Saturday, May 23, 2020

What Is Top-Down Processing Definition and Examples

Top-down processing happens when our general knowledge guides our specific perceptions. When we utilize top-down processing, our ability to understand information is influenced by the context in which it appears. Key Takeaways: Top-Down Processing Top-down processing is the process of using context or general knowledge to understand what we perceive.Richard Gregory introduced the concept of top-down processing in 1970.We use top-down processing to quickly understand the sensory input we take in when we interact with different environments. The Concept of Top-Down Processing In 1970, psychologist Richard Gregory introduced the concept of top-down processing. He claimed that perception is constructive. When we perceive something, we must rely on the context and our high-level knowledge to correctly interpret the perception. According to Gregory, perception is a process of hypothesis testing. He suggested that about 90% of visual information is lost between the time it reaches the eye and gets to the brain. So when we see something new, we can’t rely on our senses alone to understand it. We use our existing knowledge and what we recall about past experiences to hypothesize about the meaning of new visual information. If our hypothesis is correct, we make sense of our perceptions by actively constructing them with a combination of what we take in through our senses and what we already know about the world. However, if our hypothesis is incorrect, it can lead to perceptual errors. Why We Use Top-Down Processing Top-down processing plays an important role in our interactions with our environment. Our five senses are constantly taking in information. At any given time, we are experiencing different sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and ways things feel when we touch them. If we paid attention to each one of our senses all the time we’d never do anything else. Top-down processing enables us to streamline the process by relying on context and our pre-existing knowledge to understand what we perceive. If our brains didn’t employ top-down processing our senses would overwhelm us. Using Top-Down Processing Top-down processing helps us understand what our senses are perceiving in our daily lives. One area in which this has been demonstrated is reading and letter identification. Experiments have shown that when briefly presented with either a single letter or a word that contains that letter and then asked to identify which letter or word they had seen, participants could more accurately identify the word than the letter. Despite the fact that the word had more visual stimuli than the letter, the context of the word helped the individual more accurately understand what they saw. Called the word superiority effect, this is a useful tool in everyday life. For example, suppose you receive an important letter but a few drops of water have smeared part of the text. A few letters in different words are now just smudges. Yet, you’re still able to read the letter in its entirety using top-down processing. You use the context of the words and sentences in which the smudges appear and your knowledge of reading to comprehend the meaning of the  letter’s message.    If you take a look at the image above you’ll see a word with one letter knocked down, yet you are still able to quickly recognize the word as LOVE. We don’t have to carefully examine the shape of the knocked-down letter to do this. The context of the additional three letters spelling out the word is all we need to understand what we’re reading. Positive and Negatives of Top-Down Processing Top-down processing serves a positive function by simplifying the way we comprehend our sensory perceptions. Our environments are busy places and we are always perceiving multiple things. Top-down processing enables us to shortcut the cognitive path between our perceptions and their meaning. Part of the reason for this is that top-down processing helps us recognize patterns. Patterns are useful because they help us understand and know how to interact with the world. For example, when we encounter a new kind of mobile device, we use our past experiences with other mobile devices to quickly figure out which icons to touch to pull up the apps we want to interact with. Mobile devices generally follow similar interaction patterns and our prior knowledge of those patterns enables us to apply them to the new device. On the other hand, patterns can also prevent us from perceiving things in unique ways. So we may understand the pattern of how to use a mobile phone, but if the manufacturer comes out with a new phone that employs completely unique interaction patterns, we may not be able to figure out how to use it. That’s where top-down processing can have negative results. Our knowledge is limited and biased in certain ways. When we apply our knowledge to our perceptions, it similarly limits and biases our perceptions. So, for example, if we’ve always used an iPhone, but are presented with a new kind of phone, our perception may be that the phones user experience is inferior, even if it works exactly like the iPhone.   Sources Anderson, John R. Cognitive Psychology and Its Implications. 7th ed., Worth Publishers, 2010.Cherry, Kendra. Top-Down Processing and Perception. VeryWell Mind, 29 December 2018. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-top-down-processing-2795975McLeod, Saul. â€Å"Visual Perception Theory.†Ã‚  Simply Psychology, 2018. https://www.simplypsychology.org/perception-theories.html

Monday, May 18, 2020

Privacy And The Public Eye - 1193 Words

Imagine a world where everyone’s privacy was honored, there would be absolutely no screenshots sent out regarding another person’s private information, no celebrity hacks or stealing their information for the latest magazine article, and no identity theft of any kind. Now think about how people could gain all of this freedom? We would have to stop letting ourselves fall victim to something much bigger than what we think and how badly things could go if some of our information ends up in the wrong hands. Nothing maintains its privacy once it is put on the internet, so users need to be mindful of what they reveal online; anyone can take the information and make it their own once it becomes open to the public eye. People are so quick to put personal information on the web that they do not stop to think about the potential consequences of their actions. Privacy concerns represent what individuals believe happens to their information once it becomes open to the public. Peopl e unknowingly open themselves up to being profiled online and get making online purchases, that they are getting their information and money stolen before they can even bat an eye. This does not happen in all cases, but it happens enough that we should be more careful of what we open ourselves up to. When studies have been conducted there are typically two tools used: concern for information privacy (CFIP) and Internet user’s information privacy concerns (IUIPC). The first tool that was created was CFIP.Show MoreRelatedThe Public Eye Has Become Of Privacy Essay1756 Words   |  8 Pagessociety. And while within this time period one of the most controversial topics to hit the public eye has become of privacy. Although we are globally interconnected we feel we have control over what is shared and what isn t, what things we feel comfortable sharing with the world and what we want to keep to ourselves or within our inner circle. From apps to social media we feel that we all have the right to privacy, and unfortunately this right was violated. Back in 2013 Edward Snowden Leaked secret documentsRead MoreI See You Watching On Privacy1380 Words   |  6 Pages I See You Watching Privacy throughout the ages has been something people have valued and expected to have. Everyone has the right to their little own secrets and live life the constant watching of others. As technology advances throughout each decade, the world has become more and more accessible through a computer screen. Everyday activities have integrated with technology, from shopping online to requesting transportation through a phone app. Although technology makes everyday life convenientRead MoreThe West Bengal National University Of Juridical Sciences1621 Words   |  7 Pagesone’s reputation in the eyes and minds of the right thinking and reasonable members of the society. Privacy can be understood as â€Å"The right to be let alone† Invasion of privacy means the â€Å"unauthorized interference with a person’s seclusion of himself from the public† Invasion of privacy and publication of such private information may result in the defamation, and as such, a cause of action for defamation arises. This essay concerns questions regarding invasion of privacy, and publication of suchRead MoreEssay about Privacy and Ethical issues with Google Glass1732 Words   |  7 Pagessmiliar to Glass, these devices affect both privacy and secrecy by introducing a two-sided surveillance and sousveillance [3]. There has been varoius concerns regarding privancy intrution and ethical implications of device uage in public and recording people without their permission, possible privacy violation by google, security breaches and others. This essasy study the privacy threats presented by Google Glass, particulary unauthorized tracking of eye movements (section 2) and what the user looksRead MoreEthics Of Electronic Search And Seizure Essay1521 Words   |  7 Pagesunjustified. Firstly, the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. constitution is violated by the amendment to rule 41 which would eliminate the â€Å"Reasonable Expectation of Privacy† of citizens. Additionally, the amendment to rule 41 of the federal rules of criminal procedure can act as a double edged sword, since personal information can leak out to the public. Finally, the amendment to rule 41 lacks a clearly defined mitigant to warrantless remote search and seizure of computer data, which allows for any computerRead MoreCelebrities and Privacy1609 Words   |  7 PagesScope People in the public eye consists of politicians, athletes, celebrities and other individuals who are famous. For our presentation we will be concentrating on celebrities and whether they should expect their privacy to be respected by the media. Media comes in various forms, with the more common ones being newspapers, tabloids, radio, paparazzi, internet, social media and many more. A conflict of rights? Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights stated that every personRead MoreCelebrities Should Have More Privacy Rights1037 Words   |  5 PagesPersuasive Speech Outline Topic: Celebrities Should Have More Privacy Rights General Purpose: To Persuade Specific Purpose: To persuade to my audience that celebrities should have more privacy rights. Thesis: Celebrities are human beings, and deserve the right to live their personal life privately like any other average human being. Introduction A.) Attention Getter: Let s be honest; Most of us can be a little addicted to social media, gossip and juicy details about what celebrities do in theirRead MoreUsing A Mobile Phone While Driving A Car1488 Words   |  6 Pageson top of your field of vision. Google’s released Glass in its ‘Explorer Program’ where it is selling Glass to a limited audience for testing the product before retailing it to public. Wearing a screen on your head poses surprisingly many ethical problems and in this report we will look at the health, security and privacy issues of Glass and then follow it up with the reasons behind the decision made and ways to improve on it. Firstly, is wearing a device on your head really safe? If using a mobileRead MoreAn Unmanned Aircraft System ( Uas )1691 Words   |  7 Pageseven more can be found in satellite parking lots farther from the stadium (K-State Athletics). Game day at K-State is busy for local law enforcement members. Police must remain on high alert for any kind of suspicious activity in order to keep the public safe. With so many people in such a large area, it can become difficult to for officers monitor everything. One possible answer to the human problem of not being able to be everywhere at once includes an inhuman object. An unmanned aircraft systemRead MoreThe, Big Brother Is Watching1274 Words   |  6 Pagesmore of a common unspoken rule. The NSA was discovered in 2013 to be tapping into private phone calls and emails from citizens. Social media sites update their privacy policies regularly, granting themselves more and more rights to the information I presume to be be personal or obsolete to the website. With every camera lens being a direct eye to the government, a window for an unwanted old flame to peer through, and an aperture that could somehow get the image back to one of my teachers or coaches

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

The Golden Age of Sail in Saint John - 1071 Words

Even as the Golden Age of Sail was coming to a close, Saint John had remained at the top – the fourth largest shipbuilding center in the world and one of the greatest in North America. Their affluence took a turn during 1877, when the Great Fire of Saint John devastated the city. It shattered not only the lives of city shipbuilders and merchants, but crippled local citizens as well. Summers in Saint John were typically dry and muggy, though on June 20, 1877 there was an eerie uncharacteristic breeze. Although the cause of the original spark remains unknown, it is believed to have started from McLaughlan Son’s boiler shop or from a nearby sawmill. As wood is a naturally rapid burning agent, it led to the quick demise of many wood built city structures. The structures in the Market Square area burnt rapidly – destroying â€Å"over 80 hectares (200 hundred acres) and 1612 structures including eight churches, six banks, fourteen hotels, eleven schooners and fou r woodboats in just over a nine hour period.† It was a period of despair, as men and women were completely drained after â€Å"dragging bedding, pieces of furniture and other articles through the streets, a vain task in many cases, as the new places of refuge sought out often proved as unsafe as those that were deserted.† Several business owners and residents lost everything they had  ¬Ã¢â‚¬â€œ leaving many Saint John natives with nowhere to go. Support quickly began to pour in from all around the world, with donations reaching inShow MoreRelated The Life and Accomplishments of Sir Francis Drake Essay3752 Words   |  16 Pagesfellow sailors. And most of all, he was admired for his wealth and fame he brought to his country and all who did business with him. Many companies were able to be formed from the wealth he bought to investors like Sir William Winter, George Winter, John Hawkins, Sir Francis Walsingham, Sir Christopher Hatton, and Lord Burghley. It is my belief that Francis Drake’s motivation for the attacks on the Spanish monarchy are a indirect result of the attacks on the Protestants by the Roman Catholics inRead MoreThe Colonization Of The Americas2078 Words   |  9 Pagesdiscovered the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Francisco Pizarro crushed the Incas of Peru in 1532. Silver was now very popular in Spain and it set off a price revolution in Europe that increased consumer costs by about 500%. 1519 – Hernan Cortes set sail from Cuba to Mexico, his purpose being gold. The Aztecs attacked the Spanish but a combination of smallpox and conquest gave way to Spanish rule. The Roman Catholic mission was the sole institution in colonial New Mexico. But in 1680, Pope’s RebellionRead MoreDiscovery of America6704 Words   |  27 Pagesexpedition that they hoped would bypass Portugals lock on Africa and the Indian Ocean reaching Asia by travelling west.[5] Funding campaign In 1485, Columbus presented his plans to John II of Portugal, the King of Portugal. He proposed the king equip three sturdy ships and grant Columbus one years time to sail out west into the Atlantic, search for a western route to the Orient, and return. Columbus also requested he be made Great Admiral of the Ocean Sea (for they called the Atlantic the OceanRead MoreQuestions Macbeth Essay3342 Words   |  14 Pagesa fine young Squire. 9) The Squire’s appearance contrasts with that of the Knight because he was dressed well. The Squire wore a short gown with long and white sleeves, while the Knight wore armor. 10) The Squire was some twenty years of age. 11) The Squire’s talents are riding a horse properly, make songs, poems, and recite, draw, write, dance and joust. The Squire’s talents contrast with the Knight because all the Knight did was joust and kill. 12) The Squire sleeps so littleRead MoreAp European History Outline Chapter 10 Essay example5639 Words   |  23 Pagesdraw rational conclusions based on observation * Burckhardt saw the emergence of the modern world emerge from that of the pre-modern, or medieval, period * Some criticize Burckhardt for overlooking the continuity between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance * Scholars agree that the Renaissance (1375-1527)was a transition from medieval to modern times * Different from the feudal fragmentation of medieval times, Renaissance Europe was characterized by growing nationalRead MoreRenaissance And Discovery Of The Renaissance4916 Words   |  20 Pagesworld empirically and draw rational conclusions based on observation. Burckhardt saw the emergence of the modern world emerge from that of the pre-modern, or medieval, period. Some criticize Burckhardt for overlooking the continuity between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance . Scholars agree that the Renaissance (1375-1527)was a transition from medieval to modern times Different from the feudal fragmentation of medieval times, Renaissance Europe was characterized by growing national consciousness andRead MoreFigurative Language and the Canterbury Tales13472 Words   |  54 Pagesmoral principle. 2. alliteration: repetition of initial consonant sounds. It serves to please the ear and bind verses together, to make lines more memorable, and for humorous effect. †¢ Already American vessels had been searched, seized, and sunk. -John F. Kennedy †¢ I should like to hear him fly with the high fields/ And wake to the farm forever fled from the childless land. -Dylan Thomas, â€Å"Fern Hill† 3. allusion: A casual reference in literature to a person, place, event, or another passage ofRead MoreThe Philippine Architecture: Spanish Colonial Period18287 Words   |  74 Pagesgroupings of each citizen were simply adopted from the Spaniards. Religion is the center of Spanish influence, which was adopted by the Filipinos. In most of Filipinos’ houses, there must exist an altar, a specific place where the Sto. Nià ±os and Saints were positioned. Through this influence, the space inside the typical house of a Filipino was added and later on became divided. In the building types, the main four classifications of each were the Military architecture which made the PhilippinesRead MoreWalts Whitmans Vision of America in Leaves of Grass17685 Words   |  71 Pages†©The†©Modern†©Library:†©NY,†©2001.†©Ã‚ «Song†©Of†©Myself »,†©page†©113,†©paragraph†©51,†©lines†©21†©to†© 23.†© 4 †© Walt†©Whitman’s†©vision†©of†©America†©in†©Leaves†©of†©Grass,†©TM†©2012†© I†©believe†©that†©he†©was†©veritably†©convinced†©that†©such†©a†©country†©could†©exist,†©at†©a†©young†© age†©that†©is,†©but†©that†©he†©gradually†©started†©to†©change†©his†©mind†©through†©the†©years,†©especially†© because†© of†© the†© war.†© Toward†© the†© end†© of†© his†© life,†© he†© became†© more†© skeptical†© about†© how†© things†© were†© going†© to†© turn†© out,†© which†© is†© why†© he†© tried†©Read MoreConfucianism in Journey to the West31834 Words   |  128 Pagesof how the Buddhist monk Sanzang (ä ¸â€°Ã¨â€" ), accompanied by his disciples Sun Wukong (Ã¥ ­â„¢Ã¦â€šÅ¸Ã§ © º), Zhu Bajie (çÅ' ªÃ¥â€¦ «Ã¦Ë†â€™), Sha Wujing (æ ²â„¢Ã¦â€šÅ¸Ã¥â€¡â‚¬) and Yulong Santaizi (玉é ¾â„¢Ã¤ ¸â€°Ã ¥ ¤ ªÃ¥ ­ ), traveled to the Western Regions to obtain the sacred scriptures is well-known among Chinese of all ages. In the 1570s, Wu Cheng’en (Ã¥  ´Ã¦â€° ¿Ã¦  ©) wrote the story’s most celebrated version, later published as the novel Journey to the West, also known as Xiyouji (è ¥ ¿Ã¦ ¸ ¸Ã¨ ® °).[1] Over the last few decades numerous television adaptations of Wu Cheng’en’s novel appeared

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Girl Analysis - 1426 Words

English 101 October 17, 2011 Expectations What types of expectations are placed on you? Have so many of them piled up over time that is seems so overwhelming that you could run through them in a mad list in your head? Well then welcome to one of Jamaica Kincaid’s famous short stories, â€Å"Girl†. In the essay â€Å"Girl,† Jamaica Kincaid portrays the stereotypes and expectations placed on women and girls of her culture in the 1950’s. She uses authoritative tone, syntax, and progression of thought to show the expected responsibilities of girls and women in the narrator’s culture. Throughout the essay the narrator of the essay â€Å"Girl,† uses a lot of examples to show the expectations placed on women and girls, actually the whole essay is mostly†¦show more content†¦200). This time the narrator has moved to girls a little older, young girls wouldn’t have the energy to sweep a whole house. She also mentions, â€Å"this is how you smile to someone you don’t li ke at all;†(p. 200). She is showing that she is talking about girls a little older as well since she is saying they need to start learning how to control their emotions. This is still showing that the narrator is progressing through time since young girls couldn’t care less about emotions let alone trying to deal with them. She finally progresses to things that girls are told when they are young women and the expectations placed on them then. Things like how to have an abortion, â€Å"this is how to make a good medicine to throw away a child before it even becomes a child;†(p. 201). This is defiantly something no girl would have to worry about, and the narrator had obviously progressed to talk about young women who might have to deal with this situation. The narrator also tells how how to love a man, â€Å"this is how to love a man, and if this doesn’t work there are other ways, and if they don’t work don’t feel too bad about giving up;†(p. 201). Only young women would have to know these thing and this shows that the narrator is moving progressively through time as she describes the responsibilities of women. Having the essay progress gives the feeling of a flashback on all of the responsibilities placed on women throughout her life. Jamaica Kincaid uses syntax inShow MoreRelatedThe New Girl Analysis917 Words   |  4 Pages’The New Girl’ analysis The story takes place in a white lower-middle-class neighborhood. The neighborhood is called Prospect Street. Only 2 kids live in the block, Allison and the narrator, so they have to be friends whether they like it or not. Allison is 10 years old while the narrator is only 8, so Allison is a kind of role model to him. A day like any other, where they almost crash, the narrator hears a laugh and turns his head to find a small girl. They smile at each other, though the peaceRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Ranch Girl 929 Words   |  4 PagesLiterary Analysis Essay The life of a ranch girl is unknown to many people across America. In Maile Meloy’s Ranch Girl, a female narrator brings the reader into her hard life being raised as a ranch girl. Through many different literary devices including, tone, mood, and characterization, the writer set the reader to feel everything the narrator depicts and the reader ingested with a heavier impact than the reader anticipates. The obligation to the community for the ranch girl is to break all stereotypesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Novel Wicked Girl 1308 Words   |  6 Pagesto the Colonel, but his eyes soften when he sees her and the men realize her spell will never break. â€Å"Wicked Girl†: Elena Mejà ­as is a young girl who falls for Josà © Bernal, the Nightingale, one of the tenants of her mother’s boarding house. He enters an affair with her mother but Elena lusts after him. Elena tries to make him embrace her, but he shoves her off, calling her a wicked girl. Elena is sent to live with nuns, attends college, and gets a job. Bernal marries her mother but now lusts afterRead MoreA Literary Analysis Of Girl By Jamaica Kincaid1927 Words   |  8 PagesLanguage, Culture, and a Mother s’ Influence: A Literary Analysis of Girl by Jamaica Kincaid Girls, young women, and mature mothers. Society has consistently given women strict guidelines, rules and principles on how to be an appropriate member of a man’s society. These rules are set at a young age and enforced thoroughly into adulthood. When not followed accordingly, women often times too many face reprimanding through means of verbal abuse, physical abuse, or social exile. In the midst of allRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Working Girl 1840 Words   |  8 Pages â€Å"Working Girl,† depicts important battles that women are still fighting today, it brings light to the ridiculous judgments and barriers that women had to smash to establish themselves in the business field. The film was written by Kevin Wade and released in 1988, the story is based in New York City from the inspiration of New York commuters and the noticing that many young women were wearing white tennis shoes on their way to work, carrying high heels to change into once arriving to work. Tess M cGillRead MoreAnalysis Of Jamaica Kincaid s Girl1543 Words   |  7 Pagesrespected by her peers and by men is even more challenging. There are specific rules that women are expected to live by everyday, in order to fulfill the task of being an â€Å"acceptable† woman in the eyes of society. In Jamaica Kincaid’s short story â€Å"Girl†, she illustrates a mother teaching her daughter the rules of life for a woman. Though this story was written in 1978 and takes place in what can be assumed as a predominantly African-American populated area, a vast majority of the lessons is taughtRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Girl By Jamaica Kincaid848 Words   |  4 Pagesfor women. â€Å"Girl† by Jamaica Kincaid is a short story that launched her career. A story of an older woman who provides an endless list of rules or advice, using the discouragement of female sexuality and showing how it defines what it means to be a woman and shapes the way women are expected to behave to a young girl. This short story limits to what women are able to do and what they cannot do. Often the older women seem more insulting and scolding than helpful to the younger girl. â€Å"Girl† has a varietyRead MoreAnalysis of Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd1031 Words   |  5 Pages This week’s reflection is on a book titled Girls Like Us and it is authored by Rachel Lloyd. The cover also says â€Å"fighting for a world where girls not for sale†. After reading that title I had a feeling this book was going to be about girls being prostituted at a young age and after reading prologue I sadly realized I was right in my prediction. The prologue starts with the description about a girl who likes swimming, SpongeBob, Mexican food, writing poetry and getting her nails painted. To aRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Always Like A Girl Essays1720 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Jaelyn Romo English 111G Prof. Manley 10/24/14 #LikeAGirl Always â€Å"Like a Girl† commercial was not only a hit in the media world, but a hit to the hearts of many women across the nation. In this commercial Always attempts to reach out and inform Americans of the damage caused to a female’s confidence when they do finally hit that age in their lives where insecurities begin to exist. Positively using their credibility and reputation to target a worldwide issue among woman so that it gains enoughRead MoreAnalysis of the Movie Mean Girls1037 Words   |  5 Pages Cold, shiny, hard, PLASTIC, said by Janice referring to a group of girls in the movie Mean Girls. Mean Girls is about an innocent, home-schooled girl, Cady who moves from Africa to the United States. Cady thinks she knows all about survival of the fittest. But the law of the jungle takes on a whole new meaning when she enters public high school and encounters psychological warfare and unwritten social rules that teen girls deal with today. Cady goes from a great fr iend of two outcasts, Janice

Twelfth Night †Feste’s self Free Essays

string(150) " The listener can read into this as Orsino being the lover and Olivia being the ‘maid’, making sense as the lover is ‘slain’\." Feste is an observer. He sees through people. Though he’s a kind of entertainer, who will only perform for money, what he chooses to sing to people is intentionally relevant and disturbing to them. We will write a custom essay sample on Twelfth Night – Feste’s self or any similar topic only for you Order Now People find the truth very hard to deal with, for example, ‘Peace, you rogue†¦here comes my lady’. This story shows people avoiding the truth at every level. Especially since they are being called ‘fools’ or ‘clowns’, and not really taken seriously. For example, the fool in King Lear was constantly being threatened with hangings and beatings, but this was only as he was a ‘witty fool’. Again with Feste in Twelfth Night, who also is threatened with hangings, due to his absence. But Feste does not fear this threat, and in fact makes a joke of it; mocking Maria and using a sexual pun at the same time. This confidence comes from the fact that it wasn’t their job to simply provide amusement, but also to make critical comments and provide advice, as Olivia asks him: ‘What’s a drunken man like, fool?’. And because he is an ‘allowed fool’ he was able to say what he thinks, without fear of punishment, ‘there’s no slander in an allowed fool’. Since the only relationship that involves Feste, is that between Olivia’s family, he has the ability to mediate between the whole cast. He is regarded as a close friend to Olivia, ‘What is a drunken man like, fool?’, as well as Sir Toby, by engaging in their ‘folly’ and songs. But he also has the ability to distance himself from everyone when needs be. Because he is constantly mocking people with puns and soliloquy, the audience gets the feeling that he doesn’t really feel close to them. A well as being incredibly comic, Feste is probably the most perceptive character in the play. He comments on people in ways other people over look, whether be their appearance or their ‘mind’. For example, in Act ii: iv, he point blank tells Orsino what he thinks of him, saying his ‘mind is very opal’ and ‘the tailor make thy doublet of changeable taffeta’ (a silk which changes colour). The joke here is Feste telling Orsino that he is very fickle and has a very changeable mood, so changeable that he should have matching clothes. He then goes on to say that he is so changeable that he would sail around the world to justify purposeless busyness. Feste hardly knows Orsino, who in turn scarcely knows Feste, but for Feste to cast this view shows his perceptiveness. This view is so accurate, that it leads Orsino to make Cesario go to Olivia’s and tell her that his love is ‘more noble than the world’. Furthermore, he also suspiciously notices Viola, and is the only one start suspecting her, ‘send thee a beard’ he says, hinting that he knows of her ‘such disguise’. Feste’s perception was depicted in Trevor Nunn’s production of Twelfth Night, where he has Feste give Viola a necklace. A necklace that she abandoned in Act 1 scene 2, on the seacoast, showing that he has always known of Viola’s situation. This interpretation of Feste means that throughout the play, Feste has always known of Viola’s situation and was always playing along, again showing his nature. Feste’s Language: Feste has a very sophisticated way of speaking that allows him to climb up and down the social ladders of Illyria and be able to talk with Lord Orsino, Sir Toby and Fabian. This becomes significant when he is able to get himself out of situations or even to make other people react, which may otherwise be tricky and use his language skills to make mockery. Such as the ‘the more fool, Madonna, to mourn for your brothers soul†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ a. This is the first scene that he is present in and he immediately proves Olivia to be a ‘fool’. This kind of humour was taken kindly by Olivia and an Elizabethan audience would of enjoyed it more. However, Feste has proved two things here, the first is that he is not ‘dry’ and the second that he can provide the humour if is someone does ‘minister occasion to him’ or invites him to ‘make that good’. By getting set up for this comedy, or getting invited, the audience would get ready and find the punch line slightly more comical. Another key figure of Feste’s language, are his uses of Latin. He talks and refers a few times in Latin, and all times, he is either talking to Olivia or Orsino. This again proves his versatility talking appropriately with people and it also shows the audiences his education. All his Latin sayings convey messages. For example, the first, to Olivia, ‘cucullus non facit monachum’, which refers to an overriding theme in the play; don’t judge by outward appearances, as if preparing her for his foolery. The last Latin reference is to Orisino in Act 5. ‘Primo, secundo, terito is a good play†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢, here simply begging for a third coin. Feste’s songs do hold a dramatic function, and depending on the scene, the dramatic function changes. One of the most dramatic things, are the songs that he sings. The are not just for entertainment, but they hold meaning and are sung for a reason. Such as when Feste asks ‘would you have a love song or a song of good life’. He feels as though he has to please; it’s his duty as a fool, and his song will reflect the audience’s mood at this current moment in the play. Or as he said in his final song at the end of the play ‘†¦And we’ll strive to please you every day.’ The meanings of Feste’s songs, are always significant. They are either used to create dramatic effects or represent/ echo his feelings about a situation or a scene. In Act 2, Feste sings ‘Come away, Come away, death†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢, a melancholy song to Orsino about a lover who dies for love, which echoes Orsino’s mood and his situation. The listener can read into this as Orsino being the lover and Olivia being the ‘maid’, making sense as the lover is ‘slain’. You read "Twelfth Night – Feste’s self" in category "Papers" The words that are used mirror what Orsino has already said, such as ‘My part†¦share it’ hold similar meaning to that in ‘If music be the food of love†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢. Orsino then immediately acts on the song and tells Viola/ Cesario to go to Olivia’s. This is one example of the role of Feste; do we value what he says or laugh at what he says? Here, Orsino values what he says, we know this as he sends Viola to go to Olivia and tell her ‘that nature pranks her in attracts my soul’ not her money. However, after the song is sung, Feste then casts a point blank opinion, face-to-face of Orsino. This creates a lot of tension, especially with the use of words like ‘pain’ and ‘..bones shall be thrown’. Here is a good example of the dramatic significance of Feste; as this scene ends in tension. This is the part where Viola nearly reveals of her true love for Orsino, and the audience think that Viola might reveal who she really is, so the audience are anticipating and waiting for Viola’s next words . And the next scene starts in comic humour. The drama in each scene seems heightened due to the massive contrast. At the end of the play, Shakespeare provides what seems to be an epilogue, like other plays, such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and All’s Well That Ends Well. However, unlike these, Feste sings it. The song is about Feste growing up, about being tolerating in childhood, rejected in adult hood, unsuccessful in marriage and drunk in old age†¦but nothing really matters, the actors will always try an please. Although this song is about Feste, the overall meaning of it reflects the whole play. For example, he talks about himself growing up with bad experiences, his life circle from childhood to being an old man. This is a slight re-iteration of a song he sang earlier: ‘What is love†¦youth’s a stuff will not endure’, This song is telling the audience that we should enjoy the present because nobody can know what the future holds, it could be good e.g. Viola-Orsino and Sebastian-Olivia, or it could be terrible e.g. Malvolio. Feste uses word play frequently throughout this play. These word plays, or puns, can make the audience laugh or even add to the tension so far. A good example is in Feste’s first scene: ‘he that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colours’. The first interpretation of this pun, is the word ‘colours’ which can mean enemy or war. So, logically, someone who is already dead, can’t fear. However, an Elizabethan audience could of heard it as ‘collars’ (meaning noose or hangmen’s nooses) so they don’t fear them. The Elizabethans enjoyed such punning jokes, and the pun itself would relax the mood. With Maria threatening Feste with death, and then Feste making the whole audience laugh. This is an example of the dramatic significance of Feste. The role of Feste: Feste’s appearance in the play is held off until the fifth scene of act I. In this scene the reader is introduced to the clown through a conversation with Maria. In this scene his contribution to the play is revealed through: â€Å"Wit, an’t be thy will, put me in good fooling! Those wits that think they have thee, do very oft prove fools, and I that am sure lack thee may pass for a wise man†¦better a witty fool than a foolish wit†. These lines indicate that Feste’s presence is not merely comic relief through foolish acts and show that the role of the fool requires much intelligence, or being a ‘wise man’. Feste’s contribution to the exposure of underlying themes of love is essential to the understanding of the play’s messages. The clown’s most profound comments often take the form of song: ‘O mistress mine, where are you roaming?†¦Youth’s a stuff will not endure.’ It’s in this song where we could possibly see Feste uncovering viola, ‘Trip no further, pretty sweeting;’, where the ‘pretty sweeting’ may be Viola, and the ‘wise man’s son’ is Feste. If this is so, then it suggests that Viola-Orsino may end up as ‘lovers’. This song is performed due to the requests of Sir Toby and Sir Andrew for a â€Å"love-song.† The song plays on the events of Twelfth Night itself. The song echoes the cheerfulness of this play and how the uncertainty of ‘what’s to come’ shouldn’t be a negative prospect as ‘there lies no plenty’. Feste also foresees events that will occur later in the play. When he speaks of journeys ending â€Å"in lovers meeting,† he hints at the resolution in which several characters are married. Feste’s intuition is comparable only to the perception of Viola. Because both characters are the only ones who are involved in both houses, Orsino’s and Olivia’s, they rival each other in their knowledge and putting their wits against each other. Namely act3:i, where, they both delight in using word play, ‘a sentence is but a cheveril glove to a good wit-‘ and later Viola saying ‘I understand you sir’, as if showing him that she is clever. Apparently, Viola is the only character who recognises Feste’s true intelligence: â€Å"This fellow is wise enough to play the fool, and to do that craves a kind of wit†¦but wise men, folly-fall’n, quite taint their wit†. This shows Viola’s awareness of Feste and his ability to read people in order to say the right thing at the right time. Through this keen observation by Viola, she is perhaps acknowledging that the clown might even have the ability to see through her ow n disguise. Although Feste never openly claims to know of Viola’s deceptive dress, it is indicated that he might be on to her: â€Å"Now Jove in his next commodity of hair send thee a beard†. He’s used to change the audience; if Shakespeare wanted to portray thoughts or morals, he would do so with the puns and songs Feste tells the audience. For example, Act 1:v, he says: â€Å"many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage† communicates as if you are well ‘hung’ then you need not love. And if we look back, to Act 1, the Latin quote refers directly to how Shakespeare felt. So, it is possible that Feste was the voice of Shakespeare, and if Shakespeare wanted to make the audience happy, for dramatic effect or other, then he might use Feste to sing a song. And when Feste says lines 359-354 in act5:i, he quotes the things that Malvolio has said, and a feeling of ‘what goes around comes around’. This putting down of Malvolio would of been particularly enjoyed by the audience, because of his puritan nature. So by Feste putting down and mocking of Malvolio’s nature would of caused great humour. I detected this in act 2:iv, where we are faced with a melancholy ending about love and ‘passion’ then straight after, we see the trap that is set for Malvolio. This comic scene gets enhanced because the mood of the preceding scene was sorrowful and sad, but the beginning of this one is very jovial. The plot in Twelfth Night is very convoluted. This is why fools might of been used in such plays as ‘King Lear’, ‘All’s well that ends well’ and ‘Two gentlemen of Verona’; to underline and reinforce important parts of the plot to the audience, and make their songs and folly draw parallels to the play. For example, in Twelfth Night, Feste sings to Malvolio ‘†¦She loves another’. As if, Feste has seen through Malvolio and knows of his affection for Olivia, and crudely tells him there is no likelihood for him, moreover, he already must know of Olivia’s affections for Viola. With the indictment of Malvolio and other happy endings in the form of marriages, the future seems delightfully optimistic, Feste’s final song lessens the hope of a completely happy ending. The refrain of this song, which states â€Å"the rain it raineth every day,† insinuates that at any time the happiness that now occupies the characters in Illyria could at any time be swept away. The song as a whole seems to show maturation from innocence to experience and through this development was a continuum of â€Å"the wind and the rain.† With this song, Feste seems to suggest that even as a person goes through life, with its ups and downs, he or she must remember that at any time one can end up in an unfamiliar place with a completely different life, exactly like Sebastian and Viola. There will always be unpredictability, as long as there is ‘wind and the rain’. Ironically, Feste is the only person not to be seen as the fool. Olivia is the fool, as she has fallen in love with a woman, Orisino is seen the fool, because his Viola has tricked him into thinking she is a man. Sir Andrew comes across as the fool because of his foolish remarks, like taking the word ‘ass’ literally and believing ‘Pigrogromitus’! This irony will add humour and dramatic irony to the audience and again make Feste look the cleverest by default. By acting the ‘fool’ he comes across as the wise man he is. The ‘Twelfth Night’ was know as the â€Å"Feast Of Fools†, which is very similar to â€Å"Feste the Fool†. This seems extremely significant, due to the similarity, as the Feast of Fools always appointed a â€Å"Lord Of Ridicule†. It is possible the an Elizabethan audience would of got this (intentional) similarity and therefore see Feste as this Lord Of Ridicule. If Feste was this lord, then he would become the master of the household, for this short holiday period, and organise dances, folly, pranks and deceptions, in order to entertain the rest of the household. If this case, it would then explain Feste’s songs, drunkenness, writing of letters to Malvolio and of course dressing up as Sir Topas. How to cite Twelfth Night – Feste’s self, Papers

Prudence and Conceptual Framework for Accounting- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about thePrudence and Conceptual Framework for Accounting. Answer: Internal audience Directors Brief Financial accounting has a certain concept that organizes the financial statement preparation. The most used concept for this purpose is prudence. It recommends that assets or income must not be overstated. However, liabilities or expenditure must not be understated also. The purpose of prudence is to show the least positive business position (Penman, 2013). With those who are not familiar with this concept, will not prefer to do this. Still, sometimes a good position can give a positive response to business. This concept is significant in assisting reliable representation while making sure that financial statement does not misinform and give a fake opinion to users. In essence, this concept is a basic principle of accounting, with IAS I delineating its role. Argument in favour of the re-inclusion of prudence in the new CF Impartiality is promoted while practising prudence. Prudence is said to be the cautiousness when judgements are made under the circumstances of uncertainty. The exercise of prudence refers to assets or revenues which are not overstated and liabilities or expenditures which are not understated. Mutually, this exercise does not entitle assets and income understatement and liabilities and expenses overstatement, it is because these type of misstatement can result to income (overstatement) or expense (understatement) in near future. Financial statement preparers do, nevertheless, have to compete with such uncertainty that unavoidably encloses many conditions and events like the doubtful receivable collection, the expected useful life of assets and several claims of warranty that can take place. These uncertainties can be taken into account by revealing the nature and level and prudence exercise in the financial statement preparation (Malley, 2014). Prudence is inclusive of the exercise of caution and practise of judgements required in making estimation under the events of uncertainty. In such a way that, assets or revenue must not be overstated and liabilities and expenditures must not be understated (Lin, 2015). Conversely, prudence exercise does not entitle for this, for instance, hidden reserve creation or unnecessary provisions, the purpose of asset understatement, or the purpose of liability overstatement, because of no neutrality in financial statement and thus will not be reliable for the concept. On the other hand, most users pass comments regarding this issue, expressing a view that a reference to prudence must be applicable in accounting provisions of Conceptual Framework. They provided some reasons which are enumerated as below: Standards, existing and planned, both make use of accounting treatments that some view as encouraged by approach for prudence. This, it is significant to justify prudence in the accounting provisions of Conceptual Framework so that it can be applied in a continuous manner. Prudence is required to the management of counteract. Investors also show concern regarding the hazardous risk than advantageous potential. Prudence assists to deal with this concern (van Mourik and Katsuo, 2014). Research done by academics has suggested certain forms of conservatism, it is concept same like prudence, it has a role in financial reporting. Conversely, different viewpoints were placed regarding what form will be not useful, at what time and why. Prudence exercise assists to line up the managers and shareholders interest can make a reduction in hazards (ACCA. Prudence and IFRS. 2014). Financial crises had justified the requirement of prudence while making estimations. Argument in against of the re-inclusion of prudence in the new CF This section is based on analysis of arguments which are against in making use of prudence in the conceptual framework. In such cases, the argument is articulated thoroughly in italics, and further, the response is provided. Basically, prudence is not considered to be a useful method because it is formless. Particularly, this concept cannot help in questioning how much to apply in a situation. Most of the concepts are open to this similar analysis. But some do not, for instance, have an extent for the relevance measurement (Burton and Jermakowicz, 2015). In addition to, it must be kept in mind that prudence takes place at the time of uncertainty, and by considering this aspect it would theoretically incompatible to release prudence because it is too vague. Instead, it is essentially an indistinct concept, with this ambiguity being the primary purpose for its presence in the first place as it is not a reason for the elimination of this concept from the Framework. Prudence is not applicable in all standards of accounting rather it is applicable in some cases. Therefore, it should not be applied in conceptual framework instead it should be applied as per the requirement at the standard measure. If prudence is said to be a concept, in developing of any specified standard, then it will be included in the framework (Gebhardt, Mora and Wagenhofer, 2014). Not every component of the framework is reliable to be considered in all aspects of the standard, but what all content of the Framework should have in common is being part of the conceptual foundation for accounting practice. Furthermore, constant application of the concept in specified accounting standards needs a clear standard by which relevancy can be measured and evaluated, and further this conceptual standard is Framework. In case net assets are understated in the existing period of accounting, then the financial position might be overstated in near future, which will not be considered as prudent. If profits are removed when they are vague further they will be unavoidably reported in future when they will be certain (Craig, Smieliauskas and Amernic, 2017). In the test of prudence, gains are realized just once and they can be demonstrated, further, this can be considered as prudent. Point to be noted is that, at no point are net assets over-stated (van Mourik and Katsuo, 2014). The main question arises is in if or if not an investors will prefer to assess of financial performance that is trustworthy against to one that they cannot. If the conceptual framework entitles bias and an exit from neutrality, further this approach will make an individual eligible for abusing and window-dressing of financial statements (Chaudhry and et.al, 2015). There are two defences in opposition to this argument. It is depended on the IASB on how to make use of Framework while setting standards and its provided in standard applicability that the policy decisions are decided by preparers themselves. Next is that traditional prudence can in any case by stated as consistent with neutral and fair, and the reasons for this were mentioned above. Prudence would lead to unrealised profit prohibition. The meaning of conventional prudence does not rely on realisation but on uncertainty. Further an unrealised gain not required to be uncertain. Prudence would enable an enterprise to estimate an asset to an extent that must be less than the unbiased estimate. This argument misses the point with regards to uncertainty. In case the amount is uncertain, then it will be misled in respect of biases (Craig, Smieliauskas and Amernic, 2017). IASB Audience ED Submission XYZ company Sydney 3500 Date: Mr Price Executive Director of Corporate Advisory Corporate Advisory Group Re: draft submission letter to the IASB Respected board The term prudence in accounting is utilised in different ways having a different sense. In particular, there are two primary divergent perceptions of prudence which are prominent in the debate on the conceptual framework. In accordance with the IASB; prudence is consistent with neutrality and essential for interpretation for careful judgement in accounting. Second perception in accordance with the traditional understanding of prudence in accounting practice which states that prudence is the solicitation of a complex threshold of verifiability for the acknowledgement of gains in comparison to losses. The International Accounting Standards Board recently issued an Exposure Draft of a new and revised framework regarding Financial Reporting. For this, IASB tends to re-establish prudence that will make financial statements more useful (Zhang and Andrew, 2014). On the face of it,this sounds like a clear-cut decision, after all, prudence is recognized as an asset on daily basis of life. Although, prudence application to accounting provisions is complex than it is to a conduct of an individual. This vagueness has created confusion in order to remove any reference to prudence in 2010, during the last revision of the Conceptual Framework, choosing to depend on other ways of defining good quality in terms of financial reporting (Gebhardt, Mora and Wagenhofer, 2014). In divergence with this indistinctness in 1989 and 2010, the reinstatement of prudence in the 2015 ED was noticeably in the form of IASB Prudence. Without categorical acknowledgement of the manifestation of uncertainty. However; the cited approach is profoundly flawed. It is because; this concept familiarises a concept into the Framework which is not a viable theory at all because it leads to significant confusion. The problem in the concept of prudence is in its substance of definition which does not make contributions to the objective of neutrality. Further; conceptual framework already provides a definition of neutrality thus nothing will be attained from the institution of an additional concept which does not have any distinctive meaning (Craig, Smieliauskas and Amernic, 2017). This argument does not imply that neutrality and prudence are exactly similar; undeniably, neutrality is a wider concept in comparison prudent approach of IASB. Due to this factor; the existence of two approaches and definitions having similar conceptual outcome summonses unescapably unproductive endeavours to comprehend why and how each concept differs from the other. In addition to this concept of prudence have a different meaning to different people, thus reintroduction of the concept of prudence will make an increase in misunderstanding as an accommodating response by the IASB to hassles that the Conceptual Framework should entrench prudence as conventionally assumed. On the basis of this aspect my viewpoints are as below: The conduct of prudent in IASB must be dropped because it has no useful intention and has risks in itself. The existing treatment of prudence must be replaced by; prudence is the application of maximum limit of verifiability for asset realisation that of liabilities. The above-mentioned meaning must be enhanced with a clear picture of the main core of the conceptual framework. The above-specified text in the core of framework must be enhanced with a clear picture in terms of conceptual justification for prudence, inclusive of the fundamental role of; measurement uncertainty and time, irregularity of information and financial incentives among investors and management. I dont think, it is sensible to re-establish the basis of its use can come into different from what it was before. Just not the term prudence is acceptable, but also to use this in a different manner is illogical (Bauer, O'Brien and Saeed, 2014). While talking about other factors of financial information, these both prudence and neutrality are completely different features and are used at a threshold, equally while benefiting the information. However, one cannot be used to back the other. From my point of view,the most suitable way to make use of prudence can be defining the framework for the purpose of financial information (Investor perspectives. A tale of prudence, 2015).Take it in another way; I dont think it's conventional understanding must be changed. Instead of that, the accounting aspects of conservatism and irregularity must be maintained, but it some degree of scope. Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to express a viewpoint on the concept of prudence. If you have further queries in future please contact on +61(3) 1111 1111 or on EYX@bigphore.com EYX Executive chair References Books and journals Andr, P., 2014. Towards a New Conceptual Framework: Here We Go Again!. Bauer, A.M., O'Brien, P.C. and Saeed, U., 2014. Reliability makes accounting relevant: a comment on the IASB Conceptual Framework project.Accounting in Europe,11(2), pp.211-217. Burton, G.F. and Jermakowicz, E.K., 2015.International Financial Reporting Standards: A Framework-Based Perspective. Routledge. Chaudhry, A., Coetsee, D., Bakker, E., Varughese, S., McIlwaine, S., Fuller, C., Rands, E., de Vos, N., Longmore, S. and Balasubramanian, T.V., 2015. Conceptual Framework.2015 Interpretation and Application of International Financial Reporting Standards, pp.29-37. Craig, R., Smieliauskas, W. and Amernic, J., 2017. Estimation Uncertainty and the IASB's Proposed Conceptual Framework.Australian Accounting Review,27(1), pp.112-114. Gebhardt, G., Mora, A. and Wagenhofer, A., 2014. Revisiting the fundamental concepts of IFRS.Abacus,50(1), pp.107-116. Gebhardt, G., Mora, A. and Wagenhofer, A., 2014. Revisiting the fundamental concepts of IFRS.Abacus,50(1), pp.107-116. Lin, H., 2015. Discussion about conceptual framework.International Business Research,8(6), p.191. Penman, S., 2013. Accounting standard setting: Thoughts on developing a conceptual framework.China Journal of Accounting Studies,1(3-4), pp.157-167. van Mourik, C. and Katsuo, Y., 2014. The IASB and ASBJ conceptual frameworks: Same objective, different financial performance concepts.Accounting Horizons,29(1), pp.199-216. Zhang, Y. and Andrew, J., 2014. Financialisation and the conceptual framework.Critical perspectives on accounting,25(1), pp.17-26. Online ACCA. Prudence and IFRS. 2014. [PDF]. Available through https://www.accaglobal.com/content/dam/acca/global/PDF-technical/financial-reporting/tech-tp-prudence.pdf. [Accessed on 30th September 2017]. Investor perspectives. A tale of prudence. 2015. [PDF]. Available through https://www.ifrs.org/-/media/feature/resources-for/investors/investor-perspectives/investor-perspective-jun-2015.pdf. [Accessed on 30th September 2017]. Malley A., 2014. [Online]. Available through https://www.theaccountant-online.com/news/is-prudence-still-a-virtue-4276220/. [Accessed on 30th September 2017].

Sunday, May 3, 2020

A Significant Event That Changed My Life Essay Example For Students

A Significant Event That Changed My Life Essay Many people fear taking risks, especially when there is something to lose. This goes on to become a hindrance in developing an ability that could have helped us positively in our lives. I could have been grouped into that category of people if not for my Literature teacher in secondary school. I was always that student in class that rarely spoke up and participated in sharing the work I had done in front of my class. In my second year in secondary school, we had to pick our subjects for our GCE O levels examinations. At that point in my life, being only fourteen, I was not really sure of which subjects were my strengths and which subjects were my weaknesses. I was offered Literature as a full subject and I was extremely terrified because Literature was a subject that I had little knowledge about. Seniors had warned us about how the subject was extremely tough to score in and it was also a subject that could not really be studied for unlike Math or Chemistry. I was lost and confused. I did not want to take up a subject that I had doubted my ability in and especially not for a major examination like the GCE O levels. I consulted my literature teacher in my school and till today, that consultation will always be a memorable one, which is very close to my heart. Just like most teachers out there, he was very encouraging and optimistic during my consultation with him about taking up Literature. I discussed my fears with him. They ranged from not doing well in the subject to the results affecting where I was going to apply after my GCE O levels examinations. He told me to take a chance. His exact words were, â€Å"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. † and he looked at me with a wide grin on his face. I looked at him feeling reassured and inspired simultaneously. He went on to reiterate what he had just quoted by saying â€Å"Look Kiran, Literature is a subject that encourages you to express and explain your thoughts. It could help you mature as a person and look at issues with different perspectives. † I was definitely persuaded into doing Literature and it was also a plus point that I enjoyed reading and writing. Literature was a very different subject from the common subjects we took in school like Math and Science which were given more emphasis in school. Humanities subjects like Geography, History and Literature were usually given secondary priority. I was not very fond of Math and Science and put great thought into taking Literature as a subject. Eventually, I told my Literature teacher that I was going to take a chance by doing Literature as a subject. I was thrilled yet nervous. The worst of my fears of taking up Literature came true in my first semester. I failed my first Literature test. I felt defeated and once again I felt lost. I really did not know what had gone wrong. My teacher sat me down after school one day and told me that I was too rigid in my essay writing. He felt that I should be more expressive instead of being too specific. Many of my peers were also facing the same problem as me. There were only twelve of us in that Literature class so we decided to help each other out by getting into pairs and analyzing the text we were studying in class. This was an effective way of studying as we learnt different ways of understanding the text and expressing our thoughts in a freer manner. My essay writing improved over a span of a few months due to my persistent efforts. I became less rigid in my writing and expressed my thoughts in a better way. My grade in Literature improved from an F to a B within a year. It was really comforting to see the progress I made in the subject. Not only did I improve in the subject; I also felt that I had matured as a person. I started to become more sensitive towards issues occurring around me. .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 , .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 .postImageUrl , .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 , .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2:hover , .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2:visited , .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2:active { border:0!important; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2:active , .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2 .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .udda175851ac8291cdca7bf71f69f83f2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Social Issues EssayI started to think deeper and question why certain things happened a certain way. Previously, I never used to see the bigger picture whenever something happened in my life. I used to be selfish and only think about how one thing would be only to my advantage. Basically, I was the epitome of a narcissist. However, by taking Literature, I changed so much as a person. People who spoke to me on a daily basis also saw the change in me. I had become less selfish and I started showing more concern towards the people around me. It never occurred to me that a subject like Literature could change me positively as a person. My teacher also saw the positive change not only in me but also in my writing, which delighted him greatly. In the end, for my GCE O levels examination, I scored a distinction for Literature. I was shocked but contented with my grade for Literature. After all, â€Å"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. † I took a chance by trying out something that I was unsure about. I had grown to be a better person while achieving success just by simply taking a chance.