Charismatic leadership Essays

Charismatic leadership Essays Charismatic leadership Paper Charismatic leadership Paper A team is a group comprised of individuals who come together for one common goal. Teams face many obstacles such as conflicts, commitments, communication barriers, and leadership roles. Although a team will be confronted with obstacles, team mates must develop resolutions in order to achieve the common goal. Conflict is the result of dissatisfaction, frustration or incompatibility in relations between individuals or groups of individuals such as organizations, cultural groups, nations, management groups, age groups and in a wide range of other situations. Conflict is possible in a wide variety of situations and perspectives. This paper describes a number of different methods for effectively resolving conflict among members of a work team. The paper first characterizes the different stages of work team formation and explains when and why conflicts are most likely to arise. The paper then lays out some ground rules for dealing with conflicts within the work teams while emphasizing the importance of establishing project goals as well as good communication between members. Finally, the paper describes the three different types of conflicts that may arise. In the first stage forming, new team members seek guidance from team leaders. This is an excellent time for a leader to clearly establish goals and objectives. These goals and objectives should translate into expectations. The second stage, storming, is where competition and conflict occur. Conflict and Resolution 3 A new team must be permitted to allow for new personalities to demonstrate levels of flexibility for attitude adjustments. Patience is difficult at this stage but as conflict occurs; the group must work with the understanding that clear expectations are in place to establish rules for whom is responsible for specific tasks, for who is in charge, and what rules lead to reward and discipline. Having established clear expectations prior to or in stage one of the group process can therefore simplify aspects of this stage. In the third stage, norming, group dynamic forms. If expectations have been clearly established, the group begins to think as a unit. Thus, the group can exchange levels of creativity to meet expectations. In the fourth stage, performing, expectations are met at a new level. Here, a group evolves into individual members excelling while still adding to the dynamic of the group. Clear expectations are established when a group successfully gets to this stage. In the fifth stage, adjourning, the group should again be meeting clearly established goals. In other words, clearly established expectations help avoid apprehension during dismissal. Time management and how to achieve a successful balance in our lives among our many activities is something every person needs to know and practice. Often, prioritizing our day or week is not easy, yet by implementing some strategic personal initiatives, we can take giant strides toward meeting our goal of more effective time management. However negative conflict results in upsetting the team composition, which in turn leads to failure of the team to achieve its objectives. The notion that conflict should be avoided is one of the major contributors to the growth of destructive conflict in the workplace. The bad view of conflict is associated with a vision of organizational effectiveness that is no longer valid (and perhaps never was). Conflict can be directed and managed so that it causes both people and organizations to grow, innovate and improve. However, this requires that conflict not be repressed, since attempts to repress are more likely to generate very ugly situations. Common repression strategies to be avoided are: non-action, administrative orbiting, secrecy and law and order. There are three approaches to handling conflict: Traditional (avoid all conflict), human relation (conflict is natural and is dealt with in an appropriate manner) and interactions (some degree of conflict is required to achieve progress particularly in the workplace). A key element in understanding and adapting to these different concepts is often rooted in ones sense of self and self-disclosure. Having an array of individual differences can make the environment endlessly challenging. Growing diversity creates a view of individual differences in increasingly different ways. Conflict and Resolution 5 One important variable in organizational behavior is based on oneself concept. Ideas of self vary from one historical era to another, from one socioeconomic group to another, and from culture to culture, but all these thought patterns are part of the interplay between human beings. Conflict is an expressed struggle; it is a given consideration whenever there are differences among members in a group. An expressed struggle may be verbal or non-verbal, so long as one group communicates effectively the different sentiments that he has about the issue to the other group. A difference in the perceived incompatible goals is another antecedent that cannot be avoided during team conflicts. The individual and his or her work situation are affected by how he handles such issues as conflict resolution, stress management, interpersonal communication, and non-verbal communication. These dimensions of everyday life have to be addressed by everyone, and how well he manages to do this determines his own sense of well-being and self-esteem, on the one hand and how he is viewed. An individuals lack of an understanding of how communication skills work and how important they are to other individuals will seriously impede that persons ability to resolve conflicts, while individuals who have good strong communication skills are able to deal with emotional conflicts quickly and easily. Conflict and Resolution 6 It appears that there are many processes and structures used to teach these things to individuals but they do not always work in the way that they should and many people are left with difficulties in communication when he faces some type of emotional conflict with another individual. It is important for these individuals to develop skills in communication and collaboration that are very effective and when they learn how to deal with emotional conflict management they become assets not only for the clients that they deal with but for their employers as well. Commitment means to agree and/or pledge. In other words, you he must follow through with the commitment as promised. It requires one to evaluate a situation and figure out what can be added or needs to be accomplished. When one commits it is held as a promise to self and/or others. In a learning team environment members of the team are assigned various tasks. Each team member is responsible to complete his tasks. When other people are affected by the commitment it is important to complete the tasks. Learning Teammates are committed to complete his assignment s in an orderly manner. It is also important to give your team mates the best. Maintaining a commitment to yourself gives one a sense of pride and accomplishment. It also allows people to accomplishment their goals. Renewing commitments is important because each person is able to evaluate and assess the various goals that have been set. Conflict and Resolution 7 This is also used as a tracking system so that you are aware of what goals have been achieved and what areas still need work. It is difficult to commit to something by verbally communicating the commitment to others. Therefore, it is advantageous to write the commitment on paper. This can also be used as a tracking system. When you are able to document your progression, it is easier to visually see your progression and failures. This tracking system allows you to evaluate and strategize their goals. Barriers to effective communication spring up just about everywhere in day-to-day life but they can often be most apparent in the work environment. In the past, a major barrier to communication may have been the distance separating one business location from another, but in the modern world of the Internet and satellite communications, there are still many other barriers, which get in the way of effective communication in the workplace. A barrier is anything that gets in the way of the purpose of the organization, or causes people to misunderstand each other. Since communication is a key to just about every aspect of every organization, it is an important and valuable tool for every person in the organization, and if used effectively, it can add to the success and value of the organization for everyone involved. As one communications expert noted, Without communication, not even the first steps can be taken toward human cooperation, and it is impossible to speak about organizational problems without speaking about communication, or at least taking it for granted. Conflict and Resolution 8 Communication refers to the process of creating shared understanding between two individuals or between an individual and a group. This includes that communication is a process of interacting with others. For example, talking is not communication. Having someone hear that talking and create meaning from it is communication. This illustrates one of the main features of communication that it is a transactional process. A transactional process is defined as, a process in which two or more people exchange speaker and listener roles, and in which the behavior of each person is dependent on and influenced by the other There are many different methods of Leadership. Most groups and teams generally use five levels of decision-making: command, consult, majority, consensus and unanimity. It is easy to understand that these decision types are very closely related to the time constraints before a decision is determined. When the command type of decision-making process is used, the leader identifies the tasks at hand and designates responsibilities to all the members. This type of decision-making can be accomplished in the shortest possible time-it however, has a major drawback. It will be difficult for the leader to get buy-ins for the task from team members if the members do not agree with the decision made. Another method is leading highly motivated and skilled people, who have produced excellent work in the past, and have a history of efficiency. Conflict and Resolution 9 Once a leader has established that his or her team is confident, capable and motivated, he or she can step back and let them get on with the task. In this type or organization, if the leader interferes, he or she can generate resentment and detract from his effectiveness. By handing over ownership, a leader empowers his or her group to achieve their goals. What is important to note about this leader, in handing over the ownership, he or she has also relinquished their own active involvement in the process, and thereby diminished his or her influence, and thereby his or her level of effectiveness. There is also the leadership with power. It has different levels of power. The first being reward power or the ability to provide rewards for a job well done. The next is coercive power or the ability to punish for an unacceptable performance. The last type of power that a leader has within an organization is legitimate power or his actual position that gives them the right to have authority. A leaders degree of power in the organization is given with the status of his position. A manager will use these powers at different times depending on the details of the situation. The first one is the talker and the one who receives the communication is the listener. Conflict and Resolution 10 Often, one hears the term lack of communication when some misunderstanding occurs between these two parties, which most of the time implies that whoever delivering the message did not do an effective job. This may not always be true. Unfortunately, few know how to be good listeners. Statistics indicate that the normal, untrained listener is likely to understand and retain only about 50 % of a conversation. One has to develop appropriate skills and techniques to be a good attentive listener during individual conversations and during meetings and lectures. Strange as it may sound, there are courses and training sessions conducted to develop listening skills Other forms of leadership involve direct and indirect leadership. Direct leadership involves those activities which the principle does himself/herself, with very little assistance from anyone else. Alternatively, those activities that are carried out through teachers are regarded as indirect leadership activities. The ability of a leader to lead and appeal to others around him is important. Charisma is defined as charm, personality, appeal, magnetism that an individual possesses. It is a trait most think they are born with-charisma can however also be taught with varying success to people who do not possess it. Emotional resilience and rational thinking in addition to the qualitative leadership skills are important requirements for a charismatic leader. Conflict and Resolution 11 Organizational motivation is an area where charismatic leadership can be used very successfully. The art of knowing how to lead and the ways of leading may differ between various leaders.

The Debate Over the Clearcutting Method

The Debate Over the Clearcutting Method Clearcutting is a method of harvesting and regenerating trees in which all trees are cleared from a site and a new, even-aged stand of timber is grown. Clearcutting is only one of several methods of timber management and harvest on both private and public forests. However, this single method of harvesting trees has always been controversial but even more so since mid-1960s environmental awareness. Many conservation and citizen groups object to clearcutting on any forest, citing soil and water degradation, unsightly landscapes, and other damages. The wood products industry and mainstream forestry professionals defend clearcutting as an efficient and successful silvicultural system but only used under certain conditions where non-timber issues are not degraded. The choice of clearcutting by forest owners is much dependent upon their objectives. If that objective is for maximum timber production, clearcutting can be financially efficient with lower costs for timber harvesting than other tree harvesting systems. Clearcutting has also proven successful for regenerating stands of certain tree species without damaging the ecosystem. Current Status The Society of American Foresters, an organization that represents mainstream forestry, promotes clearcutting as a method of regenerating an even-aged stand in which a new age class develops in a fully-exposed microclimate after removal, in a single cutting, of all trees in the previous stand. There is some debate about the minimum area that constitutes a clearcut, but typically, areas smaller than 5 acres would be considered patch cuts. Larger cleared forests more easily fall into the classic, forestry defined as clear-cut. Removing trees and forests to convert land to non-forest urban development and rural agriculture would not be considered clearcutting. This is called land conversion - converting the use of land from forest to another type of use. What's All the Fuss About? Clearcutting is not a universally accepted practice. Opponents of the practice of cutting every tree within a specific area contend it degrades the environment. Forestry professionals and resource managers argue that the practice is sound if used properly. In a report written for a major private forest owner publication, three extension specialists, one forestry professor, one assistant dean of a major college of forestry and a state forest health specialist agree that clearcutting is a necessary silvicultural practice. According to the article, a complete clearcut usually creates the best conditions for regenerating stands under certain conditions and should be used when those conditions occur. Check out these clearcut myths and facts developed by the Virginia Department of Forestry (pdf). This is opposed to a commercial clearcut where all trees of marketable species, size, and quality are cut. This process does not take into account any of the concerns addressed by forest ecosystem management. Aesthetics, water quality, and forest diversity  are the main sources of public objection to clearcutting. Unfortunately,  an often disinterested public and casual viewers of forestry activities have overwhelmingly decided that clearcutting is not an acceptable social practice simply by looking at the practice from their car windows. Negative terms like deforestation, plantation forestry, environmental degradation and excess and exploitation are closely associated with clearcutting. I have written a history of how forest ecosystems are now treated by natural resource professionals to include most foresters. Clearcutting in national forests can now only be done if it is used to further the improvement of ecological objectives to include wildlife habitat improvement or to preserve forest health but not for specific economic gain. Pros Proponents of clearcutting suggest that it is a sound practice if the right conditions are met and correct harvest methods used. Here are conditions that can include clearcutting as a harvest tool: When regenerating tree species that need full sunlight to stimulate seed sprouting and seedling growth.When dealing with sparse or exposed or shallow-rooted trees that are in danger of being damaged by  wind.When trying to produce an even-aged stand.When regenerating stands of tree species that are dependent on wind blown seed, root suckers or cones that need fire to drop seed.When faced with salvaging over-mature stands and/or stands killed by insects, disease or fire.When converting to another tree species by planting or seeding.To provide habitat for wildlife species that require edge, new ground and high-density, even-aged stands. Cons Opponents of clearcutting suggest that it is a destructive practice and should never be done. Here are their reasons, although not  every one of these can be supported by current scientific data: A clearcut increases soil erosion, water degradation and increased  silting  in creeks, rivers, and reservoirs.Old growth forests, which have been systematically clearcut, are healthy ecosystems which have evolved over centuries to be more resistant to insects and disease.Clearcutting inhibits sustainability of healthy and holistic forest ecosystems.Aesthetics and quality forest views are compromised by clearcutting.Deforestation and the resulting removal of  tree  from clearcutting  leads  to a plantation forestry mentality and results in environmental degradation.

Performance Management and Organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Performance Management and Organizations - Essay Example Mullins (2005) contends that organizations comprise 'people, objectives, structures' and 'management'. Managing human resources, keeping the shareholders in good humor, organizing funds for new business ventures, planning out marketing strategies are all parts of the management which require more than the copy book style of management. External: These are the factors on which an organization may not be able to exert much of its control. These include, the legal and political scene prevailing within the state/ country of its operations, number and types of competitors, suppliers in the market, terms and conditions from financial institutions, alternative products available in the market, newer technological innovations etc. Strategists are supposed to take care of these factors by planning appropriate responses. Worthington (2006) places greater importance on political developments occurring at different levels - local, national and international. Organizations resort to strategic planning to take care of these factors and Organizations learn a lot from there environment and prevailing circumstances. But the strategic intent alone cannot be planned all in advance. It has to be a continuous evolutionary process depending upon the experiences. Henry Ford said, "Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently"1 Organizations too adapt their strategies according to the prevailing circumstances and the overall business scenario. Organizations and their management are not supposed to indulge in politics and the power-game. But the management is at the same time required to carry the organization through the ups and downs of the times. Butcher & Clarke (2003) state that 'managers often seem to struggle with their role'. There are times when managers are confronted with paradoxical situations. Under such circumstances, the theories and relevant prescription might appear to be insufficient for their needs. Such circumstan ces require some amount of political acumen on the part of the management. Globalisation has in fact provided wings to MNCs for exploring newer vistas of business opportunities, dealing with newer sets of customers and governments. In order to leverage the economies of scale some MNCs prefer to outsource their services from Europe and US to countries like India, China (Bracken, 2004). This type of business is full of risk as it involves handing over a crucial task to people who are nowhere near the customs/ cultures of the organization, involves taking political risks both at home as well as in foreign lands. Quite a few political objections have been raised against the outsourcing decisions by some companies; as such steps are resulting in an increase in unemployment in those countries from where these services are being outsourced. On the other hand this step is resulting in more employment generation in the countries which are the outsourcing destinations. Such voices have also b een 'managed' well by the management of the companies in outsourcing business, which could not have been done without some first hand experience of political maneuverability. The political establishment is

Personal Resourcing and Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Personal Resourcing and Development - Essay Example After the implementation of active workplace programme at Ginsters, a survey highlighted that the workers in the organisation engage with the company and assume pride in doing their work. This is an indication of increased motivation in comparison to the prior years. Despite the fact that the employees of Ginsters stood and worked for long hours, a fitness test conducted by the Caradon Council found them to be unfit (Hudson, 2010). This made the company employ a fitness coordinator on fulltime basis and purchased a gym in an existing building. This was an incentive or reward to the workers. The manager of Ginsters acknowledged that the workers had been convinced to participate in the different activities within the organization. At Ginsters, the motivational theory that can be applied to the situation of employees is the expectancy theory. According to this theory, the employees perform their work in a hard and smart way whenever they believe that their additional efforts would resul t into rewards that are valuable (Pinder, 2008). This is evidenced at Ginsters when a gym is introduced in the existing building of the organisation to offer exercises to the workers. The expectancy theory of motivation highlights that increased output would be given by the equation; Motivational or effort force = Expectancy (Instrumentality x Valence) (Pinder, 2008). In this case effort force implies the force expended by the employees in achieving the performance that is desired. Expectancy is the belief that any force or effort would lead to a required performance level (Mitchell, 2003). On the other hand, instrumentality implies the thought that the needed performance will lead to an outcome that is desired and... From this paper it is clear that  Ginsters company is a winner of the World Leisure 2008 innovation award and the company’s   active workplace employee programme wellness has experienced significant results.  This essay stresses that  the company failed to have a firm a stand on its employer. Despite the fact that this company provides a significant amount of career opportunity for individuals, the company experiences various challenges. About 18 % of the 450-workforce strongholds were obtained from   individuals with minority backgrounds. These people were constantly resisting the chances to be integrated   into the company team. The day and night shifts did not mix and the different production areas mistrusted each other. An annual survey study established that the morale of the workers was low. After the implementation of active workplace programme at Ginsters, a survey highlighted that the workers in the organisation engage with the company and assume pride in doing their work. This is an indication of increased motivation in comparison to the prior years. Despite the fact that the employees of Ginsters stood and worked for long hours, a fitness test conducted by the Caradon Council found them to be unfit.  Instrumentality implies the thought that the needed performance will lead to an outcome that is desired and valence is the employees outcome value. The active workplace programme implementation at Ginsters, was an aspect of expectancy theory.

PESTEL analysis of Toshiba, Japan

PESTEL analysis of Toshiba, Japan Toshiba Corporation is a company based in Japan that specializes in the production of industrial and consumer electronic and electric products including notebook computers (laptops), electro medical devices. LCDs, home appliances and semiconductors. It is among the oldest and largest companies in Japan. Toshiba laptops are selected as the product to be marketed in Cuba. Cuba is a potential market because of the dynamics involved. It has the ideal setting ground for any company that aims at getting future high volumes of their products. B) Cubas History Christopher Columbus is credited with the discovery of the island of Cuba, an event that led to the colonization of Cuba by Spain. Despite this Cuba had been inhabited by indigenous people for centuries before the discovery. After the Spanish-American war is that Cuba gained its independence and sovereignty in 1902 (Ritter, 2004, pp.47). In the early years of the Spanish occupation, many native Cubans were butchered or forced into slavery while others died from the smallpox and measles brought from Spain. The rest fled to the mountains to escape slavery. This led to the introduction of African slaves to work in the sugar cane plantations. Slavery and slave trade are highly credited with taking the Cuban sugar industry to where it is today. The economic prosperity of Cuba began after Britain took over the island from Spain after the seven year war which ended in Britains favor. Trade regulations were eliminated and the path to prosperity was created. C) Geographical Setting Location Cuba an island that is located in the Caribbean Sea. The entire country or island measures an estimated 48,800 square miles. The country has several highland regions the most notable of which are the Guaniguanco, the Escambery and the Sierra Maestra. The island is located south from the famous Florida Keys (Cuba, 2010). The country has a coastline that extends for an estimated 3,700 kilometers. In relation to other countries, the country lies to the eastern side of the Gulf of Mexico and to the western side of the North Atlantic Ocean. The Yucatan Channel lies to the south east of Cuba. Climate The Cuban highlands, which are about a third of the country, have an overbearing effect on the climate. The fact that the country is an island also has ramifications on the weather and climate patterns experienced. The climate can be defined as tropical climate with a dry period from the month of November lasting until April while the rainy season lasts from May to around October. The country also happens to lie within the path of major hurricanes and other destructive storms which are common in the months of September and October. The average temperatures in Cuba vary between 23?C and 27C throughout the entire year Topography Cuba has several archipelagos but Cuba is the main island. The island has a hilly or mountainous topography marked by several highlands such as the Sierra Maestra, the Escambery, and the Guaniguanco. The rest of the country is marked by plains the largest of which are in the provinces of Matanzas and Camaguey. The rest of the country is marked by coast lines. D) Social Institutions The Cuban culture is a blend between African, American and European cultures. The European cultures were imported to Cuba courtesy of Christopher Columbus (Spain) and Britain. The American culture influence Cuba beginning from the period after the Spanish American war that rid Cuba of the Spanish colonists while the African cultural influences as a result of the many slaves brought in to work in the plantations. 1) Family The family is an important social institution in any nation, society, or community. The stability of the family as an institution is reflected upon the wider society as the society tends to have better social institutions that borrow their moral fabric from the family. Cuba is no exception to these basic rules of nature. Most families in Cuba live as extended families. a) The nuclear family The nuclear family had not had a very distinct role in Cuba until the post Fidel Castro era. The nuclear family is composed of a man, his wife, and their children. This means that in a household where there are three generations of a family, it is possible to have several nuclear families. b) The extended family The extended family is very important part of Cuban society. The family structure in Cuba is that up to three generations of a family live together in the same structure or household, a factor that makes it difficult to create a clear dividing line between the nuclear family and the extended familys role in the family setup. The leader or head of the family or the household therefore is the eldest parent figure in the family. This may be the grandfather or the Godmother within the family. He or she wields power over all the other family members and determines the role of each family member within the family. c) Dynamics of the family and parenting roles 1) Parental Roles: The role of parents is diverse depending on whether the family lives as an extended family or as a nuclear family. In the nuclear family setup, the father is the bread winner in the family while the mother is resigned to the role of care giver and is responsible for maintaining discipline within the family. In addition, family customs and traditions are passed down under the watch of the mother. In the extended family, the elder is in charge of the family. If the elder is a man, he is also the main breadwinner in the family though he is assisted by other family members. If the elder is a woman, she mainly serves as an overseer in the family and offers her guidance while the men in the family serve as the breadwinners. 2) Marriage and Courtship: The Cuban society still takes courtship as primarily the role of the man. Dowry is paid based on the individual customs of the bride. The weddings are one day glamorous events that showcase a lot of Spanish influence. 2) Education a) Education serves as a way of socializing the individuals into the ways of the society in a way that the family as an institution cannot. The educated people are the ones in positions of power and they are held in high regard within society. 1) Primary, secondary and university education and literacy rate The Castro government made primary education compulsory. In addition, school uniforms are also a requirement for all students and are used to denote the grade level of a student. In the Cuban education system primary education takes six years. Secondary education is divided into two categories. The first category is the basic secondary education where students learn basic skills such as language, art, arithmetic, and the sciences. This follows primary education and is almost compulsory for all. The second category is the pre-university education which prepares one for entry into university. After the completion of pre-university education, the students are awarded what is referred to as the Bachillerato in Cuba (C.I.A 2010). It can be compared to a diploma in other education systems in other countries in the world. After the pre-university education, an individual has two options, to pursue either technical education where one will gain skills to enable them gain employment or to pur sue professional education at the university level. b) Literacy rate. The literacy levels in Cuba are reported at 100% although the figure is disputed. The country also reports an enrolment/attendance rate of 98% in primary schools. 3) Political system a) The political system in Cuba can be defined as socialist. The government has executive power which is vested in the Council of State and the Council of Ministers. The legislative role is assigned to the National assembly of peoples Power which is recognized by the constitution as having the highest authority in the country. No voting is done in respect of the positions of prime minister and president. b) The Communist Party of Cuba is the leading social force of the nation (C.I.A 2010). There is widespread censorship in Cuba with a system that is highly authoritarian. The communist party screens all candidates vying for seats in the legislative assembly. c) The current government has been in power since 1959 when Fidel Castro ovethrew the dictator government. It can be described as stable because his successor, Raul Castro, has managed to keep the country at peace and with improved management. d) Special taxes not common e) Local government heavily influenced by the ruling party 4) Legal System a) The main judicial organ is the Peoples Supreme Court. All judges according to the law are not subject to any other authority but the law. They can be elected or replaced and are accountable for their actions. Cuba has been sub divided into fourteen provinces which are further subdivided into 170 municipalities. Representatives to the municipalities and provinces are elected to serve terms that extend for two and a half years. b) The country is socialist. c) The authoritarian approach has affected patent and conventions. They are tightly regulated 5) Social organization a) The presence of groups which can lead to the creation of group behavior or culture is not a common occurrence in Cuba. b) The main aim of the government in relation to the existing social order is to create a classless society where income, race, sex or occupation are used as a definitive means of determining rewards or other favorable allocations. c) In addition, the government prohibits the formation of classes or clubs that may create lines along which the society may be stratified. 6) Business in Cuba Tour guides, barmen, and waitresses require to be tipped although there are no prescribed tipping rates. Tipping allows for one to receive exceptional service from the individuals receiving the tips. Business hours in Cuba are officially between half past eight and half past noon and half past one to half past four during weekdays. Some businesses however opt to open during weekends where the hours of business are between 8 am and 5 pm for alternate Saturdays. E) Religion and aesthetics 1) a) The low number of Protestants can be attributed to the late arrival of protestant doctrines and beliefs to Cuba. b) Cuba is also known to be home to other minor religions which have their roots in western Africa and the slaves who were taken from the region to work in the sugarcane plantations in Cuba. c) Cuba is largely considered as a catholic nation though the Catholic faith practiced within Cuba is modified to suit Cuba. There are also Jews and evangelical Christians amongst the population in the state. d) Nearly 60% of the population is made up of catholic adherents while an estimated 6% are Protestants. e) Santeria which may be referred to as a cult has its origin in Nigeria in western Africa and is widely practiced in and around Cuba. 2) Aesthetics a) Cuba has a strong heritage and history which reflects its visual arts potential. b) The country has numerous galleries, cultural centers, and art museums which have been used for the storage of artistic material from the citizens of Cuba. The government is supportive of art and is known to provide all kinds of assistance to artists in the country. c) Music dance and folklore in Cuba is very rich and displays the three main backgrounds that determine and continue to influence the Cuban society. d) There are influences of African, American, and Spanish elements that are derived from the interaction of Spaniards, Americans, and Africans in the history of Cuba. F) Living conditions 1) a) Many surveys conducted show that Cubans on average consume too much sugar and eat inadequate fruits and vegetables. There are rising cases of diet related anemia and obesity which can be regulated or checked by simply a change of diet. b) A typical meal includes bread, ham, cheese, and rice and plenty of soft drinks with and between meals. c) The government cannot guarantee adequate nutrition for its population and this is considered as one of the failures of the Castro administration. d) The foods made available to the public by the government are as follows; rice, beans, cooking oil, plantains, brown sugar, milk and soy yoghurt which are provided on a monthly basis to holders of ration cards. Other products such are chicken, beef, soy/meat blend and frankfurters are provided based on their availability. 2) a) In Cuba, housing is relatively cheap but in the same breath the housing structures are sparse. Most dwelling places are either in poor condition or are defective in one way or another that makes them unsuitable for dwelling in. b) Most dwellings occupied on a rental basis. The houses have some form of supply of electricity and water and are therefore a bit habitable. c) In most cases houses are occupied are more than one family. 3) The tropical wealthier requires light dressing to cope with the heat and humidity levels. a) A form of dress that can be identified with Cuba is the Havana shirt otherwise known as a Guayabera. The shirt has an array of designs but in general has two or four pockets and largely a casual dress that does not require the wearer to tuck into his trousers. There is a traditional dress made for women in place of the Guayabera and it is very popular all over Cuba although it has been rejected on grounds of being indecent in some cultures. b) The dress code at work is no different from that in many western countries. Employees/workers are expected to maintain a formal dress code. 4) a) In leisure and recreation activities and sports, Cuba is well endowed. To begin with, Cuba is an ideal destination for hiking, snorkeling, climbing, fishing, and caving. The sport is used to symbolize equality in society as well as freedom. The country also has rich soccer traditions among the Caribbean countries. Cubas national team has been to the FIFA world cup where they managed to finish in the seventh position. The beach provided by the long coastline of Cuba provides ample grounds for leisure activities such as skiing, diving, swimming, and sun bathing which are common in almost all of Cuba. c) Most sports and recreational activities in Cuba are carried out in open spaces and often require little or no equipment. Baseball for example is played even on streets by children and thus very low amounts of income are channeled towards sports unless when organized sporting teams are involved and where there are competitions to be won at stake. 5) Social security The social security system in Cuba represents the general values of the wider society whereby there is equality among all beneficiaries. There are no discriminations or preferential treatment for certain individuals based on sex, race, or gender. The Cuban social security system is very efficient. There are an estimated 360, 000 retirees within the population which represents nearly 10% of the population. Each of the retirees in Cuba is paid on a monthly basis. Under the social security system, the government through its social security system pays benefits to an estimated 1.5 million people on a monthly basis. The social security covers areas such as temporary illness, accidents, maternity, and social care for the elderly people within the population. G) LANGUAGE 1) The main language used for communication is Spanish. The language was brought to the island by the Spaniards during the early occupation after Christopher Columbus discovered the island. Spanish is however recognized as the official state language of the people of Cuba. 2) Other languages that are prevalent in Cuba are English and Creole which represent the different heritages and traditions of Cuba. 3) It is important to note the Spanish that is spoken in Cuba varies in some cases from that spoken in Spain and other countries. This is largely because of the French and west African influences that have affected the language. English is mainly spoken as a result of tourist influences. II) ECONOMIC ANALYSIS A) POPULATION 1) The population of Cuba stands at an estimated 11.5 million people as of this year and will reportedly continue to grow at an estimated rate of 0.2%. a) The birth rate in the population is 11.1/1000 which is relatively low even amongst countries of the western world. b) The fertility rate for every woman is estimated as 1.43 children. This represents a drop in fertility rates which may explain why the growth in population has been very low for the last few years. c) Abortions in Cuba are also responsible for the population decline with an estimated 50 abortions for every 1000 pregnancies in the population. 2) a) The population is evenly distributed as only 103 people live in every square kilometer in Cuba. b) The life expectancy is relatively high at an average age of 77 years. The ethnic composition of the population is very varied though there are not many ethnicities. c) The population composition is such that the majority is men and boys for all ages but after the age of 65 years, the number of women outstrips that of men. This fact can only be explained by the lower life expectancy rate for men as compared to women. d) Many Cubans have in one way attempted or plan to attempt illicit migration with the most favored destination being the United States. The rest of the population has a majority that is intent on moving to urban areas. The situation is such that the larger portion of the population is housed in urban centers all over Cuba. e) Mulattos account for nearly half the population while whites account for 35% of the population. The rest of the inhabitants is generally collected of blacks and Chinese with the Chinese forming the smallest ethnic group in Cuba. B) Economic Statistics and activity 1) Gross National Product/ Gross Domestic Product a) Cuba reported a gross domestic product per capita that stood at an estimated $111.1 billion. b) This translates to a per capita income of roughly $9,700 for the year 2009. The estimated real growth rate (nominal growth rate less inflation) was an estimated 1.4%. This is very ideal but there is plenty of room for improvement especially since the growth rate or the GDP or even the per capita figures do not show the situation on the ground 2) People live on less than the expected $9,700 per annum. Businesses publicly owned enterprises lies at 78% to a dismal 22% representing private investment or privately owned enterprises. 3) Average family income is dependent on the ratio of breadwinners to the relative size of the family.2008 estimates were $218. 4) Distribution of wealth a) Income classes. Three major classes exist, the highest is elite and military personnel. The second tier is business magnates and the last is the general workforce. b) Proportion of population to each class. The top tier is about 1/8ths of the total population, the second is and the rest is the general workforce. c) Priority is given to the elite classes and the military. The rest of the workforce is structured in respect to the demographics of income and position 5) The country has deposits of cobalt, iron ore, nickel, copper, salt, manganese, silica, timber, petroleum and farming land. 6) a) The transport system in Cuba comprises of nearly 4200 km of public railway network and a further 7700 km that is set aside for use by sugar cane producers. The highway network consists of nearly 61,000 km of tarmac spread all over the country. b) The country also boasts of waterways that extend for 240 kilometers. The country also has several ports that are used for commercial purposes.There are three main ports. There are also 170 airports as reported back in 2006 c) Because Cuba is an island, the usage of waterways is a major transport form. Nearly half the population uses the train network to go to work. Only about a third drive to work. 7) Communication Systems a) Main types include Print newspapers, radio stations and television stations b) Internet usage widespread c) Media heavily restricted by the government 8) Working conditions a) 78% of employees work for the government b) Good employee-employer relationship c) Employees entitled to benefits and good remuneration 9) Principal industries a) Petroleum, Construction, sugar, tobacco, nickel, pharmaceuticals, agricultural machinery and steel cement accounted for about 37% of the total GDP. b) Principle industries include petroleum, Construction, sugar, tobacco, nickel, pharmaceuticals, agricultural machinery and steel cement Most industries are government owned. Estimated ratio of 2:1 10) Foreign investment a) Direct foreign investment is restricted b) Potential for investment in Housing and food industries 11) International trade statistics a) 1) Major exports include sugar, tobacco, nickel, fish, coffee and citrus. At $ 2.4 billion. 2) The trend for exports is posititve as the government opens up the Cuban economy to private companies b) 1) Imports include food products, petroleum, equipment and machinery at $ 6.9 billion 2) Imports are increasing due to the growth in population and the demand for products and services. c) 1) Imports are more than exports leaving a high balance of payments deficit. About $4.5 billion. 2) Imports are more than exports leaving a high balance of payment deficit. Recent pronouncements by the Cuban government suggest a push towards closing this gap by increasing resource utilization. d) Exchange rates 1) US dollar used mainly in foreign exchange 2) Exchange rate at $ 1 US dollar equivalent to $ 0.9 Cuban convertible Pesos 3) Due to the global recession, the countrys exchange rates are fluctuating and dipping with the global trend. 12) Trade restrictions a) Embargoes placed by United States b) Free trade only with Venezuela c) Import duties high depending on type of product d) the government is subject to tariffs affecting countries of the South American organization. These tariffs are on sugar and petroleum. e) Licensing of business restricted f) Customs duties also high 13) Extent of the economic activities not included in the cash income activities a) Counter trade present in the country 1) Medical personnel used as main products of trade 2) Barter trade common b) Very little aid since US withdrawal 14) Labor force a) Available skilled labor force limited since majority of the population is elderly b) Unemployment rates low at 1.7% 15) Inflation rates low C) Developments in science and technology 1) Highly developed 2) Computers are wide spread. Low investment in research and development 4) Labor force technologically skilled D) Channels of distribution (macro analysis) 1) Trade in Cuba heavily controlled by the government a) Retail 1) Poorly developed retail sector 2) No large shopping centers 3) Good stored are of poor quality and expensive 4) Most tansations are done using cash. 5) Goods sold in dollars in small scale with a small percentage sold on large scale. 6) Chain stores, Department stores and speciality shops fill the supply gap the government cannot currently satisfy. b) Wholesale middlemen 1) Supply chain of estimated 500,000. 2) Mark-up of about 5% on products 3) Goods sold on cash basis c) Import/export agent: the government is the main exporter/importer. d) Most warehouses are fully owned by the government. e) The government has nearly 100% penetration of the markets through its expansive administrative networks. E) Media Media heavily controlled by the government 1) Number of Television Stations: 58 2) a) Television Sets per 1,000: 236.1 b) Number of Radio Stations: 225 c) Number of Radio Receivers: 3,900,000 d) Radio Receivers per 1,000: 348.7.Number of Individuals with Internet Access: 60,000 3) The main use of media houses is for the spread of national ideas that the Communist party in charge in Cuba believes are ideal for the entire population. 4) Any television or radio stations that go against the ideals supported by the party are closed down. 5) There are an estimated 26 national newspapers serving the population of Cuba. Cuba: Country Note Book Introduction Toshiba Corporation is a group of companies including Fujitsu, Mitsubishi electronic, Hitachi, and NEC Corporation. Toshiba relies more on domestic market constituting 60% of its net sales. The balance is taken care of by exports to North America, 16%, Asia 11%, and Europe, 10%. Since its formation in 1939, Toshiba has played a significant role in putting Japan in its current position in international trade. Business in Cuba Official business hours range from 8:30 am to 12: 30 pm for morning session and 1:30 pm to 4: 30 pm for evening session. Weekends are however optional but those who operate open between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays (B8a, B8c). Marketing Strategy for Toshiba laptops (Notebook computers) TARGET MARKET Toshiba Computers mostly manufactures high-end high-performance laptops. The main target of the products would have to be the government and institutions. This is because of the entanglement of all business in the country with government policy and regulation. If the company can manage to get a foothold in the government by offering technological set pieces that accord due privacy and safety of information, then the company shall have overcome a huge barrier. The low per capita income suggests that the market would have to upper-middle class and this is mostly government officials and politicians (IIB). Teenagers and youth below 30 would also be ideal as a segment for the laptops. This is because they are Tech-savvy and want more and better machines for work and play. The fast growth in computer and internet access can be further fuelled by Toshiba offering attractive high-performance laptops and computers. Institutions such as primary and secondary schools, as well as administrative institutions would make and ideal market for moving volumes in bulk (D2b). These places require many computers and laptops to fit in the current global trend. The current government led by Raul Castro is attempting to break the trade barriers ignited during Fidel Castros regime. The trade embargos by the United States do not affect Toshiba because it is a Japanese company(12A). This is good news for the company because the possibility of cut-throat competition is eliminated because American technology companies such as Apple cannot do business in Cuba (12A, 12D). Government policy would favor the company because it is inclusive and the business atmosphere does not vary so much from the Japanese model. The governments interests in arts and sports also require technology. In addition, the media is still backward in matters of technology (E1, E4). The secondary target markets would include such aspects of society as media and transport as the country moves towards a technological revolution of sorts. Marketing is aimed at awareness creation and forming good relationship with customers to the companys advantage. Marketing strategy is therefore very important as whatever the strategy used can either be profitable or destructive to the company. A marketing strategy that utilizes 4Ps that is Product, Promotion, Price and place respectively is ideal for products such as computers. Although, no trade partnership currently exists between Japan and Cuba, the country is a potential export destination for notebook computers. Cuba is highly literate thus can easily embrace the use of notebook computers. Students especially those at pre-university, University and other higher education institutions form the best target market for this product. Besides, the working population including teachers and doctors will find laptops essential hence another potential target market. Product Product refers to either good or service produced or manufactured by accompany especially under large scale with accurate amounts. This involves a description of all the special features of the product in question. Toshiba mini laptop has a full size keyboard and touchpad for easy typing. Its 10.1 diagonal screen is large enough for the eye; leave alone its durable textured four color finish. Its battery has a long life of up to eight hours. It also has attractive features like USB Sleep-and Charge, MP3 player and smart phone hence very convenient for youths. It is also video compatible and its CPU ensures more data storage and faster Internet connection (C1). Promotion In this case Toshiba can place advertisements in Cuban media. This of course will require first good relationship with Cuban government as it controls all media houses. The company can also take advantage of the widespread internet usage and advertise its product online. Toshiba can also promote its laptops through public relation measures like sponsoring sports where it is guaranteed to catch the attention of most youths (C3). Alternatively, Toshiba can take advantage of the widespread internet access in Cuba to engage in e-commerce by placing its product in virtual internet stores. Pricing Considerations should be given to prices of similar products in the market. Price administration on the other hand refers to involves all activities used to fit basic prices for every target market depending on sales situations. The exchange rates are also attractive for such a company (11b1, 11d2) Place The company can develop partnership with Cuban government to ensure that its product is placed in Cuban government stores like shopping malls. It is also possible for Toshiba through good relationship with Cuban government to find its own store for its product (D1). Rhiw location demographics will also affect the places where it can be marketed.

Cache Level Essay

Describe the purpose of ONE (1) setting that is statutory provision for each age range. A statutory provision for under 5’s could be a nursery as it is fully funded by the government. The government dictates that education must be provided for all children under 5 although it is the parents’ wishes to send children to nursery. The intention of a nursery is so that they educate the children before they start school, also they can help develop their social and their motor skills so that they are nearly fully developed ready for starting school. The role of the school is to support parent’s wishes and access children’s educational needs. â€Å"The Foundation Phase is a statutory framework for children aged 3-7 in Wales. At our school we are committed to the holistic development of each child, looking at where they are in their stage of development and teaching them the skills they need to reach their full potential†-(http://www. cogannursery. co. uk/#/curriculum/4540401886)-10/10/12 A primary school is a statutory provision for ages between five and seven. This setting provides full time education by following the national curriculum â€Å"The National Curriculum, taught to all pupils in state or maintained schools, is made up of blocks of years, known as key stages† – All local authorities in England and Wales must provide a choice of schools for children to attend. D2: Describe the purpose of ONE (1) setting that is a different type of provision for each age range. A different provision for under 5’s could be a private nanny, a private nanny works in the home of the children and lives in or out of the home depending on the parent’s decision. A nanny looks after children from birth onwards although this depends on the parents’ wishes. Nanny’s work in a private working agreement, so the parents of the children pay the nanny directly and also pay their taxes and national insurance. A purpose of a nanny is so that in out of school hours the children are looked after and cared for; a nanny is purposed for busy working class parents. â€Å"Nanny is responsible for the entire care of the children of their employers. This includes anything from washing the children’s clothes and tidying the children’s rooms, to supervising homework and preparing children’s meals, as well as taking children to and from school and activities. A nanny is available 24 hours a day, unless their employment contract states otherwise. †- (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Nanny)-10/10/12 A different provision for children between five and seven could be an out of school club. An out of school club doesn’t educate children although they do offer a range of activities. It is the parent’s choice to use the school club as it is fully paid by the parents. All out of school clubs follow health and safety rules. â€Å"Our aim is to provide quality accessible  out of school childcare offering a range of play activities in a friendly and  welcoming atmosphere. †- (http://www. debsoutofschoolclubs. co. uk/ )- 15/10/12 D3: Describe the work of a professional or an agency working with children. A professional role which would work with children would be a children’s nurse. A nurses’ role is varied and sometimes challenging. Support is a major factor for the role of a nurse; children’s nurses will work as part of a team including doctors, hospital play staff, radiographers, healthcare assistants, new-born hearing screeners, psychologists and social workers. â€Å"This branch involves everything from nursing a sick new-born to an adolescent road accident victim. The challenges are very varied, with family care and support a key element. †- (http://www. nhscareers. nhs. uk/explore-by-career/nursing/careers-in-nursing/childrens-nursing/ ) A Children’s nurse helps and supports children by evaluating patient needs to provide the best possible care. Nurses also support families of the patients they educate and advise children about treatments and implications also to provide support and training to help deliver follow-up care at home. â€Å"It is a privileged position which allows you to help families when they can be at their most vulnerable†- (http://www. dayinthelife. org. uk/Default. aspx? pageid=322) D4: Describe how to keep information about children and families confidential. It is important to be confidential as it is a legal requirement in some cases. The policy for confidentiality means that information about children or families should not be shared amongst others. Everyone who works in a childcare setting must know about the confidentiality policy and follow the rules. The policy also states that all information and facts about the child must be stored in an secure safe place, information and facts about each individual child should be stored and locked away and only to be used when needed by the teachers or staff when given permission. Contact details of each individual child should be stored away this includes their name, age, number, address etc. Also other paperwork of each child should be stored away too, such as school reports, grades/levels, medical notes, etc. â€Å"Anyone working with young children, whether in a nursery setting, a school or in a family home, will need to practice confidentiality. Confidentiality is respect for the privacy of any information about a child and his or her family†- An Introduction to Childcare and Education, Carolyn MeggItt, Jessica Stevens, Tina Bruce, – ISBN 0-340-78007-X, – 215pg- Monday 8th October 2012 (Date Found), Year 2000 Published. D5: Explain how to prepare to work in a placement with children. To prepare for work placement with children always be prepared, call placement at least two days before you start to confirm what time you are due in and finish and what you are supposed to wear and bring to placement. When meeting you supervisor for the first time always make sure you look neat and tidy, by tying your hair back, make sure nails are short and well cared-for, wear natural make up or none if possible, take all excessive jewellery out e. . facial piercings, also dress appropriately e. g. smart pair of trousers/leggings, with a black or white t-shirt/polo shirt, jacket or cardigan and a sensible black pair of shoes. D6: Give TWO (2) different ways in which you can show that you understand the importance of valuing each child as an individual. There are many ways of treating children as individuals. As a practitioner you could meet the child’s needs by talking to a child one to one as this could stren gthen the child’s self-confidence and esteem. Every child learns differently a child could learn by auditory (Listening, being told things), kinaesthetic (doing practical activities), visual (being shown things or remembering information by drawing) or read/writing learning (prefer to read instructions than being told what to do), as a practitioner you need to be aware of this. Going down to a child level could make it easier for them to understand the task being asked as they will feel more comfortable and also the teacher can understand what they find difficult. Listen to the child and treat them accordingly to their wishes and needs. All children should be treated equally and activities set differently according to their abilities. When planning an activity at the setting I must make sure that each child participates in the activity like making â€Å"Christmas â€Å"cards, some children do not celebrate Christmas so find another sort of celebration card or activity for them to do. Diversity could be shown within children nurseries creches, day-cares and schools. Every child had different religions and beliefs to follow so encouraging children to understand the different religions and beliefs to understand why other children celebrate these other celebrations. Practitioners and teachers should do certain activates with the children which involve different religions so the children have more of an understanding of the religions around them e. g. do painting activities including different symbols of religions, playing games from religions, reading books of religions etc. C1: Give TWO (1) examples of when you should refer information about children and families to professionals in the setting. You should only share information about a child and their family if you are concerned that the child is in harm, this could be through abuse, neglect or violence. If you have concerns that a child may be in this situation you should inform a higher member of staff who then can contact the police and social services. Social services and police work together as a multi-agency which is where two or more agencies work together to make an impact. If a professional in a childcare setting may be concerned that a child is in danger, or has seen any bruises of physical abuse he/she should report it to a higher member of staff. A professional may also reveal confidential information to other staff/professionals if it may put other people/children in harm or it may affect the child’s behaviour and emotions such as stress within the family. Another example of when a professional might share personal information is when a Childs routine may be changed e. g. changes have been made to picking up or dropping off a child. Staff would need to know this information as so they are able to let the child go at a differ time or with another guardian or the child. B1: Explain why the first impressions that you make in the setting are important. The first impressions when starting placement first time is important because this is what you are remembered by and what people judge u on. You should wear appropriate comfortable smart clothing which is suitable for when doing activities with the children. Most nurseries/day cares expect their employers and practitioners to dress smartly e. . black trousers, white smart shirt. A good appropriate attitude is also important when making a first impression; you should be enthusiastic eager and always make sure you look like you’re enjoying yourself whatever you’re doing. Making a good impression shows that you value the job/placement. Team work is needed through of life it’s a needed life skill it is important especially when working with children. B2: Explain suitable ways in which you can show positive attitudes when working in a childcare setting. Within a childcare setting you can show a positive attitude by involving yourself with the children. You should wear suitable comfortable clothing for working with children, this might be a pair of stretchy smart trousers and a white polo top and a pair of black smart shoes. A: Explain the importance of keeping information about children and families confidential. It’s important to keep information about children and families confidential at all times. As practitioners you are never to discuss matters or concerns about children and their families outside the working environment. It important to maintain confidentiality about children and their families secure and safe as it is your responsibility as a professional. When sharing information about a child or their family you’re not just breaking the rules and policies of you working placement you are also putting a child at risk and harm. A*: Reflect on the importance of recognising your own learning style and using this knowledge effectively in your studies. After learning about learning styles I found out that my learning style is visual, this mean that I would prefer to learn through seeing e. g. eing shown things through pictures, slide shows and diagrams. Recognising your own learning style will help you by finding out the best way for you to learn and understand things. There are three different types of learning styles such as visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. Visual learning style mean that you learn better by recognising things e. g. pictures, posters, watching a programme. Auditory leaning st yle means that you learn better and understand more by listening to other people. A kinaesthetic learner learns by practical learning for example moving around and doing the activity not just writing notes about it. Bibliography http://www. cogannursery. co. uk/#/curriculum/4540401886 – 10/10/12 http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Nanny -10/10/12 http://www. debsoutofschoolclubs. co. uk/ 15/10/12 http://www. nhscareers. nhs. uk/explore-by-career/nursing/careers-in-nursing/childrens-nursing/ 15/10/12 http://www. dayinthelife. org. uk/Default. aspx? pageid=322 23/10/12 An Introduction to Childcare and Education Carolyn MeggItt, Jessica Stevens, Tina Bruce, ISBN 0-340-78007-X, 215pg- Monday 8th October 2012 (Date Found), Year 2000 Published. Word Count 1,497

Definition, Discussion, and Examples of Close Reading

Close reading is a thoughtful, disciplined reading of a text. Also called close analysis and explication de texte. Though close reading is commonly associated with New Criticism (a movement that dominated literary studies in the U.S. from the 1930s to the 1970s), the method is ancient. It was advocated by the Roman rhetorician Quintilian in his Institutio Oratoria (c. 95 AD). Close reading remains a fundamental critical method practiced in diverse ways by a wide range of readers in different disciplines. (As discussed below, close reading is a skill thats encouraged by the new Common Core State Standards Initiative in the U.S.) One form of close reading is rhetorical analysis. Observations English studies is founded on the notion of close reading, and while there was a period in the late 1970s and early 1980s when this idea was frequently disparaged, it is undoubtedly true that nothing of any interest can happen in this subject without close reading.(Peter Barry, Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory, 2nd ed. Manchester University Press, 2002) Francine Prose on Close Reading We all begin as close readers. Even before we learn to read, the process of being read aloud to, and of listening, is one in which we are taking in one word after another, one phrase at a time, in which we are paying attention to whatever each word or phrase is transmitting. Word by word is how we learn to hear and then read, which seems only fitting, because it is how the books we are reading were written in the first place. The more we read, the faster we can perform that magic trick of seeing how the letters have been combined into words that have meaning. The more we read, the more we comprehend, the more likely we are to discover new ways to read, each one tailored to the reason why we are reading a particular book.(Francine Prose, Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them. HarperCollins, 2006) The New Criticism and Close Reading In its analyses, new criticism . . . focuses on phenomena such as multiple meaning, paradox, irony, word play, puns, or rhetorical figures, which--as the smallest distinguishable elements of a literary work--form interdependent links with the overall context. A central term often used synonymously with new criticism is close reading. It denotes the meticulous analysis of these elementary features, which mirror larger structures of a text.(Mario Klarer, An Introduction to Literary Studies, 2nd ed. Routledge, 2004) The Aims of Close Reading [A] rhetorical text appears to hide--to draw attention away from--its constitutive strategies and tactics. Consequently, close readers have to employ some mechanism for piercing the veil that covers the text so as to see how it works. . . . The principal object of close reading is to unpack the text. Close readers linger over words, verbal images, elements of style, sentences, argument patterns, and entire paragraphs and larger discursive units within the text to explore their significance on multiple levels.(James Jasinski, Sourcebook on Rhetoric: Key Concepts in Contemporary Rhetorical Studies. Sage, 2001) [I]n the traditional view, close reading does not aim to produce the meaning of the text, but rather to unearth all possible types of ambiguities and ironies.(Jan van Looy and Jan Baetens, Introduction: Close Reading Electronic Literature. Close Reading New Media: Analyzing Electronic Literature. Leuven University Press, 2003) What, really, does a critical close reader do that the average person on the street does not do? I argue that the close-reading critic reveals meanings that are shared but not universally and also meanings that are known but not articulated. The benefit of revealing such meanings is to teach or enlighten those who hear or read the critique. . . . The critics job is to uncover these meanings in such a way that people have an aha! moment in which they suddenly agree to the reading, the meanings the critic suggests suddenly come into focus. The standard of success for the close reader who is also a critic is therefore the enlightenment, insights, and agreement of those who hear or read what he or she has to say.(Barry Brummett, Techniques of Close Reading. Sage, 2010) Close Reading and the Common Core Chez Robinson, eighth-grade Language Arts teacher and part of the leadership team at Pomolita Middle School, says, Its a process; educators are still learning about it. . . . Close reading is one strategy being implemented for teaching students higher level thinking skills, focusing on depth rather than breadth. You take a piece of text, fiction or non-fiction, and you and your students examine it closely, she says. In the classroom, Robinson introduces the overall purpose of the reading assignment and then has students work independently and in partners and groups to share what they have learned. They circle words that are confusing or unknown, write out questions, use exclamation marks for ideas that surprise, underline key points. . . . Robinson uses examples from Langston Hughes work, especially rich in figurative language, and refers specifically to his poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers. Together, she and her students investigate each line, each stanza, piece by piece, leading to deeper levels of understanding. She plays an interview with him, assigns a five-paragraph essay on the Harlem Renaissance. Its not that this hasnt been done before, she says, but Common Core is bringing a new focus to the strategies.(Karen Rifkin, Common Core: New Ideas for Teaching--and for Learning. The Ukiah Daily Journal, May 10, 2014) The Fallacy in Close Reading There is a small but immitigable fallacy in the theory of close reading, . . . and it applies to political journalism as well as to the reading of poetry. The text doesn’t reveal its secrets just by being stared at. It reveals its secrets to those who already pretty much know what secrets they expect to find. Texts are always packed, by the reader’s prior knowledge and expectations, before they are unpacked. The teacher has already inserted into the hat the rabbit whose production in the classroom awes the undergraduates.(Louis Menand, Out of Bethlehem. The New Yorker, August 24, 2015)