The Dummy Subject

The Dummy Subject The Dummy Subject The Dummy Subject By Erin Writers, especially beginning writers, are often cautioned against using passive voice in their writing because its use slows down the pace. Another construction that can make your writing plod is the dummy subject. When we use the words it and there to begin a sentence without a referent (a noun the pronoun is referring to), were using a dummy subject. In this pair of sentences: I went to see Fantastic Four 2 over the weekend. It was fun, but mostly forgettable. It refers to the movie Fantastic Four 2. The pronoun has a referent. In this sentence, however: It is apparent that oil reserves will be exhausted by 2050. It has no referent, and is therefore a dummy subject. The same thing happens frequently with there: There are several ways in which you could begin. There are five stages of grief. Dummy subjects are just one of many problems that weaken your writing by making it vague, fuzzy, and indefinite. The sentences above can be reconstructed with stronger, more definite subjects: Some experts warn that our oil reserves will be exhausted by 2050. You could begin in one of the following ways: (followed by a list). Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified five stages of grief in her book On Death and Dying. In general, unless you dont know who is performing an action, or you want to emphasize the action of the sentence for some reason, you should avoid dummy subjects. 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 Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Inquire vs EnquireA While vs Awhile50 Synonyms for â€Å"Villain†

The Gulf War Reasons Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Gulf War Reasons - Research Paper Example The research paper "The Gulf War Reasons" talks about the reasons why the United States of America won in the Gulf War through the analysis of the economic impact of the Gulf War in the United States including agricultural market and fuels. The US succeeded in the war because of the small resistance it received. The US also confronted Iraqi army which was not in support of the deeds of Saddam Hussein during his regime. The Gulf War contributed significantly to psychological trauma. This is evidenced by the literature provided on the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) portrayed by the soldiers who were exposed to war. The majority of the soldiers who had participated in the war lost their homes in order to raise enough money to pay for their medical care. Additionally, it is evident that some soldiers were exposed to depleted uranium, as well as toxicity from other biological and chemical materials that were enclosed in their weapons. The majority of the armies also were affected by environmental contaminants. The economic impact of the Gulf War was very significant in the U.S. it led to the rise of prices of goods as well as an increase in the rate of taxation. The America farmers also suffer significantly from the war; the American farmers used to sell a lot of their rice to Iraq. Thus, the war led to the loss of market to their agricultural products. The war also led to the increase in the price of the fuel, and as a result, hampered with the investments in many countries.

Popular Culture in the 1960s and 1970s overwhelmingly made the Beatles Research Paper

Popular Culture in the 1960s and 1970s overwhelmingly made the Beatles more Popular than Jesus - Research Paper Example It was therefore not such an impossibility to believe that the Beatles were indeed more popular than Jesus. This paper will evaluate the impact of the Beatles to popular culture, and how they have gained great notoriety, popularity, and influence during and beyond said time frame. Initially, an overview of the Beatles shall be presented, including how and why they were able to gain much popularity. A discussion on the impact of the statement of John Lennon on being more popular than Jesus would also be presented. Supporting proof of their popularity shall also be discussed in relation to the popular culture in the 1960s and 1970s. Concluding remarks shall end this discussion, highlighting the impact of the Beatles to popular culture and how their statement reverberates to the current times. The leading authorities on this topic are Hecl and Womack. Hecl discussed that the impact of the Beatles on popular culture was so significant that it was easy to believe that they were more popular than Jesus. Womack also discusses that the youth during the 1960s and 1970s were so enamored and so in awe of the Beatles that they patronized their records more than they did Jesus and Christianity. I also believe that at that point in time, during the peak of the Beatles popularity that they were indeed more popular than Jesus. So, basing it on those considerations, I would be inclined to believe that they were indeed more popular than Jesus. ... I also believe that at that point in time, during the peak of the Beatles popularity that they were indeed more popular than Jesus. So, basing it on those considerations, I would be inclined to believe that they were indeed more popular than Jesus. Overview The Beatles were a rock band from England, established in 1960 in Liverpool and they are considered one of the most popular and most successful acts in history2. The members of the group include John Lennon (rhythm guitar and vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar and vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar and vocals), and Ringo Starr (drums and vocals)3. Lennon and McCartney wrote most of the songs with occasional contributions from George Harrison. They gained much popularity in UK and in the US as their songs also gained greater social significance. Although Lennon, McCartney, Starr, and Harrison were its popular members, the group started out as a five group line-up with Stuart Sutcliffe playing the bass and Pete best playing the drums4. Sutcliffe soon left the band and Best was replaced by Starr. Their successful career was molded by producer George Martin and manager Brian Epstein. Their first hit in the UK was Love Me Do and in the years which followed, more hits were produced. They became a music phenomenon, and their popularity soon gained the moniker Beatlemania5. They led the so-called British invasion as they hits gained much attention in the US. They toured the world and their popularity reached even greater heights. After producing massive hits, the band broke up in 19706. However, each of them was still able to establish strong solo careers, especially for John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Although the group was only together for 10 years, their strong, successful, and highly influential career is

Meaning of Labels Aspergers Syndrome Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Meaning of Labels Aspergers Syndrome - Essay Example There are five different types of pervasive development disorders (PDD) that are more often referred to as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (nimh, 2006). Asperger's syndrome is the mildest form of the disorder. All the disorders "are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, social interactions, and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior."(nimh, 2006) Another definition makes similar points: "A disorder that is present from birth or very early in development that affects essential human behaviors such as social interaction, the ability to communicate ideas and feelings, imagination, and the establishment of relationships with others." The spectrum of conditions that make up autism often lead to great family disruption and to unfulfilled lives for many children, so any teaching methods that may alleviate the effect of the condition are very important. One of the problems with the whole of autism, and with Asperger Syndrome in general, is the fact that it describes a pattern of symptoms rather than just a single symptom (Powers, 2001). In most ways Asperger's resembles autism, but in a very mild form. Thus a child displays qualitative impairment in social interaction, and often repetitive/limited activities and interests (Tsantsanis, 2003). As it is rather mild autism, children with Asperger's may actually be reasonable functional. At the moment there is actual study that addresses the long-term prognosis for a child with Asperger syndrome. These children appear have a greater tendency towards psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety and perhaps schizophrenia (Klin, 2006). Treatment options tend to include educational development and a search to exploit the often singular talents that some children with Asperger's display. PART 2. Critically discuss the concepts of labels and labeling in relation to Aspergers The concepts of labels and labeling are always controversial when they regard children and possible mental conditions. The results of labeling a child as "autistic" or "Asperger's" will be profound and will effect the child for the rest of his/her school years and beyond. Thus it is important that the 'labels' be given in an accurate manner, and, concomitantly, that they are associated with clearly defined conditions. With Asperger's Syndrome it is diagnosis at the very mildest and most severe form that is most important. For the mildest cases, it may be difficult to distinguish between actual Asperger's and a simple eccentric or anachronistic view of the world being displayed by the child (Muller, 2007). Unfortunately, the syndrome is so loosely defined that it may be simply a matter of subjective opinion rather than objective fact as to whether a child is labeled as displaying Asperger's Syndrom

My Obstacles and Outcomes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My Obstacles and Outcomes - Essay Example The problem was that we needed to know what to do with children who are not bilingual and cannot understand the Korean language. I was an English teacher. My job was to lead the children through different activities and preach to them in English. This was a very frustrating experience since I had never preached before. There was also the problem of age differences. I had to handle children as young as 4-5 years of age as well as children who were in the 5th or 6th grade. I was used to smaller groups of children and these were larger. The first day was a nightmare. Firstly, I was not used to delivering a 25-minute sermon. Secondly, I could not get their attention. Thirdly, the preaching level was not up to par to their level of understanding. After brainstorming, matters improved. I came up with strategies. I created a PowerPoint presentation. I also searched for funny simple images that related to the bible story. For example, in telling the story of the blind man I found a picture o f a blind person. I used a strategy of questioning with storyboards and I also found short video clips from YouTube that related to the bible stories. Every child had a chance to answer and as a reward, I provided candy for answering the questions correctly. The final outcome was superb. The children paid attention to the bible study, during arts and crafts, and during their eating periods. The aim of the project was to have them get to know Christ. I was able to do this by creating a visual effect to catch their attention, providing different questions to match all ages, and rewarding them. In conclusion, the project was a challenge. The summer bible camp was an experience that increased my knowledge of teaching. These experiences made me think of new ideas. I am now a Sunday school teacher for 3rd and 4th graders at a new church. I am now able to handle international students more readily. I love teaching and getting to know the children. I hope to encounter other tasks to overcom e and gain knowledge from it, as a member of the Teach For America Corporation.

Humanities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Humanities - Essay Example For both of them responsibility is fidelity and commitment to the truth as it presents or reveals itself to their awareness or memory at the present moment. To be responsible to truth is to encounter it/respond to it for what it is. Hamlet first manifested it in his adamant refusal to shed the outward trappings of mourning against the protestation of his uncle king and queen mother, who wanted him to express the jubilation of their new marriage. Stubborn as he is in his fidelity and sense of responsibility towards his deceased king father, he insisted in the truth of â€Å"that within which passeth show† (Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene II). As for Phaedra, when pressed by Oeneoneas to the cause of her depression, she made a simple acknowledgement of the truth raging within her: â€Å"I feel all the furies of desire†. (Racine, Act 1 Scene III). No matter how fearsome the truth is, she shrinks not in acknowledging and recognizing its potent poison. Both of them yielded to the power of this truth but differ in the manner of their response. Hamlet refused to hide the truth; Phaedra chose to languish in secret till she could bear no more to hide the truth. To be responsible to truth is to act so that that the truth comes to light, no matter what the price. When the deceased king’s apparition revealed to Hamlet the dastardly act of murder committed by his uncle against his father and commanded him to execute vengeance, Hamlet subsequently manifested a prolonged ambivalence towards acting on the revelation. Far from fear of the challenge, Hamlet’s tarrying was rather a strong proof of his commitment and responsibility for truth. His words: â€Å"prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,† (Shakespeare, Act III, Scene I) belied his confidence in the apparition’s revelation and could not commit himself to such unverified disclosure. He, however, was committed to ascertain the truthfulness of the apparition’s revelation,

Novel “Asturias” Essay Example for Free

Novel â€Å"Asturias† Essay Celebrity and fame don’t affect all relationships equally; some individual’s relationships are positively affected while others are affected negatively. Some individuals are easily influenced by fame and let it influence their relationships. Brain Caswell shows these ideas in the novel â€Å"Asturias† in the novel it is about a group being formed to make music and to make it in the world of fames. The song by Ed Sheeran’s You Need Me is about the singer ready to enter fame and is determined to make it. The trailer for Almost Famous is about a boy entering a new world full of celebrities. Asturias explores how fame can affect a celebrity’s relation both positively and negatively. In Asturias fame creates opportunities for individuals to form new relations or enhance old ones. Max desire to, â€Å"assemble a band†¦. With image and substance† reveals how fame gives the group members (Alex, Chrissie, Marco, Tasha and Tim) opportunity to meet each other and form new relationships. This idea also highlights Tim’s observation how, â€Å"you have more friends than ever† when you become famous. Celebrities have more fans and meet more celebrities of which they have idolised. It affects their relations towards the band members in their group. Ed Sheeran’s song You need me, also shows how fame can give more opportunities and exceed in life through the use of metaphor in the line â€Å"more greener pastures†. Likewise the trailer for almost famous also supports the notion that fame can create new relationships as the main character is introduced to rock stars and befriends them. This is emphasised when the main character is shown in a mid shot at the start of the trailer. With an upbeat song playing in the background highlighting his vulnerability and how he is starting the journey to fame. This vulnerable shot contrast with later shots where he is singing with the band members in their bus showing that his joined their group. Fame may create opportunities however it can put strains in relationships. Fame can create opportunities for forming new relationships or enhancing old relationships, in the trailer almost famous it shows the main character in a mid shot with an up beat song playing in the background showing his vulnerability and leading on through the trailer he starts his journey to  fame. He starts to experience the ride that everyone dreams for. These relations are affect by fame because they shown they are alone and they begin to make new friends such as rock stars and celebrities and they being to have friendships with. In the line by Ed Sheeran, â€Å"move to greener pastures,† he uses metaphor to show that he wants to go far and exceed in life. Fame gives him more opportunities to exceed in life and it brings new opportunities in his life. Also in Asturias the line â€Å" you have more friends then ever†, it shows how there are also new people entering in your life. New relationships are made and fame gives them these opportunities. Lastly fame gives you the dream. It’s a clichà © it gives you the opportunity to exceed in life and try new things and do the thing you love. Fame puts strain on old relationships epically with friends and family or can make it difficult to make new (real) friends. Such as in almost famous â€Å"rock starts have steeled my son†, the imagery of fame taking away her son, it affects the mums and sons relationship negatively because her son is to caught up on all the glitz and glamor. The mum knows these people are fake and don’t really care about the son. It also puts a strain in the mums and son relationship as the mother is loosing her son and they are distant. In relation, in Asturias the motif of the â€Å"brass ring† communicates the idea that fame and celebrity is not what it looks like it seems perfect and it everything you imagine it is gold in our eyes. Marco’s realises this when his dad wants to come back into the picture again, his dad just wants his money and doesn’t want him for all the other things. Marcos relations ship is like the brass ring. It looks like gold when his dad wants him but he starts to realise that his dad’s just brass and the idea of him really wanting to know him was an illusion. Brian Caswell outlines that fame has a positive and negative aspects as evident in the line, â€Å"with one hand it gives you the dream, with the other it takes a subtle payment†, where juxtaposition and imagery displays how fame is not always beneficial and always has a price. It shows how it can affect the relationships with your family and friends. You start to feel disconnected but you are making new friends however these friends may be untrustworthy and won’t be they’re when you stuff up. As you see fame has influenced these relationships in a negatively way. Keeping relationships intact while being famous requires hard work and a good support system plus you need to stay connected to the real world. In the song, You Need Me by Ed Sheeran in the line, â€Å"from day one I’ve been prepared†, the composer shows that he’s ready to entre fame, he’s ready to live the lifestyle of socialising, paparazzi, criticism and fake friends. He is ready to live in that negative environment which may affect his relation towards him self. Also in this line the rhythm is fast and up beat, he’s also rapping he uses this to show that fame is constantly fast you got to keep in track and your constantly have to keep putting yourself out their until you make it. In the line, â€Å"the light at the end of the tunnel was beginning to look less and less like an on-coming train†. Brian Caswell does this to show how their seems to be more hope and that the dream can actually happen, through the use of illusion. It shows how f ame affected the group’s relationship positively because they had a good support system and they stay connected to the their family and friends. Fame affects relationships by changing their lifestyle and world. It changes their lifestyle and world because new people entre your life such as fans. You loose your close friends because fame start to take over your life and usually your friends say remember me when you’re famous, because they know their going to loose you. You have a new status to live up to and you have are more restricted with your life. Your lifestyle change to glamorous fast paced, luxurious and wealthy. Your confidence grows and you are also placed in a new environment that surrounds you with expectations and partying and drugs and alcohol. In conclusion celebrity and fame can affects relations based on the person and the relationships on the others. Fame can affect them on the way they think about life by achieving their goals and knowing that anything can happen. However it also can impact their life by changing it around and influencing them to a false world and change their whole persona on life. Celebrity and fame can impact many relations it all depends on the individual and the way they look on to fame.