Researching Consumer Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Researching Consumer Behavior - Essay Example Consumer behavior research has found out that with people broadening their minds and the urge for doing something different from the rest of the people around them, have let to something termed as clothing optional cruise. Consumer enjoys fun and love to experience new things in their life. Freedom is one of the important aspects which have given rise to this research. The clothing optional cruises allow a member to experience freedom oh seas. These cruises are open to adults so they can strip away the stress of their life when on the cruise and experience something different. Consumer behavior aims to research on the issues that a consumer might face along with the ongoing trends. The main issue prevailing is stress and to avoid the stress people might go to any extend they want. People go for vacations, hangout with their love ones and so on. Freedom is one thing that was missing in the lives of the people and the future trend of enjoying life gave rise to the idea of offering clot hing optional cruises. The most viable data that might be founded out that people do love when the marketers offer something new and different to the audience. People are actually bored of their daily routine so something new and existing would definitely arouse interest on the target audience. Clothing optional cruises have been popular since the 1970s but at recent times it has received a huge popularity. Because of the popularity of such an offering and since it has been accepted by the audience many companies have started to offer voyage on clothing optional. The strategies adopted by marketer were just to offer something that would be a medium of enjoyment for the people. There were already cruises and people were traveling on them but clothing optional cruises did excite the people and thus became a huge success. The cruises offer all the facilities and mostly sail to sunny locations such as Caribbean, Germany, and France where people could enjoy. Seeing people acceptance and

Sustainable city Essay Example for Free

Sustainable city Essay Planning gives spice in life. From planning a wedding ceremony, preparing how to pass job interviews, thinking about getting into a relationship, to family meal planning, what course to take in college, buying what cellphone brand you like, what time you are going to start your day, what color would you want to wear when you come to office, and planning what to do to brighten up someone’s day. The famous philosopher Confucius once said that: â€Å"A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door. † In every aspect of life that needs decision making planning is very essential. So, planning simply means getting away from trouble. Hence, if there is planning then there are set of goals and objectives that need to be attained. Needless to say, the success of the goals and objectives that has been set is the optimal result of planning. Otherwise, somebody who did not plan should be ready to face the consequence of actions done without putting a second thought. But planning is not always about waiting for the good things to come, well, unless of course one is prepared to fail. It could be another story, but who plans to fail anyhow? This is why planning should be defined appropriately. Planning is (1) deciding future course of action from amongst alternatives, (2) is a process that involves making and evaluating each set of interrelated decisions, and (3) selection of missions, objectives and translation of knowledge into action. For some experts in different fields like Alan Lakein, a famous American writer, planning is â€Å"bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now. † On the other hand former president of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower stated that â€Å"plans are nothing; planning is everything. † President Eisenhower also gave necessary points about military planning â€Å"in preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable. † Moreover, cultures have united ideas about how significant planning is. Chinese believe that â€Å"when planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people. † Plato a Greek philosopher once said that â€Å"the beginning is the most important part of the work† wherein planning takes place at the beginning of every project, event, and decision making. The Bible as well says that Lord does planning for his creations especially human beings because good things come to those who have faith in Him like what is written in Jeremiah 29:11 of Today’s International Version of the Bible: â€Å"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. † Since we are aware about what happens if careful planning is done we are also aware that not all things that had been planned always turn out to be the expected results we want to achieve. Meaning planning is not always as rewarding as we though it could be. Otherwise, failure would not exist. Planning without proper application will result to failure. But the quintessential part of planning is, if one plans he or she has already an edge over achieving good results just like what the famous Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes said: â€Å"to be prepared is half the victory. † There are many facets in life that need planning say for example family planning, business planning, financial planning, urban planning, and educational planning. In business, planning is profit and money not bankcruptcy. Family planning means a good and a happy family life. In financial aspect, planning means more savings and not total reliance in credit cards. In urban planning which includes both the aesthetic and safety aspects of a city, planning means sustainable city. For educational planning, parents chose to pay for educational plans just to ensure their children’s future. In general cases, say for example in planning an event to make it successful the organizers put up a separate committee called ad hoc committee just to have people who will be responsible in the planning process. The ad hoc committee is accountable in thinking of possible plans and should carry out means in the realization of the success of the event.

Essay --

The very definition of child pornography is difficult in a legal sense. Material that classifies as child pornography is subjective to many variables that are to be considered including what defines a â€Å"child†, the mode of material, and the way in which the material is used (Gillespie, 2010). The article Legal Definition of Child Pornography by Alisdair Gillespie discusses how difficult it is in this day and age to put parameters around a concise definition of child pornography. We live in a world that is technologically advanced, which makes it difficult to devise an exact explanation of child pornography because of the abilities to manipulate and create materials that may or may not actually depict a â€Å"real† child. Child pornography laws are a recent concept created out of the obscenity law of the 1970’s. However, these laws may need to be redefined in order to apply to our world today. Child pornography may be difficult to identify. In the 1960’s, Supreme Court Justice Stewart coined the phrase â€Å"I know it when I see it†, a legal phrase which is actually still used today. Although, this statement was in reference to obscene material in an adult pornography case, Jacobeellis v. Ohio, Justice Stewart explained that not all issues can be definitively defined, but there are some issues that do not require a specific definition in order to know what actions the law should be taking (Gillespie, 2010). The Internet poses great challenges to the law because of global involvement. Communication and distribution across boarders has made it impossible for a consistent definition of child pornography, which creates a weak foundation in combating this heinous crime. Gillespie addresses identifying factors that define what child pornography i... ...oses? This is the difficulty for law enforcement and as such, some offenders may fall through the cracks of justice. Gillespie has presented a very interesting analysis on defining child pornography. The article appears strong and I believe he has raised fervent arguments about the complexity of putting parameters around the definition of child pornography. He discussed three important variables in identifying child pornography and the problems that are associated with them. I did not find this article to exhibit any points of weakness, possibly because most of the evidence presented was insightful. Gillespie’s article helped me to acknowledge the tremendous difficulty law enforcement personnel have when it comes to defining child pornography. There is a fine line between what is legal and what it not and the complexities of this issue will continue in the future.

Advances in Medical Technology

Composition I 19 Feb 2008 Advances in Medical Technology Medical Technology has developed to a great extent over the course of many centuries. Since the days of Hippocrates, considered the â€Å"Father of Medicine†, advances in the medical field have brought us into a brave new world. With the advent and application of modern technology, the medical field seems to have evolved more in the last 10-20 yrs than in the previous 1000 years.Recently, new ground has been broken throughout the field, involving medical techniques, surgical procedures, and electronic devices. Such advancements have streamlined the practice and science of medicine in the 21st century. One form of advancement in Technology that has simplified the record keeping process for Physicians and Nurses alike is the computerized clipboard.According to Steve Kelly of Phillips Medical Systems, â€Å"The portable, always connected device is designed to require minimal training and provides significant benefits to th e clinical users, helping to reduce medication errors, positively identify staff and patients, fill out charts, capture vital signs, write up reports and validate blood transfusions as well as the ability to closely monitor the healing of wounds (Terry). Terry’s words sum up the benefits of such a device quite nicely. Another concept at the forefront of Medical Technology is that of Bionics.Bionics involves the engineering of â€Å"Synthetic†, or artificial limbs to replace those lost due to accidents or amputation. Bionics, as a whole, is not an entirely new concept. The crafting of synthetic limbs has been practiced for some time, but modern Technological advances have cleared a path for much more realistic, functional, and â€Å"smarter† limbs. The I-Limb Hand, made by Touch Bionics, is probably the most recent example of how realistic these limbs have become in their appearance.As stated by Paul Bright of Touch Bionics, â€Å"Touch Bionics created the I-LIM B hand in hopes to add more functionality for people who wanted more than just a gripping tool†(Bright). In the photo to the left, courtesy of gizmag. com, one of the hands is an implant, and one is real. Thanks to advances in the science of Bionics, it is difficult to tell which one is artificial. Similarly, research into the field of Implantable Biochips has led to innovations in monitoring vital signs and personal information for soldiers on the battlefield.The Center for Bioelectronics, Biosensors, & Biochips, Based at Clemson University, is among the leading manufacturers of these Biochips. In an article in Science Daily based on materials provided by Clemson University, it is stated that â€Å"The biochip, about the size of a grain of rice, could measure and relay such information as lactate and glucose levels in the event of a major hemorrhage, whether on the battlefield, at home or on the highway†. Furthermore, we’ve seen advances in Medical Technology co ncerning how surgeries are performed in the 21st Century.As computers become more and more integrated into medical procedures, we can start to envision surgical procedures that are done robotically. One of the latest innovations in Robotic Surgery is the Da Vinci Robot Surgery System, from Intuitive Surgical. An article in Newsweek written by Jennifer Barrett entitled â€Å"Cutting Edge†, states that â€Å"The robotic system has already transformed the field of prostate surgery, for which it was approved in May 2001. That year it was used in less than 1 percent of all prostatectomies. This year more than 20 percent will be done with the robot†(Barrett).Barrett’s remarks indicate that the utilization of such Technology is becoming more prevalent and will most likely be standard practice in the near future. Another innovation of Technology involving portable devices in the field of medicine is the product of research done at the NYU School of Medicine. The BrainSc ope, as it is called, is a handheld device capable of monitoring activity in the brain. The implications of such a device in both Sports and Warfare are quite amazing. When an Athlete or a Soldier is injured, such a device can be used to measure fluctuations in brain activity to indicate the severity of the damage.The brain activity is interpreted in only a few minutes, preventing costly and time consuming trips to a hospital for an MRI. These features allow for faster diagnoses of trauma to the brain, and contribute to faster, better informed decisions following an injury. As stated in an article in ScienceDaily, adapted from materials provided by the New York University Medical Center, â€Å"BrainScope consists of an adhesive strip, containing six electrodes, which are connected to a mini-computer that resembles an oversized iPod.After a suspected head injury, a first responder affixes the electrode strip to the patient’s forehead. The device automatically collects a sampl e of the patient’s EEG and computes a large number of QEEG features, each of which are compared to a databank of normal scores. Within minutes, BrainScope’s color display indicates whether any of the patient’s brain functions deviate from normal†. In conclusion, recent advancements in Technology have brought about vast changes in regards to the practice of Medicine.With the advent of such concepts as Computerized Clipboards, Bionic Replacement Limbs, Biochips, Robotic Surgery Systems, and the hand held BrainScope, the world of Medicine has certainly evolved to meet the new century. Undoubtedly, as we have merely scratched the surface of Computerized Technology and the applications thereof, the potential for the future of Medicine is nothing short of amazing. Works Cited Barrett, Jennifer. â€Å"Cutting Edge†. Newsweek. com 19 Dec. 2005. 25 Feb. 2008 http://www. newsweek. com/id/51510. Bright, Paul. â€Å"World's First Bionic Hand to Now Available t he Public. 18 Jul. 2007. 24 Feb. 2008 http://www. associatedcontent. com/article/318351/worlds_first_bionic_hand_now_available. html. Clemson University. â€Å"Implantable Biochip Could Relay Vital Health Information If Soldier Is Wounded In Battle. † Science Daily 1 August 2007. 25 February 2008 . Kelly, Steve. â€Å"Philips joins Intel to develop wireless, handheld ’Mobile Clinical Assistant†. 27 Feb 2007. 24 Feb. 2008 . New York University Medical Center. â€Å"Experimental Handheld Device Can Detect Subtle Brain Injury Immediately After Concussion. † Science Daily

Post Partum Depression Essay

ABSTRACT   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Every woman who becomes a mother has their own reasons of being happy after giving birth to a child. The first days of a child in their arms seems to be the greatest gift that they have ever received in their entire lives. However, things at times turn out uneasily different as the view of the mother to her new born child and at times even towards her husband changes. At some point, she treats the people visiting her in a wrong manner. Being overly anxious about things and extremely depressed in either the morning or the evening becomes her usual reaction to the things happening around her. Is she going crazy? No, she is simply experiencing Post Partum Depression. It is a matter of situation by which a new mother’s hormones are unstable that her emotions are controlled by the changes that her body undergoes after giving birth to her child. This is the main issue that shall be tackled within the paper that follows.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   How does one understand what Post Partum Depression really is? How is it supposed to be dealt with by the mother and by other people living around her? Is it a serious problem that needs medical treatment? How will the family members know when to ask for professional help? TO the women experiencing this particular matter of situation, how would they be able to overcome it? These are only among the few questions that shall be addressed in the paper that shall be presented herein. Through the discussions that shall be noted in this paper, the importance of addressing the matter shall be noted clearly as to how the procedures of dealing with the issue could be practically applied in actual situations. POST PARTUM DEPRESSION: Dealing With the Ups and Downs of New Motherhood Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The wonder of giving birth is something that is considered as a given gift solely to the feminine gender of the human population. However, the after effects of this particular wonder also belong solely to the women. What is it that makes giving birth a highly depressive matter for some women? This is where the issue of Post Partum Depression comes into light. Undeniably, the process of dealing with this issue is something that needs careful attention not only be the women involved in the situation but also by the people living around them. The term â€Å"postpartum depression† refers to depressive episodes following childbirth. These can occur after the birth of any child, not just the first. Depressive episodes can even follow a miscarriage or termination of a pregnancy. According to the Office on Women’s Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there is a wide range in the severity of the symptoms. Many women experience postpartum blues, or baby blues, characterized by mild sadness, anxiety, irritability, fluctuating moods, and fatigue. These blues are considered normal and are short-lived, resolving themselves without medical help within about ten days after childbirth. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists estimates that in 1 out of 10 new mothers, these feelings escalate and go beyond the first few days. They can even appear several months after the birth. This may be full-fledged postpartum depression, in which the feelings of sadness, anxiety, or despair are so intense that the new mother has trouble coping with her daily tasks. Additionally, between 1 and 3 new mothers in every 1,000 suffer from an even more severe form of depression called postpartum psychosis, in which the mother has delusions or hallucinations that often focus on hurting herself or her baby. This latter condition requires immediate medical attention. There is no single clearly defined cause of postpartum depression. Both physical and emotional factors seem to be involved. One physical factor may be that in the first 24 to 48 hours after delivery, estrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply, to a point lower than before conception, creating an abrupt change in the physiological state of the body. This may trigger depression in much the same way as mood swings and tension are triggered before menstrual periods. The level of hormones produced by the thyroid may also drop after childbirth. This could result in symptoms that mimic depression. For these reasons researchers are calling PPD a â€Å"biochemical and hormonal disorder.† Interestingly, one medical newsletter suggests that postpartum depression may be caused by a nutritional imbalance, perhaps a B-complex deficiency. Fatigue and lack of sleep can also play a role. Says Dr.  Steven I. Altchuler, a psychiatrist at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, U.S.A.: â€Å"In the period shortly after childbirth, lack of energy and an inability to sleep may make minor problems seem much more major. Some women might be frustrated to find that they have difficulty coping with things that they had handled well before delivery, without the baby blues, and with a full night’s sleep.† Emotional factors such as an unplanned pregnancy, a premature birth, loss of freedom, concern about attractiveness and lack of support can also add to depression. Additionally, there are several common myths about being a mother that can contribute to a woman’s feeling depressed and feeling that she is a failure. These include the idea that motherhood skills are instinctive, that bonding should be immediate, that the baby will be perfect and never fussy, and that the new mother should be perfect. In real life this is not the case. Mothering skills need to be learned, bonding often takes time, some babies are easier to care for than others, and no mother is perfect or a super mom. Obviously from this particular overview of the situation, post partum depression stands as a common thing that is experienced by women who have given birth to young infants. As common as it is, the situation is indeed something that could be dealt with conscientiously. Through the process of understanding the situation towards the process of making amends with the person dealing with the dilemma, the problem with Post Partum Depression could be won. Methodology and Result Presentation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To understand how women affected by Post partum Depression react towards the problem, the researcher of this paper decided to interview at least 20 women who have just given birth with at least three days from the actual delivery of their babies. This interview-survey has been delivered by the researcher to finally give a lighter view of the dilemma that women deal with after giving birth to their infants.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The interviewees consisted of both first time mothers and experienced mothers alike so as to set the matter of differences and similarities between the cases that needs concern in the issue of dealing with PPD [Post Partum Depression]. Until recently, postpartum depression was often not taken seriously. Dr.  Laurence Kruckman points out: â€Å"Women’s mental health issues have been overlooked and labeled in the past as hysteria, not worthy of concern. The American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual (DSM  IV) has never fully acknowledged the presence of postpartum illness, and as a result, doctors have not been educated about it nor has reliable data been obtained. .  .  . And unlike 30 years ago, mothers often go home from the hospital within 24 hours. Most postpartum psychoses, blues and some depression occur within three to 14 days following birth. So the mothers are already at home and not screened by professionals who know the symptoms.† However, according to Dr.  Carol E. Watkins of the Northern County Psychiatric Associates in Baltimore, Maryland, if left undiagnosed or untreated, postpartum depression can lead to long-term depression and difficulty in bonding with the baby. Depressed mothers may passively ignore their baby’s needs or, conversely, lose control and use physical punishment to discipline their infants. This can negatively affect the cognitive and emotional development of the child. For example, an article in the journal American Family Physician suggests that young children of depressed mothers perform more poorly on cognitive tests than those of mothers who were not depressed. Additionally, postpartum depression can adversely affect the other children and the husband.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Furthermore the results of the interview-survey used in this research yielded the following diagrammatic presentations. To understand the issue clearly, the illustrations are to be presented as follows: The Elements of POST PARTUM DEPRESSION: DIAGRAM 1:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Explanation:   From the diagram noted herein, it is noticeable enough that the women involved with Post Partum Depression deal with different anxieties causing the situation to worsen. Being overly anxious about not being cared about and being less treated well by the other members of the family because of the arrival of the new infant is indeed a matter of elemental factor that brings a greater pressure on the mother experiencing PDD.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This is the major reason why dealing with the issue involves not only the woman or her husband alone but also the other members of the family as well. The following points are considered to be among the most effective procedures of dealing with the dilemma according to the studies that had been made under the topic of Post Partum Depression. The said points of consideration are as follows: Talk to someone about your feelings, particularly other mothers. Ask others to help you with child care, household chores, and errands. Ask your husband to share in nighttime feeding duties and household chores. Find time to do something positive for yourself, even if it is for only 15 minutes a day. Try reading, taking a walk, taking a relaxing bath. Even if you can get only one thing done in any given day, this is a step in the right direction. There may be days when you cannot get anything done. Try not to be angry with yourself when this happens.   Isolation often perpetuates depression. Get dressed, and leave the house for at least a short while each day. Fresh air and a change of scenery will do you and your baby a lot of good. These particular patterns of dealing with the situation needs to be carefully understood by the person themselves. This means that the adjustment must come from the mother herself. What can be done? Do you just have to tough it out? It is comforting to know that postpartum depression has been found to be both temporary and treatable. While rest and family support may be all that is needed for mild symptoms, the key sign that medical attention is necessary is if the depression disrupts your ability to function, says the Office on Women’s Health. Common treatments are antidepressant medication, talking with a mental-health expert, hormone treatment, or a combination of these, depending upon the severity of the case. Kangaroo, or skin-to-skin, care of the baby may also lessen maternal depression. There are also such alternative treatments as herbs, acupuncture, and homeopathic remedies. However, there are some things that you can do personally to cope. These include eating a nutritious diet (including fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals); avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and sugar; exercising in moderation; and taking a nap when your baby is asleep. Since a major factor in postpartum depression is lack of proper rest, other people can help by assuming some of the household chores and sharing in child care. Studies show that far less postpartum depression occurs where the extended family rallies around to provide support and instruction. Many times a person can be of great assistance by just being a sympathetic listener, giving the new mother reassurance, and avoiding criticizing or judging. Remember, PPD is a physical disorder and is not self-induced. As the organization Postpartum Education for Parents points out, â€Å"a woman cannot ‘pull herself together’ any more than she could if she had the flu, diabetes, or heart disease.† From the foregoing, it can be seen that although the postpartum period can be a wonderful time for new mothers, it can also be stressful. Understanding it can help us to give the support new mothers need. The Use of Hoe Massage Therapy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Every massage therapy is supposed to make close amends with the situation of the persons being affected by post partum depression. A touch therapy such as that of massage could play a great help for those suffering from the dilemma. Undoubtedly, the Hoe massage therapy which is a Japanese originated massage procedure is sure to make a sufferer of post partum depression feel relaxed as it rejuvenates the being of a person through natural scents and aroma therapy altogether. The holistic process of massaging the body would make the patient feel relived and rejuvenated to face another day of turmoil.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In short, the hoe massage is an undoubted process that is now being applied to most patients undergoing the effects of Post Partum Depression. Such patients who have   experienced this massage have given considerable reactions that they were certainly given the best approach of healing that they could ever imagine through the Hoe Massage Therapy applied on them for several weeks and even months. They even said that when they feel stressful, even when the postpartum dilemma is over, they resort to how massage therapy just the same to calm things down and bring their spirit to a renewed state. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Understanding Post Partum Depression is a vital part in dealing with the dilemma that new mothers mostly deal with. The after birth depression among new mothers, both first time and non-first-timers have naturally brought problems to new families. Not understanding the situation underlying this particular matter would make things certainly confusing as the mother would naturally require the same level of attention that is further given by the father or other members of the family to the newly born infant. Scheduling activities and providing further assistance with that of the relaxing time of the mother should be given close attention by the family members.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Understandably, Post Partum Depression is a matter of situation that could be dealt with through the application of full control of the situation with ample patience and understanding from the people involved. Constant understanding of the situation with the application of the necessary measures needed to treat the dilemma should be well viewed so as to bring fine results to the mother of the child and the other family members as well. Through this, the development of the dilemma could be expected to yield fine results on the part of the woman or the mother overcoming the dilemma brought about bu Post Partum Depression. References: Appleby, Louis, Rachel Warner, Brian Faragher, and Anna Whitton. A Controlled Study of Fluoxetine and Cognitive-Behavioural Counseling in the Treatment of Postnatal Depression. British Medical Journal. 314.n7085. 932-937   Appleby, Louis, Rachel Warner, Brian Faragher, and Anna Whitton. A Controlled Study of Fluoxetine and Cognitive-Behavioural Counseling in the Treatment of Postnatal Depression. British Medical Journal. 314.n7085. 932-937 Appleby, Louis, Rachel Warner, Brian Faragher, and Anna Whitton. A Controlled Study of Fluoxetine and Cognitive-Behavioural Counseling in the Treatment of Postnatal Depression. British Medical Journal. 314.n7085. 932-937 Fray, Kathy: â€Å"Oh Baby†¦Birth, Babies & Motherhood Uncensored†, pages 364-381, Random House NZ, 2005

Powerful Plots 3 Expert Tricks for Building a Story Arc - Freewrite Store

Powerful Plots 3 Expert Tricks for Building a Story Arc - Freewrite Store The Ingredients of a Story Arc Authors are often divided over the issue of whether to plan out a whole novel in detail or just start writing - but one thing that all writers agree on is the need for a powerful story arc. Your story arc is what gives your novel structure and makes it satisfying for your readers. Without it, you have a story that meanders around, getting nowhere, and it doesn’t matter how beautiful your prose is - without a story arc, you’ll leave your readers woefully dissatisfied. The Ingredients of a Story Arc If you consult a dictionary for a definition of a story arc, you’ll see something like this: â€Å"(in a novel, play or movie) the development or resolution of the narrative or principal theme† (Oxford English Dictionary). As something that develops and then resolves, the story arc has a shape to it - and the things that give it its shape are rising and falling emotion and tension, and character development. When these ingredients are used effectively, you have a powerful story arc that keeps your readers hooked - which is what every author (should) want. As far back as Aristotle (4th Century BCE), the great writers have understood that the formula for an effective story arc involves a beginning, a middle and an end. The beginning sets the scene and introduces the characters and theme of the novel. The middle builds the tension and increases the emotional investment from the reader. Finally, the end provides a resolution. It doesn’t have to be a complete resolution (although some readers prefer that), but there does need to be some kind of resolution. Expert Advice on Creating a Powerful Story Arc 1. Build Your Story Arc with the ‘5 Ws’ Every writer should be familiar with the 5 Ws - Who, What, Where, When and Why - but you may not have realized how much power they can wield when you’re building your story arc. To get the most out of the 5 Ws, you need to ask yourself a set of questions that will guide the way that your plot develops: Who Questions: Who are your protagonists and how might they grow or diminish to create tension Who are your antagonists and how will their development impact on the narrative and your protagonists? Who in your cast of characters do you want your readers to sympathize with most - and how might subverting this create tension in your story arc? What Questions: What motivates your characters, and how might these motivations be challenged in the course of your story? What impact might misguided motivations have on your character - and how can this be used to create tension? Where Questions: Where does your story take place, and how might unexpected changes in setting cause difficulties for your characters and build the tension in your story? When Questions: When in your story’s timeline would it be most effective to raise the tension? When might your readers be least likely to expect something to occur that can build emotion and tension? Why Questions: Why will your readers be emotionally invested in your story - and how can you subvert this as part of your story arc? 2. Don’t Be Afraid to Break from Tradition There are, of course, different types of story arc - and while the rise-then-fall formula is one of the most popular formulas in use, there are also a number of archetypal plot arcs that have been successfully used by writers over the centuries. In fact, using an archetypal story arc can give your novel’s plot a lot more power since it breaks from what many readers come to expect. If you want to try using an archetypal story arc, you have five different options to choose from - according to researchers from the University of Vermont and the University of Adelaide. These have been classified into types of narrative: Rags to riches (rise) Riches to rags (fall) Man in a hole (fall then rise) Cinderella (rise then fall then rise) Oedipus (fall then rise then fall) A lot of these story arcs are based on taking your readers on an emotional journey. Rags to riches stories, for example, gain reader investment by creating a character that can be sympathized with and create a positive emotional journey of escaping hardship, which resolves with a typical happy ending. These types of stories are really popular - because they create a sense of hope and fairness. However, rags to riches stories have been so overused that readers are now demanding more, and the Oedipus type of story arc is the one that readers seem to reach for the most, closely followed by Man in a Hole story arcs. It can be helpful to create a visual representation of the different types of archetypal story arcs to help you plan these developments into your plot. For example, a visual representation story arcs in the study mentioned above looks like this: (Top Row, left to right: Rags to riches; Man in a hole; Cinderella Bottom Row, left to right: Riches to rags; (Icarus - the traditional rise-then-fall); Oedipus (Credit: Reagan et. al/ University of Vermont) With a visual representation of your story arc, it’s easy to plot on the main events in your story and uncover more opportunities for creating high emotional stakes. If you’re not one for detailed plot outlines, a visual story arc allows you to keep your writing following the story arc without having to plan out every chapter or scene. 3. Exploit the Power of Sub-Arcs Depending on the length of your story or novel, building sub-arcs, or lesser arcs into your story can be really effective. These sub-arcs can be in addition to, or as part of, your main story arc. For example, if you’re opting for a traditional rise-then-fall story arc, you could have a sub-arc that is based around a different theme in your story that follows more of a rise-then-fall-then-rise or fall-then-rise-then-fall format. Using sub-arcs helps you to build a stronger dramatic structure into your story and is really effective in keeping your readers on the edge of their seats as they read. There are a lot of benefits to using sub-arcs in your stories, too. For example: You can create different types of tension at different points in the story - for example when the tension is lessening in your main story arc, you could build tension in a sub-arc to maintain your readers’ engagement. You have more opportunities to develop your characters and make your readers more invested in them. You can create multiple situations where it seems like your characters have everything to lose - which creates even more dramatic tension. When you’re using sub-arcs, creating a visual outline of your novel is pretty crucial. Building sub-arcs into your story can be complex, so it’s important that you’re able to see where you are in both the main story arc and your sub arcs - or you could end up with a mess instead of a defined arc. It’s these kinds of muddled middles that put readers off and leave them frustrated - so don’t skip creating a visual outline of your arc and sub-arcs. Plotting your arcs and sub-arcs on graph paper or using an app on your computer or phone can be done relatively quickly - and as your story develops it’s easy to make adjustments and add more details onto your diagram as you go along. This way, you’ll avoid the problem of adding too many sub-arcs or too many points of tension and keep a clear dramatic structure in your story. There are plenty of story arc templates you can download online, like this one:    Wielding the Power of Story Arcs Whatever type of fiction you write, whether it’s science fiction, literary fiction, crime and thrillers, horror or anything else, you need to start plotting using story arcs. Your readers will thank you for it - and your readership will grow, too. Story arcs are a simple tool that can make the difference between a good story and a great story. Many authors who don’t like to plot their novels in advance see story arcs as restricting their creativity - but in fact, story arcs can fuel your creativity, allowing you to visually see more opportunities for developing characters and building tension. You don’t have to do a detailed outline to use story arcs, and you’re sure to find that rather than being restrictive, story arcs give you the structure that you need to unleash your creative juices onto the page.       About the author: Ariella is an experienced copywriter, editor, and digital marketing consultant. Driven by a passion for writing and content creation she takes pride in producing articles that deliver the latest information in an engaging manner and marketing campaigns that deliver exceptional results. Ariella has a BA (Hons) in English Language and Creative Writing (First), an MA in Theology and Ministry, and is a published author of three novels and a bestselling non-fiction book. A creative at heart, Ariella has 14 years’ industry experience and always aims to keep abreast of current trends and developments. She lives in the UK with her three beagles Zeke, Hope, and Sandy, who always make life interesting.

Profile of Serial Killer and Rapist Henry Louis Wallace

Profile of Serial Killer and Rapist Henry Louis Wallace Serial killer Henry Louis Wallace killing spree began in 1990 with the murder of Tashonda Bethea in his hometown of Barnwell, South Carolina. He went on to rape and murder nine  women in Charlotte, North Carolina between 1992 and 1994. He was arrested on March 13, 1994. After a subsequent trial and conviction, Wallace (a.k.a. The Taco Bell Strangler) was given death penalty on nine counts and is awaiting the sentence to be carried out. Early Life Henry Louis Wallace was born on November 4, 1965, in Barnwell, South Carolina, to Lottie Mae Wallace, a single mother. The home Wallace shared with his older sister (by three years), his mother, and his great-grandmother had no plumbing or electricity. Wallaces mother was a strict disciplinarian who had little patience for her young son. She did not get along with her mother, either, and the two argued constantly. Despite the fact that Lottie worked long hours at a full-time job in a textile mill, the family had very little money. As Wallace outgrew out his clothing, he was given his sisters hand-me-downs to wear.  When Lottie felt the children needed to be disciplined, and she was too tired to do it herself, shed often make Wallace and his sister get a switch from the yard and whip each other. High School and College Despite his volatile home life, Wallace was popular at Barnwell High School. He was on the student council and. His mother would not allow him to play football, so he became a cheerleader instead. Wallace enjoyed high school and the positive feedback he received from other students, but academically his performance was less than stellar. After graduating in 1983, he attended one semester at South Carolina State College and one semester at a technical college. At the time, Wallace worked part-time as a disc jockey, which he preferred to college. Unfortunately, his radio career was short-lived. He was fired after he was caught stealing CDs. Navy, Marriage And a Downward Spiral With nothing holding him in Barnwell, Wallace joined U.S. Naval Reserve. From all reports, he did what he was told to do and he did it well.  In 1985, he married high school classmate, Maretta Brabham. In addition to becoming a husband, he also took on the role of stepfather to Brabhams daughter.   Not long after he was married, Wallace began using drugs- and his drug of choice was crack cocaine. To pay for the narcotics, he began burglarizing homes and businesses. While stationed in Washington, he was served with burglary warrants for crimes  in the  Seattle  metro area. In January 1988, he was arrested for breaking into a hardware store, and later plead guilty to a charge of second-degree burglary. The judge sentenced him to two years of supervised  probation but according to his probation officer, Wallace blew off most of the mandatory meetings. In February 1991, Wallace broke into his old high school and the radio station where he once worked. He stole video and recording equipment and was caught trying to pawn them. In 1992, he was arrested for breaking and entering. Due to his near-perfect service record, Wallace managed to get an Honorable Discharge from the Navy when his criminal activity came to light, but he was sent on his way. Shortly thereafter, his wife him. In November of that year, he relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina where he found work at several fast-food restaurants. Wallace's Murder Time Line In early 1990, Wallace murdered Tashonda Bethea in his hometown of Barnwell, and then dumped her body in a lake. Her corpse was not discovered until weeks later. Wallace was questioned by the police regarding her disappearance but was never formally charged in her murder. He was also questioned in connection with the attempted rape of a 16-year-old Barnwell girl, but again, was not charged.In May 1992, Wallace picked up Sharon Nance, a convicted drug dealer and known prostitute. When she demanded payment for her services, Wallace beat her to death, then dropped her body by the railroad tracks. She was found a few days later.In June 1992, he raped and strangled Caroline Love at her apartment, then dumped her body in a wooded area. Love was a friend of Wallaces girlfriend. After he killed her, he and her sister filed a missing persons report at the police station. It would be almost two years (March 1994) before her body was discovered.On February 19, 1993, Wallace strangled Shawna Haw k at her home after first having sex with her and later went to her funeral. Hawk worked at Taco Bell, where Wallace was her supervisor. In March 1993, Hawks mother, Dee Sumpter, and her godmother Judy Williams founded Mothers of Murdered Offspring, a Charlotte-based support group for parents of murdered children.On June 22, he raped and strangled coworker Audrey Spain. Her body was found two days later.On August 10, 1993, Wallace raped and strangled Valencia M. Jumper- a friend of his sister- then set her on fire to cover up his crime. A few days after her murder, he and his sister went to Valencias funeral.A month later, in September 1993, he went to the apartment of Michelle Stinson, a struggling college student and single mother of two sons. Stinson was a friend of his from Taco Bell. He raped her and then, sometime later, strangled and stabbed her in front of her eldest son.On February 4, 1994, Wallace was arrested for shoplifting, but police had not made a connection between h im and the murders. On February 20, 1994, Wallace strangled Vanessa Little Mack, another Taco Bell employee, in her apartment. Mack had two daughters, aged 7 and 4 months at the time of her death.On March 8, 1994, Wallace robbed and strangled Betty Jean Baucom. Baucom and Wallaces girlfriend were co-workers. Afterward, he took valuables from the house and left the apartment, taking her car. He pawned everything except the car, which he left at a shopping center.Wallace went back to the same apartment complex on the night of March 8, 1994, knowing that a man named Berness Woods would be at work and would have access to Woods girlfriend, Brandi June Henderson. Wallace raped Henderson while she held her baby, and then strangled her. He also strangled her son, but the boy survived. Afterward, Wallace took some valuables from the apartment and left.The police beefed up patrols in east Charlotte after two bodies of young black women were found at The Lake apartment complex. Even so, Walla ce sneaked through to rob and strangle Deborah Ann Slaughter, who had been a co-worker of his girlfriend, and stabbed her 38 times in the stomach and chest. Her body was found on March 12, 1994. Arrest, Trial, and Aftermath Wallace was arrested on March 13, 1994. For 12 hours, he confessed to the murders of 10 women in Charlotte. He described in detail the womens appearances; how hed raped, robbed, and killed them; and spoke about his crack addiction. Over the next two years, Wallaces trial was delayed due to the choice of venue, DNA evidence from murdered victims, and jury selection. Proceedings began in September 1996. On January 7, 1997, Wallace was found guilty of nine murders. On January 29, he was sentenced to nine death sentences. On June 5, 1998, Wallace married a former prison nurse, Rebecca Torrijas, in a ceremony that was held next to the execution chamber where he has been sentenced to die. Since his conviction, Wallace has made several appeals in an attempt to overturn his death sentences. He stated that his confessions had been coerced and his Constitutional rights had been violated.  In 2000, North Carolina’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentences. His appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied in 2001, and in 2005, Superior Court Judge Charles Lamm rejected a further appeal to overturn Wallace’s convictions and nine death sentences.