I had to do some research into the topic. I found a book called â€Å"round Ireland with a fridge† by Tony Hawks which really inspired me and helped me grasp the language technique to use in order to entertain. To think in with Chaucer and the way he writes I have used stereotypes in my writing, for example I have does the typical blond as being stupid and naive. I have also used the idea about how the people in Chaucer went on a journey. The man I write about goes on a journey by himself from Lancashire back to Bristol, in which he also finds himself and learns a lot more about the world around him. I wanted to portray the man as a typical Bristol lad, with a slight arrogant edge. In order to do this I had to use a slight sarcastic tone of voice which I hoped would also entertain the readers. I also used phonetic lexis to help create an idiolect of the man. I used a Bristol accent and changed words like â€Å"alright† to â€Å"ite† and also â€Å"ya† instead of â€Å"you†. Which changing his dialect to fit his accent I also done this with other characters in the story, for example the Yorkshire girl he meets. For instance when she says â€Å"Wheor are yee headin† creates a sense of her accent to the readers. The language I used was very informal and personal. It was from the point of view from a man writing himself so the tone was very calm but at times comical. The structure was the usual story telling layout, with several small and large paragraphs, with a wide range of short sentences to add emotion and feeling to the man. â€Å"Okay, maybe not.†(after a line about wanting to fulfil his life) is an example of the idiolect I used from him, and shows the way he comes across as a simple man but with a funny entertaining side. I also linked my writing to The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I did this by using the disaster of the father in the road as a starting point of describing the man and his journey hitchhiking with so little and all by himself.

The gothic horror genre Essays

The gothic horror genre Essays The gothic horror genre Paper The gothic horror genre Paper Immediately before Jonathan makes the discovery of Draculas resting place, there are some very intense Gothic description that builds up until the incident of horror. Jonathan describes, the stairs were dark at the bottom there was a dark, tunnel-like passage through which came a deathly, sickly odour which gives the reader feelings of tenseness. Gothic descriptions tend to be, deathly, dark and dreary. Draculas eyes were open and stony, but without the glassiness of death the lips were as red as ever I fled from the place. This describes Dracula as dead and alive, the living dead. There is suggestion that Frankensteins Monster is also the living dead. With his watery eyes that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips. This describing the living monster sounds as if it describing a dead man. As something major is going to happen tension is often built up via intense description and pathetic fallacy. The wind came now with fiercer and more bitter sweeps. As the weather is worsening so is the situation. Pathetic fallacy is also used often in this way in Frankenstein too. The rain pattered dismally against the pains and my candle was nearly burnt out. The dismal rain sets a dismal atmosphere. The mention of the candle almost burnt out suggests that something dire is about to happen. There is often supernatural description in gothic horror novels. In Dracula Lucy is described as being like a nightmare of Lucy the pointed teeth, the bloodstained, voluptuous mouth the whole carnal and unspiritual appearance, seeming like a devilish mockery of Lucys sweet purity This is typical of the Gothic horror genre. The idea of vampires is super natural and is Gothic in itself. Again, the descriptions become ever more intense, leading up to horror. The horror here is the act of releasing Lucys spirit from the possessed body. As the stake is hammered into the heart The Thing in the coffin writhed The body shook and quivered and twisted in wild contortions while the blood from the pierced heart welled and spurted up around it. This again demonstrates the Gothic tradition and the horror that is connected to it. The blood here symbolises anger, hate and passion. The demon is fighting to stay within the body and so is writhing and twisting in frustration. Lucy is no longer a human being. The men have now realised that her mind and soul no longer exist. She has been reduced to an it. When the monster in Frankenstein is first brought to life Victor sees I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open. The unnatural colour of the eyes suggests that the monster is supernatural. This also brings fear to the reader as he may be seen as dangerous. In Dracula religion is used as a literacy device. Whilst in Transylvania, Jonathan speaks of how the local people offer him gifts, such as a crucifix. This shows the close tie of the Holy cross, linked into their supernatural beliefs. The old woman says that, It is the eve of St. Georges Day [and] when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have full sway This suggests that she is scared for Jonathan. With her fear, she offers him a crucifix, as do travellers later on. Mina Harkers incident is an obvious show of religion used. After Dracula has bitten her, she reaches a period of depression. Mina shows her self-hatred to be a mixture of religion, shock and horror. Mina feels that she is now Unclean, Unclean!.. I am now his worst enemy referring to her husband. She feels that now Dracula has bitten her, she is a Vampire also and that she should be killed. Van Helsing attempts to protect Mina against any further attack. He touches a piece of sacred wafer on her forehead. There was a fearful scream As he had placed the wafer on Minas forehead, it had seared it had burned into the flesh as though it had been a piece of white-hot metal. This suggests that there is evil and super natural presence within Mina and religion is able to harm or even defeat it. Van Helsing acknowledges that Mina may have to bear that mark till God Himself sees fit, as He most surely shall, on the Judgement Day to redress all wrongs when that red scar shall pass away and leave your forehead as pure as the heart we know. This suggests that Minas scar is seen as the mark of evil. There is an indication that When she dies all her evil shall be dismissed she shall be judged by god on her pure self only not Draculas curse. The characters here believe that their faith in God shall save them. Religion seems to be a safety net for the vulnerable and for those who are exposed to danger. It reflects the Gothic feeling to the novel and so contrasts good and evil, which seems to be a significant theme, particularly towards the end of the novel. Religion is not such an important theme used by Mary Shelley, though her characters make exclamations that mention such things as God in times of fear or shock. Frankenstein often refers to his creation as a Devil or a Demon. This is ironic because it was he who created the monster, and it was he who performed the ghastly task of putting it together, so does that not make him the devil and the monster but a pure human. Frankenstein says that his brother, William now sleeps with his angel mother! which is a biblical image. This shows the horror and grief that is felt by Frankenstein and his family as it emphasises Williams purity and innocence. Frankenstein realises that he has, inadvertently caused Williams death. His unnatural and unholy creation has murdered a sweet and innocent child. A significant theme that Shelley uses to a great extent is science. As Frankensteins chosen occupation is within the scientific field, themes arising from this, cover a majority of the novel. Towards the beginning of the novel, Frankenstein is a student. His first mention of a creation, he says that, The raising of ghosts and devils was a promise liberally accorded by my favourite authors showing his observation of the matter. It seems to be Frankensteins study of others and determination that makes his ideas to be horrific. He is a well-educated young man, who feels that he must prove himself, but he does not realise the implications of this. Frankenstein speaks of his ancient philosophers as one would of a God. Punctuation and the language that is used is a very important device. This is shown significantly in Dracula with Jonathans feelings of shock. He says, There lay the count, but looking as if his youth had been half renewed, on the lips were gouts of fresh blood, which trickled from the corners of the mouth and ran over the chin and neck. This is exceptionally long sentence. This suggests Jonathan is making a hurried description because he is breathless, confused and in shock. He only half believes what he has seen. He later exclaims that he is, alone in the castle with those awful women. Faugh! They are devils of the pit! Goodbye, all! Mina! conveying his desperate situation to the reader. Stoker uses exclamation marks in order to portray Jonathans shock, these create a certain abruptness to the text, thus shocking the reader. Commas and semi-colons are used here. These suggest to the reader sharp intakes of breath, hence indicating shock and fear. There is also repetition of the word and this seems to add to the description, therefore the situation feels more intense. Frankenstein seems to be a novel that deals with morals, conventions and the significance of human beings as a whole. Where as Dracula is deals more with humans as individuals. Two very different styles are used in Dracula and Frankenstein. Although both convey what is essentially known as Gothic horror, they are two very different stories and they set out to suggest very different morals through the themes that are used. Despite the fact that each author suggests different morals, they do both touch on the importance and meaning of human life. The novels were both written in a time where people were questioning their place in the world. The two monsters portrayed within the novels perhaps reflect society during that period. I enjoyed both novels especially Dracula due to the unique way the novel had been structured. Both novels shared similar moral messages though Frankenstein was probably more clear than that that of Draculas.

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