Machiavelli and Gandhi Essay - 858 Words

Ahimsa is a concept that was practiced by political and ideological leader Mohandas Gandhi; a concept that he used to promote the use of non-violent tactics and passive resistance against colonial rule in India. Mohandas Gandhi used Ahimsa as the means to an end and therefore, ultimately rejected Machiavellis advice on the qualities a prince must possess to retain his title. Machiavelli advises that the leaders have military experience and, â€Å"In peace time he must train himself more than in times of war. This can be done in two ways: one by action, the other by the mind† (Jacobus 40). Ghandi does not have military experience and Ahimsa, loosely translated, means abstinence from violence either by thought, word, or deed. Ahimsa requires a†¦show more content†¦In the worst case, some of Mohandas’ followers and practitioners of Satyagraha were killed for diligently pursuing the cause of freeing India from British colonial rule. Nevertheless, Mohandas did not w aver on his word or his pursuit of resisting the British government in India. Machiavelli also states in â€Å"The Qualities of the Prince†, â€Å"he must strive to make everyone recognize in his actions greatness, spirit, dignity, and strength† (Jacobus 50). This advice was stated in the context that it is better to be feared than loved because as a leader it is your responsibility to control and run the state. Mohandas Gandhi dedicated most of his life to freeing India from British colonial rule. He had led thousands and inspired millions in the pursuit of this goal. In Mohandas Gandhi’s autobiography he stated, â€Å"The seeker after truth should be humbler than the dust. The world crushes the dust under its feet, but the seeker after truth should so humble himself that even the dust could crush him. Only then, and not till then, will he have a glimpse of truth† (Gandhi). Through humility Mohandas obtained followers and pursued his goal of relinquishin g India from colonial rule. However, because Mohandas refused to give up on his dream of an independent India, Mohandas gained, along with his followers, those who also opposed his methods and teachings. Mohandas Gandhi had proven his actions many times through his progressShow MoreRelatedEvaluating Historical Views Of Leadership Paper LDR1080 Words   |  5 Pagesanalyzing the commonalities and disparities among a group of influential leaders, such as Thomas Carlyle, Mohandas Gandhi, Niccolo Machiavelli and W.E.B Du Bois. Carlyle (1795-1881), a Scottish historian emphasized the importance of heroism that required men to be subordinated to the commander of men (Wren, 1995 p.53). Further analysis of the evaluation revealed theories of Gandhi and Machiavelli which produced evidence of conflicting viewpoints on the topic of violence among historical leaders throughoutRead MoreMachiavelli Just Society Analysis1331 Words   |  6 Pagesjust society stands with a strong leader that focu ses on a unified cultural change in their country for the benefit of the people. King and Machiavelli both pursues a just society with equality between any race, unity, and are an open-minded leader. When it comes to cultural change for the sake of unifying the country no one does it better than Machiavelli. He has a clear mindset and guidelines that he expects from the future prince to follow to keep a unified culture. As instructed by the fatherRead MoreEssay on Impact of the Writers of Antiquity on Modern Times613 Words   |  3 Pagesdescriptions of their theories. Born of brilliant men like Marx and Machiavelli, to name a few, these theories are preserved in books, illustrated in day-to-day domestic and international affairs, and immortalized in modern theories and documents. They are the predecessors of present theories that have been reinterpreted for a different era and reapplied in a new context. In his most famous work, The Prince, Niccolà ³ Machiavelli discusses the ways in which to not only attain, but also retain, politicalRead MoreAnalysis Of Machiavelli s The Prince 1370 Words   |  6 Pagesman. Niccolo Machiavelli and Immanuel Kant are political philosophers who have grappled with these very relationships. Machiavelli wrote The Prince over three centuries before the process of Italian unification had begun. The Italian Peninsula was fragmented and could not stand on its own especially compared to the unified powers like Spain and France. It is from this weak position that the Republic of Florence falls costing Machiavelli his own political power. And so, Machiavelli writes his bookRead MoreAssessment of a Statement Essay1102 Words   |  5 Pages Niccollo Machiavelli, born on May 3, 1469, lived during a period of turmoil and constant war in Europe. Machiavelli believed that political life cannot and should not be governed by a set of moral or religious absolutes. He also believed that in the interest of securing the state, acts of violenceRead MoreMachiavelli And The Apology Of The Prince1718 Words   |  7 Pages Machiavelli writes The Prince centuries after Plato documents Socrates in Crito and The Apology. Despite the different time periods, both Machiavelli and Socrates experience times of turmoil where the concept of democracy was questioned. However, the different time periods cause the views and purposes of Machiavelli’s writing to largely differ from Socrates. Machiavelli writes in a time of turmoil where Italy was a bunch of small, fragmented states and when the Medici’s struggled to regainRead MorePolitical Representation Of Political Violence1337 Words   |  6 PagesRenaissance, terror was used as a weapon of state power, and this is reflected in some of the Elizabethan dramas where Renaissance tragedy has its origins in Tudor terror and in the embryonic British state as much as in the Italian city-state of Machiavelli (Orr Klaic 3-4). However, it is ch iefly in the twentieth century that playwrights like Sean O Casey, Peter Weiss, Trevor Griffiths, Bertolt Brecht, and Edward Bond have explored the dialectics of violence and resistance, violence and revolutionRead More The Elements of Fantasy and Horror1578 Words   |  7 PagesManchu to Machiavelli here† (15). The black hat is an allusion to a villain, especially in a western movie where a character would wear a black hat to contrast the protagonist’s white hat. Moriarty, Fu Manchu, and Machiavelli exemplify famous archenemies, criminals, and scoundrels throughout history. This clearly shows that Jim harbors the evil half. Charles can also see that Will has a personality that contrasts Jim’s. He tells his son, â€Å"that leaves the white-hat boys to you, Will. Here’s Gandhi. NextRead MoreTo Be Loved or Feared as a Leader? Essay1710 Words   |  7 PagesTracing this conundrum back to the sixteenth century takes us to the writings of Machiavelli. His p olitical philosophy in The Prince acknowledges the best leaders to command both fear and love. Having said that, Machiavelli recognizes the opposite polarity of the two emotions and maintains that since it is difficult to combine both in one person, it is better to be feared as a leader than to be loved (Machiavelli, 2003, p.53). Today, about five hundred years later, the Machiavellian conceptRead MoreTo be loved or feared as a leader?1706 Words   |  7 PagesTracing this conundrum back to the sixteenth century takes us to the writings of Machiavelli. His political philosophy in The Prince acknowledges the best leaders to command both fear and love. Having said that, Machiavelli recognizes the opposite polarity of the two emotions and maintains that since it is difficult to combine both in one person, it is better to be feared as a leader than to be loved (Machiavelli, 2003, p.53). Today, about five hundred years later, the Machiavellian concept

Match Fixing - 4067 Words

In organized sports, match fixing, race fixing or sports fixing occurs as a match is played to a completely or partially pre-determined result, violating the rules of the game and often the law. Where the sporting competition in question is a race then the incident is referred to as race fixing. Games that are deliberately lost are sometimes called thrown games. When a team intentionally loses a game, or does not score as high as it can, to obtain a perceived future competitive advantage (for instance, earning a high draft pick) rather than gamblers being involved, the team is often said to have tanked the game instead of having thrown it. In pool hustling, tanking is known as dumping. In sports where a handicap system exists and is†¦show more content†¦If tanking was indeed their strategy, it worked, as the Clippers easily won their first round series. Following the 2006 season, the NBA changed its playoff format so that the best second-place team in each conference would b e able to obtain up to the #2 seed should it have the second-best conference record.[2] On occasion, a National Football League team has also been accused of throwing its final regular-season game in an attempt to choose its possible opponent in the subsequent playoffs. For example, in the closing game of the 2004 season, the Indianapolis Colts faced the Denver Broncos. With a win, the Broncos would advance to the playoffs as a wild card and face the Colts as their first round playoff opponent. It would seem the Colts had little incentive to win as their loss would ensure that they would play a team they dominated in the 2003 Wild Card game. Sure enough, the Colts rested their starters, lost the game, and went on to blow out the Broncos the following week in the playoffs. Perhaps the most notable example of this was when the San Francisco 49ers, who had clinched a playoff berth, lost their regular-season finale in 1988 to the Los Angeles Rams, thereby knocking the New York Giants (who had defeated the 49ers in the playoffs in both 1985 and 1986, also injuring 49er quarterback Joe Montana in the latter years game) out of the postseason on tiebreakers; after the game, Giants quarterback Phil Simms angrily accused the 49ers ofShow MoreRelatedHISTORY OF MATCH FIXING IN INDIA The start to the new millennium was not very auspicious for the900 Words   |  4 PagesHISTORY OF MATCH FIXING IN INDIA The start to the new millennium was not very auspicious for the Cricket world, as were engulfed in a series of match fixing scandals that has left the world socked and bewildered. The first trace of cheating in cricket was found in 1994-95, Shane Warne and Mark Waugh - two of the greatest names in the history of Australian cricket were guilty of supplying information about team selection, weather and pitch to an Indian bookmaker in 1994. They were let off easilyRead MoreSpot Fixing in Cricket Match5139 Words   |  21 PagesTopic: Spot fixing in cricket matches. 1. Introduction Spot fixing  in sports is the practice of fixing a specific segment within a match. It usually involves a player agreeing, prior to the game that he will perform in a particular way. In cricket this might involve a batsman agreeing to only get a certain number of runs, or a bowler bowling a consecutive number of wide balls in a particular  over, etc.  Spot fixing  stands in contrast to match fixing which refers to the practice of fixing the resultRead MorePersonal Statement : Sports Management Program Essay1625 Words   |  7 Pagesschool but also the other players who would want to make a mark with that team. Match Fixing: Sports in the last few years have faces several cases of match fixing. An example being the Pakistan team were offered bribes to bowl several no balls in a test match. Another one being during the IPL where Rajasthan Royals were accused of spot fixing. In tennis Nikolay Davydenko was the main culprit who began the match fixing allegations in 2007 when he faced an 87th rank player Martin Arguello. DavydenkoRead MoreA Report On The Corruption Of Cricket1885 Words   |  8 Pages Particulars page no. 1. Introduction 4 2. Literature review 5 †¢ Match/spot fixing †¢ Causes †¢ Anti-corruption and security 3. Objectives 10 4. Data analysis 11 5. Read MoreThe American Gaming Association ( Aga )1465 Words   |  6 Pagesaddictions, criminal activity, and affects the integrity of sports in a negative way. Sport betting has been a part of many scandals in American sports. Athletes, coaches, and referees in various sports have been involved in different scandals through fixing games to change the outcome. To ‘fix’ a game is when gamblers predetermine the outcome of a game by paying money to players, referees, or anyone that can change the outcome. For example, in the 1919 Major League Baseball World Series, the ChicagoRead MoreComputer System : A Computer Repair Company984 Words   |  4 PagesBeginning a computer fixing company could quickly be thought about one of the fastest expanding home services in the US. There might be concerns about what abilities you will require, various other than computer system skills you will certainly need in beginning a computer repair company, and also the steps included in getting it off the ground. You will need to comply with a sensible, cautious steps and also plan extremely carefully making certain you recognize exactly what you have to do beforeRead MoreEssay On Ipl1073 Words   |  5 PagesLalit Modi was suspended on 25th April 2010, and replaced by Rajeev Shukla, who is currently the chairman of the IPL. There was another scandal which took place in 2013, which resulted three players being arrested by the Delhi Police for spot fixing and match betting. They were namely Sreesanth,ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. The Board of Control suspended the players. The IPL involves various stakeholders : FIGURE: Stakeholders in the Indian Premier League According to the Stakeholder SalienceRead MoreSex And Gender Socialization : Sex1174 Words   |  5 Pagestaking out the trash, washing the family car, also learn how to change a tire or fix a flat whether it’s their bike or car. Boys learn to become mechanically incline while fixing things with dad. They start learning the names of the various tools located in dad’s tool box or the garage. With dad requesting certain tools while fixing or repairing things. Males learn the tool s purpose, and how they actually worked. A son is also told and instructed to be a man, smart, strong and provide protection forRead MoreFitting And Installing External Bifolding Doors1448 Words   |  6 Pagesand drill your pilot holes through the fixing holes in it from the underside. Then put it to one side for later. The frame is obviously the first and most important part of the process. It will often be shipped to you already built (in which case, skip this step), but if it requires assembly there should be instructions to guide you, as it will vary from frame to frame. Remember to check that everything is square and tight before you move onto actually fixing your frame. Before you reach the nextRead MoreNetwork Troubleshooting Essay1009 Words   |  5 Pagesgateway is explained as â€Å"The address configured in a computer’s IP address settings specifying the address of a router to which the computer can send all packets destined for other networks† (Tomsho, 2011). The default gateway of the computer must match that of the router so that the computer will be able to send packets out to the right location. An example of this might be if a computer in that group wanted to send a file to a different computer within the network, the default gateway would tell

Difference Between Learning Degree On Campus Degree Free Essays

Over the past decade, increasing numbers of students of all ages and backgrounds have enrolled in distance learning degrees through the Internet. The two forms of college education, the traditional on-campus degree and this new distributed learning approach, differ in a number of ways. Yet they both offer specific advantages. We will write a custom essay sample on Difference Between Learning Degree On Campus Degree or any similar topic only for you Order Now The composition of the student population has changed significantly since the 1980s. A large number of today’s college students are older and more heterogeneous. They also demonstrate varying levels of academic preparation. Many would-be students graduated high school a number of years ago and, due to various family and employment commitments, no longer have the flexibility of attending a traditional university setting. Further, some individuals live in remote geographical areas or do not have appropriate transportation opportunities. Distance learning offers them a much more expedient way to further their education. Distance learning offers such students the opportunity to learn online through their computers. Distributed learning programs are designed to enable individuals to achieve their educational and career goals in a way that is most convenient. They can arrange to study wherever they are and whenever they have the time arranged around their personal schedule. At the beginning of a distance learning class, the instructors normally transmit all information on assignments and lectures and provide or explain the study materials required. Throughout the course, students complete the work on their own, just as they would in an on-campus classroom setting. They use their computers to interact in discussions, ask questions and receive feedback from both the instructor and other students. When assignments come due, they send them to their instructors online, who grades and sends them back with comments. However, it is important for individuals to determine if distance education is the right avenue for them. It definitely is not for everyone. It requires a great deal of personal discipline and just as much, if not more, work and time commitment as a traditional classroom. If an individual is not self-motivated or has a tendency to put things off, it is very easy to get considerably behind the classroom schedule and not be able to catch up. With distributed learning, there is nothing stopping students from deciding to watch the latest reality show instead of turning on their computers. Also, would-be distance learning students need to be able to have an adequate understanding of computer technology and know how to read and study online course materials. Despite the many individuals who are taking advantage of online learning, there are still growing numbers of people who want the on-campus experience. Some individuals believe that the traditional setting offers students the best overall achievement opportunity. They state that the on- campus classroom offers more possibilities for personal interaction and communication in addition to building relationships in a mutually familiar environment. Students are able to meet face-to-face with professors as well as classmates. Both oral and nonverbal communication skills are enhanced. In face-to-face dialogues with others in the same room, facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice definitely play an essential role. Students also gain skills they will need in their future careers. In most cases, traditional college courses include team projects, where it is necessary to solve problems, set objectives and goals interactively with others. They are involved in a creative environment of active, participatory, exploratory learning. Sometimes, students actually help develop curriculum and class procedures. On-campus students also appreciate the other experiences they have. They personally meet people from all different backgrounds and countries and acquire skills on how to relate to others whose goals and values may very significantly. The colleges offer a variety of organizations, leadership and participatory involvement, and on-campus activities and special events. Being able to study directly in the campus library is very helpful. In addition to coursework, students can attend special lectures and seminars and enjoy school and community offerings such as movies, theater and museums. Lastly, an on-campus environment does not exclude technology and computer-based learning. Many students use their laptops and PCs to supplement their coursework, participate in chat groups, e-mail, and interact with the instructors. In many cases, the classes combine online and on-campus learning opportunities. Both distance and campus education can be advantageous. However, each student must decide which of these offer the most effective learning style based on personal traits and interests. For some individuals, Internet courses that let students learn at their own pace and review content until completely understood is the best method. Others learn best in an on-campus environment where they can be motivated by and involved with others in a traditional classroom setting. How to cite Difference Between Learning Degree On Campus Degree, Papers

Juvenile Crime Argumentative Essay Example For Students

Juvenile Crime Argumentative Essay Juvenile CrimeIntroductionEvery year, millions of juveniles are involved in criminal activities. According to statistics, as of 1999, the arrest rate for juvenile crime has dropped from its peak in the mid-1990s. Statistics about juvenile crime have shown a steady increase of juvenile arrests from 1987 to 1994. Although overall crime rates have decreased since 1994, they are still above what they were in 1980. The following paragraphs and charts show the crime rates of specific crimes committed by juveniles. Statistics on Juvenile Crime RatesIn the year of 1999, law enforcement agencies made an estimated 2.5 million convictions of persons under the age of 18. There were 28,000 arrests for robbery, committed by juveniles, reported by law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Juvenile arrests for violent crimes dropped 23 percent from 1995 to 1999. In 1999, 27% of all juvenile arrests involved a female. The crime rate for females grew 88 percent from 1981 through 1999. In 1999, 77% of all juvenile cases involved a male, down from 81 percent in 1988, and 33 percent of the cases were involving a female, an increase of 88 percent from what is was in 1988. In all categories of juvenile crimes, the number of females committing crimes is growing while the number of males who are committing crimes are decreasing, by about 1 or 2 percent every year. (Based on data from the NCJRS organization available online at ncjrs.org). In 1999, youth under the age of 15 accounted for 67 percent of all juvenile arrests for arson. In 1999, 1/4th of all people arrested for robbery were under 18. Of all violent crimes committed by juveniles under the age of 18, the following rates apply; forcible rape, 17 percent; aggravated assault, 14 percent; and murder, 9 percent. In 1999, the juvenile male arrest rate for all violent crimes was 4.5 times more than the crime rate for females. Even though the crime rate has fallen from it peak in 1995, it is still significantly higher than its low in 1983. Between 1980 to present, the juvenile crime rate has increased by over 62 percent for violent crimes. (violent crimes include the following: murder, manslaughter, rape, and robbery). Since 1995 the overall crime rate for people under 17 has dropped by 39 percent. In 1999, there were 7,928 arrests for every 100,000 youths in the United States. The rate of juvenile crimes involving a firearm is higher on school days than non-school days. Statistics on Juvenile Court Case FlowOf every 1,000 petitioned adjudicated delinquency cases handled in 1997, 177 resulted in formal probation and 94 resulted in residential placement following adjudication. In many formally handled delinquency cases that did not result in juvenile court adjudication, the youth agreed to informal services or sanctions, including out-of-home placement, informal probation, and other dispositions such as restitution. In a small number of cases (13 of 1,000), the juvenile was adjudicated but the court closed the case with a stayed or suspended sentence, warned and released the youth, or perhaps required the youth to write an essay. In such cases, the juvenile is not under any continuing court supervision. Although juvenile courts handled more than 4 in 10 delinquency cases without the filing of a formal petition, more than half of these cases received some form of court sanction, including probation or other dispositions such as restitution, community service, or referral to another agency. (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/delinquencytotal.html)Note: All of the above graphs and charts were based on info from the OJJDP website. Our groups opinion on juvenile crimes is that we think that someone who commits a serious crime like robbery, murder, assault and rape, knows what they are doing is wrong. If a thirteen year old or even a ten year old would commit a murder, they would know that what they are doing is wrong and that they would get in a lot of trouble if they get caught. In some cases if they are convicted as a juvenile, they might only go to a juvenile center until they turn 18, which would be in about five years, While, anyone else convicted of the same crime who is over seventeen would probably face 30 years to life in prison, and in same cases the death penalty. We think teenage juveniles should be

Analysis of The Lottery Research Paper Example

Analysis of The Lottery Paper When someone gets in trouble unfairly, people could protest against unfairness or could obey the unfairness. The Lottery, is a short story written by Shirley Jackson in 1948, shows dark sides hidden in peoples minds. This story was influenced after the World War II, so peoples brutality from the war is reflected to this story. In this story, there is an annual lottery that the result of winning is stoned. Jackson uses symbolism to imply that blind obedience to radiation can be dangerous and peoples inconsolableness. At first, names of each character have specific meanings. Jackson uses symbolic names to connote a forthcoming event after the lottery. For examples, the name, Mr.. Summers (1238), is associated with warmth, blooming, blossoming, youth and sunlight, so the author uses this name ironically. Also, it implies the lottery is held in summer season. The next symbol is Mr.. Graves (1238) who is an assistant of Mr.. Summers. A grave means a place of burial for a dead body. Therefore, readers can infer that a tragedy will come at the end. Also, by showing two opposite names, oppositeness and negatives always exist together. Secondly, a black box which keeps slips of papers exists. The black box is a symbol of tradition of the town. The box is described as The original paraphernalia for the lottery had been lost long ago (1238). It shows even though the original box had been lost, the old tradition has never changed and questioned. Also, she states, Mr.. We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis of The Lottery specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis of The Lottery specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis of The Lottery specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box (1238). Based on this ascription, she shows people in the town do not want to change their old tradition and want to settle for the present without any wiliness even though they have a chance to be changed. Actually, the slips of papers substituted for the chips of wood that had been used for generations. It seems that people tried to change their old customs; however, it is for their convenience, not for revolution. In addition to, the black color symbolize death or evil, so Jackson implies that a result from the black box is punishment. Also, she uses black color to show peoples fear to the lottery impliedly. The next symbol is the stones that kill Mrs.. Hutchinson. At first, Jackson describes the situation of the day: Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example (1238). Jackson uses innocent children as people who accumulate stones. In this scene, she describes the deadly lottery game as a simple play by using pure objects. Also, she depicts the stone with innocuous words: the smoothest and roundest stones (1238) which is contrary to the tragedy end. By doing so, people feel they get rid of their guilty because, at least, they use items cooking not bad on the exterior. However, at the last scene, the stones are used as punishment tools by people who do not pick up a winning slip. It shows peoples selfishness because the citizens throw the stones only for their future which means harvest. The last and the central symbol is the lottery itself. Actually, winning in a lottery game is related to being lucky. However, In The Lottery, it means death and sacrifice. Jackson implies peoples madness from the lottery. For example, she states Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon. (1241 ). They believe hat killing a person by stones bring them a rich year. Therefore, they attempt to rationalize their barbaric and heartless tradition. Also, this story shows peoples obedience to power and conventionality when Mr.. Hutchinson picked up the winning slip. Mr.. Hutchinson says Shut up Testis (1241) to his wife who is Mrs.. Hutchinson and at the last scene, when his wife was decided to get stoned, Jackson depicts his attitude to his wife: Bill Hutchinson went over to his wife and forced to the slip of paper out Of her hand (1243) . Even though Testis Hutchinson is his wife, Bill treats Testis cruelly. It also shows peoples selfishness. After starting throwing stones, Testis tries to run away, but she is caught by people soon. The tradition will be lasting after this year lottery. At the last scene Testis shouts out: It isnt fair, it isnt right (1243), and it implies the tradition is unfair and it should be changed, yet people do not think of changing their old customs. In conclusion, the use of symbolism in The Lottery is very clearly. The author implicates symbols in the story in a society at that time. In my opinion, Shirley Jackson wants to indicate our society in her story. This story strongly shows collectivity, selfishness and madness of people. The tradition represented as the lottery is shown not to be changed and unquestioned by peoples obedience. Additionally, this story shows that dill makes a joke to his wife and then kills her in a short time it shows how cruel people are. Overall, the author uses symbols indirectly, but also very obvious to imply peoples madness and selfishness.

How to proofread a document - Emphasis

How to proofread a document How to proofread a document Proofreading isnt easy. Youre constantly fighting with your eyes and brain, both of which want to tell you that everything on the page is just fine. But to proofread well, you need to repress the urge to skip, skim and hope for the best; its time to knuckle down and process every word, writes Cathy Relf (who should know). 1. Take a break If you try and proofread straight after you finish writing, not only will you be blind to your typos, but you’ll think all your turns of phrase come across exactly the way you meant them. Take a break, do something else, preferably leave it overnight. Then come back to it fresh. 2. Don’t rely on spellcheck If you’ve ended your email with ‘kind retards’ instead of ‘kind regards’, spellcheck will think that’s just fine and dandy. Don’t trust it. Make sure you read every word, and if you’re at all unsure about whether you have the right word, look it up. It’s handy to keep a good online dictionary, such as Collins (our favourite) or Oxford, in your bookmarks bar. 3. Suspect the usual suspects Watch out for these ten most missed mistakes, such as affect and effect and compliment and complement. Print out the list and keep it handy for when you’re proofreading. 4. Print it out Reading on hard copy is the best way to spot errors. Print your document out, walk away from the distractions of your desk and sit down with just pen and paper. Or, if you don’t have a printer, export it as a PDF. Looking at the same words in a different format helps you spot errors that you hadn’t seen before. 5. Check your facts As well as looking for typos, incorrect or missing words, dodgy punctuation and suspect grammar, give your facts a final check. Are the decimal points in the right place? Have you written millions where you meant billions? Have you spelt the customer’s name right – and right every time? 6. Take it line by line When you read, your eye flits all over the place. But to proofread effectively, you need to find a way to make sure you read every word. You also need to see the words in the order they appear rather than the order your brain expects them to. Try using a ruler or blank sheet of paper to cover the rest of the text, forcing your eye to move along one line at a time, and a pen to point at each word. 7. Read it aloud Read it out to yourself. You’ll trip over the awkward bits in a way that you didn’t when reading, and notice missing or extra words. Better still, get someone else to read it out to you, or use Wordtalk, a free plug-in for Word. 8. Once more, with feeling Read it once for facts, once for language and once more for luck. Pay extra attention to titles, subtitles and headings – your eye often skips over these and assumes they’re fine when they’re not. Read them backwards to be doubly sure. 9. Get a second opinion Ask someone else to proofread it, too – someone eagle eyed and straight talking, who will tell you if your witty turns of phrase leave them puzzled or just plain cold. If you dont trust your own eye and you cant find a suitable colleague, consider employing a professional proofreader for particularly important documents. 10. Practice makes perfect The more you proofread, the sharper your eye will become.

The Value of Believing You Get What You Pay For

The Value of Believing You Get What You Pay For Choosing Value Last week I received a call from a marketing executive in Switzerland who wanted assistance with an important cover letter. He had found me on LinkedIn and chosen my company over three others. With excitement in his voice, he explained to me that as a marketer, he was fascinated by his own behavior in deciding upon The Essay Expert: He chose us because we were the most expensive company. In a similar phenomenon, for many months I had been frustrated that people were landing on my professional bio page and calling me about the service, but not purchasing. I considered removing bios from my offerings, but first decided to try raising my rates. Lo and behold, people started buying bios more often! I got the sense that they trusted they would get a better product and perhaps something they couldn’t write themselves. Of course, people do not always choose to buy the most expensive option in front of them. Different consumers have different budgets, and some people simply can’t afford to purchase more pricey goods and services. In fact, the same week I was contacted by the client from Switzerland, I also heard from a client who wanted to pay $500 for services that would normally go for $1700 according to my normal pricing. He simply could not afford my rates. And although I sympathized with his situation, I was not able to work with him and keep within my business model. Pricing Psychology If it’s true that â€Å"you get what you pay for,† expectations are set by price, and regardless of the actual product or service delivered, a consumer will value it according to what he or she paid for it. Studies have shown that people expect a positive correlation between price and quality (e.g., Rao and Monroe, 1989). In a 2008 study about wine enjoyment by Goldstein et. al., consumers who did not know the price of the wine they were drinking did not like more expensive wine better; but when they were told they were drinking a more expensive wine, they gave the wine higher ratings. It seems our brains actually play tricks on us to make us appreciate things more when we pay more money for them! This doesn’t mean that we can charge high prices and then deliver a shoddy result. If someone pays a high price for something and is disappointed, she might be even more upset than if she had paid less- although not necessarily! I have learned that people looking for a deal are often more demanding than those willing to pay for value. Choosing Clients My Swiss client was clearly guided by the phenomenon of expecting value for value. And he knew the value he wanted: the confidence that would come from having a clearly written, persuasive letter, in solid English, stating his commitment and qualifications for transitioning from the corporate to the non-profit world. He was my ideal client. He requested to pay a rush fee for a quick turnaround. He partnered with us fully in the project. And when we delivered the letter, he told us we had exceeded his expectations. In return, I was happy and willing to go the extra mile for him and give him the modifications he needed at 11pm U.S. Central time on a Friday night. He has already purchased additional services. The price-averse potential client, on the other hand, was not my ideal client. He presented with a complex situation that would have required more work than the average executive service, yet even at $1700 he would have been paying mid-level rates. Having been out of work for a year, I believe he was looking for a result that I could not guarantee: a job. For him, I believe confidence in putting his best foot forward might not have been enough, and I was concerned that he might come back asking for a refund of his $500. Every business owner when setting pricing must make a decision about what type of clients they want to target: Do you want those who are looking for a deal and will say yes because you offer one? Or those who want to pay for value and will appreciate your products and services in part because they paid top dollar for them? There is no right answer to which type of client to attract, but for me, I choose the latter. That’s my win-win and I am prepared to live up to my value proposition.