Wednesday, December 25, 2019

The Plague Essay - 1241 Words

The Plague nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The rats did it! Rats, almost single handedly, killed off about a third of the European population throughout the 14th and 15th centuries. Its effects on western civilization still lasts today, but for the people who lived during the plagues wish indeed that they did not. Society was depressed, the economy was struggling, food was scarce, and all of Europe was in battle. Who would want to live in these dramatic conditions? No one, and not for centuries to come. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The Plague, also known as the Black Death, or the Bubonic Plague, which struck in 1346, and again in 1361-62, ravaged all of Europe to the extent of bringing gruesome death to millions people of the†¦show more content†¦One thing about coughing up blood that made the plague even worse, was that when you coughed up blood, everyone in the room was susceptible to the disease. This allowed the plague to spread even more quickly and easily. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Black Death had more than just physical effects; it effected every part of life. It also had more extensive effects over the course of many years to come in western civilization. This complex disease effected society, religion, the economy, agriculture, art and architecture and most of all, the future. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;For two generations after the plague there was almost no increase in the population of Europe, while the rest of the world’s population continued to grow. After the plague had passed, Europe seemed to suffer from a case of collective shell shock. This made it look like all of Europe was hit by a deadly stun gun, but the stun never wore off. What scared the people was that the Black Death took more lives than an army, and gave its victims no chance to fight back. The Black Death had many different social and religious effects on the common people of Europe. Some people dreaded the time when the plague would come, and some people just understood what was happening and let the plague take its course. Although all the people suffered, the peasants suffered the most. This is because they lived in such unsanitary conditions and had the least care. In many places wholeShow MoreRelatedThe Plague Essay768 Words   |  3 PagesIn The Plague by Albert Camus a town called Oran became suddenly taken over by an epidemic â€Å"the plague†, killing off thousands of people. One character greatly affected by the plague goes by the name Rambert (A journalist from Paris just doing some research). The plague dramatically changed the way Rambert thought because three types of environmental characteristics that surrounded him: Death, despair and isolation. Therefore, these three characteristics showed the dramatic effects an epidemic canRead MoreBlack Plag ue And The Plague1367 Words   |  6 PagesBy the 14th century, the plague had wiped out sixty percent of Europe’s population. Because of its devastating fatality rate, The Black Plague was one of the most devastating pandemics in history. The disease was made famous by the outbreak in Europe, however it did not originate there. The origination of the Plague, History of the Plague, Strains and Symptoms, as well as effects of the Plague are essential ideas, important to understand the Black Plague. The Black Plague is said to have originatedRead MoreThe Plague Of The Black Plague1624 Words   |  7 Pages25 million people, the Black Plague is considered the greatest catastrophe ever.†¯ †¯Ã¢â‚¬ ¯Ã¢â‚¬ ¯Ã¢â‚¬ ¯Ã¢â‚¬ ¯ The Black Plague started in Italy. The plague traveled from Italy to Europe. Jim Ollhoff, author of the The Black Death, described the outbreak of the plague as a â€Å"deadly hitchhiker† (6). He illustrated how quickly the Black Plague spread to other cities. Many doctors of this era thought the disease had come from â€Å"an earthquake that released putrid underground air† (20). The plague was â€Å"a painful, horrible diseaseRead MoreThe Plague Of The Bubonic Plague1426 Words   |  6 PagesThe plague was a catastrophic time in history, and happened more than once. It took millions and millions of people’s lives. It destroyed cities and countries, and many people suffered from it. What is the plague? The plague or referred to as the Black Death, according to the CDC (2015), â€Å"is a disease that affects humans and other mammals and caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. Humans usually get plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handlingRead MoreThe Plague Of The Bubonic Plague896 Words   |  4 PagesBlack Death The Bubonic Plague was likely the first semi-global pandemic that rightfully merits the name which means affecting all people. The period of time in which the disease wreaked havoc was also known as the â€Å"Black Death. Alexandere Yersin was a French bacteriologist and discovered the bacteria in Hong Kong This diabolical disease is characterized by both positive and negative outcomes for the few people that managed to survive the plague. The total number of people who died subsequentlyRead MoreThe Plague Of The Black Plague1261 Words   |  6 PagesThe Black Plague is a disease that spread around the world and killed many people. There are three different types of the plague; Bubonic, Septicemic, and Pneumonic (Dugdale). The Black Plague effected Europe greatly and effected there way of life. It came to Europe around the 1300s and had a great impact on society in the 1500s (History). Important parts of the black plague are the different types of the plague, how they spread, treatments for them, and effects the plague had on Europe in the 1500sRead MoreThe Plague Of Bubonic Plague1675 Words   |  7 PagesBubonic Plague Ellery Perez Health Science Technology Made of a canvas outer garment coated in wax, as well as waxed leather pants, gloves, boots and hat. A dark leather hood and mask with a very grotesque curved beak (Jackie Rosenhek, 2011). A serial killer, Halloween costume perhaps or a cosplay outfit for a horror movie? No, a doctor actually is what this outfit was meant for. Doctors wore this attire in the medieval times in order to protect themselves from the bubonic plague. We ve all heardRead MoreThe Plague Of The Bubonic Plague1848 Words   |  8 Pages The Bubonic Plague killed over twenty-five million people during the Elizabethan Era (David Perlin, PhD and Ann Cohen). â€Å"The origins of the Black Death can be traced back to the Gobi Desert of Mongolia in the 1320’s (Ed. Geoffrey J. et al).† The Bubonic Plague has picked up many nicknames. For example, it has been called â€Å"The Black Death,† and â€Å"one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse† (Ed. Geoffrey J. et al). The Bubonic Plague was very prominent during its time with many people’s lives beingRead MoreThe Plague By Albert Camus1511 Words   |  7 PagesThe Plague It is always awful when an epidemic starts to spread out. Regardless of have severe it is, it always has bad consequences. These hard times often bring the citizen closer to each other and make them appreciate life more. In the book â€Å"The Plague† written by Albert Camus the readers get a sense of how incredibly the spread of a deadly disease is. In this case it is the plague. Throughout the novel, the author tells the reader through Dr. Rieux, which is actually the author but he talksRead MoreThe Plague Of Bubonic Plague1714 Words   |  7 Pagescharacteristics. The diffusion, history, and cure are just a couple universal aspects that contribute to the well known, yet unforgiving disease known as the Bubonic Plague. The Bubonic Plague diffused to many people during its time of dominance. To start, the Bubonic Plague is transmitted to other living organisms in a distinct way. The plague bacteria circulates among different populations of certain rodents without causing an excessive amount of rodent die-off (â€Å"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention†)

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Ap U.S. History Chapter 16 - 1577 Words

Chapter 16 THE SOUTH AND SLAVERY, 1793–1860 1. Part Three Introduction This introduction gives you a preview of the authors’ answers to certain key questions about the causes and consequences of the nation’s â€Å"awesome trial by fire,† the Civil War. Look at this section and list three major questions you think the authors will be addressing in the next seven chapters. (1) (2) (3) 2. Southern Economy and Social Structure a. Explain the connection between the invention of the cotton gin by Eli _________ in 17___ and the rapid expansion of short-staple cotton production based on slave labor in the South. If the cotton gin actually made picking seeds from cotton much easier, why did planters perceive a vastly†¦show more content†¦Was there any truth in this charge? d. Were the abolitionists popular or unpopular in the North? Why? VARYING VIEWPOINTS Nature of Slavery Read the Varying Viewpoints essay and address ONE of the following questions: 1. According to historian Eugene Genovese, what motivated southern slave-owners to embrace â€Å"a strange form of paternalism† toward their slaves? *** Do you agree with the authors that this paternalistic attitude had the effect of subverting the â€Å"racist underpinnings† of the slave society? 2. Although economic historians have demonstrated that slavery was still a profitable proposition at the time of the Civil War, it was dying out as an institution in other places around the world. *** Do you have any thoughts as to what would have happened to slavery in America in the absence of a Civil War? 3. Slaves were purposefully kept illiterate and therefore left few written records of their life on the plantations. Technology for audio and video recordings was unavailable and few travelers from the North recorded observations on slave treatment, lifestyle, or culture. *** If you were a historian trying to make conclusions about these subjects, what types of sources would you consult? Do you think an â€Å"objective† picture of southern slavery is possible to construct? ChapterShow MoreRelatedThe Economic Impacts Of Gmo s And Large Agribusiness1328 Words   |  6 PagesSam Palmisano Mrs. Kristine Frailing AP Capstone Seminar 24 January 2015 The Economic Impacts of GMO’s and Large Agribusiness When focusing on a major topic like genetically modified organisms from an economic standpoint, it is crucial to cover the varying effects of large agribusiness companies that run the biotechnological field, primarily Monsanto. Monsanto, originally founded as a chemical company, has risen to hold a biotechnical science monopoly. While a monopoly is never a good thing, theRead MoreSummary Of Lies My Teacher Told Me2933 Words   |  12 Pagesempathizes with the students. He discusses how History, specifically American History, is taught incorrectly. Loewen is able to share his understanding of why high school students think history is boring. He begins his argument with facts and numbers by saying that out of all the subjects in school, history is almost every students least favorite subject. He goes on to say that teachers also misrepresent history to students by teaching history as a  ¨set of facts ¨ rather than  ¨showing how weRead MoreChesapeake Life in the 17th Century1 363 Words   |  6 PagesDaniel A. Parra Ms. Seno AP US History, 1st 9/24/12 Chapter 4 Questions 1. What were a few of the notable characteristics of Chesapeake life in the seventeenth century? Some of the notable characteristics of Chesapeake life in the seventeenth century were that most of the population of early Chesapeake was killed because of diseases like malaria, dysentery, and typhoid. These diseases cut 10 years from the life expectancy of new settlers from England. Another characteristic is that women wereRead MoreEssay about History: World War I and Bold Experiments7600 Words   |  31 Pagesof ­Industrialization, ­1877–1929 This part covers the following chapters in Henretta et al., America’s History, Seventh Edition: Chapter ­17 ­ The Busy Hive: Industrial America at Work, 1877–1911 Chapter 18 The Victorians Meet the Modern, 1880–1917 Chapter 19 â€Å"Civilization’s Inferno†: The Rise and Reform of Industrial Cities, 1880 –1917 Chapter 20 Whose Government? Politics, Populists, and Progressives, 1880 –1917 Chapter 21 An Emerging World Power, 1877–1918 Chapter 22 Wrestling with Modernity, 1918 –1929 PartRead MoreDeath Penalty Essay1956 Words   |  8 Pagesdisproportionately from the death penalty. Capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime. Putting people to death by capital punishment is not cost effective. Putting people to death by capital punishment is inhumane and should be illegal. The U.S. Constitution states that, â€Å"cruel and unusual punishments (Amendment 8, 1791),† should not be inflicted on its citizens. It is especially cruel in cases of â€Å"botched† executions. On April 22, 1983 in Alabama, it took several jolts of 1,900 volts ofRead MoreFinancial Accounting IFRS Edition E2 CH.1 Answer7691 Words   |  31 PagesCHAPTER 1 Accounting in Action ASSIGNMENT CLASSIFICATION TABLE Brief Exercises A Problems B Problems 5, 6, 7, 11 1A, 2A, 4A 1B, 2B, 4B 3 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 1A, 2A, 4A, 5A 1B, 2B, 4B, 5B 4 8, 9, 12, 13, 2A, 3A, 14, 15, 16, 17 4A, 5A 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B Learning Objectives Questions Do It! Exercises 1. Explain what accounting is. 1, 2, 5 1 1 2. Identify the users and uses of accounting. 3, 4 1 2 3. Understand why ethics is a fundamental business concept. 4. Explain accountingRead MoreApplied Concept Paper: Critical Thinking Structures for Business Ethics3010 Words   |  13 Pagesstewardship are mentioned in Chapters 3 and 4 of (Wheelen, 2012). This paper discusses recent articles regarding ethics in the Atlanta Public School Systems, a violation of the code of ethics by the former HealthSouth CFO back in 2010, and Wal-Mart’s latest ethics controversy. In addition, this paper targets important concepts such as social responsibility, sustainability; environmental stewardship and how they affect the stakeholders of Patagonia Clothing Company, Carlportland, U.S Silica and Lucky StoneRead MoreAccounting 1-4 Chapter100452 Words   |  402 Pageschapter 1 INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ââ€"  the navigator ââ€"  ââ€"  ââ€"  ââ€"  âÅ"“ Scan Study Objectives Read Feature Story Scan Preview Read Text and Answer Do it! p. 5 p. 11 p. 18 p. 20 Work Using the Decision Toolkit Review Summary of Study Objectives Work Comprehensive Do it! p. 23 Answer Self-Test Questions Complete Assignments Go to WileyPLUS for practice and tutorials Read A Look at IFRS p. 42 study objectives After studying this chapter, you should be able to: 1 Describe the primaryRead MoreCobit Framework21120 Words   |  85 Pagescommunity. †¢ Its standards activities establish the quality baseline by which other IT audit and control activities are measured. FRAMEWORK TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments Executive Overview The COBIT Framework The Framework’s Principles COBIT History and Background High-Level Control Objectives—Summary Table Framework Navigation Overview High-Level Control Objectives Appendix I IT Governance Management Guideline ............61-64 Appendix II COBIT Project Description..........................Read MoreSouth China Sea Dispute10771 Words   |  44 Pagesdispute. This research tries to present both sides of the argument on the control over the islands from the Chinese and Vietnamese point of view, but has an emphasis on how the United States plays a vital role in the resolution of this dispute. Chapter 1 - Historical Background 1.1 The Spratly and Paracel Islands In order to better understand the dispute of these islands and this body of water, geography plays a role considering the area sea is located to borders on many different regions

Monday, December 9, 2019

Reflection on Information Systems Strategizingâ€MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Reflection on Information Systems Strategizing. Answer: Introduction: Lion Company is one of largest and popular food and beverage companies operating in Australia. It is a new and an upcoming company considering the fact that it was formed in the year 2009 and currently being ranked as one of top 10 food and beverage companies in the country. The company was formed after the merge of Kirin Holdings Company Limited and the National Foods with the help of brewer Lion Nathan (https://www.lionco.com/about-us). Lions headquarters are located in Sydney, Australia where it specializes in the production and distribution of a variety of foods and drinks. Some of its products are: soy, cider, beer, wine, RTDS, spirits, alcoholic ready-to drink beverages and non-alcoholic ready to drinks beverages and dairy products or juices among others (https://www.lionco.com/our-brands). The dairy or juice brands of Lions products are of different kinds, i.e. can either be flavored or non-floured and may include drinks like yoghurts, milk, cheese, soy products to name a few. Lion Company operates in various towns like New Zealand, Australia, South Australia, Sydney and other small towns. Actually, Lion Company is the largest and the leading brewer in both Australia and New Zealand being ranked as the top ten brand brewer for both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. In addition to those towns, the company also participates in international trade exposing most of its products to the international markets. Therefore, this means that it has engaged in both domestic and international but still is ranked as one of the top ten best and largest companies in Australia. With this fact in mind, there is assured and certainty that the company uses accounting systems to manage and control its business operations. A businesss organizational structure illustrates how the policies and business principles are delegated and are supposed to be used for the success of the company. A good organizational structure will enable a business achieve its goals and objectives without pressure or failure. Lions organizational structure is composed of a number of board of directors team, about 7,000 skilled, experienced and knowledgeable employees, a number of factories to help in the production, variety of product brands many other things that enable business effectiveness and efficiency in Lion Company. The companys success is solely determined by the level of business operations management and control (Aquilani et al, 2017). Therefore, with the fact that the company has been ranked as one of the top companies in Australia, the management team, employees and physical structure and technical support team all seem to be effective and efficient. Challenge to meet the market demand The company may not be very well-known locally but is a very successful business that has managed to perform excellently in both the domestic and international markets. This means that it has a very large market share of consumers who need to be satisfied and their needs met. Therefore, a challenge may arise when the consumers market demand rises to a level that it may be unable to meet. Many large businesses always face the problem of poor management. Considering the fact that the companys operations and business activities involve domestic and international operations the business has to manage a large area and market share. This may cause a number of problems like poor management and activity control. The company is well known for its excellent brewing of drinks but is not well recognized by the local consumers. The products are highly rated which makes them unique and somehow special. Therefore, this may cause a problem to the market demand of the products and the services it provides which affects the companys success and goal and objective achievement. It may not satisfy the consumers needs and therefore may lose its market share. Most Likely Acquisition Method for Lion Company The best acquisition methods for Lion Foods and Beverage Company is the ERP software system. This system is generally used to manage and control a business operations including the financial, human resource, supply chain, product transportation and distribution among other business aspects or departments. The ERP system is suitable for the Lion Company because it will help it manage the businesss domestic and international operations, the product brand range and the large market share that the company manages (Park et al, 2014). Through the use of the systems, the business will certainly be effective and efficient in terms of production and especially the businesss internal systems. The technical support include factors like the labor availability, energy, time, machines like the computers and the internal systems themselves. These are the factors that enable the success of a large number of sales systems; actually they are the fundamental factors that must be included for a sales system to succeed (Marabelli et al, 2016). Therefore, if Lions sales systems lacks any of these aspects, then it is likely going to fail and therefore no goal or objective achievement. Ineffective and inefficient communication process Even though every sales system uses machines and software packages of a computer, it also needs to be fed the correct and right data for the sake of success. In addition every machine needs to be directed on what activity it should perform and how. Therefore, effective and efficient communication is highly needed for the success of every sale system procedure. This includes the products features, payment system, purchasing method, transportation method and delivery system among other factors. Additionally, for success of this operation the customer and the seller must give the information correctly otherwise the system does not succeed. Lion Company has currently increased its usage, development and adoption of the accounting software packages. This is certainly common for most of the international and the top rated companies in the world. The technological advancement of the company, the growth and its development in the general business operations has led it to the adoption of such systems (Jha et al, 2016). The company surely needs to manage and control its departments especially in the financial sector. Additionally, it has to manage its international operations and be able to be effective and efficient in all aspects. Therefore, the use of the accounting system software has become a part of the companys daily operations as well. The systems are used by almost all employees and especially the financial analysts, accountants and the general operations business analysts. The system make their work simple, easy and effective at the end of the day. This has also resulted to increased success rates, growth and develo pment of the whole business in general. Lions Current Market Size Just as mentioned earlier, the company operates in different states and towns of Australia. It is well recognized in Australia and New Zealand for its good brewing operations and its beverages. The Company is ranked being one of the top ten Companies in Australia that specializes in food and beverage products (https://www.lionco.com/about-us). It operates in many other towns like Sydney and Australia where its headquarters are based. Also, it has a very large variety and range of consumer products that are highly demanded by the public. The products are used by different consumers too; e.g. the children and adults (Kraak et al, 2015). This is a clear indication that the company has a very large and wide market share and market segment. This means that its high quality products, different product brands, different and many operation locations, the popularity and famousness of the company among other things are the aspects that have helped it increase and increase its market share. Als o, the fact that it has been able to maintain its market share and remain in business for a number of years indicates that the companys products are well valued by the customers and their demand is al noticeable. Therefore, with this in mind, the market share increases and the business grows year after year. The food and beverage industry in Australia has been termed as one of the fastest growing industries in the business world compared to other industries. A large number of businesses are trying to enter the food and beverage industry but are currently being faced by a lot of competition. This means that the businesses in the industry have already dominated the market and already have a very intact and strong competitive advantage factor and aspect that cannot be achieved by a new business (Barata et al, 2017). The Lion close competitors include Fonterra, Coca Cola Amatil, JBS Australia, George Weston Foods, Inghams Enterprises to name a few of them. Among these competitors, Coca Cola Amatil is the top most rated company in Australia and seconded by Lion Company. Therefore, with that in mind, Coca Cola Amatil has a competitive advantage over Lion. These factor include the fact that Coca Cola is a company that was established way earlier before Lion was started. This gives it a head sta rt period to control and position its products and its operations in the market (Kamariotou et al, 2017). Also, Coca Cola operates under the Coca Cola Company which is a world-wide company operating in almost all the countries in the world. The companys brands and product quality has helped Coca Cola Amatil gain its advantage indirectly. In a company like Lion, the users of the accounting software include people like accountants, business analysts, financial analysts and advisors, investors to name just but a few of them (Hair et al, 2017). Therefore, some of the challenges include: Lack of knowledge and skills. Every software analysts needs to have the required skills, experience and expertise to be able to work with a business software system. However, the technology and system frequent change and advancement may lead to some users not operating the system because of lack of knowledge. This relates to a situation where a business is planning or has already changed the accounting systems. The users may face a hard time because they lack the time to be psychologically prepared and physically ready for the changes especially the skills required. Lion Company should ensure that every employee is equipped with every training skill and knowledge that is needed to operate the accounting systems. All the employees operating with the systems should not only be skilled and knowledgeable but should also be experts and have experience from working with the same systems. Lion should ensure that before improving or changing the accounting systems, the users are well prepared and their advice is sort. This is to be able to know what exact kind of changes they would like and how the change will affect them. References Chi, M., Zhao, J., George, J.F., Li, Y. and Zhai, S., 2017. The influence of inter-firm IT governance strategies on relational performance: The moderation effect of information technology ambidexterity.International Journal of Information Management,37(2), pp.43-53. Svahn, F., Mathiassen, L. and Lindgren, R., 2017. Embracing digital innovation in incumbent firms: How Volvo cars managed competing concerns.MIS Quarterly,41(1), pp.239-253. Kamariotou, M. and Kitsios, F., 2017. Information Systems Phases and Firm Performance: A Conceptual Framework. InStrategic Innovative Marketing(pp. 553-560). Springer International Publishing. Aquilani, B., Silvestri, C., Ruggieri, A., Ruggieri, A., and Gatti, C., 2017. A systematic literature review on total quality management critical success factors and the identification of new avenues of research.The TQM Journal,29(1), pp.184-213. Pehrsson, A., 2017, January. International Firms Market Orientation and Use of Knowledge: Implications for Market Information Systems. InProceedings of the 50th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. Kwan, B.S., 2017. A cross-paradigm macro-structure analysis of research articles in Information Systems.English for Specific Purposes,45, pp.14-30. Barata, J. and Cunha, P.R., 2017. Synergies between quality management and information systems: a literature review and map for further research.Total Quality Management Business Excellence,28(3-4), pp.282-295. Hair, J., Hollingsworth, C.L., Randolph, A.B., Chong, A.Y.L. and., 2017. An updated and expanded assessment of PLS-SEM in information systems research.Industrial Management Data Systems,117(3), pp.442-458. Hung, S.Y., Huang, W.M., Yen, D.C., Chang, S.I. and Lu, C.C., 2016. Effect of Information Service Competence and Contextual Factors on the Effectiveness of Strategic Information Systems Planning in Hospitals.Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM),24(1), pp.14-36. Pearlson, K.E., Saunders, C.S. and Galletta, D.F., 2016.Managing and Using Information Systems, Binder Ready Version: A Strategic Approach. John Wiley Sons. Marabelli, M. and Galliers, R.D., 2016. A reflection on information systems strategizing: the role of power and everyday practices.Information Systems Journal. Jha, A.K. and Bose, I., 2016. Innovation research in information systems: A commentary on contemporary trends and issues.Information Management,53(3), pp.297-306. Sedera, D., Lokuge, S., Grover, V., Sarker, S. and Sarker, S., 2016. Innovating with enterprise systems and digital platforms: A contingent resource-based theory view.Information Management,53(3), pp.366-379. Intezari, A., Intezari, A., Gressel, S. and Gressel, S., 2017. Information and reformation in KM systems: big data and strategic decision-making.Journal of Knowledge Management,21(1), pp.71-91. Park, J.G. and Lee, J., 2014. Knowledge sharing in information systems development projects: Explicating the role of dependence and trust.International Journal of Project Management,32(1), pp.153-165. Kraak, V.I. and Story, M., 2015. Influence of food companies' brand mascots and entertainment companies' cartoon media characters on children's diet and health: a systematic review and research needs.Obesity reviews,16(2), pp.107-126.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Lets Write a Winning College Application Essay!

Why is it that most students freeze up when it comes to writing the college application essay? Its an essay about a topic you know very well: yourself. Many students think that in order to write a great essay, they have to be a straight-A student or a star athlete or have done volunteer work in a Nicaraguan orphanage over the summer. In fact, the beauty of the college application essay is that its not about what youve done its about how well youre able to write about yourself. Anyone can write a great essay if they focus on the right things. Heres a step-by-step guide to writing the best college application essay you can: Brainstorm The essay is a chance for the college application officers to get to know you better. Think about something that you wish to communicate about yourself. If you already know what you want to write about, great! If not, sit down and make a list of your personality traits, activities, strengths and passions. Talk to your friends, teachers, coaches or parents and ask them if they would add anything to the list. Sometimes an outside perspective can help you see things you werent aware of. Identify your strengths If you are a star athlete, straight-A student, class president, or some other form of superlative, then the essay will probably be made infinitely easier. But most people arent stars. Youve got to work with the strengths you do possess. Maybe youre not the best athlete at your school. Maybe youre a middle ranking one. But, maybe you started out at the bottom of the pack and worked your way up. Instead of quitting, you now secure your position on the team and support the star athletes who couldnt do it without you. Maybe you never missed a practice. Maybe you also have strong leadership skills or have a knack for boosting team morale and were voted player of the year. Those things are worth mentioning to a college application officer. Dont think about generic ideas of strengths. You dont have to be number one. You just have to recognize whats great about you. Tell them about your passions What do you enjoy doing with your time? Are you an artist? An IT fanatic? Do you enjoy leadership positions and participate in the student body? Are you a musician? An actor? An environmentalist? Are you an introvert who sits quietly in the library during lunch and writes poetry? Whats your thing? If you have a calling, write about it. Describe how that activity makes you feel. Have you earned any accolades or awards, officially or unofficially for your talent? Include them. Dont be boring Admissions counselors will love you if you write something creative and original. Do you have any idea how many essays they have to read each year? A lot of students are afraid to say something that the counselors wont like and end up taking the safe route instead of daring to be different. Be creative, look at the question or subject from a different angle. Explore an uncommon point of view. Just dont be boring! Dont be afraid of controversy Dont be afraid to tackle controversy in your essay. If theres a specific issue that you feel strongly about, express it. Maybe youre anti-war and feel that the past two presidential administrations spent too much time and energy fighting wars abroad. Maybe youre pro-war and you feel that the nations military programs need to be expanded. Whatever your stance on the subject you choose, make sure you allow time to consider counterarguments and give examples of why you feel so strongly and how this particular issue affects you. Dont make a list Dont write a resume or make a list of your accomplishments. There should be plenty of space to list them on the rest of your application. The application essay should have a specific theme that you identify in the beginning and carry through to the end. Dont try to talk about a bunch of different topics and experiences. It will sound muddled and its not the point of the essay. The point of the essay is for the college application officers to see how well you can express yourself and to get to know your personality, not just your test scores. They want to see the student behind the grades and numbers. Write in your own voice If you had some assistance from someone else, especially if its an adult, in crafting your essay, please make sure that the final outcome has your own voice. Admissions counselors will be able to tell if the essay was mainly written by a parent or if it reflects a students viewpoint. Remember, they dont want a perfect paper. They want to get to know you better. And hiding behind the sophisticated language of adults isnt going to allow them to accomplish that. By trying to craft the perfect essay, you will end up robbing the readers of the opportunity to find out who you are. Ask for feedback You may want to show your essay to a trusted teacher or your college counselor or a parent or your friend. Or all of the above. Getting someone elses feedback may help you identify weaknesses in your essay that you could address before submitting it. But remember that the essay is yours and if you dont agree with the advice, dont take it. How to self-edit Read it through several times out loud. Reading out loud is a much more effective way to spot awkward phrasing and errors than reading to yourself. If you find yourself stumbling over your words, go back and edit. Keep editing and re-reading out loud until it comes out smoothly. Rigorously submit it to spelling, grammar and punctuation checks. If those things arent your strong suit, let someone else with better editing skills read it. Good luck on your college applications!