Is using a variety of sources important in order t Essays

Is using a variety of sources important in order to fully understand a news story? Write with reference to your news story. Nobody can deny that the first and most important step when you write about a news story is gathering information about your topic. It is an undeniable fact that without details, sources, evidence, one's writing will not have the intended impact of informing the audience. When you do a research about a news story you have various types of sources at your disposal. Firstly you can perform investigations on print sources like books, magazines and newspapers. On the one hand they are more reliable sources but on the other hand they are more expensive. Alternately, nowadays with the widespread availability of the Internet, instant coverage of the news is the norm rather than the exception and has replaced TV and radio as the main source for information. The most important disadvantage of the Internet though is that the web posters are not always as careful to make sure that the information is accurate. As far as I am concerned about my type of news stories it is imperative to search for and gather as much information as possible, due to the fact that it is a specialized event. You have to take into account that the previously mentioned types of sources would not suffice. Since this news story is all about an immersive, full sensory experience in order to have an impact on the reader you have to experience it firsthand from the primary source. Taking the above analyzed into account it is vital to gather information from a variety of sources to get a complete and accurate picture of what you try to inform your reader about your news story.

Reading test for six-year-olds to include made-up words - Emphasis

Reading test for six-year-olds to include made-up words Reading test for six-year-olds to include made-up words The latest plan to boost childrens literacy levels involves a reading test for six-year-olds, which includes made-up words like mip, fack, zort, koob and glimp. The Government scheme is intended to provide a light touch phonics-based check, to either reassure parents of their childs ability, or to identify the pupils falling behind. It would entail reading back a list of both real and made-up words, to ensure that none was just recited by rote. Some of the words may be nonsensical, but the idea may not be quite as crazy as it sounds. Teaching with phonics where words are deduced by recognising the sounds associated with letters or groups of letters has been shown to help with individual word identification and spelling. Nick Gibb, Minister of State for Schools, quotes academic research from Australia and the US that points to synthetic phonics being the most effective method for teaching literacy for all children, especially those aged five to seven. And one can hardly fault the Government on their stated goals. Too many children leave primary school unable to read and write properly, says Gibb. We are determined to raise standards and the new phonics-based reading check for six-year-olds will ensure that children who need extra help are given it before it is too late. But it is the prospect of a test based solely on phonics that is causing consternation among education and literacy experts in the UK. Many think it is more likely to actually put kids off reading, by isolating the act from its own rewards: understanding and enjoyment. The test is trying to control all the different variables so that things like meaning dont get in the way, says president of the UK Literacy Association (UKLA), David Reedy. We think this seems a bit bonkers when the whole purpose of reading is to understand words. And children cannot learn through phonics alone: There is the context, the sentence itself, and whether they have that word in their spoken lexicon, Reedy points out. Professor Greg Brooks, from the University of Sheffield, has also questioned the term light-touch, saying the exam will inevitably become high-stakes, with all the educational deformations that are known to attend high-stakes tests, including teaching to the test and needless anxiety for children. And, if the UKLA are to be believed, it would be needless. They assert that the results wouldnt be a good indicator of how well pupils would read connected text, or pick up meaning. Perhaps the theory is sound enough, but the test itself is just a case of too much, too early. Most children at that age are not ready to learn phonics, never mind be tested on them, says Professor Janet Moyles, an early years and play consultant from Anglia Ruskin University. Children do not have formal teaching of reading in Scandinavian countries, for example, until they are six to seven years of age and do much better than our children in formal testing later.

Ethics and Governance of Nike Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ethics and Governance of Nike - Essay Example Nike is one of those companies of the world which are continuously accused of the ethical issues such as human rights and the working conditions in the Nike factories in the developing and under-developed countries. Despite of abandoning many unethical activities and involving itself in the global social and environmental activities, Nike is still accused for exploitation of labor rights in many countries around the world (Kahle, L. R. & Boush, D.M. & Phelps, M. 2000). The ethical issues and dilemmas faced by the Nike Incorporation are discusses below in detail. The manufacturing units of the Nike Incorporations have been established in the developing or under-developed countries because of the cheap labor in these countries. The wages provided by Nike are even lower than the standard wage level in those developed or under-developed countries. The employees at Nike are unable to meet their basic needs. Nike has made an effort to solve the issue by employing the workers at the wage rate as given by those countries. Nike is involved in the violation of the global child labor laws. The children of the age 12 to 14 are working at the manufacturing units of Nike. Nike failed to practice the child labor laws in the under-developed countries. The human rights committees are continuously criticizing Nike for paying huge amounts to the celebrities for the endorsement of their products. The famous sports celebrities are paid millions of dollars to market and advertise the Nike products It is suggested to spend a part of money to improve workers standards of living and in the community building. Sweatshops Another issue involved sweatshops operated by the company. Sweatshops are the illegal and unethical activities

The International Accounting Standards Board and it role in Essay

The International Accounting Standards Board and it role in harmonization of accountign standards - Essay Example One example is in the availing of depreciation. In the United Kingdom, depreciation is determined according to, "convention and pragmatism, rather than exact rules[determining] the method of depreciation, estimates of the scrap value and the expected length of life (Ferrari L 2005). Germany, on the other hand, lays down exact rules and regulations for all these aspects in detail, leaving no room for manipulation. There is thus a need to introduce common internationally accepted norms, which would minimize such differences. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is one such institution that has undertaken the responsibility of formulating such standards to remove the anomalies between the 'generally accepted accounting practices' of different countries, through a process of harmonization of accounting standards. The IASB was founded in April 2001, as a successor to the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC). The IASC was an independent body formed in 1973, with the broad objective of, " [furthering] harmonization of accounting practices through the formulation of accounting standards to promote their worldwide acceptance" (Encyclopedia of Business and Finance [EBF]). In May 2000, a new structure for the IASC was approved, leading to the establishment of the IASB. As per KEWL (Knowledge Environment of Web-based Learning), the main objectives of the IASB are: - Develop, in the public interest, a single set of high quality understandable and enforceable global accounting standards that require high quality transparent and capable information in financial statements and other financial reporting to help the participants in the various capital markets of the world and other users of the information to make economic decisions. Promote the use and rigorous application of those standards. Work actively with national standards-setters to bring convergence of national accounting standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to high quality solution. In order to most objectively achieve the above aims, the organization of the IASB has been structured as follows (KEWL): - Trustees. Comprises of nineteen individuals from all geographical regions of the world, of whom at least five should represent the accounting profession. The primary responsibility of the Trustees is to appoint Board members, exercise oversight and raise funds for the organization. Board. Consists of fourteen individuals (twelve full time members and two part-time members) and has the sole responsibility of setting accounting standards in the form of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Standards Advisory Council (SAC). This is another body of experts from different geographical regions and functional backgrounds with expertise required to contribute to the formulation of accounting standards. There are about fifty members of the Council. International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC). This is a committee of the IASB that assists the IASB in establishing and improving standards of financial accounting and reporting for the benefit of users, preparers and auditors of financial statements. The IFRIC assists the IASB in achieving international convergence of accounting standards. The IASC had introduced 41 International Accounting Standards (IAS) during its tenure

The Ruthless 2010 Winter in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Ruthless 2010 Winter in America - Essay Example Being a resident of New York, I personally hold the opinion that â€Å"this storm brought with itself the most horrific casualties compared to the many other previous hurricanes met by America.† Though every winter, snowstorms manage in creating scenes that require endurance but this year, the drastic havoc created by the cold and bitter winter was actually above the threshold of suffering. The storm caused many deaths and historic snowfall totals were created by the extensive landslides. It competes with the other epic storms that previously slammed the States. â€Å"In snowfall, the Blizzard of 2010 now rivals the Knickerbocker Storm of 1922 for its impact on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.† (Anon. 2010). Thousands of flights were canceled owing to the strong winds. Rail and road service was suspended bringing the public to a halt at many stations in severe cold and deaths were caused by the bitter winter. â€Å"The storm also dampened enthusiasm on Wall Street where trading on Friday was light. U.S. Treasury and bond trading was also dull.† (Nichols, 2010). I myself was tired of shoveling for many hours when I was supposed to hurry for the airport because I had to see my father who was in the hospital, but I was poorly exhausted by the snowstorm just like many other helpless people. The bad effects of the storm did not leave the economy safe since it had to struggle a deal once the winter got over, trying to emerge from the collapse. Over a million businesses suffered blackouts. Relentless winter rains following the storms across the region sent the rivers flooding over their banks and left many people dead.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Alternative Fuels Environmental Sciences Essay

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Alternative Fuels Environmental Sciences Essay The worlds energy consumption has been increasing progressively since the industrial revolution (SEP, 2009). Global population is continuing to dramatically rise and the increase in economic development, particularly in China and India, over recent decades has contributed to increases in energy consumption (Hillstrom Hillstrom, 2003). Currently, nearly 45 percent of Australias total energy consumption is accounted for by coal, with oil providing approximately 35 percent, natural gas supplying around 15 percent and green power providing just over 5 percent (Hillstrom Hillstrom, 2003). Alternative fuels are stated to be a potentially viable alternative to the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels contribute to almost eighty percent of the total energy used in the world (Evans, 2007; International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy, 2005). Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources that are limited in their supply and the burning of fossil fuels on a global scale can produce air pollution, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), release significant amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), and contribute to global warming (Evans, 2007; Shahid Jamal, 2008; Hill, et al., 2006; SEP, 2009). Alternative fuels are considered to have a less adverse effect on the environment, and are stated to be a solution to the problems created by fossil fuels (SEP, 2009). Alternative fuels, such as ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel may prospectively provide an alternative for global fuel requirements. The main difference between fossil derived fuels and alternative fuels is the oxygen content, with alternative fuels having 10-45 wt% oxygen compared to fossil fuels which contain almost none (Gupta Demirbas, 2010). There are however, a number of drawbacks related to alternative fuels which may inhibit them from completely replacing fossil fuels without technological or genetic advancements (U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, 1990). Outline This paper aims to examine the advantages and disadvantages of alternative fuels. The discussion will commence by defining a number of relevant terms. The analysis will then consider ethanol and methanol as alternative fuels, including their production. Subsequently, biodiesels and their production will be examined. Following this, the advantages and disadvantages of alternative fuels will be considered. The use and manufacturing of alternative fuels in Australia will then be assessed. Lastly, the main arguments of this account will be summarised. Definitions Alternative fuels are a sustainable form of energy, are fuels that have not derived from petroleum and can include alcohols, biofuels, hydrogen, natural gas and propane (Saddleback Educational Publishing, 2009). They are commonly solid, liquid or gas biofuels acquired from biomass, vegetable oil, or generated from agricultural food crops (Demirbas, 2008; Hill, et al., 2006). A viable alternative fuel must be economical, supply a net energy gain, be beneficial to the environment, and be able to be produced in considerable volumes with limited detrimental impacts (Hill, et al., 2006). The alternative fuels that are currently prevalent throughout the world are ethanol and biodiesel (Vadas, Barnett Undersander, 2008; Groom, Gray Townsend, 2008; Gupta Demirbas, 2010). Ethanol also referred to as ethyl alcohol, and methanol, methyl alcohol, are colourless liquid alcohols, less dense than water, with the chemical formulas C2H5OH and CH3OH respectivley (Baird Cann, 2008). Biodiesel is a carbon-neutral fuel that is a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters (Baird Cann, 2008; Kemp, 2006). Alcohols: Ethanol and Methanol Ethanol is one of the most widely utilized liquid biofuels that can be combined with gasoline to create an ethanol blend fuel, or it can be used in pure form (Gupta Demirbas, 2010; Baird Cann, 2008). It may be derived by fermenting carbohydrates obtained from natural sugars, starches or cellulosic biomass in plants including sugar cane, corn or straw (Gupta Demirbas, 2010; Larkin, Ramage Scurlock, 2004). Generally, this process The USA and Brazil are presently the two major producers of bioethanol (Ragauskas, et al., 2006). In the US, corn is the major primary base for ethanol production while in Brazil, sugar cane is dominant (Brown, 2003). Groom, Gray and Townsend (2008) showed that current fuel yield for corn ethanol was between 1135 1900 L/hectare and that the necessary area of land to meet even 50% of US transport fuel needs was over 157% of US cropland. Methanol Biodiesel Biodiesel is obtained from the oil in a variety of seed plants, a large majority being developed from soybean (Larkin, Ramage Scurlock, 2004; Demirbas, 2008). Biodiesel is currently manufactured around the world in countries such as the USA, Germany and Malaysia (Larkin, Ramage Scurlock, 2004; Groom, Gray Townsend, 2008). Globally, approximately 1.5 million tonnes of biodiesel per year is produced (Larkin, Ramage Scurlock, 2004). In Table 4, it can be seen that current fuel yield for soybean biodiesel was between 225-350 L/hectare and that the necessary area of land to meet even 50% of US transport fuel needs was over 180% of US cropland. Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Fuels Alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol and biodiesel have numerous advantages and disadvantages regarding environmental and societal impacts. The replacement of fossil fuels with alternative fuels could result in a decrease of CO2 emissions, decrease air pollution and reduce acid rain (Evans, 2007). Additional benefits include sustainability, fuel security, regional development and a decrease in rural poverty (Gupta Demirbas, 2010). The land area required to generate sufficient alternative fuel to meet demands however, may compete directly with agriculture requirements, water use, may cause pollution from the use of herbicides and pesticides, and could result in the destruction of natural habitats and a decrease in biodiversity (Evans, 2007; Giampietro Ulgiati, 2005). In developing countries, the expansion of the alternative fuel industry could increase deforestation, decreasing the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis (Groom, Gray Townsend, 2008). Methanol and Ethanol Advantages There are several advantages concerning the use of methanol and ethanol as alternative fuels. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is removed by the crop used for ethanol generation, resulting in the process being carbon neutral (Larkin, Ramage Scurlock, 2004). Using ethanol over fossil derived fuels can result in a reduction of CO2 up to 75 percent (Howard Olszack, 2004). Higher densities of ethanol fuel and air can be combusted in an engine compared to petroleum due to ethanols constricted boiling point range and higher latent heat of vaporization (Brown, 2003; Demirbas, 2008). Additionally, higher energy density can be achieved in the engine due to a lower stoichiometric air to fuel ratio (Brown, 2003; Demirbas, 2008).This may produce enhanced engine efficiency and elevated power outputs in ethanol fuelled vehicles when contrasted to petroleum fuelled vehicles. The use of ethanol as an alternative fuel can result in lower pollution emissions compared to fossil fuels, particularly re garding particulates, alkenes, aromatics and carbon monoxide (Baird Cann, 2008). Table 2: Alternative fuel properties compared to fossil derived fuels (Adapted from: Borman Ragland, 1998, pp. 37). Disadvantages There are numerous economic drawbacks to the use of ethanol as a substitute for petroleum-based fuels. Ethanol is still far from being economically competitive when compared to fuels derived from fossil fuels (Larkin, Ramage Scurlock, 2004; Howard Olszack, 2004). Expensive direct costs required for the production of ethanol can include fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation, fuels and electricity as well as machine or equipment maintenance (Vadas, Barnett Undersander, 2008). Fixed costs tend to include land charges, wages for labourers, insurance and depreciation of assets such as equipment and buildings (Vadas, Barnett Undersander, 2008). The economics of ethanol production are very uncertain; its viability depends on the price of crude oil and the world prices of the raw material, for example, sugar (Larkin, Ramage Scurlock, 2004). The production and use of ethanol is not economically competitive at present, suggesting that it is not a viable alternative. There are disadvantages linked to the use of methanol and ethanol as alternative fuels. Ethanol has a lower amount of energy generated per litre combusted than gasoline (Baird Cann, 2008). The use of pure ethanol and methanol is limited in colder climates by their low vapour pressures (Baird Cann, 2008). A disadvantage in using methanol is that it is more toxic than gasoline (U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, 1990). Erosion, nitrogen leaching and denitrification are also other significant problems related to corn produced alcohols (Vadas, Barnett Undersander, 2008). Environmental degradation is an issue related to ethanol production from crops, which leads to the concern of whether biofuel generation is indeed sustainable for certain crops (Vadas, Barnett Undersander, 2008). Ethanol yield from various crops can vary significantly, and are usually inefficient (Larkin, Ramage Scurlock, 2004; Ragauskas, et al., 2006). The production and use of ethanol does not always provide a sufficient net energy gain and there are adverse environmental effects, indicating that it is not a viable alternative. Biodiesel Advantages There are a number of positive factors when considering biodiesel over petroleum-based diesel. Biodiesel production is deemed renewable (Shahid Jamal, 2008). The fuel itself is generally non toxic and biodegradable (Demirbas, 2008; Shahid Jamal, 2008). The fuel properties of biodiesel are similar to petroleum-based diesel, revealed in Table 2, allowing it to be used in unmodified indirect injection diesel engines with only minor drawbacks (Brown, 2003; Shahid Jamal, 2008). Biodiesel has a higher flash point, also seen in Table 2, meaning that it is safer to transport and store than diesel (Brown, 2003; Demirbas, 2008).The exhaust emissions from the fuel contain considerably less nitrogen and sulphur oxides (Shahid Jamal, 2008). These factors support the idea that biodiesel is an alternative form of fuel; however this does not make it a viable alternative to petroleum-based diesel. Disadvantages There are many limitations related to the use of biodiesel as a substitute for petroleum-based fuels. Biodiesel can achieve an energy ratio as low as three to one (Larkin, Ramage Scurlock, 2004). The production of biodiesel from crops, such as soybean, can result in adverse environmental effects. These can include nitrogen and phosphorus leaching that can lead to the loss of biodiversity and the release of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas (Hill, et al., 2006). In some countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, vast expanses of forests are being cleared to produce oil-palm plantations for biodiesel (Groom, Gray Townsend, 2008). Biodiesel, compared to fossil fuel derived diesel, tends to produce lower power and torque as well as higher fuel consumption (Demirbas, 2008). Biodiesels are not cost competitive when compared to petroleum-based fuels (Hill, et al., 2006). The cost of biofuel tends to vary on a number of factors including the price of crude petroleum, the variabilit y in the crop and the cost of the feedstock used (Demirbas, 2008). The production and use of biodiesel is associated with some adverse environmental effects and it is not economically competitive at present, indicating that it is not a viable alternative. Alternatives Fuels Use and Manufacturing in Australia -sugar cane (ethanol) Conclusion Alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol and biodiesel have both advantages and disadvantages regarding impacts on the environment and society. At present, commercial biofuel production is a controversial issue that is still relatively new. It is conceivable that biofuels will become a selective alternative to fossil fuels as a source for transportation fuels but not a complete substitute. As oil prices become increasingly more expensive, biofuels do become more economically viable. Biofuels are effective on a small scale basis, but not on a large scale. There are numerous problems currently associated with the manufacturing of biofuels such as the vast amount of land, labour and water required. The development of better second and third generation biofuels would be more effective as they potentially use less land and have a greater chance of being a viable alternative for fossil fuels. Great improvements in current technology, genetic advancements for biomass crops and reduced en vironmental and societal effects could see biofuels become a selective substitute but not a replacement for global energy demands.

John Stuart Mill and the Ends of Sport :: Philosophy Philosophical Sports Essays

John Stuart Mill and the Ends of Sport ABSTRACT: While his own preference may have been for an engaging book over an exciting ballgame, John Stuart Mill’s distinction in Utilitarianism between higher and lower pleasures offers a useful framework for thinking about contemporary sport. This first became apparent while teaching Utilitarianism to undergraduates, whose interest is often piqued by using Mill’s distinction to rank popular sports such as baseball, football and basketball. This paper explores more seriously the relevance of Mill’s distinction for thinking about sport, focusing specifically on his claims about intellectual complexity and aesthetic value. It finds that while the distinction of higher and lower pleasures does support a hierarchy among sports, it remains problematic to assert that any sport could in fact constitute a genuine higher pleasure. Mill originally offered the distinction between higher and lower pleasures as a way of defending utilitarianism against critics who found it degrading. Because utilitarianism defines moral rightness solely as the net production of pleasure over pain, critics charged that it portrayed human happiness as no different from the contentment of well-fed barnyard animals. To these critics, any moral theory that cast human life as having no end higher than the pursuit of pleasure was surely "a doctrine worthy only of swine".(1) Mill countered that it was actually the critics of utilitarianism who degraded humanity, for they tacitly assumed that humans were capable of nothing more than animalistic pleasures. Mill maintained happiness is indeed a function of pleasure, although humans are capable of higher forms of pleasure than the other animals. Mill writes Human beings have faculties more elevated than the animal appetites, and when once made conscious of them, do not regard anything as happiness which does not include their gratification.(2) True human happiness thus requires at least some exposure to activities that gratify the higher faculties of the human mind. And though the pleasure of such activity requires greater effort and even some pain to realize, Mill considered it intrinsically superior to the relatively passive and animalistic pleasures obtained from satisfying one's hunger, thirst, or sexual desire. Thus, unlike Bentham, who thought that the pleasure obtained from reading one good poem could be equaled through playing many games of pushpin, Mill's distinction is qualitative: a higher pleasure can never be duplicated through the simple aggregation of lower pleasures. Mill posited three distinct sources of higher pleasure: (1) acts involving intellectual complexity (2) acts engaging the aesthetic imagination; and (3) acts engaging the moral sentiments.