Capitation Is for Specialists, Not for Primary Care Physicians Essays

Capitation Is for Specialists, Not for Primary Care Physicians Essays Capitation Is for Specialists, Not for Primary Care Physicians Paper Capitation Is for Specialists, Not for Primary Care Physicians Paper Capitation is the changing of risk and the medical management responsibility to physicians in exchange for a flat, per-member payment, usually in monthly allotments. It means the cutting of physicians compensation and using it as a medium for providing reimbursement incentives to decrease the number of inpatient bed days and unnecessary specialist procedures. Problem of the Article The problem is on what model or practice of capitation must be used and applied in order to resolve the proper allocation of budget among health authorities. This article is written to help develop an understanding by presenting the viable ideas on choosing the right model. It presents the advantages and the disadvantages of the models of capitation. The specialist at the Unified Physicians is capitated while specialists from other Independent Practice Association are not. United Physicians gets $36 per member per month to give a full range of professional and diagnostic services to commercial patients while the IPA funds are retained in risk pools or reinsurance, which serves as their only source of income. The risk pool funds are excess amounts that remain in the hospital pool, which is shared with the HMO or the hospital. Techniques Used to Address the Problem: Pro’s and Con’s There are two models for capitation. The first model is shared capitation, which is about setting a limited budget for the amount allocated for specialty care. Specialists bill into this pool, and is being paid back for adjustments based on the utilization trend. There continues to be the same number of physicians and everybody is participating thus it is easy. It projects a moderate climate of competition among the specialists over the fairness of the distribution of the funds. However, the disadvantage is on the utilization and budgeting part. In this model, everybody bills into this fund and an uncontrolled utilization results. It is not unusual for the fund to fall short at the end of the first or second quarter because shared capitation does not help the risk pools and0 it neither controls inpatient nor outpatient utilization. In addition, it does not solve the clinical variation across the broad range of physicians in the medical group or IPA. Group capitation as chosen by the Unified Physicians has the greatest political risk because there is a selection of physicians to participate and a disenfranchisement of some physician. In other words, if the physicians have been participating in the IPA for a number of years, they may be paralyzed and loses out of patients that they have previously seen for some time. In addition, some shareholders may be offended, and it is the most politically risky undertaking. Nevertheless, group capitation was chosen mainly because it puts utilization back in the hands of the providers. In this model, there is a rejection of prior authorization as physicians join to develop guidelines and best practices. They can create guidelines in each specialty and across specialties. Assessment The trends of medical care have changed a lot since 1997 to the present day. It has become very flexible and assures competency among practitioners. It is created to meet the demand of the health care services regardless of the model whether it is a capitation or a fee-for-service. References Kullman, Shelley. (1997). Capitation Is for Specialists, Not for Primary Care Physician. Pacific Communities Management Services Organization Harbor City, Calif.

Chinas Examination Hell essays

China's Examination Hell essays The Civil Service Examination System of Imperial China served as a qualification system for scholars who wanted to become officials in the Chinese government. Many young men spent their entire lives studying the Four Books, the Five Classics, and memorizing Chinese characters in order to attempt to pass these examinations. The book, Chinas Examination Hell, written by Ichisada Miyazaki and translated by Conrad Schirokauer, describes the lengthy, and often rigorous process of taking Civil Service Examinations. The book begins by giving an account of how a young boy prepares for the examinations, learning his first Chinese characters at the age of three. Girls could not take the Civil Service Examinations, and from birth were treated in a way such that they would learn to be submissive. Boys began their formal education at age seven. From that point on, they spent every moment memorizing the Four Books, which included the Analects, Mencius, the Great Learning, and the Doctrine of the Mean, and the Five Classics, which included the Book of Changes, the Book of Documents, the Book of Poetry, the Book of Rites, and the Tso Chuan. Young men had the opportunity to take their first Civil Service Examination around the age of fourteen or fifteen, and particularly bright males would most likely continue taking different levels of examinations for the rest of their lives. Also described in the book are the hardships endured by both the candidates for examination and the examiners themselves. The test-taking compounds were not very conductive to rational thinking, as each man was assigned a small, door-less cubicle in which he had to spend three days and two nights at a time. The examiners, by the end of an examination session, had thousands of papers needing to be graded. As a result, even the smallest mistake, such as a stain on the paper or a misprinted character would lead to failure of the examination. The book des...

How does new technology help the Arts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

How does new technology help the Arts - Essay Example As a result, interactions between artists and technologists determined the impact of the computer (digital) technology on creative process. Today many artists and digital media specialists agree that technology helps the arts. They point out at the context of the digital society we now live in and how it influences the ways the art gets created, marketed, produced, supported, preserved, distributed, as well as transformed. This paper explores how new technology and digital media help the arts. Objectives The objectives of this research paper were as follows: Provide an overview of contemporary knowledge on the topic of the impact of technology on the arts and on the topic of how technology helps the arts. Determine how new technologies affect the arts in a positive way The paper was intended to provide response to the following question: What positive impacts and what opportunities has technology created/ is creating for the arts, artists, the public, etc? Approach and Methodology It was determined to focus the paper on modern, in particular digital technologies and shape the scope of the research with emphasis on the arts. It was reinforced that the paper should provide information with reference to various arts, various art disciplines, and various art practices if possible. Also, it was reinforced that the research should concentrate on how technology influences creation, production and different ways in which artworks reach the general public. Throughout the research, the author reviewed English-language material and researched publicly-released data from UK and international sources; synthesized information. B. ARTS AND TECHNOLOGIES: LOGICS OF HYBRIDIZATION The hybridization of technology and the arts, as it has been assumed in modern studies, began in the 15th century with the invention of printing and distribution. Connection of the literary tradition with distributive power of the printing technology changed the whole European civilization. The value of cultural hybridization as the fundamental logic of cultural change has been convincingly demonstrated in the research by Marshall McLuhan (McLuhan, 1962; McLuhan, 2001). In particular, using an example of the distribution of the press, McLuhan demonstrates the decisive role of this technology in the cultural dynamics of the period between the 15t and 19th centuries. In the scholarly terminology, the printing technology may be described as the first level of the hybrid of technology and art. In its essence, the printing technology does not define the aesthetic content of art work distribution, yet its use can well have an impact on the artistic content which is being distributed (here: the literature in its broadest meaning), transforming the form of distribution in purely independent art (for example, graphic design, fonts). It may then stimulate the expansion of the variety of literary forms, available in printed format. In addition, the advent of printing marked a fundamental shi ft from the ancient ‘techno’ and technology - which were about the finesse and skill of a human working with his hand to deliver the product of creativity - to technology which became the logics of self-alienated production. This way it may well be thought to be a harbinger of the machine age (Benjamin, 2008). At the end of the 19th - at the beginning of the 20th century art’s hybridization with technology shifted to a new level in the aesthetics of cinema. Cinema evolved as a

Grammatical Structures of English and Spanish Essay

Grammatical Structures of English and Spanish - Essay Example According to Stockwell and Bowen (2005, 77), the basic structure of the Spanish sentence is the same with English sentences. For example, just like in English, the word order of the Spanish sentence has generally followed the Subject-Verb-Object order. Generally, many experts concur this may be attributed to the fact that both Spanish and English language grammar structures are usually based on the tense. However, it is worth noticing that Spanish allows for more grammatical structure flexibility and this can be explained by the placement of the word â€Å"no† (not) at the end of the sentence to put more emphasis on it. This flexibility usually results in non standard syntax when Spanish is directly translated into English . Another visible grammatical feature of the above Spanish sentence with respect to structural similarities and differences with English language is the use of the relative pronouns. Spanish language has a wide range of pronouns that are often used differently as compared to the English pronouns. Some of the common Spanish relative pronouns that are commonly used in everyday Spanish include la que(singular feminine), los que(plural masculine) and las que(plural feminine). For example, the Spanish relative pronoun â€Å"que† has been used twice in the above sentence to refer to both a person and an object. ... â€Å"that the boy† and â€Å"que se escapo†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. â€Å"who escaped† as used in the first part of the sentence have all been applied to refer to the boy(singular masculine). Generally, in most cases, the use of â€Å"que† in either objects or subject position in Spanish is often equivalent of the use of the English words such as â€Å"whom, who, that and which† in the contemporary English grammar as shown in the following examples: El hombre que es pobre†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦The man â€Å"who† is poor (Person, Subject) La senorita que conoci†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ The young lady â€Å"whom† I met (Person, Object) In English, relative clause usually follows the noun which it modifies. The choice of relative pronoun is normally affected by whether the clause is modifying human or non-human noun as well as the role of the relative pronoun in the rel ative clause2. For example, â€Å"who† is applied for a human antecedent while â€Å"that† is only used for a non human antecedent. However, a major difference in the use of relative pronouns in Spanish and English is that while relative pronoun is usually omitted in English, this is not the case in Spanish as shown below: La casa  que  compramos es nueva†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦The house â€Å"that† we bought is new. As seen in the English version, the relative pronoun â€Å"that† can easily be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence. On the other hand, just like English, Spanish also has a number of definitive article articles (equivalent to â€Å"the†) as well as indefinite articles (equivalent to the English â€Å"a/an, some†). However, unlike English, the Spanish articles are normally categorized into feminine, masculine, adjective, singular or plural. Lastly, with regard, to verb Ser/estar, the word â€Å"se † in the

Later Adulthood Development Report Essay Example for Free

Later Adulthood Development Report Essay Aging occurs in every stage of life, and as adults grow older and move from one stage of adulthood to the next many new changes can occur in their everyday lives. The transition from middle adulthood to later adulthood can bring a whole new level of changes to an individual’s life. The aging process includes changes in roles and social positions, considering living accommodations with health care needs, transitioning from work life to retirement, changes in social policies, and changes in relationships with family members and peers. As aging occurs individuals notice a numerous amount of changes in their lives. Some of those changes occur in their roles and social positions. As an individual ages they may begin to notice both physical and mental changes that decrease their ability to carry out activities in their daily routines. An individual who was once the leader of company meetings may notice that they are no longer able to hear or see things as well as they were before, and they may not be able to process their thoughts as quickly. They might also notice a delay in their reaction time. While some people may assume it is because of a medical issue, it could just be because of aging. As aging continues throughout later adulthood individuals may also notice changes in their physical appearances such as loose or wrinkly skin and a decrease in muscle tone. Throughout life individuals may decide to move from one place to another to experience what it is like to live in a new place. As individuals age their health starts to decline, and in some cases, some families have to make the decision to put their loved ones in a nursing home or hire a nursing staff to do home visits. When the health of a loved one becomes an issue family members have to make sure they are getting the  proper care they need to ensure their loved ones are safe and their health needs are being met. Some elderly individuals are able to go through life and not need any type of assistance caring for themselves, but some individuals get sick and cannot properly take care of themselves any longer. Alzheimer’s and Dementia are two of the worst diseases an individual can develop as they age. Once Alzheimer’s or Dementia really set in the individual start to forget life as they previously knew it. They no longer recognize their family or friends and have a hard time remembering anything about their lives. According to the Alzheimer’s Association there are three stages to Alzheimer’s disease, the early, middle, and late stages. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease an individual may still function as well as they did before they knew they had the disease, â€Å"He or she may still drive, work, and be a part of social activities† (Alzheimer’s Association, 2015). According to the Alzheimer’s Association, â€Å"The middle stages of Alzheimer’s are typically the longest and can last for many years†. The third, and final stage of Alzheimer’s, the late stages, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, â€Å"may last for several weeks or several years and requires intense are the clock care†. As Alzheimer’s progresses the individual may experience symptoms such as; anger, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, memory loss, confusion, repetition, and physical discomfort. As Alzheimer’s slowly starts to take over the individual it becomes harder and harder for both the individual and the family to deal with the changes that are occurring. That is why it is so important to make sure there is a trained medical professional on site at all times to care and comfort the individual dealing with the disease. The transition from working life to retirement can be a difficult process for some adults as they struggle to accept the changes that will occur in their lifestyle. But, on the other hand, retirement can also be an enjoyable time for some adults as they see it as an opportunity to do things they love without having to worry about work interfering with their plans. Some aging adults have a hard time coping with the thought of retirement because of the drastic change in income and they do not know what to do with  all the extra time they will have throughout the day. While the changes in income between a weekly or biweekly paycheck greatly differ from their previous profession and the amount of money received through social security, most employers offer a 401K savings plan to help with retirement and life after working. Social policies were put in tact to ensure that anyone in need is able to have their needs met. These needs can include medical, nutritional, and income needs. The government has funded programs such as food stamps to help families all over the country provide food for their families. Other government programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are intact to help cover medical expenses for people who cannot afford health or dental insurance. When it comes to the elderly, social programs such as Social Security and the Older Americans Act were put intact to ensure the elderly (anyone aged sixty five or older) are able to financially support themselves. Social policies are a great way to ensure individuals are properly taken care of and are able to support themselves. Family is forever, and nobody should ever feel as if they have to go through life alone. As we age it is important to remember how important our family and friends really are to us. We spend our whole lives searching for someone to spend the rest of our lives with and to build a family with, but as we age and people in our families start to die people begin to feel lonely. Losing a close family member or even a friend can leave individuals with a feeling of loneliness or even depression, â€Å"Most people seventy years of age or older are widowed, divorced, or single† (Zastrow Kirst-Ashman, 2010). Grandparents and great- grandparents should never have to feel like they are unimportant or unwanted by their families. As individuals mature and go on with their own lives they should always continue to stay in touch with everyone in their family, but they should especially make sure their grandparents and older family members are healthy and well taken care of. The changes that occur throughout our daily lives are preparing us for the next stage of life. As individuals age they experience new things and learn  new things about themselves. Some people fear aging as they fear they will no longer be able to properly care for themselves any longer, but with the love and support from our families anything is possible. The aging process includes changes in roles and social positions, considering living accommodations with health care needs, transitioning from work life  to retirement, changes in social policies, and changes in relationships with family members and peers. Aging is just one of the many aspects of life that everyone has to deal with, and it is up to us to determine how we want to deal with it and let it affect our everyday life. References: Alzheimer’s Association. The Stages of Alzheimer’s. Retrieved from: http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_4521.asp U.S Department of Health and Family Services. Caring for Frail Elderly People: Policies in Evolution. Retrieved from: http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/chap14.htm Zastrow, C.H. Kirst-Ashman, K.K. (2010). Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment (8th Ed.)

Alcoholism and Drinking - Alcohol Abuse and the State :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Alcohol Abuse and the State    In our country today there is a serious problem plaguing families and people everywhere. This problem is alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, and it is not something that will go away. According to many sources this problem can cause many implications and can casue severe harm to those it touches(Venturrelli 222). And one of the main problems with the disease of alcoholism, is that it does not effect just the drinkers, but everyone who cares about them. It is seen as impossible to ever cure all situations of alcohol abuse, but is possible to help those who have a problem and to try and prevent others from becoming addicted. Most poeple do not realize what they are getting themselves into when they drink, and some who do drink never engage in aproblem. But there are also people who have a disorder in their genes, and those are the ones who have the most serious problems. Alcohol abuse can skip generations in families and show up only in one or two family members every couple of genera tions(Martin 676). What this means is that Jane's(fictious name) great- grandfather may ahve been an alcoholic and no one else in the family will have a problem, and then Jane begins to have a problem. It is impossible to predict who this disease will strike, but when it does it strikes very hard and very deadly. Many times alcohol abuse begins as just ahving a good time, throughout high school I drank a lot and I enjoyed it. I don't think a week went by that I didn't drink at least four times a week, but I never let it get out of control and I knew my limits and when to quit for the night. When I got in to college things cahnged, I still drink but my priorities became more clear and I know when to draw the line. There are a lot of people that never got to experiment in high school and they got to college and really screwed up. Many people can not react well with alcohol in their bodies and that is where a problem starts with them. A main area of alcohol abuse is in 'greek' organiza tions, I'm not saying that they are bad because there are amny non- 'greek' that drink, but these organizations help many to have access to alcohol.

Machiavelli: Realism over Idealism

Luke Pelagio Due 5/27/2011 Period 4 Machiavelli: Realism Over Idealism Nicolo Machiavelli is known as being an archetypical realist; in other words, he was someone who originated the idea that we should not try to figure out how people should be, but rather accept and deal with the world as it literally is. Unlike Machiavelli, Plato posited an idealist view of a philosopher king reigning through virtue. To Machiavelli, this is an extremely dangerous delusion for it ignores what he considers the reality of the human condition: humans are brutal, selfish, and fickle (Machiavelli and Power Politics).You don’t need a philosopher king to secure off enemies and reinforce order/stability; on the other hand, you need a prince or a leader who understands what it takes to lead. It is better to be feared than loved if you can’t be both. â€Å"Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hated; because he can endure very well b eing feared whilst he not hated, which will always be as long as he abstains from the property of his citizens and subjects and from their women,† (Machiavelli, The Prince).Machiavelli applied force to get what he wanted, but he always kept his hands off the property of others. This is because men more quickly forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony (Machiavelli, The prince). In The Prince, Machiavelli demonstrates how to obtain and keep political power. This is what he did using witty tactics. 1 A prince must always pay diligent attention to military circumstances if he wants to reside in power, so the most desirable and beneficial type of army are native troops, composed of one’s own citizens or subjects.The prince has many characteristics that are crucial to his standing in a society such as: it is better to be stingy than generous, it is better to be cruel than merciful, it is better to break promises if keeping them would be against oneâ⠂¬â„¢s interests, and princes should choose wise advisors rather than flatterers. All these attributes are key to how well a Prince thrives (Public Bookshelf, The Prince). A prince must learn not to be limited to morality when unavoidable; a leader has to be able to use lies, force and deception if required in the world. Whether it is better to be feared or loved clearly addresses the reason for this.You can’t trust people, for they will turn on you. It is inevitable. Human nature means that doing what you must do at all costs according to any moral code simply puts you at a disadvantage. In addition, humans are generally under agreement to throw out such moral concerns if it is to their advantage. â€Å"Men have less scruple in offending one who is beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails,† (Machiavelli, The Prince).This quote perfectly demonstrates Machiavellian realism. First, it is a very opposing and adverse view on human nature. Second, it is realistic and logical. If, by any chance, you are a prince or a leader, and you do not understand the atrocious inherent in 2 men, you will fail. Those who are most ruthless will have power; this is just reality. â€Å"For my part I consider that it is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman, and if you wish to keep her under it is necessary to beat and ill-use her; and it is seen that she allows herself to be mastered by the adventurous rather than by those who go to work more coldly.She is, therefore, always, woman-like, a lover of young men, because they are less cautious, more violent, and with more audacity command her,† (Machiavelli, The Prince). Machiavelli politics is definitely aimed toward the masculine side. It is power and control, so fortune is feminine and more ana rchy. If not under control, it will be unstable and chaotic. His influence stretches far beyond Italy in the sixteenth century and lies with us today in how we think/understand the world of international relations.Everything I have read such as: ideas about Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Hobbes, and Nicolo Machiavelli are all extremely important to my knowledge and insight about political concepts/background. I believe that to be educated one must have familiar knowledge with those who have shaped today’s political society and government. Machiavelli’s ideas, in particular, are used everywhere today. One who has not been informed of Nicolo Machiavelli would be living in ignorance, for that individual would be clueless of how ideas today became what they are/how they are.When President Nixon organized the Watergate Scandal in 1973, the public had 3 no inclination that their leader was capable of such corrupt and unscrupulous means. Nixon, under the impression that his campaig n was vulnerable, manipulated for power in the only way he saw fitting, hoodwinking. Take a look at President Truman; he dropped a bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki reaching casualties of 120,000. According to him, survival of the United States was so admonished that the use of such insignificant means was necessary.Even President Obama has his faults. The ideas of hope were what we, the people, needed to hear. It would allow us to be optimistic, and contain a false sense of protection thinking that everything would work out. Barak Obama made many promises; he said everything that we would ever want to hear. However, none of his promises have come true. Maybe in extremely insufficient ways we are approaching the goals of what he promised. This is barely noticeable though. In conclusion, the tactics and ideas formed and created by Nicolo Machiavelli are ingenious.President Obama noticed that Machiavelli’s ideas â€Å"work,† and he used them to his advantage to help him bec ome the President of the United States of America. Lastly, I don’t think that I could live in a Machiavellian-ruled/based society. While the Prince or ruler thrives, the people are lied to and don’t have very much value. One thing is absolute, though: Machiavelli’s ideas can’t be ignored or discarded simply because we do not wish them to be true. We must accept the reality of everything, and do something positive for our country. 4

Basic Legal Environment

Regarding the scenario the best way to go in that situation will be a partnership. The reason for that being, it cause he has little financial skills and management skills. From what I know regarding starting a business. If you do not have the skills or do not know much about the process, then you will need help starting and running the business. Everyone has their own way to of doing things so that decision it really you to you. Just make sure that you make the right one for you and your family. Abstract This paper will address the issues of sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation. This will discuss the advantages and disadvantages for all three. This will also discuss which will be the best way to go when starting a business and why. There some advantages and disadvantages to each type of business. Depending on how much say the owner wants to have in the decision making of the business. If it was I starting a business the best would be corporation or ever better a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC). The reason for that being is that if anything happens to the business the liability does not fall back on you. There will be hard getting help with the start up cost, because with this type of business in the beginning, creditors will use individual for credit situations. Out of the three types of businesses, the best would be Sole Proprietor because the owner has 100% of all decisions and it is easy to start up, even though all debt falls back to the owner personally. This would be to the best way if you are starting up a new business. As you grow you can easily which it over to a partnership or corporation. Conclusion When starting up a business there are many decisions the make and questions to be asked. If you do not make the right one it can come back on you in the long run. I have learned a lot from starting my businesses that I have started in the past. Now I have a successful business that will go a long way.

Interview with Fiction Author Jeff Kozlowski

Interview with Fiction Author Jeff Kozlowski Interview with Fiction Author Jeff Kozlowski Interview with Fiction Author Jeff Kozlowski By Gregg This is the first of many interviews that we plan to publish on Daily Writing Tips. Below you will find the questions that Gregg Donaldson, a contributing writer for the blog, asked to Mr. Jeff Kozlowski, a fiction author and English teacher for college preparatory students with learning disabilities. Donaldson: Tell me about your latest book, Sea of Movement. Kozlowski: Sea of Movement is my first novel written for mainstream audiences. It is a multi-cultural journey taking readers through the intoxicating waters of the South Pacific, into the shattered heart of Bangladesh, and along the rugged interior of Indonesia. I attempted to write a book that appeals to the adventurous side of both male and female readers. Female readers are generally attracted to intimate, well-developed characters and male readers are typically driven by rising action. Therefore, the characters find themselves on an elegant voyage into freedom, power, and self-destruction. I envision a couple lying in bed together or side-by-side on the beach, unable to put their twin copies down. Donaldson: Hows the first release gone? Kozlowski: Ive received great feedback from my readers. Setting, characters, and plot have been praised. The biggest compliment has been that many, many people say they couldnt put the book down, often finishing it in a single night. So I guess so far Ive accomplished my goal. Donaldson: Any tips regarding how beginners can start at fiction writing? Kozlowski: Ive actually been mentoring a few of my students who are interested in the process. My advice is to get as much formal training as you can while youre young. But at the same time, remain true to your self, true to your own voice, because writing is an art form. Listen to the feedback of your readers and make revisions accordingly, but dont take criticism to heart. Learn to combine the skills learned from formal training with the secret ideas that can only come from your own heart. Enjoy the process, it is incredibly rewarding on a personal level. Donaldson: Why do you write? Kozlowski: Each story or novel I write has a unique purpose. As a teacher, one of my biggest challenges has been getting teenagers interested in reading. Over time, Ive made it a priority to bring into my classroom high interest material that makes a difference with my students. But often teenagers are the toughest critics of great literature. So I wrote The One for various students who were especially challenging to me over the years. But even more than that, I wrote the book in attempt to reach out to everyone who has faced confusion and trauma along their journey into adulthood. I tried to portray the idea that we can make it to our dreams, no matter how dark and disturbing it is when were young. And this spring, I was given the honor of reading The One with my students. I was rewarded with feedback describing the books ability to draw readers in, believability, well-defined theme, and potential impact on the youth of our society. After facing my lovable but brutally hone st tenth graders, handling other critics feedback has been a breeze. Donaldson: Why did you write The One? Kozlowski: I hope to write a series of books geared toward young males ages 18-25 about growing up. And in part to have a male perspective in answer to the Chick Lit books Donaldson: How do you create your characters? Kozlowski: Many of my characters are created from combined memories of unique individuals Ive encountered in my life altered to fit the circumstances that Im trying to portray. The most often asked question I get from readers is, How much of this happened to you? Although I choose not to share how much of my work is biography and how much is fiction, I do get to know my characters on a personal, intimate level and feel love, hatred, sorrow, or contempt for them as their actions unfold. Sometimes, my characters become such a part of me that Im compelled to bring them into future pieces of work. Donaldson: Where do your ideas come from? Kozlowski: My inspiration comes to me when Im living in a moment of purity, often while surfing, listening to music in the car, or while reading a great authors work. The ideas come from a combination of real life circumstances experiences, extenuating, and cockamamie fantasies. While writing, I feel as though Im living through my characters and attempt to bring my readers there both visually and emotionally. Donaldson: What is your writing process? Kozlowski: I would have to say that I fall more into the Kurt Vonnegut style of writing than the Stephen King model. That is to say that I am a perfectionist and cannot move forward in my plot until I am absolutely convinced that Im satisfied with the current paragraph Im working on. But I do build my stories from skeletal bones to fully clothed beings by alternating between pouring out repressed ideas in a moment of inspiration and then going back and refining them over and over again until they tell me to move on. Donaldson: What are the positives of self-publishing? Kozlowski: I believe self-publishing has been a very rewarding experience for me. First of all, Ive done all the marketing myself, and have learned many valuable strategies that I can apply in the future. I like to be my own boss and feel like Ive been in tune with the writing process from beginning to end. But the best part of the whole process is the fact that Ive used Myspace to promote my work. Ive met many wonderful people who have given me excellent feedback on my writing through the site. I have formed intimate relationships with my readers that transcend typical author/reader relations. People tell me specifically how my words touched them and what parts were most meaningful. So what I may have lost in quantity of sales has been replaced with a sense of accomplishment in the quality of my sales. Im not merely trying to sell books, but make an impact on each individual who chooses to read my work. Donaldson: How is the Web affecting fiction writing? Kozlowski: Last spring, I was in an online contest through Gather.com, which was sponsored by Borders and Simon and Schuster. Over two thousand novels competed for a single publishing contract with Simon and Schuster and I had a great ride. Sea of Movement was chosen as one of the top twenty to move on to the finalist round. Through that contest, I realized how competitive the writing industry is, whether its through mainstream publishing, or through the net. Again, I met some great people and we keep in touch to this day. I have also made great connections through Myspace and its been very beneficial to have a more personal relationship with my readers. I also believe the web has allowed many more voices to be heard around the world. Modern publishing has become a grassroots endeavor, but at the same time the web allows it to be global. Readers have purchased my work from around the world from places such as New Zealand, England and Australian and that would not have been poss ible in the past. Donaldson: What General advice would you give to other aspiring writers? Kozlowski: My advice is to write from your heart and soul. Every one of us is a human being and we all have unique stories to share. Dont let the market get in the way of the person you are or the writer you want to become. 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 Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Avoid Beginning a Sentence with â€Å"With†Capitalization Rules for the Names of Games20 Slang Terms for Law Enforcement Personnel

25 Idiomatic Phrases That Include Single Initials

25 Idiomatic Phrases That Include Single Initials 25 Idiomatic Phrases That Include Single Initials 25 Idiomatic Phrases That Include Single Initials By Mark Nichol An initial letter, almost invariably capitalized, is often the first element in a two-word noun compound that constitutes an idiom. (Use of a connecting hyphen varies, and various sources may include or omit a hyphen.) Often, the letter stands for a word; occasionally, letters are used to assign priority (A and B, for example) or represent a shape. Here are common terms representing this form. 1. A side: a song released on a 45 rpm record, intended to become a hit single (see also â€Å"B side†) 2. A-bomb: a nuclear explosive device, from â€Å"atomic bomb† 3. A Level: a qualification for secondary school graduation originating in the United Kingdom and existing in other countries; the initial stands for advanced 4. A-game: used in the phrase â€Å"bring (one’s) A-game† to describe an A-player 5. A-player: an athlete- or, by extension, anyone else- who performs at a high level 6. B movie: originally, a low-budget movie that, with a more well-financed, well-publicized film, constitutes a double feature (a presentation of two movies at a movie theater); now, any low-budget commercial film 7. B side: originally, a song released on the flip side of a 45 rpm record opposite an intended hit single; such songs, either ones considered less likely to be popular or alternative versions of the A-side song, sometimes became hit singles in their own right (the term is now used to refer to a bonus track on a recording) 8. B-roll: supplemental film or video footage 9. C-section: a surgical incision to deliver a baby, from â€Å"caesarean section† 10. C-suite: collectively, the positions in a corporation constituting the highest level of management, from the first letter in the initials for â€Å"chief executive officer,† â€Å"chief operations officer,† â€Å"chief finance officer,† and so on 11. e-mail: a message delivered online from a digital device and accessed on another device, from â€Å"electronic mail† (recently supplanted by email in the Associated Press Style Book; formerly, E-mail); similar terms include e-business, e-commerce, and e-newsletter 12. F-hole: A sound hole in the surface of some stringed instruments, named for its shape (a stylized italic f); similar holes are designated C-holes and D-holes 13. f-stop: a value in optics of the ratio of a lens’s focal length to the diameter of the entrance pupil; the letter is an abbreviation of focal (alternative terms include f-ratio) 14. F-word: a euphemism for a specific form of profanity that begins with the letter f; the â€Å"[letter]-word† form is also used to refer to any serious or jocular vocabulary evasion, as in The L Word, the title of a television series about lesbians and bisexual women (similarly, some offensive terms that consist of compound words are disguised by eliding all but the first letter of the first element of the word and inserting a hyphen, as in a-hole) 15. G rated: a designation that represents evaluation of the content of a movie by the Motion Picture Association of America on the basis of its suitability for children; by extension, the phrase refers to family-friendly content or an inoffensive conversation or situation (associated terms are â€Å"R rated,† to refer to violent or sexually charged content and â€Å"X rated,† denoting obscene or sexually explicit content) 16. G-string: a garment, a type of thong, worn as underwear or in striptease, alternatively said to derive from girdle or groin; a similar item is called a V-string 17. H bomb: a nuclear explosive device, from â€Å"hydrogen bomb† 18. J-school: a journalism department or school at a university, from â€Å"journalism school† 19: O Level: a qualification for secondary school graduation originating but no longer widely used in the United Kingdom but extant in other countries; the initial stands for ordinary (the term in Scotland was â€Å"O Grade†) 20. S curve: a term used in engineering and mathematics to represent a function, or a term in fine art for a sinuous body position 21. T-bone: a cut of steak with a cross section of a bone that is shaped like the letter T 22. V-neck: a V-shaped cut in the neckline of a shirt or other garment 23. X-axis: a horizontal line in two-dimensional space, often used in charts and graphs 24. X-ray: a form of electromagnetic radiation 25. Y-axis: a vertical line in two-dimensional space, often used in charts and graphs 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 Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Apply to, Apply for, and Apply withHow to Pronounce MobileJanuary 1 Doesn't Need an "st"

Supreme court decisions and discussions on the exclusionary rule Research Paper

Supreme court decisions and discussions on the exclusionary rule - Research Paper Example The exclusionary rule was initiated from the Weeks v. United States 232 U.S. 383, 34 S. Ct. 341, 58 L. Ed. 652 (1914) case where a Federal agent had carried out a search without warrant in order to collect proof of gambling in Freemont Weeks’ residence. The evidence proved Weeks guilty but since the search was illegal or warrantless, conviction of the accused was repealed. Weeks was found guilty of fraudulent mail related activities and his house was thoroughly searched and documents seized by the Federal and local officials. Before this case the validity of evidence was judged by its truthfulness. There were two major reasons given for this law. First, it involved the deterrence rationale which specified that ‘the rule was necessary to deter law enforcement personnel from violating the Fourth Amendment or to â€Å"police the police†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Hensely and Snook, 2006, p.160). The second reason concerned due process argument or the fairness rationale. This included that the federal government cannot attain convictions with the help of lawless actions. Thus any evidence collected unconstitutionally would not hold for a case even if the accused is found guilty on the basis of that evidence. The rule was formed through this case and was subject to controversies since then. The controversies found existence in Warren, Burger and Rehnquist courts. In fact Lee Epstein and Thomas Walk observe â€Å"the exclusionary rule provides yet another example of Warren Court’s revolutionary treatment of the rights of the criminally accused† (Hensely and Snook, 2006, p.160). In fact in the Wolf v Colorado case the Vinson Court declined to apply this law because most of the states had not adopted the rule and there were other options to ensure sustenance of the Fourth Amendment. In the Warren Court the case of Mapp v Ohio (1961) enforced the exclusionary rule (Hensely and Snook, 2006, p.161). On the other hand individuals cannot receive Fourth Amend ment protection unless they are not able to demonstrate the reasons behind their expectation of privacy regarding the place where searches and seized are happened. According to the Supreme Court of US individuals can have a rational expectation of privacy respect to their own bodies, homes, business offices and others personal properties. Individuals can also enjoy a reliable expectation of privacy in terms of their automobiles. Generally people do not possess reasonable expectation of things like â€Å"vehicle location and paint, garbage left at roadside for collection, public place, bank records and the things left open at public place† (LII, 2010). Miranda warnings come into question with respect to the Fifth Amendment where the suspect when retained for any interrogation should be given a warning before questioning. This warning refers to the right of a criminal suspect to remain silent during interrogation and the warning must be given to him with respect to the use of a ny statement against the person which may be termed as self-incrimination during the trial. this rule can protect the suspect against any â€Å"psychological ploys†

The Church as Seen Through Romero Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Church as Seen Through Romero - Assignment Example From this study it is clear that Romero upholds this understanding of the church when he solicited the idea of the other bishops although he already expressed his decision in front of the people who were gathered to attend to the bodies. He critiques this when he discovers that there is such a compromise among the church authorities.As the report highlights the church is said to be a proclaiming people when steps out to become the voice of the voiceless, the strength of the weak and the defender of the oppressed. The church authorities who have the means should do the proclaiming when the people are not able to do so in the presence of the powerful, the rich and the famous. This is to be done in diplomatic manners just as Bishop Romero exemplified in his life by bringing to the attention of the political authorities the grievances of the people. When he was not heard in his own country, he sent a letter to the president of the United States, asking him to stop sending American troops because they are just there to kill their people. This is important because there are so many times in real life that the poor are not given the voice to express their plights.  The church is described as a sacrament when it shows the attributes of God towards the people. The priests and bishops are included in the model because as authorities of the church, they should be the first ones to reflect the characteristics of Jesus.