The 9 Best Film Schools in the US

The 9 Best Film Schools in the US SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips In the past few years, applying to film school has gotten extremely competitive: top schools likeUSC’s School of Cinematic Arts now boast lower admission rates than the Ivies. Simultaneously,the number of film programs has grown- rising from about 300 in 2006 to almost 400 in 2010. With so many programs available and so much competition for the top spots, where should you apply? In order to help you find the right school for you, I’ve compiled a list of the best film schools in the US, based on my experience as a film student and actress in LA. How Is "Film School" Defined for This List? I’m categorizing film school as a school where film is a priority.These schools are either conservatories or have specialized film schools within a larger university. As a graduate of USC’s film school, I know from experience that going to film school has many advantages.You’ll be surrounded by students and teachers who will inspire you, help you with your projects, and will likely be your future colleagues.Furthermore, you’ll be at a college that doesn’t view your passion as simply an extracurricular. All that being said, you can get a film degree from other universities.However, this list is for students who are 100% sure they want to study film and are looking to be surrounded by like-minded students. The Evaluation Criteria for the Best Film Schools You should never look at rankings as fact- not even those from trusted industry sources like The Hollywood Reporter.Instead, you should use these articles as a jumping off point for your own college research.Also, whenever looking at a ranking list, you should find out how the rankings were determined. Right now, I’ll explain how I came up with this very unscientific list of top film schools.I began by restricting my search to colleges that prioritize film by only offering arts degrees or by having a specialized film school within the larger institution. Then, I took the following three criteria into consideration: #1: Ranking. I used ranking lists from respected industry papers such as The Hollywood Reporter as a starting point for my research. #2: On and Off-Campus Extracurricular Opportunities. Success in the entertainment industry depends a lot on who you know. In order to get to know more people (beyond your classmates and teachers), you need to have the opportunity to intern with production companies, studios, agencies, management companies, post-houses, casting offices, etc. Also, it’s important to have opportunities to make films and showcase your work in order to get your name out there and to get feedback. Does the school provide opportunities to make and screen student films? #3: Notable Alumni. How many alumni have risen to the top of their field? If a lot have, it means the school likely provided them with the resources (aka connections) and/or skills needed to succeed. I split this list into two tiers rather than ranking each school, since specific rankings are typically not that meaningful. What separates the Tier 1 schools is that they have the best reputation, provide the most extracurricular opportunities and have the longest lists of notable alumni.While the Tier 2 schools are also good, they don’t have the same industry connections and don’t have as many notable alumni as the Tier 1 schools. Consider attending a school in the heart of Hollywood! Tier 1 Film Schools Tier 1 includes the very best film schools in the US - these are extremely prestigious programs with many successful alums. University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts I may be biased as an alum, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any ranking list that didn’t have USC near the top.The USC School of Cinematic Arts has more connections in the entertainment industry than all of the other schools combined (and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in front of the school to prove it). USC's Los Angeles location helps make it a top film school. You're not just given internship opportunities: you also have opportunities to go to industry events (with students occasionally being offered free tickets to Hollywood premieres) and more potential to network with industry professionals. The School of Cinematic Arts is extremely selective, with only about 3% of applicants being admitted. There are separate undergraduate programs for animation, screenwriting, critical studies, media arts, interactive media, and film production. USC is arguably one of the more "practical" schools I'll discuss because it tries to prepare students for the changing medium (as it expands beyond typical movies to web series and virtual reality) by allowing students to take classeson new media. The list of notable alumni is incredibly long (George Lucas, Judd Apatow, Paul Feig, and many more), but even more impressive is thatbasically every Hollywood office I interned at employed at least one USC alum. The school provides access to great off-campus internships throughout the school year and summer at places such as NBCUniversal, Lionsgate, and Pixar.Additionally, there are many opportunities to screen your work. These opportunities include the prestigious USC First Look Film Festival, which is attended by many industry professionals. NYU Tisch I don’t know if NYU Tisch students heard this adage as well, but the saying in film circles goes, â€Å"If you want to make a living, go to USC; if you want to make art, go to NYU.† It has to do with Tisch's location: while L.A. is the center of commercial film and television, New York has become the center of independent filmmaking. Tisch's undergraduate program only offers three degrees: Film Television, Cinema Studies, and Dramatic Writing.NYUfocuseson churning out true auteurs who have strong visual storytelling skills, preparing themfor success in the independent filmmaking world. While NYU does have some famous alumni working in Hollywood such as Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee, it has a longer list of alumni working in the independent scene: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), Joel Coen (Fargo), documentarian Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me), and experimental filmmaker George Von Steiner. Due to its New York location, NYU provides students with the opportunity to intern year-round at places such as Fox Searchlight, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Late Show With Stephen Colbert.Also, the school provides tons of opportunities to screen your work, including at the Manoogian Screenings (held at the Directors Guild Theater in Los Angeles). New York is another great place to be for film! AFI AFI is always near the top of any film school ranking list. A true film conservatory without the traditional college experience and general education requirements, AFI offers certificates to those without undergraduate degrees and MFAs to college grads. The programs at AFI are extremely specialized (more so than any other school on this list), allowing students to graduate with unique degrees in Directing, Cinematography, Editing, Producing, Production Design, and Screenwriting. AFI boasts an impressive list of alumni including Darren Aronofsky, David Lynch, and Terrence Malick.Its LA locale allows students to intern throughout the year.That being said, as a conservatory, AFI prioritizes helping students make films rather than helping them get internship opportunities.However, making and screening films is equally important to interning. By making and screening films,students can see how audiences respond to their work and get better at their craft. AFI students make TONS of films. For example, in the first year alone, Directing, Producing and Cinematography students have the opportunity to make three narrative projects. Editing students work on up to six projects, Production Design students work on up to four, and Screenwriting students write at least one of short film and start working on a feature screenplay.There are prestigious screening opportunities such as at the famous AFI Film Festival. Some schools still use old school cameras! Tier 2 Schools Tier 2 schools also offer topfilm programs, but they don’t have as many industry connections or as many notable alumni as the Tier 1 schools. UCLA As an alum of their rival school, it pains me to include them on this list, but UCLA’s film school is top notch andvery competitive, with only about 30 students admitted each year. UCLA is less specialized than the other schools on this list, only offering undergraduates a generalized Film, Television, and Digital Media degree.Students do pick concentrations within the degree, but not until spring of their junior year; concentrations include Film Production, Documentary, Screenwriting, Animation, Digital Media, or Cinema Media Studies. Just a few of UCLA's famous alumni include Francis Ford Coppola, Alexander Payne, and Rob Reiner.UCLA offers juniors and seniors the opportunity to intern year-round. Past students have interned at places such as NBCUniversal and Bad Robot. Chapman University Chapman’s film schoolgives studentsthe opportunity to specialize at the undergraduate level with unique degrees in Film Production, Digital Arts, Creative Producing, Television Writing, Screenwriting, New/Broadcast Journalism and Documentary.This makes Chapman a great option for high school students who know what niche of the film industry they would like to partake in before entering college. The school boasts a handful of notable alumni such as The Amazing Race producer Darren Bunkley, Masters of Sex editor Rebekah Parmer, and Dear White People director Justin Simien. Unlike other schools on this list, Chapman has its own production company, Chapman Filmed Entertainment, which gives students experience in making, marketing and distributing films. This is an incredible opportunity that most students don't get while in school; it allows them to learn the ins and outs of fundraising, marketing, and distribution in addition to production. Chapman offers some screening and internship opportunities though not as many as other schools.Its location in Orange County, about a 45-minute to two-hour drive to LA depending on traffic, makes it difficult to intern during the school year. Loyola Marymount University (LMU) LMU’s School of Film and Televisionallows students to get specialized degrees in Production, Animation, Screenwriting, Film Studies, or Recording Arts.It’s one of a handful of schools with the Recording Arts degree, making it a perfect choice for students who know they want to pursue careers as sound editors, sound mixers, or sound designers. It has some well-known alumni such as James Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli, The Simpsons producer David Mirkin, American Horror Story writer/producer James Wong, and Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence. LMUrecognizes the importance of internships and partners with big companies including Disney, Sony, NBCUniversal and Paramount to provide internships to about 100 LMU students each year. Most film schools provide you with top of the line equipment. Boston University Boston University’s Film Television Departmentonly offers more general Film TV or Cinema Media Studies degrees at the undergraduate level. However, BU provides students with a well-rounded degree offering courses inproduction (directing, editing, cinematography, sound design, short film production), film and television screenwriting, producing, management, and film studies. For students who are unsure about film school, BU is a great option because you don't officially declare your major until spring of your sophomore year, so you can test out film and pick another major if you don't like it. BU has a handful of famous alumni including Joe Roth, Howard Stern, and Nina Tassler.Recognizing its sub-optimal location andhow crucial LA connections are to future success, BU openedan LA campus that over 200 students visit each year.While in LA, BU students partake in internships at companies such as The Jim Henson Company. California Institute of the Arts CalArts is a conservatory that was founded in 1961 by Walt Disney and is well-known for producing A-list animators like John Lasseter. In addition to two animation degrees (Charaction Animation and Experimental Animation), however, CalArts also offers a Film and Video degree. Since CalArts is primarily lauded for its animation programs, the majority of its famous alumni (with the exception of Tim Burton) are animators:Frozen co-director Chris Buck, Big Hero 6 director Don Hall, and Inside Out director Pete Docter. The school's location about 45 minutes outside of LA makes it difficult to intern during the school year. However, CalArts does do its best to help students get credit for internships during the school year and summer. Emerson College Emerson has also recognized the importance of LA connections for students, opening a campus in Hollywood and hosting an annual Los Angeles-based film festival.Emerson is the only school in the country to offer a comedy arts degree, making it a great choice for students who want to work exclusively in comedy filmmaking. The school boasts some well-known alumni such as New Regency's Pam Abdy, DreamWorks' Holly Bario, Sony's Andrea Giannetti, Viacom's Doug Herzog.The school provides students with excellent screening opportunities such as at the Los Angeles Emerson Film Festival. Which of These TopFilm Schools Is the Best Choice for You? Just because, say, AFI is a highly reputable film school doesn't mean that you should automatically want to go there. It’s a tiny school with a very intense program, which may not be the best fit for all students. Here are some questions to ask when trying to pick which film school is right for you. Which Area Do You Want to Specialize In? So you’re interested in film - do you want to do animation or screenwriting? Directing or production design? Look into the programs and see what specialties are offered.For example, CalArts would be a better choice than AFI if you want to do animation since AFI doesn’t even offer an animation specialty. At this point, you might not know what you want to specialize in, and that’s okay.I had no idea which aspect of film I loved the most when I applied to film school.If you’re in this boat, you should apply to a program with a more generalized film production program (such as USC, UCLA, Emerson, BU, LMU, and NYU) that’ll allow you to experiment with different roles on set.You wouldn’t want to be accepted as aScreenwritingstudent at AFI, only to then realize you actually want to be a cinematographer. What Opportunities Are There Outside the Classroom? I touched on this above, but make sure you go to a school where the opportunities fit your interests.If you want to work as an agent, then USC, which provides internship experiences at agencies, would be a better fit than AFI.Extracurriculars are where you get your experience, so make sure you’ll be getting experience that aligns with your interests. What’s the School Like? Is it big or small? Is it a conservatory or is it at a large college?If you dread the idea of a big school, don’t go to a big school.If you’d dread being surrounded by a sea of students and going to USC football games, then you probably shouldn’t attend USC. If you get overwhelmed by intensity, then a conservatory like AFI may be a bad choice.AFI is famous for its "narrative workshops," during which students are required to sit silently as their peers harshly critique their projects.It’s scary, and has led to many students dropping out and fleeing to law school. Pick a school where you will feel comfortable and at home so that you can thrive. If this is the end goal,then film school is where you should go! What’s Next? Excited to attend one of the best film schools? Read our article on how to get into film school for tips on your application. Most of these schools require an ACT or SAT score with your application. Get help studying for these tests with our ultimate SAT study guide and study guides for ACT Reading, Writing, English, Math, and Science. Taking the ACT or SAT really soon? Check out our guide to cramming for the SATor our guide to cramming for the ACT. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Aphids, Family Aphididae

Aphids, Family Aphididae Plant-sucking aphids are the bane of a gardeners existence. Come spring, aphids appear as if by magic and begin draining the life out of tender plants. Their ability to reproduce, both sexually and asexually, is prolific. Description Aphid bodies are soft and pear-shaped. Though most often green or yellow, aphids come in a variety of colors, from red to black. Few aphids measure more than a couple of millimeters. An individual aphid would be difficult to spot, but since aphids feed in groups, their presence is usually noticeable. Up close, aphids resemble little muscle cars with a pair of tailpipes. Entomologists believe these abdominal appendages, called cornicles, secrete waxy lipids or alarm pheromones when the aphid senses a threat. The presence of cornicles is a common characteristic of all aphids. Antennae may have five or six segments, with the final segment ending in a thin flagellum. At their other end, aphids possess a cauda, a short, tail-like appendage centered between the cornicles. Aphids usually lack wings, though certain environmental conditions may cause winged forms to develop. Classification Kingdom - AnimaliaPhylum - ArthropodaClass – InsectaOrder – HemipteraFamily - Aphididae Diet Aphids feed on plant phloem tissues, sucking the sugary liquids from the host plants vascular system. Reaching the phloem is no easy task. Aphids feed using a straw-like proboscis that contains thin, delicate stylets for piercing plant tissues. In order to protect the stylets from damage, the aphid secretes a special fluid from them, which hardens into a protective sheath. Only then can the aphid begin feeding. Aphids need nitrogen, but phloem juices contain mostly sugars. To get adequate nutrition, aphids must consume an enormous quantity of phloem liquids. They excrete the excess sugars in the form of honeydew, a sweet residue left behind on plant surfaces. Other insects, such as ants and wasps, follow behind the aphids, licking up the honeydew. Life Cycle The aphid life cycle is somewhat complex. Aphids usually reproduce asexually, with aphid mothers giving live birth to their young. Sexual reproduction occurs just once per year, if at all. Just before winter, sexual females mate with males and then lay eggs on a perennial plant. The eggs overwinter. In warm climates or in greenhouses, sexual reproduction rarely occurs. Special Adaptations and Defenses Aphids are tiny, slow-moving, and soft-bodied – in other words, easy targets. Theyre far from defenseless, however. Aphids use both fight and flight, and everything in between, to protect themselves. If a predator or parasitoid approaches an aphid, it can react in a number of ways. Aphids will literally kick their attackers, with some serious aggression. In other cases, the aphid may just walk away, hoping to elude the trouble. Sometimes, the aphid does a stop, drop, and roll, and simply falls to the ground. Some aphid species employ soldier aphids to stand guard. Aphids also arm themselves with defensive weaponry. When a pursuing predator attempts to take a bite from behind, they can excrete a waxy lipid from their cornicles to fill the attackers mouth. Alarm pheromones broadcast the threat to other aphids or may summon protection from bodyguards of other species. If a lady beetle attempts to feed on it, a cabbage aphid will mix toxic chemicals within its abdomen to bomb the offender. Aphids also use bodyguard ants, which they pay with sweet honeydew excretions. Range and Distribution Both abundant and diverse, aphids mainly inhabit temperate zones. Aphid species number over 4,000 worldwide, with about 1,350 species in North America alone.

Oracy in Teaching Maths and Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Oracy in Teaching Maths and Science - Essay Example The teachers use different strategies to provide opportunities to allow different types of discussions. Spoken language skills need to be developed in all subject areas, as different curriculum areas require different speaking and listening skills. There are different aspects that need to be observed relating to the different processes involved in talking, thinking and interthinking. For example, in assessing a child's ability to analyse a problem, his or her skills at speculating, questioning and hypothesising have to be observed. In assessing a child's ability to communicate, his or her skills at describing, explaining and clarifying have to be observed. This requires that the teacher observe a set of pupils of just two or three per session so that an appropriate observation of skills and a proper planning of talk experiences can be made. It is useful to involve pupils in the planning process so that they can participate in discussions as to what skills are needed in different area s such as math problem-solving, science experiments, etc., and the different kinds of talk, the outcomes and the resources available. Children should be made to work in different groups, playing diverse roles, so that stereotyping can be avoided and their different skills can be observed. Participation in diverse groups helps the children understand the functioning of group dynamics and the benefits of team work. Lalljee cites the example of 6-year-old children working in pairs for producing a free form class poem where the discussions of their ideas inspired them enough to produce an illustrated booklet which was read with enthusiasm by them (Lalljee 1998, p.6). Encouraging students to make suggestions on problems and ideas allow them speaking and listening space within the curriculum. Development of problem-solving skills According to the National Curriculum, teachers are expected to provide pupils opportunities to develop seven common requirements - Curriculum Cymreig, Communication Skills, Mathematical Skills, Information Technology Skills, Problem-solving Skills, Creative Skills, Personal and Social Education - through their study of the National Curriculum subjects (Common requirements n.d.). The Education Act of 2002 stipulates that a balanced and broadly-based curriculum should prepare pupils for the "opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life" (Skills framework 2007, p.2). Future Skills Wales 2003 Generic Skills Survey reports that of skills gaps reported by employers, lack of IT skills is the most common problem "followed by communication skillsshowing initiative, problem solving and ability to learn" (cited in Skills framework 2007, p.2). The skills framework developed for oracy moves on a continuum of different levels and stages for developing and presenting information an d ideas. The problem-solving skills in oracy are developed through several key stages. For developing oracy, the first key stage involves using talk to develop thinking by exploring, developing and clarifying ideas, predicting outcomes and discussing possibilities. The second stage involves talking for a range of purposes, including planning, predicting and investigating. The third stage involves t

Dynamic of percussive enginnering Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7500 words

Dynamic of percussive enginnering - Dissertation Example Oil wells were considered as the prosperity of a nation and the quantity of oil that was taken out from these oil wells originated to fall with the passage of the time. Thus the contemporary technical community has prepared vast scientific advances in the modification of the drilling methods that was tracked in the past. The oil well drilling systems that were utilized in the older age convoluted the conventional drilling technique which was named as the percussion technique (Beck, 1995). This technique was being extensively used in nearly all the oil wells throughout the world. In this oil well drilling method the earth's crust is infiltrated by the help of a very weighty device that take out the oil by way of a hole. The chief drawback of this technique was that this procedure was actually time based method and the drilling had to be irregularly suspended. Now along with new methods of drilling, the percussion drilling is also modified with latest technologies in order to improve i ts performance (Hartman, 1959). In the incident of the contemporary drilling techniques the oil well drillers utilize the horizontal drilling process, which came to be really efficient technology when matched to the conventional drilling technique that was utilized till then. The utmost benefit of this technique was that the wells, which were penetrated by the horizontal method, had greater surface area which consecutively prepared the well to be tremendously productive (Hartman, 1963).... agmented rock characteristic of geothermal developments is compatible to impact drilling because there is diminutive or no plastic distortion of the rock (Harpst and Davis, 1949). Percussion drilling utilizes a back and forth down-hole piston/anvil structure to put on impact loading either to a custom roller-cone bit or to a one-piece bit set with diamond coated insertions. CONTENTS S.no Topic Pages 1 Introduction & literature Review 1-2 1.1 Introduction 1-2 1.1.1 Background and context 1 1.1.2 Thesis objectives 1-2 1.2 Literature Review 3-15 1.2.1 Drilling Methods 4-5 1.2.2 Examples of drilling methods 5-12 1.2.2.1 Rotary drilling 5-8 1.2.2.2 Percussive drilling 9-10 1.2.2.3 Rotary – Percussive drilling 10-11 1.2.2.4 Other drilling 11-12 1.2.3 Drill bits 12-15 2 Percussive Drilling 16-27 2.1 Introduction to percussive drilling 17 2.2 Principle of Operation 17-19 2.3 Pros and Cons of percussive drilling 19-21 2.3.1 Pros 19-20 2.3.2 Cons 21-22 2.3.3 Percussive drilling developm ent 22-23 2.3.4 Mathematical Models 23-27 3 Non-linear dynamics techniques 28-31 3.1 Introduction 28-29 3.2 Bifurcation, Poincare map and chaos 29-31 3.2.1 Bifurcation 29-30 3.2.2 Poincare map 30 3.2.3 Chaos 31 4 Mathematical modelling 32-40 4.1 Description of the mathematical model 32-34 4.2 Numerical results 34-36 4.2.1 Steady state response 26-39 4.2.2 Bifurcation and progression of the model over a range of static force 39-40 Â  5 Conclusion 41 Bibliography 1. Introduction & literature Review 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 Background and context Material removal rate in the drilling region is one of the significant factors of determination of drilling economics. Over-all drilling expenses can be solved by forecasting the material removal rate and employed for pit preparation. The features which upset

Video game and console gaming addiction Essay Example for Free

Video game and console gaming addiction Essay In recent years gaming addiction (computer game addiction, console gaming addiction, or even excessive play on portable systems) has received increased attention not only from the media, but also from psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health organizations, and gamers themselves. Gaming addiction is not yet classified as a mental health disorder or true addiction like gambling or alcohol addiction. However, some gamers clearly struggle to keep their playing habits under control and may place more importance on their gaming accomplishments than their happiness and success in the real world (e. g. , academic achievement, friendships, relationships, career advancement, health, etc.). B. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Many people or computer users have their thoughts and questions about online games. But this is some common questions that we will have to acknowledge: a.Why do students easily get addicted in computer/online games? b. What are the harmful effects in getting addicted to computer/online games? C. IMPORTANCE OF STUDY This study aimed to know why many student easily get addicted to computer games and the harmful effects of computer/online games. D. DEFINITION OF TERMS †¢ Addiction- is the continued use of a mood altering substance or behavior despite adverse dependency consequences, or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors. †¢ Online Game- is a video game played over some form of computer network, using a personal computer or video game console. This network is usually the internet or equivalent technology, but games have always used whatever technology was current: modems before the Internet, and hard wired terminals before modems. The expansion of online gaming has reflected the overall expansion of computer networks from small local networks to the internet and the growth of internet access itself.

Safety :: essays research papers

Health Safety Examination Summary of the Problems and Solutions of the New Product Line It is undoubtedly that the new product line is very important to my company. However, I found out that the new production line was not as safe as the way Engineer Oh described in his documentation. In this situation, Engineer Oh did not make provision for the safeguarding of life and health, and enforce safety regulations1. Actually, our new production line may cause serious injuries to our new production line workers. If I ignore these problems, I am also against  ¡Ã‚ §the Occupational Health and Safety Act ¡Ã‚ ¨ and  ¡Ã‚ §the Professional Engineers Act ¡Ã‚ ¨. In this summary, the three main problems of the new product line (with references to the acts) and the solutions are discussed. Problem 1  ¡V High-Voltage Equipment Not all the workers are familiar with our new high-voltage equipment. It may cause electric shock to the workers. Some of these workers even do not realize they are working in a high-voltage environment. My ethical responsibility is for the safety of the workers and also for the fairness to the workers2. The reason is that the workers can refuse to work with any equipment, which they think might endanger themselves3. It is their right to know what is their working condition. Solution First of all, I will suggest my company to put adequate warnings near the high-voltage equipment so that the workers know they are working in a high-voltage environment. If we have enough budgets, I will suggest my company to have equipment inspection and preventive maintenance on a regular basis and periodically test the equipment for electric shock hazards. Problem 2  ¡V Toxic Chemicals In producing our new product, we need to use a large variety of toxic chemicals (new to our company), that may cause skin irritation or corrosion to the workers. These chemicals are harmless when proper precautions, usually printed on the container, are followed. However, I found out that seldom of our workers read the instructions before using the chemicals and almost none of our workers wear protective clothing when using the chemicals. The Occupational Health and Safety Act states that any worker should use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing that the worker's employer requires to be used or worn4. In addition, we do not have a particular place to store the toxic chemicals, which is against the Occupational Health and Safety Act5.

Krispy Kreme Case Analysis Essay

Krispy Kreme does not have one particular target market and are not  categorized as one business type; they have various tactics to appeal to various markets. They also target school, local organizations and businesses. He primary market, those ranging from the ages 20-30 years old, are Krispy Kreme’s main focus. This is where the majority of their business comes from. These are your everyday commuters who desire a sweet treat, or coffee to help outlast a long day at work. Their purchases may be small or cheap, but business is usually consistent, as are sales. Krispy Kreme appeals to schools as a fundraising opportunity. Doughnuts are very inexpensive when purchased in bulk, and easy to sell. Krispy Kreme offers certificates, coffee, partnership cards, and doughnuts to schools to raise money. Gift certificates are less of a burden, and those selling them don’t have to deal with ordering and delivering doughnuts after you’ve made the sale. This makes things easi er for both the customer and fundraiser. Offering fundraisers to schools increases awareness of Krispy Kreme, serves as sales promotion, whilst building a relationship with schools and the community. The money earned from these fundraisers are usually used to improve the school or purchase uniforms as shown on Krispy Kreme’s â€Å"Fundraising† page on their site. Local organizations and businesses purchase Krispy Kreme’s products for retailing. Competitors Competitors Competitors Starbucks McDonalds Nestles Dunkin Donuts Einstein Bagels Panera bread Starbucks Bruegges Enterprise Dunkin Donuts Yum! Brand Starbucks International Dairy Queen Starbucks target Audience- Affluent customers Well educated customers White Collar Patterns The age of the target market was between 25 and 44. Eventually, the company decided to expand its target market to include young, less-educated and low-income consumers. A large portion of coffee drinkers is found in urban areas of the United States. It is because most of educated and working professionals live in the urban areas. It is because most of educated and working professionals live in the urban areas. With the rapid expansion, Starbucks targeted customers of every age group. Einstein Bagels That target market is younger than other coffee shops and is aimed at people between age 25 and 50. Dunkin Donuts Dunkin Donuts target market is the blue collar workers (18-60) of America who likes the quick service that Dunkin Donuts provides. Also within its target market are kids, highly due to its name. Recently Dunkin Donuts has been targeting the market of affluent women and professionals Krispy Kreme Strengths 1. Company brand image and reputation. 2. Proprietary doughnut-making equipment, and capability to supply to  franchises at profitable prices. Krispy Kreme Weakness 1. Competitors are larger and well established in their markets, tougher to compete head to head once newness is over. 2. Core product does not incorporate health/weight conscious consumers. Krispy Kreme Opportunities 1. Add more stores in current target markets to make it convenient for all areas. 2. Attract a broader range of customers and sell more products to existing customers by enhancing present menu offerings, esp in coffee and coffee drinks. Krispy Kreme Threats 1. Competitors concerned about KK rapid growth and market share gains and erosion of their own market positions, may well be compelled to rejuvenate their product menus, this would be costly battle for KK. 2. Consumer habits changing One strategy alternative in each cell matrix would be One strategy in strengths/ Opportunity would be to increase marketing, incorporating social networks One strategy in Weakness/Opportunity would be growing new markets or increase the product line to incorporate healthier choices. One strategy in Strength/Threats promoting healthier product line One strategy in Weaknesses/Threats would be to avoid developing existing markets by existing products Strategic issues with supporting data: 1. Krispy Kreme management should meet with franchisees and explore again the  plans for opening new stores, it would seem to make sense to accelerate the pace of new stores openings at least in those areas where the enthusiasm for the products has been so great. 2. Adapt to consumer desires. Increase product development, i.e., healthier choices. 3. Lack of corporate governance. Matching the Strengths of franchise opportunities, Krispy Kreme is highly favorable. Its resource strengths and competitive assets easily outweigh its resource weaknesses and competitive liabilities. The company has plenty of opportunities it can pursue to continue to grow more rapidly, the company should have little difficulty opening several hundred more stores, Dunkin Donuts has 3,600 in the US alone versus just over 180 for KK. Their strategy is a solid one, with competitive advantages in product quality, product appeal, brand reputation, and ability to attract high caliber franchises because of vertical integration into doughnut making equipment, doughnut mixes and coffee. The threats are still in the foreground, the product excitement being created by Krispy Kreme could end up helping grow the market for doughnuts and help over come the relatively flat demand for doughnuts that has prevailed. A costly battle for market share can be avoided. #4 Three of Krispy Kreme’s strategic issues using SMART format: According to Return on Assets, there has been an increase from 1998, with a slight decrease due to further investment of assets in 2002. The company is converting money into net income, therefore, quickly enough to add more stores in the mix. Return on Equity offers a profit generating efficiency for investors. The decrease in 2002 is because of improvements in company’s operations. Intangible assets are also excluded like the brand name. SMART goal: Specific: To create shareholder wealth through an ambitious growth strategy meanwhile, using a thorough marketing strategy Measurement: increasing brand awareness through strong positioning and optimizing distribution channels, therefore, creating brand loyalty Aggressive: maintain a healthy increase in net sales, 10-20%, while optimizing efficiency. Realistic: Increase the number of franchise stores to bring brand awareness and loyalty Time-bound: capitalizing on the growth of the market, increase store  franchises over the next three years

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 34. Declared

I heard the music before I was out of the car. Edward hadn't touched his piano since the night Alice left. Now, as I shut the car door, I heard the song morph through a bridge and change into my lullaby. Edward was welcoming me home. I moved slowly as I pulled Renesmee – fast asleep; we'd been gone all day – from the car. We'd left Jacob at Charlie's – he'd said he was going to catch a ride home with Sue. I wondered if he was trying to fill his head with enough trivia to crowd out the image of the way my face had looked when I'd walked through Charlie's door. As I walked slowly to the Cullen house now, I recognized that the hope and uplift that seemed almost a visible aura around the big white house had been mine this morning, too. It felt alien to me now. I wanted to cry again, hearing Edward play for me. But I pulled it together. I didn't want him to be suspicious. I would leave no clues in his mind for Aro if I could help it. Edward turned his head and smiled when I came in the door, but kept playing. â€Å"Welcome home,† he said, as if this was just any normal day. As if there weren't twelve other vampires in the room involved in various pursuits, and a dozen more scattered around somewhere. â€Å"Did you have a good time with Charlie today?† â€Å"Yes. Sorry I was gone so long. I stepped out to do a little Christmas shopping for Renesmee. I know it won't be much of an event, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I shrugged. Edward's lips turned down. He quit playing and spun around on the bench so that his whole body was facing me. He put one hand on my waist and pulled me closer. â€Å"I hadn't thought much about it. If you want to make an event of it – â€Å" â€Å"No,† I interrupted him. I flinched internally at the idea of trying to fake more enthusiasm than the bare minimum. â€Å"I just didn't want to let it pass without giving her something.† â€Å"Do I get to see?† â€Å"If you want. It's only a little thing.† Renesmee was completely unconscious, snoring delicately against my neck. I envied her. It would have been nice to escape reality, even for just a few hours. Carefully, I fished the little velvet jewelry bag from my clutch without opening the purse enough for Edward to see the cash I was still carrying. â€Å"It caught my eye from the window of an antique store while I was driving by.† I shook the little golden locket into his palm. It was round with a slender vine border carved around the outside edge of the circle. Edward popped the tiny catch and looked inside. There was space for a small picture and, on the opposite side, an inscription in French. â€Å"Do you know what this says?† he asked in a different tone, more subdued than before. â€Å"The shopkeeper told me it said something along the lines of ‘more than my own life.' Is that right?† â€Å"Yes, he had it right.† He looked up at me, his topaz eyes probing. I met his gaze for a moment, then pretended to be distracted by the television. â€Å"I hope she likes it,† I muttered. â€Å"Of course she will,† he said lightly, casually, and I was sure in that second that he knew I was keeping something from him. I was also sure that he had no idea of the specifics. â€Å"Let's take her home,† he suggested, standing and putting his arm around my shoulders. I hesitated. â€Å"What?† he demanded. â€Å"I wanted to practice with Emmett a little___† I'd lost the whole day to my vital errand; it made me feel behind. Emmett – on the sofa with Rose and holding the remote, of course – looked up and grinned in anticipation. â€Å"Excellent. The forest needs thinning.† Edward frowned at Emmett and then at me. â€Å"There's plenty of time for that tomorrow,† he said. â€Å"Don't be ridiculous,† I complained. â€Å"There's no such thing as plenty of time anymore. That concept does not exist. I have a lot to learn and – â€Å" He cut me off. â€Å"Tomorrow.† And his expression was such that not even Emmett argued. i was surprised at how hard it was to go back to a routine that was, after all, brand new. But stripping away even that little bit of hope I'd been fostering made everything seem impossible. I tried to focus on the positives. There was a good chance that my daughter was going to survive what was coming, and Jacob, too. If they had a future, then that was a kind of victory, wasn't it? Our little band must be going to hold their own if Jacob and Renesmee were going to have the opportunity to run in the first place. Yes, Alice's strategy only made sense if we were going to put up a really good fight. So, a kind of victory there, too, considering that the Volturi had never been seriously challenged in millennia. It was not going to be the end of the world. Just the end of the Cullens. The end of Edward, the end of me. I preferred it that way – the last part anyway. I would not live without Edward again; if he was leaving this world, then I would be right behind him. I wondered idly now and then if there would be anything for us on the other side. I knew Edward didn't really believe so, but Carlisle did. I couldn't imagine it myself. On the other hand, I couldn't imagine Edward not existing somehow, somewhere. If we could be together in any place, then that was a happy ending. And so the pattern of my days continued, just that much harder than before. We went to see Charlie on Christmas Day, Edward, Renesmee, Jacob, and I. All of Jacob's pack were there, plus Sam, Emily, and Sue. It was a big help to have them there in Charlie's little rooms, their huge, warm bodies wedged into corners around his sparsely decorated tree – you could see exactly where he'd gotten bored and quit – and overflowing his furniture. You could always count on werewolves to be buzzed about a coming fight, no matter how suicidal. The electricity of their excitement provided a nice current that disguised my utter lack of spirit. Edward was, as always, a better actor than I was. Renesmee wore the locket I'd given her at dawn, and in her jacket pocket was the MP3 player Edward had given her – a tiny thing that held five thousand songs, already filled with Edward's favorites. On her wrist was an intricately braided Quileute version of a promise ring. Edward had gritted his teeth over that one, but it didn't bother me. Soon, so soon, I would be giving her to Jacob for safekeeping. How could I be bothered by any symbol of the commitment I was so relying on? Edward had saved the day by ordering a gift for Charlie, too. It had shown up yesterday – priority overnight shipping – and Charlie spent all morning reading the thick instruction manual to his new fishing sonar system. From the way the werewolves ate, Sue's lunch spread must have been good. I wondered how the gathering would have looked to an outsider. Did we play our parts well enough? Would a stranger have thought us a happy circle of friends, enjoying the holiday with casual cheer? I think Edward and Jacob both were as relieved as I was when it was time to go. It felt odd to spend energy on the human fagade when there were so many more important things to be doing. I had a hard time concentrating. At the same time, this was perhaps the last time I would see Charlie. Maybe it was a good thing that I was too numb to really register that. I hadn't seen my mother since the wedding, but I found I could only be glad for the gradual distancing that had begun two years ago. She was too fragile for my world. I didn't want her to have any part of this. Charlie was stronger. Maybe even strong enough for a goodbye now, but I wasn't. It was very quiet in the car; outside, the rain was just a mist, hovering on the edge between liquid and ice. Renesmee sat on my lap, playing with her locket, opening and closing it. I watched her and imagined the things I would say to Jacob right now if I didn't have to keep my words out of Edward's head. If its ever safe again, take her to Charlie. Tell him the whole story someday. Tell him how much I loved him, how I couldn't bear to leave him even when my human life was over. Tell him he was the best father. Tell him to pass my love on to Renee, all my hopes that she will be happy and well†¦. I would have to give Jacob the documents before it was too late. I would give him a note for Charlie, too. And a letter for Renesmee. Something for her to read when I couldn't tell her I loved her anymore. There was nothing unusual about the outside of the Cullen house as we pulled into the meadow, but I could hear some kind of subtle uproar inside. Many low voices murmured and growled. It sounded intense, and it sounded like an argument. I could pick out Carlisle's voice and Amun's more often than the others. Edward parked in front of the house rather than going around to the garage. We exchanged one wary glance before we got out of the car. Jacob's stance changed; his face turned serious and careful. I guessed that he was in Alpha mode now. Obviously, something had happened, and he was going to get the information he and Sam would need. â€Å"Alistair is gone,† Edward murmured as we darted up the steps. Inside the front room, the main confrontation was physically apparent. Lining the walls was a ring of spectators, every vampire who had joined us, except for Alistair and the three involved in the quarrel. Esme, Kebi, and Tia were the closest to the three vampires in the center; in the middle of the room, Amun was hissing at Carlisle and Benjamin. Edward's jaw tightened and he moved quickly to Esme's side, towing me by the hand. I clutched Renesmee tightly to my chest. â€Å"Amun, if you want to go, no one is forcing you to stay,† Carlisle said calmly. â€Å"You're stealing half my coven, Carlisle!† Amun shrieked, stabbing one finger at Benjamin. â€Å"Is that why you called me here? To steal from me?† Carlisle sighed, and Benjamin rolled his eyes. â€Å"Yes, Carlisle picked a fight with the Volturi, endangered his whole family, just to lure me here to my death,† Benjamin said sarcastically. â€Å"Be reasonable, Amun. I'm committed to do the right thing here – I'm not joining any other coven. You can do whatever you want, of course, as Carlisle has pointed out.† â€Å"This won't end well,† Amun growled. â€Å"Alistair was the only sane one here. We should all be running.† â€Å"Think of who you're calling sane,† Tia murmured in a quiet aside. â€Å"We're all going to be slaughtered!† â€Å"It's not going to come to a fight,† Carlisle said in a firm voice. â€Å"You say!† â€Å"If it does, you can always switch sides, Amun. I'm sure the Volturi will appreciate your help.† Amun sneered at him. â€Å"Perhaps that is the answer.† Carlisle's answer was soft and sincere. â€Å"I wouldn't hold that against you, Amun. We have been friends for a long time, but I would never ask you to die for me.† Amun's voice was more controlled, too. â€Å"But you're taking my Benjamin down with you.† Carlisle put his hand on Amun's shoulder; Amun shook it off. â€Å"I'll stay, Carlisle, but it might be to your detriment. I will join them if that's the road to survival. You're all fools to think that you can defy the Volturi.† He scowled, then sighed, glanced at Renesmee and me, and added in an exasperated tone, â€Å"I will witness that the child has grown. That's nothing but the truth. Anyone would see that.† â€Å"That's all we've ever asked.† Amun grimaced, â€Å"But not all that you are getting, it seems.† He turned on Benjamin. â€Å"I gave you life. You're wasting it.† Benjamin's face looked colder than I'd ever seen it; the expression contrasted oddly with his boyish features. â€Å"It's a pity you couldn't replace my will with your own in the process; perhaps then you would have been satisfied with me.† Amun's eyes narrowed. He gestured abruptly to Kebi, and they stalked past us out the front door. â€Å"He's not leaving,† Edward said quietly to me, â€Å"but he'll be keeping his distance even more from now on. He wasn't bluffing when he spoke of joining the Volturi.† â€Å"Why did Alistair go?† I whispered. â€Å"No one can be positive; he didn't leave a note. From his mutters, it's been clear that he thinks a fight is inevitable. Despite his demeanor, he actually does care too much for Carlisle to stand with the Volturi. I suppose he decided the danger was too much.† Edward shrugged. Though our conversation was clearly just between the two of us, of course everyone could hear it. Eleazar answered Edward's comment like it had been meant for all. â€Å"From the sound of his mumblings, it was a bit more than that. We haven't spoken much of the Volturi agenda, but Alistair worried that no matter how decisively we can prove your innocence, the Volturi will not listen. He thinks they will find an excuse to achieve their goals here.† The vampires glanced uneasily at one another. The idea that the Volturi would manipulate their own sacrosanct law for gain was not a popular idea. Only the Romanians were composed, their small half-smiles ironic. They seemed amused at how the others wanted to think well of their ancient enemies. Many low discussions began at the same time, but it was the Romanians I listened to. Maybe because the fair-haired Vladimir kept shooting glances in my direction. â€Å"I do so hope Alistair was right about this,† Stefan murmured to Vladimir. â€Å"No matter the outcome, word will spread. It's time our world saw the Volturi for what they've become. They'll never fall if everyone believes this nonsense about them protecting our way of life.† â€Å"At least when we ruled, we were honest about what we were,† Vladimir replied. Stefan nodded. â€Å"We never put on white hats and called ourselves saints.† Tm thinking the time has come to fight,† Vladimir said. â€Å"How can you imagine well ever find a better force to stand with? Another chance this good?† â€Å"Nothing is impossible. Maybe someday – â€Å" â€Å"We've been waiting for fifteen hundred years, Stefan. And they've only gotten stronger with the years.† Vladimir paused and looked at me again. He showed no surprise when he saw that I was watching him, too. â€Å"If the Volturi win this conflict, they will leave with more power than they came with. With every conquest they add to their strengths. Think of what that newborn alone could give them† – he jerked his chin toward me – â€Å"and she is barely discovering her gifts. And the earth-mover.† Vladimir nodded toward Benjamin, who stiffened. Almost everyone was eavesdropping on the Romanians now, like me. â€Å"With their witch twins they have no need of the illusionist or the fire touch.† His eyes moved to Zafrina, then Kate. Stefan looked at Edward. â€Å"Nor is the mind reader is exactly necessary. But I see your point. Indeed, they will gain much if they win.† â€Å"More than we can afford to have them gain, wouldn't you agree?† Stefan sighed. â€Å"I think i must agree. And that means†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"That we must stand against them while there is still hope.† â€Å"If we can just cripple them, even, expose them †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Then, someday, others will finish the job.† â€Å"And our long vendetta will be repaid. At last.† They locked eyes for a moment and then murmured in unison. â€Å"It seems the only way.† â€Å"So we fight,† Stefan said. Though I could see that they were torn, self-preservation warring with revenge, the smile they exchanged was full of anticipation. â€Å"We fight,† Vladimir agreed. I suppose it was a good thing; like Alistair, I was sure the battle was impossible to avoid. In that case, two more vampires fighting on our side could only help. But the Romanians' decision still made me shudder. â€Å"We will fight, too,† Tia said, her usually grave voice more solemn than ever. â€Å"We believe the Volturi will overstep their authority. We have no wish to belong to them.† Her eyes lingered on her mate. Benjamin grinned and threw an impish glance toward the Romanians. â€Å"Apparently, I'm a hot commodity. It appears I have to win the right to be free.† â€Å"This won't be the first time I've fought to keep myself from a king's rule,† Garrett said in a teasing tone. He walked over and clapped Benjamin on the back. â€Å"Here's to freedom from oppression.† â€Å"We stand with Carlisle,† Tanya said. â€Å"And we fight with him.† The Romanians' pronouncement seemed to have made the others feel the need to declare themselves as well. â€Å"We have not decided/7Peter said. He looked down at his tiny companion; Charlotte's lips were set in dissatisfaction. It looked like she'd made her decision. I wondered what it was. â€Å"The same goes for me,† Randall said. â€Å"And me,† Mary added. â€Å"The packs will fight with the Cullens,† Jacob said suddenly. â€Å"We're not afraid of vampires,† he added with a smirk. â€Å"Children,† Peter muttered. â€Å"Infants,† Randall corrected. Jacob grinned tauntingly. â€Å"Well, I'm in, too,† Maggie said, shrugging out from under Siobhan's restraining hand. â€Å"I know truth is on Carlisle's side. I can't ignore that.† Siobhan stared at the junior member of her coven with worried eyes. â€Å"Carlisle,† she said as if they were alone, ignoring the suddenly formal feel of the gathering, the unexpected outburst of declarations, â€Å"I don't want this to come to a fight.† â€Å"Nor do I, Siobhan. You know that's the last thing I want.† He half-smiled. â€Å"Perhaps you should concentrate on keeping it peaceful.† â€Å"You know that won't help,† she said. I remembered Rose and Carlisle's discussion of the Irish leader; Carlisle believed that Siobhan had some subtle but powerful gift to make things go her way – and yet Siobhan didn't believe it herself. â€Å"It couldn't hurt,† Carlisle said. Siobhan rolled her eyes. â€Å"Shall I visualize the outcome I desire?† she asked sarcastically. Carlisle was openly grinning now. â€Å"If you don't mind.† â€Å"Then there is no need for my coven to declare itself, is there?† she retorted. â€Å"Since there is no possibility of a fight.† She put her hand back on Maggie's shoulder, pulling the girl closer to her. Siobhan's mate, Liam, stood silent and expressionless. Almost everyone else in the room looked mystified by Carlisle and Siobhan's clearly joking exchange, but they didn't explain themselves. That was the end of the dramatic speeches for the night. The group slowly dispersed, some off to hunt, some to while away the time with Carlisle's books or televisions or computers. Edward, Renesmee, and I went to hunt. Jacob tagged along. â€Å"Stupid leeches,† he muttered to himself when we got outside. â€Å"Think they're so superior.† He snorted. â€Å"They'll be shocked when the infants save their superior lives, won't they?† Edward said. Jake smiled and punched his shoulder. â€Å"Hell yeah, they will.† This wasn't our last hunting trip. We all would hunt again nearer to the time we expected the Volturi. As the deadline was not exact, we were planning to stay a few nights out in the big baseball clearing Alice had seen, just in case. All we knew was that they would come the day that the snow stuck to the ground. We didn't want the Volturi too close to town, and Demetri would lead them to wherever we were. I wondered who he would track in, and guessed that it would be Edward since he couldn't track me. I thought about Demetri while I hunted, paying little attention to my prey or the drifting snowflakes that had finally appeared but were melting before they touched the rocky soil. Would Demetri realize that he couldn't track me? What would he make of that? What would Aro? Or was Edward wrong? There were those little exceptions to what I could withstand, those ways around my shield. Everything that was outside my mind was vulnerable – open to the things Jasper, Alice, and Benjamin could do. Maybe Demetri's talent worked a little differently, too. And then I had a thought that brought me up short. The half-drained elk dropped from my hands to the stony ground. Snowflakes vaporized a few inches from the warm body with tiny sizzling sounds. I stared blankly at my bloody hands. Edward saw my reaction and hurried to my side, leaving his own kill undrained. â€Å"What's wrong?† he asked in a low voice, his eyes sweeping the forest around us, looking for whatever had triggered my behavior. â€Å"Renesmee,† I choked. â€Å"She's just through those trees,† he reassured me. â€Å"I can hear both her thoughts and Jacob's. She's fine.† â€Å"That's not what I meant,† I said. â€Å"I was thinking about my shield – you really think it's worth something, that it will help somehow. I know the others are hoping that I'll be able to shield Zafrina and Benjamin, even if I can only keep it up for a few seconds at a time. What if that's a mistake? What if your trust in me is the reason that we fail?† My voice was edging toward hysteria, though I had enough control to keep it low. I didn't want to upset Renesmee. â€Å"Bella, what brought this on? Of course, it s wonderful that you can protect yourself, but you're not responsible for saving anyone. Don't distress yourself needlessly.† â€Å"But what if I can't protect anything?† I whispered in gasps. â€Å"This thing I do, it's faulty, it's erratic! There's no rhyme or reason to it. Maybe it will do nothing against Alec at all.† â€Å"Shh,† he hushed me. â€Å"Don't panic. And don't worry about Alec. What he does is no different than what Jane or Zafrina does. It's just an illusion – he can't get inside your head any more than I can.† â€Å"But Renesmee does!† I hissed frantically through my teeth. â€Å"It seemed so natural, I never questioned it before. It's always been just part of who she is. But she puts her thoughts right into my head just like she does with everyone else. My shield has holes, Edward!† I stared at him desperately, waiting for him to acknowledge my terrible revelation. His lips were pursed, as if he was trying to decide how to phrase something. His expression was perfectly relaxed. â€Å"You thought of this a long time ago, didn't you?† I demanded, feeling like an idiot for my months of overlooking the obvious. He nodded, a faint smile pulling up one corner of his mouth. â€Å"The first time she touched you.† I sighed at my own stupidity, but his calm had mellowed me some. â€Å"And this doesn't bother you? You don't see it as a problem?† â€Å"I have two theories, one more likely than the other.† â€Å"Give me the least likely first.† â€Å"Well, she's your daughter,† he pointed out. â€Å"Genetically half you. I used to tease you about how your mind was on a different frequency than the rest of ours. Perhaps she runs on the same.† This didn't work for me. â€Å"But you hear her mind just fine. Everyone hears her mind. And what if Alec runs on a different frequency? What if – ?† He put a finger to my lips. â€Å"I've considered that. Which is why I think this next theory is much more likely.† I gritted my teeth and waited. â€Å"Do you remember what Carlisle said to me about her, right after she showed you that first memory?† Of course I remembered. â€Å"He said, It's an interesting twist. Like she's doing the exact opposite of what you can.'† â€Å"Yes. And so I wondered. Maybe she took your talent and flipped it, too.† I considered that. â€Å"You keep everyone out,† he began. â€Å"And no one keeps her out?† I finished hesitantly. â€Å"That's my theory,† he said. â€Å"And if she can get into your head, I doubt there's a shield on the planet who could keep her at bay. That will help. From what we've seen, no one can doubt the truth of her thoughts once they've allowed her to show them. And I think no one can keep her from showing them, if she gets close enough. If Aro allows her to explain___† I shuddered to think of Renesmee so close to Aro's greedy, milky eyes. â€Å"Well,† he said, rubbing my tight shoulders. â€Å"At least there's nothing that can stop him from seeing the truth.† â€Å"But is the truth enough to stop him?† I murmured. For that, Edward had no answer.

Knickerbocker Story

Knickerbocker Story Knickerbocker Story Knickerbocker Story By Sharon The Oxford Dictionary of Etymology tells an interesting story of the origin of the word knickerbockers. In 1809 Washington Irving, who is famous for the short stories Rip Van Winkle and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, published a book called History of New York. The book was published under the pen name Diedrich Knickerbocker. Pictures of the supposed author showed him wearing loose breeches, which then took his name. However, thats not the whole story of knickerbockers. Sometime in the 19th century the word was abbreviated to knickers, a word which will send young British children (and even those old enough to know better) into helpless laughter. The reason? Knickers are the common British term for womens underwear. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:What Does [sic] Mean?35 Genres and Other Varieties of FictionHow to Punctuate Introductory Phrases

ACT Test Dates 2018-2019

ACT Test Dates 2018-2019 SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips At PrepScholar, we constantly review the best data to inform you about future test dates. If you know the future registration dates and test schedule, you can create your study plan and stay organized, allowing you to lessen your stress and reach your target score. In this article, I’ll give you the the ACT test dates for 2018-2019 and explain the factors to think about when choosing your test date. ACT Test Dates for 2018-2019 Here are the anticipated test dates, registration deadlines, and score release dates for 2018-2019. The test dates are confirmed by ACT, Inc., the others are our projections based on historical data. Test Date Deadline Late Deadline Score Release* Sept 8, 2018 Aug 3, 2018 Aug 17, 2018 Sept 18; Oct 2, 2018 Oct 27, 2018 Sept 21, 2018 Oct 5, 2018 Nov 6; Nov 20, 2018 Dec 8, 2018 Nov 2, 2018 Nov 16, 2018 Dec 18, 2018; Jan 1, 2019 Feb 9, 2019 Jan 4, 2019 Jan 18, 2019 Feb 19; Mar 5, 2019 Apr 13, 2019 Mar 8, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Apr 23; May 7, 2019 June 8, 2019 May 3, 2019 May 17, 2019 June 18; July 2, 2019 July 13, 2019 June 14, 2019 June 21, 2019 July 23; Aug 6, 2019 *= Refers to online score release. The first date is when multiple choice scores come out, and the second one is when complete scores are available. How Accurate Is the Table Above? All of the dates are projected and subject to change. The final schedule will be released within roughly a year of the test dates. However, based on previous years’ dates, this schedule should be close to accurate. The score release dates are the least precise, but they should be within a week of the projected dates. Keep in mind that there's some inconsistency when multiple choice scores come out and not everyone receives them at the same time. How to Choose Your Test Date These are some of the major factors to consider when selecting your ACT test date: Know Your Deadlines! Take the ACT before your earliest college application deadlines. If you apply regular decision, the December test in your senior year will be the last test you can take for most colleges. If you apply early, the last test you can take may be in October or November of your senior year. Also, if you're hoping to get any scholarships that consider your ACT score, you’ll need to have your test score before the scholarship deadlines. How Many Times Do You Want to Take the ACT? Because most students increase their scores when they retake the ACT, you should give yourself an opportunity to take the test multiple times. Generally, we suggest first taking the ACT in the fall of your junior year. Then you can retake it in the spring of your junior year and the fall of your senior year if necessary. How Long Do You Plan to Study? When selecting your test date, figure out how long you’ll need to study and ensure you’ll be able to sufficiently prepare before you take the test. If you take both the September and October tests without doing any studying in between, your score probably won’t improve much. Do You Have Conflicts With Any Test Dates? Check to see if you have any potential conflicts on or around any of the ACT test dates. Maybe the February date is on the same day as your orchestra concert. Or perhaps you want to avoid the June test date because you’ll be focused on your finals. Even if it's challenging to find a time when you can fully dedicate yourself to the ACT, you should try to pick the best test dates for you. What's Next? Still not sure when you should take the ACT? Find out if you should pick the next available date. Even if you know when you want to take the ACT, learn more about where you should take it. Finally, read about our tips for signing up for the ACT. Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.

Women and Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Women and Film - Essay Example In her revised ‘incarnation’ as Madonna, the average American must be enjoying a hearty laugh to look at the badgered hair, unclean strapless taffeta outfits and dotted black leather. It also indicates Madonna’s influence in the fashion world of America in that period. Fashion of the 80s is not just the symbol of change in lifestyles, financial and social status. Rather than the external embellishments, it refers to the inner world of the personalities and gives lessons for the spectators. The director has chosen the utilities like dress, acting mode, talk, interaction and behavior to make the audience understand, what happens when a mask is identified with a real face. The story relates to the psyche of housewives like Roberta who are fed-up with the routine of the middle class with nothing exciting and challenging happening in their lives. In this specific case, Roberta’s hot tub-selling husband ignores her. She desperately wants to come out of the cob-web of life of a stereotype housewife and achieve something sterling in life. She finds excitement in the relationship of Jim and Susan and their style of communication. Destiny plays its part and when Roberta is mistaken for Madonna, she is in a peculiar predicament as she has to survive with Madonna, Jim and her husband and the mob—desperate to know what the truth is! The message of the movie is profound. It highlights the level of desperation and the moves the housewife makes to breathe the air of freedom, when she has to live with her feelings suppressed and where she does not even have the freedom to choose the haircut that she wants. There is a reason why the director chooses the â€Å"free spirit† of Madonna in the movie. In the 80s culture, Madonna has great impact on the world of entertainment in America and her style is most copied, majority of women revere her as the role model. In the culture of the 80s, she is