Shirley Jackson Biography Essay - 1117 Words

Shirley Jackson was born on December 14, 1916 in San Francisco, California. She was the daughter of Leslie Hardie (President of Stecher-Traung Lithograph,Inc.) and Geraldine Bugbee Jackson. Miss Jackson attended the University of Rochester from 1934 to 1936. She graduated with a BA from Syracuse University in 1940. Shortly after graduating, she married Stanley Edgar Hyman, who was a literary critic and was on the faculty of Bennington college.. They moved to Vermont and had four children together. Miss Jackson made her first appearance in The New Yorker in 1943 with a casual sketch After You Dear Alphonse. Then for the next ten years was a contributor of short stories. Shirley had spent her childhood living on the coast and†¦show more content†¦They often behave with callous disregard of those around them. Speaking of the reaction provoked by The Lottery, Jackson wrote in The Story and Its Writer, An Introduction to Short Fiction; One of the most terrifying aspects of publishing stories and books is the realization that they are going to be read, and read by strangers.I had never really fully understood this before. It had simply never occurred to me that these millions and millions of people, would sit down and write me letters I was downright scared to open. Even my mother scolded me. Miss Jackson also stated, If I thought this was a valid cross section of the reading public, I would give up writing. In 1959 Miss Jackson wrote a novel called The Haunting of Hill House. In 1963 it was made into a film called The Haunting, starring Julie Harris and Claire Bloom. In this story a group of researchers gather at an old estate house as part of a psychic investigaqtion to see if the building is haunted. One of the women invited to participate on the project because of her sensitivity to the supernatural becomes obsessed with or possessed by the house. Carol Cleveland explained in And Then There Were Nine-More Women of Mystery, that with this novel Jackson had given the traditional gothicShow MoreRelatedAn Unkindness of Tradition: Shirley Jackson ´s Biography1624 Words   |  7 Pagesmorbid and daunting way of writing. A common form is that of suspense and mystery. Shirley Jackson takes mystery to a distinctive level. She depicts an era that has not yet been revealed. By looking at the background of this author, analyzing her writing and responding personally you will better enhance your learning experience and connection with this type of dark literature. Author Biography Shirley Jackson was an extremely well liked American author during the 1900s. However, in recent yearsRead MoreThe Lottery, by Shirley Jackson1468 Words   |  6 Pagesfrowned upon for doing so. In Shirley Jacksons â€Å"The Lottery† she does exactly that by portraying themes like the inhumanity of violence and the tendency people have to follow traditions even when they do not agree with them. In a short biography about Jackson it says â€Å"The story was met with an avalanche of feedback, including hate mail and cancelled subscriptions. Many folks interpreted the story as an attack on the values of small towns America† (â€Å"The Shirley Jackson Page at American Literature†)Read More Shirley Jacksons The Lottery 946 Words   |  4 PagesShirley Jackson is said to be one of the most â€Å"brilliant and influential authors of the twentieth century.† â€Å"Her fiction writing is some of the most important to come out of the American literary canon.† (http://shirleyjackson.org/Reviews.html) Jackson wrote many short stories and even some books. They are more on the dark, witchlike side, however. Kelleher explains that Jackson stated in some interviews that she practiced magic. No one really knows if she was serious while practicing witchcraftRead MoreGender Roles in â€Å"The Lottery† In the short story â€Å"The Lottery,† Shirley Jackson shows apparent1300 Words   |  6 PagesGender Roles in â€Å"The Lottery† In the short story â€Å"The Lottery,† Shirley Jackson shows apparent gender roles where women have little to no say with decisions and arrangements. The women in the story are portrayed as mediocre to the men of the village. This is mainly shown by there not being a single dominant female character throughout the story. Not only is the social standing of the women lower, they are not treated with the respect that women deserve. The women are shown as so insignificant thatRead MoreShirley Jackson’s Constant Battle of Self Satisfaction879 Words   |  4 PagesDarryl Hattenhauer, Shirley Jackson, an American gothic author, was ranked among Americas most highly regarded fiction writers during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s (1). Jackson argued that â€Å"a good story must engage its reader, persuade him that he wants to belong in the story for as long as it lasts† and if the author fails to provide such experience then they can consider their work a failure (Hall 113). The idea of authors providing an experience of enjoyment, made Jackson a successful writerRead MoreSymbolism in The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson Essay example1173 Words   |  5 Pageslottery in which the â€Å"winner† was the member of the town who was not sacrificed? This question is answered in Shirley Jackson’s short story, â€Å"The Lottery.† In reading this story, and reading literary criticism about the story, there were many symbols and much symbolism in this story. 1 Biographical Analysis Shirley Jackson was the only daughter of Leslie and Geraldine Jackson. Born in 1916, Jackson grew up in Rochester New York and went to Brighton High School. Eventually, she would graduate from SyracuseRead MoreEssay on The Lottery1873 Words   |  8 Pagesgreat interest in its author, Shirley Jackson. Shirley Jackson was born in San Francisco, California on December 14, 1919. When she was two years old, her family moved her to Burlingame, California, where Jackson attended high school. After high school Jackson moved away to attend college at Rochester University in upstate New York but after only a short time at Rochester and, after taking off a year from school, she moved on to Syracuse University. At first, Jackson was in the School of JournalismRead MoreAnalysis Of Shirley Jackson s Flower Garden 1511 Words   |  7 Pagespsychological thrillers, Shirley Jackson has always been able to get into the mind of the reader and force them to think of the deeper meaning behind her stories. However, it is always brought to question if her best selling works were a result of her poor mental health. Growing up, Jackson had always felt like an outsider; dealing with a cruel mother and other children her age only fueled her isolation later in life. As a way to record her feelings and tho ughts, Jackson began writing stories andRead Moreâ€Å"the Destructors† and â€Å"the Lottery† Fiction Essay997 Words   |  4 Pagesthat we are, as human beings, a violent people by nature. We see it in our own history of wars and genocide that the violence in us can grow to extreme proportions. These two stories, â€Å"The Destructors† by Graham Greene, and â€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson, show us that some of the violence can be brought on by people simply following blindly. Whether we look at the past or the present, these two short stories, show us the mob mentality can be very dangerous. The long dead tradition of â€Å"The Lottery†Read MoreThe Theme Of The Lottery By Shirley Jackson1159 Words   |  5 Pagespeople will go to fit in, to be part of a crowd, to feel accepted. The theme of this story is a reflection on some of Shirley Jackson’s life, from her experiences as a wife in a small community in conjunction with her p erspective of the events of WW II. Jackson was born in San Francisco and grew up in an affluent middle-class community. Looking at the way in which Shirley Jackson begins this short story is telling; how she describes the unmistakable charm of this village, with its folks gathering

New Orleans And Southern Louisiana - 2407 Words

In December of 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, tearing through the levee systems, and resulting in massive flooding that eventually covered 80% of New Orleans (1), leading to the most significant number of deaths by the storm. As images of Hurricane Katrina were displayed on front pages and television sets across the counry, Katrina became a strategic research site for sociological theory and research of how identity shapes a natural disaster (1). In this essay, I want to explore the fate of New Orleans. How will climate change affect human populations and which human populations will it affect? To do this, I will need to review both scientific and socially scientific papers to understand what the future of New Orleans and southern Louisiana will look like. Though this concept is technically broad for the limitations of this paper, I will review several pieces of literature to begin to gain an understanding of the social and ecological situations at play. I’ll begin with a very brief history of the Gulf region. As America expanded west, wealthy Anglicans were encouraged to move to the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to buy slaves, creating an economy of agriculture, slave labor, and exchange with Europe. With the popularization of the transcontinental railroad in the 1800s, the Gulf lessened dependence on Mississippi River and trade with the Midwest and grew to depend on New England cities and elites. With the 1960s came a boom of cities inShow MoreRelatedOccupations and Industries in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania1516 Words   |  7 Pagesoccupations performed during 1930 in New Orleans, Louisiana and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Census data is used from district one of both areas and further research details how diverse each district is pertaining to origin of birth of individuals collected in the census data. Comparing the two regions will marginally depict which industries and occupatio ns arose prominent and clarify their popularity. My father’s origin is from Pittsburgh and my mom’s origin is from New Orleans. Conducting this research willRead MoreThe City Of New Orleans971 Words   |  4 Pagesthe city of New Orleans, Louisiana! New Orleans is one of the most popular cities in the boot. This wonderful, distinctive place is the home of plenty of unknown special activities instead of what most know which is Mardi Gras. Believe it or not, New Orleans, is a go-to city for most events that many, if not most Northern Louisianan may not existence. In other states, people can come to a conclusion that all Louisiana natives are the same, but we vary around the state. New Orleans is differentRead MoreThe Treaty Of The United States918 Words   |  4 PagesOn April 30th, 1803, the United States doubled its land area when the Louisiana Purchase Treaty was signed making the 828,000 square miles of the Louisiana territory a part of the New World. After the e xchange of $15 million to France in exchange for Louisiana, France’s influence in the United States was demolished. When the proposition of purchasing the Louisiana territory arose, Thomas Jefferson had many diverse opinions whether the addition would have a positive or negative effect on the futureRead MoreThe Pearl River Valley1481 Words   |  6 PagesBOGALUSA is located in southeastern Louisiana, approximately 45 miles north of New Orleans, in what is known as the Pearl River Valley. Its name is taken from the Choctaw people who inhabited the region before white people entered the area at the turn of the twentieth century. In Choctaw language the words bogue lusa means dark or smoky waters, which describes the flowing creek that runs through the middle of the city. During the 1960s, Bogalusa was, and remains, the largest municipality in WashingtonRead MoreHurricane Devastation Of New Orleans962 Words   |  4 Pagestragic moment occurred in New Orleans. People s lives c hanged by losing everything they had due to this storm. It damaged a majority of the coast leading to massive flooded houses, everything underwater, and families not able to find their loved ones. A band of storm clouds wrapped around the north side circulation center early the morning of August 24th. The wind was blowing about 40 mph. The storm was originally called Tropical Katrina. Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans early morning on MondayRead MoreCreole Essay1038 Words   |  5 Pagessettlers of Louisiana and the Gulf States and preserving their characteristic speech and culture.† Creoles, a term first used in the 16th century in Latin America to distinguish the offspring of European settlers from Native Americans, blacks, and later immigrant groups. In colonial America the designally originally applied to the American-born descendants of European-born settlers. The term has since acquired varying meanings in different regions. In the United States, the state of Louisiana has aRead MoreThe Hurricane Devastation Of Louisiana1484 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction The people of New Orleans, Louisiana believed that it would be a storm like any other, nothing to set this Hurricane apart from the others that they had dealt with over their lives living in their beloved city below sea level. Unfortunately, that proved to not be the case and indeed it would be a storm they would remember for the rest of their lives. The impact of this storm to the people of Louisiana was felt by more than just their wallets, but by the touching and emotional tailsRead MoreHurricane Katrin Human Made Disaster Essay1315 Words   |  6 Pagesmiles from its mouth, New Orleans has been the chief city of Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico’s busiest northern port since the early 1700s. Founded by the French, ruled for 40 years by the Spanish and bought by the United States in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, New Orleans is known for its distinct Creole culture and vibrant history. Significant battles of the War of 1812 and the Civil War were fought over the city. In its last hundred years the key struggles of New Orleans have been social (povertyRead MoreNatural Disasters : Causes And Impacts Of Hurricane Katrina757 Words   |  4 Pagesthat struck the nation. Hurricane Katrina hit the southern coast affecting Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana on August 29, 2005. Hurricane Katrina’s powerful wind a nd extreme flooding took a major toll on New Orleans Louisiana. The biggest impact of the Hurricane ravaged homes, businesses, and organization, leaving thousands dead, and millions homeless. Days before the tropical storm reached landfall, Governor Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana issued a letter to President. Bush informing himRead MoreEssay on History Of Cajun Cuisine1305 Words   |  6 PagesHistory of Cajun Cuisine Cajun cuisine is a fusion of food from different regions with very rich histories, such as France, Canada, and the southern U.S. It was originated by peasants of French ancestry. These immigrants settled in the Acadian region of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia from 1604 to 1654. By 1755, the population of these settlers had grown to about 15,000. They survived on cereal crops such as wheat, barley and oats, and garden vegetables including field peas, cabbage, and turnips

Blue Whales Essay Research Paper The Blue free essay sample

Blue Whales Essay, Research Paper The Blue giant is the largest animal of the sea, in fact, it is the largest animal known to adult male. Contrary to what most people think, even though Blue giants live in the sea, they are mammals. They breathe air, have their babes born alive and can populate anyplace from 30 to 70 old ages. The Blue giant is a whalebone giant, and alternatively of holding dentitions, Blue giants have around 300-400 whalebone home bases in their oral cavities. They fall under the class of the razorbacks, which are the largest of the baleen household. The scientific name of the Blue giant is, Balsenoptera muscle. Cardinal Wordss: Balaenoptera muscle, Suborder Mysticeti, Balaenoptera intermedia, Balaenoptera brevicauds, baleen giant, rorqual, calf, S underside, Sibbald? s Rorqual, Great Northern Rorqual, guzzlers, blowholes, blubber, oil, ceratin, krill, copepods, plankton, killer whale, endangered Introduction Giants are separated into two groups, the whalebone and the toothed giants. The bluish giant is the largest baleen giant and the largest animate being that of all time lived on Earth, including the largest dinosaurs. Baleen are rows of coarse, bristle-like fibres used to strive plankton from the H2O. Baleen is made of ceratin, the same stuff as our fingernails. They live in cods, the have two blowholes. The bluish giant has a 2-14 inch ( 5-30cm ) thick bed of blubber. Blue giants ( Balaenoptera muscle ) are baleen giants ( Suborder Mysticeti ) . They are one of 76 species and are marine mammals. Background The Blue giant is called a? rorqual? , a Norse word for? furrow? mentioning to the pleated channels running from its mentum to its naval. The pleated pharynx channels allow the Blue giant? s pharynx to spread out during the immense consumption of H2O during filter eating ; they can ? keep 1,000 dozenss or more of nutrient and H2O when to the full expanded? ( Small 1971 ) . Blue giants have 50-70 pharynx channels. Blue giants grow up to about 80 pess ( 25m ) long on norm, weighing about 120 dozenss. The females are by and large larger than the males, this is the instance for all baleen giants. ? The largest specimen found was a female 94 pess ( 29m ) long weighing more than 174 dozenss? ( Satchell 1998 ) . The caput of the Blue giant forms up to a one-fourth of the entire organic structure length. Compared with other razorbacks, the caput is really wide. The bluish giant bosom is the size of a little auto and can pump about 10 dozenss of blood throughout the organic structure. They have a really little, falciform ( falcate ) dorsal five that is located near the good luck, or tail. Blue giants have long, thin fins 8 pess ( 2.4m ) long and good lucks that are 25feet ( 7.6m ) broad. The bluish giant? s tegument is normally blue-grey with white-gray musca volitanss. The underbelly has brown, xanthous, or grey pinpoints. During the winter, in cold Waterss, diatoms stick to the underbelly, giving it a xanthous to silver- to sulfur-colored shininess ; giving the bluish giant its nick-name of? S undersides? . Other names include Sibbald? s Rorqual and Great Northern Rorqual. Blue whales ( like all baleen giants ) are seasonal feeders and carnivores that filter feed bantam crustaceans ( krill, copepods, etc ) , plankton, and little fish from the H2O. Krill, or shrimp-like euphasiids are no longer than 3 inches. It is astonishing that the universe? s largest animate beings feed on the smallest marine life. Blue giants are guzzlers, filter feeders that instead swim so gulp a mouthful of plankton or fish. ? An average-sized bluish giant will eat 2,000-9,000 lbs ( 900-4100kg ) of plankton each twenty-four hours during the summer eating season in cold, north-polar Waterss ( 120 yearss ) ? ( Hasley 1984 ) . The bluish giant has twin blowholes with exceptionally big heavy splashguards to the forepart and sides. It has approximately 320 braces of black whalebone home bases with dark grey bristles in the bluish giant? s jaws. These home bases can be 35-39 inches ( 90cm-1m ) long, 21 inches ( 53cm ) broad, and weigh 200 lbs ( 90kg ) . This is the largest of all the razorbacks, but non the largest of all the giants. The lingua weighs 4 dozenss. Blue whales live separately or in really little cods ( groups ) . They often swim in braces. When the giant comes to the surface of the H2O, he takes a big breath of air. Then he dives back into the H2O, traveling to a deepness of 350 pess ( 105m ) . Diving is besides the manner in which giants catch most of their nutrient. Giants can remain under H2O for up to two hours without coming to the surface for more air. Blue whales breath air at the surface of the H2O through 2 blowholes located near the top of the caput. ? They breathe about 1-4 times per minute at remainder, and 5-12 times per minute after a deep honkytonk? ( Hasley 1984 ) . Their blow is a individual watercourse that rises 40-50 pess ( 12-15m ) above the surface of the H2O. Blue giants are really fast swimmers ; th ey usually swim 3-20 miles per hour, but can travel up to 24-30mph in explosions when in danger. Feeding velocities are slower, normally about 1-4mph. Blue whales emit really loud, extremely structured, insistent low-frequency sounds that can go organize many stat mis underwater. They are likely the loudest animate beings alive, louder than a jet engine. These vocals may be used for turn uping big multitudes of krill ( bantam crustaceans taht they eat ) and for pass oning with other bluish giants. Blue whales typically are found in the unfastened ocean and live at the surface. They are found in all the oceans of the universe. The bulk of Blue giants live in the Southern Hemisphere. The races found in the Southern Hemisphere are the Balaenoptera muscle. The smaller populations inhabit the North Atlantic and North Pacific. These Northern Hemisphere Blue whales are the Balaenoptera brevicauda. They migrate long distances between low latitude winter coupling evidences and high latitude summer feeding evidences. They are frequently seen in parts of California, Gulf of California ( Sea of Cortez ) , Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada and the northern Indian Ocean. Blue giant genteelness occurs largely in the winter to early spring while near the surface and in warm Waterss. ? The gestation period is about 11-12 months and the calf is born tail foremost ( this is normal for blowers ) and near the surface in warm, shallow Waterss? ( Hasley 1984 ) . The newborn instinctively swims to the surface within 10 seconds for its first breath ; it is helped by its female parent, utilizing her fins. Within 30 proceedingss of its birth the babe giant can swim. The newborn calf is about 25 pess ( 7.6m ) long and weighs 6-8 dozenss. Twinss are highly rare ( about 1 % of births ) ; there is about ever one calf. The babe is nurtured with its female parent? s fat-laden milk ( it is about 40-50 % fat ) and is weaned in about 7-8 months. A calf may imbibe 50 gallons of female parent? s milk and derive up to 9 lbs an hr or 200 lbs a twenty-four hours. The female parent and calf may remain together for a twelvemonth or longer, when the calf is about 45 pess ( 13m ) long. Blue giants reach adulthood at 10-15 old ages. Blue giants have a life anticipation of 35-40 old ages. However, there are many factors that limit the life span of the Blue giant. Battalions of slayer giants ( killer whale ) have been known to assail and kill immature bluish giants or calves. Man besides hunted bluish giants until the International Whaling Commission declared them to be a protected species in 1966 because of a immense lessening in their population. The Blue giant was excessively fleet and powerful for the nineteenth century whalers to run, but with the reaching of harpoon canons, they became a much sought after species for their big sums of blubber. They were besides hunted old ages ago for their whalebone, which was used to do coppices and girdles. But it was their size and high output of oil that made them the mark of pick for modern commercial whalers. Before adult males intervention there were 228,000 Blue giants swimming the oceans of the universe. ? Between 1904 and 1978, whalers scoured the seas for this immense blower, most were taken in the Southern Hemisphere, many illicitly? ( Satchell 1998 ) . As the population figure suggests, it was unrelentingly slaughtered for every ground conceivable, about to the point of extinction. Another ground why Blue giants are about nonextant is pollution. Mosst of their unwellnesss are contracted by pollution. It is estimated that there are about 10,000-14,000 bluish giants world-wide. Blue giants are an endangered species. They have been protected worldwide by international jurisprudence, since 1967. The bluish giant was listed as endangered throughout its scope on June 2, 1970 under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969. They are non to be hunted by anyone for any ground at all. Suggestions are that some populations may neer retrieve. Conclusion Although Blue giants are now protected, we still must non run or kill them in their delicate balance of life. Some people believe that giants and mahimahis are carnal of enigma and beauty, and that a dead giant is an omen, good or bad. Most people say that all worlds must protect all giants. We need to salvage these great H2O giants. Berger, C. 1998 Making Sense of the Songs Whales Sing. Natural Wild Life. Volume 36, Number 8. Hasley, W. 1984. Collier? s Encyclopedia. P.F. Coillier, Inc. New York, NY. Mulvaney, K. 1998. A Cagey Way with Whalers. New Scientist. Volume 157, Number 2118. Satchell, M. 1998. A Whale of a Protest: Animal-Rights Militants Hope to Keep an Indian Tribe from Bringing Home the Blubber. US News and World Review. Volume 125, Number 13. Small, G. 1971. The Blue Whale. New York Columbia University Press. New York, NY. Zimmer, C. 1998. The Equation

Life in the Iron Mills by Rebecca Harding Davis free essay sample

This paper discusses the story, Life in the Iron Mills, from a social commentary perspective. The following paper discusses the story by Rebecca Harding Davis with an aim to show the beginning of a resurgence of interest in a woman whose first major work wrought radical changes in how fiction would be written and read in America. From the paper: Life in the Iron Mills has been called one of the revolutionary documents in American literary history. The same year it was published by Atlantic Monthly, then Americas leading national magazine, the country became embroiled in the Civil War. The narrator of this story is very familiar with, but at the same time very removed from the world she describes. She takes the reader on a tour of a factory town and an iron mill, where a young man named Hugh Wolfe shovels coal for the iron furnaces. Hugh is worshiped by his cousin, Deborah, who while visiting Hugh at the Mills steals the wallet of leading males citizen of the factory town when he comes through the mills for a tour and notices, along with the other men on the tour, the korl woman figure sculpted by Hugh. We will write a custom essay sample on Life in the Iron Mills by Rebecca Harding Davis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page

Marketing Engineering Ford Hotel Essays

Marketing Engineering Ford Hotel Essays Marketing Engineering Ford Hotel Essay Marketing Engineering Ford Hotel Essay Curso: Analisis Cuantitativo y Toma de decisiones: Fecha: 09 Marzo 2013 Integrantes: Monica Calderon Monica Chavez Monica Escobar Julio Jaramillo Sandra Saco Vertiz Case 3: Positioning the Infiniti G20 EXERCISES 1. Using the data in Exhibit 1 and the associated perceptual mapping software, describe the two (or, if applicable, three) dimensions underlying the perceptual maps that you generated. Based on these maps, how do people in this market perceive the Infiniti G20 compared with its competitors? El G20 es visto como un automovil atractivo y exitoso. Muy bien posicionado junto a otras marcas de la gama como BMW y Honda 2. Infiniti promoted the G20 as a Japanese car (basic version $17,500) with a German feel, basically a car that was like the BMW 318i ($20,000), but lower priced. Is this a credible claim, given the perceptions and preferences of the respondents? Los 2 principales competidores del G20 son BMW 318i and the Honda Prelude. Es una dificil tarea promocionar el G20 sobre el BMW 318i en alto prestigio y atractivo; este ultimo punto punto es subjetivo y los gustos del publico pueden cambiar facilmente. El prestigio del auto puede ser promocionado, pero con menor precio del G20 vs BMW, el publico podria percibir que el auto mas caro es el que mas prestigio tiene. De acuerdo a la data y en comparacion con el BMW 318i, el G20 tiene menor precio, elevado ahorro en combustible y larga garantia. Promocionar estos puntos del mercado el G20 tiene un gran valor sobre el BMW 318i es la mejor solucion y puede ser muy bien apreciado por los consumidores. 3. Which attributes are most important in influencing preference for these cars in the three segments (S1, S2 and S3) shown on these maps? To which segment(s) would you market the Infiniti G20? How would you reposition the Infiniti G20 to best suit the chosen segment(s)? Briefly describe the marketing program you would use to target the chosen segment(s). Los mas importantes atributos por segmento son: Segment 1 (S1): Hi Prestige, Quiet, Interesting, and Common. Segment 2 (S2): Roomy, Easy Service, and Sporty. Segment 3 (S3): Unreliable, Poor value and Poorly built. El mercado para Infiniti G20 serian los segments 1 and 2, porque ellos aparecen como el modelo ideal de clientes para Infiniti. Ellos comparten las mismas cualidades y estilo de auto que estamos produciendo. Adicionalmente podriamos reposicionar el G20 como lujoso, deportivo, confortable, logrando satisfacer los requerimientos del consumidor de ambos segmentos. 4. What ongoing research program would you recommend to Infiniti to improve its evaluation of its segmentation of the market and positioning of its G20? Podria recomendar a Infiniti invertir mas tiempo concentrando o mejorando los atributos menos valorados por los consumidores, a la vez que podria encontrar la forma de hacerlos mas economicos e interesantes. Ayudando tanto a mejorar su produccion, costos y a la vez mejorar la percepcion del producto de parte de los clientes. 5. Summarize the advantages and limitations of the software provided for this application. Consideramos una limitante que el programe no brinde una explicacion de los resultados, o una interpretacion de los escenarios. Como ventaja podemos considerar que nos permite visualizar el impacto de cada uno de los atributos en el consumidor, y en base a esa informacion ofrecer mejoras en el producto final. Case 4: Forte Hotel Design EXERCISES 1. Design: Using a blank Excel spreadsheet, follow Step 1 in the Conjoint Tutorial and develop a Study Design Template (MEXL==Conjoint==Create Study Design Template) for Forte, using the attributes and levels from Exhibit 1. Next, follow Step 2 in the Tutorial, Create a data collection instrument, selecting Ratings method and 1 for the number of respondents (you). When you are done, check to be sure that your sheet looks like the Forte Hotel Data (Conjoint, 1 Ratings) data set in My Marketing Engineering. Then, briefly summarize the advantages and limitations of describing products as bundles of attribute options. En este ejercicio creamos los atributos y los diferentes niveles de cada atributo, familiarizandonos con el uso de la herramienta. 2. Utility assessment: Using the sheet that you created in Question 1, rate each of the bundles, giving your most preferred bundle 100 and your least preferred bundle 0, as described in Step 3 in the Tutorial. When you are done, follow Step 4 in the Tutorial and perform a utility assessment for yourself (MEXL==Conjoint==Create Study Design TemplateEstimate Preference Part Worths). Interpret your own preferences on the resulting Part Worths Sheet. Como resultado del ejercicio Podemos interpretar que Monica prefiere la habitacion con un escritorio y prioriza el telefono al internet. Desea entretenimiento exterior para practicar actividades deportivas. Le encanta la limpieza personal y desea sus zapatos bien lustrados. Tambien prefiera acercarse al restaurant al delivery. 3. Open the â€Å"Forte Hotel Data (Conjoint, 2 Partworths)† data set in My Marketing Engineering and review the Partworths developed from the respondents in this case. Based on your experiences in completing these tasks, summarize the advantages and limitations of conjoint analysis for obtaining preference data from customers. Respondents Preference Partworths Respondents preference partworths. The most preferred profiles sum up to 100, the least preferred to 0. Respondents / Small Suite Large Room Room Office Internet access Speaker phone Attributes and Levels 0 9 11 52 13 Amanda 10 37 0 0 9 Ann 26 0 10 21 0 Bruce 8 0 22 13 25 Byron 34 0 30 0 16 Byung 45 0 16 0 2 Colleen 17 7 0 7 24 Courtney 15 0 12 0 14 Daniel 13 0 24 10 23 Dierdre 11 20 0 9 0 Elio 0 27 7 4 0 Eugene 8 0 31 8 0 Frank 20 0 14 0 7 Gabriel 0 19 5 10 22 George 14 31 0 14 0 Gina 6 16 0 0 16 Hans 0 7 47 0 8 Hector 34 0 16 6 27 Jin Hyuk Room fax 0 3 14 0 11 0 0 38 0 19 2 10 21 0 13 9 25 0 Ventajas: Permite identificar la combinacion de atributos preferidos por los consumidores. Explotar los atributos preferidos o mas valorados con un adecuado plan de marketing. Permite caracterizar perfiles de los clientes y asi poder enfocar mejor nuestras ofertas. Limitaciones: No podemos segmentar completamente a nuestra oferta hacia el consumidor (salvo que la base sea estadisticamente robusta). Requiere de un analisis cualitativo previa para identificar las variables a considerar. 4. Analysis: Open the Forte Hotel Data (Conjoint, 3 Analysis) data set in My Marketing Engineering, which has competed Steps 5 and 6 in the Tutorial for you. Follow Step 7 in the Tutorial, ((MEXL==Conjoint==Run Analysis) and assess the viability of the four specific hotel concepts that Forte is exploring for the State College area. Base this evaluation on the preferences of a sample of 40 business travelers on that sheet (Exhibit 2) and the cost estimates summarized in Exhibit 3. The base cost to build each hotel room (without the attributes and options listed in Exhibit 3) is expected to be about $40,000 for a 150- to 200-room hotel, regardless of the mix of room types. . Identify the optimal product concept from among those Forte is considering. Explain how you arrived at your recommendation. Consideramos que optimal product 1 es el concepto que deberia considerar Forte porque este le permitira una mejor penetracion en el mercado, lo cual ademas de traer la mayor aceptacion redundara en un pronto recupero de la inversion. 6. Would you recommend product concepts other than the four Forte is considering for the State College market? Expla in how you arrived at your recommendation(s). Las 4 opciones engloban el tipo de cliente que normalmente tienen este tipo de cadena de hoteles con lo cual la segmentacion esta muy bien aplicada; sin embargo podrian agregar una opcion enfocada a empresas, BtoB, que esten interesadas en utilizar el hotel como centro de convenciones que duren uno o mas dias y la empresa contratante deba hospedar a sus invitados, si bien es cierto, no es constante todo el ano, podrian tener preparada una opcion con servicios estandar y ciertos entretenimientos. Podria llamarse Business 1. 7. Summarize the major advantages and limitations of a conjoint study for new roduct design. What conditions favor the use of this approach in the hotel industry? (Consider such factors as types of customers and market conditions in responding to this question). Este modelo le permite a la industria hotelera saber la valoracion del mix e atributos valorados por el cliente y de esta forma tener una propuesta enfocada en el publico objetivo al que se dirige, ademas l e permite saber, en la medida que disponga de informacion de los otros hoteles, en que segmento tendria mayores probabilidad de tener una mejor aceptacion. Sin embargo el uso de esta herramienta requeriria de un alto costo de inversion inicial en investigacion de mercados, ya que exigiria la realizacion de una encuesta que permita contar con datos para la evaluacion. Case 5: Durr Environmental, Inc. – Air Pollution Control Systems Durr faced the following questions: 1. Is it economically sensible to enter the US market? 2. If so, what would be the best offering to make? 3. Would it be better to provide two different offerings? If so, what should they be? 4. Which segment(s) of the customers should they target, with what selling proposition for their new offering(s)? Provide a business case to address these issues. Assume the following: The business must generate marginal revenue of $4MM/year to justify entry, and it will cost Durr an additional $3MM/year to support a second offering. 1. Modelo de Negocio: Tamano del Mercado * Participacion del Mercado *Margen de Contribucion Segun la premisa debemos justificar mas de US $4MM para justificar la entrada al mercado. Tamano del Mercado: Market research indicated that there would be about 300 units of that size sold in the US each year over the next decade. Participacion del mercado Margen de Utilidad: Producto Servair= 200K + 200K + 10K + 70K – 300K = US $180K Producto Premier= 200K+200K-170K+0+0= US $230K Producto Base =200K+0+0+0=US $200K Conclusion: Para Servair == 300 * 0. 1877 * 180 = US $10. 1 MM Para Premier = 300 * 0. 1433 * 230= US $9. 8 MM Para Base = 300 * 0. 0889 * 200=US $5. 3 MM Dado que los 3 escenarios son mayores a los US $ 4MM, podemos ingresar al mercado con cualquiera de los productos. Cada uno de ellos nos permitira mayor o menor ganancia segun nuestra apuesta. 2. If so, what would be the best offering to make? Luego analizamos por cada tipo de producto. Segmentamos por Producto 1: Y ahora segmentamos por Producto 2: Sugerimos el producto Premier DX porque tiene mayor probabilidad de aceptacion y por ende nos permite ganar mercado mas rapido. Maximizar beneficios y asegurarnos posicionamiento de marca. . Would it be better to provide two different offerings? If so, what should they be? Recomendamos ingresar solamente con el producto Premier, dado que lograriamos mayor participacion de mercado, un mayor nivel de beneficios e incluso eliminar un competidor. Sin embargo, si quisieramos incorporar un segundo producto sugerimos que sea el primero, pues pese a tener una menor contribucion marginal que el tercero tendriamos mayor probabilidad de aceptacion y por lo tanto tendriamos menor exposicion al riesgo. . Which segment(s) of the customers should they target, with what selling proposition for their new offering(s)? Podrian ser empresas que tienen un alto sentido de responsabilidad con el medio ambiente y desean ejercer control del sistema de emision de gases de manera eficiente. Prefieren invertir en un buen sistema y asegurar un contrato de servicio, para evitar quedarse sin soporte ante algun inconveniente.

Punctuation Tips How to Use Commas - Proofread My Paper

Punctuation Tips How to Use Commas - Proofread My Paper Punctuation Tips: How to Use Commas For such a common punctuation mark, commas cause a lot of confusion. But there are some rules for how commas should be used. These rules aren’t rigid: It’s a matter of style to some degree, and the important thing is that your writing is clear and easy to read. However, if you use commas along the following lines, you’ll be on the right track! 1. Commas in Lists One important use of commas is to separate items in a list of three or more things. US English typically uses a serial comma before the final item: My favorite bands are Toto, ELO, and REO Speedwagon. In British English, however, the serial comma is often omitted. 2. After Introductory Words or Clauses A comma should be used to separate introductory words or phrases from the main clause in a sentence. These tend to be terms or phrases that modify or frame the sentence: As a solo artist, Kenny Loggins is best known for the song â€Å"Footloose.† Few things are more 80s than the Loggins.(Image: Surian Soosay/flickr) 3. After a Coordinating Conjunction When joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (i.e., â€Å"and,† â€Å"but,† â€Å"for,† â€Å"nor,† â€Å"or,† â€Å"so,† or â€Å"yet†), they should be separated with a comma: I have every Boz Scaggs album, but I don’t have any albums by the Steve Miller Band. This only applies when linking clauses that could work as sentences by themselves, though, not whenever a coordinating conjunction is used. 4. Parenthetical Commas Parenthetical commas set apart non-essential information in a sentence. This often occurs mid-sentence: Daryl Hall, best known as one half of Hall Oates, has released several solo albums. But parenthetical information can also come at the end of a sentence: â€Å"Rickrolling† is named after Rick Astley, whose song â€Å"Never Gonna Give You Up† was a number one hit in 25 countries. 5. Setting Apart a Contrast When adding a contrast at the end of a sentence, set it apart with a comma: The Eagles played classic rock, not heavy metal. You cant play heavy metal sitting down.(Photo: Rachel Kramer/wikimedia) 6. Separating Coordinate Adjectives When using multiple adjectives to modify a single noun, you should separate coordinate adjectives with commas. Commas aren’t required when adjectives aren’t coordinate. Coordinate adjectives are equally-weighted in how they modify a noun. You can test whether adjectives are coordinate by either changing their order or adding â€Å"and† between them: Pat Benatar is a talented, successful musician. Pat Benatar is a successful, talented musician. Pat Benatar is a successful and talented musician. These all sound okay because â€Å"successful† and â€Å"talented† are coordinate adjectives. If we do the same thing with adjectives that aren’t coordinate (e.g., â€Å"successful† and â€Å"American†), the sentences sound wrong: Pat Benatar is a successful American musician. – Correct Pat Benatar is an American successful musician. – Incorrect Pat Benatar is a successful and American musician. – Incorrect This is because â€Å"American† is more important to the identity of the noun in this sentence. 7. Introducing a Quotation A comma is used to introduce a quotation when it follows from the rest of a sentence, particularly after terms like â€Å"said† or â€Å"wrote†: Jon Bon Jovi said, â€Å"Success is falling nine times and getting up ten.† However, no comma is needed when the quote follows the word â€Å"that†: Jon Bon Jovi said that â€Å"Success is falling nine times and getting up ten.† Here seen about to swallow a microphone.(Photo: Artur Bogdanski/wikimedia) 8. Direct Address Finally, when something is directly addressed to someone else, we separate the name of the addressee from the main statement with a comma: Before: Derek, are you listening to Def Leppard? After: Are you listening to Def Leppard, Derek? This particularly applies when writing dialogue, so it’s relevant when writing fiction.

Evolution of Social policies in Mental Health in the US Essay

Evolution of Social policies in Mental Health in the US - Essay Example Hippocrates who lived in the 5th century is the pioneer who treated mentally ill with methods which was not rooted in superstition or religion. Negative attitudes towards mental illness persisted into the 18th century in the United States, leading to stigmatization of mental illness, and unhygienic (and often degrading) confinement of mentally ill individuals. Since then the mentally health had been evolving and at present it has reached a stage where comprehensive policies underlie mental health treatment particularly in U.S. In this paper, the evolution of social policies with regard to mental health in U.S will be looked in to. The social, economical and political factors that have contributed to the evolution will be explored. The current policy, goal of the policy and its relevancy with the welfare and state would be analysing. Also whom the policy serves and its universal characteristics will be examined. Mental health in U.S has been progressing ever since the beginning of 20th century. The Mental Health America which was founded in 1909 founded by Clifford Beers has changed the lives of mentally ill people. The U.S governments formed throughout these years have been proven to contribute largely to the welfare of mental health system in the country. Many research and lobbying effort have undergone to revive and upgrade the mental health system in U.S. The National Mental Health Act passed by Harry Truman 1946 gave rise to National Institute of Mental Health and have allocated funds from government for the research, treatment purposes. Moreover, The Mental Retardation Facilities and community health centre was passed by the Congress in 1963 which gave a new dimension to mental health system. In 1979, the National Alliance for mentally ill was formulated All these changes have given enormous support, education, advocacy and research facility to

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 31

Management - Essay Example Another fact to be incognizant of are budget discrepancies. Budget discrepancies are one of the most difficult challenges to deal with when closing down a project because PMs must ensure that they close their projects without any discrepancies. Jay (2011) Understanding the segmentation of financials is hectic because it requires signatures, higher authority decisions and collaboration. In midst of the project, most managers forget that budget discrepancies in the beginning can accumulate to be problematic at the end. This not only creates chaos in the project, but diminishes quality, resources and time. Managing change request is another huge issue that project managers have to be well-aware off. This is problematic because change requests are part of any project management. In order to manage change requests, project managers must collaborate with stake holders in order to remove any unclear understanding that dictates the goals and the objectives of the project. Jay (2011) Controlling change requests for creating virtual servers or a software for instance would have to support the elements that the business case possesses can be cumbersome to manage when closing a

Information Technology in Healthcare Essay Example for Free

Information Technology in Healthcare Essay Information technology has undoubtedly played important role of transforming the operation, management and the overall performance of many organizations. Similarly, it’s expected that information technology would show more or less same impact of results in the healthcare organizations. That is, the employment of IT system in the provision of health care services will mitigate the quality of service provision in the industry. Generally, the term â€Å"quality† is used not in its simplest form but has been used in its complex form, which is primarily meant to incorporate improvement of the functioning of the different healthcare departments together with the affiliated organizations which form part or participate in one way or another in the process of delivering health care service (Berg, 2001). Despite the fact that there has been increased investment in the healthcare industry, recent research has shown that the consumption of IT services/products is far much less in the healthcare industry as compared with the consumption rate of organizations in other sectors. Moreover, the large world population in developed countries or states like in the UK, USA among others access to high-quality healthcare services. While it’s known that not all individuals in the developed nations are well up, the poor and the middle class group experience a lot of obstacles as they endeavor to access healthcare services and their related products such as acquisition of healthcare insurance cover and payment of hospital bills. With the low consumption rate of the IT services by the healthcare organizations in most developed nations, this has led to provisions of meager services to the poor, but it’s postulated changing to intensive IT consumption would mitigate the situation (Fournier, 2003). Significance of Using EMR system There are several reasons for the embracing of IT systems in the healthcare industry. Depending on different perspective of the focus, the use IT system has been used to bring an evolution in the healthcare provision. Like in other industries dealing with provisions of services and products different from those of healthcare industry, the implementation of IT services in the healthcare sector is aimed at bringing an evolution both in the performance and quality of the services delivered to the consumers. For the last two or three decades back, many organizations have put more efforts in the funding of healthcare service provision, in order to have a change from the traditional record keeping practices. The adoption of the E-recording has thus been viewed as major step towards achieving a greater improvement in the healthcare overall performance. The consumption of IT services though is at low rates, the benefit accrued from the few ways in which it has been absorbed is enormous. In the area of medical records and record keeping, healthcare industry is adopting to the IT system to solve the problem of complexity in their system. First and foremost, the utilization of IT systems in medical record and recording reduces the time of production, spaces and transfer duration, thus leading to overall decrease in the expenditure cost of the record management (Berg, 2001). Facility evaluation The EMR facility is a sophisticated instrument which comprises of different parts for the accomplishment of the recording and storage of healthcare data and information. The equipment’s components include both computer hardware as well as software that support its data processing, storage operations and management. The major physical parts of the facility are the CPU together with its accessory components, while the non-physical component included the operating software and the special EMR software, which permit the performance of multiples tasks of healthcare. The special software is an advanced one which enables data entry through use of clicks, reducing the amount of keyboard typing. This means that the EMR facility supports the input of enormous data into the healthcare records with ease. The advanced software not only wires information in the word formats but it also supports the use of the imagery or photographic works, meaning that it’s a complete storage system of healthcare information. Cost of EMR system The EMR system is a model that occupies the least space in data storage systems. Though it has a multi-task purpose, the costs perhaps is at moderate rate. EMR costs are computed from the various variables or components which are needed in the implementation of the system within an organization. The costs of implementing EMR are identified in two classes, viz the purchasing and installation system cost and the maintenance cost. Usually, prior to the installation of the EMR system, the CPU and computer accessories must be purchased. Additionally, the clinicians and physician are without the knowledge of developing the superior software which allows the carrying out of the various functions of data storage and processing. Currently, the prices of a computer range from $ 7000 to 7500, while the software prices are estimated in the range of $`1000 to $1500 which are inclusive of the license charges. The grant installation expenses of the hardware and the software within the healthcare premise is approximated at $ 3500, but this quote is not inclusive of the implementation expenses which incorporates the costs incurred during the adoption of the new systems. A part from the equipment and software costs, other indirect expenses are incurred in the courses of running the systems: the maintenance costs which are at about $ 2000 per annum (Fournier, 2003). Regulation implications The utilization of the EMR systems in hospitals will have great impacts on the regulation and management of information within the healthcare provider organizations. Among the anticipated outcomes is that the use of this system would save time taken in retrieving patient’s information as well as hasten transferring of the information to any other organization or party where it’s needed. By doing so, both insurance organizations and organizations acting as referral healthcare services providers will have broader based of the assessment the patient’s health progress. While this system employed Electronic signatures that are unique, it’s a practice that reduces the risks associated with the heavy use of personalized signatures that can change with time or maybe forgotten. Barriers to EMR systems As revealed in a number of healthcare organization that have endeavored to install the new EMR system in their organization, there are several challenges are generally faced by firms implementing the system. According to the disclosed information, the initial outlay or capital is extremely high to be met within the current budget on healthcare development. The lean budgetary range bars the purchase of crucial and basic equipments such as power backups to ensure data inputs and output operations are not halted due blackouts or brown out that adversely affect the quality of service delivery. Considering that most have workers have been used to the old system of paper work, it’s undoubtedly overt that most of them will be disturbed of the implementation of the system (Miller, 2004). The employment of EMR system mean that much work would be accomplished by a few clinicians and physician workers, a case that actually acts as a threat to job security for some of the employees. To take the full benefits of the systems, it’s very important for the training of the staffs, particularly to empower them in the use of installed system. This calls for the payment of the training service from external organization/firms as the organization has got no training personnel with the required knowledge, experience and proficient of the installed system. The hiring of the new trainers is not ease as their cost falls out of the current budget. The handling of the new system of EMR also demands the use of shared devices such as serves, which implies that the company would have to hire additional staff to maintain the networks and the servers. Fraud and waste issues The implementation of the EMR systems within the organization has the ability of curbing certain problems experienced in the course of management and activity accomplishment. Usually, most of the organization depending on the traditional paper work recording depicted a lot of movements from one place to another. This indicates poor integration or communication between individuals at different departments. Sometimes, this increases the duration of the patient’s stay within the healthcare facility. Thus, the employment of the EMR system reduces the waste of healthcare facilities by eliminating or reducing many personnel movements, meanwhile leading to improvement on patient’s safety and general service delivery. Though EMR systems is appealing way of improving the clinicians and physicians work effectiveness, high risks on privacy and confidence are associated with this kind of system. System hacking together with ease of reproducing the data in this system acts as the greatest threat to the use of the methodology (Miller, 2004) EMR Implementation The following are steps of implementing an EMR system: †¢ Selection of the most suitable EMR to be adopted by the organization †¢ Compose a lead team to campaign for the EMR system †¢ Generate an implementation plan †¢ List/choosing the required equipments and software †¢ Training the organization’s staffs †¢ Select security provider to the data/ information sites †¢ Input the selected data of interest Timeline The first day will be the discussion on the redundancy experienced within the organizations so as to determine the appropriate EMR system. The second day will be formation of a steering team that would work together towards ensuring success of the project. Third will be generation of a list of items: equipments and software that would be used. Then, this will be followed by the installation of the system that would take a bout a week. This will run concurrently with the training of the staff members on the new system though the training will be extended by another week for practical skill acquisition.

Exercise of Authority in Measure for Measure Essay -- Measure for Meas

At the outset, we find the Duke transferring his power and authority to Angelo. He lends to Angelo his own terror and dresses Angelo with his love, â€Å"giving his deputation all the organs of his own power†. He says that from now on â€Å"mortality and mercy† in Vienna would live in Angelo’s tongue and heart. The Duke motive in appointing Angelo to function in his stead is, as he tells Friar Thomas, to rid the country of the evils which have taken strong roots and which, he thinks, he himself cannot eradicate because of his reputation as a very lenient man. Now the question is how far the Duke is justified in appointing a substitute to rule the kingdom and reform the corrupt Vienna society. We do not think that the Duke is justified in taking such a step. We are certainly not convinced by the reason which he gives to Friar Thomas for not undertaking the task of reform himself. Why should the Duke evade his responsibility? He tells Friar Thomas that, if he were now suddenly to become strict and stern, his actions would cause much resentment among the people. But this is no reason why a ruler should himself go into the background and appoint another man to take his place. Besides, we soon afterwards find that the Duke in interested more in observing Angelo at work as his deputy, and less is seeing evil being eradicated. We find that the Duke is concerned more with spying his deputy’ actions than with the process of reform. He becomes more interested in watching and prying into the personal as well as official life of Angelo than in the direction which the public affairs of the country are taking. Angelo’s Exercise of Authority As soon as Angelo is given charge of the kingdom, he begins to exercise his authority in a relentless manner. H... ...e protested against justice being totally pushed into background with mercy holding the field. The Duke compels Angelo to get married to Mariana, the girl whom he had once betrayed and forsaken, and the girl whom he has now seduced. But that is the only punishment which is imposed upon a character who proves to be the worst sinner among all the characters of the play. References [1]Marsh, Nicholas. Shakespeare: Three Problem Plays: New York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2003 [2]Montrose, Louis Adrian. Shaping Fantasies: Figuration of gender and power in Elizabethan cultures: 1983. [3]Rogers, Pat. The Oxford Illustrated History of English Literature: Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1993. [4]Schanzer, Ernest(1963). The problem plays of Shakespeare: London, Routledge&Kegan Paul, 1963. [5]Tillyard, E.M.W. Shakespeare’s problem plays: London, Chatto&Windous, 1964.

Chapter 9 Grim Defeat

Professor Dumbledore sent all the Gryffindors back to the Great Hall, where they were joined ten minutes later by the students from Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, who all looked extremely confused. â€Å"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle,† Professor Dumbledore told them as Professors McGonagall and Flitwick closed all doors into the hall. â€Å"I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately,† he added to Percy, who was looking immensely proud and important. â€Å"Send word with one of the ghosts.† Professor Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, and said, â€Å"Oh, yes, you'll be needing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  One casual wave of his wand and the long tables flew to the edges of the hall and stood themselves against the walls; another wave, and the floor was covered with hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags. â€Å"Sleep well,† said Professor Dumbledore, closing the door behind him. The hall immediately began to buzz excitedly; the Gryffindors were telling the rest of the school what had just happened. â€Å"Everyone into their sleeping bags!† shouted Percy. â€Å"Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!† â€Å"C'mon,† Ron said to Harry and Hermione; they seized three sleeping bags and dragged them into a corner. â€Å"Do you think Black's still in the castle?† Hermione whispered anxiously. â€Å"Dumbledore obviously thinks he might be,† said Ron. â€Å"It's very lucky he picked tonight, you know,† said Hermione as they climbed fully dressed into their sleeping bags and propped themselves on their elbows to talk. â€Å"The one night we weren't in the tower†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I reckon he's lost track of time, being on the run,† said Ron. â€Å"Didn't realize it was Halloween. Otherwise he'd have come bursting in here.† Hermione shuddered. All around them, people were asking one another the same question: â€Å"How did he get in?† â€Å"Maybe he knows how to Apparate,† said a Ravenclaw a few feet away, â€Å"Just appear out of thin air, you know.† â€Å"Disguised himself, probably,† said a Hufflepuff fifth year. â€Å"He could've flown in,† suggested Dean Thomas. â€Å"Honestly, am I the only person who's ever bothered to read Hogwarts, A History?† said Hermione crossly to Harry and Ron. â€Å"Probably,† said Ron. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Because the castle's protected by more than walls, you know,† said Hermione. â€Å"There are all sorts of enchantments on it, to stop people entering by stealth. You can't just Apparate in here. And I'd like to see the disguise that could fool those Dementors. They're guarding every single entrance to the grounds. They'd have seen him fly in too. And Filch knows all the secret passages, they'll have them covered†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"The lights are going out now!† Percy shouted. â€Å"I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!† The candles all went out at once. The only light now came from the silvery ghosts, who were drifting about talking seriously to the prefects, and the enchanted ceiling, which, like the sky outside, was scattered with stars. What with that, and the whispering that still filled the hall, Harry felt as though he were sleeping outdoors in a light wind. Once every hour, a teacher would reappear in the Hall to check that everything was quiet. Around three in the morning, when many students had finally fallen asleep, Professor Dumbledore came in. Harry watched him looking around for Percy, who had been prowling between the sleeping bags, telling people off for talking. Percy was only a short way away from Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who quickly pretended to be asleep as Dumbledore's footsteps drew nearer. â€Å"Any sign of him, Professor?† asked Percy in a whisper. â€Å"No. All well here?† â€Å"Everything under control, sir.† â€Å"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back in tomorrow.† â€Å"And the Fat Lady, sir?† â€Å"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently she refused to let Black in without the password, so he attacked. She's still very distressed, but once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr Filch restore her.† Harry heard the door of the hall creak open again, and more footsteps. â€Å"Headmaster?† It was Snape. Harry kept quite still, listening hard. â€Å"The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either.† â€Å"What about the Astronomy tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery?† â€Å"All searched†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger.† â€Å"Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor?† asked Snape. Harry raised his head very slightly off his arms to free his other ear. â€Å"Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next.† Harry opened his eyes a fraction and squinted up to where they stood; Dumbledore's back was to him, but he could see Percy's face, rapt with attention, and Snape's profile, which looked angry. â€Å"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before — ah — the start of term?† said Snape, who was barely opening his lips, as though trying to block Percy out of the conversation. â€Å"I do, Severus,† said Dumbledore, and there was something like warning in his voice. â€Å"It seems — almost impossible — that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed –â€Å" â€Å"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it,† said Dumbledore, and his tone made it so clear that the subject was closed that Snape didn't reply. â€Å"I must go down to the Dementors,† said Dumbledore. â€Å"I said I would inform them when our search was complete.† â€Å"Didn't they want to help, sir?† said Percy. â€Å"Oh yes,† said Dumbledore coldly. â€Å"But I'm afraid no Dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am Headmaster.† Percy looked slightly abashed. Dumbledore left the hall, walking quickly and quietly. Snape stood for a moment, watching the headmaster with an expression of deep resentment on his face; then he too left. Harry glanced sideways at Ron and Hermione. Both of them had their eyes open too, reflecting the starry ceiling. â€Å"What was all that about?† Ron mouthed. ******** The school talked of nothing but Sirius Black for the next few days. The theories about how he had entered the castle became wilder and wilder; Hannah Abbott, from Hufflepuff, spent much of their next Herbology class telling anyone who'd listen that Black could turn into a flowering shrub. The Fat Lady's ripped canvas had been taken off the wall and replaced with the portrait of Sir Cadogan and his fat gray pony. Nobody was very happy about this. Sir Cadogan spent half his time challenging people to duels, and the rest thinking up ridiculously complicated passwords, which he changed at least twice a day. â€Å"He's a complete lunatic,† said Seamus Finnigan angrily to Percy. â€Å"Can't we get anyone else?† â€Å"None of the other pictures wanted the job,† said Percy. â€Å"Frightened of what happened to the Fat Lady. Sir Cadogan was the only one brave enough to volunteer.† Sir Cadogan, however, was the least of Harry's worries. He was now being closely watched. Teachers found excuses to walk along corridors with him, and Percy Weasley (acting, Harry suspected, on his mother's orders) was tailing him everywhere like an extremely pompous guard dog. To cap it all, Professor McGonagall summoned Harry into her office, with such a somber expression on her face Harry thought someone must have died. â€Å"There's no point hiding it from you any longer, Potter,† she said in a very serious voice. â€Å"I know this will come as a shock to you, but Sirius Black –â€Å" â€Å"I know he's after me,† said Harry wearily. â€Å"I heard Ron's dad telling his mum. Mr. Weasley works for the Ministry of Magic.† Professor McGonagall seemed very taken aback. She stared at Harry for a moment or two, then said, â€Å"I see! Well, in that case, Potter, you'll understand why I don't think it's a good idea for you to be practicing Quidditch in the evenings. Out on the field with only your team members, it's very exposed, Potter –â€Å" â€Å"We've got our first match on Saturday!† said Harry, outraged. â€Å"I've got to train, Professor!† Professor McGonagall considered him intently. Harry knew she was deeply interested in the Gryffindor team's prospects; it had been she, after all, who'd suggested him as Seeker in the first Place. He waited, holding his breath. â€Å"Hmm†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Professor McGonagall stood up and stared out of the window at the Quidditch field, just visible through the rain. â€Å"Well†¦goodness knows, I'd like to see us win the Cup at last†¦but all the same, Potter†¦I'd be happier if a teacher were present. I'll ask Madam Hooch to oversee your training sessions.† ******** The weather worsened steadily as the first Quidditch match drew nearer. Undaunted, the Gryffindor team was training harder than ever under the eye of Madam Hooch. Then, at their final training session before Saturday's match, Oliver Wood gave his team some unwelcome news. â€Å"We're not playing Slytherin!† he told them, looking very angry. â€Å"Flint's just been to see me. We're playing Hufflepuff instead.† â€Å"Why?† chorused the rest of the team. â€Å"Flint's excuse is that their Seeker's arm's still injured,† said Wood, grinding his teeth furiously. â€Å"But it's obvious why they're doing it. Don't want to play in this weather. Think it'll damage their chances†¦Ã¢â‚¬  There had been strong winds and heavy rain all day, and as Wood spoke, they heard a distant rumble of thunder. â€Å"There's nothing wrong with Malfoy's arm!† said Harry furiously. â€Å"He's faking it!† â€Å"I know that, but we can't prove it,† said Wood bitterly, â€Å"And we've been practicing all those moves assuming we're playing Slytherin, and instead it's Hufflepuff, and their style's quite different. They've got a new Captain and Seeker, Cedric Diggory –â€Å" Angelina, Alicia, and Katie suddenly giggled. â€Å"What?† said Wood, frowning at this lighthearted behavior. â€Å"He's that tall, good-looking one, isn't he?† said Angelina. â€Å"Strong and silent,† said Katie, and they started to giggle again. â€Å"He's only silent because he's too thick to string two words together,† said Fred impatiently. â€Å"I don't know why you're worried, Oliver, Hufflepuff is a pushover. Last time we played them, Harry caught the Snitch in about five minutes, remember?† â€Å"We were playing in completely different conditions!† Wood shouted, his eyes bulging slightly. â€Å"Diggory's put a very strong side together! He's an excellent Seeker! I was afraid you'd take it like this! We mustn't relax! We must keep our focus! Slytherin is trying to wrong-foot us! We must win!† â€Å"Oliver, calm down!† said Fred, looking slightly alarmed. â€Å"We're taking Hufflepuff very seriously. Seriously.† ******** The day before the match, the winds reached howling point and the rain fell harder than ever. It was so dark inside the corridors and classrooms that extra torches and lanterns were lit. The Slytherin team was looking very smug indeed, and none more so than Malfoy. â€Å"Ah, if only my arm was feeling a bit better!† he sighed as the gale outside pounded the windows. Harry had no room in his head to worry about anything except the match tomorrow. Oliver Wood kept hurrying up to him between classes and giving him tips. The third time this happened, Wood talked for so long that Harry suddenly realized he was ten minutes late for Defense Against the Dark Arts, and set off at a run with Wood shouting after him, â€Å"Diggory's got a very fast swerve, Harry, so you might want to try looping him –â€Å" Harry skidded to a halt outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, pulled the door open, and dashed inside. â€Å"Sorry I'm late, Professor Lupin. I –â€Å" But it wasn't Professor Lupin who looked up at him from the teacher's desk; it was Snape. â€Å"This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter, so I think we'll make it ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down.† But Harry didn't move. â€Å"Where's Professor Lupin?† he said. â€Å"He says he is feeling too ill to teach today,† said Snape with a twisted smile. â€Å"I believe I told you to sit down?† But Harry stayed where he was. â€Å"What's wrong with him?† Snape's black eyes glittered. â€Å"Nothing life-threatening,† he said, looking as though he wished it were. â€Å"Five more points from Gryffindor, and if I have to ask you to sit down again, it will be fifty.† Harry walked slowly to his seat and sat down. Snape looked around at the class. â€Å"As I was saying before Potter interrupted, Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covered so far –â€Å" â€Å"Please, sir, we've done Boggarts, Red Caps, Kappas, and Grindylows,† said Hermione quickly, â€Å"and we're just about to start –â€Å" â€Å"Be quiet,† said Snape coldly. â€Å"I did not ask for information. I was merely commenting on Professor Lupin's lack of organization.† â€Å"He's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had,† said Dean Thomas boldly, and there was a murmur of agreement from the rest of the class. Snape looked more menacing than ever. â€Å"You are easily satisfied. Lupin is hardly overtaxing you — I would expect first years to be able to deal with Red Caps and Grindylows. Today we shall discuss –â€Å" Harry watched him flick through the textbook, to the very back chapter, which he must know they hadn't covered. â€Å"– werewolves,† said Snape. â€Å"But, sir,† said Hermione, seemingly unable to restrain herself, â€Å"we're not supposed to do werewolves yet, we're due to start Hinkypunks –â€Å" â€Å"Miss Granger,† said Snape in a voice of deadly calm, â€Å"I was under the impression that I am teaching this lesson, not you. And I am telling you all to turn to page 394.† He glanced around again. â€Å"All of you! Now!† With many bitter sidelong looks and some sullen muttering, the class opened their books. â€Å"Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?† said Snape. Everyone sat in motionless silence; everyone except Hermione, whose hand, as it so often did, had shot straight into the air. â€Å"Anyone?† Snape said, ignoring Hermione. His twisted smile was back. â€Å"Are you telling me that Professor Lupin hasn't even taught you the basic distinction between –â€Å" â€Å"We told you,† said Parvati suddenly, â€Å"we haven't got as far as werewolves yet, we're still on –â€Å" â€Å"Silence!† snarled Snape. â€Å"Well, well, well, I never thought I'd meet a third-year class who wouldn't even recognize a werewolf when they saw one. I shall make a point of informing Professor Dumbledore how very behind you all are†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Please, sir,† said Hermione, whose hand was still in the air, â€Å"the werewolf differs from the true wolf in several small ways. The snout of the werewolf –â€Å" â€Å"That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger,† said Snape coolly. â€Å"Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all.† Hermione went very red, put down her hand, and stared at the floor with her eyes full of tears. It was a mark of how much the class loathed Snape that they were all glaring at him, because every one of them had called Hermione a know-it-all at least once, and Ron, who told Hermione she was a know-it-all at least twice a week, said loudly, â€Å"You asked us a question and she knows the answer! Why ask if you don't want to be told?† The class knew instantly he'd gone too far. Snape advanced on Ron slowly, and the room held its breath. â€Å"Detention, Weasley,† Snape said silkily, his face very close to Ron's. â€Å"And if I ever hear you criticize the way I teach a class again, you will be very sorry indeed.† No one made a sound throughout the rest of the lesson. They sat and made notes on werewolves from the textbook, while Snape prowled up and down the rows of desks, examining the work they had been doing with Professor Lupin. â€Å"Very poorly explained†¦That is incorrect, the Kappa is more commonly found in Mongolia†¦Professor Lupin gave this eight out of ten? I wouldn't have given it three†¦Ã¢â‚¬  When the bell rang at last, Snape held them back. â€Å"You will each write an essay, to be handed in to me, on the ways you recognize and kill werewolves. I want two rolls of parchment on the subject, and I want them by Monday morning. It is time somebody took this class in hand. Weasley, stay behind, we need to arrange your detention.† Harry and Hermione left the room with the rest of the class, who waited until they were well out of earshot, then burst into a furious tirade about Snape. â€Å"Snape's never been like this with any of our other Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, even if he did want the job,† Harry said to Hermione. â€Å"Why's he got it in for Lupin? D'you think this is all because of the Boggart?† â€Å"I don't know,† said Hermione pensively. â€Å"But I really hope Professor Lupin gets better soon†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Ron caught up with them five minutes later, in a towering rage. â€Å"D'you know what that –† (he called Snape something that made Hermione say â€Å"Ron!†) â€Å"– is making me do? I've got to scrub out the bedpans in the hospital wing. Without magic!† He was breathing deeply, his fists clenched. â€Å"Why couldn't Black have hidden in Snape's office, eh? He could have finished him off for us!† ****** Harry woke extremely early the next morning; so early that it was still dark. For a moment he thought the roaring of the wind had woken him. Then he felt a cold breeze on the back of his neck and sat bolt upright — Peeves the Poltergeist had been floating next to him, blowing hard in his ear. â€Å"What did you do that for?† said Harry furiously. Peeves puffed out his cheeks, blew hard, and zoomed backward out of the room, cackling. Harry fumbled for his alarm clock and looked at it. It was half past four. Cursing Peeves, he rolled over and tried to get back to sleep, but it was very difficult, now that he was awake, to ignore the sounds of the thunder rumbling overhead, the pounding of the wind against the castle walls, and the distant creaking of the trees in the Forbidden Forest. In a few hours he would be out on the Quidditch field, battling through that gale. Finally, he gave up any thought of more sleep, got up, dressed, picked up his Nimbus Two Thousand, and walked quietly out of the dormitory. As Harry opened the door, something brushed against his leg. He bent down just in time to grab Crookshanks by the end of his bushy tail and drag him outside. â€Å"You know, I reckon Ron was right about you,† Harry told Crookshanks suspiciously. â€Å"There are plenty of mice around this place — go and chase them. Go on,† he added, nudging Crookshanks down the spiral staircase with his foot. â€Å"Leave Scabbers alone.† The noise of the storm was even louder in the common room. Harry knew better than to think the match would be canceled; Quidditch matches weren't called off for trifles like thunderstorms. Nevertheless, he was starting to feel very apprehensive. Wood had pointed out Cedric Diggory to him in the corridor; Diggory was a fifth year and a lot bigger than Harry. Seekers were usually light and speedy, but Diggory's weight would be an advantage in this weather because he was less likely to be blown off course. Harry whiled away the hours until dawn in front of the fire, getting up every now and then to stop Crookshanks from sneaking up the boys' staircase again. At long last Harry thought it must be time for breakfast, so he headed through the portrait hole alone. â€Å"Stand and fight, you mangy cur!† yelled Sir Cadogan. â€Å"Oh, shut up,† Harry yawned. He revived a bit over a large bowl of porridge, and by the time he'd started on toast, the rest of the team had turned up. â€Å"It's going to be a tough one,† said Wood, who wasn't eating anything. â€Å"Stop worrying, Oliver,† said Alicia soothingly, â€Å"we don't mind a bit of rain.† But it was considerably more than a bit of rain. Such was the popularity of Quidditch that the whole school turned out to watch the match as usual, but they ran down the lawns toward the Quidditch field, heads bowed against the ferocious wind, umbrellas being whipped out of their hands as they went. just before he entered the locker room, Harry saw Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, laughing and pointing at him from under an enormous umbrella on their way to the stadium. The team changed into their scarlet robes and waited for Wood's usual pre-match pep talk, but it didn't come. He tried to speak several times, made an odd gulping noise, then shook his head hopelessly and beckoned them to follow him. The wind was so strong that they staggered sideways as they walked out onto the field. If the crowd was cheering, they couldn't hear it over the fresh rolls of thunder. Rain was splattering over Harry's glasses. How on earth was he going to see the Snitch in this? The Hufflepuffs were approaching from the opposite side of the field, wearing canary-yellow robes. The Captains walked up to each other and shook hands; Diggory smiled at Wood but Wood now looked as though he had lockjaw and merely nodded. Harry saw Madam Hooch's mouth form the words, â€Å"Mount Your brooms.† He pulled his right foot out of the mud with a squelch and swung it over his Nimbus Two Thousand. Madam Hooch put her whistle to her lips and gave it a blast that sounded shrill and distant — they were off. Harry rose fast, but his Nimbus was swerving slightly with the wind. He held it as steady as he could and turned, squinting into the rain. Within five minutes Harry was soaked to his skin and frozen, hardly able to see his teammates, let alone the tiny Snitch. He flew backward and forward across the field past blurred red and yellow shapes, with no idea of what was happening in the rest of the game. He couldn't hear the commentary over the wind. The crowd was hidden beneath a sea of cloaks and battered umbrellas. Twice Harry came very close to being unseated by a Bludger; his vision was so clouded by the rain on his glasses he hadn't seen them coming. He lost track of time. It was getting harder and harder to hold his broom straight. The sky was getting darker, as though night had decided to come early. Twice Harry nearly hit another player, without knowing whether it was a teammate or opponent; everyone was now so wet, and the rain so thick, he could hardly tell them apart†¦ With the first flash of lightning came the sound of Madam Hooch's whistle; Harry could just see the outline of Wood through the thick rain, gesturing him to the ground. The whole team splashed down into the mud. â€Å"I called for time-out!† Wood roared at his team. â€Å"Come on, under here –â€Å" They huddled at the edge of the field under a large umbrella; Harry took off his glasses and wiped them hurriedly on his robes. â€Å"What's the score?† â€Å"We're fifty points up,† said Wood, â€Å"but unless we get the Snitch soon, we'll be playing into the night.† â€Å"I've got no chance with these on,† Harry said exasperatedly, waving his glasses. At that very moment, Hermione appeared at his shoulder; she was holding her cloak over her head and was, inexplicably, beaming. â€Å"I've had an idea, Harry! Give me your glasses, quick!† He handed them to her, and as the team watched in amazement, Hermione tapped them with her wand and said, â€Å"Impervius!† â€Å"There!† she said, handing them back to Harry. â€Å"They'll repel water!† Wood looked as though he could have kissed her. â€Å"Brilliant!† he called hoarsely after her as she disappeared into the crowd. â€Å"Okay, team, let's go for it!† Hermione's spell had done the trick. Harry was still numb with cold, still wetter than he'd ever been in his life, but he could see. Full of fresh determination, he urged his broom through the turbulent air, staring in every direction for the Snitch, avoiding a Bludger, ducking beneath Diggory, who was streaking in the opposite direction†¦ There was another clap of thunder, followed immediately by forked lightning. This was getting more and more dangerous. Harry needed to get the Snitch quickly — He turned, intending to head back toward the middle of the field, but at that moment, another flash of lightning illuminated the stands, and Harry saw something that distracted him completely, the silhouette of an enormous shaggy black dog, clearly imprinted against the sky, motionless in the topmost, empty row of seats. Harry's numb hands slipped on the broom handle and his Nimbus dropped a few feet. Shaking his sodden bangs out of his eyes, he squinted back into the stands. The dog had vanished. â€Å"Harry!† came Wood's anguished yell from the Gryffindor goal posts. â€Å"Harry, behind you!† Harry looked wildly around. Cedric Diggory was pelting up the field, and a tiny speck of gold was shimmering in the rain-filled air between them†¦ With a jolt of panic, Harry threw himself flat to the broom handle and zoomed toward the Snitch. â€Å"Come on!† he growled at his Nimbus as the rain whipped his face. â€Å"Faster!† But something odd was happening. An eerie silence was falling across the stadium. The wind, though as strong as ever, was forgetting to roar. It was as though someone had turned off the sound, as though Harry had gone suddenly deaf — what was going on? And then a horribly familiar wave of cold swept over him, inside him, just as he became aware of something moving on the field below†¦ Before he'd had time to think, Harry had taken his eyes off the Snitch and looked down. At least a hundred Dementors, their hidden faces pointing up at him, were standing beneath him. It was as though freezing water were rising in his chest, cutting at his insides. And then he heard it again†¦Someone was screaming, screaming inside his head†¦a woman†¦ â€Å"Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!† â€Å"Stand aside, you silly girl†¦stand aside, now†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead –â€Å" Numbing, swirling white mist was filling Harry's brain†¦What was he doing? Why was he flying? He needed to help her†¦She was going to die†¦She was going to be murdered†¦ He was falling, falling through the icy mist. â€Å"Not Harry! Please†¦have mercy†¦have mercy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  A shrill voice was laughing, the woman was screaming, and Harry knew no more. â€Å"Lucky the ground was so soft.† â€Å"I thought he was dead for sure.† â€Å"But he didn't even break his glasses.† Harry could hear the voices whispering, but they made no sense whatsoever. He didn't have a clue where he was, or how he'd got there, or what he'd been doing before he got there. All he knew was that every inch of him was aching as though it had been beaten. â€Å"That was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life.† Scariest†¦the scariest thing†¦hooded black figures†¦cold†¦screaming†¦ Harry's eyes snapped open. He was lying in the hospital wing. The Gryffindor Quidditch team, spattered with mud from head to foot, was gathered around his bed. Ron and Hermione were also there, looking as though they'd just climbed out of a swimming pool. â€Å"Harry!† said Fred, who looked extremely white underneath, the mud. â€Å"How're you feeling?† It was as though Harry's memory was on fast forward. The lightning†¦the Grim†¦the Snitch†¦and the Dementors†¦ â€Å"What happened?† he said, sitting up so suddenly they all gasped. â€Å"You fell off,† said Fred. â€Å"Must've been — what — fifty feet?† â€Å"We thought you'd died,† said Alicia, who was shaking. Hermione made a small, squeaky noise. Her eyes were extremely bloodshot. â€Å"But the match,† said Harry. â€Å"What happened? Are we doing a replay?† No one said anything. The horrible truth sank into Harry like a stone. â€Å"We didn't — lose?† â€Å"Diggory got the Snitch,† said George. â€Å"Just after you fell. He didn't realize what had happened. When he looked back and saw you on the ground, he tried to call it off. Wanted a rematch. But they won fair and square†¦even Wood admits it.† â€Å"Where is Wood?† said Harry, suddenly realizing he wasn't there. â€Å"Still in the showers,† said Fred. â€Å"We think he's trying to drown himself.† Harry put his face to his knees, his hands gripping his hair. Fred grabbed his shoulder and shook it roughly. â€Å"C'mon, Harry, you've never missed the Snitch before.† â€Å"There had to be one time you didn't get it,† said George. â€Å"It's not over yet,† said Fred. â€Å"We lost by a hundred points.† â€Å"Right? So if Hufflepuff loses to Ravenclaw and we beat Ravenclaw and Slytherin†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Hufflepuff'll have to lose by at least two hundred points,† said George. â€Å"But if they beat Ravenclaw†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"No way, Ravenclaw is too good. But if Slytherin loses against Hufflepuff†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It all depends on the points — a margin of a hundred either way –â€Å" Harry lay there, not saying a word. They had lost†¦for the first time ever, he had lost a Quidditch match. After ten minutes or so, Madam Pomfrey came over to tell the team to leave him in peace. â€Å"We'll come and see you later,† Fred told him. â€Å"Don't beat yourself up. Harry, you're still the best Seeker we've ever had.† The team trooped out, trailing mud behind them. Madam Pomfrey shut the door behind them, looking disapproving. Ron and Hermione moved nearer to Harry's bed. â€Å"Dumbledore was really angry,† Hermione said in a quaking voice. â€Å"I've never seen him like that before. He ran onto the field as you fell, waved his wand, and you sort of slowed down before you hit the ground. Then he whirled his wand at the Dementors. Shot silver stuff at them. They left the stadium right away†¦He was furious they'd come onto the grounds. We heard him –â€Å" â€Å"Then he magicked you onto a stretcher,† said Ron. â€Å"And walked up to school with you floating on it. Everyone thought you were†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His voice faded, but Harry hardly noticed. He was thinking about what the Dementors had done to him†¦about the screaming voice. He looked up and saw Ron and Hermione looking at him so anxiously that he quickly cast around for something matter-of-fact to say. â€Å"Did someone get my Nimbus?† Ron and Hermione looked quickly at each other. â€Å"Er –â€Å" â€Å"What?† said Harry, looking from one to the other. â€Å"Well†¦when you fell off, it got blown away,† said Hermione hesitantly. â€Å"And?† â€Å"And it hit — it hit — oh, Harry — it hit the Whomping Willow.† Harry's insides lurched. The Whomping Willow was a very violent tree that stood alone in the middle of the grounds. â€Å"And?† he said, dreading the answer. â€Å"Well, you know the Whomping Willow,† said Ron. â€Å"It — it doesn't like being hit.† â€Å"Professor Flitwick brought it back just before you came around,† said Hermione in a very small voice. Slowly, she reached down for a bag at her feet, turned it upside down, and tipped a dozen bits of splintered wood and twig onto the bed, the only remains of Harry's faithful, finally beaten broomstick.

Future Indian Sports Manager Essay

India is in the forefront in very sporting activities despite having such a huge raw pool of talent which if groomed correctly can catapult the country in the international arena as one of the top sporting nations. Sports has been my first and foremost passion from as far as I can remember. An active participant of every single sporting activity in school and my local clubs my entire life revolved around sports from my childhood. he adrenaline rush that comes with playing  sports  is something that I can’t put into words Due to financial pressure I could not initially take up sports as a career option but after 6 years of working in the corporate world I have now realised that my life still revolves around sports and granted the opportunity I would want to live my life in the sports world. Observing the growing importance of managing sports teams and activities professionally, and seeing the emergence of specialised courses, I would like to work towards changing and growing sports from the grass roots level in my country, India. The prevalence of politics, red tapism and lack of promotion of talented athletes has more or less depleted and killed the motivation of such athletes in our country. Having been a part of the entire system myself and despite having being selected in the training camp for the state basketball team and having being told by my coach that I had tremendous potential but there was no motivation to pursue this as a career option as it offered absolutely no stability. Every year I see extremely talented athletes leaving their passions behind and moving onto make their career in other fields. Throughout the country a wide variety of sports are played. India is home to several traditional sports which originated in the country and continue to remain fairly popular. These include kabbadi, kho kho, wrestling and archery. The British rule brought many popular sports in India including football, rugby union, cricket, golf, tennis, squash, hockey, boxing, nooker and billiards. The country which has produced the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, P. T. Usha among thousands of other great athletes has not even scratched the surface. The talent is there for all to see but to a dysfunctional and corrupted system it fails to promote the same to excel in the international arena. To put in perspective these problems are not only faced in India but in many more countries. Some of the major issues which are considered to be the biggest problems facing a country can be discussed under the following points Management: – The problems in management are the single most destructive force which ensures that the facilities being provided for promoting raw talents never reach. In most developing countries especially in India the key posts in management are coveted posts and are held by politicians or their close associated. The result of this is that the leaders of the sports management in these countries are mostly people who are a) without any experience whatsoever in sports, b) are required to work only till such time that their elected political party is in power so they build no plans which can be executed over a five year plan, c) are mostly politicians who are more interested in gaining political mileage out of the entire deal and most importantly d) Are mostly the biggest perpetrators when it comes to corruption ensuring funds actually meant for the athletes are diverted to their own pockets by using different channels. For instance the Commonwealth Games 2010 which was hosted by Delhi, India came under a lot of scrutiny for the corrupt means used by the organizers  who pocketed funds that had been generated for the athletes. It was a disgrace for the entire nation that an event of such magnitude was no more than a mere money making scheme for a few individuals. In fact, the Head of the Commonwealth games in India Suresh Kalmadi has also been arrested for the same. The prevalence of such a system ensure there is no long term plan for developing the system from a grass root level and ensuring the plan is constantly evolving and growing in a positive direction rather than being changed at the whims and fancies of a politician. Involvement of trained sports managers can change the entire ball game and ensure a much more planned and structural growth for athletes from the grass root level. Most other problems derive their origin from that of management but are long standing problems with ramifications of their own. Some of the more significant problems which have strong ramifications of their own are: – Grass Roots:  The biggest drawback for a lot of sporting activities is a lack of a planned and sustainable program to develop athletes at the grassroots’ level. There is an urgent need to involve professional sports managers who understand the need for the same and are put in charge of the systems which govern the same. Promoting and training promising athletes will lead to emergence of new stars that would have previously gone undiscovered. Developmental:   With sports emerging as a frontrunner in drawing spectators across the world the need today in every country is to promote a variety of sports by professional methods, by packaging and presenting the USP of each sport to draw in a larger fan base. Although hockey is the national sport of the country, despite the country having such a vast raw pool of talent in different sporting genres, mainly cricket holds the limelight across the world. The IPL (Indian Premiere League) overshadows most of the other sporting events due to its glamour quotient as well as the huge sum of money involved. The lack of attention given to other sports in India besides cricket is very disheartening for young sportsmen . Packaged and managed to ensure maximum response will ensure many more varieties of sports draw in the same amount of attention and revive athletes’ interests in following the same as a career option. Disciplinary:   Due to a weak management system coaches and managers use banned substances to train their wards. Young athletes not supervised correctly are most vulnerable to the same. Discipline during growth is an extremely important aspect of a super athlete and forms the backbone during his growing stages and becomes even more important once the athlete achieves milestones. Economics of scale has become a focal point of discussion in sports today. Inequality in finances’ due to sponsorships and also government preferences has proved detrimental to non cash rich sports in all countries. Quality training and excellent facilities in some sports has led them to create a huge imbalance in most countries. Not only restricted to a single country but due to the emergence of imbalance among different leagues across various countries has led to a decline in the fan base where finances are not adequate and may eventually lead to a demise of the sport in that particular In conclusion it may be said that a strong management system ensures strong development of policies which enable a positive and sustainable growth system. Sports are an important segment of our country and also it is a prestige issue. In today’s world cricket assumes primary importance in the minds of the audience and the government has also by no means played a small part in ensuring the same. As a result other sports have suffered tremendously in the country My experience of sports in the state and national arena was restricted to Basketball wherein I had played for the university team and was selected for the state selection camp. Observing the rampant politics and prevalence of corruption I was highly demotivated. Moving on to a high paying job seemed to be the only motivation for me to leave sports and I followed that for 6 years, but my passion for sports never died. I have been strongly associated with basketball as a coach for my higher secondary school, as a player for my club and have also promoted basketball in my company wherein I have formed a team of my peers and have participated and won a number of tournaments. My main motivation for applying for the sports management course is a) to develop a strong understanding of managing sports organisations and athletes b) Understand and work with professional international organisations c) To learn modern technology and its applications in sports today ) To apply all my acquired knowledge in sports today in India e) Develop by working closely with the athletes a system of generating a higher number of quality athletes in a variety of fields Initially I would wish to work with national Women’s sporting teams wherein there would be a requirement for me while at the same time help my state Woman’s basketball association with whom I have been closely associated for the last 15 years dev elop a program to develop young athletes and initially work towards promoting the sport in the national stage and eventually the international stage. My eventual goal would be to bring women’s sports as close to par to men’s sports to guarantee young athletes a promising career in sports and ensure no raw talent gets dissuaded from following sports as a career as I did along with my entire team members. In terms of finance I would have sufficient amount to support myself in terms of accommodation and other living costs but would require financial support from the college by means of a scholarship or assistantship for the education fees. As in India the salaries are not very high in terms of international standards what I have saved would cover as said before the living costs but for the program fees I would need some sort of help in the form of a scholarship. I have spent all my life involved in sports in some way or the other and despite having a natural talent and passion for the same have not been able to follow it as a career option in my life. Today the face of sports especially in India is changing and I am right now in a stage in my career where with all the experience gained in the corporate world coupled with my passion for sports I can contribute in this field. For this I need to be further exposed to the knowledge and experience which your institute offers. I dream to make a change in the industry in my country and this is the main motive behind me applying for the degree which has already enabled many individuals to achieve their goals.