From e-Business Support to Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

From e-Business Support to Strategy - Essay Example Technically, there has been debate on channels that are eligible for inclusion in the category of social networking.Hansen, Shneiderman, and Smith (2011) provide definition that takes off pressure of technicalities and refers social media as set of online tools that enable connectivity for social interaction. In addition to the connectivity, social networking also benefits users in finding, creating, sharing and evaluating mass information accessible online in a variety of forms. Growing importance and dominance of socialization through social media, organizations have also adopted this medium for staying connected with their entire customer base virtually. The new spectrum has provided companies with ways to attract the potential customers along with strengthening bond with existing company customers. Martinka (2012) refers to Mead’s theory of symbolic interactionism which discusses the influence on consumer purchase decision from social media (Facebook). One of the dominant factors that lead to this change is the fact that social media enables two way communication that considerably distinguishes it from traditional marketing mix.This two way connection benefits customer to pass the requirement and views direct to company whereas businesses are also able to get direct insight about customer’ likings and disliking; perception etc. Extracting insight from social networking and consumer response pattern, companies can also strategize to direct consumer purchases in desired direction. (Divol, Edelman, and Sarrazin, 2012). (Divol, Edelman, and Sarrazin, 2012) Some other factors distinguishing it from traditional medium that leads to increase in adopting are: Connectivity of almost the entire world (Divol, Edelman, and Sarrazin, 2012) Prompt response from the company, as well as customers (Hanlon, & Hawkins, 2008) More direct insight than other forms of research etc (Divol, Edelman, and Sarrazin, 2012) Large number social networking websites are opera tional. Leading ones including Facebook (over 845 million active monthly users in 2012 (Sebastian, 2012), Twitter (over 465 million accounts in 2012 and growth (Larson, 2012)), LinkedIn has 147 million members with growth of 45% as compared to year 2012, Google plus which has 400 million user in one year (BGR, 2012) and YouTube (expected to take up 90% of the web traffic by year 2014 (Nalts, 2012)) being the leading channel of video content (eBiz MBA, 2012). Surveys also count the growing number of companies making use of these channels and networking mediums and are intended to increase their presence t exploit greater benefit (Stelzner, 2012). With acceptance of the social media as well as the fact that it is changing consumer behavior, businesses are still in learning phase to strategically adopt this medium. Moreover, understandings

Postpartum Contraception Essay Example for Free

Postpartum Contraception Essay Postpartum contraceptive methods are those used by breast feeding women before twenty six days after they have given birth. Basing on the NICE guidelines, the advice on how to use these methods should be explained to the patients before their second postpartum week. The breast feeding women are allowed to use the lactational amenorrhoea method but they are not recommended to use the COCP (combined oral contraceptive pills) method by the World Health Organization before the first 42 days postpartum because it’s illegal (outside the license) (WHO, 2006). Below are some of the postpartum contraceptive methods. The contraceptive methods; The combined contraceptive pills (to the breast feeding women) This contraceptive method to breast women brings about some hormonal out comes on the quantity of milk and its quality too. If these pills are taken before 24 weeks postpartum, they affect the baby’s growth. In a previous review of randomized controlled trials held to clarify this case, the review reassured women that hormonal contraceptive method has no strong effects on the baby’s growth. On the other hand, the World Health Organization recommended that, breast feeding mothers before 24 weeks of postpartum should not use the combined contraceptive pills because its use is outside the license (WHO, 2006). Sterilization Basing on the guideline of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it shows that women should be alert about the consequences and the increasing rates at which sterilization fails before the postpartum period (Johnson, Edelman and Jensen, 2003). Lactational Amenorrhoe This method is scientifically proved to be effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies, given to a woman, in less than 24 weeks postpartum. As Johnson, Edelman and Jensen (2003) states, she does not experience virginal bleeding after the first seven weeks postpartum, and if she can fully breast feed the baby day and night. Progestogen injectables If this method is used before 42 days of postpartum, it means, that it has been used illegally by the applicant (outside their license). According to Johnson, Edelman and Jensen, (2003), if injectables are used in the early periods of postpartum, it may result into excessive bleeding. It is therefore, recommended that it should be used after 42 days of breast feeding. This may prolong bleeding if applied when not breast feeding in five days of delivery. Emergency contraceptive method This method is not required before twenty one days postpartum and it can be used even if the woman is breast feeding. The IUD may be used after one month postpartum. Implants and the progestogen only pills It is recommended by World Health Organization that this method should not be applied in the first 42 days postpartum (WHO, 2006). On the other hand, in the United Kingdom, this method is commonly used by women before 42 days postpartum since it is proved that it has no effect on the quantity of breast milk and the fact that it does not affect the growth of the baby during this specified period. The following have to be noted for application of POP As noted by (Guillebaud (1993) if its application is started after the first two weeks, there is need for some additional contraception and need to clarify that the woman is not pregnant. If the woman starts to experience constant menstrual cycles again, she has to begin the applying POP including the period of five days without the necessity for additional barrier methods. For Etonogestrel implants Guillebaud (1993) explains that, this can be applied between the first 21 to 28 days of delivery. If it exceeds from 28 days, there is need to apply additional contraception methods for a week. Barrier methods (condoms, cervical caps and diaphragms); Condoms It has been proved by scientists that condoms are eighty seven percent effective when used without any other protective measure. And said to be ninety eight percent effective if used with another measure of protection (spermicide). Every time you have sex, it is recommended that you use condoms (Guillebaud, 1993). Diaphragm As Guillebaud (1993) explains, scientifically, this method is said to be ninety eight percent effective that is if used correctly. It has to fitted by the doctor and used when having sex. Conclusion From what has been discussed above, there are many postpartum contraceptive choices a breast feeding woman can use like POP, COCP, barrier methods such as condoms, cervical caps and condoms, progestogen only pills, and others. Some women are using the COCP method, for example, women in UK, before the first 42 days postpartum and yet it is not recommended by WHO. We there by strongly conclude that women should be keen when taking postpartum contraceptives for the seek of their healthy and the child they have, it is important that they should follow the recommendations of the World Health regarding postpartum contraceptives. Reference Guillebaud, J (1993): Postpartum Contraception: Unnecessary before three weeks: BMJ, Vol. 307, 6918; p 1558-61 Johnson L, Edelman A, and Jensen J (2003): Patient satisfaction and the impact of written material about postpartum contraceptive decisions: AMJ Obstet Gynecology; Vol. 188, 5, p, 1201-5 WHO (2006): Medical eligibility criteria for contraception: Available online at: www. who. int/reproductive-health/public/mec/mec. pdf

Free Pride and Prejudice Essays: Characters Guilty of Pride and Prejudice :: Pride Prejudice Essays

Characters Guilty of Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen marvelously portrays the life of a middle-class country family in England during the early nineteenth century. The family, the Bennets, is presently engaged in finding suitable (rich) husbands for their five daughters. The main character, Elizabeth Bennet, is an intelligent, witty, and opinionated young woman. She has already rebuffed one would-be suitor because she felt he was unfit, and in this scene, she turns down another, Fitzwilliam Darcy, because she feels that he is arrogant and cruel. This scene portrays a lively exchange between the two, with Elizabeth accusing him of prejudice and Darcy charging her with being full of pride. The scene opens with Darcy entering the room where Elizabeth was reading. After inquiring about her health, he pauses for a few moments and then suddenly declares, "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you" (Austen, 142) He then proceeds to tell her all the things that are wrong with her family and her own "inferiority" (142). Despite all this, he still loves her. Darcy seems sure she will accept, but Elizabeth's dislike of his pride and arrogance make it impossible for her to accede. They then proceed to enter into a heated argument and each volley cutting insults upon the other. Austen's wording during this exchange adds to the liveliness of this quarrel. Elizabeth first disparages his proposal by saying, "Why with so evident a design of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character" (143) Darcy's proposal was a far cry from romantic and it convinced Elizabeth that D arcy wants a wife inferior to him, something she would never stand for. She goes on to accuse him of being prejudiced against another by laying charge after charge upon him and concluding with, "You have done all this! and yet you can treat the mention of his misfortunes with contempt and ridicule" (144). He retorts, "These offenses might have been overlooked, had not your pride been hurt by my honest confessions of the scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design" (144). She counters by saying, "You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me" (145). She goes on to say, "You could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it" (145).

Fiscal Policy Essay -- essays papers

Fiscal Policy Supposing the status quo of the United States today states that: there is no real unemployment, the consumer price index is rising at 2 percent annually, and the federal government budget deficit, 200 billion dollars, is equal to 5 percent of the gross national product. Now, the question is how and what changes will result from fiscal and monetary policy. For example, if legislation has just passed which holds government spending constant and raises personal income taxes enough to balance the budget, then obviously the deficit would cease growing, as mentioned, along with other fluctuations of the gross national product as a whole. Because the government will stop borrowing money, it will also cut down on the spending, which will cause the economy to slow down as is illustrated by the equation: Y = C + I + G + X. In the short run people will respond to the raised taxes by decreasing their consumption, while simultaneously the marginal propensity to consume will increase because people will have less money to save. Therefore, the short run effects of this fiscal policy will force companies to lower wages, produce less, and/or lay off a portion of the work force. All the while The Fed is working up their counter cyclical monetary policy to keep deviation from the potential GDP to a minimum. The Federal Reserve Bank goes public with its goal to significantly increase the money supply. Due to rational expectations of the consumer, people might be... Fiscal Policy Essay -- essays papers Fiscal Policy Supposing the status quo of the United States today states that: there is no real unemployment, the consumer price index is rising at 2 percent annually, and the federal government budget deficit, 200 billion dollars, is equal to 5 percent of the gross national product. Now, the question is how and what changes will result from fiscal and monetary policy. For example, if legislation has just passed which holds government spending constant and raises personal income taxes enough to balance the budget, then obviously the deficit would cease growing, as mentioned, along with other fluctuations of the gross national product as a whole. Because the government will stop borrowing money, it will also cut down on the spending, which will cause the economy to slow down as is illustrated by the equation: Y = C + I + G + X. In the short run people will respond to the raised taxes by decreasing their consumption, while simultaneously the marginal propensity to consume will increase because people will have less money to save. Therefore, the short run effects of this fiscal policy will force companies to lower wages, produce less, and/or lay off a portion of the work force. All the while The Fed is working up their counter cyclical monetary policy to keep deviation from the potential GDP to a minimum. The Federal Reserve Bank goes public with its goal to significantly increase the money supply. Due to rational expectations of the consumer, people might be...

3RTO Assessment Essay

Learning outcomes: 1. Be able to explain the factors that affect an organisation’s talent planning, recruitment and selection policy. 2. Be able to identify appropriate recruitment and selection methods. 3. Be able to contribute to the recruitment and selection interviewing process for a job role. 4. Understand the importance of effective induction. All activities should be completed Activity 1 Write a short report on Talent Planning in organisations which : identifies and assesses at least 4 factors that affect an organisation’s approach to attracting talent identifies and explains at least 3 organisation benefits of attracting and retaining a diverse workforce describes at least 3 factors that affect an organisation’s approach to recruitment and selection describes the benefits of at least 3 different recruitment methods and 3 different selection methods explains at least 3 purposes of induction and how they benefit individuals and organisations. includes an induction plan that identifies areas to be covered, timelines and those involved in the process. Activity 2 Carry out the main stages of recruitment and selection activity for an identified role. Brief: You are a member of the Head Office human resources team for a national retail group and have been asked by one of your larger store managers to recruit a Human Resources Officer for his store to work 3 days per week. Their duties will include all staffing and training duties associated with the running of the store for 150 store staff. You should use this brief to inform your work in carrying out the following tasks: produce a job description and person specification for the role draft a written advertisement or a brief to your Recruitment Agency to attract talented individuals to apply develop selection criteria and shortlist from a minimum of 3 applicants who have applied for the role (application form attached) as a panel, interview 1 applicant for the role and decide if they should be offered the post identify which records you would retain with a short explanation of the legal requirements Draft an example of a letter to an appointee and one example of a letter written to a non -appointee. You will be observed and assessed by your tutor using the attached observation record. Activity Resources Application Form (3 pages) Observation Record (1 page) Assessment Criteria Evidence to be produced Activity 1 Report of approximately 1200 words Activity 2 Observation record for each member of the group. The following documents to be produced by each group: Job Description and Person Specification Agency Recruitment Brief or advertisement Selection criteria Completed short listing record List of interview questions used in the Panel Interview Interview assessment form List of records from process which will be retained with an explanation of the legal requirements Letter to both successful and unsuccessful applicants To be completed by assessor(s): Unit Code Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Assessor comments Provide rationale for judgements against each assessment criterion and identify areas for development 3RTO 1. Be able to explain the factors that affect an organisation’s talent planning, recruitment and selection policy. 1.1 Identify and explain at least 3 organisation benefits of attracting and retaining a diverse workforce 1.2 Identify and assesses at least 4 factors that affect an organisation’s approach to attracting talent 1.3 Describe at least 3 factors that affect an organisation’s approach to recruitment and selection 2. Be able to identify appropriate recruitment and selection methods. 2.1 Describe the benefits of at least 3 different recruitment methods 1.3 Describe the benefits of at least 3 different selection methods. 3. Be able to contribute to the recruitment and selection interviewing process for a job role. 3.1 Produce a job description and person specification for the Part time Human Resources Officer role. 3.2 Draft a written advertisement or a brief to your Recruitment Agency to attract talented individuals to apply. 3.3 Develop selection criteria and shortlist from a minimum of 3 applicants who have applied for the role. 3.4 As a panel interview 1 applicant for the role and decide if they should be offered the post. 3.5 Identify which records you would retain with a short explanation of the legal requirements. Draft an example of a letter to an appointee and one example of a letter written to a non appointee. 4. Understand the importance of effective induction. 4.1 Explain at least three of the purposes of induction and explain how they benefit individuals and organisations. 4.2 Include an induction plan that identifies areas to be covered, timelines and those involved in the process. Identify and assess 4 factors that affect an organisations approach to attracting talent and retaining a diverse workforce. Award Winning Training programmes on offer In the company that I work for when we are trying to attract talent into our business we promote our award winning training programmes as we want to attract people who want to move forward within the business and have the drive to do that. We offer training programmes for all levels from associate through to pub manager and area manager if that’s where our staff wishes to go. Benefits We promote our work life balance offering employees a healthy balance of each. Potential for employees to move all over the country, if they want to. We have students working in one pub in the term time and during summer and winter breaks they can transfer to a pub closer to home without losing any benefits. We offer many bonuses to working for our organisation when your particular pub does well in regards to mystery customer depending on the score your pub receives means that you could potentially earn up to 5% of your monthly salary. We also offer in house style competitions where we get the staff to compete between themselves to up sell products which not only benefits us but also the staff as at the end of the quarter there is a prize for the winner. Brand We are a very stable, company to work for and during the last 30 years we have grown to have more than a 900 pubs all over the UK and Ireland. We are investing in people who seek talent and can help us grow the business we give them opportunities to suggest ideas and how we could improve the business. Being such a well-known brand also helps us attract the right talent and to be able to retain them due to the vast opportunities that we  are able to give them. Diversity We want people from all backgrounds as without them we would not be able to move forward as a business as we need diversity to create more ideas and challenge us in our everyday lives. We also offer everybody the opportunity to be able to take up the training programmes which can only benefits the organisation diversity. Identify and explain at least 3 organisational benefits of attracting a diverse workforce. Having a diverse work force can help with productivity as they may challenge other team members to have healthy competition to come up with ideas on how to improve the business by thinking outside the box. Also having diversity can help any business and we have such a diverse community wherever you are it can only help to have that in your business as we would be able to understand the needs of our community better. Also having a workforce that is diverse can help the organisation to grow and succeed by encouraging creativity. Also within any business we need our workforce to have different skills as they can bring different ideas to the table it also helps build confidence in the team as each member would feel that they would be able to contribute to the business. Describe 3 factors that affect an organisations approach to recruitment and selection. Within each organisation has to take into consideration when recruiting is the current economic climate during the last recession company growth has slowed down so the need to recruit began to slow down as people were less likely to leave as they need the security of a well-established company that was secure in the current climate. Within every organisation whether large or small there they would have a recruitment and selection policy, there are factors that affect the way in which they recruit and select. Firstly we have to ensure that there is a genuine vacancy when we have established this  we can then put in place the recruitment and selection process. We need the authority to be able to place a job advert and dependant on the type of job we are recruiting for would depend on where we would advertise. If it is a highly skilled job we need to advertise in the right places whether that would be a website, publication dedicated to that particular profession. We also look within our business to see whether we have staff that could potential fill the role that has become vacant. We have to ensure that we when we advertise we are not discriminating against age, race, social or educational background. Also when we are advertising a vacancy there are laws that affect the way we attract talent as we need to ensure when we word an advert, application forms to job descriptions that the words are not discriminative and not showing favourable treatment with regards to age, gender or disability. Recruitment Benefits Job advert via recruitment agencies We can depending on our budget place adverts in various publications that can be dedicated to the type of person we are wanting to attract it can also help us which a wide audience. We can also use recruitment agencies as they potentially may have people who are looking for a job within our business on their files. On line with a website dedicated to certain profession Advertising on line can be very cost effective and can reach all over the country and all over the world especially if we are looking for a type of skilled person to join our organisation. National campaign If a company is expanding especially like the organisation that I work for we place adverts in all our pubs Selection Benefits Application form When we advertise a vacancy on-line we can ask the potential employee to fill out our application form as on that form we would be able to get them to  answer questions which are specific to the criteria that we are looking for in a potential employee Telephone interview Telephone interviews is a cost effective way of screening candidates for a vacancy and through this method we can short list candidates and at the same time prepare them for interview Interview Interviews are a great benefit as it’s gives the employer a chance to meet face to face. Interviews can be done with a panel to ensure that there is fair practice and ensure that no discrimination has taken place. Explain 3 purposes of induction and how they benefit individuals and organisations. Inductions are hugely beneficial to both the new starters and organisations as at the inductions is where we can introduce the new starters to the culture of the company, the history of the organisation, health and safety and also introduce them to certain policies and procedures of the organisation which need to be explained to them before they start. For the new starter it can mean that they can hit the floor running as they have an understanding of the culture of the company making them feel at ease and also benefits us as we are safe in the knowledge that we have given them the best possible start to help them do the job that we employed them to do. Day Time Topic Who Tuesday 8am-830am House keeping Welcome to the company Line manager Company history 830-845am Message from the managing director Managing director video message. 845-9am Ice breaker Line manager 9-930am Company culture Expectations required from company employees. Line manager 930-10am Breaks 10-11am Company policies and procedures. Health and safety policy Fire and bomb procedures and what we do in the event of either. Food hygiene basic understanding of food safety. Line manager 11-1130am Team task asking the group to list ideas that they feel are potential hazards in the business and what we would need to look for and how to prevent accidents in the work place. Line manager Group activity 1130-midday Q&A Tour of the company Line manager 12-1215pm Training plans to be given employees Line manager 1215-1245pm Any other business Welcome package Contracts handed out Line manager Reference used in TMA Introduction to Human resource management Charles Leatherbarrow, Janet Fletcher and Donald Currie Home learning College VLC Resourcing Talent ecompanion

race relations in america essays

race relations in america essays Somewhere in time America has seemed to have lost the ultimate goal of equal rights, and truly equal rights. In the early sixties great men took the stage in order to start paving the way to equality in America. Now in the twenty- first century people all over this country has forgotten what equal rights actually means. Equal rights is supposed to ensure equality for all people. Somewhere along the line we surpassed equal rights and have now begun to oppress whites. Through government programs such as affirmative action, race classification and his whole politically correctness idea, America has tipped the scales of oppression towards the whites of America. In 1973 a thirty-three year-old Caucasian male named Allan Bakke applied to and was denied admission to the University of California Medical School at Davis. In 1974 he filed another application and was once again rejected, even though his test scores were considerably higher than various minorities that were admitted under a special program. This special program specified that 16 out of 100 possible spaces for the students in the medical program were set aside solely for minorities, while the other 84 slots were for anyone who qualified, including minorities. What happened to Bakke is known as reverse discrimination. Bakke felt his rejections to be violations of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment, so he took the University of California Regents to the Superior Court of California. It was ruled that "the admissions program violated his rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The arguments for and against the special admissions program are complicated. The arguments for special admissions and affirmative action are described by Dr Howard Stelcher former sociology professor at Harvard: Because of past injustices, compensation should be granted to minorities, and one possible form is as affirmative action, ...

What Is SAT Writing and Language 5 Tips to Excel

What Is SAT Writing and Language 5 Tips to Excel SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Stephen King once wrote, "To write is human, to edit is divine." Anyone who has written papers for school knows that first, second, and even third drafts can be full of errors. Through editing and revising, youcan polish a piece of writing into its best form. The Writing and Language section of the SAT asks you tobe that "divine" editor. Itasksyou to improve paragraphs that contain both little picture mistakesand big picture weaknesses. Writing and Language will be combined with your Reading score, but it’s a unique section that requires its own specific approach to prep. This guide is your first stop for preparing for the Writing and Language section of the SAT; read on to learn everything you need to know! What's New AboutSAT Writing and Language? The new SAT Writing and Language section differs from the old SAT’s Writing section in a number of ways, one of which is its name. It’s now called Writing and Language, though most people will probably just shorten it to SAT Writing. (As will I, unless I'm differentiating between the old Writing section and the new one.) Since both sections test your understanding of the conventions of the English language, you can consider them to be similar. However, there are someimportant differences between the two sections beyond what they're called. The new Writing sectionhas anexpanded emphasis on how language functions in different contexts(one reason, perhaps, behind the name change). No longer will students answer stand-alone questions about fixing individual sentences. Now, all the questions are passage-based, and many ask you to improve meaning, style, or flow of ideas. Since all the questions are based on passages, that means â€Å"sentence completions† and â€Å"identifying errors† questions have been completely eliminated. You’ll still need to apply rules of grammar - and now rules of punctuation, as well - to fix sentences, but all of these will be contained within the context of a paragraph and passage. I’ll delve into the content of SAT Writing more below, but first I want to point out one more change that distinguishes it from the SAT Writing section of years past. SAT Writing is now combined with Reading to make one verbal score out of 800. Your score report will break down your performance by individual section, but your overall scores that matter for college will be made up of one math score and one combined Reading and Writing score. While the SAT Writing and Language section is similar to its predecessor, the above make up the main changes of which you should be aware. To reiterate them briefly... the Writing section is now called Writing and Language. this section focuses on both little picture editing - grammar, word choice, punctuation - and big picture editing - flow, organization, and tone. all of the questions are passage-based. your Writing score will be combined with your Reading score to make one verbal score, on a range from 200 to 800. Now that you know about the main changes to the SAT Writing and Language section, let’s take a closer look at how this section works, starting with a review of its structure. The Writing section is only35 minutes, so it might just be over before you know it. How Is SATWriting and Language Structured? As you saw above, though, it’s different than the SAT Writing section of past years, so make sure you don’t confuse the old and new SAT Writing sections as exact equivalents. SAT Writing will be your second section on the SAT, right after Reading and a five-minute break. After you’ve stretched and snacked, you’ll get to work on Writing, which asks you 44 questions in 35 minutes. You’ll have about 47 to 48 seconds to answer each question. All of the Writing questions are multiple choice and feature four answer choices, A, B, C, and D. As you read above, every single question on SAT Writing is passage-based. Some questions may be detail-oriented, even asking you about a single word, but they’ll still point to that detail within the context of a longer passage. Within the Writing section, you’ll get four passages of about four to five paragraphs, or 400 to 450 words, each. Every passage will accompany 11 questions. Don’t worry about having to flip back and forth through the test booklet to find your answer. The questions will be lined up alongside the paragraphs to which they refer. Here’s a preview of the format (this passage continues from a previous page): In addition to knowing exactly how many passages and questions you’ll encounter, you’ll also be able to anticipate the broad topics of each passage. One Writing passage will feature a major career field,such as health care, technology, or historical pirate reenactment. What Are the SAT Writing Passages Like? While you won’t know exactly what your Writing passages will look like, you can have a general sense of their topics. According to College Board, these always include careers, social studies, the humanities, and science. Careers - passage might feature trends or debates in major fields, like business, technology, or health care. Social studies - passage might draw from history, anthropology, psychology, political science, sociology, among other areas. Humanities - this passage might focus on arts and literature, feature an author, or describe trends in prose, poetry, art, music, or dance. Science - this passage will explore topics in earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics. Unlike the Reading section of the SAT, the Writing section won’t include any prose. Instead, the passages may take the form of an argument, an informative or explanatory text, or a nonfiction narrative. Additionally, one or more passages might contain an informational graphic, like a chart, graph, or table. These graphics are no longer contained only in math questions, but instead show up throughout the SAT! Now that you have a sense of the structure and format of SAT Writing, let’s discuss the skills it seeks to test. SAT Writing asks you to mow down overgrown details and graze for stray errors. What Skills Does SAT Writing and Language Test? SAT Writing tests a number of skills, from the detail-oriented to the big picture. It wants to make sure you understand sentence structure and punctuation, but it also seeks to measure your ability to organize the information and ideas within a passage. In a nutshell, SAT Writing makes sure you can use language effectively to develop ideas and prove a point. With the inclusion of graphics, it also wants you to be able to describe and back up those ideas accurately with data. Of course, you’re not producing the paragraphs as you wouldbe if you tookthe SAT Essay section. Instead, you need to be able to spot and fix errors within andimprove organizationof pre-written paragraphs. You’ll be asked to revise and edit texts and to show facility with the conventions of grammar, usage, and punctuation. A few questions are also vocabulary-based, asking you about word choice and how it can shape tone and meaning. According to College Board, SAT Writing covers four major skills areas: Command of Evidence, Words in Context, Expression of ideas, and Standard English Conventions.Here's the breakdown: About 24 questions, or 55%, cover Command of Evidence, Words in Context, and Expression of Ideas. These questions ask about development, organization, and effective language use About 20 questions, or 45%, will cover Standard English Conventions. These questions ask about sentence structure, usage, and punctuation. Between 2 and 4% of all questions will also ask you to interpret data from a graphic. These questions often ask you to revise a sentence so that it accurately represents information given in the corresponding graphic. Here’s an example of a typical data interpretation question: Now that you have a sense of the structure and purpose of SAT Writing, let’s delve deeper into each major skill area. Read on to learn about the concepts tested, as well as to see an official sample question for each area. Attention in the courtroom!The first skill areacalls for strong supporting evidence. #1: Command of Evidence Command of Evidence questions ask you to improve the way a passage develops information and ideas. These are â€Å"big picture† questions. You may have to add a supporting detail or choose a sentence that would strengthen the passage’s argument. Because these questions are concerned with overall meaning and function, they usually require that you read the entire passage before answering. The sample question below, for example, represents a Command of Evidence question. It asks you to choose a sentence that, if added to the paragraph, would best introduce its main topic. Answer: C #2: Words in Context Words in Context questions are all about vocabulary and word choice, otherwise known as diction. Based on context, you’ll have to choose the best word or phrase for a sentence. In some cases, you’ll have to correct an error. In others, you’ll replace a word with one that improves the passage’s style or tone. Unlike Command of Evidence questions, Words in Context questions often point to a single line within a passage. You may be able to answer these questions without reading the entire passage first - though having context is always helpful. Just as you need to be able to spot and fix an error, you also must be able to recognize when no error exists. That’s why the first answer choice (A) for these questions will always be, â€Å"No Change.† In the example below, you’re asked to choose the correct word, not improve style or tone. Notice how this question represents the SAT’s focus on more commonly used vocabulary words that may have multiple meanings. Answer:D #3: Expression of Ideas Back to big picture! Expression of Ideas questions ask about the overall organization of a passage or strength of an argument. They may refer to individual sentences and ask you whether or not (and how) they should be rearranged. They also might refer to larger structural changes you could make to improve flow or make the passage more impactful. The following sample question asks about whether a sentence should be kept or deleted and why. You need to demonstrate your understanding of how a sentence functions within its context, as well as provide your reasoning behind your decision. Answer: D #4: Standard English Conventions This last category of questions may be the one that most commonly comes to mind when people think about SAT Writing. These are the detail-oriented questions that ask about sentence structure, usage, and punctuation. You may be asked to fix mistakes in clauses and sentences. Some grammar rules that SAT Writing tests include verb tense, parallel construction, subject-verb agreement, pronoun use, and commas. The following are two examples of Standard English Conventions questions. The first asks about subject-verb agreement and verb tense, while the second tests subject-possessive pronoun agreement and the difference between â€Å"it’s† and â€Å"its.† Answers:18. A; 19. D Your first step in studying for SAT Writing should be familiarizing yourself with exactly what’s on it. If you’ve made it this far in the guide, then congratulations! You’ve completed the first step of your prep. Now, what else can you do to study for the Writing section of the SAT? Most of the passagespresent an argument or describe an argument, so reading the news may help you prep. Just opt for articles and editorials over crossword puzzles and comics. How to Study for SAT Writing In case you had any misconceptions that SAT Writing was only about grammar rules, you should have them cleared up by now! This sectionalso tests your ability to edit entire paragraphs and passages for logical flow, organization, tone, and argument. Studying grammar rules and punctuation is still an important part of your prep, but you’ll also need to sharpen your writing and editing skills and understanding of construction. So how can you develop all the editorial skills you need to excel on SAT Writing? Read on for five useful study tips. #1: Study Rules of Grammar, Punctuation, and Usage As you saw above, about 45% of your SAT Writing questions will cover Standard English Conventions. Thus, a firm grasp of the rules of grammar, punctuation, and usage is essential for answering these questions. Luckily, there’s a plethora (classic old SAT word) of resources for reviewing these rules, both for the updated and old SAT Writing sections. Make sure your study materials break down all the important rules, such as parallel structure, modifier placement, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, items in a series, end of sentence and within-sentence punctuation. You can find a decent breakdown of the rules on pages 63 and 67 of College Board's guide to the redesigned SAT. As you study these rules, you shouldanswer practice questions. You’ll need to recognize what rule a question is testing and how to apply it. With a solid grounding in grammar, you can know why your answer is correct, rather than simply relying on a risky strategy of going with what sounds right. For the most part, these questions don’t require that you comprehend the entire passage before answering. However, context is important for all these passage-basedSAT Writing questions. You should probably at least skim the relevant paragraph before answering these detail-oriented questions. Did you ever study the "hamburger" structure of paragraphs and essays? It was actually a pretty useful, if hunger-inducing, tool for understanding proper structure. #2: Develop Writing Skills in School Since SAT Writing questions ask you to improve organization, strengthen arguments, and clarify points, you’ll need to possess strong writing skills. Much of the writing and editing you do in school, whether it’s on your own papers or for peers, should help you grow as a writer. Since the Writing section incorporates argument-based, explanatory, and nonfiction narrative texts, you should especially focus on these types of writing. It will also help to go back to basics to ensure you have a strong grounding in structure. Remember the â€Å"hamburger† structure from middle school? The top bun represented the introductory sentence that spoke to the main point of a paragraph. The lettuce, tomato, and burger stood forsupporting details, all of which related to the main topic and flowed logically from one to the next. Finally, the bottom bun symbolizedthe concluding sentence, which wrapped everything up nicely. This structure describes a paragraph, or can be broadened to representan essay as a whole. By recalling this fundamental structure, you can keep a critical eye on the organization of essays you write and read. Then when an SAT Writing question asks about rearranging sentences or adding a topic sentence, you can have a strong sense of what to do and why. It may also remind you to keep an eye out for transitions and how to organize ideasin a logical order. Improving your writing skills may feel harder to pin down than studying concrete grammar rules, but you should feel confident that the more you read and write, the more progress you’ll make. As long as you pay attention to feedback you get on your writing and keep a critical eye as you read and edit, you’ll gain a stronger sense of the mechanics of the written word. #3: Read Essays and Newspaper Articles Just as practicing writing and editing will enhance your grasp of the English language, so too will reading widely. Seek out persuasive, informative, and nonfiction narrative texts, like academic essays or news and magazine articles. As you read, pay attention tostructure and flow. Take notes on how an author introduces her argument and what supporting details she includes to build a case or explain a topic. Also,circle transitional words and phrases that allow one point, sentence, or paragraph to flow into another. Circling back to the last point, you can model your own writing based on what you learn from reading expert works. An SAT word a day keeps the doctor away! #4: Study the Right Kind ofVocabulary The vocabulary questions on SAT Writing won’t ask about particularly obscure or high level words. Instead, they’ll test the meaning of more common words that may have different meanings depending on their contexts. Similarly, they may ask about frequently confused words, such as in the example above that asks you to choose between outdo, outweigh, and outperform. As you study vocabulary, therefore, you should pay attention to nuance and shifts in meaning depending on context. Keep an eye out for words that are used one way in one passage and another way in a different passage. Focusing on more common words that can be used in unusual ways will also help you on the SAT Reading section. #5: Practice Data Interpretation The SAT will feature graphs, charts, and tables in all three sections, Reading, Writing, and Math. Just about 2 to 4% of your Writing questions will refer to a graphic, but you want to make sure you’ve sharpened your data interpretation skills. Some of these questions may ask whether a sentence accurately conveys information represented in a chart. Others may combine skills with a Command of Evidence question by asking if you should insert a sentence based on the graph in order to reinforce a point or strengthen an argument. Again, developing your skills of data interpretation from graphs, tables, and charts won’t just help you on SAT Writing; it will also help you do well on SAT Reading and SAT Math. You can practice with SAT practice questions, as well as some questions from ACT Science. Before you start in on your SAT Writing prep, let’s review the main features of this section. Develop your "eagle eye" for errors in grammar and usage. Fun fact: eagles are one of nature's most literary creatures, second only to bespectacled owls. Key Facts About SAT Writing and Language The SAT Writing sectionasks you to be an editor. This section tasks you with reading passages, fixing mistakes, and improving word choice and organization. You’ll need to develop both your little picture skills of grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary, as well as your big picture skills of paragraph construction and argument development. To answer these multiple choice, passage-based questions, you should develop a strong understanding of the English language, particularly how it functions when constructing an argument, explanation, or nonfiction narrative. Studying grammar rules and vocabulary, along with reading and writing widely, will enhance your facility with language and, ultimately, help you master the SAT Writing and Language section. What’s Next? What other grammar rules do you need to know besides subject-verb agreement? This guide contains the complete list of SAT grammar rules, broken down one by one. Are you aiming for top scores in SAT Writing? In this guide, a full scorer shares his tips, tricks, and strategies for achieving a perfect SAT Writing score. Since your Writing score is combined with your Reading score on the SAT, you’ll have to do well on both sections to achieve a high verbal score. Check out ourultimate study guide forthe SAT Reading section to learn about content, reading strategies, and practice questions. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep classes. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. 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